The effect of ability-grouping techniques on students' perceptions of speaking tasks

Tesis (Profesor de Inglés para la Enseñanza Básica y Media, Licenciado en Educación)Un problema crítico en la enseñanza del Inglés como Lengua Extranjera en Chile es que la mayoría de los profesores no pueden interactuar con sus alumnos del colegio usando el lengua meta. Lo anterior corresponde a una falta de oportunidades de los estudiantes para practicar la habilidad de hablar a través de conversaciones y trabajo colaborativo. De acuerdo a esto, agrupar a los alumnos precisamente en clases ha demostrado incentivar dichas oportunidades. Por lo tanto, ya que el consenso en técnicas de agrupación es controversial, el presente estudio apunta a contrastar las percepciones de los alumnos de acuerdo a agrupaciones de habilidades homogéneas y heterogéneas comparando dos segundos medios en un colegio chileno subvencionado. Por una parte el Grupo A fue organizado homogéneamente de acuerdo a sus competencias en el idioma mediante una prueba de diagnóstico para que los estudiantes con nivel similar estuvieran juntos. Por otra parte, el Grupo B fue organizado heterogéneamente para que los estudiantes con diferentes niveles estuvieran juntos. Este experimento siguió un diseño de comparación y fue utilizado un instrumento correspondiente a un cuestionario con una escala Likert para medir las percepciones de los estudiantes de acuerdo a las técnicas de agrupación. La aplicación consistió en seis clases para ambos grupos en tratamiento, las cuales incluyeron los seis tipos de actividades colaborativas de tres tipos diferentes de tarea. Las actividades y sus respectivos tipo de actividades son, de la primera a la última: “Juego de Roles” y “Entrevista” (Tarea Interpersonal), “Quién soy yo” y “Debate” (Tarea Transaccional), “Contar una Historia” y “Presentación de Afiche” (Tarea Extensiva). Consecuentemente, el principal hallazgo del estudio muestra que todos los estudiantes (ambos grupos, A y B) percibieron las técnicas de agrupación positivamente. Finalmente, contrastando ambas técnicas de agrupación, los estudiantes del Grupo B (heterogéneo) percibieron la mayor parte de las actividades más positivamente que el Grupo A (homogéneo)One critical problem in Chilean EFL teaching is that most teachers cannot interact with school learners using the target language. The latter corresponds to a shortage of opportunities for learners to practice the speaking skill through conversation and collaboration. Accordingly, grouping learners accurately in classes have proved to encourage the referred opportunities. Therefore, since consensus on grouping techniques is controversial, the current study aimed to contrast learners‟ perceptions on Homogeneous and Heterogeneous ability-grouping by comparing two tenth grade courses in a Chilean subsidized school. On the one hand, Group A was arranged homogeneously in compliance with learners‟ low, middle, or high ability level diagnosed in an oral pretest, so learners with similar level were together. On the other hand, Group B was arranged heterogeneously so learners with different levels were gathered. This experiment followed a comparison-group design and used as an instrument a questionnaire with a Likert scale to measure learners‟ perceptions on grouping techniques. The application consisted on six lessons for both treatment groups, which featured six different collaborative activities taken from three different types of tasks. The activities and their respective type of task are, from first to last: Role Play and Interview (Interpersonal tasks), Who am I and Debate (Transactional tasks), Story Telling and Poster Presentation (Extensive tasks). Consequently, the main finding of the study shows that all learners (from both, Groups A and B) perceived grouping techniques positively. Finally, when contrasting both grouping techniques, learners from Group B (Heterogeneous) perceived most of the activities more positively than Group A (Homogeneous)

Predictive value and dynamic risk stratification of high sensitive basal or stimulated thyroglobulin assay in a long-term thyroid carcinoma cohort

