bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-inflammatory microglial cell function in the light of the latest scientific research
Authors: Łabuzek Krzysztof , Skrudlik Edyta , Gabryel Bożena , Okopień Bogusław
Published: December 2015

Komórki mikrogleju są reprezentantami układu immunologicznego w ośrodkowym układzie nerwowym (OUN). Od dawna były postrzegane jako główny agresor, indukujący i podtrzymujący procesy zapalne i neurodegeneracyjne w OUN. Ostatnie doniesienia naukowe wskazują jednak, że mogą one pełnić istotną rolę ochronną. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono dowody naukowe, podkreślające ich właściwości przeciwzapalne. Komórki mikrogleju podlegają aktywacji na dwa różne sposoby, co powoduje powstanie dwóch odmiennych fenotypów: klasycznego zapalnego
oraz alternatywnego przeciwzapalnego. Ten ostatni charakteryzuje się m.in. ekspresją CD200 oraz fraktalkiny. Alternatywnie aktywowany mikroglej produkuje również cytokiny prozapalne, których wpływ na otaczające komórki nie do końca wiąże się tylko z ich destrukcją, lecz także niejednokrotnie z procesami neuroregeneracji i mielinizacji. Być może przedstawienie najnowszych doniesień skieruje uwagę badaczy na nowe narzędzia mogące znaleźć zastosowanie w zapobieganiu i leczeniu chorób OUN poprzez wykorzystanie przeciwzapalnych właściwości komórek, które wciąż uważa się za komórki prozapalne.
O microclima criado por espelhos d’água: estudo de caso do espelho d’água do Congresso Nacional
Authors: Romero Marta Bustos , Vavallo Helena Maria
Published: December 2015

Este artigo trata do estudo de caso do espelho d’água do Congresso Nacional, com o intuito de verificar, por meio de medições da Temperatura Máxima do Ar e Umidade Relativa do Ar, a importância desse elemento estético-arquitetônico como favorecedor, sob ponto de vista do conforto higrotérmico, do microclima do edifício e suas imediações. Portanto, o objetivo principal é o de investigar se o espelho d’água do Congresso Nacional oferece um microclima favorável em suas imediações em comparação às áreas adjacentes a ele, por meio do resfriamento evaporativo. Estruturou-se o trabalho da seguinte forma: primeiramente o relato de elementos arquitetônicos com água no contexto histórico e os exemplos aplicados em Brasília; Em seguida, abordagem do conceito de conforto higrotérmico; Na sequência, descrição das medições e métodos utilizados; finalmente a confrontação dos dados aferidos com os dados disponibilizados pelo INMET (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia). Concluiu-se que o uso deste elemento é aplicável à realidade de Brasília. O acréscimo na Umidade Relativa do Ar verificado é de, aproximadamente, 10% e, a Temperatura Máxima do Ar, em média, sofreu um decréscimo de 3.7ºC nos ambientes junto ao espelho d’água.
Palácio Itamaraty em Brasília: análise de adequação às normas brasileiras sobre acessibilidade e propostas de melhoria, respeitando a autenticidade
Authors: Máximo Marco Aurélio Da Silva , Ferreira Oscar Luís
Published: December 2015

Brasília é a única cidade construída no século XX considerada pela UNESCO como Patrimônio Cultural da Humanidade, pelo reconhecimento mundial do seu Plano Urbanístico como um exemplar ímpar do urbanismo modernista caracterizado pelo racionalismo e funcionalismo. O Decreto Federal nº 5.296, de 02 de dezembro de 2004, consolidou a legislação brasileira de acessibilidade e tornou obrigatória a norma brasileira NBR 9050:2004. O país está em processo de adaptação e o respeito à legislação envolve adaptações do patrimônio arquitetônico, tanto “histórico” como contemporâneo. O processo de adaptação deve garantir a acessibilidade e a preservação do bem. Este artigo apresenta uma análise, com uso da ferramenta “Matriz de Autenticidade e Acessibilidade”, do Palácio Itamaraty – referência integrada da arquitetura moderna, inserido no conjunto urbanístico tombado - onde foi possível obter informações para melhoria das condições de acessibilidade, respeitando sua autenticidade.
Sustentabilidade, planejamento urbano e instrumentos de gestão do patrimônio e da paisagem cultural em Bento Gonçalves/RS
Authors: Bertoco Cristiane Bertoco , Medeiros Ana Elisabete
Published: December 2015

