State University Research Articles

Online-Distance Instruction: Impact on the English Language Learning

Using a qualitative-quantitative research design, this study evaluated the influence of online- distance instruction (ODI) on the English language acquisition of college students amidst the Covid-19 pandemic at Partido State University, Camarines Sur, Philippines. The study specifically examined the effects of ODI on college students' performance in terms of: attendance, punctuality, required English language skills and competencies. Furthermore, it analyzed the students' proficiency in English through online-distance learning in the areas of: writing, grammar proficiency, oral communication, study techniques, presentation abilities, and research skills. The study also investigated the students' attitudes towards English language education in the context of online and distance learning. Ultimately, it proposed effective teaching methodologies to enhance students' English language performance in online- distance learning environments of 165 college student- participants. The findings indicate that the impact of online-distance instruction on college students' performance in terms of attendance, punctuality, and required skills and competencies is influenced by various challenges faced by the students. The students' performance in English through online-distance learning is significantly affected by the nature of online and distance learning itself. Moreover, the study revealed that students' attitudes towards English language education in online and distance learning settings are less favorable compared to traditional face-to-face instruction. To enhance students' English language performance in online-distance learning, the study recommends the implementation of three key teaching strategies: lecture method, laboratory method, and cooperative learning. These strategies are deemed beneficial for addressing the needs of student-respondents, particularly in the context of a pandemic in developing countries like the Philippines.

Abstract C147: Impact of genetic ancestry in triple-negative breast cancer subtypes

Abstract Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive BC subtype characterized by significant molecular and clinical heterogeneity, influenced by genetic, phenotypic, and environmental factors, as well as interactions of the tumor with its surrounding milieu. A significant racial disparity has been observed between African American (AA) and European American (EA) women regarding the incidence and clinical progression of TNBC. TNBC frequently occurs in young parous women who self-identify as AA and in women who harbor a germline BRCA1 mutation. Notably, AA women are diagnosed with TNBC at a younger age and exhibit a higher risk of developing stage IV disease. Studies examining gene expression signatures that distinguish AA and EA TNBC have reported distinct tumor-associated immunologic profiles in AA patients. We have developed a novel cell type-driven subtyping system based on a racially diverse TNBC sample set that identified three TNBC subtypes, each with distinct biology and prognosis: CC1- immune signaling/T-cell response; CC2- pro- migratory/inflammatory; CC3- fatty acid and hormone and nuclear receptor signaling. In this study, we propose to examine ancestry-inferred differences within each TNBC subtype between patients with African and European ancestry. Methods: RNA-Sequencing data for the Louisiana Tumor Registry, a TNBC cohort of 250 diverse women [EA: 123 and AA: 127], was obtained from our collaborators at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Genetic admixture was performed on 227/250 patients using the method described by Pakstis, A. J. et al. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in pairwise comparisons at p-adj ≤ 0.05. Survival was assessed using log-rank tests. Results: We investigated DEGs within each subtype between patients with >60% African (Aa, n=102) or >60% European ancestry (Ea, n=99) (identified via admixture analysis). In all three subtypes, upregulated genes, and their associated enrichment in Aa were related to immune pathways, while DEGs in Ea patients were related to epithelial cell regulation. In CC1, Aa was associated with the upregulation of immunoglobulin genes involved in immunoglobulin production and antigen recognition, while Ea was associated with the upregulation of embryonic development genes. In CC2, Aa showed enriched complement activation and immunoglobulin genes, while Ea exhibited upregulation of basal cytokeratin and growth factor EGFR. In CC3, Aa was associated with the upregulation of inflammatory genes, whereas Ea showed upregulation of cellular senescence genes. Survival analysis demonstrated favorable outcomes for Aa in CC1 and less favorable outcomes for Aa in CC2. Conclusion: Our study highlights significant ancestry-inferred differences in gene expression within TNBC subtypes, with Aa patients showing immune pathways enrichment and Ea patients exhibiting differential epithelial cell regulation. These findings underscore the importance of considering genetic ancestry in TNBC prognosis and treatment strategies. Citation Format: Zahra Mesrizadeh, Kavitha Mukund, Fokrul Hossain, Jovanny Zabaleta, Denise Danos, Luis De Valle, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Chindo Hicks, Augusto Ochoa, Lucio Miele, Victoria L. Seewaldt, Shankar Subramaniam. Impact of genetic ancestry in triple-negative breast cancer subtypes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C147.

