Distance Classes Research Articles

Endovascular Treatment of Flow-Limiting Iliofemoral Stenosis Improves Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With HFpEF by Reducing Aortic Pulsatile Load.

Recent research indicates that there is a high prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with peripheral artery disease. We hypothesized that endovascular treatment (EVT) of flow-limiting peripheral stenosis improves left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. Thirty patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction according to Heart Failure Association-preserved ejection fraction score who were scheduled for EVT or angiography were investigated at baseline, the day after EVT (n=25) or angiography (control, n=5), and at 4 months follow-up. Peripheral hemodynamics were determined by the total peripheral resistance, common femoral artery flow, and ankle brachial index. Aortic function was measured by arterial compliance, augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity. Aortic pulsatile load was estimated as the characteristic impedance of the proximal aorta and the magnitude of wave reflection (reflection coefficient). LV mass index, LV mean wall thickness, and systolic and diastolic function were assessed using echocardiography. Patient-centered outcomes were treadmill walking distance and New York Heart Association class. After EVT, peripheral hemodynamics changed significantly with a decrease in total peripheral resistance and an increase in common femoral artery flow and ankle brachial index. Aortic function improved after EVT, with significantly reduced augmentation index and pulse wave velocity and increased compliance immediately and at follow-up, resulting in a reduction in aortic pulsatile load (characteristic impedance of the proximal aorta and reflection coefficient). Concurrently, LV diastolic function improved after EVT compared with control, acutely and at follow-up, with increased septal and lateral e´ velocities and decreased E/e´ and left atrial volume index. The LV mass index and LV mean wall thickness decreased at follow-up. The New York Heart Association class and treadmill walking distance improved post-EVT at follow-up. Augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, and arterial compliance were identified as independent contributors to E/e´. Endovascular treatment of flow-limiting iliofemoral stenosis reduces aortic pulsatile load and concurrently lowers total peripheral resistance. This beneficial effect is associated with an acute and sustained improvement of left ventricular diastolic function. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02728479.

Distance: A 2024 re-examination

Distance, a concept that continues to be relevant and rather complex, is far from being obsolete despite its diminishing role in the age of virtual space. It represents spatial separation, a notion that was first quantified in Egypt some 5,000 years ago. The evolution of distance can be traced through five distinct phases: natural (absolute and relative distances), relational (time and cost distances, distance decay, friction of distance, and distanciation), technological (extensibility, accessibility, and speed), virtual (proximity, digital, cognitive, and metaphorical distances), and optional (optional and estimated distances). These historical phases have built upon each other, leading to our contemporary experience of all distance classes depending on specific separation cases. Modern humans may overcome any distance on earth, one way or another, unless prevented from doing so by political national sovereignties.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Sudden Implementation of the Synchronous Online Course: Findings of a Mixed Method Study

Tragedies are neither sought nor requested. Unfortunately, they happen and affect all areas of life, especially education. However, they leave lessons that work to face new challenges. This study aims to analyze the transition from classroom classes to distance classes due to an earthquake that hit Mexico City in 2017, damaging its buildings and infrastructure, to find the necessary aspects for an efficient transition in these cases. Faculty members were interviewed about their views during the transition. The student’s grades were also compared. Student responses were analyzed in the teacher satisfaction surveys. According to the results, a statistical model was finally generated to establish a correlation between the studied factors. A model was obtained with four clusters in which different teacher profiles are grouped. Young teachers with excellent technology management or experienced teachers with good use of technology and who are very well trained is the profile required for an efficient transition. This study served as a basis to meet the contingencies, which allowed the establishment of a more expeditious and efficient online educational system.

Spectral Ground Motion Models for Himalayas Using Transfer Learning Technique

ABSTRACT Predicting robust earthquake spectra is challenging, especially for data sparse regions such as India. Often, alternatives to the traditional data-driven regression analysis are used to develop empirical models for such regions. Advancing these efforts, the present study aims at exploring an alternative machine learning technique called Transfer learning, wherein a non-parametric deep neural network is trained for response (Sa) and Fourier spectra (FAS) of Himalayas, which uses network parameters that were derived for a large comprehensive database (NGA-West2). While the FAS is derived using magnitude, distance, focal depth, and site class, the Sa is scaled using FAS and significant duration.

Influence of distance section classes on aesthetic gymnastics on the physical condition of students of 18-19 years of higher education institution

The article deals with the possibility of using aesthetic gymnastics in the program of remote section classes among students of 18-19 years of higher education. The relevance and practical significance of this study is due to the need to improve the overall physical condition of the student youth, especially in recent years, which are characterized by the unjustified transition of many universities of Ukraine mainly to the sectional form of work with students, the consequences of the world pandemic at the Covid-19 and the military condition. In connection with the above, an evaluation of the use of aesthetic gymnastics tools was used in the program of sectional distance classes of students of higher education. It is proved that the use of the studio girls of the said program contributed to a significant improvement in their overall physical condition. The completion of the study was a significant increase in the levels of functional state of circulatory systems and external respiration (respectively by 36.37%and 26.33%), physical health (by 27.97%), physical work capacity (by 33.13%), weight loss (by 3.74%), values of deviation of body weight from proper values (by 7.63%), fat component (by 20.27%) and score for the type of body construction (by 15.57%). The results testified to the high efficiency of the use of aesthetic gymnastics in the program of section remote classes for students of higher education institution and the possibility of practical use in the boiling process of higher education in physical education.

Optimizing the functional state of the cardiorespiratory system of female students aged 17-19 with the help of a modified program of distance classes in physical education

The article deals with the peculiarities of the impact of a modified program of distance training on physical education on the functional state of circulatory systems and external breathing of students of 17-19 years of higher education. The relevance and practical importance of this study is due to the complex modern conditions of life of our country, the inability to conduct full -fledged classes among student youth and the need to maintain the optimal level of physical and functional state of student youth. The use among female students of the experimental group of the program of remote classes proposed by us contributed to significantly higher rates of improvement in heart rate, all types of blood pressure, Robinson's index, total peripheral resistance of blood vessels, coefficient of efficiency of blood circulation, vital capacity of the lungs (in 2-3 times), breath retention time on inhalation and exhalation (3 and 5 times, respectively), Skibinsky index 5 times, hypoxia index (20 times) and almost 5 times the levels of the functional state of the cardiovascular system and the external system breath. The results of changes in their intragroup distribution by the levels of levels of functional state of circulatory and external respiration, which were reflected in the increase of their representation in functional classes high and above average, were significantly more optimal in the experimental group. Similar changes in the girls of the control group were insignificant. The results testified to the high efficiency of the proposed program of distance classes with the use of fitness and the possibility of its practical use among students of higher education.

Unexpected bat community changes along an urban–rural gradient in the Berlin–Brandenburg metropolitan area

Urbanization gradients are increasingly used in ecological studies to discover responses of species communities to different intensities of human-induced habitat transformation. Here, we investigated patterns of bat communities against the background of different urbanization levels using a priori defined urbanization categories based on distance classes (5 km intervals) along a linear transect from the urban core of the city of Berlin westwards into the rural outskirts of the state of Brandenburg. Using linear-mixed effects models, we found that “distance class”, as a proxy for urbanization level, is a meaningful and suitable predictor of bat species richness and diversity. We observed an unexpectedly sudden increase in bat species richness and diversity and changes in species-specific activity levels relatively close to the urban center at the transition between urban and peri-urban areas. This change suggests a relevant influence of the peri-urban areas as a “buffer zone” for specific bat species not able to adapt to the heavily modified inner core of the metropolitan area. Although we could demonstrate that anthropogenic noise and artificial light have the potential to predict the variability of bat species activity along the urban–rural gradient, the actual influence on observed shifts in the bat community needs further research.

