Guidance and counseling in Latin America : General considerations about the criteria of coherence, cooperation and quality

Guidance in Latin America as a field of professional training, in comparison with Europe and United States , is an activity of recent acceptance in academic scene. The same has been characterized by a constant evolution in its eagerness to adapt to the new changes and social, political and economical transformations that occur in the Latin American continent. In this communication a general view appears about Guidance in this continent. The main considerations formulated are related to four dimensions: a) public policy dimension where the present situation and the proposals appear on the matter; b) the contextual dimension that makes reference to the counselor training and the different action settings; c) the organizational dimension that is related to the provision of this service, and d) the methodological dimension, where the main aspects related to the Guidance practice are developed.Facultad de Psicologí

Three Studies in Credit Risk Modelling

This thesis presents three studies in Credit Risk Modelling. The first two studies are exploratory in nature. They investigate whether structural models can be used to price sovereign debt and obtain a creditworthiness variable for countries. In the first study, we test the ability of an extended structural model proposed by Cathead and El-Jahel (2003) to capture the dynamics of the Mexican Brady Par. Using market prices and a Kalman Filter methodology, we estimate the model and obtain the distance-to-default, which is an implicit variable that drives the country’s creditworthiness. The model is slightly superior to one which assumes that the distance-to-default follows a random walk. We find that approximately 80% of the distance-to-default can be explained by just a few economic factors. When this variable is approximated from these factors and substituted back into the models, the Cathead and El-Jahel model still pedorms better than the naive model both in sample and out-of sample, albeit only by a small margin. The second study extends the above analysis and investigates the dynamics and co movements of the distance-to-default across different countries, specifically: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. We find that a few country fundamental variables, and external variables, including a variable that measures market sentiment, are able to explain up to approximately 80% of the distance-to-default of each country. Although country specific factors are statistically significant in explaining the distance-to-default, external factors (such as the US stock market index, interest rates and market interdependence across countries) are much more impodant in explaining the dynamics of this variable. The last study makes a comparison between two Credit Podfolio Risk Models: CreditMetrics versus CreditRisk+. The paper builds on work done by Koyluoglu and Hickman (1998), but we make a significant extension by assessing the impact of migration risk on credit-risk. We make a very careful comparison of Credit-Value-at-Risk for the two models using Monte Carlo techniques on standardised podfolios of bonds. The conclusion is that for regulators, which model is used matters very little. This is because regulators are concerned with extreme values, and loss distributions of both models capture information about defaults at very high confidence levels. However, for internal purposes, where rating migrations matter more than default, CreditMetrics can generate higher estimates of risk

Tailoring Organic-Organic Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) Microparticles and Fibers with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Reinforced Composites

Polymeric-based microparticles and fibers are tailorable for a wide range of common industrial and biomedical applications, while multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are among the most useful macromolecules based on their outstanding electronic, mechanical, and optical properties at the nanoscale. If one combines these nanostructures with various polymeric precursors, their range of potential applications becomes even greater. One of the simplest and most affordable methods for fabricating micro- and nanostructures is electrospinning. Herein we demonstrate how MWCNTs may be used to produce tailor-made organic-organic poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) microparticles and fibers via electrospinning by studying their structural, vibrational, rheological, and mechanical properties' dependence on their solvent (ethanol (EtOH) or dimethylformamide (DMF)) and resulting morphology. Specifically, we find clear differences in morphologies from perfectly spherical and isolated microparticles to fibers mats, or a combination of fibers with entangled beads, with solvent type and concentration. On the basis of our findings, we propose that the mechanism governing the shape and size of the particles is a competition between the solvent's surface tension, dielectric constant, and viscoelastic properties. We show, based on both our experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, that OH functionalization of the MWCNTs is essential for achieving high PVP coverages and promoting the stability of the resulting PVP/MWCNT nanocomposite. Finally, by fabricating PVP/MWCNT fiber mats, we demonstrate that low concentrations (0.01-0.1 wt %) of MWCNTs led to a qualitative improvement (â250%) in the resulting mechanical properties, i.e., a reinforced composite. These results show how by controlling the solvent's dielectric constant, surface tension, and polymer concentration, one may produce tailor-made polymeric nanomaterials in combination with other organic/inorganic nanoparticles, i.e., silver, gold, or carbon allotropes, for next-generation applications

El modelo integrado para la construcción en la enseñanza de ingeniería civil y ambiental (Caso de estudio en el Worcester Politechnic Institute) [2008]

El Modelo Integrado Para La Construcción (BIM, por sus siglas en inglés) está ganando popularidad entre los desarrolladores de proyectos de gran escala, tales como Administración General de Servicios (GSA, por sus siglas en inglés), quienes han estado promoviendo su uso en sus proyectos. Asociaciones profesionales de diseñadores y constructores tales como el Instituto de Arquitectos Americanos (AlA, por sus siglas en inglés), la Sociedad Americana de Ingenieros Civiles (ASCE, por sus siglas en inglés), y la Asociación de contratistas americanos (AGC, por sus siglas en inglés) ahora están revisando cuidadosamente las implicaciones derivadas del uso del BIM para la práctica profesional futura. Este trabajo presenta el resultado de un sondeo entre dos diversos grupos de estudiantes de la materia CE 1030 del Instituto Politécnico de Worcester. El curso sistema integrado para la construcción se ofreció en sendas semanas en ambos grupos: el término B (agosto-diciembre del 2005) y recientemente durante el término e (enero-mayo del 2006). En el sondeo se evaluaron los siguientes puntos: Si la clase se adaptó al estilo de aprendizaje, Si la herramienta les fue útil y dicha herramienta facilitó el trabajo en conjunto. Los resultados de este sondeo fueron (entre otros) de que los estudiantes redujeron su tiempo de aprendizaje, se redujeron inconsistencias de diseño y lo más importante, el uso del software los ayudó a los alumnos a enfocase en el entendimiento.BIM is gaining popularity among large scale building developers such as the General Services Administration (GSA) who have already started to promote its use in their projects. Professional associations of designers and builders such as the American Institute of Architects (AlA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC are now looking carefully to the implications derived from the use of the BIM for future profesional practice. This work was a result of a survey among two difierent groups of students of CE 1030 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The BIM courses were offered in a one week fashion to both groups: in the fall of 2003 (B term) and recently in the spring of 2006 (e term) . The survey evaluated issues: Class Fitted Learning Style, BIM is a Helpful Tool, BIM Facilitate Group Work. The results of this survey is that students reduced learning time, reduced design inconsistencies, the use of the software increments focuses the students on understanding

La orientación en América Latina: consideraciones generales acerca de los criterios de coherencia, cooperación y calidad

La Orientación en América Latina, como campo de formación profesional y en comparación con Europa y Estados Unidos, es una actividad de reciente aceptación en los medios académicos. La misma se ha caracterizado por una constante evolución en su afán de adaptarse a los nuevos cambios y transformaciones sociales, políticas y económicas que se suceden en el continente latinoamericano. En esta ponencia se presenta un panorama general acerca de la Orientación en América Latina. Las principales consideraciones formuladas se relacionan con cuatro dimensiones: a) la dimensión política pública, donde se presentan la situación actual y las propuestas al respecto; b) la dimensión contextual que hace referencia a la formación del orientador y los diferentes escenarios de acción; c) la dimensión organizacional que se relaciona con la provisión de este servicio, y d) la dimensión metodológica donde se desarrollan los principales aspectos relacionados con la práctica de la Orientación.Facultad de Psicologí

Guidance and counseling in Latin America

Guidance in Latin America as a field of professional training, in comparison with Europe and United States , is an activity of recent acceptance in academic scene. The same has been characterized by a constant evolution in its eagerness to adapt to the new changes and social, political and economical transformations that occur in the Latin American continent. In this communication a general view appears about Guidance in this continent. The main considerations formulated are related to four dimensions: a) public policy dimension where the present situation and the proposals appear on the matter; b) the contextual dimension that makes reference to the counselor training and the different action settings; c) the organizational dimension that is related to the provision of this service, and d) the methodological dimension, where the main aspects related to the Guidance practice are developed

Mitochondrial Metabolism, Dysfunctions in Senescence Cell and the Possible Interventions through Herbal Medicines

The mitochondria are the cell`s powerhouse. They are considered ubiquitous organelles of all eukaryotic cells, being responsible for the cell’s life and death cycle. Through stimuli in the environment in which they live, mitochondria can modulate their own biogenesis as well as signal retrograde to the nucleus to modify the structure of their proteins. Since the mitochondrial genome contains only 37 genes, much of the encoding of its proteins depends on the nuclear genome. Thus, the communication between mitochondria and the nucleus seems to be a target of science in understanding the pathologies associated with this organelle. Some medicinal herbs have been shown to influence mitochondrial biogenesis, such as Gynostemma pentaphyllun (GP) and berberine, which increase the phosphorylation of proteins AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK). Just as GP and berberine phosphorylate AMPK in signaling for mitochondrial biogenesis, the sesquiterpene beta-caryophyllene (BCP) demonstrated positive results in reorganizing mitochondrial transcription factors, being an agonist of the peroxisome proliferatoractivated alpha receptor (PPAR-?). Another plant derivative, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid known as cannabidiol (CBD), has been showing control in the metabolism of calcium in the mitochondrial matrix. In this review, we seek to get a closer look at the biochemical mechanisms of action of some of these plants, as well as their synergies in the results of different treatments. In the view of oriental medicines, the use of associated medicinal herbs has always been part of their treatment protocols. However, the effectiveness of these treatments in relation to plant synergy can be observed in future clinical trials for better understanding

Generación de biogás a partir de residuos domiciliarios

En la presente comunicación se muestran resultados obtenidos de la degradación de diferentes residuos domiciliarios, para obtener gas metano. La selección de la materia orgánica se efectuó en función del estudio de los residuos del comedor universitario, situado en el Campus. Los residuos fueron clasificados según su origen: vegetal o animal y de acuerdo a su estado: cocido o crudo. Las muestras fueron almacenadas, para su degradación en fermentadores de 10 l cada uno. Las experiencias se desarrollaron en Laboratorio de Energías Renovables de la Fa.C.E.N.A. Los datos obtenidos servirán para dimensionar el biodigestor que se instalará en el Campus Universitario, para aprovechar la degradación de los residuos almacenados y generar biogás que será utilizado para la cocción de alimentos.In the present communication results show the degradation of different household waste, for methane gas. The organic material selection was made according to the study of residues of the dining hall, located on campus. The residues were classified according to their origin: plant or animal and according to their status: cooked or raw. The samples were stored for degradation in fermenters of 10 l each. The experiences developed in Renewable Energy Laboratory of Fa.CENA The data obtained will be used to scale the digester to be installed on the University campus to take advantage of the degradation of stored waste and generate biogas that will be used for cookingAsociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Desarrollo de un proyecto para mejora de procesos en la elaboración de estimaciones de obras usando Revit

Este estudio se basa en la detección y desarrollo de una herramienta computacional que mejore el proceso de elaboración de estimaciones en algunas de las áreas de: captura de datos en obra, generadoras, reportes fotográficos, transferencia de datos, etcétera., razón por la cual queda clasificado como un desarrollo tecnológico. El proceso que se obtendrá será aplicable a una empresa constructora pequeña tipo que tenga como nicho de mercado a alguna de las dependencias de gobierno. La metodología propuesta se ha dividido en cuatro partes principales: documentación del proceso actual de elaboración de estimaciones, identificación de las partes del proceso susceptibles de mejora, identificación y propuesta de la herramienta computacional y prueba de la herramienta computacional. Por tal motivo, se propone un proceso en el cual, la herramienta computacional, permita simplificar estos trabajos para tener una mayor precisión y evitar duplicidad de trabajos. Actualmente existen programas de cómputo especializados en diseño de proyectos de construcción que intentan alcanzar la integración del diseño y la construcción. Autodesk Revit fue seleccionado para el desarrollo de este trabajo debido a la familiaridad que los autores tienen programando en él

Ejaculation-sparing thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ES-ThuLEP): outcomes on a large cohort

Purpose: To assess the effects of a new ejaculation-sparing thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ES-ThuLEP) technique on sexual functions and micturition, in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to evaluate how the surgical technique of ES-ThuLEP can lead to ejaculation preservation. Methods: A prospective study was carried out between January 2015 and January 2018 on patients with surgical indication for BPH, who wished to preserve ejaculation. The patients were treated with ES-ThuLEP and were evaluated before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Three validated questionnaires (ICIQ-MLUTSsex, IIEF-5 and IPSS) were used to assess changes in ejaculation, erectile function and urinary symptoms. Uroflowmetry (Qmax and Qavg), post-void residual volume and voided volume were also evaluated, to assess micturition improvement. Patients with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student\u2019s t test, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Two hundred and eighty three patients were enrolled. Ejaculation was spared in 203 and 219 patients at 3 and 6 months after surgery. No significant differences were observed between erectile function before and after surgery: baseline IIEF-5 = 16.2 \ub1 4.47 vs 16.7 \ub1 2.9 (p = 0.419) and 17.7 \ub1 3.2 (p = 0.410) at 3 and 6 months. Significant improvement in urinary symptoms was achieved: baseline IPSS = 19.4 \ub1 7.24 vs 5.8 \ub1 4.3 (p = 0.032) and 3.9 \ub1 4.1 (p = 0.029) at 3 and 6 months. Conclusion: ES-ThuLEP effectively preserved ejaculation in over two thirds of the patients without compromising micturition improvement or erectile function. ES-ThuLEP could be a valid treatment option for BPH in young and sexually active men