Persecution of the Jews at Damascus : the result of personal inquiry on the spot

statement of G. W. Pieritz

The influence of ideological interest groups on congressional financial support of international family planning

The World Health Organization estimates there are about 585,000 maternal deaths each year, with 98% of the maternal deaths in developing countries. Access to family planning methods is one method to decrease maternal mortality and morbidity. ^ The U.S. was the leader in providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries to enable women to have this access. The election of Ronald Regan changed the course of U.S. support; abortion became a central factor in the political decision-making with regards to the financial support of international family planning. ^ One factor that may sway policy-makers' decisions is the influence of ideological interest groups, Political Action Committees funding of candidates in relation to votes on bills that impacted on financial support of international family planning and the amount spent by these groups on lobbyist was reviewed. Pro-choice funding of candidates was greater for the four of the fives votes supporting family planning. Pro-Choice lobbyist spending was $185,000 vs. $8,184,000 spent by Pro-Life ideological groups. ^

Current United States stem cell policy considerations and a recommendation for an alternative policy based on guidelines from existing international policies

Embryonic stem cell research is a widely debated topic in modern politics and religion. Differing views on the fetal rights conflict with the rights of an embryo. Those who believe an embryo has the same human qualities as a fetus accordingly believe embryonic stem cell research is unethical because it destroys a potential human life. However, scientists advocate the embryo does not have human qualities and should be used for valuable research in the stem cell field. Stem cell research may lead to vast developments in medical treatments, including cancer and brain conditions and injuries that are currently incurable. ^ The current stem cell policy introduced by President Bush in 2001 in an attempt to balance the moral issues with the need for scientific research has broad negative implications on the furthering of stem cell research. There is a limited diversity of available stem cell lines, there may be constitutional issues, there is an increasing disparity between the public and private research spheres, and the U.S. is struggling to maintain its scientific community. The U.S. must develop a new stem cell research policy that will balance the interest of science and public health with the moral issues that concern the public. ^ The United Kingdom allows researchers great liberty in conducting research, permitting the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of research, while Germany is equally conservative in their laws, as their policies support the philosophy that all embryos deserve the protection of full life. The United States should adopt a policy that takes the "middle ground" approach and permit research on excess embryos created for IVF purposes, rather than simply discarding those potentially valuable research tools. ^

FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENT SURVEY ON HEALTH PROMOTION (PERSONAL EXPECTATIONS, BEHAVIORS, PERCEIVED SELF-EFFICACY, COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT, OUTCOME EXPECTANCY)

This study was designed to test the theoretical predictors of personal efficacy expectations among family medicine resident physicians for helping their patients change thirteen high risk health behaviors. A survey questionnaire was sent to 781 family medicine residents in the six state south central region. The response rate was 60 percent. The hypothesized relationship between lower levels of difficulty and higher personal efficacy expectations was supported by the data. Effort was a significant predictor of perceived self efficacy for health behaviors considered less difficult to change. Situational support did not prove to be a significant predictor for many of the health behaviors. Rate and pattern of success were consistent and significant predictors of perceived self efficacy for helping patients change all thirteen of the health behaviors. Modeling of effective methods by faculty was a significant predictor of efficacy expectations for several but not all of the behaviors. Personal modeling was a significant predictor of perceived efficacy for helping patients change behaviors related to alcohol misuse and exercise. The respondents personally modeled positive health behaviors more consistently than their older colleagues or the general population.^ The results of this study lend substantially to the usefulness of the cognitive-behavioral theory of perceived self efficacy and provide a mechanism for assessing the predictors of personal efficacy expectations of family medicine resident physicians. The findings are expected to have direct implications for faculty to institute systematic programs of interventions designed to increase residents' perceptions of efficacy in facilitating more positive health behaviors among their patients. ^

The association of nonfatal occupational injuries with non -work -related morbidity

A case-referent study of occupational injuries sustained by 474 workers employed in the heavy equipment machinery industry over a two year period, 1985-1986, was undertaken to examine the association of occupational injuries with non-work-related morbidity. Its specific aim was to evaluate whether employees who experienced a work-related injury had an increased prevalence of non-work-related morbidity, specifically for injuries, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, all other disease outcomes and total morbidity, compared to employees who did not experience a work-related injury. In order to determine the direction of the relationship, the use of the previous calendar year was employed to assess non-work-related morbidity. A secondary objective of the study was the evaluation of the utility of two existing data sources, workers' compensation and group health insurance claims, and the feasibility of conducting studies based on these data.^ The association of non-work-related non-back injuries and subsequent occupational injury was statistically significant (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.02-1.67) for all WC claims. The strength of the association was supported by the elevated odds ratio for non-work-related injuries when severity of occupational injury was assessed by WC claim costs of $100 and greater (OR = 1.47, 1.09--1.97), and by lost workdays (OR = 1.37). Factors that predispose an individual to a non-back injury, such as personal attributes and lifestyle characteristics, also influence that individual's risk of subsequent occupational injury. These factors may be reflected in an employee's reaction to life stressors which influence susceptibility to injury. The role of employee assistance programs as a component of injury prevention strategies is suggested.^ An increased but nonsignificant prevalence of non-work-related injuries, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, and other morbidity conditions was noted among cases. These findings do not provide support of a causal factor in the etiology of occupational injuries. In contrast to non-back injuries, these conditions are chronic in nature and their influence on risk of occupational injuries uncertain.^ In general, cases tended to file more group health insurance claims for other morbidity than did referents. The association with increased total morbidity was consistent whether worker compensation claims were analyzed by total number of claims, claims with costs of $100 and greater, or by lost workdays. Whether persons who sustained an occupational injury were in fact in poor general health than referents, warrant further investigation. ^

Effect of endurance, speed and strength training on skin temperature measured by infrared thermography = Efecto del entrenamiento de resistencia, velocidad y fuerza en la temperatura de la piel a través de la termografía infrarroja

