bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cinismo organizacional: Estudo preliminar da adaptação de uma escala de medida para o contexto português
Authors: Assis Dirce Monteiro , Nascimento José Luís
Published: September 2017

Um constructo que tem vindo recentemente a ser sujeito a diversos estudos é o cinismo organizacional, entendido como uma atitude de descrença em relação à organização e à sua gestão, resultante da falta de congruência das práticas de gestão e traduzida por sentimentos e comportamentos  negativos. Para a medição deste constructo têm sido utilizados dois questionários, sendo que nenhum dos quais está estudado para o contexto português. Assim, o presente estudo consistiu na adaptação da escala de medida do cinismo organziacional proposta por Brandes, Dharwadkar e Dean (1999) para o contexto português. Tendo partido da proposta tridimensional dos autores, os resultados sugerem uma unidimensionalidade deste constructo e um instrumento com boas propriedades de medida. Foram discutidas as implicações destes resultados.
Adaptação da Escala de Pensamentos Automáticos Negativos Pós-Parto para a população portuguesa: Estudos psicométricos
Authors: Rodrigues Sofia , Costa Ana Catarina , Canavarro Maria Cristina Cristina , Fonseca Ana
Published: September 2017

Os pensamentos automáticos negativos têm um papel relevante na sintomatologia depressiva, que também se reflete no período do pós-parto. O presente estudo teve como objetivo a validação para a população portuguesa da Escala de Pensamentos Automáticos Negativos Pós-Parto (EPANP), que foi desenvolvida para avaliar a frequência de pensamentos negativos no período pós-parto. A amostra foi constituída por 387 mulheres no pós-parto que responderam a um protocolo de avaliação, num único momento de avaliação. A análise fatorial confirmatória suporta a estrutura bidimensional da versão portuguesa da EPANP: 1) Avaliação de Cognições, Emoções e Situações e, 2) Pensamentos Negativos Relacionados com o Bebé e com a Maternidade. A EPANP apresenta bons indicadores de validade convergente, validade de grupos conhecidos e de fidelidade. De forma geral, a EPANP apresenta boas qualidades psicométricas, validando assim a sua utilização na população portuguesa, sendo evidente a sua utilidade no contexto clínico e de avaliação.
The Russians Are Coming, Again
Authors: Kuzmarov Jeremy , Marciano John
Published: September 2017

The present Russia panic follows an entire century of fearmongering and "threat inflation," dating to the Russian Revolution, that has long served the interests of the U.S. military-industrial complex and security state. It has had little to do with either Russian or American realities, which have been consistently distorted.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
Africa Rising' in Retreat: New Signs of Resistance
Authors: Bond Patrick
Published: September 2017

The neoliberal export-oriented strategy has done enormous damage to the Africa's human development, gender equity, and natural environment. Reversing this project is the major challenge for Africans who resist injustice, through which they can build solidarity with the rest of the world's oppressed peoples.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
Prospects of competitive process innovation business in Brazil: critical factors for competitiveness, productivity and growth
Authors: Kitaguti Kátia Keiko , Shimura Fábio de Resende , Jacintho José Carlos
Published: September 2017

The economic conditions of recent times require a structural changing and, mainly, behavioral ones of Brazilian business. The scenario created by big economic powers shows the difference between Brazilian industries and service sectors when it is compared business issues, for example, competitiveness, productivity and innovation, with others countries. The technological innovation consists in a critical factor for competitiveness and for the global economic development; moreover, it can be found in industrial sectors (responsible for materialization and organization of operational system of production process) and in service sectors (which make planning of the contracted activity). Innovation should not be included only in these two economic sectors; however, it has to be included in the economic thought of countries. It has to be highlighted the fact that innovation is not the unique factor of competitiveness, but, productivity and knowledge make the same impact in competitiveness as innovation does. Besides, external and internal demands predict trends in terms of searching products, process an strategies, which can promote a better interaction between market and productivity control. In a global context, Brazil, specially, has a lot of techniques to learn in terms of how to use its resources in a adequate way, independently if they are natural or not. That is why studies about critical factors for competitiveness are determined for the Brazil's sustainable growth.
Comparative Analysis of Bank’s ATM and POS Technologies By Customers
Authors: Ganjikhah Afsaneh , Rabiee Ali , Moghaddam Davood Karimzadegan , Vahdat Davood
Published: September 2017

This study aims to investigate comparative analysis of bank’s ATM and POS technologies by customers applying Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3) so that TAM3’s accepted components will be analyzed separately for each ATM and POS technologies. Statistical population includes Melat Bank’s customers residing in Tehran. Applying Cochran's sample size formula, 139 customers were selected randomly. The data collected from questionnaires were analyzed applying SPSS 21. The findings show that generally speaking, people use points of sale than ATMs. In most of TAM3’s components, ATMs show higher acceptance than points of sale. Only in self-efficacy, perceived joy and result demonstrability, points of sale were higher than ATMs. In anxiety and behavioral intention components, there was a meaningful difference between points of sale and ATMs regarding acceptance.
UNLIMITED I, On the corporate training revolution
Authors: Viltard Leandro Adolfo
Published: September 2017

