Measuring asymmetries in brand associations using correspondence analysis

Correspondence analysis is introduced in the brand associationliterature as an alternative tool to measure dominance, for theparticular case of free choice data. The method is also used to analysedifferences, or asymmetries, between brand-attribute associations whereattributes are associated with evoked brands, and brand-attributeassociations where brands are associated with the attributes. Anapplication to a sample of deodorants is used to illustrate the proposedmethodology.

Impactos Decorrentes da Expansão da Cidade de Assomada, Município de Santa Catarina – Cabo Verde

Esta dissertação tem por finalidade evidenciar os “Impactos Decorrentes da Expansão da Cidade de Assomada”. Propõe-se ainda, analisar a relação urbanorural no município de Santa Catarina, Cabo Verde. Essa análise incidiu sobre os dados da sua ocupação, que remonta à 2ª metade do século XIX, no decurso da crise e decadência da primeira cidade de Cabo Verde (Ribeira Grande, atual Cidade- Velha) e às conjunturas regionais e nacionais que condicionaram sua trajetória, bem como, os principais agentes intervenientes na transformação do espaço urbano de Assomada (Estado, proprietários de terra e comerciantes), sobretudo, no período que decorre de 1961 a 2003. A pesquisa empreendida demonstra que a “ruralidade” é um dos aspectos fundamentais de Santa Catarina, abrangendo 21,3% da população rural do território nacional e 37,9% da ilha de Santiago. Do ponto de vista urbanístico, o mapeamento da evolução da cidade de Assomada, referente à área ocupada pelas edificações nesse lapso de tempo, permite-nos perceber um crescimento bastante acelerado desse espaço urbano, sobretudo, a partir dos anos 90. Dois aspectos importantes se encontram na base dessa transformação: a Independência Nacional ocorrida em 1975 e a Emigração. Com a Independência, o país passou a beneficiar de amplos programas de cooperação internacional o que veio a reforçar a sua importância econômica e política, visualizada através de projetos industrializantes, infra-estruturas e equipamentos de diversas naturezas. Esses investimentos foram por sua vez reforçados por aportes dos emigrantes, que passaram a ser um dos parceiros fundamentais no desenvolvimento de Santa Catarina, através de iniciativas privadas e empresariais, como a construção de residências e constituição de empresas. A análise do indicador uso e ocupação do solo urbano permitiu-nos identificar alguns impactos ambientais causados, sobretudo, pela falta de instrumentos de gestão urbanística, ausência de cadastro municipal e uma deficiente fiscalização dos órgãos administrativos.

La imatge social de la comunitat xinesa a la premsa a Catalunya. Estudi de cas al municipi de Santa Coloma de Gramenet

El present projecte busca estudiar la relació entre la imatge de la comunitat xinesa projectada a la premsa escrita i la seva construcció en l’imaginari col·lectiu, d’acord amb els postulats més vigents de les teories dels efectes dels mitjans de comunicació (attribute agenda setting, cultiu i framing) que emfasitzen el poder dels mitjans en la construcció social d’una realitat. Amb aquest objectiu, el projecte s’acota a la premsa escrita de major difusió a Catalunya i a la comunitat xinesa de Santa Coloma de Gramenet –el municipi català amb més percentatge de població xinesa sobre el total de població immigrant. El projecte consta de dues fases: una primera d’anàlisi dels textos periodístics –de la qual s’inclou un estudi pilot a petita escala– i una segona de recepció del discurs, mitjançant grups de discussió.

