An approach from positive psychology to mental health of university freshmen in Concepcion (Chile)

University is a demanding and changing environment for first year students, what could affect their mental health and their academic performance. Due these conditions, this research wanted to analyze mental health in freshmen of a private university in, Concepción, Chile, oriented by an approach from positive psychology. 554 were selected and surveyed to evaluate three variables: self-Esteem, satisfaction with life and optimism. furthermore, socio-demographic characteristics and mental health problems were assessed. Outcomes show that students evaluate positively themselves, their life and future. In addition, these variables are related with age, type of former school, religion, depression and anxiety. Systematic relationship found between these three strengths of mental health and their inverse relationship with the most prevalent problems in this area highlight the relevance that these three variables could have to define preventive and remedial strategies to promote student welfare.

Prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares en miembros superiores y los probables factores de riesgo asociados en los estudiantes de musica en una institución universitaria de Bogotá,Colombia, 2013

Los músicos por su práctica instrumental tienen una alta demanda de desempeño físico, especialmente de los miembros superiores y están expuestos a varios factores de riesgo biomecánico que pueden resultar en problemas de salud. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de sintomatología osteomuscular de miembros superiores y los probables factores de riesgo asociados, en los estudiantes expuestos a la actividad musical durante el segundo semestre del año 2013 en una institución universitaria de Bogotá, Colombia. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte trasversal en 134 estudiantes de todos los semestres de música en una institución universitaria. Se aplicó el Cuestionario nórdico estandarizado para análisis de síntomas músculo esqueléticos y una encuesta ad hoc que contemplaba aspectos sociodemográficos y antecedentes académicos, patológicos, factores de exposición y hábitos. Resultados: Las prevalencias generales encontradas en el estudio, son similares a las que refieren algunos estudios revisados que contemplan ciertas variables afines a las que se estudiaron. La prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares cervico-braquial fue de 77.9%. La prevalencia de molestias en cuello fue mayor en las mujeres (64.3%) que en los hombres (37.4%) (OR=3.02, IC 95%=1.26, 7.18). La prevalencia de síntomas en manos/muñecas que le impidió hacer su trabajo en los últimos 12 meses fue mayor en los estudiantes que refirieron alguna enfermedad (29.4%) que en los que no la manifestaron (10.2%), (OR=3.69, IC 95%=1.34, 10.19). La prevalencia de molestias en cuello que les impidió hacer su trabajo en los últimos 12 meses fue mayor en los estudiantes que practicaron algún pasatiempo con sus brazos (10.4%) versus los que no lo practicaron, cuya frecuencia fue 0.0%. Los instrumentos musicales de mayor práctica fueron cuerda y percusión y se asociaron a prevalencia de síntomas osteomusculares cérvico-braquiales con una distribución por segmentos similar. Los tiempos de práctica semanales y la antigüedad en la práctica, conduce a síntomas cervico-braquiales. Conclusiones: Este estudio coincide con la distribución de las prevalencias encontradas en poblaciones de estudiantes de música revisadas, con respecto a la sintomatología, a los segmentos cervico-braquiales de mayor afectación, a la significancia del género femenino con respecto al masculino, al tipo de instrumentos y a los tiempos de práctica entre otros. Esto plantea la necesidad de educar a nuestros músicos en la detección temprana de síntomas desde su formación de pregrado o quizás mucho antes.

PhD Students’ Research Group Social Capital in Two Countries: A Clustering Approach with Duocentred Network Measures

The article examines the structure of the collaboration networks of research groups where Slovenian and Spanish PhD students are pursuing their doctorate. The units of analysis are student-supervisor dyads. We use duocentred networks, a novel network structure appropriate for networks which are centred around a dyad. A cluster analysis reveals three typical clusters of research groups. Those which are large and belong to several institutions are labelled under a bridging social capital label. Those which are small, centred in a single institution but have high cohesion are labelled as bonding social capital. Those which are small and with low cohesion are called weak social capital groups. Academic performance of both PhD students and supervisors are highest in bridging groups and lowest in weak groups. Other variables are also found to differ according to the type of research group. At the end, some recommendations regarding academic and research policy are drawn