La termografía infrarroja (TI) es una técnica no invasiva y de bajo coste que permite, con el simple acto de tomar una fotografía, el registro sin contacto de la energía que irradia el cuerpo humano (Akimov & Son’kin, 2011, Merla et al., 2005, Ng et al., 2009, Costello et al., 2012, Hildebrandt et al., 2010). Esta técnica comenzó a utilizarse en el ámbito médico en los años 60, pero debido a los malos resultados como herramienta diagnóstica y la falta de protocolos estandarizados (Head & Elliot, 2002), ésta se dejó de utilizar en detrimento de otras técnicas más precisas a nivel diagnóstico. No obstante, las mejoras tecnológicas de la TI en los últimos años han hecho posible un resurgimiento de la misma (Jiang et al., 2005, Vainer et al., 2005, Cheng et al., 2009, Spalding et al., 2011, Skala et al., 2012), abriendo el camino a nuevas aplicaciones no sólo centradas en el uso diagnóstico. Entre las nuevas aplicaciones, destacamos las que se desarrollan en el ámbito de la actividad física y el deporte, donde recientemente se ha demostrado que los nuevos avances con imágenes de alta resolución pueden proporcionar información muy interesante sobre el complejo sistema de termorregulación humana (Hildebrandt et al., 2010). Entre las nuevas aplicaciones destacan: la cuantificación de la asimilación de la carga de trabajo físico (Čoh & Širok, 2007), la valoración de la condición física (Chudecka et al., 2010, 2012, Akimov et al., 2009, 2011, Merla et al., 2010), la prevención y seguimiento de lesiones (Hildebrandt et al., 2010, 2012, Badža et al., 2012, Gómez Carmona, 2012) e incluso la detección de agujetas (Al-Nakhli et al., 2012). Bajo estas circunstancias, se acusa cada vez más la necesidad de ampliar el conocimiento sobre los factores que influyen en la aplicación de la TI en los seres humanos, así como la descripción de la respuesta de la temperatura de la piel (TP) en condiciones normales, y bajo la influencia de los diferentes tipos de ejercicio. Por consiguiente, este estudio presenta en una primera parte una revisión bibliográfica sobre los factores que afectan al uso de la TI en los seres humanos y una propuesta de clasificación de los mismos. Hemos analizado la fiabilidad del software Termotracker, así como su reproducibilidad de la temperatura de la piel en sujetos jóvenes, sanos y con normopeso. Finalmente, se analizó la respuesta térmica de la piel antes de un entrenamiento de resistencia, velocidad y fuerza, inmediatamente después y durante un período de recuperación de 8 horas. En cuanto a la revisión bibliográfica, hemos propuesto una clasificación para organizar los factores en tres grupos principales: los factores ambientales, individuales y técnicos. El análisis y descripción de estas influencias deben representar la base de nuevas investigaciones con el fin de utilizar la TI en las mejores condiciones. En cuanto a la reproducibilidad, los resultados mostraron valores excelentes para imágenes consecutivas, aunque la reproducibilidad de la TP disminuyó ligeramente con imágenes separadas por 24 horas, sobre todo en las zonas con valores más fríos (es decir, zonas distales y articulaciones). Las asimetrías térmicas (que normalmente se utilizan para seguir la evolución de zonas sobrecargadas o lesionadas) también mostraron excelentes resultados pero, en este caso, con mejores valores para las articulaciones y el zonas centrales (es decir, rodillas, tobillos, dorsales y pectorales) que las Zonas de Interés (ZDI) con valores medios más calientes (como los muslos e isquiotibiales). Los resultados de fiabilidad del software Termotracker fueron excelentes en todas las condiciones y parámetros. En el caso del estudio sobre los efectos de los entrenamientos de la velocidad resistencia y fuerza en la TP, los resultados muestran respuestas específicas según el tipo de entrenamiento, zona de interés, el momento de la evaluación y la función de las zonas analizadas. Los resultados mostraron que la mayoría de las ZDI musculares se mantuvieron significativamente más calientes 8 horas después del entrenamiento, lo que indica que el efecto del ejercicio sobre la TP perdura por lo menos 8 horas en la mayoría de zonas analizadas. La TI podría ser útil para cuantificar la asimilación y recuperación física después de una carga física de trabajo. Estos resultados podrían ser muy útiles para entender mejor el complejo sistema de termorregulación humano, y por lo tanto, para utilizar la TI de una manera más objetiva, precisa y profesional con visos a mejorar las nuevas aplicaciones termográficas en el sector de la actividad física y el deporte Infrared Thermography (IRT) is a safe, non-invasive and low-cost technique that allows the rapid and non-contact recording of the irradiated energy released from the body (Akimov & Son’kin, 2011; Merla et al., 2005; Ng et al., 2009; Costello et al., 2012; Hildebrandt et al., 2010). It has been used since the early 1960’s, but due to poor results as diagnostic tool and a lack of methodological standards and quality assurance (Head et al., 2002), it was rejected from the medical field. Nevertheless, the technological improvements of IRT in the last years have made possible a resurgence of this technique (Jiang et al., 2005; Vainer et al., 2005; Cheng et al., 2009; Spalding et al., 2011; Skala et al., 2012), paving the way to new applications not only focused on the diagnose usages. Among the new applications, we highlighted those in physical activity and sport fields, where it has been recently proven that a high resolution thermal images can provide us with interesting information about the complex thermoregulation system of the body (Hildebrandt et al., 2010), information than can be used as: training workload quantification (Čoh & Širok, 2007), fitness and performance conditions (Chudecka et al., 2010, 2012; Akimov et al., 2009, 2011; Merla et al., 2010; Arfaoui et al., 2012), prevention and monitoring of injuries (Hildebrandt et al., 2010, 2012; Badža et al., 2012, Gómez Carmona, 2012) and even detection of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness – DOMS- (Al-Nakhli et al., 2012). Under this context, there is a relevant necessity to broaden the knowledge about factors influencing the application of IRT on humans, and to better explore and describe the thermal response of Skin Temperature (Tsk) in normal conditions, and under the influence of different types of exercise. Consequently, this study presents a literature review about factors affecting the application of IRT on human beings and a classification proposal about them. We analysed the reliability of the software Termotracker®, and also its reproducibility of Tsk on young, healthy and normal weight subjects. Finally, we examined the Tsk thermal response before an endurance, speed and strength training, immediately after and during an 8-hour recovery period. Concerning the literature review, we proposed a classification to organise the factors into three main groups: environmental, individual and technical factors. Thus, better exploring and describing these influence factors should represent the basis of further investigations in order to use IRT in the best and optimal conditions to improve its accuracy and results. Regarding the reproducibility results, the outcomes showed excellent values for consecutive images, but the reproducibility of Tsk slightly decreased with time, above all in the colder Regions of Interest (ROI) (i.e. distal and joint areas). The side-to-side differences (ΔT) (normally used to follow the evolution of some injured or overloaded ROI) also showed highly accurate results, but in this case with better values for joints and central ROI (i.e. Knee, Ankles, Dorsal and Pectoral) than the hottest muscle ROI (as Thigh or Hamstrings). The reliability results of the IRT software Termotracker® were excellent in all conditions and parameters. In the part of the study about the effects on Tsk of aerobic, speed and strength training, the results of Tsk demonstrated specific responses depending on the type of training, ROI, moment of the assessment and the function of the considered ROI. The results showed that most of muscular ROI maintained warmer significant Tsk 8 hours after the training, indicating that the effect of exercise on Tsk last at least 8 hours in most of ROI, as well as IRT could help to quantify the recovery status of the athlete as workload assimilation indicator. Those results could be very useful to better understand the complex skin thermoregulation behaviour, and therefore, to use IRT in a more objective, accurate and professional way to improve the new IRT applications for the physical activity and sport sector.

