Building Open Policy through Open Educational Resources: An analysis of the Open University of Brazil System

Los Recursos Educativos Abiertos (REA) y sus prácticas asociadas a menudo se posicionan como catalizadores para aumentar la igualdad, la inclusión y el acceso a la educación superior. Presentamos una investigación sobre la producción y difusión de recursos educativos en ocho Instituciones de Educación Superior que forman parte del Sistema de la Universidad Abierta de Brasil. A través de entrevistas, grupos focales y un análisis de documentos publicados, intentamos comprender su trayectoria, actividades y perspectivas con respecto a los elementos centrales de la adopción de REA. Identificamos un interés general y la voluntad de compartir recursos, prácticas de colaboración e intercambio informal de recursos, el uso de licencias abiertas en repositorios locales, y los intentos de formulación de políticas institucionales en relación con REA. Por otro lado, hubo dificultades relacionadas con la limitada institucionalización de la UAB y de la educación a distancia, los mecanismos financieros y técnicos limitados para la colaboración y la reutilización, y la falta de una política institucional y gubernamental para apoyar el intercambio y la reutilización. La falta de coordinación en torno a estas prácticas ha supuesto muchas prácticas informales y aisladas. A menos que sean fomentadas por el gobierno federal, la mayoría de las iniciativas son locales y muchas tienen corta vida. Finalizamos discutiendo las actividades recientes que promueven la apertura, incluido un esquema de licencia estándar central, mecanismos para compartir recursos y desarrollo profesional en torno a la apertura.Open Educational Resources (OER) and associated practices are often positioned as catalysts in increasing equality, inclusion and access to higher education. We present an investigation on the production and dissemination of educational resources at eight Higher Education Institutions that are part of the Open University of Brazil System. Through interviews, focus groups and an analysis of published documents, we aimed to understand their track record, activities and perspectives in regards to core elements of OER adoption. We identified an overall interest and willingness to share resources, collaborative practices and informal exchange of resources, the use of open licensing in local repositories, and attempts at institutional policy making surrounding OER. On the other hand, there were difficulties related to the limited institutionalization of UAB and of distance education, limited financial and technical mechanisms for collaboration and reuse, and a lack of institutional and governmental policy to support sharing and reuse. The lack of coordination around these practices has meant much informal and isolated practices. Unless fomented by the federal government, most initiatives are local, many of which, short-lived. We finalize by discussing recent activities promoting openness including a central standard licensing scheme, mechanisms for sharing resources, and professional development around openness.Recursos Educacionais Abertos (REA) e práticas associadas são regularmente identificados como catalisadores de maior equidade, inclusão e acesso a educação superior. Apresentamos uma investigação sobre a produção e disseminação de recursos educacionais em oito Instituições de Ensino Superior que fazem parte do Sistema Universidade Aberta do Brasil (UAB). Partindo de entrevistas, grupos focais e de análise documental, buscamos entender a sua trajetória, atividades e perspectivas em relação a elementos-chave da adoção de REA. Identificamos interesse e anseio pela abertura de recursos, práticas colaborativas e intercâmbio informal de recursos, o uso de licenças abertas em repositórios locais, e tentativas na construção de políticas institucionais relacionadas a REA. Por outro lado, identificamos dificuldades com relação a institucionalização da UAB e da educação a distância, limitado apoio técnico e financiero para colaboração e reuso, e falta de políticas governamentais e institucionais para compartilhamento e reuso. A falta de articulação resulta em práticas informais e isoladas. A não ser quando fomentado pelo governo federal, a maioria das iniciativas são locais e muitas, de curto prazo. Finalizamos com uma discussão sobre atividades recentes para promoção de abertura, incluindo um modelo único para licenciamento de recursos, mecanismos para compartilhamento de recursos e formação continuada sobre abertura.peerReviewe

