Characterization of Functional Coatings on Cork Stoppers with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Imaging.

Evaluating the efficiency of surface treatments is a problem of paramount importance for the cork stopper industry. Generically, these treatments create coatings that aim to enhance the impermeability and lubrification of cork stoppers. Yet, current methods of surface analysis are typically time-consuming, destructive, have poor representativity or rely on indirect approaches. In this work, the use of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) imaging solution is explored for evaluating the presence of coating along the cylindrical surface and in depth. To test it, several cork stoppers with different shaped areas of untreated surface were analyzed by LIBS, making a rectangular grid of spots with multiple shots per spot, to try to identify the correspondent shape. Results show that this technique can detect the untreated area along with other features, such as leakage and holes, allowing for a high success rate of identification and for its performance at different depths, paving the way for future industry-grade quality control solutions with more complex surface analysis.

Gastroenterological Manifestations of Immunoglobulin G Subclass 4-Related Disease-Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Despite causing high morbidity, IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and its gastroenterological manifestations lack better and greater theoretical contributions. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the clinical-epidemiological, diagnostic and treatment aspects of the gastrointestinal manifestations of this disease. A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases between January 2012 and March 2023 with the following descriptors: "Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease" (MeSH) AND #2 "Gastrointestinal Tract" (MeSH). Our data collection grouped a total of 3607 patients from mostly epidemiological cohort studies and cross-sectional follow-ups. In the subgroup analysis, IgG4-RD was associated with male gender, with an estimated prevalence between 54% and 80%. In our findings, the prevalence by topography was presented in the following ranges: lacrimal glands (17-57%); salivary glands (28-72%); pancreas (19-60%); biliary tract (5-40%); retroperitoneal cavity (9-43%). Longitudinal studies are needed to better map the natural history of the gastrointestinal manifestations of IgG4-RD and enable the formulation of individualized treatments.

Minimizing sperm oxidative stress using nanotechnology for breeding programs in rams.

BACKGROUND: Artificial insemination (AI) is a routine breeding technology in animal reproduction. Nevertheless, the temperature-sensitive nature and short fertile lifespan of ram sperm samples hamper its use in AI. In this sense, nanotechnology is an interesting tool to improve sperm protection due to the development of nanomaterials for AI, which could be used as delivery vehicles. In this work, we explored the feasibility of vitamin E nanoemulsion (NE) for improving sperm quality during transport. RESULTS: With the aim of evaluating this proposal, ejaculates of 7 mature rams of Manchega breed were collected by artificial vagina and extended to 60 × 106 spz/mL in Andromed®. Samples containing control and NE (12 mmol/L) with and without exogenous oxidative stress (100 µmol/L Fe2+/ascorbate) were stored at 22 and 15 ºC and motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/PI), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) monitored during 96 h. Our results show that NE could be used to maintain ram spermatozoa during transport at 15 and 22 ºC for up to 96 h, with no appreciable loss of kinematic and physiological characteristics of freshly collected samples. CONCLUSIONS: The storage of ram spermatozoa in liquid form for 2-5 d with vitamin E nanoemulsions may lead more flexibility to breeders in AI programs. In view of the potential and high versatility of these nanodevices, further studies are being carried out to assess the proposed sperm preservation medium on fertility after artificial insemination.

On Males, Antioxidants and Infertility (MOXI): Certitudes, Uncertainties and Trends.

Male infertility (MI) involves various endogenous and exogenous facts. These include oxidative stress (OS), which is known to alter several physiological pathways and it is estimated to be present at high levels in up to 80% of infertile men. That is why since the late 20th century, the relationship between OS and MI has been widely studied. New terms have emerged, such as Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI), which is proposed as a new category to define infertile men with high OS levels. Another important term is MOXI: Male, Antioxidants, and Infertility. This term refers to the hypothesis that antioxidants could improve male fertility without the use of assisted reproductive technology. However, there are no evidence-based antioxidant treatments that directly improve seminal parameters or birth ratio. In this regard, there is controversy about their use. While certain scientists argue against their use due to the lack of results, others support this use because of their safety profile and low price. Some uncertainties related to the use of antioxidants for treating MI are their questionable efficacy or the difficulties in knowing their correct dosage. In addition, the lack of quality methods for OS detection can lead to excessive antioxidant supplementation, resulting in "reductive stress". Another important problem is that, although the inflammatory process is interdependent and closely linked to OS, it is usually ignored. To solve these uncertainties, new trends have recently emerged. These include the use of molecules with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, which are also able to specifically target the reproductive tissue; as well as the use of new methods that allow for reliable quantification of OS and a quality diagnosis. This review aims to elucidate the main uncertainties about MOXI and to outline the latest trends in research to develop effective therapies with clinically relevant outcomes.