Logística externa de materiais : dificuldades em obras de construção em Angola

The objectives of this article are to analyze the role of external logistics in the construction sites in Angola and to evaluate the problems inherent in this activity in this country so we can find ways of increasing the rationalization of the production and, as a consequence of that, the competitiveness of Portuguese contractors operating in Angola. In spite of logistics being an administrative process that is incorporated, mainly, in the seriated industrial companies, it must also be applied to the construction industry because it presents unquestionable and vital benefits to its performance. Nevertheless, the evolution of logistics applied to the construction has been poor, which is proved by the limited bibliography in this area. This happens for two reasons: the intrinsic specificities of this industry and the consequent inapplicability of algorithms to rationalize production. Although it’s not viable to approach the logistics of construction through numeric models, it’s not unreasonable to study logistics applied to this area. Despite the fact that an approach to the construction logistics by numeric modeling is not viable, studying this theme continues to be meaningful. In most of the industries and especially in the construction one, the supply of resources (materials, equipments, workmanship or subcontractors) is an essential factor for the success of a business. The optimization of management of the supply chain for the construction industry constitutes one of the ways of optimizing a company and, especially, of increasing the profitability of its operations. Only through an improved logistic efficiency is it possible to take competitive advantage in the current market and, particularly, in the international market. In order for that to happen it is necessary to start making businessmen aware of the specific logistic difficulties in this industry and of ways to solve them either by disclosing them or by making businessmen reflect about them.

Life histories of academics who become heads of department: socialisation, identity and career trajectory

Although the role of the academic head of department (HoD) has always been important to university management and performance, an increasing significance given to bureaucracy, academic performance and productivity, and government accountability has greatly elevated the importance of this position. Previous research and anecdotal evidence suggests that as academics move into HoD roles, usually with little or no training, they experience a problem of struggling to adequately manage key aspects of their role. It is this problem – and its manifestations – that forms the research focus of this study. Based on the research question, “What are the career trajectories of academics who become HoDs in a selected post-1992 university?” the study aimed to achieve greater understanding of why academics become HoDs, what it is like being a HoD, and how the experience influences their future career plans. The study adopts an interpretive approach, in line with social constructivism. Edited topical life history interviews were undertaken with 17 male and female HoDs, from a range of disciplines, in a post-1992 UK university. These data were analysed using coding, categorisation and theme formation techniques and developing profiles of each of the respondents. The findings from this study suggest that academics who become HoDs not only need the capacity to assume a range of personal and professional identities, but need to regularly adopt and switch between them. Whether individuals can successfully balance and manage these multiple identities, or whether they experience major conflicts and difficulties within or between them, greatly affects their experiences of being a HoD and may influence their subsequent career decisions. It is claimed that the focus, approach and analytical framework - based on the interrelationships between the concepts of socialisation, identity and career trajectory - provide a distinct and original contribution to knowledge in this area. Although the results of this study cannot be generalised, the findings may help other individuals and institutions move towards a firmer understanding of the academic who becomes HoD - in relation to theory, practice and future research.

Measuring students' emotions in the early years: the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire-Elementary School (AEQ-ES)

This article reports about the development and validation of a measurement instrument assessing elementary school students' achievement emotions (Achievement Emotions Questionnaire-Elementary School, AEQ-ES). Specifically, the instrument assesses students' enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom pertaining to three types of academic settings (i.e., attending class, doing homework, and taking tests and exams). Scale construction was based on Pekrun's (2006) control-value theory of achievement emotions. The instrument was tested using samples from German and American elementary school classrooms. The results of Study 1 (German sample) corroborate the reliability and structural validity of the new emotion measure. Moreover, they show that students' achievement emotions were linked with their control and value appraisals as well as their academic performance, thus supporting the external validity of the measure as well as propositions of Pekrun's (2006) control-value theory of achievement emotions. Study 2 (American sample) corroborated the cross-cultural equivalence of the measure and the generalizability of findings across the German and American samples. Implications for research on achievement emotions and educational practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)(journal abstract)

Methods to assess the effectiveness of naturally ventilated classrooms in Gauteng, South Africa

There is a tendency to reduce ventilation rates and natural or hybrid ventilation systems to ensure the conservation of energy in school buildings. However, high indoor pollutant concentration, due to natural or hybrid ventilation systems may have a significant adverse impact on the health and academic performance of pupils and students. Reviewed evidence shows that this can be detrimental to health and wellbeing in schools because of the learner density within a small area, eventually indicating that CO2 concentrations can rise to very high levels (about 4000 ppm) in classrooms during occupancy periods. In South Africa’s naturally ventilated classrooms, it is not clear whether the environmental conditions are conducive for learning. In addition, natural ventilation will be minimized given the fact that in cold, wet or windy weather, doors and windows will commonly remain closed. Evidence from literature based studies indicates that the significance of ventilation techniques is not understood satisfactorily and additional information concerning naturally ventilated schools has to be provided for better design and policy formulation. To develop a thorough understanding of the environments in classrooms, many other parameters have to be considered as well, such as outdoor air quality, CO2 concentrations, temperature and relative humidity and safety issues that may be important drawbacks for naturally ventilated schools. The aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual understanding of methods that can be implemented to assess the effectiveness of naturally ventilated classrooms in Gauteng, South Africa. A theoretical concept with an embedded practical methodology have been proposed for the research programme to investigate the relationship between ventilation rates and learning in schools in Gauteng , a province in South Africa. It is important that existing and future school buildings must include adequate outdoor ventilation, control of moisture, and avoidance of indoor exposures to microbiologic and chemical substances considered likely to have adverse effects in South Africa. Adequate ventilation in classrooms is necessary to reduce and/or eradicate the transmission of indoor pollutants.

Don’t aim too high for your kids: parental over-aspiration undermines students’ learning in mathematics

Previous research has suggested that parents’ aspirations for their children’s academic attainment can have a positive influence on children’s actual academic performance. Possible negative effects of parental over-aspiration, however, have found little attention in the psychological literature. Employing a dual-change score model with longitudinal data from a representative sample of German schoolchildren and their parents (N = 3,530; grades 5 to 10), we showed that parental aspiration and children’s mathematical achievement were linked by positive reciprocal relations over time. Importantly, we also found that parental aspiration that exceeded their expectation (i.e., over-aspiration) had negative reciprocal relations with children’s mathematical achievement. These results were fairly robust after controlling for a variety of demographic and cognitive variables such as children’s gender, age, intelligence, school type, and family SES. The results were also replicated with an independent sample of US parents and their children. These findings suggest that unrealistically high parental aspiration can be detrimental for children’s achievement.

Ungdomars fysiska aktivitet och dess betydelse för prestationen i skolan

This study where designed to investigate if there are any positive relationship between the extent of physical activity during adolescent's leisure time and the academic performance, and also if there are any negative relationship between the academic performance and the time spent in front of the television or computers. Another part of the study tried to find out if physical activity has a direct and immediate influence on the performance in school. 91 pupils (51 girls and 40 boys) in the 8:th year of the Swedish primary school, from three different schools participated in the study. All 91 pupils first responded to a questionnaire concerning there activities in leisure time. They where then tested in a mathematical test and the results where compared with the extent of physical activity and TV/computer time they had stated in the questionnaire. 53 of the pupils also participated in the part of the study where direct and immediate influences of physical activity where tested. They where tested in two different but similar mathematical tests. Before the first test all pupils had a walk for about 3 km. The second test where accomplished whiteout preceding walk.Pupils who spend one hour or less/week on physical activity had significant lower mean score on the mathematical test then the pupils who spend more than one hour/week on physical activities, (Mann-Whitney U-test: Z= -2,486, p= 0,0129). Boys who spent 10,5 hours or less/week in front of the TV/computer had significant higher mean score than the boys who spent more than 10,5 hours/week in front of the TV/computer. No significant differences in the results of the two different tests, one white and one whiteout preceding walk, were observed.

Acumulação tecnológica e aprimoramento de performance competitiva: evidências de diferenças e similaridades e médias empresas do setor metal-mecânico no estado do rio de janeiro

The main objective of this dissertation is to examine the implications of technological capacities in the improvement of technical performance indexes, specifically at the company level. These relationships were examined in a small sample of metal-working enterprises in the state of Rio de Janeiro (1960 to 2006). Although diverse studies on technological competences have been carried out in the last twenty years, a gap in empirical studies still exist that correlate the performance of companies in the context of developing countries, especially in Brazil. Aiming to contribute to a reduction of these gaps, this dissertation examines the questions by the light of available models in literature, which opting themselves to using operational indexes of companies. For drawing the accumulation of technological competences in this study, the metric proposal by Figueiredo (2000) shall be used indicating the levels of technological qualification in process, product, and equipment functions. The empirical evidence examined in this dissertation is both qualitative and quantitative in nature and were collected, first hand, through extensive field research involving informal interviews, meetings, direct-site observation and document analysis. In relation to the results, the evidence suggests that: - In terms of technological accumulation, a company reached Level 5 of technological capacity in process and organization of production as well as product and equipment. Three companies obtained Level 4 in the function process function while two others had reached the same technological level in the functions of product and equipment. Two companies had reached Level 3 in the product and equipment functions and one remained this level in the function of process; - In terms of the rate of accumulation of technological capacities, the observed companies had reached Level 4 needs 29 years in process function, 32 years in product function and 29 years in equipment function; - In terms of improvement performance pointers, a company which reached Level 5 of technological capacity improved in 70% of its indicators of performance, while the company that had achieved Level 4 had raised its pointers 60% and the other companies had gotten improved in the order of 40%. It was evidenced that the majority of the pointers of the companies with higher levels of technological capacities had obtained better performance. This dissertation contributes to advancing the strategic management of companies in metal-working segment to understanding internal accumulation of technological capacity and indicators of performance especially in the field of empirical context studied. This information offers management examples of how to improve competitive performance through the accumulation of technological capacities in the process, product and equipment functions.

Ansiedade e desempenho: uma análise experimental

A ansiedade é um dos conceitos mais importantes dentro da Psicologia. Uma grande quantidade de trabalhos experimentais tratando sobre os efeitos da ansiedade-de-teste, tem sido conduzida. A discussão sobre ansiedade-de-teste e sua relação com o desempenho acadêmico deve ser precedida por uma elucidação do conceito de ansiedade. Este conceito tem sido interpretado de diferentes formas pelas várias escolas de pensamento na Psicologia e Filosofia. Os dois primeiros capítulos deste trabalho são dedicados à uma apresentação dos vários conceitos de ansiedade e de teorias que consideramos importantes que abordam o assunto. A seguir, passamos a descrever a análise experimental que foi realizada com o objetivo de detectar os efeitos da ansiedade-de-teste no desempenho e verificar os resultados da manipulação da variável tempo limitado e da magnitude do "stress", na relação estudada. Grande parte da literatura sobre ansiedade tem sublinhado que a influência desta sobre o comportamento é bastante complexa. A pesquisa aqui reportada se baseia nas investigações de Spielberger que focalizam a relação entre o desempenho do estudante e seu nível de ansiedade. Como Spielberger, julgamos ser necessário controlar as variáveis dificuldade da tarefa e inteligência dos sujeitos. Com base nos resultados encontrados, concluímos que uma série de outros aspectos devem ser considerados, tais como elaboração da prova, matéria envolvida, experiências anteriores dos alunos, imagem do professor etc. Busca-se conhecer a natureza da ansiedade-de-teste e encontrar formas efetivas para controlar este tipo específico de ansiedade, de maneira a aparelhar melhor os alunos para lidarem com ele. É necessário também que os educadores tomem conhecimento das características e implicações da ansiedade-de-teste, de forma que sejam capazes de tirar partido dela e consigam minimizar seus efeitos negativos no processo ensino-aprendizagem.