The reality of Engineering Research Methodology

En el Perú, hay numerosos expertos en metodología de la investigación científica; no obstante, muy pocos son profesionales de ingeniería. Además, numerosos libros relacionados con la temática (por ejemplo [1], [2]) están orientados a las ciencias sociales y muy poco o nada tratan sobre problemas de ingeniería; por lo tanto, todos los conceptos de la metodología son a nivel teórico para esta disciplina. Como consecuencia, los estudiantes de ingeniería tienen dificultades en preparar un proyecto de investigación por la falta de guías y orientadores en una metodología adecuada para su carrera. Los problemas para aplicar una metodología de investigación en el área de ingeniería son diversos. A continuación, se muestran algunos de estos problemas y los criterios a considerar para superar estos inconvenientes.El primer problema es la confusión al aplicar los instrumentos de medición, como, por ejemplo, si se evalúa la eficiencia energética de un sistema mecatrónico, no podrían utilizarse encuestas o entrevistas, sino aquellos elementos que midan la energía de entrada y el trabajo útil producido por el sistema. Estos instrumentos no se diseñan ni se validan, como se debe hacer con las encuestas y entrevistas, porque ya vienen de fábrica listos para ser utilizados en los laboratorios, sin embargo, sí se requiere seleccionar los más adecuados.El segundo problema es la confusión en el análisis de datos. En esta etapa, normalmente interesa saber si existe correlación y si la influencia es positiva o negativa; en ingeniería, en la mayoría de los problemas, hay certeza de la existencia de correlación y si es positiva o negativa porque todo el conocimiento de física y química nos apoya; por lo tanto, la investigación debe orientarse a encontrar el modelo matemático (en base a estas disciplinas) que describa el fenómeno. Por ejemplo, Hallar la relación que existe entre el flujo de aire en un colector solar y la cantidad de energía absorbida por el aire; se sabe que a mayor flujo es mayor la transferencia de calor por convección, sin embargo, se debe determinar cuál es el modelo matemático (establecer la estructura y constantes del modelo) que describa el comportamiento del colector solar en estudio con respecto a estas variables.El tercer problema es un trato diferente en la toma de muestras. Así, cuando deseamos conocer la resistencia de un material compuesto nuevo, se deben tomar probetas y someterlas a ensayos de tracción, flexión y compresión. En este caso las muestras son las probetas y la población es todo el material compuesto, cuya estructura está dentro de las características del material nuevo. Por lo tanto, la población es infinita. Esto es atípico en los ejemplos de los libros de metodología de la investigación.El cuarto problema es que normalmente los ingenieros crean soluciones a problemas de ingeniería y, por lo tanto, los estudiantes de ingeniería tienden a ello. Sin embargo, la mayoría de libros de metodología de la investigación no especifica en qué etapa de la investigación se crea la solución. En ingeniería se maneja un método de investigación poco tratado en los libros: la investigación tecnológica [3]-[5] o también conocida como desarrollo tecnológico. Numerosas tesis e investigaciones tratan del diseño de un prototipo, software, estructura, etc. para un caso en particular [6]-[9]. Estas tesis e investigaciones sobre desarrollo tecnológicos siguen una metodología de diseño, por ejemplo: se identifica una necesidad (el problema), se investigan las soluciones existentes de problemas relacionados, se plantean soluciones, se selecciona la propuesta de solución más adecuada utilizando cálculos para evaluarlos, se implementa la solución en simulación o en un prototipo y se evalúa.Es importante tomar en cuenta estos criterios al momento de aplicar una metodología de investigación para Ingeniería, a fin de evitar complicaciones y/o, en el peor de los casos, reiniciar la investigación.In Perú, there are many experts on Scientific Research Methodology, however, a ew of them are Engineer. Furthermore, most of the books of research methodology (for example [1], [2]) are focused to social science and contain insignificant quantity or nothing of engineering problems, thus, the methodology concepts are only in theory level in Engineering. As consequence, the engineering students have difficulties to elaborate a research project because the miss of handbooks and guides in a suitable methodology for Engineering. The problems to apply an Engineering Research Methodology are many. These problems and the criterions to consider to face them are shown as follows.The first problem is the confusion in applying the measurement instruments, for example, if the energy efficiency is evaluated in a mechatronics system, the instruments cannot be questionnaires or interviews, they have to be instruments that measure the input energy and the usable work produced by the system; these instruments are not designed or validated, as it is made with questionnaires or interviews, because the factories supply them ready to use in the laboratories, although, they have to be selected.The second problem is the confusion in the data analysis. In this stage, generally, the objective is to know the correlation between variables and if it is positive or negative; however, in engineering, the existence of positive or negative correlation is known in most of the problems because the knowledge of physics and chemistry sustain this, thus, the research have to be oriented to obtain the mathematic model based in physics and chemistry to describe the phenomenon. For example, obtain the relation between the air flow in a solar collector and the quantity of absorbed energy by the air; it is known for transfer heat theory that more convection heat transfer is obtained when the air flow increase, but, the mathematical model has to be identified (define structure and calculate parameters) to describe the behavior of the solar collector respect to the variables in study.The third problem is a different treatment to take the samples. For example, when the resistance of a new composite material wants to be known, specimens of the material have to be subjected to tension, flexion and compression testing. In this case the samples are the specimens and the population are every composite material with structure between the characteristics of the new composite material. Therefore, the population is infinite. This is untypical in examples of research methodology books.The fourth problem is that normally the engineers create its problem solutions in the field of Engineering, therefore, the engineering students tends to do that. However, most of the books of research methodology do not clarify in what stage of the investigation methodology the solution is created. A research method is used in Engineering called the Technology Research [3] – [5] or Technology Development but this theme is taken just a little in the books. Many of the thesis and research made a design of a prototype, software, structure, and others for a particular case [6] – [9]. These thesis and research are Technology Developments that follow a Design Methodology, for example: a necessity is identified that will be the problem, a research of the current solutions of related problems is performed, solutions are proposed, the best solution is selected using calculus to evaluate them, the solution is implemented in simulation or in a prototype, and finally, the solution is evaluated.It is important to take into account these criteria at the moment to apply a Research Methodology for Engineering, thus avoid complications and in the worst case restart the research

SOBRE TRADUÇÕES INDIRETAS, RECEPÇÃO E CELEBRIDADE

This essay is an attempt to find a theoretical point of view for the study ofindirect translations of literary works. I try to understand the indirect translations in thesame level as the direct translations, without consider the first less significant than thesecond, because are not made from the original texts. So I propose that direct or indirecttranslations be analised as part of target literary systems, in wich they represent the originalliterary work not only linguisticly. Assuming this perspective, reception studies can showthe way as a foreign literary work is presented in a target literary system by means oftranslations. At the same time, the relative value of a translation in the target context canalso be taken as function of the fame of the literary work that is translated.Tentativa de estabelecer uma posição teórico-metodológica para o estudo detraduções indiretas de obras literárias sem concebê-las de antemão como produçõesprecárias em face de um original do qual se encontram mais afastadas em comparação comas traduções diretas. Pleiteia-se a análise das traduções no contexto dos sistemas literáriosde que efetivamente participam, nos quais, sejam diretas ou indiretas, cumprem umafunção de representação não restrita à mera transposição de formas lingüísticas. Assumindoessa perspectiva, estudos históricos de recepção podem flagrar o modo como um sistemaliterário recepciona uma obra estrangeira por meio de traduções. Ao mesmo tempo, o valorrelativo de uma tradução no contexto de chegada pode ser tomado também como funçãoda celebridade da obra literária que por esse meio se divulga

Tristeza do Jeca, canto do caipira

Analysis of the song “A tristeza do jeca” by Angelino de Oliveira, under the light of a descriptive model proposed by the song semiotics. By unveiling the strata that, according to this model, generate meaning in this specific song, we can find in the melody as well as in the lyrics, the consoling power of the country song resulting from a passionate frame of mind which is a mixture of sadness, resignation and homesickness whose causes are only suggested but never completely explicited. Keywords: Textual Semiotics. Song Semiotics. Brazilian Pop Music. Country Music.Análise da canção “A tristeza do jeca”, de Angelino de Oliveira, à luz do modelo descritivo proposto pela semiótica da canção. Percorridos os estratos que, segundo o modelo, geram o sentido nessa canção específica, identifica-se, tanto na melodia quanto na letra, o poder consolador do canto do caipira, resultante de um estado passional misto de tristeza, resignação e saudade, cujas causas são sugeridas, porém não explicitadas. Palavras-chave: Semiótica Textual. Semiótica da Canção. Música Popular Brasileira. Música Caipira

Cyclic dermal BMP signalling regulates stem cell activation during hair regeneration

In the age of stem cell engineering it is critical to understand how stem cell activity is regulated during regeneration. Hairs are mini-organs that undergo cyclic regeneration throughout adult life1, and are an important model for organ regeneration. Hair stem cells located in the follicle bulge2 are regulated by the surrounding microenvironment, or niche3. The activation of such stem cells is cyclic, involving periodic -catenin activity4, 5, 6, 7. In the adult mouse, regeneration occurs in waves in a follicle population, implying coordination among adjacent follicles and the extrafollicular environment. Here we show that unexpected periodic expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2) and Bmp4 in the dermis regulates this process. This BMP cycle is out of phase with the WNT/-catenin cycle, thus dividing the conventional telogen into new functional phases: one refractory and the other competent for hair regeneration, characterized by high and low BMP signalling, respectively. Overexpression of noggin, a BMP antagonist, in mouse skin resulted in a markedly shortened refractory phase and faster propagation of the regenerative wave. Transplantation of skin from this mutant onto a wild-type host showed that follicles in donor and host can affect their cycling behaviours mutually, with the outcome depending on the equilibrium of BMP activity in the dermis. Administration of BMP4 protein caused the competent region to become refractory. These results show that BMPs may be the long-sought 'chalone' inhibitors of hair growth postulated by classical experiments. Taken together, results presented in this study provide an example of hierarchical regulation of local organ stem cell homeostasis by the inter-organ macroenvironment. The expression of Bmp2 in subcutaneous adipocytes indicates physiological integration between these two thermo-regulatory organs. Our findings have practical importance for studies using mouse skin as a model for carcinogenesis, intra-cutaneous drug delivery and stem cell engineering studies, because they highlight the acute need to differentiate supportive versus inhibitory regions in the host skin

In Vivo Interaction of the Hepatitis Delta Virus Small Antigen with the ELAV-Like Protein HuR

The small and large delta antigens (S-HDAg and L-HDAg, respectively) represent two forms of the only protein encoded by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA genome. Consequently, HDV relies, at a large extent, on the host cell machinery for replication and transcription. Until now, only a limited number of cellular proteins were identified as S-HDAg or L-HDAg partners being involved in the modulation of the virus life cycle. In an attempt to identify cellular S-HDAg-binding proteins we made use of a yeast two-hybrid approach to screen a human liver cDNA library. We were able to identify HuR, a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in RNA stabilization, as an S-HDAg partner both in vitro and in vivo. HuR was found to be overexpressed and colocalize with HDAg in human hepatoma cells. siRNA knockdown of HuR mRNA resulted in inhibition of S-HDAg and L-HDAg expression

The heterogeneous ribonuclear protein C interacts with the hepatitis delta virus small antigen

