METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL FOR ENHANCING READING COMPREHENSION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

ABSTRACTThis study aims to develop a methodological proposal to develop reading comprehension in university students by encourage them to read not just in the classroom but also outside. The literature review showed that a positive attitude toward reading through different text become a motivation for students because the text is based on their interests. When learners create a long-lasting motivation according to the text, the reader will have many kinds of attention getting a tremendous impact on reading development. In addition, offering a varying of opportunities to the students permit they stay active in the reading process. In conclusion, reading comprehension is a vital skill for university students which must be developed during the learning process of English as a foreign language. It also becomes more interesting when the text is related to their interest to call their attention in the classroom.KEYWORDS: reading comprehension; methodological proposal; foreign language; motivation.PROPUESTA METODOLÓGICA PARA MEJORAR LA COMPRENSIÓN DE LECTURA PARA APRENDICES DE IDIOMA INGLÉSRESUMENEste estudio tiene como objetivo presentar una propuesta pedagógica para desarrollar la comprensión lectora en estudiantes universitarios alentándolos a leer no solo en el aula sino también fuera de ella. La revisión de la literatura mostró que una actitud positiva hacia la lectura a través de diferentes textos se convierte en una motivación para los estudiantes porque estos se basan en sus intereses. Cuando los alumnos crean una motivación duradera de acuerdo con el texto, el lector tendrá muchos tipos de atención y y, por ende, un mejor desarrollo de la lectura. Además, los procesos de lectura ofrecen una variedad de oportunidades a los estudiantes que les permite mantenerse activos mientras leen. En conclusión, la comprensión lectora es una habilidad vital para los estudiantes universitarios que debe desarrollarse durante el proceso de aprendizaje del inglés como lengua extranjera. También, la lectura comprensiva se vuelve más amena cuando las lecturas están relacionadas con los intereses del lector, lo cual permite una mayor motivación para leer.PALABRAS CLAVE: comprensión lectora; propuesta metodológica; idioma extranjero; motivación

FORTHEM Alliance Universities’ Selected Good Practices in R&I. Towards a European University

Libro sobre buenas prácticas en universidades FORTHEM en 5 áreas clave: internacionalización, ciencia abierta, co-creación con el ecosistema social y empresarial, y comunicación de la ciencia.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101017248.Book on existing good practices developed in FORTHEM universities regarding the key research areas identified - on the topics: internationalisation, open science, co-creation with the social and business ecosystem, and communication of scienc

Evaluation of AIF-1 (Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1) as a Biomarker of Crohn’s Disease Severity

Background: Recently, increased tissue levels of AIF-1 have been shown in experimental colitis, supporting its role in intestinal inflammation. Therefore, we studied the levels of AIF-1 in Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: This study included 33 patients with CD (14 men and 19 women) who participated in the PREDICROHN project, a prospective multicenter study of the Spanish Group of Inflammatory bowel disease (GETECCU). Results: This article demonstrates declines with respect to baseline levels of serum AIF-1 in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients after 14 weeks of treatment with anti-TNFs. Furthermore, in patients with active CD (HB ≥ 5), serum AIF-1 levels were significantly higher than those in patients without activity (HB ≤ 4). The study of serum AIF-1 in the same cohort, revealed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of AUC = 0.66 (p = 0.014), while for the CRP (C-reactive protein), (AUC) value of 0.69 (p = 0.0066), indicating a similar ability to classify CD patients by their severity. However, the combination of data on serum levels of AIF-1 and CRP improves the predictive ability of these analyses for classifying CD patients as active (HB ≥ 5) or inactive (HB ≤ 4). When we used the odds ratio (OR) formula, we observed that patients with CRP > 5 mg/L or AIF-1 > 200 pg/mL or both conditions were 13 times more likely to show HB ≥ 5 (active CD) than were those with both markers below these thresholds. Conclusion: The development of an algorithm that includes serum levels of AIF-1 and CRP could be useful for assessing Crohn’s disease severityThis research has been funded by grants from: Asociación Española de Gastroenterología (AEG), Grupo Español de Trabajo en Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa (GETECCU), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS12/02557 and PI13/00041) and Universidad de Alcalá (32/2013, 22/2014, 26/2015) and B2017/BMD-3804 MITIC-CM (Comunidad de Madrid) and Halekulani S.

Aplicación de un programa psicopedagógico de estimulación de las operaciones racionales del pensamiento para contribuir a desarrollar la capacidad en la resolución de problemas en niños de 4 años a 4 años 11 meses de edad cronológica en la comunidad marginada San Rafael número 2 de la cuidad de San Salvador

El objetivo fundamental del presente estudio se caracterizó porque se propuso con la aplicación de un Programa Psicopedagógico estimular el Desarrollo de las Operaciones Racionales del Pensamiento en niños de 4 años a 4 años 11 meses de Edad Cronológica de la Comunidad Marginada, San Rafael Número 2 de la Ciudad de San Salvador. Se dirigió a la población mencionada para ofrecer la orientación y el servicio psicológico a los sectores más desprotegidos de nuestro pueblo, que constituyen las grandes mayorías

Factores Competitivos De Éxito: Un Estudio De Las Pymes En El Estado De Hidalgo, México

This paper focuses on the influence that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have on the economy in terms of generating employment and wealth. It also identified the problems that was derived from the limitations generated due to their size and the environmental aggressions in which they were developed. In this sense, the study of its characteristics in terms of strategy, performance, competitiveness, problems, and professionalization is of significant importance to its growth and permanence. To this end, this study aims to determine different strategic factors that SMEs must develop to ensure their competitiveness and performance. Based on a quantitative study of SME companies located in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, some factors related to competitive performance were identified. Essentially, it was observed that SMEs of larger size and age, which are linked to other actors and that make use of strategic management tools as well as information and control systems, are competitively successful

Cognitive Aging

The study of cognitive function in gerontology is considered relevant because it is an important risk factor for other pathologies in the old age, such as physical disability and dependence, depression, and frailty, mainly because of early pathological changes in cognitive function which are considered a preclinical state that may progress to dementia. In this chapter, cognitive functioning and the dimensions that are included in it (attention, memory, meta-memory, processing speed, executive functions, visuospatial skills, and language) are conceptualized. Additionally, the current evidence is analyzed regarding age-associated changes that are experienced during cognitive aging. These changes, or cognitive decline, are distinguished from those that are part of cognitive pathologies, the most common mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Such pathologies are conceptualized based on the current diagnostic criteria, and controversies and challenges are discussed. Additionally, we analyze the risk factors for cognitive functioning in aging, both modifiable and nonmodifiable ones. A review of the main nonpharmacological intervention techniques used from the gerontology approach is made. It includes the cognitive training in the case of age-related decline or techniques of stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation in the case of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Finally, we conclude with an analysis of the current state of this topic in the field of gerontology and its relevance in professional practice

Role of the epithelial barrier in intestinal fibrosis associated with inflammatory bowel disease: relevance of the epithelial-to mesenchymal transition

In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to tissue damage and remodelling, which can ultimately result in fibrosis. Prolonged injury and inflammation can trigger the activation of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. As fibrosis progresses, the tissue becomes increasingly stiff and less functional, which can lead to complications such as intestinal strictures, obstructive symptoms, and eventually, organ dysfunction. Epithelial cells play a key role in fibrosis, as they secrete cytokines and growth factors that promote fibroblast activation and ECM deposition. Additionally, epithelial cells can undergo a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition, in which they acquire a more mesenchymal-like phenotype and contribute directly to fibroblast activation and ECM deposition. Overall, the interactions between epithelial cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts play a critical role in the development and progression of fibrosis in IBD. Understanding these complex interactions may provide new targets for therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat fibrosis in IBD. In this review, we have collected and discussed the recent literature highlighting the contribution of epithelial cells to the pathogenesis of the fibrotic complications of IBD, including evidence of EMT, the epigenetic control of the EMT, the potential influence of the intestinal microbiome in EMT, and the possible therapeutic strategies to target EMT. Finally we discuss the pro-fibrotic interactions epithelial-immune cells and epithelial-fibroblasts cells

Low-cost ceramic membranes manufacture using INKJET technology for active layer deposition and validation on membrane bioreactors

[EN] The fabrication of eco-friendly ceramic membranes based on low-cost raw materials, using digital INKJET printing techniques for active layer deposition and its validation in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) has been studied. The raw materials used in the manufacture of the support layer were UA50/2 clay, chamotte, calcium carbonate and potato starch. A MBR laboratory plant was operated to treat municipal wastewater with three ceramic membranes with different grammages in the selective layer deposition. The membrane performance at laboratory scale was evaluated in terms of transmembrane pressure (TMP) evolution for a constant permeate flux, permeate quality and mixed liquor characteristics. From these experiments, it was selected the membrane which obtained the lowest TMP profile maintaining appropriate water quality parameters (chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal percentage around 90% and turbidity around 0.06 NTU). This membrane was also operated at pilot plant scale in order to validate it at higher scale. Results indicated that TMP values were in the range of 0.06 and 0.1 bar, COD removal percentage was around 98% and microbiology analysis demonstrated that the quality of the effluent, according to European regulation 2020/741, can be classified as Class A and it can be reused for non-potable purposes.Authors thank the FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades-Agencia Estatal de Investigacion for the financial support (Reference of the project: RTC-2017-5897-5-AR).Lujan Facundo, MJ.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Bes-Piá, M.; Zuriaga-Agusti, E.; Mestre, S.; Palacios, M. (2023). Low-cost ceramic membranes manufacture using INKJET technology for active layer deposition and validation on membrane bioreactors. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 176:618-626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.06.04561862617

Growth of Escherichia coli in human milk and powdered infant formula under various treatments and feeding conditions in neonatal units

Milk supplied to neonates in neonatal units is kept at room temperature for some time, which could influence microbial growth. This study aims to evaluate the growth of Escherichia coli in HM and PIF under various treatments and conditions, as well as to determine the influence of different thawing methods on microbial growth in HM. The number of E. coli generations appearing over a 4 h period at 22 °C in HM (frozen; frozen and pasteurized; and frozen, pasteurized, and fortified) and in PIF (four brands) was determined. E. coli counts in HM inoculated and thawed using different methods were also compared. In frozen HM and in pasteurized and frozen HM, significant differences were found after 2.5 h and 1.5 h, respectively. In PIF, differences were found between 1.5 and 3 h. With regard to the thawing process, the lowest microorganism counts were obtained at 4 °C overnight; thus, it seems advisable to store milk at room temperature for a maximum of 1 h during administration in neonatal units. Thawing HM at 4 °C overnight should be the method of choice