Active learning in learning communities: toward an autonomous and shared learning

Starting with our work on organizational redesign in different Colombian organizations, we have advanced in the concepts of Learning Communities, Shared and Permanent Learning, Flexible Organizational Structure, Participative Design, among others ideas. These concepts are a fundamental part of the TESO (Systems Theory in Organizations) approach developed and implemented by Ernesto Lleras in different Participative Organization Redesign processes. From this approach we attempt to tackle organizational issues taking into account the cultural background of domination inherited from our Colombian colonial tradition, which we consider to be detrimental to the effectiveness of Colombian organizations. Through the TESO approach we aim to promote an organizational learning focused on two main elements: the strengthening of people's autonomy and responsibility capabilities, and in this way enable the emergence of autonomous and flexible organizational structures. We consider that the strengthening of both organizational and personal capabilities will enable the emergence of a permanent and shared learning environment that is what we call ‘Learning Community’.Peer Reviewe

Critical Nutrient Concentrations and DRIS Norms for Pinus patula

Pinus patula is one of the most planted wood conifer species worldwide; however, no foliar nutrient standards exist for this species up to date. The objective of the present study was to generate and verify two sets of foliar nutrient standards for nearly ten-year-old P. patula trees: critical nutrient 12 concentrations and DRIS norms. Nutrients studied were N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B. The reference standards were verified experimentally by installing two fertilization trials; one of them located in Huayacocotla, state of Veracruz and the other one in Aquixtla, state of Puebla, Mexico. Nutrient status of each fertilization trial was correctly predicted by critical nutrient values and DRIS as well. Both standards were able to detect the secondary growth-limiting nutrient deficiency in the Huayacocotla trial, where the primary limitation for growth was scarcity of solar radiation within tree crowns. The limiting nutrient in both experimental trials was K

Accuracy of five different diagnostic techniques in mild-to-moderate pelvic inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) compared with the diagnosis of PID made by laparoscopy, endometrial biopsy, transvaginal ultrasound, and cervical and endometrial cultures. Study design: A diagnostic performance test study was carried out by cross-sectional analysis in 61 women. A group presenting PID (n = 31) was compared with a group (n = 30) presenting another cause for non-specific lower abdominal pain (NSLAP). Diagnosis provided by an evaluated method was compared with a standard diagnosis (by surgical findings, histopathology, and microbiology). The pathologist was unaware of the visual findings and presumptive diagnoses given by other methods. RESULTS: All clinical and laboratory PID criteria showed low discrimination capacity. Adnexal tenderness showed the greatest sensitivity. Clinical diagnosis had 87% sensitivity, while laparoscopy had 81% sensitivity and 100% specificity; transvaginal ultrasound had 30% sensitivity and 67% specificity; and endometrial culture had 83% sensitivity and 26% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical criteria represent the best diagnostic method for discriminating PID. Laparoscopy showed the best specificity and is thus useful in those cases having an atypical clinical course for discarding abdominal pain when caused by another factor. The other diagnostic methods might have limited use

Hepatotoxicity in mice of a novel anti-parasite drug candidate hydroxymethylnitrofurazone: a comparison with Benznidazole

Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH) is a promising drug candidate with demonstrated trypanocidal activity in experimental models ofTrypanosoma cruziinfection and chronic disease development. In this study, we monitored the safety of NFOH in established in vitro and in vivo models. Our data show that NFOH did not induce hepatocyte cell death. Short-term or long-term treatment of mice with NFOH did not induce hepatic stress measured by cellular injury, inflammation or fibrosis. Benznidazole, the currently used treatment against acute infection in humans, was more toxic and induced chronic inflammation and liver injury in mice. We conclude that NFOH should be studied further to determine its potential safety for human use as an anti-parasite therapy.Fil: Davies, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Day, Nilay . University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department Of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Sánchez Negrette, Olga . Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Parada, Luis Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Basombrio, Miguel Angel Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Garg, Nisha Jain. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department Of Pathology; Estados Unido