Percepción de estudiantes de Medicina sobre curso híbrido de Traumatología y Ortopedia post pandemia COVID-19. Estudio transversal en Chile

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in distance learning for undergraduate medical students. Reports on these experiences have been published but research regarding student perception of these new learning methods is still lacking. Finis Terrae University implemented an online modality in 2021 and a hybrid modality in 2022 for their undergraduate Orthopedics course. AimThe objective of our work is to determine the perception of fifth year medical students with regards to the hybrid 2022 Orthopedics course. MethodologyA student satisfaction survey was conducted assessing the following dimensions: concept and previous experience with distance classes; perception of distance learning and face-to-face practice; limitations of distance education; and rating with regards to maintaining teaching said methodology. ResultsAll students (92/92) responded to the survey. The group was made up of 53% women and 47% men, with a median age of 24 [22-37] years. Most of the students reported that the course met their expectations and that they had a good acquisition of theoretical knowledge, although they had insecurity in the application of the physical examination. Advantages and disadvantages of this modality were recognized and improvements were suggested. ConclusionsThis study supports favorable student perception regarding an adequate acquisition of theoretical knowledge, the advantages of the hybrid modality and the positive evaluation. However, improvement in terms of the acquisition of training in physical examination and time allocation for the Orthopedics course.

Ventilatory Variability Is Increased at Rest in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Ventilatory instability is associated with adverse outcomes in left heart failure, with periodic breathing during awake, rest, sleep and exercise (exercise oscillatory ventilation) associated with increased mortality. Increased peripheral and central chemoreflex sensitivities and impairment of cardiac output have been implicated as causative mechanisms of ventilatory instability in heart failure. As these factors are also present in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), we tested the hypothesis that variability of breath-by-breath ventilation at rest would be increased in PAH compared with healthy controls. In fourteen patients with PAH (9 female, age 48.4±12.8 years, mean ± SD) and 14 healthy participants (9 female, age 49.4±14.2 years) breath-by-breath measurement of tidal volume and breathing frequency was undertaken with a pneumotachometer connected via a mouthpiece with nose-clip for 10 minutes while they rested awake and supine. Ventilatory (V̇E) variability was assessed using root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), standard deviation (SD), average real variability (ARV, i.e., sum of absolute differences in successive observations), coeffcient of variation (CoV), as well as Poincaré analysis and compared between PAH and healthy controls (Student’s t-test). Correlations between measures of ventilatory variability and pulmonary hemodynamic characteristics, exercise capacity and function were assessed with Pearson’s correlation coeffcient. Resting V̇E was higher in PAH compared to healthy controls (14.3±1.1 and 12.1±0.5 L·min−1 respectively; p=0.009). Measures of variability for V̇E were increased in PAH compared to healthy controls. More specifically, RMSSD (3.59±1.36 vs. 2.48±0.87 L·min−1, p=0.017), SD (2.92±1.14 vs. 1.98±0.53 L·min−1, p=0.012), ARV (2.47±0.97 vs. 1.67±0.60 L·min−1, p=0.016), Poincaré SD1 (short-term variability, p=0.020) and SD2 (long-term variability, p=0.028) were increased in PAH compared to healthy controls, respectively. No correlations were found between measures of ventilatory variability and pulmonary hemodynamics (mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and cardiac output), six-minute walk distance or WHO functional class. In summary, resting ventilatory variability is increased in PAH and not associated with haemodynamic factors and exercise capacity. Whether such raised ventilatory variability in PAH is related to increased chemoreflex sensitivity requires exploration. This study received funding support from the Greenlane Research and Educational Fund (21/01/4153), Health Research Council of New Zealand (19/687), and the Sidney Taylor Trust. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

STUDY OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING DIFFICULT ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION WHO PRESENTED TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN RAMKRISHNA CARE HOSPITAL, RAIPUR, CHHATTISGARH

Background: A thorough but brief airway assessment is important and challenging for patients requiring advanced airway assessment. The study aimed to provide knowledge about the factors leading to difficult endotracheal intubation, reduce the number of attempts which will lead to more successful intubation and improve the overall quality of the procedure. Material Methods: A total of 293 patients were selected based on consecutive sampling methods. After ethical committee clearance data was collected using a data collection form. Age, gender, obesity,pre-existing medical conditions, and facial malformations were recorded for each participant. Airway assessment tests such as mouth opening, thyromental distance, hyomental distance, short neck, and Mallampati classes were conducted by investigators. Inclusion criteria were based on 1. The patient who is alive 2. The patient who needs advanced airway management The exclusion criteria were 1. The patient presented in the emergency department with ventilator support 2. Patient who didnt give consent 3. Patients below 14 years of age(pediatric age group) Data was initially entered into an Excel data sheet and then exported to SPSS Statistics version 22 for analysis. Results:From July 2022 to Aug 2023, a total of 293 patients were included in the study. Of these, 170 were male and 123 were female. Under 65 years of age 40 (43.5%) had difficult intubation whereas above 65 years 52(56.5%) had difficult intubation. 134 patients were obese resulting in difficult intubation. Female patients, those suffering from systemic diseases and facial malformation or fracture were found to be more difficult to intubate. We recognized that Mallampati classes ≥3, mouth opening < 4cm, short thyromental distance, and hyomental distance, were also associated with difficult intubation. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the related factors determined that the odds ratio was highest for mouth opening <4 cm (OR = 3.613) and Thyromental distance <6cm (OR = 3.157) Conclusion: Factors affecting difficult intubation were constructed from the patients demographic characteristics and clinical examination. This may help in discriminating against difficult intubation.This will also help in the overall success rate of first attempts of endotracheal intubation in the emergency department.

