Preparing Engineering College Students for a Culturally Diverse Global Job Market

According to the National Academy of Engineering, a core need for engineers today is to be able to work with a diverse, multinational, multidisciplinary workforce. Accordingly, colleges of engineering must develop strategies to graduate engineers ready for this global and diverse job market. Actions taken by colleges of engineering to add global preparedness to their curriculum are add-ons to the core curriculum, such as optional study-abroad programs, elective courses, minors, and certificates, and have only reached a small percentage of the students and/or sometimes have not proven sufficient for today’s and future demand. Therefore, most engineering students in the United States are graduating not fully prepared to engage with the global job market they will be part of. The purpose of this study was to identify the intercultural maturity level, as determined by the Intercultural Maturity Framework, of students in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M when exposed to intercultural concepts in relation to cognitive, intrapersonal and interpersonal development. Therefore, as a result, understand how students come to appreciate cultural differences to interact effectively with different others is important. This qualitative study followed the Naturalist inquiry paradigm and used the interpretive method relying on information from interviews, documents and reports. The population for this study was the eight students enrolled in the Global Engineering Design Class during Fall 2014. The results of this study showed that this global course had a positive impact on students’ intercultural maturity development. The engineering project the company provided linked their cultural learning to the engineering workplace reality. The cultural assignments and the work with the Brazilian students awakened the global interest of the students who had not traveled abroad, and it deepened the cultural understanding of the students who had traveled abroad. Most of the students who return from a study-abroad experience believe it was a life changing experience, but when they talk to potential employers about this experience, they describe the experience with the superficial “touristy” activities they took part in while abroad. In contrast, after the Global Engineering Design class, students described this experience in a less “life changing” manner. Interestingly, they were able to articulate, when describing the experience, their learning and what they will bring to the work environment from this experience