State University and College (SUC) Program Offering: A Feasibility Study of Bachelor of Science in Public Management

State University and College (SUC) Program Offering: A Feasibility Study of Bachelor of Science in Public Management

Evaluation of the Effect of Fuel Subsidy Removal on Academic Staff Productivity in Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State

The study evaluated the effect of fuel subsidy removal on academic staff productivity in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. This study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of 3,154 academic staff from the three Universities in Rivers State. The sample size for this study was 340 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled: “Effect of Fuel Subsidy Removal on Academic Staff Job Productivity Questionnaire (EFSRASJPQ)”. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient method established the yielded reliability index of 0.89. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while ANOVA was used to test hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the removal of fuel subsidy affects the commuting costs of academic staff, demotivates academic staff and affects staff punctuality in Rivers State University, University of Port Harcourt and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Nigeria. The study recommended that University managements should establish a transport support system or give allowances to academic staff to offset the increased commuting expenses.

Mitral valve calcinosis as an important finding during heart examination

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve calcinosis is a chronic degenerative process in the fibrous structures of the mitral valve. Advanced stages increase the risk of endocarditis and cardiac rhythm disturbances and contribute to cardiovascular mortality. The cause of mitral valve calcinosis is still controversial; however, the contribution of atherosclerosis to its development is currently undisputed. The prevalence of mitral valve calcinosis varies in different age groups and on average is higher in people with cardiovascular disease. AIM: To assess the prevalence of mitral valve calcinosis in patients undergoing computed tomography angiography and identify the relationship between aortic and mitral valve calcinosis and coronary calcium index and signs of remodeling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 336 patients who underwent computed tomography coronary angiography with intravenous contrast enhancement at the Lomonosov Moscow State University Clinic between November 13, 2020, and May 14, 2022, was conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of aortic (16.4%) and mitral (11%) valve calcinosis was high in people undergoing cardiovascular examination, and a relationship was noted between valve calcinosis and coronary calcium index. CONCLUSION: The detection of mitral valve calcinosis in patients during routine examination is important in predicting further treatment and outcomes because valve calcinosis is an indirect indicator of coronary heart disease risk. Although valve calcinosis is usually an incidental examination finding, it may indicate a high cardiovascular risk and should prompt further evaluation, if clinically necessary.

Floor-Level Occupancy Estimation of a Multi-Story Building Using Coarse Wi-Fi Data

In recent years, there has been an extraordinary increase in wireless capable devices and network infrastructure, which spawned a corresponding rise in data produced from the interactions of these technologies. Mobile devices constantly roam, leading to a perpetual dialog between a mobile device and wireless access points. This dialogue generates a continuous stream of device-specific data, including but not limited to a device’s media access control address, time of access, and received signal strength. Given the knowledge of the access point’s location and received signal strength, it is possible to infer the position of user devices and estimate their mobility and occupancy. This article presents two methods for accurately measuring floor-level occupancy in a multi-story building at Texas State University using coarse Wi-Fi log data. The first method employs a static filter, while the second incorporates user-role data and user location to create a dynamic filter. Quantitative methods are used to evaluate these filters against field-collected reference data and existing internal people-counting sensors. Our results demonstrate that the dynamic filter, leveraging variable thresholds, provides a more accurate estimation of occupancy compared to the fixed 5-min static filter which consistently overestimated occupancy. This research sheds light on the potential of dynamic filters derived from user-role data for precise floor-level occupancy estimations, with implications for various applications.

