GIS-integrated mathematical modeling of social phenomena at macro- and micro- levels—a multivariate geographically-weighted regression model for identifying locations vulnerable to hosting terrorist safe-houses: France as case study

Adaptability and invisibility are hallmarks of modern terrorism, and keeping pace with its dynamic nature presents a serious challenge for societies throughout the world. Innovations in computer science have incorporated applied mathematics to develop a wide array of predictive models to support the variety of approaches to counterterrorism. Predictive models are usually designed to forecast the location of attacks. Although this may protect individual structures or locations, it does not reduce the threat—it merely changes the target. While predictive models dedicated to events or social relationships receive much attention where the mathematical and social science communities intersect, models dedicated to terrorist locations such as safe-houses (rather than their targets or training sites) are rare and possibly nonexistent. At the time of this research, there were no publically available models designed to predict locations where violent extremists are likely to reside. This research uses France as a case study to present a complex systems model that incorporates multiple quantitative, qualitative and geospatial variables that differ in terms of scale, weight, and type. Though many of these variables are recognized by specialists in security studies, there remains controversy with respect to their relative importance, degree of interaction, and interdependence. Additionally, some of the variables proposed in this research are not generally recognized as drivers, yet they warrant examination based on their potential role within a complex system. This research tested multiple regression models and determined that geographically-weighted regression analysis produced the most accurate result to accommodate non-stationary coefficient behavior, demonstrating that geographic variables are critical to understanding and predicting the phenomenon of terrorism. This dissertation presents a flexible prototypical model that can be refined and applied to other regions to inform stakeholders such as policy-makers and law enforcement in their efforts to improve national security and enhance quality-of-life.

Clientelismo y poder político en los inicios del siglo XX. Tensiones, disputas e intercambios entre lo micro y lo macro : Benito Juárez y la provincia de Buenos Aires

En esta tesis, analizamos la praxis política entre 1902 y 1930 poniendo en tensión el espacio bonaerense con un microcosmos: el de la localidad del interior provincial Benito Juárez. Partimos de considerar que dicha praxis se caracterizó por una multiplicidad de actuaciones (algunas conocidas, otras novedosas) dotadas de sentido y articuladas por el clientelismo político. Nuestro estudio aborda los modos en que los actores entendieron, configuraron y practicaron la política por aquellos años. En ese sentido, el clientelismo y el imaginario social en torno a la política son dos conceptos centrales de esta investigación. La tesis se estructura en tres partes: la primera, dedicada a aspectos teórico- metodológicos, está compuesta por dos capítulos en los que realizamos un bosquejo por las principales características del período y los modos en que pueden entenderse nuestros conceptos (vinculándolos a las hipótesis); damos cuenta también allí de las fuentes empleadas y la metodología. En la segunda parte nos detenemos en el juego político bonaerense. Compuesta por tres capítulos, en ella abordamos las leyes electorales provinciales vistas en perspectiva con los preceptos de la legislación reformista (desde el último tercio del siglo XIX hasta 1930) y la contribución al imaginario epocal de la Revista Argentina de Ciencias Políticas (1910-1928) y el semanario Caras y Caretas (1898-1930). En la última parte de la tesis, consideramos la vida sociopolítica en el municipio de Benito Juárez, a partir de la trayectoria de un político preeminente: Pedro Díaz Pumará. A lo largo de dos capítulos, estudiamos el imaginario social en torno a la política local, los procesos electorales, las estrategias desarrolladas por Don Pedro así como las de quienes conformaron su base social de apoyo y de quienes resistieron a su liderazgo. Finalmente, en las conclusiones sistematizamos las consideraciones de cada capítulo considerando para ello nuestra 2hipótesis heurística y las que de ella se desprenden. Planteamos la conformación del clientelismo político en actos domésticos cotidianos, el carácter bifronte de un líder frente a los asuntos provinciales y locales, la novedosa legitimidad en torno a las urnas desde 1912, la construcción de leyes que permiten accionares ya conocidos, la heterogeneidad de las bases sociales de apoyo, las lógicas de quienes se oponen a un caudillo y las estrategias desarrolladas por los participantes de la vida política

Clientelismo y poder político en los inicios del siglo XX. Tensiones, disputas e intercambios entre lo micro y lo macro : Benito Juárez y la provincia de Buenos Aires

