How hotel staff reacts to guests (un)fair treatment by the hotel

Este artículo sugiere que el personal de hotel ante un trato (in)justo del hotel hacia los clientes atribuye tal trato a la responsabilidad del hotel y, dependiendo que éste sea justo o injusto, aumentaría o disminuiría sus conductas orientadas al cliente (COBs). Los datos fueron recogidos mediante cuestionarios pasados a 204 empleados de ocho hoteles de lujo en las Islas Canarias (España). Para examinar las hipótesis se utilizaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). No así en el caso de percepciones de justicia distributiva, los resultados muestran que cuanta más justicia procedimental e interpersonal hacia los huéspedes perciban los empleados, más se implican en conductas orientadas al cliente (COBs). Los hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de prevenir episodios de maltrato a los huéspedes por parte del hotel, haciendo especial hincapié en aquellos que son visibles para los empleados, para promover así conductas orientadas al cliente (COBs). Hasta donde nosotros sabemos, este es el primer estudio empírico en donde la justicia organizativa (distributiva, procedimental e interpersonal) dirigida hacia los clientes y las conductas orientadas al cliente (COBs) de los empleados son examinadas conjuntamente en un mismo modelo.This paper suggests that hotel staff perceiving signs of (un)fair treatment to customers by hotels will make responsible of this to the hotel, and depending on whether that treatment is fair or unfair, they increase or decrease their customer-oriented behaviors (COB). Data were collected from 204 surveyed employees at eight luxury hotels in the Canary Islands (Spain). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Results demonstrate that the more employees perceive interactional and procedural justice toward guests, the more they engage in customer-oriented behaviors (COBs). These findings suggest the need to prevent events of guest mistreatment by the hotel, especially those visible to employees, in order to promote customer-oriented behaviors (COBs). This is the first empirical study in which both organizational justice (distributive, procedural, and interactional) and citizenship behaviors (OCBs) both directed at customers (COBs) and performed by employees are modeled together

Teaching staff mediatic construction: episodic, confl ictive subordinate

Se examina toda la información educativa publicada en 2009 por los dos principales periódicos canarios, analizando su papel en la construcción de la imagen social del profesorado. Nuestro análisis de contenido usa cinco dimensiones que aúnan rigor descriptivo, validez ecológica y significación teórica: 1ª) Presencia y distintividad informativa; 2ª) Género periodístico (información, interpretación y opinión); 3ª) Contenido informativo: actores, contextosy asuntos; 4ª) Orientación ideológica; y 5ª) Valoración social. Los resultados establecen la omnipresencia periodística de la enseñanza, con el profesorado protagonizando la mitad de una información educativa muy visible pero más descriptiva que interpretativa: las noticias tienden a ser episódicas y poco elaboradas. Las funciones propiamente docentes ocupan muy poco espacio periodístico. La mayor parte de la información se refiere a la gestión de servicios e infraestructuras y a la regulación político-administrativa de la enseñanza. Las noticias están fuertemente marcadas por el conflicto entre todos los actores y en la mayor parte de escenarios mediáticos. La información explícitamente valorativa es escasa y equilibrada entre juicios positivos y negativos. La prensa muestra al profesorado como un colectivo subordinado y problemático que dedica mucho esfuerzo a acciones reivindicativas. Frente a este retrato confl ictivo, el profesorado se auto-percibe como un grupo profesional muy cualificado, responsable e importante, aunque poco valorado socialmente.Th is paper provides a review of all educational information published in the two most relevant newspapers in the Canary Island during the year 2009. Th e main purpose has been to examine the role of newspapers in the construction of teacher’s social image. Our content analysis is based on fi ve dimensions: 1ª) Informational quantity and saliency; 2ª) Journalistic treatment or format (informative, interpretative and opinion); 3ª) Contents: agents, contexts and issues; 4ª) Ideological orientation, and 5ª) Social appraisal. Th e fi ndings demonstrate that education is always present in press, with fi ve news of daily average and three weekly front pages. Teachers were involved in the half of educational information but more descriptive than interpretative: news tends to be presented in a fragmented and episodic form. Strictly teaching functions take up very small newspapers’ space. Th e majority of the news (60-70%) was related to services and teaching administration management. Moreover, the published information is heavily characterized by confl ict between all actors and in the most of the press scenarios. Explicitly evaluative information was scant and equilibrated between positive and negative juices. Th e global picture obtained from the press is of a subordinate and problematic group that devotes a lot of eff orts to claims and vindicates. Th is portrait is opposed to own teacher’s self-image, who perceive themselves as very qualifi ed, responsible and valuable professional group, but do not socially valued

Hacia el desarrollo de un framework para el diseño de Sistemas Infotainment Automotrices: Primeras aproximaciones contextuales

The objective of this article was to establish the first contextual approaches for the development of a framework focused on the design of automotive infotainment systems. Therefore, a method was developed to identify a group of characteristics of the infotainment system interfaces that ensure a good user experience by the user, according to previous studies. Besides, the establishment of usability is proposed as a basis for the development of the tool.El objetivo de este artículo fue establecer las primeras aproximaciones contextuales para el desarrollo de un framework enfocado en el diseño de sistemas Infotainment automotrices. Por lo cual, se desarrolló un método para la identificación de un grupo de características de las interfaces de sistemas Infotainment que aseguren una buena experiencia de uso por parte del usuario, de acuerdo con estudios previos. Además, se plantea la usabilidad como base para el desarrollo de la herramienta