Natural classification of knots

The principal objective of the knot theory is to provide a simple way of classifying and ordering all the knot types. Here, we propose a natural classification of knots based on their intrinsic position in the knot space that is defined by the set of knots to which a given knot can be converted by individual intersegmental passages. In addition, we characterize various knots using a set of simple quantum numbers that can be determined upon inspection of minimal crossing diagram of a knot. These numbers include: crossing number; average three-dimensional writhe; number of topological domains; and the average relaxation value

L'examen clinique du sein : vidéos d'enseignement des compétences cliniques en gynécologie destinés à un module en ligne

Cette thèse présente un travail audiovisuel « L'examen clinique du sein ». Avec l'unité « L'examen génital » elle forme le module « Gynécologie » du projet Virtual Skills Lab (VSL). Le but du projet VSL est d'établir un portail d'enseignement en ligne pour l'enseignement des compétences cliniques (ce terme étant utilisé ici comme équivalent de l'anglais « clinical skills »). Les compétences traitées sont celles exigées par le Catalogue suisse des objectifs d'apprentissage. L'unité « L'examen clinique du sein » est constituée d'une multitude de courtes séquences vidéo qui peuvent être regardées à la suite ou de manière individuelle. Elle est divisée en étapes logiques telles que l'inspection ou la palpation. Chacune de ces étapes appelées « skill » est présentée de deux façons : comme vue d'ensemble et par une approche pas à pas. La séquence « vue d'ensemble » présente le skill en temps réel et représente donc une visualisation du but à atteindre par l'apprenant. Le skill est décomposé en petites étapes (step), les procédures sont montrées au ralenti, munies d'une explication par une voix off. Le format de ces séquences est présenté en double largeur, la partie de gauche montre l'action, la partie de droite est utilisée pour des tableaux ou des graphiques explicatifs. Les différents gestes des compétences cliniques sont rarement standardisés. Pour VSL, un processus de validation sur la base d'un consensus suisse a été mis en place. Ceci ne veut néanmoins pas dire que les modules VSL validés ont été intégrés dans le curriculum de toutes les universités suisses. Vu la complexité des curriculums et la multitude de facteurs entrant enjeu, notamment sur l'intégration des moyens d'enseignement audiovisuels, leur implémentation est une phase critique de tout projet de ce genre. En Suisse, le multilinguisme y ajoute un degré de complexité. A Lausanne, « L'examen clinique du sein » a été introduit aussi bien dans la formation pré- que postgraduée.

Extracção de areia na praia de Calhetona (Ilha de Santiago, Cabo Verde): causas, processos e consequências

A extracção clandestina de areia, nas faixas costeiras e nos leitos das ribeiras, tem sido prática de muitos agregados familiares cabo-verdianos. Nas últimas décadas, a praia de Calhetona (Ilha de Santiago) foi um dos muitos locais que sofreram degradação ambiental significativa, devido à realização desta actividade sem quaisquer planos de extracção e de posterior recuperação das áreas degradadas. Este trabalho, através da conjugação de recolha de dados por inquérito, observação directa e pesquisa documental e bibliográfica, teve como objectivos a caracterização da comunidade (que habita no bairro de Ponta Calhetona) que se dedica à extracção de areia na praia de Calhetona, a descrição da dinâmica da actividade extractiva, a avaliação da percepção que a comunidade tem relativamente às consequências da sua actividade e a descrição do impacte ambiental resultante da extracção de areia. Da análise dos inquéritos, efectuados em Fevereiro de 2012, a 25 chefes de agregados familiares que efectuam a extracção de areia na praia de Calhetona, constata-se que estes são maioritariamente mulheres, predominantemente com idade compreendida entre os 40 e os 59 anos, domésticas, com baixa escolaridade, com famílias numerosas e/ou alargadas a seu cargo e dedicando-se à extração de areia à mais de 10 anos. Os inquiridos, face à situação de vulnerabilidade económica, à falta de emprego e à grande procura de areia para a construção civil, vêem nesta actividade uma fonte de rendimento. Contudo, o proveito obtido desta actividade difícil e potencialmente perigosa é reduzido. Quem efectivamente beneficia são os camionistas que compram a areia a quem procede à extracção e a vendem ao consumidor final pelo dobro do preço. Os inquiridos demonstram uma consciência generalizada dos diversos impactes ambientais negativos resultantes da sua actividade, mas alegam que a extracção de areia é uma das poucas alternativas existentes para providenciar o sustento dos seus agregados familiares. Com base na comparação do estado actual da praia de Calhetona com relatos de habitantes locais, relativos às características da mesma no passado, verifica-se que nos últimos 40-50 anos, desde que se iniciou a intensa extracção de areia nesta praia, o seu aspecto físico se degradou claramente. Essa degradação caracteriza-se principalmente pelo recuo da linha de costa, pela quase ausência de areia e pela salinização dos solos localizados nas proximidades da praia, para além dos consequentes impactes negativos sobre a desova das tartarugas e o turismo balnear.

Lipid reserves of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) during pre-spawning in the northwestern Mediterranean

Lipid reserves are a particularly important attribute of fishes because they have a large influence on growth, reproduction and survival. This study analyses the lipid content of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) pre-spawners in three different areas of the northwestern Mediterranean in relation to trawling activities and river runoff. The muscle lipid was considered as an indicator of the somatic condition of individuals whilst the gonad lipid was used as a proxy of the energy invested in reproduction. The results show that fish with the highest muscle lipid levels inhabited the area where fishing impact was lowest. Since the abundance and biomass of polychaetes, which represent the main food source for red mullet, were found to be lower in trawled zones than in unfished ones, we suggest that differences in the muscle lipid levels between areas might be attributed to variation in prey abundance in relation to fishing impact. However, no impact of river runoff on lipid reserves of red mullet was observed. The results also show that muscle and gonad lipid reserves are not related to each other during pre-spawning

Estudio sobre la resistencia quimica de baldosas ceramicas no-esmaltadas para pavimentos industriales

The chemical resistance of ceramic tiles is the subject of the European Standard UNE-EN ISO 10545-13. In order to evaluate the effect of aqueous solutions of several chemicals agents on the aspect of the tile surface, this standard establishes a series of tests at room temperature followed by visual inspection. According to this standard the tiles of this study are classified as being of maximum resistance (UHA). However operating conditions can be more aggressive than those detailed in the standard. So, a systematic study has been undertaken. In the present work, the effect of aqueous solutions of several organic and inorganic acids on the tile surface is evaluated. Samples immersed in different solutions are subjected to the following conditions: T= 60º C; pH=2 and to agitation processes. Visual analysis, as well as optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed in order to determine the possible variation of the superficial aspect of tiles. Moreover, atomic absorption spectrophotometry has been used in order to obtain quantitative information concerning the solubility of system M (III)-L (M= Fe; L= H2O or L= ligand). The results obtained show, in all cases, a progressive dissolution of iron oxide precipitates presents in the ceramic body

Contribución al diseño de GNSS-SDR, un receptor GNSS de código abierto

[ANGLÈS] This project introduces GNSS-SDR, an open source Global Navigation Satellite System software-defined receiver. The lack of reconfigurability of current commercial-of-the-shelf receivers and the advent of new radionavigation signals and systems make software receivers an appealing approach to design new architectures and signal processing algorithms. With the aim of exploring the full potential of this forthcoming scenario with a plurality of new signal structures and frequency bands available for positioning, this paper describes the software architecture design and provides details about its implementation, targeting a multiband, multisystem GNSS receiver. The result is a testbed for GNSS signal processing that allows any kind of customization, including interchangeability of signal sources, signal processing algorithms, interoperability with other systems, output formats, and the offering of interfaces to all the intermediate signals, parameters and variables. The source code release under the GNU General Public License (GPL) secures practical usability, inspection, and continuous improvement by the research community, allowing the discussion based on tangible code and the analysis of results obtained with real signals. The source code is complemented by a development ecosystem, consisting of a website (http://gnss-sdr.org), as well as a revision control system, instructions for users and developers, and communication tools. The project shows in detail the design of the initial blocks of the Signal Processing Plane of the receiver: signal conditioner, the acquisition block and the receiver channel, the project also extends the functionality of the acquisition and tracking modules of the GNSS-SDR receiver to track the new Galileo E1 signals available. Each section provides a theoretical analysis, implementation details of each block and subsequent testing to confirm the calculations with both synthetically generated signals and with real signals from satellites in space.

Feature Extraction from Whole-Sky Ground-Based Images for Cloud-Type Recognition

Several features that can be extracted from digital images of the sky and that can be useful for cloud-type classification of such images are presented. Some features are statistical measurements of image texture, some are based on the Fourier transform of the image and, finally, others are computed from the image where cloudy pixels are distinguished from clear-sky pixels. The use of the most suitable features in an automatic classification algorithm is also shown and discussed. Both the features and the classifier are developed over images taken by two different camera devices, namely, a total sky imager (TSI) and a whole sky imager (WSC), which are placed in two different areas of the world (Toowoomba, Australia; and Girona, Spain, respectively). The performance of the classifier is assessed by comparing its image classification with an a priori classification carried out by visual inspection of more than 200 images from each camera. The index of agreement is 76% when five different sky conditions are considered: clear, low cumuliform clouds, stratiform clouds (overcast), cirriform clouds, and mottled clouds (altocumulus, cirrocumulus). Discussion on the future directions of this research is also presented, regarding both the use of other features and the use of other classification techniques

Posada en funcionament d'una oficina de tramitació ràpida (OTRA) de la Direcció General d'Indústria, del Govern de les Illes Balears

La Direcció General d’Indústria té com a principal finalitat el control de les instal•lacions i de diferents activitats de l’àmbit industrial; exerceix aquesta funció mitjançant la tramitació de documentacions tècniques i la inspecció. Com tota Administració Pública, es troba en un entorn molt dinàmic, on només les empreses més competitives poden subsistir i els ciutadans tenen noves necessitats molt diferents de les de fa un temps. Ambdós, empreses i ciutadans, exigeixen serveis de qualitat a un sector públic que no té altra alternativa que caminar en la mateixa direcció. L’objectiu d’aquest treball és planificar una sèrie d’accions estratègiques que permetran la millora dels serveis oferts a fi de complir amb les expectatives de la ciutadania. S’ha realitzat una anàlisi interna i de l’entorn de l’organització, el resultat de la qual ha estat la detecció d’una sèrie de punts de millora. A continuació s’ha definit una pla operatiu de qualitat, emmarcat dins del segon Pla Estratègic de Qualitat del Govern de les Illes Balears, amb tres propostes d’actuació: la separació de funcions, la tramitació ràpida d’expedients i el pla de formació. Les propostes esmentades constitueixen les bases d’una nova unitat orgànica (Oficina de Tramitació Ràpida), el model organitzatiu de la qual queda definit en els diferents apartats del treball. Igualment, s’hi descriu el procés de posada en funcionament dels distints procediments que es vagin adaptant al nou sistema i la planificació dels treballs a dur a terme, que seguiran el cicle de la qualitat de Deming, és a dir, planificar, fer, verificar i actuar.

Veus ignorades: representacions socials, subjectivitat i resiliència en persones grans amb pèrdua d’autonomia funcional

Els processos per a l’aprovació i la implementació de la Llei per a l’Autonomia personal i l’Atenció a les Persones en situació de Dependència (LAPAD) han donat lloc a un intens debat polític i social que, coincidint també amb les millores en la provisió de serveis i els avenços mèdics, ha contribuït a un procés de classificació i d’etiquetatge basats en els dèficits de les persones que es troben en aquestes circumstàncies. Aquesta visió anul·la el subjecte i la seva experiència singular i condiciona l’abordatge dels models d’atenció i de cura. L’estudi pretén fer una aproximació a les persones grans amb pèrdua d’autonomia funcional, fent emergir les seves veus, que expressen com perceben, interpreten, afronten i es reajusten a la nova situació. Partint d’un enfocament constructivista, basat en la subjectivitat, es fa un recorregut sobre els models de la discapacitat que han reeixit en l’activitat científica dels darrers anys, els mecanismes de regulació de les pèrdues que defensen les teories del cicle vital i les aportacions que s’han fet sobre el model de la resiliència aplicat a les persones que envelleixen. El resultats de l’estudi mostren com les representacions i els significats que les persones grans atribueixen a la seva experiència s’inscriuen en les seves trajectòries vitals, donant un sentit únic i singular a la forma de viure i de respondre a la pèrdua d’autonomia funcional i les seves conseqüències. Aquelles que expressen una vivència d’integritat respecte de la vida viscuda, amb predomini d’afectes positius envers un mateix i els altres, que conserven l’esperança i el desig de continuar vivint, s’ajusten a les pèrdues de manera més satisfactòria que aquelles que expressen desconfiança i una certa amargor respecte de la pròpia vida. D’això se’n deriva que els espais d’escolta i d’acompanyament poden ser un recurs vàlid i necessari en el qual, a través de la paraula i el testimoni narrat, el subjecte pugui repensar i resignificar les seves experiències.

