Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología (Journal)
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Deep Learning Approach for Arabic Sign Language Alphabet Recognition
Get PDFIntroduction: Sign language plays a crucial role in enabling communication for individuals with hearing impairments. Among the various sign languages, Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) is one of the most widely used in the Arab world. It consists of two main forms: word-based ArSL and alphabetic ArSL (ArSLA), where each Arabic letter is represented by a specific hand sign.Objective: This study aims to develop an effective and robust classification model for recognizing Arabic Sign Language Alphabets to enhance communication accessibility for the hearing-impaired community.Method: A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture was designed and trained on a dataset of Arabic Sign Language Alphabet images. The model’s performance was evaluated using accuracy metrics on both training and testing datasets.Results: The proposed CNN model achieved an accuracy of 99.4% on the training set and 96.57% on the test set, demonstrating its strong generalization ability in recognizing Arabic sign alphabets.Conclusions: The findings confirm the effectiveness of a simple CNN-based approach for Arabic Sign Language Alphabet recognition. This work highlights the potential of deep learning methods to promote accessibility and social inclusion for individuals with hearing disabilities
Development and Validation of the Digital Sensor Kariasa (SenDiKa 1.0 & 2.0): A Non-Invasive Prototype for Simultaneous Measurement of Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Cholesterol
Get PDFIntroduction: Recurrent stroke remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Monitoring key metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors—blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol—typically requires invasive and separate measurements. This study presents the development and validation of a portable non-invasive device, the Digital Sensor Kariasa (SenDiKa 1.0), designed to simultaneously measure these three parameters using infrared technology.
Methods: The prototype was developed through a multi-stage process: (1) literature review and selection of a 1200 nm infrared sensor, imported due to limited regional availability; (2) integration with KY-039 module and Arduino UNO microcontroller; (3) determination of zero offset (value 849) for signal calibration; (4) progressive calibration through 70 experimental measurements (October–December 2019), applying linear regression to establish predictive equations; and (5) validation through 264 measurements compared with standard invasive devices. Sensitivity and specificity were analyzed using chi-square tests.
Results: Final equations demonstrated strong correlation with standard values, achieving coefficients of determination up to 0,9455. Validation results showed high sensitivity and specificity: blood pressure (94.5% and 72,7%), blood glucose (96,3% and 79,4%), and cholesterol (64,5% and 89,4%). The prototype was portable (15 × 9 × 4 cm), powered by 12V 1.2A, with real-time results displayed on a 2,4” LCD.
Conclusions: SenDiKa 1.0 successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a non-invasive, portable device for simultaneous measurement of three major stroke risk factors, with good sensitivity and specificity. While blood pressure and glucose achieved excellent agreement with manual methods, cholesterol measurement requires further refinement. This prototype has potential applications in primary care, community health screening, and home monitoring
Job Satisfaction and Mental Health among Physical Education Teachers: A Qualitative Study in Rural Public Schools of the Alausí-Chunchi District, Ecuador
Get PDFIntroduction: Teacher job satisfaction is a critical determinant of professional performance, mental health, and educational quality. Physical Education (PE) teachers in rural areas face unique challenges, including limited resources, misalignment between training and rural teaching contexts, and weak policy implementation. Research on their satisfaction and psychological well-being is scarce, particularly in Ecuador. Objective: This study explored the factors influencing job satisfaction and mental health among PE teachers in rural schools of the Alausí-Chunchi district (Ecuador), focusing on educational policies, professional training, resources, curricular content, and mental health. Method: A qualitative case study design was employed. Ten PE teachers from rural schools were purposefully selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were thematically analyzed, with illustrative participant quotes providing authenticity and evidence for the identified themes. Results: Limited awareness of educational policies generated stress and feelings of undervaluation, negatively affecting mental health. Initial professional training promoted satisfaction and confidence, but gaps in preparation for rural contexts caused frustration. Continuing and autonomous professional development were constrained by cost, distance, and lack of institutional support, exacerbating stress. Resource scarcity—including material, technological, and infrastructural limitations—created additional challenges for teaching and well-being. While curricular flexibility was valued, adapting content to rural realities imposed cognitive and emotional strain. Positive experiences, such as student engagement and peer collaboration, enhanced resilience and professional pride. Conclusions: Job satisfaction among rural PE teachers is multidimensional and closely linked to mental health. Interventions improving policy communication, context-specific professional training, resource provision, and adaptive curriculum support are essential to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and improve teaching quality. The study underscores the need to integrate mental health considerations into teacher satisfaction research, policy, and practice in rural educational settings
Integration of Design Thinking and Naik Dango Local Wisdom: A New Paradigm for Enhancing 4C Skills in Biology Learning
