Me and My Robot Smiled at One Another: The Process of Socially Enacted Communicative Affordance in Human-Machine Communication

The term affordance has been inconsistently applied both in robotics and communication. While the robotics perspective is mostly object-based, the communication science view is commonly user-based. In an attempt to bring the two perspectives together, this theoretical paper argues that social robots present new social communicative affordances emerging from a two-way relational process. I first explicate conceptual approaches of affordance in robotics and communication. Second, a model of enacted communicative affordance in the context of Human-Machine Communication (HMC) is presented. Third and last, I explain how a pivotal social robot characteristic—embodiment—plays a key role in the process of social communicative affordances in HMC, which may entail behavioral, emotional, and cognitive effects. The paper ends by presenting considerations for future affordance research in HMC

Propuesta de un plan financiero para incrementar la rentabilidad y liquidez en la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Educadores del Napo, en la ciudad de Tena, provincia de Napo, período 2015

En la presente investigación tiene como objetivo la propuesta de un plan financiero para incrementar la rentabilidad y liquidez de la Cooperativa De Ahorro y crédito Educadores del Napo en la ciudad de Tena provincia de Napo. El plan financiero se ha desarrollado en base al análisis del balance general, estado de resultados y flujo del efectivo en horizontal y vertical de la misma manera mediante el análisis FODA y análisis de la situación actual de la empresa, para lograr una mayor eficiencia y productividad en los procesos de manera que se optimice la correcta toma de decisiones, con las proyecciones establecidas para el siguiente periodo se espera un crecimiento en las ventas de créditos el 25%, los gastos de operación se incrementan en un 20%, los activos corrientes se incrementan en un 25% además se espera incrementar la utilidad en 7 veces en relación al 2014. Se recomienda realizar actualizaciones periódicas del FODA, debido al exigente cambio tanto del ambiente interno como el externo e implementar además de la planificación financiera más herramientas y modelos administrativos que faciliten el direccionamiento de la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Educadores del Napo en la ciudad de Tena provincia de Napo.The objective of this research is to develop a financial plan proposal to increase the profitability and liquidity of the Educadores de Napo savings credit union, in Tena city, Napo province. The financial plan has been developed based on the general analysis, income statement, and cash flow horizontally and vertically. The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threads) analysis was also considered as well as the company´s current situation in order to achieve greater efficiency and productivity in the processes for optimizing the right decision making, the operating expenses increase by 20%, and the current assets 25%, also utility is expected to increase 7 times compared to 2014. It is recommended that the company periodically updates the SWOT due to demanding change both in the internal and external environment, and also implements more tools and management models which facilitate the administration of the Educadores de Napo savings and credit union in Tena city, Napo province

C3-symmetry Mo3S4 aminophosphino clusters combining three sources of stereogenicity: stereocontrol directed by hydrogen bond interactions and ligand configuration

A diastereoselective synthesis of proline containing aminophosphino cubane-type Mo3S4 clusters, (P)-[Mo3S4Cl3((1S,2R)-PPro)3]Cl ((P)-[Mo-(SN,RC)]Cl) and (P)-[Mo3S4Cl3((1S,2S)-PPro)3]Cl ((P)-[Mo-(SN,SC)] Cl), has been achieved in high yields by reacting the corresponding enantiomerically pure PPro ((R)- and (S)-2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]pyrrolidine) ligands with the Mo3S4Cl4(PPh3)3(H2O)2 complex. Circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray techniques confirm that the (P)-[Mo-(SN,RC)]Cl and (P)-[Mo-(SN,SC)]Cl cluster cations are diastereoisomers which combine three sources of stereogenicity provided by the cluster framework, one carbon atom of the aminophosphine ligand and the nitrogen stereogenic center. The higher stability of the (P)-[Mo-(SN,SC)]+ cation is due to stabilizing vicinal Cl⋯HN interactions as well as due to the cis-fused conformation of the bicyclic system formed upon coordination of the aminophosphine ligand.The financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Grant CTQ2011-23157 and CTQ2015-65207-P), Universitat Jaume I (Research Project P1·1B2013-19) and Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/022) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank the Servei Central d’Instrumentació Científica (SCIC) of the University Jaume I for providing us with the mass spectrometry, NMR and X-ray facilities. C. A. thanks the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for a predoctoral fellowship (FPI)

Influence of the Diphosphine Coordinated to Molybdenum and Tungsten Triangular M3S4 Cluster Hydrides in the Catalytic Hydrodefluorination of Pentafluoropyridine

