Engaging tutors in using e-repositories for learning and teaching

Universities which set up online repositories for the management of learning and teaching resources commonly find that uptake is poor. Tutors are often reluctant to upload their materials to e-repositories, even though the same tutors are happy to upload resources to the virtual learning environment (e.g. Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai) and happy to upload their research papers to the university’s research publications repository. The paper reviews this phenomenon and suggests constructive ways in which tutors can be encouraged to engage with an e-repository. The authors have recently completed a major project “Developing Repositories at Worcester” which is part of a group of similar projects in the UK. The paper includes the feedback and the lessons learned from these projects, based on the publications and reports they have produced. They cover ways of embedding repository use into institutional working practice, and give examples of different types of repository designed to meet the needs of those using different kinds of learning and teaching resources. As well as this specific experience, the authors summarise some of the main findings from UK publications, in particular the December 2008 report of Joint Information Systems Committee: Good intentions: improving the evidence base in support of sharing learning materials and Online Innovation in Higher Education, Ron Cooke’s report to a UK government initiative on the future of Higher Education. The issues covered include the development of Web 2.0 style repositories rather than conventionally structured ones, the use of tags rather than metadata, the open resources initiative, the best use for conventional repositories, links to virtual learning environments, and the processes for the management and support of repositories within universities. In summary the paper presents an optimistic, constructive view of how to embed the use of e-repositories into the working practices of university tutors. Equally, the authors are aware of the considerable difficulties in making progress and are realistic about what can be achieved. The paper uses evidence and experience drawn from those working in this field to suggest a strategic vision in which the management of e-learning resources is productive, efficient and meets the needs of both tutors and their students.

Online Catalogue – Relics from the Bulgarian Museums and the Unification of Bulgaria in 1885

The goal of the online catalogue “Relics from the Bulgarian museums and the Unification of Bulgaria in 1885” (http://muzeini-relikvi.net) is simple – to connect museums from across the country and inspire them to collect and upload different cultural relics (in this case – relics from the Unification of Bulgaria). The idea behind this is to engage them in a culture of sharing and participating in common initiatives, where, for example, a curator from Varna will be able to see that some of the artifacts he or she needs for an exhibition are in Karlovo or Plovdiv.

Design and implementation of a multisite data repository for pediatric epilepsy

This dissertation established a software-hardware integrated design for a multisite data repository in pediatric epilepsy. A total of 16 institutions formed a consortium for this web-based application. This innovative fully operational web application allows users to upload and retrieve information through a unique human-computer graphical interface that is remotely accessible to all users of the consortium. A solution based on a Linux platform with My-SQL and Personal Home Page scripts (PHP) has been selected. Research was conducted to evaluate mechanisms to electronically transfer diverse datasets from different hospitals and collect the clinical data in concert with their related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). What was unique in the approach considered is that all pertinent clinical information about patients is synthesized with input from clinical experts into 4 different forms, which were: Clinical, fMRI scoring, Image information, and Neuropsychological data entry forms. A first contribution of this dissertation was in proposing an integrated processing platform that was site and scanner independent in order to uniformly process the varied fMRI datasets and to generate comparative brain activation patterns. The data collection from the consortium complied with the IRB requirements and provides all the safeguards for security and confidentiality requirements. An 1-MR1-based software library was used to perform data processing and statistical analysis to obtain the brain activation maps. Lateralization Index (LI) of healthy control (HC) subjects in contrast to localization-related epilepsy (LRE) subjects were evaluated. Over 110 activation maps were generated, and their respective LIs were computed yielding the following groups: (a) strong right lateralization: (HC=0%, LRE=18%), (b) right lateralization: (HC=2%, LRE=10%), (c) bilateral: (HC=20%, LRE=15%), (d) left lateralization: (HC=42%, LRE=26%), e) strong left lateralization: (HC=36%, LRE=31%). Moreover, nonlinear-multidimensional decision functions were used to seek an optimal separation between typical and atypical brain activations on the basis of the demographics as well as the extent and intensity of these brain activations. The intent was not to seek the highest output measures given the inherent overlap of the data, but rather to assess which of the many dimensions were critical in the overall assessment of typical and atypical language activations with the freedom to select any number of dimensions and impose any degree of complexity in the nonlinearity of the decision space.