Survey on student motivation and approval of educational environment at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid within the European Higher Education area implementation

A recent study elaborated by Vicerrectorado de Ordenación Académica y Planificación Estratégica of Technical University of Madrid (UPM) defines the satisfaction of the university student body as "the response that the University offers to the expectations and demands of service of the students, considered in a general way ". Besides an indicator of academic and institutional insertion of the student, the assessment of student engagement allows us to adapt the academic offer and the extension services of the University to the real needs of the students. The process of convergence towards the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) raises the need to form in competitions, that is to say, of developing in our students capacities and knowledge beyond the purely theoretical-practical thing. Therefore, the perception and experience of the educational process and environment by the students is an important issue to be addressed to accomplish their expectations and achieve a curriculum accordingly to EHEA expectations. The present study aims to explore the student motivation and approval of the educational environment at the UPM. To this end a total of 97 students enrolled in the undergraduate program of Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering and Agronomic Engineering at UPM were surveyed. The survey consisted of 40 questions divided in three blocks. The first one of 20 questions of personal character in that they were gathering, besides the sex and the age, the degree of fulfilment, implication and dedication with the institution and the academic tasks. In the second block we identify 10 questions related to the perception of the student on the teaching quality, and finally a block of 10 questions regarding the Bologna Process. The students personal motivation was moderately high, with a score of 3.6 (all scores are provided on a 5-point scale), being the most valuable items obtaining a university degree (4,3) and the friendship between students (4,2). Any significant difference was shown between sexes (P=0.23) since the averages for this block of questions were of 3.7±0.3 and 3.5±0.4 for women and men respectively. The students are moderately satisfied with their graduate studies with an average score of 3,2, being the questions that reflect a minor satisfaction the research profile of the teachers (2,8) and the organization of the Schools (2,9). The best valued questions are related to the usefulness and quality of the degrees, with 3,5 and 3,4 respectively, and to the interest of the courses within the degree (3,4). For sexes, the results of this block of questions are similar (3.1±0.3 and 3.2±0.3 for men and women respectively=0.79). Also, there were no differences (P=0.39) between the students who arrange work and studies or do not work (3.1±0.2 and 3.2±0.3 respectively). In conclusion, students at UPM present an acceptable degree of motivation and satisfaction with regard to the studies and services that offer their respective Schools. Both characteristics receive the same value both for men and for women and so much for students who arrange work and studies as for those who devote themselves only to studying. In a significant way, students who are more engaged and are in-class attendants present the major degree of satisfaction.Overall, there is a great lack of information regarding the Bologna Process. In fact to the majority, they would like to know more on what it is, what it means and what changes will involve its implementation.

Creating and modelling personal socio-economic networks in on-line banking

The banking industry is observing how new competitors threaten its millennial business model by targeting unbanked people, offering new financial services to their customer base, and even enabling new channels for existing services and customers. The knowledge on users, their behaviour, and expectations become a key asset in this new context. Well aware of this situation, the Center for Open Middleware, a joint technology center created by Santander Bank and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, has launched a set of initiatives to allow the experimental analysis and management of socio-economic information. PosdataP2P service is one of them, which seeks to model the economic ties between the holders of university smart cards, leveraging on the social networks the holders are subscribed to. In this paper we describe the design principles guiding the development of the system, its architecture and some implementation details.

Investigación y análisis sobre la idoneidad de la práctica del tenis de mesa en la Educación Primaria

Esta investigación surge a raíz de la experiencia profesional del autor, maestro especialista de Educación Física en el C.E.I.P. “Alhambra” de Madrid, cuando de manera progresiva, aprecia que el tenis de mesa puede ser un deporte muy interesante de desarrollar en las sesiones de Educación Física y de promover dentro de los tiempos de recreo. El autor cree que este deporte desarrolla una serie de objetivos motrices, afectivos, cognitivos y sociales que pueden contribuir a la adquisición de las competencias básicas y al desarrollo integral de los alumnos. Es entonces cuando recibe formación sobre el deporte de tenis de mesa y busca los medios necesarios de financiación para que se dote al centro del material necesario. Así la Junta municipal del distrito de Fuencarral-El Pardo instala en el patio del colegio tres mesas de exterior y, con los recursos del colegio y la ayuda de la Asociación de padres y madres (AMPA), se consiguen cinco mesas de interior plegables y todo el material necesario (redes, raquetas, pelotas, etc.). Tras introducir este deporte desde 3º a 6º de Educación Primaria promueve un campeonato en el colegio cuyo índice de participación ronda el 90% del alumnado, estos resultados crean al autor ciertas incertidumbres que son la motivación y punto de partida para realizar esta investigación que analice si la práctica del tenis de mesa puede resultar idónea en la etapa de Educación Primaria. Introducción La legislación actual en materia de educación, Ley Orgánica 2/2006, de 3 de mayo, de Educación (LOE) modificada por la Ley Orgánica 8/2013, de 9 de diciembre, para la mejora de la calidad educativa. (LOMCE), otorga una gran relevancia al deporte en general. "El deporte es una actividad saludable, divertida y formativa que puede tener profundos beneficios no sólo para su salud y su bienestar sino también para el desarrollo personal integral físico, psicológico y psicosocial del niño, además de sobre su desarrollo deportivo" (Pradas, 2009, p. 151), es pues, un momento idóneo para analizar qué deportes se practican en los colegios o por qué se practican unos más que otros. "El tenis de mesa además de ser un deporte para todos, se presenta como un juego atractivo, en donde su práctica resulta muy divertida a cualquier edad, tanto para niños como para adultos, principalmente porque presenta unas reglas de juego simples, no encerrando peligro alguno para la integridad física de sus practicantes durante su juego" (Pradas, 2009, p. 83). Es un deporte que "está abierto a todos, sin distinción de edad o sexo, tanto como deporte de alto nivel como de práctica familiar o social" (Gatien, 1993, p. 16). No obstante, "son escasas las obras sobre tenis de mesa. Pocos libros, tanto de divulgación como de reflexión sobre el tenis de mesa, adornan los estantes de las librerías y las bibliotecas" (Erb, 1999, p.14) y añade “así pues, el medio escolar padece de falta de obras explicativas y pedagógicas referidas a este tema" (Erb, 1999, p.14 ) En particular, se pretenden conseguir cinco objetivos divididos en tres categorías (el centro, el profesorado y el deporte. • A nivel de Centro: - Conocer el porcentaje de colegios que disponen de espacios y materiales adecuados para la práctica del tenis de mesa, así como identificar, de las distintas Direcciones de Área Territoriales (DAT), cuál tiene los colegios mejor dotados tanto en instalaciones como en materiales para desarrollar programas de promoción del tenis de mesa. - Averiguar las posibles causas por las que el tenis de mesa no se practica tanto como otros deportes, analizando los impedimentos que limitan la implantación del tenis de mesa como un deporte habitual en los centros de Educación Primaria. Analizar la opinión del profesorado en cuanto a los materiales y las instalaciones necesarios para el tenis de mesa. • A nivel de profesorado: - Analizar el nivel de conocimiento que tienen los profesionales que imparten la asignatura de Educación Física sobre el tenis de mesa, así como sus necesidades para incluir unidades didácticas de tenis de mesa en sus programaciones didácticas. - Conocer el perfil de profesor ideal que recomienda la utilización del tenis de mesa y averiguar el interés del profesorado por recibir formación específica del tenis de mesa. • A nivel de deporte: - Analizar la opinión de los profesionales sobre la idoneidad del tenis de mesa en la Educación Primaria atendiendo a los objetivos que persigue, a las competencias que desarrolla, a los contenidos, criterios de evaluación y estándares de aprendizaje que se pueden trabajar y a las lesiones que se producen. Metodología La investigación se caracterizó por utilizar una metodología inductiva, al surgir de la experiencia profesional del autor, también fue transversal al analizar la realidad en un momento concreto y de tipo cuantitativa. La población objeto de estudio fue la totalidad de los colegios públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid, siendo los profesores de Educación Física los encargados de facilitar los datos solicitados. Estos datos se obtuvieron utilizando como instrumento de toma de datos el cuestionario auto administrado con preguntas cerradas de opción múltiple previamente validado por un panel de 5 expertos. Las variables indirectas fueron: el género del profesorado, la edad del profesorado, la experiencia profesional y el tipo de destino. El proceso de la toma de datos supuso un lapso de tiempo de 3 meses, desde mayo de 2015 hasta julio de 2015, en este tiempo hubo dos fases de recogida de datos, una online a través del correo electrónico institucional de los colegios públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid y otra “in situ” con cuestionarios de lápiz y papel. En cuanto a los datos que se obtuvieron, sobre una población de 798 colegios, se consiguió una muestra de 276, esto supuso una tasa de respuesta del 34,59%, asumiendo la situación más desfavorable posible (p=q) y un nivel de confianza del 95%, para el total de los 276 cuestionarios cumplimentados, el error máximo fue del ±4,78%. Resultados En cuanto a los resultados obtenidos, se establecieron de acuerdo a tres dimensiones: A nivel de Centro, a nivel de Profesorado y a nivel del Deporte y pretendieron averiguar si se alcanzaron los cinco objetivos planteados. Tras el análisis de los resultados, se apreció que los colegios públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid disponían de las suficientes instalaciones para el tenis de mesa, en cambio, faltaban materiales específicos y formación por parte del profesorado, así como recursos didácticos y un programa de promoción del tenis de mesa. Se apreció un manifiesto interés por parte del profesorado en recibir formación específica de tenis de mesa pues la mayoría recomendaba la utilización del tenis de mesa dentro de la asignatura de Educación Física en Educación Primaria. Por último, los resultados mostraron la cantidad de objetivos motrices, afectivos, cognitivos y sociales que desarrolla el tenis de mesa así como su contribución a la adquisición de las competencias básicas y al objetivo “k” de la Educación Primaria, que indica “Valorar la higiene y la salud, conocer y respetar el cuerpo humano, y utilizar la Educación Física y el deporte como medios para favorecer el desarrollo personal y social”, además, se mostró el bajo índice de lesiones que provoca. Discusión y conclusiones El tenis de mesa es un deporte idóneo para ser practicado y enseñado en la asignatura de Educación Física en la etapa de Educación Primaria debido a la gran cantidad de contenidos que son susceptibles de ser trabajados a través de este deporte y debido a la gran cantidad de valores, individuales y sociales que se pueden fomentar con la práctica del tenis de mesa. Las causas de que hasta ahora, el tenis de mesa no sea un deporte practicado de forma habitual en los colegios públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid a pesar de trabajar muchos contenidos específicos de la asignatura de Educación Física puede deberse a factores externos al deporte del tenis de mesa y susceptibles de ser solucionados con una adecuada inversión en materiales específicos, formación del profesorado y recursos didácticos. Si se dota a los centros de los materiales y recursos didácticos necesarios y dando formación al profesorado, éste introduciría unidades didácticas de tenis de mesa dentro de sus programaciones anuales. La federación española y madrileña de tenis de mesa, deberían desarrollar un programa de promoción dotando de materiales y recursos a los centros, tal y como lo han hecho otras federaciones como la de voleibol, bádminton o de baloncesto, entre otras. ABSTRACT This research arises from the professional experience of the author, specialized teacher of physical education in the CEIP "Alhambra" in Madrid, where progressively, appreciates that table tennis can be a very interesting sport to develop in physical education sessions and promote within the playtimes. The author believes that this sport develops a range of motor, affective, cognitive and social objectives that can contribute to the acquisition of basic skills and the integral development of students. It is then when receives training on the sport of table tennis and seeks ways of funding in order to outfit the center with necessary equipment. The Municipal District of Fuencarral-El Pardo installed three outdoor tables in the schoolyard and with the resources of the school and the support of the Association of Parents (AMPA), five indoor folding tables are achieved as well as all the necessary material (nets, rackets, balls, etc.). After introduce the sport from 3rd to 6th grade of primary education, promotes a championship in the school where the participation rate is around 90% of students, these results create the uncertainties to the author that are the motivation and starting point for this research to analyze whether the practice of table tennis can be ideal at the stage of primary education. Introduction The current legislation on education, Organic Law 2/2006 of 3 May, on Education (LOE) as amended by Organic Law 8/2013, of December 9, to improve educational quality (LOMCE), attaches great importance to the sport in general, "Sport is a healthy, funny and educational activity that can have great benefits not only for their health and well-being but also for the physical, psychological and psychosocial comprehensive personal child development besides on their sports development "(Pradas, 2009, p. 151), is therefore an ideal moment to analyze which sports are practiced in schools or why are practiced some more than others. "The table tennis as well as being a sport for everyone, is presented as an attractive game, where its practice is funny at any age, both children and adults, mainly because it has simple game rules, not enclosing danger for the physical integrity of its practitioners during their game" (Pradas, 2009, p. 83). It is a sport that is "open to all, regardless of age or sex, as high-level sport, as family or social practice" (Gatien, 1993, p. 16). However, "there are few books on table tennis. Few books, both reflexion or popularization about table tennis, adorn the shelves of bookstores and libraries." (Erb, 1999, p.14) and add "So, the school environment suffers from lack of explanatory and educational work related to this issue." (Erb, 1999, p.14) In particular, it is intended to achieve the following objectives within the Community of Madrid: • To determine the percentage of schools that have spaces and materials suitable for practicing table tennis and identify, from the different Directorates of Land Area (DAT), which has the best equipped schools in both facilities and materials to develop programs to promote table tennis. • Find out the possible causes that explained why table tennis is not practiced as much as other sports, analyzing impediments that limit the implementation of table tennis as a regular sport in primary schools. Analyze the opinion of teachers in terms of materials and facilities needed for table tennis. • Analyze the level of knowledge about table tennis among professionals who teach the subject of Physical Education and their needs to include teaching units about table tennis in their teaching programs. • Knowing the profile of the ideal teacher who recommends the use of table tennis and figure out the interest of teachers to receive specific training of table tennis. • Analyze the professional opinion on the suitability of table tennis in Primary Education taking into account the objectives pursued, to develop the skills, content, evaluation criteria and learning standards that can work and injuries involved. Methodology The investigation was characterized by using an inductive methodology, arising from the professional experience of the author, was also transverse to analyze reality in a particular time and quantitative type. The population under study were all the state schools in Madrid region, being the physical education teachers responsible for providing the requested data. These data were obtained using as data collection instrument a self-administered questionnaire with multiple choice questions, because it facilitates the analysis thereof. In terms of obtained data, on a population of 798 schools, a sample of 276 was achieved, this represented a response rate of 34.59%, assuming the worst case scenario (p = q) and a level 95% confidence for the total of the 276 completed questionnaires, the maximum error was ± 4.78%. Results In terms of the results, they were set according to three dimensions: center level, professorate level and Sport level and trying to find out whether the five objectives were achieved. After analyzing the results, it was found that schools possessed sufficient facilities for table tennis, however, lacked specific materials and training by teachers, as well as teaching resources and a program to promote table tennis. A clear interest was noticed by teachers in order to receive specific training in table tennis since most recommended the use of table tennis in the subject of physical education in primary education. Finally, the results proved the number of motor, affective, cognitive and social objectives developed by table tennis and its contribution to the acquisition of basic skills and the objective "k" of primary education, in addition to the low rate of injury it causes. Discussion and conclusions Table tennis is an ideal sport to be practiced and taught in the subject of Physical Education in Primary Education due to the large amount of content that are likely to be worked through this sport and due to the large number of individual and social values that can foster the practice of table tennis. The causes of that so far, table tennis is not a sport practiced regularly in schools despite working many specific contents of the subject of Physical Education may be due to factors outside the sport of table tennis and subject to solved with adequate investment in specific materials, teacher training and educational resources. By endowing the centers with the necessary teaching materials and resources and providing training to teachers, they would introduce teaching units of table tennis within their annual programs. Madrid and the Spanish Federation of table tennis should develop a promotional program by endowing materials and resources to the centers, as did other federations such as badminton and basketball, among others.

O BOCA A BOCA ON-LINE: AS IMPLICAÇÕES DA VOZ DO CONSUMIDOR NA COMUNICAÇÃO DE MERCADO

O consumidor contemporâneo, inserido em um novo ambiente de comunicação, potencializa suas expressões, capaz de avaliar uma marca ou produto e transmitir sua opinião pelas redes sociais, ou seja, o consumidor expressa suas opiniões e desejos dialogando com seus pares de forma espontânea nas redes sociais on-line. É neste ambiente de participação e interação (ciberespaço) que está nosso objeto de estudo, o boca a boca on-line – a voz do consumidor contemporâneo, também conhecido como uma manifestação informativa pessoal ou uma conversa, a opinion sharing. Proporcionado pelos consumidores nas redes sociais on-line, o boca a boca se fortalece em função das possibilidades de interação, característica da sociedade em rede. Nesse cenário, oobjetivo desta pesquisa é caracterizar o boca a boca on-line como um novo fluxo comunicacional entre consumidores, hoje potencializado pelas novas tecnologias da comunicação, capazes de alterar a percepção da marca e demonstrar o uso, pelas marcas, das redes sociais on-line ainda como um ambiente de comunicação unidirecional. Mediante três casos selecionados por conveniência (dois casos nacionais e um internacional), o corpus de análise de nossa pesquisa se limitou aos 5.084 comentários disponibilizados após publicação de matérias jornalísticas no Portal G1 e nas fanpages (Facebook), ambos relativos aos casos selecionados. Com a Análise de Conteúdo dos posts, identificamos e categorizamos a fala do consumidor contemporâneo, sendo assim possível comprovar que as organizações/marcas se valem da cultura do massivo, não dialogando com seus consumidores, pois utilizam as redes sociais on-line ainda de forma unidirecional, além de não darem a devida atenção ao atual fluxo onde se evidencia a opinião compartilhada dos consumidores da sociedade em rede.

A Qualitative Study on Successful African American Marriages on How They Create and Repair Attachment Injuries Using Emotional Skillfulness.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the meanings that Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Davis attribute to how they have adapted to their marriage and overcame conflict over the years. A purposive sample of this well-known African American married couple, who self-identified as being in a long-term, successful marriage, was used. The subjects of study were married for 56 years. An analysis using Colaizzi's (1978) method revealed 2 themes, with 13 and 2 subthemes respectively. The themes that emerged from the analysis of the formulated meanings were: (1) secrets to a successful marriage; and (2) sources of conflict in marriage. Secrets to a successful marriage included 13 subthemes: (a) egalitarian roles; (b) commitment; (c) forgiveness; (d) communication; (e) love; (f) honesty; (g) understanding the struggles of Black males and females; (h) friendship; (i) religion/ support from God; (j) compromise; (k) beliefs that marriage is a process; (l) emotional availability of spouse; and (m) feelings of security. In addition, the theme sources of conflict in marriage had two subthemes: (a) different decision making styles; and (b) experiences of abandonment. These findings provided insight from this couple's perspective on the secrets to a successful marriage and the ways in which they managed to make their marriage work, in light of the unique challenges that face African American marriages.