Creencias de autoefcacia y emociones de logro en estudiantes universitarios. Vinculaciones con contextos de evaluación

El bajo rendimiento advertido en general en las aulas universitarias, sumado a la abulia y escasa motivación por aprender que parece caracterizar a muchos estudiantes, acentúan el desafío que enfrentan las universidades de intervenir para mejorar la calidad de la educación de los ciudadanos. Conocer más acerca de los recursos internos y externos con que cuentan nuestros estudiantes para aprender y analizar el modo en que repercuten en su motivación y aprendizaje es, sin duda, un modo de avanzar hacia contribuciones capaces de redundar en mejoras educativas. En este marco, proponemos brindar aportes teóricos y definir líneas de acción que contribuyan al diseño de contextos de evaluación óptimos para el surgimiento de creencias motivacionales y estados emocionales beneficiosos para los aprendizajes de estudiantes universitarios. Suponemos que un contexto de evaluación que propicie el uso del conocimiento por parte de los estudiantes, que favorezca el despliegue de estrategias de autorregulación y posibilite ricos procesos de feedback, favorecerá la emergencia de percepciones de autoeficacia positivas, de estados emocionales beneficiosos y la ampliación de las posibilidades de lograr éxito en los resultados obtenidos. Trabajaremos con estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, con muestras accidentales compuestas por la totalidad de alumnos que cursen Tráfico de señales –asignatura de Ing. en Telecomunicaciones- y Psicología Educacional -materia de distintos profesorados de la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físico-Químicas y Naturales. Los datos serán recabados mediante el Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-efficacy (Bandura, 1990); el Achievement Emotions Questionnaire (Pekrun et al., 2005); análisis de protocolos de evaluación, observación no participante de clases e instancias de evaluación; grabación en audio de las clases observadas y entrevistas semi-estructuradas a estudiantes. Los resultados obtenidos prometen aportes teóricos y orientaciones pedagógicas. Las contribuciones teóricas se vinculan con la profundización de los marcos teóricos y con los avances logrados en las interpretaciones realizadas. Las orientaciones pedagógicas, se vinculan con aportes al diseño de contextos de evaluación óptimos para el surgimiento de creencias motivacionales y estados emocionales beneficiosos para los aprendizajes. Este proyecto se estima importante y pertinente porque materializa uno de los desafíos que enfrentan actualmente los investigadores educacionales, esto es, conocer más acerca del modo en que los aspectos personales de los estudiantes interactúan con las características del contexto académico en situaciones genuinas de aprendizaje; porque considera un tópico de investigación que emerge con fuerza en la agenda de la Psicología Educacional, esto es, el estudio de las emociones académicas; porque integra tendencias metodológicas que marcan rumbos en el estudio de las variables consideradas.

Las dificultades en el cambio generacional en la dirección de PYMES familiares de la ciudad de Córdoba y su relación con el estilo de liderazgo y la valoración de competencias directivas por parte de dueños y/o gerentes de primera línea.

