Three Essays on Network Dynamics and Liminality

This dissertation focuses on the emergence and evolution of social networks by paying particular attention to the spanning of cultural boundaries that segregate actors in the context of specific societies. In particular, I use systems science methods to study the bridging of cultural holes in small and relatively dense artificial societies, as well as in an American high school. I also study the significance of local triadic configurations in giving rise to the highly hierarchical system of aggregate-level migration flows in place in the Americas during the late 20th century. I use the concept of liminality as a way to analyze these disparate social systems. More precisely, I focus on the role of cultural brokers seen as actors at the limen – i.e. at the border – of symbolic boundaries, actors that can act as bridges between culturally disconnected worlds. In this context, this dissertation explains key network dynamics behind two emergent phenomena that are the direct result of liminal agents’ behaviors: the diffusion of innovations (Chapters 1 and 2) and a system of international migration flows (Chapter 3). Finally, I also put forward a critical view on brokerage based on different cases mentioned in the literature (e.g. 1.5 generation migrants or multiracial individuals) that show how the spanning of cultural holes can put brokers at an increased risk of being socially and/or psychologically harmed

Visualizing Feminized International Migration Flows in the 1990s

The authors estimate migration flows of women in the 1990s at a global scale and provide a description of these migratory movements. The authors produce these data combining the 2011 World Bank Global Migrant Stock Database and state-of-the-art techniques to estimate migratory flows from stock data. The authors examine these flows in light of the global demand for care workers in the 1990s, showing that migration flows of women in that decade map onto the global care chains discussed in the qualitative literature. The data show that feminized migration flows in the period under analysis have a strong regional component. Yet the data also show that some of the largest feminized migratory corridors are in fact cross-regional

Dolor músculo esquelético y factores asociados en una empresa de servicios públicos

Objective: To determine the prevalence in the last year of skeletal muscle pain and the associated factors in the workers of this company. Methodology: Descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study in a population of 240 workers carried out in April 2014. Information on musculoskeletal symptoms in the last year and associated factors such as socio-demographic, physical and occupational data was obtained from the records of annual control occupational medical records. Results: 57.5% (n = 138) 95% CI 51.2 - 63.6% of the workers presented musculoskeletal symptoms during the last 12 months. According to location, the regions with the highest frequency of symptoms were the back (dorsal and lumbar) in 16.25% (n = 39) 95% CI 12.1 - 21.5%, the legs in 13.8% (n = 33 ) 95% CI 9.9 - 18.7% and neck at 10.8% (n = 26) 95% CI 7.5 - 15.4%. A statistically significant relationship was found between skeletal muscle pain and the age of the workers. Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms reveals that this population is at risk of suffering musculoskeletal pathology, therefore it is necessary to review the interventions carried out in epidemiological surveillance.Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia en el último año de dolor músculo esquelético y los factores asociados en los trabajadores de esta empresa. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, correlacional en una población de 240 trabajadores realizado en abril de 2014. La información sobre los síntomas músculo esqueléticos en el último año y factores asociados como datos socio-demográficos, físicos y laborales, fue obtenida de los registros de historias clínicas ocupacionales de control anual. Resultados: El 57,5% (n=138) IC 95% 51,2 - 63,6% de los trabajadores presentaron síntomas músculo esqueléticos durante los últimos 12 meses. Según localización las regiones con mayor frecuencia de síntomas fueron la espalda (dorsal y lumbar) en 16,25% (n=39) IC 95% 12,1 - 21,5%, las piernas en 13,8% (n=33) IC 95% 9,9 - 18,7% y el cuello en 10,8% (n=26) IC 95% 7,5 - 15,4%. Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre dolor músculo esquelético y la edad de los trabajadores. Conclusión: La prevalencia de síntomas músculo esqueléticos revela que esta población está a riesgo de sufrir patología osteomuscular, por tanto se requiere revisar las intervenciones realizadas en vigilancia epidemiológica

Reducción de accidentalidad en manos con el ciclo PHVA

Objective: To share the experience of implementing the PHVA methodology in the reduction of accidents in the hands, in a company in the agro-industrial sector of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Methodology: The activities carried out to reduce accidents in the hands were described, framed in the PHVA cycle (Plan, Do, Verify, Act). Results: There was evidence of a reduction in accident rate in hands in 68.3% and the severity of the same represented in days of absenteeism in 82.3%. Conclusions: with the implementation of a campaign based on raising awareness and engaging employees with self-care of the hands and ensuring the closure of dangerous conditions that can generate accidents, effective intervention is carried out to prevent accidents at hand.Objetivo: Compartir la experiencia de implementación de metodología PHVA en reducción de accidentalidad en manos, en una empresa del sector agroindustrial del Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Metodología: Se describieron las actividades realizadas para reducir accidentalidad en manos, enmarcadas en el ciclo PHVA (Planear, Hacer, Verificar, Actuar). Resultados: Se evidenció reducción de accidentalidad en manos en un 68,3% y la severidad de los mismos representada en días de ausentismo en un 82,3%. Conclusiones: con la implementación de una campaña basada en concientizar y comprometer a los colaboradores con el autocuidado de las manos y asegurar el cierre de condiciones peligrosas que pueden generar accidentes, se realiza intervención efectiva para la prevención de accidentes en manos

