Víctor M. Molina

Students with disabilities in higher education: a biographical-narrative approach to the role of lecturers

This article presents an analysis of how lecturers respond to students with disabilities, the initial question being: do lecturers aid or hinder students? Findings pertain to a broader research project being developed by a multidisciplinary team employing a non-usual research methodology in higher education (HE) research and students with disabilities: biographical-narrative methodology. The general aim is to analyse – by listening to the students themselves – barriers and support identified as affecting access, academic performance and overall perception of the HE experience. The present paper analyses lecturer-centred data to focus specifically on one of the objectives of our research project: the role that lecturers play in the inclusive education of students with disabilities. Unlike other international research, this article explores the barriers and support differentiating between five fields of knowledge: health sciences, experimental sciences, social sciences (law and education), engineering and technology and humanities. Findings are organized in four topic areas: lecturer attitudes, practices in the classroom, curricular adaptations and faculty training. Key findings are discussed in the conclusions section, together with a discussion of contributions made by earlier studies.

Electrolytic synthesis of chloroform from carbon tetrachloride in mild conditions. Laboratory approach

Abstract A selective electrochemical synthesis of chloroform from carbon tetrachloride (CT) in mild conditions is studied. The voltammetric results show that in a sodium chloride–ethanol:water (4:1) solvent and using carbon as electrode, it is possible to reduce CT to chloroform with very high selectivity and current efficiency adequate for the developing of an industrial process. The influence in the electrochemical potentiostatic reduction of CT of the pH of anolyte and catholyte using a divided electrochemical “H cell”, is also investigated. When, as anolyte, a pH 7-buffered solution was used, hydrolysis of the product (chloroform) was observed as a consequence of the basic pH reached in the catholyte. This hydrolysis was not observed when an acid anolyte was used. No other products other than chloroform were detected. Finally, a galvanostatic electroreduction of CT was carried out in a homemade filter-press reactor at laboratory scale. Good current efficiency and material yield were obtained hydrogen being the only sub-product detected.

Faculty training: an unavoidable requirement for approaching more inclusive university classrooms

Adequate policies for faculty training in diversity continue to be pending on the agendas of many universities. This paper presents the recommendations of 44 university students with disabilities not only for adequate faculty training, but also on informing them on both matters of the disability itself and how to respond to the needs derived from it. The data analyzed come from research funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness ‘University Barriers and Aids Identified by Students with Disabilities’, which has been underway since 2011. A biographical-narrative methodology was used. The university life histories of the students were compiled by making use of in-depth interviews, lifelines and photographs. The conclusions of the study discuss the main results along with other previous studies, and recommendations are made so universities can provide training plans leading to inclusive education and learning.

Electrosynthesis of Trichloroacetic Acid by Electrochemical Carboxylation of Carbon Tetrachloride

The electrochemical carboxylation of carbon tetrachloride (CT) has been investigated to obtain trichloroacetic acid, providing a strategy for the elimination/conversion of this substance. The electrochemical behavior of CT in the presence of CO 2 has been studied by means of cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. Ag as working electrode exhibits electrocatalytic activity toward the electroreduction of CT in the presence of CO 2 , shifting reduction potentials to more positive values compared to other inert electrodes such as the glassy carbon electrode and graphite. The influence of the cathode and anode material has also been investigated by preparative electrolysis. The electrocarboxylation of the CT is remarkably more efficient if Ag is used as cathode and Zn as anode, giving high current efficiency, excellent trichloroacetate yield, and minimal subproducts formation.

What if we could Imagine an Ideal University? Narratives by Students with Disabilities

Abstract This article presents the results of a project entitled, ‘Analysis of University Barriers and Aids Identified by Students with Disabilities’, carried out in a Spanish University. The study used the biographical–narrative methodology, which emphasises the importance of people talking about themselves without silencing their subjectivity. Different types of data collection instruments, such as biographic interview, timelines and photography, were employed to acquire this information. The Results section presents proposals made by students with disabilities which could contribute to developing a more inclusive university. Some of their suggestions were that students with disabilities should be better informed and oriented, academic staff should be better trained to favour their educational inclusion, the settings and infrastructures should be accessible, and universities should be prepared to deal with people with disabilities. The conclusions discuss the main findings of the analysis, comparing them with other previous studies, and making some proposals that help universities progress towards inclusive education.

Stereoselective Electrochemical Reduction of Imazapyr in Aqueous Media Without Chiral Auxiliaries

The electrochemical reduction of imazapyr at the static mercury drop electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry as a function of pH in aqueous buffered media. The process leads to the 2,3-C=N double bond reduction in the imidazoline moiety in all media. The products have been isolated by controlled-potential electrolyses and identified by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry measurements and 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and IR spectra. Although no chiral auxiliary was used, a moderate diasteroisomeric excess was observed. The diasteromeric ratio depends on pH of the electrolyses.

An Efficient Electrochemical Carboxylation of Polychloromethanes at Zinc Cathode in Acetonitrile

An efficient and selective electrochemical carboxylation process of some polychloromethanes was developed to synthesize chloroacetic acids using a zinc cathode and sacrificial anodes under a galvanostatic regime. The electrochemical behavior of carbon tetrachloride (CT), chloroform (CF), and its carboxylated products was studied by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as a supporting electrolyte in the presence and absence of CO 2 . Galvanostatic electrolyses of CT and CF in the presence of CO 2 were carried out in an undivided cell. The influence of some operative parameters on the performance of the process was studied. The electrochemical carboxylation of CT resulted in high faradaic yields and in the selective formation of trichloroacetate (TCA). The electrocarboxylation of CF led to high current efficiencies and a good dichloroacetate yield. TCA and dichloromethane (DCM) were obtained as by-products in this process. The formation of TCA and DCM suggests that the electrocarboxylation reaction of CF competes with the self-protonation of the carbanion CHCl - 2 generated in its reduction process.

Voices from Spanish students with disabilities: willpower and effort to survive university

Abstract This article analyses the university experiences of 44 students with disabilities. The voices of Spanish students describe the reasons that lead them to choose a given university degree, their transition in the university, the perception they have of themselves as students and how they evaluate their academic results. This study was done with the biographical-narrative methodology using several different data collection techniques, such as narrative interviews, lifelines and photographs. Data analysis was based on an inductive coding system. The results of this study have enabled us to conclude that most of the students chose their degree course because they had a vocation for it, although their disability also influenced their decision. Some students had such a hard time during their first year that they had to change their course of studies. They thought they had to make a stronger effort than the rest of their fellow students, defined themselves as fighters and survivors, and valued this willpower as their main personal asset, above the outcome achieved.