Get PDFThis study aims to develop a learning model based on the local wisdom of Naik Dango integrated with design thinking to empower students’ 4C skills (critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration). These skills are essential in 21st-century education, while the introduction and preservation of local wisdom are important to maintain cultural diversity. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a learning model that can introduce and preserve local culture while enhancing students’ 21st-century skills. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach by Plomp and Nieveen, consisting of three stages: (1) preliminary research, (2) prototyping phase, and (3) assessment phase. Data were collected through expert validation, observation, and questionnaires to assess the model’s practicality and effectiveness, and then analyzed using ANCOVA to examine differences in learning outcomes and students’ 4C skills. The validity test results indicated that all learning materials were valid, with substantial to perfect reliability. The practicality evaluation showed that the Naik Dango learning model integrated with design thinking was very well received by students, with an average positive response rate of 87.20%. The effectiveness test demonstrated a significant improvement in students’ 4C skills after using this model (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the Naik Dango learning model integrated with design thinking proved to be an effective, relevant, and contextual learning strategy, which not only enhances students’ 4C skills but also introduces and preserves local cultural values. This model can serve as an innovative alternative for culture-based biology education and 21st-century learning
Narrative Inquiry into Teachers\u27 Technology Readiness for Effective Classroom Management
No full textTechnology readiness of teachers is considered important in the current learning process, as it plays a vital role in improving the quality of education. This study aims to explore teachers’ experiences in classroom management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation with the support of digital technology. A qualitative approach using a narrative inquiry design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and classroom observations involving seven teachers from urban primary schools in Surakarta City, Indonesia, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed with narrative analysis. The findings reveal that teachers\u27 technological readiness in the planning stage is demonstrated by their ability to integrate digital tools, utilise educational videos, and prepare interactive learning media in their lesson plans. During implementation, teachers\u27 technology readiness was demonstrated by their ability to operate devices such as laptops, LCD projectors, and Chromebooks independently, while also employing applications like Canva, Quizizz, and Liveworksheet to promote active and creative student participation in the classroom. In the evaluation stage, teachers applied both process- and product-based assessments using digital tools such as Google Forms and performance rubrics to measure students’ creativity and digital competencies. This research makes a significant contribution to the field of education by providing empirical data on teachers’ technological readiness and underscores the importance of continuous professional development and adequate infrastructure to support the effectiveness of technology-enhanced learning environments
Digital Innovation in Higher Education: Assessing the P-OUS Open Distance Learning Model through the Integration of Science and Technology
Get PDFIntroduction: The rapid growth of digital innovation has reshaped higher education, making open and distance e-learning essential for accessibility and flexibility. This study focuses on the P-OUS (Peruse, Offer, Uphold, and Sow) Open Distance Learning Model implemented at Pangasinan State University – Open University Systems, highlighting its integration of science and technology to support graduate education in diverse fields.Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the P-OUS model by examining its relevance, resource adequacy, implementation quality, and program outcomes.Method: Guided by Stufflebeam’s CIPP evaluation framework, the study utilized a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms to students from the Doctor of Education, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Science in Fisheries, and Master in Development Management programs. Data analysis combined descriptive statistics for demographics, technology access, and satisfaction levels with thematic analysis of qualitative feedback on perceived barriers and experiences.Results and Conclusion: Findings indicate that the P-OUS model effectively promotes inclusive and flexible learning. Quantitative results show that 83% of students reported high satisfaction with course design and interaction, while 78% expressed positive engagement in collaborative learning. The overall mean satisfaction score of 4.32/5 reflects strong approval of learning flexibility and accessibility. However, challenges remain, including technical limitations (42%), pedagogical inconsistencies (31%), and personal time-management constraints (27%). The study concludes that the P-OUS model enhances learner inclusion, adaptability, and engagement in graduate online education. Sustainable implementation requires optimizing workload and assessment pacing, strengthening communication and faculty presence, expanding mobile-first and offline access
Design of an immersive virtual classroom in virtual reality as an innovative tool for the preparation of teachers in pedagogical competences in higher education
Get PDFThe study investigated the impact of an immersive virtual reality classroom design for teacher preparation in pedagogical competencies in higher education. Virtual reality, as an emerging technology, offers opportunities for teacher preparation through interactive environments that facilitate the development of complex skills. The objective was to propose an immersive virtual classroom design to improve teachers\u27 pedagogical competencies. A descriptive and exploratory approach was used, with a structured Likert-scale survey applied to 30 teachers from higher education institutions. The survey assessed perceptions of feasibility, accessibility, effectiveness and the potential of virtual reality in pedagogical training. The results showed that most teachers had a positive attitude towards the use of VR, although concerns were raised about costs, infrastructure and the need for additional training. Despite these barriers, participants recognised the potential of VR to improve the quality of education. The study concluded that, although there are challenges to implementing an immersive virtual classroom, teachers are willing to adopt this technology if they are provided with adequate infrastructure and training support. Virtual reality has the potential to transform teacher preparation in higher education.