The unlimited is a borderless territory where the whole world is inmerse. In this study, it is shown that the unlimited is present in education and, specifically, in the corporate educational arena. Helped by technology and automation, disruptive leaders are challenging the way things are done, the way we think and, in addtion, what we are. After performing a documentation analysis, conclusions are that big problems –as education- need cheap and scaled technology; leadership and organizations must evolve to less human intervention; education and training need a rethought; Eduaction-2-Employment (E2E) is key for unemployment; and that new educational structures, delivery methods, pedagogical approaches and advanced Learning Management Systems (LMS) are observed proposing huge transformations in the corporate educational arena.This is a qualitative investigation with a not experimental and transversal research design.
New perspective in the design of quality management systems
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Campos Patricia Calderón , Salceda Felipe Palomares , Jiménez Rebeca Almanza
Published: September 2017

This article aims to analyze the different trends and models of the current quality management systems, identifying areas of opportunity in these to establish proposals for care that give rise to a new management system, flexible, efficient and effective Supported by a system of sociotechnical work. The competitive climate in today's business has multiplied significantly in the face of the dynamics of change and the presence of ever shorter business cycles. It is a fact that in the last decades the market has been acquiring an increasing dynamism. Today, companies are developing in a more competitive national and international economy, with increasing demands for productivity, where market laws force them to deepen and change strategies and policies, to plan, create and innovate, to have a high degree of resilience and Sensitivity to anticipate future needs and to be able to survive and develop in a complex and increasingly competitive environment. In these times the markets are increasingly informed, so their expectations are increasingly demanding, for this reason is that quality becomes a differentiating element and at the same time the key factor of a company's lasting success.
Identifying and prioritizing factors affecting the Customers' Willingness to buy Goods product inside than the outside (Case Study: Iran Transfo Corporation)
Authors: Afshar Haleh Keshavarz , Soleimani Gholamreza
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe present study aims to identify and rank factors affecting customers' willingness to purchase domestic goods than the foreign ones in Iran Transfo Corporation in 2016. The statistical population includes all customers and a sample of 200 subjects (175 male, 25 female). Respondents' evaluation of the variables indicates that Iranian goods enjoy market-product fit (0.85), good performance (0.41), relative reputation and validity (0.44), high reliability (0.36), good communication methods (0.34) and relative value (0.26). Finally, 88% prefer to purchase Iranian goods. The effect of 7 independent variables and purchase preferences are significant at (e < 0.05). The results of inferential statistics show that there is a significant relationship between willingness to purchase domestic and foreign goods. There is a significant difference between marketing methods and satisfaction among buyers of domestic and foreign goods as well. But, there is no significant difference between the customers' evaluation of product features and performance of domestic producers compared to the foreign ones. Finally, given that the majority of respondents considered marketing methods inappropriate, therefore, it's recommended that companies adopt new policies to better sell their products.
Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Business Students’ Academic Performance: A Case Study
Authors: Arefin Shamsul , Islam Rafiqul , Mustafi Mohitul Ameen Ahmed , Afrin Sharmina , Islam Nazrul
Published: September 2017

The development of telecom technology has a profound impact on the lives and activities of the people of the world. Smartphone usage became popular to young generation because of its educational and entertaining options by using the numerous apps. Among the young people, students are increasingly using Smartphone. But excessive Smartphone usage usually makes the students addicted to that subconsciously impacts on user’s academic performance, daily activities, physical and mental health and withdrawal tendency, and social relationships. This study aims at identifying the factors that affect the level of Smartphone addiction of the students and its impact on their academic performance. A structured questionnaire has been developed to gather data from the students. A total of 247 questionnaires were collected from the business students of a university of Bangladesh. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) the data were analyzed. Results revealed five Smartphone addiction factors such as, positive anticipation, impatience and tolerance, withdrawal, daily-life disturbance, and cyber friendship. Tolerance and daily-life disturbance have significant impact on students’ academic performance. This study suggests that the students should minimize the usage of Smartphone for achieving good academic performance.
Physiological regulation and metabolic role of browning in white adipose tissue
Authors: Jankovic Aleksandra , Otasevic Vesna , Stancic Ana , Buzadzic Biljana , Korac Aleksandra , Korac Bato
Published: September 2017

Great progress has been made in our understanding of the browning process in white adipose tissue (WAT) in rodents. The recognition that i) adult humans have physiologically inducible brown adipose tissue (BAT) that may facilitate resistance to obesity and ii) that adult human BAT molecularly and functionally resembles beige adipose tissue in rodents, reignited optimism that obesity and obesity-related diabetes type 2 can be battled by controlling the browning of WAT. In this review the main cellular mechanisms and molecular mediators of browning of WAT in different physiological states are summarized. The relevance of browning of WAT in metabolic health is considered primarily through a modulation of biological role of fat tissue in overall metabolic homeostasis.
Different Damage to the Mechanical Barrier Function of IPEC-J2 Induced by Soybean Allergen β-conglycinin Hydrolyzed Peptides
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Liu Dandan , Zhang Shiyao , Pan Li , Qin Guixin
Published: September 2017