Producción CientíficaPurpose: To evaluate the predictive value of the rhTSH thyroglobulin stimulation test (rhTSH-Tg) compared to basal high- sensitive thyroglobulin (hs-Tg) under TSH suppressive therapy at 12 months after the completion of initial treatment to predict the long-term response and Dynamic Risk Stratification (DRS) at the last follow-up visit in a long-term DTC cohort. Methods: Prospective study in 114 DTC patients (77.2% women, mean age 46.4 ± 14.1 years old, median/IQR evolution 6.7[3.1–8.0] years) from 2013 to 2020 undergoing total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation in whom hs-Tg and rhTSH- Tg was performed 12 months after completing initial treatment. Pearson correlation, receiving operating characteristics (ROC) and DRS at initial and last follow-up visit were analyzed. Results: hs-Tg and rhTSH-Tg show a strong positive linear correlation (r = 0.864, p < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of initial hs-Tg and rhTSH-Tg levels were evaluated via ROC-AUC as a predictor of excellent response (ER) in the last follow-up visit. Hs-Tg showed a better AUC (0.969, 95%CI = 0.941–0.997) than rhTSH-Tg (0.944, 95%IC = 0.905–0.984; p < 0.001). The hs-Tg and rhTSH-Tg cutoff point of highest sensitivity (S) and specificity (E) was 0.110 and 0.815 ng/dl, respectively. Hs-Tg showed a higher diagnostic accuracy than rhTSH-Tg (S = 100% vs 96.8%, E = 84.3% vs 84.3%, NPV = 100% vs 98.6%, PPV = 70.5% vs 69.7%; p < 0.05). The DRS based on initial hs-Tg showed better ability to predict ER (93.3% vs 86.7%) and biochemical incomplete response (53.3%vs13.3%) in the last follow-up visit compared to rhTSH-Tg. Conclusions: Both initial hs-Th and rhTSH-Tg were good predictors of long-term ER. In patients with hs-Tg, the rhTSH-test did not provide relevant prognosis information. An ER after initial treatment was associated with a very high NPV at subsequent follow-up.Publicación en abierto financiada por el Consorcio de Bibliotecas Universitarias de Castilla y León (BUCLE), con cargo al Programa Operativo 2014ES16RFOP009 FEDER 2014-2020 DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, Actuación:20007-CL - Apoyo Consorcio BUCL

ICT tools for tackling bullying in schools: an analysis and opportunities

[EN] Bullying is defined as the act of repeatedly and intentionally causing harm to another person who feels helpless (i.e., the victim) against the perpetrator or group of perpetrators. These series of acts of physical and/or psychological violence have been reported to cause a negative impact on the victim on several aspects of his/her well-being and daily life. Recently, multidisciplinary research teams have noticed the potential of ICT tools as catalysts for fighting bullying in schools. A range of ICT-based tools such as elearning systems, intelligent tutoring systems, gamified applications, analytics, or even artificial intelligence have been proposed as technological assets against bullying. In this paper, we identify, categorize, and analyse the use of these ICT tools against bullying under a wide range of criteria such as their role (e.g., prevention, mitigation, detection, etc.), the potential investment that is required, the target age of users, and strengths and weaknesses of each tool. Then, we discuss on potential areas of expansion for the use of ICT tools in the fight bullying, and we identify new potential areas of research.This work has been partially funded by the Generalitat Valenciana (GV/2019/012).Alberola Oltra, JM.; Sanchez-Anguix, V.; Soto-González, MD.; Molines Borrás, S.; Monfort Torres, G.; Díaz Novillo, S. (2020). ICT tools for tackling bullying in schools: an analysis and opportunities. IATED. 4662-4667. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2020.1289S4662466