Buscando instrumentos mais sustentáveis de preservação do patrimônio cultural, o trabalho se propõe a pesquisar como se dá a relação entre os instrumentos de gestão preservacionistas e aqueles voltados ao planejamento urbano municipal, utilizando como metodologias revisão bibliográfica e estudo de caso. Busca uma discussão teórica sobre patrimônio cultural e desenvolvimento sustentável, valorização e reabilitação através do turismo e indicações geográficas, gestão e planejamento urbano através do Plano Diretor. Como estudo de caso, adota-se o município de Bento Gonçalves, no Rio Grande do Sul, polo turístico e vitivinícola, abordado sob dois pontos de vista: a valorização do patrimônio através de roteiros turísticos e indicações geográficas, e a gestão e planejamento urbano na preservação dos bens edificados e da paisagem urbana e rural. O estudo resulta na reflexão dos desafios na construção de um pacto de gestão da paisagem cultural através do Plano Diretor e dos Conselhos Municipais.
Los juegos como estrategia metodológica en la enseñanza de la geometría, en estudiantes de séptimo grado de educación básica
Authors: Bravo Carmelo , Márquez Henry , Villarroel Felicia
Published: December 2015

El objetivo principal de esta investigación es el de presentar los juegos como estrategia metodológica en la enseñanza de la geometría, con el propósito de mejorar el rendimiento escolar de la geometría en séptimo grado de Educación Básica en la U.E.L.B “Ricardo Márquez Moreno”, ubicada en Santa Ana, estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela, durante el año escolar 2008-2009. El presente estudio se enmarca en la modalidad de investigación de campo de tipo descriptivo. La población la conformaron doscientos (200) estudiantes y ocho (08) docentes del área de matemáticas. La muestra estuvo representada por 50 estudiantes integrantes de dos (2) secciones. Los instrumentos utilizados para recabar la información fueron dos cuestionarios, uno aplicado a los docentes y el otro a los estudiantes. El análisis de los resultados indicó que los docentes utilizan estrategias tradicionales para la enseñanza de la geometría como, por ejemplo, la exposición y muy pocas veces ponen en práctica la estrategia de los juegos. Además se determinó que los estudiantes necesitan motivación e integración hacia la geometría mediante estrategias motivadoras y agradables como los juegos didácticos, por lo cual se sugiere el uso de estas estrategias para mejorar el rendimiento y la calidad educativa.
Concepciones sobre el infinito: Un estudio a nivel universitario
Authors: González Javier , Morales Armando , Sigarreta José María
Published: December 2015

 Resumen. En este artículo, se reportan los resultados sobre las concepciones del infinito que prevalecen en los estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Matemáticas de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, México cuando se enfrentan a procesos infinitos. Se hace un estudio explicativo-descriptivo de las diferentes acepciones del infinito más utilizadas en este nivel de Licenciatura en Matemáticas y en particular, como elemento de refuerzo teórico, asumimos que un proceso infinito tiene situación límite si existe alguna variable asociada al proceso, que cumpla el principio de exhausción. En esa dirección, se exponen los elementos metodológicos que sustentan la investigación. Resulta atinado plantear, que aunque en muchos de los casos analizados, prevalece una cierta concepción del infinito actual mal utilizada, se concluye que el infinito que predomina en los estudiantes cuando analizan procesos infinitos, es el infinito potencial.

Palabras clave: Infinito potencial y actual, proceso infinito, situación límite, principio de exhausción.

 Abstract. In this article, we report the conceptions of infinity that are present in students of Mathematics at the Autonomous University of Guerrero, México when they work with infinite processes. Furthermore, we show the meanings of the concept of infinity most used in school and in particular as a reinforcing element theory we assume that a process has infinite limit situation if there is any variable associated with the process, which satisfies the principle of exhaustion. In this direction, we present methodological elements that ensure the investigation. Although many of the cases analyzed, there prevails a certain conception of the actual infinite, we conclude that the infinite used in our students is the potential infinite.

KeyWords: Potential and actual infinite, infinite process, limit situation, principle of exhaustion
Posters y Trípticos (Brochures) en LATEX con Beamer y Leaflet
Authors: Borbón A. Alexander
Published: December 2015

 Resumen. En este artículo se muestra la manera en que se puede realizar posters y trípticos (panfletos o brochures) con LATEX. Para realizar los posters se utiliza la clase beamer que usualmente se utiliza para hacer presentaciones, se utiliza el paquete beamerposter para poder utilizarla para posters. Los trípticos se realizan de dos formas, la primera utilizando la clase beamer con el paquete geometry y la segunda utilizando la clase leaflet que es una clase especializada para hacer este tipo de documentos.

Palabras clave: LaTeX, Beamer, Leaflet, Trípticos, Posters, Panfletos, Brochures

 Abstract. This article presents the way to make posters and leaflets with LATEX. The beamer class -wich is usually used to make presentations- is used to make the posters, specifically the beamerposter package. The leaflets are made by two ways, the first using the beamer class with the geometry package and the second using the leaflet class, wich is a specialized class for such documents.

KeyWords: Leaflets, Posters, Pamphlets, Brochures
La paradoja del niño o niña: aplicaciones para la clase de probabilidad
Authors: Contreras José M. , Batanero Carmen , Cañadas Gustavo , Arteaga Pedro
Published: December 2015

Resumen:  En la historia de la probabilidad encontramos diferentes paradojas que permiten al profesor organizar actividades didácticas en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje. Como ejemplo, en este trabajo analizamos la paradoja del niño o niña, su historia, algunas variantes, soluciones, objetos matemáticos trabajados y dificultades de los estudiantes, tales como la sesgo de equiprobabilidad y confusión entre probabilidad condicional y conjunta.

Palabras clave:  Probabilidad, probabilidad condicional, paradojas, aplicaciones docentes.

Abstract:  In the history of probability there are various paradoxes which aid in organizing teaching and learning activities. As an example, in this paper we analyze the Boy and Girl paradox, its history, several variations, solutions, and the mathematical objects involved and students' potential difficulties, such as the equiprobability bias and confusion between joint and conditional probability.

KeyWords:  Probability, conditional probability, paradoxes, didactic applications
¿Se puede saber si una función tiene primitiva elemental?
Authors: Mora Flores Walter
Published: December 2015

Este artículo presenta una introducción elemental a la teoría de Lioville (en versión antigua y moderna) y un teorema de Chebyshev, sobre la integración en términos finitos. Se presenta la parte histórica, la parte computacional y la parte algebraica.
Conservación del guayacán real (Guaiacum sanctum L., Zygophyllaceae) y cuál es la distribución potencial de sus poblaciones en Costa Rica
Authors: Zúñiga-Ortiz Alejandro
Published: December 2015

El guayacán real (Guaiacum sanctum L., Zygophyllaceae) es un árbol que alcanza hasta 20 metros de altura y 60 cm de diámetro. Es una de las especies arbóreas con madera dura de las zonas tropicales de América, su gravedad específica llega a alcanzar valores en el orden de 1,12-1,35. Se distribuye desde el sur de Florida, el este de México, América Central y el Caribe. En algunas de estas regiones, el guayacán se extrajo intensamente de manera ilegal, lo que asociado a procesos de deforestación y del cambio del uso del suelo, lo llevó hacia la disminución alarmante de sus poblaciones e incluso a la extinción local, principalmente en América Central y el Caribe durante los años 70’s y 90’s.
Evaluación de técnicas de cuantificación de nitratos en agua potable para análisis en línea
Authors: Hernández-Alpízar Laura , Coy-Herrera Ricardo
Published: December 2015

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de un estudio para determinar el potencial uso de cuatro técnicas para la cuantificación de nitratos en muestreo continuo: cromatografía iónica, espectrofotometría de absorción ultravioleta utilizando un equipo de mesa y dos miniespectrofotómetros con inyección de la muestra en flujo continuo, uno para mediciones en el ámbito de radiación visible y el otro optimizado para mediciones de absorción de radiación ultravioleta. Las variables consideradas son el consumo de reactivos y accesorios, la toxicidad de los desechos, la respuesta al analito, el límite de detección (LD), el límite de cuantificación (LC), la linealidad en el ámbito de interés y la sensibilidad. 

La espectrofotometría de detección de absorción ultravioleta con inyección de la muestra en flujo continuo resultó ser la mejor de las técnicas evaluadas para análisis en línea; su respuesta es lineal entre 0-10 mg/L, que es el ámbito recomendado por la OMS para la concentración de nitratos en agua potable; tiene un bajo consumo de reactivos y accesorios, no genera residuos peligrosos, tiene LD 0,002 mg/L y LC 0,006 mg/L y una sensibilidad adecuada para responder rápidamente a la concentración del analito sin saturación de la señal, cumpliendo con las características deseables para un sistema de análisis en línea. 
Uso de tecnología en la educación: las habilidades básicas del maestro de primaria en la clase de matemática
Authors: Morales-López Yuri
Published: December 2015

El uso adecuado e inteligente de los recursos tecnológicos es indispensable para el desarrollo de un país. En esta investigación se realiza un diagnóstico de las competencias de los educadores de primaria respecto a estos recursos y su utilización en la clase de matemáticas en Costa Rica. El objetivo es describir una muestra de docentes de primaria y obtener evidencias sobre sus conocimientos actuales, principalmente para el manejo de dichos recursos, y, en segundo lugar, determinar si se ajusta a lo que ocurre en la lección de matemáticas. Esto forma parte del preámbulo para poder definir rutas específicas de formación continua y capacitación adecuadas a la realidad de los docentes de primaria en el país. 

Los resultados señalan que muchos educadores no desarrollan las competencias básicas en el uso de TIC en la formación inicial ni en las capacitaciones del Ministerio de Educación Pública. Esto puede ser un indicador de que los esfuerzos y presupuestos económicos que el país ha invertido en este tema no necesariamente se están traduciendo en capacitaciones pertinentes para los educadores. 
Overthrowing a regime shift: displacement of sea urchins by abalone in a kelp forest ecosystem
Authors: Wing Stephen R. , Jack Lucy C. , Fujita Yuki
Published: December 2015