Three major enzyme-hydrolyzed peptides have been produced after simulative digestion in vitro of soybean β-conglycinin. The intestinal barrier of IPEC-J2 induced by β-conglycinin enzyme-hydrolyzed peptides was evaluated in this study. The increased alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity was actually linearly correlated with the incubation time by the hydrolysate, the purified 52 kD peptide, or the mixture of 25 and 30 kD peptides. The MTT and TEER values declined in dose-dependence (0–2 mg/mL, p \lt 0.05) or in time-dependence (2–24 h, p \lt 0.05). After treatment with different hydrolyzed peptides, the tight junction expression of claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, and ZO-1 were reduced (p \lt 0.05). Finally, it is found out that the maximum damage to the epithelial barrier function was induced by the mixture of 25 and 30 kD peptide, whereas the minimum damage was caused by the 52 kD peptide.
Digital Biomass Accumulation Using High-Throughput Plant Phenotype Data Analysis
Authors: Rahaman Md. Matiur , Ahsan Md. Asif , Gillani Zeeshan , Chen Ming
Published: September 2017

Biomass is an important phenotypic trait in functional ecology and growth analysis. The typical methods for measuring biomass are destructive, and they require numerous individuals to be cultivated for repeated measurements. With the advent of image-based high-throughput plant phenotyping facilities, non-destructive biomass measuring methods have attempted to overcome this problem. Thus, the estimation of plant biomass of individual plants from their digital images is becoming more important. In this paper, we propose an approach to biomass estimation based on image derived phenotypic traits. Several image-based biomass studies state that the estimation of plant biomass is only a linear function of the projected plant area in images. However, we modeled the plant volume as a function of plant area, plant compactness, and plant age to generalize the linear biomass model. The obtained results confirm the proposed model and can explain most of the observed variance during image-derived biomass estimation. Moreover, a small difference was observed between actual and estimated digital biomass, which indicates that our proposed approach can be used to estimate digital biomass accurately.
Cognitive Literary Studies, Historicism, and the History of the Imagination
Authors: Haekel Ralf
Published: September 2017

For the past two decades, the scholarly discussion about the merits of neuroscience and cognitive science for literary studies has been, in Germany at least, a rather heated affair. This debate, however, has been much less interdisciplinary than the subject matter would suggest and has mainly taken place

The need to historicise this relationship is part of a more encompassing claim. I believe it is necessary to focus on theory not as something external to, but as a self-reflexive aspect of, literature itself. This implies the need to investigate the mind and cognition only if it is part of the literary work’s self-reflexive scope within a given historical context. Historically, this reflexion presupposes a network in which scientific theories of the mind play a key role. My main example is the imagination. In this context, I will also focus on the rejection of dualism, or rather: the way that René Descartes’s philosophy, especially his distinction between

One key problem within CLS has been the focus on the

This historicist approach to cognition as a self-reflexive aspect of literature, on the one hand, and a reflection on science, on the other, necessarily implies a rejection of any universalising approach to literary works of art. The theoretical historicism proposed in this paper presupposes a turn towards the time-bound and the particular, and respective conceptualisations of authorship, literary production, and the text itself. In order to make my point, I will focus on one key concept and cognitive faculty in the history of the humanities: the creative imagination. A historical approach to the imagination in the light of cognitive science – such as championed by Alan Richardson and Mark J. Bruhn in the field of Romantic Studies – thus serves as my starting point. To make my argument, I will focus on three historically crucial phases as they are periods of transition both within literary history and the history of science: the early seventeenth century as the beginning of the scientific revolution, the Romantic period as a second scientific revolution, and literary Modernism as the formative phase of our contemporary scientific worldview. All three literary examples – Shakespeare, Coleridge, Joyce – can and must be seen as paradigmatic of their age as well as instrumental in bringing about literary change. At the same time, these examples will serve as flashlights to highlight a general trend.
Feto-maternal osmotic balance at term. A prospective observational study
Authors: Moen Vibeke , Brudin Lars , Tjernberg Ivar , Rundgren Mats , Irestedt Lars
Published: September 2017

Objective:

We performed the present study to investigate the feto-maternal osmotic relationship at term with the hypothesis that, in contrast to the literature, maternal plasma osmolality is lower than fetal levels. In a previous study, we found that maternal plasma sodium at delivery was consistently lower than the sodium in the umbilical artery. Our aim was to corroborate these results with analysis of osmolality.

Methods:

Blood was sampled from 30 women immediately before cesarean section and from the umbilical artery and vein before cord clamping and osmolality, sodium and albumin were analyzed.