Atomic surface segregation and structural characterization of PdPt bimetallic nanoparticles

"Bimetallic nanoparticles are of interest since they lead to many interesting electrical, chemical, catalytic, and optical properties. They are particularly important in the field of catalysis since they show superior catalytic properties than their monometallic counterparts. The structures of bimetallic nanoparticles depend mainly on the synthesis conditions and the miscibility of the two components. In this work, PdPt alloyed-bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through the polyol method, and characterized using spherical aberration (Cs) corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). High-angle annular dark-field (HAADF)-STEM images of bimetallic nanoparticles were obtained. The contrast of images shows that nanoparticles have an alloy structure with an average size of 8.2 nm. Together with the characterization of nanoparticles, a systematic molecular dynamics simulations study focused on the structural stability and atomic surface segregation trends in 923-atom PdPt alloyed-bimetallic NPs was carried out.

Updating the national checklist of marine fishes in Spanish waters: An approach to priority hotspots and lessons for conservation

In response to a request from the Spanish Ministry of Farming, Fishing, Food, and Environment (Spanish: Agricultura, Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente) in 2015, a fish expert group was formed to provide a reference list of marine fish species according to five regions (marine demarcations) established by Spanish Law 41/2010 on the protection of the marine environment. The objective of this article was to update and analyse the data compiled in the marine fish species checklist in order to: 1) provide a complete list of marine fish species in the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone; 2) compare this checklist between bio-geographical areas; and 3) identify possible priority hotspots for their conservation. We applied several indices, such as the total number of species in each area, species richness, and the Biodiversity Conservation Concern index. We discuss gaps in knowledge and the lessons learned for conservation purposes. A total of 1075 marine fishes were reported in Spanish waters. Most of these fish were well determined, whereas a few were treated as uncertain. The marine demarcation with the most species is the Canary Islands with 795 species, followed by the Spanish north coast demarcation with 506 species. However, the marine demarcations with the most species per area are the Spanish coast of the Gulf of Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar-Alboran Sea

MYC dosage compensation is mediated by miRNA-transcription factor interactions in aneuploid cancer

We hypothesize that dosage compensation of critical genes arises from systems- level properties for cancer cells to withstand the negative effects of aneuploidy. We identified several candidate genes in cancer multiomics data and developed a biocomputational platform to construct a mathematical model of their interac- tion network with micro-RNAs and transcription factors, where the property of dosage compensation emerged for MYC and was dependent on the kinetic pa- rameters of its feedback interactions with three micro-RNAs. These circuits were experimentally validated using a genetic tug-of-war technique to overex- press an exogenous MYC, leading to overexpression of the three microRNAs involved and downregulation of endogenous MYC. In addition, MYC overexpres- sion or inhibition of its compensating miRNAs led to dosage-dependent cytotoxicity in MYC-amplified colon cancer cells. Finally, we identified negative correlation of MYC dosage compensation with patient survival in TCGA breast cancer patients, highlighting the potential of this mechanism to prevent aneu- ploid cancer progression.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Sistema de Estudios de Posgrado::Salud::Maestría Académica en Bioinformática y Biología de SistemasUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ingeniería::Facultad de Ingeniería::Escuela de Ciencias de la Computación e InformáticaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ingeniería::Facultad de Ingeniería::Escuela de Ingeniería EléctricaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docenci

Entomopathogenic nematology in Latin America: A brief history, current research and future prospects

Since the 1980s, research into entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in Latin America has produced many remarkable discoveries. In fact, 16 out of the 117 recognized species of EPNs have been recovered and described in the subcontinent, with many more endemic species and/or strains remaining to be discovered and identified. In addition, from an applied perspective, numerous technological innovations have been accomplished in relation to their implementation in biocontrol. EPNs have been evaluated against over 170 species of agricultural and urban insects, mites, and plant-parasitic nematodes under laboratory and field conditions. While much success has been recorded, many accomplishments remain obscure, due to their publication in non-English journals, thesis dissertations, conference proceedings, and other non-readily available sources. The present review provides a brief history of EPNs in Latin America, including current findings and future perspectives.Fil: San Blas, Ernesto. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas; VenezuelaFil: Campos Herrera, Raquel. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Dolinski, Claudia. Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro; BrasilFil: Monteiro, Caio. Universidade Federal de Goiás; BrasilFil: Andaló, Vanessa. Universidade Federal de Uberlandia; BrasilFil: Leite, Luis Garrigós. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Rodríguez, Mayra G.. Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria; CubaFil: Morales Montero, Patricia. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas; VenezuelaFil: Sáenz Aponte, Adriana. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Cedano, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; PerúFil: López Nuñez, Juan Carlos. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones del Café; ColombiaFil: del Valle, Eleodoro Eduardo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Doucet, Marcelo Edmundo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Zoología Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Lax, Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Zoología Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Navarro, Patricia D.. Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias; ChileFil: Báez, Francisco. Instituto Nacional Autonomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias; EcuadorFil: Llumiquinga, Pablo. Instituto Nacional Autonomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias; EcuadorFil: Ruiz Vega, Jaime. Instituto Politécnico Nacional ; MéxicoFil: Guerra Moreno, Abby. Laboratorio de Biotecnología; PanamáFil: Stock, S. Patricia. University of Arizona; Estados Unido

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio