Some issues on assessment methods and learning in mathematics and statistics

This paper looks at the application of some of the assessment methods in practice with the view to enhance students’ learning in mathematics and statistics. It explores the effective application of assessment methods and highlights the issues or problems, and ways of avoiding them, related to some of the common methods of assessing mathematical and statistical learning. Some observations made by the author on good assessment practice and useful approaches employed at his institution in designing and applying assessment methods are discussed. Successful strategies in implementing assessment methods at different levels are described.

Placing biodiversity in ecosystem models without getting lost in translation

A key challenge to progressing our understanding of biodiversity’s role in the sustenance of ecosystem function is the extrapolation of the results of two decades of dedicated empirical research to regional, global and future landscapes. Ecosystem models provide a platform for this progression, potentially offering a holistic view of ecosystems where, guided by the mechanistic understanding of processes and their connection to the environment and biota, large-scale questions can be investigated. While the benefits of depicting biodiversity in such models are widely recognized, its application is limited by difficulties in the transfer of knowledge from small process oriented ecology into macro-scale modelling. Here, we build on previous work, breaking down key challenges of that knowledge transfer into a tangible framework, highlighting successful strategies that both modelling and ecology communities have developed to better interact with one another. We use a benthic and a pelagic case-study to illustrate how aspects of the links between biodiversity and ecosystem process have been depicted in marine ecosystem models (ERSEM and MIRO), from data, to conceptualisation and model development. We hope that this framework may help future interactions between biodiversity researchers and model developers by highlighting concrete solutions to common problems, and in this way contribute to the advance of the mechanistic understanding of the role of biodiversity in marine (and terrestrial) ecosystems.

A Pilot Evaluation of the Palliative Performance Scale in Long Term Care: Tips for Success

Aims: Palliative care in long-term care (LTC) homes is an area of growing concern. Little work has been done to explore innovative ways to identify and care for residents who become palliative. The purpose of this intervention study was to evaluate the implementation of the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) in LTC. Specifically we explored staff perceptions about implementing the PPS and how it cued staff to initiate palliative care discussion with residents and family when a resident’s health declined.

Methods: This study utilized a qualitative descriptive design that included data from four separate sources: journals of three ‘champions’ who were responsible for leading the implementation of the PPS; staff evaluations of three educational training sessions; minutes from meetings; and 11 interviews from key staff who were involved in the implementation process. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Results: Staff generally felt positively about using the PPS in LTC and stated that it increased awareness of palliative care and helped identify those residents who were nearing the end of life. There were some barriers to implementing it, such as staff resistance and lack of time to complete it. The importance of having a designated ‘champion’ and effective interdisciplinary communication in addition to widespread training, were identified as successful strategies to facilitate the implementation process.

Conclusion: These study findings support the use of the PPS in LTC and offer some perspective about ways to implement it successfully. Future work is needed to evaluate the PPS in LTC using more rigorous designs.

Vorausschau und Planung neuer Technologiepfade in Unternehmen

Unternehmen konkurrieren in einem globalen Wettbewerb um den Transfer neuer Technologien in erfolgreiche Geschäftsmodelle. Aus diesem Grund stehen sie zunehmend der Herausforderung gegenüber, technologische Potenziale frühzeitig zu identifizieren, zu bewerten und Strategien für das Erschließen dieser Potenziale zu entwickeln. Dies ist zentraler Gegenstand der Vorausschau und Planung neuer Technologiepfade. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird gemeinsam mit vier Unternehmen ein Leitfaden für die Strategiefindung, Entwicklung und Kommerzialisierung neu aufkommender Technologien entwickelt und angewendet. Den Ausgangspunkt der Arbeit bildet eine systematische Aufarbeitung des Forschungsstandes der Vorausschau und Planung neuer Technologien. Anschließend wird ein Beschreibungsmodell der Entstehung neuer Technologiepfade in technologiebasierten Innovationssystemen entwickelt. Auf Basis dieses Modells werden unterschiedliche Kategorien von Einflussfaktoren definiert, die als Analyserahmen für die neu entstehende Technologie dienen. Auf Basis der in der Literatur dokumentierten Abläufe, Teamstrukturen und Methoden (z.B. Roadmaps, Szenarien, Datenbankanalysen) wird ein sechsstufiger Ansatz für die Durchführung der Vorausschau und Planung neuer Technologiepfade konzipiert. Dieser Ansatz wird in vier Firmen für die Vorausschau und Planung neuer Technologien angewendet. Die untersuchten Technologien lassen sich den Feldern Biotechnologie, Nanotechnologie, Umwelttechnologie und Sensorik zuordnen. Zentrales Ergebnis der Arbeit ist ein entsprechend der Erfahrungen in den Unternehmen angepasster Ansatz für die Vorausschau und Planung neuer Technologiepfade. Dieser Ansatz ist in Abhängigkeit von Unternehmens- und Technologiecharakteristika für die weitere Anwendung konkretisiert. Dabei finden die zu beteiligenden Organisationseinheiten, zu betrachtende Einflussfaktoren sowie anwendbare Methoden besondere Berücksichtigung. Die Arbeit richtet sich an Personen in Führungspositionen im Bereich des strategischen Technologiemanagements sowie der Forschung und Entwicklung in Unternehmen, die Strategien für neu aufkommende Technologien entwickeln. Weiterhin sind die Ergebnisse der Arbeit für Wissenschaftler auf dem Gebiet der Methoden zur Vorausschau und Strategieentwicklung für neue Technologien von Interesse.

Análisis del sector turismo en Cartagena como elemento de internacionalización de la ciudad

El presente estudio apuntó a dar respuestas al interrogante siguiente: ¿Cuáles son las estrategias más acertadas que deben establecerse para mejorar los problemas del sector turismo en Cartagena y hacerlo más competitivo en el mercado internacional? Para ello se planteó el siguiente objetivo: Analizar el sector turismo de Cartagena, haciendo un diagnóstico a través de la Matriz DOFA, para establecer estrategias acertadas a los problemas encontrados, a fin de mejorar el producto turístico y hacerlo más competitivo en el mercado internacional. Para lograrlo se siguieron los siguientes pasos: – se caracterizó el sector turismo de la ciudad de Cartagena, identificando los puntos críticos del mercado hotelero a través del trabajo de campo (indagando en empresas hoteleras, de turismo y alcaldía distrital) – se evidenciaron las inconformidades de los turistas, aplicando una encuesta de satisfacción al cliente que sirvió para determinar las estrategias más acertadas a los problemas encontrados – se elaboró un diagnóstico a través de la Matriz DOFA para determinar las causas reales a los problemas presentados en este sector, que orientara la elaboración de las estrategias de mejoras – finalmente se elaboraron las estrategias a los problemas encontrados, encaminadas a mejorar el sector y poder competir en el mercado internacional.

El trabajo en equipo en el Proceso Administrativo y de Compras en OPL Carga de Bucaramanga

El proceso administrativo y de compras de OPL Carga tiene algunas falencias entre ellas: fallas en la Comunicación entre el personal operativo, no se realizan llamadas internas usando con frecuencia el email, produciendo la saturación de solicitudes las cuales terminan sin ser resueltas en cuanto a roles se refiere, no hay enfoque de procesos en vista que no se tiene claras las tareas de cada cargo, adicionalmente no hay claridad en los subprocesos, perjudicando el proceso con el aumento de costos, pérdida de tiempo, las responsabilidades de los funcionario no todas las veces se ejecutan en el tiempo asignado, el liderazgo compartido presenta ambigüedades. Objetivos: Definir el trabajo en equipo en el proceso administrativo y de compras en OPL carga de Bucaramanga. La investigación que a realizar es de tipo descriptivo, busca descubrir las falencias o características que permiten diseñar y desarrollar un modelo de solución para los problemas del equipo de OPL Carga S.A.S. Materiales y métodos: La investigación efectuada es de tipo descriptivo, el objetivo es definir el modelo del trabajo en equipo y describir las falencias en el proceso administrativo y de compras en OPL carga de Bucaramanga, que permitan obtener un diagnóstico integral que conlleve a la implementación de estrategias de solución. Resultados: Se identificaron las falencias en los siguientes aspectos: Variable comunicación, rendimiento, destrezas complementarias, propósito significativo y meta específicas de los funcionarios en OPL carga sección administrativa. Conclusiones: El modelo de trabajo en equipo que OPL aplica es jerárquico, en el que se ofrece estabilidad, seguridad, se toman decisiones en forma piramidal, mediante la planeación de tareas, la colaboración, igualdad y respeto por los miembros, trabajando en pro de la solución de problemas. Se construyó un plano conceptual que permitió exponer la interpretación que la estudiante tiene de las teorías, investigaciones y antecedentes válidos para la comprensión del problema investigado. Área comunicacional: Coordinar acciones tendientes para que los funcionarios respondan a tiempo los emails atenientes a su trabajo. Área condiciones de trabajo: Clarificar y diseñar las reglas de comportamiento al interior de los equipos de trabajo que redunden en el mejoramiento del mismo y la búsqueda de soluciones oportunas. Área metas específicas: Procurar mediante auditorías el cumplimiento de las metas y objetivos propuestos por cada equipo de trabajo.

Modelo de internacionalización a Sudamérica del sector financiero colombiano

A partir de un estudio realizado a cinco de los bancos más importantes del sector financiero sudamericano y utilizando las diferentes teorías del proceso de internacionalización que han expuesto diferentes autores, se logró identificar un modelo estratégico a seguir que puede ser utilizado por cualquier entidad financiera colombiana que desee iniciar actividades en algún país de la región. Se lograron identificar características de competencia claves en el sector financiero colombiano como son: calidad del servicio, tasas de interés de captación y colocación, costos administrativos, red de oficinas y diferentes canales de atención, entre otros. Igualmente, se pudo concluir que debido al alto grado de hacinamiento en el sector financiero ocasionado por las estrategias utilizadas por las entidades, se hace necesario aumentar la participación del mercado en diferentes países de la región con el fin de incrementar la rentabilidad. Teniendo como base las diferentes teorías de internacionalización, se identificaron estrategias utilizadas por cinco entidades financieras que tienen participación en diferentes países, siendo la adquisición y fusión entre entidades las más exitosas.

Educação física para a autonomia: construção de possibilidades metodológicas

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

As populações pesqueiras e a maricultura: um olhar sobre os processos de diminuição dos recursos pesqueiros no litoral paraense - RESEX Mãe Grande de Curuçá

Disserta sobre como as populações pesqueiras do litoral paraense, a partir do acesso e uso dos recursos naturais, podem contribuir para a efetivação de estratégias exitosas na diminuição da pressão sobre os recursos naturais de uso comum. Para tanto o trabalho se volta à vila de Lauro Sodré, localizada na RESEX Mãe Grande de Curuçá, município de Curuçá, litoral nordeste do Pará. A vila de Lauro Sodré se encontra às margens do rio Tijoca. Possui uma vegetação composta por florestas de manguezais exuberantes, o que proporciona à comunidade a atividade de extração de recursos do mangue, além de condições favoráveis à maricultura, que se estabeleceu a partir de 2006, com a criação da Associação dos Aquicultores da Vila de Lauro Sodré (Aquavila) para o cultivo de ostras. Para a coleta de dados o estudo contou com a observação direta em campo das atividades de maricultura, assim como fez uso de questionários com perguntas objetivas e entrevistas semiestruturadas junto aos associados, no que se refere à extração e ao cultivo das ostras. A maricultura vem sendo utilizada como uma das estratégias adotadas pela Fundação das Nações Unidades para a Agricultura e Alimentação (FAO), para frear a pressão sobre os recursos marinhos de uso comum em todo o mundo. Objetivou-se neste estudo contribuir para uma reflexão sobre como as populações do litoral amazônico, a partir de suas relações com a natureza, constroem processos produtivos exitosos ou não para frear a diminuição dos recursos pesqueiros da região. Foi possível observar o quanto é diverso e complexo o cenário da utilização dos recursos comuns no município de Curuçá, mais especificamente na vila de Lauro Sodré, na RESEX Mãe Grande de Curuçá. Apresentaram-se como principais dificuldades para a efetivação do cultivo, a disponibilidade de recursos na natureza favorecendo o extrativismo e a falta de incentivo por parte do Estado. É possível perceber que estão intrínsecos ao modo de vida dos moradores locais os saberes e técnicas indispensáveis para que a maricultura se consolide como uma estratégia eficaz para frear a exploração dos recursos marinhos no litoral paraense.

Deriving vegetation indices for phenology analysis using genetic programming

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Adaptação transcultural do formulário POLST: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment

Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva - FMB

Dispelling the Mascot Myth: The Misuse of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots in American Schools

This workshop details the deculturalization process that takes place when Indigenous Peoples are used as mascots in school-related activities; examines the arguments(s) and defensive tactics used by sports fans and school officials to maintain these hegemonic images; and offers successful strategies for developing policy toward the elimination of Indigenous Peoples as mascots.

Agrofood chain analysis: production, commercialisation and consumption of healthy food for population at risk of poverty in Italy

Italy registers a fast increase of low income population. Academics and policy makers consider income inequalities as a key determinant for low or inadequate healthy food consumption. Thus the objective is to understand how to overcome the agrofood chain barriers towards healthy food production, commercialisation and consumption for population at risk of poverty (ROP) in Italy. The study adopts a market oriented food chain approach, focusing the research ambit on ROP consumers, processing industries and retailers. The empirical investigation adopts a qualitative methodology with an explorative approach. The actors are investigated through 4 focus groups for consumers and carrying out 27 face to face semi-structured interviews for industries and retailers’ representatives. The results achieved provide the perceptions of each actor integrated into an overall chain approach. The analysis shows that all agrofood actors lack of an adequate level of knowledge towards healthy food definition. Food industries and retailers also show poor awareness about ROP consumers’ segment. In addition they perceive that the high costs for producing healthy food conflict with the low economic performances expected from ROP consumers’ segment. These aspects induce a scarce interest in investing on commercialisation strategies for healthy food for ROP consumers. Further ROP consumers show other notable barriers to adopt healthy diets caused, among others, by a personal strong negative attitude and lack of motivation. The personal barriers are also negatively influenced by several external socio-economic factors. The solutions to overcome the barriers shall rely on the improvement of the agrofood chain internal relations to identify successful strategies for increasing interest on low cost healthy food. In particular the focus should be on improved collaboration on innovation adoption and marketing strategies, considering ROP consumers’ preferences and needs. An external political intervention is instead necessary to fill the knowledge and regulations’ gaps on healthy food issues.

A model of long-term memory storage in the cerebellar cortex: A possible role for plasticity at parallel fiber synapses onto stellate/basket interneurons

By evoking changes in climbing fiber activity, movement errors are thought to modify synapses from parallel fibers onto Purkinje cells (pf*Pkj) so as to improve subsequent motor performance. Theoretical arguments suggest there is an intrinsic tradeoff, however, between motor adaptation and long-term storage. Assuming a baseline rate of motor errors is always present, then repeated performance of any learned movement will generate a series of climbing fiber-mediated corrections. By reshuffling the synaptic weights responsible for any given movement, such corrections will degrade the memories for other learned movements stored in overlapping sets of synapses. The present paper shows that long-term storage can be accomplished by a second site of plasticity at synapses from parallel fibers onto stellate/basket interneurons (pf*St/Bk). Plasticity at pf*St/Bk synapses can be insulated from ongoing fluctuations in climbing fiber activity by assuming that changes in pf*St/Bk synapses occur only after changes in pf*Pkj synapses have built up to a threshold level. Although climbing fiber-dependent plasticity at pf*Pkj synapses allows for the exploration of novel motor strategies in response to changing environmental conditions, plasticity at pf*St/Bk synapses transfers successful strategies to stable long-term storage. To quantify this hypothesis, both sites of plasticity are incorporated into a dynamical model of the cerebellar cortex and its interactions with the inferior olive. When used to simulate idealized motor conditioning trials, the model predicts that plasticity develops first at pf*Pkj synapses, but with additional training is transferred to pf*St/Bk synapses for long-term storage.

Professions, class and society:solicitors in 19th century Birmingham

The thesis provides an analysis of an occupation in the process of making itself a profession. The solicitors' profession in Birmingham underwent a great many changes during the 19th century against a background of industrialisation and urbanisation. The solicitors' conception of their status and role, in the face of these challenges, had implications for successful strategies of professionalisation. The increased prestige and power of the profession, and especially its elite, are examined in their social context rather than in terms of a technical process, or educational and organisational change. The thesis argues that -the profession's social relationships and broad concerns were significant in establishing solicitors as "professional men". In particular these are related to the profession's efforts to gain control of markets for legal services and increase social status. In the course of achieving these aims a concept of profession and a self-image were articulated by solicitors in order to persuade society and the state of the legitimacy of their claims. The concept of the gentlemanly professional was of critical importance in this instance. The successful creation of a provincial professional "community" by the end of the 19th century rested principally on a social and moral conception of professionalism rather than one which stressed specialised training and knowledge, professional organisations and credentials.