Results:

Maternal osmolality was (mean; 95% confidence interval) 287.0 (285.8–288.2) mOsmkg/kg, arterial cord osmolality was 289.4 (287.9–291.0) mOsm/kg and venous cord osmolality was 287.3 (286.0–288.5) mOsm/kg. The paired difference between maternal and umbilical arterial osmolality was mean (SD) −2.4 (3.3) mOsm/kg (P<0.001), between maternal and umbilical vein −0.3 (3.0) mOsm/kg (P=0.63) and between umbilical artery and vein −2.1 (2.8) mOsm/kg (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Maternal osmolality was significantly lower than arterial cord osmolality confirming our previous results. The feto-maternal osmotic gradient favors water transport from the mother to the fetus and may increase the fetal risk of water intoxication when the mother ingests or is administered large volumes of electrolyte free solutions.
A statistical test for detecting parent-of-origin effects when parental information is missing
Authors: Sacco Chiara , Viroli Cinzia , Falchi Mario
Published: September 2017

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism that leads to differential contributions of maternal and paternal alleles to offspring gene expression in a parent-of-origin manner. We propose a novel test for detecting the parent-of-origin effects (POEs) in genome wide genotype data from related individuals (twins) when the parental origin cannot be inferred. The proposed method exploits a finite mixture of linear mixed models: the key idea is that in the case of POEs the population can be clustered in two different groups in which the reference allele is inherited by a different parent. A further advantage of this approach is the possibility to obtain an estimation of parental effect when the parental information is missing. We will also show that the approach is flexible enough to be applicable to the general scenario of independent data. The performance of the proposed test is evaluated through a wide simulation study. The method is finally applied to known imprinted genes of the MuTHER twin study data.
Evaluation of apoptotic caspase levels in estimation of the wound age
Authors: Akar Taner , Yar Saglam Atiye Seda , Göçün Pınar Uyar , Alp Ebru , Konac Ece , Menevşe Adnan
Published: September 2017

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the potential use of the expression of apoptotic signaling pathway genes of rat in skin wound age estimation.

Material and methods

For this purpose, we formed cutting tool injuries using a scalpel in an experimental model. Then, we assessed Caspase 3, 8 and 9 mRNA levels by using quantitative real-time PCR and protein levels by using immunohistochemistry in rat skin wounds. In addition, we used TUNEL assay to detect apoptotic cells.

Results

We observed that Caspase 3 mRNA level significantly increased (2.1±0.4 folds) on day 3 (p<0.05) and Caspase 8 mRNA level significantly increased (1.8±0.2 folds) on day 5 (p<0.05). Caspase 9 mRNA level increased (1.9±0.1 folds) on day 3 and (2.5±0.4 folds) on day 5 (p<0.05). The percentage values of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and inflammatory mononuclear cells (IMCs) were observed after immunohistochemical staining by Caspase 3, 8, 9 antibodies. Our immunohistochemistry results were found to be consistent with the mRNA results observed. We reported a statistically significant increase in Caspase 3, 8 and 9-positive cells on days 3 and 5 after immunohistochemical staining as well.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that time-dependent features of apoptotic factors might offer a potential tool in estimating wound age.
Single-Step qPCR and dPCR Detection of Diverse CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Events in Vivo
Authors: Falabella Micol , Sun Linqing , Barr Justin , Pena Andressa Z , Kershaw Erin E , Gingras Sebastien , Goncharova Elena A , Kaufman Brett A
Published: September 2017

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based technology is currently the most flexible means to create targeted mutations by recombination or indel mutations by nonhomologous end joining. During mouse transgenesis, recombinant and indel alleles are often pursued simultaneously. Multiple alleles can be formed in each animal to create significant genetic complexity that complicates the CRISPR-Cas9 approach and analysis. Currently, there are no rapid methods to measure the extent of on-site editing with broad mutation sensitivity. In this study, we demonstrate the allelic diversity arising from targeted CRISPR editing in founder mice. Using this DNA sample collection, we validated specific quantitative and digital PCR methods (qPCR and dPCR, respectively) for measuring the frequency of on-target editing in founder mice. We found that locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes combined with an internal reference probe (Drop-Off Assay) provide accurate measurements of editing rates. The Drop-Off LNA Assay also detected on-target CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in blastocysts with a sensitivity comparable to PCR-clone sequencing. Lastly, we demonstrate that the allele-specific LNA probes used in qPCR competitor assays can accurately detect recombinant mutations in founder mice. In summary, we show that LNA-based qPCR and dPCR assays provide a rapid method for quantifying the extent of on-target genome editing in vivo, testing RNA guides, and detecting recombinant mutations.
Polos geradores de viagens e seus impactos na paisagem urbana: um estudo sobre o impacto de um Shopping Center em Goiânia - GO (Brasil)
Authors: Bandeira Ângelica Carvalho , Kneib Erika Cristine
Published: September 2017

Al tener en cuenta que los Polos Generadores de Viajes (PGVs) sonequipamientos o actividades con una capacidad para producir gran flujo de viajes y generar significativos impactos en las ciudades brasileñas contemporáneas, el artículo tiene como fin desarrollar un procedimiento de análisis del paisaje urbano inmediato impactado por tales emprendimientos o actividades. Para ello, se extraen, de un referencial teórico relacionado, los atributos que componen el paisaje urbano y que, luego, posibilitan evaluar su estado, direccionar soluciones mitigadoras a los aspectos negativos auxiliar en la proyección de escenarios deseables y, aun, ser un instrumento de apoyo al Estudio de Impacto de Vecindad (EIV). Para verificar la aplicabilidad del procedimiento, este se ha empleado en el Centro Comercial Passeio das Águas, en Goiânia (GO, Brasil).
Relación entre actitudes hacia el endeudamiento y discrepancia del yo en estudiantes de pedagogía chilenos
Authors: Denegri Coria Marianela , Caro Vallejos Claudia , Cerda Figueroa María Isabel , Eschmann Gacitúa Katya , Martínez Guaiquil Nathaly , Sepúlveda Aravena Jocelyne
Published: September 2017

