New target groups and tools in business and social communications

The article describes the new target groups and communication methods and vehicles in the on-line business and social communications. Instead of the “X”, “Y” and “Z” generations we focus on digital natives and digital immigrants. Digital natives are different because of neuroplasticity.They influence their parents with so called reserved socialization. Up-to-date communication is based on POE theory of integrated communications. “Traditional” web sites should be transformed into responsive sites with flat design. The article gives important basic rules and tools which companies and institutions should keep in mind for on-line communication

Convergent Sequences of Dense Graphs I: Subgraph Frequencies, Metric Properties and Testing

We consider sequences of graphs and define various notions of convergence related to these sequences: ``left convergence'' defined in terms of the densities of homomorphisms from small graphs into the graphs of the sequence, and ``right convergence'' defined in terms of the densities of homomorphisms from the graphs of the sequence into small graphs; and convergence in a suitably defined metric. In Part I of this series, we show that left convergence is equivalent to convergence in metric, both for simple graphs, and for graphs with nodeweights and edgeweights. One of the main steps here is the introduction of a cut-distance comparing graphs, not necessarily of the same size. We also show how these notions of convergence provide natural formulations of Szemeredi partitions, sampling and testing of large graphs.Comment: 57 pages. See also http://research.microsoft.com/~borgs/. This version differs from an earlier version from May 2006 in the organization of the sections, but is otherwise almost identica

Longitudinal study of physical activity in college students: Testing self-determination theory based on stages of change

The main purpose of this study was to longitudinally test the relationships of Self Determination Theory variables on physical activity, analyzing the model based on stages of change. The study is a longitudinal and quantitative research. We have developed a longitudinal cross-lagged design for structural equation models of three time points and multi-group analysis. Participants were 772 Spanish college students from the University of Zaragoza (M = 19.74, SD = 2.76) studying several degrees. Participants completed different self-reports, assessing: physical activity, stages of change, motivation and basic psychological needs, at three time points (November, January and March). The analysis indicated that intrinsic motivation positively predicted physical activity at the 3-time points, both directly and indirectly. Intrinsic motivation was negatively predicted by autonomy and positively predicted by competence (from time point 2 to 3). No relationships were found with relatedness for the entire sample. Regarding the stages of change multi-group analysis were run: in the low active group, we found a negative relationship between relatedness and physical activity, and a positive association between competence and intrinsic motivation and physical activity, whereas intrinsic motivation did not predict physical activity. Our findings showed that intrinsic motivation was the most consistent predictor of physical activity. The competence need played an essential role in intrinsic motivation and physical activity for both active and passive subjects. However, the basic psychological needs have not worked as indicated by the theory when it was examined longitudinally. The findings of the study highlight the need for different strategies to improve physical activity levels according to the stages of change

Cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de práctica de actividad física y percepción de barreras en estudiantes de bachillerato

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer los niveles de actividad física (AF) así como la percepción de barreras para la realización de AF en estudiantes de Bachillerato, analizando dichas variables en función del género, curso académico, práctica deportiva extraescolar y tipo de jornada. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en el que participaron 248 adolescentes, 120 chicos y 128 chicas ( M = 15.32; DT = 1.81), 144 de 1º de Bachillerato y 104 de 2º de Bachillerato. Se utilizó el Cuestionario Internacional de AF en su versión corta (IPAQ-SF) y la Escala de Barreras para la práctica de AF . Los resultados señalaron que menos del 30% de los estudiantes de Bachillerato alcanza las recomendaciones de práctica de AF, siendo el grado de cumplimiento más elevado en los chicos (38.3%), en el alumnado de 1º de Bachillerato (30.6%), en el alumnado que realiza práctica deportiva extraescolar (36.7%) y entre semana (31%). Por otro lado, las barreras referentes al tiempo fueron superiores en el alumnado de 2º de Bachillerato, mientras que las barreras relativas al disfrute fueron superiores en las chicas y en el alumnado que no realizaba práctica deportiva extraescolar. Los resultados destacan la importancia de promover la práctica regular de AF en Bachillerato, especialmente en las chicas y en los adolescentes de 2º curso, a través de programas de intervención que ayuden a mejorar la gestión del tiempo de ocio y estimulen el desarrollo de los procesos motivacionales. The aim of this study was to analyze physical activity (PA) levels and perceived barriers to PA in High School students. Similarly, differences in gender, academic year, out-of-school sport and type of day were analyzed among these variables. In this cross-sectional study, 248 adolescents, 120 boys and 128 girls (M = 15.32; SD = 1.81), were involved. The sample was made up of 144 12th grade students (58.1%) and 104 13th grade students. The International PA Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Scale of Barriers to PA were used. The results showed that less than 30% of High School students comply with the PA guidelines, being higher in boys (38.3%), in the 12th High School students (30.6%), in the students who practiced extracurricular sports (36.7%) and weekdays (31%). On the other hand, barriers relating to time adolescents were higher in students of 13th High School, while barriers relate to enjoyment were higher in girls and students who did not practice extracurricular sports. The results highlight the importance of promoting PA in High School students, especially in girls and 12th High School, through intervention programs that help improve the management of their leisure time and development of motivational processes