A study of the prostate, androgens and sexual activity of male rats

BACKGROUND: The prostate is a sexual gland that produces important substances for the potency of sperm to fertilize eggs within the female reproductive tract, and is under complex endocrine control. Taking advantage of the peculiar behavioral pattern of copulating male rats, we developed experimental paradigms to determine the influence of sexual behavior on the level of serum testosterone, prostate androgen receptors, and mRNA for androgen receptors in male rats displaying up to four consecutive ejaculations. METHODS: The effect of four consecutive ejaculations was investigated by determining levels of (i) testosterone in serum by solid phase RIA, (ii) androgen receptors at the ventral prostate with Western Blots, and (iii) androgen receptors-mRNA with RT-PCR. Data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc application of Dunnett's test if required. RESULTS: The constant execution of sexual behavior did not produce any change in the weight of the ventral prostate. Serum testosterone increased after the second ejaculation, and remained elevated even after four ejaculations. The androgen receptor at the ventral prostate was higher after the first to third ejaculations, but returned suddenly to baseline levels after the fourth ejaculation. The level of mRNA increased after the first ejaculation, continued to increase after the second, and reached the highest peak after the third ejaculation; however, it returned suddenly to baseline levels after the fourth ejaculation. CONCLUSION: Four consecutive ejaculations by sexually experienced male rats had important effects on the physiological responses of the ventral prostate. Fast responses were induced as a result of sexual behavior that involved an increase and decrease in androgen receptors after one and four ejaculations, respectively. However, a progressive response was observed in the elevation of mRNA for androgen receptors, which also showed a fast decrease after four ejaculations. All of these changes with the prostate gland occurred in the presence of a sustained elevation of testosterone in the serum that started after two ejaculations. A consideration of these fast-induced changes suggests that the nerve supply plays a key role in prostate physiology during the sexual behavior of male rats

Índice de progreso social de la provincia de Azángaro 2019

La presente investigación se desarrolló con el propósito de calcular y analizar el Índice de Progreso Social (IPS) 2019 para la provincia de Azángaro, la herramienta empleada se estructura en tres grandes dimensiones: (a) Necesidades Humanas Básicas, (b) Fundamentos de Bienestar, y (c) Oportunidades; este modelo permite obtener una mejor comprensión de aspectos sociales y ambientales que definen el nivel de progreso y bienestar social de la Provincia. Los resultados del IPS 2019 manifestó que la provincia de Azángaro se ubica en un nivel extremo bajo con 32.76 puntos. Se consideraron cuatro zonas de estudio: la zona 1 del distrito de Azángaro con la mayor puntuación con 39.88 puntos, mientras, la zona 2 que incluye los distritos de Asillo y San Antón, registró 25.03 puntos siendo el más bajo de las cuatro; los resultados evidenciaron brechas entre las zonas, en cuanto a, la desigualdad en el acceso de agua y saneamiento básico. Cabe destacar, que la dimensión de Necesidades humanas básicas a pesar de alcanzar el mejor nivel de progreso social, presentó valores críticos en los componentes de Nutrición y cuidados médicos básicos, agua y saneamiento, y en vivienda y servicios públicos; específicamente en la tasa de desnutrición crónica en menores de cinco años; en Agua y saneamiento básico, por la falta de acceso a los servicios especialmente en la zona 2; y las características precarias de la vivienda, por los materiales utilizados en su construcción. Es necesario destacar, que los resultados de la presente investigación figuran como la primera medición del IPS en la provincia de Azángaro; y un punto de partida a futuros estudios, que pueden ser desarrollados a nivel distrital; además proporciona información a los entes públicos y privados sobre la situación de la provincia. De esta forma, se recomienda desarrollar investigaciones por cada distrito lo que permitirá contar con información detallada por sectores, manzanas, caseríos, asentamientos humanos, entre otros, donde se identifique y analicen los elementos que provocan que la población de la provincia sea vulnerable.This research was developed with the purpose of calculating and analyzing the Social Progress Index (IPS) 2019 for the province of Azángaro, the tool used is structured in three large dimensions: (a) Basic Human Needs, (b) Foundations of Well-being , and (c) Opportunities; This model allows for a better understanding of social and environmental aspects that define the level of progress and social well-being of the Province. The results of the IPS 2019 showed that the province of Azángaro is located in an extremely low level with 32.76 points. Four study areas were considered: zone 1 of the Azángaro district with the highest score with 39.88 points, while zone 2, which includes the districts of Asillo and San Antón, registered 25.03 points, being the lowest of the four; The results showed gaps between the areas in terms of inequality in access to water and basic sanitation. It should be noted that the dimension of Basic human needs, despite reaching the best level of social progress, presented critical values in the components of Nutrition and basic medical care, water and sanitation, and in housing and public services; specifically in the rate of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age; in Water and basic sanitation, due to the lack of access to services, especially in zone 2; and the precarious characteristics of the house, due to the materials used in its construction. It is necessary to emphasize that the results of the present investigation appear as the first measurement of the IPS in the province of Azángaro; and a starting point for future studies, which can be developed at the district level; it also provides information to public and private entities on the situation in the province. In this way, it is recommended to carry out investigations for each district, which will allow to have detailed information by sectors, blocks, hamlets, human settlements, among others, where the elements that cause the population of the province to be vulnerable are identified and analyzed