La globalización ha trastocado diferentes normas y dinámicas sociales, dando énfasis a prácticas asociadas al consumo y al endeudamiento. En el presente artículo, resulta de particular interés el segmento de jóvenes universitarios estudiantes de pedagogía debido a que; por un lado, son ciudadanos activos y a la vez son responsables de la formación de nuevos ciudadanos. En este marco, este estudio pretendió establecer la asociación entre variables demográficas, discrepancia del yo y la actitud hacia el endeudamiento en estudiantes de las carreras de Pedagogía en Matemática, Castellano e Historia de las zonas norte, centro y sur de Chile. Se utilizó una muestra de 1085 estudiantes universitarios de pedagogía de ambos sexos pertenecientes a universidades del Consejo de Rectores de las Universidades Chilenas. Se empleó un diseño cuantitativo de tipo descriptivo-correlacional. Se aplicaron dos instrumentos: Escala de Actitudes hacia el Endeudamiento y Escala de Discrepancia del yo. Los resultados indican una correlación positiva entre las distintas dimensiones de discrepancia del yo y la actitud hedonista hacia el endeudamiento. En cuanto a la actitud austera hacia el endeudamiento, está correlacionada negativamente con la discrepancia del yo a nivel social. Respecto a diferencias de género, se aprecia que las mujeres son quienes presentan mayor actitud austera. La importancia de indagar este fenómeno remite a la prevención de situaciones de endeudamiento y la promoción de acciones organizadas al adquirir bienes y/o servicios por medio de la consideración de pautas y dinámicas de las sociedades postmodernas, que refuercen, además, el rol modelador de comportamientos financieros de los docentes en sus estudiantes.
El trabajo docente y las relaciones con el estudiantado desde las representaciones de docente en formación
Authors: Sánchez Sánchez Gerardo Ignacio , Jara Amigo Ximena Elizabeth
Published: September 2017

El escenario actual de postmodernidad le plantea a la formación inicial de docentes el desafío de asegurar una adecuada inserción a contextos escolares altamente tensionados en sus demandas formativas. Esta investigación indaga, las representaciones que profesores en formación desarrollan del trabajo docente y las relaciones con el estudiante de educación primaria. Con un abordaje metodológico cualitativo, de alcance exploratorio – descriptivo, a partir del uso de entrevistas, el trabajo se configuró en una zona de diálogo con 50 estudiantes de pedagogía básica, de las menciones de lenguaje, matemática, ciencias naturales y ciencias sociales de la Universidad Católica del Maule. Los resultados muestran la representación del trabajo docente como una tarea humana dotada de una complejidad que se deriva del requerimiento de integralidad y de las demandas de una sociedad diversa y tecnológica. Se puede concluir que el proceso de incorporación al aula enfrenta a los docentes en formación a un territorio que hoy se define complejo e incierto. Debido a lo anterior es preciso asumir que los estudiantes son activos y heterogéneos, en sus disposiciones, intereses y capacidad de aprender y, en consecuencia, tensionan la relación y el status tradicional de autoridad docente. Desde el punto de vista de las implicancias para la formación inicial, este grupo de profesores en práctica no logra advertir que la misma racionalidad con la cual opera la institución escolar explica, en gran medida, la complejidad del nuevo territorio donde tendrá que llevar a cabo su trabajo
El acompañamiento tecno-pedagógico como alternativa para la apropiación de tecnología en docentes universitarios
Authors: Morado María Florencia
Published: September 2017

Este artículo aborda una investigación donde participaron doce docentes de una universidad privada de Costa Rica. El objetivo fue encontrar una forma para que el cuerpo docente se apropie de herramientas tecnológicas y construya entornos virtuales de aprendizaje (EVA) bajo los lineamientos del paradigma emergente. Fue un proceso de investigación acción participativa, de carácter cualitativo, en el que se acompañó tecno-pedagógicamente al profesorado en el desarrollo de los EVA en el año 2015. La metodología incluyó entrevistas, observaciones y documentación de prácticas en los entornos virtuales de los profesores para conocer la percepción de los involucrados, de esta forma se evidenciaron sus expectativas y vivencias sobre el proceso y logros alcanzados. Se pudo comprender que el acompañamiento tecno-pedagógico (ATP) en el contexto real de las prácticas docentes, así como la construcción progresiva y guiada de entornos de aprendizaje con el uso de tecnología, es efectiva y satisfactoria para los involucrados y los conocimientos perduran en el tiempo, independientemente de la presencia de la facilitadora. Además, la creación de una comunidad de docentes en el proceso de ATP permitió compartir experiencias y temores. Finalmente, fortalecieron sus destrezas y habilidades en el aprender entre pares
La internacionalización de la educación superior en la Argentina (1995-2015): ¿Convergencia global o peculiaridades nacionales?
Authors: Botto Mercedes
Published: September 2017