Executive Order No. 5, April 11, 1961

Requesting all state departments having state automobiles stationed and operated in the Des Moines area have them inspected at the Des Moines Municipal Car Inspection Station.

A study of the labour market trajectories in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

We present an analysis of the register of all unemployment episodes in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg over a recent period of 55 months. We apply propensity score matching to account forthe systematic differences among the groups of subjects (registrants) and unemployment spells.We devise graphical and tabular summaries for describing the sequences of employment states ofthe members of the labour force who register at Agence pour le d?veloppement de l'emploi, theLuxembourg Public Unemployment Agency. Some employment-related information about themis collected by linking their records to the national register of social security contributions, maintained by Inspection g?n?rale de la s?curit? sociale. A class of univariate indices for characterisingthe sequences of labour force states is defined.

Rate and processes of river network rearrangement during incipient faulting: The case of the Cahabon river, Guatemala

Deeply incised river networks are generally regarded as robust features that are not easily modified by erosion or tectonics. Although the reorganization of deeply incised drainage systems has been documented, the corresponding importance with regard to the overall landscape evolution of mountain ranges and the factors that permit such reorganizations are poorly understood. To address this problem, we have explored the rapid drainage reorganization that affected the Cahabon River in Guatemala during the Quaternary. Sediment-provenance analysis, field mapping, and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) imaging are used to reconstruct the geometry of the valley before the river was captured. Dating of the abandoned valley sediments by the Be-10-Al-26 burial method and geomagnetic polarity analysis allow us to determine the age of the capture events and then to quantify several processes, such as the rate of tectonic deformation of the paleovalley, the rate of propagation of post-capture drainage reversal, and the rate at which canyons that formed at the capture sites have propagated along the paleovalley. Transtensional faulting started 1 to 3 million years ago, produced ground tilting and ground faulting along the Cahabon River, and thus generated differential uplift rate of 0.3 +/- 0.1 up to 0.7 +/- 0.4 mm . y(-1) along the river's course. The river responded to faulting by incising the areas of relative uplift and depositing a few tens of meters of sediment above the areas of relative subsidence. Then, the river experienced two captures and one avulsion between 700 ky and 100 ky. The captures breached high-standing ridges that separate the Cahabon River from its captors. Captures occurred at specific points where ridges are made permeable by fault damage zones and/or soluble rocks. Groundwater flow from the Cahabon River down to its captors likely increased the erosive power of the captors thus promoting focused erosion of the ridges. Valley-fill formation and capture occurred in close temporal succession, suggesting a genetic link between the two. We suggest that the aquifers accumulated within the valley-fills, increased the head along the subterraneous system connecting the Cahabon River to its captors, and promoted their development. Upon capture, the breached valley experienced widespread drainage reversal toward the capture sites. We attribute the generalized reversal to combined effects of groundwater sapping in the valley-fill, axial drainage obstruction by lateral fans, and tectonic tilting. Drainage reversal increased the size of the captured areas by a factor of 4 to 6. At the capture sites, 500 m deep canyons have been incised into the bedrock and are propagating upstream at a rate of 3 to 11 mm . y(-1) deepening at a rate of 0.7 to 1 5 mm . y(-1). At this rate, 1 to 2 million years will be necessary for headward erosion to completely erase the topographic expression of the paleovalley. It is concluded that the rapid reorganization of this drainage system was made possible by the way the river adjusted to the new tectonic strain field, which involved transient sedimentation along the river's course. If the river had escaped its early reorganization and had been given the time necessary to reach a new dynamic equilibrium, then the transient conditions that promoted capture would have vanished and its vulnerability to capture would have been strongly reduced.