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Sample records for change decisional balance

  1. The Effects of Exercise Advertising on Self-efficacy and Decisional Balance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Berry, Tanya R.; Howe, Bruce L.

    2005-01-01

    Objectives: To investigate the effects of exercise advertising on self-efficacy and decisional balance for changing exercise behavior. Methods: One hundred seventy-four university students (females = 108; males = 66) watched a video that contained health, appearance, or control advertising and completed stage of change, exercise self-efficacy, and…

  2. Motivational interviewing and the decisional balance procedure for cessation induction in smokers not intending to quit.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Krigel, Susan W; Grobe, James E; Goggin, Kathy; Harris, Kari Jo; Moreno, Jose L; Catley, Delwyn

    2017-01-01

    The decisional balance (DB) procedure examines the pros and cons of behavior change and was considered a component in early formulations of Motivational Interviewing (MI). However, there is controversy and conflicting findings regarding the use of a DB exercise within the treatment of addictions and a need to clarify the role of DB as a component of MI. College tobacco smokers (N=82) with no intentions on quitting were randomly assigned to receive a single counseling session of either Motivational Interviewing using only the decisional balance component (MIDB), or health education around smoking cessation (HE). Assessments were obtained at baseline, immediately post-treatment, 1week, and 4weeks. Compared to HE, the MIDB sessions scored significantly higher on the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) scale (all standardized differences d>1, pmotivation to quit, quit attempts, and self-reported abstinence, with no significant group differences. Changes in the Pros of smoking were correlated with MITI scores, but not with cessation outcomes. In contrast, increases in the Cons of smoking and therapeutic alliance were predictive of better cessation outcomes. The decisional balance exercise as formulated by earlier versions of MI may be counter-productive and cautions around its use are warranted. Instead, improved cessation outcomes appear associated with increasing perceived benefits of quitting and positive therapeutic alliance. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Association of Self-efficacy and Decisional Balance with Stages of Change for Fiber Intake and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

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    Parisa Keshani

    2015-09-01

    Full Text Available Background and Objectives: Constructs of behavioral models such as trans-theoretical model can be associated with healthy eating behaviors like increasing fiber intake. They can also be effective in improving these behaviors in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to assess the association of self-efficacy and decisional balance with stages of change for fiber intake and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 145 literate male and female patients with type 2 diabetes (aged 30 to 65 years they were randomly selected from the patients’ list of “Charity Foundation for Special Diseases” and ”Iranian Diabetes Society” in Tehran-Iran. Stages of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance questionnaires were filled out, and three food records were used to assess their nutritional status. Blood samples were taken to assess fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin, and insulin resistance. One-way ANOVA and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The tests were done using the SPSS software (ver. 16. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: 126 patients with type 2 diabetes completed the study. Participants’ mean age was 53.5±6.02 and 65% were men. Patients in post-action stages revealed higher self-efficacy than did those in pre-action stages (P=0.035. A relationship was observed between insulin resistance and self-efficacy (P=0.040. One unit increase in self-efficacy decreased the risk of insulin resistance by 12%, and each unit increase in decisional balance increased the chance of eating sufficient fiber by 2.2 times. There was also a significant relationship between the perceived cons (P<0.0001 and self-efficacy (P=0.037 with fiber intake after adjustment with confounders. Conclusions: This study suggests that there is a relationship between transtheoretical model constructs such as self-efficacy and decisional balance, especially cons, with

  4. The decisional balance sheet to promote healthy behavior among ethnically diverse older adults.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Geller, Karly S; Mendoza, Ilora D; Timbobolan, Jasah; Montjoy, Holly L; Nigg, Claudio R

    2012-01-01

    The rising health care costs and increasing older adult population in the United States make preventive medicine for this age group especially crucial. Regular physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption may prevent or delay the onset of many chronic conditions that are common among older adults. The decisional balance sheet is a promotional tool targeting the perceived pros and cons of behavior adoption. The current study tested the efficiency and effectiveness of a single-day decisional balance sheet program, targeting increased physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake among older adults. Participating adults (N = 21, age = 72.2) who represented a diverse population in Hawaii (Japanese = 5, Filipino = 4, Caucasian = 4, Native American = 1, Native Hawaiian = 1, Hispanic = 1, and Others = 5) were recruited from housing communities and randomized to a decisional balance sheet program adapted for physical activity or fruit and vegetable consumption. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form, and daily fruit and vegetable intake with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey single item instrument. Baseline and follow-up data were collected. Both programs were implemented efficiently, and participants in both groups improved their daily physical activity. The decisional balance sheet for fruit and vegetable consumption appeared less effective. Specific suggestions for similar programs are reported. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Understanding the pros and cons of organ donation decision-making: Decisional balance and expressing donation intentions among African Americans.

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    Flemming, Shauna St Clair; Redmond, Nakeva; Williamson, Dana Hz; Thompson, Nancy J; Perryman, Jennie P; Patzer, Rachel E; Arriola, Kimberly Jacob

    2018-04-01

    Increasing public commitment to organ donation is critical to improving donor kidney availability for end-stage renal disease patients desiring transplant. This study surveyed ( N = 1339) African Americans, measuring perceived pros relative to cons of organ donation, to evaluate an existing Transtheoretical Model decisional balance scale and associations between decisional balance and expressing donation intentions. Findings supported the existing scale structure. More positive decisional balance ratios were associated with 1.76 times the odds of expressing intentions (95% confidence interval = 1.52-2.04). Pros were more strongly linked to donation intentions than cons. Greater understanding of organ donation decision-making is valuable for informing interventions that encourage donation.

  6. Mediation analysis of decisional balance, sun avoidance and sunscreen use in the precontemplation and preparation stages for sun protection.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Santiago-Rivas, Marimer; Velicer, Wayne F; Redding, Colleen

    2015-01-01

    Mediation analyses of sun protection were conducted testing structural equation models using longitudinal data with three waves. An effect was said to be mediated if the standardised path between processes of change, decisional balance and sun protection outcomes was significant. Longitudinal models of sun protection using data from individuals in the precontemplation (N = 964) and preparation (N = 463) stages who participated of an expert system intervention. Nine processes of change for sun protection, decisional balance constructs of sun protection (pros and cons), sun avoidance behaviour and sunscreen use. With the exception of two processes in the preparation stage, processes of change predicted the pros (r = .126-.614), and the pros predicted the outcomes (r = .181-.272). Three models with the cons as mediator in the preparation stage, and none in the precontemplation stage, showed a mediated relationship between processes and outcomes. In general, mediation analyses found both the process of change-to-pros and pros-to-behaviour paths significant for both precontemplation and preparation stages, and for both sun avoidance and sunscreen use outcomes. Findings provide support for the importance of assessing the role of underlying risk cognitions in improving sun protection adherence.

  7. Advantages and disadvantages of college drinking in students' own words: content analysis of the decisional balance worksheet.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Collins, Susan E; Kirouac, Megan; Taylor, Emily; Spelman, Philip J; Grazioli, Véronique; Hoffman, Gail; Haelsig, Laura; Holttum, Jessica; Kanagawa, Ami; Nehru, Mayanka; Hicks, Jennifer

    2014-09-01

    The decisional balance worksheet (DBW), an open-ended measure of motivation to change, may be used to record the perceived advantages and disadvantages of substance use as well as alternative behaviors. Recent findings have indicated that the open-ended DBW can be quantified to validly reflect college students' level of motivation to reduce their drinking (Collins, Carey, & Otto, 2009). The goal of the current study was to enhance our understanding of college students' perceived advantages and disadvantages of drinking by qualitatively examining the content of their decisional balance. Participants were undergraduate college students at a 4-year university (N = 760) who participated in a randomized controlled trial of online brief motivational interventions. Using the DBW, participants recorded the advantages and disadvantages of their current drinking. Conventional content analysis methods were used to extract common themes. Social, enjoyment, and psychological reasons were the most commonly mentioned advantages of drinking, whereas physical side effects, expense and interference with goals were the most commonly mentioned disadvantages of drinking. These findings show that college students primarily use alcohol for enjoyment, particularly in social situations, as well as for coping with stress and social anxiety. On the other hand, many college students report having physical side effects from drinking as well as other kinds of concerns (e.g., expense, calories). Findings suggest that using the open-ended DBW may result in a more client-centered and accurate representation of what college students perceive as advantages and disadvantages to drinking than established, Likert-scale measures of decisional balance.

  8. Validity and Stability of the Decisional Balance for Sun Protection Inventory

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    Hui-Qing Yin

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available The 8-item Decisional Balance for sun protection inventory (SunDB assesses the relative importance of the perceived advantages (Pros and disadvantages (Cons of sun protective behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of the SunDB measure, including invariance of the measurement model, in a population-based sample of N=1336 adults. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the theoretically based 2-factor (Pros, Cons model, with high internal consistencies for each subscale (α≥.70. Multiple-sample CFA established that this factor pattern was invariant across multiple population subgroups, including gender, racial identity, age, education level, and stage of change subgroups. Multivariate analysis by stage of change replicated expected patterns for SunDB (Pros η2=.15, Cons η2=.02. These results demonstrate the internal and external validity and measurement stability of the SunDB instrument in adults, supporting its use in research and intervention.

  9. Validity and Stability of the Decisional Balance for Sun Protection Inventory

    OpenAIRE

    Hui-Qing Yin; Joseph S. Rossi; Colleen A. Redding; Andrea L. Paiva; Steven F. Babbin; Wayne F. Velicer

    2014-01-01

    The 8-item Decisional Balance for sun protection inventory (SunDB) assesses the relative importance of the perceived advantages (Pros) and disadvantages (Cons) of sun protective behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of the SunDB measure, including invariance of the measurement model, in a population-based sample of N = 1336 adults. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the theoretically based 2-factor (Pros, Cons) model, with high internal consistencies for each subscale...

  10. Measuring kidney patients' motivation to pursue living donor kidney transplant: development of stage of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy measures.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Waterman, Amy D; Robbins, Mark L; Paiva, Andrea L; Peipert, John D; Davis, LaShara A; Hyland, Shelley S; Schenk, Emily A; Baldwin, Kari A; Amoyal, Nicole R

    2015-02-01

    While educational interventions to increase patient motivation to pursue living donor kidney transplant have shown success in increasing living donor kidney transplant rates, there are no validated, theoretically consistent measures of Stage of Change, a measure of readiness to pursue living donor kidney transplant; Decisional Balance, a weighted assessment of living donor kidney transplant's advantages/disadvantages; and Self-Efficacy, a measure of belief that patients can pursue living donor kidney transplant in difficult circumstances. This study developed and validated measures of these three constructs. In two independent samples of kidney patients (N 1 = 279 and N 2 = 204), results showed good psychometric properties and support for their use in the assessment of living donor kidney transplant interventions. © The Author(s) 2013.

  11. Development and validation of green eating behaviors, stage of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy scales in college students.

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    Weller, Kathryn E; Greene, Geoffrey W; Redding, Colleen A; Paiva, Andrea L; Lofgren, Ingrid; Nash, Jessica T; Kobayashi, Hisanori

    2014-01-01

    To develop and validate an instrument to assess environmentally conscious eating (Green Eating [GE]) behavior (BEH) and GE Transtheoretical Model constructs including Stage of Change (SOC), Decisional Balance (DB), and Self-efficacy (SE). Cross-sectional instrument development survey. Convenience sample (n = 954) of 18- to 24-year-old college students from a northeastern university. The sample was randomly split: (N1) and (N2). N1 was used for exploratory factor analyses using principal components analyses; N2 was used for confirmatory analyses (structural modeling) and reliability analyses (coefficient α). The full sample was used for measurement invariance (multi-group confirmatory analyses) and convergent validity (BEH) and known group validation (DB and SE) by SOC using analysis of variance. Reliable (α > .7), psychometrically sound, and stable measures included 2 correlated 5-item DB subscales (Pros and Cons), 2 correlated SE subscales (school [5 items] and home [3 items]), and a single 6-item BEH scale. Most students (66%) were in Precontemplation and Contemplation SOC. Behavior, DB, and SE scales differed significantly by SOC (P development and preliminary validation of this 25-item GE instrument provides a basis for assessment as well as development of tailored interventions for college students. Copyright © 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Automatización Fuzzy aplicado en la contabilidad decisional

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    Jaime Tinto Arandes

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available El propósito de este trabajo es introducir la automatización en los instrumentos que la teoría de la incertidumbre contiene, dentro de las ciencias contables como herramienta fundamental para la toma de decisiones debido a la necesidad de darle al área contable una visión predictiva y dinámica. Con ello se pretende ir introduciendo los conceptos de la teoría de la incertidumbre para la construcción de los balances previsionales de situación y unos estados previsionales de resultados, donde quede atrapada toda la incertidumbre reinante en un horizonte de mediano y largo plazo para la correcta toma de decisiones. Para ello, es necesario partir del dato contable actual cierto, plasmado en los balances generales de la empresa y en los estados de resultados financieros, técnicas como el expertizaje y el contra-expertizaje, entre otras. Palabras clave: Modelo, contabilidad decisional, construcción.

  13. Instrumentos Fuzzy para la toma de decisiones en las ciencias contables

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    Jaime Tinto Arandes

    2015-06-01

    Full Text Available El propósito de este trabajo es introducir la teoría de la incertidumbre dentro de las Ciencias Contables como elemento fundamental para la toma de decisiones, donde surge la necesidad de dar una visión predictiva y dinámica al área contable. Se pretende partir del dato contable actual cierto, plasmado en los balances generales de la empresa y en los estados de resultados financieros, por medio de las técnicas del expertizaje y contra-expertizaje, Se ha logrado la construcción de unos balances provisionales de situación y unos estados provisionales de resultados, donde quede plasmada toda la incertidumbre reinante en un horizonte de mediano y largo plazo para la correcta toma de decisiones. Se busca que el contador sea capaz de crear modelos para la toma de decisiones a futuro, convirtiéndose en uno de los decisores indispensables que requieran las empresas en un mundo de continuos cambios. Palabras clave: Análisis, toma de decisiones, conocimiento, incertidumbre.

  14. Application of Bayesian Method in Validation of TTM Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy Constructs to Improve Nutritional Behavior in Yazdian Prediabetes

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    Hossein Fallahzadeh

    2017-07-01

    Full Text Available Introduction: To introduce Bayesian method in validation of transtheoretical model’s Self-Efficacy and Decisional Balance for nutritional behavior improvement among Prediabetes with ordinal data. Methods: This is an Experimental trial with parallel design and sample was included 220 Prediabetes who Participated in screening program and had over 30 years old, fasting blood glucose ranged 100-125 and at least elementary Education. We used OpenBugs 3.2.3 to fit Bayesian ordinal factor analysis to achieve validation of TTM’s decisional balance and self-efficacy. Results: All of the factor loadings corresponded to mentioned constructs was significant at α= 0.05%. That support validation of the Constructs. Correlation between Pros and Cons was not significant(-0.076, 0.007.Furthermore a specific statistical model for ordinal data created that can estimate odds ratios and marginal Probabilities for each choice of any item in questionnaire. Conclusion: Thanks to benefits of Bayesian method in use of prior information such as Meta-analysis and other resources, In comparison to similar studies that used standard or other factor analysis for ordinal data, our results had good accuracy(with aspect to standard deviation even with lower sample size.so the results can be used  in future clinical researches.

  15. A Study of the Role of Decisional Balance in Exercise Status Among Yazd’s Staff Based on Transtheoretical Model

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    Mazloomy Mahmoudabad Saeid

    2009-06-01

    Full Text Available Background: According to statistical evidence put forward by WHO in 2003, lack of physical activity is the reason for 1.9 million deaths in the world. More than 60% of adults in the world and more than 80% of Iranian adults do not perform sufficient levels of physical activity. Despite the great advantages of exercise a huge portion of the population of many countries do not exercise adequately thus deprived of its benefits. Transtheoretical model is identified as a comprehensive model for behavior change and decision balance is regarded as a fundamental structure of the model which centers around positive and negative behavior change consequences. In this study decision was made to check the situation of sport change process in Yazd’s staff according to Transtheoretical Model and its relation with decision balance.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 220 subjects were recruited. The subjects were selected through 2-stage cluster sampling-test; the instruments for data collection were a questionnaire that consisted of two parts (demographic variables and construct of TTM. Data analyzed by ANOVA and T-test through SPSS and P<0.05 was significant.Results: Results of the study on 152 males (69.1% and 68 females (30.9% with the average age of 34±8.68 indicated a significant relationship between pros and cons with stages of change (both P<0.0001 and between pros with age (P=0.004. Of 220 study group 44(20% were in pre-contemplation stage, 88 (40% in contemplation, 30(13.6% in preparation, 16(7.3% in action and 42(19.1% in maintenance stage.Conclusion: With regard to the fact that transtheoretical model has revealed a significant relationship between decisional balance and stage of change in exercise. It is proposed that accomplish educational class for employees, in order to increase pros and reduce cons of exercise.

  16. Validation of a Short Form of the Greek Version of the Decisional Balance Scale in the Exercise Domain. (Validación de la Versión Griega de la Escala Abreviada de Equilibrio Decisional en el Campo del Ejercicio Físico.

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    Konstantinos Karteroliotis

    2008-04-01

    Full Text Available AbstractAlthough the Decisional Balance Scale (DBS for exercise has been established to have sound psychometric properties, the factorial structure of this instrument has not been examined in other European countries. The purpose of this study was to test a short version of the decisional balance scale for exercise in Greek adults. The DBS was administered to 158 (61.2% women and 100 (38.8% men. An exploratory factor analysis yielded a positive (pros factor and a negative (cons factor. The results from confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the two-factor structure was the best fit for the DBS when it was used with Greek adults. The alpha coefficients were .84 for the positive factor and .81 for the negative factor. The findings are similar to those of the English original, and suggest that the revised DBS can be used in exercise and activity research with Greek adults. However, to expand the usefulness of this instrument across cultures, the DBS should continue to be tested with other Greek populations and settings.Resumen La escala del equilibrio decisional (DBS presenta unas sólidas propiedades psicométricas, no obstante la estructura factorial de dicho instrumento no se ha examinado en otros países europeos. Este estudio tiene como objetivo probar una versión corta de la escala decisional sobre ejercicio a una muestra de adultos griegos. La DBS revisada se administró a 158 (61.2% participantes mujeres y 100 (38.8% hombres. El análisis factorial exploratorio mostró la presencia de dos factores, uno positivo (los pros y uno negativo (los contras. Los resultados del análisis factorial confirmatorio indicaron que la mejor solución factorial para la versión griega de la escala DBS se componía de una doble estructura. Los coeficientes alpha fueron de .84 para el factor positivo y de .81 para el factor negativo. Los hallazgos de este estudio fueron similares a los de la versión original, indicando que la revisada DBS es adecuada

  17. Decisional Capacity among Minors with HIV: A Model for Balancing Autonomy Rights with the Need for Protection.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chenneville, Tiffany; Sibille, Kimberly; Bendell-Estroff, Debra

    The purpose of this paper is threefold: (1) to describe the relevant ethical and legal issues associated with decisional capacity among minors and to discuss the importance of these concepts for children and adolescents living with HIV; (2) to provide a framework for assessing the decisional capacity of children and adolescents with HIV; and (3) to present a model for thinking about how to use this assessment data to guide action along the protection-autonomy continuum.

  18. 32 CFR 724.806 - Decisional issues.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... 32 National Defense 5 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Decisional issues. 724.806 Section 724.806... BOARD Procedures of Naval Discharge Review Board § 724.806 Decisional issues. (a) General. Under the guidance in this section, the decisional document shall discuss the issues that provide a basis for the...

  19. 32 CFR 865.112 - Decisional issues.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... 32 National Defense 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Decisional issues. 865.112 Section 865.112...-GENERAL PERSONNEL REVIEW BOARDS Air Force Discharge Review Board § 865.112 Decisional issues. (a) The decisional document shall discuss the issues that provide a basis for the decision whether there should be a...

  20. Differences between Australian and Japanese Students in Decisional Self-Esteem, Decisional Stress, and Coping Styles.

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    Radford, Mark H. B.; And Others

    1993-01-01

    Examines effects of culture on decisional self-esteem, decisional stress, and self-reported decision coping style for 743 Japanese and 309 Australian college students. Findings on coping styles in decision making are related to cross-cultural differences between the individualistic culture of Australia and the collectivistic culture of Japan. (SLD)

  1. Automatización Fuzzy aplicado en la contabilidad decisional

    OpenAIRE

    Jaime Tinto Arandes; María Emilia Molina; Habbid Chávez Acosta; Sylvia Mosquera Maldonado

    2016-01-01

    El propósito de este trabajo es introducir la automatización en los instrumentos que la teoría de la incertidumbre contiene, dentro de las ciencias contables como herramienta fundamental para la toma de decisiones debido a la necesidad de darle al área contable una visión predictiva y dinámica. Con ello se pretende ir introduciendo los conceptos de la teoría de la incertidumbre para la construcción de los balances previsionales de situación y unos estados previsionales de resultados, donde qu...

  2. Decisiones compartidas en la enfermedad avanzada

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    Mª Aránzazu García Martínez

    2013-12-01

    Full Text Available Tomar decisiones es una práctica diaria de todo ser humano. Hay decisiones sencillas, con pocos valores en juego, con con secuencias poco importantes y en las que solo una persona está implicada y otras más complejas y con consecuencias irreversibles.

  3. Las decisiones de los hogares en Venezuela

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    Marakah Mancini

    2008-06-01

    Full Text Available Este artículo analiza quién toma las decisiones en los hogares y los factores que afectan la decisión. Esta investigación se condujo en Venezuela, donde se preguntó a las mujeres sobre las decisiones de los hogares en cuatro áreas. Los resultados indican que la mayoría de los hogares toman decisiones conjuntamente. Excluyendo esta categoría, la mayoría de las mujeres toman decisiones concernientes a la compra de bienes y la educación de los hijos, mientras que los hombres dominan las decisiones acerca de las finanzas del hogar y el cambio de residencia. También se encontró que la mayoría de las parejas que trabajan comparten los gastos del hogar. Además, se identifican factores que afectan el poder de decisión de las mujeres como la participación femenina en el mercado laboral y la edad, no obstante, el nivel de educación no afecta su poder decisión.

  4. Parental decision making involvement and decisional conflict: a descriptive study.

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    Boland, Laura; Kryworuchko, Jennifer; Saarimaki, Anton; Lawson, Margaret L

    2017-06-13

    Decisional conflict is a state of uncertainty about the best treatment option among competing alternatives and is common among adult patients who are inadequately involved in the health decision making process. In pediatrics, research shows that many parents are insufficiently involved in decisions about their child's health. However, little is known about parents' experience of decisional conflict. We explored parents' perceived decision making involvement and its association with parents' decisional conflict. We conducted a descriptive survey study in a pediatric tertiary care hospital. Our survey was guided by validated decisional conflict screening items (i.e., the SURE test). We administered the survey to eligible parents after an ambulatory care or emergency department consultation for their child. Four hundred twenty-nine respondents were included in the analysis. Forty-eight percent of parents reported not being offered treatment options and 23% screened positive for decisional conflict. Parents who reported being offered options experienced less decisional conflict than parents who reported not being offered options (5% vs. 42%, p conflict after their clinical consultation. Involving parents in the decision making process might reduce their risk of decisional conflict. Evidence based interventions that support parent decision making involvement, such as shared decision making, should be evaluated and implemented in pediatrics as a strategy to reduce parents' decisional conflict.

  5. Impaired decisional impulsivity in pathological videogamers.

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    Michael A Irvine

    Full Text Available Pathological gaming is an emerging and poorly understood problem. Impulsivity is commonly impaired in disorders of behavioural and substance addiction, hence we sought to systematically investigate the different subtypes of decisional and motor impulsivity in a well-defined pathological gaming cohort.Fifty-two pathological gaming subjects and age-, gender- and IQ-matched healthy volunteers were tested on decisional impulsivity (Information Sampling Task testing reflection impulsivity and delay discounting questionnaire testing impulsive choice, and motor impulsivity (Stop Signal Task testing motor response inhibition, and the premature responding task. We used stringent diagnostic criteria highlighting functional impairment.In the Information Sampling Task, pathological gaming participants sampled less evidence prior to making a decision and scored fewer points compared with healthy volunteers. Gaming severity was also negatively correlated with evidence gathered and positively correlated with sampling error and points acquired. In the delay discounting task, pathological gamers made more impulsive choices, preferring smaller immediate over larger delayed rewards. Pathological gamers made more premature responses related to comorbid nicotine use. Greater number of hours played also correlated with a Motivational Index. Greater frequency of role playing games was associated with impaired motor response inhibition and strategy games with faster Go reaction time.We show that pathological gaming is associated with impaired decisional impulsivity with negative consequences in task performance. Decisional impulsivity may be a potential target in therapeutic management.

  6. Perceptions of decisional uutonomy of Turkish adolescents and their parents

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    Nermin Celen

    2006-12-01

    Full Text Available This study attempted to investigate decisional autonomy in Turkish adolescents from 12 to 18 years. The Perspectives on Adolescent Decision Making (PADM questionnaire was administered to 372 middle class adolescents who attend middle and high schools and to their parents. The PADM assess if adolescents decide for themselves, or parents impose restrictions or adolescents and parents have arguments about the topic. MANOVA analyzes were used. Results showed that affirmative answers increased with age. From adolescent and parents' perspectives adolescent decisional autonomy grows with age, parental control decreases, conflicts between them tended to decrease, on the perspective of parents. There was minor gender differences: girls have higher level of decisional autonomy; boys experience more conflict. Adolescents' decisional autonomy expectations tended to be higher than those of parents. Fathers' and mothers' perspectives on decisional autonomy were very similar. The results support the new family model proposed by Kaðýtçýbaþý.

  7. Mapping the Decision-Making Process for Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: The Role of Decisional Resolve.

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    Beryl, Louise L; Rendle, Katharine A S; Halley, Meghan C; Gillespie, Katherine A; May, Suepattra G; Glover, Jennifer; Yu, Peter; Chattopadhyay, Runi; Frosch, Dominick L

    2017-01-01

    Studies show adjuvant endocrine therapy increases survival and decreases risk of breast cancer recurrence for hormone receptor-positive tumors. Yet studies also suggest that adherence rates among women taking this therapy may be as low as 50% owing largely to adverse side effects. Despite these rates, research on longitudinal patient decision making regarding this therapy is scant. We sought to map the decision-making process for women considering and initiating adjuvant endocrine therapy, paying particular attention to patterns of uncertainty and decisional change over time. A longitudinal series of semistructured interviews conducted at a multispecialty health care organization in Northern California with 35 newly diagnosed patients eligible for adjuvant endocrine therapy were analyzed. Analysis led to the identification and indexing of 3 new decision-making constructs-decisional phase, decisional direction, and decisional resolve-which were then organized using a visual matrix and examined for patterns characterizing the decision-making process. Our data reveal that most patients do not make a single, discrete decision to take or not take hormone therapy but rather traverse multiple decisional states, characterized by 1) phase, 2) direction, and 3) strength of resolve. Our analysis tracks these decisional states longitudinally using a grayscale-coded matrix. Our data show that decisional resolve wavers not just when considering therapy, as the existing concept of decisional conflict suggests, but even after initiating it, which may signal future decisions to forgo therapy. Adjuvant endocrine therapy, like other chronic care decisions, has a longer decision-making process and implementation period. Thus, theoretical, empirical, and clinical approaches should consider further exploring the new concept and measurement of decisional resolve, as it may help to improve subsequent medication adherence. © The Author(s) 2016.

  8. Treatment-related decisional conflict in patients with depressive and anxious disorders

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    De las Cuevas C

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available Carlos De las Cuevas,1 Ramsés Marrero,1 Casimiro Cabrera21Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Psychiatry, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain; 2Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaPurpose: To determine the level of treatment-related decisional conflict in patients with emotional disorders and to establish its relationship with sociodemographic and clinical variables.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey on a convenience sample of 321 consecutive psychiatric outpatients with emotional disorders. All patients completed self-report questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and clinical variables, patients’ preference of participation in decision making, perceived decisional conflict about treatment, adherence to prescribed treatment, and satisfaction with the psychiatric care provided. Multiple correspondences analysis was used to investigate relationships of decisional conflict with the variables of interest.Results: Approximately, two-thirds of psychiatric outpatients self-reported decisional conflict regarding their treatment. Interestingly, the presence of decisional conflict did not influence significantly patients’ preferences of participation or their adherence to prescribed treatment. Patients without decisional conflict registered significantly higher satisfaction. Multiple correspondences analysis evidenced two clear profiles: patients without decisional conflict received the treatment they preferred, mainly psychotherapy or combined treatment, had been under psychiatric treatment for longer than 5 years, and self-reported high satisfaction with health care received; on the other hand, patients with decisional conflict did not receive the treatment they preferred, were treated with pharmacotherapy alone for a period of time between 1 and 5 years, and self-reported medium satisfaction with received health care.Conclusion: The high level of

  9. Psychosocial changes in the Mississippi communities for healthy living (MCHL) nutrition intervention

    Science.gov (United States)

    The objective of the study was to evaluate the psychosocial changes reported by participants in a nutrition education intervention in the Lower Mississippi Delta. The psychosocial constructs such as decisional balance (DB), self-efficacy (SE), and social support (SS) are correlated with fruit and ve...

  10. Decisional enhancement and autonomy: public attitudes towards overt and covert nudges

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gidon Felsen

    2013-05-01

    Full Text Available Ubiquitous cognitive biases hinder optimal decision making. Recent calls to assist decision makers in mitigating these biases---via interventions commonly called ``nudges''---have been criticized as infringing upon individual autonomy. We tested the hypothesis that such ``decisional enhancement'' programs that target overt decision making---i.e., conscious, higher-order cognitive processes---would be more acceptable than similar programs that affect covert decision making---i.e., subconscious, lower-order processes. We presented respondents with vignettes in which they chose between an option that included a decisional enhancement program and a neutral option. In order to assess preferences for overt or covert decisional enhancement, we used the contrastive vignette technique in which different groups of respondents were presented with one of a pair of vignettes that targeted either conscious or subconscious processes. Other than the nature of the decisional enhancement, the vignettes were identical, allowing us to isolate the influence of the type of decisional enhancement on preferences. Overall, we found support for the hypothesis that people prefer conscious decisional enhancement. Further, respondents who perceived the influence of the program as more conscious than subconscious reported that their decisions under the program would be more ``authentic''. However, this relative favorability was somewhat contingent upon context. We discuss our results with respect to the implementation and ethics of decisional enhancement.

  11. Mass balance gradients and climatic change

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Oerlemans, J.; Hoogendoorn, N.C.

    1989-01-01

    It is generally assumed that the mass-balance gradient on glaciers is more or less conserved under climatic change. In studies of the dynamic response of glaciers to climatic change, one of the following assumptions is normally made: (i) the mass-balance perturbation is independent of altitude

  12. Behavioral, demographic, psychosocial, and sociocultural concomitants of stage of change for physical activity behavior in a mixed-culture sample.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cardinal, Bradley J; Lee, Jong-Young; Kim, Young-Ho; Lee, Hyo; Li, Kin-Kit; Si, Qi

    2009-01-01

    Examine behavioral, demographic, psychosocial, and sociocultural concomitants of the stages of change for physical activity behavior among college students in South Korea (n = 221) and the United States (n = 166). Measures obtained in this cross-sectional study included age; body mass index; nationality; gender; exercise behavior; processes of change; decisional balance; self-efficacy; stage of change; and predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors. The amount of variance explained for stage of change by the transtheoretical model constructs (i.e., decisional balance, processes of change, self-efficacy) ranged from 11% to 29% (all p behavior (OR = 1.04; p behavioral processes of change (OR = 1.12; p change. In terms of physical activity behavior, South Korean women were more likely than South Korean men to be in the early stages, whereas American men were slightly more likely to be in the early stages than American women when all the concomitants were accounted for. Among the psychosocial stage of change concomitants, only the behavioral processes of change were found to be important.

  13. General recognition theory with individual differences: a new method for examining perceptual and decisional interactions with an application to face perception.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Soto, Fabian A; Vucovich, Lauren; Musgrave, Robert; Ashby, F Gregory

    2015-02-01

    A common question in perceptual science is to what extent different stimulus dimensions are processed independently. General recognition theory (GRT) offers a formal framework via which different notions of independence can be defined and tested rigorously, while also dissociating perceptual from decisional factors. This article presents a new GRT model that overcomes several shortcomings with previous approaches, including a clearer separation between perceptual and decisional processes and a more complete description of such processes. The model assumes that different individuals share similar perceptual representations, but vary in their attention to dimensions and in the decisional strategies they use. We apply the model to the analysis of interactions between identity and emotional expression during face recognition. The results of previous research aimed at this problem have been disparate. Participants identified four faces, which resulted from the combination of two identities and two expressions. An analysis using the new GRT model showed a complex pattern of dimensional interactions. The perception of emotional expression was not affected by changes in identity, but the perception of identity was affected by changes in emotional expression. There were violations of decisional separability of expression from identity and of identity from expression, with the former being more consistent across participants than the latter. One explanation for the disparate results in the literature is that decisional strategies may have varied across studies and influenced the results of tests of perceptual interactions, as previous studies lacked the ability to dissociate between perceptual and decisional interactions.

  14. LA GESTIÓN DE INDICADORES EMPRESARIALES CON LÓGICA DIFUSA PARA LA TOMA DE DECISIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    MARTÍN DARÍO ARANGO SERNA

    2012-12-01

    Full Text Available En las organizaciones actuales la tomade decisiones está acompañada de cierto grado deincertidumbre, lo que no permite planificar sobre resultadosciertos. En algunas ocasiones medir estosresultados también implica incertidumbre asociadacon la ambigüedad o subjetividad del instrumentoutilizado. Como solución para este problema, sepropone un sistema de medición y análisis basadoen el Balance Scorecard que incorpora técnicas delógicas difusas para disminuir la incidencia de estaincertidumbre en los procesos de toma y análisis dedecisiones.

  15. Aporte de enfermería a la toma de decisiones en salud

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Angélica Mosqueda-Díaz

    2014-06-01

    Full Text Available En el ámbito sanitario tomar decisiones es una situación frecuente, aunque potencialmente difícil, ya sea por las características del(la usuario(a, del contexto o de la situación de salud. Esto provoca conflicto decisional en los(as usuarios(as. El presente artículo se propone analizar conceptualmente la toma de decisiones en salud y los aportes realizados desde enfermería para comprender y enfrentar el fenómeno. Así, el Modelo de Toma de Decisiones en Salud de Ottawa, propuesto por la enfermera Annette O'Connor, surge como una herramienta útil para que las(os enfermeras(os realicen intervenciones efectivas con personas que se enfrentan a problemas decisionales, donde además el(la usuario(a puede asumir una participación más activa en las decisiones sobre su propia salud.

  16. Decisional Procrastination in Academic Settings: The Role of Metacognitions and Learning Strategies.

    Science.gov (United States)

    de Palo, Valeria; Monacis, Lucia; Miceli, Silvana; Sinatra, Maria; Di Nuovo, Santo

    2017-01-01

    Nowadays, university students suffer from a broad range of problems, such as educational underachievement or the inability to control themselves, that lead to procrastination as a consequence. The present research aimed at analyzing the determinants of decisional procrastination among undergraduate students and at assessing a path model in which self regulated learning strategies mediated the relationship between metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination. 273 students from Southern Italy filled out a questionnaire composed by: the socio-demographic section, the Metacognitive Beliefs About Procrastination Questionnaire, the procrastination subscale of the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, and the Anxiety, the Time Management, and the Information Processing subscales of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory. Results showed that the relationship between negative and positive metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination was mediated only by time management and anxiety. Such findings underlined the crucial role played by learning strategies in predicting the tendency to delay decisional situations and in mediating the relationship between metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination.

  17. Decisional conflict among women considering antidepressant medication use in pregnancy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Walton, Georgia D; Ross, Lori E; Stewart, Donna E; Grigoriadis, Sophie; Dennis, Cindy-Lee; Vigod, Simone

    2014-12-01

    The purpose of this study was to examine decision-making among women considering antidepressant medication use in pregnancy. Decisional conflict was assessed using the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) among pregnant women considering antidepressant medication treatment (N = 40). Overall DCS and subscale scores were compared between women who were antidepressant users and non-users. Semi-structured interviews (N = 10) explored barriers and facilitators of decision-making. Twenty-one women (52 %) had moderate or high decisional conflict (DCS ≥ 25). Overall DCS scores did not differ between groups, but antidepressant use was associated with feeling more adequately informed (subscale mean 17.5, SD 17.9 vs. 42.1, SD 23.8, p = 0.001) and clear about values (subscale mean 16.7, SD 15.1 vs. 29.8, SD 24.0, p = 0.043). Barriers to decision-making were (1) difficulty weighing maternal versus infant health, (2) lack of high quality information, (3) negative external influences, and (4) emotional reactions to decision-making. Facilitators were (1) interpersonal supports, (2) accessible subspecialty care, and (3) severe depressive symptoms. Many pregnant women facing decisions regarding antidepressant medication use experience decisional conflict. Interventions that provide accurate information, assistance with weighing risks and benefits of treatment, management of problematic external influences, and emotional support may reduce decisional conflict and facilitate the decision-making process.

  18. On risk and decisional capacity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Checkland, D

    2001-02-01

    Limits to paternalism are, in the liberal democracies, partially defined by the concepts of decision-making capacity/incapacity (mental competence/incompetence). The paper is a response to Ian Wilks's (1997) recent attempt to defend the idea that the standards for decisional capacity ought to vary with the degree of risk incurred by certain choices. Wilks's defense is based on a direct appeal to the logical features of examples and analogies, thus attempting to by-pass earlier criticisms (e.g., Culver & Gert, 1990) of risk-based standards. Wilks's argument is found wanting on the grounds that he misconstrues the logic of such capacity, especially in accounting for conceptual and pragmatic ties with issues of decisional authority. A diagnosis is offered as to the source of Wilks's error (the assumption that mental competence is a species of wider genus of "competence"), and an alternative way of accounting for risk within the predominant contemporary legal framework is sketched.

  19. Decisional Procrastination in Academic Settings: The Role of Metacognitions and Learning Strategies

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Valeria de Palo

    2017-06-01

    Full Text Available Nowadays, university students suffer from a broad range of problems, such as educational underachievement or the inability to control themselves, that lead to procrastination as a consequence. The present research aimed at analyzing the determinants of decisional procrastination among undergraduate students and at assessing a path model in which self regulated learning strategies mediated the relationship between metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination. 273 students from Southern Italy filled out a questionnaire composed by: the socio-demographic section, the Metacognitive Beliefs About Procrastination Questionnaire, the procrastination subscale of the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, and the Anxiety, the Time Management, and the Information Processing subscales of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory. Results showed that the relationship between negative and positive metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination was mediated only by time management and anxiety. Such findings underlined the crucial role played by learning strategies in predicting the tendency to delay decisional situations and in mediating the relationship between metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination.

  20. Decisional Conflict: Relationships Between and Among Family Context Variables in Cancer Survivors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lim, Jung-Won; Shon, En-Jung

    2016-07-01

    To investigate the relationships among life stress, family functioning, family coping, reliance on formal and informal resources, and decisional conflict in cancer survivors. 
. Cross-sectional.
. Participants were recruited from the California Cancer Surveillance Program, hospital registries, and community agencies in southern California and Cleveland, Ohio. 
. 243 European American, African American, Chinese American, and Korean American cancer survivors diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer.
. The merged data from an ethnically diverse cohort of cancer survivors participating in the two survey studies were used. Standardized measures were used to identify family context variables and decisional conflict. 
. Life stress, family functioning, family coping, reliance on formal and informal resources, and decisional conflict.
. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that life stress was significantly associated with decisional conflict. Family functioning significantly mediated the impact of life stress on decisional conflict through family coping. Reliance on formal and informal resources moderated the relationships among the study variables. 
. The role of the family context, which includes family functioning and coping, on decisional conflict is important in the adjustment process to make high-quality decisions in cancer survivorship care. 
. Findings present nursing practice and research implications that highlight the need for efforts to encourage and support family involvement in the decision-making process and to enhance cancer survivors' adjustment process.

  1. 32 CFR 865.121 - Complaints concerning decisional documents and index entries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... 32 National Defense 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Complaints concerning decisional documents and index entries. 865.121 Section 865.121 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) DEPARTMENT OF... Board § 865.121 Complaints concerning decisional documents and index entries. Former members of the Air...

  2. Decisiones estratégicas desde una perspectiva empresarial

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Argelio Antonio Hidalgo Ávila

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available La toma de decisiones es la actividad fundamental que desempeñan los administradores de empresas y en la actualidad se enfrentan a retos constantes y cambios del entorno. El objetivo de la investigación es mostrar el uso de herramientas cuantitativas, como el principio de Pareto y el análisis del umbral de rentabilidad, en la toma de decisiones empresariales, partiendo del conocimiento de los diferentes tipos de decisiones y sus elementos constitutivos. Se utilizó el enfoque basado en el método científico de problemas de gestión y decisión en la empresa. Los resultados obtenidos muestran cómo, a través de la aplicación de estas dos herramientas, se pueden establecer las diferentes estrategias de comercialización, distribución, control de inventarios, planes de ventas, que contribuyen al desarrollo del pensamiento estratégico, de capacidades y ventajas competitivas que garantizan el éxito y la supervivencia de la empresa a largo plazo.

  3. Modelo interrelacionado de decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Edwin Haramoto Nishikimoto

    2002-01-01

    Full Text Available Propone la implementación de un sistema interrelacionado de decisiones que permita superar los problemas que enfrentan los agentes que participan en las áreas de trabajo involucradas en la acción habitacional. Para estos describe cuatro modelos (habitacional, de decisión, de información y de alternativas habitacionales que permiten ordenar, relacionar, agrupar y jerarquizar todos los componentes del proceso habitacional

  4. Influence of a patient decision aid on decisional conflict related to PSA testing: a structural equation model.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stephens, Robert L; Xu, Ye; Volk, Robert J; Scholl, Lawrence E; Kamin, Stephanie L; Holden, E Wayne; Stroud, Leonardo A

    2008-11-01

    To examine the impact of a decision aid (DA) designed to promote informed decision making for screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and to test a theoretical model of factors influencing decisional conflict. Structural equation modeling examined pathways between DA exposure, knowledge, schema, prostate cancer risk perceptions, decisional anxiety, and decisional conflict. Sample participants included 200 men from the general population (exclusive of African Americans) and 200 African American men. Half of the men in each subsample were randomly assigned to receive the DA. Decisional conflict regarding prostate cancer screening. The DA influences level of decisional conflict by increasing patient knowledge. This effect of knowledge on decisional conflict is indirect, however, through an association with greater perceived risk and lower decisional anxiety. Also, positive PSA schema was associated with lower decisional anxiety and decisional conflict. It is important that exposure to the DA had no impact on PSA schema. Schemas about testing must be considered in developing messages about the risks and benefits of testing. If schemas are counter to message content, mechanisms for modifying schemas must be incorporated into interventions.

  5. The Strategic balance in a Change Management Perspective

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Bordum, Anders

    2010-01-01

    Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to revisit and rationally reconstruct the role of planning, strategic management, and strategic balance, in a context of managing change. The general problem dealt with is: “When is it possible to design and manage a balanced strategic change process...... abstract and complex, but nevertheless preserve the idea of planning and control as a demand for strategic balance. The last section inserts this discussion into a change management framework pointing to a practical paradox emerging and addressing a possible solution. Findings – It is argued...

  6. CONOCIMIENTO PROCEDIMENTAL Y PERFIL DECISIONAL DE JUGADORES DE VOLEIBOL DE CATEGORÍA INFANTIL

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Fernando Claver Rabaz

    2015-05-01

    Full Text Available El proceso de toma de decisiones ha sido explicado desde diversas perspectivas. Desde la psicología cognitiva se ha enfatizado la importancia de los procesos cognitivos y decisionales durante la acción deportiva, en tareas, fundamentalmente, de alta complejidad táctica, señalando al conocimiento táctico como elemento que orienta el proceso y que posibilita la adecuación de los planes de acción a la situación de juego.El proceso de toma de decisiones no solamente debe ser estudiado desde un punto de vista cognitivo, sino también desde una perspectiva afectiva. Al tomar una decisión, influirá tanto el conocimiento o la capacidad de captar lo más relevante de la situación en la que se encuentra el jugador, como el factor emocional, la fase de competición o las consecuencias de las decisiones, ya que la mayoría de las decisiones suponen riesgo. Se considera necesario analizar la toma de decisiones no como simple selección de la respuesta, sino atendiendo también a la complejidad e incertidumbre que genera la propia decisión en cada sujeto (Becker, 2001.Objetivo: Determinar el conocimiento procedimental y el perfil decisional de jugadores del voleibol de categoría infantil.

  7. Interpreting patient decisional conflict scores: behavior and emotions in decisions about treatment

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Knops, Anouk M.; Goossens, Astrid; Ubbink, Dirk T.; Legemate, Dink A.; Stalpers, Lukas J.; Bossuyt, Patrick M.

    2013-01-01

    Patient decision aids facilitate treatment decisions. They are often evaluated in terms of their effect on decisional conflict, as measured by the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS). It is unclear to what extent lower DCS scores are accompanied by observable patient behavior or emotions. To help

  8. Decisional strategy determines whether frame influences treatment preferences for medical decisions.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Woodhead, Erin L; Lynch, Elizabeth B; Edelstein, Barry A

    2011-06-01

    Decision makers are influenced by the frame of information such that preferences vary depending on whether survival or mortality data are presented. Research is inconsistent as to whether and how age impacts framing effects. This paper presents two studies that used qualitative analyses of think-aloud protocols to understand how the type of information used in the decision making process varies by frame and age. In Study 1, 40 older adults, age 65 to 89, and 40 younger adults, age 18 to 24, responded to a hypothetical lung cancer scenario in a within-subject design. Participants received both a survival and mortality frame. Qualitative analyses revealed that two main decisional strategies were used by all participants: one strategy reflected a data-driven decisional process, whereas the other reflected an experience-driven process. Age predicted decisional strategy, with older adults less likely to use a data-driven strategy. Frame interacted with strategy to predict treatment choice; only those using a data-driven strategy demonstrated framing effects. In Study 2, 61 older adults, age 65 to 98, and 63 younger adults, age 18 to 30, responded to the same scenarios as in Study 1 in a between-subject design. The results of Study 1 were replicated, with age significantly predicting decisional strategy and frame interacting with strategy to predict treatment choice. Findings suggest that framing effects may be more related to decisional strategy than to age. (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved.

  9. La Táctica deportiva y la toma de decisiones

    OpenAIRE

    López Ros, Víctor; Sargatal, Jordi; Jiménez Sánchez, Ana Concepción; Mouchet, Alain; Castejón Oliva, Francisco Javier; Terrisse, André; Lago Peñas, Carlos

    2010-01-01

    Este libro recoge las conferencias de las IV Jornadas de la Cátedra de Deporte y Educación Física de la UdG y I Seminario Internacional de táctica y técnica deportiva, dedicadas a "la táctica deportiva y la toma de decisiones ". En el planteamiento de este libro el lector encontrará, fundamentalmente, ideas y reflexiones alrededor del proceso de la toma de decisiones en los deportes colectivos. Desde nuestro punto de vista, este tema es especialmente trascendente en la comunidad científica de...

  10. Parental Decisional Regret after Primary Distal Hypospadias Repair: Family and Surgery Variables, and Repair Outcomes.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ghidini, Filippo; Sekulovic, Sasa; Castagnetti, Marco

    2016-03-01

    Decisional regret is defined as distress after making a health care choice and can be an issue for parents electing distal hypospadias repair for their sons. We assessed the influence on decisional regret of variables related to the family, surgery and outcomes. Charts for 372 patients undergoing primary distal hypospadias repair between 2005 and 2012 were reviewed, and validated questionnaires, including the Decisional Regret Scale, Pediatric Penile Perception Score and Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System, were administered to parents. Data were available for 172 of 372 families (response rate 46.2%). Of 323 parents 128 (39.6%) presented with moderately strong decisional regret, with good agreement within couples. Predictors of decisional regret included intermediate parental educational level (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.52-6.69), patient not being the first born (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.07-3.78), family history of hypospadias (OR 4.42, 95% CI 1.96-9.97), initial desire to avoid surgery (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.04-4.12), younger age at followup (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72-0.91), presence of lower urinary tract symptoms (OR 4.92, 95% CI 1.53-15.81) and lower Pediatric Penile Perception Score (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.99). Decisional regret was unrelated to parental desire to avoid circumcision, surgical variables, development of complications and duration of followup. Decisional regret is a problem in a significant proportion of parents electing distal hypospadias repair for their sons. In our experience family variables seemed to be predictors of decisional regret, while surgical variables did not. Predictors of decisional regret included worse parental perception of penile appearance and the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms. However, the latter could be unrelated to surgery. Irrespective of the duration of followup, decisional regret seems decreased in parents of older patients. Copyright © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc

  11. Demencia tipo Alzheimer, deterioro cognitivo y toma de decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Aurora Moreno

    2011-04-01

    Full Text Available El objetivo de este trabajo es el de conocer cómo es la toma de decisiones en la Demencia Tipo Alzheimer (DTA en situaciones de incertidumbre, si se manifiesta la tendencia al riesgo o no, y la relación que guarda la ejecución con el status cognitivo en cada una de las áreas evaluadas por los test de cribado del deterioro cognitivo propios de las demencias. Participaron 10 pacientes con DTA, y comparados con 10 sujetos controles. Se utilizó la Prueba Cartas (basada en la Iowa Gambling Task, donde los sujetos deben elegir entre varias opciones que entrañan más o menos riesgo, y una batería de cribado del deterioro cognitivo. Los resultados reflejaron que los sujetos con DTA en etapas iniciales presentan cierta tendencia al riesgo en las decisiones que toman y no desarrollan patrones estratégicos de elección. Parece que el deterioro cognitivo y el grado de afectación en las distintas áreas se relaciona con la forma en que toman decisiones.

