bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unstructured citizen science data fail to detect long‐term population declines of common birds in Denmark
Authors: Kamp Johannes , Oppel Steffen , Heldbjerg Henning , Nyegaard Timme , Donald Paul F.
Published: July 2016

Aim

Long‐term monitoring of biodiversity is necessary to identify population declines and to develop conservation management. Because long‐term monitoring is labour‐intensive, resources to implement robust monitoring programmes are lacking in many countries. The increasing availability of citizen science data in online public databases can potentially fill gaps in structured monitoring programmes, but only if trends estimated from unstructured citizen science data match those estimated from structured monitoring programmes. We therefore aimed to assess the correlation between trends estimated from structured and unstructured data.

Location

Denmark.

Methods

We compared population trends for 103 bird species estimated over 28 years from a structured monitoring programme and from unstructured citizen science data to assess whether trends estimated from the two data sources were correlated.

Results

Trends estimated from the two data sources were generally positively correlated, but less than half the population declines identified from the structured monitoring data were recovered from the unstructured citizen science data. The mismatch persisted when we reduced the structured monitoring data from count data to occurrence data to mimic the information content of unstructured citizen science data and when we filtered the unstructured data to reduce the number of incomplete lists reported. Mismatching trends were especially prevalent for the most common species. Worryingly, more than half the species showing significant declines in the structured monitoring showed significant positive trends in the citizen science data.

Main conclusions

We caution that unstructured citizen science databases cannot replace structured monitoring data because the former are less sensitive to population changes. Thus, unstructured data may not fulfil one of the most critical functions of structured monitoring programmes, namely to act as an early warning system that detects population declines.
Climate change and habitat conversion favour the same species
Authors: Frishkoff Luke O. , Karp Daniel S. , Flanders Jon R. , Zook Jim , Hadly Elizabeth A. , Daily Gretchen C. , M'Gonigle Leithen K.
Published: July 2016

Land‐use change and climate change are driving a global biodiversity crisis. Yet, how species' responses to climate change are correlated with their responses to land‐use change is poorly understood. Here, we assess the linkages between climate and land‐use change on birds in Neotropical forest and agriculture. Across > 300 species, we show that affiliation with drier climates is associated with an ability to persist in and colonise agriculture. Further, species shift their habitat use along a precipitation gradient: species prefer forest in drier regions, but use agriculture more in wetter zones. Finally, forest‐dependent species that avoid agriculture are most likely to experience decreases in habitable range size if current drying trends in the Neotropics continue as predicted. This linkage suggests a synergy between the primary drivers of biodiversity loss. Because they favour the same species, climate and land‐use change will likely homogenise biodiversity more severely than otherwise anticipated.
Extinct or still out there? Disentangling influences on extinction and rediscovery helps to clarify the fate of species on the edge
Authors: Lee Tamsin E. , Fisher Diana O. , Blomberg Simon P. , Wintle Brendan A.
Published: July 2016

Each year, two or three species that had been considered to be extinct are rediscovered. Uncertainty about whether or not a species is extinct is common, because rare and highly threatened species are difficult to detect. Biological traits such as body size and range size are expected to be associated with extinction. However, these traits, together with the intensity of search effort, might influence the probability of detection and extinction differently. This makes statistical analysis of extinction and rediscovery challenging. Here, we use a variant of survival analysis known as cure rate modelling to differentiate factors that influence rediscovery from those that influence extinction. We analyse a global data set of 99 mammals that have been categorized as extinct or possibly extinct. We estimate the probability that each of these mammals is still extant and thus estimate the proportion of missing (presumed extinct) mammals that are incorrectly assigned extinction. We find that body mass and population density are predictors of extinction, and body mass and search effort predict rediscovery. In mammals, extinction rate increases with body mass and population density, and these traits act synergistically to greatly elevate extinction rate in large species that also occurred in formerly dense populations. However, when they remain extant, larger‐bodied missing species are rediscovered sooner than smaller species. Greater search effort increases the probability of rediscovery in larger species of missing mammals, but has a minimal effect on small species, which take longer to be rediscovered, if extant. By separating the effects of species characteristics on extinction and detection, and using models with the assumption that a proportion of missing species will never be rediscovered, our new approach provides estimates of extinction probability in species with few observation records and scant ecological information.
Effects of species diversity on fine root productivity in diverse ecosystems: a global meta‐analysis
Authors: Ma Zilong , Chen Han Y. H.
Published: July 2016

Aim

Positive relationships between plant species diversity and above‐ground productivity have been observed across a wide range of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite a critical contribution of below‐ground productivity to overall terrestrial productivity, no consensus exists about the nature of the relationship between species diversity and below‐ground productivity.

Location

Global.

Methods

We collected data from published studies conducted in natural and planted forests and experimental grassland, crop and pot systems that were purposely implemented to isolate the effects of plant species diversity from other factors, such as soil conditions and topographic features. We conducted meta‐analyses of 170 observations for root biomass and 23 observations for root production, derived from 48 published studies, using weighted linear modelling with bootstrap procedures to reconcile the effects of diversity on fine root productivity.

Results

We found that species mixtures had, on average 28.4% higher fine root biomass and 44.8% higher annual production than monocultures. Higher fine root biomass in species mixtures than in monocultures was consistent across natural forests, planted grasslands, croplands and pot systems, except for young planted forests. Transgressive overyielding was only evident for planted grasslands. The log response ratio of fine root biomass in species mixtures to that in respective monocultures increased with species richness across all ecosystem types, and also increased with experiment age in grasslands.

Main conclusions

Our meta‐analysis reveals positive effects of species diversity on below‐ground productivity. Despite profound differences in environments among terrestrial ecosystems, our analysis demonstrated that below‐ground productivity responds similarly to variations in species richness. Furthermore, our study also reveals shifts in the effects of diversity over time in both forests and grasslands. Future efforts are needed to further understand below‐ground productivity–diversity relationships.
Long‐term effects of joint bleeding before starting prophylaxis in severe haemophilia
Authors: Nijdam A. , Foppen W. , van der Schouw Y. T. , Mauser‐Bunschoten E. P. , Schutgens R. E. G. , Fischer K.
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Early initiation of prophylaxis in severe haemophilia is critical for effective prevention of arthropathy. However, the optimum time for starting prophylaxis has not been established yet.

Aim

This study assessed long‐term effects of age at starting prophylaxis and joint bleeding before prophylaxis on haemophilic arthropathy.

Methods

In patients with severe haemophilia (FVIII/IX <0.01 IU mL−1), born between 1965 and 2000, haemophilic arthropathy was evaluated on X‐rays. Patient groups were compared by multivariable regression analysis, adjusted for bleeding phenotype and lifetime intensity of prophylaxis.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐four patients were evaluated at a median age of 22 years. When comparing patients according to age at starting prophylaxis, starting before age 6 years was significantly better than starting later (P < 0.01), but no additional benefit of starting before age 3 years was demonstrated. The number of joint bleeds before prophylaxis had a stronger association with arthropathy than age at starting prophylaxis. Starting prophylaxis before the onset of joint bleeding resulted in the best long‐term outcome (P ≤ 0.02); starting after one joint bleed appeared to have acceptable long‐term outcome. The difference between starting after 0–1 and 2–5 joint bleeds was notable, but statistical significance was not reached (P = 0.15).

Conclusion

Future research with more patients on early prophylaxis will have to clarify whether starting prophylaxis before joint bleeding is superior.
Natural antioxidants from sea: a potential industrial perspective in aquafeed formulation
Authors: Aklakur Mohammad
Published: July 2016

Aquaculture is set to grow amidst threats of new stressors and diseases. The increasing awareness on nutrition and feeding has led a paradigm shift towards therapeutic nutrition, an alternative aquaculture management strategy that can create a balance between productivity and long‐term sustainability. The core objective behind this approach was to minimize the impact of stressors via neutralization of free radicals, repair of oxidative damage to biomolecules and membrane systems, immune augmentation and maintenance of normal physiological homoeostasis. The eventual shift of balance between oxidants and antioxidants leads to oxidative stress and subsequently immune suppression, pathological symptoms and slow growth. Therefore, in aquaculture the use of supplemental antioxidants and augmentation of endogenous cellular antioxidants becomes essential. Lipid rancidity is the major concern, which determines feed stability and storage time, besides the cellular antioxidant homoeostasis. As observed, ethoxyquin (EQ), the widely used synthetic antioxidant in animal feed industry, has growing human health hazard concerns. Efficient and cost‐effective natural antioxidants are a real need of time. The most diverse marine ecosystem opens a new horizon for extraction and development of natural antioxidants from sea. The antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, peptides, amino acids, chitooligosaccharide derivatives (COS), astaxanthin, carotenoids, sulphated polysaccharides (SPs), phlorotannins, phenolic compound and flavones had shown a great potential to be used in feed formulation, as an additive for feed quality maintenance and shelf life. Therefore, new industrial perspectives and novel approaches are required for isolation and development of bioactive substances with antioxidative property for cost‐effective feed.
Serial procalcitonin levels for predicting prognosis in community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Ito Akihiro , Ishida Tadashi , Tachibana Hiromasa , Ito Yuhei , Takaiwa Takuya
Published: July 2016

Background and objective

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of addition of serial measurements of procalcitonin (PCT) to C‐reactive protein (CRP) values and pneumonia severity scores, such as CURB‐65 (confusion, urea > 7 mmol/L, respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths/min, low blood pressure (systolic < 90 mm Hg or diastolic ≤ 60 mm Hg) and age ≥ 65 years) and the Pneumonia Severity Index, and attempted to create and evaluate a new scoring system for predicting mortality risk using the biomarkers and pneumonia severity scores.

Methods

A total of 365 hospitalized community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients in an observational cohort study in which PCT was measured serially from admission to 2–3 days after admission between December 2010 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. PCT and CRP were measured on admission (PCT D1 and CRP D1) and within 48–72 h after admission (PCT D3 and CRP D3).

Results

Twenty‐one patients died (5.8%), and 52 patients (14.2%) did not respond to initial therapy. On multivariate analysis, CRP D1 ≥ 100 mg/L (P = 0.002), CURB‐65 ≥ 3 (P < 0.001) and PCT D3/D1 ≥ 1 (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of 30‐day mortality. Peak CRP (P = 0.02) and PCT D3/D1 ≥ 1 (P = 0.03) were significant predictors of initial treatment failure. Using the new scoring system that defines CRP D1 ≥ 100 mg/L as 2 points, CURB‐65 ≥ 3 as 1 point and PCT D3/D1 ≥ 1 as 1 point, in CAP patients with both CRP D1 ≥ 100 mg/L and CURB‐65 ≥ 3 on admission, the 30‐day mortality rate was 21.8%, and with PCT D3/D1 ≥ 1, it increased to 50.0%.

Conclusion

It is useful to add serial measurements of PCT to CRP measurement and assessment of CURB‐65 on admission of CAP patients to predict prognosis and initial treatment failure.
Muscle Fatigue Assessment During Cycle Ergometer Exercise Using Principal Component Analysis of Electromyogram Power Spectra
Authors: Jesus Igor Ramathur Telles , Mello Roger Gomes Tavares , Nadal Jurandir
Published: July 2016

During muscle fatigue analysis some standard indexes are calculated from the surface electromyogram (EMG) as root mean square value (RMS), mean (Fmean), and median power frequency (Fmedian). However, these parameters present limitations and principal component analysis (PCA) appears to be an adequate alternative. In this context, we propose two indexes based on PCA to enhance the quantitative muscle fatigue analysis during cyclical contractions. Signals of vastus lateralis muscle were collected during a maximal exercise test. Twenty-four subjects performed the test starting at 12.5 W power output with increments of 12.5 W⋅min–1, maintaining cadence of 50 rpm until voluntary exhaustion. The epochs of myoelectric activation were identified and used to estimate the power spectra. PCA was then applied to the power spectra of each subject. The standard (ST) and Euclidean (ED) distances were employed to estimate the alteration occurred due to fatigue. For comparison, the standard indexes were calculated. ST, ED, and RMS value were adequate for muscle fatigue analysis. Among these parameters, ST was more sensitive with higher effect size. Moreover, the Fmean and Fmedian were not sensitive to fatigue. The proposed method based on PCA of EMG in frequency domain allowed producing fatigue indexes suitable for cyclical contractions.
Bus service quality prediction and attribute ranking using probabilistic neural network and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system
Authors: Islam Rokibul , Musabbir Sarder Rafee , Ahmed Irfan Uddin , Hadiuzzaman Md. , Hasnat Mehedi , Hossain Sanjana
Published: July 2016

This study applies probabilistic neural network (PNN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to develop bus service quality (SQ) prediction model based on the preferences stated by users (on a scale of 1 to 5). A questionnaire survey is conducted and a data set from the survey is prepared to develop the SQ prediction model using PNN and ANFIS. Results show that ANFIS produced better prediction than PNN. The research is further extended to include ranking of the SQ attributes according to their impact on the overall result from the developed model. Attributes such as punctuality and reliability, seat availability, and service frequency were found to be the top three attributes that mostly affect the decision making process of the users. This study can aid service providers in improving the most important attributes of bus service to develop the quality of service, thereby increasing transit ridership.
Constraints on neutrino masses from the study of the nearby large-scale structure and galaxy cluster counts
Authors: Böhringer Hans , Chon Gayoung
Published: July 2016

The high precision measurements of the cosmic microwave background by the Planck survey yielded tight constraints on cosmological parameters and the statistics of the density fluctuations at the time of recombination. This provides the means for a critical study of structure formation in the Universe by comparing the microwave background results with present epoch measurements of the cosmic large-scale structure. It can reveal subtle effects such as how different forms of Dark Matter may modify structure growth. Currently most interesting is the damping effect of structure growth by massive neutrinos. Different observations of low redshift matter density fluctuations provided evidence for a signature of massive neutrinos. Here we discuss the study of the cosmic large-scale structure with a complete sample of nearby, X-ray luminous clusters from our REFLEX cluster survey. From the observed X-ray luminosity function and its reproduction for different cosmological models, we obtain tight constraints on the cosmological parameters describing the matter density, [Formula: see text], and the density fluctuation amplitude, [Formula: see text]. A comparison of these constraints with the Planck results shows a discrepancy in the framework of a pure [Formula: see text]CDM model, but the results can be reconciled, if we allow for a neutrino mass in the range of 0.17 eV to 0.7 eV. Also some others, but not all of the observations of the nearby large-scale structure provide evidence or trends for signatures of massive neutrinos. With further improvement in the systematics and future survey projects, these indications will develop into a definitive measurement of neutrino masses.
PATEX
Authors: Guerrero Paul , Bernstein Gilbert , Li Wilmot , Mitra Niloy J.
Published: July 2016

Patterns play a central role in 2D graphic design. A critical step in the design of patterns is evaluating multiple design alternatives. Exploring these alternatives with existing tools is challenging because most tools force users to work with a single fixed representation of the pattern that encodes a specific set of geometric relationships between pattern elements. However, for most patterns, there are many different interpretations of its regularity that correspond to different design variations. The exponential nature of this variation space makes the problem of finding all variations intractable. We present a method called PATEX to characterize and efficiently identify distinct and valid pattern variations, allowing users to directly navigate the variation space. Technically, we propose a novel linear approximation to handle the complexity of the problem and efficiently enumerate suitable pattern variations under proposed element movements. We also present two pattern editing interfaces that expose the detected pattern variations as suggested edits to the user. We show a diverse collection of pattern edits and variations created with PATEX. The results from our user study indicate that our suggested variations can be useful and inspirational for typical pattern editing tasks.
A deep learning framework for character motion synthesis and editing
Authors: Holden Daniel , Saito Jun , Komura Taku
Published: July 2016

We present a framework to synthesize character movements based on high level parameters, such that the produced movements respect the manifold of human motion, trained on a large motion capture dataset. The learned motion manifold, which is represented by the hidden units of a convolutional autoencoder, represents motion data in sparse components which can be combined to produce a wide range of complex movements. To map from high level parameters to the motion manifold, we stack a deep feedforward neural network on top of the trained autoencoder. This network is trained to produce realistic motion sequences from parameters such as a curve over the terrain that the character should follow, or a target location for punching and kicking. The feedforward control network and the motion manifold are trained independently, allowing the user to easily switch between feedforward networks according to the desired interface, without re-training the motion manifold. Once motion is generated it can be edited by performing optimization in the space of the motion manifold. This allows for imposing kinematic constraints, or transforming the style of the motion, while ensuring the edited motion remains natural. As a result, the system can produce smooth, high quality motion sequences without any manual pre-processing of the training data.
Generating dynamically feasible trajectories for quadrotor cameras
Authors: Roberts Mike , Hanrahan Pat
Published: July 2016

When designing trajectories for quadrotor cameras, it is important that the trajectories respect the dynamics and physical limits of quadrotor hardware. We refer to such trajectories as being
feasible
. In this paper, we introduce a fast and user-friendly algorithm for generating feasible quadrotor camera trajectories. Our algorithm takes as input an infeasible trajectory designed by a user, and produces as output a feasible trajectory that is as similar as possible to the user's input. By design, our algorithm does not change the spatial layout or visual contents of the input trajectory. Instead, our algorithm guarantees the feasibility of the output trajectory by
re-timing
the input trajectory, perturbing its timing as little as possible while remaining within velocity and control force limits. Our choice to perturb the timing of a shot, while leaving the spatial layout and visual contents of the shot intact, leads to a well-behaved non-convex optimization problem that can be solved at interactive rates.

We implement our algorithm in an open-source tool for designing quadrotor camera shots, where we achieve interactive performance across a wide range of camera trajectories. We demonstrate that our algorithm is between 25x and 45x faster than a spacetime constraints approach implemented using a commercially available solver. As we scale to more finely discretized trajectories, this performance gap widens, with our algorithm outperforming spacetime constraints by between 90x and 180x. Finally, we fly 5 feasible trajectories generated by our algorithm on a real quadrotor camera, producing video footage that is faithful to Google Earth shot previews, even when the trajectories are at the quadrotor's physical limits.
Altered Metabolic Homeostasis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Mechanisms of Energy Imbalance and Contribution to Disease Progression
Authors: Ioannides Zara A. , Ngo Shyuan T. , Henderson Robert D. , McCombe Pamela A. , Steyn Frederik J.
Published: July 2016

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of motor neurones, which leads to paralysis and death in an average of 3 years following diagnosis. The cause of ALS is unknown, but there is substantial evidence that metabolic factors, including nutritional state and body weight, affect disease progression and survival. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of metabolic dysregulation in ALS focusing on mechanisms that lead to disrupted energy supply (at a whole-body and cellular level) and altered energy expenditure. We discuss how a decrease in energy supply occurs in parallel with an increase in energy demand and leads to a state of chronic energy deficit which has a negative impact on disease outcome in ALS. We conclude by presenting potential and tested strategies to compensate for, or correct this energy imbalance, and speculate on promising areas for further research.
Leadership–It's a System, Not a Person!
Authors: Kellerman Barbara
Published: July 2016

This article argues that the leadership industry has been beset by a bias. This bias has been directed toward leaders and away from two other variables that equally pertain–and that equally explain the trajectory of human history. The first is followers, or others who are in any way relevant, even if passively. And the second is contexts, within which leaders and followers necessarily are embedded.

Together these three parts, each of which is equally important and each of which impinges equally on the other two, make up the leadership system. This article suggests that the approximately forty-year-old leadership industry has paid a heavy price for its obsession with leaders at the expense of whoever/whatever else matters. For the industry has not in any major, measurable way improved the human condition, which is precisely why it should be reconsidered and reconceived.
In Favor of “Leader Proofing”
Authors: King Anthony
Published: July 2016

Although it is widely assumed that successful polities require strong leaders, something like the opposite is probably the case. A successful political system may well be one that has no need of strong leaders and may even eschew them. Strong leaders may occasionally be desirable in any polity, but those occasions are–or should be–rare. As often as not (possibly more often than not) strong leaders pose substantial risks. They are liable to do as much damage as good, possibly more. There is a lot to be said for any polity's political culture and institutions having built into them a fair amount of “leader proofing.”
Art in the Sciences of the Artificial
Authors: Stanley Kenneth O.
Published: July 2016

This position article argues that the sciences of the artificial (artificial intelligence and artificial life) have a special relationship to art that is absent from much of science. Just as art is often a depiction or interpretation of nature, so are the algorithms in the sciences of the artificial. This observation is important because the discourse in these fields largely ignores the relevance of subjective resonance with nature to scientific progress. Yet progress is potentially stifled if scientists cannot discuss such resonance openly. To support this view, the author provides examples that illustrate how the subjective impression of such resonance led to novel encodings and algorithms in his own career. The author concludes that there may be more to gain than to lose by allowing some level of subjectivity to enter the discourse in the sciences of the artificial.
The Transient Response of the Southern Ocean to Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Authors: Seviour William J. M. , Gnanadesikan Anand , Waugh Darryn W.
Published: July 2016

Recent studies have suggested that the response of the Southern Ocean to stratospheric ozone depletion is nonmonotonic in time; consisting of an initial cooling followed by a long-term warming. This result may be significant for the attribution of observed Southern Ocean temperature and sea ice trends, but the time scale and magnitude of the response is poorly constrained, with a wide spread among climate models. Furthermore, a long-lived initial cooling period has only been observed in a model with idealized geometry and lacking an explicit representation of ozone. Here the authors calculate the transient response of the Southern Ocean to a step-change in ozone in a comprehensive coupled climate model, GFDL-ESM2Mc. The Southern Ocean responds to ozone depletion with an initial cooling, lasting 25 yr, followed by a warming. The authors extend previous studies to investigate the dependence of the response on the ozone forcing as well as the regional pattern of this response. The response of the Southern Ocean relative to natural variability is shown to be largely independent of the initial state. However, the magnitude of this response is much less than that of natural variability found in the model, which limits its influence and detectability.
Taking the first steps in practice
Authors: Stone Heidi
Published: July 2016

Like many newly qualified midwives, Heidi Stone was apprehensive about her first few weeks in practice, but the support of her team helped to build her confidence.
Managing workload and stress
Authors: Oxtoby Kathy
Published: July 2016

Given the pressure of the teaching role, being able to manage stress is crucial. Kathy Oxtoby seeks out some tips and advice on ways to de-stress and manage stress both at work and at home, and when and where to seek support
Seven useful questions
Authors: Weston David
Published: July 2016

When challenges arise, the most inspirational school leaders use seven powerful questions to promote professional dialogue, encourage staff ownership and ensure clear communication. David Weston explains
Sensoriamento remoto aplicado na detecção de áreas degradadas pela mineração no sul do Brasil entre 1985-2011
Authors: Cardozo Fernando Alves Cantini , Pimenta Matheus Montes , Ribeiro Rafael Da Rocha
Published: July 2016

A análise multitemporal de imagens de satélite foi aplicada a uma antiga mina abandonada localizada em Minas do Camaquã, no sul do Brasil, entre latitude e longitude -30.908591, -53.446582; para verificar a relação entre área degradada durante o funcionamento da mina e a área de recuperação da vegetação após anos de sua desativação. Uma série temporal de imagens do satélite Landsat foi classificada pelo índice NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) para produzir três mapas de uso da região. A partir das comparações entre os referidos mapas e as áreas sem cobertura vegetal, foi possível quantificar a modificação em cada porção da paisagem, identificando-se a evolução das mudanças na área de vegetação natural. Verificou-se que no período 1985 -1996 a degradação aumentou em 8 %, ou 47,43 ha. Em contrapartida, em 2011 (o último ano analisado) observou-se que a cobertura vegetal foi superior ao primeiro período analisado, ou seja, ocorreu uma recuperação da vegetação de 26% ou 113,22 ha em relação a 1985.
Composición y estructura arbórea y arbustiva de la vegetación de la zona costera de Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, México
Authors: Bravo-Bolaños Oscar , Sánchez-González Arturo , De Nova-Vazquéz José Arturo , Pavón-Hernández Numa P.
Published: July 2016

La cobertura vegetal en la costa de Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, se ha modificado y reducido drásticamente en las últimas décadas a causa del desarrollo turístico, por lo que los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: (1) generar información sobre la composición, riqueza y valores estructurales de las especies de árboles, arbustos y trepadoras leñosas y (2) definir la distribución y cobertura espacial actual de la vegetación. El muestreo en campo para la obtener información florística y ecológica se realizó en 60 parcelas de 1,000 m2 cada una; el mapa de cobertura de vegetación se generó a partir de imágenes satelitales. Se identificaron 43 familias, 92 géneros y 127 especies; las familias con más especies fueron Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae y Malvaceae; el 59 % de las especies fueron árboles, 34.6 % arbustos y 6.4 % trepadoras leñosas. Se reconocieron dos variantes de bosque tropical caducifolio y tres de bosque tropical subcaducifolio, que ocupan en conjunto el 36 % de la superficie total. Las especies con mayor valor de importancia relativa en el bosque tropical subcaducifolio, fueron Bursera simaruba , Brosimum alicastrum , Couepia polyandra , Ficus obtusifolia , Hippomane mancinella , Attalea cohune , Piper aduncum y Pisonia aculeata . En el bosque tropical caducifolio las especies con mayor valor de importancia fueron Bursera instabilis , Cochlospermum vitifolium , Enterolobium cyclocarpum , Ficus cotinifolia , Haematoxylum brasiletto , Lysiloma divaricatum , Lonchocarpus mutans y Plumeria rubra . El desarrollo turístico, agropecuario, la presencia de especies en riesgo y la escasa superficie con vegetación natural, indican la necesidad de establecer programas de manejo y conservación en esta zona de Nayarit.
Vertical integration for full outsourcing: growth and internationalization of a portuguese packaging firm
Authors: Ferreira Manuel Portugal , Armagan Sungu , Li Dan
Published: July 2016

Based on a case study of a Portuguese packaging firm, this paper examines how vertical integration of the supplier serves as a vehicle for the full outsourcing of the client firms'needs in a solution that reduces transaction costs, favors specialization, and permits small and medium‐sized firms to develop competencies that may be exploited in a wide array of projects. Vertical integration by the supplier (a governance decision) is a strategic response to changes in the sourcing model of the clients. Client‐supplier relationships have inter‐spatial and inter‐temporal value that surpasses spot market exchanges.
Avaliação da implantação de uma sociedade de crédito, financiamento e investimento, coligada à empresa mercantil de varejo
Authors: Rosa Marcos Teixeira da , Lima Marcus Vinicius Andrade
Published: July 2016

O estudo objetivou avaliar os impactos decorrentes da implantação de uma instituição financeira – sociedade de crédito, financiamento e investimento junto à empresa mercantil de varejo, do ramo de eletromóveis que atua na região litoral do estado de Santa Catarina. O propósito da avaliação foi dar sustentação à tomada de decisão no investimento, constatando os efeitos decorrentes da consolidação do patrimônio, do resultado e da geração adicional de caixa, entre as empresas do varejo e a financeira. A pesquisa fundamentou‐se nos procedimentos metodológicos de um plano de negócio elaborado especificamente para o estudo de caso, contemplando um planejamento para seis anos, adaptado às normas exigidas para a atividade financeira. Como contribuição prática, apresenta um descritivo de planejamento e implantação de uma sociedade de crédito, financiamento e investimento; orientativo, para a decisão do investidor; e, sistemático, por permitir consolidar informações e dar abrangência maior à avaliação. Como contribuição teórica, permite fortalecer os critérios de planejamento e controle administrativos. Com este estudo, pode‐se concluir que a instituição financeira – sociedade de crédito, financiamento e investimento, agrega vantagens econômico‐financeiras e amolda a atividade principal do investidor à empresa mercantil de varejo.
Aprendizado organizacional nos ciclos de planejamento estratégico de uma instituição financeira pública brasileira
Authors: Gonçalves Sonia Maria Goulart
Published: July 2016

As organizações precisam responder, com rapidez, à complexidade dos problemas gerados em ambientes de constantes mudanças, e o planejamento estratégico é a forma encontrada, para combinar conhecimentos e habilidades dos indivíduos e da organização, a fim de criar estratégias que efetivamente gerem resultados sustentáveis e garantam a competitividade da organização. As empresas capazes de se renovarem continuamente por meio da criação de estratégias inovadoras, associadas a um processo constante de aprendizagem organizacional, fundada no questionamento permanente, no diálogo e na interdisciplinaridade, serão as construtoras de amplas vantagens competitivas. Com base nessas premissas, esse artigo visa mostrar a evolução da aprendizagem organizacional nos ciclos de planejamento estratégico de uma instituição fnanceira pública brasileira, de 1992 a 2005, sob a ótica participativa, com base nos conceitos e práticas da interdisciplinaridade.
Aprendizagem organizacional e criação de conhecimento
Authors: Steil Andrea Valéria , Pacheco Roberto C. S.
Published: July 2016

Este artigo enfoca o processo de aprendizagem organizacional e de criação de conhecimento em uma instituição privada de ciência e tecnologia. Esse processo é examinado por meio do Instituto Stela, um start-up universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. O delineamento do estudo é qualitativo e utiliza a abordagem do estudo de caso. Baseia-se em evidências coletadas por meio da triangulação de técnicas (entrevistas, reuniões casuais, análise de documentos e observação direta). Os resultados indicam que a estrutura organizacional matricial e adocrática e os valores organizacionais formam um substrato condutivo à aprendizagem organizacional. O entrelaçamento entre o planejamento das atividades de pesquisa e desenvolvimento e sua execução vinculada a projetos de desenvolvimento de produtos e serviços favorece o processo de construção do saber, ou knowing, como atividade integral e diária dos colaboradores. Além de expandir o conhecimento acerca do construto da aprendizagem organizacional em um instituto de C&T privado, este estudo contribui para a geração de insumos que possibilitem a realização de novas pesquisas em um universo maior de institutos privados de C&T e com instituições intensivas em conhecimento de outros setores da economia.
Estratégia para a gestão da informação no programa saúde da família do governo brasileiro
Authors: Nogueira Guilherme Dantas , Neves Jorge Tadeu de Ramos
Published: July 2016

O presente artigo discute a estratégia para a gestão da informação do Programa Saúde da Família, que é o principal programa de atenção básica à saúde do Governo brasileiro, sendo também a porta de entrada para os serviços de atenção à saúde no país. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, norteada pelos conceitos de Cultura Organizacional, Informação, Comportamento Informacional e Gestão da Informação. Buscou-se explorar as estratégias de gestão da informação do Programa Saúde da Família, mapeando seus fluxos desde a determinação das necessidades por informações até o uso das mesmas. Verificou-se, também, como a cultura organizacional, contextualizada à gestão pública brasileira e ao próprio Programa Saúde da Família, influencia os fluxos de informação e processo de sua gestão. Com base nos resultados da pesquisa, um novo processo de gestão da informação mais assertivo foi proposto.
A globalização do sistema de ensino superior: o “mercado” educacional
Authors: Sakata Marici Cristine Gramacho , Baccega Maria Aparecida , Alves Sandra Raquel Pinto , Riccio Edson Luiz
Published: July 2016

Devido à globalização, diversas mudanças estão ocorrendo tanto do ponto de vista econômico e financeiro como cultural. Uma dessas mudanças ocorreu no Sistema de Educação Superior de diversos países. Após a inclusão da Educação como um Serviço na Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) o “mercado educacional” intensificou-se, sendo um dos principais pontos questionados as instituições globalizadas não visarem a educação como um bem mas como um serviço, e com isso, se não forem regulamentadas, tendem, naturalmente, à geração de serviços/produtos a ser consumidos e à competitividade. Por outro lado, essas instituições têm atendido às novas procuras do Ensino Superior. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a relação entre a globalização e a educação superior e comparar Universidades Nacionais e Universidades Globalizadas no Brasil e as principais mudanças ocorridas nos últimos anos. Discutimos, ainda, neste artigo o setor privado e público na Educação, a Estratégia de Mercantilização da Educação e concluímos sobre a possibilidade de regulamentação do sistema e da criação de sistemas mistos.
Aplicação de método de pesquisa operacional (DEA) na avaliação de desempenho de unidades produtivas para área de educação profissional
Authors: Lorenzett João Roberto , Lopes Ana Lúcia Miranda , Lima Marcus Vinicius Andrade de
Published: July 2016

A Análise Envoltória de Dados (Data Envelopment Analysis - DEA) tem sido extensivamente utilizada como apoio à gestão, na estimativa do desempenho relativo de unidades produtivas semelhantes entre si. Particularmente, vem sendo aplicada a empresas que trabalham utilizando múltiplos insumos para a produção de múltiplos produtos, p ara os quais é difícil designar preços ou pesos. O estudo é do tipo exploratório, descritivo e avaliativo. As técnicas de coleta de dados foram a observação, a análise documental e a pesquisa bibliográfica. As informações coletadasforam tratadas de forma qualitativa e quantitativa. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso de aplicação do método DEA a uma empresa sem fins lucrativos, da área de educação profissional e serviços técnicos e tecnológicos (o SENAI, Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial). Estudou-se a substituição de procedimentos já existentes de avaliação de desempenho de unidades produtivas, incluindo aspectos operacionais, financeiros e de gestão. Avaliou-se o desempenho de 21 unidades operacionais do SENAI segundo duas perspectivas: financeira e de qualidade. O modelo DEA escolhido é o de retornos variáveis à escala orientados a produto (BCC). Os resultados mostram que 33,3% das unidades são eficientes sob a perspectiva financeira, 42,8% o são sob aperspectiva da qualidade, e 19,0% do total das unidades são eficientes sob ambas as perspectivas. Conclui-se que o modelo DEA é apropriado à avaliação de desempenho das unidades operacionais do SENAI, pois fornece resultados valiosos aos gestores da instituição, tais como o estabelecimento de metas e a identificação de benchmarks para as unidades ineficientes.
Comportamentos relacionados à decisão de compra de papéis Bovespa: a influência do message framing no pequeno investidor mineiro
Authors: Silva Jersone Tasso Moreira , Barbosa Patrícia de Paiva Franco , Teixeira Luiz Antônio Antunes , Reis Neto Mário Teixeira
Published: July 2016

O presente estudo tem por objetivo geral analisar o comportamento de compra de Papéis na Bovespa pelo investidor belo horizontino, a partir das mudanças no valor de sua riqueza financeira. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como exploratória, sendo que no aspecto da abordagem do problema, o trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas fases: uma qualitativa exploratória e outra quantitativa descritiva por meio da análise de variância com aplicação do teste ANOVA. Investigaram-se os efeitos do framing positivo versus o framing negativo, na mensagem transmitida, através de textos que compõem o questionário respondido pelos entrevistados. O questionário foi aplicado a investidores mineiros composto por clientes de uma corretora de valores de Belo Horizonte, bem como professores da área de finanças que ministram disciplinas da área de mercado de capitais em universidades de Belo Horizonte. Neste estudo a maioria dos entrevistados do grupo framing positivo é do sexo masculino, com faixa etária acima de 40 anos. Demonstrou-se que a mensagem estruturada positivamente (enfatizando os ganhos da prevenção ao risco) foi mais persuasiva do que a mensagem estruturada negativamente (enfatizando as perdas da não prevenção ao risco) e do que a mensagem informativa (do grupo controle). A hipótese de que a informação positiva tem maior impacto do que a informação negativa equivalente vai de encontro com as propriedades da função valor da Teoria dos Prospects. Conclui-se, portanto, que um determinado investidor, munido de informações de caráter positivo, enfatizando os aspectos positivos da mensagem, sinta-se incentivado e superconfiante a investir em ações.
Os efeitos comportamentais na tomada de decisão dos gestores de micro e pequenas empresas: um estudo em empresas do ramo de confecções
Authors: Lucena Wenner Glaucio Lopes , Melo Elienaide Gomes de , Rabelo Virginia de Vasconcelos , Marcelino Gileno Fernandes
Published: July 2016

O estudo sobre Finanças Comportamentais, também conhecidos como economia comportamental, psicologia econômica ou ainda neuroeconomia, representa uma nova conjectura das finanças, na qual engloba teorias psicológicas, ou seja, sobre a influência do comportamento humano para tomada de decisões atreladas às avaliações dos aspectos financeiros. Esse artigo busca compreender a relação dos fundamentos econômico-financeiros ao aspecto comportamental dos micro e pequenos empresários para suas tomadas de decisões. O trabalho tem como foco identificar junto aos empresários do ramo de confecções do agreste seu perfil e quais iniciativas os levam às tomadas de decisões. Foram através do levantamento bibliográfico, que se detectou as diversas vertentes a serem exploradas como mecanismos das causas e efeitos para as decisões. Realizou-se uma pesquisa quantitativa baseada em dados secundários obtidos da aplicação de um questionário de 18 perguntas direcionadas a uma população de 31 empresas e obtida uma amostra de 25 empresas do setor de confecções associadas à ACIC ligadas a Câmara Setorial do Arranjo da Moda. Os resultados obtidos foram através de técnicas estatísticas e análise dos estudos, voltados à Psicologia Cognitiva, Teoria Clássica da Decisão, Satisfação, Eliminação por aspectos, Excesso de confiança, princípio da representatividade e aversão à perda.
Proposta de material didático para a história das relações étnico-raciais
Authors: Alberti Verena
Published: July 2016

O artigo discute diretrizes e sugestões para a elaboração de materiais didáticos sobre a história das relações raciais no Brasil, considerandoespecialmente sua disponibilização na internet. A proposta parte depressupostos que concernem, de um lado, ao ensino de história e, de outro, ao uso de tecnologias de informação e comunicação na elaboração de conteúdo pedagógico. São apresentados nove conjuntos de questões,com sugestões de fontes e tarefas a serem executadas pelos alunos, abarcando desde a opção pelo trabalho escravo na América Portuguesa até a polarização que se verifica atualmente entre os que defendempolíticas de promoção da igualdade racial e os que são contrários a elas.
The role of individual interpersonal relationships on work performance in the South African retail sector
Authors: Idowu Abe Isaac , B. Mason Roger
Published: July 2016

Partial or non-recognition of the influence of interpersonal relationships at work could impair the growth, diffusion and success of retail business. For instance, South African retailers have been taking advantage of the retail revolution in Africa to reach the rest of the continent with products and services. Therefore, to examine the interpersonal relationships among supervisors and subordinates in this sector for its contribution to individual and organizational outcomes is important. This paper examines the influence of individual interpersonal relationships on employee performance at work. A mixed method approach was adopted and self-reporting questionnaires were administered to 167 supervisors and 144 subordinate workers of four retail companies that participated in the study. The survey instrument contained both closed-ended and open-ended questions to enable a concurrent collection of data. The quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. It was found that the relationship between interpersonal relationships and employee performance for the supervisors was weak, while a less significant relationship was observed among the variables for the subordinate workers. The qualitative analysis offered explanations for the weakness and dissociation among interpersonal relationships and employee performance