La influencia de los Smartphone en la comunicación intrafamiliar

En el siguiente artículo se analiza la influencia de la tecnología en los hogares, inclinándonos por los aspectos negativos y positivos, la importancia del dialogo familiar y la escucha activa que se debe fomentar en cada uno de los hogares, encontrando como resultado que la tecnología en los hogares ha llegado de una manera más negativa ya que provoca el alejamiento de los miembros que la componen y las consecuencias que trae el mal uso de ella, tomando como base una perspectiva diferente a lo que se está acostumbrando en la vida diaria y haciendo un repaso por las diferentes afectaciones psicológicas que atraen el mal uso de esta tecnología en las personas que lo rodean y en el mismo usuario

Insuetophrynus acarpicus Barrio, 1970 (Anura: Rhinodermatidae): new distribution record at the edge of the Valdivian coastal range, southern Chile

We report a new locality record for the Mehuín Green Frog, Insuetophrynus acarpicus Barrio, 1970, a Critically Endangered species from southern Chile. The new locality is about 90 km southeast of the type locality and expands the known geographical distribution 40 km to the southeast. The new record confirms the presence of I. acarpicus south of the Lingue and Valdivia rivers. Our documentation demonstrates a discontinuous distribution of this frog in the Valdivian Coastal Range of Chile and intensifies the need to implement effective strategies for its conservatio

Síntomas psicopatológicos en adolescentes españoles: relación con los estilos parentales percibidos y la autoestima

The purpose of this research was to study the presence of psychopathologic symptoms in a community sample of 935 Spanish adolescents, and its relationship with perceived parental styles and the self-esteem. Numbers of males and females were 489 and 446, respectively. Age ranged from 12 to 18 years (M = 14.84, SD = 1.83). Fourteen High School centers in Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha agreed to participate in the current study. Five of them were randomly selected to collected data. The results showed age-related differences in all variables (the psychopathologic symptoms, self-esteem and perceived parental styles). On the other hand, females showed less psychopathologic symptoms and better perception of parental styles than males. Significant negative correlations were found between self-esteem, psychopathology and some positive dimensions of parental style. The main predictors of adolescent’s mental health were: self-esteem, age, gender, revelation and affect from father and psychological control of mother.El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la sintomatología psicopatológica evaluada con el SCL-90-R en una muestra comunitaria de 935 adolescentes españoles y su interacción con el estilo parental percibido y la autoestima. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 489 chicos y 446 chicas de edades comprendidas entre los 12 y 18 años (M = 14.84, DT = 1.83) que cursaban estudios de Educación Secundaria y Bachillerato. Catorce centros de la Región de Murcia y Castilla-La Mancha aceptaron participar en el estudio. De éstos, fueron seleccionados al azar siete teniendo en cuenta la titularidad (pública y concertada). Los resultados indicaron que la edad influía en todas las variables medidas, presentando los adolescentes de mayor edad medias más altas en síntomas psicopatológicos, menor autoestima y peor percepción de los estilos educativos parentales. Las mujeres presentaron menos niveles de sintomatología y mejor percepción de los estilos educativos. Los resultados de los análisis correlacionales confirmaron relaciones significativas inversas entre autoestima y síntomas psicopatológicos y entre algunas dimensiones positivas de los estilos educativos. Los predictores más relevantes y de mayor peso en la salud psicológica fueron: autoestima, edad, sexo, revelación y afecto del padre y control psicológico de la madre

Vending Machines of Food and Beverages and Nutritional Profile of their Products at Schools in Madrid, Spain, 2014-2015

