Assessing the Effects of Higher Education on the Creative Thinking Abilities of Future Japanese Teachers

Jose Alejandro Ramirez 대한사고개발학회 1999 The International Journal of Creativity & Problem Vol.9 No.1

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of how a rather closed society like Japan is able to foster creative thinking in its future teachers. This study is based on the assumption that an important role of higher education is to promote in the new generations of teachers the creative thinking skills required by the post-industrial society in which Japanese are beginning to live. After providing some explanations on the favorable and unfavorable conditions for the development of creative thinking abilities that Japanese society in general, and higher education in particular, places upon its people, the following hypothesis is stated: Higher Education does not have an statistically significant effect on the creative thinking abilities of future Japanese teachers. This hypothesis could not be rejected by the results of a Test applied to a sample of students enrolled in the Faculty of Education in one of the best universities in Japan.

Sustainability Issues in Juvenile Fishing in the Philippines

Niño Alejandro Q. Manalo,Paul Joseph B. Ramirez 한국무역연구원 2011 The International Academy of Global Business and T Vol.7 No.2

The study examines the problem of juvenile fishing as applied to anchovies, sardines, siganids (rabbitfish), and tuna fisheries in the Philippines and discusses the issues revolving around the sustainability of such fisheries in the long run. Results of the study showed that overfishing has resulted in the overexploitation of adult anchovies, sardines, rabbitfish, and tuna, and that juvenile fishing exacerbates the problem. The Philippines already has an enabling law that promotes the protection and conservation of Philippine fisheries resources. The provisions of the 1998 Philippine Fisheries Code range from regulating mesh sizes and types of fishing gear used to the establishment of marine protected areas and closed fishing seasons. Like any piece of legislation, enforcement accompanied by community stakeholder participation is crucial in achieving the sustainability of fisheries resources in the long term.

Evaluation of mandibular buccal shelf characteristics in the Colombian population: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Escobar-Correa, Natalia,Ramirez-Bustamante, Maria Antonia,Sanchez-Uribe, Luis Alejandro,Upegui-Zea, Juan Carlos,Vergara-Villarreal, Patricia,Ramirez-Ossa, Diana Milena The Korean Association Of Orthodontists 2021 대한치과교정학회지 Vol.51 No.1

Objective: To evaluate the mandibular buccal shelf (MBS) in terms of the angulation and bone depth and thickness according to sex, age, and sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns in a Colombian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Accordingly, the optimal site for miniscrew insertion in this area was determined. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective study included 64 hemi-arches of 34 patients. On CBCT images, the angulation, buccal bone depth (4 and 6 mm from the cementoenamel junction [CEJ] of MBS), and buccal bone thickness (6 and 11 mm from the CEJ of MBS) were measured at the mesial and distal roots of the mandibular first and second molars. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the angulation, depth, and thickness of MBS between male and female patients. The values for the bone around the distal root of the mandibular second molar were significantly greater than the other values. The osseous characteristics were significantly better in participants aged 16-24 years. Class III patients exhibited the best osseous characteristics, with the bone depth at 6 mm being significantly different from that in Class I and Class II patients. Although values tended to be greater in patients with low angles, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: MBS provides an optimal bone surface for miniscrew insertion, with better osseous characteristics at the distal root of the mandibular second molar, 4 mm from CEJ. Adolescent patients, Class III patients, and patients with a low angle exhibit the most favorable osseous characteristics in the MBS area.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D level is sociated with mortality in patients with critical COVID-19: a prospective observational study in Mexico City

Israel Parra-Ortega,Diana Guadalupe Alcara-Ramirez,Alma Angelica Ronzon-Ronzon,Fermin Elias-Garcia,Jose Agustin Mata-Chapol,Alejandro Daniel Cervantes-Cot,Briceida Lopez-Martinez,Miguel Angel Villasis 한국영양학회 2021 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.15 No.S

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Considering the high number of deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Latin American countries, together with multiple factors that increase the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we aimed to determine 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and its association with mortality in patients with critical COVID-19. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including adult patients with critical COVID-19. Data, including clinical characteristics and 25(OH)D levels measured at the time of intensive care unit admission, were collected. All patients were followed until hospital discharge or in-hospital death. The patients were divided into those surviving and deceased patient groups, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of in hospital mortality. RESULTS: The entire cohort comprised 94 patients with critical COVID-19 (males, 59.6%; median age, 61.5 years). The median 25(OH)D level was 12.7 ng/mL, and 15 (16%) and 79 (84%) patients had vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency, respectively. The median serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in deceased patients compared with surviving (12.1 vs. 18.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 100% of the deceased patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, body mass index, other risk factors, and 25(OH)D level were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was present in 84% of critical COVID-19 patients. Serum 25(OH)D was independently associated with mortality in critical patients with COVID-19.

Managing Commor Property Resources Through Ancestral Domains : The Case of Philippine Indigenous Fisheries

Earl Joanne S. Santos,Paul Joseph B. Ramirez,Niño Alejandro Q. Manalo 한국무역연구원 2011 The International Academy of Global Business and T Vol.7 No.1

The study considered the concept of ancestral waters as an alternative to common property rights that would possibly answer the pressing problem of non-exclusivity and subtractability accordingly in ocean fisheries. Results of the study showed that ancestral water seems to be similar to common property rights in terms of use rights, exchange rights, distribution entitlements, and management scheme and authority structure. However, ancestral waters is more specific as it applies only to ICCs/IPs. Since most of the fishing communities in the Philippines resemble the ICCs/IPs in terms of homogeneity in faith and ethnic nature, positive attitudes in taking responsibility of coastal resources, control and compliance to rules and regulations in the coastal areas, and determination of not leaving the place they have inhabited for several years, it is possible that the notion of ancestral waters would also apply to the coastal communities. The promising attributes of ancestral waters in ensuring sustainability may pave the way for considering community property rights for other coastal communities in the future.

Two clinical isolates of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae showed differing pattern of lameness and pathogen detection in experimentally challenged pigs

João Carlos Gomes Neto,Matthew Raymond,Leslie Bower,Alejandro Ramirez,Darin M. Madson,Erin L. Strait,Everett L. Rosey,Vicki J. Rapp-Gabrielson 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.4

Mycoplasma (M.) hyosynoviae is known to colonize and cause disease in growing-finishing pigs. In this study, two clinical isolates of M. hyosynoviae were compared by inoculating cesarean-derived colostrum-deprived and specific-pathogen-free growing pigs. After intranasalor intravenous inoculation, the proportion and distribution pattern of clinical cases was compared in addition to the severity of lameness. Tonsils were found to be the primary site of colonization, while bacteremia was rarely detected prior to the observation of clinical signs. Regardless of the clinical isolate, route of inoculation, or volume of inocula, histopathological alterations and tissue invasion were detectedin multiple joints, indicating an apparent lack of specific joint tropism. Acute disease was primarily observed 7 to 10 days post-inoculation. The variability in the severity of synovial microscopic lesions and pathogen detection in joint cavities suggests that the duration of jointinfection may influence the diagnostic accuracy. In summary, these findings demonstrate that diagnosis of M. hyosynoviae-associated arthritiscan be influenced by the clinical isolate, and provides a study platform to investigate the colonization and virulence potential of field isolates. This approach can be particularly relevant to auxiliate in surveillance and testing of therapeutic and/or vaccine candidates.