La administración estratégica está dominada por enfoques que consideran que el capital intelectual y el capital humano son fuente de ventaja competitiva (Brooking, 1996; Storey, 2007). Nuestro enfoque son competencias como activo intangible capaz de generar una ventaja competitiva sostenible en el tiempo. Estudiamos competencias directivas siguiendo el modelo del IESE (Abad Guerrero y Castillo Clavero, 2004). Los estudios previos tienden a enfocarse en grandes empresas; pero Larry Greiner (1998) había señalado que las prácticas de dirección que funcionan bien en una etapa de una empresa pueden desatar una crisis en otra. Por eso nos enfocamos en pymes, atendiendo a la gestión de implementación de sistemas ERP para la formalización de la gestión; al respecto, los líderes y sus diversas mezclas de competencias son un factor fundamental (Kroemmergard y Rose, 2002). En Argentina el 70% de las pymes son familiares (Davis, 2011). Mundialmente apenas el 8% de los negocios de familia alcanzan la tercera generación (Gallo, 1998; Barbeito y otros, 2004; Thornton, 2005; Kertész y otros, 2006; Müller, 2008); los trabajos sobre sucesión y relaciones familiares son los más publicados (Basco Rodrigo, et al., 2006). Para Fernández (2000) el fracaso de muchas pymes puede relacionarse con el estilo de liderazgo. El liderazgo es un tema de interés en la teoría y práctica administrativa actual (Hersey, Blanchard y Johnson, 2001; Storey, 2004; Robbins, 2004; Bass y Riggio, 2006, Yukl, 2008). Interesa el desafío que implica la dirección de empresas con diversas generaciones (García Lombardía, Stein y Pin, 2008). Observamos necesaria una investigación multidimensional que articule: estilo de liderazgo y valoración de competencias directivas por parte de dueños y/o gerentes de primera línea, con relación a las dificultades en la gestión del cambio generacional en la dirección de pymes familiares, atendiendo a las etapas de crecimiento de estas empresas y la aplicación de las TICs a la formalización de la gestión. Nuestra conjetura: las dificultades en la gestión del cambio generacional en la dirección de pymes familiares de la ciudad de Córdoba estarían relacionadas con el estilo de liderazgo y la valoración de competencias directivas intratégicas y de eficacia personal por parte de dueños y/o gerentes de primera línea de esas empresas. Planificamos una investigación de campo, no experimental, de dos etapas: exploratoria y asociativa; con diseño de investigación transaccional.

Confiabilidade e validade da escala de depressão geriátrica em idosos com doença arterial coronariana

FUNDAMENTO: A prevalência de depressão em portadores de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) é alta. A escala de depressão geriátrica (EDG) é um instrumento amplamente usado para rastrear a depressão em idosos. No Brasil, as propriedades psicométricas da versão curta ainda não foram adequadamente exploradas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão curta da EDG em portadores de DAC em ambulatório de cardiologia. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal que avaliou 209 idosos (≥ 65 anos) com DAC utilizando a EDG-15, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS), Brazilian OARS Multidimensional Function Assessment Questionnaire (BOMFAQ) e The Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX). A consistência interna da EDG-15 foi calculada pelo KR-20. Uma análise fatorial dessa escala foi conduzida. Escores da EDG-15 foram comparados com os diagnósticos de depressão (DSM-IV) para a validade de critérios. Na análise de validade concorrente, os mesmos escores foram correlacionados com os das escalas de depressão CAMDEX, Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) e BOMFAQ. RESULTADOS: A depressão clínica foi diagnosticada em 35,71% da amostra avaliada de acordo com o DSM-IV. Para o diagnóstico de depressão maior ou distimia, o ponto de corte 5/6 apresentou acurácia moderada (AUROC = 0,84), sensibilidade de 79,92% e especificidade de 78,29%. A consistência interna foi de 0,80. Na análise fatorial, três fatores obtidos explicaram 52,72% da variância total observada. Os escores da EDG-15 correlacionaram-se com os da escala de depressão CAMDEX. CONCLUSÃO: No geral, a EDG-15 apresentou boa confiabilidade e validade (concorrente e de critério). Em settings cardiológicos, seu uso pode auxiliar no rastreamento de quadros depressivos de forma simples e rápida.

Neural mechanisms for fast recognition of auditory emotion

Emotion, audition, event-related potentials, MMN, multidimensional scaling, timbre, perception

Alimentação de quatro espécies de Leporinus (Characiformes, Anostomidae) durante a formação de um reservatório no sudeste do Brasil

The study reports the changes ocurred in feeding ecology of fish species during a tropical river reservoir formation. It was analysed the stomachal contents of 399 individuals belonging to four species of genus Leporinus (L. elongatus Valenciennes, 1849, n=157; L.friderici (Bloch, 1794), n=87; L. octofasciatus Steindachner, 1917, n=107; L.amblyrhynchus Garavello & Britski, 1987, n=48) during formation of Nova Ponte reservoir, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1993 and 1994. Specimens were separated by sampling period, according with the rate of filling of the reservoir, and standard lenght classes. The species had included in diet vegetal and animal items of autochtone and alochtone origin in several proportions. L. amblyrhynchus fed on basically dipterans in all the sampling periods and length classes. L. elongatus had presented a diverse diet, with predominance of dipterans and vegetal items, and changed the consumed items proportions along the sampling periods and between lenght classes. L. friderici diet was composed mainly by terrestrial insects during the rapid filling period, that were later substituted by fishes and vegetal items. Ontogenetic trophic changes were observed in this species. L. octofasciatus presented a well characterized herbivorous diet, without trophic ontogeny, but with a opportunistic character. Just three pair-species, L. amblyrhynchus-L. elongatus, L. friderici-L. octofasciatus and L. elongatus-L. octofasciatus, have presented some high value of trophic overlap in at least one sampling period. In spite of the fishes of the genus Leporinus being classified like omnivorous in a general way, the differences found between diets of these four species suggest that there is structuration of trophic niches in the reservoir.

Diet of the South American frog Leptodactylus ocellatus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) in Uruguay

The diet of Leptodactylus ocellatus (L., 1758) was studied in specimens collected at Maldonado Department (Uruguay), where monthly surveys were made between August 1998 and March 2000. A total of 143 frogs were collected, measured, sexed, and dissected, to assess stomach contents. The anurans were grouped into three age classes and four categories (considering sex and capture date). The trophic amplitude for each age class and sex-season category was quantified using Shannon-Weaver Index, and the trophic niche overlap between ages and categories by using the Pianka Index. Comparisons among treatments were made by G-tests. The most important prey items were coleopterans (IRI = 2547), and significant correlations were found between predator and prey sizes. The major differences on diet composition were found between extreme age classes (froglets and adults). Significant differences were also detected between sexes in the cold season but not in the warm season. Any of these changes in diet may be related with the availability of prey.

Dieta de espécies de Anostomidae (Teleostei, Characiformes) na área de influência do reservatório de Manso, Mato Grosso, Brasil

The diet of four species of Anostomidae (Leporinus friderici Bloch, 1794, L. striatus Kner, 1858, L. elongatus Valenciennes, 1849 and Leporinus sp.) were investigated in the Manso Reservoir, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Fish were sampled in three sites: upriver, in the main body of the reservoir, and below the dam. Were analized 276 stomachs. The diet was evaluated using the frequency of ocorrence and volumetric methods. Leporinus friderici showed tendency to herbivory, mainly in the upriver site. In the reservoir and below the dam, it consumed large quantities of fish; Isoptera only in the reservoir. Leporinus striatus and L. elongatus have similar diets, consuming Chironomidae larvae (Diptera), whereas Leporinus sp. was more generalist, feeding similar proportions of vegetable, detritus and insect (Chironomidae and Ephemeroptera). The mouths of the species have different positions: terminal in L. friderici, subterminal in L. elongatus and intermediate in L. striatus and Leporinus sp. The diet overlap values were low, except for L. friderici and Leporinus sp. (0.7) in the upriver, and L. striatus and L. elongatus (0.6) below the dam.

Ecology of colonizing populations of the figfly Zaprionus indianus (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil

Ecological parameters such as trophic niche overlap and niche breadth were computed from the frequency of all drosophilid species collected in 2001 and 2002, in the urban area of Porto Alegre city, Brazil. Independently of place, drosophilids community composition and components breeding or feeding sites, the highest frequencies of Zaprionus indianus (Gupta, 1970) were obtained during seasons with higher average temperatures, especially during summer. From a total of the 19,146 individuals of Z. indianus sampled, 80% were found in this season. The data of trophic niche breadth suggest a higher opportunism of adult flies in feeding substrate use, but the females are still selective in oviposition substrate choice. For the values of niche overlap, only for some species, did we find any correlation between these and species richness and/or number of resources, and the most of the correlation values considering breeding and feeding sites were positive. The colonization of Z. indianus in Porto Alegre could be leading to adjustments in the survival strategies of the resident species, but it is possible that many species have conditions for coexisting with the invader.

Morphometric variability in populations of Palaemonetes spp. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon Basin

Morphometric variability among shrimp populations of the genus Palaemonetes Heller, 1869 from seven lakes (Huanayo and Urcococha, in Peru; Amanã, Mamirauá, Camaleão, Cristalino e Iruçanga, in Brasil) in the Amazon Basin, presumably belonging to Palaemonetes carteri Gordon, 1935 and Palaemonetes ivonicus Holthuis, 1950, were studied. The morphometric studies were carried out from the ratios obtained from the morphometric characters. Multivariated analysis (Principal Components Analysis-PCA, Discriminant Function Analysis and Cluster Analysis) were applied over the ratios. Intra- and interpopulation variations of the rostrum teeth, and the number of spines in the male appendix, were analyzed through descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (Spearman Rank Correlation test). Results indicated a wide plasticity and overlapping in the studied ratios between populations. The Principal Components Analysis was not able to separate different populations, revealing a large intrapopulation plasticity and strong interpopulation similarity in the studied ratios. Although the Discriminant Functions Analysis was not able to fully discriminate populations, they could be allocated in three subgroups: 1) Cristalino and Iruçanga; 2) Huanayo, Urcococha and Camaleão and 3) Mamirauá and Amanã. The first two groups were morphometrically separated from each other, whereas the third one presented a strong overlap with the former two. The Cluster Analysis confirmed the first two subgroups separation, and indicated that the first and third groups were closely related. Rostrum teeth and number of spines in the appendix masculina showed a large intrapopulation variation and a strong overlapping among the studied populations, regardless of the species.

Comparison of calling songs in three allopatric populations of Endecous itatibensis (Orthoptera, Phalangopsinae)

Three isolated populations of the cricket Endecous itatibensis Rehn, 1918 had been analyzed to test the hypothesis of divergence in the calling song estridulation and to discuss its implications in the speciation process. The song registers were obtained from specimens in Corumbataí, Piraciacaba and Itatiba cities, state of São Paulo, Brazil. In the three analyzed populations, calling songs are composed by pairs of notes. Specimens from Corumbataí emit composed phrases with 3 to 18 pairs of notes, while those of Piracicaba and Itatiba have 1 to 3 pairs of notes. Inter- and intrapopulational variability in the frequencies of acoustic signals were detected. While recording the calling songs, other stridulations were registered, possibly from species of Orthoptera or Hemiptera. When the tapes were analyzed in the laboratory, it was verified that there was no overlap among the species' calling songs, in such a way that each species had their particular band of frequencies, avoiding interespecific acoustic competition.

Species richness and community structure of arboreal spider assemblages in fragments of three vegetational types at Banhado Grande wet plain, Gravataí River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The taxonomic composition, observed and estimated species richness, and patterns of community structure of arboreal spider assemblages in eleven sites surrounding the "Banhado Grande" wet plain in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, are presented. These sites represent three different vegetational types: hillside (four sites), riparian (five sites) and flooded forests (two sites). The spiders were captured by beating on foliage and "aerial litter". A sample was defined as the result of beating on twenty bushes, tree branches or "aerial litter" clusters, which roughly corresponds to one-hour search effort per sample. Fifty five samples (five per site) were obtained, resulting in an observed richness of 212 species present as adult or identifiable juveniles. The total richness for all samples was estimated to be between 250 (Bootstrap) to 354 species (Jackknife 2). Confidence intervals of both sample and individual-based rarefaction curves for each vegetation type clearly indicated that flooded forest is the poorest vegetation type with respect to spider species richness, with hillside and riparian forests having a similar number of species. The percentage complementarity between the eleven sites indicated that all sites contain a distinct set of species, irrespective of their vegetation types. Nevertheless, the spider assemblages in riparian and hillside forests are more similar with respect to each other than when compared to flooded forest. Both cluster and nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses showed no strong correspondence between the spider arboreal fauna and the three vegetation types. Moreover, a Mantel test revealed no significant association between species composition and geographic distance among sites.

Feeding ecology of Ozotoceros bezoarticus: conservation implicationsin Uruguay

The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus Linnaeus, 1758) was in the recent past one of the most characteristic species in the Uruguayan grasslands. However, today the species is very rare, with small relict populations inhabiting in few ranches. To improve our understanding of pampas deer habitat use in modified ecosystems and propose management guidelines we analyzed the pampas deer feeding ecology at Los Ajos ranch. We performed an annual vegetation survey with the purpose to identify the main components of pampas's deer diet and the spatial overlap with livestock. Vegetation offer was characterized by predominance of monocotyledon plants; in three of the four sample periods. The preference values for the crops were positive for ryegrass in winter (0.24) and spring (0.54), the moments of greatest productivity of this pasture; while the rice crops values were negative all year round. The spatial overlap indexes with sheep show a complete exclusion, whereas with cattle the indexes gave values of 0.95 in spring to 0.14 in summer. The niche amplitude was significantly correlated with the spatial overlap levels with cattle. Pampas deer foraging behaviour is opportunistic, typical of mixed feeders. Conservation efforts should focus on implementation of management guidelines of agriculture and cattle breeding activities.

Comparative dietary analysis of Eurycheilichthys pantherinus and Pareiorhaphis hystrix: two Loricariidae species (Ostariophysi, Siluriformes) from Campos Sulinos biome, southern Brazil

This work was carried out in Marco river, São José dos Ausentes municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. This region is located within the Campos Sulinos biome, an area of great biological importance due to its high diversity and endemism of fish. The feeding habits and food overlap between Eurycheilichthys pantherinus (Reis & Schaefer, 1992) (n=108) and Pareiorhaphis hystrix Pereira & Reis, 2002 (n=60) are described. Monthly samples were obtained between September 2000 and July 2001 with dipnets using the kick sampling technique. Stomach contents were analyzed based on frequency of occurrence, volumetric frequency and index of alimentary importance. The level of dietary specialization and food overlap were determined by the Levins measure and the Morisita index, respectively. Eurycheilichthys pantherinus fed mainly on immature aquatic insects, such as Dipterans and Ephemeropterans, and was classified as insectivore. Pareiorhaphis hystrix fed mainly on detritus associated with small amounts of aquatic insects, and was classified as detritivore. Species are clearly segregated by the use of food resources in Marco River. Their diets did not overlap and the differences observed in their feeding habits probably contribute for their coexistence.

Trophic ecology and foraging behavior of Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) in a caatinga area of northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the seasonal variation in diet composition and foraging behavior of Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825) and T. semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825), as well as measurement of the foraging intensity (number of moves, time spent stationary, distance traveled and number of attacks on prey items) in a caatinga patch on the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Hymenoptera/Formicidae and Isoptera predominated in the diet of both species during the dry season. Opportunistic predation on lepidopteran larvae, coleopteran larvae and adults, and orthopteran nymphs and adults occurred in the wet season; however, hymenopterans/Formicidae were the most important prey items. The number of food items was similar between lizard species in both seasons; however the overlap for number of prey was smaller in the wet season. Preys ingested by T. hispidus during the wet season were also larger than those consumed by T. semitaeniatus. Seasonal comparisons of foraging intensity between the two species differed, mainly in the wet season, when T. hispidus exhibited less movement and fewer attacks on prey, and more time spent stationary if compared to T. semitaeniatus. Although both lizards are sit-and-wait foragers, T. semitaeniatus is more active than T. hispidus. The diet and foraging behavior of T. hispidus and T. semitaeniatus overlap under limiting conditions during the dry season, and are segregative factors that may contribute to the coexistence of these species in the wet season.

Diet and functional feeding groups of Chironomidae (Diptera) in the Middle Paraná River floodplain (Argentina)

The gut contents of nine genera of benthic Chironominae and Tanypodinae from the Middle Paraná River floodplain habitats (a lake and a secondary channel) were analyzed to determine their feeding patterns and functional feeding groups. Amorphous detritus, animal and vegetal tissues, and mineral materials (predominantly sand) were observed in the larval guts. Amorphous detritus were the main food item found for Polypedilum (Tripodura) sp., Chironomus gr. decorus sp., Endotribelos sp., Phaenopsectra sp., Cladopelma sp., and Pelomus sp. (Chironominae), while animal tissues (mainly oligochaetes) were the most important food item found for Ablabesmyia (Karelia) sp., Coelotanypus sp., and Procladius sp. (Tanypodinae). Dietary overlap was calculated for all pairs of genera. Within predators, the highest overlap was obtained between Coelotanypus sp. and Ablabesmyia (Karelia) sp., while within detritivores the highest niche overlap was obtained between Endotribelos sp. and Phaenopsectra sp.