Styles and student learning strategies: a comparative study between Spain and Brazil

[EN] The purpose of this article is to analyze the relationships between learning styles and student learning strategies of two universities located in Brazil and Spain. The quantitative and descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 106 students of the last year of the course of administration and business management (BM) of both countries. The instruments for data collection were: the inventory of the learning styles of David Kolb (1984) and the learning strategies of the MSLQ (Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire) of Pintrich et al. (1993). The results revealed that there are no significant differences between learning strategies and learning styles. Therefore, it cannot be affirmed that a student with a certain predominant learning style presents levels of development of learning strategies different from those of a student with another learning style. The main contribution of this article to the teaching practice is that it reveals the importance of analyzing both the learning strategies, as well as the abilities and learning styles of the students to plan teaching strategies focused on the student in order to improve their cognitive abilities and help them better manage their studies.[ES] El objeto de este artículo es analizar las relaciones entre los estilos de aprendizaje y las estrategias de aprendizaje de estudiantes de dos universidades ubicadas en Brasil y España. El estudio cuantitativo y descriptivo fue realizado con una muestra de 106 estudiantes de último año del grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ADE) de ambos países. Los instrumentos para la recogida de datos fueron: el inventario de los estilos de aprendizaje de David Kolb (1984) y las estrategias de aprendizaje del MSLQ (Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire) de Pintrich et al. (1993). Los resultados revelaron que no hay diferencias significativas entre las estrategias de aprendizaje y los estilos de aprendizaje. Por lo tanto, no puede afirmarse que un estudiante con un determinado estilo de aprendizaje predominante presente niveles de desarrollo de estrategias de aprendizaje diferentes a las de un estudiante con otro estilo de aprendizaje. La principal contribución de este artículo para la práctica docente es que se revela la importancia de analizar tanto las estrategias de aprendizaje, como las habilidades y estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes para planificar estrategias de enseñanza centradas en el estudiante a fin de mejorar sus capacidades cognitivas y ayudarles a administrar mejor sus estudios.Trabajo subvencionado por el proyecto "Sistemas de aprendizaje en acción en el ámbito de la educación superior" (PIME/2017/A07), Universitat Politènica de València.Barbosa Da Silva, A.; Canós-Darós, L.; Coelho, ALDAL.; Perelló Marín, MR.; Santandreu Mascarell, C. (2019). Estilos y estrategias de aprendizaje de estudiantes: un estudio comparativo entre España y Brasil. Journal of Management and Business Education (JMBE). 2(3):192-214. https://doi.org/10.35564/jmbe.2019.0014S1922142

Cistinosis en pacientes adolescentes y adultos: Recomendaciones para la atención integral de la cistinosis