Síntomas osteomusculares en docentes: Una revisión de la literatura

Objective: To carry out a systematic review of the most recent literature on the prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among teaching staff. Methodology: A bibliographic search of works published in the last five years (2009-2014) in the PUBMED and SCIELO databases, related to the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, musculoskeletal pain and musculoskeletal disorders in teachers was carried out. Results: Out of a total of 24 articles found, after the inclusion and exclusion process, 13 were reviewed. The studies reviewed indicate reports of prevalences greater than 70% of musculoskeletal pain in teachers from different disciplines, in regions such as the neck, shoulder and lumbar. The most frequently identified risk factors are related to prolonged and sustained postures; in addition to psychosocial risk factors such as high mental load. Conclusions: There are no significant changes in the reports of musculoskeletal pain and the risk factors associated with teaching in the last five years. New strategies are needed for the prevention or specific intervention of this problem.Objetivo: Realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura más reciente sobre la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo para dolor osteomuscular entre el personal docente. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de trabajos publicados en los últimos cinco años (2009-2014) en las bases de datos PUBMED y SCIELO, relacionados con la prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares, dolor osteomuscular y desórdenes músculo esqueléticos en docentes. Resultados: De un total de 24 artículos hallados, luego del proceso de inclusión y exclusión, se revisaron 13. Los estudios revisados indican reportes de prevalencias superiores al 70% de dolor osteomuscular en docentes de diferentes disciplinas, en regiones como el cuello, hombro y lumbar. Los factores de riesgo identificados con mayor frecuencia están relacionados con posturas prolongadas y mantenidas; además de factores de riesgo psicosocial como carga mental alta. Conclusiones: No existen cambios significativos en los reportes de dolor osteomuscular y los factores de riesgo asociados al ejercicio docente en los últimos cinco años. Se necesitan nuevas estrategias para la prevención o intervención específica de este problema

Modelo UbiTAG: Una propuesta integral de incorporación de TIC en educación básica y media

La Línea de Investigación I+D en Informática Educativa de la Universidad EAFIT, diseñó, estructuró y puso en marcha un conjunto de soluciones para la incorporación de tecnologías en la educación que fueron formalizadas en el Modelo UbiTAG, propuesta de aprendizaje ubicuo que aporta en el proceso de interacción entre la tecnología, el aprendizaje y la gestión educativa de forma coordinada para facilitar la formulación de propuestas educativas exitosas

Estudio cualitativo sobre decisión vocacional

El estudio cualitativo sobre decisión vocacional reúne los resultados del análisis realizado a estudiantes que participaron de la estrategia Monitores Líderes del Plan Digital Itagüí y que están cerca de finalizar los estudios de secundaria. La exploración buscó identificar los factores incidentes en la decisión sobre los planes de estudio, además de las posibles tendencias y áreas de profundización frente al tema de decisión vocacional

Estudio cualitativo sobre cultura de innovación

El estudio cualitativo sobre cultura de innovación plantea un análisis sobre el desarrollo del tema en el municipio de Itagüí, Antioquia; y el nivel de innovación que presentan las instituciones educativas que han pasado por el Plan Digital Itagüí al incorporar prácticas mediadas con tecnología

A New Basal Sauropodomorph (Dinosauria: Saurischia) from Quebrada del Barro Formation (Marayes-El Carrizal Basin), Northwestern Argentina

BACKGROUND: Argentinean basal sauropodomorphs are known by several specimens from different basins; Ischigualasto, El Tranquilo, and Mogna. The Argentinean record is diverse and includes some of the most primitive known sauropodomorphs such as Panphagia and Chromogisaurus, as well as more derived forms, including several massospondylids. Until now, the Massospondylidae were the group of basal sauropodomorphs most widely spread around Pangea with a record in almost all continents, mostly from the southern hemisphere, including the only record from Antarctica. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING: We describe here a new basal sauropodomorph, Leyesaurus marayensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Quebrada del Barro Formation, an Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic unit that crops out in northwestern Argentina. The new taxon is represented by a partial articulated skeleton that includes the skull, vertebral column, scapular and pelvic girdles, and hindlimb. Leyesaurus is diagnosed by a set of unique features, such as a sharply acute angle (50 degrees) formed by the ascending process of the maxilla and the alveolar margin, a straight ascending process of the maxilla with a longitudinal ridge on its lateral surface, noticeably bulging labial side of the maxillary teeth, greatly elongated cervical vertebrae, and proximal articular surface of metatarsal III that is shelf-like and medially deflected. Phylogenetic analysis recovers Leyesaurus as a basal sauropodomorph, sister taxon of Adeopapposaurus within the Massospondylidae. Moreover, the results suggest that massospondylids achieved a higher diversity than previously thought. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our phylogenetic results differ with respect to previous analyses by rejecting the massospondylid affinities of some taxa from the northern hemisphere (e.g., Seitaad, Sarahsaurus). As a result, the new taxon Leyesaurus, coupled with other recent discoveries, suggests that the diversity of massospondylids in the southern hemisphere was higher than in other regions of Pangea. Finally, the close affinities of Leyesaurus with the Lower Jurassic Massospondylus suggest a younger age for the Quebrada del Barro Formation than previously postulated