Hydrido molybdenum and tungsten(IV) cluster cations of formula [M3S4H3(dppe)3]+ (dppe = 1,2-(bis)dimethylphosphinoethane), [Mo-1]+ (M = Mo) and [W-1]+ (M = W), have been isolated by reacting their halide precursors with borohydride. Synthetic procedures have been optimized by appropriate choice of the solvent. Furthermore, [M3S4F3(dppe)3]+ fluorido cluster complexes, [Mo-2]+ (M = Mo) and [W-2]+ (M = W) have been prepared through halogen substitution reactions using an excess of cesium fluoride. The structures of [Mo-1]+ and [Mo-2]+ have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. These [M-1]+ hydrido and [M-2]+ fluorido clusters have been used as catalysts and precatalysts, respectively, in the catalytic hydrodefluorination (HDF) of pentafluoropyridine using HSiMe2Ph as hydrogen source. The reaction proceeds under microwave and reflux conditions to selectively afford 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine. The [W-1]+ hydrido cluster is the most efficient catalyst with turnover numbers of 124, while the [Mo-1]+ hydrido cluster reacts faster. Fluorido [Mo-2]+ and [W-2]+ complexes provide lower yields and turnover numbers. In general, the molybdenum and tungsten [M-1]+ and [M-2]+ diphosphino complexes are more efficient than their dmpe (1,2-(bis)dimethylphosphinoethano) analogues and activate pentafluoropyridine under softer conditionsThe financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Grant CTQ2011-23157), Universitat Jaume I (Research Project P1·1B2013-19) and Generalitat Valenciana (ACOMP/2013/215 and Prometeo/2009/053) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank the Servei Central d’Instrumentació Científica (SCIC) of the University Jaume I for providing us with the mass spectrometry, NMR and X-ray facilities. C.A. thanks the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for a predoctoral fellowship (FPI)

Procalcitonin and lung ultrasound algorithm to diagnose severe pneumonia in critical paediatric patients (PROLUSP study). A randomised clinical trial

Lung ultrasound (LUS) in combination with a biomarker has not yet been studied. We propose a clinical trial where the primary aims are: 1. To assess whether an algorithm with LUS and procalcitonin (PCT) may be useful for diagnosing bacterial pneumonia; 2. To analyse the sensitivity and specificity of LUS vs chest X-ray (CXR). A 3-year clinical trial. Inclusion criteria: children younger than 18 years old with suspected pneumonia in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Patients will be randomised into two groups: Experimental Group: LUS will be performed as first lung image. Control Group: CXR will be performed as first pulmonary image. Patients will be classified according to the image and the PCT: a) PCT 1 ng/mL, antibiotic therapy is recommended. This algorithm will help us to diagnose bacterial pneumonia and to prescribe the correct antibiotic treatment. A reduction of antibiotics per patient, of the treatment length, and of the exposure to ionizing radiation and in costs is expected

NEU screen shows high accuracy in detecting cognitive impairment in older persons living with HIV

The NEUrocognitive (NEU) Screen is a practical tool proposed to screen for HIV-associated cognitive impairment in the clinical setting. This is a pencil-and-paper method that can be applied rapidly (<=10 minutes for administration) and has no copyright limitations. In this study, we aimed at investigating its diagnostic accuracy in an older population of persons living with HIV (PLWH), with cutoffs set at 30, 40, 50, and 60 years. Data were collected from a sample of 368 PLWH who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological tests battery (gold standard). Results of statistical tests showed that accuracy of the NEU Screen increased with age of the participants. The highest degree of precision, with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 92%, was obtained for people ages 60 years or older (correct classification: 91%). These optimal results point to the great potential of the NEU Screen as a tool for detecting cognitive disorders in older PLWH

Adaptabilidad al Teletrabajo y competencia docente en tiempos de pandemia en una institución educativa pública, Callao, 2021

El teletrabajo es una modalidad que ha ganado popularidad dado que las investigaciones y estudios sobre recursos humanos en entornos organizativos demuestran que la adopción de las Tecnologías de la Información (TIC) en las organizaciones requieren alejarse de los paradigmas tradicionales de gestión y promueven una organización orientada a los resultados. Para implantar el modelo de teletrabajo en las organizaciones, es necesario conocer el modelo de negocio de la empresa; analizar y evaluar las actividades laborales. Sin embargo, muchos de estos profesores no estaban lo suficientemente cualificados para esta transición. Por ello esta investigación tiene el objetivo de analizar la adaptabilidad al teletrabajo como consecuencia del COVID-19 en los trabajadores de una institución educativa pública, Callao, 2021. En relación a los aspectos metodológicos se llevó a cabo un enfoque cualitativo, no experimental, se usó la entrevista para la recolección de datos en 6 profesores. Como resultado se obtuvo que la adaptabilidad al teletrabajo que fue necesaria como consecuencia del COVID-19 en los trabajadores de una institución educativa pública, ha afectado el normal desenvolvimiento de los trabajadores ya que presenta nuevos retos tanto para la comunicación como la enseñanza