A PHR system with policy-based fine-grained access control and revocation mechanism

Collaborative sharing of information is becoming much more needed technique to achieve complex goals in today's fast-paced tech-dominant world. Personal Health Record (PHR) system has become a popular research area for sharing patients informa- tion very quickly among health professionals. PHR systems store and process sensitive information, which should have proper security mechanisms to protect patients' private data. Thus, access control mechanisms of the PHR should be well-defined. Secondly, PHRs should be stored in encrypted form. Cryptographic schemes offering a more suitable solution for enforcing access policies based on user attributes are needed for this purpose. Attribute-based encryption can resolve these problems, we propose a patient-centric framework that protects PHRs against untrusted service providers and malicious users. In this framework, we have used Ciphertext Policy Attribute Based Encryption scheme as an efficient cryptographic technique, enhancing security and privacy of the system, as well as enabling access revocation. Patients can encrypt their PHRs and store them on untrusted storage servers. They also maintain full control over access to their PHR data by assigning attribute-based access control to selected data users, and revoking unauthorized users instantly. In order to evaluate our system, we implemented CP-ABE library and web services as part of our framework. We also developed an android application based on the framework that allows users to register into the system, encrypt their PHR data and upload to the server, and at the same time authorized users can download PHR data and decrypt it. Finally, we present experimental results and performance analysis. It shows that the deployment of the proposed system would be practical and can be applied into practice.

Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) V3

The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) is a synthesis of quality-controlled fCO2 (fugacity of carbon dioxide) values for the global surface oceans and coastal seas with regular updates. Version 3 of SOCAT has 14.5 million fCO2 values from 3646 data sets covering the years 1957 to 2014. This latest version has an additional 4.4 million fCO2 values relative to version 2 and extends the record from 2011 to 2014. Version 3 also significantly increases the data availability for 2005 to 2013. SOCAT has an average of approximately 1.2 million surface water fCO2 values per year for the years 2006 to 2012. Quality and documentation of the data has improved. A new feature is the data set quality control (QC) flag of E for data from alternative sensors and platforms. The accuracy of surface water fCO2 has been defined for all data set QC flags. Automated range checking has been carried out for all data sets during their upload into SOCAT. The upgrade of the interactive Data Set Viewer allows better interrogation of the SOCAT data collection and rapid creation of high-quality figures for scientific presentations. Automated data upload has been launched for version 4 and will enable more frequent SOCAT releases in the future. High-profile scientific applications of SOCAT include quantification of the ocean sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and its long-term variation, detection of ocean acidification, as well as evaluation of coupled-climate and ocean-only biogeochemical models. Users of SOCAT data products are urged to acknowledge the contribution of data providers, as stated in the SOCAT Fair Data Use Statement. This living data publication documents changes in the methods and data sets used in this new version of the SOCAT data collection compared with previous publications of this data collection (Pfeil et al., 2013; Sabine et al., 2013; Bakker et al., 2014).

La tradición femenina en el radicalismo y la lucha de Clotilde Sabattini por el reconocimiento de la equidad política, 1946-1955

Este artículo explora cómo se construyó una tradición femenina en uno de los principales partidos políticos argentinos, la Unión Cívica Radical, enfocándose en el estudio del primer gobierno peronista (1946-1955). La primera parte del ensayo examina las estrategias políticas del radicalismo para organizar a las mujeres. La segunda rescata las ideas feministas de Clotilde Sabattini, quien intentó construir alternativas a la hegemonía masculina y liberal en el partido. Finalmente, este texto ilumina cómo las estructuras liberales y paternalistas fueron difíciles de cambiar

Presupuestos y gastos del estado en la provincia de Buenos Aires para afrontar las inundaciones de los campos, 1870-1930

Nos proponemos estudiar la participación de la agencia estatal encargada de la gestión de las obras hídricas en el presupuesto de la provincia de Buenos Aires, puesto que indica la importancia que los gobiernos le dieron al problema de las inundaciones en los campos, y ponderar el aporte privado toda vez que se compelía a los propietarios a pagar un impuesto especial. Nuestro período se extiende desde los primeros esfuerzos realizados por los gobiernos provinciales en la década de 1870, hasta 1930 en que empezó un ciclo más seco y los problemas en los métodos de desagüe se postergaron. Enfocaremos el análisis a través de los registros oficiales, los debates en las cámaras de la Legislatura provincial y los mensajes de los gobernadores. Vamos a ponderar la importancia del Ministerio de Obras Públicas entre los diferentes rubros aprobados por la legislatura, seguidamente analizaremos con mayor detalle las transformaciones en la agencia dedicada a las cuestiones hídricas y la, todavía escasa, información sobre los gastos especiales en obras de desagüe

La tradición femenina en el radicalismo y la lucha de Clotilde Sabattini por el reconocimiento de la equidad política, 1946-1955

Este artículo explora cómo se construyó una tradición femenina en uno de los principales partidos políticos argentinos, la Unión Cívica Radical, enfocándose en el estudio del primer gobierno peronista (1946-1955). La primera parte del ensayo examina las estrategias políticas del radicalismo para organizar a las mujeres. La segunda rescata las ideas feministas de Clotilde Sabattini, quien intentó construir alternativas a la hegemonía masculina y liberal en el partido. Finalmente, este texto ilumina cómo las estructuras liberales y paternalistas fueron difíciles de cambiar

Presupuestos y gastos del estado en la provincia de Buenos Aires para afrontar las inundaciones de los campos, 1870-1930

Nos proponemos estudiar la participación de la agencia estatal encargada de la gestión de las obras hídricas en el presupuesto de la provincia de Buenos Aires, puesto que indica la importancia que los gobiernos le dieron al problema de las inundaciones en los campos, y ponderar el aporte privado toda vez que se compelía a los propietarios a pagar un impuesto especial. Nuestro período se extiende desde los primeros esfuerzos realizados por los gobiernos provinciales en la década de 1870, hasta 1930 en que empezó un ciclo más seco y los problemas en los métodos de desagüe se postergaron. Enfocaremos el análisis a través de los registros oficiales, los debates en las cámaras de la Legislatura provincial y los mensajes de los gobernadores. Vamos a ponderar la importancia del Ministerio de Obras Públicas entre los diferentes rubros aprobados por la legislatura, seguidamente analizaremos con mayor detalle las transformaciones en la agencia dedicada a las cuestiones hídricas y la, todavía escasa, información sobre los gastos especiales en obras de desagüe

La tradición femenina en el radicalismo y la lucha de Clotilde Sabattini por el reconocimiento de la equidad política, 1946-1955

Este artículo explora cómo se construyó una tradición femenina en uno de los principales partidos políticos argentinos, la Unión Cívica Radical, enfocándose en el estudio del primer gobierno peronista (1946-1955). La primera parte del ensayo examina las estrategias políticas del radicalismo para organizar a las mujeres. La segunda rescata las ideas feministas de Clotilde Sabattini, quien intentó construir alternativas a la hegemonía masculina y liberal en el partido. Finalmente, este texto ilumina cómo las estructuras liberales y paternalistas fueron difíciles de cambiar

Presupuestos y gastos del estado en la provincia de Buenos Aires para afrontar las inundaciones de los campos, 1870-1930

Nos proponemos estudiar la participación de la agencia estatal encargada de la gestión de las obras hídricas en el presupuesto de la provincia de Buenos Aires, puesto que indica la importancia que los gobiernos le dieron al problema de las inundaciones en los campos, y ponderar el aporte privado toda vez que se compelía a los propietarios a pagar un impuesto especial. Nuestro período se extiende desde los primeros esfuerzos realizados por los gobiernos provinciales en la década de 1870, hasta 1930 en que empezó un ciclo más seco y los problemas en los métodos de desagüe se postergaron. Enfocaremos el análisis a través de los registros oficiales, los debates en las cámaras de la Legislatura provincial y los mensajes de los gobernadores. Vamos a ponderar la importancia del Ministerio de Obras Públicas entre los diferentes rubros aprobados por la legislatura, seguidamente analizaremos con mayor detalle las transformaciones en la agencia dedicada a las cuestiones hídricas y la, todavía escasa, información sobre los gastos especiales en obras de desagüe

Media diversity as a guarantee to cultural diversity: the promotion of identities from an international law approach

This article deals with several international instruments which provide legal guarantees for media diversity, which is essential for the promotion of cultural diversity. Based on several articles of the Convention of cultural diversity, the General Comment of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights No. 21 on the right to take part in cultural life, as well as the work of the UN Independent Expert on Cultural Rights, this article aims to identify legal tools for the establishing of measures promoting cultural diversity in the media. This article looks at the case study of Honduran Garifuna community radios. It emphasizes the importance of taking into account the economic aspects of cultural and communicational rights.

A proposal for a corresponsible intervention on sexual harassment at work

Sexual harassment at work is a form of gender violence barely made visible but still present in labor organizations, where it keeps generating high levels of suffering, discrimination and inequality mainly affecting women. To address it properly it is necessary an organizational change towards equity arising from the knowledge of the subjective meanings that stakeholders (staff, union representatives, employers, public administration, etc.) attribute to that reality. In this article we present the main findings of a qualitative study on the social perception of sexual harassment. The work highlights the existence of many strategies aimed at legitimize and minimize the relevance of the problem, blaming the victim, justifying the lack of support from the environment and / or the involvement of the organization in the solutions. Among the conclusions we underline the need for new models of business management involving all stakeholders in the prevention and control of the in a responsible way.

Estudio sobre la contribución de la radio al envejecimiento activo. Fase incial: análisis cuantitativo de la presencia de la vejez en los magazines de radio

Este trabajo aborda la posible contribución de la radio al envejecimiento activo. La ética comunicativa actual debe tener presentes los colectivos más vulnerables de la sociedad y uno de ellos es el de la vejez. Se recogen en el artículo los principales datos demográficos sobre población mayor, cuyo crecimiento es tal que se hace necesario un cambio de paradigma a la hora de abordar estos cambios, lo que se conoce como envejecimiento activo. Se plantea que la radio, por sus peculiares características, puede contribuir a promover dicho paradigma. Pero es necesario partir de datos objetivos y el artículo concluye presentando los datos y gráficos de la investigación realizada sobre la presencia de la vejez en los magazines matinales de las cuatro emisoras más importantes del país.

Non-conventional advertising formats in television versus spots: An analysis based on the generated recall

Advertising investment and audience figures indicate that television continues to lead as a mass advertising medium. However, its effectiveness is questioned due to problems such as zapping, saturation and audience fragmentation. This has favoured the development of non-conventional advertising formats. This study provides empirical evidence for the theoretical development. This investigation analyzes the recall generated by four non-conventional advertising formats in a real environment: short programme (branded content), television sponsorship, internal and external telepromotion versus the more conventional spot. The methodology employed has integrated secondary data with primary data from computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) were performed ad-hoc on a sample of 2000 individuals, aged 16 to 65, representative of the total television audience. Our findings show that non-conventional advertising formats are more effective at a cognitive level, as they generate higher levels of both unaided and aided recall, in all analyzed formats when compared to the spot.