Designing a S2-Enterprise (Smart x Sensing) Reference Model

Part 11: Reference and Conceptual Models

Um estudo de caso sobre as organizações que aprendem

Perante a actual envolvente, as organizações, para se tornarem competitivas, necessitam de recorrer a procedimentos, técnicas e instrumentos de gestão que assentem num processo de aprendizagem contínua. O objectivo deste artigo é, precisamente, conhecer e compreender melhor os procedimentos e mecanismos que a uma organização deve adoptar para se direccionar para o novo paradigma de gestão – as organizações que aprendem. Neste estudo propõe-se um modelo conceptual da “organização que aprende”, que assenta em quatro dimensões: (1) Cultura Organizacional, (2) Desenho Organizacional, (3) Partilha de Informação e (4) Liderança. Para validar este modelo, foi adoptada uma abordagem de investigação qualitativa que se aproximou de uma investigação-acção. Para o estudo, foi seleccionado um único caso – empresa YDream – e como métodos de recolha de dados adoptou-se: entrevistas, observação participante e análise documental. Neste estudo concluiu-se que uma organização, para alcançar o novo paradigma – organização que aprende, necessita de introduzir mudanças na sua política de gestão. A própria liderança deve entender e concordar colectivamente com a lógica de reestruturação organizacional proposta e que este novo desenho e cultura organizacional, bem como todas as implicações que possam advir, sejam explicadas e partilhadas claramente à totalidade dos colaboradores que fazem parte da organização. Para futuras investigações, nesta área do conhecimento sugere-se a realização de outros casos de estudo adoptando, em maior nível de profundidade, a metodologia investigação-acção. Trata-se de uma modalidade de investigação cujo objectivo é promover a mudança, invocada aqui, no campo organizacional.

Agroclimatic classification: numerical- taxonomic procedures - a review.

The paper catalogues the procedures and steps involved in agroclimatic classification. These vary from conventional descriptive methods to modern computer-based numerical techniques. There are three mutually independent numerical classification techniques, namely Ordination, Cluster analysis, and Minimum spanning tree; and under each technique there are several forms of grouping techniques existing. The vhoice of numerical classification procedure differs with the type of data set. In the case of numerical continuous data sets with booth positive and negative values, the simple and least controversial procedures are unweighted pair group method (UPGMA) and weighted pair group method (WPGMA) under clustering techniques with similarity measure obtained either from Gower metric or standardized Euclidean metric. Where the number of attributes are large, these could be reduced to fewer new attributes defined by the principal components or coordinates by ordination technique. The first few components or coodinates explain the maximum variance in the data matrix. These revided attributes are less affected by noise in the data set. It is possible to check misclassifications using minimum spanning tree.

Efficacy of Preoperative Chemotherapy in Treatment of Children With Wilms’ Tumor: A Meta-Analysis

Context: To assess the efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy in Wilms’ tumor patients and explore its true value for specific subgroups. Objectives: In the presence of these controversies, a meta-analysis that examines the efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy in Wilms’ tumor patients and specific subgroups is needed to clarify these issues. The objective of this meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy in Wilms’ tumor patients and explore its true value for specific subgroups. Data Sources: Computer-based systematic search with “preoperative chemotherapy”, “Neoadjuvant Therapy” and “Wilms’ tumor” as search terms till January 2013 was performed. Study Selection: No language restrictions were applied. Searches were limited to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or retrospective studies in human participants under 18 years. A manual examination of references in selected articles was also performed. Data Extraction: Relative Risk (RR) and their 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for Tumor Shrinkage (TS), total Tumor Resection (TR), Event-Free Survival (EFS) and details of subgroup analysis were extracted. Meta-analysis was carried out with the help of the software STATA 11.0. Finally, four original Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) and 28 retrospective studies with 2375 patients were included. Results: For preoperative chemotherapy vs. up-front surgery (PC vs. SU) group, the pooled RR was 9.109 for TS (95% CI: 5.109 - 16.241; P < 0.001), 1.291 for TR (95% CI: 1.124 - 1.483; P < 0.001) and 1.101 for EFS (95% CI: 0.980 - 1.238; P = 0.106). For subgroup short course vs. long course (SC vs. LC), the pooled RR was 1.097 for TS (95% CI: 0.784 - 1.563; P = 0.587), 1.197 for TR (95% CI: 0.960 - 1.493; P = 0.110) and 1.006 for EFS (95% CI: 0.910 - 1.250; P = 0.430). Conclusions: Short course preoperative chemotherapy is as effective as long course and preoperative chemotherapy only benefits Wilms’ tumor patients in tumor shrinkage and resection but not event-free survival.