O rateio de ICMS por desempenho de municípios no Ceará e seu impacto em indicadores do sistema de avaliação da educação

De todo ICMS arrecadado pelos estados brasileiros, 25% é distribuído aos municípios. Os estados são responsáveis por definir as regras de distribuição de 25% destes 25% do ICMS que é transferido aos municípios, os outros 75% seguem o critério do Valor Adicionado Fiscal. Alguns estados alteraram suas leis para que a distribuição seja realizada em função do desempenho dos municípios em algumas áreas com o intuito de incentiva-lo a melhorarem sua performance em busca de uma maior fatia do ICMS. Seguindo esta lógica está o estado do Ceará onde 100% do ICMS distribuído segundo regras estaduais é calculado a partir do desempenho dos municípios em indicadores de resultado nas áreas da educação (72%), saúde (20%) e meio ambiente (8%). Este estudo tem como objetivo estimar o efeito que a mudança da Lei de distribuição do ICMS do Ceará teve em indicadores de resultado da área da educação: IDEB e Prova Brasil. Para tanto, foi utilizado o método da Dupla Diferença por meio da construção de grupos de controle e tratamento. Assim, comparou-se a evolução do desempenho, anteriormente e posteriormente à mudança, de municípios cearenses com municípios parecidos de estados vizinhos, porém, não submetidos a mesma regra de distribuição de ICMS. De forma complementar, foram feitas outras duas analises separando os municípios do estado do Ceará entre ganhadores e perdedores de recursos de ICMS com a mudança na Lei e entre os detentores dos melhores e piores desempenhos de PIB per capita. Os resultados apontam impactos positivos no desempenho dos municípios cearenses tanto no IDEB quanto na Prova Brasil. Mesmo os municípios que perderam recursos com mudança das regras de distribuição de ICMS, melhoraram sua performance na educação. Os municípios mais pobres do estado, que apresentam desempenho pior do que os municípios mais ricos, aumentaram o desempenho reduzindo a diferença de proficiência se comparada aos municípios mais ricos. Neste sentido, há indícios de que a mudança na Lei do ICMS implementada pelo estado do Ceará gerou impactos positivos no desempenho dos municípios no IDEB e na Prova Brasil.

Inclusão digital: a inserção das tecnologias informacionais nas escolas públicas da RMNatal

This study aims to determine the influence of Digital Inclusion in school performance of students from public high school in the metropolitan area of Natal, through the use of computers in a pedagogical and Internet use.Throughout the paper we try to answer the question: The pedagogical use of computers connected to the Internet contributes to improving the academic performance of students in public schools in the RMNatal? To answer the research question, we focus on the database INEP on the infrastructure of schools and the bank rates of school performance. For both technical procedures performed to obtain the relationship between Internet and School Performance. Then the School Settings have been configured for Digital Inclusion and made crosses with the approval rates, distortion and failure. The survey results indicate that according to the classification established in: Included in School Settings, School Settings deficit, Adverse Environments School and School Settings Deleted, which has prevailed in the metropolitan area of Natal are the schools that are provided outside.

Uma modelagem de indicadores de desempenho para instituições de ensino superior no Brasil na abordagem do balanced scorecard: um estudo com instituições privadas

This Master of Science Thesis deals with a BSC modeling for higher education institution focusing on private institution in the Brazilian context. It‟s accomplished a literature review in order to understand the BSC and its application to for profit and non for profit organizations and as a main result it is proposed a BSC conceptual model with a new perspective (Government) and a change in the hierarchy of the main BSC perspective equaling financial to customer/society. Taking the national higher education assessment system of Education Ministry indicators a model is deployed and the relations between the indicators are measured with the Pearson correlation coefficient. As a result a model emerges with sound relations of indicators but a improvement in the financial indicators is needed