Eficacia de la protección en estacas de vides con Trichoderma spp. y micorrizas contra Diplodia Seriata y Phaeomoniella Chlamydospora

95 p.Las enfermedades de madera de la vid (EMV) son uno de los problemas fitosanitarios más relevantes que afectan al viñedo. Siendo las especies Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Diplodia seriata, e Inocutis sp. los de mayor frecuencia encontrados en plantas adultas con EMV. El uso de biocontrol con especies de Trichoderma y micorrizas en EMV surge como una alternativa de control de estas enfermedades. En el actual trabajo, Estacas de vid enraizadas cv. Cabernet Sauvignon clon #337 sobre portainjerto 101-14 (Vitis riparia x Vitis rupestris), fueron tratadas con las bioformulaciones comerciales Mammul® (Bionectria ochroleuca Cepa Mitique, Trichoderma gamssi Cepa Volqui, Hypocrea virens Cepa Ñire) y TIFI® (Trichoderma atroviride cepa MUCL 45632) junto a los productos micorrícicos AEGIS-Gel® (Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae) y OIKO-RHIZA-E® (Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon villosulfus, R. luteolus, R. amylopogon, R. fulvigleba y Scleroderma citrinun). Las plantas protegidas con los tratamientos fueron inoculadas con Phaeomoniella chlamydospora y Diplodia seriata. Después de 22 meses de inoculación se determinó la conductancia estomática, contenido de clorofila, macroelementos, microelementos, almidón, glucosa y fructosa. Además, se determinó la detección y cuantificación de P. chlamydospora y D. seriata por qPCR desde las plantas, con el objetivo de determinar la eficacia en la protección conferida por Trichoderma y micorriza en etapa de vivero. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian contenidos de clorofila significativamente mayores en el factor Trichoderma (T) inoculadas con P. chlamydospora y D. seriata. La fructosa y glucosa en raíces fueron significativamente mayores en plantas infectadas por P. chlamydospora y D. seriata. Ambos patógenos fueron exitosamente detectados por qPCR, desde plantas testigo y con tratamientos preventivos. // ABSTRACT: The grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are one of the most relevant phytosanitary problems in the vineyards. GTDs are causes by several fungal species. In Chile, the species Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Diplodia seriata, and Inocutis sp. Are the most frequently fungal trunk pathogens obtained from adult plant with GTDs. Currently, there is no effective control other than cutting affected sectors and starting for replanting in several cases. The use of Trichoderma species and mycorrhizal in GTDs emerges as an alternative to control these diseases, respectful for the environment. In the current study, grapevine cv. Cabernet Sauvignon clon #337 on rootstock 101-14 (Vitis riparia x Vitis rupestris), were treated with the commercial bioformulations Mammul® (Bionectria ochroleuca Strain Mitique, Trichoderma gamssi Strain Volqui, Hypocrea virens Strain Ñire) and TIFI® (Trichoderma atroviride Strain MUCL 45632) along with others mycorrhizal products AEGIS-Gel® (Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae) and OIKO-RHIZAE ® (Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon villosulfus, R. luteolus, R. amylopogon, R. fulvigleba and Scleroderma citrinun). The plants protected with the treatments were inoculated with Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Diplodia seriata. After 22 months of inoculation, it was determined the stomatal conductance, chlorophyll contents, macroelements, microelements, starch, glucose and fructose. Moreover, the detection and quantifications of P. chlamydospora and D. seriata from by qPCR from plants. with the aim of determining the effectiveness of protection conferred by the Trichoderma and mycorrhizal nursery stage. The results obtained show significantly higher chlorophyll contents in the factor Trichoderma (T) inoculated with P. chlamydospora y D. seriata. The contents of fructose and glucose in roots are significantly higher in infected plants by P. chlamydospora regarding the witness. Both pathogens were successfully detected by qPCR, from control plants and with preventive treatments