Estudio comparativo entre las metodologías de enseñanza–aprendizaje tradicional y el modelo constructivista fundamentado en el aprendizaje basado en problemas en las clases de educación física

El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo realizar un estudio comparativo entre las metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje tradicional y el modelo constructivista fundamentado en el Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) en las clases de Educación Física, con los alumnos de los décimos años de Educación General Básica de la Escuela José Rafael Arízaga de la ciudad de Cuenca. El estudio se realizó con la finalidad de constatar la problemática, inicialmente se aplicaron fichas de observación a los docentes de Educación Física de la institución. Posteriormente, para el análisis comparativo se escogieron dos grupos. El décimo año de EGB paralelo A (grupo 1 denominado grupo control) y el décimo B (grupo 2 experimental). El primer grupo trabajó con el docente de la institución desarrollando los temas de los bloques curriculares: Movimientos Naturales, Juegos y Movimiento Formativo, Artístico y Expresivo, el segundo desarrolló los mismos temas pero el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje se fundamentó en el ABP. Los resultados de la aplicación de las dos metodologías se evidenciaron en las evaluaciones a los estudiantes (Destrezas con criterio de desempeño). El análisis de los resultados obtenidos durante todo el proceso de evaluación, permitió comparar las metodologías evidenciando de ésta manera las ventajas y desventajas de su aplicación en las clases de Educación Física.

L’influence des capacités cognitives mâles et femelles sur le choix de partenaire chez le diamant mandarin (Taeniopygia guttata)

S’approvisionner en nourriture est essentiel à la survie et au succès reproducteur. Lorsque les animaux font face à des changements environnementaux brutaux, ils doivent s’ajuster rapidement à leur nouvel environnement et parfois même innover dans leur façon de s’approvisionner. Des processus comportementaux et cognitifs, tels que l’innovation et l’apprentissage, permettent aux animaux d'intégrer de nouveaux comportements à leur répertoire comportemental afin de s'adapter de façon optimale. Les performances cognitives varient entre les individus d’une même population et bien que des études récentes se soient intéressées aux causes de ce phénomène, de convaincantes évidences sont manquantes afin d’expliquer pourquoi ces variations sont maintenues. Au cours de ce mémoire, les questions des pressions de sélection s'exerçant sur les performances d’alimentation par une tâche motrice nouvelle sont abordées afin de mieux comprendre l'évolution des capacités cognitives au sein d'une population captive de diamants mandarins (Taeniopygia guttata). Nous avons tout d'abord testé si les femelles diamants mandarins modifient leurs préférences d'accouplement après avoir observé la performance d'alimentation par une tâche motrice nouvelle des mâles. Afin de déterminer si les femelles sont capables de discriminer entre les mâles sur la base de leur capacité cognitive, nous avons également évalué les performances d’apprentissage de chacune d’elles. En effet, des études ont suggéré qu’il peut être coûteux, spécialement en terme de temps, de discriminer entre des partenaires potentiels sur cette base. La généralisation d’une préférence pour un mâle performant à d’autres mâles possédant le même phénotype permettrait la réduction de ces coûts. Nous avons donc finalement testé si les femelles diamants mandarins peuvent généraliser leur préférence après avoir observé les performances d’alimentation pour une tâche motrice nouvelle d’un mâle. Nos résultats suggèrent que les femelles diamants mandarins ne peuvent évaluer les capacités cognitives d’un mâle par l’intermédiaire de traits indicateurs. Toutefois, nous avons démontré qu’une observation directe des performances d’alimentation d’un mâle guide le choix d’appariement des femelles. Également, nous avons montré que les femelles peuvent généraliser l’apparence du mâle le plus performant et utiliser cette information lors de l’évaluation de nouveaux mâles. La relation entre les performances cognitives et le choix de partenaire pourraient s’expliquer par exemple par une meilleure exploitation de l’habitat, mais nécessite des études plus approfondies.

L’influence des capacités cognitives mâles et femelles sur le choix de partenaire chez le diamant mandarin (Taeniopygia guttata)

S’approvisionner en nourriture est essentiel à la survie et au succès reproducteur. Lorsque les animaux font face à des changements environnementaux brutaux, ils doivent s’ajuster rapidement à leur nouvel environnement et parfois même innover dans leur façon de s’approvisionner. Des processus comportementaux et cognitifs, tels que l’innovation et l’apprentissage, permettent aux animaux d'intégrer de nouveaux comportements à leur répertoire comportemental afin de s'adapter de façon optimale. Les performances cognitives varient entre les individus d’une même population et bien que des études récentes se soient intéressées aux causes de ce phénomène, de convaincantes évidences sont manquantes afin d’expliquer pourquoi ces variations sont maintenues. Au cours de ce mémoire, les questions des pressions de sélection s'exerçant sur les performances d’alimentation par une tâche motrice nouvelle sont abordées afin de mieux comprendre l'évolution des capacités cognitives au sein d'une population captive de diamants mandarins (Taeniopygia guttata). Nous avons tout d'abord testé si les femelles diamants mandarins modifient leurs préférences d'accouplement après avoir observé la performance d'alimentation par une tâche motrice nouvelle des mâles. Afin de déterminer si les femelles sont capables de discriminer entre les mâles sur la base de leur capacité cognitive, nous avons également évalué les performances d’apprentissage de chacune d’elles. En effet, des études ont suggéré qu’il peut être coûteux, spécialement en terme de temps, de discriminer entre des partenaires potentiels sur cette base. La généralisation d’une préférence pour un mâle performant à d’autres mâles possédant le même phénotype permettrait la réduction de ces coûts. Nous avons donc finalement testé si les femelles diamants mandarins peuvent généraliser leur préférence après avoir observé les performances d’alimentation pour une tâche motrice nouvelle d’un mâle. Nos résultats suggèrent que les femelles diamants mandarins ne peuvent évaluer les capacités cognitives d’un mâle par l’intermédiaire de traits indicateurs. Toutefois, nous avons démontré qu’une observation directe des performances d’alimentation d’un mâle guide le choix d’appariement des femelles. Également, nous avons montré que les femelles peuvent généraliser l’apparence du mâle le plus performant et utiliser cette information lors de l’évaluation de nouveaux mâles. La relation entre les performances cognitives et le choix de partenaire pourraient s’expliquer par exemple par une meilleure exploitation de l’habitat, mais nécessite des études plus approfondies.

Analys av NIR hårdvaruuppsättning samt metod för fotografering av individer i fordon

Abstract Purpose – To study the possibility of using a NIR hardware solution to photograph individuals in a private vehicle as well as an analysis of its images. Method – A study of existing theories around the NIR-method’s performance in selected conditions and individual tests were performed to examine if the literature statements were valid for this study. Two empirical tests have been carried out, the first was carried out at Kapsch test track and the other outside the test track in a single stationary test. An interview which formed the basis for the assessment on the quality of empirical data with a focus on computer-based detection of the number of individuals in the vehicle. Findings – The results have demonstrated the potential of the NIR method’s performance in a fully automated detection system for the number of individuals inside the vehicle. Empirical data indicates that the method can depict individuals inside vehicles of sufficiently high quality, but it is greatly affected by reflections, weather and light conditions. Implications – Result supports the assumption that the NIR method using an external light source can be used to image the interior through a varying number of weather and lightning conditions. The study originated until the results suggested that a NIR-based hardware setup can create images with high enough quality for the human eye to be able to detect the number of individuals inside the vehicle.If the overall performance into account, it suggests that the main problem with the use of the hardware set is to maintain the quality of the whole sample and that the crucial variables for the method’s performance is the influence of light and reflection conditions. Limitations – The major limitations have been that we limited ourselves to a subjective analysis of the selection and assessment on the image features for computer-based detection of the number of individuals in the vehicle. We were limited to two tests, one in tough conditions where only the driver was in the vehicle and the second stationary test, where the focus was on the number of people in vehicles and light sources impact on the result.

Layered Information Modeling and a Knowledge Organization Paradigm: Inherent Classification and the Design of Interoperable Systems

In knowledge technology work, as expressed by the scope of this conference, there are a number of communities, each uncovering new methods, theories, and practices. The Library and Information Science (LIS) community is one such community. This community, through tradition and innovation, theories and practice, organizes knowledge and develops knowledge technologies formed by iterative research hewn to the values of equal access and discovery for all. The Information Modeling community is another contributor to knowledge technologies. It concerns itself with the construction of symbolic models that capture the meaning of information and organize it in ways that are computer-based, but human understandable. A recent paper that examines certain assumptions in information modeling builds a bridge between these two communities, offering a forum for a discussion on common aims from a common perspective. In a June 2000 article, Parsons and Wand separate classes from instances in information modeling in order to free instances from what they call the “tyranny” of classes. They attribute a number of problems in information modeling to inherent classification – or the disregard for the fact that instances can be conceptualized independent of any class assignment. By faceting instances from classes, Parsons and Wand strike a sonorous chord with classification theory as understood in LIS. In the practice community and in the publications of LIS, faceted classification has shifted the paradigm of knowledge organization theory in the twentieth century. Here, with the proposal of inherent classification and the resulting layered information modeling, a clear line joins both the LIS classification theory community and the information modeling community. Both communities have their eyes turned toward networked resource discovery, and with this conceptual conjunction a new paradigmatic conversation can take place. Parsons and Wand propose that the layered information model can facilitate schema integration, schema evolution, and interoperability. These three spheres in information modeling have their own connotation, but are not distant from the aims of classification research in LIS. In this new conceptual conjunction, established by Parsons and Ward, information modeling through the layered information model, can expand the horizons of classification theory beyond LIS, promoting a cross-fertilization of ideas on the interoperability of subject access tools like classification schemes, thesauri, taxonomies, and ontologies. This paper examines the common ground between the layered information model and faceted classification, establishing a vocabulary and outlining some common principles. It then turns to the issue of schema and the horizons of conventional classification and the differences between Information Modeling and Library and Information Science. Finally, a framework is proposed that deploys an interpretation of the layered information modeling approach in a knowledge technologies context. In order to design subject access systems that will integrate, evolve and interoperate in a networked environment, knowledge organization specialists must consider a semantic class independence like Parsons and Wand propose for information modeling.

Relación entre atrofia cortical difusa y desempeño cognitivo : estudio en población mayor de 60 años en un hospital universitario en la ciudad de Bogotá

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la existencia de la relación entre la atrofia cortical difusa objetivada por neuroimagenes cerebrales y desempeños cognitivos determinados mediante la aplicación de pruebas neuropsicológicas que evalúan memoria de trabajo, razonamiento simbólico verbal y memoria anterógrada declarativa. Participaron 114 sujetos reclutados en el Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi de la ciudad de Bogotá mediante muestreo de conveniencia. Los resultados arrojaron diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos (pacientes con diagnóstico de atrofia cortical difusa y pacientes con neuroimagenes interpretadas como dentro de los límites normales) en todas las pruebas neuropsicológicas aplicadas. Respecto a las variables demográficas se pudo observar que el grado de escolaridad contribuye como factor neuroprotector de un posible deterioro cognitivo. Tales hallazgos son importantes para determinar protocoles tempranos de detección de posible instalación de enfermedades neurodegenerativas primarias.

How remote labs impact on course outcomes: various practices using VISIR

As technology is increasingly being seen as a facilitator to learning, open remote laboratories are increasingly available and in widespread use around the world. They provide some advantages over traditional hands-on labs or simulations. This paper presents the results of integrating the open remote laboratory VISIR into several courses, in various contexts and using various methodologies. These integrations, all related to higher education engineering, were designed by teachers with different perspectives to achieve a range of learning outcomes. The degree to which these VISIR-related outcomes were accomplished is discussed. The results reflect the levels of student engagement and learning and of teacher involvement. From the analysis, a connection between these two aspects was traced, although only related to the user profiles. VISIR is shown to be always of benefit for more motivated students, but this benefit can be maximized under particular conditions and characteristics.