  12. Emociones, toma de decisiones y consumo de alcohol en jóvenes universitarios

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yanina Michelini

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Según la hipótesis del marcador somático, la toma de decisiones resulta adaptativa cuando los procesos emocionales se integran a la actividad cognitiva. La primacía del sistema afectivo sobre el control cognitivo en los jóvenes se relaciona con una toma de decisiones en función de la gratificación inmediata, sin tener en cuenta posibles consecuencias perjudiciales futuras. El consumo intensivo de alcohol, muy frecuente en los jóvenes, se asocia a una acrecentada toma de decisiones desadaptativa. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la toma de decisiones en jóvenes de ambos sexos consumidores moderados e intensivos de alcohol, según el tipo de inducción emocional a la que fueron expuestos. Mediante un diseño factorial con pre- y postest, se estudió la toma de decisiones en 79 participantes de 18 a 29 años, antes y después de la inducción emocional positiva o negativa. Para evaluar la toma de decisiones, se administraron las pruebas Iowa Gambling Task y Cognitive Bias Task. Para inducir emociones se utilizaron fragmentos de películas. Además, se registró la frecuencia cardíaca durante la experimentación. Como resultado, se encontró que las mujeres inducidas negativamente y los hombres inducidos positivamente obtuvieron peor rendimiento en la Iowa Gambling Task. La frecuencia cardíaca disminuyó durante las sesiones experimentales respecto del periodo basal. Los consumidores intensivos tuvieron peor rendimiento en la Cognitive Bias Task respecto de los consumidores moderados. Se concluye que la experiencia emocional y el tipo de consumo de alcohol influyen sobre la toma de decisiones en los jóvenes universitarios.

  13. The influence of gene expression profiling on decisional conflict in decision making for early-stage breast cancer chemotherapy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    MacDonald, Karen V; Bombard, Yvonne; Deal, Ken; Trudeau, Maureen; Leighl, Natasha; Marshall, Deborah A

    2016-07-01

    Women with early-stage breast cancer, of whom only 15% will experience a recurrence, are often conflicted or uncertain about taking chemotherapy. Gene expression profiling (GEP) of tumours informs risk prediction, potentially affecting treatment decisions. We examined whether receiving a GEP test score reduces decisional conflict in chemotherapy treatment decision making. A general population sample of 200 women completed the decisional conflict scale (DCS) at baseline (no GEP test score scenario) and after (scenario with GEP test score added) completing a discrete choice experiment survey for early-stage breast cancer chemotherapy. We scaled the 16-item DCS total scores and subscores from 0 to 100 and calculated means, standard deviations and change in scores, with significance (p change their chemotherapy decision after receiving GEP testing information. Total score and all subscores (uncertainty, informed, values clarity, support, and effective decision) decreased significantly in the respondent subgroup who were unsure about taking chemotherapy initially but changed to no chemotherapy (n =33). In the subgroup of respondents (n = 25) who chose chemotherapy initially but changed to unsure, effective decision subscore increased significantly. In the overall sample, changes in total and all subscores were non-significant. GEP testing adds value for women initially unsure about chemotherapy treatment with a decrease in decisional conflict. However, for women who are confident about their treatment decisions, GEP testing may not add value. Decisions to request GEP testing should be personalised based on patient preferences. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Toma de decisiones y aprendizaje en agentes artificiales inteligentes

    OpenAIRE

    Ferretti, Edgardo; Sosa Toranzo, Cecilia; Aguirre, Guillermo; Loyola, Juan Martín; Cagnina, Leticia; Errecalde, Marcelo Luis

    2016-01-01

    Este artículo describe, brevemente, las tareas de investigación y desarrollo que se están llevando a cabo en la línea de investigación “Toma de decisiones y aprendizaje automático” en el marco del proyecto “Aprendizaje automático y toma de decisiones en sistemas inteligentes para la Web”. Esta línea se centra en la formalización, diseño y desarrollo de modelos formales y mecanismos para la implementación de sistemas basados en Agentes Inteligentes. En particular, se hace especial hincapié en ...

  15. Climate Change Mitigation A Balanced Approach to Climate Change

    CERN Document Server

    2012-01-01

    This book provides a fresh and innovative perspective on climate change policy. By emphasizing the multiple facets of climate policy, from mitigation to adaptation, from technological innovation and diffusion to governance issues, it contains a comprehensive overview of the economic and policy dimensions of the climate problem. The keyword of the book is balance. The book clarifies that climate change cannot be controlled by sacrificing economic growth and many other urgent global issues. At the same time, action to control climate change cannot be delayed, even though gradually implemented. Therefore, on the one hand climate policy becomes pervasive and affects all dimensions of international policy. On the other hand, climate policy cannot be too ambitious: a balanced approach between mitigation and adaptation, between economic growth and resource management, between short term development efforts and long term innovation investments, should be adopted. I recommend its reading. Carlo Carraro, President, Ca�...

  16. Personalidad y toma de decisiones vocacionales en universitarios

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Cabrera, Lidia

    2011-06-01

    Full Text Available En este trabajo se analizan las relaciones entre la personalidad y la toma de decisiones vocacionales en estudiantes universitarios. La hipótesis de partida es que la personalidad eficaz está asociada a un proceso de toma de decisiones vocacionales más maduro. Para ello se administró el Cuestionario de Personalidad Eficiente y el Inventario de Factores Vocacionales a 497 estudiantes de último y penúltimo curso de carrera. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las dimensiones constitutivas de la decisión vocacional en grupos extremos de alta y baja personalidad eficiente. Los resultados confirman que la personalidad eficaz está vinculada a una toma de decisión vocacional más basada en el conocimiento óptimo tanto de sí mismo como del mercado laboral.

  17. Sesgos presentes en la toma de decisiones de los gerentes y equipos gerenciales en Lima, Perú

    OpenAIRE

    Galdós Jiménez, Walter Gonzalo

    2010-01-01

    El ambiente actual de negocios en el Perú, las empresas, frente a la complejidad de las decisiones, promueven en forma creciente decisiones individuales más rigurosas y decisiones en equipo, sobre la premisa que en conjunto, los seres humanos alcanzan un nivel más alto de racionalidad. Se han identificado una serie de fallas en la forma en que pensamos al tomar decisiones. Algunas, como la heurística por claridad, son concepciones sensoriales erradas. Otras toman la forma de se...

  18. Decisional Bias as Implicit Moral Judgment

    Science.gov (United States)

    Spring, Toni; Saltzstein, Herbert D.

    2017-01-01

    Decisional bias (false alarm rate) when judging the guilt/innocence of a suspect is offered as an implicit measure of moral judgment. Combining two data sets, 215 participants, ages 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18 watched the visually identical film involving a person setting a fire, framed either as (1) intentional but not resulting in a fire (BI-NF),…

  19. Decisional Procrastination in Academic Settings: The Role of Metacognitions and Learning Strategies

    OpenAIRE

    de Palo, Valeria; Monacis, Lucia; Miceli, Silvana; Sinatra, Maria; Di Nuovo, Santo

    2017-01-01

    Nowadays, university students suffer from a broad range of problems, such as educational underachievement or the inability to control themselves, that lead to procrastination as a consequence. The present research aimed at analyzing the determinants of decisional procrastination among undergraduate students and at assessing a path model in which self regulated learning strategies mediated the relationship between metacognitive beliefs about procrastination and decisional procrastination. 273 ...

  20. Automated indexing of Internet stories for health behavior change: weight loss attitude pilot study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Manuvinakurike, Ramesh; Velicer, Wayne F; Bickmore, Timothy W

    2014-12-09

    Automated health behavior change interventions show promise, but suffer from high attrition and disuse. The Internet abounds with thousands of personal narrative accounts of health behavior change that could not only provide useful information and motivation for others who are also trying to change, but an endless source of novel, entertaining stories that may keep participants more engaged than messages authored by interventionists. Given a collection of relevant personal health behavior change stories gathered from the Internet, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an automated indexing algorithm that could select the best possible story to provide to a user to have the greatest possible impact on their attitudes toward changing a targeted health behavior, in this case weight loss. An indexing algorithm was developed using features informed by theories from behavioral medicine together with text classification and machine learning techniques. The algorithm was trained using a crowdsourced dataset, then evaluated in a 2×2 between-subjects randomized pilot study. One factor compared the effects of participants reading 2 indexed stories vs 2 randomly selected stories, whereas the second factor compared the medium used to tell the stories: text or animated conversational agent. Outcome measures included changes in self-efficacy and decisional balance for weight loss before and after the stories were read. Participants were recruited from a crowdsourcing website (N=103; 53.4%, 55/103 female; mean age 35, SD 10.8 years; 65.0%, 67/103 precontemplation; 19.4%, 20/103 contemplation for weight loss). Participants who read indexed stories exhibited a significantly greater increase in self-efficacy for weight loss compared to the control group (F1,107=5.5, P=.02). There were no significant effects of indexing on change in decisional balance (F1,97=0.05, P=.83) and no significant effects of medium on change in self-efficacy (F1,107=0.04, P=.84) or decisional

  1. Modelo decisional proactivo en sistemas ecológicos (modepec.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Pedro Tolón Estarelles

    2007-07-01

    Full Text Available Los sistemas económicos y sociales son de tipo ecológico, y se pueden enmarcar en modelos de sistemas complejos de tipo DYSES (Dynamic Social and Economic Systems. No son  explicables o predecibles satisfactoriamente  con modelos determinísticos, pues, en general obedecen a procesos evolutivos de carácter estocástico, respondiendo en su interacción con el medio al segundo principio de la termodinámica en el sentido de la irreversibilidad (falta de simetría temporal y aumento de la entropía. MODEPEC © es un modelo que postula una metodología que asegura  un proceso  de formulación de criterios  para mejorar continuamente la calidad en la toma  de decisiones en sistemas ecológico-social-económicos. Los conceptos esenciales del modelo se enuncian seguidamente: 1-. Existencia de una Ecuación de Estado (EE Un sistema ecológico tiene un  comportamiento dinámico posible de ser representado mediante una ecuación de estado en cualquier intervalo de tiempo dado. 2-. Estimación de una política óptima (PO Es posible estimar  un conjunto óptimo de decisiones (política óptima. 3-. Contrato sobre estado deseable  (CED En la comunidad  social y económica de tipo ecológico, es posible acordar un diseño de estado ideal deseable, constituido a partir de un contrato sustentable a largo plazo entre las partes. 4-. Genotipo Decisional Planificado (GDP Es posible establecer un proceso racional de toma de decisiones, en este caso, el Genotipo Decisional Planificado  (GDP; capaz de asegurar niveles crecientes de calidad en la determinación de criterios para evaluación y adopción de cursos de acción en pos del logro de un estado deseado (ED tomado como propósito o contrato. The economic and social systems are of ecological type, and they are possible to be framed in models of complex systems of type SDES (Social Dynamic and Economic Systems. They are not explicable or predictable satisfactorily with deterministic models, then

  2. Fall prevention modulates decisional saccadic behaviour in aging

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Olivier A. Coubard

    2012-07-01

    Full Text Available As society ages and frequency of falls increases in older adults, counteracting motor decline is a challenging issue for developed countries. Physical activity based on aerobic and strength training as well as motor activity based on skill learning both help benefit balance and reduce the risk of falls, as assessed by clinical or laboratory measures. However, how such programs influence motor control is a neglected issue. This study examined the effects of fall prevention (FP training on saccadic control in older adults. Saccades were recorded in twelve participants aged 64-91 years before and after 2.5-month training in FP. Traditional analysis of saccade timing and dynamics was performed together with a quantitative analysis using the LATER model, enabling us to examine the underlying motor control processes. Results indicated that FP reduced the rate of anticipatory and express saccades in inappropriate directions and enhanced that of express saccades in the appropriate direction, resulting in decreased latency and higher left-right symmetry of motor responses. FP reduced within-participant variability of saccade duration, amplitude, and peak velocity. LATER analysis suggested that FP modulates decisional thresholds, extending our knowledge of motor training influence on central motor control. We introduce the TIMER-RIDER model to account for the results.

  3. BCG-vaccination of newborns – a descriptive study about shared decision making and decisional conflicts

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Thybo Pihl, Gitte

    BCG-vaccination of newborns – a descriptive study about shared decision making and decisional conflicts Objective: To evaluate the use of shared decision making to support the parent in a low-evidence decision about a vaccine when using telephone consultations. The present study was conducted........ The principles included promoting trust through transparency and creating “shared minds” regarding uncertainties about the evidence. O’Connor’s Decisional Conflict Scale was used to identify decisional conflicts after the process of shared decision making. Findings: A decisional conflict score was obtained...... on the phone based on their need and wishes, this uncertainty about the best choice might reflect the principle of letting parents make an autonomous decision in combination with low evidence for the benefits of BCG. The process of sharing responsibility and the impact of the health care providers’ attitude...

  4. Es la intuición un método para la toma de decisiones gerencial

    OpenAIRE

    Castro Luna, Andrés Guillermo; Camejo Ariza, John Jairo

    2013-01-01

    El presente trabajo evalúa la toma de decisiones desde el punto de vista descriptivo, exploratorio, dado que no existe un estado del arte al respecto ni estudios que permitan determinar si la toma de decisiones gerencial es intuitiva. Se elaboró una encuesta con 4 variables cada una describiendo un método de toma de decisiones entre los que se operacionalizaron el racional, intuitivo, experiencial y holístico; para determinar el estilo de decisión en cargos gerenciales de la ciudad de Bogotá....

  5. False Balance in Climate Change Reporting Among TV Meteorologists

    Science.gov (United States)

    Timm, K.; Maibach, E.; Boykoff, M.; Broeckelman-Post, M.; Myers, T.; Perkins, D. R., IV

    2017-12-01

    False balance is the journalistic practice of giving equal weight to both sides of a story, regardless of an established truth and validity on one side. Despite widespread scientific agreement about the anthropogenic causes of climate change, false balance on the subject of climate change remains common in television despite a documented decline in other media. In this exploratory study, 452 American TV meteorologists were surveyed about their climate change beliefs and asked how often and why they present an opposing viewpoint when they present about human contributions to climate change. The results indicate that this practice is fairly common, with nearly 30% of TV meteorologists presenting an opposing viewpoint at least half the time or more frequently when they present about climate change. Weathercasters described including an opposing viewpoint in their stories for many different reasons, including that it is essential to objective and balanced reporting, that it is used to acknowledge different audience viewpoints, and because the science is perceived to be uncertain. The results also suggest that being more certain that climate change is happening, that it is primarily caused by humans, and perceiving the full extent of the scientific consensus about human-caused climate change, are associated with decreased frequency of presenting an opposing viewpoint. This is the first time the issue of false balance has been studied in the context of TV weathercasters, and while more research is needed, these results provide some preliminary evidence to suggest that increasing weathercasters' understanding of the scientific consensus of human caused climate change may help reduce false balance reporting. Furthermore, as meteorologists and weathercasters become more prominent reporters of local climate news, it will be important for them to have techniques to accurately report the science, while maintaining their sense of objectivity.

  6. Consumer control in service recovery: beyond decisional control

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Joosten, H.W.M.; Bloemer, J.M.M.; Hillebrand, B.

    2017-01-01

    PURPOSE - Focusing on decisional control of the outcome provides only a partial picture of how firms may handle customer complaints and ignores many (alternative) opportunities to recover the relationship with the customer when service delivery fails. The purpose of this paper is to introduce other

  7. Decisional Conflict in Parents Considering Bone-Anchored Hearing Devices in Children With Unilateral Aural Atresia.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Graham, M Elise; Haworth, Rebecca; Chorney, Jill; Bance, Manohar; Hong, Paul

    2015-12-01

    The benefits of bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHD) in children with unilateral aural atresia are controversial. We sought to determine whether there is parental decisional conflict surrounding elective placement of BAHD for this indication. Caregivers of pediatric patients with unilateral aural atresia and normal contralateral ear undergoing percutaneous BAHD consultation were enrolled. All consultations were carried out by one pediatric otolaryngologist in a consistent manner. After consultation, the participants completed a demographics form and the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) questionnaire. Twenty-three caregivers of 15 male (65.2%) and 8 female (34.8%) children (mean age 5.65 years) participated. The overall median DCS score was 15.63 (standard error = 4.21). Significant decisional conflict (DCS score ≥ 25) was found in 10 participants (43.5%). The median DCS score in the group choosing surgery was 5.47, and it was 23.44 in those who did not choose surgery (Mann-Whitney U = 39, Z = -1.391, P = .164). The median DCS score for mothers and fathers was 25 and 3.91, respectively. Many parents experienced significant decisional conflict when considering percutaneous BAHD surgery in children with unilateral aural atresia in our study population. Future research should explore the impact of decisional conflict on health outcomes. © The Author(s) 2015.

  8. Lenke 1 and 5: changes in sagittal balance

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Delson Valdemir Pessin

    2014-09-01

    Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: To assess in a cross-sectional study whether there are changes in sagittal balance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis Lenke types 1 and 5 compared with patients without pathology of the spine and compare the values of the parameters of normal subjects with the parameters found in the literature. METHODS: We measured the values of the parameters of sagittal balance of 21 patients with scoliosis and 14 patients without scoliosis in panoramic radiographs or simply collected data previously measured from the medical records. We compared the mean values of normal subjects, the mean values found in the literature, and the means between normal subjects and patients with scoliosis. For this, we used the Student t test. RESULTS: Using a confidence interval of 5% (p < 0.05 and the Student t test we obtained statistical significance in the comparison of two parameters of sagittal balance between normal subjects and patients with scoliosis. We observed similarities in the measurements of the average parameters of normal subjects with regard to the work already published. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescent idiopathic scoliosis causes changes in two parameters of sagittal balance with statistical significance but suggests changes in all other parameters. As for comparison with previously published work, the results were similar.

  9. ANÁLISIS DE LAS DECISIONES ESTRATÉGICAS: CASO UNE EPM TELECOMUNICACIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    ALICIA MILLÁN VILLANUEVA

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available El objetivo de este artículo es identificar la presencia de ciertos patrones en la formación de la estrategia de la empresa UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones, que han influido en la toma de decisiones. Los referentes teóricos son básicamente tres: Ansoff, Porter y Mintzberg. El análisis se centra en una serie de comparaciones y coincidencias entre la teoría y los hallazgos encontrados, en lo que respecta a comportamientos, resultados y decisiones de la compañía, de donde se logra vislumbrar la estrategia adoptada.

  10. Continuity and change in work-life balance choices.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Charles, Nickie; Harris, Chris

    2007-06-01

    This paper explores the ways in which the work-life balance choices made by heterosexual couples differ in different generations, how such choices are gendered, and the extent to which 'individualization' provides an adequate conceptualization of the effects of social change on heterosexual couples. It argues that processes of individualization need to be seen in the context of changing social institutions, and that it is the de-institutionalization of 'the family' and the life course that is leading to a de-gendering of work-life balance choices. The paper draws on findings from a restudy of the family and social change and a study of the gender dimensions of job insecurity both of which were carried out in the same geographical location. The studies provide evidence of generational change in work-life balance choices and increasing occupational differentiation between heterosexual partners. This leads to a situation where increasingly choices are made which blur gendered boundaries and which has been made possible by a process of de-institutionalization of the male breadwinner family. Our findings support the contention that processes of individualization are more apparent amongst younger than older generations and that, because of changes external to the family, there is more negotiation and pragmatism amongst younger generations about work-life choices.

  11. Remote Sensing of Cryosphere: Estimation of Mass Balance Change in Himalayan Glaciers

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ambinakudige, Shrinidhi; Joshi, Kabindra

    2012-07-01

    Glacial changes are an important indicator of climate change. Our understanding mass balance change in Himalayan glaciers is limited. This study estimates mass balance of some major glaciers in the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) in Nepal using remote sensing applications. Remote sensing technique to measure mass balance of glaciers is an important methodological advance in the highly rugged Himalayan terrain. This study uses ASTER VNIR, 3N (nadir view) and 3B (backward view) bands to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for the SNP area for the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Glacier boundaries were delineated using combination of boundaries available in the Global land ice measurement (GLIMS) database and various band ratios derived from ASTER images. Elevation differences, glacial area, and ice densities were used to estimate the change in mass balance. The results indicated that the rate of glacier mass balance change was not uniform across glaciers. While there was a decrease in mass balance of some glaciers, some showed increase. This paper discusses how each glacier in the SNP area varied in its annual mass balance measurement during the study period.

  12. El proceso de Toma de Decisiones en pacientes con Demencia tipo Alzheimer

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jose R. Alameda

    2012-04-01

    Full Text Available Tomar decisiones es algo común en nuestra vida y contribuye a la adaptación al medio en que vivimos, por ello es relevante conocer cómo es el proceso de toma de decisiones y las posibles disfunciones que puedan darse a causa de su deterioro. En el caso de los pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer, los problemas en la toma de decisiones parecen incluso ya en fases leves, lo que dificulta la correcta interacción con el entorno, especialmente en situaciones de incertidumbre. Este proceso ha sido analizado desde varios enfoques, siendo la hipótesis del marcador somático y la tarea de la Iowa Gambling Task (IGT uno de los más utilizados. El objetivo de este trabajo es el de analizar la toma de decisiones en pacientes con DTA frente a un grupo de sujetos control, y analizar el tipo de elecciones de ambos grupos en situaciones de incertidumbre mediante la una versión modificada de la IGT, observar si son tendentes al riesgo o no, y la relación que guarda su ejecución con el status cognitivo en cada una de las áreas evaluadas por los tests. Además de la IGT, utilizaremos como test de cribado en demencias el Miniexamen Cognoscitivo de Lobo, Test del Reloj a la Orden y Copia y Test de Fluidez Verbal de Isaacs. En nuestros resultados, los sujetos con DTA presentan una ejecución deficitaria en la IGT, tanto en el cómputo global como en su análisis por bloques, con una estrategia de elección de cartas aleatoria, por lo que podríamos considerar ciertas tendencias al riesgo, si bien su ejecución muestra cierta capacidad de aprendizaje a lo largo de los bloques. Por último, el deterioro cognitivo y el grado de afectación en las distintas áreas analizadas se relacionan con la forma en que toman decisiones los pacientes con DTA.

  13. Desarrollo de sistemas de apoyo para la toma de decisiones en procesos industriales

    OpenAIRE

    Tarifa, Enrique E.; Martínez, Sergio; Domínguez, Samuel Franco; Núñez, Álvaro; Sánchez Rivero, David

    2011-01-01

    El presente proyecto tiene por objetivo general desarrollar sistemas de apoyo para la toma de decisiones en procesos industriales. Estos sistemas son cada vez más necesarios debido a la complejidad creciente de los escenarios planteados por la globalización, la competencia, los avances tecnológicos, los problemas ambientales y sociales, entre otros. La secuencia de procesos requeridos para tomar decisiones es independiente del área particular de aplicación. Esta secuencia es: 1) Identifica...

  14. A longitudinal study investigating the role of decisional conflicts and regret and short-term psychological adjustment after IVF treatment failure.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chan, Celia Hoi Yan; Lau, Hi Po Bobo; Tam, Michelle Yi Jun; Ng, Ernest Hung Yu

    2016-12-01

    What is the relationship between decisional conflict, decisional regret and psychological well-being in women following unsuccessful IVF cycles? The mediating effect of decisional regret on the relationship between decisional conflict and fertility-related quality of life (FRQOL) has been found to be moderated by the availability (versus absence) of frozen embryos after an unsuccessful IVF cycle. Infertility treatment is marked by its open-ended nature. Stresses in treatment decision-making could be aggravated by a culture which honours families through procreation. While studies have investigated treatment-related decision-making among infertile women, little is known about the mental health consequences of decisional conflict and decisional regret following an unsuccessful IVF cycle. A study was conducted over a 3-month period with infertile women who had recently experienced a failed IVF cycle (T 0 ). Decisional conflict when they decided on terminating or continuing treatment (T 1 ) and decisional regret 3 months later (T 2 ) were measured. Participants reported their levels of depression, anxiety and FRQOL at three time points. A total of 151 participants completed all time points (attrition rate: 39%). The average age of participants was 37.2 years, and they had had 1.1 cycles (range: 0-8) on average at the time of study intake. The duration of the study was 2 years. Participants were infertile women who were not pregnant following an IVF cycle recruited from a university-affiliated assisted reproduction centre. Following the notification of a negative pregnancy result, patients were invited to complete measures of FRQOL, depression and anxiety across three time points and decisional conflict and decisional regret at T 1 and T 2 respectively. Decisional regret partially mediated the effect of decisional conflict on overall and treatment-specific FRQOL (P IVF cycle (P IVF cycle. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the psychological ramifications of

  15. [Assessment of the validity and reliability of the processes of change scale based on the transtheoretical model of vegetable consumption behavior in Japanese male workers].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kushida, Osamu; Murayama, Nobuko

    2012-12-01

    A core construct of the Transtheoretical model is that the processes and stages of change are strongly related to observable behavioral changes. We created the Processes of Change Scale of vegetable consumption behavior and examined the validity and reliability of this scale. In September 2009, a self-administered questionnaire was administered to male Japanese employees, aged 20-59 years, working at 20 worksites in Niigata City in Japan. The stages of change (precontempration, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance stage) were measured using 2 items that assessed participants' current implementation of the target behavior (eating 5 or more servings of vegetables per day) and their readiness to change their habits. The Processes of Change Scale of vegetable consumption behavior comprised 10 items assessing 5 cognitive processes (consciousness raising, emotional arousal, environmental reevaluation, self-reevaluation, and social liberation) and 5 behavioral processes (commitment, rewards, helping relationships, countering, and environment control). Each item was selected from an existing scale. Decisional balance (pros [2 items] and cons [2 items]), and self-efficacy (3 items) were also assessed, because these constructs were considered to be relevant to the processes of change. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Its construct validity was examined using a factor analysis of the processes of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy variables, while its criterion-related validity was determined by assessing the association between the scale scores and the stages of change. The data of 527 (out of 600) participants (mean age, 41.1 years) were analyzed. Results indicated that the Processes of Change Scale had sufficient internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha: cognitive processes=0.722, behavioral processes=0.803). The processes of change were divided into 2 factors: "consciousness raising

  16. Emociones y toma de decisiones éticas: desarrollo e implicaciones para la empresa

    OpenAIRE

    Granada Restrepo, Daniel

    2015-01-01

    Los líderes organizacionales se deben enfrentar a retos ambientales del mundo de los negocios y diversas presiones que los ponen día a día en un alto riesgo ético. Sortear dichos riesgos ha demandado cambios sustanciales en las dinámicas de las organizaciones contemporáneas, por lo que las exigencias a los directivos de tomar decisiones acertadas en situaciones de alta complejidad moral son cada vez mayores. Estas decisiones involucran un comportamiento ético de quien las toma, lo cual a su v...