Interactions among sea urchin and abalone populations provide an important mechanism for maintaining segregation of habitat use at small spatial scales within kelp forest ecosystems. Here we provide evidence from a long‐term study of the sea urchin, Evechinus chloroticus, and the abalone, Haliotis iris, populations in a pristine rocky harbor of Stewart Island, in southern New Zealand. Between 1998 and 2014 we observe declines in density of abalone within fished regions of the Inlet and a coincident increase in density of sea urchins. In these regions, sea urchins progressively invaded the shallow (0–3 m) depth stratum formally occupied by abalone and dense, multi‐layered stands of macroalgae. Formation of the Ulva Island Marine Reserve in 2004 released abalone populations from fishing mortality, resulting in population increases within the shallow water depth stratum. Here we observed declines in sea urchin density as the growing abalone population displaced sea urchins from the shallow water habitats. The reestablishment of a depth‐stratified distribution of abalone and sea urchins within the kelp forest provides a likely mechanism for maintenance of habitat complexity and evidence for the important role of high‐density abalone populations within kelp forest ecosystems.
Wildland fire deficit and surplus in the western United States, 1984–2012
Authors: Parks Sean A. , Miller Carol , Parisien Marc-André , Holsinger Lisa M. , Dobrowski Solomon Z. , Abatzoglou John
Published: December 2015

Wildland fire is an important disturbance agent in the western US and globally. However, the natural role of fire has been disrupted in many regions due to the influence of human activities, which have the potential to either exclude or promote fire, resulting in a “fire deficit” or “fire surplus”, respectively. In this study, we developed a model of expected area burned for the western US as a function of climate from 1984 to 2012. We then quantified departures from expected area burned to identify geographic regions with fire deficit or surplus. We developed our model of area burned as a function of several climatic variables from reference areas with low human influence; the relationship between climate and fire is strong in these areas. We then quantified the degree of fire deficit or surplus for all areas of the western US as the difference between expected (as predicted with the model) and observed area burned from 1984 to 2012. Results indicate that many forested areas in the western US experienced a fire deficit from 1984 to 2012, likely due to fire exclusion by human activities. We also found that large expanses of non‐forested regions experienced a fire surplus, presumably due to introduced annual grasses and the prevalence of anthropogenic ignitions. The heterogeneity in patterns of fire deficit and surplus among ecoregions emphasizes fundamentally different ecosystem sensitivities to human influences and suggests that large‐scale adaptation and mitigation strategies will be necessary in order to restore and maintain resilient, healthy, and naturally functioning ecosystems.
Deer overbrowsing on autumn‐flowering plants causes bumblebee decline and impairs pollination service
Authors: Sakata Yuzu , Yamasaki Michimasa
Published: December 2015

Increased ungulate browsing has altered the composition of plant communities and food webs of forest ecosystems in many regions around the world. To evaluate the cascading impact of deer browsing on pollination and plant reproduction is critical to understand the roles of species interactions in maintaining plant populations and for conservation management. In this study, we investigated the relationships among floral resources of understory herbaceous plants, pollinator visitation, and fruit set of shrub species based on data accumulation over three years in six temperate deciduous forests with deer and without deer. We found that in deer browsed sites, the visitation rate of bumblebees had decreased due to severe reduction in the coverage of autumn‐flowering herbaceous plants, while the effect varied between bumblebee species. On the other hand, other insect taxa showed no dependence on variation in autumn floral resources. The two genera of bumblebee‐pollinated shrubs showed reduced fruit set due to severe decline in autumn‐flowering herbaceous plants and bumblebee visitation (Weigela: −18.5% and Rhododendron: −21.9%). In contrast, the fruit set of shrubs pollinated by insects that did not show dependence on autumn floral resources were not negatively affected by deer browsing. Our results suggest that deer browsing have not only caused negative effects on herbaceous plants, but in addition have negative indirect effects on reproduction of woody plants through cascading effects of pollination linkages.
Soil fertility and the carbon:nutrient stoichiometry of herbaceous plant species
Authors: Di Palo Francesca , Fornara Dario
Published: December 2015

Biomass allocation to plant aboveground and belowground compartments may change in response to changes in soil nutrient fertility (e.g., nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) availability). It is not clear however whether and how changes in soil fertility could influence carbon(C):nutrient stoichiometry of wild plants distributed along environmental gradients. Here we use ecological stoichiometric theory to test two hypotheses: (1) C:N (or C:P) ratios of different plant compartments (i.e., roots, stems and leaves) increase when soil N (or P) availability decreases, (2) the relative availability of N compared to P in soils predictably influences C:nutrient ratios (e.g., high soil N:P ratios are associated with high plant C:P ratios). Data from 72 wild plant species were collected along a gradient of soil development determined by the temporal progression of four primary ecological successions across Europe. We found significant changes in soil N and P availability and content along the four vegetation successions, and our hypotheses were partially confirmed: (1) stem and root C:N ratios increased with decreases in soil N availability, and (2) stem C:P ratios increased with increases in soil N:P ratios. We also found that plant functional group identity strongly influenced plant C:nutrient stoichiometry whereby plant C:N ratios were significantly lower in legumes and C:P ratios were significantly higher in grasses. Our study suggests that changes in (1) soil N and P availability and content, and (2) soil N:P ratios can influence plant C:nutrient stoichiometry. However, we also bring evidence that plant functional group identity can be more important than soil fertility in influencing plant C:nutrient stoichiometry. Further studies could address how changes in soil fertility interact with multiple plant functional traits to better understand patterns of plant species distribution along environmental gradients.
The Gene Pool: The Ethics of Genetics in Primary Care
Authors: Whitt Karen J. , Hughes McKenna , Hopkins Elizabeth (Betsy) S. , Maradiegue Ann
Published: December 2015

Aim: The purpose of this integrative review is to critically analyze the research literature regarding ethical principles that surround the integration of genetics and genomics in primary care clinical practice. Background: Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) play an important role in the provision of primary care services, in the areas of obstetrics, pediatrics, family practice, and internal medicine. Advances in genetic and genomic science are infiltrating these day-to-day health-care systems and becoming an integral part of health-care delivery. It is imperative for primary care providers to understand the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetics and genomics. Methods: A comprehensive multistep search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic Search Premier, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify primary research articles published from 2003 to 2015 that evaluated ethical issues related to genetics and genomics in U. S. primary care practice. A sample of 26 primary research articles met the inclusion criteria. Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) revised framework for integrative reviews was used to guide the analysis and assess the quality of the studies. Key findings from the studies are discussed according to Beauchamp and Childress's (2009) ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Results: Research conducted to date is mainly qualitative and descriptive and the analysis revealed several ethical challenges to implementing genetics and genomics in primary care settings. Conclusion: The review suggests that there are several implications for research, education, and the development of primary care practice that support APRNs delivering genetic and genomic care while incorporating knowledge of ethical principles. More research needs to be conducted that evaluates the actual genetic/genomic ethical issues encountered by primary care providers.
No Need to Object: Ethical Obligations for Interprofessional Collaboration in Emergency Department Discharge Planning
Authors: Webster Laura Bentley , Shirley Jamie L.
Published: December 2015

Emergency departments (EDs) serve a wide range of patient needs. A crucial aspect of safe and effective care in the ED is to appropriately transition patients to the next level of care. In most EDs, this disposition planning is done exclusively by physicians, which has the potential to result in unacceptable harm. A virtue ethics approach demonstrates the need for explicit inclusion of nurses in disposition planning. In utilizing this approach, it is necessary to examine four focal virtues as they relate to the work of disposition planning and the moral character of the nurse. The virtues of prudence, trustworthiness, vigilance, and courage show that interprofessional collaboration is needed during disposition planning to promote patient safety, facilitate interprofessional relationships, and prevent moral distress. The majority of literature on disposition planning is empirical in nature; this chapter adds a normative argument and a motive for policy reform.
Exploring the Professional Issue of Group B Streptococcus Screening in Pregnancy
Authors: Bicheno Sharna , Geraghty Sadie
Published: December 2015

Throughout pregnancy, women are offered various screenings and diagnostic procedures. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening is currently a routine screening process in Australia, but not in the United Kingdom, which is offered to women at 35–37 weeks gestation. The results of GBS screening alter a woman’s course of care for labor and the postnatal period. This article is a review of evidence, policy, and clinical practice and aims to determine whether GBS screening is necessary and whether the screening has a positive or negative impact on women and their babies.
Adapting ‘The Normal’ – Examining Relations between Youth, Risk and Accidents at Work
Authors: Nielsen Mette Lykke
Published: December 2015

People between 18 and 24 years of age are more exposed to accidents at work than anyone else. This article examines how safety is experienced and practiced among young employees. The aim of the article is to examine relations among youth, risk, and occupational safety. The article offers an insight into young employees’ narratives of risk situations at work. It examines the ways young employees in different organizational contexts talk about – and relate to – dangerous situations at work that they have experienced themselves. Safety is according to Silvia Gherardi considered as a product of situated ‘activity of everyday practices’ in organizations. Parallel to this, the article draws on Diane Vaughan’s theorizing about organizational production of ‘acceptable risk’ and organizational deviances in socially organized settings. The article shows how young employees position themselves – and are positioned – in organizations within different discourses of risk and safety because they are young and as a part of practicing youth.
Age Management in Danish Companies: What, How, and How Much?
Authors: Jensen Per H. , Møberg Rasmus Juul
Published: December 2015

This article investigates Danish employers’ behavior in the area of active aging, which is made topical by demographic aging. It describes age management practices and explains why some companies are more prone to employ age management than others. The study is based on a survey conducted among a representative sample of Danish employers, and 609 interviews in total have been carried out. Data have been scrutinized using frequency analysis for descriptive purposes as well as binary logistic regression analysis for explanatory purposes. Findings indicate that structural, cognitive, and action-oriented variables have significance for whether companies develop and employ active age management policies.
Engaged or Not? A Comparative Study on Factors Inducing Work Engagement in Call Center and Service Sector Work
Authors: Mustosmäki Armi , Anttila Timo , Oinas Tomi
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to compare the possibilities of experiencing positive well-being in call centers and other service sector work. The article focuses on the prevalence of working conditions (job demands, autonomy, and social support) in call centers and at other service sector workplaces and how these factors are related to work engagement. In addition, we examine whether the relationships are divergent in call centers in comparison to other service sector work. Analysis is based on the data provided by the “Quality of Life in Changing Europe” project. The survey data were collected from service sector organizations (retail, banking, and insurance) and a telecom organization’s call center functions in Finland (N = 967). According to our results, work engagement in call center environment is challenging due to the strong negative effect of job demands. In general, call center employees experienced less feelings of engagement than employees in the comparison organizations. This difference remained significant even after controlling for background factors and measures of working conditions. In addition, we found significant differences between call center and other service sector organizations in the effects of both autonomy and demands. The levels of autonomy and work demands proved to be strong antecedents of perceived work engagement, especially in call center environment.
Labor Market Institutions, Mobility, and Dualization in the Nordic Countries
Authors: Svalund Jørgen
Published: December 2015

Comparing the Nordic countries, this article examines different combinations of permanent and temporary employment protection legislation, and whether such differences are reflected in patterns of labor market transitions. We find higher levels of transitions from unemployment to temporary contracts in Sweden and Finland, with lax regulation of temporary contracts and strict regulation of permanent contracts. Further, temporary employees are integrated into permanent contracts in countries with lax (Denmark) or strict (Norway) regulation of permanent contracts, while this is not the case in Finland and Sweden. For these countries, the study indicates a certain degree of labor market duality, with low mobility from temporary to permanent employment contracts.
Unnoticed Professional Competence in Day Care Work
Authors: Ahrenkiel Annegrethe , Schmidt Camilla , Nielsen Birger Steen , Sommer Finn , Warring Niels
Published: December 2015

This article presents a double perspective on social educators’ professional competence: It discusses how everyday life in day care centres (preschools) is dependent on professional competences that can be conceived as “unnoticed.” These aspects of professional competence are embedded in routines, experiences and embodied forms of knowledge. However, it may be discussed whether these competences are under pressure from increased demands for documentation, standardization and evaluation of children’s learning outcomes. The article will briefly outline this development in the day care sector, followed by a discussion of unnoticed professional competence and the related notion of gestural knowledge. The double perspective on social educators’ professional competences will be illuminated by empirical examples from a research project involving social educators from two day care centres in Denmark.
Intersectional Directions in Working Life Research—a Proposal
Authors: Mulinari Paula , Selberg Rebecca
Published: December 2015

A central challenge to gender studies during the last 15 years has been the expanding field of intersectionality. The use of intersectional perspectives within working life research has explored how class, sexuality, and race difference affected women’s position in the labor market. The aim of this article is to argue for the need of including an intersectional perspective in the field of working life research. By taking our point of departure in the work of feminist scholars Joan Acker, Miriam Glucksmann, and Chandra Talpade Mohanty, we argue that an intersectional perspective can expand as well as challenge working life research. But we also argue that working life research in many ways can contribute to the field of intersectional studies, especially by placing issues of exploitation, distribution, and production at the core of intersectional analyses.
Evaluating the accuracy of C- and X-band weather radars and their application for stream flow simulation
Authors: Shrestha N. K. , Goormans T. , Willems P.
Published: December 2015

This paper investigates the accuracy of rainfall estimates from C- and X-band weather radars and their application for stream flow simulation. Different adjustment procedures are applied to raw radar estimates using gauge readings from a network of 12 raingauges. The stream flow is simulated for the 48.17 km2 Molenbeek/Parkbeek catchment located in the Flemish region of Belgium based on a lumped conceptual model. Results showed that raw radar estimates can be greatly improved using adjustment procedures. The gauge-radar residuals however, remain large even after adjustments. The adjusted X-band radar estimates are observed to be better estimates than corresponding C-band estimates. Their application for stream flow simulation showed that raingauges and radars can simulate spatially more uniform winter storms with almost the same accuracy, whereas differences are more evident on summer events.
Modelling chlorophyll-a in Bohai Bay based on hybrid soft computing approach
Authors: Xianquan Xiang , Xiaofu Xu , Jianhua Tao
Published: December 2015

Algae bloom has become a serious problem of global concern. Scientists have managed to study it using various mathematical models with different degrees of complexity. However, these conventional modelling approaches are limited due to the complexity of the processes involved, the scarcity of data and spatial heterogeneity. In this study, hybrid soft computing (SC) algorithms, including support vector machine (SVM), genetic algorithms (GA) and cellular automata (CA) are illustrated and then employed to model chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Bohai Bay, China, with two models. In the first model, SVM tuned by GA (GA-SVM) is developed to model Chl-a for its greater capacity in dealing with nonlinear complex relationships. Then, in order to take into account the spatial heterogeneity and local interaction of the blooms, an integrated model of CA and SVM (CA-SVM) has been developed to model Chl-a in Bohai Bay using remote sensing data. Through this study, it can be observed that the hybrid SC approach is the prefered tool to predict the concentration of Chl-a in Bohai Bay, and capture the non-linear information in ecological processes. This work should be helpful in understanding marine ecological processes, protecting coastal aquatic ecosystem and marine management.
An ontology-based knowledge management framework for a distributed water information system
Authors: Liu Qing , Bai Quan , Kloppers Corne , Fitch Peter , Bai Qifeng , Taylor Kerry , Fox Peter , Zednik Stephan , Ding Li , Terhorst Andrew , McGuinness Deborah
Published: December 2015

With the increasing complexity of hydrologic problems, data collection and data analysis are often carried out in distributed heterogeneous systems. Therefore it is critical for users to determine the origin of data and its trustworthiness. Provenance describes the information life cycle of data products. It has been recognised as one of the most promising methods to improve data transparency. However, due to the complexity of the information life cycle involved, it is a challenge to query the provenance information which may be generated by distributed systems, with different vocabularies and conventions, and may involve knowledge of multiple domains. In this paper, we present a semantic knowledge management framework that tracks and integrates provenance information across distributed heterogeneous systems. It is underpinned by the Integrated Knowledge model that describes the domain knowledge and the provenance information involved in the information life cycle of a particular data product. We evaluate the proposed framework in the context of two real-world water information systems.
Modelling floods in urban areas and representation of buildings with a method based on adjusted conveyance and storage characteristics
Authors: Vojinovic Zoran , Seyoum Solomon , Salum Mwanaisha H. , Price Roland K. , Fikri Ahmad K. , Abebe Yared
Published: December 2015

The present paper reviews several approaches that can be used in capturing urban features in coarse resolution two-dimensional (2D) models and it demonstrates the effectiveness of a new approach against the straightforward 2D modelling approach on a hypothetical and a real-life case study work. The case study work addresses the use of coarse grid resolutions in 2D non-inertia models. The 2D non-inertia model used solves continuity and momentum equations over the cells of the coarse model while taking the minimum elevation as a surface level. The volume stored in every cell is calculated as a volume-depth relationship. In order to replicate restriction in conveyances in x–y directions of fine resolution models due to building blocks, the friction values of the coarse-resolution model are adjusted to match the results of the high-resolution model. The work presented in this paper shows the possibility of applying a 2D non-inertia model more effectively in urban flood modelling applications whilst still making use of the high resolution of topographic data that can nowadays be easily acquired.
Comparison of the robustness-based optimal designs of water distribution systems in three different formulations
Authors: Jung Donghwi , Kang Doosun , Chung Gunhui , Kim Joong Hoon
Published: December 2015

Robustness is generally defined as a system's ability to stay within satisfactory bounds against variations in system factors. Recently, robustness has been indicated to be a useful objective function for the optimal design of water distribution systems (WDSs). While various formulations are possible to represent WDS robustness, few efforts have been made to compare the performances of these formulations. This study examined three potential formulations for quantifying system robustness to provide guidelines on the usage of a robustness index. Giustolisi et al.'s robustness index (see Giustolisi et al. (2009) ‘Deterministic versus stochastic design of water distribution networks’, J. Water Resour. Plann. Manage.135 (2), 117–127) was adopted to calculate nodal robustness, while the system robustness was defined using three different formulations: (1) minimum among nodal robustness values; (2) total sum of nodal robustness; and (3) sum of nodal robustness at multiple critical nodes. The three proposed formulations were compared through application to identify the most appropriate one for enhancing system robustness in general; three representative benchmark networks were optimally designed to minimize the economic cost while maximizing the system robustness.
Development of a web application for Low Impact Development Rapid Assessment (LIDRA)
Authors: Aguayo Miguel , Yu Ziwen , Piasecki Michael , Montalto Franco
Published: December 2015

This paper describes the development of a database and a website to support the newest version of Low Impact Development Rapid Assessment (LIDRA) model, LIDRA 2.0, a planning level model for assessing the cost-effectiveness of low impact development (LID) and addressing runoff-related problems in urban watersheds. LIDRA 2.0 is a web-based application that generates stochastic precipitation data from local historical data sets using a Markov Chain and bootstrapping method. Precipitation is applied to urban watersheds with parcel and street areas. LID scenarios and associated adoption and repaving rates are then used to perform multiple 30 year simulations, during which the difference in runoff is calculated using a water balance. The application needs to store parcel and street specifications and also offer a management interface, both of which must be accessible through the internet. The results of this are: an efficient tool to support LIDRA in terms of storage, retrieval and analysis of data and an integrated web application which allows users an easier way to input data and greatly reduce the time it takes to manage simulation modules via use of the graphical result interfaces that show the results produced. The technical underpinnings of this tool are highlighted using a small example.
Decision support system for the optimal design of district metered areas
Authors: Galdiero Enzo , De Paola Francesco , Fontana Nicola , Giugni Maurizio , Savic Dragan
Published: December 2015

The establishment of district metered areas (DMAs) is widely recognized as one of the most effective techniques for the optimal management of water distribution networks (WDNs). However, its implementation in real cases is a very challenging task that requires decision aiding. In this work, a comprehensive methodology for the optimal design of DMAs is presented and discussed. The proposed approach consists of a two-objectives optimization problem subjected to a number of constraints related to the topology of the network, financial issues and the network hydraulics. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) is combined with tools from graph theory for the solution of the problem. The validation of the model and the calibration of the parameters are performed through the application to a well-known example from the literature. Low cost as compared to the budget and a good saving in leakage are obtained.
Guarantee rate of freshwater in a river mouth intruded by saltwater with respect to the joint impact of runoff and tide
Authors: Lian Jijian , He Wei , Ma Chao , Xu Kui
Published: December 2015

Saltwater intrusion is detrimental to water utilization. It is of vital significance to study the joint impact of runoff and tide on salinity and the risk of saltwater intrusion. To analyze the risk of saltwater intrusion, this paper proposes two concepts: critical runoff–tide level line and guarantee rate of freshwater. Taking Nandu River Estuary in China as a study case, a three-dimensional (3-D) hydrodynamic and salinity numerical model is built. Critical runoff–tide level lines are obtained to determine the occurrence of saltwater intrusion. To quantify the guarantee rates of freshwater, copula joint distribution is utilized, which connects the numerical model and daily hydrological characteristics. Guarantee rates of freshwater are obtained under different amounts of water intake (0, 10 m3/s, 20 m3/s, 30 m3/s). In addition, critical locations of water intake that satisfy different guarantee rates (80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%) are identified. All the results will provide technical support for risk evaluation of saltwater intrusion and decisions on water intake location.
A multi-criteria decision-making model dealing with correlation among criteria for reservoir flood control operation
Authors: Zhu Feilin , Zhong Ping-an , Xu Bin , Wu Ye-nan , Zhang Yu
Published: December 2015

Flood control operation in a multi-reservoir system is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, in which the considered criteria are often correlated with each other. In this paper, we propose an MCDM model for reservoir flood control operation to deal with correlation among criteria. Considering the flood control safety of reservoirs and downstream protected regions, we establish the hierarchical structure of the criterion system. We use the principal component analysis method to eliminate the correlation, and transform the original criterion system into an independent comprehensive criterion system. The comprehensive decision matrix coupled with the weight vector obtained by the improved entropy weight method serves as the input to TOPSIS method, fuzzy optimum method, and fuzzy matter-element method, by which we determine the ranking order of the alternatives. We apply the proposed model to a cascade system of reservoirs at the Daduhe River basin in China. The results show that the dimensionality of the criterion system is reduced and the correlation among criteria is eliminated simultaneously, and the ranking order of the alternatives is reasonable. The proposed model provides an effective way to deal with correlation among criteria, and can be extended to wider applications in many other MCDM problems.
The SESAMO early warning system for rainfall-triggered landslides
Authors: Pumo D. , Francipane A. , Lo Conti F. , Arnone E. , Bitonto P. , Viola F. , La Loggia G. , Noto L. V.
Published: December 2015

The development of Web-based information systems coupled with advanced monitoring systems could prove to be extremely useful in landslide risk management and mitigation. A new frontier in the field of rainfall-triggered landslides (RTLs) lies in the real-time modelling of the relationship between rainfall and slope stability; this requires an intensive monitoring of some key parameters that could be achieved through the use of modern and often low-cost technologies. This work describes an integrated information system for early warning of RTLs that has been deployed and tested, in a prototypal form, for an Italian pilot site. The core of the proposed system is a wireless sensor network collecting meteorological, hydrological and geotechnical data. Data provided by different sensors and transmitted to a Web-based platform are used by an opportunely designed artificial neural network performing a stability analysis in near real-time or in forecast modality. The system is able to predict whether and when landslides could occur, providing early warnings of potential slope failures. System infrastructure, designed on three interacting levels, encompasses a sensing level, integrating different Web-based sensors, a processing level, using Web standard interoperability services and specifically implemented algorithms, and, finally, a warning level, providing warning information through Web technologies.
Progress on water data integration and distribution: a summary of select US Geological Survey data systems
Authors: Blodgett David , Lucido Jessica , Kreft James
Published: December 2015

Critical water-resources issues ranging from flood response to water scarcity make access to integrated water information, services, tools, and models essential. Since 1995 when the first water data web pages went online, the US Geological Survey has been at the forefront of water data distribution and integration. Today, real-time and historical streamflow observations are available via web pages and a variety of web service interfaces. The Survey has built partnerships with Federal and State agencies to integrate hydrologic data providing continuous observations of surface and groundwater, temporally discrete water-quality data, groundwater well logs, aquatic biology data, water availability and use information, and tools to help characterize the landscape for modeling. In this paper, we summarize the status and design patterns implemented for selected data systems. We describe how these systems contribute to a US Federal Open Water Data Initiative and present some gaps and lessons learned that apply to global hydroinformatics data infrastructure.