Teachers' perspectives for a critical agenda in media education post COVID-19. A comparative study in Latin America

The COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America forced a transition from a face-to-face educational model to a distance model affected by emergencies, technological precariousness, and lack of planning. This has heightened the need for media literacy in the region. In this context, the changes that have occurred were analyzed in order to propose a critical agenda from the perspective of teachers. First, a desk research of official sources was carried out to learn about the strategies of the four countries under study: Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru. Secondly, eight focus groups were conducted with primary school teachers from public and private institutions to learn about their perception of their own and their students' media competencies, the impact of the pandemic on their practices and needs, and the emerging challenges in this crisis. The results shed light on the need for relevant ICT training from a media literacy perspective, and strategies to address connectivity gaps, lack of adequate environments and work overload. The specific results per country and the differences and demands of each context are discussed in this work as contributions to the development of a critical agenda in media education. La pandemia causada por la COVID-19 en América Latina obligó a transitar de un modelo educativo presencial a uno a distancia atravesado por la emergencia, las precariedades tecnológicas y la falta de planificación. Esto ha agudizado las necesidades de educación mediática en la región. En ese contexto, se analizó los cambios ocurridos para proponer una agenda crítica desde la perspectiva de los docentes. En primer lugar, se realizó una revisión documental de fuentes oficiales para conocer las estrategias de los cuatro países de estudio: Argentina, Ecuador, Chile y Perú. En segundo lugar, se llevaron a cabo ocho grupos focales con docentes de primaria de instituciones públicas y privadas para conocer su percepción sobre sus competencias mediáticas y las de sus estudiantes, el impacto de la pandemia en sus prácticas y necesidades, y los retos emergentes en esta crisis. Los resultados apuntan a la necesidad de capacitaciones pertinentes en el manejo de las TIC, así como estrategias que atiendan las brechas de conectividad, la falta de ambientes adecuados y la sobrecarga laboral. Los resultados específicos por país, las diferencias y demandas propias de cada contexto, se discuten en este trabajo como aportes al desarrollo de una agenda crítica en educación mediática.

Trajectory Tracking Control for Intelligent Vehicles Based on Cut-In Behavior Prediction

For intelligent vehicles, trajectory tracking control is of vital importance. However, due to the cut-in possibility of adjacent vehicles, trajectory planning of intelligent vehicles is challenging. Therefore, this paper proposes a trajectory tracking control method based on cut-in behavior prediction. A method of cut-in intention recognition is adopted to judge the possibility of adjacent vehicle and the driver preview model is used to predict the trajectory of the cut-in vehicle. The three driving scenarios are divided to manage trajectory planning under different cut-in behaviors. At the same time, the safety distance model is established as the basis for scene conversion. Taking the predicted trajectory of the cut-in vehicle as a reference, the model predictive control (MPC) method is used to plan and control the driving trajectory of the subject vehicle, so as to realize the coordinated control of the subject vehicle and the cut-in vehicle. Finally, the simulation shows that the subject vehicle can effectively recognize the cut-in intention of the adjacent vehicle and predict its trajectory. Facing with the cut-in vehicle, the subject vehicle can take appropriate control actions in advance to ensure the safety. Finally, a smoother coordinate control process is obtained between the subject vehicle and the cut-in vehicle.

Assembly process case matching based on a multilevel assembly ontology method

Purpose The purpose of this study is to achieve accurate matching of new process cases to historical process cases and then complete the reuse of process knowledge and assembly experience. Design/methodology/approach By integrating case-based reasoning (CBR) and ontology technology, a multilevel assembly ontology is proposed. Under the general framework, the knowledge of the assembly domain is described hierarchically and associatively. On this basis, an assembly process case matching method is developed. Findings By fully considering the influence of ontology individual, case structure, assembly scenario and introducing the correction factor, the similarity between non-correlated parts is significantly reduced. Compared with the Triple Matching-Distance Model, the degree of distinction and accuracy of parts matching are effectively improved. Finally, the usefulness of the proposed method is also proved by the matching of four practical assembly cases of precision components. Originality/value The process knowledge in historical assembly cases is expressed in a specific ontology framework, which makes up for the defects of the traditional CBR model. The proposed matching method takes into account all aspects of ontology construction and can be used well in cross-ontology similarity calculations.