Overlooked seed‐dispersal modes and underestimated distances

AbstractLong‐distance seed dispersal is a crucial process determining the distribution of plant biodiversity and, therefore, of major interest in biogeography and macroecology. A recent data article on Global Ecology and Biogeography presented a database of estimated seed‐dispersal distance classes for the European flora, where the classes are defined by the morphological dispersal syndrome of species associated with a single dispersal mode. We explain how this article overlooks literature on the unreliable capacity of dispersal syndromes for predicting key dispersal modes involved in long‐distance seed dispersal. Consequently, the published database does not consider the possibility that individual species can naturally be dispersed through multiple modes (polychory). Most importantly, the database consistently omits seed‐dispersal modes that can mediate dispersal distances several orders of magnitude longer than the mode predicted by the syndromes. This is the case of many terrestrial and aquatic plants dispersed by animals, notably ungulates and waterbirds, and that of coastal plants dispersed by the sea. We thus urge caution when using this database to model potential plant dispersal because long‐distance seed dispersal is underestimated in many species.

Mujeres y educación superior a distancia: experiencias rurales y urbanas en la pospandemia

During the covid-19 pandemic, distance education witnessed a surge in credibility, popularity, and advantages; however, this change disproportionately impacted vulnerable groups: the low-income population, the disabled, indigenous groups and children of migrants. While research in basic education has been conducted, information regarding online learning experiences of female university students is limited, especially in relation to gender. Therefore, the present study surveyed 1 206 female undergraduate students from rural and urban contexts to analyze their experiences in distance classes during confinement. Significant differences were found according to context, with women from urban settings valuing the design of assignments and strategies, and instructional design, while those from rural contexts demanded greater attention from their tutors. In both cases, participants lacked prior experience with online courses and suitable learning environments. In conclusion, these disparities warrant further investigation and targeted measures to bridge the gender gap in distance education.

Pseudo-Velocity Response Spectrum to Velocity Response Spectrum Conversion Model

ABSTRACT Velocity response spectrum (SV) plays a critical role in the seismic design of structures equipped with velocity-dependent dampers. Often, the SV is approximated using the pseudo-velocity response spectrum (PSV), because of the lack of information on the SV in seismic codes. As indicated in the existing literature, the error of this approximation is significant for short and long periods, and therefore, researchers have started to develop PSV to SV conversion models for obtaining SV more accurately. Recent studies discovered that the relationship between the PSV and SV is affected not only by structural parameters, but also by magnitude, distance, and site class. However, models for converting PSV to SV including magnitude, distance, and site class as input parameters have not been developed. To this end, a PSV to SV conversion model including magnitude, distance, and site class is proposed in this study based on a large number of real ground motion records (16,660 horizontal acceleration time histories) selected from the Japan Strong Motion Network. Furthermore, since the magnitude and distance are not specified in the seismic design, a response-spectrum-shape factor, s, is discussed to reflect the influences of magnitude and distance. Accordingly, an SV/PSV model incorporating s is established. The proposed models show better accuracy than the existing models for cases with different magnitudes, distances, and site classes.

