NEETs in Spain: an analysis in a context of economic crisis

This article presents the research results from a study that was conducted on Spanish youths aged 25–29 years who are neither in employment nor education and training (NEET). Their characteristics were analysed as well as the differential aspects in relation to people who are in employment, education or training. A typology of NEETs was also established based on their availability for and attitude towards employment, and the similarities and differences between the diverse subgroups were analysed. A mixed methodology was used: a quantitative perspective, which enabled a statistical and regression analysis using data that were obtained through questionnaires, and a qualitative perspective based on a biographical interview, which made it possible to focus on perceptions and processes. The results enable us to identify the common characteristics of the NEET population as well as the perceptions and determining factors of the three typologies.     

A cross-national study of teacher’s perceptions of online learning success

This study examines success factors in online learning from the instructors’ perspective. Academic success comprises not only student satisfaction and good grades, but also perception of learning and knowledge transfer. A systemic model of inputs–process–outputs of learning was used. A total of 322 online teachers from four different universities and countries were used to study factors of attainment. Findings suggest that: (i) instructors from the University of Peking and the Autonomous Popular University of the State of Puebla reported learner factors as the most important for students on online courses, (ii) instructors from the University of New Mexico perceived institutional factors as the most important for establishing effective online learning and (iii) instructors from the Open University of Catalonia reported outcome factors as the most important for learners in online courses. Compared with other research results in online learning, instructors in this study generally reflect a greater concern about the content, social presence, instruction and their interactions than about technological matters.     

Competency Assessment Tool (CAT). The evaluation of an innovative competency-based assessment experience in higher education

This article examines an innovation in teaching-learning and assessment processes through the use of a platform called the Competency Assessment Tool (CAT). It allows for the tracking of student blogs with the objective of improving self-reflective processes and providing feedback. The experiment was carried out in six universities in Catalonia, Spain, and involved seven different subjects. The CAT platform and its features related to the acquisition of competencies are presented, as are users’ opinions on the metacognitive and feedback processes provided by the tool. The methods used were questionnaires received by students and teachers. Results show a high level of satisfaction for all those involved and emphasise that student participation in the assessment process increases their awareness of the teaching-learning process through self-regulation procedures. The most significant result is related to the use of electronic tools as an appraisal instrument and their enhancement of competency-based assessment.     

Reading to write an argumentation: the role of epistemological,reading and writing beliefs

The general aim of this study was to examine the relations among epistemological, reading and writing beliefs held by psychology undergraduates and the role played by these three types of belief in influencing the degree of perspectivism manifested in a written argumentation task based on reading two texts presenting conflicting perspectives on the same topic. A total of 118 fourth‐year psychology students took part. Only 76 students performed the written argumentation task. The three types of belief were assessed using different questionnaires. The results show that the different types of belief do not occur in isolation, but have an internal coherence. They also indicate that only reading beliefs, together with the degree of perspectivism shown in a prior argumentation task, help to predict the degree of perspectivism in the written task following the reading of the texts.     

Imagining: Creating Spaces for Indigenous Ontologies

For at least half a century, catalogers have struggled with how to catalog and classify Native American and Indigenous peoples materials in library, archive, and museum collections. Understanding how colonialism works can help those in the field of knowledge organization appreciate the power dynamics embedded in the marginalization of Native American and Indigenous peoples materials through standardization, misnaming, and other practices. The decolonizing methodology of imagining provides one way that knowledge organization practitioners and theorists can acknowledge and discern the possibilities of Indigenous community-based approaches to the development of alternative information structures.     

Short-term optimal load training vs a modified complex training in semi-professional basketball players

This study investigated the effects on neuromuscular performance of a 6-week Optimal Load Training (OLT) and a novel modified Complex Training (MCT) (complex pairs: the same exercise using a moderate and an OL) in basketball players, in-season. Eighteen male athletes were randomly assigned to one of the protocols. Anthropometric measurements were taken to evaluate body composition. Lower- and upper-body maximum dynamic strength, countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), 10-m sprint and change of direction (COD) were also assessed. Moderate-to-large strength gains (presented as percentage change ± 90% confidence limits) were obtained for half-squat (OLT: 10.8 ± 5.3%; MCT: 17.2 ± 11.6%) and hip thrust (OLT: 23.5 ± 17.7%; MCT: 28.2 ± 19.0%). OLT athletes achieved likely small improvements in sprint (1.6 ± 1.6%) and COD (3.0 ± 3.2%). Players in the MCT attained likely moderate improvements in COD (3.0 ± 2.0%) and possibly small in SLJ (2.5 ± 4.6%). No protocol relevantly affected CMJ or body composition. An ANCOVA test revealed unclear between-group differences. In conclusion, both protocols increased basketball players’ strength without the use of heavy loads (> 85% 1RM) and without impairing sprint, CMJ and SLJ performance. These findings suggest that basketball strength and conditioning professionals may use either method to counteract strength losses during the season.     

Conservation of historical reinforced concrete structures damaged by carbonation induced corrosion by means of electrochemical realkalisation

Electrochemical realkalisation is a technique aimed at stopping rebar corrosion in carbonated concrete. The alkalinity of the concrete around the rebars is restored, and an environment favourable to the passivation of steel is re-created. The technique is based on the application of a DC current from an anode, placed on the external surface of the concrete, and the rebar. The anode is usually embedded in cellulose pulp soaked with a solution of sodium or potassium carbonate. The rebar and the anode are connected to a DC current feeder, the rebar to the negative terminal and the anode to the positive terminal. The applied current produces alkalinity at the surface of the rebar, while the alkaline electrolyte in which the anode is immersed penetrates from the external surface. In this way the concrete is realkalised, its protective characteristics towards the steel are restored and rebars can return to passive conditions. The treatment is temporary: this feature makes it very attractive in the field of historical buildings and cultural heritage, where the conservation of the original materials and surfaces is often a stringent requirement in the design of the repair. This paper shows the advantages of this technique applied to historical structures by describing the application to a bell tower built in the 1920s. The electrochemical realkalisation treatment was applied to eight columns on the bell tower where a traditional repair (based on the substitution of carbonated concrete with a repair mortar) would have been practically impossible. The application of the treatment followed two steps: initially, a trial was made on two sections of two columns, so as to calibrate the process parameters such as current density, time length and type of anode. Subsequently, the treatment was applied to all the columns. The analyses carried out on the concrete after the application of the treatment showed that the protection to the reinforcement was mainly connected to the alkaline layer produced around the steel, which is expected to prevent further corrosion of the steel.     

Separation by dielectrophoresis of dormant and nondormant bacterial cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis

The dielectrophoretic behavior of active, dead, and dormant Mycobacterium smegmatis bacterial cells was studied. It was found that the 72-h-old dormant cells had a much higher effective particle conductivity (812±10 μS cm⁻¹), almost double that of active cells (560±20 μS cm⁻¹), while that of dead (autoclaved) M. smegmatis cells was the highest (950±15 μS cm⁻¹) overall. It was also found that at 80 kHz, 900 μS cm⁻¹ dead cells were attracted at the edges of interdigitated castellated electrodes by positive dielectrophoresis, but dormant cells were not. Similarly, at 120 kHz, 2 μS cm⁻¹ active cells were attracted and dormant cells were not. Using these findings a dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic separation system was developed in which dead and active cells were collected from a given cell suspension, while dormant cells were eluted.     

The public relations strategy of Alexander Herzen state pedagogical university in St. Petersburg: The dialogue between the heritage and the present of a University

The author begins by outlining the history of Alexander Herzen State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg, the oldest teacher training institution in the Russian Federation. Given its age (it was founded in 1797) and its location in the historical center of St. Petersburg, the university places its history and traditions at the center of its public relations activities. These activities are the responsibility of a Department of Marketing that has been operating for more than three years. Several public relations activities are outlined. Because the university is a national and public institution, its public relations strategy cannot be overly aggressive.