Endothelial activity in positive HCV patients undergoing hemodialysis

Introdução: a doença renal crônica é uma síndrome complexa; vários fatores contribuem para que pacientes em hemodiálise apresentem um estado inflamatório crônico e disfunção endotelial pronunciada, levando a alta prevalência de doença cardiovascular aterosclerótica prematura. A infecção pelo vírus da Hepatite C, comum nestes pacientes, poderia ser um fator de piora para este estado inflamatório. Dosagem de marcadores de lesão endotelial como ICAM-1 e VEGF, pode ser uma arma para identificar pacientes com risco elevado que necessitam de medidas efetivas que possam diminuir a mortalidade. Objetivos: comparar atividade endotelial entre pacientes renais crônicos portadores e não portadores de Hepatite C submetidos à hemodiálise. Métodos: selecionamos 18 pacientes em diálise com hepatite C e viremia positiva – grupo HCV(+), e outros 10 pacientes em diálise sem hepatite – grupo HCV(-). Os grupos foram avaliados num único momento com relação a: adequação da diálise (Kt/V); atividade endotelial – ICAM-1 e VEGF; atividade necroinflamatória e função hepática – albumina, ALT e TAP; pesquisa de crioglobulinemia; dosagem de C3, C4 e fator reumatóide; avaliação nutricional: antropométrica, laboratorial e subjetiva – IMC, %adequação PCT, %adequação GC, CMB e %adequação CMB; albumina, transferrina e linfócitos totais. Resultados: sexo masculino 68%, idade entre 20-69 (45,39 + 14,11) anos. Tempo em hemodiálise variou de 6 meses a 22 (7,45 + 6,35) anos, significativamente maior no grupo HCV(+), p=0,0149. Todos os pacientes atingiram o valor esperado de Kt/V (1,32 + 0,17). O ICAM-1 estava elevado (402 + 182,1) em 60,71% pacientes; mais alto no grupo C positivo (435,1 + 188,6 vs 342 + 161,8), porém não significante, p=0,2024. Não houve correlação entre nível de ICAM-1 com tempo em diálise ou ALT, em nenhum dos grupos (r = 0). Os níveis de VEGF foram normais (295,4 + 237,9) em 92,85% dos pacientes. Todos tinham função hepática normal (TAP 92,34 + 7,67) e não foi encontrada lesão significativa no fígado (ALT 35,23 + 24,42). Em nenhum dos pacientes foram encontradas crioglobulinas. Apenas a fração C3 do complemento estava baixa (79,38 + 19,23) em 75% dos pacientes, sem diferença entre os grupos, p=0,9293. O fator reumatóide foi normal (29,73 + 15,11) em 71,42%, também sem diferença entre os grupos, p=0,1248. A avaliação nutricional antropométrica revelou desnutrição leve a moderada, com reserva muscular diminuída (%CMB 85,20 + 10,28) em todos, e gordura corporal elevada (%GC 22,30 + 3,19) em 55,56%. A média dos valores dos parâmetros laboratoriais analisados, albumina (4,12 + 0,51), transferrina (210,6 + 104,4) e contagem de linfócitos (1398 + 562,5) encontravam-se normais nos dois grupos. Subjetivamente 92,85% classificado como desnutrição leve; 7,14% moderada e nenhum eutrófico. Conclusões: observamos que renais crônicos em hemodiálise possuem elevado grau de lesão endotelial, porém a presença de hepatite C não foi um fator agravante deste quadro. ICAM-1 é um bom marcador nesta população, já VEGF não se mostrou útil para a avaliação endotelial nestes pacientes. É possível que estes resultados advenham da amostra limitada, necessárias análises com um número maior de pacientes para estabelecer se existe maior atividade endotelial em pacientes com insuficiência renal em hemodiálise com hepatite C.Introduction: the chronic renal disease is a complex syndrome; several factors contribute to a chronic inflammatory state and pronounced endothelial dysfunction in patients on hemodialysis, leading to high prevalence of atherosclerotic premature cardiovascular disease. The infection caused by hepatitis C virus, common in such patients, could be a worsening factor for this inflammatory state. Endothelial lesion markers dosage as ICAM-1 and VEGF, could be a tool to identify patients at high risk who need effective measures in order to reduce the mortality rate. Objectives: to compare endothelial activity between chronic renal patients with and without hepatitis C submitted to hemodialysis. Methods: 28 patients undergoing dialysis were divided in two groups: HCV(+) group – 18 patients: anti-HCV(+) and PCR(+); and HCV(-) group – 10 patients: anti-HCV(-). The groups were evaluated concerning to: dialysis efficiency (Kt/V); endothelial activity: ICAM-1 and VEGF; necroinflammatory activity and hepatic function: albumin, ALT and TAP; cryoglobulinemia research; C3, C4 and rheumatoid factor level; nutrition assessment: anthropometric (IMC, %PCT, %GC, CMB and %CMB), laboratory (albumin, transferrin and total lymphocytes) and subjective. Results: men were 68%, women 32%. Aged between 20-69 (45,39 + 14,11) years. Time on hemodialysis varied from 6 months to 22 years (7,45 + 6,35years), significantly higher in group HCV(+), p=0,0149. The entire patients reached expected value of Kt/V (1,32 + 0,17). ICAM-1 levels were high (402 + 182,1) in 60,71%; highest levels in HCV(+) group (435,1 + 188,6 vs 342 + 161,8) however, it was not statiscally significant – p=0,2024. There was no correlation between the ICAM-1 levels and the hemodialysis time or ALT levels in any group (r = 0). The levels of VEGF (295,4 + 237,9) were normal in 92,85%; only HCV(+) patients had high levels. No group presented any correlation between the VEGF levels and the dialysis time or ALT levels. All patients had normal hepatic function (TAP 92,34 + 7,67) and no significant liver lesion was found (ALT 35,23 + 24,42). None of the patients had cryoglobulins. Just C3 fraction of complement was low (79,38 + 19,23), in 75% of the patients, without difference between the groups – p=0,9293. The rheumatoid factor was standard (29,73 + 15,11) in 71,42%; without difference between the groups as well (p=0,1248). Anthropometric nutritional assessment showed light to moderate malnutrition, with reduced muscular reservation (%CMB 85,20 + 10,28) in all of them; and high corporal fat (%GC 22,30 + 3,19) in 55,56%. Laboratory parameters values analyzed: albumin (4,12 + 0,51), transferrin (210,6 + 104,4) and lymphocytes count (1398 + 562,5) were normal in both groups. Subjectively 92,85% was classified as light malnutrition; 7,14% moderate and no eutrophic. Conclusion: Patients undergoing hemodialysis show high endothelial lesion, nevertheless, the presence of HCV did not show an aggravating factor of such state. ICAM-1 is a good marker in this population. VEGF was not useful as endothelial marker in such patients. This result may have happened due to the small number of patients. It would be necessary analysis with a larger sample for more definitive conclusions.TEDEBV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe

Integrated strategies for the production, maturation and storage of functional cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells

The production of cardiomyocytes (CM) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) holds great promise for cardiotoxicity drug testing, disease modeling and cardiac regeneration [1]. However, the complex nets of signalling pathways involved in cardiomyogenesis compromises the effectiveness of the existing differentiation protocols to reproducibly produce high-quality CM from hPSC (hPSC-CM). Produced hPSC-CM are immature compared with adult CMs, express typical fetal cardiac genes, have immature electrophysiological properties and use glucose as major energy source [2]. The applicability of hPSC-CM in the clinic/industry is also dependent on the development of efficient methods for worldwide shipment of these cells. In this study we aim to overcome these hurdles by devising an integrated strategy for scalable production, maturation and storage of functional hPSC-CM. hPSC (hiPSC and hESC lines) were cultured as aggregates in environmentally controlled bioreactors, where the necessary conditions to control stem cell fate are tightly tuned [3]. Dissolved oxygen and hydrodynamic forces were manipulated in order to improve CM differentiation yields [4]. CM differentiation was monitored using flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. Novel feeding strategies were tested aiming at improving hPSC-CM enrichment and maturation. We also evaluated the feasibility to cold store monolayers and aggregates of hPSC-CM using a clinical compatible preservation formulation. After storage the ultrastructure and functionality of the hPSC-CM were assessed by TEM and electrophysiology analyses. Our results showed that hypoxia and hydrodynamic forces affect cell differentiation towards functional CM. The bioreactor protocol herein described (i.e. the controlled hypoxic and specific hydrodynamic environment) improved PSC differentiation by enhancing culture homogeneity, process reproducibility, and CM productivities. Moreover, enhanced CM maturation was attained when hPSC-CM were cultured in glucose depleted media supplemented with fatty acids; hPSC-CM showed a more elongated structure with organized sarcomeric pattern and displayed higher expression of genes responsible for contraction, calcium handling and electrophysiology. Noteworthy, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and 13C labeled subtracts we showed that hPSC-CM use fatty acid β-oxidation as energy source, a typical feature of adult CMs. At the end, we showed that monolayers of hPSC-CM and cardiospheres can be stored up to 7 days at hypothermic conditions without compromising cell viability, morphology and electrophysiological properties. This work describes significant advances towards mass production of mature hPSC-CM and their short-term storage, meeting some of the needs of the cardiac regenerative medicine market and industrial field

