Conceptualization and therapeutic treatment of a compulsive gambling case by Functional Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

A clinical case of compulsive gambling is exposed in this article. The subject’s playing behaviour had both positive and negative consequences. The subject tried to practice control over the urge to play. As shown in the functional analysis, the failure to control the urge despite the best efforts worsened the problem due to its negative consequences. A variation of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) was applied in order to break down the fight-surrender vicious circle of the playing behaviour. Two treatment strategies were agreed upon: acceptance of the fact that both playing and not playing had negatives consequences and commitment to one of these options despite its disadvantages. Finally, it is proposed that this acceptance and commitment therapy is a useful therapeutic process as it decreases the suffering subject and eliminates the problem: playing bahaviour.

Liderazgo de Rango Total: revisión teórica del modelo

En el ámbito organizacional es necesario interiorizar y aplicar conceptos que generen herramientas que hagan posible el adecuado funcionamiento de las empresas a efectos de generar mejores resultados, no sólo en términos monetarios sino también sociales y éticos. En la actualidad, el entendimiento de las situaciones, circunstancias y relaciones que se dan dentro de una empresa es un factor relevante para la implementación de estrategias y técnicas, en aras de aumentar la productividad y la eficiencia de las compañías. Es allí donde empieza a tomar importancia la presencia de un líder en la compañía que actúe como agente de cambio y sea considerado como un modelo a seguir capaz de enfrentar situaciones emergentes, tanto positivas como negativas y así generar un cambio, deseos de mejora, propuestas inspiradoras e innovadoras. Lo anterior con el fin de proponer nuevas estrategias que beneficien a todos los involucrados, para así lograr los objetivos proyectados, evitando al máximo los posibles riesgos en que se pueda incurrir. A lo largo de la revisión teórica se tratará el modelo del liderazgo de rango total como un tipo de liderazgo donde el líder es capaz de moldear los puntos de vista, las percepciones, las actitudes y las creencias de los seguidores. Lo anterior sin dejar a un lado los demás estilos de liderazgo que componen el modelo de liderazgo de rango total, el cual puede ser considerado e incluido como una variable interesante en la realización de estudios para analizar la existencia de la relación entre el estilo de liderazgo y los resultados organizacionales.

La cooperación internacional como instrumento para la construcción de paz en Colombia. Estudio de caso del proyecto “Fortalecimiento institucional para la atención a las víctimas del conflicto (FORVIC)” (2009-2014)

El presente estudio de caso pretende analizar los alcances de la cooperación internacional en materia de justicia transicional y construcción de paz tomando en consideración un proyecto de cooperación internacional emblemático denominado Fortalecimiento Institucional para la Atención a las Víctimas del Conflicto o FORVIC. Para conseguir esto, se analizarán primero los efectos generados por el Proyecto FORVIC en materia de fortalecimiento del Estado de Derecho y lucha contra la impunidad en Colombia, y a partir de los hallazgos se constituirán y se propondrán una serie de condiciones sobre las que puede pensarse la cooperación internacional como un instrumento genuino para la construcción de paz en Colombia.

Análisis de la dinámica inmobiliaria y comportamiento del precio del suelo en la UPZ nº 13 Los Cedros 2000 - 2012

El presente estudio de caso tiene como propósito analizar la relación entre la dinámica inmobiliaria y el comportamiento del precio del suelo en la UPZ N° 13 Los Cedros entre los años 2000 y 2012. Esta investigación parte de la importancia de entender y explicar las causas generales, coyunturales y particulares por las que el precio del suelo en las ciudades es cambiante y hace que exista una dinámica inmobiliaria encargada de gestionar el mercado de tierras en un determinado sector, llevándolo a una transformación urbanística. Por último, se analiza cómo dos intervenciones comerciales influyen en el comportamiento del precio del suelo, con la finalidad de identificar qué efectos positivos o negativos producen en la zona aledaña a ellas.

O papel do operador telemarketing : processo de negociação e conflito via telefone

A negociação é um processo complexo que ocorre diariamente no quotidiano de todos os actores organizacionais. Enquanto processo de resolução de conflitos, a negociação, implica uma actividade de intersecção social entre diversos actores, quando duas ou mais partes se desentendem e têm comportamentos e atitudes divergentes, a negociação envolve a gestão destes aspectos de modo que ambas as partes resolvam os interesses aceitáveis para ambas. Nesse sentido, em pleno acto de negociação via telefone, a qualidade do atendimento telefónico, num primeiro contacto com o cliente transmite a imagem da empresa é fundamental para o desenrolar da chamada. Actualmente existem milhares de equipas de telemarketing nas empresas, que tem como função divulgar e comercializar produtos e serviços através do contacto telefónico. Na elaboração deste trabalho, é possível verificar que num processo de negociação via telefone os colaboradores devem adoptar os seus comportamentos em função das situações que estão a experienciar, quer as mesmas se revelem positivas ou negativas. Ainda outro conceito que abordamos é o conflito, o mesmo encontra-se presente em diferentes sistemas sociais, desde o individual, o familiar, o grupal, o organizacional ao internacional, entre outros. Os conflitos surgem por diversas razões no dia-a-dia das organizações e até mesmo no quotidiano da nossa vida pessoal, vivemos o conflito de diferentes maneiras. O conflito ocorre, normalmente, mais como um processo contínuo e sequencial do que como um facto isolado. Geralmente, o conflito surge quando uma ou ambas as partes vê ou pressentem ameaçados os seus planos ou escolhas. É ainda mencionado o conceito telemarketing que surgiu nos anos 80 nos EUA, significando vendas por telefone.

Contrasting Effects of Cattle Grazing Intensity on Upland-Nesting Duck Production at Nest and Field Scales in the Aspen Parkland, Canada

The Aspen Parkland of Canada is one of the most important breeding areas for temperate nesting ducks in North America. The region is dominated by agricultural land use, with approximately 9.3 million ha in pasture land for cattle grazing. However, the effects of using land for cattle grazing on upland-nesting duck production are poorly understood. The current study was undertaken during 2001 and 2002 to investigate how nest density and nesting success of upland-nesting ducks varied with respect to the intensity of cattle grazing in the Aspen Parkland. We predicted that the removal and trampling of vegetation through cattle grazing would reduce duck nest density. Both positive and negative responses of duck nesting success to grazing have been reported in previous studies, leading us to test competing hypotheses that nesting success would (1) decline linearly with grazing intensity or (2) peak at moderate levels of grazing. Nearly 3300 ha of upland cover were searched during the study. Despite extensive and severe drought, nest searches located 302 duck nests. As predicted, nest density was higher in fields with lower grazing intensity and higher pasture health scores. A lightly grazed field with a pasture score of 85 out of a possible 100 was predicted to have 16.1 nests/100 ha (95% CI = 11.7–22.1), more than five times the predicted nest density of a heavily grazed field with a pasture score of 58 (3.3 nests/100 ha, 95% CI = 2.2–4.5). Nesting success was positively related to nest-site vegetation density across most levels of grazing intensity studied, supporting our hypothesis that reductions in vegetation caused by grazing would negatively affect nesting success. However, nesting success increased with grazing intensity at the field scale. For example, nesting success for a well-concealed nest in a lightly grazed field was 11.6% (95% CI = 3.6–25.0%), whereas nesting success for a nest with the same level of nest-site vegetation in a heavily grazed field was 33.9% (95% CI = 17.0–51.8%). Across the range of residual cover observed in this study, nests with above-average nest-site vegetation density had nesting success rates that exceeded the levels believed necessary to maintain duck populations. Our findings on complex and previously unreported relationships between grazing, nest density, and nesting success provide useful insights into the management and conservation of ground-nesting grassland birds.

The influence of affective statements on performance on implicit and explicit memory tasks

Consumers are often exposed to brand names presented concurrently with information such as brand claims and warnings, prior to making product choices. As implicit memory has been implicated in the consumer choice process, two experiments were conducted to assess the influence of additional information, namely simple positive and negative statements, on implicit and explicit memory tasks. In Experiment 1, the mere presence of additional statements at study significantly reduced performance on a two-alternatives forced recognition task. However, the same manipulation had no effect on implicit preference judgement task performance. The valence of the accompanying information had no effect on either task. In Experiment 2, using modified implicit and explicit choice tasks, performance on the former was unaffected by statement valence, whereas the latter task was. Hence, positive priming was obtained for brand names previously shown with negative information. The results of the experiments are discussed in relation to both implicit memory and consumer choice.

Modification of hemicellulose content by antisense down-regulation of UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase in tobacco and its consequences for cellulose extractability

Extractability and recovery of cellulose from cell walls influences many industrial processes and also the utilisation of biomass for energy purposes. The utility of genetic manipulation of lignin has proven potential for optimising such processes and is also advantageous for the environment. Hemicelluloses, particularly secondary wall xylans, also influence the extractability of cellulose. UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase produces UDP-xylose, the precursor for xylans and the effect of its down-regulation on cell wall structure and cellulose extractability in transgenic tobacco has been investigated. Since there are a number of potential UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase genes, a 490 bp sequence of high similarity between members of the family, was chosen for general alteration of the expression of the gene family. Sense and antisense transgenic lines were analysed for enzyme activity using a modified and optimised electrophoretic assay, for enzyme levels by western blotting and for secondary cell wall composition. Some of the down-regulated antisense plants showed high glucose to xylose ratios in xylem walls due to less xylose-containing polymers, while arabinose and uronic acid contents, which could also have been affected by any change in UDP-xylose provision, were unchanged. The overall morphology and stem lignin content of the modified lines remained little changed compared with wild-type. However, there were some changes in vascular organisation and reduction of xylans in the secondary walls was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Pulping analysis showed a decreased pulp yield and a higher Kappa number in some lines compared with controls, indicating that they were less delignified, although the level of residual alkali was reduced. Such traits probably indicate that lignin was less available for removal in a reduced background of xylans. However, the viscosity was higher in most antisense lines, meaning that the cellulose was less broken-down during the pulping process. This is one of the first studies of a directed manipulation of hemicellulose content on cellulose extractability and shows both positive and negative outcomes.

Modification of hemicellulose content by antisense down-regulation of UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase in tobacco and its conscequence for cellulose extractability

Extractability and recovery of cellulose from cell walls influences many industrial processes and also the utilisation of biomass for energy purposes. The utility of genetic manipulation of lignin has proven potential for optimising such processes and is also advantageous for the environment. Hemicelluloses, particularly secondary wall xylans, also influence the extractability of cellulose. UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase produces UDP-xylose, the precursor for xylans and the effect of its down-regulation on cell wall structure and cellulose extractability in transgenic tobacco has been investigated. Since there are a number of potential UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase genes, a 490 bp sequence of high similarity between members of the family, was chosen for general alteration of the expression of the gene family. Sense and antisense transgenic lines were analysed for enzyme activity using a modified and optimised electrophoretic assay, for enzyme levels by western blotting and for secondary cell wall composition. Some of the down-regulated antisense plants showed high glucose to xylose ratios in xylem walls due to less xylose-containing polymers, while arabinose and uronic acid contents, which could also have been affected by any change in UDP-xylose provision, were unchanged. The overall morphology and stem lignin content of the modified lines remained little changed compared with wild-type. However, there were some changes in vascular organisation and reduction of xylans in the secondary walls was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Pulping analysis showed a decreased pulp yield and a higher Kappa number in some lines compared with controls, indicating that they were less delignified, although the level of residual alkali was reduced. Such traits probably indicate that lignin was less available for removal in a reduced background of xylans. However, the viscosity was higher in most antisense lines, meaning that the cellulose was less broken-down during the pulping process. This is one of the first studies of a directed manipulation of hemicellulose content on cellulose extractability and shows both positive and negative outcomes.

The poliovirus 2C cis-acting replication element-mediated uridylylation of VPg is not required for synthesis of negative-sense genomes

Nucleotides in the terminal loop of the poliovirus 2C cis-acting replication element (2C(CRE)), a 61 nt structured RNA, function as the template for the addition of two uridylate (U) residues to the viral protein VPg. This uridylylation reaction leads to the formation of VPgpUpU, which is used by the viral RNA polymerase as a nucleotide-peptide primer for genome replication. Although VPg primes both positive- and negative-strand replication, the specific requirement for 2C(CRE)-mediated uridylylation for one or both events has not been demonstrated. We have used a cell-free in vitro translation and replication reaction to demonstrate that 2C(CRE) is not required for the initiation of the negative-sense strand, which is synthesized in the absence of 2C(CRE)-mediated VPgpUpU formation. We propose that the 3' poly(A) tail could serve as the template for the formation of a VPg-poly(U) primer that functions in the initiation of negative-sense strands.

Aperiodicity, structure, and dynamics in Ni(CN)(2)

By combining the results of both x-ray diffraction and neutron total-scattering experiments, we show that Ni(CN)(2) exhibits long-range structural order only in two dimensions, with no true periodicity perpendicular to its gridlike layers. Reverse Monte Carlo analysis gives an experimental distinction between M-C and M-N bond lengths in a homometallic cyanide framework and identifies the vibrational modes responsible for anomalous positive and negative thermal expansion in the title compound.

Structures and negative thermal expansion properties of the one-dimensional cyanides, CuCN, AgCN and AuCN

The behaviour of the lattice parameters of HTCuCN (high-temperature form), AgCN and AuCN have been investigated as a function of temperature over the temperature range 90–490 K. All materials show one-dimensional negative thermal expansion (NTE) along the ––(M––CN)–– chain direction c (ac(HT-CuCN) ¼32.1 10–6 K1, ac(AgCN)¼23.910–6 K1 and ac(AuCN) ¼9.3106 K1 over the temperature range 90–490 K). The origin of this behaviour has been studied using RMC modelling of Bragg and total neutron diffraction data from AgCN and AuCN at 10 and 300 K. These analyses yield details of the local motions within the chains responsible for NTE. The low-temperature form of CuCN, LT-CuCN, has been studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In this form of CuCN, wavelike distortions of the ––(Cu––CN)–– chains occur in the static structure, which are reminiscent of the motions seen in the RMC modelling of AgCN and AuCN, which are responsible for the NTE behaviour.

Nocturnal ranging behaviour of urban hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus, in relation to risk and reward

Urban areas have both positive and negative influences on wildlife. For terrestrial mammals, one of the principle problems is the risk associated with moving through the environment whilst foraging. In this study, we examined nocturnal patterns of movement of urban-dwelling hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in relation to (i) the risks posed by predators and motor vehicles and (ii) nightly weather patterns. Hedgehogs preferentially utilised the gardens of semi-detached and terraced houses. However, females, but not males, avoided the larger back gardens of detached houses, which contain more of the habitat features selected by badgers. This difference in the avoidance of predation risk is probably associated with sex differences in breeding behaviour. Differences in nightly movement patterns were consistent with strategies associated with mating behaviour and the accumulation of fat reserves for hibernation. Hedgehogs also exhibited differences in behaviour associated with the risks posed by humans; they avoided actively foraging near roads and road verges, but did not avoid crossing roads per se. They were, however, significantly more active after midnight when there was a marked reduction in vehicle and foot traffic. In particular, responses to increased temperature, which is associated with increased abundance of invertebrate prey, were only observed after midnight. This variation in the timing of bouts of activity would reduce the risks associated with human activities. There were also profound differences in both area ranged and activity with chronological year which warrant further investigation.

An enhancement of the ionospheric sporadic‐E layer in response to negative polarity cloud‐to‐ground lightning

Lightning data, collected using a Boltek Storm Tracker system installed at Chilton, UK, were used to investigate the mean response of the ionospheric sporadic-E layer to lightning strokes in a superposed epoch study. The lightning detector can discriminate between positive and negative lightning strokes and between cloud-to-ground ( CG) and inter-cloud ( IC) lightning. Superposed epoch studies carried out separately using these subsets of lightning strokes as trigger events have revealed that the dominant cause of the observed ionospheric enhancement in the Es layer is negative cloud-to-ground lightning.

The case of negative day-ahead electricity prices

In recent years, Germany has significantly increased its share of electricity produced from renewable sources, which is mainly due to the Renewable Energy Act (EEG). The EEG substantially impacts the dynamics of intra-day electricity prices by increasing the likelihood of negative prices. In this paper, we present a non-Gaussian process to model German intra-day electricity prices and propose an estimation procedure for this model. Most importantly, our model is able to generate extreme positive and negative spikes. A simulation study demonstrates the ability of our model to capture the characteristics of the data.