ABSTRACT
Background The surveillance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the Chilean coast has been mainly performed by multiplex PCR amplification of three different hemolysin genes, which are specie-specific virulence factors. These genes are also employed in the determination of V. parahaemolyticus pathogenic load in seafood and for characterization of pathogenic strains associated to diarrhea cases in human. During environmental surveillance that we performed every summer, we occasionally observed a thermolabile hemolysin (tlh) PCR product of a slightly smaller size than expected, which was coincident with low loads of V. parahaemolyticus in the environment. In order to understand this observation, we probed the specificity of tlh primers for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus at different bacterial loads and DNA concentrations. Results Primers used for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus specific tlh amplified a slightly smaller tlh gene, which is found in Vibrio alginolyticus and other related strains. These amplicons were observed when V. parahaemolyticus was absent or in undetectable loads in the environment. Conclusions Surveillance of V. parahaemolyticus using tlh primers can be imprecise because amplification of a V. parahaemolyticus specific marker in V. alginolyticus and other related strains occurs. This situation complicates potentially the estimation of bacterial load in seafood, because do not ensure the correct identification of V. parahaemolyticus when his load is low. Additionally, it could complicate the tracking of outbreaks of V. parahaemolyticus infections, considering the genetic markers used would not be specie-specific.
Subject(s)
Vibrio parahaemolyticus/isolation & purification , Vibrio parahaemolyticus/genetics , Virulence Factors , Epidemiological Monitoring , Hemolysin Proteins , Vibrionaceae , Multiplex Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Discutem-se alguns problemas que atualmente afetam a qualidade do conteúdo das revistas científicas e ressalta-se o papel dos editores como responsáveis pela definição tanto da direção (o que se fará) como da profundidade (até que ponto se avançará) das pesquisas. Propõe-se que a relação ótima entre ambas se alcança a partir de um equilíbrio entre as três logias: terminologia, epistemologia e metodologia. Sob esta fundamentação, apresenta-se uma taxonomia para avaliação e análise de projetos de pesquisa, artigos e pareceres científicos. Conclui-se com propostas de ação específicas para todos os atores envolvidos na geração e difusão do conhecimento (autores, revisores, agências de fomento, instituições que publicam revistas e editores científicos), orientadas a melhorar a qualidade do conteúdo das publicações.
El artículo discute algunos de los problemas que actualmente afectan a la calidad del contenido de las revistas científicas y se resalta el rol de los editores como los responsables de definir tanto la dirección (lo qué se hará) como la profundidad (cuánto se llevará a cabo) de la investigación en una determinada área. Se propone que la relación óptima entre dirección y profundidad se logra a partir de un equilibrio entre las tres logías: la terminología, la epistemología y la metodología. Partiendo de esta premisa, el artículo presenta una taxonomía para el análisis de proyectos de investigación, artículos y dictámenes científicos. Se concluye con propuestas de acción específicas dirigidas a todos los actores involucrados en la generación y difusión del conocimiento (autores, dictaminadores, organismos de financiación, instituciones que publican revistas y editores científicos), orientadas a mejorar la calidad del contenido de las publicaciones.
The article discusses some of the problems that currently affect the quality of content of journals and highlights the role of editors as those responsible for defining both the direction (what will be done) and depth (how far it will go) of research in a certain area. The optimal relationship between direction and depth is proposed to be achieved through a balance among the three logies: terminology, epistemology and methodology. Based on this premise, the article presents a taxonomy for the analysis of research projects, scientific papers and referee reports, and suggests specific actions aimed at improving the content quality of journals, targeted at all those involved in the generation and dissemination of knowledge (authors, reviewers, funding agencies, publishers, and, last but not least, scientific editors).
Subject(s)
Editorial Policies , Peer Review , Publications for Science Diffusion , Scientific and Technical Publications , Systems for Evaluation of PublicationsABSTRACT
Con el objetivo de conocer si los pares evaluadores que participaron en la Revista Colombiana de Psicología, en los años 2010 y 2011, proporcionaron al editor los recursos para tomar una decisión fundamentada sobre la publicación de un artículo, así como herramientas al autor para mejorar su manuscrito, se realizó un análisis de contenido a 96 conceptos. Se encontró que los evaluadores se centraron más en aspectos relacionados con el mérito científico del artículo e hicieron comentarios precisos; sin embargo, solo la mitad de ellos realizaron comentarios constructivos. Se discute la relevancia de la responsabilidad de los pares evaluadores de mejorar la calidad de los artículos, además de decidir sobre su publicación.
In order to determine whether or not the peer reviewers who worked with the Revista Colombiana de Psicología in 2010 and 2011 provided the editor with the resources necessary to make an informed decision regarding publication decisions and the authors with the tools needed to improve their manuscripts, a content analysis of 96 concepts was conducted. Findings showed that referees concentrated more on aspects related to the scientific value of the article, and provided precise comments in most cases. However, only half of the reviewers provided constructive feedback. The article discusses the reviewers responsibility in improving the quality of the articles, in addition to deciding on their publication.
Com o objetivo de conhecer se os pares avaliadores que participaram na Revista Colombiana de Psicología, nos anos 2010 e 2011, proporcionaram ao editor os recursos para tomar uma decisão fundamentada sobre a publicação de um artigo, assim como ferramentas para o autor melhorar seu manuscrito, realizou-se uma análise de conteúdo a 96 conceitos. Encontrou-se que os avaliadores se centraram mais em aspectos relacionados com o mérito científico do artigo e fizeram comentários precisos; contudo, só a metade deles realizaram comentários construtivos. Discute-se a relevância da responsabilidade dos pares avaliadores de melhorar a qualidade dos artigos, além de decidir sobre sua publicação.
Subject(s)
Editorial Policies , Peer Review , Publications for Science Diffusion , Scientific and Technical PublicationsABSTRACT
El efecto de los costos hundidos se define como la tendencia a continuar en un curso de acción una vez se ha hecho una inversión. Se evaluó si este efecto ocurre con una inversión conductual y si las respuestas forzadas y libres afectan por igual la persistencia. Se expusieron 90 estudiantes, divididos en tres grupos, a tres condiciones con 0, 60 y 110 respuestas forzadas en programas RF 350. Se encontró que la persistencia aumentaba a medida que se hacían más respuestas en libertad. Se concluyó que el efecto de los costos hundidos también ocurre con una inversión conductual y que sólo tiene efecto si la persona elige cada inversión.
The sunk costs effect is defined as the tendency to persist in an endeavoronce an investment has been made. This project evaluated whether this effect occurs after making a behavioral investment and if forced and freeresponses have similar effects upon subsequent behavioral persistence. Subjects, 90 students, divided in three groups, were exposed to three conditions of 0, 60 and 110 forced responses in FR 350 schedules. Persistence increased as free responses increased, suggesting that the sunk cost effect is produced by a freely chosen behavioral investment. It was concluded that the sunk cost effect is produced by a behavioral investment and that happens only if each instance of investment is freely chosen.