El objetivo de este ensayo es analizar la influencia de los organismos internacionales en el proceso de internacionalización del sistema de Educación Superior Argentino. El interés de este análisis es doble: por una parte, contribuir al debate sobre los efectos de convergencia/divergencia que conlleva la globalización económica sobre las políticas públicas nacionales. Por la otra, caracterizar la trayectoria de reforma seguida por un caso, el argentino, que se distinguió desde sus orígenes por su masividad, la autonomía de las universidades y su financiamiento público: tres elementos que irían a contrapelo de las ideas hegemónicas de los años noventa. ¿Cuáles fueron estas ideas y propuestas hegemónicas? ¿En qué medida lograron modifican y trastocar estos pilares? ¿Cuáles fueron los actores exógenos que las propusieron y cuáles los actores “domésticos” que las apoyaron y las resistieron? Para responder a estas preguntas, este trabajo caracteriza los principales hitos de esta reforma mediante la identificación de los actores, ideas y recursos utilizados por los actores internacionales y las respuestas generadas en sus contrapartes domésticas. La información analizada y sistematizada provino de documentos oficiales y publicaciones académicas chequeadas, en algunos casos, con entrevistas a sus protagonistas. Los resultados nos permiten hablar de tres etapas distintas y sucesivas, pero en gran medida complementarias. Cada una de estas etapas está caracterizada por la presencia de un organismo internacional cuyas ideas han influido en la reforma del sistema nacional. Sin embargo, esta influencia no ha sido directa, sino intermediada por las visiones e intereses de actores domésticos.
Formación contable en Chile “una propuesta de articulación curricular”
Authors: Gallegos Muñoz Cecilia , Rodríguez Quezada Estela
Published: September 2017

La articulación vertical promueve el acceso de los estudiantes de educación media a educación superior; asimismo, permite que estos puedan transitar fluidamente entre estos dos niveles formativos, mediante el reconocimiento de los aprendizajes adquiridos previamente. En este contexto, el objetivo de este artículo es determinar la factibilidad de una articulación vertical entre los Colegios Técnicos Profesionales que ofrecen el título de nivel medio en Contabilidad en la región del Maule y Bío-Bío y las Universidades de las mismas regiones que dicten la carrera de Contador Público y/o Auditor en Chile con el fin de establecer un modelo o propuesta de articulación curricular entre estos dos niveles formativos. Desde el punto de vista metodológico se realizó un análisis exhaustivo de los planes y programas de estudios de estas instituciones para establecer un modelo eficaz de articulación. La propuesta considera articular seis asignaturas como mínimo, una de cada área de formación, las cuales tendrían que ser cursadas por los estudiantes durante la enseñanza media y todas las Universidades debieran ofrecer durante el primer semestre. Lo anterior permitiría a los estudiantes de educación media convalidar los aprendizajes adquiridos y con esto disminuir el tiempo de permanencia en la Educación Superior para promover así una salida temprana al mercado laboral.
La radio estudiantil como estrategia didáctica innovadora
Authors: Araya Rivera Carlos
Published: September 2017

El empleo de los medios de comunicación colectiva como espacios de aprendizaje ha sido poco estudiado, especialmente en el contexto costarricense. La radio en particular ha sido más apreciada como objeto de estudio que como estrategia didáctica. En este artículo se reseñan los principales resultados de un proyecto de investigación desarrollado en el periodo 2012-2014 acerca del papel de la radio estudiantil como estrategia didáctica. Se utilizó un enfoque metodológico cuantitativo y un diseño no experimental transeccional de tipo secuencial exploratorio. El trabajo de campo se llevó a cabo en dos fases: un inventario de emisoras estudiantiles del Gran Área Metropolitana de Costa Rica y el diseño y ejecución de un Taller de Producción Radiofónica Estudiantil. Para el inventario se aplicó un cuestionario a una muestra censal (405 colegios), que incluyó ítems de respuesta abierta y cerrada, con el fin de recabar información de los centros educativos y las emisoras estudiantiles. El taller se llevó a cabo en dos colegios académicos diurnos urbanos, con la participación de 22 adolescentes que cursaban del 7° al 12° nivel de Enseñanza Secundaria, a quienes se aplicaron rúbricas de autoevaluación y coevaluación. Se encontraron 13 experiencias de radio estudiantil en igual número de colegios aunque al finalizar el estudio la mayoría se había cerrado. Luego de la actividad de aprendizaje y la aplicación de rúbricas, el estudio muestra que el grupo de participantes tuvo muy buen desempeño general de la estrategia didáctica. Los resultados indican que esta estrategia podría favorecer el fortalecimiento de valores, la inclusión social y la prevención de problemáticas sociales en la población adolescente, así como el desarrollo de competencias genéricas que pueden brindar insumos importantes para su futuro laboral y profesional.
Las creencias de partida del profesorado en formación en la Enseñanza del Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE) sobre la gramática
Authors: Villalba Martínez Félix , Hincapié Moreno Diana , Molina Morales Guillermo
Published: September 2017