ResumenIntroducciónLa cistinosis es una enfermedad lisosomal minoritaria de expresión sistémica con especial afectación renal y oftalmológica, en la que los pacientes inician terapia renal sustitutiva en la primera década de la vida en ausencia de tratamiento. El pronóstico de la cistinosis depende del diagnóstico precoz, la pronta instauración del tratamiento con cisteamina y el buen cumplimiento terapéutico. La progresión de la enfermedad renal y de las complicaciones extrarrenales y una menor supervivencia, son más acentuadas en pacientes no adherentes.ObjetivoEl objetivo de este trabajo fue la elaboración de unas recomendaciones para la atención integral de la cistinosis y la transición del adolescente a la medicina del adulto, basadas en la experiencia clínica, con el fin de reducir el impacto de la enfermedad y mejorar la calidad de vida y el pronóstico del paciente.MétodoBúsqueda bibliográfica y reuniones de consenso de un equipo multidisciplinar de expertos en la práctica clínica con pacientes afectos de cistinosis (Grupo T-CiS.bcn), procedentes de 5 hospitales localizados en Barcelona.ResultadosEl documento recoge recomendaciones específicas y necesarias para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento multidisciplinar de la cistinosis en las siguientes áreas: nefrología, diálisis, trasplante renal, oftalmología, endocrinología, neurología, laboratorio, consejo genético, enfermería y farmacia.ConclusionesDisponer de un documento de referencia para la atención integral de la cistinosis constituye una herramienta de soporte para los profesionales de la salud que asisten a estos pacientes. Los principales pilares en los que se sustenta son: a) el enfoque multidisciplinar, b) la adecuada monitorización de la enfermedad y control de los niveles de cistina intraleucocitarios, c) la importancia de la adherencia al tratamiento con cisteamina y d) la promoción del autocuidado del paciente mediante programas de educación en la enfermedad. Todo ello conducirá, en una segunda fase, a la elaboración de un modelo de transición coordinado entre los servicios de pediatría y de adultos que contemple las necesidades específicas de la cistinosis.AbstractIntroductionCystinosis is a rare lysosomal systemic disease that mainly affects the kidney and the eye. Patients with cystinosis begin renal replacement therapy during the first decade of life in absence of treatment. Prognosis of cystinosis depends on early diagnosis, and prompt starting and good compliance with cysteamine treatment. Kidney disease progression, extra-renal complications and shorter life expectancy are more pronounced in those patients that do not follow treatment.The objective of this work was to elaborate recommendations for the comprehensive care of cystinosis and the facilitation of patient transition from paediatric to adult treatment, based on clinical experience. The goal is to reduce the impact of the disease, and to improve patient quality of life and prognosis.MethodsBibliographic research and consensus meetings among a multidisciplinary professional team of experts in the clinical practice, with cystinotic patients (T-CiS.bcn group) from 5 hospitals located in Barcelona.ResultsThis document gathers specific recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and multidisciplinary follow-up of cystinotic patients in the following areas: nephrology, dialysis, renal transplant, ophthalmology, endocrinology, neurology, laboratory, genetic counselling, nursing and pharmacy.ConclusionsA reference document for the comprehensive care of cystinosis represents a support tool for health professionals who take care of these patients. It is based on the following main pillars: a) a multi-disciplinary approach, b) appropriate disease monitoring and control of intracellular cystine levels in leukocytes, c) the importance of adherence to treatment with cysteamine, and d) the promotion of patient self-care by means of disease education programmes. All these recommendations will lead us, in a second phase, to create a coordinated transition model between paediatric and adult care services which will cover the specific needs of cystinosis

Myss Mystic 2.0. The Vampire Diaries’ Caroline Forbes and the American Dream: With and Without Fangs

Vampirism seems to be a recurring element in literature and audiovisual material, and lately these fanged creatures have moved on to TV series. In doing so, they have partially shed their most obvious monster-like characteristics, turning into apparently young, beautiful and civilised non-human creatures which could well fit in any modern suburb. In the case of the American TV series The Vampire Diaries, an adaptation a series of novels started by L. J. Smith in the 1990s, vampires still drink blood. Only now they pour their blood bags into glasses after stealing them from their local hospital. This issue is taken to the extreme in the character of Caroline Forbes, blonde cheerleader captain and A student who starts season one as human but becomes a vampire early in season two. Through her, the article will argue that vampires can function as the embodiment of the American Dream, showing that some people can be much more human once they are actually dead.El vampirismo, un elemento recurrente en la literatura y en producciones audiovisuales, parece haberse instalado en las series de televisión. En este traslado se han difuminado las características más monstruosas de estos seres, dando paso a criaturas jóvenes y hermosas que no desentonarían en ningún vecindario de alto nivel. En el caso de la serie americana Crónicas Vampíricas, una adaptación de la serie de novelas empezada por L. J. Smith en los años noventa, los vampiros aun beben sangre. Aunque ahora vacían en vasos las bolsas de sangre que han robado en el hospital local. Este hecho se lleva al extremo en el personaje de Caroline Forbes, la rubia capitana de las animadoras y estudiante modelo que empieza la serie como humana, pero se convierte en vampiro al principio de la segunda temporada. A través de este personaje, el artículo estudiará cómo los vampiros pueden representar el sueño americano, demostrando que algunas personas pueden llegar a ser mucho más humanas una vez que mueren