Risk of eating disorders related to body shape perception in adolescents
Get PDFIntroduction: Currently, young people face mental problems that have an impact on their behavior, one of them being Eating Behavior Disorders (ED), which, according to the WHO, manifest abnormal eating behaviors, distortion of how they look physically, paying more attention to their weight and the food they eat. Objective: To analyze the risk of eating disorders and their relationship with the perception of body shape in adolescents. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional research in high school students whose eating attitudes and body shape were evaluated. The study subjects were selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling in 184 students with informed parental consent and student\u27s assent. The data were analyzed in the statistical program SPSS version 15.0 demo with descriptive and inferential statistics, with adherence to international and national ethical aspects. Results: Participants at risk of ATT represented 7.6% of the population, 33.2% obtained body shape concern, 20.1% were identified as underweight and 21.2% as overweight and obese. Conclusions: A relationship was observed between the variables body shape perception and risk of ED (rs=.448, p=<0.000) determining that the greater the concern for body shape the greater the risk of eating disorders. Therefore, nursing professionals should intervene immediately to address the problem with strategies that have an impact on the health of adolescents
Improving Students’ Cognitive Abilities and Motivation in Kinematics Material Through Egamerasi Media
Get PDFIntroduction: Kinematics is considered as difficult material. Learning media greatly supports the achievement of learning objectives. Educational games have been proven to be an attraction for students to learn, easy to use in learning. However, in a preliminary study, the use of educational games, students\u27 conceptual understanding was still in the moderate category. While the presentation of material with a multiple representations approach has been proven to make it easier for students to understand science concepts. The purpose of this study was to test the results of the development of Educational Game Based Multiple Representations (EGAMERASI) as a science learning media to improve students’ understanding and motivation in learning.Methods: This study is an experimental study in the testing activity of using EGAMERASI media on a limited scale. The research instruments include cognitive ability tests and student learning motivation questionnaires. Data analysis used descriptive quantitative to determine the effectiveness of increasing EGAMERASI, and students’ ARCS motivation levels.Results: The results of this study are 1) EGAMERASI has been proven to increase the average cognitive ability in the high category and is effective in the domains of knowledge, understanding, application, and analysis. Moreover, at the cognitive level of evaluation and synthesis are included in the category of quite effective, and 3) the increasing of ARCS motivation scores are attention 89%, relevance 90%, confidence 85%, and satisfaction 88%, including overall 87%.Conclusions: All of indicators were responded by students and included in the category of making students very motivated in learning.
Humanized care for patients with gender identity: dilemmas, impact and intervention strategies
Get PDFIntroduction: health care involves respectful and moral treatment, especially for people of diverse gender identities, who are susceptible to prejudice and obstacles in health services, so this research aims to analyze the literature on humanized care for these patients in health care services, their challenges, complications and the management of this care.Methods: an exhaustive review of 210 academic articles from different indexed scientific databases, such as Scopus, Dialnet, Latindex, EBSCO, CINAHL, Scielo, Medline, BVS, DOAJ, IPIndexing Portal, Cuiden Citation, Web of Science, RED Edit, REHIC, RevEnf, Periódica, among others, was carried out; 30 met the selection standards, in addition a matrix made in Excel was used to classify the information, and an inductive analytical review of the data was completed.Results: obstacles were encountered in treating individuals regarding gender identity, including insufficient professional expertise, bias, and typical gender norms within health care facilities. In contrast, successful tactics included inclusive education, adherence to specific standards, and use of a social identifier, together fostering safety and amplifying the perceived quality of care.Conclusions: humanized care contributes to better adherence to treatments, reduces discrimination, and strengthens the relationship between patients and health systems. Despite advances, additional efforts are required to overcome structural and cultural barriers, promoting equitable and inclusive care