Rasgos de personalidad y burnout en médicos de familia

ObjetivoInvestigar los rasgos de personalidad que podrían asociarse con puntuaciones altas en las escalas de burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) en médicos de atención primaria.DiseñoEstudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal.EmplazamientoNoventa y tres centros de atención primaria de la ciudad de Barcelona y las comarcas del norte de la provincia: Vallès Oriental, Vallès Occidental, Maresme, Osona, Bages y Berguedà (región sanitaria centro).MétodoEncuesta directa por entrevista personal o grupal a 528 médicos de atención primaria. Se administraron 3 cuestionarios: uno de datos sociodemográficos generales, el Maslasch Burnout Inventory (MBI) y el test de personalidad de Cattell 16 PF-5.ResultadosUn 40% de los encuestados presentaba algún síntoma de burnout sin diferencia entre sexos. De éstos, un 12,4% manifestaba niveles muy altos de «quemazón» profesional. Los sujetos con criterios de burnout obtuvieron puntuaciones significativamente diferentes en los rasgos de estabilidad, tensión y vigilancia y en la dimensión ansiedad.ConclusionesAlgunos rasgos de personalidad, como la baja estabilidad emocional, la tensión y la ansiedad, se asocian de manera significativa a puntuaciones altas de burnoutExisten algunas diferencias entre estos factores internos por sexo.ObjectiveWith this research we try to study personality traits that could be associated with high punctuation at burnout scales (Maslach Burnout Inventory) in primary care physicians.DesignObservational descriptive transversal studySetting93 primary care centres in Barcelona-city and the northern province's region: Vallès Oriental, Vallès Occidental, Maresme, Osona, Bages and Berguedà (centre sanitary region).MethodIndividual or collective direct interview to 528 primary care physicians. Three questioners were administrated: a sociodemographyc items one, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Cattell personality test 16-PF.ResultsThe 40% of the interviewed physicians had some burnout symptom without any difference between sexes. The 12.4% of these ones showed very high burnout levels. Those subjects with burnout criteria punctuated different at stability, tension and vigilance traits and anxiety dimension.ConclusionSome personality traits like low stability, the tension and the anxiety are associated with high punctuation of burnout

Noninvasive predictors of atrial fibrillation early recurrence after electrical cardioversion and their link to atrial remodeling

[EN] Several clinical factors have been studied to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV) with limited predictive value. In this work, several time-frequency parameters from the fibrillatory (f) waves characterization were studied to improve ECV outcome prediction at mid follow-up. By analyzing ECV outcome one month after the procedure of 63 persistent AF patients, f waves power (fWP) presented the highest predictive accuracy of 82.5%, whereas f waves organization, computed by sample entropy (SampEn), provided a 79.4%. Other analyzed features revealed accuracies lower than 70%. A stepwise discriminant analysis provided a model based on fWP and SampEn with 90.5% of accuracy. Moreover, a thorough analysis of the results allowed the outline of possible associations between these two features and the concomitant status of atrial remodeling. As a consequence, the information provided by advanced signal processing methodologies could be more effective in the prediction of long-standing AF early recurrences than previously analyzed clinical parameters.This work was supported by the projects TEC2010–20633 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and PII11–0194–8121 and PII1C09–0036–3237 from Junta de Comunidades de Castilla La Mancha.Alcaraz, R.; Hornero Sos, F.; Rieta, JJ. (2013). Noninvasive predictors of atrial fibrillation early recurrence after electrical cardioversion and their link to atrial remodeling. International Journal of Bioelectromagnetism. 15(1):36-40. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/53270S364015

Factors associated with hepatitis B testing among cambodian american men and women.