Determination of Ram (Ovis aries) Sperm DNA Damage Due to Oxidative Stress: 8-OHdG Immunodetection Assay vs. SCSA®.

Conventional DNA analysis techniques can hardly detect DNA damage in ruminant spermatozoa due to high DNA compaction in these cells. Furthermore, these techniques cannot discriminate whether the damage is due to oxidative stress. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two techniques for determining DNA damage in ovine sperm when the source of that damage is oxidative stress. Semen samples from twenty Manchega rams (Ovis aries) were collected and cryopreserved. After thawing, the samples were subjected to different levels of oxidative stress, and DNA oxidation was quantified using an 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunodetection assay and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®). For this purpose, we evaluated five different concentrations of an oxidation solution (H2O2/FeSO4•7H2O) on ram sperm DNA. Our study with the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay shows that there are higher values for DNA oxidation in samples that were subjected to the highest oxidative stress (8 M H2O2/800 µM FeSO4•7H2O) and those that were not exposed to high oxidative stress, but these differences were not significant (p ≥ 0.05). The two SCSA® parameters considered, DNA fragmentation index (DFI %) and high DNA stainability (HDS %), showed significant differences between samples that were subjected to high concentrations of the oxidation agent and those that were not (p < 0.05). We can conclude that the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay and SCSA® detect DNA damage caused by oxidative stress in ovine sperm under high oxidative conditions; SCSA® is a more straightforward method with more accurate results. For these reasons, an oxidative-stress-specific assay such as 8-OHdG immunodetection is not needed to measure DNA damage caused by oxidative stress in ram sperm samples.

Vitamin E Lipid-Based Nanodevices as a Tool for Ovine Sperm Protection against Oxidative Stress: Impact on Sperm Motility.

The advent of nanotechnology in the field of animal reproduction has led to the development of safer and more efficient therapies. The use of nanotechnology allows us to avoid the detrimental effects of certain traditional antioxidants, such as Vitamin E. Its hydrophobic nature makes mandatory the use of organic solvents, which are toxic to sperm cells. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of vitamin E nanoemulsions (NE) on ram (Ovis aries) spermatozoa. For this purpose, the effect of three NE concentrations (6, 12, and 24 mM) were assessed on sperm of 10 mature rams of the Manchega breed. Sperm samples were collected by artificial vagina, pooled, and diluted in Bovine Gamete Medium. The samples were stored at 37 °C and assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 24 h under oxidative stress conditions (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). Motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/IP), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/IP), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®®) were assessed. A linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effects of time, NE, and oxidant (fixed factors) on sperm parameters, and a random effect on the male was also included in the model with Tukey's post hoc test. Protection of ram spermatozoa with NE resulted in a more vigorous motility under oxidative stress conditions with respect Control and Free vitamin E, while preventing the deleterious effects of oxidative stress coming from the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. These results ascertain the high relevance of the use of delivery systems for sperm physiology preservation in the context of assisted reproduction techniques.

Vitamin E Delivery Systems Increase Resistance to Oxidative Stress in Red Deer Sperm Cells: Hydrogel and Nanoemulsion Carriers.

Oxidative stress has become a major concern in the field of spermatology, and one of the possible solutions to this acute problem would be the use of antioxidant protection; however, more studies are required in this field, as highly contradictory results regarding the addition of antioxidants have been obtained. Vitamin E is a powerful biological antioxidant, but its low stability and high hydrophobicity limit its application in spermatology, making the use of organic solvents necessary, which renders spermatozoa practically motionless. Keeping this in mind, we propose the use of hydrogels (HVEs) and nanoemulsions (NVEs), alone or in combination, as carriers for the controlled release of vitamin E, thus, improving its solubility and stability and preventing oxidative stress in sperm cells. Cryopreserved sperm from six stags was thawed and extended to 30 × 106 sperm/mL in Bovine Gamete Medium (BGM). Once aliquoted, the samples were incubated as follows: control, free vitamin E (1 mM), NVEs (9 mM), HVEs (1 mM), and the combination of HVEs and NVEs (H + N), with or without induced oxidative stress (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). The different treatments were analyzed after 0, 2, 5, and 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Motility (CASA®), viability (YO-PRO-1/IP), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipid peroxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species production (CM-H2DCFDA), and DNA status (SCSA®) were assessed. Our results show that the deleterious effects of exogenous oxidative stress were prevented by the vitamin E-loaded carriers proposed, while the kinematic sperm parameters (p ˂ 0.05) and sperm viability were always preserved. Moreover, the vitamin E formulations maintained and preserved mitochondrial activity, prevented sperm lipid peroxidation, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (p ˂ 0.05) under oxidative stress conditions. Vitamin E formulations were significantly different as regards the free vitamin E samples (p < 0.001), whose sperm kinematic parameters drastically decreased. This is the first time that vitamin E has been formulated as hydrogels. This new formulation could be highly relevant for sperm physiology preservation, signifying an excellent approach against sperm oxidative damage.

Ovine sperm DNA oxidation quantification using an 8-OHdG immunodetection assay.

Our aim was to optimize 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunodetection in order to detect DNA damage caused by oxidative stress that may not be detected by other DNA integrity analysis techniques, especially due to the high compaction of DNA in ruminants. Semen samples from 6 rams were cryopreserved. After thawing, samples were subjected to the DNA oxidation quantification using an 8-OHdG immunodetection assay by flow cytometry. We have evaluated two different incubation times (30 min vs. overnight) at 4°C of the primary antibody (monoclonal anti-8-OHdG antibody). We have also compared the results of this technique with the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA® ). The analysis revealed that there were no significant differences (p > .05) between different incubation times. However, overnight incubation seems to cause more non-specific binding of the secondary antibody. Significant differences (p < .05) between subjects and oxidation controls (8 M H2 O2 /800 µM FeSO4 •7H2 O) were evident. We can conclude that the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay for DNA oxidation quantification of ram sperm can be performed subjecting sperm samples to a very high oxidative treatment.

Construção de uma Escala de Clima Organizacional para uma Organização Pública / Construction of Organizational Climate Scale for a Public Organization / Construcción de una Escala de Clima Organizacional para una Institución de Carácter Público

O presente estudo objetivou construir uma Escala de Clima Organizacional para uma instituição pública. A construção da escala foi composta por três etapas: definição das dimensões/temáticas a serem avaliadas; formulação dos itens; e reunião de indícios de validade do construto. Participaram da análise semântica do instrumento 16 servidores da instituição; da análise de juízes, 3 pesquisadores da área; e da etapa de validação estatística, em que 260 servidores da instituição responderam a um questionário de 39 itens e 6 dimensões teóricas. Submetido à análise fatorial exploratória, o instrumento foi reduzido para 29 itens distribuídos em 5 fatores. Esses fatores explicam 64,90% da variância do construto e alcançaram Alpha de Cronbach entre 0,84 a 0,95. Os resultados indicaram evidências de validade, de confiabilidade e de consistência interna do instrumento.

This study aimed to construct an Organizational Climate Scale for a public organization. The construction of the scale had three phases: definition of the factors that would be tested; elaboration of the items; and validation of the items. The samples were composed by 5 public servants from the sector (semantic analysis); 3 judges who were organizational climate researchers; 16 public servants from the institution; and 260 public servants who answered the questionnaire. The instrument had 39 items and 6 variables, and was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. The final scale consisted of 29 items and 5 factors. These factors explain 64.90% of the variance of the construct and attained a Cronbach's alpha between 0.84 and 0.95. The results indicated evidence of the validity, reliability, and internal consistency of the instrument.

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo construir una Escala de Clima Organizacional para una institución pública. La construcción de la escala se compuso de tres etapas: definición de las dimensiones/temáticas para ser evaluadas; formulación de los ítems; y reunión de indicios de validez de constructo. Participaron del análisis semántico 16 funcionarios de la institución; del análisis de jueces, 3 investigadores del área; y de la etapa de validación estadística, en que 260 servidores de la institución respondieron al cuestionario que contenía 39 ítems y 6 dimensiones teóricas. El instrumento, al ser sometido al análisis factorial exploratorio, se redujo para 29 ítems que se distribuyeron en 5 factores. Estos factores explican 64,90% de la variación del constructo y alcanzaron Alpha de Cronbach entre 0,84 y 0,95. Los resultados indicaron evidencias de validad, confiabilidad y consistencia interna del instrumento.

Gestão estratégica de pessoas no Legislativo Federal brasileiro: condições para a implementação / Gestión estratégica de personas en el Legislativo Federal brasileño: condiciones para la implementación / Strategic human resource management in the Brazilian Federal Legislative: conditions for the implementation

Resumo Esta pesquisa objetivou identificar aspectos interferentes na implementação da gestão estratégica de pessoas (GEP) nos órgãos do Poder Legislativo Federal brasileiro e as possíveis relações entre eles. Por meio de entrevistas e grupos focais realizados com 16 gestores do Senado Federal (SF) e da Câmara dos Deputados (CD) foram identificados 21 aspectos interferentes, divididos em categorias institucionais, políticas, organizacionais e setoriais, bem como foram elaborados modelos teórico-empíricos das influências exercidas por cada um dos aspectos sobre os demais, a partir do que se concluiu que os condicionantes mais significativos teriam natureza política, pois definiriam os recursos e a autonomia disponíveis para as unidades de gestão de pessoas (GP) conduzirem o processo de implementação.

Resumen Esta investigación se propuso identificar aspectos interferentes en la implementación de la gestión estratégica de personas en los órganos del Legislativo Federal brasileño y las posibles relaciones entre ellos. Por medio de entrevistas y grupos focales realizados con 16 gestores del Senado Federal y de la Cámara de Diputados, se identificaron 21 aspectos interferentes, divididos en categorías institucionales, políticas, organizativas y sectoriales, así como se elaboraron modelos teórico-empíricos de las influencias ejercidas por cada uno de los aspectos sobre los demás, a partir de lo que se concluyó que los condicionantes más significativos tendrían naturaleza política, pues definirían los recursos y la autonomía disponibles para que las unidades de gestión de personas conduzcan el proceso de implementación.

Abstract This research aimed to identify interfering aspects in the implementation of strategic human resource management in Brazilian Federal Legislative bodies, as well as the possible relations between them. Through interviews and focus groups with 16 managers of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, 21 interfering aspects were identified, divided into institutional, political, organizational, and sectoral categories. The study elaborated theoretical-empirical models of the influences exerted by each of the aspects on the others, which supported the conclusion that the most significant constraints are of political nature, since they would define the resources and the autonomy available to human resource management units to lead the implementation process.

Evasão em cursos a distância: fatores influenciadores / Evasión en cursos a distancia: factores influyentes / Dropout in distance education courses: influencing factors

O presente estudo buscou investigar os fatores que influenciaram a evasão de 1.113 alunos em dois cursos a distância oferecidos pelo Centro de Educação a Distância da Universidade de Brasília. Entretanto, foram usadas, nesta pesquisa, as respostas de apenas 170 alunos desistentes que teceram comentários ao final do instrumento aplicado por meio eletrônico, postal e telefone. Submetidos à análise de conteúdo, os comentários foram categorizados em quatro motivos: fatores situacionais; falta de apoio acadêmico; problemas com a tecnologia; e falta de apoio administrativo. Esses motivos, além de reforçarem os poucos resultados encontrados na literatura sobre evasão em educação a distância, apontam para importantes aspectos a serem aprimorados em cursos nos quais a responsabilidade sobre o aproveitamento do processo educacional é transferida dos professores para os alunos.

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced the dropout of 1113 students attending two distance courses offered by the Center for Distance Education at the University of Brasilia. However, the anwers of only 170 students who made comments at the end of the instrument through email, post and telephone were used. Subjected to content analysis, those comments were categorized into four reasons for withdrawal: situational factors, lack of academic support, problems with the technology employed in the course and lack of administrative support. These data, besides strengthening the few results in the literature on dropout in distance education, point to important aspects to be improved in such courses, in which the responsibility for the results of the teaching-learning process is transferred from the teachers and their institutions to the students.

El presente estudio buscó investigar los factores que influyeron en la evasión de 1.113 alumnos en dos cursos a distancia ofrecidos por el Centro de Educación a Distancia de la Universidad de Brasilia. Mientras tanto, se usaron en esta investigación las respuestas de sólo 170 alumnos desistentes que hicieron comentarios al final del instrumento aplicado por medio electrónico, postal y telefónico. Sometidos al análisis de contenido, los comentarios fueron categorizados en cuatro motivos: factores situacionales, falta de apoyo académico, problemas con la tecnología y falta de apoyo administrativo. Esos motivos, además de reforzar los pocos resultados encontrados en la bibliografía sobre evasión en educación a distancia, indican importantes aspectos a ser perfeccionados en cursos en los cuales la responsabilidad sobre el aprovechamiento del proceso educativo es transferida de los profesores a los alumnos.

Evasão em cursos a distância: fatores influenciadores / Evasión en cursos a distancia: factores influyentes / Dropout in distance education courses: influencing factors

O presente estudo buscou investigar os fatores que influenciaram a evasão de 1.113 alunos em dois cursos a distância oferecidos pelo Centro de Educação a Distância da Universidade de Brasília. Entretanto, foram usadas, nesta pesquisa, as respostas de apenas 170 alunos desistentes que teceram comentários ao final do instrumento aplicado por meio eletrônico, postal e telefone. Submetidos à análise de conteúdo, os comentários foram categorizados em quatro motivos: fatores situacionais; falta de apoio acadêmico; problemas com a tecnologia; e falta de apoio administrativo. Esses motivos, além de reforçarem os poucos resultados encontrados na literatura sobre evasão em educação a distância, apontam para importantes aspectos a serem aprimorados em cursos nos quais a responsabilidade sobre o aproveitamento do processo educacional é transferida dos professores para os alunos.(AU)

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced the dropout of 1113 students attending two distance courses offered by the Center for Distance Education at the University of Brasilia. However, the anwers of only 170 students who made comments at the end of the instrument through email, post and telephone were used. Subjected to content analysis, those comments were categorized into four reasons for withdrawal: situational factors, lack of academic support, problems with the technology employed in the course and lack of administrative support. These data, besides strengthening the few results in the literature on dropout in distance education, point to important aspects to be improved in such courses, in which the responsibility for the results of the teaching-learning process is transferred from the teachers and their institutions to the students.(AU)

El presente estudio buscó investigar los factores que influyeron en la evasión de 1.113 alumnos en dos cursos a distancia ofrecidos por el Centro de Educación a Distancia de la Universidad de Brasilia. Mientras tanto, se usaron en esta investigación las respuestas de sólo 170 alumnos desistentes que hicieron comentarios al final del instrumento aplicado por medio electrónico, postal y telefónico. Sometidos al análisis de contenido, los comentarios fueron categorizados en cuatro motivos: factores situacionales, falta de apoyo académico, problemas con la tecnología y falta de apoyo administrativo. Esos motivos, además de reforzar los pocos resultados encontrados en la bibliografía sobre evasión en educación a distancia, indican importantes aspectos a ser perfeccionados en cursos en los cuales la responsabilidad sobre el aprovechamiento del proceso educativo es transferida de los profesores a los alumnos.(AU)

Modelos lógicos e avaliações de treinamentos organizacionais / Logic models and organizational training evaluations / Modelos lógicos y evaluaciones de entrenamientos organizacionales

A área de treinamento tem produzido pouco sobre análises organizacionais, de forma que avaliações de treinamento em níveis abrangentes tendem a ser escassas na literatura científica. Este estudo teve por objetivo propor um modelo lógico de avaliação de treinamento sobre o desempenho de uma organização pública, bem como testar sua avaliabilidade. Para tanto, foi realizada entrevista coletiva com 11 funcionários para identificação de treinamento capaz de alterar o desempenho da organização, entrevista com um funcionário para escolha de indicadores de desempenho organizacional sensíveis ao treinamento, entrevistas com sete funcionários com vistas à seleção de material para proposição do modelo, grupo focal com 28 funcionários para validação do modelo lógico. Ainda que a avaliabilidade do curso não tenha sido plenamente constatada, o modelo lógico permitiu a clarificação das relações entre o treinamento e o desempenho organizacional, principal entrave em processos avaliativos desta natureza.(AU)

The area of personnel training has produced little about organizational analysis, so that evaluations at broader levels of analysis tend to be scarce in the literature. This research aimed to propose a logic model for training evaluation on the performance of a public organization, as well as test their evaluability through: group interview with 11 employees to identify a training capable of impacting the organization's performance, interview with a qualified employee to choose organizational performance indicators sensitive to the selected training, interviews with seven employees to select material for the proposition of the model, and focus group with 28 staff members to validate the logic model. Although the evaluability of the training model has not been fully established, the logical model has served to clarify the possible relationship between training and organizational performance, the main obstacle in evaluation processes of this nature.(AU)

El área de entrenamiento ha producido pocos análisis organizacionales, por lo que evaluaciones de la formación en niveles más amplios tienden a ser poco frecuentes en la literatura científica. Esta investigación objetivó proponer un modelo lógico para evaluar el impacto de una capacitación en el desempeño de una organización pública, así como poner a prueba su posibilidad de evaluación. Para ese fin, fue llevada a cabo una entrevista colectiva con 11 empleados para identificar una formación con la posibilidad de modificar el desempeño de la organización, entrevista con un trabajador para elección de los indicadores de desempeño de la organización sensibles a la formación, entrevistas con siete empleados para elección de los materiales para la composición del modelo, grupo focal con 28 funcionarios para validar el modelo lógico. Aunque la evaluabilidad del curso no fue totalmente verificada, el modelo sirvió para aclarar las relaciones entre la formación y el desempeño de la organización, principal obstáculo en ese tipo de evaluaciones.(AU)

Modelos lógicos e avaliações de treinamentos organizacionais / Logic models and organizational training evaluations / Modelos lógicos y evaluaciones de entrenamientos organizacionales

A área de treinamento tem produzido pouco sobre análises organizacionais, de forma que avaliações de treinamento em níveis abrangentes tendem a ser escassas na literatura científica. Este estudo teve por objetivo propor um modelo lógico de avaliação de treinamento sobre o desempenho de uma organização pública, bem como testar sua avaliabilidade. Para tanto, foi realizada entrevista coletiva com 11 funcionários para identificação de treinamento capaz de alterar o desempenho da organização, entrevista com um funcionário para escolha de indicadores de desempenho organizacional sensíveis ao treinamento, entrevistas com sete funcionários com vistas à seleção de material para proposição do modelo, grupo focal com 28 funcionários para validação do modelo lógico. Ainda que a avaliabilidade do curso não tenha sido plenamente constatada, o modelo lógico permitiu a clarificação das relações entre o treinamento e o desempenho organizacional, principal entrave em processos avaliativos desta natureza.

The area of personnel training has produced little about organizational analysis, so that evaluations at broader levels of analysis tend to be scarce in the literature. This research aimed to propose a logic model for training evaluation on the performance of a public organization, as well as test their evaluability through: group interview with 11 employees to identify a training capable of impacting the organization's performance, interview with a qualified employee to choose organizational performance indicators sensitive to the selected training, interviews with seven employees to select material for the proposition of the model, and focus group with 28 staff members to validate the logic model. Although the evaluability of the training model has not been fully established, the logical model has served to clarify the possible relationship between training and organizational performance, the main obstacle in evaluation processes of this nature.

El área de entrenamiento ha producido pocos análisis organizacionales, por lo que evaluaciones de la formación en niveles más amplios tienden a ser poco frecuentes en la literatura científica. Esta investigación objetivó proponer un modelo lógico para evaluar el impacto de una capacitación en el desempeño de una organización pública, así como poner a prueba su posibilidad de evaluación. Para ese fin, fue llevada a cabo una entrevista colectiva con 11 empleados para identificar una formación con la posibilidad de modificar el desempeño de la organización, entrevista con un trabajador para elección de los indicadores de desempeño de la organización sensibles a la formación, entrevistas con siete empleados para elección de los materiales para la composición del modelo, grupo focal con 28 funcionarios para validar el modelo lógico. Aunque la evaluabilidad del curso no fue totalmente verificada, el modelo sirvió para aclarar las relaciones entre la formación y el desempeño de la organización, principal obstáculo en ese tipo de evaluaciones.

Determinantes situacionais e individuais da aprendizagem em ensino a distância: desenvolvimento de escala / Situational and individual determinants of learning in distance education: development of scale / Determinantes de aprendizaje del contexto y del individuo en enseñanza a distancia: desarrollo de escala

A educação a distância, apesar de alternativa para a democratização do acesso ao ensino profissional e acadêmico, carece de estudos que expliquem suas altas taxas de evasão. O presente artigo objetivou construir e validar um instrumento que aborda características dos aprendizes, aspectos contextuais de estudo e outros referentes ao curso, capazes de afetar a permanência do alunado. A escala “Determinantes Situacionais e Individuais da Aprendizagem em Ensino a Distância” foi submetida à validação por juízes e posteriormente, respondida por uma amostra de 323 alunos de um curso de graduação a distância em Administração de uma instituição pública federal de ensino superior. Resultados apontam para uma excelente adequação psicométrica do instrumento, com estrutura unifatorial composta pelos 25 itens originalmente propostos que, associados a cargas fatoriais entre 0,36 a 0,80 e um índice de confiabilidadede 0,94, explicavam aproximadamente 43% da variabilidade do fenômeno de interesse.

Despite distance education is an alternative to the democratization of access to professional and academic learning, research is needed to explain its high dropout rates. This paper aimed to develop and validate an instrument that reaches learners’ characteristics, studying contextual factors and other aspects related to the course, that could affect the students’ permanence. The scale “Situational and Individual Determinants of Learning in Distance Education” was submitted to experts’ validation and after it was answered by 323 undergraduate students of a Business Administration distance course in a federal public institution of higher education. Results indicate an excellent psychometric adequacy of the instrument, with one single factor structure composed of the 25 items originally proposed that, associated tothe factor loadings between 0.36 to 0.80 and a reliability index of 0.94, explained about 43% of the variability of the phenomenon of interest.

La enseñanza a distancia, aun una alternativa para la democratización del acceso a la enseñanza profesional yacadémica, necesita de estudios que expliquen sus altas tasas de evasión. El objetivo del artículo fue construir yvalidar un instrumento que aborda características de los aprendizes, aspectos del contexto de estudio y del curso, capazes de afectar la permanencia del alumno. La escala “Determinantes de Aprendizaje del Contexto y del Individuoen Enseñanza a Distancia” fue sometida a la validación por especialistas y contestada por 323 alumnos de un cursode graduación a distancia en Administración de una instituición pública federal de enseñanza superior. Resultados señalan para una excelente adecuación psicométrica del instrumento, con estructura de un factor compuesta por los 25 artículos originalmente propuestos que, asociados a cargas factoriales entre 0,36 a 0,80 y un índice de fiabilidad de 0,94, ha explicado cerca 43% de la variabilidad del fenómeno de interés.

Determinantes situacionais e individuais da aprendizagem em ensino a distância: desenvolvimento de escala / Situational and individual determinants of learning in distance education: development of scale / Determinantes de aprendizaje del contexto y del individuo en enseñanza a distancia: desarrollo de escala

A educação a distância, apesar de alternativa para a democratização do acesso ao ensino profissional e acadêmico, carece de estudos que expliquem suas altas taxas de evasão. O presente artigo objetivou construir e validar um instrumento que aborda características dos aprendizes, aspectos contextuais de estudo e outros referentes ao curso, capazes de afetar a permanência do alunado. A escala “Determinantes Situacionais e Individuais da Aprendizagem em Ensino a Distância” foi submetida à validação por juízes e posteriormente, respondida por uma amostra de 323 alunos de um curso de graduação a distância em Administração de uma instituição pública federal de ensino superior. Resultados apontam para uma excelente adequação psicométrica do instrumento, com estrutura unifatorial composta pelos 25 itens originalmente propostos que, associados a cargas fatoriais entre 0,36 a 0,80 e um índice de confiabilidadede 0,94, explicavam aproximadamente 43% da variabilidade do fenômeno de interesse.(AU)

Despite distance education is an alternative to the democratization of access to professional and academic learning, research is needed to explain its high dropout rates. This paper aimed to develop and validate an instrument that reaches learners’ characteristics, studying contextual factors and other aspects related to the course, that could affect the students’ permanence. The scale “Situational and Individual Determinants of Learning in Distance Education” was submitted to experts’ validation and after it was answered by 323 undergraduate students of a Business Administration distance course in a federal public institution of higher education. Results indicate an excellent psychometric adequacy of the instrument, with one single factor structure composed of the 25 items originally proposed that, associated tothe factor loadings between 0.36 to 0.80 and a reliability index of 0.94, explained about 43% of the variability of the phenomenon of interest.(AU)

La enseñanza a distancia, aun una alternativa para la democratización del acceso a la enseñanza profesional yacadémica, necesita de estudios que expliquen sus altas tasas de evasión. El objetivo del artículo fue construir yvalidar un instrumento que aborda características de los aprendizes, aspectos del contexto de estudio y del curso, capazes de afectar la permanencia del alumno. La escala “Determinantes de Aprendizaje del Contexto y del Individuoen Enseñanza a Distancia” fue sometida a la validación por especialistas y contestada por 323 alumnos de un cursode graduación a distancia en Administración de una instituición pública federal de enseñanza superior. Resultados señalan para una excelente adecuación psicométrica del instrumento, con estructura de un factor compuesta por los 25 artículos originalmente propuestos que, asociados a cargas factoriales entre 0,36 a 0,80 y un índice de fiabilidad de 0,94, ha explicado cerca 43% de la variabilidad del fenómeno de interés.(AU)

Construção e validação de um instrumento para avaliar auto-eficácia em situações de treinamento, desenvolvimento e educação de pessoas / Development and validation of an instrument to assess self-efficacy in personnel training, development and education situations

Pesquisas desenvolvidas nas últimas décadas indicam a relevância de características individuais, como auto-eficácia, na explicação de efeitos de programas educacionais. Inúmeras medidas específicas de auto-eficácia foram elaboradas e validadas neste ínterim. Entretanto, estas escalas confundem-se com medidas que avaliam os efeitos de ações educacionais sobre o desempenho dos indivíduos. São raros os estudos que desenvolveram escalas gerais de auto-eficácia. O presente estudo relata o desenvolvimento de uma escala de auto-eficácia geral. O instrumento, composto por 15 itens, foi submetido à validação teórica e à validação empírica. Neste último processo, 1845 treinandos participaram da pesquisa, de forma que suas respostas foram submetidas a análises fatoriais exploratórias. Os resultados indicaram a validade, a precisão e a confiabilidade do instrumento de auto-eficácia desenvolvido.(AU)

Researches done in the last decades suggest the importance of individual characteristics, such as self-efficacy, to explain the effects of training programs. Several specific measures of self-efficacy were developed and validated. These scales are confounded with impact measures that evaluate post-training individual performance. Studies concerning the development of self-efficacy generic measures are still rare. This study reports the development of a self-efficacy generic scale. The instrument, made up of 15 items, was submitted to a theoretical validation as well as to an empirical validation. In this last validation process, 1845 trainees participated of the research. Their answers were submitted to exploratory factor analysis, and the results indicated the validity, precision, and reliability of the self-efficacy instrument which was developed.(AU)

Construção e validação de um instrumento para avaliar auto-eficácia em situações de treinamento, desenvolvimento e educação de pessoas / Development and validation of an instrument to assess self-efficacy in personnel training, development and education situations

Pesquisas desenvolvidas nas últimas décadas indicam a relevância de características individuais, como auto-eficácia, na explicação de efeitos de programas educacionais. Inúmeras medidas específicas de auto-eficácia foram elaboradas e validadas neste ínterim. Entretanto, estas escalas confundem-se com medidas que avaliam os efeitos de ações educacionais sobre o desempenho dos indivíduos. São raros os estudos que desenvolveram escalas gerais de auto-eficácia. O presente estudo relata o desenvolvimento de uma escala de auto-eficácia geral. O instrumento, composto por 15 itens, foi submetido à validação teórica e à validação empírica. Neste último processo, 1845 treinandos participaram da pesquisa, de forma que suas respostas foram submetidas a análises fatoriais exploratórias. Os resultados indicaram a validade, a precisão e a confiabilidade do instrumento de auto-eficácia desenvolvido.

Researches done in the last decades suggest the importance of individual characteristics, such as self-efficacy, to explain the effects of training programs. Several specific measures of self-efficacy were developed and validated. These scales are confounded with impact measures that evaluate post-training individual performance. Studies concerning the development of self-efficacy generic measures are still rare. This study reports the development of a self-efficacy generic scale. The instrument, made up of 15 items, was submitted to a theoretical validation as well as to an empirical validation. In this last validation process, 1845 trainees participated of the research. Their answers were submitted to exploratory factor analysis, and the results indicated the validity, precision, and reliability of the self-efficacy instrument which was developed.

Use of a protein-based tissue adhesive as an aid for the surgical reconstruction of advanced and recurrent skin cancer tumors to the head and neck region: a technical report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced skin cancer present a unique challenge to neurosurgeons. Treatment involves aggressive surgical intervention and lengthy reconstructive procedures with considerable morbidity to obtain adequate and safe oncological margins. We reviewed our experience with BioGlue Surgical Adhesive, a protein-based adhesive, as an adjunct in free tissue transfer procedures to prevent CSF leakage and seroma formation. METHODS: Between January 2000 and June 2004, 11 patients ranging in age from 32 to 87 years presented with advanced skin cancer tumors in the head and neck. Pathology included squamous (7) and basal (3) cell carcinoma and malignant schwannoma (1). Of the 11 patients, 8 had undergone previous surgery and/or radiation therapy. All were treated with a combination of craniotomy, skull base, and craniofacial approaches with reconstruction of the large defects using muscular or myocutaneous free flaps in a single operation. Fat, muscle, and a 1-mm epidural layer of BioGlue were used to seal the dural sutures and to obliterate any potential seroma-forming dead space. RESULTS: A total of 6 patients underwent craniofacial resection with orbital exenteration and partial rhinectomy, whereas the remaining 5 underwent frontal, parietal, and/or occipital craniotomies. All patients required dural repair. Three patients required additional brain resection because of tumor infiltration. No patient developed a CSF leak or seroma. There were no adverse events related to the use of BioGlue. Three patients died of medical complications (pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, late-onset myelodysplasia). The remaining patients are alive, and our follow-up (range, 9-58 months) has revealed no recurrence or distal metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced skin cancer tumors in the head and neck region are associated with complex and disfiguring surgical procedures with increased morbidity. We demonstrate that an adjunctive use of a sufficiently strong tissue adhesive can yield acceptable outcomes and minimize comorbidity in this challenging patient population.

[Hodgkin lymphoma in Chile: experience of the national adult cancer program]. / Linfoma de Hodkin en Chile: experiencia de 15 años del Programa Nacional de Cáncer del Adulto.

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable disease. AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and the treatment results of Hodgkin lymphoma patients of the National Cancer Program in Chile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective assessment of 682 patients treated in 18 adult cancer centers. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Median follow up was 127, 95, 87, 72 and 50 months for C-MOPP, radiotherapy (RT), C-MOPP/ABV, NOVP and ABVD, respectively. RESULTS: Median age was 37 years (15-84). Nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity were equally expressed. Advanced stages (III & IV) were present at diagnosis in 61% of cases. Age over 40 was an adverse prognostic factor (p<0.001). The rate of PFS at 5 and 10 years for early stages was 73% and 66% with RT, 80% and 74% with C-MOPP+RT, 73% and 71% with C-MOPP/ABV, 59% and 59% with NOVP+RT, and 81% with ABVD+RT, at 5 years, being significantly lower for NOVP (p=0.02). The rate of OS at 5 and 10 years for advanced stages was 82% and 70% with RT, 82% and 76% with C-MOPP+RT, 82% and 80% with C-MOPP/ABV, 68% and 60% with NOVP, and 85% with ABVD at 5 years, also significantly lower for NOVP (p=0.04). For advanced stages, the rate of PFS at 5 and 10 years was 49% and 43% with C-MOPP, 69% and 62% with C-MOPP/ABVD or C-MOPP/ABV, and 71% at 5 years with ABVD, significantly lower for C-MOPP (p=0.01). The rate of OS at 5 and 10 years was 52% and 46% with C-MOPP, 70% and 63% with C-MOPP/ABVD or C-MOPP/ABV and 76% with ABVD at 5 years, significantly lower for C-MOPP (p=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Age over 40 years was an adverse prognostic factor. C-MOPP/ABVD, C-MOPP/ABV and ABVD had comparable results and reached a high tumor control and overall survival in both early and advanced stages.