Microfoundations of Problem Solving: Attentional Engagement Predicts Problem-Solving Strategies

Organizations use a plethora of methods and tools to help their members solve problems effectively. Yet the specifics of how individuals solve problems remain largely unexplored. We propose and test a cognitive model of problem solving that integrates dual process theories into the attention-based view. The model suggests that diverse problem-solving strategies emerge in response to how individuals deliberate. Three studies provide observational and causal evidence in support of our model. The first study explores the strategies managers use to solve problems. We use think-aloud protocols combined with content, sequence, and cluster analyses to extract the key differences in how experienced managers solve problems. Two problem-solving strategies emerge from the data: one emphasizes mental activities related to framing, and the other emphasizes mental activities related to implementation. In the second study, we use a mixed factorial experimental design and mouse-tracking analysis to uncover the causal mechanism that explains the emergence of these two strategies. We then retest our hypotheses in a third, preregistered, study. We find that manipulating attention toward mental activities related to framing increases deliberation aimed at restructuring the problem elements. In contrast, directing attention toward mental activities related to implementation increases deliberation on the potential contingencies and consequences of the solution. Our findings provide empirical evidence about how problems are actually solved and support the idea that attentional processes are malleable enough to affect the choice of problem-solving strategies

La intelectualidad cubana ante el racismo panhispanista

This paper focuses on the debate that aroused the panhispanis ta trend within the Cuban intelligentsia of the firs t decades of the twentieth century. 1 t is argued that the polemics and positions assumed in this debate contributed to the development of a movement to defend of Cuban nationality and cultural identity. The constant search for solutions to national problems, allowed to assess the mestizo Cuban people as a symbol of the value of their own identity. The ideas coming from a Cuban conscience that rejected foreign domination hadan exit towards the recognition of the danger that represented the panhispanistas interests. The ideas addressed on the mestizo identity of the Cuban, constituted a contribution to the Latin American theories on this subject that was already being concern of the intellectuality of the continent.El presente trabajo se centra en el debate que suscitó la tendencia panhispanista dentro de la intelectualidad cubana de las primeras décadas del siglo XX. Se sostiene la hipótesis de que las polémicas y posiciones asumidas en dicho debate contribuyeron al desarrollo de un movimiento de defensa de la nacionalidad y la identidad cultural cubana. La búsqueda constante de soluciones a los problemas nacionales, permitió valorar el mestizaje del pueblo cubano comosímbolodevalorde la identidad propia. Las ideas provenientes de una conciencia cubana que rechazaba la dominación foránea tuvieron una salida hacia el reconocimiento del peligro que representaban los intereses panhispanistas. Las ideas abordadas sobre la identidad mes tiza del cubano, constituyeron un aporte a las teorías latinoamericanas sobre este tema que ya venía siendo preocupación de la intelectualidad del continente

Donor-to-recipient gender match in liver transplantation. A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on donor-to-recipient gender mismatch as a risk factor for post-transplant graft loss. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library database and EMBASE. The primary outcome was graft loss after liver transplantation. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the pooled data between groups with different donor-to-recipient gender matches. Three analyses were done considering (1) gender mismatches (F-M and M-F) vs matches (M-M and F-F); (2) Female-to-Male mismatch vs other matches; and (3) Male-to-Female mismatch vs other matches. RESULTS A total of 7 articles were analysed. Gender mismatch (M-F and F-M) was associated with a significant increase of graft loss respect to match (M-M and F-F) (OR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.13-1.50; P < 0.001). When F-M mismatch was specifically investigated, it confirmed its detrimental role in terms of graft survival (OR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.20-2.80; P = 0.005). M-F mismatch failed to present a significant role (OR: 1.09; 95%CI: 0.73-1.62; P = 0.68). CONCLUSION Gender mismatch is a risk factor for poor graft survival after liver transplantation. Female-to-male mismatch represents the worst combination. More studies are needed with the intent to better clarify the reasons for these results