Cambodian Americans have an elevated risk of liver cancer. This health disparity is attributable to high rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Our study examined factors associated with HBV testing among Cambodian men and women. A population-based survey was conducted in the Seattle area. The Health Behavior Framework guided our survey instrument development. We attempted to interview a man and a woman in each household. The sample included 300 men and 367 women. About one-half of the male (45%) and female (54%) respondents had been tested for HBV. Two factors were independently associated with testing among men and women: a doctor had recommended testing and had asked a doctor for testing. Knowing that someone who looks and feels healthy can spread HBV was independently associated with testing among men. Low levels of HBV testing remain a public health problem among Cambodians. Interventions should improve patient-provider communication by encouraging providers who serve Cambodians to recommend HBV testing, as well as by empowering Cambodians to ask for testing

Mejora del comportamiento en la extrusión de pastas cerámicas de baja plasticidad.

Shaping by extrusion may be used for the manufacture of tiles, bricks, and also refractory products. The three fundamental aspects that must be considered to achieve ideal extrusion conditions are the nature of the material, particle size and Plastic behaviour. Of these, obtaining a mass of adequate plasticity is essential during the processing in order to prevent defects such as cracks, laminations or migrations of the liquid phase [1]. Plastic behaviour depends on numerous factors [2]: size and shape of the particle, mineralogical composition, presence of electrolytes, organic matter, etc. With regard to traditional ceramics, as is the case of the manufacture of ceramic tiles, clay materials are those with the necessary plasticity to carry out the extrusion process. However, in the absence of clays with sufficient plasticity or when the composition incorporates a high proportion of other non-plastic ingredients, the extrusion operation may be seriously compromised, particularly for the manufacture of large or complex tiles. In these cases it is necessary to add plasticizers or binders to the pastes to achieve rheological behaviour and plasticity enabling correct processing of the composition [3]. In this report the influence of different additives in different proportions on the plasticity index of a ceramic composition was evaluated and the variation of the plasticity index was related to the behaviour of the paste during extrusion.El conformado por extrusión se puede utilizar para la fabricación de baldosas, ladrillos, tejas o también productos refractarios. Los tres aspectos fundamentales que se deben considerar para lograr unas condiciones de extrusión idóneas son la naturaleza del material, el tamaño de partícula y el comportamiento plástico. De éstas, obtener una masa de plasticidad adecuada es fundamental durante el procesado, para evitar la aparición de defectos tales como grietas, laminaciones o migraciones de la fase líquida [1]. El comportamiento plástico depende de numerosos factores [2]: tamaño y forma de la partícula, composición mineralógica, presencia de electrolitos, materia orgánica, etc. En lo que concierne a las cerámicas tradicionales, como es el caso de la fabricación de baldosas cerámicas, los materiales arcillosos son los que confieren la plasticidad necesaria para llevar a cabo el proceso de extrusión. Sin embargo, cuando no se dispone de arcillas con la plasticidad suficiente o cuando la composición incorpora otros ingredientes no plásticos en elevada proporción, la operación de extrusión se puede ver seriamente comprometida, sobre todo en la fabricación de baldosas de gran formato o de geometría compleja. En estos casos es necesario añadir a las pastas aditivos plastificantes o ligantes para conseguir un comportamiento reológico y plasticidad que permitan un correcto procesado de la composición [3]. En este trabajo se evaluó la influencia de la incorporación de diferentes aditivos en distintas proporciones sobre el índice de plasticidad de una composición cerámica y se relacionó la variación del índice de plasticidad con el comportamiento de la pasta durante la extrusión