The Adoption of Holacracy in Higher Education: A Scale Development Study

This study aims to develop a valid, reliable, and convenient data collection tool to measure the level of faculty members’ adoption of the holacracy model in university administration. The data of this study were obtained from faculty members working in the faculties of education of state universities in Türkiye in the 2020-2021 academic year. Participation in the study was completely voluntary. The data were collected from a sample of 268 people. Within the scope of the research, the Higher Education Holacracy Scale (HEHS) was used as a data collection tool. The researcher developed the draft form of the HEHS in line with the literature on holacracy. The draft form was presented to 14 experts, one of whom was an expert in measurement and evaluation. Thus, the content validity of the research was ensured. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the variance explained was 63.228%, the structure consisted of three components, and the fit index values were at a good level. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted for the validity of the scale, and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient was calculated for reliability. Item-total correlations examined the discrimination of the scale items. After the analyses, it was determined that this 25-item scale, which is in harmony with its theoretical foundations, is a valid and reliable scale suitable for measuring faculty members’ opinions.

Cultural Sensitivity and Mindfulness Among Nursing Students: A Descriptive and Correlational Study

Aim: This study was conducted to determine nursing students’ levels of mindfulness and cultural sensitivity and to reveal the correlation between mindfulness and cultural sensitivity. Material and Methods: Descriptive and correlational research method was used. Data were collected online from nursing students at a state university in Ankara between December 5, 2022, and January 5, 2023. The online survey comprised three sections: student information form, Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire—Short Form, and Intercultural Sensitivity Scale. The questionnaire was sent to the students through email. The final sample consisted of 318 students who agreed to participate in the study and filled out the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS v.23 for Windows. Results: The mean total scores for the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire—Short Form and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale were 66.41 ± 6.58 and 93.08 ± 7.01, respectively. Additonally, statistical analyses revealed a moderately significant positive correlation between mindfulness and intercultural sensitivity among nursing students. Conclusion: The study findings and the reviewed literature indicate that if nursing faculties and educators wish to develop strategies to promote cultural sensitivity, it would be beneficial to integrate mindfulness training into the nursing curriculum both before and after graduation.

O PERFIL DO ESTUDANTE DO CURSO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO MEDIANTE AS REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS DOS DOCENTES

This article aims to explore the perceptions of faculty members at the State University of Feira de Santana regarding the profile of students in the Administration program at UEFS. Social representations (SRs) are collective constructions that guide how individuals and groups interpret and interact with reality (Moscovici, 1978). Therefore, the study seeks to contribute to a reflection on the characteristics of the students from the perspective of developing autonomy and how these faculty perceptions can be used to improve teaching practices in the Administration program. The research, with a qualitative approach, used structured interviews and Bardin's Content Analysis, revealing that the majority of students are working professionals who face significant challenges such as lack of time and fatigue, which impact their autonomy and academic performance. The research also indicates that while some faculty are attentive to the students' specific needs, there is a need to adapt teaching practices to meet these students' particularities, promoting more flexible and integrated learning aligned with their realities.

Closing the Gap? The Ability of Adaptive Learning Courseware to Close Outcome Gaps in Principles of Microeconomics

Research shows that students who identify as low-income, first-generation, and/or racially diverse disproportionately underperform in college and earn fewer degrees than other students. This study explores the integration of adaptive learning courseware assignments as a tool to help close these outcome gaps and to ensure more equitable learning across diverse student groups. Adaptive learning courseware is an educational technology that requires students to master the same learning objectives but, for each student, the courseware determines the order and timing of content based on how that student interacts with the courseware, thus enabling an individualized learning path for each student. Adaptive learning assignments were implemented in five sections of a highly-enrolled Principles of Microeconomics course at a medium-sized state university in the United States. This study draws from student data (n=581), which includes adaptive learning assignment completion data, detailed exam and final grade data, and institutional demographic data. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses are used to explore if the completion of adaptive learning assignments disproportionately benefited low-income, first-generation, or racially diverse students, thus helping close the gap between students from different backgrounds. Findings include significant evidence that adaptive learning assignment completion was correlated with more exam questions answered correctly by all students, with this correlation being disproportionately stronger for students who identify as being from a minority background and for foundational (easy) exam questions.

Устойчивое развитие государства: конституционно-правовые аспекты (итоги научно-практической конференции)

The subject of a brief scientific review was the problem presented in the title, which received a comprehensive and productive discussion at the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation, held on May 17, 2024 at the Faculty of Law of Mari State University within the framework of the International Legal Forum “Mari El — 2024”. During the active discussions at the conference, general theoretical and applied issues of improving the unified system of public authority, constitutional and legal architecture and digital technologies, the problems of finding an updated model of regional constitutional justice and a number of other issues were considered.

