Mindsets for Learning English: A Comparison of Costa Rica and Japan

　In this paper, the authors describe a quantitative study comparing the mindsets of high school students in Costa Rica and Japan. The authors aimed first to find out whether students displayed a tendency towards a growth mindset in their English studies. Then, the authors looked for clear differences between the two nations. The results indicated that students appeared to have growth mindsets in both Costa Rica and Japan for studying English. However, when the two nations were compared, it was discovered that students in Costa Rica have significantly stronger growth mindsets for English (t(123) = 6.76, p <.001, d = 1.21), as well as in sports, and in general. Reasons for the Costa Rican students having stronger growth mindsets and pedagogical implications are also discussed

Role of tourism in protected areas development. Deconstructing the myth

Esta presentación de Powerpint se expuso en la sesión 3 del congreso, 5 de septiembre, y es el resumen de un artículo que se presentará para su evaluación a la revista European CountrysideThe link between tourism and rural development has been reinforced by different landplaning framework, as rural development (LEADER Program) or protected spaces management. In the same way, this link is included in the concept of multifunctionality of agricultural holdings. Nevertheless, the role of tourism in the Spanish protected spaces management is not linked to the agrarian bases ought to the application of the former criteria of IUCN Protected Areas Category V: Protected Landscapes/Seascapes that prioritised conservation and environmental education over sustainable development. In this perspective, tourism is linked to public use focused into the protected areas, neglecting the agrarian basis of society and land surrounding the core area. In this communication we analyse the impact of touristic measures both from LEADER PRROGRAM and Natural Park Management Body in the characterization and localization of private touristic services in the Natural Park of Sierra de las Nieves, Málaga, Spain. We use two kinds of sources, statistics and interview to stakeholders. The findings reveal that the pattern of localization of these services is more related to external factors than to both kind of planning. We focus the explanation of these outcomes in the decoupling among measures encouraging touristic activities and agrarian basis of society.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Assessment for tactical learning in games : a systematic review

The assessment of tactics is a subject of great interest in physical education and sport pedagogy. However, the lack of knowledge of the topic and the variety of assessment instruments makes the assessment of tactics difficult. This study aimed to describe assessment in relation to tactical learning outcomes through an analysis of assessment instruments, based on variables that must be considered when using an instrument: (a) criteria definitions; (b) tactical levels; (c) indexes; (d) units of observation; (e) player/learner roles and (f) institutional contexts. Hence, the following instruments were found: Game Performance Assessment Instrument, spatial location instruments, Game Performance Evaluation Tool, Team Sport Assessment Procedure, and System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer. Building on the review’s purpose, the following issues were found. First, some studies reviewed used non-validated criteria. Second, not all studies considered the three tactical levels (match level, partial forefront level and primary level). Third, the majority of the studies used indexes that masked the results. Four, the individual unit of observation was widely used to assess global tactical learning outcomes. Five, many instruments were used in contexts for which they were not validated. According to these limitations, general recommendations are proposed. First, researchers should use validated instruments as long as the characteristics of the instruments are aligned with the nature of the study. Second, it is recommended when validating an instrument to consider the following general guidelines: (1) only use validated criteria descriptions; (2) include all three tactical levels; (3) do not use indexes; (4) use the team as the unit of observation; (5) assess both defender and attacker roles; (6) develop the instrument in the same institutional context as the study context; (7) include context variables if applicable

The identification of genetic variation for gibberellin biosynthesis and signalling among Arabidopsis thaliana accessions