Determinantes del consumo de energía eléctrica del sector residencial en Uruguay

Este trabajo busca profundizar en los determinantes de la demanda de energía eléctrica residencial en Uruguay. Utilizando modelos de demanda ampliados, analiza el efecto sobre el consumo de energía eléctrica de los hogares uruguayos del ingreso per cápita, la composición del hogar, las características de la vivienda, el equipamiento y la participación relativa de seis usos energéticos. Con este fin, se emplean los microdatos de la Encuesta de Demanda y Uso de la Energía Eléctrica del Sector Residencial Urbano realizada para Uruguay en el año 2015. El efecto de los determinantes se estima por MCO para la media de consumo y se comparan estos resultados con los que surgen de la estimación para tres niveles socioeconómicos - bajo, medio y alto-. Asimismo, se estudia su efecto a lo largo de la distribución del consumo a partir del método de regresiones cuantílicas. Este estudio es el primer trabajo en Uruguay que evalúa la demanda de energía eléctrica a lo largo de toda la distribución del consumo a partir del método de regresiones cuantílicas. La existencia de diferencias entre los cuantiles de consumo señala las oportunidades que genera el uso de este método en el análisis de la demanda de energía eléctrica residencial, permitiendo la elaboración de políticas de gestión de la demanda más ajustadas y por tanto, previsiones más precisas. Asimismo, aporta evidencia empírica respecto a la utilidad de emplear modelos de demanda ampliados en el análisis de la demanda de energía eléctrica residencial y resalta la importancia de la incorporación de los usos energéticos.This research examines the determinants of residential electricity demand for Uruguay. Using extended demand models, it analyses several socio-economic factors affecting households' electricity consumption -per capita income, household composition, housing characteristic, equipment and the relative participation of some energy uses. The data belong to the Demand and Use of Electricity Survey of the Urban Residential Sector carried out for Uruguay in 2015. First, using OLS we estimate the effects of the socio-economic variables for the average consumption and these results are compared with those that arise from the estimation of three socioeconomic levels low, medium and high. In addition, we study the impact of these variables along the distribution of consumption based on the quantile regression method. The results indicate that per capita income, household composition, housing characteristics, air conditioning and heating possession, are important to explain household electricity consumption. With regard to the share of energy uses, it is observed that those associated with thermal comfort, particularly heating, together with cooking, are those with the greatest effect on the consumption of electrical energy. These results vary depending on the household socioeconomic level and its location in the distribution of consumption of electricity. In particular, household composition variables have a greater impact on households with lower electricity consumption, while the variables associated with housing and heating use show a higher effect on high consumption levels. This is the first study that evaluates the electricity demand throughout the consumption distribution based on the quantile regression method for Uruguay. The existence of differences between the quantiles of consumption indicates the benefits of using this method for the residential demand analysis. It also brings information for demand management policies and, therefore, for more accurate forecasts. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence of extending demand models for residential electricity demand analysis and highlights the importance of the incorporation of energy uses

Study of fatigue ind handball players using hop test and subjective scale tests

RESUMEN: El principal objetivo de este trabajo ha sido el análisis de la fatiga en 15 jugadores de balonmano durante 3 semanas con 4 entrenamientos semanales para conocer su evolución y la capacidad de recuperación de los deportistas, y la relación entre medidas subjetivas y objetivas de fatiga. Para ello hemos utilizado tres herramientas, para analizar la fatiga objetiva se ha utilizado un single hop for distance, realizado por los deportistas antes y después de cada sesión, por otro lado, para conocer la fatiga subjetiva de los deportistas se ha incluido la escala de Hooper previa al entrenamiento y para medir la intensidad de la sesión se ha utilizado la escala de percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo. Se ha observado una relación directa entre la valoración subjetiva de la intensidad del entrenamiento tanto con los resultados objetivos de fatiga en el hop test (dominante (r=0.480; p˂0.01) y no dominante (r=0.465; p˂0.01).) como con la escala de Hooper previa al entrenamiento (r=0.644; p˂0.01). En cuanto a la fatiga objetiva analizada se ha hallado una correlación significativa entre ambas extremidades (r=0.835; p˂0.01). Respecto a las diferencias entre sesiones, únicamente se ha encontrado una diferencia significativa (F=3.287;p˂0.05) en la segunda semana respecto al resto de sesiones de la misma en el caso de la fatiga objetiva, siendo diferente el caso de la fatiga subjetiva, donde solo ha aparecido una diferencia significativa en dos días pero de la tercera semana (F=7.323;p˂0.05). Esto datos indican la buena capacidad predictiva de la escala de Hooper y la sesión PSE junto al single hop for distance pero sugieren la necesidad de una mayor muestra y una batería más amplia de test para acercarse más aun a la realidad.ABSTRACT: The aim of this work has been the analysis of fatigue in 15 handball players during 3 weeks with 4 weekly trainings in order to know the evolution and recovery capacity of athletes, and the relationship between subjective and objective measures of fatigue. In order to do so, we have used three tools: regarding the analysis of the objective fatigue, we have used a single hop for distance, performed by the athletes before and after each session. Concerning the subjective fatigue of athletes, the Hooper’s Index has been included at the beginning of the training. Finally, in order to measure the intensity of the session we have used the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). We have observed a direct relationship between the subjective assessment of the intensity of the training both with the objective results of fatigue in the hop test (dominant (r = 0.480, P0.01) and non-dominant (r = 0.465, P0.01).) and the Hooper’s Index used before training (r = 0.644 Hooper, P0.01). Regarding the analyzed objective fatigue, we have found a significant correlation between the two limbs (r = 0.835, p0.01). Concerning the differences between sessions, on one hand, we have only found one significant difference (F = 3.287, p 0.05) in the second week compared to other sessions within the same week in the case of objective fatigue. On the other hand, regarding the subjective fatigue, we have only found a significant difference in two days during the third week (F = 7.323, P0.05). This data indicates the good predictive ability of the Hooper’s Index, the RPE-session and the single hop for distance but it suggests the need for a larger sample and a wider test battery in order to have a closer relation to reality.Grado en Fisioterapi

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in the setting of liver transplantation for hepatocellular cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as a risk factor for post-transplant hepatocellular cancer (HCC) recurrence. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed. Participants of any age and sex, who underwent liver transplantation for HCC were considered following these criteria: (1) studies comparing pre-transplant low vs high PLR values; (2) studies reporting post-transplant recurrence rates; and (3) if more than one study was reported by the same institute, only the most recent was included. The primary outcome measure was set for HCC recurrence after transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 5 articles, published between 2014 and 2017, fulfilled the selection criteria. As for the quality of the reported studies, all the investigated articles presented an overall high quality. A total of 899 cases were investigated: 718 cases (80.0%) were males. Three studies coming from European countries and one from Japan presented HCV as the main cause of cirrhosis. On the opposite, one Chinese study presented a greater incidence of HBV-related cirrhotic cases. In all the studies apart one, the PLR cut-off value of 150 was reported. At meta-analysis, high PLR value was associated with a significant increase in recurrence after transplantation (OR = 3.33; 95%CI: 1.78-6.25; p &lt; 0.001). A moderate heterogeneity was observed among the identified studies according to the Higgins I 2 statistic value. CONCLUSION: Pre-transplant high PLR values are connected with an increased risk of post-operative recurrence of hepatocellular cancer. More studies are needed for better clarify the biological mechanisms of this results

Depresión: ¿un camino de transformación?

La experiencia de sufrimiento puede ser un momento fundamental de crecimiento y transformación. Con vistas a la comprensión y el tratamiento de los trastornos depresivos, este trabajo parte de preguntarse por dos cuestiones básicas: el modelo antropológico y las perspectivas epistemológicas sobre los que se fundamenta el análisis de estos trastornos. Describe a continuación los niveles de análisis de la psiconeurociencia en la comprensión de la depresión, en sus dimensiones biológica y psicológica, para finalmente plantear las posibilidades de un tratamiento integral del trastorno

Nuevos métodos de tintura en frio para lana.

Este trabajo se inició como un estudio de la influencia de la urea en el proceso de tintura. Se investigaron los efectos de la urea sobre fibras y colorantes, teniendo presente sus dos posibles factores. 1. Las soluciones de urea hinchan la lana permitiendo el fácil acceso del colorante. 2. La urea dispersa y disgrega el colorante permitiendo un acceso más facil de las especies monomoleculares.Peer Reviewe

Synthesis of 3-alkoxypropan-1,2-diols from glycidol: experimental and theoretical studies for the optimization of the synthesis of glycerol derived solvents

A straightforward synthetic methodology has been derived for the synthesis of glycerol monoethers from glycidol and alcohols. Several homogeneous and heterogeneous basic catalysts have been tested, the best results being obtained with readily available and inexpensive alkaline metal hydroxides. In the best case, good yield of the desired monoether is obtained under smooth reaction conditions, always with total conversion of glycidol. The selectivity of the reactions mainly depends on the alcohol used, due to the concurrence of undesired side reactions. A mechanistic study carried out through computational DFT calculations, in which solvent effects are taken into account, also complemented the experiments, has allowed to identify the main reaction paths taking place under reaction conditions, giving insights into the main causes affecting the reaction selectivity and also into how it could be improved

“Green Solvents” para una química sostenible: optimización de la síntesis de derivados de glicerol.

El trabajo desarrollado se enmarca en una línea de investigación en química sostenible, y pretende el desarrollo de nuevos disolventes provenientes de glicerol, capaces de sustituir disolventes orgánicos convencionales (procedentes del petróleo y habitualmente tóxicos y peligrosos), así como de aportar nuevos medios de reacción, que permitan obtener mejores rendimientos y selectividades