Uma reflexão sobre linguagem e memória nas narrativas de Paloma Vidal

IX Congresso Brasileiro de Hispanistas realizado nos dias 22 a 25 agosto 2016A presente comunicação propõe uma reflexão sobre as relações entre linguagem, memória e deslocamento nas narrativas de Mais ao Sul, da escritora Paloma Vidal (2008). A pesquisa baseia se na análise dos contos “Tempo de partir”, “Viagens” e “Cena no jardim”, cujos personagens, tal como a própria escritora, vivenciam experiências “entre duas línguas e duas culturas”. Propomos que os personagens das narrativas de Mais ao Sul são sobreviventes do deslocamento. A partir de suas experiências, eles relatam seus traumas através de sentimentos de solidão, abandono e tristeza – efeitos das dificuldades sociais, culturais e linguísticas –, enfrentando como consequência um certo coeficiente de extraterritorialidade provocado pelo deslocamento (in)voluntário. Segundo George Steiner (1990), esse deslocamento pode se dar também na linguagem, na forma de uma perturbação ou de um incômodo em relação à língua materna. Ou seja, o deslocamento reconstrói o sujeito, bem como seu pertencimento a uma nova cultura.UNILA­-UNIOEST

Essays in entrepreneurship among foreign individuals

We study how countries of origin affect foreign individuals’ choice between salaried work and entrepreneurship upon arrival to the host country. Using a change in the Portuguese immigration law we evaluate the impact of reducing regulations on entrepreneurship upon the probability of foreign individuals choose entrepreneurship upon arrival. We find that foreigners from countries more dissimilar to the host country and those from wealthier countries are more likely engage in entrepreneurship upon arrival than those from similar countries. Foreigners from countries outside the European Economic Area, who have to fulfil requirements that are not required to those from countries within this area, are less likely to enter the labor market as entrepreneurs than those from countries within this area. According to our findings reducing legal requirements to foreign entrepreneurship may encourage foreigners to engage in entrepreneurship upon arrival, although such impact is not considerable

A general estimator for the right endpoint with an application to supercentenarian women's record

We extend the setting of the right endpoint estimator introduced in Fraga Alves and Neves (Statist. Sinica 24:1811{1835, 2014) to the broader class of light-tailed distributions with finite endpoint, belonging to some domain of attraction induced by the extreme value theorem. This stretch enables a general estimator for the finite endpoint, which does not require estimation of the (supposedly non-positive) extreme value index. A new testing procedure for selecting max-domains of attraction also arises in connection with the asymptotic properties of the general endpoint estimator. The simulation study conveys that the general endpoint estimator is a valuable complement to the most usual endpoint estimators, particularly when the true extreme value index stays above -1/2, embracing the most common cases in practical applications. An illustration is provided via an extreme value analysis of supercentenarian women data

O BIODIESEL NA MATRIZ ENERGÉTICA DO BRASIL: UMA ANÁLISE DAS EXTERNALIDADES

A proposta básica deste trabalho é analisar as externalidades provocadas com a inserção do biodiesel na matriz energética brasileira. A metodologia empregada constitui no embasamento teórico de externalidades e bem-estar social. Realizou-se uma análise do bem-estar social dos agentes econômicos de forma a mostrar as externalidades negativas provenientes do uso do óleo diesel mineral que poderão ser evitados ou internalizados com o uso da mistura com o óleo biodiesel. Constatou-se que com a mistura B2, B5, B20 e B100 têm-se uma redução da emissão de 1,0%; 3,0%; 12,0% e 48,0% de monóxido de carbono e materiais particulados, respectivamente e, redução da emissão de 2,0%; 5,0%; 20,0% e 67,0% de hidrocarbonetos, respectivamente, que são os principais gases causadores do efeito estufa (GEE). Sem contar que os gastos com importação com o óleo diesel seriam reduzidos consideravelmente.-----------------------------------------------In this study we analyze the externalities aggravated with the insertion of the biodiesel on matrix energetic Brazilian. Using as methodology the theory of externalities and welfare, we analyze the welfare from the agents economic that show the externalities negatives deriving from of the use of the diesel oil mineral what be able be prevents or internalized with the use from blending with the oil biodiesel. We find that as with the she stirs B2, B5, B20 and B100 they have a reduction from emission of 1,0%; 3,0%; 12,0% and 48,0% of carbon monoxide and materials particulars, respectively and, reduction from emission of 2,0%; 5,0%; 20,0% and 67,0% of hidrocarbonets, respectively, what are the principal gasses caused of the effect oven (GEE). Without count as the spending with importation with the diesel oil they should be reduced enormously.Oleaginosas, Bem-estar social, Gases de efeito estufa (GEE), Oleaginosas, Welfare, Gasses of effect oven, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Corporate sustainability practices in accredited Brazilian hospitals: a degree-of-maturity assessment of the environmental dimension

O principal objetivo deste artigo é verificar o grau de maturidade dos hospitais acreditados brasileiros em relação às práticas de sustentabilidade, mais especificamente na dimensão ambiental. Para isso, um questionário foi construído a partir da revisão de literatura e do método de avaliação do Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial da BM&FBovespa (n.d.). Além disso, verificou-se a relação entre três ferramentas de sustentabilidade corporativa (certificação International Organization for Standardization [ISO] 14001, a publicação de relatórios de sustentabilidade e a existência de uma área dedicada à sustentabilidade na empresa) e a maturidade dos hospitais em relação às práticas de sustentabilidade. Os resultados apontam que, dos trinta e oito hospitais que participaram da pesquisa (43% do universo investigado), 58% das instituições obtiveram classificação de maturidade muito alta ou alta de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos. Ademais, algumas variáveis investigadas apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os hospitais que possuem a certificação ISO 14001, que publicam relatórios de sustentabilidade e que possuem uma área dedicada à sustentabilidade. Assim, os hospitais devem adotar atitudes para inserir cada vez mais a sustentabilidade em suas estratégias, como estabelecer um diálogo participativo com os stakeholders, que poderão aprimorar e elevar o grau de maturidade das instituições hospitalaresThe main objective of this paper is to assess the degree of maturity of Brazilian accredited hospitals in relation to sustainable practices, specifically the environmental dimension. Therefore, a questionnaire was constructed,shaped by the literature review and the evaluation method oftheCorporate Sustainability Index of BM and FBovespa (n.d.). Furthermore, the relationship between three corporate sustainability tools (the certification of the International Organization for Standardization [ISO] 14001, published sustainability reports, and the existence of an area dedicated to corporate sustainability) and the maturity of hospitals in relation to sustainability practices were assessed. The results show that, of the 38 hospitals that participated in the survey (43% ofsubjectsstudied), 58% obtained a maturity rating of very high or high rating, according to the established criteria. In addition, some research variables showed statistically significant differences among the hospitals that have ISO 14001 certification, those that publish sustainability reports, and those that have an area dedicated to sustainability. Consequently, hospitals should take action to include much more sustainability actions in their strategies, such as how to establish a participatory dialog with stakeholders, in order to improve and raise the level of maturity of hospitalsEl principal objetivo en este artículo es verificar el nivel de madurez de los hospitales brasilenos ˜ acreditados respecto a las prácticas sostenibles, específicamente en la dimensión ambiental. Para ello, un cuestionario fue construido a partir de la revisión de la bibliografía y del método de evaluación del Índice de Sustentabilidad Empresarial de BM&F Bovespa. Además, se investigó la relación entre tres herramientas de sostenibilidad corporativa (International Organization for Standardization [ISO] 14001, la publicación de informes de sostenibilidad y la existencia de un área dedicada a la sostenibilidad en la empresa) y la madurez de los hospitales con relación a las prácticas de sostenibilidad. Los resultados muestran que, de lostreinta y ocho hospitales que participaron en la encuesta (43% del universo investigado), el 58% obtuvo calificación de madurez muy alta o alta, de acuerdo con los criterios establecidos. Asimismo, algunas variables investigadas presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los hospitales que cuentan con la certificación ISO 14001, que publican informes de sostenibilidad y que poseen un área dedicada a la sostenibilidad. De esa manera, los hospitales deben adoptar acciones que incluyan cada vez más la sostenibilidad en sus estrategias, como, por ejemplo, establecer un diálogo participativo con los stakeholders, lo que mejorará y elevará el nivel de madurez de los hospitale