Long-term safety and tolerability of ambrisentan treatment for pediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: An open-label extension study

This open-label, extension study assessed long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of ambrisentan in a pediatric population (age 8– < 18 years) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Following completion of a 6-month, randomized study, participants entered the long-term extension at individualized ambrisentan dosages (2.5/5/7.5 or 10 mg/day). Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs), AEs of special interest, and serious AEs (SAEs); efficacy outcomes included 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC). Thirty-eight of 41 (93%) randomized study participants entered the extension; 21 (55%) completed (reaching age 18 years). Most participants received concomitant phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (n = 25/38, 66%). Median ambrisentan exposure was 3.5 years. Most participants experienced ≥ 1 AE (n = 34/38, 89%), and 21 (55%) experienced SAEs, most commonly worsening PAH (n = 3/38, 8%), acute cardiac failure, pneumonia, or anemia (n = 2/38; 5% each); none considered ambrisentan-related. Seven participants (18%) died, with recorded reasons (MedDRA preferred term): cardiac failure (n = 2), PAH (n = 2), COVID-19 (n = 1), acute right ventricular failure (n = 1), and failure to thrive (n = 1); median time to death: 5.2 years. Anemia and hepatotoxicity AEs were generally mild to moderate and did not require ambrisentan dose adjustment. Assessed at study end in 29 participants (76%), mean 6MWD improved by 17% (standard deviation: 34.3%), and all (29/29, 100%) had improved or unchanged WHO FC. Conclusion: Long-term weight-based ambrisentan dosing, alone or combined with other PAH therapies in children with PAH aged 8– < 18 years, exhibited tolerability and clinical improvements consistent with prior randomized study results. Trial registration: NCT01342952, April 27, 2011.What is Known:•The endothelin receptor antagonist, ambrisentan, is indicated for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previous studies have shown similar efficacy and tolerability in pediatric patients as in adults.What is New:• This open-label extension study assessed the long-term use of ambrisentan in pediatric patients (8–<18 years) with PAH, most of whom were also receiving recommended background PAH treatment. • Weight-based dosing of ambrisentan, given alone or in combination with other PAH therapies, was well tolerated with clinical improvements consistent with prior randomized study results.

Relationships Between Achievement Goals, Motivation Instability, and Learning Persistence in Asynchronous Distance Classes

This study examined the relationships between achievement goals, motivation instability, and learning persistence in asynchronous distance classes by focusing on mastery goals and performance-avoidance goals. A longitudinal online survey was conducted among university students in Japan at two time points. The first survey had 171 respondents. Out of them, 91 responded to the second survey. The data of the 91 students were analyzed. The results of partial correlation analysis indicated that mastery goals were negatively related to motivation instability and lack of persistence, while performance-avoidance goals were positively related to lack of persistence and unrelated to motivation instability. Mediation analysis indicated that the negative indirect effect of mastery goals on lack of persistence via motivation instability was found, and that the direct effect of mastery goals on lack of persistence was not found. The results highlight the vital role that mastery goals play in learning during asynchronous distance classes.

Genetic inference of orchid colonization of a Costa Rican lava flow

AbstractThe dispersal and colonization of plant populations allow species to occupy novel habitats, migrate, and undergo range shifts in response to changing environmental factors and, as such, are fundamental ecological processes for ensuring the long‐term persistence of species. Natural landscape disturbance often generates habitats available for colonization. Patterns of colonization and population expansion can be inferred from the levels and partitioning of genetic variation of plant populations with known disturbance histories, such as recent volcanic eruptions. We sampled and mapped 496 individuals from two populations of the colonizing terrestrial orchid, Sobralia chrysostoma, on the 1992 lava flow of Volcán Arenal in central Costa Rica. We used neutral co‐dominant markers to genotype individuals and estimate population genetic statistics. Both populations had high mean levels of genetic diversity (P = 100%; AP = 3.31; He = 0.259) suggesting that the lava flow was colonized by numerous individuals that likely originated from multiple source populations. However, significant spatial genetic structure (SGS) was only present in one population at the smallest distance class (≤2 m) and was low (r = 0.032). That these large and genetically diverse populations had such low SGS and an absence of SGS, respectively is contrary to expectations and differs significantly from the pattern in Epidendrum radicans (Orchidaceae), with which S. chrysostoma is growing sympatrically. Our results suggest that these two populations either consist primarily of immigrant individuals or that seeds produced in situ dispersed over longer distances, thereby producing larger seed shadows and greater overlap of seed shadows.