PRÁTICAS DOCENTES NO CONTEXTO DA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR

The study aimed to investigate, through the representations of professors from the Administration Program at the State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), the epistemological foundation that underpins the teaching practices of these professionals. The analysis of this knowledge seeks to understand how the program has been structured to develop autonomous individuals capable of understanding and acting responsibly in contemporary society. A qualitative approach was used, with semi-structured interviews for data collection. The results indicate that most of these professionals did not have, either in their initial education or in graduate programs, courses related to university pedagogy that would help them in their teaching practice. It was observed that some professors appear to be influenced by instrumental rationality, often associated with the traditional paradigm, while others align with an emerging paradigm. Given this reality, the need for continued teacher education becomes evident. This training will enable professors to develop pedagogical practices in the classroom that promote the development of student autonomy, encouraging a more critical, reflective education capable of addressing contemporary demands.

Building Confidence, Diminishing Stress: A Clinical Incivility Management Initiative for Nursing Students.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive program designed to reduce nursing students' perceived stress and improve self-efficacy and readiness to professionally address incivility during clinical practice. Incivility in clinical settings adversely impacts learners, educators, institutions, and healthcare systems, undermining safety and the teaching-learning process. Despite its increasing global prevalence, effective interventions remain largely unexplored. Our mixed-methods study, conducted from March to April 2024, involved senior baccalaureate pre-licensure nursing students (N = 35) from a California State University. The three-week, one-hour-per-week, interactive clinical incivility management program was developed through an extensive literature review. Pre- and post-intervention differences were assessed using a 10 min self-administered online survey that included the Uncivil Behavior in Clinical Nursing Education (UBCNE; 12 items), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; 10 items), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE; 10 items), and a sample characteristics questionnaire (11 items). A one-hour face-to-face focus group (n = 11) then provided qualitative data on personal experiences of clinical incivility. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, while qualitative data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Clinical incivility prevalence was 71.4% (n = 25 out of 35). No statistically significant differences were found in UBCNE, PSS, and GSE scores between pre- and post-intervention. However, professional responses to clinical incivility significantly improved after the intervention (t = -12.907, p < 0.001). Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: (a) uncivil behaviors or language from nurses, (b) emotional discouragement and low self-confidence, (c) resource and personnel shortages at clinical sites for education, and (d) the necessity for interventions to manage clinical incivility. Nursing schools and clinical agencies should collaborate to establish monitoring systems, enhance communication, and implement evidence-based policies and interactive interventions to prevent and manage clinical incivility experienced by nursing students from clinical sites.

Burial of a Golden Horde Nomad from the Kovalevka Kurgan Cemetery

Introduction. The article introduces into scientific circulation the archaeological and anthropological materials from the Golden Horde burial of the Kovalevka Kurgan Cemetery. Kurgan No. 35 dating back to the early Iron Age was studied in the course of the fieldwork carried out by the Volgograd State University expedition in the Oktyabrsky district of the Volgograd region in 2021. The Kurgan is located in the southern part of the cemetery on the upper terrace of the right bank of the river Aksai Esaulovsky in an arable field. Methods and materials. Two burials were examined because of the archaeological excavations. The main burial No. 2 dates back to the late Sarmatian period, while the intake burial No. 1 dates back to the middle age period. Analysis and results. New anthropological materials were obtained in the course of the excavations, which complement our understanding of the nomadic population from the Lower Volga region. The bone remains belonged to a male individual of mesomorphic build of about 164.5 cm tall with a long and narrow skull. A set of pathological conditions were recorded on his bones, appearing because of an active lifestyle and professional activity. The outcomes of the archaeological study of the Kurgan No. 35 from the Kovalevka Kurgan cemetery as of 2021 can be used in the museum and local history work, as well as in studies of the Lower Volga regional ancient history. Authors’ contributions. In this study, V.I. Moiseev and V.Yu. Moiseeva prepared a descriptive part of the archaeological material, carried out the funeral rites and grave goods analyses, and prepared conclusions based on the results of the research. E.V. Pererva conducted a study of anthropological material and defined the craniological, osteological, and pathological features of the individual from burial 1 of the Kurgan No. 35.

Adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards and Financial Reporting Quality in Universities in Rivers State

In spite of the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in Nigeria, it appears that significant progress has not been made by public sector organisations in its implementation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the adoption of IPSAS has influenced financial reporting quality in universities in Rivers State. Cross sectional survey research design was used for the study and the area of the study was Rivers State, Nigeria. The population of the study was 37 senior Accounting Personnel from the three universities studied. The entire population of 37 was used as sample, hence census was employed for the study. The instrument used for the collection of data was a self-structured questionnaire developed using a four-point rating scale of Very High Extent, High Extent, Moderate Extent and Low Extent. The instrument was validated by two Business Educators and one Measurement and Evaluation expert, all from the Faculty of Education, Rivers State University. The reliability of the instrument was determined using the test re-test method; this was done through the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) and a reliability coefficient of 0.96 was obtained. Data was analysed using mean and standard deviation while the hypothesis was tested using one-way Analysis of Variance. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the adoption of international public sector accounting standards has influenced financial reporting quality in universities in Rivers State albeit to a moderate extent. The study further found that there was significant difference in the mean score of Senior Accounting Personnel in the three universities on the extent to which financial performance, financial position and cash flow standards have influenced financial reporting quality in universities in Rivers State. The study concludes that universities in Rivers State are still at an elementary stage of the adoption of IPSAS in the preparation of financial statements and as such the quality of their financial statements cannot be reasonably assured. One recommendation made, amongst others, was that Accounting Personnel of universities in Rivers State, especially those handling Final Accounts, should be made to undergo thorough training on IPSAS to enhance their financial reporting skills; the training should be practical and not theory-based and experts who have been involved in the successful implementation of IPSAS should champion the process.

Anatomical variations of the human mandible and prevalence of duplicated mental and mandibular foramina in the collection of the State University of Londrina

BackgroundThe knowledge of the morphology of the human mandible is essential for diverse dental procedures. The potential anatomical variations of the bone, including the presence of accessory foramina, may culminate in significant clinical outcomes and implications, directly impacting dental surgery and anesthesia. Aim of studyThis study aimed to evaluate the general morphology of human mandibles in the collection of the State University of Londrina, South Brazil, and to determine the presence of anatomical variations. Materials and methodsA total of 63 mandibles were measured bilaterally with a pachymeter for various dimensions, and a proportional calculation of each parameter was obtained, based on the size of the length of each mandibular base. In addition to the general descriptive morphology of the mandibles, considering that six mandibles presented duplicated foramina, they were divided into two groups, and the mandibles with no anatomical variation (normal group, N = 57) were compared to those with duplicated foramina (N = 6). Data were checked for normal distribution and then tested statistically. ResultsSix out of 63 mandibles (9.52 %) presented duplicated foramina, either mental or mandibular. Significant differences between the normal group and the duplicated foramina group were found in the lengths between mandibular angle and condylar process on both sides (right: 65.14 mm vs. 74.91 mm, p = 0.001; left: 65.04 mm vs. 72.34 mm, p = 0.019); between mandibular angle and coronoid process on the right side (59.55 mm vs. 67.67 mm, p = 0.007); and in the diameter of the left mandibular foramen (3.71 mm vs. 4.64 mm, p = 0.04), with the duplicated foramina group presenting a higher average for all parameters. ConclusionThese findings provide a morphological pattern for the Department of Anatomy of the State University of Londrina collection and highlight the presence of anatomical variations of the human mandible, specifically regarding duplicated foramina. The presence of accessory mental and mandibular foramina is clinically significant for dental procedures, potentially impacting the anesthesia. Understanding these variations is crucial for dental surgeons to prevent complications. Future research should further explore the functional implications and clinical significance of these variations.

“Roots of Reluctance”: Exploring the Reasons Behind the Management Undergraduates’ Less Preference for Qualitative Research Approaches. - A Case of Sri Lankan State University

The study was contextually undertaken in the Faculty of Management (FOM) at a State University of Sri Lanka with two objectives: to explore the reasons for the less preference for qualitative approaches and to classify such contextual reasons for a proper understanding that is necessary for practical implications of diverse parties. The key study areas of undergraduates’ perspectives on qualitative research and influences on them when selecting the research approach were majorly subjective. Thus, the philosophical paradigm is qualitative interpretivism. Thematic Analysis was conducted on the data collected through semi-structured interviews with 27 students who belong to a final year from different genders and ethnicities. Purposive sampling was undertaken by the researchers to narrow down the population into samples. The study found four major themes, the impact of the learning environment, the role of supervisors, the impact of the mindset of undergraduates, and the perception of the qualitative research process being the areas of reasons for less preference. This study is one of the initial qualitative explorations on the reasons influencing the choice of undergraduates about their final year research.

PROBLEMS AND PRACTICAL NEEDS IN LEARNING VOCABULARY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

This study analyzed the problems and practical needs of English vocabulary learning among low-score students at a state university in Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia. To provide appropriate instructional materials, learning tasks, or assessment tasks, a need analysis of the student’s prior knowledge is the most important thing that should be done by a teacher. The research involved forty students and used qualitative methods, including questionnaires and interviews, to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods, such as data reduction, display, analysis, and conclusion. The results of this study show that there are problems in vocabulary learning faced by students such as problems with inaccurate pronunciation, problems in knowing the meaning of too much vocabulary, problems in dealing with grammatical alterations, and problems in using words appropriately. On the other hand, students' practical needs are engaging in learning with interactive activities in the form of games/discussions in class, practicing the words adequately, and asking for feedback for better learning improvement. Future research can further examine overcoming the problems found by linking them directly to practical needs.

OPEN SOURCE TEXTBOOK AS A RESOURCE FOR THE TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS OF ALGEBRA IN INITIAL TRAINING OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS

Objective: To determine the implications of the use of open source text in the teaching-learning process of algebraic structures in the initial teacher training of the mathematics specialty in a state university in Peru. Theoretical Framework: The conceptual and epistemic bases of open learning are systematically addressed through interactive texts, as well as the aspects related to the teaching-learning process in university higher education. Method: The study has a mixed approach, pre-experimental design and correlational level, the target population was mathematics education students and a sample of 46 randomly chosen students, data collection is carried out through a diagnostic questionnaire, another multiple alternative and an interview, in the study sample classes are held through the open source book; then the learning achieved at the conceptual level is evaluated. procedural of algebraic structures. Results and Discussion: In this research it is evident that students did not know the open source online text for the study of mathematics, but they have skills in the use of digital technology; but with the use of the digital book they assimilate the concepts, perform demonstrations and solve problems efficiently, raising their level of motivation towards learning. Thus, the relevant use of open source books significantly improves learning and the development of mathematical competence in students. Research Implications: Strengthening of interactive and personalized activities for a comprehensive training of mathematics content mediated by digital technology, reinforcing in a sustained way the culture and mathematical competence of teachers in initial training. Originality/Value: Implementation of an innovative approach in pedagogical practice, through the use of open resources for the assimilation of mathematical concepts and procedures in a dynamic, efficient and effective way. The value of research is evidenced in the praxis of didactic strategies in the context of the digital age, oriented to the knowledge of algebraic structures by mathematics teachers.

Expanding Ground Vehicle Autonomy into Unstructured, Off-Road Environments: Dataset Challenges

As with the broad field of deep learning, autonomy is a research topic that has experienced a heavy explosion in attention from both the scientific and commercial industries due to its potential for the advancement of humanity in many cross-cutting disciplines. Recent advancements in computer vision-based autonomy has highlighted the potential for the realization of increasingly sophisticated autonomous ground vehicles for both commercial and non-traditional applications, such as grocery delivery. Part of the success of these technologies has been a boon in the abundance of training data that is available for training the autonomous behaviors associated with their autonomy software. These data abundance advantage is quickly diminished when an application moves from structured environments, i.e., well-defined city road networks, highways, street signage, etc., into unstructured environments, i.e., cross-country, off-road, non-traditional terrains. Herein, we aim to present insights, from a dataset perspective, into how the scientific community can begin to expand autonomy into unstructured environments, while highlighting some of the key challenges that are presented with such a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Finally, a foundation is laid for the creation of a robust off-road dataset being developed by the Engineer Research and Development Center and Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems.