Evaluation of Intangible Assets and Best Practices in a Medium-sized Port Community

AbstractThis paper analyses the main factors involved in the knowledge management of different actors participating in a Chilean port community. The intangible assets participating in the creation of value of the port community, which are expressed in ideas, attitudes, perceptions, experiences, information and knowledge management, are evaluated and classified according to community members’ core competencies. Then, the current situation of public institutions and companies participating in the port community is diagnosed utilizing interviews to experts and relevant actors. The role of the intellectual, structural, and social capital is examined in relation to strategic statements present in the missions of public and private port system companies. The results of the assessment enable to identify the main critical factors in knowledge management, transference, dissemination, collaboration and team work, storage, and best practices. In particular, the Conversation System stage of the Primary Model is analyzed and evaluated, as well as its causes, by actors of the port community and experts. Initiatives fostering collective work and encouraging conversations are proposed. Some of the best practices developed by the port community to create and disseminate stakeholders’ knowledge are presented. Also, a set of knowledge management indicators and indexes is developed and presented

Clinical-epidemiological profile, diagnostic criteria and treatment of patients with hairy cell leukemia in the State of Pernambuco: analysis of 50 consecutive cases in 12 years

Study’s model: series of cases. Problem’s relevance: Describing the clinical-epidemiological profile, standard diagnostics and hairy cell leukemia’s (HCL) treatment inside a reference service of hematology in the state of Pernambuco/Brazil, considering that HCL is a little common condition in the related statethat, when suspected, is forwarded to Pernambuco’s Foundation of Hematology and Hemotherapy (HEMOPE).Thereby, a study about HCL will permit the elaboration of investigation’s protocols about the clinic as well as premature and therapeutic diagnostics, according to the laboratory and clinical-epidemiological characters of the patients of the state of Pernambuco/Brazil, propitiating a better assistance to them. Comments: It was realizeda retrospective and descriptive study involving all patients with HCL attended at HEMOPE from January 2002 to April 2014. More than 50 (fifty) cases were analysed. The age group was 54,3± 12,3 (16% women and 84% men). The symptonsverified were dizziness, hemorrhage, asthenia, anorexia, nightly sweat, recurrent infection, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and adenomegaly. It was observed macrocytosis (22,0%), anemia (88,0%) and thrombocytopenia (98%).In the standard diagnostics, there were hairy cells in the peripheral blood of all patients and the reaction of the phosphatase’s tartar resistant was positive in 81,8% of the cases.The bone marrow’s biopsy revealed hairy cells infiltration in all patients and reticulin fibrosis in 92,0% of the cases. In the immunophenotyping, was found CD11 in 57,1% of the cases, CD25 in 89,8%, CD103 in 77,5%, FMC7 in 81,6%, Kappa in 24,5% and Lambda in 18,3%.As initial treatment, it was realized splenectomy + interferon (4,0%), splenectomy (4,0%), interferon (3,5%) and cladribine (58,0%)Modelo do estudo: Série de casos. Importância do problema: Esse estudo objetiva descrever o perfil clínico-epidemiológico, critérios diagnósticos e tratamento de pacientes com leucemia de células pilosas (HCL - Hairy-cell leucemia,) num serviço de referência em hematologia no Estado de Pernambuco, pois a HCL é uma condição pouco frequente no Estado e quando suspeitada é encaminha ao serviço de referência no Estado que é a Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia de Pernambuco (HEMOPE) – Recife/PE, logo um estudo sobre a HCL permitirá elaboração de protocolos de investigação sobre a clínica, diagnóstico precoce e terapêutico de acordo com as características clínicas-epidemiológicas e laboratoriais dos pacientes da região, promovendo uma melhor assistência. Comentários: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, tipo série de casos de todos os pacientes com HCL atendidos no HEMOPE de jan/2002 a abr/2014. Foram analisados 50 casos. A média de idade foi 54,3±12,3 (16% mulheres e 84% homens). Os sinais/sintomas presentes foram tontura, hemorragias, astenia, anorexia, sudorese noturna, infecção recorrente, esplenomegalia, hepatomegalia e adenomegalia. Observou-se macrocitose (22,0%), anemia (88,0%) e plaquetopenia (98,0%). Nos critérios diagnósticos, houve tricoleucócitos no sangue periférico em todos e a reação de fosfatase tártaro-resistente foi positiva em 81,8% dos casos. A biopsia de medula óssea revelou a infiltração de tricoleucócitos em todos e fibrose reticulínica em 92,0% pacientes. No imunofenotipagem, foi constada: CD11 em 57,1%, CD25 em 89,8%, CD103 em 77,5%, FMC7 81,6%, Kappa em 24,5% e lambda em 18,3% dos pacientes. Como tratamento inicial, foi realizado esplenectomia + interferon (4%), esplenectomia (4%), interferon (35%) e cladribina (58%