Identifying the social and environmental determinants of plague endemicity in Peru: insights from a case study in Ascope, La Libertad

Abstract Background Plague remains a public health problem in specific areas located in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Its prevention and control encompasses adequate clinical management and timely laboratory diagnosis. However, understanding communities’ interaction with its surrounding ecosystem as well as the differences between community members and institutional stakeholders regarding the root causes of plague might contribute to understand its endemicity. We aim at bridging the traditionally separate biological and social sciences by elucidating communities’ risk perception and identifying knowledge gaps between communities and stakeholders. This approach has been used in other areas but never in understanding plague endemicity, nor applied in the Latin American plague context. The objectives were to identify (i) plague risk perception at community level, (ii) perceived social and environmental determinants of plague endemicity, and (iii) institutions that need to be involved and actions needed to be taken as proposed by stakeholders and community members. The study was performed in 2015 and took place in Ascope rural province, La Libertad Region, in Peru, where the study areas are surrounded by intensive private sugarcane production. Methods We propose using a multi-level discourse analysis. Community households were randomly selected (n = 68). Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were applied. A stakeholder analysis was used to identify policy makers (n = 34). In-depth interviews were performed, recorded and transcribed. Descriptive variables were analyzed with SPSS®. Answers were coded following variables adapted from the Commission on Social Determinants of Health and analyzed with the assistance of ATLAS.ti®. Results Results showed that risk perception was low within the community. Policy-makers identified agriculture and sugarcane production as the root cause while community answers ranked the hygiene situation as the main cause. Stakeholders first ranked governmental sectors (education, housing, agriculture and transport) and the community prioritized the health sector. Social surveillance and improving prevention and control were first cited by policy-makers and community members, respectively. Conclusions The determinants of plague endemicity identified by the two groups differed. Similarly, actions and sectors needed to be involved in solving the problem varied. The gaps in understanding plague root causes between these two groups might hinder the efficiency of current plague prevention and control strategies

Characterization of human islet function in a convection‐driven intravascular bioartificial pancreas

Abstract Clinical islet transplantation for treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is limited by the shortage of pancreas donors and need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. A convection‐driven intravascular bioartificial pancreas (iBAP) based on highly permeable, yet immunologically protective, silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) holds promise to sustain islet function without the need for immunosuppressants. Here, we investigate short‐term functionality of encapsulated human islets in an iBAP prototype. Using the finite element method (FEM), we calculated predicted oxygen profiles within islet scaffolds at normalized perifusion rates of 14–200 nl/min/IEQ. The modeling showed the need for minimum in vitro and in vivo islet perifusion rates of 28 and 100 nl/min/IEQ, respectively to support metabolic insulin production requirements in the iBAP. In vitro glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) profiles revealed a first‐phase response time of <15 min and comparable insulin production rates to standard perifusion systems (~10 pg/min/IEQ) for perifusion rates of 100–200 nl/min/IEQ. An intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), performed at a perifusion rate of 100–170 nl/min/IEQ in a non‐diabetic pig, demonstrated a clinically relevant C‐peptide production rate (1.0–2.8 pg/min/IEQ) with a response time of <5 min

Feasibility of an implantable bioreactor for renal cell therapy using silicon nanopore membranes.

The definitive treatment for end-stage renal disease is kidney transplantation, which remains limited by organ availability and post-transplant complications. Alternatively, an implantable bioartificial kidney could address both problems while enhancing the quality and length of patient life. An implantable bioartificial kidney requires a bioreactor containing renal cells to replicate key native cell functions, such as water and solute reabsorption, and metabolic and endocrinologic functions. Here, we report a proof-of-concept implantable bioreactor containing silicon nanopore membranes to offer a level of immunoprotection to human renal epithelial cells. After implantation into pigs without systemic anticoagulation&nbsp;or immunosuppression therapy for 7 days, we show that cells maintain &gt;90% viability and functionality, with normal or elevated transporter gene expression and vitamin D activation. Despite implantation into a xenograft model, we find that cells exhibit minimal damage, and recipient cytokine levels are not suggestive of hyperacute rejection. These initial data confirm the potential feasibility of an implantable bioreactor for renal cell therapy utilizing silicon nanopore membranes