Hydrophobic Coatings for Corrosion Control of Aluminum Heat Exchangers

The production of thin films (nanocoatings) is a technological field with many applications to elaborate materials with new properties to be used as corrosion protection of traditional metals. Hydrophobicity is an example of such properties. In this chapter, an example of two hydrophobic corrosion coatings for possible use over aluminum heat exchanger geothermal power plants is discussed. Material substrate preparation, synthesis of hydrophobic sol‐gel nanocoating, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation as a function of time of immersion, which are compared to another commercial fluorinated compound, are presented. Good corrosion protection was found for both hydrophobic coatings for possible application in geothermal heat exchangers

A training plan to implement lung ultrasound for diagnosing pneumonia in children

Lung ultrasound (LUS) for critical patients requires trained operators to perform them, though little information exists on the level of training required for independent practice. The aims were to implement a training plan for diagnosing pneumonia using LUS and to analyze the inter-observer agreement between senior radiologists (SRs) and pediatric intensive care physicians (PICPs). Prospective longitudinal and interventional study conducted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital. Following a theoretical and practical training plan regarding diagnosing pneumonia using LUS, the concordance between SRs and the PICPs on their LUS reports was analyzed. Nine PICPs were trained and tested on both theoretical and practical LUS knowledge. The mean exam mark was 13.5/15. To evaluate inter-observer agreement, a total of 483 LUS were performed. For interstitial syndrome, the global Kappa coefficient (K) was 0.51 (95% CI 0.43-0.58). Regarding the presence of consolidation, K was 0.67 (95% CI 0.53-0.78), and for the consolidation pattern, K was 0.82 (95% CI 0.79-0.85), showing almost perfect agreement. Our training plan allowed PICPs to independently perform LUS and might improve pneumonia diagnosis. We found a high inter-observer agreement between PICPs and SRs in detecting the presence and type of consolidation on LUS

Composition of Prosobranchia-Pulmonata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in rocky intertidal zone in the Marine Priority Region 32, Guerrero, Mexico

Resumen.- El objetivo de esta investigación fue la descripción de la taxocenosis de las subclases Prosobranchia y Pulmonata (clase Gastropoda), asociados a la zona intermareal rocosa de la Región Marina Prioritaria 32, Guerrero, México. Basada en la riqueza de especies, la composición de la comunidad a partir de la representación de las familias, se evaluó la abundancia, distribución geográfica de las especies, se estimó los estadísticos descriptivos de las tallas (en largo) de las poblaciones y la diversidad. El muestreo se llevó a cabo en 7 sitios, la unidad de muestreo fue de 1 m-2 y el área de muestreo de 10 m-2. Se identificaron 104 especies de prosobranquios y 4 de pulmonados. Las familias Columbellidae y Muricidae fueron las mejores representadas en riqueza de especies y la familia Muricidae en abundancia. Acanthais triangularis se consideró como la representativa de la zona, la especie Macrocypraea cervinetta mostró la mayor talla. Además, 23 especies presentaron amplia distribución, 27 distribución regular y 54 distribución restringida. Veintiocho especies estuvieron representadas por un único organismo, y 6 especies por 2 organismos, estas especies son consideradas raras. Las especies raras se encontraron en las estaciones cuya característica de exposición del oleaje es de bajo a medio. La riqueza de especies fue alta y corresponde a lo esperado en una zona tropical. Palabras clave: Gastropoda, riqueza, distribución geográfica, tallas, Guerrero Abstract.- The aim of this research was the description of the taxocoenosis of Prosobranchia and Pulmonata subclasses (Gastropoda) associated with the rocky intertidal zone of the Marine Priority Region 32, Guerrero, Mexico. Based on known species richness, we examine the composition of the community based on the representation of families, assess abundance, the geographic distribution of species, estimate descriptive statistics of size, and estimate diversity. Sampling was conducted at 7 sites, the sampling unit was 1 m-2 and the sampling area was 10 m-2. One hundred and four species of subclass Prosobranchia and 4 species of subclass Pulmonata were identified. Columbellidae and Muricidae families showed higher species richness, meanwhile family Muricidae was the most abundant. Acanthais triangularis was the most representative species of the study area, and Macrocypraea cervinetta showed the greatest size. Twenty three species were found with broad distribution, 27 taxa with frequent distribution and 54 taxa with restricted distribution. Twenty eight species were represented by a single organism and 6 species with 2 organisms, these species were considered rare and were found in sites whose characteristic wave exposure is low to medium. Species richness was high and corresponds to that expected in the tropics. Key words: Gastropoda, species richness, geographic distribution, size, Guerrer