Online Special Education in the United States and Peru: A Comparison of Responses to COVID-19

Public special education systems have distinct levels of economic resources at the international and local levels, as well as different social-cultural attitudes toward students with disabilities. This study is an in-depth exploration of those differences as they apply to the special education systems of Peru and the United States within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. I give particular focus to Aprendo en casa, a Peruvian multichannel distance education service for television, radio, and the Internet that was launched in April of 2020 because of the state emergency. I examine lessons from Aprendo en casa to identify the learning strategies they present for reaching students with diverse types of learning challenges, and compare those strategies with those identified in the broader scholarly literature as well as the pandemic experiences of public-school teachers in Howard County, Maryland. This comparative lens provides new perspectives on how teaching and learning within special education adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also brings into clearer focus the broader social, economic, and political factors that shape special education in both countries

The mediating role of negative affect on the relationship between emotional intelligence abilities and aggressive behavior levels

The aim of the present research aimed to study the mechanisms underlying the relationship between aggressive behaviour and individual levels of ability emotional intelligence (EI). We particularly focused on the mediator role of negative affect explaining this relationship. Three hundred and ninety-five participants took part in the study. Participants were assessed on ability EI (by the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test), aggression (Buss-Perry Aggression questionnaire), and negative affect (the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Path analyses were used to explore which branches of the ability EI are directly related to the four aggression dimensions (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger and hostility) and indirectly related via negative affect. The results revealed a negative relationship between ability EI and aggression, but this relationship was a function of multiple factors such as the performance level in each of the ability EI branches, the type of aggression studied, the mediator effect of NA, and gender. The emotional managing branch showed a direct effect on aggression, specifically this branch was directly related to physical, verbal, and hostility aggression. Moreover, the emotional perception branch was indirectly related to the four aggression dimensions (physical, verbal, anger, and hostility) through negative affect acting as mediator. The direction of these relationships was always negative, that is, greater ability EI was associated with lower levels of aggression, highlighting the strength of the association with physical aggression. Finally, results also showed interesting gender differences. Women possess greater EI abilities, higher levels of negative affect, less aggressive behaviour, and a lower relationship between negative affect and aggression compared with men. This research offers a better understanding of the psychological processes explaining aggression.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Calmodulin antagonizes amyloid-β peptides-mediated inhibition of brain plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase

AbstractThe synaptosomal plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) plays an essential role in regulating intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain. We have recently found that PMCA is the only Ca2+ pump in brain which is inhibited by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), a neurotoxic peptide implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) [1], but the mechanism of inhibition is lacking. In the present study we have characterized the inhibition of PMCA by Aβ. Results from kinetic assays indicate that Aβ aggregates are more potent inhibitors of PMCA activity than monomers. The inhibitory effect of Aβ could be blocked by pretreating the purified protein with Ca2+-calmodulin, the main endogenous activator of PMCA, and the activity of truncated PMCA lacking the calmodulin binding domain was not affected by Aβ. Dot-overlay experiments indicated a physical association of Aβ with PMCA and also with calmodulin. Thus, calmodulin could protect PMCA from inhibition by Aβ by burying exposed sites on PMCA, making them inaccessible to Aβ, and also by direct binding to the peptide. These results suggest a protective role of calmodulin against neuronal Ca2+ dysregulation by PMCA inhibition induced by Aβ

COVID-19 : Up to 82% critically ill patients had low Vitamin C values

Funding: Funding Support was provided solely from institutional and/or departmental sources. No funding was provided from any of the following organizations: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wellcome Trust, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).There are limited proven therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. We underwent an observational study with the aim of measure plasma vitamin C levels in a population of critically ill COVID-19 adult patients who met ARDS criteria according to the Berlin definition. This epidemiological study brings to light that up to 82% had low Vitamin C values. Notwithstanding the limitation that this is a single-center study, it nevertheless shows an important issue. Given the potential role of vitamin C in sepsis and ARDS, there is gathering interest of whether supplementation could be beneficial in COVID-19

Plantas hospedantes de Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Homoptera: Aphididae) y su papel en el ciclo biológico del pulgón en Cataluña