Plurilingüismo y aprendizaje cooperativo en el diseño de prácticas de Lingüística

Este artículo presenta el trabajo realizado desde el área de Lingüística General de la Universidad de Alicante para ofertar sus prácticas de la asignatura “Lingüística General II”, común a todas las especialidades de lenguas modernas de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, en los tres idiomas en que tiene lugar la docencia de dichas clases: castellano, valenciano e inglés. A fin de armonizar los contenidos prácticos de una enseñanza trilingüe, por un lado, y de fomentar la implicación del alumnado en las actividades prácticas y contribuir al desarrollo del aprendizaje colaborativo en el aula, por otro, los profesores de este área de conocimiento, junto con la participación de dos estudiantes, han diseñado veinte prácticas que van desde el análisis del signo lingüístico hasta la Pragmática, pasando por la Fonética, la Morfología, la Sintaxis y el Análisis del Discurso

Investigación en docencia por contenidos (español como segunda lengua) en el proceso de internacionalización de la UA

La creciente internacionalización de nuestra universidad, junto con la experiencia acumulada desde la coordinación de programas Erasmus y la docencia a alumnado universitario no nativo, en diversas titulaciones, así como en las cinco ediciones del Curso de español académico para alumnos extranjeros, nos ha permitido constatar la relevancia de la integración académica de los estudiantes internacionales. El objetivo de la red es presentar la percepción del profesorado acerca de su presencia en las clases (cómo ha afectado a su docencia), así como la situación de los propios estudiantes, para averiguar cuáles son los retos a los que ambos colectivos se enfrentan. Nuestros informantes han sido 23 profesores del Dpto. de Filología Española con alumnado internacional y 30 estudiantes de movilidad matriculados en asignaturas ofertadas por dicho departamento, de quienes hemos recabado información a través de cuestionarios que nos han permitido obtener datos estadísticos. Los resultados finales nos indican, entre otros aspectos, la importancia del requisito lingüístico y del conocimiento de las rutinas académicas por parte del alumnado, así como la conveniencia de pautas sobre su evaluación para el profesorado. Se percibe a su vez la necesidad de una futura Guía académica para el alumnado extranjero, que contribuiría a un mejor rendimiento académico de su estancia

Induction of humoral immune response to multiple recombinant Rhipicephalus appendiculatus antigens and their effect on tick feeding success and pathogen transmission

BACKGROUND: Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is the primary vector of Theileria parva, the etiological agent of East Coast fever (ECF), a devastating disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that a vaccine targeting tick proteins that are involved in attachment and feeding might affect feeding success and possibly reduce tick-borne transmission of T. parva. Here we report the evaluation of a multivalent vaccine cocktail of tick antigens for their ability to reduce R. appendiculatus feeding success and possibly reduce tick-transmission of T. parva in a natural host-tick-parasite challenge model. METHODS: Cattle were inoculated with a multivalent antigen cocktail containing recombinant tick protective antigen subolesin as well as two additional R. appendiculatus saliva antigens: the cement protein TRP64, and three different histamine binding proteins. The cocktail also contained the T. parva sporozoite antigen p67C. The effect of vaccination on the feeding success of nymphal and adult R. appendiculatus ticks was evaluated together with the effect on transmission of T. parva using a tick challenge model. RESULTS: To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the anti-tick effects of these antigens in the natural host-tick-parasite combination. In spite of evidence of strong immune responses to all of the antigens in the cocktail, vaccination with this combination of tick and parasite antigens did not appear to effect tick feeding success or reduce transmission of T. parva. CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the importance of early evaluation of anti-tick vaccine candidates in biologically relevant challenge systems using the natural tick-host-parasite combination

The Role of Epidemiology in the Introduction of Vi Polysaccharide Typhoid Fever Vaccines in Asia

Despite the availability of at least two licensed typhoid fever vaccines-injectable sub-unit Vi polysaccharide vaccine and live, oral Ty21a vaccine-for the last decade, these vaccines have not been widely introduced in public-health programmes in countries endemic for typhoid fever. The goal of the multidisciplinary DOMI (Diseases of the Most Impoverished) typhoid fever programme is to generate policy-relevant data to support public decision-making regarding the introduction of Vi polysaccharide typhoid fever immunization programmes in China, Viet Nam, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Through epidemiological studies, the DOMI Programme is generating these data and is offering a model for the accelerated, rational introduction of new vaccines into health programmes in low-income countries. Practical and specific examples of the role of epidemiology are described in this paper. These examples cover: (a) selection of available typhoid fever vaccines to be introduced in the programme, (b) generation of policy-relevant data, (c) providing the 'backbone' for the implementation of other multidisciplinary projects, and (d) generation of unexpected but useful information relevant for the introduction of vaccines. Epidemiological studies contribute to all stages of development of vaccine evaluation and introduction

Biological treatment for psoriasis and the risk of herpes zoster: Results from the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR).

PURPOSE: To describe the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with psoriasis and its relation to non-biologic systemic therapies or biologic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR) is an international, prospective, registry that follows adult patients with psoriasis eligible to receive non-biologic systemic therapies or biologic therapies. Mutually exclusive therapy cohorts were defined. HZ incident rates were calculated for each therapy cohort and rates between cohorts were compared using hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for potential confounders, in new users and prevalent-exposure patients. RESULTS: A total of 55 HZ events were identified in 10,469 patients in PSOLAR. The adjusted hazard ratio in the overall study population (new user and prevalent-exposed patients) was 2.22 (95% CI: 0.82-5.97; p = 0.116) for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) inhibitors, 2.73 (0.98-7.58; p = 0.054) for ustekinumab, and 1.04 (0.20-5.41; p = 0.966) for methotrexate vs. reference (combined phototherapy, systemic steroids, topical therapy, and immunomodulators other than methotrexate). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to ustekinumab, TNF-alpha inhibitors, and methotrexate was not associated with a statistically significant increased risk of HZ. However, HRs were elevated for ustekinumab and TNF-alpha inhibitors; a larger number of herpes zoster events would be needed to assess the presence or absence of risk

Childhood cancer burden: a review of global estimates.

5-year net survival of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer is approximately 80% in many high-income countries. This estimate is encouraging as it shows the substantial progress that has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer. Unfortunately, scarce data are available for low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where nearly 90% of children with cancer reside, suggesting that global survival estimates are substantially worse in these regions. As LMICs are undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition, with a shifting burden from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases, cancer care for all ages has become a global focus. To improve outcomes for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer worldwide, an accurate appraisal of the global burden of childhood cancer is a necessary first step. In this Review, we analyse four studies of the global cancer burden that included data for children and adolescents. Each study used various overlapping and non-overlapping statistical approaches and outcome metrics. Moreover, to provide guidance on improving future estimates of the childhood global cancer burden, we propose several recommendations to strengthen data collection and standardise analyses. Ultimately, these data could help stakeholders to develop plans for national and institutional cancer programmes, with the overall aim of helping to reduce the global burden of cancer in children and adolescents

Cholera outbreak in Southern Tanzania: Risk factors and patterns of transmission

To identify risk factors and describe the pattern of spread of the 1997 cholera epidemic in a rural area (Ifakara) in southern Tanzania, we conducted a prospective hospital-based, matched case- control study, with analysis based on the first 180 cases and 360 matched controls. Bathing in the river, long distance to water source, and eating dried fish were significantly associated with risk for cholera. Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa, was isolated in samples from Ifakara's main water source and patients' stools. DNA molecular analyses showed identical patterns for all isolates

Extending the scope of pooled analyses of individual patient biomarker data from heterogeneous laboratory platforms and cohorts using merging algorithms

Background: A common challenge in medicine, exemplified in the analysis of biomarker data, is that large studies are needed for sufficient statistical power. Often, this may only be achievable by aggregating multiple cohorts. However, different studies may use disparate platforms for laboratory analysis, which can hinder merging. Methods: Using circulating placental growth factor (PIGF), a potential biomarker for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) such as preeclampsia, as an example, we investigated how such issues can be overcome by inter-platform standardization and merging algorithms. We studied 16,462 pregnancies from 22 study cohorts. PIGF measurements (gestational age >= 20 weeks) analyzed on one of four platforms: R & Systems, Alere (R) Triage, Roche (R) Elecsys or Abbott (R) Architect, were available for 13,429 women. Two merging algorithms, using Z-Score and Multiple of Median transformations, were applied. Results: Best reference curves (BRC), based on merged, transformed PIGF measurements in uncomplicated pregnancy across six gestational age groups, were estimated. Identification of HDP by these PIGF-BRCS was compared to that of platform-specific curves. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of merging PIGF concentrations from different analytical platforms. Overall BRC identification of HDP performed at least as well as platform-specific curves. Our method can be extended to any set of biomarkers obtained from different laboratory platforms in any field. Merged biomarker data from multiple studies will improve statistical power and enlarge our understanding of the pathophysiology and management of medical syndromes. (C) 2015 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe