THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN FORM AT DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL SCALES ON TRAVEL BEHAVIOR; EVIDENCE FROM U.S. CITIES

Suburban lifestyle is popular among American families, although it has been criticized for encouraging automobile use through longer commutes, causing heavy traffic congestion, and destroying open spaces (Handy, 2005). It is a serious concern that people living in low-density suburban areas suffer from high automobile dependency and lower rates of daily physical activity, both of which result in social, environmental and health-related costs. In response to such concerns, researchers have investigated the inter-relationships between urban land-use pattern and travel behavior within the last few decades and suggested that land-use planning can play a significant role in changing travel behavior in the long-term. However, debates regarding the magnitude and efficiency of the effects of land-use on travel patterns have been contentious over the years. Changes in built-environment patterns is potentially considered a long-term panacea for automobile dependency and traffic congestion, despite some researchers arguing that the effects of land-use on travel behavior are minor, if any. It is still not clear why the estimated impact is different in urban areas and how effective a proposed land-use change/policy is in changing certain travel behavior. This knowledge gap has made it difficult for decision-makers to evaluate land-use plans and policies. In addition, little is known about the influence of the large-scale built environment. In the present dissertation, advanced spatial-statistical tools have been employed to better understand and analyze these impacts at different scales, along with analyzing transit-oriented development policy at both small and large scales. The objective of this research is to: (1) develop scalable and consistent measures of the overall physical form of metropolitan areas; (2) re-examine the effects of built-environment factors at different hierarchical scales on travel behavior, and, in particular, on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and car ownership; and (3) investigate the effects of transit-oriented development on travel behavior. The findings show that changes in built-environment at both local and regional levels could be very influential in changing travel behavior. Specifically, the promotion of compact, mixed-use built environment with well-connected street networks reduces VMT and car ownership, resulting in less traffic congestion, air pollution, and energy consumption.

A novel method to determine new potent angiotensin inhibitor, azilsartan, in human plasma via micelle-enhanced spectrofluorimetry using cremophor RH 40

Purpose: To develop a micelle-enhanced spectrofluorimetric method for the assay of azilsartan (AZL) in bulk form and spiked human plasma without the need for derivatization procedure. Method: The proposed method was based on studying the fluorescence behavior of AZL in Cremophor RH 40 (Cr RH 40) micellar system. The fluorescence intensity was measured at 371 nm after excitation at 264 nm. The proposed procedure was validated according to International Council on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Results: In aqueous solution, the fluorescence intensity of AZL was greatly enhanced by more than 3- fold in the presence of Cr RH 40. The fluorescence –concentration plot was linear over the range of 10 – 500 ng.mL-1, with a limit of detection of 3.287 ngmL-1. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of AZL in pure powder form and spiked human plasma. The mean recovery of AZL in spiked human plasma using the proposed method was 90.54 ± 1.17 %. Conclusion: The suggested method is highly sensitive and simple, and can easily be applied for the quantification of AZL in pure powder form as well as in biological fluids such as plasma.

Transtheoretical model for behavior changes: an important tool when adopting active life

Despite the worship of beauty that has ruled this globalized society and the importance of physical activity for the prevention of cardio-degenerative diseases (US.DHHS, 1996), sedentary behavior continues to increase in the population.  What strategies can be used by professionals of human movement to make the population physically active? It is at this point where the Transtheoretical Model appears as an innovative option that greatly surpasses the classic short-term biological interventions, which have focused on momentary changes produced by physiological values.  This model has great potential since it offers the theoretical basis that makes the acquisition of an active behavior possible.  This article explains the theoretical basis of the transtheoretical model, including the way to assess the stages of change and to develop different strategies to make the person active by using behavioral processes and processes of change.

The vulnerability of aquatic systems of the Upper Napo River Basin (Ecuadorian Amazon) to human activities

Aquatic ecosystems exhibit different vulnerabilities to anthropogenic disturbances. I examined this problem in the Upper Napo River Basin (UNRB), Ecuador. I ranked from 1 to 5 aquatic ecosystem uniqueness, health and threats. I stratified the basin into five Ecological Drainage Units (EDU), 48 Aquatic Ecological Systems (AES), and 203 macrohabitats. I found main threats (habitat conversion/degradation, land development, mining, oil industries, and water diversion) cover 54% of the UNRB, but have different scores and extents in each EDU. I assessed the health of 111 AESs, under three land use treatments, by analyzing the streamside zone, physical forms, water quality, aquatic life, and hydrology. Overall, health of AESs varied from 5 to 2.58, with 5 being the highest level of health. Threats and health of AESs were inversely related (F=34.119, P

Cell Pattern in Adult Human Corneal Endothelium

A review of the current data on the cell density of normal adult human endothelial cells was carried out in order to establish some common parameters appearing in the different considered populations. From the analysis of cell growth patterns, it is inferred that the cell aging rate is similar for each of the different considered populations. Also, the morphology, the cell distribution and the tendency to hexagonallity are studied. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that this phenomenon is analogous with cell behavior in other structures such as dry foams and grains in polycrystalline materials. Therefore, its driving force may be controlled by the surface tension and the mobility of the boundaries.

What Influences Information Security Behavior? A Study with Brazilian Users

The popularization of software to mitigate Information Security threats can produce an exaggerated notion about its full effectiveness in the elimination of any threat. This situation can result reckless users behavior, increasing vulnerability. Based on behavioral theories, a theoretical model and hypotheses were developed to understand the extent to which human perception of threat, stress, control and disgruntlement can induce responsible behavior. A self-administered questionnaire was created and validated. The data were collected in Brazil, and complementary results regarding similar studies conducted in USA were found. The results show that there is influence of information security orientations provided by organizations in the perception about severity of the threat. The relationship between threat, effort, control and disgruntlement, and the responsible behavior towards information security was verified through linear regression. The contributions also involve relatively new concepts in the field and a new research instrument.

Validación de criterio concurrente del sistema de observación de tiempo de instrucción de condición física – SOFIT- para la medición de la actividad física durante las clases de educación física en escolares de 1º A 9º de Bogotá, Colombia

Determinar la validez concurrente del Sistema de Observación de Tiempo de Instrucción de Condición Física (SOFIT) a través de acelerometría, como método para medir los niveles de actividad física (AF) de los escolares de 1º a 9º durante la clase de educación física en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá, Colombia. Estudio transversal entre Octubre de 2014 y Marzo de 2015. La medición se realizó en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá. Participaron 48 estudiantes (25 niñas; 23 niños), entre 5 y 17 años, seleccionados de acuerdo al protocolo de SOFIT. El resultado se categoriza en porcentaje de tiempo en comportamiento sedentario, AF moderada, AF vigorosa, y AF moderada a vigorosa. Se validó utilizando como patrón de oro la acelerometría en las mismas categorías. Se realizó diferencia de medias, regresión lineal y modelo de efectos fijos. La correlación entre SOFIT y acelerometría fue buena para AF moderada (rho=,958; p=0,000), AF vigorosa (rho=,937; p=0,000) y AF de moderada a vigorosa (rho=0,962; p=0,000). Al igual que utilizando un modelo de efectos fijos, AF moderada (β1=0,92; p=0,00), vigorosa (β1=0,94; p=0,00) y AF de moderada a vigorosa (β1=0,95; p=0,00), mostrando ausencia de diferencias significativas entre los dos métodos para la medición de los niveles de AF. El comportamiento sedentario correlacionó positivamente en Spearman (rho=,0965; p=0,000), El sistema SOFIT demostró ser válido para medir niveles de AF en clases de educación física, tras buena correlación y concordancia con acelerometría. SOFIT es un instrumento de fácil acceso y de bajo costo para la medición de la AF durante las clases de educación física en el contexto escolar y se recomienda su uso en futuros estudios.

La retroalimentación facial y su efecto en la evaluación de publicidad de humor

La hipótesis de retroalimentación facial planteada por Tomkins en 1962 sustenta que la activación de algunos músculos faciales envía información sensorial al cerebro y se induce entonces una experiencia emocional en el sujeto. Partiendo de dicha teoría y de investigaciones que la sustentan, el presente estudio se propuso confirmar el efecto de la emoción inducida a través de la retroalimentación facial sobre la evaluación de cinco tipos de humor en publicidad. Para ello se realizó un experimento con 60 hombres y 60 mujeres, que fueron asignados aleatoriamente a una de dos condiciones: estimulación de sonrisa –músculos hacia arriba- o inhibición de sonrisa –músculos hacía abajo-, mientras evaluaban 16 imágenes de publicidad de humor. A partir del análisis de los resultados se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las condiciones; en línea con la hipótesis formulada, los participantes expuestos a la condición estimulación de sonrisa –músculos hacía arriba- evaluaron más positivamente los comerciales. También se encontraron diferencias significativas en función del sexo y los tipos de humor evaluados. El estudio ofrece evidencia empírica de la teoría propuesta hace más de medio siglo y su efecto en el ámbito de la publicidad actual.

Nuevos estilos de liderazgo en la organización

A lo largo del tiempo se aborda el liderazgo desde las posturas propias del comportamiento organizacional y la gestión humana. Desde un principio se basaba el liderazgo como un sujeto (líder), más adelante se tuvo en cuenta la parte situacional, es decir cómo afecta el entorno a la empresa y por último, es de principal interés el liderazgo organizacional. Dicho esto,en el contexto actual, un mundo globalizado y en que el mercado se vuelve más exigente, las organizaciones deben adaptarse y adecuarse rápidamente a los nuevos requerimientos para sobrevivir (Chiavenato, 2002) . Esta investigación tiene como fin explorar reconocer y demostrar como el mundo de los negocios es dinámico y exige cambiar para mejorar e incursionar estrategias que garanticen la perdurabilidad de una empresa, debido a esto se analizan diferentes empresas exitosas y perdurables en el tiempo ubicadas en la ciudad de Nueva York ,el cómo y porque la gestión humana, su talento humano en una organización debe ser valorado como personas dotadas de capacidades y habilidades que trabajan en conjunto por un bien común y así mismo ,la relación y el impacto que tiene con los diferentes estilos de liderazgos, por lo tanto ,si una compañía desea mostrarse y ser exitosa en el mercado, primeramente debe estar bien estructurada y fuerte por dentro , es decir, la relación directa con su talento humano.

Intención de emprendimiento y liderazgo en Colombia

La relación entre el liderazgo y emprendimiento es un tema de estudio y análisis relativamente nuevo. El término de liderazgo ha sido estudiado y enfocado a otras áreas de estudio, pero en cuanto a la relación existente con emprendimiento se presentan aún carencias conceptuales. A lo largo del presente estudio, se hace una revisión de la literatura la cual permite identificar y analizar estos conceptos y su relación en la última década en Colombia, consultando literatura comprendida en bases de datos en línea tales como, Redalyc, Scielo y Dialnet. En este documento, se destacan los atributos de un emprendedor y de un líder, igualmente se recogen los modelos de emprendimiento, las teorías de liderazgo, y los elementos que caracterizan cada concepto. Finalmente, se evidencia una dicotomía entre el líder y el emprendedor y se concluye que el liderazgo es una característica intrínseca del emprendimiento; sin embargo, el liderazgo no es por regla utilizado para emprender.

The Evolution of Norms in Trade and Financial Networks in the First Global Age: the case of Simon Ruiz's network

In the 16th century, merchants and bankers gained a social influence and political relevance, due to their capacity of ‘faire travailler l’argent des autres’ (Benassar 1972:50). For the success of their activity, they built evolving networks with cooperative partners. These networks were much more than the sum of all partners. In the case study of the Castilian merchant Simon Ruiz, the network functioned in an unique way and independent from any formal institutional control. Its functioning varied in how different partners were associated and the particular characteristics and contents of these social ties. Being a self-organized network, since the formal institutions of trade regulation and the Crown control didn’t influence the network functioning, the Simon Ruiz network was deeply embedded in the economic and financial performance of the Hispanic Empires, in two different ways. The first, purely commercial. The monopolistic regime which was applied by the two crowns in the trade of certain colonial goods was insufficient to the costs of imperial maintenance. In such manner, particulars tried to rent a contract of exploration of trade, paying an annual sum to the crown, as in the Portuguese trade. Some of these agents also moved along Simon Ruiz’s network. But others were involved in relations with the imperial crowns on a second way, the finance. Maintaining Empires implied a lot of human, technical but also financial means, and most of the times Kings were forced to recur to these merchants, as we will demonstrate. What were the implications of these collaborative relations in both parts? The main goal of this paper is to comprehend the evolution of informal norms within Simon Ruiz’s network and how they influenced cooperative behavior of the agents, particularly analyzing mechanisms of sanctioning, control, punishment and reward, as well as their consequences in different dimensions: future interactions, social repercussions and in agent’s economic health and activity. The research is based in the bills of exchange and commercial correspondence of the private archive of Simon Ruiz, located in the Provincial Archive of Valladollid, Spain.

Maturation behavior of Maxi Gala grafetd on two rootstocks by no Destructive Method.

The evaluation of the maturation in apple orchards is checked using destructive methods, sampling fruits and analyzing them in the laboratory, making the process slow and expensive. The use of not destructive method to determine fruit maturation in the orchard could accelerate delivery of results and help in determining harvest time, because non-destructive data would allow to verify the maturation on different blocks in the orchard. The aim of this work was to chart fruit maturation in 'Maxi Gala' grafted on two different rootstocks, using destructive and not destructive methods. The non-destructive method used was the portable DA-Meter. The trial was realized at Vacaria, southern Brazillocated 28,44 S and 50,85 W. The samples were harvested on two orchards during the seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16, during six weeks before harvest from January until the second week of February. The sampling was realized in five different points of the orchard, on rootstocks M.9 or Marubakaido with M.9 interstem. Ten-apple samples were collected weekly in each point in the orchard and then evaluated by destructive method (flesh firmness, starch degradation, total soluble solids and acidity) and the not destructive method (DA-Meter). For both seasons, the evolution of the fruit maturation of Maxi Gala showed a similar progression for both rootstocks. The non-destructive method correlated well with the traditional destructive methods, making it a tool for more practical and easy determination of the harvest date.

Analyzing urban green adaptation opportunities: concepts, approaches, & strategies for existing neighborhoods

Over the last decades, the growing evidence of human-caused climate change has raised awareness of the consequences of exceeding global temperature by 2˚C. This awareness has led to a contemporary approach to the conceptualization and management of green adaptation policies in spatial planning. This thesis aims to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing the adaptability of existing neighborhoods to green strategies. The reliability of the proposed method is examined in the cities of Bologna and Imola and proved to be applicable in other geoghraphical locations. This thesis integrates three key themes of conceptual and implementation principles for urban green adaptation. This thesis initially defines methods for narrowing uncertainties in urban planning energy forecasting modeling by exploring the roles of integrated energy planning. The second is by exploring green retrofitting strategies in building, this thesis examines the effects of various energy-saving factors in roofing scenarios including a green roof, rooftop greenhouse, and insolated roof. Lastly, this thesis analyzes green strategies in urban spaces to enhance thermal comfort through facing urban heat exposure related to urban heat island effects. The roles of integrated energy policies and green strategic thinking are discussed to highlight various aspects of green adaptation on the neighborhood scale. This thesis develops approaches by which cities can face the challenges of current green urban planning and connect the conceptual and practical aspects of green spatial planning. Another point that this thesis highlight is that due to the interdependency of individuals and places, it is difficult to assure whether all the adaptation policies on a large scale are enhancing the resiliency of the neighborhood or they are simply shuffling the vulnerability through the individuals and places. Besides, it asserts that neglecting to reflect on these reallocations of the effects generates serious complications, and will result in long-term dysfunctional consequences.

Big data analytics and modeling for Human Mobility

The fast development of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) offers new opportunities to realize future smart cities. To understand, manage and forecast the city's behavior, it is necessary the analysis of different kinds of data from the most varied dataset acquisition systems. The aim of this research activity in the framework of Data Science and Complex Systems Physics is to provide stakeholders with new knowledge tools to improve the sustainability of mobility demand in future cities. Under this perspective, the governance of mobility demand generated by large tourist flows is becoming a vital issue for the quality of life in Italian cities' historical centers, which will worsen in the next future due to the continuous globalization process. Another critical theme is sustainable mobility, which aims to reduce private transportation means in the cities and improve multimodal mobility. We analyze the statistical properties of urban mobility of Venice, Rimini, and Bologna by using different datasets provided by companies and local authorities. We develop algorithms and tools for cartography extraction, trips reconstruction, multimodality classification, and mobility simulation. We show the existence of characteristic mobility paths and statistical properties depending on transport means and user's kinds. Finally, we use our results to model and simulate the overall behavior of the cars moving in the Emilia Romagna Region and the pedestrians moving in Venice with software able to replicate in silico the demand for mobility and its dynamic.