A Critical Overview of FDA and EMA Statistical Methods to Compare In Vitro Drug Dissolution Profiles of Pharmaceutical Products

A drug dissolution profile is one of the most critical dosage form characteristics with immediate and controlled drug release. Comparing the dissolution profiles of different pharmaceutical products plays a key role before starting the bioequivalence or stability studies. General recommendations for dissolution profile comparison are mentioned by the EMA and FDA guidelines. However, neither the EMA nor the FDA provides unambiguous instructions for comparing the dissolution curves, except for calculating the similarity factor f2. In agreement with the EMA and FDA strategy for comparing the dissolution profiles, this manuscript provides an overview of suitable statistical methods (CI derivation for f2 based on bootstrap, CI derivation for the difference between reference and test samples, Mahalanobis distance, model-dependent approach and maximum deviation method), their procedures and limitations. However, usage of statistical approaches for the above-described methods can be met with difficulties, especially when combined with the requirement of practice for robust and straightforward techniques for data evaluation. Therefore, the bootstrap to derive the CI for f2 or CI derivation for the difference between reference and test samples was selected as the method of choice.

Modeling of TST Using Biological Signals and KL-Hausdorff Distance Similarity Measure for Gene Based Parkinson’s Disease Recognition

Genetic research experienced drastic transformation since past decades, which benefits the biological area eventually for the detection of neurodegenerative ailment like Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, rigorous investigate had been conceded out for of PDs detection instigated through-sequence -and recessive auto-somal-of dominant-genes such as PARK2, LRRK2, SNCA, PARK7 and PINK1. Several inherent based similarity degree representations such as Cosine similarity and Hamming Distance model were introduced for the detection of these genes. However, these representations detect 2 to 3 gene sequence barely by maximum Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and minimum accuracy rate. The ratio of misclassification is too great for prevailing scheme. To perceive PD through low RMSE and high accuracy a Kullback-Leibler Hausdroff distance (KL-H) similarity measure model is proposed so as to discover the affected patient pattern efficiently. It works in two phases, in first, protein sequence of amino acid is determined with the use of model transcription, splicing and translation (TST). The second stage in turn distinguish PD that depends on the model of similarity measure which comprise assessment of template sequence and specified sequence with the use of Hausdorff distance and KL-distance process. The property of nucleotide density in KL distance measure algorithm was employed. The result analysis and comparative study were presented among the proposed and existing system. We attained maximum accuracy of 88%, with sensitivity 67.86%, specificity 93.81%, precision 76%, F1 score 71.69%, minimum RMSE (12%) and FPR (6.19%)in comparison to the prevailing similarity measurement model.

Evaluating the Efficiency of Water Distribution Network Sectors Using the DEA-Weight Russell Directional Distance Model: The Case of the City of Valencia (Spain)

In many cities, sectorization projects of the drinking water distribution network have been implemented. This study provides a methodology to evaluate the efficiency of the sectors of a water distribution network by applying a data envelopment analysis weighted Russell directional distance (DEA-WRDD) model. This non-radial DEA model gives the overall efficiency of each unit of analysis, as well as each input, output, and undesirable output considered in the evaluation. The variables used in the analysis provide a multidisciplinary view: economic factors (covering costs), water quality parameters, and technical aspects. The empirical analysis was performed for the sectors of the water distribution network of the city of Valencia (Spain) for the year 2016. In this particular case, the results showed that approximately half of the sectors were efficient. The efficiency values of each variable indicate that the main challenges (faced by the water distribution company) were the optimization of maintenance costs and the reduction of leaks, both of which have an impact on the quality of the distributed water. So, the purpose of this article is to highlight the usefulness of efficiency analysis to help the decision making of managers of sectorized water distribution networks so that they can optimize the management.

Isolation and endemism in subterranean aquatic snails: unexpected case of Montenegrospeum bogici (Pešić et Glöer, 2012) (Gastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae)

The subterranean aquatic snails may serve as a model of endemism and isolation vs. migration in subterranean habitats. The aim of the present paper is to verify the hypothesis that subterranean aquatic snails can migrate through diverse subterranean habitats, applying four molecular markers as well as a RAPD technique and shell morphometry. They were used to estimate the differences and gene flow between populations of the hydrobiid subterranean aquatic species Montenegrospeum bogici, collected in the Dinaric karst region. Three molecularly distinct taxonomic units were distinguished. The mOTU B was found at single locality, mOTU C at two, but the mOTU A at ten localities, scattered along 236 km distance, at two of them in sympatry with either mOTU B or C. Within mOTU A, the estimated levels of the gene flow were high. The pairwise measures of genetic differentiation were statistically significantly associated with geographic distances between the populations. In general, neither the infinite-island model of interpopulation differentiation, expected for isolated populations, nor the stepping-stone one, but rather the isolation-by-distance model explained the observed pattern. Our results suggest that interstitial habitats provide ways of migration for the stygobiont M. bogici, as has been already suggested for other subterranean gastropods.

IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE JUNIOR SKILLS COMPETITION: TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM AND REMOTE LEARNING FORMATS

Введение. Подготовка обучающихся к участию в соревновательных мероприятиях Junior Skills – актуальная задача современного образования. Особенностью процесса обучения робототехнике, электронике и инженерно-техническому творчеству является деятельность, основанная на практическом выполнении задач. Практический подход к профессиональному самоопределению отлично представлен через мероприятия движения World Skills Junior. Остается открытым вопрос об определении эффективности используемых организационных форм – очного и дистанционного обучения. Важно учитывать особенности, сильные и слабые стороны каждого формата взаимодействия для эффективного обеспечения непрерывности образовательной линии и процесса самоопределения обучающихся в условиях непредсказуемости современности. Цель – определение педагогических условий формирования необходимых практических навыков у обучающихся при подготовке к соревнованиям Junior Skills через очную и дистанционную формы взаимодействия. Материал и методы. С 2018 по 2020 г. на базе Детского центра образовательной робототехники Томского государственного педагогического университета и Курлекской средней общеобразовательной школы Томского района реализованы программы подготовки к соревнованиям Junior Skills. Подготовку прошли 75 обучающихся 3–6-х классов и 58 обучающихся 9–11-х классов. В исследовании были реализованы методы сравнительно-сопоставительного анализа, моделирования, наблюдение и опросные методы. Результаты и обсуждение. В ходе проведения опытно-экспериментальной работы разработана и апробирована модель дистанционного формата реализации образовательной программы по подготовке обучающихся к соревнованиям профессионального мастерства уровня Junior Skills Russia, а также серия заданий по формированию первичных самостоятельных практико-ориентированных проб (по профилям робототехника, программирование, моделирование, электроника). Заключение. Дистанционная форма образовательной программы добавляет в общий перечень мер подготовки к соревнованиям профессионального мастерства дополнительный опыт тренировки самоконтроля, выводит обучающихся из зоны комфорта и помогает научиться контролировать свой уровень стресса при работе в нестандартных условиях, дает возможность принимать ответственность за свои действия и позволяет самоопределиться с дальнейшим профессиональным профилем. Introduction. Preparing schoolchildren for participation in JuniorSkills competitions is an urgent task of modern education. A feature of the process of teaching robotics, electronics and engineering and technical creativity is activities based on the practical implementation of tasks. A hands-on approach to professional self-determination is well presented through the events of the World Skills Junior movement. The question of determining the effectiveness of the organizational forms used in face-to-face and remote learning remains open. It is important to take into account the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of each format of interaction. It is important for effectively ensuring the continuity of the educational line and the process of self-determination of students in the conditions of the unpredictability of our time. Aim and objectives. Determination of the pedagogical conditions for the formation of the necessary practical skills among schoolchildren in preparation for the Junior Skills competition through face-to-face and remote forms of interaction. Material and methods. The distance model of the Junior Skills program was tested on the basis of two sites: The Children’s Center for Educational Robotics of the Tomsk State Pedagogical University and the Kurlek Secondary School of the Tomsk District. Since 2018, 75 students in grades 3–6 and 58 students in grades 9–11 have been prepared for competitions in the field of professional self-determination. The training took place in face-to-face and remote formats. Results and discussion. In the course of the experimental work, a model of the distance format for the implementation of the educational program for the preparation of schoolchildren for competitions of professional skills of the Junior Skills Russia level was developed and tested. A series of tasks has been developed for the formation of primary independent practice-oriented tests (for the profiles of robotics, programming, modeling, electronics). Conclusion. The remote form of the educational program adds additional experience of self-control training to the general list of preparation measures for professional skill competitions. It takes schoolchildren out of their comfort zone and helps them learn to control their stress levels when working in non-standard conditions. Also, it gives the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and allows self-determination with a further professional profile.

Productive Efficiency and Non-performing Assets of Indian Banks in the Post-global Financial Crisis Period

This study endeavours to augment the existing literature on the productive efficiency of Indian domestic banks in the presence of non-performing assets (NPAs), by employing the Weighted Russell Directional Distance Model (WRDDM). Following the intermediation approach, the banking technology set includes three inputs, three desirable outputs and one undesirable output, namely NPAs. Due to their inherent technological heterogeneity, public sector banks (PSBs) and private banks (PVBs) have been analysed as separate groups. Balanced panels of 26 PSBs and 18 PVBs are constructed from 2010-2011 to 2016-2017. The results indicate a considerable scope of improvement in the productive performance of both categories of banks. The break-up of overall inefficiency into input- and output-specific components reveals some stimulating information. For PSBs, the inefficiencies primarily result due to physical capital, while for PVBs they emerge mainly from other incomes. However, NPAs are also a key contributor to inefficiency for both the categories of banks. The inefficiency scores also indicate that, across ownership categories, medium-sized banks are poorer performers than their smaller and larger counterparts. JEL: C14, C61, D24, G21