Se evaluó el papel de las distintas plantas hospedantes de Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) en el ciclo biológico anual de los dos cariotipos más comunes en Cataluña (2n = 8 y 2n = 10 cromosomas) mediante el seguimiento de poblaciones de pulgones en cereales de invierno y verano y en gramíneas espontáneas. Asimismo se registró la densidad de R. maidis en parcelas comerciales de maíz y se determinó el periodo de colonización mediante la instalación de una trampa de succión. Las gramíneas espontáneas juegan un papel fundamental en el ciclo biológico anual de ambos cariotipos. Los pulgones de cariotipo 2n = 10 pueden vivir sobre cebada durante el otoño, invierno y primavera, y sobre gramíneas adventicias, como Setaria sp. y Echinochloa crus-galli ((L.) P. Beauv.), en verano e inicios de otoño; la superposición del ciclo de estas gramíneas permite a los pulgones con este cariotipo cerrar su ciclo anual en ellas. En el caso de los pulgones de cariotipo 2n = 8, el sorgo es el principal hospedante de verano; la cañota constituye un hospedante básico en primavera y otoño, pudiendo actuar como hospedante en inviernos extremadamente cálidos. El periodo primaveral de colonización del maíz por R. maidis se produjo principalmente en mayo y duró hasta mediados de junio. El número de alados capturados en la trampa de succión, así como el de individuos hallados sobre plantas, fue muy bajo tanto en mayo como en junio. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el maíz no juega un papel relevante en el ciclo de R. maidis. Se analizan algunas de las posibles causas de este fenómeno.The role of the different host-plant of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) in the annual cycle of the most common karyotypes in Catalonia (2n = 8 and 2n = 10) was evaluated monitoring aphid populations on winter and summer cereals and wild grasses. Densi- ties of R. maidis in maize commercial fields were also recorded, and the period of aphid colonization was determined using a suction trap. Wild grasses play a main role in the annual biological cycle of both karyotypes. Aphids with 2n = 10 karyotype can live on barley through the autumn, winter and spring and on wild grasses, like Setaria sp. and Echinochloa crus-galli, in summer and beginning of autumn; the overlap of the cycle of these gramineae allows aphids with this karyotype complete their annual cycle on them. For aphids with 2n = 8 karyotype, sorghum is the main summer host whereas in spring and summer Johnson grass is, and it can be a winter host in extremely warm winters. The spring R. maidis colonization period of maize was mainly in May and lasted until mid June. Number of alates caught in the suction trap, as well as those on maize plants, were very low in may and June. Results achieved suggest that maize does not play a significant role in the annual cycle of R. maidis in Catalonia. Some reasons for that are discussed

Study of Harris Lines at the »Prat de la Riba« Necropolis – Third to Fifth Century AD

Harris lines (HL) are considered a nutritional or pathological stress factor in the study of past populations. This study attempts to contribute to the knowledge of the causal agents for HL in terms of assessing the health state of the population of Tarragona in the Roman period. The presence of HL has been analyzed in 614 long bones (214 humeri, 150 femurs and 250 tibias) from 243 skeletons. No HL have been observed in humeri. The frequencies of HL in femurs are higher than 27% and in tibias more than 48%. Although no significant differences in the presence of HL is found among age categories, it seems that the causal agents of these marks acted on individuals from the age of 5, an age from which the long bones of the lower extremities are more prone to producing HL. The hardened living conditions in the Dark Age of the Roman period in Spain between the third to fifth centuries A.D. may be the cause of the high prevalence of HL in this population

Relación Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Homoptera: Psyllidae) - Peral. Influencia de la variedad

Se estudian algunas de las características morfológicas y fisiológicas de diferentes variedades de peral que pueden influir sobre la instalación y desarrollo de las poblaciones de Cacopsylla pyri. Se realizaron recuentos de puesta, ninfas, adultos y enemigos naturales de C. pyri en lamburdas y posteriormente en hojas de brotes del año en una colección de selección de variedades de peral de la "Estació Experimental de Lleida". El año 1997 se muestrearon 40 variedades. Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de manifiesto que existian diferencias significativas debidas a la variedad en los niveles de ocupación por el fitófago. Las variedades se agruparon en 3 categorias en función de la presencia de psylla: elevada, media y baja. De las plantadas los años 1994 y 1995 se muestrearon las 16 variedades correspondientes a los grupos anteriores. Las características de la planta estudiadas fueron: altura, diámetro del tronco, peso de la madera de poda, contenido en clorofila, macro y micronutrientes. Se han observado diferencias significativas entre las distintas variedades en las características de la planta estudiadas, relacionadas con las diferencias en los niveles de ocupación.Some morphological and physiological characteristics of different pear cultivars that can influence the setting and development of the populations of Cacopsylla pyri are studied. Visual sampling of eggs, nymphs, adults and natural enemies of C. pyri on fruit spur and later on leaves of young shuts were done in a collection for varieties selection at the "Estació Experimental de Lleida" (NE Spain). In 1997, forty cultivars were monitored, founding significant differences between cultivars in the presence levels of the insect. The cultivars were divided in three groups according to the level of presence, high, medium and low. In 1998 and 1999, sixteen cultivars from the three groups from those planted in 1994 and 1995 were monitored. The plant characteristics studied were: heigh, diameter of the trunk, weight of thinning wood and chlorophyl, macronutrient and micronutrient contents of the leaves. There are significant differences in the plant characteristics studied related to the differences in presence levels of C. pyri

Características de la hoja que influyen en la incidencia de Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Homoptera: Psyllidae) en variedades de peral

Se estudia la influencia del pH, del contenido en azúcares y del contenido en agua de las hojas de diferentes variedades de peral sobre la incidencia de la psylla del peral, Cacopsylla pyri (L.). El estudio se realizó en 2000 y 2001 en la Estación Experimental de Lleida. Se han estudiado las variedades "Harow Sweet", "William's Infel-415", "William's", "Delbard Delice", "Delbard Exquise", "Abate Fetel", "Super Cornice", "Cornice", "Sublimel", "William's Bovey", "Delferco" y "William's B.C." que en estudios anteriores presentaron diferencias en cuanto a la incidencia de C. pyri. Se han observado diferencias significativas en las características de las hojas para las distintas variedades. Las hojas de las variedades en las que la incidencia de la psylla fue mayor, presentaron mayor pH, mayor contenido en agua y menor contenido en azúcares. En conclusión, el pH y el contenido en agua y azúcares, pueden ser utilizados como indicadores de la preferencia de C. pyri en variedades de peral.The influence of leaf pH, leaf sugar content and leaf water content of differents pear varieties on pear psylla {Cacopsylla pyri (Homoptera: Psyllidae) incidence has been studied. The study was carried out in 2000 and 2001 in a collection of varities located at the "Estació Experimental de Lleida" (NE Spain). The pear cultivars monitored were "Harow Sweet", "William's Infel-415", "William's", "Delbard Delice", "Delbard Exquise", "Abate Fetel", "Super Cornice", "Cornice", "Sublimei", "William's Bovey", "Delferco" y "William's B.C.". These varieties has showed showed differences in C. pyri incidence in previous studies. There were significant differences in the leaf characteristics, related to the differences in the psylla incidence. The varieties whose leaves had higher pH and water content and lower sugar content, were the pear cultivars with a higher incidence of psylla populations. We conclude that the pH and the water and sugar contents can be used as indicators for C. pyri preference on pear cultivars

Identification of a homolog of Arabidopsis DSP4 (SEX4) in chestnut: its induction and accumulation in stem amyloplasts during winter or in response to the cold_

Oligosaccharide synthesis is an important cryoprotection strategy used by woody plants during winter dormancy. At the onset of autumn, starch stored in the stem and buds is broken down in response to the shorter days and lower temperatures resulting in the buildup of oligosaccharides. Given that the enzyme DSP4 is necessary for diurnal starch degradation in Arabidopsis leaves, this study was designed to address the role of DSP4 in this seasonal process in Castanea sativa Mill. The expression pattern of the CsDSP4 gene in cells of the chestnut stem was found to parallel starch catabolism. In this organ, DSP4 protein levels started to rise at the start of autumn and elevated levels persisted until the onset of spring. In addition, exposure of chestnut plantlets to 4 °C induced the expression of the CsDSP4 gene. In dormant trees or cold-stressed plantlets, the CsDSP4 protein was immunolocalized both in the amyloplast stroma and nucleus of stem cells, whereas in the conditions of vegetative growth, immunofluorescence was only detected in the nucleus. The studies indicate a potential role for DSP4 in starch degradation and cold acclimation following low temperature exposure during activity–dormancy transition

Calidad de servicio y la fidelización de clientes en una entidad bancaria de Lima Norte - Comas, 2021

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación de la calidad de servicio y la fidelización de clientes en una entidad bancaria de Lima Norte - Comas, 2021. Para ello, la investigación establece una metodología de tipo básico, con un enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño no experimental con un corte transversal, esto debido a que pretende analizar a través de estadística la correlación de las hipótesis. Asimismo, se aplicaron dos cuestionarios, uno para cada variable, a la muestra de estudio. Dichos cuestionarios fueron formulados en base a la teoría y validados por tres expertos en el tema, adecuándolos a las variables de estudio en el presente trabajo. La presente tesis trabaja con las variables: calidad de servicio y fidelización del cliente. Los factores que más se ha resaltado en base a las encuestas realizada hacia los clientes son: que la calidad de servicio es determinante para la fidelización de los clientes en el rubro financiero. Sin embargo, se evidencia que existe un gran porcentaje de clientes que no se encuentran satisfechos con la calidad de atención ofrecida por los trabajadores de la entidad bancaria, por lo que es necesario que se tomen acciones. Finalmente, en base a la aplicación del método e-SERVQUAL se concluye que, la calidad de servicio es una pieza clave dentro de una entidad financiera por lo que debe ser gestionada de manera óptima para poder incrementar la satisfacción en los usuarios.The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of service quality and customer loyalty in a bank in Lima Norte - Comas, 2021. For this, the research establishes a basic methodology, with a quantitative approach, of design non-experimental with a cross-section, this because it intends to analyze the correlation of the hypotheses through statistics. Likewise, two questionnaires, one for each variable, were applied to the study sample. These questionnaires were formulated based on theory and validated by three experts on the subject, adapting them to the study variables in the present work. This thesis works with the variables: quality of service and customer loyalty. The factors that have been highlighted the most based on the surveys carried out with customers are: that the quality of service is decisive for customer loyalty in the financial sector. However, it is evident that there is a large percentage of clients who are not satisfied with the quality of care offered by the bank's workers, so action must be taken. Finally, based on the application of the e-SERVQUAL method, it is concluded that the quality of service is a key element within a financial institution, so it must be optimally managed in order to increase user satisfaction