Renal Embolization-Induced Uremic Swine Model for Assessment of Next-Generation Implantable Hemodialyzers

Reliable models of renal failure in large animals are critical to the successful translation of the next generation of renal replacement therapies (RRT) into humans. While models exist for the induction of renal failure, none are optimized for the implantation of devices to the retroperitoneal vasculature. We successfully piloted an embolization-to-implantation protocol enabling the first implant of a silicon nanopore membrane hemodialyzer (SNMHD) in a swine renal failure model. Renal arterial embolization is a non-invasive approach to near-total nephrectomy that preserves retroperitoneal anatomy for device implants. Silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) are efficient blood-compatible membranes that enable novel approaches to RRT. Yucatan minipigs underwent staged bilateral renal arterial embolization to induce renal failure, managed by intermittent hemodialysis. A small-scale arteriovenous SNMHD prototype was implanted into the retroperitoneum. Dialysate catheters were tunneled externally for connection to a dialysate recirculation pump. SNMHD clearance was determined by intermittent sampling of recirculating dialysate. Creatinine and urea clearance through the SNMHD were 76–105 mL/min/m2 and 140–165 mL/min/m2, respectively, without albumin leakage. Normalized creatinine and urea clearance measured in the SNMHD may translate to a fully implantable clinical-scale device. This pilot study establishes a path toward therapeutic testing of the clinical-scale SNMHD and other implantable RRT devices

Renal Embolization-Induced Uremic Swine Model for Assessment of Next-Generation Implantable Hemodialyzers

Reliable models of renal failure in large animals are critical to the successful translation of the next generation of renal replacement therapies (RRT) into humans. While models exist for the induction of renal failure, none are optimized for the implantation of devices to the retroperitoneal vasculature. We successfully piloted an embolization-to-implantation protocol enabling the first implant of a silicon nanopore membrane hemodialyzer (SNMHD) in a swine renal failure model. Renal arterial embolization is a non-invasive approach to near-total nephrectomy that preserves retroperitoneal anatomy for device implants. Silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) are efficient blood-compatible membranes that enable novel approaches to RRT. Yucatan minipigs underwent staged bilateral renal arterial embolization to induce renal failure, managed by intermittent hemodialysis. A small-scale arteriovenous SNMHD prototype was implanted into the retroperitoneum. Dialysate catheters were tunneled externally for connection to a dialysate recirculation pump. SNMHD clearance was determined by intermittent sampling of recirculating dialysate. Creatinine and urea clearance through the SNMHD were 76-105 mL/min/m2 and 140-165 mL/min/m2, respectively, without albumin leakage. Normalized creatinine and urea clearance measured in the SNMHD may translate to a fully implantable clinical-scale device. This pilot study establishes a path toward therapeutic testing of the clinical-scale SNMHD and other implantable RRT devices

A coordinated transition model for patients with cystinosis: from pediatric to adult care

Introduction: Improved outcome and longer life expectancy in patients with cystinosis and the intrinsic complexity of the disease, underline the need for a guided transition of patients from pediatric to adult care. The process aims to guarantee the continuum of care and enable the empowerment of patients from guardian to self-care. Methods: Bibliography review, expert opinion and anonymous surveys of patients, relatives and patient advocacy groups. Results: A new plan to support and coordinate the transition of cystinotic patients providing specific proposals for a variety of medical fields and improved treatment adherence. Nephrologists play a key role in the transition since most cystinotic patients have severe chronic kidney disease and require kidney transplantation before adulthood. Conclusion: We present a proposal providing recommendations and a chronogram to aid the transition of adolescents and young adults with cystinosis in our area