Managing team learning in a Spanish commercial bank

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze how team management affects team-learning activities. Design/methodology/approach – The authors empirically study 68 teams as they operate in the natural business context of a major Spanish bank. Quantitative research utilizing multiple regression analyses is used to test hypotheses. Findings – The leadership behaviour (consideration, initiation of structure) displayed by the team leader plays a key role in facilitating team learning. Team leader behaviour characterised by consideration and in particular by initiation of structure are both positively related to team-learning activities. Cross-training of team members also contributes to team-learning behaviour. Research limitations/implications – A specific setting may limit the generalizability of findings. Further research may accordingly investigate to what extent these results can be generalized to other settings or other aspects of team learning. Practical implications – The leadership style adopted by the team leader, as well as cross-training of members, affect team-learning activities. These results link leadership theory to collective learning in teams and organizations, and suggest ways leaders can contribute to improved learning. Originality/value – The study provides new insight into how management of teams facilitates team-learning activities. While consideration is somewhat related to team learning, initiation of structure as well as cross-training appear as key variables.

Fórmulas para el cálculo del factor de impacto de estructuras semienterradas en líneas de ferrocarril de alta velocidad = Dynamic factors for underpasses in high speed train lines

Los pasos inferiores son muy numerosos en las líneas de ferrocarril. Su comportamiento dinámico ha recibido mucha menos atención que el de otras estructuras como los puentes, pero su elevado número hace que su estudio sea económicamente relevante con vista a optimizar su forma, manteniendo la seguridad. El proyecto de puentes según el Eurocódigo incluye comprobaciones de estados límite de tensiones bajo carga dinámica. En el caso de pasos inferiores, las comprobaciones pueden resultar tan costosas como aquellas de puentes, pese a que su coste es mucho menor. Por tanto, se impone la búsqueda de unas reglas de cálculo simplificado que pongan en consonancia el coste de la estructura con el esfuerzo necesario para su proyecto. Este artículo propone un conjunto de reglas basadas en un estudio paramétrico = Underpasses are common in modern railway lines. Wildlife corridors and drainage conduits often fall into this category of partially buried structures. Their dynamic behavior has received far less attention than that of other structures such as bridges, but their large number makes their study an interesting challenge from the viewpoint of safety and cost savings. The bridge design rules in accordance with the Eurocode involve checks on stresses according to dynamic loading. In the case of underpasses, those checks may be as much as those for bridges. Therefore, simplified design rules may align the design effort with their cost. Such a set of rules may provide estimations of response parameters based on the key parameters influencing the result. This paper contains a proposal based on a parametric study.

Signal analysis and feature generation for pattern identification of partial discharges in high-voltage equipment

This paper proposes a method for the identification of different partial discharges (PDs) sources through the analysis of a collection of PD signals acquired with a PD measurement system. This method, robust and sensitive enough to cope with noisy data and external interferences, combines the characterization of each signal from the collection, with a clustering procedure, the CLARA algorithm. Several features are proposed for the characterization of the signals, being the wavelet variances, the frequency estimated with the Prony method, and the energy, the most relevant for the performance of the clustering procedure. The result of the unsupervised classification is a set of clusters each containing those signals which are more similar to each other than to those in other clusters. The analysis of the classification results permits both the identification of different PD sources and the discrimination between original PD signals, reflections, noise and external interferences. The methods and graphical tools detailed in this paper have been coded and published as a contributed package of the R environment under a GNU/GPL license.

Wavelets in High-Capacity DWDM Systems and Modal-Division Multiplexed Transmissions

Optical communications receivers using wavelet signals processing is proposed in this paper for dense wavelength-division multiplexed (DWDM) systems and modal-division multiplexed (MDM) transmissions. The optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) required to demodulate polarization-division multiplexed quadrature phase shift keying (PDM-QPSK) modulation format is alleviated with the wavelet denoising process. This procedure improves the bit error rate (BER) performance and increasing the transmission distance in DWDM systems. Additionally, the wavelet-based design relies on signal decomposition using time-limited basis functions allowing to reduce the computational cost in Digital-Signal-Processing (DSP) module. Attending to MDM systems, a new scheme of encoding data bits based on wavelets is presented to minimize the mode coupling in few-mode (FWF) and multimode fibers (MMF). The Shifted Prolate Wave Spheroidal (SPWS) functions are proposed to reduce the modal interference.

Aeroacoustics in high speed trains

Este trabajo se centra en el estudio de problemas aeroacústicos en los trenes de alta velocidad. Se han considerado dos escenarios en los que las ondas de presión generadas son críticos para el confort de los pasajeros. Uno es el debido a las ondas de presión que genera el tren cuando entra y sale de un túnel, que a su vez producen saltos de presión de baja frecuencia en el tren (cuando se cruzan con él) y en los alrededores del túnel cuando alcanzan la salida. Se estudia este fenómeno, y se propone un sistema aeroelástico basado en el galope transversal para disminuir la energía de estas ondas, y se analiza la energía extraíble de las ondas utilizando cuerpos con diferentes secciones transversales [Sorribes-Palmer and Sanz-Andres, 2013]. La influencia de la geometría de los portales en la energía radiada hacia el exterior de túnel es analizada experimentalmente, prestando especial atención a las boquillas porosas. Las ondas de presión en el interior del túnel se han analizado mediante el método de las características. Se han realizado ensayos experimentales para estimar la energía reflejada hacia el interior del túnel al alcanzar las ondas de presión el portal de salida del túnel. Se ha estudiado la formación e interacción entre el portal del túnel y la onda de choque generada en los túneles de gran longitud y pequeña fricción. Se propone un método para describir de forma aproximada el ruido radiado al exterior. Por otro lado se ha estudiado el ruido de media y alta frecuencia de origen aerodinámico. Se ha estudiado la influencia del desprendimiento de la capa límite sobre el tren. Se propone una metodología basada en una sección de tren característica para predecir rápidamente el nivel de presión de sonido dentro y fuera del tren para todo el rango de frecuencias. Se han realizado medidas experimentales en vía de los espectros de presión sobre la superficie del tren, y de la transmisibilidad de las uniones entre estructura y revestimiento. Los resultados experimentales se han utilizado en los modelos vibroacústicos. El método de la sección del tren característica es especialmente útil a altas frecuencias cuando todo el tren se puede modelar mediante el ensamblaje de diferentes secciones características utilizando el análisis estadístico de la energía. ABSTRACT This work is focused on the study of aeroacoustic problems in high speed trains. We have considered two scenarios in which the pressure waves generated are critical for passengers comfort. The first one is due to the pressure waves generated by a train entering in a tunnel. These waves generate pressure gauges inside the train (when they find each other) and outside of the tunnel portals. This phenomenon has been studied, and an aeroelastic system based on transverse galloping to reduce the energy of these waves is proposed. The maximum extractable energy by using bodies with different cross-section shapes is analyzed. The influence of the portals geometry in the energy radiated outwards the tunnel is analyzed experimentally, with particular attention to the porous exits. The pressure waves inside the tunnel have been analyzed using the method of characteristics. Experimental tests to estimate the energy reflected into the tunnel when the pressure waves reach the tunnel portal have been performed. We have studied the generation and interaction between the tunnel portal and a shock wave generated in long tunnels with small friction. A method to describe in an approximated way the pressure radiated outside the tunnel is proposed. In the second scenario, middle and high frequency noise generated aerodynamically has been studied, including the influence of the detachment of the boundary layer around the train. A method based on a train section to quickly predict the sound pressure level inside and outside the train has been proposed. Experimental test have been performed on board to evaluate the pressure power spectra on the surface of the train, and the transmissibility of the junctions between the structure and trim. These experimental results have been used in the vibroacoustic models. The low frequency pressure waves generated with the train during the tunnel crossing has been identified in the pressure spectrum. The train characteristic section method is especially useful at high frequencies, when the whole train can be modeled by assembling different sections using the statistical energy analysis. The sound pressure level inside the train is evaluated inside and outside the tunnel.

