University of Alcalá

About: University of Alcalá is a education organization based out in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 10795 authors who have published 20718 publications receiving 410089 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Alcala & University of Alcala de Henares.

When enough is enough: a conceptual basis for fair and defensible practice performance assessment.

Abstract: Introduction An essential element of practice performance assessment involves combining the results of various procedures in order to see the whole picture. This must be derived from both objective and subjective assessment, as well as a combination of quantitative and qualitative assessment procedures. Because of the severe consequences an assessment of practice performance may have, it is essential that the procedure is both defensible to the stakeholders and fair in that it distinguishes well between good performers and underperformers. Lessons from competence assessment Large samples of behaviour are always necessary because of the domain specificity of competence and performance. The test content is considerably more important in determining which competency is being measured than the test format, and it is important to recognise that the process of problem-solving process is more idiosyncratic than its outcome. It is advisable to add some structure to the assessment but to refrain from over-structuring, as this tends to trivialise the measurement. Implications for practice performance assessment A practice performance assessment should use multiple instruments. The reproducibility of subjective parts should not be increased by over-structuring, but by sampling through sources of bias. As many sources of bias may exist, sampling through all of them may not prove feasible. Therefore, a more project-orientated approach is suggested using a range of instruments. At various timepoints during any assessment with a particular instrument, questions should be raised as to whether the sampling is sufficient with respect to the quantity and quality of the observations, and whether the totality of assessments across instruments is sufficient to see ‘the whole picture’. This policy is embedded within a larger organisational and health care context.

Muons in air showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory: Measurement of atmospheric production depth

Abstract: The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory provides information about the longitudinal development of the muonic component of extensive air showers. Using the timing information from the flash analog-to-digital converter traces of surface detectors far from the shower core, it is possible to reconstruct a muon production depth distribution. We characterize the goodness of this reconstruction for zenith angles around 60 degrees and different energies of the primary particle. From these distributions, we define X-max(mu) as the depth along the shower axis where the production of muons reaches maximum. We explore the potentiality of X-max(mu) as a useful observable to infer the mass composition of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. Likewise, we assess its ability to constrain hadronic interaction models.

Study of biochemical substrate and role of metalloproteinases in fascia transversalis from hernial processes

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the fascia transversalis (FT) from patients with direct and indirect hernia in an attempt to identify possible differences between each type of hernia. FT samples were obtained from 36 patients presenting inguinal hernia (23 indirect hernia and 13 direct hernia) who underwent surgery. We have analysed the ultrastructure of the fascia surrounding the hernial lesions, the proline and lysine hydroxylation in the tissue, the type I-type III collagen ratio and the presence of metalloproteinases. We have not detected ultrastructural differences in the collagen fibrils from FT in direct and indirect hernias. However, the interfibrillar matrix was more abundant in direct hernias, showing abundant electron-dense particles. No differences in proline hydroxylation were observed between each type of hernia. A small decrease in lysine hydroxylation was detected in patients with direct hernia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed no statistically significant differences in the type I-type III collagen absorbance ratios. Immunohistochemistry revealed no differences in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1. FT from patients presenting direct hernia showed a very strong staining vs. metalloproteinase-2 when compared with that observed in indirect hernia.