Virtualization of Laboratory Practices Using Visual Basic Excel

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions forced the reorganization of learning methodology and gave a central role to remote learning. Laboratory experiments are the most affected activity, and several alternatives were described. This work proposes to create calculation tools by simply programming in Visual Basic of Excel to emulate the data acquisition of specific laboratory experiments. The approach appears useful in experiments with a simple setup followed by data analysis. The experiment of gas volumetric properties allows fixing pressure and temperature conditions and measuring the occupied volume. The developed program emulates such operations and reports a computed volume. Further data reduction is the same in both procedures. Such a virtual experience was successfully used with groups of over 100 students. The results obtained were satisfactory compared with those obtained in the laboratory. Detailed analysis of the grades shows that acquired skills are comparable in both methodologies. Consequently, the virtual approach is a flexible option for remote laboratory teaching to complement traditional experimentation. Published 2022 by American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS IN TIMES OF COVID-19

Confinement, as a countermeasure to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, has affected all sectors of society, such is the case of Higher Education. This article exposes the results of an online survey applied to students of the University of Cienfuegos, Cuba, during March and April 2021, with the objective of characterizing their perception of the teaching-learning process during the confinement by COVID-19, based on 8 indicators: lifestyle, mood, planning, family support, technology, communication, access and treatment of the contents and ex-periences with the modality. The sample consisted of 372 volunteers. The results showed that for most of the students it has modified their lifestyle and affected their academic routine. Among the advantages of distance education are the possibility of managing their own time and the fact that transportation is not necessary, and the disadvantages are the reduction of direct contact with professors and classmates, more reading and work, and difficulties in the availability, costs and use of technology. These elements constitute premises for institutional decisions and the planning of the counseling services of the psycho-pedagogical office in the university community. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

Structuring of the Cuban Protocol of Action for the care of COVID-19 Cases

Introduction: In presence of the COVID-19 pandemic emerges the need of designing a Cuban protocol of action for the care of these cases, which creation mainly requires the selection of contents, as well as a suitable structuring. Objective: Structure the Cuban Protocol of action for the care of COVID-19 cases. Methods: There were applied the following methods: theoretical historical logical, documental analysis, systematization, synthetic analysis and concreteness ion. It was applied the technique of bibliographic review of normative documents, scientific publications indexed in international databases and web sites, in addition to the consultation to specialists. The structuring process of the Cuban Protocol of action for the care of COVID-19 cases was carried out in three phases: pre-structuring, structuring and review. Results: The final structure of the protocol was formed by four chapters, bibliography and annexes. Conclusions: The design of a protocol of action has two main processes: the selection of the contents and the structuring, and for them, the pertinent work teams must be formed. The structuring of the Cuban protocol of action for the care of COVID-19 cases is a methodological process developed in three phases that facilitate its improvement through constant review. It is formed by four chapters that favour its understanding and application being a document that contain the generalities, the management of cases according to groups and by levels of care and transfer, from the preventive scenario to the care to convalescent patients;and includes the management of corpses, as well as consulted bibliography and annexes.

EXPERIENCES OF THE VIRTUAL GUIDANCE SERVICE OF THE UNIVERSITY PSYCHOPEDAGOGICAL CABINET DURING THE PANDEMIC

The impact of COVID-19 in the various areas of life, demanded that the guidance service of the university psychopedagogical cabinets be transformed. The intention of continuing to establish relationships to help the educational community in conditions of physical isolation, meant a progressive transition to virtualization. The article presents the experiences in the implementation of the Virtualization Strategy of the counseling service of the Psychopedagogical Cabinet of the University of Cienfuegos. It started from the analysis of the conditions and resources of the cabinet itself, from the application of research instruments to verify the level of preparation of the members and the identification of potential users and their possible needs. Then the spaces that favor the deployment of a virtual guiding practice were created or updated, which function independently but interconnected as an ecosystem. Through these, the guiding actions were carried out in a constant feedback and evaluation of effectiveness. The expression of positive experiences and the increase in followers in the different spaces support the relevance and effectiveness of the strategy developed, which has contributed to extending the scope of the guidance intervention of the Psychopedagogical Cabinet in this complex conditions. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

NEW REALITY AT PERSONAS'S UNIVERSITY BIGGER: FROM THE COMMITMENT AND THE HOPE AT THE COVID'S SCENE 19

The appearing of the pandemia COVID 19 that has been extended in the world, propitiating substantial changes of a lot of processes: Among themselves the academic processes of the Universities, experiencing teaching, of the eyewitness habitual form, to the virtual. This change, you convoked to try to obtain resources of all type all: Teachers, executives, students and enter these, to the trainees of the University Cathedra of the Older Adult. A challenge has been for them changing his habitual routines to access his classrooms, between many others. The article presents a systematization of the work of the CUAM of Cienfuegos's University at the Covid's scene 19, sketch the accomplished work using the Plataforma WhatsApp for the Psicogrupo, as well as the realization of another one teaching, investigating and extension activities. They describe the fundamental contentses once the Workshops sold off in alliance with the Gabinete Psicopedagogico were dealt in, they describe achievements but also the challenges that still are left for in front.

COVID-19 lockdown impact on labor and psycosocial aspects in multiple sclerosis patients

Introduction: Lockdown derived from Covid-19 pandemic may have an impact in different aspects of daily living in our patients. We should acknowledge them to better identify any posterior complication, not only clinical but also psychosocial. Objectives and Aims: We study the impact of lockdown and sanitary emergency in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: Epidemiological retrospective observational study in MS patients during sanitary emergency. Data was collected on consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, physical activity and diet, labor, fatigue and mood, therapeutic adherence, and lack of attendance to consultations and analysis. Surveys were made: Beck Depression's inventory (BDI) and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Results: Surveys were made to 101 patients. Median age was 42,83±9,46 years old with a median time of evolution of 11,61±6,97 years with a median EDSS of 2,8 ±2. Of all patients with previous toxic habits (30,7% tobacco, 9,9% alcohol consumption and 4% cannabis) 15,8% changed frequency of previous consumption during lockdown. 51,5% admitted having more fear of infection. 5% admitted lack of correct adherence to treatment and 30,7% skipped some of the consultations or analysis. Labor changes were detected in 16,8% of patients and 46,5% referred deterioration in their quality of life. 68,3% described changes in their diet and 62,4% in their daily physical activity. 23,8% and 18,8% respectively saw their modo and fatigue deteriorated. In BDI median score was 13,5±9,5 and in MFIS 33,89±18,28. Conclusions: Covid-19 lockdown has had an overall impact on different medical, labor, and psychosocial aspects in MS patients. Another study was conducted in our center about long-term effects of lockdown in our patients. Both studies, together, may help us to understand better the side effects derived from this pandemic.

Historical-epidemiological vision of covid-19 in the second month of the epidemic in Cuba

The containment measures taken during the second month of the presence of COVID-19 in Cuba are presented in this work and their effectiveness is analyzed. For the study, the logical historical method was used, based on the technique of documentary review. The daily reports published by the Ministry of Public Health which are available on the official website of the National Center of Medical Sciences´ Information and Cubadebate (alternative information medium) from April 10 to May 9, 2020 were reviewed. It was concluded that the studied period corresponds to the most intense days of the epidemic in Cuba, until that date. It was managed to predict the peak of the epidemic, in almost a month, a fact that demonstrates the relevance of the epidemiological and social control measures that were implemented. The strategy of monitoring suspects and contacts, as well as the early admission and treatment of confirmed cases, favored the achievement of a high percentage of recovered cases, low mortality, and a 4.4% lethality. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Think about the new normality post COVID 19 with new ways and styles of life

Undoubtedly, COVID 19 has been a threat to human well-being. In this situation, a change is imposed in the ways and styles of life, even in the phase of the so-called new normality. The purpose of this work is to reflect, based on the approach of social studies, on the influence of modes, styles of action and life, for a better social confrontation in the named stage of facing the disease. The analysis carried out allows us to affirm that the adoption of new codes and lifestyles in the transition towards the new normality, based on the individual responsibility of each citizen, will generate a change in the physical and mental health of each individual in particular and of the population. in general, hence they are concepts whose theoretical approach is necessary. They are also very present constructs in the media, scientific debates and in everyday life, therefore reflection on these is extremely important.