Enlarging the depth of focus by filtering in the phase-space domain

The ambiguity function was employed as a merit function to design an optical system with a high depth of focus. The ambiguity function with the desired enlarged-depth-of-focus characteristics was obtained by using a properly designed joint filter to modify the ambiguity function of the original pupil in the phase-space domain. From the viewpoint of the filter theory, we roughly propose that the constraints of the spatial filters that are used to enlarge the focal depth must be satisfied. These constraints coincide with those that appeared in the previous literature on this topic. Following our design procedure, several sets of apodizers were synthesized, and their performances in the defocused imagery were compared with each other and with other previous designs. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.

Propuesta de un modelo de competitividad portuaria: aplicación para Bilbao y las líneas marítimas de contenedores

[ES] Este trabajo de investigación pretende proponer un modelo de cuantificación de la competitividad portuaria que puede alcanzar un puerto comercial para un tráfico de contenedores. Derivado de este objetivo, podría conseguirse una Estrategia a la medida para un puerto concreto orientada a la búsqueda de mercados, fundamentalmente. Para este último aspecto, esta investigación se centra en el Puerto de Bilbao y los servicios directos de línea regular en contenedor en las rutas intercontinentales que conectan Europa con América y el Caribe. La finalidad principal es la elaboración de un modelo teórico tratado dentro del área de la ciencia de la Economía de la Empresa como antecedente inmediato y básico de la Dirección Estratégica. Se consideran varios factores en el proceso de selección de un puerto que pueden contribuir a las preferencias de elección, tanto los relativos a las características del mismo, como a su hinterland para los grupos de usuarios. También se analizarán los estudios sobre modelos y métodos de competitividad portuaria considerados por la literatura especializada en los últimos años. La metodología a utilizar será una combinación de distintos métodos, para la consecución de cada uno de los objetivos. La investigación se apoya en el análisis de Importance–Performance (IPa) que consiste en evaluar tanto la satisfacción del cliente y la calidad del servicio. El análisis IPa tiene preponderancia para la obtención de un índice de competitividad de un puerto de contenedores. Dicho índice podría ser calculado mediante el uso de postulados y reglas de la matemática, en concreto de la Teoría de la Decisión/ Investigación de Operaciones.

Measuring the influence of customer-based store brand equity in the purchase intention

[EN] Store brands account for and important market share in the Spain and a further increase in expected in the next years due to the downturn. However, there is lack of research on store brand customer-based Brand Equity. This study attempts to propose an integrated model of Brand Equity in store or retailer brands, based on Aaker s well-known conceptual model. We propose a consumer-based model, including the main sources or dimensions of Brand Equity and considering the intention to purchase as a consequence. Based on a sample of 362 consumers and 5 store brands, structural equation modeling is used to test research hypotheses. The results obtained reveal that store brand awareness, loyalty along with store brand perceived quality have a significant influence on consumers intention to purchase store brands. Our study suggests that marketers and marketing managers from retailing companies should carefully consider the Brand Equity components when designing their brand strategies, and develop marketing activities in order to enhance their brands awareness.

Bipolar disorder comorbid with alcohol use disorder: Focus on neurocognitive correlates

Bipolar disorder (BD) and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are usually comorbid, and both have been associated with significant neurocognitive impairment. Patients with the BD-AUD comorbidity (dual diagnosis) may have more severe neurocognitive deficits than those with a single diagnosis, but there is paucity of research in this area. To explore this hypothesis more thoroughly, we carried out a systematic literature review through January 2015. Eight studies have examined the effect of AUDs on the neurocognitive functioning of BD patients. Most studies found that BD patients with current or past history of comorbid AUDs show more severe impairments, especially in verbal memory and executive cognition, than their non-dual counterparts. Greater neurocognitive dysfunction is another facet of this severe comorbid presentation. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed. Specifically, the application of holistic approaches, such as clinical staging and systems biology, may open new avenues of discoveries related to the BD-AUD comorbidity.

Programas de fidelización en la distribución comercial de la era digital.

Hoy en día, las empresas deben adaptarse a los cambios continuos del mercado, donde el comercio electrónico crece cada año y las redes sociales y los dispositivos móviles conectan a los consumidores con las marcas. El marketing ha evolucionado gracias a las nuevas tecnologías de información y comunicación para responder a un consumidor social que está conectado gran parte del día, es exigente y además, está comprometido con el medio ambiente. En un entorno muy maduro y competitivo, el cliente se ha convertido en el activo más valorado para las empresas especialmente de distribución minorista y por eso, su fidelización es un objetivo prioritario para las compañías, quienes tratan de enfocar las estrategias de marketing hacia las relaciones con los consumidores. Pero, a pesar de la infinidad de oportunidades que ofrecen las nuevas tecnologías, los programas de fidelización implantados en el entorno digital tienen un recorrido de necesaria evolución y un ajuste de mejoras para la adaptación de un medio poco estructurado a las nuevas circunstancias. A través de este trabajo fin de grado se propone dar a conocer la actualidad sobre la distribución comercial en el ámbito digital así como las tendencias en los programas de fidelización. Además, la creciente implicación en el cuidado del medio ambiente por parte de las empresas y los consumidores se incluye como una aportación original y distintiva al trabajo.

Sistema inteligente para determinação de limite de crédito

A presente dissertação trata da estipulação de limite de crédito para empresas clientes, de modo automático, com o uso de técnicas de Inteligência Computacional, especificamente redes neurais artificiais (RNA). Na análise de crédito as duas situações mais críticas são a liberação do crédito, de acordo com o perfil do cliente, e a manutenção deste limite ao longo do tempo de acordo com o histórico do cliente. O objeto desta dissertação visa a automação da estipulação do limite de crédito, implementando uma RNA que possa aprender com situações já ocorridas com outros clientes de perfil parecido e que seja capaz de tomar decisões baseando-se na política de crédito apreendida com um Analista de Crédito. O objetivo é tornar o sistema de crédito mais seguro para o credor, pois uma análise correta de crédito de um cliente reduz consideravelmente os índices de inadimplência e mantém as vendas num patamar ótimo. Para essa análise, utilizouse a linguagem de programação VB.Net para o sistema de cadastro e se utilizou do MatLab para treinamento das RNAs. A dissertação apresenta um estudo de caso, onde mostra a forma de aplicação deste software para a análise de crédito. Os resultados obtidos aplicando-se as técnicas de RNAs foram satisfatórias indicando um caminho eficiente para a determinação do limite de crédito.

Recalculated diet and daily ration of the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), with a focus on quantifying predation on bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the northwest Atlantic Ocean

The diet and daily ration of the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the northwest Atlantic were re-examined to determine whether fluctuations in prey abundance and availability are reflected in these two biological variables. During the summers of 2001 and 2002, stomach content data were collected from fishing tournaments along the northeast coast of the United States. These data were quantified by using four diet indices and were compared to index calculations from historical diet data collected from 1972 through 1983. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) were the predominant prey in the 1972–83 and 2001–02 diets, accounting for 92.6% of the current diet by weight and 86.9% of the historical diet by volume. From the 2001– 02 diet data, daily ration was estimated and it indicated that shortfin makos must consume roughly 4.6% of their body weight per day to fulfill energetic demands. The daily energetic requirement was broken down by using a calculated energy content for the current diet of 4909 KJ/kg. Based on the proportional energy of bluefish in the diet by weight, an average shortfin mako consumes roughly 500 kg of bluefish per year off the northeast coast of the United States. The results are discussed in relation to the potential effect of intense shortfin mako predation on bluefish abundance in the region.