Maturity models for improving the quality of digital teaching

In this paper we present a primer on the state-of the-art of existing maturity models (MMs) for eLearning. By means of a traditional qualitative literature review, 29 different models are identified. Next, they are analysed and classified on the basis of a framework of 20 common properties derived from general theory on MMs, considering aspects related to their definition, structure and practical use. Results of the analysis suggest that existing eLearning MMs mainly address problems linked to eLearning management and organization at institutional level, educational technology, instructional design and faculty staff professional development. However, they tend to provide relatively moderate support for being effectively applied in practice, which clearly compromises and dismisses their power and utility as prescriptive tools for quality improvement. Our findings contribute to the current body of knowledge on eLearning by providing improved understanding, visibility, transparency and traceability of eLearning MMs designed to date, which may be of interest to both practitioners and researchersPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

El marc competencial del professorat universitari i el redisseny de la formació docent

El procés de convergència europea està generant canvis en les funcions i rols del professorat universitari. D’altra banda, els Sistemes de Garantia Interna de Qualitat (SIGQ) estableixen l’obligació de les universitats de vetllar pel desenvolupament de la carrera professional del personal docent i investigador, proporcionant-li la formació necessària per al correcte acompliment de les seves activitats docents. En aquest sentit, les universitats públiques catalanes, han desenvolupat un projecte que té com a objectiu establir un marc de referència competencial del professorat universitari, que permeti redissenyar els plans de formació docent d’acord amb les necessitats formatives que requereix el nou context universitari.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Next generation pedagogy: IDEAS for online and blended higher education. Final report of the FUTURA (Future of university teaching: update and a roadmap for advancement) project

Next generation pedagogy: IDEAS for online and blended higher education. Final report of the FUTURA (Future of university teaching: update and a roadmap for advancement) projec

Next generation pedagogy: IDEAS for online and blended higher education. Final report of the FUTURA (Future of university teaching: update and a roadmap for advancement) project

Next generation pedagogy: IDEAS for online and blended higher education. Final report of the FUTURA (Future of university teaching: update and a roadmap for advancement) projec

Basedat 2. Gestión de Bases de datos para la docencia

Se presentan un conjunto de 11 guías de usuario y aplicaciones didácticas. Bases de datos SABI, AMADEUS, PITEC, Encuesta Industrial, COMTRADE, OMC, TRADECAN, FDIstat, Contabilidad Nacional de España del INE, Contabilidad Nacional de Eurostat e Indicadores de Desarrollo Mundial

The transcribed pseudogene RPSAP52 enhances the oncofetal HMGA2-IGF2BP2-RAS axis through LIN28B-dependent and independent let-7 inhibition

Altres ajuts: We thank CERCA Program/Generalitat de Catalunya for their institutional support. This work was also supported by the Fundació La Marató de TV3, grant number #20131610 (S.G.), the AECC-Junta de Barcelona (S.G.), the Fundación Científica de la AECC under grant GCB13131578DEÁ (O.M.T.), the Health and Science Departments of the Catalan Government (Gen-eralitat de Catalunya). C.O.-M. is a pre-doctoral fellow funded by the Basque Government (PRE_2013_1_1009).One largely unknown question in cell biology is the discrimination between inconsequential and functional transcriptional events with relevant regulatory functions. Here, we find that the oncofetal HMGA2 gene is aberrantly reexpressed in many tumor types together with its antisense transcribed pseudogene RPSAP52. RPSAP52 is abundantly present in the cytoplasm, where it interacts with the RNA binding protein IGF2BP2/IMP2, facilitating its binding to mRNA targets, promoting their translation by mediating their recruitment on polysomes and enhancing proliferative and self-renewal pathways. Notably, downregulation of RPSAP52 impairs the balance between the oncogene LIN28B and the tumor suppressor let-7 family of miRNAs, inhibits cellular proliferation and migration in vitro and slows down tumor growth in vivo. In addition, high levels of RPSAP52 in patient samples associate with a worse prognosis in sarcomas. Overall, we reveal the roles of a transcribed pseudogene that may display properties of an oncofetal master regulator in human cancers

HTLV-1 infection in solid organ transplant donors and recipients in Spain

HTLV-1 infection is a neglected disease, despite infecting 10-15 million people worldwide and severe illnesses develop in 10% of carriers lifelong. Acknowledging a greater risk for developing HTLV-1 associated illnesses due to immunosuppression, screening is being widely considered in the transplantation setting. Herein, we report the experience with universal HTLV testing of donors and recipients of solid organ transplants in a survey conducted in Spain. All hospitals belonging to the Spanish HTLV network were invited to participate in the study. Briefly, HTLV antibody screening was performed retrospectively in all specimens collected from solid organ donors and recipients attended since the year 2008. A total of 5751 individuals were tested for HTLV antibodies at 8 sites. Donors represented 2312 (42.2%), of whom 17 (0.3%) were living kidney donors. The remaining 3439 (59.8%) were recipients. Spaniards represented nearly 80%. Overall, 9 individuals (0.16%) were initially reactive for HTLV antibodies. Six were donors and 3 were recipients. Using confirmatory tests, HTLV-1 could be confirmed in only two donors, one Spaniard and another from Colombia. Both kidneys of the Spaniard were inadvertently transplanted. Subacute myelopathy developed within 1 year in one recipient. The second recipient seroconverted for HTLV-1 but the kidney had to be removed soon due to rejection. Immunosuppression was stopped and 3 years later the patient remains in dialysis but otherwise asymptomatic. The rate of HTLV-1 is low but not negligible in donors/recipients of solid organ transplants in Spain. Universal HTLV screening should be recommended in all donor and recipients of solid organ transplantation in Spain. Evidence is overwhelming for very high virus transmission and increased risk along with the rapid development of subacute myelopathy

Tendencias de las relaciones sociales e interpersonales de los nativos digitales y jóvenes en la web 2.0

El desarrollo evolutivo de la Red hacia una Red Universal Digital conlleva una modificación de las conductas, usos y competencias de los internautas. Han surgido nuevas formas de acceso, gestión y diseño de la información, las cuales están generando conductas distintas a la hora de gestionar dicha información y en el seno de las relaciones sociales. Son los llamados “nativos digitales” los que hacen una mayor utilización de este tipo de recursos y servicios nuevos. El objeto de la investigación presente es la evaluación y análisis de las conductas y competencias sociocomunicativas que los “nativos digitales” y jóvenes desarrollan en la Red. Esta fase del proyecto es meramente cualitativa por lo que siempre se habla de tendencias. Los resultados muestran una clara diferencia entre dos grupos: los “nativos digitales” (jóvenes de 14 a 17 años), y los “inmigrantes digitales” (jóvenes de 18 a 35 años) respecto a su comportamiento en la red