Ghrelin Gene Variants Influence on Metabolic Syndrome Components in Aged Spanish Population

BACKGROUND: The role of genetic variations within the ghrelin gene on cardiometabolic profile and nutritional status is still not clear in humans, particularly in elderly people. OBJECTIVES: We investigated six SNPs of the ghrelin gene and their relationship with metabolic syndrome (MS) components. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 824 subjects (413 men/411 women, age 77.31±5.04) participating in the Mataró aging study (n = 310) and the Hortega study (n = 514) were analyzed. Anthropometric variables, ghrelin, lipids, glucose and blood pressure levels were measured, and distribution of SNPs -994CT (rs26312), -604GA (rs27647), -501AC (rs26802), R51Q (rs34911341), M72L (rs696217) and L90G (rs4684677) of the ghrelin gene evaluated. Genotypes were determined by multiplex PCR and SNaPshot minisequencing. MS (IDF criteria) was found in 54.9%.RESULTS:No association between any of the SNPs and levels of total fasting circulating ghrelin levels was found. C/A-A/A genotype of M72L was associated with increased risk of central obesity according to IDF criteria, while G/A-G/G genotypes of -604GA with reduced risk. A/A genotype of -501AC polymorphism was associated to decreased BMI. In relation to lipid profile, the same genotypes of -604GA were associated with increased total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and -501AC with reduced triglycerides. There were no associations with systolic or diastolic blood pressure levels or with hypertension, glucose levels or diabetes and ghrelin polymorphisms. However, G/G genotype of -604GA was associated with glucose >100 mg/dL. Haplotype analysis showed that only one haplotype is associated with increased risk of waist circumference and central obesity. The analysis of subjects by gender showed an important and different association of these polymorphisms regarding MS parameters. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin gene variants -604GA, -501AC and M72L are associated with certain components of MS, in particular to BMI and lipid profile in elderly Spanish subject

The Truncated Isoform of Somatostatin Receptor5 (sst5TMD4) Is Associated with Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Somatostatin receptors (ssts) are expressed in thyroid cancer cells, but their biological significance is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess ssts in well differentiated (WDTC) and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) by means of imaging and molecular tools and its relationship with the efficacy of somatostatin analog treatment. Thirty-nine cases of thyroid carcinoma were evaluated (20 PDTC and 19 WDTC). Depreotide scintigraphy and mRNA levels of sst-subtypes, including the truncated variant sst5TMD4, were carried out. Depreotide scans were positive in the recurrent tumor in the neck in 6 of 11 (54%) PDTC, and in those with lung metastases in 5/11 cases (45.4%); sst5TMD4 was present in 18/20 (90%) of PDTC, being the most densely expressed sst-subtype, with a 20-fold increase in relation to sst2. In WDTC, sst2 was the most represented, while sst5TMD4 was not found; sst2 was significantly increased in PDTC in comparison to WDTC. Five depreotide positive PDTC received octreotide for 3-6 months in a pilot study with no changes in the size of the lesions in 3 of them, and a significant increase in the pulmonary and cervical lesions in the other 2. All PDTC patients treated with octreotide showed high expression of sst5TMD4. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that only sst5TMD4 discriminates between PDTC and WDTC. We conclude that sst5TMD4 is overexpressed in PDTC and may be involved in the lack of response to somatostatin analogue treatment