En las últimas décadas ha cobrado protagonismo el estudio de las creencias del profesor y de la profesora en el ámbito de las lenguas extranjeras por su influencia en la práctica docente. En el presente artículo, se analizaron las creencias de 30 docentes colombianos en formación (en el Instituto Caro y Cuervo de Bogotá, donde se realiza el estudio), acerca de la enseñanza de gramática del Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE). El objetivo fue avanzar en la comprensión de estas cogniciones, y así elaborar programas de formación más adecuados para el contexto estudiado. Se optó por un abordaje mixto que permite la triangulación entre los datos obtenidos por medio de instrumentos cuantitativos (cuestionario) y cualitativos (entrevistas grupales e individuales). Las categorías de análisis fueron las siguientes: concepción de la gramática, experiencia como aprendientes de idiomas, enseñanza de la gramática, aprendizaje de la gramática y práctica docente. Los resultados mostraron una aceptación del enfoque comunicativo, aunque con pervivencia de una visión tradicional en la concepción de la gramática. En varias de las categorías, los porcentajes indicaron la preferencia de las personas docentes hacia actividades que permitieran una interacción real con la lengua, a pesar de que no siempre se precisa la manera de llevarlo a cabo. En el grupo estudiado, se percibió el alejamiento de la visión tradicional sobre el proceso de enseñanza/aprendizaje de la gramática, lo cual supone una relativa novedad respecto a estudios anteriores. Los resultados invitan a elaborar cursos de formación que incidan específicamente en el tratamiento didáctico de la enseñanza de la gramática, por ser el aspecto más desconocido en los futuros profesionales de la enseñanza.
Percepción de adquisición de competencias genéricas en estudiantes de Psicología que inician y finalizan su formación
Authors: Suárez Cretton Ximena Alejandra
Published: September 2017

El objetivo de la investigación fue verificar cual es el nivel de adquisición de competencias genéricas que perciben estudiantes de Psicología en su proceso de formación profesional, a través de la comparación de dos grupos de estudiantes, uno que inicia su carrera y otro que la finaliza. La muestra total estuvo conformada por 217 estudiantes de la carrera de Psicología provenientes de 5 universidades. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo a través de la aplicación del Cuestionario de Competencias Genéricas de Tuning Latinoamericano (2007) con dos modalidades de medición: nivel de importancia y nivel de logro. La comparación estadística se realiza en dimensiones o grupos de competencias, e individualmente a través de la prueba de Anova. Los resultados indican que el estudiantado que finaliza percibe sólo un incremento leve de competencias en la comparación entre el grupo que inicia versus el que la finaliza. Las competencias más incrementadas son: capacidad de abstracción, análisis y síntesis; capacidad de aplicar los conocimientos en la práctica; habilidades para buscar, procesar y analizar la información; capacidad para formular y gestionar proyectos. Exhiben insatisfacción con el nivel competencial auto-percibido. Las acciones ejercidas por las universidades contribuyen de forma parcial al desarrollo de competencias genéricas. Consecuentemente, se torna necesario una evaluación y análisis del proceso de implementación utilizado por las universidades para convertir sus programas de contenidos a competencias.
La extensión universitaria y su relación con la formación inicial de las carreras pedagógicas en Cuba
Authors: Nuñez Pérez Adelainy , Álvarez Fonte Bárbara Lidia , Martínez Malo Sosa Clara María
Published: September 2017

El artículo se dirige a exponer algunos resultados obtenidos de la revisión bibliográfica sobre el desarrollo de la extensión universitaria y se determinan los referentes teóricos y metodológicos del proceso de extensión en la educación superior y sus aportes en la formación inicial de las carreras pedagógicas en Cuba. Se considera el criterio de los autores Del Huerto, González, González-Fernández Larrea, Santos, Tünnermann; lo que permitió a los investigadores asumir posiciones que se corresponden con los enfoques actuales de la Pedagogía. Se realizó un análisis documental, apoyado en artículos sobre resultados de investigación en bases de datos científicas y de documentos institucionales. Además, se emplearon métodos de nivel teórico como el histórico-lógico para profundizar en la evolución, tendencias y generalizaciones del desarrollo de la Extensión Universitaria en la formación inicial en Cuba. Los principales resultados obtenidos en el estudio pusieron de manifiesto la evolución conceptual de este proceso desde la creación de las universidades hasta nuestros días, lo cual permite reformular y perfeccionar la Extensión Universitaria con el fin de mejorar la calidad de nuestros futuros profesionales. Se identifican algunos conceptos y modelos, así como experiencias específicas en el desarrollo de la extensión universitaria cubana.
Nursing Staff’s Perception of Spiritual Care on Haematology, Oncology and Elderly Care Wards
Authors: Neary Wanda , Hillier Valerie , Fraser Derek
Published: September 2017

A mixed quantitative/qualitative study using two questionnaires was undertaken, to explore nurses’ attitudes to and their perceptions of the concepts of spirituality and spiritual care and to determine whether they believed they could meet patients’ needs in this field. Following ethical approval, the questionnaires were distributed to 68 nurses on the Haematology, Oncology and Elderly Care wards. Analyses included descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha, and content analysis of open text. A response rate of 52.9% was obtained. Nurses indicated a broad understanding of spirituality, not only one related to religious beliefs and practices. The majority (89.9%) believed that patients should receive spiritual support as part of their holistic care, and 55.6% reported that they could o er this. Content analysis identified key themes relating to spiritual care and to spirituality. A need for further training in spiritual care was recorded by 58.3% of respondents. Further studies concentrating on nurses treating patients with a poor prognosis would be helpful.
Hospice Volunteers’ Spiritual Care Training
Authors: Gratz Margit , Roser Traugott , Paal Piret
Published: September 2017

AIM: A Germany-wide survey confirmed that there is a need for a spiritual care curriculum to o er assistance in arranging the spiritual care training for hospice volunteers. This article defines the aims of the course and its central themes in teaching spirituality to hospice volunteers. METHODS: An expert group interview was designed to define the core competencies and course aims. The thematic content analysis was applied to extract themes from the transcript and paraphrased into codes, which were grouped into thematically coherent categories. RESULTS: Spiritual care training for volunteers should cover the following themes and practical assignments: (1) definition of central concepts of spirituality and spiritual care; (2) meaning of belief systems; (3) spiritual needs and resources; (4) personal manner and ability to relate meaningfully; (5) referral to appropriate pastoral care/chaplains/spiritual advisors; (6) rituals and creativity in spiritual care; (7) voicing and acknowledging own spirituality; (8) facing and initiating spiritual encounters. Course aims were identified concerning knowledge, skills, and attitude. CONCLUSION: The findings frame the development of a spiritual care curriculum for hospice volunteers.
Improved Detection of Circulating Epithelial Cells in Patients with Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms
Authors: Franses Joseph W. , Basar Omer , Kadayifci Abdurrahman , Yuksel Osman , Choz Melissa , Kulkarni Anupriya S. , Tai Eric , Vo Kevin D. , Arora Kshitij S. , Desai Niyati , Licausi Joseph A. , Toner Mehmet , Maheswaran Shyamala , Haber Daniel A. , Ryan David P. , Brugge William R. , Ting David T.
Published: September 2017

Background

Recent work has demonstrated early shedding of circulating epithelial cells (CECs) from premalignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). However, the potential use of CECs as a “liquid biopsy” for patients with IPMNs has been limited by antigen dependence of CEC isolation devices and the lack of robust detection biomarkers across CEC phenotypes.

Materials and Methods

We utilized a negative depletion microfluidic platform to purify CECs from contaminating leukocytes and coupled this platform with immunofluorescence, RNA in situ hybridization, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) detection and enumeration.

Results

Using established protein (EpCAM, cytokeratins) and novel noncoding RNA (HSATII, cytokeratins) biomarkers, we detected CECs in 88% of patients bearing IPMN lesions. RNA-seq analysis for MUC genes confirm the likely origin of these CECs from pancreatic lesions.

Conclusion

Our findings increase the sensitivity of detection of these cells and therefore could have clinical implications for cancer risk stratification.

Implications for Practice

This work describes a high-sensitivity platform for detection of epithelial cells shed from preneoplastic lesions at high risk of malignant transformation. Further research efforts are underway to define the transcriptional programs that might allow discrimination between circulating cells released from tumors that will become malignant and cells released from tumors that will not. After further refinement, this combination of technologies could be deployed for monitoring and early detection of patients at high risk for developing new or recurrent pancreatic malignancies.
Analytical solution for a flexural bimodulus beam
Authors: Shah Saumya , Panda Saroja Kanta , Khan Debashish
Published: September 2017

Formulations for the deformed shape of a simply supported, uniformly loaded bimodulus beam and the location of the neutral axis have been developed. A theoretical model for bimodulus and unimodular beams has been developed to calculate the maximum deflection considering the neutral axis shift in the case of a bimodulus beam. The finite-element technique is used for the evaluation using the concept of the Ambartsumyan bimodular model for simply supported and cantilever bimodulus and unimodular beams with centrally pointed load, uniformly distributed load and gradually varying load. It is found that the value of the maximum deflection is large for a bimodular beam in comparison to that for a unimodular beam for all types of loading. Shifting of neutral axis has been correlated with three point bend testing of graphite specimens. Qualitative comparison for uniformly distributed load and centrally pointed load has been carried out to demonstrate the influence of bimodularity for both cantilever and simply supported numerical specimens based on finite element procedures.
Beam–column subassemblies with construction joint in columns above and below the beam
Authors: Roy Biswajit , Laskar Aminul Islam
Published: September 2017

Construction joints in columns are unavoidable in multi-storey reinforced-concrete structures. According to ACI 224.3R-95, construction joints in columns are to be provided below the beam for lower storey columns and above the floor slab for upper storey columns. A review of the literature reveals that little attempt has been made so far to study the effect of cyclic loading on beam–column subassemblies with construction joints in the column above and below the beam. In the present paper, one-third scaled beam–column joint specimens were designed as per relevant provisions of the Indian standard code of practice and detailed as per ductile detailing procedures. Flexural strength ratios of the specimens were 1·2, 1·4, 1·7 and 2·0. Specimens were cast in stages, providing construction joints in the column as per ACI 224.3R-95 to simulate in situ construction. It was observed that ductility, initial stiffness and energy dissipation capacity reduced by 30–44%, 16–19% and 53–64%, respectively, in specimens with double construction joints in the column compared to control specimens.