Änderungen im Pflanzenhormongehalt und in der Hormonsignalisierung könnten die Grundlage für die phänotypische Variationen in entwicklungs- und stress-bedingten Merkmalen innerhalb der gleichen, in der Natur vorkommenden, Species darstellen. Das Hauptziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Verständnis der genetischen Grundlagen solcher Variationen zu erweiteren. Mithilfe von Komplementationstests und DNA-Squenzierungen wurden in der Natur vorkommenden Arabidopsis thaliana Halbzwerg-Ökotypen mit der ga5 Mutante verglichen. Wir konnten damit eine Vielzahl von unabhängig auftretenden Mutationen in dem GA20ox1 (GA5) Gen nachweisen. Diese Mutationen führen zu inaktiven Allelen in 17 verschiedenen Populationen aus verschiedenen Teilen der Welt. GA5 kodiert für eine GA 20-oxidase, ein Enzym, das an den letzten Schritten der Gibberellin (GA)-Biosynthese beteiligt ist. Gibberelline sind Pflanzenwachstumsregulatoren, die verschiedene Merkmale wie Samenkeimung, Blühzeitpunkt und Pflanzenhöhe beeinflussen. Eine Analyse der Populationsgenetik für das GA20ox1-Gen wurde in der weltweiten Kollektion von natürlichen Ökotypen und in speziellen Populationen mit vielen Halbzwergen durchgeführt. Diese Untersuchungen weisen auf eine örtliche Selektion hin. Bei den GA20ox1 Halbzwerg-Mutanten wurden keine offensichtlichen Nachteile der Pflanzen bezüglich ihrer Leistungs- und Überlebensfähigkeit festgestellt. Um zu testen, ob die Mutanten Wasserstress besser vertragen, wurden physiologische Experimente unter Wasserrückhaltebedingungen durchgeführt. Obwohl den Mutationen keine eindeutigen Effekte zugewiesen werden konnten, wurde eine Halbzwerg-Variante mit einem viel größeren Wurzelsystem identifiziert, der mit einer Wasserrückhaltetoleranz zu korrelieren scheint. Um das Auftreten der natürlichen Variation hinsichtlich der GA-Biosynthese und des GA-Signalwegs zu untersuchen, wurde eine QTL (engl. Quantitative Trait Loci)-Analyse und eine genomweite Assoziationsstudie (GWAS, engl. Genome-wide association study) durchgeführt , um die Empfindlichkeit der Samenkeimung gegenüber dem Gibberellin-Biosynthese-Inhibitor Paclobutrazol (PAC) und gegenüber GA4+7 zu testen. Die QTL- und die GWAS-Analyse zeigten eine komplexe Regulierung der Effekte des Abbaus und Wiederaufbaus von GA. Ein Hauptlocus für die Empfindlichkeit gegenüber PAC wurde bestätigt und hinsichtlich seines Einfluses auf die Samenkeimung charakterisiert. Um unsere Studie auszudehnen, wurde eine `HyPer´genannte, halb-automatisierte Methode zur Quantifizierung des sktotomorphogenesen Hypokotyls entwickelt,. Diese Methode wurde für eine QTL-Kartierung der Hypokotyllänge und der Effekte von PAC und GA genutzt. Diese Experimente zeigten ERECTA als einen Locus, der mit der Empfindlichkeit gegenüber PAC zu tun hat. Anhand dieser Ergebnisse spielen Giberelline eine Rolle in der natürlichen Variation von Arabidopsis thaliana. Der Fund von GA5 als GA-“hotspot“ in dieser Arbeit zeigt, dass eine konvergente Entwicklung zwischen natürlich vorkommenden Halbzwergen und wilden, domestizierten Pflanzenspecies vorliegt

Utility of the SENIORS elderly heart failure risk model applied to the RICA registry of acute heart failure

Background: Heart failure (HF) is predominantly a disease of the elderly. Reliable risk stratification would help in the management of this population, but no model has been well evaluated in elderly HF patients in both acute and chronic settings and not being restricted by ejection fraction. To evaluate the utility of the SENIORS risk model, developed from a clinical trial of elderly patients with chronic HF, in an independent cohort (National Spanish Registry: RICA) of elderly acute HF patients. Methods: We applied the SENIORS risk model to 926 patients in RICA to estimate risk at one year of a) composite outcome of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospital admission and b) all-cause mortality. Results: In the RICA registry mean age was 78 years, mean ejection fraction 51% and 87% were in NYHA II and III. At one year death/CV hospitalization occurred in 31.9% and all-cause mortality in 19.5%. The risk model provided good separation of Kaplan Meier curves stratified by tertile for death/CV hospitalization and all-cause mortality. The observed versus expected rates of death/CV hospitalization in the lowest, middle and highest risk tertiles were (%) 34/24, 45/41 and 57/67, and for death 13/16, 32/38 and 44/70 respectively. C-statistic for all-cause mortality or CV hospitalization was 0.60 and for all-cause mortality 0.66. Conclusion: The SENIORS risk model was a reliable tool for relative risk stratification among acute heart failure patients in a “real world” registry, but predicted versus observed risk showed some variability. The model provides a useful basis for clinical risk prediction

Bonding to silicate ceramics : conventional technique compared with a simplified technique

Silicate ceramic bonding is carried out by acid-etching with hydrofluoric acid (HF) followed by an application of silane. By replacing HF with ammonium polyfluoride, contained in the same flask as the silane, the number of steps in this clinical procedure, can be reduced, while maintaining bond strength values, and reducing toxicity. A shear bond test was performed to compare the conventional and the simplified surface treatment techniques. Twenty ceramic samples were fabricated from IPS emax CAD® ceramic (Ivoclar Vivadent) and divided into two groups (G1 and G2) (n=10). The conventional technique was applied to G1 samples, and the simplified technique to G2 samples. A resin cement cylinder was bonded to each sample. Afterwards, samples underwent shear bond strength testing in a universal test machine. G1 obtained 26.53±6.33 MPa and G2 23.52±8.41 MPa, without statistically significant differences between the two groups. Monobond Etch Prime appears to obtain equivalent results in terms of bond strength while simplifying the technique. Further investigation is required to corroborate these preliminary findings

Shear bond strength of debonded ceramic restorations re-cemented by means of a cleaning and retreatment protocol

Background: As there is no standard method for re-cementing debonded partial ceramic restorations, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a non-invasive thermal protocol for cleaning and retreatment, and to study its influence on shear bond strength. Material and Methods: Twenty ceramic samples (IPS e.max CAD®) were bonded to composite cement cylinders and underwent a shear bond strength test (G1, n=20). A second group was created (G2, n=20), representing debonded restorations. To simulate debonding, the samples were artificially contaminated with composite cement. After debonding, these underwent a thermal protocol to remove remaining adhesive. After rebonding to the composite cement cylinders, samples underwent the shear bond strength test. Results: Median bond strengths for G1 and G2 were 7.28±3.23; 7.06±3.41 MPa, respectively, without significant difference between the groups (p=0.983). Conclusions: Debonded lithium disilicate glass-ceramic restorations should undergo a laboratory cleaning and retreatment protocol before being returned to the clinic for rebonding

Preparation of nanofibers mats derived from task-specific polymeric ionic liquid for sensing and catalytic applications

Nanofibers mats derived from the task-specific functionalized polymeric ionic liquids based on homocysteine thiolactone are obtained by electrospinning them as blends with polyvinylpyrrolidone. The presence of this functional moiety allowed the post-functionalization of these mats through the aminolysis of the thiolactone ring in the presence of an amine by a thiol–alkene “click” reaction. Under controlled experimental conditions the modification can be performed introducing different functionalization and crosslinking of the electrospun fibers, while maintaining the nanostructure obtained by the electrospinning. Initial studies suggest that the nanofibers based on these functionalized polymeric ionic liquids can be used in both sensing and catalytic applications