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is considered to be a satellite virus of the Hepatitis B virus. The genome consists of a 1679 nt ssRNA molecule in which a single ORF was identified. This ORF codes for a unique protein, the Delta antigen (HDAg). During transcription, two forms, small (S-HDAg; p24) and large (L-HDAg; p27) of this antigen are derived as a result of an editing mechanism catalyzed by cellular adenosine deaminase 1. Despite its simplicity, little is still known about the host factors that interact with the virus RNA and antigens being to modulate virus replication. Methods: A yeast two-hybrid screening of a human liver cDNA library, using the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) small antigen (S-HDAg) as bait, was performed. Blot overlay and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used in an attempt to confirm the interaction of hnRNPC and S-HDAg. siRNA knockdown assays of hnRNPC were performed to assess the effect on HDV antigen expression. Results: Thirty known proteins were identified as S-HDAg interactors in the yeast two-hybrid screening. One of the identified proteins, hnRNPC, was found to interact with S-HDAg in vitro and in vivo in human liver cells. The interaction of the two proteins is mediated by the C-terminal half of the S-HDAg which contains a RNA-binding domain (aa 98-195). HDV RNA, S-HDAg, and hnRNPC, were also found to co-localize in the nucleus of human liver cells. Knockdown of hnRNPC mRNA using siRNAs resulted in a marked decreased expression of HDV antigens. Conclusions: S-HDAg was found to interact with human liver proteins previously assigned to different functional categories. Among those involved in nucleic acid metabolism, hnRNPC was found to interact in vitro and in vivo in human liver cells. Similar to other RNA viruses, it seems plausible that hnRNPC may also be involved in HDV replication. However, further investigation is mandatory to clarify this question.publishe

Plan Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación

El 2006 el Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica CONCYTEC desarrolló el Plan Nacional Estratégico de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Competitividad y el Desarrollo Humano 2006-2021 PNCTI (1). En la formulación participaron los sectores estatal, académico y privado.El PNCTI fue elaborado para encaminar al país hacia un desarrollo industrial, capaz de brindar productos con valor agregado que nos permita ser más competitivos a nivel internacional. Actualmente, los productos peruanos son en gran parte materias primas vendidas a precios muy bajos. Está claro que para ser más competitivos es necesario contar con tecnologías propias desarrolladas para nuestros productos o nuestra realidad, de tal manera de poder explotar nuestras ventajas competitivas. Es por ello que las prioridades del PNCTI se centran en los sectores:1. Agropecuario y agroindustrial (por ejemplo, fibras naturales, nutracéuticos, mejoramiento genético, etc.).2. Pesca y acuicultura marina y continental (por ejemplo, genética, nutrición y sanidad, etc.).3. Minería y metalurgia (por ejemplo, minerales no metálicos, nano-materiales, etc.).4. Forestal (por ejemplo, semillas de especies nativas, manejo de bosques, etc.).5. Energía (por ejemplo, biodiesel, hidroenergía, eficiencia energética, etc.).6. Telecomunicaciones (por ejemplo, telesalud, teleeducación, TIC para gestión productiva, etc.).7. Turismo (por ejemplo, histórico-arqueológicas, turismo ecológico y cultural, etc.).Las ingenierías son las principales disciplinas generadoras de tecnologías para obtener nuevos productos, que una vez aceptados en el mercado se convierten en innovaciones. Son precisamente las innovaciones las que nos permitirán alcanzar la competitividad deseada. Por lo tanto, las ingenierías juegan un papel importante en el PNCTI, pues desarrollan tecnologías a partir de conocimientos científicos para solucionar problemas que impiden que las industrias sean competitivas.El PNCTI contempla la vinculación entre la empresa, la academia, el Estado y la sociedad civil como una de sus estrategias para alcanzar sus objetivos. Otras de las estrategias principales del PNCTI es incentivar y promover a investigadores, quienes son el eje principal para el avance en ciencia, tecnología e innovación. Contar con un reglamento de calificaciones de investigadores (2) es un aspecto importante para el cumplimiento de esta estrategia. Por todo ello, el PNCTI tiene la visión de llevar al Perú a una economía basada en el conocimiento