Understanding Slow Growth in the Adoption of E-Textbooks: Distinguishing Paper and Electronic Delivery of Course Content

E-textbooks have experienced a lower than anticipated rate of adoption among college students. Studies consistently show a student preference for paper versus e-textbooks. When seeking an explanation for the continued reluctance of students to adopt e-textbooks, it is necessary to consider e-textbooks as a technological innovation. This is an exploratory study of the first year of a pilot program during which 991 students in 9 core courses in the Virginia State University (VSU) Reginald F. Lewis College of Business (RFLCB) replaced traditional textbooks with openly licensed e-textbooks. A questionnaire was administered to students who had participated in the e-textbook pilot study in the second semester of the implementation. The adoption process was examined using Venkatesh’s Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a framework. The questions in the survey were categorized to represent performance expectancy and effort expectancy; two of the four primary constructs in the UTAUT. In accordance with the UTAUT framework, the moderating variables, age, experience, gender and voluntariness, were cross-tabulated with these constructs to see how the moderating factors might influence adoption of digital textbooks. Results show that student gender and voluntariness, as expressed as reported time spent with e-textbook, need to be taken into account when implementing technological innovations such as an e-textbook initiative

Human platelets and their capacity of binding viruses: Meaning and challenges?

Blood platelets are first aimed at ensuring primary hemostasis. Beyond this role, they have been acknowledged as having functions in the maintenance of the vascular arborescence and, more recently, as being also innate immune cells, devoted notably to the detection of danger signals, of which infectious ones. Platelets express pathogen recognition receptors that can sense bacterial and viral moieties. Besides, several molecules that bind epithelial or sub-endothelial molecules and, so forth, are involved in hemostasis, happen to be able to ligate viral determinants, making platelets capable of either binding viruses or even to be infected by some of them. Further, as platelets express both Fc-receptors for Ig and complement receptors, they also bind occasionally virus-Ig or virus-Ig-complement immune complexes. Interplays of viruses with platelets are very complex and viral infections often interfere with platelet number and functions. Through a few instances of viral infections, the present review aims at presenting some of the most important interactions from pathophysiological and clinical points of view, which are observed between human viruses and platelets.Fil: Chabert, Adrien. Universite Lyon 2; FranciaFil: Hamzeh Cognasse, Hind. Universite Lyon 2; FranciaFil: Pozzetto, Bruno. Universite Lyon 2; FranciaFil: Cognasse, Fabrice. Universite Lyon 2; FranciaFil: Schattner, Mirta Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Ricardo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Garraud, Olivier. Universite Lyon 2; Franci

Guanacos’ and domestic livestock’s summer diets comparison in ecotone of “Tierra del Fuego” (Argentina)

At present, it is believed that the population of guanacos has increased in the “Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego”, arising a conflict with livestock and forestry activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the guanaco’s food resources, taking into account the presence of different types of domestic livestock, in order to provide a tool which will enable the evaluation of environmental management projects. We conducted the study in different areas, considering the presence/absence of domestic livestock and of guanaco. The diet was analyzed by identifying botanical remains present in the pretreated feces. The relative frequencies of ingested taxa were obtained and analyzed according to their functional groups, being the soft, herbaceous and graminoid grasses the most consumed, where the soft grasses were the most frequently ingested. Tree species only appear in diets of guanacos, in a low frequency, compared to other forms of life. In the case of soft grasses, forbs and Graminoides, the diets differ according to ingested species and intake frequency. These results allow us to establish that the guanaco selects the items to be consumed, changing its diet based on the presence of other herbivores, and has a trophic overlap with domestic livestock, mainly with sheep.Fil: Fernández Pepi, María Gabriela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Moretto, Alicia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Arriaga, Mirta Olga. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Alvarenga, Eugenia Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Stampacchio, Monica Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Escobar, Julio Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Zucol, Alejandro Fabián. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentin

Self-Determinations Intrinsic Value For Post-Exile Cuban-American Women

This study provides insight into the role of self-determination for post Castro Cuban-American women in leadership roles in the United States. It provides a description of the dynamics and social influences that shaped, guided, and supported their self-determination skills. It outlines the process they used to achieve personal control over their lives and what empowered them to accomplish the things they perceived as important. The findings reveal the role and effect that self-determination had in how this particular group of women became leaders and how their self-determination stems from their passion, determination, and sense of responsibility to care and support others

La trastienda de la práctica de los profesores ante las nuevas perspectivas de lectura y aprendizaje en la red

El creciente desarrollo de las tecnologías digitales han modificado la manera pensar y comprender al mundo. A partir de la implementación del Plan Conectar Igualdad en las escuelas medias públicas argentinas, la enseñanza se vio impactada por la entrada “legalizada” de estas tecnologías y sus respectivos dispositivos. Las Universidades no escapan a esta realidad y cada vez más se encuentran interpeladas por ella, para enriquecer y extender sus funciones y responsabilidades. Leer y aprender en la red y en red, conduce necesariamente a la revisión de las estrategias y los modelos de enseñanza; y, por consiguiente, al despliegue de nuevas capacidades en el rol docente, para la resolución de problemas compartidos y propios de las distintas disciplinas y saberes. El presente trabajo examina algunos posicionamientos y problemáticas actuales de los profesores para la incorporación de tecnologías digitales en la enseñanza universitaria. La información analizada proviene de los diálogos extendidos por las autoras con profesores procedentes de distintos campos de conocimiento, en instancias del desarrollo de seminarios de capacitación; y, también, de testimonios registrados en foros, bitácoras, registros de mails y encuestas de opinión. La experiencia recogida contribuye al debate del presente y futuro de la enseñanza mediada con tecnologías digitales en las Universidades y, en especial, a la indagación y reflexión sobre las nuevas habilidades y disposiciones que ponen en juego los procesos educacionales, tanto en los profesores como en los estudiantes.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Open Textbooks and Increased Student Access and Outcomes

This study reports findings from a year-long pilot study during which 991 students in 9 core courses in the Virginia State University School of Business replaced traditional textbooks with openly licensed books and other digital content. The university made a deliberate decision to use open textbooks that were copyrighted under the Creative Commons license. This decision was based on the accessibility and flexibility in the delivery of course content provided by open textbooks. More students accessed digital open textbooks than had previously purchased hard copies of textbooks. Higher grades were correlated with courses that used open textbooks

usporedba mehaničke čvrstoće triju različitih tehnika šivanja za zatvaranje interkostalne torakotomije - istraživanje ex vivo

The transcostal closure technique of intercostal thoracotomy closure appears to be associated with less pain in the first 24 hours and could be an alternative to the standard circumcostal technique. The goal of this study was to compare the ex vivo biomechanical properties of three suture techniques for intercostal thoracotomy closure. Samples of porcine ribs were used for the research. A 10 cm incision was made in the intercostal space in each sample. The techniques compared were: simple circumcostal interrupted suturing, continuous circumcostal suturing, and interrupted transcostal suturing. During the testing in the machine, suture rupture or rib cracking occurred. If rib cracking occurred first, the testing was continued until the suture broke as well. In the first group, rib fracture occurrence was 60% and suture rupture was 40%. In the second group, rib fracture occurrence was 55%, while 45% of the samples failed by suture rupture. In the third group, rib fracture occurrence was 70%, while suture rupture was 30%. These data did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05). Continuous circumcostal suturing took the least amount of time, and the most time-consuming technique was interrupted transcostal suturing. Simple circumcostal suturing used most material, and the least amount of material was used with continuous circumcostal suturing. The conclusion of this paper is that the continuous pattern suture has the same mechanical strength as the other two suture patterns, but it consumes the least time and material. Therefore, from a mechanical standpoint, we advise the use of continuous circumcostal suture for intercostal thoracotomy closure.Doima se da je interkostalna tehnika zatvaranja torakotomije povezana s manje bola unutar prva 24 sata te bi mogla bi biti alternativa standardnoj cirkumkostalnoj tehnici. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je usporediti ex vivo biomehanička svojstva triju tehnika za zatvaranje interkostalne torakotomije. Za istraživanje su korišteni uzorci svinjskih rebara. Na svakom je uzorku učinjena incizija duga 10 cm. Uspoređivano je jednostavno cirkumkostalno pojedinačno šivanje, produžno cirkumkostalno šivanje i pojedinačno transkostalno šivanje. Tijekom testiranja na trgalici popuštali su šavovi ili je došlo do loma rebara. Ako je došlo do loma rebara, testiranje je nastavljeno do popuštanja šavova. U prvoj skupini lom rebara dogodio se na 60 % uzoraka, dok je u 40 % uzoraka popustio šivaći materijal. U drugoj skupini u 55 % uzoraka popustila su rebra, dok je u 45 % uzoraka popustio šivaći materijal. U trećoj skupini u 70 % uzoraka popustila su rebra, dok je u 30 % slučajeva popustio šivaći materijal. Ovi se podaci ne razlikuju znakovito među testiranim skupinama (P > 0,05). Produžnim cirkumkostalnim šivanjem utrošak vremena bio je najmanji, dok je pojedinačnim transkostalnim šivanjem utrošak vremena bio najveći. Jednostavnim cirkumkostalnim šivanjem utrošilo se najviše šivaćeg materijala, dok je najmanje materijala utrošeno produžnim cirkumkostalnim šivanjem. Zaključak ovog rada je da produžno šivanje pruža jednaku mehaničku snagu kao i ostale testirane metode, ali je utrošak vremena i materijala manji. Stoga, s mehaničkog stajališta, za zatvaranje interkostalne torakotomije preporučujemo jednostavni cirkumkostalni šav

Platelets promote macrophage polarization toward pro-inflammatory phenotype and increase survival of septic mice

We investigated the contribution of human platelets to macrophage effector properties in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the beneficial effects and time frame for platelet transfusion in septic animals. Our results show that platelets sequester both pro-(TNF-α/IL-6) and anti-(IL-10) inflammatory cytokines released by monocytes. Low LPS concentrations (0.01 ng/mL) induced M2 macrophage polarization by decreasing CD64 and augmenting CD206 and CD163 expression; yet, the presence of platelets skewed monocytes toward type 1 macrophage (M1) phenotype in a cell-contact-dependent manner by the glycoprotein Ib (GPIb)-CD11b axis. Accordingly, platelet-licensed macrophages showed increased TNF-α levels, bacterial phagocytic activity, and a reduced healing capability. Platelet transfusion increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)+ macrophages, improving bacterial clearance and survival rates in septic mice up to 6 h post-infection, an effect that was abolished by CD11b and GPIb blockade. Our results demonstrate that platelets orchestrate macrophage effector responses, improving the clinical outcome of sepsis in a narrow but relevant time frame.Fil: Carestia, Agostina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Mena, Hebe Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Olexen, Cinthia Mariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Ortiz Wilczyñski, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Negrotto, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Errasti, Andrea Emilse. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Farmacologia; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Ricardo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Jenne, Craig N.. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Carrera Silva, Eugenio Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Schattner, Mirta Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Macrophages and Galectin 3 Control Bacterial Burden in Acute and Subacute Murine Leptospirosis That Determines Chronic Kidney Fibrosis

Previous studies have suggested that macrophages may contribute to acute Leptospira dissemination, as well as having a major role in kidney fibrosis. Our aim was to characterize the role of macrophages and galectin 3 (Gal-3) on the survival, clinical course, bacterial burden, interstitial nephritis, and chronic kidney fibrosis in Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (LIC)-induced experimental murine leptospirosis. C57BL/6J mice depleted of macrophages by liposome-encapsulated clodronate treatment and infected with LIC presented a higher bacterial burden, had reduced subacute nephritis and enhanced chronic kidney fibrosis relative to untreated, infected mice. Moreover, LIC infection in mice whose Gal-3 was disrupted (Lgals3-/-) had a higher bacterial burden and enhanced subacute nephritis and chronic kidney fibrosis when compared to C57BL/6J wild-type mice. Chronic fibrosis did not correlate with higher transcription levels of TGF-β1 or IL-13 in the kidneys. Kidney fibrosis was found in chronically infected rats as well as in wild infected rats. On the other hand, human fibroblast cultures exhibited enhanced differentiation to myofibroblasts after treatment with LIC. Our results demonstrate that macrophages and Gal-3 play a critical role in controlling the LIC burden but has a minor role in subsequent fibrosis. Instead, kidney fibrosis was better correlated with bacterial burden. Taken together, our results do not support a role for macrophages to disseminate leptospires during acute infection, nor in chronic kidney fibrosis.Fil: Ferrer, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Scharrig Fernandez, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Charó, Nancy Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rípodas, Ana L.. Bio-lab; ArgentinaFil: Drut, Ricardo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Carrera Silva, Eugenio Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Nagel, Ariel Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Nally, Jarlath E.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Montes de Oca, Daniela Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Schattner, Mirta Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Ricardo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentin

Comparison of the diet of guanacos and cattle as resources in the Tierra del Fuego ecotone

La herbivoría del ganado doméstico y de guanacos provoca disturbios en la zona del ecotono fueguino, que llevan a cambios en la estructura y el funcionamiento de los pastizales naturales. En la actualidad, se cree que se ha incrementado la población de guanacos en la Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, de forma tal que se plantean conflictos con actividades ganaderas y forestales. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue evaluar que especies vegetales usan del pastizal y el grado de solapamiento espacial con vacas en el período estival. Se trabajó en la Estancia Ushuaia, donde pastan guanacos y ganado doméstico. La dieta se analizó mediante la identificación de restos botánicos presentes en las heces, previamente tratadas. Se obtuvieron las frecuencias relativas por especie ingerida y se analizaron en función de sus formas de vida. Las formas de vida más consumidas son las mismas tanto para los guanacos como para las vacas y corresponden a Pastos blandos, Dicotiledóneas herbáceas, Graminoideas y Arbustos, siendo los primeros los de mayor frecuencia de ingesta. La forma de vida Árbol sólo se presenta en dietas de guanacos, en una frecuencia baja (2,5%) frente a las otras formas de vida. En el caso de las dicotiledóneas herbáceas, las dietas se diferencian en las especies ingeridas y la frecuencia de ingesta, lo mismo sucede con las graminoideas. Si bien Poa pratensis., es la especie más ingerida por ambos herbívoros, el guanaco además incorpora, con baja frecuencia de ingesta, otros pastos blandos. Estos resultados nos permiten establecer que el guanaco modifica su dieta en función de la presencia de otros herbívoros, presentando un solapamiento trófico con el ganado vacuno.Herbivory from domestic livestock and guanacos causes disturbances in the Fueguian ecotone area, leading to changes in the structure and functioning of natural grasslands. Nowadays, it is believed that the population of guanacos in the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego has increased, so that conflicts with livestock and forestry activities have arisen. The aim of our study was to assess grassland plant species used and the degree of spatial overlap with domestic herbivores in the summer. W e worked in the Estancia Ushuaia, where guanacos and livestock graze together. The diet was analyzed by identifying the botanical remains in pretreated feces. The relative frequencies of ingested species were obtained and analyzed according to their lifestyles. The life forms consumed were the same for guanaco and cow: Soft Grasses, Forbs, Shrubs and Graminoids. Soft Grasses had the higher intake frequency. Life form Tree occurred only in diets of guanacos at a low frequency (2.5%) when compared with the other life forms. In the case of forbs, diets differ in species ingested and frequency of intake, and the same happened with graminoids. W hile Poa pratensis was the species most ingested by both herbivores, guanaco rarely ate other soft grasses. The results suggested that guanaco switches among diets depending on the presence of other herbivores, while displaying a trophic overlap with cattle.Fil: Fernández Pepi, María Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia; ArgentinaFil: Arriaga, Mirta Olga. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Alvarenga, Eugenia Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Stampacchio, Monica Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Moretto, Alicia Susana. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Escobar, Julio Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin