Studying the development of an online course on Curriculum : implications for the students' workload in light of the Bologna principles

ECER 2014 "The Past, the Present and Future of Educational Research in Europe" will take place at the University of Porto from 1 - 5 September 2014.

What is the value of value-at-risk after all?: A conditional approach using quantile regressions

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Finance from the NOVA ��� School of Business and Economics

The Relative Efficiency of Automatic and Discretionary Industrial Aid

For the last two decades, the primary instruments for UK regional policy have been discretionary subsidies. Such aid is targeted at ���additional��� projects - projects that would not have been implemented without the subsidy - and the subsidy should be the minimum necessary for the project to proceed. Discretionary subsidies are thought to be more efficient than automatic subsidies, where many of the aided projects are non-additional and all projects receive the same subsidy rate. The present paper builds on Swales (1995) and Wren (2007a) to compare three subsidy schemes: an automatic scheme and two types of discretionary scheme, one with accurate appraisal and the other with appraisal error. These schemes are assessed on their expected welfare impacts. The particular focus is the reduction in welfare gain imposed by the interaction of appraisal error and the requirements for accountability. This is substantial and difficult to detect with conventional evaluation techniques.

Dispersive flight and house invasion by Triatoma guasayana and Triatoma sordida in Argentina

Flight activity and invasion of houses by Triatoma sordida and T. guasayana were studied in the Province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Spontaneous findings of both species in houses were recorded from 1982 to 1989. Light trap collections were performed in 1982, 1983 and 1984, at the woods surrounding the settlements of Amam�� (43 houses) and Trinidad (19 houses). Most of the 101 triatomines collected, were unfed and negative for Trypanosoma cruzi. T. guasayana predominated over T. sordida, and both appeared on the lighted screens between 19-31 min (mean 24) after dusk and the catch time was 30-45 min. Although entomological evaluation of 41 houses at Amam�� performed in September 1985, just before insecticidal spraying, showed that Triatoma infestans predominated, adults of T. guasayana were collected in sleeping places, in 7 houses (17%). Most triatomines invading houses from then up to 1990 were flying T. guasayana (20/27) and females outnumbered males. Three non infected T. guasayana females were fed on man and two T. guasayana males positive for "T. cruzi like" trypanosomes were unfed. Therefore, visiting hungry adults could transmit T. cruzi to people and introduce wild parasites to the domestic cycle. T. guasayana stands as the main potential substitute of T. infestans in the studied area, and it might play there the same role as T. sordida in Brazil.

Interacci�� humana amb Ordinadors : estudi de t��cniques d'avaluaci�� de la usabilitat deweblogs

Estudi de les t��cniques d'avaluaci�� de la usabilitat dels weblogs, en concret del que despr��s de fer la recerca d'informaci�� pertinent, hem triat: Wordpress.

Magnetic susceptibility to identify landscape segments on a detailed scale in the region of Jaboticabal, S��o Paulo, Brazil

The agricultural potential is generally assessed and managed based on a one-dimensional vision of the soil profile, however, the increased appreciation of sustainable production has stimulated studies on faster and more accurate evaluation techniques and methods of the agricultural potential on detailed scales. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using soil magnetic susceptibility for the identification of landscape segments on a detailed scale in the region of Jaboticabal, S��o Paulo State. The studied area has two slope curvatures: linear and concave, subdivided into three landscape segments: upper slope (US, concave), middle slope (MS, linear) and lower slope (LS, linear). In each of these segments, 20 points were randomly sampled from a database with 207 samples forming a regular grid installed in each landscape segment. The soil physical and chemical properties, CO2 emissions (FCO2) and magnetic susceptibility (MS) of the samples were evaluated represented by: magnetic susceptibility of air-dried fine earth (MS ADFE), magnetic susceptibility of the total sand fraction (MS TS) and magnetic susceptibility of the clay fraction (MS Cl) in the 0.00 - 0.15 m layer. The principal component analysis showed that MS is an important property that can be used to identify landscape segments, because the correlation of this property within the first principal component was high. The hierarchical cluster analysis method identified two groups based on the variables selected by principal component analysis; of the six selected variables, three were related to magnetic susceptibility. The landscape segments were differentiated similarly by the principal component analysis and by the cluster analysis using only the properties with higher discriminatory power. The cluster analysis of MS ADFE, MS TS and MS Cl allowed the formation of three groups that agree with the segment division established in the field. The grouping by cluster analysis indicated MS as a tool that could facilitate the identification of landscape segments and enable the mapping of more homogeneous areas at similar locations.

Communicating Highway Safety: What Works, 2002

Few topics in transportation are of greater significance, now and in the future, than making today���s roads safe for those who use them. This study aims to assist the formulation of policy by examining the empirical evidence currently available on the ability of several forms of communication efforts and activities to increase knowledge about and affect attitudes and behavior toward highway safety practices. The objective of this effort is to provide a comparative synthesis of what works and what does not in highway safety campaigns across a large number of topical areas that have a mass media component. This was accomplished by conducting an extensive literature review to determine the current state of knowledge concerning what works and what has significant potential for wide use in future highway safety campaigns. An analytic framework for investigating highway safety campaigns was created. The framework includes (1) the types of media components, (2) the types of collaborations, (3) the context in which the campaign is intended to have impact, (4) the structure or procedural steps into which campaigns are organized, (5) the principles for what works in a campaign, and (6) the desired impact of a campaign on its target audience. The report reveals 25 characteristics of successful communication campaigns, strategies that stand a chance of achieving changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior. The actual impact of mass communication remains unproven because of a perceived lag in the development of adequate evaluation techniques. Education by itself has not generally resulted in significant changes in the behaviors targeted, but education of the public and advocacy groups has often helped enact necessary legislation, transmit knowledge about the provisions and penalties of laws in ways that increase their deterrent effect, and generate public support for law enforcement programs. Even in such cases, however, when enforcement is inconsistent, public compliance frequently decreases with time. Approaches to traffic safety that emphasize the need for long-term individual- and community-based measures are found to be especially crucial for addressing complex problems like drinking and driving that are determined by a myriad of lifestyle and psychosocial factors.

An��lisis de la arquitectura de webs mediante tests de estr��s de navegaci��n, de usabilidad y eye tracking

Evaluar una arquitectura de la informaci��n en un sitio web ya desplegado no resulta una tarea sencilla. La mayor��a de las t��cnicas se centran en examinar la usabilidad del sistema que, aunque afecta a la arquitectura de la informaci��n, no es el ��nico factor que influye en ella. La principal t��cnica que se utiliza es el test de estr��s de navegaci��n. Se muestra un aporte metodol��gico para hacer dicha t��cnica m��s informativa, llev��ndola m��s all�� de la simple anotaci��n en papel por parte del usuario de respuestas a las preguntas de navegaci��n planteadas. Se propone la combinaci��n de ��sta con otras t��cnicas de evaluaci��n de la usabilidad: la t��cnica de pensar en voz alta o thinking aloud y un cuestionario de usabilidad. Se ha utilizado un sistema de seguimiento de la mirada o eye tracking para complementar la informaci��n obtenida mediante las t��cnicas aplicadas. El enfoque metodol��gico planteado se ha puesto a prueba analizando una serie de sitios web de bibliotecas de universidades p��blicas espa��olas. Se muestra en los resultados la validez del enfoque empleado, as�� como el valor que dicho enfoque y el uso del eye tracking aportan al an��lisis de la arquitectura de la informaci��n respecto al test de estr��s de navegaci��n tradicional.

Methods of Jet to Wire Speed Ratio Determination and Its Effect in Paper and Board Manufacture

Suihku/viira-nopeussuhde on per��laatikon huulisuihkun ja viiran v��linen nopeusero. Se vaikuttaa suuresti paperin ja kartongin loppuominaisuuksiin, kuten formaatioon sek�� kuituorientaatioon ja n��in ollen paperin lujuusominaisuuksiin. T��m��n johdosta on erityisen t��rke���� tiet���� todellinen suihku/viira-nopeussuhde paperin- ja kartonginvalmistuksessa. Perinteinen suihku/viira-nopeussuhteen m����ritysmenetelm�� perustuu per��laatikon kokonaispaineeseen. T��ll�� menetelm��ll�� kuitenkin todellinen huulisuihkun nopeus saattaa usein j����d�� tiet��m��tt�� johtuen mahdollisesta virheellisest�� painemittarin kalibroinnista sek�� laskuyht��l��n ep��tarkkuuksista. T��m��n johdosta on kehitetty useita reaaliaikaisia huulisuihkun mittausmenetelmi��. Per��laatikon parametrien optimaaliset asetukset ovat mahdollista m����ritt���� ja yll��pit���� huulisuihkun nopeuden ���on-line��� m����rityksell��. Per��laatikon parametrej�� ovat mm. huulisuihku, huuliaukon korkeusprofiili, reunavirtaukset ja sy��tt��virtauksen tasaisuus. Huulisuihkun nopeuden on-line mittauksella paljastuu my��s muita per��laatikon ongelmakohtia, kuten mekaaniset viat, joita on perinteisesti tutkittu aikaa vievill�� paperin ja kartongin lopputuoteanalyyseill��.

Energiatiedon hallintaj��rjestelm��n suorituskyvyn m����ritt��minen ja todentaminen

S��hk��markkinoiden vapautumisen j��lkeen energia-alalle on muodostunut entist�� suurempi kysynt�� kehittyneille energiatiedon hallintaaan erikoistuneille tietoj��rjestelmille. Uudet lakis����d��kset sek�� tulevaisuuden kokonaisvaltaiset tiedonkeruuj��rjestelm��t, kuten ��lykk����t mittarit ja ��lykk����t s��hk��verkot, tuovat mukanaan entist�� suuremman prosessoitavan tietovirran. Nykyaikaisen energiatietoj��rjestelm��n on kyett��v�� vastaamaan haasteeseen ja palveltava asiakkaan vaatimuksia tehokkaasti prosessien suorituskyvyn k��rsim��tt��. Tietoj��rjestelm��n prosessien on oltava my��s skaalautuvia, jotta tulevaisuuden lis����ntyneet prosessointitarpeet ovat hallittavissa. T��ss�� ty��ss�� kuvataan nykyaikaisen energiatietoj��rjestelm��n keskeiset energiatiedon hallintaan ja varastointiin liittyv��t komponentit. Ty��ss�� esitell����n my��s ��lykk��iden mittareiden perusperiaate ja niiden tuomat edut energia-alalla. Lis��ksi ty��ss�� kuvataan visioita tulevaisuuden ��lykk��iden s��hk��verkkojen toteutusmahdollisuuksista. Diplomity��ss�� esitell����n keskeisi�� suorituskykyyn liittyvi�� kokonaisuuksia. Lis��ksi ty��ss�� kuvataan keskeiset suorituskyvyn mittarit sek�� suorituskykyvaatimukset. J��rjestelm��n suorituskyvyn arvioinnin toteuttamiseen on erilaisia menetelmi��, joista t��ss�� ty��ss�� kuvataan yksi sen keskeisine periaatteineen. Suorituskyvyn analysointiin k��ytet����n erilaisia tekniikoita, joista t��ss�� diplomity��ss�� esitell����n tarkemmin j��rjestelm��n mittaus. Ty��ss�� toteutetaan my��s case-tutkimus, jossa analysoidaan mittaustiedon sis����ntuontiin k��ytett��v��n prosessin kahta eri kehitysversiota ja n��iden suorituskykyominaisuuksia. Kehitysversioiden vertailussa havaitaan, ett�� uusi versio on selke��sti edellist�� versiota nopeampi. Case-tutkimuksessa m����ritet����n my��s suorituskyvyn kannalta optimaalinen rinnakkaisprosessien m����r�� ja tutkitaan prosessin skaalautuvuutta. Tutkimuksessa todetaan, ett�� uusi kehitysversio skaalautuu lineaarisesti.

The Meaning of the Virtual YMCA After School Program for Former Participants: An Exploratory Study

Research has shown that after school programs can provide children with opportunities that help foster positive development and adaptation. Current research meets the need for identifying short term outcomes, program standards, and short term evaluation techniques, however less understood is the lasting meaning of participation for previous participants after their participation. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and perceived impacts of participation in a preventative, skill-building after school program for former participants. Using an exploratory case study approach, interviews were conducted with six previous participants of the Virtual YMCA and a former school principal. Reconstructed narratives and analyzed transcripts show that participants do still derive meaning and significance from their participation in the program, although highly individualized. Significant aspects of the program are identified, as well as the participant���s perceived impacts which are still present today. Discussion for practitioners, researchers, and funders is provided.

Functional Forms and Educational Production Functions

Different Functional Forms Are Proposed and Applied in the Context of Educational Production Functions. Three Different Specifications - the Linerar, Logit and Inverse Power Transformation (Ipt) - Are Used to Explain First Grade Students' Results to a Mathematics Achievement Test. with Ipt Identified As the Best Functional Form to Explain the Data, the Assumption of Differential Impact of Explanatory Variables on Achievement Following the Status of the Student As a Low Or High Achiever Is Retained. Policy Implications of Such Result in Terms of School Interventions Are Discussed in the Paper.

L�����valuation du risque en fonction de l�����ge : l���efficacit�� de l�����valuation structur��e dans la pr��diction de la r��cidive

Huit instruments d�����valuation du risque ont ��t�� appliqu��s sur 580 d��linquants sexuels. Il s���agit du VRAG, du SORAG, du RRASOR, de la Statique-99, de la Statique-2002, du RM-2000, du MnSORT-R et du SVR-20. De plus, les sujets ont ��t�� cot��s sur la PCL-R, qui vise la mesure de la psychopathie, mais qui a fait ses preuves en mati��re de pr��diction de la r��cidive (Gendreau, Little, et Goggin, 1996). En vue de mesurer l���efficacit�� de ces instruments et de la PCL-R, une p��riode de suivi de 25 ans a ��t�� observ��e. Aussi, une division de l�����chantillon a ��t�� faite par rapport �� l�����ge au moment de la lib��ration, afin de mesurer les diff��rences entre les d��linquants ��g��s de 34 ans et moins et ceux de 35 ans et plus. Le pr��sent travail vise �� r��pondre �� trois objectifs de recherche, soit 1) D��crire l�����volution du risque en fonction de l�����ge, 2) ��tudier le lien entre l�����ge, le type de d��linquant et la r��cidive et 3) Comparer l���efficacit�� de neuf instruments structur��s �� pr��dire quatre types de r��cidive en fonction de l�����ge. Les r��sultats de l�����tude sugg��rent que l�����ge influence le niveau de risque repr��sent�� par les d��linquants. Par ailleurs, les analyses des diff��rents types de r��cidive indiquent que le type de victime privil��gi�� par les d��linquants influence ��galement ce niveau de risque. Les implications th��oriques et pratiques seront discut��es.

Comparison of dietary fat and fatty acid intake estimated by the duplicate diet collection technique and estimated dietary records

Introduction A high saturated fatty acid intake is a well recognized risk factor for coronary heart disease development. More recently a high intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in combination with a low intake of the long chain n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid has also been implicated as an important risk factor. Aim To compare total dietary fat and fatty acid intake measured by chemical analysis of duplicate diets with nutritional database analysis of estimated dietary records, collected over the same 3-day study period. Methods Total fat was analysed using soxhlet extraction and subsequently the individual fatty acid content of the diet was determined by gas chromatography. Estimated dietary records were analysed using a nutrient database which was supplemented with a selection of dishes commonly consumed by study participants. Results Bland & Altman statistical analysis demonstrated a lack of agreement between the two dietary assessment techniques for determining dietary fat and fatty acid intake. Conclusion The lack of agreement observed between dietary evaluation techniques may be attributed to inadequacies in either or both assessment techniques. This study highlights the difficulties that may be encountered when attempting to accurately evaluate dietary fat intake among the population.

Learning enhanced 3D models for vehicle tracking

This paper presents an enhanced hypothesis verification strategy for 3D object recognition. A new learning methodology is presented which integrates the traditional dichotomic object-centred and appearance-based representations in computer vision giving improved hypothesis verification under iconic matching. The "appearance" of a 3D object is learnt using an eigenspace representation obtained as it is tracked through a scene. The feature representation implicitly models the background and the objects observed enabling the segmentation of the objects from the background. The method is shown to enhance model-based tracking, particularly in the presence of clutter and occlusion, and to provide a basis for identification. The unified approach is discussed in the context of the traffic surveillance domain. The approach is demonstrated on real-world image sequences and compared to previous (edge-based) iconic evaluation techniques.