Magic realism in contemporary American women's fiction.

The aim of the study is to illustrate the importance of magic realism in American women's fiction in the late twentieth century. The term magic realism, which has traditionally been associated with Latin American men's writing, has been known by different, and often contradictory, definitions. It may be argued that, properly defined, it can be a valid term to describe a number of characteristics common to a corpus of work, and can be considered as an aesthetic category different from others such as Surrealism or Fantastic literature, with which it has often been compared. Furthermore, magic realism has viability as a contemporary international mode and is particularly suitable to women writers from minority ethnic groups. The present study intends to draw relevant comparative analyses of uses of magic realism that show various formal and thematic interactions between separate literary traditions. The introduction offers an overview of the different conceptions and applications of the term since its origins within the area of painting, and suggests a working definition that can be effective for intensive textual analysis of several novels. In order to offer a new approach which can enable us to move away the paradigm of magic realism from Latin America towards a more multicultural framework, the focus will be on three geographical-cultural areas: African American, Native American and Chicano/Mexican writing. The implementation of magic realist strategies in African American writing will be examined in Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon (1977) and Gloria Naylor's Mama Day (1988), with a particular emphasis on the significance of African mythical background and the experience of dispossession and transference of culture. Magic realist elements in the novels Tracks (1988) by Louise Erdrich and Ceremony (1977) by Leslie Marmon Silko will be studied in the context of Native American oral tradition and cosmologies. The practice of magic realism on both sides of the U. S. - Mexico border will be explored in the novels So Far from God (1993), by the Chicana Ana Castillo, and Like Water for Chocolate (1989), by the Mexican Laura Esquivel. A description of the borderland culture in the American Southwest, as well as comparisons between North and Latin American uses of magic realism will be provided. Finally, some connections amongst the discussed literary traditions and further lines of research will be suggested

Weight and levels of physical activity influences on quality of life of university students

Este estudio persigue dilucidar si hay relación existente entre la cantidad de actividad física realizada, la composición corporal y la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud (CVRS) en estudiantes de primer curso de Grado en Educación Infantil (n=88). Los sujetos realizaron el cuestionario SF-36 sobre CVRS y el cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ). Los sujetos fueron divididos en tres grupos de acuerdo a su Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que no existe relación existente entre la cantidad de actividad física, la composición corporal y la CVRS en esta muestra

Implementation of Six Sigma in a Manufacturing Process: A Case Study

This paper presents a Six Sigma project conducted at a semiconductor company dedicated to the manufacture of circuit cartridges for inkjet printers. They are tested electrically in the final stage of the process measuring electrical characteristics to accept or reject them. Electrical failures accounted for about 50% of all defects. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the main problems, causes and actions to reduce the level of defects. With the implementation of Six Sigma, it was possible to determine the key factors, identify the optimum levels or tolerances and improvement opportunities. The major factors that were found through a design of experiments 3 factors and 2 levels were: abrasive pressure (90-95 psi), height of the tool (0.06-0.05) and cycle time (7000-8000 msec.). The improvement was a reduction in the electrical failures of around 50%. The results showed that with proper application of this methodology, and support for the team and staff of the organization, a positive impact on the quality and other features critical to customer satisfaction can be achieve

Validación de la Escala de Miedo a la Muerte de Collett – Lester en estudiantes universitarios de enfermería de México

Introduction. The original Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CLFDS), translated into Spanish, has not been validated in the Mexican population. Since death has a different perspective for Mexicans compared to individuals from other cultures, it is important to inquire into its validation. The objective of this article is to determine the validity of CLFDS in the Mexican university population. Methodology. Psychometric and cross-sectional design, simple random sampling. The responses of 368 nursing students were analyzed. Results. The female gender predominated (90.2%), age equal to 21.0±3. The CLFDS obtained a reliability of 0.95. Scores on the dimensions of own death, compared to the death of others, are lower (=2.8±0.56 vs =3.5±0.53). The process of own death, compared to the death of others, is no different ( =3.2± 0.46 vs =3.2±0.34). Factor analysis with the varimax rotation method supported the content validity of the original scale, despite the fact that the two-dimensional reagents were regrouped without losing any of their elements. Conclusions. The Spanish version of the CLFDS is valid and reliable in mexican university students; however, it needs to be replicated in other socio-cultural contexts in Mexico.Resumen. La Escala original de Miedo a la Muerte de Collett-Lester (EMMCL), traducida al español, no ha sido validada en población mexicana. Dado que la muerte para los mexicanos tiene una perspectiva diferente a la de individuos de otras culturas, es importante indagar sobre su validación. El objetivo de este artículo es determinar la validez de la EMMCL en población universitaria mexicana. Metodología. Diseño psicométrico y transversal, muestreo aleatorio simple. Se analizaron las respuestas de 368 estudiantes de enfermería. Resultados. Predominó el género femenino (90.2%), edad igual a 21.0±3. La EMMCL obtuvo una confiabilidad de 0.95. Las puntuaciones en las dimensiones de la muerte propia, en comparación con la muerte de otros, es menor (=2.8±0.56 vs =3.5±0.53). El proceso de la muerte propia, en comparación con el de otros, no es diferente ( =3.2± 0.46 vs =3.2±0.34). El análisis factorial con el método de rotación varimax apoyó la validez de contenido de la escala original, a pesar de que los reactivos de dos dimensiones se reagruparon sin perder ninguno de sus elementos. Conclusiones. La versión en español de la EMMCL es válida y confiable en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos; Sin embargo, se necesita llevar a cabo réplicas en otros contextos socioculturales del territorio mexicano

Designed binary mixtures for subcritical organic Rankine cycles based on multiobjective optimization

The use of binary zeotropic mixtures as working fluids applied to Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs) is investigated in this paper. In total, six (6) hydrocarbons and (2) hydrofluorocarbons are considered, leading to twenty-eight (28) possible binary combinations. The mixtures were tested with a basic Rankine cycle while using the heat source temperature as independent variable, which assumed six different values, ranging from 80 °C to 180 °C, in steps of 20 °C. The simulations aimed to identify the ideal mixtures that maximized the net power and exergetic efficiency, and minimized the heat exchanger’s global conductance for a given temperature of the heat source. The optimization process relied on a genetic algorithm and the selection of the best mixtures, on a non-dominated sorting method (NDS), which returned Pareto fronts gathering the best solutions. While no one specific ideal mixture was identified, the results showed that the range of the so-called ideal mixtures narrows as the heat source temperature increases, with mixtures including fluids like R245fa and pentane being good options, whereas at low temperature, a larger number of fluid mixtures perform well. Finally, a scale analysis is proposed and shows that the maximal net power varies linearly with a Number of Transfer Units (NTU) factor while its slope depends on the heat source temperature. The latter analysis is compared with the results obtained with the Pareto front and NDS, showing that both sets of results agree well while correlated by a single constant for the entire temperature range covered in the present study

Validation of Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale in a mexican university nursing students

Resumen. La Escala original de Miedo a la Muerte de Collett-Lester (EMMCL), traducida al español, no ha sido validada en población mexicana. Dado que la muerte para los mexicanos tiene una perspectiva diferente a la de individuos de otras culturas, es importante indagar sobre su validación. El objetivo de este artículo es determinar la validez de la EMMCL en población universitaria mexicana. Metodología. Diseño psicométrico y transversal, muestreo aleatorio simple. Se analizaron las respuestas de 368 estudiantes de enfermería. Resultados. Predominó el género femenino (90.2%), edad igual a 21.0±3. La EMMCL obtuvo una confiabilidad de 0.95. Las puntuaciones en las dimensiones de la muerte propia, en comparación con la muerte de otros, es menor (=2.8±0.56 vs =3.5±0.53). El proceso de la muerte propia, en comparación con el de otros, no es diferente ( =3.2± 0.46 vs =3.2±0.34). El análisis factorial con el método de rotación varimax apoyó la validez de contenido de la escala original, a pesar de que los reactivos de dos dimensiones se reagruparon sin perder ninguno de sus elementos. Conclusiones. La versión en español de la EMMCL es válida y confiable en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos; Sin embargo, se necesita llevar a cabo réplicas en otros contextos socioculturales del territorio mexicano.Introduction. The original Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CLFDS), translated into Spanish, has not been validated in the Mexican population. Since death has a different perspective for Mexicans compared to individuals from other cultures, it is important to inquire into its validation. The objective of this article is to determine the validity of CLFDS in the Mexican university population. Methodology. Psychometric and cross-sectional design, simple random sampling. The responses of 368 nursing students were analyzed. Results. The female gender predominated (90.2%), age equal to 21.0±3. The CLFDS obtained a reliability of 0.95. Scores on the dimensions of own death, compared to the death of others, are lower (=2.8±0.56 vs =3.5±0.53). The process of own death, compared to the death of others, is no different ( =3.2± 0.46 vs =3.2±0.34). Factor analysis with the varimax rotation method supported the content validity of the original scale, despite the fact that the two-dimensional reagents were regrouped without losing any of their elements. Conclusions. The Spanish version of the CLFDS is valid and reliable in mexican university students; however, it needs to be replicated in other socio-cultural contexts in Mexico

Six Sigma Improvement Project for Automotive Speakers in an Assembly Process

This Six Sigma application examined an automotive speaker production process in a multinational corporation twin plant. The process was a semiautomatic assembly operation. A six index assembler chemically bonded a coil to a diaphragm.  The problem is described in the first part of the paper, which pinpoints the separation between those two parts. This is a critical process characteristic that was not properly controlled. Operations were malfunctioning. High scrap and rework rates, and high levels of in process inventory as well as inspection stations all contributed to the problem. Variables were measured to determine the problem with accuracy. The fixture and tool capabilities were estimated in the analysis as well. The authors found that the large variation could be attributed to the product and operator procedure. Variation in the product was determined to be explained by unsuitable fixtures and tools. This resulted in having the fixtures and tools re-dimensioned and re-designed. Measurements were then taken to determine whether the improved process design would make significant contributions.  A control process and operating procedures were established to insure that the initial process conditions would not be repeated.                  

Exhaust gases reuse in natural gas compression stations for electricity generation

En vista de la preocupación mundial por el aumento del consumo energético, así como, la aplicación de alternativas viables que permitan un mejor aprovechamiento de las fuentes energéticas disponibles, los residuos térmicos surgen como una alternativa energética en aplicaciones industriales en las cuales se generan.  En este sentido, el presente trabajo analiza el potencial energético de los gases de combustión emitidos por una estación de compresión, los cuales pueden utilizarse como fuente de calor para un ciclo Rankine de potencia el cual opera con varios fluidos de trabajo incluyendo nueve de tipo orgánico y el dióxido de carbon (CO2). Las simulaciones demostraron la capacidad de los fluidos de trabajo para incrementar la eficiencia energética de la instalación a partir de los gases de escape de la estacion de compresión, siendo que el tolueno y el CO2 se destacan por presentar los mayores niveles de eficiencia, 21 y 20%, respectivamente. Con el objetivo de generación de potencia del ciclo, se concluye que los fluidos refrigerantes considerados en el análisis no son aptos para el ciclo en los niveles de temperatura evaluados.In view of worldwide concern for the increase in energy consumption, as well as the application of viable alternatives that allow a better use of available energy sources, thermal waste has emerged as an energy alternative in industrial applications in which it is generated. In this sense, the present work analyses the energy potential of combustion gases emitted by a compression station, which can be used as heat source for a Rankine power cycle, which operates with different working fluids, including nine of organic type and the carbon dioxide (CO2). The simulations demonstrated the capacity of the working fluids to increase the energy efficiency of the installation from the exhaust gases of the compression station, where toluene and CO2 stand out for presenting the highest efficiency levels, 21 and 20%, respectively. With the target of generating power, the results showed that refrigerant fluids considered in this analysis are not suitable at the temperature levels evaluated

Assessing the functional relationship between dung beetle traits and dung removal, burial, and seedling emergence

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is often assessed through trait diversity. However, the relationship between traits and functions is typically assumed but seldom tested. We analyze the relationship between dung beetle traits and three ecological functions: dung removal, dung burial, and seedling emergence. We set up a laboratory experiment using nine Scarabaeidae species (three endocoprids, four paracoprids, and two telecoprids). We placed a sexual pair of beetles in each experimental unit, together with a mixture of dung and seeds, and measured the amount of dung removed and buried, burial depth, and the number of emerged seedlings. Sixteen morphological traits related to dung removal and burial were measured in each individual. Results indicate that these traits were related to dung beetle performance in dung removal and burial. Most traits were positively related to dung removal, indicating the existence of a general trait syndrome associated with dung manipulation and digging capability. Dung exploitation strategies did not provide further explanatory power. Seedling emergence showed a negative but weak relationship with dung burial amount and depth and species identity. This implies that specific differences in dung–soil interface activity may be important in secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

La ansiedad en estudiantes de medicina humana de una universidad privada de Piura, según género

Los estudiantes universitarios de la escuela de medicina humana forman un grupo de alto riesgo para desarrollar problemas ansiosos, debido a las elevadas demandas académicas, a nivel psicológico, social y factores estresantes que conlleva el estudio de esta carrera profesional. El objetivo de este estudio fue: “Determinar la diferencia de la ansiedad en estudiantes de medicina humana de una universidad privada de Piura según género.” La investigación es de tipo descriptivo comparativo. También en este estudio se tuvo como población a estudiantes del 10mo al 12vo ciclo de la facultad de medicina humana, con una muestra de 103 alumnos, donde 47 son varones y 56 son mujeres, a quienes se aplicó el instrumento denominado: Inventario de Ansiedad EstadoRasgo. El análisis se obtuvo a través de las medidas de resumen y frecuencias con la U de Mann Whitney en SPSS v24. Los resultados arrojan un porcentaje mayor de A.E en 61.7% y de A.R en 55.3% en varones en relación a la A.E de las mujeres en 57.1% y A.R en 58.1%, sugiriendo la importancia de desarrollar talleres educativos diferenciados, tomando como base estos resultados, permitirá brindar a los estudiantes de medicina de ambos géneros los recursos necesarios para el manejo de la ansiedad.University students from the school of human medicine form a high risk group for developing anxious problems, due to the high academic, psychological, social demands and high stress that the study of this professional career entails. The objective of this study was: "To determine the difference in anxiety in human medicine students from a private university in Piura according to gender." The research is descriptive and comparative. Also in this study, the population was students from the 10th to the 12th cycle of the Faculty of Human Medicine, with a sample of 103 students, where 47 are men and 56 are women, to whom the instrument called: State Anxiety Inventory was applied. - Trait. The analysis was carried out through the summary measures and frequencies with the Mann Whitney U in SPSS v24. The results show a higher percentage of AE in 61.7% and AR in 55.3% in men in relation to AE in women in 57.1% and AR in 58.1%, suggesting the importance of developing differentiated educational workshops, based on these results. , will allow to provide medical students of both genders the necessary resources for anxiety management.Tesi