BACKGROUND: Policies restricting access to sugary drinks and unhealthy foods in the school environment are associated with healthier consumption patterns. In 2010, Spain approved a Consensus Document regarding Food at Schools with nutritional criteria to improve the nutritional profile of foods and drinks served at schools. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of food and drink vending machines at secondary schools in Madrid, the products offered at them and their nutritional profile. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a random sample of 330 secondary schools in Madrid in 2014-2015. The characteristics of the schools and the existence of vending machines were recorded through the internet and by telephone interview. The products offered in a representative sample of 6 vending machines were identified by in situ inspection, and its nutritional composition was taken from its labeling. Finally, the nutritional profile of each product was analyzed with the United Kingdom profile model, which classifies products as healthy and less healthy. RESULTS: The prevalence of vending machines was 17.3%. Among the products offered, 80.5% were less healthy food and drinks (high in energy, fat or sugar and poor in nutrients) and 10.5% were healthy products. CONCLUSIONS: Vending machines are common at secondary schools in Madrid. Most products are vending machines are still less healthy. Fundamento: Las políticas restrictivas del acceso a bebidas azucaradas y alimentos no saludables en el entorno escolar se asocian con patrones de consumo más saludables. En 2010 se aprobó en España el Documento de Consenso sobre la Alimentación en los Centros Educativos con criterios nutricionales para mejorar el perfil nutricional de los alimentos y bebidas ofertados. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la frecuencia de máquinas expendedoras de bebidas y alimentos y perfil nutricional de sus productos en los Institutos de Enseñanza Secundaria (IES) de Madrid.Métodos: Estudio transversal sobre una muestra aleatoria de 330 IES de la Comunidad de Madrid durante el curso 2014-2015. A través de internet y por entrevista telefónica se registraron las características de los centros y la existencia o no de máquinas expendedoras en ellos. Los productos ofertados en una muestra representativa de 6 máquinas expendedoras se obtuvieron mediante inspección in situ y su composición nutricional se tomó del eti-quetado. Por último, el perfil nutricional de los productos se analizó con el modelo del Reino Unido, que clasifica los productos en saludables y menos saludables. Resultados: La prevalencia de máquinas expendedoras fue del 17,3%. El 80,5% de sus productos fueron menos saludables, altamente energéticos, ricos en grasa o azúcar y pobres en micronutrientes. El 10,5% resultaron ser productos saludables.Conclusión: Las máquinas expendedoras son frecuentes en los IES de Madrid y la mayoría de sus productos tienen un mal perfil nutricional. Palabras clave:Obesidad infantil. Máquinas expendedoras de alimen-tos. Escuela secundaria. Recomendaciones alimentarias.S

Fabricación de productos Ecológicos a base del reciclaje de llantas de caucho

El objetivo principal del presente proyecto es diseñar estrategias de marketing efectivas para un emprendimiento social fundamentado en la fabricación de productos ecológicos a base del reciclaje de llantas de caucho. Se enfoca en la identificación de la problemática, la definición de la idea de negocio, la creación de un prototipo y la implementación de la innovación en el mercado económico Por otro lado también resalta la importancia de considerar a los grupos vulnerables como parte fundamental del proyecto social, buscando generar un beneficio social y contribuir al desarrollo ambiental y social. Se mencionan problemáticas comunes que pueden ser abordadas a través de un emprendimiento social, como el analfabetismo, la pobreza, la exclusión, la drogadicción y la contaminación ambiental.The main objective of this project is to design effective marketing strategies for a social enterprise based on the manufacture of ecological products based on the recycling of rubber tires. It focuses on the identification of the problem, the definition of the business idea, the creation of a prototype and the implementation of innovation in the economic market. On the other hand, it also highlights the importance of considering vulnerable groups as a fundamental part of the social project, seeking to generate a social benefit and contribute to environmental and social development. Common problems that can be addressed through a social enterprise are mentioned, such as illiteracy, poverty, exclusion, drug addiction and environmental pollution

Nutrición de portainjertos de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) utilizando diferentes dosis de fórmula 15-15-15 y su influencia en el prendimiento de cuatro tipos de injerto

With the aim of evaluating the influence of cocoa nutrition with different doses of formula 15-15-15, in the development of cocoa rootstocks and the success in graft grafting. An investigation was carried out in the nursery of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of El Salvador. The research was carried out in two stages, in the first stage five doses of the formula 15-15-15 were defined: 5 g, 10 g, 15 g, 20 g, 30 g and a control to which no fertilizer was applied. Statistical analysis was performed using a completely randomized design with three replications and 40 plants as an experimental unit totaling 600 plants. In the second stage a factorial arrangement was made, where the doses of NPK and the type of graft (lateral plating, terminal wedge, yolk and patch) were combined, generating 20 treatments (four treatments per dose), in a completely randomized design with three repetitions and 10 plants per experimental unit, in addition to knowing the influence between the variables Pearson’s correlation was used. The variables evaluated were: height, diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, specific leaf weight (PEH), chlorophyll content, fresh and dry leaf weight, stem and root of rootstocks in the first stage. In addition, the variables graft success were evaluated, days of development (GDD), height, diameter and number of graft sheets in the second stage. As a result, there were only significant statistical differences in plant diameter, leaf area and PEH, demonstrating that the different doses of the formula improved the development of the rootstocks with respect to the control. In the second global stage of the experiment, a 72% graft yield was obtained, the success being segregated by graft type: yolk 19.83%, terminal wedge 18.33%, patch 17.33 and lateral plating 16.51%. On the other hand, the finding of GDD requirements for lateral plating and terminal wedge grafts with an interval of 245-398 GDD (20-30 days) is reported, for sprouting and grafts where yolk is used, 403-522 is required. GDD (more than two months). It is concluded that the effect of the fertilizer was more categorical in the grafting phase, finding highly significant differences in the growth variables and a close association of these with the physiological variables of the rootstock stage demonstrated by the high positive correlation found between them and all influenced with the doses of the formula 15-15-15; considering that the assimilation and accumulation of reserves by the rootstocks and their translocation to the grafts and their growth variables was effective.Con el objetivo de evaluar la influencia de la nutrición del cacao con diferentes dosis de fórmula 15-15-15, en el desarrollo de portainjertos de cacao y el éxito en el prendimiento del injerto se ejecutó una investigación en el vivero de la Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas de la Universidad de El Salvador. La investigación se realizó en dos etapas, en la primera etapa se definieron cinco dosis de la fórmula 15-15-15: 5 g, 10 g, 15 g, 20 g, 30 g y un testigo al cual no se aplicó ningún fertilizante. El análisis estadístico se realizó utilizando un diseño completamente al azar con tres repeticiones y 40 plantas como unidad experimental totalizando 600 plantas. En la segunda etapa se realizó un arreglo factorial, donde se combinaron las dosis de NPK y el tipo de injerto (enchapado lateral, cuña terminal, yema y parche), generando 20 tratamientos (cuatro tratamientos por dosis), en un diseño completamente al azar con tres repeticiones y 10 plantas por unidad experimental, además para conocer la influencia entre las variables se utilizó la correlación de Pearson. Las variables evaluadas fueron: altura, diámetro, número de hojas, área foliar, peso específico de hoja (PEH), contenido de clorofila, peso fresco y seco de hoja, tallo y raíz de los portainjertos en la primera etapa. Además, se evaluaron las variables éxito del prendimiento del injerto, grados días de desarrollo (GDD), altura, diámetro y número de hojas del injerto en la segunda etapa. Como resultados, solo hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas en el diámetro de planta, área foliar y PEH, demostrando que las diferentes dosis de la fórmula mejoraron el desarrollo de los portainjertos con respecto al testigo. En la segunda etapa a nivel global del experimento se obtuvo un 72% de prendimiento del injerto, siendo el éxito segregado por tipo de injerto: de yema 19.83%, cuña terminal 18.33%, parche 17.33 y enchapado lateral 16.51%. Por otra parte, se reporta el hallazgo de requerimientos de GDD para los injertos de enchapado lateral y cuña terminal con un intervalo de 245-398 GDD (20-30 días), para la brotación y los injertos donde se usa yema se requiere 403-522 GDD (más de dos meses). Se concluye que el efecto del fertilizante fue más categórico en la fase de injerto, encontrando diferencias altamente significativas en las variables de crecimiento y una estrecha asociación de éstas con las variables fisiológicas de la etapa de portainjerto demostrado por la alta correlación positiva encontrada entre ellas e influenciadas todas con las dosis de la fórmula 15-15-15; considerando que la asimilación y acumulación de reservas por los portainjertos y su translocación a los injertos y sus variables de crecimiento fue efectiv