Inovação pedagógica no Ensino Superior – o ensino a distância no ISCAP

O ensino a distância evoluiu muito desde o tempo em que o formando recebia os materiais por correspondência. Já nessa altura os formandos trabalhavam ao seu ritmo e concluíam a formação de acordo com o seu trabalho e agenda pessoal. Hoje, apesar dos cursos por correspondência ainda existirem, estão rapidamente a ser substituídos pela formação a distância. E este sucesso da educação a distância tem levado ao surgimento de ofertas diferentes e novos modelos de negócio. Existem diversas soluções de organização dos cursos a distância. O formato depende essencialmente dos objectivos do curso. A escolha do tipo de solução para a oferta a distância depende, também, dos objectivos e experiência da instituição. Nesta comunicação propomo-nos apresentar o caso do ISCAP, a evolução da oferta formativa a distância nesta escola, os tipos de oferta actuais e algumas preocupações para o futuro. Pretende-se, ainda levantar algumas questões que necessitam de estudo e resposta, apontando caminhos para investigação futura.

Treatment of adult-onset Still's disease: a review

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disorder that has been recently classified as a polygenic autoinflammatory disorder. The former classification, based on the disease course, seems to be quite dated. Indeed, there is accumulating evidence that AOSD can be divided into two distinct phenotypes based on cytokine profile, clinical presentation, and outcome, ie, a "systemic" pattern and an "articular" pattern. The first part of this review deals with the treatments that are currently available for AOSD. We then present the different strategies based on the characteristics of the disease according to clinical presentation. To do so, we focus on the two subsets of the disease. Finally, we discuss the management of life-threatening complications of AOSD, along with the therapeutic options during pregnancy.

Immigration, origines nationales et marché du travail: la présence en emploi des immigrants de la catégorie des travailleurs sélectionnés

Basé sur l’approche des parcours de vie, le présent mémoire se veut une étude du processus par lequel les inégalités fondées sur l’ethnicité se déploient dans le marché du travail au Québec. Faites à partir des données de l’Enquête sur les travailleurs sélectionnés (n=1541), des régressions logistiques à effets aléatoires évaluent l’influence de la région de naissance des nouveaux immigrants sur la présence en emploi tout au long des quatre premières années et demie de séjour au Québec. Les résultats obtenus démontrent que la présence en emploi est influencée par la région de naissance. Quatre profils principaux ressortent. Les travailleurs sélectionnés provenant d’Europe de l’Ouest et des États-Unis, catégorie de référence, bénéficient d’une situation relativement favorable. Les répondants originaires du Maghreb, désavantagés au cours de la première année, verront leur situation relative s’améliorer au fil du temps, sans pour autant atteindre une présence en emploi équivalente à celle de la catégorie de référence. Les travailleurs sélectionnés provenant d’Europe de l’Est et ex-URSS, d’Asie de l’Est et Océanie et d’Asie de l’Ouest et Moyen-Orient sont désavantagés durant la première année. Cette situation demeura au même niveau tout au long de la période d’observation. Les travailleurs sélectionnés originaires d’Afrique sub-saharienne et Amérique (sauf États-Unis) débuteront leur séjour dans une position défavorable et verront leur situation relative se détériorer au fil du temps.

Measuring European real estate investment performance: A comparison of different approaches

The performance of real estate investment markets is difficult to monitor because the constituent assets are heterogeneous, are traded infrequently and do not trade through a central exchange in which prices can be observed. To address this, appraisal based indices have been developed that use the records of owners for whom buildings are regularly re-valued. These indices provide a practical solution to the measurement problem, but have been criticised for understating volatility and not capturing market turning points in a timely manner. This paper evaluates alternative ‘Transaction Linked Indices’ that are estimated using an extension of the hedonic method for index construction and with Investment Property Databank data. The two types of indices are compared over Q4 2001 to Q4 2012 in order to examine whether movements in these indices are consistent. The Transaction Linked Indices show stronger growth and sharper declines than their appraisal based counterparts over the course of the cycle in different European markets and they are typically two to four times more volatile. However, they have some limitations; for instance, only country level indicators can be published in many cases owing to low trading volumes in the period studied.