Catalog of the Galactic Population of X-Ray Pulsars in High-mass X-Ray Binary Systems

A catalog of the Galactic population of X-ray pulsars in high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) systems is presented. It contains information about 82 confirmed sources: 18 persistent and 64 transient pulsars. Their basic parameters include spin period, spin evolution with global and local spin-up/spin-down and duration, orbital period, X-ray luminosity, magnetic field strength measured by cyclotron line analysis, distance, spectral and luminosity class, and observable parameters of massive companions, which are shown in the tables provided, with corresponding references. Candidates of HMXB pulsars are also listed for further careful consideration.

Phylogenetic relatedness enhances the understanding of soil microbial coexistence in alpine wetlands of the Tibetan Plateau

Soil microorganisms, spanning diverse phylogenetic lineages, form complex ecological networks wherein various species coexist and contribute to multiple ecosystem services. While microbial networks facilitate the understanding of their coexistence and functions in soils, the influence of phylogenetic relatedness among soil microbes themselves on these networks remains largely unknown.To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive survey of soil bacteria and archaea in twenty alpine wetlands on the Tibetan Plateau, characterized by wide edaphic and climatic heterogeneity. Through network and phylogenetic analyses, we evaluated the complexity of network associations and their dependence on phylogenetic relatedness.Our findings revealed consistencies and discrepancies between phylogenetic relatedness and network associations within soil bacterial and archaeal communities. Specifically, in bacterial networks, both positive and negative complexity were significantly associated with mean phylogenetic distance, whereas in archaeal networks, only negative complexity correlated with mean phylogenetic distance. Even after accounting for the effects of environmental factors, we observed that phylogenetic relatedness still explained variations in the complexities of bacterial and archaeal associations. Furthermore, a multi-threshold analysis indicated that network complexity exhibited phylogenetic signals in both bacterial and archaeal networks, albeit within different associated distance classes, suggesting distinct coexistence mechanisms of soil bacteria and archaea driven by niche and fitness trade-offs.Overall, our findings underscore the importance of incorporating phylogenetic information when studying microbial communities in complex soil habitats and demonstrate that phylogenetic relatedness crucially shapes coexistence outcomes among soil microbes.

Effects of Forest Fragmentation on Connectivity and Genetic Diversity in an Endemic and an Invasive Rodent in Northwestern Madagascar.

Habitat loss and fragmentation are of concern to conservation biologists worldwide. However, not all organisms are affected equally by these processes; thus, it is important to study the effects of living in fragmented habitats on species that differ in lifestyle and habitat requirements. In this study, we examined the dispersal and connectivity patterns of rodents, one endemic (Eliurus myoxinus) and one invasive (Rattus rattus), in two landscapes containing forest fragments and adjacent continuous forest patches in northwestern Madagascar. We generated genetic (RADseq) data for 66 E. myoxinus and 81 R. rattus individuals to evaluate differences in genetic diversity as well as inbreeding and connectivity in two landscapes. We found higher levels of inbreeding and lower levels of genetic diversity in E. myoxinus compared with R. rattus. We observed related dyads both within and between habitat patches and positive spatial autocorrelation at lower distance classes for both species, with a stronger pattern of spatial autocorrelation in R. rattus. Across each site, we identified contrasting migration rates for each species, but these did not correspond to habitat-matrix dichotomies. The relatively low genetic diversity in the endemic E. myoxinus suggests ecological constraints that require further investigation.

Perspectiva docente frente a la transición de ambientes virtuales de aprendizaje

Education in the world changed radically as consequence of the health emergency experienced in 2020; the confinement posed -among others- the challenge of urgently implementing digital tools to teach at a distance with the resources available up to that moment, and limited teacher training in these topics. This article explored, through a survey applied to 1,009 academics of the School of Medicine, their perception regarding the type of electronic devices, the quality of Internet connection and the use of electronic tolos they had at the beginning of the confinement, as well as their willingness to develop online classes and activities. The results show that less than half of the academics surveyed had previous experience in implementing distance classes; practically all of them agreed to train and teach their classes online. These results provide guidance on the general strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed to enrich the preparation of academics in the teaching-learning process towards a hybrid model. Keywords: Virtual modality; virtual learning environments; online classes; technological barriers in education; teaching practice in the health emergency.