Fatores de estresse percebidos entre carreiras de enfermagem recém entradas

Objective: To determine the prevalent stress factors among new students to the Faculties of Nursing at the Faculties of Nursing at the Universities of Cadiz, Cordoba, Huelva and Seville, and the influence of socio-demographic, academic, socio-economic, orientation and health factors. Design: A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study. Methodology: 617 first year nursing students were surveyed (with a 95.66 % response rate) by means of two questionnaires, one for socio-demographics and health, the other for the stress perceived by new students. A descriptive analysis of the stress factors was then carried out for the frequency, mean and standard deviation. The relation between factors was examined through differential analysis by means of the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests. Results: The situations of greatest anxiety among new undergraduates are “taking examinations” and “the amount of work I have to do”. Consequently, the most stressful factor is “academic stress” whilst the least stressful is “feelings of loneliness”. The students who feel most stress across various factors can be identified as: over 25, women, studying outside their home province, and living in rented accommodation during the academic year. Conclusions: Starting a degree in nursing is a stressful time, and students can find their health, quality of life and academic performance negatively affected. The main determinants of stress among new undergraduates are the joint demands of examinations and workload. It would undoubtedly be enlightening to examine this issue further in order to find the possible causes of the problem and to develop strategies that can help in its prevention and so improve the students’ experience of university.Objetivo: Conocer los factores de estrés más prevalentes en el alumnado novel de las Facultades de Enfermería de las Universidades de Cádiz, Córdoba, Huelva y Sevilla, así como su relación con sus características sociodemográficas, académicas, socioeconómicas, de orientación y de salud. Diseño: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Metodología: Se encuestó a un total de 617 estudiantes (tasa de respuesta del 95,66 %) del primer curso del grado en Enfermería. Los participantes completaron dos cuestionarios: uno sociodemográfico y de salud; y un  cuestionario de estrés percibido por alumnos noveles. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los factores de estrés con frecuencia, media y desviación típica. Las relaciones se examinaron con análisis diferencial a través de estudios no paramétricos U Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: Las situaciones que más estrés causan a los nuevos universitarios son: “hacer frente a los exámenes” y “la cantidad de trabajo que tengo que afrontar”. En consecuencia, el factor más estresante es el “estrés académico” y el menos estresante el “sentimiento de soledad”. Los estudiantes que perciben mayor estrés en varios factores son: mayores de 25 años, mujeres, el alumnado que procede de otras provincias y los que viven de alquiler durante el curso académico. Conclusiones: La entrada a la universidad produce factores de estrés en el alumnado de enfermería, que pueden afectar a su salud, su calidad de vida y su rendimiento académico. Hacer frentes a los exámenes y la alta carga académica son las principales determinantes de estrés. Sin embargo, sería conveniente indagar más en esta línea con el fin de conocer las posibles causas de este problema y poder desarrollar estrategias de prevención que mejoren la calidad de vida de estos estudiantes.Objetivo: Conhecer os fatores de estresse mais prevalentes em novos alunos das Faculdades de Enfermagem das Universidades de Cádis, Córdoba, Huelva e Sevilha, bem como sua relação com suas características sociodemográficas, acadêmicas, socioeconômicas, de orientação, educacionais e saúde. Delineamento: Estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal. Metodologia: Foram pesquisados ​​617 alunos (taxa de resposta de 95,66 %) do primeiro ano do curso de Enfermagem. Os participantes responderam a dois questionários: sociodemográfico e de saúde; e questionário de estresse percebido por alunos iniciantes. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos fatores de estresse com frequência, média e desvio padrão. Os relacionamentos foram examinados com análise diferencial por meio de estudos não paramétricos de U Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: As situações que mais estressam os novos estudantes universitários são “fazer exames” e “a quantidade de trabalho que tenho que enfrentar”. Conseqüentemente, o fator mais estressante é o “estresse acadêmico” e o menos estressante são os “sentimentos de solidão”. Os alunos que percebem o maior estresse em vários fatores são: maiores de 25 anos, mulheres, alunos que vêm de outras províncias e aqueles que vivem de aluguel durante o ano letivo. Conclusões: O ingresso na universidade produz fatores estressantes nos estudantes de enfermagem, que podem afetar sua saúde, sua qualidade de vida e seu desempenho acadêmico. A realização de exames e a alta carga acadêmica são apontados como os principais determinantes do estresse. No entanto, seria conveniente aprofundar as investigações nesse sentido para conhecer as possíveis causas desse problema e poder desenvolver estratégias de prevenção que melhorem a qualidade de vida desses alunos