Radar track segmentation with cubic splines for collision risk models in high density terminal areas

This paper presents a method to segment airplane radar tracks in high density terminal areas where the air traffic follows trajectories with several changes in heading, speed and altitude. The radar tracks are modelled with different types of segments, straight lines, cubic spline function and shape preserving cubic function. The longitudinal, lateral and vertical deviations are calculated for terminal manoeuvring area scenarios. The most promising model of the radar tracks resulted from a mixed interpolation using straight lines for linear segments and spline cubic functions for curved segments. A sensitivity analysis is used to optimise the size of the window for the segmentation process.

Aeroacoustic noise prediction in high speed trains due to attached and detached flow

This paper aims to set out the influence of the flow field around high speed trains in open field. To achieve this parametric analysis of the sound pressure inside the train was performed. Three vibroacoustic models of a characteristic train section are used to predict the noise inside the train in open field by using finite element method FEM, boundary element method (BEM) and statistical energy analysis (SEA) depending on the frequency range of analysis. The turbulent boundary layer excitation is implemented as the only airborne noise source, in order to focus on the study of the attached and detached flow in the surface of the train. The power spectral densities of the pressure fluctuation in the train surface proposed by [Cockburn and Roberson 1974, Rennison et al. 2009] are applied on the exterior surface of the structural subsystems in the vibroacoustic models. An increase in the sound pressure level up to10 dB can be appreciated due to the detachment of the flow around the train. These results highlight the importance to determine the detached regions prediction, making critical the airborne noise due to turbulent boundary layer.

Vibroacoustic Problems in High Speed Trains

Passengers comfort in terms of acoustic noise levels is a key train design parameter, especially relevant in high speed trains, where the aerodynamic noise is dominant. The aim of the work, described in this paper, is to make progress in the understanding of the flow field around high speed trains in an open field, which is a subject of interest for many researchers with direct industrial applications, but also the critical configuration of the train inside a tunnel is studied in order to evaluate the external loads arising from noise sources of the train. The airborne noise coming from the wheels (wheelrail interaction), which is the dominant source at a certain range of frequencies, is also investigated from the numerical and experimental points of view. The numerical prediction of the noise in the interior of the train is a very complex problem, involving many different parameters: complex geometries and materials, different noise sources, complex interactions among those sources, broad range of frequencies where the phenomenon is important, etc. During recent years a research plan is being developed at IDR/UPM (Instituto de Microgravedad Ignacio Da Riva, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) involving both numerical simulations, wind tunnel and full-scale tests to address this problem. Comparison of numerical simulations with experimental data is a key factor in this process.

Eccentric Exercise in Treatment of Patellar Tendinopathy in High Level Basketball Players. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Chronic patellar tendinopathy is a common pathology in sporting population. To date, there is no agreed upon protocol as election treatment. Eccentric exercises have been used with satisfactory outcomes (3). The purpose of this trial was to compare the effects of two eccentric exercise protocols.

Eccentric exercise in treatment of patellar tendinopathy in high level basketball players. A randomized clinical trial

Chronic patellar tendinopathy is a common pathology in sporting population. To date, there is no agreed upon protocol as election treatment. Eccentric exercises have been used with satisfactory outcomes.

Analysis of the suitability of existing medical ontologies for building a scalable semantic interoperability solution supporting multi-site collaboration in oncology

Semantic interoperability is essential to facilitate efficient collaboration in heterogeneous multi-site healthcare environments. The deployment of a semantic interoperability solution has the potential to enable a wide range of informatics supported applications in clinical care and research both within as ingle healthcare organization and in a network of organizations. At the same time, building and deploying a semantic interoperability solution may require significant effort to carryout data transformation and to harmonize the semantics of the information in the different systems. Our approach to semantic interoperability leverages existing healthcare standards and ontologies, focusing first on specific clinical domains and key applications, and gradually expanding the solution when needed. An important objective of this work is to create a semantic link between clinical research and care environments to enable applications such as streamlining the execution of multi-centric clinical trials, including the identification of eligible patients for the trials. This paper presents an analysis of the suitability of several widely-used medical ontologies in the clinical domain: SNOMED-CT, LOINC, MedDRA, to capture the semantics of the clinical trial eligibility criteria, of the clinical trial data (e.g., Clinical Report Forms), and of the corresponding patient record data that would enable the automatic identification of eligible patients. Next to the coverage provided by the ontologies we evaluate and compare the sizes of the sets of relevant concepts and their relative frequency to estimate the cost of data transformation, of building the necessary semantic mappings, and of extending the solution to new domains. This analysis shows that our approach is both feasible and scalable.

Effects of Dietary Fibre (Pectin) and/or Increased Protein (Casein or Pea) on Satiety, Body Weight, Adiposity and Caecal Fermentation in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Funding: This work was funded by the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Impaired CD19 expression and signaling, enhanced antibody response to type II T independent antigen and reduction of B-1 cells in CD81-deficient mice

The tetraspanin CD81 is ubiquitously expressed and associated with CD19 on B lymphocytes and with CD4 and CD8 on T lymphocytes. Analysis of mice with disrupted CD81 gene reveals normal T cells but a distinct abnormality in B cells consisting of decreased expression of CD19 and severe reduction in peritoneal B-1 cells. CD81-deficient B cells responded normally to surface IgM crosslinking, but had severely impaired calcium influx following CD19 engagement. CD81-deficient mice had increased serum IgM and IgA and an exaggerated antibody response to the type II T independent antigen TNP-Ficoll. These results suggest that CD81 is important for CD19 signaling and B cell function.

Nuclear translocation of NF-κB is increased in dopaminergic neurons of patients with Parkinson disease

Evidence from postmortem studies suggest an involvement of oxidative stress in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease (PD) that have recently been shown to die by apoptosis, but the relationship between oxidative stress and apoptosis has not yet been elucidated. Activation of the transcription factor NF-κB is associated with oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in several nonneuronal in vitro models. To investigate whether it may play a role in PD, we looked for the translocation of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, evidence of its activation, in melanized neurons in the mesencephalon of postmortem human brain from five patients with idiopathic PD and seven matched control subjects. In PD patients, the proportion of dopaminergic neurons with immunoreactive NF-κB in their nuclei was more than 70-fold that in control subjects. A possible relationship between the nuclear localization of NF-κB in mesencephalic neurons of PD patients and oxidative stress in such neurons has been shown in vitro with primary cultures of rat mesencephalon, where translocation of NF-κB is preceded by a transient production of free radicals during apoptosis induced by activation of the sphingomyelin-dependent signaling pathway with C2-ceramide. The data suggest that this oxidant-mediated apoptogenic transduction pathway may play a role in the mechanism of neuronal death in PD.

The Arabidopsis CHL1 protein plays a major role in high-affinity nitrate uptake

The CHL1 (NRT1) gene of Arabidopsis encodes a nitrate-inducible nitrate transporter that is thought to be a component of the low-affinity (mechanism II) nitrate-uptake system in plants. A search was performed to find high-affinity (mechanism I) uptake mutants by using chlorate selections on plants containing Tag1 transposable elements. Chlorate-resistant mutants defective in high-affinity nitrate uptake were identified, and one had a Tag1 insertion in chl1, which was responsible for the phenotype. Further analysis showed that chl1 mutants have reduced high-affinity uptake in induced plants and are missing a saturable component of the constitutive, high-affinity uptake system in addition to reduced low-affinity uptake. The contribution of CHL1 to constitutive high-affinity uptake is higher when plants are grown at more acidic pH, conditions that increase the level of CHL1 mRNA. chl1 mutants show reduced membrane depolarization in root epidermal cells in response to low (250 μM) and high (10 mM) concentrations of nitrate. Low levels of nitrate (100 μM) induce a rapid increase in CHL1 mRNA. These results show that CHL1 is an important component of both the high-affinity and the low-affinity nitrate-uptake systems and indicate that CHL1 may be a dual-affinity nitrate transporter.