En esta tesis, analizamos la praxis política entre 1902 y 1930 poniendo en tensión el espacio bonaerense con un microcosmos: el de la localidad del interior provincial Benito Juárez. Partimos de considerar que dicha praxis se caracterizó por una multiplicidad de actuaciones (algunas conocidas, otras novedosas) dotadas de sentido y articuladas por el clientelismo político. Nuestro estudio aborda los modos en que los actores entendieron, configuraron y practicaron la política por aquellos años. En ese sentido, el clientelismo y el imaginario social en torno a la política son dos conceptos centrales de esta investigación. La tesis se estructura en tres partes: la primera, dedicada a aspectos teórico- metodológicos, está compuesta por dos capítulos en los que realizamos un bosquejo por las principales características del período y los modos en que pueden entenderse nuestros conceptos (vinculándolos a las hipótesis); damos cuenta también allí de las fuentes empleadas y la metodología. En la segunda parte nos detenemos en el juego político bonaerense. Compuesta por tres capítulos, en ella abordamos las leyes electorales provinciales vistas en perspectiva con los preceptos de la legislación reformista (desde el último tercio del siglo XIX hasta 1930) y la contribución al imaginario epocal de la Revista Argentina de Ciencias Políticas (1910-1928) y el semanario Caras y Caretas (1898-1930). En la última parte de la tesis, consideramos la vida sociopolítica en el municipio de Benito Juárez, a partir de la trayectoria de un político preeminente: Pedro Díaz Pumará. A lo largo de dos capítulos, estudiamos el imaginario social en torno a la política local, los procesos electorales, las estrategias desarrolladas por Don Pedro así como las de quienes conformaron su base social de apoyo y de quienes resistieron a su liderazgo. Finalmente, en las conclusiones sistematizamos las consideraciones de cada capítulo considerando para ello nuestra 2hipótesis heurística y las que de ella se desprenden. Planteamos la conformación del clientelismo político en actos domésticos cotidianos, el carácter bifronte de un líder frente a los asuntos provinciales y locales, la novedosa legitimidad en torno a las urnas desde 1912, la construcción de leyes que permiten accionares ya conocidos, la heterogeneidad de las bases sociales de apoyo, las lógicas de quienes se oponen a un caudillo y las estrategias desarrolladas por los participantes de la vida política

Clientelismo y poder político en los inicios del siglo XX. Tensiones, disputas e intercambios entre lo micro y lo macro : Benito Juárez y la provincia de Buenos Aires

En esta tesis, analizamos la praxis política entre 1902 y 1930 poniendo en tensión el espacio bonaerense con un microcosmos: el de la localidad del interior provincial Benito Juárez. Partimos de considerar que dicha praxis se caracterizó por una multiplicidad de actuaciones (algunas conocidas, otras novedosas) dotadas de sentido y articuladas por el clientelismo político. Nuestro estudio aborda los modos en que los actores entendieron, configuraron y practicaron la política por aquellos años. En ese sentido, el clientelismo y el imaginario social en torno a la política son dos conceptos centrales de esta investigación. La tesis se estructura en tres partes: la primera, dedicada a aspectos teórico- metodológicos, está compuesta por dos capítulos en los que realizamos un bosquejo por las principales características del período y los modos en que pueden entenderse nuestros conceptos (vinculándolos a las hipótesis); damos cuenta también allí de las fuentes empleadas y la metodología. En la segunda parte nos detenemos en el juego político bonaerense. Compuesta por tres capítulos, en ella abordamos las leyes electorales provinciales vistas en perspectiva con los preceptos de la legislación reformista (desde el último tercio del siglo XIX hasta 1930) y la contribución al imaginario epocal de la Revista Argentina de Ciencias Políticas (1910-1928) y el semanario Caras y Caretas (1898-1930). En la última parte de la tesis, consideramos la vida sociopolítica en el municipio de Benito Juárez, a partir de la trayectoria de un político preeminente: Pedro Díaz Pumará. A lo largo de dos capítulos, estudiamos el imaginario social en torno a la política local, los procesos electorales, las estrategias desarrolladas por Don Pedro así como las de quienes conformaron su base social de apoyo y de quienes resistieron a su liderazgo. Finalmente, en las conclusiones sistematizamos las consideraciones de cada capítulo considerando para ello nuestra 2hipótesis heurística y las que de ella se desprenden. Planteamos la conformación del clientelismo político en actos domésticos cotidianos, el carácter bifronte de un líder frente a los asuntos provinciales y locales, la novedosa legitimidad en torno a las urnas desde 1912, la construcción de leyes que permiten accionares ya conocidos, la heterogeneidad de las bases sociales de apoyo, las lógicas de quienes se oponen a un caudillo y las estrategias desarrolladas por los participantes de la vida política

Examination of Inequalities in Hungary by Microsimulation in Consistency with Macro Data

Effective decision making uses various databases including both micro and macro level datasets. In many cases it is a big challenge to ensure the consistency of the two levels. Different types of problems can occur and several methods can be used to solve them. The paper concentrates on the input alignment of the households’ income for microsimulation, which means refers to improving the elements of a micro data survey (EU-SILC) by using macro data from administrative sources. We use a combined micro-macro model called ECONS-TAX for this improvement. We also produced model projections until 2015 which is important because the official EU-SILC micro database will only be available in Hungary in the summer of 2017. The paper presents our estimations about the dynamics of income elements and the changes in income inequalities. Results show that the aligned data provides a different level of income inequality, but does not affect the direction of change from year to year. However, when we analyzed policy change, the use of aligned data caused larger differences both in income levels and in their dynamics.

Fenton-like degradation of Bisphenol A catalyzed by mesoporous Cu/TUD-1

A family of copper oxide catalysts with loadings spanning 1–5 wt% were dispersed on a three dimensional, mesoporous TUD-1 silica through a hydrothermal, surfactant-free route employing tetraethylene glycol as a structure-directing agent. Their bulk and surface properties were characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, DRUVS, EPR, TEM and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the expected mesoporous wormhole/foam support morphology and presence of well-dispersed CuO nanoparticles (∼5–20 nm). The catalytic performance of Cu/TUD-1 was evaluated as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for Bisphenol A (BPA) oxidative degradation in the presence of H2O2 as a function of [H2O2], and CuO loading. Up to 90.4% of 100 ppm BPA removal was achieved over 2.5 wt% Cu/TUD-1 within 180 min, with negligible Cu leaching into the treated water.

Tailored mesoporous silica supports for Ni catalysed hydrogen production from ethanol steam reforming

Mesoporous silica supported Ni nanoparticles have been investigated for hydrogen production from ethanol steam reforming. Ethanol reforming is structure-sensitive over Ni, and also dependent on support mesostructure; three-dimensional KIT-6 possessing interconnected mesopores offers superior metal dispersion, steam reforming activity, and on-stream stability against deactivation compared with a two-dimensional SBA-15 support.

Assemblage, size and abundance bias in a novel sandy shore macro-infaunal sampling technique

Sampling sandy shore macro-invertebrate fauna is critical in enhancing our understanding of beach ecology and conservation, and is a common monitoring approach. The traditional, and almost universal, method of sampling involves sieving sand to locate infauna, but here we describe a novel Hydraulic Sampling Device (HSD), a candidate method for future macro-invertebrate sampling, which has the potential to be faster and more effective at sampling invertebrates. We compared the results obtained by these two methods. Macro-invertebrate fauna of six beaches on Phillip Island, southern Victoria, Australia were sampled in the upper and lower beach. On average, the HSD sampled a smaller size range of fauna than the sieving method, perhaps because of longer handling times and escape of larger individuals. The sieving method found more individuals and a higher species richness. The methods we describe do not produce directly comparable results. On balance, the sieving method is simpler, apparently not as prone to ‘escape bias’, and reports higher abundances and richness of beach infauna.

A macro-analysis of financial decisions : an examination of special dividend announcements

This paper investigates macro-level explanations for why firms pay special dividends. We find both the business cycle and market condition affect the propensity and abnormal returns of special dividends. Firms are more likely to announce special dividends in market or economic downturns than upturns. They tend to use additional cash for business growth in expansions and distribute it to reduce agency costs in contractions. The signaling effect of special dividends is stronger and companies with these announcements are better performers in recessions than in expansions. This research sheds light on and enhances the understanding of why firms disburse extra cash dividends at the aggregate level.

A new post-metallocene-ti catalyst with maltolate bidentade ligand: an investigation in heterogeneous polymerization reactions in different mesoporous supports

A new titanium catalyst easily synthesized from ethylmaltol bidentate chelator ligand was studied in homogeneous and heterogeneous ethylene polymerization. The dichlorobis(3-hydroxy-2-ethyl-4-pyrone)titanium(IV) complex was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), UV-Vis and elemental analysis. Theoretical study by density functional theory (DFT) showed that the complex chlorines exhibit cis configuration, which is important for the activity in olefin polymerization. The complex was supported by two methods, direct impregnation or methylaluminoxane (MAO) pre-treatment, in five mesoporous supports: MCM-41 (micro and nano), SBA-15 and also the corresponding modified Al species. All the catalytic systems were active in ethylene polymerization and the catalytic activity was strongly influenced by the method of immobilization of the catalyst and the type of support.

Combining micro and macro data in hedonic price indexes

This paper proposes arithmetic and geometric Paasche quality-adjusted price indexes that combine micro data from the base period with macro data on the averages of asset prices and characteristics at the index period.

Mesoporous Carbon as effective and sustainable catalyst for fine chemistry

It is well known that activated carbon with welldeveloped porosity is a promising material that have been used for several applications, from adsorption to catalysis. Research in this field has intensified in recent years, looking for new and improved characteristics and applications. Our research group, recently renamed Materials for Adsorption and Catalysis group (MAC) in LAQV-REQUIMTE, has also devoted many research work in this subject, and has developed several collaboration works with other national and international research groups in the field. Among our research group interests there is the study of catalytic properties of carbon materials and specifically mesoporous carbon. Some of the promising results were selected and summarized here, demonstrating that mesoporous carbon is an efficient and environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalyst.

Desenvolvimento de tecnologias para o manejo integrado de pragas da macieira e pereira. Atividade: Bioindicadores de macro fauna de solo para avaliação de impacto do manejo fitossanitário.

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de analisar o impacto antrópico comparando as populações de macrofauna de solo de diferentes sistemas ambientais. A avaliação do impacto na variabilidade e quantidade da macrofauna comparadas entre si permitirá a criação de um índice bioindicador expedito de qualidade ambiental, que poderá ser utilizado pelo produtor, auxiliando no registro da evolução dos processos de degradação ou recuperação de uma área. Para realizar este trabalho, foram escolhidos nove locais para armadilhas, sendo oito na unidade da Embrapa Uva e Vinho (pomar orgânico, capoeira, bosque, pomar pequenos frutos, campo nativo, pomar em implantação, pomar convencional, área de pinnus) e uma lavoura de grãos ao lado da unidade, todos com as mesmas condições de clima e solo.

Critically evaluating rural women’s participation and empowerment : An interdisciplinary feminist framework for research and analysis

Community development is increasingly using participatory processes that aim to be inclusive and empowering. However, researchers have found that such processes can have contradictory effects. Australian research has highlighted the significant leadership of rural women in sustainable community and economic development and in the adoption of new communication technologies such as the Internet. A focus on gender in participatory development may therefore lead to more effective programs and policies. This chapter outlines an interdisciplinary feminist framework for critically evaluating the participation and empowerment of rural women. This framework was found effective in evaluating an Australian project that aimed to enhance rural women’s access to communication technologies and to empower its participants. Its multiple theoretical and methodological approaches are outlined. The framework advocates an analysis of diversity and difference and the macro and micro contexts. Some principles and strategies for rural women’s inclusion, participation, empowerment, and for participatory feminist evaluation are outlined.

Cross-cultural consumer/consumption research : dealing with issues emerging from globalization and fragmentation

To understand the effects of globalization and fragmentation, macromarketing scholars need insights about links between individual consumer behavior and societal outcomes. The challenge in this regard is to create a program of macrooriented cross-cultural research. This article offers a crosscultural consumer behavior research framework for this purpose. The framework encompasses four key areas of consumer behavior that are related to the forces of globalization and fragmentation, including the environment, identity, wellbeing,and market structure and policy. A discussion of these substantive areas is followed by a suggested macro-microoriented research agenda and a call for paradigm plurality in pursuing this agenda.