  17. Cognitive and emotional factors predicting decisional conflict among high-risk breast cancer survivors who receive uninformative BRCA1/2 results.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rini, Christine; O'Neill, Suzanne C; Valdimarsdottir, Heiddis; Goldsmith, Rachel E; Jandorf, Lina; Brown, Karen; DeMarco, Tiffani A; Peshkin, Beth N; Schwartz, Marc D

    2009-09-01

    To investigate high-risk breast cancer survivors' risk reduction decision making and decisional conflict after an uninformative BRCA1/2 test. Prospective, longitudinal study of 182 probands undergoing BRCA1/2 testing, with assessments 1-, 6-, and 12-months postdisclosure. Primary predictors were health beliefs and emotional responses to testing assessed 1-month postdisclosure. Main outcomes included women's perception of whether they had made a final risk management decision (decision status) and decisional conflict related to this issue. There were four patterns of decision making, depending on how long it took women to make a final decision and the stability of their decision status across assessments. Late decision makers and nondecision makers reported the highest decisional conflict; however, substantial numbers of women--even early and intermediate decision makers--reported elevated decisional conflict. Analyses predicting decisional conflict 1- and 12-months postdisclosure found that, after accounting for control variables and decision status, health beliefs and emotional factors predicted decisional conflict at different timepoints, with health beliefs more important 1 month after test disclosure and emotional factors more important 1 year later. Many of these women may benefit from decision making assistance. Copyright 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

  18. Does Patient Preference Measurement in Decision Aids Improve Decisional Conflict? A Randomized Trial in Men with Prostate Cancer.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shirk, Joseph D; Crespi, Catherine M; Saucedo, Josemanuel D; Lambrechts, Sylvia; Dahan, Ely; Kaplan, Robert; Saigal, Christopher

    2017-12-01

    Shared decision making (SDM) has been advocated as an approach to medical decision making that can improve decisional quality. Decision aids are tools that facilitate SDM in the context of limited physician time; however, many decision aids do not incorporate preference measurement. We aim to understand whether adding preference measurement to a standard patient educational intervention improves decisional quality and is feasible in a busy clinical setting. Men with incident localized prostate cancer (n = 122) were recruited from the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center urology clinic, Olive View UCLA Medical Center, and Harbor UCLA Medical Center from January 2011 to May 2015 and randomized to education with a brochure about prostate cancer treatment or software-based preference assessment in addition to the brochure. Men undergoing preference assessment received a report detailing the relative strength of their preferences for treatment outcomes used in review with their doctor. Participants completed instruments measuring decisional conflict, knowledge, SDM, and patient satisfaction with care before and/or after their cancer consultation. Baseline knowledge scores were low (mean 62%). The baseline mean total score on the Decisional Conflict Scale was 2.3 (±0.9), signifying moderate decisional conflict. Men undergoing preference assessment had a significantly larger decrease in decisional conflict total score (p = 0.023) and the Perceived Effective Decision Making subscale (p = 0.003) post consult compared with those receiving education only. Improvements in satisfaction with care, SDM, and knowledge were similar between groups. Individual-level preference assessment is feasible in the clinic setting. Patients with prostate cancer who undergo preference assessment are more certain about their treatment decisions and report decreased levels of decisional conflict when making these decisions.

  19. Aplicación de las opciones reales en la toma de decisiones en los mercados de electricidad

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Felipe Isaza Cuervo

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Las decisiones estratégicas en los mercados de electricidad están sujetas a un alto riesgo e incertidumbre; en consecuencia, las opciones reales aparecen como una alternativa para la toma de decisiones en dichos mercados. En el presente artículo se realiza una revisión de literatura analizando y clasificando aplicacio- nes de opciones reales sobre decisiones de inversión, operación, y de políticas y programas energéticos. Además se presenta un ejemplo sintético de aplicación teórico utilizando un modelo binomial para incor- porar energía eólica en vez de térmica de acuerdo con la volatilidad de los precios del carbón. Se concluye que las opciones reales permiten tomar mejores decisiones que los métodos tradicionales, pues capturan a través de sus múltiples modelos las diferentes incertidumbres propias de estos mercados.

  20. Aplicación de las opciones reales en la toma de decisiones en los mercados de electricidad

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Felipe Isaza Cuervo

    2014-10-01

    Full Text Available Las decisiones estratégicas en los mercados de electricidad están sujetas a un alto riesgo e incertidumbre; en consecuencia, las opciones reales aparecen como una alternativa para la toma de decisiones en dichos mercados. En el presente artículo se realiza una revisión de literatura analizando y clasificando aplicaciones de opciones reales sobre decisiones de inversión, operación, y de políticas y programas energéticos. Además se presenta un ejemplo sintético de aplicación teórico utilizando un modelo binomial para incorporar energía eólica en vez de térmica de acuerdo con la volatilidad de los precios del carbón. Se concluye que las opciones reales permiten tomar mejores decisiones que los métodos tradicionales, pues capturan a través de sus múltiples modelos las diferentes incertidumbres propias de estos mercados.

  1. Decisional style, mood and work communication: email diaries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shirren, S; Phillips, J G

    2011-10-01

    To understand the use of technology to support interpersonal interaction, a theory of decisional style was applied to email use within the workplace. Previous research has used self-report and rating scales to address employee email behaviours, but this falls short of management's capability to monitor the actual behaviour. Thirty-nine employed individuals completed a five-day communication diary recording their actual behaviour upon receiving personal and work-related emails as well as the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. It was found that vigilant individuals were more likely to use email in an efficient manner by deleting personal email and being less likely to open email later. Procrastinators, buckpassers and people experiencing high levels of negative affect were all more likely to delay dealing with email, which could be viewed as dealing with email in a less efficient manner. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This work offers insights as to how people receive and process emails and is thus relevant to the development and implementation of collaborative technologies. Whilst other studies use individual's self-reports, this study uses a more accurate communication diary. Decisional style can predict the monitoring and response to electronic communication.

  2. Location, change and income: The changing regional balance in Denmark endogenous and exogenous drivers

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Sørensen, Nils Karl; Cornett, Andreas P.

    2017-01-01

    Historical the balance between regions within and between countries has changed for many reasons during the past decades. The drivers behind this process has been various from changes in institutional designs that has changed the geographical division of the regions to internal and external changes...

  3. Influencia de la estrategia "toma de decisiones" en el autoconcepto de adolescentes consumidores de alcohol

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Reyna Isabel Hernández Pedroza

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la influencia de la estrategia "toma de decisiones" en el autoconcepto de adolescentes consumidores de alcohol. Se aplicó un estudio longitudinal, pre-experimental. Se incluyeron 30 adolescentes, previo consentimiento informado de estudiantes y padres. La recolección de datos se realizo con AUDIT, test de conflicto decisional y The Tennessee Self-Concep Scale (TSCS. Se encontró que la edad promedio fue 16.56 ± 0.85 años, 60% hombres, el 100% de los adolescentes presentaron conflicto decisional. El 100% habían consumido alcohol alguna vez en su vida. No se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el autoconcepto pre y post intervención (p = 0.27, excepto en la dimensión Yo moral (p = 0.01. Se concluye de acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos en la pre y post intervención que la estrategia de intervención tuvo una influencia en la dimensión del autoconcepto Yo Moral del adolescente consumidor de alcohol. Es posible que esto influyera en la percepción de sí mismo al encontrarse con la realidad de que por primera vez consideraba su capacidad o incapacidad para tomar decisiones.

  4. Decisional needs assessment of patients with complex care needs in primary care: a participatory systematic mixed studies review protocol.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bujold, Mathieu; Pluye, Pierre; Légaré, France; Haggerty, Jeannie; Gore, Genevieve C; Sherif, Reem El; Poitras, Marie-Eve; Beaulieu, Marie-Claude; Beaulieu, Marie-Dominique; Bush, Paula L; Couturier, Yves; Débarges, Beatrice; Gagnon, Justin; Giguère, Anik; Grad, Roland; Granikov, Vera; Goulet, Serge; Hudon, Catherine; Kremer, Bernardo; Kröger, Edeltraut; Kudrina, Irina; Lebouché, Bertrand; Loignon, Christine; Lussier, Marie-Therese; Martello, Cristiano; Nguyen, Quynh; Pratt, Rebekah; Rihoux, Benoit; Rosenberg, Ellen; Samson, Isabelle; Senn, Nicolas; Li Tang, David; Tsujimoto, Masashi; Vedel, Isabelle; Ventelou, Bruno; Wensing, Michel

    2017-11-12

    Patients with complex care needs (PCCNs) often suffer from combinations of multiple chronic conditions, mental health problems, drug interactions and social vulnerability, which can lead to healthcare services overuse, underuse or misuse. Typically, PCCNs face interactional issues and unmet decisional needs regarding possible options in a cascade of interrelated decisions involving different stakeholders (themselves, their families, their caregivers, their healthcare practitioners). Gaps in knowledge, values clarification and social support in situations where options need to be deliberated hamper effective decision support interventions. This review aims to (1) assess decisional needs of PCCNs from the perspective of stakeholders, (2) build a taxonomy of these decisional needs and (3) prioritise decisional needs with knowledge users (clinicians, patients and managers). This review will be based on the interprofessional shared decision making (IP-SDM) model and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Applying a participatory research approach, we will identify potentially relevant studies through a comprehensive literature search; select relevant ones using eligibility criteria inspired from our previous scoping review on PCCNs; appraise quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; conduct a three-step synthesis (sequential exploratory mixed methods design) to build taxonomy of key decisional needs; and integrate these results with those of a parallel PCCNs' qualitative decisional need assessment (semistructured interviews and focus group with stakeholders). This systematic review, together with the qualitative study (approved by the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Service Sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean ethical committee), will produce a working taxonomy of key decisional needs (ontological contribution), to inform the subsequent user-centred design of a support tool for addressing PCCNs' decisional needs (practical contribution). We will adapt

  5. Discriminación arancelaria y decisiones de localización de las empresas

    OpenAIRE

    Méndez Naya, José

    2006-01-01

    El objetivo de trabajo es el de analizar los efectos que los procesos de integración económica entre los países tienen sobre las decisiones se toman en forma estratégica. Se justifica que en este contexto el tradicional argumento "tariff jumping" no siempre es aplicable ya que las decisiones de localización de las empresas dependen, entre otras variables, de la relación que se da entre el grado de discriminación arancelaria y el tamaño del mercado nacional. En concreto, se justifica que los p...

  6. Family caregiver preferences for patient decisional control among Hispanics in the United States and Latin America

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yennurajalingam, Sriram; Noguera, Antonio; Parsons, Henrique Afonseca; Torres-Vigil, Isabel; Duarte, Eva Rosina; Palma, Alejandra; Bunge, Sofia; Palmer, J. Lynn; Delgado-Guay, Marvin Omar; Bruera, Eduardo

    2013-01-01

    Background Understanding family caregivers’ decisional role preferences is important for communication, quality of care, and patient and family satisfaction. The family caregiver has an important role in a patient’s decisional role preferences. There are limited studies on family caregivers’ preferences of the patient’s decisional control at the end of life among Hispanics. Aims To identify Hispanic caregivers’ preferences of the decision control of patients with advanced cancer and to compare the preferences of caregivers in Latin America (HLA) and Hispanic American (HUSA) caregivers. Design We surveyed patients and their family caregivers referred to outpatient palliative care clinics in the United States, Chile, Argentina, and Guatemala. Caregiver preferences of patient’s decisional control were evaluated using the Control Preference Scale. Caregivers’ and patients’ socio-demographic variables, patient performance status, and HUSA patient acculturation level was also collected. Participants A total of 387 caregivers were surveyed: 100 (26%) in Chile, 99 (26%) in Argentina, 97 (25%) in Guatemala, and 91 (24%) in the United States. The median age was 56 years, and 59% were female. Results Caregiver preference of patients decisions control was passive, shared, and active by 10 (11%), 45 (52%) and 32 (37%) HUSA caregivers and 54 (19%), 178 (62%) and 55 (19%) HLA caregivers (p=0.0023). Caregiver acculturation level did not affect the preferences of the HUSA sample (p=0.60). Conclusions Most Hispanic family caregivers preferred the patient to make shared decisions. HLA caregivers preferred more frequently patients to assume a passive decisional role. Acculturation did not influence the preferences of HUSA caregivers. PMID:23670718

  7. How to determine decisional capacity in critically ill patients. Presume the patient can make decisions unless proven otherwise.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fleming, C; Momin, Z A; Brensilver, J M; Brandstetter, R D

    1995-03-01

    Decisional capacity includes ability to comprehend information, to make an informed choice, and to communicate that choice; it is specific to the decision at hand. Presume a patient has decisional capacity; an evaluation of incapacity must be justified. Administer a standardized mental status test to help assess alertness, attention, memory, and reasoning ability. A patient scoring below 10 on the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (maximum score, 30) probably does not have decisional capacity; one scoring from 10 to 15 probably can designate a proxy but not make complex health care decisions. Obtain psychiatric consultations for a patient who exhibits psychological barriers to decision making.

  8. Intelligent Decisional Assistant that Facilitate the Choice of a Proper Computer System Applied in Busines

    OpenAIRE

    Nicolae MARGINEAN

    2009-01-01

    The choice of a proper computer system is not an easy task for a decider. One reason could be the present market development of computer systems applied in business. The big number of the Romanian market players determines a big number of computerized products, with a multitude of various properties. Our proposal tries to optimize and facilitate this decisional process within an e-shop where are sold IT packets applied in business, building an online decisional assistant, a special component ...

  9. LA POLÍTICA FISCAL Y MONETARIA EN COLOMBIA: UN ANÁLISIS EXPERIMENTAL DESDE LA TOMA COORDINADA DE DECISIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Raúl Enrique Rodríguez Luna

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available En este documento se discuten los resultados de un ejercicio de simulación a partir de métodos de la economía experimental y modelado con elementos de la teoría de juegos, en el cual se formuló un juego secuencial que permitió encontrar equilibrios de Nash perfectos en subjuegos entre las decisiones de política monetaria y las decisiones de política #scal en Colombia. Se constató para cada uno de los escenarios planteados en el ejercicio la existencia de equilibrios perfectos en subjuegos en el sentido de Nash, que permitieron develar que la condición de racionalidad maximizadora de los jugadores es el elemento principal a la hora de la toma de decisiones al interior de grupos sociales. Por último, la observación puso en evidencia que las interacciones entre dos agentes están condicionadas por las estrategias que adopte el agente que opere de líder, y que las decisiones del agente seguidor regularmente se basan en criterios cooperativos y de coordinación; en este sentido, se pudo establecer que el Banco de la República determina la manera en la que el Gobierno, respetando los conductos constitucionales, toma sus decisiones de política con el #n de mantener la estabilidad económica del país.

  10. Decisiones al final de la vida en el ordenamiento jurídico español

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    David Larios Risco

    2012-12-01

    Full Text Available El proceso de toma de decisiones clínicas se torna especialmente complejo durante las últimas fases de las enfermedades irreversibles o terminales. Cuando la decisión del paciente implica un ataque a la propia vida, la autonomía de la voluntad de la persona puede colisionar con el criterio médico o con los límites que impone el Ordenamiento Jurídico. El artículo aborda las diferentes figuras jurídicas em el proceso de toma de decisiones al final de la vida, diferenciando entre las admitidas por la ley (limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico, rechazo al tratamiento, sedación en la agonía y voluntades anticipadas y las prohibidas (auxilio al suicidio y eutanasia com el objetivo de ofrecer una aproximación al régimen jurídico de las decisiones al final de la vida en el ordenamiento jurídico español.

  11. Patient decision making: strategies for diabetes diet adherence intervention.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kavookjian, Jan; Berger, Bruce A; Grimley, Diane M; Villaume, William A; Anderson, Heidi M; Barker, Kenneth N

    2005-09-01

    Patient self-care is critical in controlling diabetes and its complications. Lack of diet adherence is a particular challenge to effective diabetes intervention. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Change, decision-making theory, and self-efficacy have contributed to successful tailoring of interventions in many target behaviors. The purpose of this study was to develop a diagnostic tool, including TTM measures for the stages of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy, that pharmacists involved in diabetes intervention can use for patients resistant to a diet regimen. A questionnaire was developed through a literature review, interviews with diabetic patients, an expert panel input, and pretesting. Cross-sectional implementation of the questionnaire among a convenience sample of 193 type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients took place at 4 patient care sites throughout the southeastern United States. Validated measures were used to collect respondent self-report for the TTM variables and for demographic and diabetes history variables. Social desirability was also assessed. Relationships among TTM measures for diet adherence generally replicated those established for other target behaviors. Salient items were identified as potential facilitators (decisional balance pros) or barriers (decisional balance cons and self-efficacy tempting situations) to change. Social desirability exhibited a statistically significant relationship with patient report of diet adherence, with statistically significant differences in mean social desirability across race categories. The TTM measures for the stages of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy are useful for making decisions on individually tailored interventions for diet adherence, with caution asserted about the potential of diabetes patients to self-report the target behavior in a socially desirable manner. Future research directions, implications, and limitations of the findings are also presented.

  12. [Research on the behavior of fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents with Transtheoretical Model].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mao, Chen-Jia; Xu, Liang-Wen; Qu, Xu-Ping; Yang, Qi-Fa; Hu, Han-Qiong; Xu, Dong-Ming

    2010-05-01

    To study the current situation and factors influencing the behavior of fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents, and to discuss health education strategy related to the behavior. 1677 students were selected from primary school and middle school in urban area of Hangzhou by a multistage sampling method. The behavior of fruit and vegetable intake was surveyed by questionnaires of the patient-centered assessment and counseling for exercise plus nutrition project (PACE+) for adolescent-scale of fruit and vegetable consumption, and analyzed by Transtheoretical Model on the servings of intake, the stage of change, process of change, decisional balance and the current status of self-efficacy. The average intake of fruit and vegetable in adolescents was (3.21 +/- 1.50) servings per day ("one serving" means 100 g cooked vegetable or 100 g fruit). The behavior of consuming fruit and vegetable in most of the adolescents was in the contemplation stage, accounting for 36.91% (619/1677). The process of behavior change, decisional balance (Pros) and self-efficacy existed a positive correlation with the process of stage (r(process) = 0.38, r(decisional balance (Pros)) = 0.26, r(self-efficacy) = 0.33, t values were 16.78, 11.02 and 14.31, P < 0.05). The servings of fruit and vegetable intake existed a positive correlation with stage transition and self-efficacy (beta(stage transition) = 0.665, t = 35.07, P < 0.05; beta(self-efficacy) = 0.050, t = 2.63, P < 0.05), and existed a negative correlation with decisional balance (Cons) (beta(decisional balance (Cons)) = -0.051, t = -2.84, P < 0.05). Fruit and vegetable intake of these adolescents are under the recommended dietary intake. Along with behavior stage development and self-efficacy improvement, the intake of fruit and vegetable also increased correspondingly. Intervention strategies should aim at improving the awareness of adolescents on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake and promoting their confidence to reach

  13. Shared decision-making in mental health care—A user perspective on decisional needs in community-based services

    OpenAIRE

    Katarina Grim; David Rosenberg; Petra Svedberg; Ulla-Karin Schön

    2016-01-01

    Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) is an emergent research topic in the field of mental health care and is considered to be a central component of a recovery-oriented system. Despite the evidence suggesting the benefits of this change in the power relationship between users and practitioners, the method has not been widely implemented in clinical practice.Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate decisional and information needs among users with mental illness as a prere...

  14. Relationship between functional assessments and exercise-related changes during static balance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Clifton, Daniel R; Harrison, Blain C; Hertel, Jay; Hart, Joseph M

    2013-04-01

    The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is currently used for injury risk prediction, although researchers have not studied its relationships to injury risk factors. The purpose of this study was to compare FMS scores at rest to changes in static balance after exercise. Second, we examined FMS scores pre and post exercise. Twenty-five participants performed center of pressure (COP) measures and FMS testing. An acclimatization session for the FMS occurred on day 1, whereas day 2 involved COP measures for static balance and FMS testing before and after a 36-minute exercise protocol. Center of pressure standard deviations in the frontal (COPML-SD) and sagittal (COPAP-SD) planes, center of pressure velocity (COP-Velocity), center of pressure area (COP-Area), and FMS scores were recorded. No significant correlations occurred between preexercise FMS scores and change in COP measures. Preexercise hurdle step scores related to preexercise COPML-SD (p = -0.46), COPAP-SD (p = -0.43), and COP-Area (p = -0.50). Preexercise in-line lunge scores related to postexercise COPAP-SD (p = -0.44) and COP-Velocity (p = -0.39), whereas preexercise active straight leg raise (ASLR) scores related to postexercise COPML-SD (p = -0.46). Functional Movement Screen scores were not related to changes in static balance after exercise and may therefore not be useful to predict who will experience greater static balance deficits after exercise. Additionally, FMS scores did not differ before and after exercise. Clinicians aiming to identify injury risk from a general static balance standpoint may find the hurdle step, in-line lunge, and ASLR useful. Clinicians aiming to identify injury risk from a change in static balance standpoint may need to explore other screening tools.

  15. Does decisional conflict differ across race and ethnicity groups? A study of parents whose children have a life-threatening illness.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Knapp, Caprice; Sberna-Hinojosa, Melanie; Baron-Lee, Jacqueline; Curtis, Charlotte; Huang, I-Chan

    2014-05-01

    Children with life-threatening illnesses and their families may face a myriad of medical decisions in their lifetimes. Oftentimes these complicated medical decisions cause disagreements among patients, families, and providers about what is the best course of action. Although no evidence exists, it is possible that conflict may affect subgroups of the population differently. This study aims to investigate how decisional conflict varies among racial and ethnic subgroups. Two hundred sixty-six surveys were completed with parents whose children have a life-threatening illness. All children lived in Florida and were enrolled in the Medicaid program. The Decisional Conflict Scale, overall and broken down into its five distinct subscales, was used to assess parental decision-making. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. Subgroup analyses were conducted on Latino respondents. Our bivariate results suggest that minority parents report less Effective Decision Making (pracial and ethnic differences in decisional conflict of parents of children with life-threatening illnesses. Significant differences exist by race, ethnicity, language spoken, and diagnosis time across several subdomains of decisional conflict. These differences are important to address when creating clinical care plans, engaging in shared decision-making, and creating interventions to alleviate decisional conflict.

  16. Ice-sheet mass balance and climate change.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hanna, Edward; Navarro, Francisco J; Pattyn, Frank; Domingues, Catia M; Fettweis, Xavier; Ivins, Erik R; Nicholls, Robert J; Ritz, Catherine; Smith, Ben; Tulaczyk, Slawek; Whitehouse, Pippa L; Zwally, H Jay

    2013-06-06

    Since the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, new observations of ice-sheet mass balance and improved computer simulations of ice-sheet response to continuing climate change have been published. Whereas Greenland is losing ice mass at an increasing pace, current Antarctic ice loss is likely to be less than some recently published estimates. It remains unclear whether East Antarctica has been gaining or losing ice mass over the past 20 years, and uncertainties in ice-mass change for West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula remain large. We discuss the past six years of progress and examine the key problems that remain.

  17. The Elements of Water Balance in the Changing Climate in Poland

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Małgorzata Szwed

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Strong global warming has been observed in the last three decades. Central Europe, including Poland, is not an exception. Moreover, climate projections for Poland foresee further warming as well as changes in the spatial and seasonal distribution and quantity of precipitation. However, climate models do not agree on the sign of change of precipitation. In Poland precipitation is projected to decrease in summer (this finding is not robust, being model-dependent and to increase in winter. Therefore, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding likely climate change impacts on water resources in Poland. However, there is no doubt that changes in the thermal characteristics as well as in precipitation will influence changes in the water balance of the country. In this study, the components of climatic water balance, that is, precipitation, evaporation, and runoff, are calculated for the average conditions in the control period of 1961–1990 and in the future (2071–2100 in Poland. The changes of the water balance components for the present and for the future are compared and analysed. Due to insufficient consistency between climate models a possible range of changes should be presented; hence the multimodel projections from ENSEMBLES Project of the European Union are used in this study.

  18. erfiles decisionales de jugadores y jugadoras de voleibol de diferente nivel de pericia. (Decisional profiles of volleyball players of different expertise level.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Virginia García Coll

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available ResumenLa toma de decisiones por parte de los deportistas se viene estudiando como un tipo de habilidad cognitiva. En este estudio se parte de una perspectiva motivacional y emocional de la toma de decisiones en el deporte, que ha recibido una menor atención en la literatura. Se aplica el Cuestionario de Estilos de Toma de Decisión en el Deporte-CETD (Ruiz y Graupera, 2005 que evalúa tres escalas: Competencia Decisional Percibida, Ansiedad y Agobio al Decidir y Compromiso en el Aprendizaje Decisional. Se toma una muestra de 121 jugadoras (76 y jugadores (45 de voleibol de diferente nivel de pericia deportiva: autonómico, nacional e internacional. Los resultados muestran que las escalas del cuestionario tienen una buena fiabilidad cuando se aplican a muestras mono-deportivas. Las jugadoras y jugadores de voleibol tienen un perfil decisional muy similar (no se encuentran diferencias significativas, con una moderada percepción de competencia, baja ansiedad y alto compromiso (perfil en V. Según aumenta el nivel deportivo se incrementa moderadamente el compromiso y la percepción de competencia, mientras que decrece considerablemente la ansiedad ante la toma de decisiones. Como consecuencia el perfil en V del nivel internacional es considerablemente más cerrado que el de los niveles deportivos inferiores. Palabras clave: ansiedad; competencia percibida; decisión; deporte colectivo; pericia deportiva. Abstract Decision making in sport has been studied as a kind of cognitive skill. This study has been developed from a motivacional and emotional point of view and this question has received little attention in the scientific literature. It was applied the Decision Making Style Questionnaire-CETD (Ruiz y Graupera, 2005 that assess three scales: Perceived Decisional Competence, Anxiety and Strain to Decide and Commitment for learning how to decide. One hundred and twenty one voleyball players participated (76 female and 45 male of differente level

  19. Emociones y toma de decisiones desde la economía comportamental

    OpenAIRE

    De Mier, Susana

    2013-01-01

    Los recientes estudios de la economía comportamental sobre cómo inciden los sentimientos y las emociones en el proceso de toma de decisiones ponen en debate el principio de la racionalidad económica, sostén de la doctrina liberal.

  20. E-mail, decisional styles, and rest breaks.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Baker, James R; Phillips, James G

    2007-10-01

    E-mail is a common but problematic work application. A scale was created to measure tendencies to use e-mail to take breaks (e-breaking); and self-esteem and decisional style (vigilance, procrastination, buck-passing, hypervigilance) were used to predict the self-reported and actual e-mail behaviors of 133 participants (students and marketing employees). Individuals who were low in defensive avoidance (buck-passing) engaged in more e-mailing per week, both in time spent on e-mail and message volume. E-breakers were more likely to engage in behavioral procrastination and spent more time on personal e-mail.

  1. Determination of Interannual to Decadal Changes in Ice Sheet Mass Balance from Satellite Altimetry

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zwally, H. Jay; Busalacchi, Antonioa J. (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    A major uncertainty in predicting sea level rise is the sensitivity of ice sheet mass balance to climate change, as well as the uncertainty in present mass balance. Since the annual water exchange is about 8 mm of global sea level equivalent, the +/- 25% uncertainty in current mass balance corresponds to +/- 2 mm/yr in sea level change. Furthermore, estimates of the sensitivity of the mass balance to temperature change range from perhaps as much as - 10% to + 10% per K. Although the overall ice mass balance and seasonal and inter-annual variations can be derived from time-series of ice surface elevations from satellite altimetry, satellite radar altimeters have been limited in spatial coverage and elevation accuracy. Nevertheless, new data analysis shows mixed patterns of ice elevation increases and decreases that are significant in terms of regional-scale mass balances. In addition, observed seasonal and interannual variations in elevation demonstrate the potential for relating the variability in mass balance to changes in precipitation, temperature, and melting. From 2001, NASA's ICESat laser altimeter mission will provide significantly better elevation accuracy and spatial coverage to 86 deg latitude and to the margins of the ice sheets. During 3 to 5 years of ICESat-1 operation, an estimate of the overall ice sheet mass balance and sea level contribution will be obtained. The importance of continued ice monitoring after the first ICESat is illustrated by the variability in the area of Greenland surface melt observed over 17-years and its correlation with temperature. In addition, measurement of ice sheet changes, along with measurements of sea level change by a series of ocean altimeters, should enable direct detection of ice level and global sea level correlations.

  2. Relationship of social support and decisional conflict to advance directives attitude in Korean older adults: A community-based cross-sectional study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lee, JuHee; Jung, Dukyoo; Choi, MoonKi

    2016-01-01

    The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between social support, decisional conflict, and attitude towards advance directives, and determine whether decisional conflict mediates the relation between social support and advance directives attitude among older adults in South Korea. In total, 209 community-based older adults (mean age, 74.82 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics, self-perceived health status, social support, decisional conflict, and advance directives attitude were investigated via a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Pearson's correlation and path analyses. The mean score of advance directives attitude was 48.01 (range, 35-61). Decisional conflict and social support were both significantly related to advance directives attitude (P conflict was a mediator between social support and advance directives attitudes. The results confirmed the importance of social support for reducing decisional conflict and encouraging positive attitudes toward advance directives. Future studies are needed to support the development of culturally sensitive educational approaches regarding advance directives for older adults in Korea. © 2015 The Authors. Japan Journal of Nursing Science © 2015 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.

  3. 32 CFR 70.10 - Complaints concerning decisional documents and index entries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... declining to list that aspect of the service record as an issue. (v) Guidance as to other types of complaints. The following guidance governs other specified types of complaints: (A) The Stipulation of... noted in the decisional document or index entries: (Authentication) Attachment 2—Joint Service Review...

  4. La inteligencia emocional en la toma de decisiones

    OpenAIRE

    Uribe Chinkovsky, Sebastián; Henao Cadavid, Natalia

    2015-01-01

    El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar en un principio el concepto de toma de decisiones a partir de los estudios realizados por Antonio Damasio (1994/2010), los cuales nos permiten comprender que este es un proceso que está altamente influenciado por las emociones y los sentimientos -- Más adelante, y siguiendo esta línea de argumentación, se realiza una revisión del concepto de inteligencia emocional a partir de Daniel Goleman (1996) -- La inteligencia emocional nos permite comprender...

  5. THE DECISIONAL TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    OCTAVIA MARIA CILIBIU

    2011-04-01

    Full Text Available The principle of decisional transparency is one of the principles of good administration, fundamental principles of public administration and it is enshrined in the law of many European Union member states, including our country. In their work the public authorities must show transparency reflected by the active involvement of citizens in administrative decision as its primary beneficiary. The citizen information, consultation and his stimulation to participate actively in the elaboration of draft normative acts for their preparation and before that by bringing them to public knowledge, are tasks of the public authorities which exceed the limit of the obligations imposed by internal rules and are significant efforts to modernize the public administration and rallying to the administrative structures.

  6. Assessing climate change impacts on water balance in the Mount

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    A statistical downscaling known for producing station-scale climate information from GCM output was preferred to evaluate the impacts of climate change within the Mount Makiling forest watershed, Philippines. The lumped hydrologic BROOK90 model was utilized for the water balance assessment of climate change ...

  7. Usos de la información para la toma de decisiones en procesos de desarrollo local

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jenny Andrea Vélez Vidal

    2004-01-01

    Full Text Available Este estudio se propuso identificar los usos de la información en la toma de decisiones y factores determinantes de dichos usos alrededor de procesos desarrollo, en un escenario de planeación local, en Cali (Colombia, basado en una combinación de teorías y en los resultados de un exploratorio previo. Empleando técnicas cualitativas se indagó sobre el papel que juega la información en facilitar a la gente asumir control sobre su bienestar, tomar decisiones y actuar en procesos de desarrollo.

  8. Regulating Emotions during Difficult Multiattribute Decision Making: The Role of Pre-Decisional Coherence Shifting.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Carpenter, Stephanie M; Yates, J Frank; Preston, Stephanie D; Chen, Lydia

    2016-01-01

    Almost all real-life decisions entail attribute conflict; every serious choice alternative is better than its competitors on some attribute dimensions but worse on others. In pre-decisional "coherence shifting," the decision maker gradually softens that conflict psychologically to the point where one alternative is seen as dominant over its competitors, or nearly so. Specifically, weaknesses of the eventually chosen alternative come to be perceived as less severe and less important while its strengths seem more desirable and significant. The research described here demonstrates that difficult multiattribute decision problems are aversive and that pre-decisional coherence shifting aids individuals in regulating that emotional discomfort. Across three studies, attribute conflict was confirmed to be aversive (Study 1), and skin conductance responses and ratings of decision difficulty both decreased in participants who coherence shifted (Study 2). Coherence shifting was also diminished among decision makers who were depleted of regulatory resources, known to be required for common emotion regulation mechanisms. Further, coherence shifting was shown to be relatively common among people who reported strong suppression tendencies in everyday emotion regulation (Study 3). Overall, the data suggest that, at least in part, coherence shifting serves as a tool that helps decision makers manage the pre-decisional discomfort generated by attribute conflict. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

  9. Shared decision-making in mental health care-A user perspective on decisional needs in community-based services.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Grim, Katarina; Rosenberg, David; Svedberg, Petra; Schön, Ulla-Karin

    2016-01-01

    Shared decision-making (SDM) is an emergent research topic in the field of mental health care and is considered to be a central component of a recovery-oriented system. Despite the evidence suggesting the benefits of this change in the power relationship between users and practitioners, the method has not been widely implemented in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to investigate decisional and information needs among users with mental illness as a prerequisite for the development of a decision support tool aimed at supporting SDM in community-based mental health services in Sweden. Three semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 22 adult users with mental illness. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using a directed content analysis. This method was used to develop an in-depth understanding of the decisional process as well as to validate and conceptually extend Elwyn et al.'s model of SDM. The model Elwyn et al. have created for SDM in somatic care fits well for mental health services, both in terms of process and content. However, the results also suggest an extension of the model because decisions related to mental illness are often complex and involve a number of life domains. Issues related to social context and individual recovery point to the need for a preparation phase focused on establishing cooperation and mutual understanding as well as a clear follow-up phase that allows for feedback and adjustments to the decision-making process. The current study contributes to a deeper understanding of decisional and information needs among users of community-based mental health services that may reduce barriers to participation in decision-making. The results also shed light on attitudinal, relationship-based, and cognitive factors that are important to consider in adapting SDM in the mental health system.

  10. Shared decision-making in mental health care—A user perspective on decisional needs in community-based services

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Katarina Grim

    2016-05-01

    Full Text Available Background: Shared decision-making (SDM is an emergent research topic in the field of mental health care and is considered to be a central component of a recovery-oriented system. Despite the evidence suggesting the benefits of this change in the power relationship between users and practitioners, the method has not been widely implemented in clinical practice. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate decisional and information needs among users with mental illness as a prerequisite for the development of a decision support tool aimed at supporting SDM in community-based mental health services in Sweden. Methods: Three semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 22 adult users with mental illness. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using a directed content analysis. This method was used to develop an in-depth understanding of the decisional process as well as to validate and conceptually extend Elwyn et al.'s model of SDM. Results: The model Elwyn et al. have created for SDM in somatic care fits well for mental health services, both in terms of process and content. However, the results also suggest an extension of the model because decisions related to mental illness are often complex and involve a number of life domains. Issues related to social context and individual recovery point to the need for a preparation phase focused on establishing cooperation and mutual understanding as well as a clear follow-up phase that allows for feedback and adjustments to the decision-making process. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: The current study contributes to a deeper understanding of decisional and information needs among users of community-based mental health services that may reduce barriers to participation in decision-making. The results also shed light on attitudinal, relationship-based, and cognitive factors that are important to consider in adapting SDM in the mental health system.

  11. Physician-based activity counseling: intervention effects on mediators of motivational readiness for physical activity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pinto, B M; Lynn, H; Marcus, B H; DePue, J; Goldstein, M G

    2001-01-01

    In theory-based interventions for behavior change, there is a need to examine the effects of interventions on the underlying theoretical constructs and the mediating role of such constructs. These two questions are addressed in the Physically Active for Life study, a randomized trial of physician-based exercise counseling for older adults. Three hundred fifty-five patients participated (intervention n = 181, control n = 174; mean age = 65.6 years). The underlying theories used were the Transtheoretical Model, Social Cognitive Theory and the constructs of decisional balance (benefits and barriers), self-efficacy, and behavioral and cognitive processes of change. Motivational readiness for physical activity and related constructs were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 8 months. Linear or logistic mixed effects models were used to examine intervention effects on the constructs, and logistic mixed effects models were used for mediator analyses. At 6 weeks, the intervention had significant effects on decisional balance, self-efficacy, and behavioral processes, but these effects were not maintained at 8 months. At 6 weeks, only decisional balance and behavioral processes were identified as mediators of motivational readiness outcomes. Results suggest that interventions of greater intensity and duration may be needed for sustained changes in mediators and motivational readiness for physical activity among older adults.

  12. TOMA DE DECISIONES, ESTILOS DE COMUNICACIÓN EN EL CONFLICTO Y COMUNICACIÓN FAMILIAR EN ADOLESCENTES BACHILLERES

    OpenAIRE

    Alejandro Cesar A. Luna Bernal; Francisco A. Laca Arocena; Liliana Isabel Cedillo Navarro

    2012-01-01

    En este trabajo se analizan correlaciones significativas entre patrones de toma de decisiones, autoconfianza como tomador de determinaciones, patrones de comunicación familiar y estilos de mensajes en el manejo de conflictos con los padres en 412 adolescentes bachilleres con edades de entre 15 y 19 años, quienes respondieron una versión adaptada del Cuestionario de Estilos de Mensajes en el Manejo del Conflicto, el Cuestionario Melbourne de Toma de Decisiones y la Escala de Autoconfianza como...

  13. Panorámica de las teorías y métodos de investigación en torno a la toma de decisiones en el tenis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Luis Garc\\u00EDa-Gonz\\u00E1lez

    2011-01-01

    Full Text Available En esta revisión teórica y metodológica sobre la toma de decisiones en el tenis, buscamos exponer distintas aproximaciones explicativas del proceso decisional, fundamentadas en dos perspectivas: la psicología cognitiva y la psicología ecológica. Dentro del planteamiento de la psicología cognitiva, en base a los modelos de procesamiento de la información, nos centramos en la importancia de los comportamientos visuales y las estrategias perceptivas como mediadores de habilidades de anticipación y de decisión en el tenis, así como otros conceptos relacionados, como la atención o la agudeza visual. Posteriormente se explican otras teorías cognitivas basadas en las representaciones mentales y el desarrollo de distintos tipos de memoria como elemento central y determinante de la toma de decisiones. El segundo enfoque aborda la toma de decisiones desde la psicología ecológica, realizando una aproximación a la toma de decisiones en tenis en torno a la dinámica ecológica, planteando la importancia del entorno y los constraints, y entendiendo el tenis como un sistema no-lineal, dinámico y auto-organizado. Abordamos igualmente distintas aproximaciones metodológicas de evaluación de la toma de decisiones en el tenis, independientemente del marco teórico que las sustenta. Exponemos distintas formas de evaluar la toma de decisiones a través de análisis de protocolos verbales y cuestionarios, análisis observacional, análisis de variables cinemáticas, y también análisis perceptivos. Por último, concluimos la necesidad de superar algunas limitaciones para estudiar la toma de decisiones de una forma global, donde la toma de decisiones se vincule directamente a las acciones de juego.

  14. LA PREDECIBILIDAD DE LAS DECISIONES JUDICIALES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María Isabel Garrido Gómez

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available El tema que estudio es la predecibilidad de las decisiones judiciales, ligada a los valores de la libertad, la seguridad y la igualdad. El punto de partida es el de que el principio jurisdiccional que guía la actividad de los jueces es ejercer la garantía de cierre del sistema mediante la corrección de los márgenes de desviación e ilegitimidad jurídicas en las que se hubiera podido incurrir. Desde esta perspectiva, me ocupo del marco en el que se ha de construir la teoría y la práctica de la predecibilidad de tales decisiones dentro de un Estado de Derecho, y del juego concatenado de los valores indicados. Para analizar el juego, me adentro en la cuestión de la motivación de las sentencias, la discrecionalidad judicial, los elementos y significados de la seguridad jurídica y los precedentes; profundizando en el tratamiento dado a la predecibilidad del Derecho por el realismo jurídico norteamericano, especialmente por Frank y Llewellyn. En general, se advierte que los cambios que sufre el modelo aplicativo del Derecho rompen con la concepción del estricto formalismo, creándose espacios relacionados con fines y estrategias no jurídicas. Por consiguiente, se comprende que tenía razón el realismo jurídico norteamericano a la hora de conceptuar el Derecho como realidad que sufre un cambio incesante, apoyado en la actividad judicial creativa. En este sentido, queda patente que no se produce sólo por el legislador, sino que también toma parte el juez. Su creación se reenvía a la interpretación de la norma aplicable y a que la norma particular en la que deriva la decisión no es efecto de la lógica.The issue addressed in this study is the predictability of judicial decisions, linked to the values of liberty, the feeling of security it affords people, and equality. The jurisdictional principal guiding judges is to exercise the guarantee of closure of the system by correcting the margins of legal deviation and illegitimacy that

  15. Elevation change and remote-sensing mass-balance methods on the Greenland ice sheet

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Ahlstrøm, Andreas P.; Reeh, Niels; Christensen, Erik Lintz

    The mass balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet is virtually impossible to obtain with traditional ground-based methods alone due to its vast size. It is thus desirable to develop mass-balance methods depending on remote sensing instead and this field has experienced a dramatic development within...... of measured surface elevation change over a 50x50~km part of the western Greenland Ice-Sheet margin near Kangerlussuaq. In this region, the mean observed elevation change has been -0.5~m from 2000 to 2003. However, the change is unevenly distributed with the northern and central part generally in balance...... the last decade. Large amounts of data have been collected from satellite and airborne platforms, yielding surface elevation changes and surface velocity fields. Here we present data from the Greenland Ice-Sheet margin acquired with a new small-scale airborne system, designed for regional high...

  16. Work-Life Balance and Cultural Change: A Narrative of Eligibility

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lester, Jaime

    2013-01-01

    Using Schein's (1992) framework of cultural change, this study examined two institutions of higher education that have achieved or attempted a cultural change to understand if and how to develop a culture of work-life balance for faculty and staff. The results identified a narrative of eligibility that arose from the discourse of faculty…

  17. Regulating Emotions during Difficult Multiattribute Decision Making: The Role of Pre-Decisional Coherence Shifting.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Stephanie M Carpenter

    Full Text Available Almost all real-life decisions entail attribute conflict; every serious choice alternative is better than its competitors on some attribute dimensions but worse on others. In pre-decisional "coherence shifting," the decision maker gradually softens that conflict psychologically to the point where one alternative is seen as dominant over its competitors, or nearly so. Specifically, weaknesses of the eventually chosen alternative come to be perceived as less severe and less important while its strengths seem more desirable and significant. The research described here demonstrates that difficult multiattribute decision problems are aversive and that pre-decisional coherence shifting aids individuals in regulating that emotional discomfort. Across three studies, attribute conflict was confirmed to be aversive (Study 1, and skin conductance responses and ratings of decision difficulty both decreased in participants who coherence shifted (Study 2. Coherence shifting was also diminished among decision makers who were depleted of regulatory resources, known to be required for common emotion regulation mechanisms. Further, coherence shifting was shown to be relatively common among people who reported strong suppression tendencies in everyday emotion regulation (Study 3. Overall, the data suggest that, at least in part, coherence shifting serves as a tool that helps decision makers manage the pre-decisional discomfort generated by attribute conflict. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

  18. Estimando las decisiones de escolarización en Argentina: efectos de fluctuaciones idiosincráticas y agregadas

    OpenAIRE

    Datria, Pablo; Buera, Francisco Javier; Nicolini, Juan Pablo

    2003-01-01

    El objetivo de este trabajo es poder identificar empíricamente un candidato para este mecanismo de transmisión usando datos de hogares en Argentina: las decisiones de deserción escolar originadas por restricciones al crédito. Una combinación de argumentos teóricos y empíricos nos centran en este candidato. Primero, la heterogeneidad en la acumulación de capital humano es una fuente importante de los diferenciales de ingresos entre los individuos. Segundo, las decisiones de deserción pueden te...

  19. Variations in Urine Calcium Isotope: Composition Reflect Changes in Bone Mineral Balance in Humans

    Science.gov (United States)

    Skulan, Joseph; Anbar, Ariel; Bullen, Thomas; Puzas, J. Edward; Shackelford, Linda; Smith, Scott M.

    2004-01-01

    Changes in bone mineral balance cause rapid and systematic changes in the calcium isotope composition of human urine. Urine from subjects in a 17 week bed rest study was analyzed for calcium isotopic composition. Comparison of isotopic data with measurements of bone mineral density and metabolic markers of bone metabolism indicates the calcium isotope composition of urine reflects changes in bone mineral balance. Urine calcium isotope composition probably is affected by both bone metabolism and renal processes. Calcium isotope. analysis of urine and other tissues may provide information on bone mineral balance that is in important respects better than that available from other techniques, and illustrates the usefulness of applying geochemical techniques to biomedical problems.

  20. De la evidencia al desempeño: cómo fijar prioridades y tomar buenas decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Franklin White

    1998-07-01

    Full Text Available En esta época de respeto por la ciencia médica y por la responsabilidad gerencial, las organizaciones de salud deben rendir cuentas por sus acciones con creciente frecuencia. La época en que se determinaban las prioridades y se tomaban las decisiones sobre bases políticas o acatando el consejo intuitivo de asesores respetados y bien intencionados ha dado paso gradualmente a una era que valora la demostración de efectividad y eficiencia. Las decisiones relativas a las prioridades y a los programas deben basarse firmemente en conocimientos comprobados y someterse a evaluación continua. Esta transición requiere promover el pensamiento crítico en todos los ámbitos. Surge entonces la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cómo podemos promover el razonamiento crítico en los servicios de salud para fijar prioridades, adoptar decisiones acertadas y poner en práctica iniciativas efectivas? En otras palabras, ¿cómo podemos pasar de la evidencia al desempeño? Una pregunta aún más básica es ¿por qué debemos fijar prioridades?

  1. Parental decisional strategies regarding HPV vaccination before media debates: a focus group study

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Hofman, R.; Empelen, P. van; Vogel, I.; Raat, H.; Ballegooijen, M. van; Korfage, I.J.

    2013-01-01

    Before the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, decisional strategies and factors that could guide HPV vaccination intentions were explored. The authors conducted 4 focus group discussions with 36 parents of children 8-15 years of age. Three groups consisted primarily of Dutch

  2. La hoja de cálculo como herramienta de toma de decisiones: aplicación a la PYME

    OpenAIRE

    Marín Blaya, Pedro Gabriel

    2015-01-01

    La toma de decisiones es algo innato en el ser humano. Son situaciones que vivimos prácticamente a diario, a veces, hasta inconscientemente. Sin embargo, son muchos los factores que debemos de tener en cuenta cuando nos enfrentamos a decisiones difíciles, como por ejemplo, decidir hacer una carrera, o elegir un trabajo. En estos casos, deberemos analizar toda la información de la que disponemos. Tendremos que observar nuestra situación actual, nuestro nivel económico, nuestras inquietudes,...

  3. Remote Sensing Estimates of Glacier Mass Balance Changes in the Himalayas of Nepal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ambinakudige, S.; Joshi, K.

    2011-12-01

    Mass balance changes of glaciers are important indicators of climate change. There are only 30 'reference' glaciers in the world that have continuous mass balance data with world glacier monitoring service since 1976. Especially, Himalayan glaciers are conspicuously absent from global mass balance records. This shows the urgent need for mass balance data for glaciers throughout the world. In this study, we estimated mass balance of some major glaciers in the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) in Nepal using remote sensing applications. The SNP is one of the densest glaciated regions in the Himalayan range consisting approximately 296 glacial lakes. The region has experienced several glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in recent years, causing extensive damage to local infrastructure and loss of human life. In general, mass balance is determined at seasonal or yearly intervals. Because of the rugged and difficult terrain of the Himalayan region, there are only a few field based measurements of mass balance available. Moreover, there are only few cases where the applications of remote sensing methods were used to calculate mass balance of the Himalayan glaciers due to the lack of accurate elevation data. Studies have shown that estimations of mass balance using remote sensing applications were within the range of field-based mass balance measurements from the same period. This study used ASTER VNIR, 3N (nadir view) and 3B (backward view) bands to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for the SNP area. 3N and 3B bands generate an along track stereo pair with a base-to-height (B/H) ratio of about 0.6. Accurate measurement of ground control points (GCPs), their numbers and distribution are important inputs in creating accurate DEMs. Because of the availability of topographic maps for this area, we were able to provide very accurate GCPs, in sufficient numbers and distribution. We created DEMs for the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 using ENVI DEM extraction tool. Bands

  4. Development and validation of the Japanese version of the Decisional Conflict Scale to investigate the value of pharmacists' information: a before and after study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kawaguchi, Takashi; Azuma, Kanako; Yamaguchi, Takuhiro; Soeda, Hiroshi; Sekine, Yusuke; Koinuma, Masayoshi; Takeuchi, Hironori; Akashi, Takao; Unezaki, Sakae

    2013-04-17

    The information provided in patient-centered care and shared decision-making influences patients' concerns and adherence to treatment. In the decision-making process, patients experience decisional conflict. The Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) is a 16-item, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 5 subscales developed to assess patients' decisional conflict. This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the DCS and to clarify the influence of the information provided by pharmacists' on decisional conflict among patients with cancer. We developed the Japanese version of the DCS by using the forward-backward translation method. One hundred patients who were recommended a new chemotherapy regimen were recruited. The psychometric properties of the Japanese DCS, including internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and construct validity, were examined. We assessed the decisional conflict of patients before and after the pharmacists' provision of information. Ninety-four patients, predominately female, with an average age of 58.1 years were sampled. The scores on the 5 subscales of the DCS showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84-0.96). Multi-trait scaling analysis and cluster analysis showed strong validity. The mean total DCS score decreased significantly from 40.2 to 31.7 after patients received information from the pharmacists (p informed, values clarity, support, and effective decision, also significantly improved (p information was able to decrease decisional conflict among patients with cancer who were recommended a new chemotherapy regimen.

  5. Teoría de la Decisión: Proceso de interacciones u organizaciones como sistemas de decisiones

    OpenAIRE

    Vidal,Josep

    2012-01-01

    Se expone un debate teórico sobre la aportación sociológica referente a las decisiones en las organizaciones. Sobresalen dos teorías de las decisiones. La primera, basada en el proceso de decisión a partir una teoría crítica de la multirracionalidad lineal elaborado por Lucien Sfez, al plantear que con la decisión se trata de un proceso de interacciones, al ser considerada como un proceso institucional fundamentado en la libertad del sujeto. La segunda fundamentada en la teoría de sistemas au...

  6. Mariguana y sus efectos sobre el cerebro, la toma de decisiones y la inteligencia. Una revisión narrativa

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Alejandra E. Ruiz Contreras

    2016-12-01

    Full Text Available Introducción: la mariguana es la droga de mayor consumo después del tabaco y el alcohol, a pesar de que está penado utilizar más de cierto gramaje que depende del país; por ejemplo, en México es más de 5 g, lo que indica una alta motivación por conseguir la droga. Uno de los principios activos de la mariguana es el Δ9-tetrahidrocannabinol. Esta molécula afecta al sistema endocannabinoide, provocando cambios en su función y, concomitantemente, en la morfología cerebral. Objetivo: revisar y discutir la evidencia científica del efecto del consumo de mariguana sobre el cerebro, la inteligencia y la toma de decisiones. Método: se consideraron los reportes científicos que abarcan de 2005 a marzo de 2016 encontrados en PubMed, enfocados en los efectos del consumo de mariguana sobre cambios morfológicos cerebrales, la inteligencia y la toma de decisiones. Resultados: dependiendo de la edad de inicio del consumo de mariguana, es posible detectar cambios en el cerebro y la inteligencia, mientras que otras variables como la frecuencia o la cantidad de uso repercuten en la eficiencia para la toma de decisiones. Discusión y conclusiones: estos resultados señalan que 1 el consumo de mariguana afecta la morfología cerebral, la toma de decisiones y la inteligencia; 2 sugieren la potencial participación del sistema endocannabinoide en la toma de decisiones e inteligencia; y 3 dadas las consecuencias, deben alertar al sector salud para promover su prevención y en su momento estar preparados para la rehabilitación.

  7. Seasonal changes in the atmospheric heat balance simulated by the GISS general circulation model

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stone, P. H.; Chow, S.; Helfand, H. M.; Quirk, W. J.; Somerville, R. C. J.

    1975-01-01

    Tests of the ability of numerical general circulation models to simulate the atmosphere have focussed so far on simulations of the January climatology. These models generally present boundary conditions such as sea surface temperature, but this does not prevent testing their ability to simulate seasonal changes in atmospheric processes that accompany presented seasonal changes in boundary conditions. Experiments to simulate changes in the zonally averaged heat balance are discussed since many simplified models of climatic processes are based solely on this balance.

  8. Factores que influyen las decisiones terapéuticas en Ortodoncia: Revisión de la literatura

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Francisca Matthews

    Full Text Available Resumen En la actualidad existe una inmensa variedad de técnicas ortodóncicas, cada una de ellas con sus indicaciones y usos específicos a partir de las cuales se debe seleccionar la más apropiada para cada situación clínica. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar en la literatura reciente los factores que influyen o que explicarían las decisiones terapéuticas que se toman en odontología, centrados en la especialidad de ortodoncia. Se ha pesquisado que la educación recibida, las preferencias individuales y el dominio de las diferentes técnicas, las características y valores personales, la situación clínica y económica del paciente, el sistema de salud y la relación odontólogo-paciente adquieren un papel importante en la selección del tratamiento. También cobran importancia los principios éticos y aspectos sociales, tales como las teorías del comportamiento que son homologables al actuar profesional. Es importante comprender la toma de decisiones y la selección de los tratamientos por el impacto que tiene en la atención del paciente y su satisfacción, en el cumplimiento de los objetivos terapéuticos, el funcionamiento de la salud pública y la calidad de los servicios entregados. En la actualidad son escasos los estudios dedicados al proceso de toma de decisiones clínicas, por lo que se hace necesario ampliar los alcances de las investigaciones, incluyendo investigaciones cualitativas, con el fin de comprender más profundamente el fenómeno de la toma de decisiones.

  9. La toma de decisiones en baloncesto. Una propuesta de árboles decisionales para la enseñanza del bloqueo directo

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ernesto Suárez-Cadenas

    Full Text Available Resumen El presente artículo tiene por objetivo clarificar conceptos relacionados con la toma de decisiones en el deporte y proponer su aplicación para la enseñanza-aprendizaje del bloqueo directo (BD en baloncesto. Se realiza un repaso histórico hasta llegar a las teorías modernas de mayor vigencia en el ámbito deportivo. De la misma forma, se analiza el estado del arte actual de la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la toma de decisiones, mostrando las distintas ventajas e inconvenientes del uso de las estrategias de enseñanza intencional e incidental. Posteriormente, a partir de los conceptos revisados (reglas si-entonces y las distintas estrategias de enseñanza incidental e intencional, se establece una propuesta de entrenamiento del BD en baloncesto. A través de distintos árboles decisionales y de propuestas de tareas específicas se ha intentado resolver el problema de cómo potenciar la toma de decisiones de los jugadores durante el BD atendiendo a la lógica interna y a los principios del juego, pero intentando, a la vez, que los jugadores desarrollen una toma de decisiones propia, única e individual.

  10. Las decisiones básicas de la estrategia de deslocalización: qué, dónde y cómo deslocalizar

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Toral Pla, David

    2008-11-01

    Full Text Available Las decisiones que una empresa debe tomar a la hora de emprender una estrategia de deslocalización poseen una elevada importancia. En el presente trabajo se analizan las decisiones básicas a las que una empresa debe hacer frente para acometer con éxito una estrategia de deslocalización y mejorar su ventaja competitiva. Concretamente se examina la elección de las actividades a deslocalizar, la elección del país de destino y la elección del modo de deslocalización. Una combinación adecuada de estas tres decisiones conjuntamente facilitará el éxito de una estrategia de deslocalización.

  11. Simulación de operaciones y línea de balance: herramientas integradas para la toma de decisiones Simulation operations and line of balance: integrated tools for

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Harlem Acevedo

    2011-06-01

    Full Text Available Este artículo presenta la implementación conjunta de la simulación de operaciones y de las líneas de balance como herramientas que contribuyen a mejorarla eficiencia de la planeación de proyectos de la construcción, donde su integración ha sido escasa en el ámbito nacional e internacional. El artículo exponelos resultados de la simulación de las actividades asociadas a la etapa de estructura, armado y fundida de muros y losa, en una edificación en altura. Se modela el sistema de acuerdo con la forma como se ejecuta el proyecto por parte de los constructores y con la ayuda de las líneas de balance se generandos escenarios alternativos con el fin de comparar los tiempos y los costos promedios de terminación del proyecto. En el primer escenario se aprovechala holgura hallada en el sistema actual con relación a los tiempos de iniciación de actividades, sin cambiar la cantidad de recursos humanos y de equipo. Ensegundo escenario, se aumenta levemente la cantidad de recursos humanos y se incrementa en un 25% la cantidad de equipo de formaletería para muros y losa. A partir de los resultados, las empresas disponen de una metodología para la planeación y la selección del escenario adecuado, de acuerdo con suconveniencia.This paper presents the joint implementation of the simulation of operations and lines of balance, as tools that help to improve the efficiency in construction project planning, where the integration of these tools has been scarce in the national and international field. This paper expounds the simulation results of the activities associated with the construction works of structure, assembly and casting of walls and slab, in a multi–story building. The construction system is modeled, according to the way it is done by the company, and with the help of the lines of balance, generating two alternative scenarios in order to compare the times and the average costs of project completion. The first scenario takes advantage

  12. Changes in the Balance Performance of Polish Recreational Skiers after Seven Days of Alpine Skiing

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Wojtyczek Beata

    2014-12-01

    Full Text Available Alpine skiing is one of the most popular leisure time winter sporting activities. Skiing imposes high requirements concerning physical fitness, particularly regarding balance abilities. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in balance performance of recreational skiers after a seven-day ski camp. A total of 78 students - 24 women and 54 men - participated in the study. The ski course was held in accordance with the official program of the Polish Ski Federation. The study sample was comprised of 43 beginners and 35 intermediate skiers. All students were tested with the MFT S3-Check, the day before and the day after the ski camp. The test system consisted of an unstable uniaxial platform, with an integrated sensor and corresponding software. Changes in balance performance (sensory and stability index were evaluated using paired t-tests. Additionally, changes in sensory and stability categories, which were based on the norm data, were analyzed. Female and male participants showed significantly better sensory and stability indices after skiing. Considerable changes from weak or very weak to average or good balance categories could be seen after skiing for both sexes. Regarding skiing experience, both beginners and intermediate skiers improved their sensory and stability indices significantly after skiing. Hence, recreational alpine skiing resulted in better balance performance regardless of sex or skiing experience. Skiing as an outdoor activity offers the opportunity to improve balance performance with a positive impact on everyday life activities.

  13. La toma de decisiones en salud y el modelo conceptual de Ottawa Decision-making in health and the Ottawa decision-support framework

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mendoza P. Sara

    2006-03-01

    Full Text Available Objetivo: Realizar un análisis del Modelo de Toma de Decisiones en Salud de Ottawa, planteado por la enfermera canadiense Annette M. O’Connors, como una estrategia para resolver conflictos decisionales en salud. Se plantea su utilidad en la intervención que hace enfermería en la comunidad y la familia. Se concluye que el conflicto decisional surge frente a la toma de decisiones y los profesionales de la salud deben adoptar un rol protagónico en él, desarrollando habilidades para apoyar a sus pacientes o usuarios en los conflictos que deben enfrentar, teniendo el Modelo de toma de decisiones de Ottawa como un referencial útil para ayudarles, especialmente a las mujeres, a asumir un rol más activo en las decisiones que afectan su propia salud.This article analyses the Ottawa Decision-support Framework proponed by the Canadian nurse Annette M. O´Connors to help strategic decision-making in Health and its usefulness in the nurses´intervention in the family and the community. When conflicting opinions have to be considered before making a decision, the nursing professionals should assume a protagonist part. Therefore they have to develop abilities to support their patients when they face conflicts. The Ottawa Decision Support Framework is a very useful reference to help people, especially women, when they should assume a more active part in decisions that affect their health.

  14. Intelligent Decisional Assistant that Facilitate the Choice of a Proper Computer System Applied in Busines

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nicolae MARGINEAN

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available The choice of a proper computer system is not an easy task for a decider. One reason could be the present market development of computer systems applied in business. The big number of the Romanian market players determines a big number of computerized products, with a multitude of various properties. Our proposal tries to optimize and facilitate this decisional process within an e-shop where are sold IT packets applied in business, building an online decisional assistant, a special component conceived to facilitate the decision making needed for the selection of the pertinent IT package that fits the requirements of one certain business, described by the decider. The user interacts with the system as an online buyer that visit an e-shop where are sold IT package applied in economy.

  15. What is a “good” treatment decision?: Decisional control, knowledge, treatment decision-making, and quality of life in men with clinically localized prostate cancer

    Science.gov (United States)

    Orom, Heather; Biddle, Caitlin; Underwood, Willie; Nelson, Christian J.; Homish, D. Lynn

    2016-01-01

    Objective We explored whether active patient involvement in decision making and greater patient knowledge are associated with better treatment decision making experiences and better quality of life (QOL) among men with clinically localized prostate cancer. Localized prostate cancer treatment decision-making is an advantageous model for studying patient treatment decision-making dynamics as there are multiple treatment options and a lack of empirical evidence to recommend one over the other; consequently, it is recommended that patients be fully involved in making the decision. Methods Men with newly diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer (N=1529) completed measures of decisional control, prostate cancer knowledge, and their decision-making experience (decisional conflict, and decision-making satisfaction and difficulty) shortly after they made their treatment decision. Prostate cancer-specific QOL was assessed 6-months after treatment. Results More active involvement in decision making and greater knowledge were associated with lower decisional conflict and higher decision-making satisfaction, but greater decision-making difficulty. An interaction between decisional control and knowledge revealed that greater knowledge was only associated with greater difficulty for men actively involved in making the decision (67% of sample). Greater knowledge, but not decisional control predicted better QOL 6-months post-treatment. Conclusion Although men who are actively involved in decision making and more knowledgeable may make more informed decisions, they could benefit from decisional support (e.g., decision-making aids, emotional support from providers, strategies for reducing emotional distress) to make the process easier. Men who were more knowledgeable about prostate cancer and treatment side effects at the time they made their treatment decision may have appraised their QOL as higher because they had realistic expectations about side effects. PMID:26957566

  16. Language of Uncertainty: the Expression of Decisional Conflict Related to Skin Cancer Prevention Recommendations.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Strekalova, Yulia A; James, Vaughan S

    2017-09-01

    User-generated information on the Internet provides opportunities for the monitoring of health information consumer attitudes. For example, information about cancer prevention may cause decisional conflict. Yet posts and conversations shared by health information consumers online are often not readily actionable for interpretation and decision-making due to their unstandardized format. This study extends prior research on the use of natural language as a predictor of consumer attitudes and provides a link to decision-making by evaluating the predictive role of uncertainty indicators expressed in natural language. Analyzed data included free-text comments and structured scale responses related to information about skin cancer prevention options. The study identified natural language indicators of uncertainty and showed that it can serve as a predictor of decisional conflict. The natural indicators of uncertainty reported here can facilitate the monitoring of health consumer perceptions about cancer prevention recommendations and inform education and communication campaign planning and evaluation.

  17. Impact of telephone reinforcement and negotiated contracts on behavioral predictors of exercise maintenance in older adults with osteoarthritis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Desai, Pakaja M; Hughes, Susan L; Peters, Karen E; Mermelstein, Robin J

    2014-05-01

    To examine the impact of telephone reinforcement (TR) on predictors of physical activity (PA) maintenance in older adults with osteoarthritis. Mixed effects modeling was conducted of data from a randomized PA trial that used negotiated maintenance contracts, supplemented by TR, to test impact of TR on barriers, decisional balance, and stage of change at multiple points in time. Participants who were referred to a PA program and received TR improved the most in barriers and decisional balance. Participants who negotiated a tailored maintenance contract but did not receive TR improved the most in stage. TR appears to positively affect perceptions around engagement, whereas negotiation positively impacts PA behavior. Further research should examine the effectiveness of specific PA maintenance strategies.

  18. Requerimientos informacionales para la toma de decisiones estratégicas en organizaciones de información

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yunier RODRÍGUEZ-CRUZ

    Full Text Available Resumen Se examina el carácter informacional del proceso de toma de decisiones estratégicas con el propósito de identificar los requerimientos informacionales que condicionan el uso de información que se realiza en los niveles estratégicos en instituciones de información. El acercamiento teórico al tema permite comprender las particularidades en relación a la información como recurso estratégico y determinar aquellos factores y elementos que desde las Ciencias de la Información han contribuido a la teoría de las decisiones organizacionales. El estudio se realizó con directivos de once instituciones cubanas. Se profundiza, a partir del método fenomenográfico, en la opinión de los entrevistados acerca de los recursos, procesos, sistemas, factores y estados emocionales vinculados a la información y su uso en la toma de decisiones. Como resultado se identifica un conjunto de requerimientos informacionales, entre los que destacan los sistemas de información, procesos informacionales y gerenciales, así como un conjunto de recursos informacionales y factores socio-cognitivos que posibilitan fomentar y generar una infraestructura informacional y potenciar la cultura informacional necesaria para el desarrollo de procesos de decisión eficaces a nivel estratégico.

  19. El impacto de los sesgos conductuales en la toma de decisiones de inversión

    OpenAIRE

    Cano, Carlos; Cardoso, Edward

    2015-01-01

    Presentan brevemente las principales diferencias entre las finanzas del comportamiento y la teoría financiera tradicional, y se desarrolla el concepto de sesgo conductual y sus efectos sobre las decisiones de inversión de los agentes económicos.

  20. Reliability and sensitivity to change of the timed standing balance test in children with down syndrome

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vencita Priyanka Aranha

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Objective: To estimate the reliability and sensitivity to change of the timed standing balance test in children with Down syndrome (DS. Methods: It was a nonblinded, comparison study with a convenience sample of subjects consisting of children with DS (n = 9 aged 8–17 years. The main outcome measure was standing balance which was assessed using timed standing balance test, the time required to maintain in four conditions, eyes open static, eyes closed static, eyes open dynamic, and eyes closed dynamic. Results: Relative reliability was excellent for all four conditions with an Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC ranging from 0.91 to 0.93. The variation between repeated measurements for each condition was minimal with standard error of measurement (SEM of 0.21–0.59 s, suggestive of excellent absolute reliability. The sensitivity to change as measured by smallest real change (SRC was 1.27 s for eyes open static, 1.63 s for eyes closed static, 0.58 s for eyes open dynamic, and 0.61 s for eyes closed static. Conclusions: Timed standing balance test is an easy to administer test and sensitive to change with strong absolute and relative reliabilities, an important first step in establishing its utility as a clinical balance measure in children with DS.

  1. Optimización en las decisiones de financiamiento de proyectos

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Felipe Tomás Muñoz Valdés

    2003-07-01

    Full Text Available La finalidad de este trabajo es aplicar herramientas de optimización a las decisiones de financiamiento de proyectos de inversión, más específicamente, cómo mejorar el valor actual de un proyecto eligiendo la combinación óptima de fuentes de financiamiento. El carácter de largo plazo de las inversiones de un proyecto exige investigar las opciones de financiamiento para el proyecto, y no cabe duda que mientras más convenientes sean las condiciones que se logren, más atractivo será el proyecto. La búsqueda de la forma de financiar un proyecto de inversión, puede dar como resultado una variedad bastante importante de opciones diferentes. Esta información es de mucha utilidad para el inversionista, porque le permite determinar cómo financiar el proyecto, es decir, cuánto capital propio debe invertir en el proyecto y cómo debe financiar el monto restante de la inversión. Los métodos y modelos que se usan actualmente en esta toma de decisiones tienen deficiencias. Una de las deficiencias más importantes de estos métodos es que suponen que en todos los periodos se tienen utilidades antes de impuestos, calculando impuestos sobre las pérdidas antes de impuesto. También presentan dificultades cuando se tienen muchas alternativas de financiamiento y no permiten buscar combinaciones entre fuentes de financiamiento. A medida que aumenta la cantidad y características de las fuentes de financiamiento, aumenta la cantidad de cálculos de valor actual que se deben realizar, por lo que la aplicación de estas herramientas requiere una gran cantidad de tiempo. Para resolver el problema se recurrió a la teoría económica de Preparación de Proyectos, Evaluación de Proyectos y Programación Matemática, más específicamente a la Programación Mixta, que es una mezcla de Programación Lineal y Programación Entera. El procedimiento que se empleó para desarrollar el modelo de programación matemática, comenzó con la identificación de

  2. Guarantee of Criminal Policy as Limited to Criminal Decisionism

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María Belén Bonilla Albán

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available The essay explains how the inclusion of the security of public policy in the 2008 Constitution of Ecuador as part of the constitutional state of law and justice or “guarantor state” can become a substantial limit for criminal decisionism, which is usually behind the penal policy in Latin America. Thus, the function of this collateral is to eliminate the huge space of discretion in the management of the most sensitive policy of modern state penal policy. However, the guarantee of public policy is not clear in determining the limits of punitive power; therefore, this paper seeks to explore some of the international human rights.

  3. Conceptual model for dietary behaviour change at household level: a 'best-fit' qualitative study using primary data.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Daivadanam, Meena; Wahlström, Rolf; Ravindran, T K Sundari; Thankappan, K R; Ramanathan, Mala

    2014-06-09

    Interventions having a strong theoretical basis are more efficacious, providing a strong argument for incorporating theory into intervention planning. The objective of this study was to develop a conceptual model to facilitate the planning of dietary intervention strategies at the household level in rural Kerala. Three focus group discussions and 17 individual interviews were conducted among men and women, aged between 23 and 75 years. An interview guide facilitated the process to understand: 1) feasibility and acceptability of a proposed dietary behaviour change intervention; 2) beliefs about foods, particularly fruits and vegetables; 3) decision-making in households with reference to food choices and access; and 4) to gain insights into the kind of intervention strategies that may be practical at community and household level. The data were analysed using a modified form of qualitative framework analysis, which combined both deductive and inductive reasoning. A priori themes were identified from relevant behaviour change theories using construct definitions, and used to index the meaning units identified from the primary qualitative data. In addition, new themes emerging from the data were included. The associations between the themes were mapped into four main factors and its components, which contributed to construction of the conceptual model. Thirteen of the a priori themes from three behaviour change theories (Trans-theoretical model, Health Belief model and Theory of Planned Behaviour) were confirmed or slightly modified, while four new themes emerged from the data. The conceptual model had four main factors and its components: impact factors (decisional balance, risk perception, attitude); change processes (action-oriented, cognitive); background factors (personal modifiers, societal norms); and overarching factors (accessibility, perceived needs and preferences), built around a three-stage change spiral (pre-contemplation, intention, action). Decisional

  4. Studying the Effects of Amazonian Land Cover Change on Glacier Mass Balance in the Tropical Andes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mark, B. G.; Fernandez, A.; Gabrielli, P.; Montenegro, A.; Postigo, J.; Hellstrom, R. A.

    2017-12-01

    Recent research has highlighted several ongoing environmental changes occurring across Tropical South America, including Andean glacier retreat, drought, as well as changes in land-use and land-cover. As the regional climate of the area is mostly characterized by land-ocean interactions, the atmospheric convection in the Amazon, and the effect of the Andes on circulation patterns, it follows that changes in one of those regions may affect the other. Most scholars who have studied the causes of tropical glaciers' fluctuations have not analyzed the linkages with changes in the Amazon with the same attention paid to the influence of Pacific sea surface temperature. Here we study the response of glacier surface mass balance in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru (10°S), to a scenario where the Amazonian rainforest is replaced by savannas. We ran climatic simulations at 2-km spatial resolution utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model considering two scenarios: (a) control (CRTL), with today's rainforest extent; and (b) land cover change (LCC), where all the rainforest was replaced by savanna. WRF output was in turn ingested into a glacier energy and mass balance (GEMB) model that we validate by reconstructing both the accumulated mass balance from available observations, and the altitudinal distribution of mass balance in the region. Seasonal comparison between CRTL and LCC scenarios indicates that forest replacement by savanna results in more positive glacier mass balance. This shift to more positive mass balance contrasts with a (WRF) modeled rise in the elevation of the freezing line (0°C) between 30 to 120 m for the LCC scenario. Our results are surprising because most previous studies have shown that reducing Amazon forest cover diminishes rainfall and increases temperature, suggesting that glaciers should lose mass. We hypothesize and discuss implications of possible land-atmospheric processes that might drive this tropical glacier response to

  5. Promoting mammography screening among Chinese American women using a message-framing intervention.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sun, Yiyuan; Sarma, Elizabeth A; Moyer, Anne; Messina, Catherine R

    2015-07-01

    This study examined the role of women's perceptions about the relative pros versus cons (decisional balance) of mammography in moderating Chinese American women's responses to gain- and loss-framed messages that promote mammography. One hundred and forty-three Chinese American women who were currently nonadherent to guidelines for receiving annual screening mammograms were randomly assigned to read either a gain- or loss-framed culturally appropriate print brochure about mammography screening. Mammography screening was self-reported at a 2-month follow-up. Although there was not a main effect for message frame, the hypothesized interaction between message frame and decisional balance was significant, indicating that women who received a framed message that matched their decisional balance were significantly more likely to have obtained a mammogram by the follow-up than women who received a mismatched message. Results suggest that decisional balance, and more generally, perceptions about mammography, may be an important moderator of framing effects for mammography among Chinese American women. The match between message frame and decisional balance should be considered when attempting to encourage Chinese American women to receive mammography screening, as a match between the two may be most persuasive. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Climate change, fire and the carbon balance

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Amiro, B.; Flannigan, M.

    2004-01-01

    On average, forest fires have burned 2 to 3 million hectares annually in Canada over the last twenty years. Over the last 40 years, this amounts to 20 per cent of the amount of carbon released through fossil fuel emissions in Canada. This paper analyses the extent to which climate change may contribute to a disturbance in the carbon balance due to increased fire activity. In addition, data from FLUXNET-Canada was examined, indicating that carbon fluxes from younger forests show dramatic changes in diurnal carbon flux patterns, caused by reduced photosynthetic uptake during the day and less root respiration at night. Increases in fire are expected throughout much of the boreal forest towards the end of this century, with a lengthening of the fire season and increases in severity and intensity. It was concluded that there is the possibility of a positive feedback, where climate change could cause more fires, resulting in a greater release of carbon and thereby increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Evidence that smoke promoted positive lightning strikes while reducing precipitation was also presented. It was suggested that certain self-limiting factors may prevent a run-away scenario. Changes to human and lightning ignition patterns, for example, may have an impact. It was also suggested that research efforts should focus on refining climate change estimates that account for landscape change and other aspects that control fire in Canada. 9 refs., 2 figs

  7. Elevation Change, Mass Balance, Dynamics, and Surging of Langjökull, Iceland from 1997 to 2007

    OpenAIRE

    Pope, Allen; Willis, Ian Craig; Pálsson, Finnur; Arnold, Neil Stuart; Rees, William Gareth; Björnsson, Helgi; Grey, Lauren

    2016-01-01

    Glaciers and ice caps around the world are changing quickly, with surge-type behaviour superimposed upon climatic forcing. Here, we study Iceland’s second largest ice cap, Langjökull, which has both surge- and non-surge-type outlets. By differencing elevation change with surface mass balance, we estimate the contribution of ice dynamics to elevation change. We use DEMs, in situ stake measurements, regional reanalyses, and a mass balance model to calculate the vertical ice velocity. Thus,...

  8. 78 FR 76100 - Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notices for Pre-Decisional Administrative Review...

    Science.gov (United States)

    2013-12-16

    ...- Decisional Administrative Review Processes and Decisions Subject to Notice, Comment and Appeal Procedures... constructive notice of a decision, to provide clear evidence of timely notice, and to achieve consistency in administering appeal and objection processes. DATES: Publication of legal notices in the listed newspapers...

  9. El moep y el Peep Luces amarillas en el tablero de las decisiones empresariales

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Alfredo Kaplan

    2009-10-01

    Full Text Available Entre la variada gama de posibilidades que debe manejar uma organizacion, en el momento de tomar decisiones o politicas con respecto a lineas de producto, puntos de yenta etc., es posible que se plantee la eleccion de continuar con la produccion o comercializacion de un determinado producto o servicio.

  10. Conceptual model for dietary behaviour change at household level: a ‘best-fit’ qualitative study using primary data

    Science.gov (United States)

    2014-01-01

    Background Interventions having a strong theoretical basis are more efficacious, providing a strong argument for incorporating theory into intervention planning. The objective of this study was to develop a conceptual model to facilitate the planning of dietary intervention strategies at the household level in rural Kerala. Methods Three focus group discussions and 17 individual interviews were conducted among men and women, aged between 23 and 75 years. An interview guide facilitated the process to understand: 1) feasibility and acceptability of a proposed dietary behaviour change intervention; 2) beliefs about foods, particularly fruits and vegetables; 3) decision-making in households with reference to food choices and access; and 4) to gain insights into the kind of intervention strategies that may be practical at community and household level. The data were analysed using a modified form of qualitative framework analysis, which combined both deductive and inductive reasoning. A priori themes were identified from relevant behaviour change theories using construct definitions, and used to index the meaning units identified from the primary qualitative data. In addition, new themes emerging from the data were included. The associations between the themes were mapped into four main factors and its components, which contributed to construction of the conceptual model. Results Thirteen of the a priori themes from three behaviour change theories (Trans-theoretical model, Health Belief model and Theory of Planned Behaviour) were confirmed or slightly modified, while four new themes emerged from the data. The conceptual model had four main factors and its components: impact factors (decisional balance, risk perception, attitude); change processes (action-oriented, cognitive); background factors (personal modifiers, societal norms); and overarching factors (accessibility, perceived needs and preferences), built around a three-stage change spiral (pre

  11. Experiencia de familiares de enfermos con cáncer terminal respecto a las decisiones al final de la vida

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Norma Alicia Ordóñez Vázquez

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Introducción: La experiencia de los familiares que toman el rol de cuidadores primarios, en el proceso de una enfermedad terminal como el cáncer, proporciona información acerca de la toma de decisiones al final de la vida. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer desde la experiencia del familiar del enfermo quién toma las decisiones al final de la vida y cómo afectan estas decisiones al enfermo si no se considera su autonomía. Método: Tipo de estudio: Investigación de corte cualitativo que parte del paradigma hermenéutico fenomenológico. Se aborda desde la postura fenomenológica porque esta permite conocer la percepción que tienen las personas del mundo en el cual viven y el significado que le dan. Además se centra en la experiencia de vida de las personas, en este caso en la experiencia de los familiares de enfermos terminales. Se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada. Participantes: Cuidadores primarios y familiares de enfermos con cáncer terminal que fueron atendidos en hospitales de la ciudad de México. Procedimiento: Se elaboró una guía de entrevista semiestructurada. Se realizaron 11 entrevistas de las cuales ocho formaron díadas cuidador/familiar. Las tres restantes se realizaron a cuidadores. Seis entrevistas se llevaron a cabo en un espacio de un hospital de tercer nivel y cinco en espacios públicos. Se utilizó el análisis temático y el método de van Manen. Resultados: La experiencia de los familiares muestra por una parte que las decisiones fueron tomadas por el enfermo (plano autónomo, aunque existieron algunos casos en los que él no tomó la decisión, en el momento final, los familiares fueron los que tuvieron que asumir la responsabilidad de tomar decisiones, dependiendo de cómo se iba presentando el proceso de enfermedad (plano dependiente. Es importante resaltar que en los casos estudiados no siempre existió adecuada comunicación médico-paciente. Además, desde la perspectiva fenomenológica, se

  12. Technical clarification to Silbert and Thomas (2013): "decisional separability, model identification, and statistical inference in the general recognition theory framework".

    Science.gov (United States)

    Thomas, Robin D; Silbert, Noah H

    2014-04-01

    We offer a minor technical correction to the published proof of part (ii) of the main theorem in Silbert and Thomas (Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 20, 1-20, 2013) that somewhat limits the scope of the equivalence observed in that work. Specifically, in order for a mean shift integrality with decisional separability to be mimicked by a perceptually separable but nondecisionally separable configuration, one needs to assume stimulus invariance. This holds when all of the covariance matrices in the stimulus configuration are equal to each other. We note that part (i) of the theorem is unaffected by this modification; an empirical finding of perceptual separability and the failure of decisional separability can be mimicked by a perceptually nonseparable, decisionally separable configuration without restricting the covariance matrices to be equal. We also note that stimulus invariance is often assumed in simple designs (e.g., Macmillan & Ornstein in Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 97, 1261-1285, 1998), due to the implausibility of different perceptual correlations being present within stimuli perched very closely in perceptual space.

  13. Water and salt balance modelling to predict the effects of land-use changes in forested catchments. 1. Small catchment water balance model

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sivapalan, Murugesu; Ruprecht, John K.; Viney, Neil R.

    1996-03-01

    A long-term water balance model has been developed to predict the hydrological effects of land-use change (especially forest clearing) in small experimental catchments in the south-west of Western Australia. This small catchment model has been used as the building block for the development of a large catchment-scale model, and has also formed the basis for a coupled water and salt balance model, developed to predict the changes in stream salinity resulting from land-use and climate change. The application of the coupled salt and water balance model to predict stream salinities in two small experimental catchments, and the application of the large catchment-scale model to predict changes in water yield in a medium-sized catchment that is being mined for bauxite, are presented in Parts 2 and 3, respectively, of this series of papers.The small catchment model has been designed as a simple, robust, conceptually based model of the basic daily water balance fluxes in forested catchments. The responses of the catchment to rainfall and pan evaporation are conceptualized in terms of three interdependent subsurface stores A, B and F. Store A depicts a near-stream perched aquifer system; B represents a deeper, permanent groundwater system; and F is an intermediate, unsaturated infiltration store. The responses of these stores are characterized by a set of constitutive relations which involves a number of conceptual parameters. These parameters are estimated by calibration by comparing observed and predicted runoff. The model has performed very well in simulations carried out on Salmon and Wights, two small experimental catchments in the Collie River basin in south-west Western Australia. The results from the application of the model to these small catchments are presented in this paper.

  14. Metodología para la toma de decisiones de inversión en portafolio de acciones utilizando la técnica multicriterio AHP

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    John Willmer Escobar

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Este artículo presenta una metodología para la toma de decisiones en el mercado accionario colombiano utilizando la técnica multicriterio Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP. La problemática está relacionada con el proceso de inversión en un mercado bursátil considerando criterios de riesgo y rentabilidad. La metodología propuesta incluye la integración de las técnicas tradicionales de decisión de inversión en portafolio de acciones junto con la técnica multicriterio AHP que permite evaluar un número finito de alternativas de manera jerárquica bajo criterios cualitativos y cuantitativos. La metodología ha sido probada en la solución del problema de selección de portafolio de acciones de alta y media bursatilidad que cotizaron en el mercado colombiano durante el periodo de diciembre de 2007 a abril de 2010. Los resultados computacionales muestran la importancia y la eficiencia de la integración exitosa de los criterios tradicionales de inversión en portafolio de acciones junto con la metodología AHP para encontrar un balance apropiado entre rentabilidad y riesgo en el proceso de toma de decisiones de inversión en acciones en el mercado bursátil colombiano. Derechos reservados © 2015 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Contaduría y Administración. Este es un artículo de acceso abierto distribuido bajo los términos de la Licencia Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

  15. En busca de una salud más participativa: compartiendo decisiones de salud

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Paulina Bravo

    Full Text Available El modelo de atención en salud paternalista está derivando hacia modelos más participativos, como lo es la toma de decisiones compartidas (TDC, en el que se considera al paciente como agente responsable y autónomo. La TDC representa un enfoque terapéutico en el que profesionales y pacientes comparten la mejor evidencia científica disponible para tomar una decisión, incorporando los valores y preferencias del paciente. Este intercambio de información puede facilitarse mediante el uso de herramientas de ayuda para la TDC, que han demostrado ser efectivas para mejorar el conocimiento, la satisfacción del paciente, y reducir el conflicto decisional. En este sentido, las habilidades comunicacionales ejercen un rol fundamental en el establecimiento de la relación profesional - paciente, facilitando el intercambio de información y preferencias de manera efectiva y respetuosa. Esta aproximación terapéutica podría apoyar la reducción de las disparidades en salud que prevalecen en Latinoamérica, al facilitar que las personas puedan participar informada y activamente en el cuidado de su salud.

  16. Perceived decisional responsibility for mechanical ventilation and weaning

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Haugdahl, Hege S; Storli, Sissel; Rose, Louise

    2014-01-01

    AIM: To explore variability in perceptions of nurse managers and physician directors regarding roles, responsibilities and clinical-decision making related to mechanical ventilator weaning in Norwegian intensive care units (ICUs). BACKGROUND: Effective teamwork is crucial for providing optimal...... patient care in ICU. More knowledge on nurses' and physicians' perceptions of responsibility in clinical decision-making for mechanical ventilation is needed. METHODS: Self-administered survey of mechanical ventilation and weaning responsibilities was sent to nurse managers and physician directors...... of Norwegian adult ICUs. Nurses' decisional influence and autonomy were estimated on a numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10 (least to most). RESULTS: Response rate was 38/60 (63%) nurses and 38/52 (73%) physicians. On the NRS nurse managers perceived the autonomy and influence of nurses' ventilator...

  17. Marcos GRADE de la evidencia a la decisión (EtD: un enfoque sistemático y transparente para tomar decisiones sanitarias bien informadas. 1: Introducción

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Pablo Alonso-Coello

    2018-03-01

    Full Text Available Los médicos y quienes elaboran guías y políticas a veces pasan por alto criterios importantes, les dan un peso indebido o no usan la mejor evidencia disponible para informar sus juicios. Los sistemas explícitos y transparentes para la toma de decisiones pueden ayudar a garantizar que se consideren todos los criterios importantes, y que las decisiones estén basadas en la mejor evidencia disponible. El grupo de trabajo GRADE ha desarrollado marcos «de la evidencia a la decisión» (EtD para los diferentes tipos de recomendaciones o decisiones. El objetivo de los marcos EtD es ayudar a los paneles a usar la evidencia de una manera estructurada y transparente para informar las decisiones respecto de las recomendaciones clínicas, decisiones de cobertura sanitaria y recomendaciones o decisiones sobre el sistema sanitario o sobre salud pública. Los marcos EtD tienen una estructura común: formulación de una pregunta, evaluación de la evidencia y conclusiones. No obstante, existen diferencias entre los marcos para cada tipo de decisión. Los marcos EtD informan a los usuarios sobre los juicios que se han hecho y la evidencia que los apoya dotando de transparencia la base para las decisiones de los que tienen que tomarlas. Los marcos EtD también facilitan la diseminación de las recomendaciones y permiten a los decisores de otros ámbitos adoptar recomendaciones o decisiones, o adaptarlas a su contexto. El siguiente artículo es una traducción del artículo original publicado en British Medical Journal. Los marcos EtD se utilizan actualmente en el marco del Programa de Guías de Práctica Clínica en el Sistema Nacional de Salud, coordinado por GuíaSalud.

  18. CHANGES IN EDGE AND SCRAPE-OFF LAYER PLASMA BEHAVIOE DUE TO VAARIATION IN MAGNETIC BALANCE IN DIII-D

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    PETRIE, T.W.; WATKINS, J.G.; BAYLOR, L.R.; BROOKS, N.H.; FENSTERMACHER, M.E.; HYATT, A.W.; JACKSON, G.L.; LASNIER, C.J.; LEONARD, A.W.; PIGAROV, A.YU.; RENSINK, M.E.; ROGNLIEN, T.D.; SCHAFFER, M.J.; WOLF, N.S.

    2002-01-01

    Changes in the divertor magnetic balance in DIII-D H-mode plasmas affects core, edge, and divertor plasma behavior. Both the pedestal density n e,PED and plasma stored energy W T were sensitive to changes in magnetic balance near the double-null (DN) configuration, e.g., both decreased 20%-30% when the DN shifted to a slightly unbalanced DN, where the B x (del)B drift direction pointed away from the main X-point. Recycling at each of the four divertor targets was sensitive to changes in magnetic balance and the B x (del)B drift direction. The poloidal distribution of the recycling in DN is in qualitative agreement with the predictions of UEDGE modeling with particle drifts included. The particle flux at the inner divertor target is shown to be much more sensitive to magnetic balance than the particle flux at the outer divertor target near the DN shape. These results suggest possible advantages and drawbacks for balanced DN operation

  19. Predictors of Exercise Relapse in a College Population.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sullum, Julie; Clark, Matthew M.; King, Teresa K.

    2000-01-01

    Investigated factors that predicted exercise relapse among college students. Physically active undergraduates completed questionnaires measuring Prochaska's 10 processes for change of exercise, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. Exercise levels were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks later. At baseline, relapsers had significantly lower…

  20. territorial previa a la toma de decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ángel Raúl Ruiz Pulpón

    2006-01-01

    Full Text Available La expansión de la agricultura de regadío ha ocasionado una signifi cativa confl ictividad ecológica, económica y social concerniente al uso del agua en la cuenca del Guadiana. Ante la ausencia, en estos últimos treinta años, de enfoques territoriales y sistémicos para la resolución de la problemática, se propone una metodología que permite la clasifi cación territorial de los municipios de la cuenca hidrográfi ca del Guadiana que presenten unas características similares de sus regadíos, con el objeto de plantear un modelo espacial previo a la toma de decisiones sobre la gestión de los recursos hídricos, agrarios y ambientales en Castilla-La Mancha, en consonancia con los preceptos estipulados por la Directiva Marco de Aguas y la Estrategia Territorial Europea

  1. Criterios éticos para las decisiones sanitarias al final de la vida de personas incapaces

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Inés Ma. Barrio Cantalejo

    2006-01-01

    Full Text Available Actualmente las relaciones sanitarias se apoyan en el reconocimiento del derecho de los pacientes a participar en las decisiones sobre su salud. Esta idea es el fundamento del consentimiento informado. Sin embargo, problema surge cuando el paciente no puede participar en estas decisiones porque se halla en una situación de incapacidad. Es otro, un representante, quien debe decidir por él. En España no existe claridad sobre qué criterios deben orientar las decisiones que ha de tomar el representante. El presente artículo presenta los criterios de decisión en pacientes incapaces desarrollados por la jurisprudencia norteamericana: el criterio subjetivo, el criterio del juicio sustitutivo y el criterio del mejor interés o mayor beneficio. El criterio subjetivo consiste en seguir las directrices que el paciente dictó antes de perder la capacidad. El criterio del juicio sustitutivo trata de deducir la decisión que hubiese tomado el propio paciente si pudiera, a partir de lo que conocemos de él. El criterio del mayor beneficio intenta proteger el bienestar del paciente. Tradicionalmente el «mejor interés» ha sido defender la vida a toda costa, sin atender a otro tipo de consideraciones. Quizás sea el momento de buscar un consenso sobre lo que socialmente hoy en día se considera «mejor interés». Su significado no podrá derivarse exclusivamente del derecho a la vida, sino de la conjunción entre éste –en cantidad y calidad suficientes– y la libertad, interpretados a la luz del respeto a la dignidad de la persona.

  2. Dificultades de las enfermeras de atención primaria en los procesos de planificación anticipada de las decisiones: un estudio cualitativo

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nani Granero-Moya

    2016-12-01

    Conclusiones: Es necesario el aprendizaje de los profesionales sobre planificación anticipada de decisiones, su entrenamiento en habilidades comunicativas y su educación afectiva. Los gestores sanitarios han de tener en cuenta el hecho de que las intervenciones para planificar anticipadamente decisiones sanitarias precisan formación, tiempo y atención continuada. En tanto no acontezca un cambio cultural, persistirá un modelo evasivo para afrontar el final de la vida.

  3. The Balanced Company

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    through control or trust. Human resource specialists need to make balanced decisions about how to design tasks and jobs in order to make them attractive as well as motivating. Marketers need to make balanced decisions about how to market products in the light of what is now important in consumers...... in their environments. Communication specialists need to make balanced decisions which take the different value systems and assumptions of stakeholders into consideration. Change specialists need to balance the need for continuity and change. Managers need to make balanced decisions about whether to achieve goals...... the creation and recreation of balanced relationships. Chapters in The Balanced Company ask and provide answers to questions about corporately responsible and ethically driven balanced decision making, such as: • How can a company and its stakeholders identify what should be taken into consideration - What...

  4. Modelos de decisiones en el manejo de la cobertura arbórea en fincas ganaderas de Nariño

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Diego Andrés Muñoz

    2014-12-01

    Full Text Available Las decisiones de los agricultores en sus fincas, influyen directa o indirectamente sobre la cobertura arbórea que afectan su estructura, densidad y composición. El presente estudio se desarrolló en los municipios de Guachucal y Cumbal, departamento de Nariño, Colombia con el propósito de identificar los criterios y decisiones claves que toman los agricultores, en el manejo de la cobertura arbórea en fincas ganaderas productoras de leche. Las decisiones, fueron modeladas y simuladas en el programa Netica 2.6. Con las respuestas obtenidas se diseñaron modelos generales de decisión, donde se obtuvo cuatro eventos principales y de mayor influencia en el manejo de la cobertura arbórea, 1 evento poda, 2 evento control de maleza, 3 evento siembra de árboles y 4 evento aprovechamiento de árboles. Las frecuencias, permitieron estimar la probabilidad de cada decisión e influencia de las variables con respecto a los eventos para su modelación y simulación. Además, para profundizar sobre el proceso de toma de decisiones se plantearon escenarios relacionados con las condiciones agroecológicas de la finca, el manejo de la unidad productiva y el entorno en el que opera la finca. Así mismo se analizaron las principales limitantes para el manejo y establecimiento de la cobertura arbórea. El evento de mayor importancia para el manejo de la cobertura arbórea es la poda, debido a su valor en la obtención de leña como combustible, este factor influye en la zona para que las cobertura arbóreas se incrementen como cercas vivas.

  5. Change of trade balance analysis in agricultural and food products with using of index pyramidal system

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Marek Záboj

    2007-01-01

    Full Text Available The paper deals with analysis of the trade balance in Czech Republic in the field of agricultural and food products. The main goal is to determine the influence of analytical indicators; in this case these are changes of quantity and average unit price of export and import; over the synthetic indicator – change of trade balance. Next step of this analysis is to calculate the portions of change of inputs volume and change of total productivity of inputs over the change of export caused by change of quantity. To fulfill this aim it is suitable to use methods for pyramidal decomposition of indicators – chain substitution, logarithmic and functional methods. These methods are compared and the results are interpreted.

  6. Mastication accelerates Go/No-go decisional processing: An event-related potential study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sakamoto, Kiwako; Nakata, Hiroki; Yumoto, Masato; Sadato, Norihiro; Kakigi, Ryusuke

    2015-11-01

    The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of mastication on Go/No-go decisional processing using event-related potentials (ERPs). Thirteen normal subjects underwent seven sessions of a somatosensory Go/No-go paradigm for approximately 4min; Pre, and Post 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The Control condition included the same seven sessions. The RT and standard deviation were recorded, and the peak amplitude and latency of the N140 and P300 components were analyzed. The RT was significantly shorter in Mastication than in Control at Post 1-3 and 4-6. The peak latency of N140 was earlier in Mastication than in Control at Post 4-6. The latency of N140 was shortened by repeated sessions in Mastication, but not by those in Control. The peak latency of P300 was significantly shorter in Mastication than in Control at Post 4-6. The peak latency of P300 was significantly longer in Control with repeated sessions, but not in Mastication. These results suggest that mastication may influence response execution processing in Go trials, as well as response inhibition processing in No-go trials. Mastication accelerated Go/No-go decisional processing in the human brain. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Análisis de decisiones de inversión utilizando el criterio valor presente neto en riesgo (VPN en riesgo

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Diego Fernando Manotas Duque

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available Las decisiones estratégicas de inversión son actividades cruciales para el desarrollo de una organización. Los proyectos de inversión se encuentran expuestos a diversos tipos de riesgo: financiero, político, de mercado, entre otros. Aunque se pueden mencionar varios tipos de metodologías de medición que intentan incluir el riesgo en la valoración de proyectos, la mayoría de ellas tiene falencias, que en todo caso pueden ser abordadas para dar lugar a mejores indicadores de bondad económica y financiera. El presente trabajo aborda el problema de valoración económica de proyectos, y en particular, los problemas del indicador de utilidad económica, Valor Presente Neto (VPN cuando se calcula sobre un único escenario estático del proyecto. Mediante una combinación del cálculo del costo promedio ponderado de capital (CPPC -Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC- y el uso de métodos de valoración de riesgo que tienen en cuenta la relación entre riesgo- retorno esperado, el resultado principal que se obtiene en este trabajo es un método de evaluación de proyectos, con aplicación principalmente en decisiones estratégicas del sector real, que incluye explícitamente la valoración del riesgo inherente a tales decisiones. Para ilustrar el criterio propuesto, se presentan dos casos de aplicación, el primero sobre selección de tecnología y el segundo sobre decisiones de renovación de cultivos de caña de azúcar.

  8. Changes in balance coordination and transfer to an unlearned balance task after slackline training: a self-organizing map analysis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Serrien, Ben; Hohenauer, Erich; Clijsen, Ron; Taube, Wolfgang; Baeyens, Jean-Pierre; Küng, Ursula

    2017-11-01

    How humans maintain balance and change postural control due to age, injury, immobility or training is one of the basic questions in motor control. One of the problems in understanding postural control is the large set of degrees of freedom in the human motor system. Therefore, a self-organizing map (SOM), a type of artificial neural network, was used in the present study to extract and visualize information about high-dimensional balance strategies before and after a 6-week slackline training intervention. Thirteen subjects performed a flamingo and slackline balance task before and after the training while full body kinematics were measured. Range of motion, velocity and frequency of the center of mass and joint angles from the pelvis, trunk and lower leg (45 variables) were calculated and subsequently analyzed with an SOM. Subjects increased their standing time significantly on the flamingo (average +2.93 s, Cohen's d = 1.04) and slackline (+9.55 s, d = 3.28) tasks, but the effect size was more than three times larger in the slackline. The SOM analysis, followed by a k-means clustering and marginal homogeneity test, showed that the balance coordination pattern was significantly different between pre- and post-test for the slackline task only (χ 2  = 82.247; p balance coordination on the slackline could be characterized by an increase in range of motion and a decrease in velocity and frequency in nearly all degrees of freedom simultaneously. The observation of low transfer of coordination strategies to the flamingo task adds further evidence for the task-specificity principle of balance training, meaning that slackline training alone will be insufficient to increase postural control in other challenging situations.

  9. La toma de decisiones en los sistemas de autoayuda y asesoramiento vocacional (SAV-R y SAVI-2000) : propuesta y validación de un modelo de decisión vocacional

    OpenAIRE

    López González, María Luisa

    2004-01-01

    La Tesis se presenta estructurada en dos partes. La primera, Fundamentación teórica de la toma de decisiones, aborda la conducta y asesoramiento vocacional, la toma de decisiones y el adolescente como sujeto decisor, La segunda, Experimental /Aplicada, se plantea a través de cinco Estudios:El Estudio 1: Indicadores relevantes para la toma de decisiones vocacionales en el SAV-R depura los indicadores vocacionales que han mostrado su efectividad, desde los datos de la investigación realizada co...

  10. Attribution of changes in the water balance of a tropical catchment to land use change using the SWAT model

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Marhaento, Hero; Booij, Martijn J.; Rientjes, T. H.M.; Hoekstra, Arjen Y.

    2017-01-01

    Changes in the water balance of the Samin catchment (277.9 km2) on Java, Indonesia, can be attributed to land use change using the Soil Water Assessment Tool model. A baseline-altered method was used in which the simulation period 1990–2013 was divided into 4 equal periods to represent baseline

  11. Motivational stage of change in young patients undergoing day treatment for eating disorders.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bustin, Lisa A; Lane-Loney, Susan E; Hollenbeak, Christopher S; Ornstein, Rollyn M

    2013-01-01

    The objective was to determine whether motivation to change is significantly altered over the course of partial hospitalization in children and adolescents with eating disorders (EDs). This study was a retrospective chart review of 30 sets of adolescents and their parents who completed the Motivational Stage of Change for Adolescents Recovering from an Eating Disorder (MSCARED) at both intake and discharge from partial hospitalization. The main outcome variables included change in stage of change (SOC) for patients and their parents. Secondary outcomes included correlations between SOC and other baseline variables, as well as changes in SOC and psychological test scores. The SOC was significantly higher at discharge than at intake in both the patients and parents, but the two groups were not in agreement at discharge. The change in the SOC was correlated with change in Children's Eating Attitudes Test scores. Assessment of decisional balance showed correlations with SOC. Age, change in weight, and psychiatric diagnoses did not correlate with initial SOC. The MSCARED may be a useful tool for monitoring young ED patients' psychological improvements with day treatment. Initial SOC is not predictive of treatment outcomes.

  12. Información en el proceso de toma de decisiones estratégicas en las empresas colombianas del grupo empresarial ISA

    OpenAIRE

    Montoya López, Jorge Eduardo

    2005-01-01

    113 p. En el proyecto de investigación se realizó inicialmente una exploración de las bases teóricas y empíricas del uso de la información en la toma de decisiones estratégicas, luego se indagó sobre el uso de la información en las decisiones estratégicas efectuadas recientemente en las empresas colombianas del grupo empresarial ISA, enfocándose en determinar la información utilizada desde un medio electrónico y concluyendo acerca de las reales posibilidades del apoyo de los sistemas de in...

  13. Árbol de decisiones para la resolución de incidencias

    OpenAIRE

    Molas Roca, Meritxell

    2016-01-01

    Análisis e implementación de un sistema de información para dar soporte al personal del grupo de soporte técnico en Everis para la resolución de incidencias del SI existente en Gas Natural (área de contratación). Se va a desarrollar basándose en la definición de un árbol de decisiones. Analysis and implementation of an information system to support the staff group at Everis for resolve the problems existing at Natural Gas computer sytem. The process of resolution of an issue is displayed b...

  14. The impact of climate change on the balanced growth equivalent: An application of FUND

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Anthoff, D.; Tol, R.S.J.

    2009-01-01

    The Stern Review added balanced growth equivalents (BGE) to the economic climate change research agenda. We first propose rigorous definitions of the BGE for multiple regions and under uncertainty. We show that the change in the BGE is independent of the assumed scenario of per capita income. For

  15. Sobre la toma de decisiones económicas bajo incertidumbre

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Aurora García Gallego

    2012-04-01

    Full Text Available En este artículo resumimos la evolución de la Teoría Económica sobre la toma de decisiones bajo incertidumbre. Tras una breve introducción a la teoría de la Utilidad Esperada, nos referimos a comportamientos paradójicos que obligaron a los economistas a adoptar teorías menos simplistas que permitieran explicar un mayor abanico de fenómenos. La mayor complejidad conlleva una descripción multidimensional de las actitudes humanas frente al riesgo económico. Sin embargo, las mediciones de la actitud frente al riesgo utilizadas por los economistas continúan siendo, en su mayoría, unidimensionales.

  16. Balance Sheets Versus Decision Dashboards to Support Patient Treatment Choices: A Comparative Analysis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dolan, James G; Veazie, Peter J

    2015-12-01

    Growing recognition of the importance of involving patients in preference-driven healthcare decisions has highlighted the need to develop practical strategies to implement patient-centered shared decision-making. The use of tabular balance sheets to support clinical decision-making is well established. More recent evidence suggests that graphic, interactive decision dashboards can help people derive deeper a understanding of information within a specific decision context. We therefore conducted a non-randomized trial comparing the effects of adding an interactive dashboard to a static tabular balance sheet on patient decision-making. The study population consisted of members of the ResearchMatch registry who volunteered to participate in a study of medical decision-making. Two separate surveys were conducted: one in the control group and one in the intervention group. All participants were instructed to imagine they were newly diagnosed with a chronic illness and were asked to choose between three hypothetical drug treatments, which varied with regard to effectiveness, side effects, and out-of-pocket cost. Both groups made an initial treatment choice after reviewing a balance sheet. After a brief "washout" period, members of the control group made a second treatment choice after reviewing the balance sheet again, while intervention group members made a second treatment choice after reviewing an interactive decision dashboard containing the same information. After both choices, participants rated their degree of confidence in their choice on a 1 to 10 scale. Members of the dashboard intervention group were more likely to change their choice of preferred drug (10.2 versus 7.5%; p = 0.054) and had a larger increase in decision confidence than the control group (0.67 versus 0.075; p < 0.03). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in decisional conflict or decision aid acceptability. These findings suggest that clinical decision dashboards may

  17. Assessing Variation in Water Balance Components in Mountainous Inland River Basin Experiencing Climate Change

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Zhenliang Yin

    2016-10-01

    Full Text Available Quantification of the changes of water balance components is significant for water resource assessment and management. This paper employed the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT model to estimate the water balance in a mountainous watershed in northwest China at different spatial scales over the past half century. The results showed that both Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE and determination coefficient (R2 were over 0.90 for the calibration and validation periods. The water balance components presented rising trends at the watershed scale, and the total runoff increased by 30.5% during 1964 to 2013 period. Rising surface runoff and rising groundwater flow contributed 42.7% and 57.3% of the total rising runoff, respectively. The runoff coefficient was sensitive to increasing precipitation and was not significant to the increase of temperature. The alpine meadow was the main landscape which occupied 51.1% of the watershed and contributed 55.5% of the total runoff. Grass land, forest land, bare land, and glacier covered 14.2%, 18.8%, 15.4%, and 0.5% of the watershed and contributed 8.5%, 16.9%, 15.9%, and 3.2% of the total runoff, respectively. The elevation zone from 3500 to 4500 m occupied 66.5% of the watershed area, and contributed the majority of the total runoff (70.7%. The runoff coefficients in the elevation zone from 1637 to 2800 m, 2800 to 3500 m, 3500 to 4000 m, 4000 to 4500 m, and 4500 to 5062 m were 0.20, 0.27, 0.32, 0.43, and 0.78, respectively, which tend to be larger along with the elevation increase. The quantities and change trends of the water balance components at the watershed scale were calculated by the results of the sub-watersheds. Furthermore, we characterized the spatial distribution of quantities and changes in trends of water balance components at the sub-watershed scale analysis. This study provides some references for water resource management and planning in inland river basins.

  18. Gait and Balance Measures Can Identify Change From a Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap Test in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gallagher, Ryan; Marquez, Jodie; Osmotherly, Peter

    2018-04-25

    To identify in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) undergoing a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test (TT) for consideration of a ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt: (1) gait and balance measures, which identify symptom change; (2) differences present between pre- and post-CSF TT scores between patients classified as responders and nonresponder; (3) ability of patients with iNPH to accurately quantify change in their gait and balance symptoms from a CSF TT. Prospective observational study. Post-CSF TT assessment was completed 2-4 hours post. Tertiary referral neurological and neurosurgical hospital. Patients (N=74) with iNPH receiving a 30 mL CSF TT for consideration of a VP shunt. Patients underwent a battery of gait and balance measures pre- and post-CSF TT and indicated their perceived change on a global rating of change (GRC). Patients deemed to improve and offered VP shunt insertion by a neurologist or neurosurgeon were labeled responders. Performance oriented mobility assessment (Tinetti), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), GRC. Forty patients were classified responders, 34 nonresponders. Significant differences were identified for responders: Tinetti (3.88 points), TUG (3.98 seconds), 10MWT (0.08 m/sec), and BBS (5.29 points). Significant differences were found for nonresponders for the Tinetti (0.91 points) and BBS (2.06 points). Change scores for responders and nonresponders were significantly different for all tests between responders and nonresponders. GRC scores for gait (+2 for responders, 0 for nonresponders) and balance (+2.5 for responders, 0 for nonresponders) were both significantly different. The Tinetti, BBS, and TUG can identify change in patients undergoing a CSF TT for iNPH. Patients appear to be able to accurately identify if change has occurred. Copyright © 2018 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. La religión en las decisiones sobre aborto no punible en la Argentina

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María Gabriela Irrazábal

    2015-11-01

    Full Text Available En este artículo trabajaremos sobre la presencia de agentes religiosos expertos en bioética en comités de hospitales públicos y su intervención en casos de solicitud de acceso al aborto legal. En primer lugar realizaremos una descripción general del contexto de los casos de aborto no punible en la Argentina, resaltando que en la mayoría de los casos las creencias religiosas de los expertos suelen influir y condicionar las decisiones de las mujeres. Luego, pondremos el foco en la discusión dentro de un comité sobre un caso particular, el de una joven discapacitada que solicitó un aborto luego de un abuso sexual y que luego de atravesar un largo camino de judicialización y evaluaciones de comités de expertos, no logró interrumpir su embarazo. Este caso ilustra cómo las creencias religiosas influencian la toma de decisiones en el área de la salud pública y cómo se consolida la presencia de agentes religiosos expertos en bioética como una estrategia para influenciar los espacios públicos de la Iglesia Católica en la Argentina.

  20. Tax balance in agribusiness as a type of special balance

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Milojević Ivan

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available The tendency of continuous compounding of business processes inevitably leads to application of increasingly complex instruments for the purposes of financial reporting in agribusiness. In this system the existential place and role of individual elements that alter the existing and acquire new functions comes into question. Balancing implies a regulated and consistent system in which every change leads to the creation of new relations and changing already established relationships. In this regard, in this paper we will focus on the place and role of tax balance in the group of special balances in agribusiness, as a very significant group of accounting instruments. Displaying information for users and situations in which they are used, balances gain their place in this classification. For the purposes of applying financial instruments, referring primarily to balances in agribusiness, it is necessary to know the way of their classification according to their functions. From this aspect, tax balance in agribusiness is a specific report, both in terms of its formal and material structure, which gives it the basis to belong to ordinary as well as special types of balances in agribusiness.

  1. ALGUNAS HERRAMIENTAS PARA LA TOMA DE DECISIONES DE INVERSIÓN EN PROYECTOS DE ALTO RIESGO

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Julio Villarreal

    2007-01-01

    Full Text Available En este trabajo se presenta un posible aplicación metodológica para la toma de decisiones de inversión en proyectos de alto riesgo como las que típicamente son apoyados por los llamados fondos de capital de riesgo. El objetivo final es mostrar como es posible a través de esta metodología, reducir las asimetrías de información típicas en la relación entre inversionistas de riesgo (accionistas de capital y gestores de proyectos (accionistas industriales. La metodología propuesta se aplica a un plan de negocios real, pero de igual manera se puede aplicar a otros proyectos riesgosos, y muestra cómo una adecuada estructuración de un proceso de decisión, usando los modelos y herramientas adecuadas puede ser muy útil tanto en decisiones de fondos de inversión como en la estructuración de procesos de evaluación de alternativas de decisión estratégicas en las que el riesgo hace inapropiado el tradicional análisis determinístico.

  2. Decisiones al final de la vida en México

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Edith González Moreno

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available El presente ensayo aborda el tema de las decisiones al final de la vida en México (incluyendo el tema de la muerte medi - camente asistida. 2 Las reflexiones parten de algunos indicadores nacionales de mortalidad en nuestro país, donde el fenómeno de muerte en hospitales está apenas siendo igualado al número de muertes que venían ocurriendo fuera de ellos. Por lo anterior y a diferencia de otros países, el foco de atención en las cuestiones relacionadas con el final de la vida no deberá centrarse exclusivamente en el ámbito hospitalario. También se presentan algunos argumentos internacionales, elementos de la legislación vigente, así como la influencia de los paternalismos médico y jurídico en México.

  3. Conceptual understanding of climate change with a globally resolved energy balance model

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dommenget, Dietmar [Monash University, School of Mathematical Sciences, Melbourne, VIC (Australia); Floeter, Janine [Leibniz Institute for Marine Sciences, Kiel (Germany)

    2011-12-15

    The future climate change projections are essentially based on coupled general circulation model (CGCM) simulations, which give a distinct global warming pattern with arctic winter amplification, an equilibrium land-sea warming contrast and an inter-hemispheric warming gradient. While these simulations are the most important tool of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predictions, the conceptual understanding of these predicted structures of climate change and the causes of their uncertainties is very difficult to reach if only based on these highly complex CGCM simulations. In the study presented here we will introduce a very simple, globally resolved energy balance (GREB) model, which is capable of simulating the main characteristics of global warming. The model shall give a bridge between the strongly simplified energy balance models and the fully coupled 4-dimensional complex CGCMs. It provides a fast tool for the conceptual understanding and development of hypotheses for climate change studies, which shall build a basis or starting point for more detailed studies of observations and CGCM simulations. It is based on the surface energy balance by very simple representations of solar and thermal radiation, the atmospheric hydrological cycle, sensible turbulent heat flux, transport by the mean atmospheric circulation and heat exchange with the deeper ocean. Despite some limitations in the representations of the basic processes, the models climate sensitivity and the spatial structure of the warming pattern are within the uncertainties of the IPCC models simulations. It is capable of simulating aspects of the arctic winter amplification, the equilibrium land-sea warming contrast and the inter-hemispheric warming gradient with good agreement to the IPCC models in amplitude and structure. The results give some insight into the understanding of the land-sea contrast and the polar amplification. The GREB model suggests that the regional inhomogeneous

  4. Women's journey to safety - the Transtheoretical model in clinical practice when working with women experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: a scientific review and clinical guidance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Reisenhofer, Sonia; Taft, Angela

    2013-12-01

    Review the applicability of the Transtheoretical model and provide updated guidance for clinicians working with women experiencing intimate partner violence. Critical review of related primary research conducted from 1990 to March 2013. Women's experiences of creating change within abusive relationships can be located within a stages of change continuum by identifying dominant behavioral clusters. The processes of change and constructs of decisional-balance and turning-points are evident in women's decision-making when they engage in change. Clinicians can use the stages of change to provide a means of assessing women's movement toward their nominated outcomes, and the processes of change, decisional-balance and turning-points, to enhance understanding of, and promote women's movement across stages in their journey to safety. Clinicians should assess women individually for immediate and ongoing safety and well-being, and identify their overarching stage of change. Clinicians can support women in identifying and implementing their personal objectives to enhance self-efficacy and create positive change movement across stages. The three primary objectives identified for clinician support are: 1. Minimizing harm and promoting well-being within an abusive relationship, 2. Achieving safety and well-being within the relationship; halting the abuse, or 3. Achieving safety by ending/leaving intimate relationships. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. EL USO DE TÉCNICAS DE CONTABILIDAD GERENCIAL EN LA TOMA DE DECISIONES DE LAS PYMES DE LA GRAN AREA METROPOLITANA DE COSTA RICA

    OpenAIRE

    VALVERDE RAMÍREZ, LUIS

    2014-01-01

    Las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (Pymes) de Costa Rica juegan un papel fundamental en la generación de empleo y el desarrollo del país. Aunque constantemente deben tomar decisiones relacionadas con precios, costos, inversiones y nuevos negocios, con frecuencia desconocen las técnicas de Contabilidad Gerencial disponibles para esos fines. La mayoría de estas técnicas son prácticas, sencillas y económicas. A pesar de esto, su uso por parte de las Pymes es muy escaso. Con frecuencia, decisiones ...

  6. Decisional needs assessment regarding Down syndrome prenatal testing: a systematic review of the perceptions of women, their partners and health professionals.

    Science.gov (United States)

    St-Jacques, Sylvie; Grenier, Sonya; Charland, Marc; Forest, Jean-Claude; Rousseau, François; Légaré, France

    2008-12-01

    To identify decisional needs of women, their partners and health professionals regarding prenatal testing for Down syndrome through a systematic review. Articles reporting original data from real clinical situations on sources of difficulty and/or ease in making decisions regarding prenatal testing for Down syndrome were selected. Data were extracted using a taxonomy adapted from the Ottawa Decision-Support Framework and the quality of the studies was assessed using Qualsyst validated tools. In all 40 publications covering 32 unique studies were included. The majority concerned women. The most often reported sources of difficulty for decision-making in women were pressure from others, emotions and lack of information; in partners, emotion; in health professionals, lack of information, length of consultation, and personal values. The most important sources of ease were, in women, personal values, understanding and confidence in the medical system; in partners, personal values, information from external sources, and income; in health professionals, peer support and scientific meetings. Interventions regarding a decision about prenatal testing for Down syndrome should address many decisional needs, which may indeed vary among the parties involved, whether women, their partners or health professionals. Very little is known about the decisional needs of partners and health professionals.

  7. El entrenamiento de la toma de decisiones en el tenis: ¿qué fundamentos científicos se pueden aplicar en los programas de entrenamiento?

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jo\\u00E3o Carvalho

    2011-01-01

    Full Text Available El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión de los estudios que se han realizado en el ámbito de la toma de decisiones en el deporte, y en particular en el tenis. Presentamos los constructos teóricos que fundamentan los distintos enfoques, los procedimientos metodológicos más utilizados y sus principales limitaciones, evidenciando la necesidad de la práctica basada en evidencias científicas en el rendimiento experto de los jugadores de alto nivel. Sobre la base de los principios teóricos de la dinámica ecológica, sugerimos una nueva propuesta de entrenamiento de la toma de decisiones en el tenis basada en la manipulación de constreñimientos. Para finalizar indicamos algunas sugerencias metodológicas a tener en cuenta en futuras investigaciones en el área del entrenamiento de la toma de decisiones en el deporte.

  8. La habitabilidad de la vivienda de interés social en Colombia. Un enfoque en los procesos y las decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Luis Fernando Fique Pinto

    2005-01-01

    Full Text Available Alrededor de una reflexión acerca del proceso de deterioro que ha venido presentando la vivienda de interés social (V.I.S. producida en el marco de la política pública en vivienda vigente en Colombia a partir de la década de 1990, el artículo esboza un planteamiento elaborado en reciente estudio por el autor. Allí propone ampliar el usual enfoque disciplinario de la arquitectura y el urbanismo acerca de los problemas sectoriales - reiteradamente centrado en los productos- virando la mirada hacia los procesos en los que estos productos (la vivienda y su entorno se configuran con las decisiones tomadas. En ellos se resuelve -con exclusiones e inequidades- la confrontación inherente a los procesos, entre actores con motivaciones diversas. El examen e interpretación de estos procesos, de las motivaciones de los actores y de las decisiones tomadas -especialmente en la fase de formulación de las políticas públicaspermite elaborar una interpretación de la situación del sector V.I.S. que muestra la ausencia de procesos sociales amplios e incluyentes en la toma de las decisiones públicas y, al respecto, conduce a plantear la necesidad de reconfigurar la inserción profesional en ellos.

  9. Validación inicial de un instrumento de análisis del apoyo a la toma de decisiones para el manejo de enfermedades crónicas

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Claudia Bustamante

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available El apoyo a la toma de decisiones en salud facilita el automanejo de personas con enfermedades crónicas (EC. Ob- jetivo: validar la versión en español del DSAT-cdm: herramienta de análisis del apoyo en las decisiones para el manejo de EC, desa- rrollada por Stacey (2006. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo que aplica un proceso sistemático que considera, entre otros: traducción-contratraducción, desarrollo de escenarios de simulación, entrenamiento de evaluadores, entrenamiento pacientes simulados y capacitación para participantes. Muestra: 15 profesionales y 2 jueces, obteniéndose 60 DSAT-cdm versión español aplicado (pre y pos capacitación. Resultados: el instrumento presentó confiabilidad aceptable en la aplicación entre-jueces y detectó la mejora en la calidad del apoyo a la toma de decisiones en los profesionales. Sin embargo, no se obtuvieron resultados que aportaran a la validez de criterio concurrente. Conclusiones: este estudio es la primera evaluación del DSAT-cdm en idioma español, el resultado principal indica que se detecta un cambio en el desempeño de profesionales para apoyar el proceso de toma de decisiones de sus pacientes y, a pesar estos hallazgos favorables, es necesario seguir evaluando el instrumento.

  10. Changes in sensory reweighting of proprioceptive information during standing balance with age and disease

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Pasma, J.H.; Engelhart, D.; Maier, A.B.; Schouten, A.C.; van der Kooij, H.; Meskers, C.G.M.

    2015-01-01

    With sensory reweighting, reliable sensory information is selected over unreliable information during balance by dynamically combining this information. We used system identification techniques to show the weight and the adaptive process of weight change of proprioceptive information during standing

  11. The determinants of medical technology adoption in different decisional systems: A systematic literature review.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Varabyova, Yauheniya; Blankart, Carl Rudolf; Greer, Ann Lennarson; Schreyögg, Jonas

    2017-03-01

    Studies of determinants of adoption of new medical technology have failed to coalesce into coherent knowledge. A flaw obscuring strong patterns may be a common habit of treating a wide range of health care innovations as a generic technology. We postulate three decisional systems that apply to different medical technologies with distinctive expertise, interest, and authority: medical-individualistic, fiscal-managerial, and strategic-institutional decisional systems. This review aims to examine the determinants of the adoption of medical technologies based on the corresponding decision-making system. We included quantitative and qualitative studies that analyzed factors facilitating or inhibiting the adoption of medical technologies. In total, 65 studies published between 1974 and 2014 met our inclusion criteria. These studies contained 688 occurrences of variables that were used to examine the adoption decisions, and we subsequently condensed these variables to 62 determinants in four main categories: organizational, individual, environmental, and innovation-related. The determinants and their empirical association with adoption were grouped and analyzed by the three decision-making systems. Although we did not identify substantial differences across the decision-making systems in terms of the direction of the determinants' influence on adoption, a clear pattern emerged in terms of the categories of determinants that were targeted in different decision-making systems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. El sistema de control interno como instrumento de gestión para la adecuada toma de decisiones en la empresa servicentro primavera srl. 2015 - 2016

    OpenAIRE

    Choez Machuca, Wilber Lebfred

    2017-01-01

    El presente trabajo tubo como problema de investigación conocer de qué manera el Sistema de Control Interno incide en una adecuada toma de decisiones en la empresa Servicentro Primavera SRL y el objetivo planteado fue: Conocer cómo incide el sistema de control interno en la adecuada toma de decisiones en Servicentro Primavera SRL., para lo cual se identificó el sistema de control interno actual en la empresa, es decir se revisó las políticas, prácticas, procedimientos en el proceso contable p...

  13. Evaluación Psicológica de la Toma de Decisiones Éticas de Riesgo en Entorno Organizacional: Revisión Teórica

    OpenAIRE

    Díaz Muelle, José Simón; Molano Ramírez, María Alejandra

    2014-01-01

    Este trabajo de investigación explora el proceso de toma de decisiones fundamentado desde la perspectiva psicológica. El campo de interés está centrado en la toma de decisiones éticas a nivel organizacional y las consecuencias que las zonas grises o las conductas de riesgo repercuten en las dinámicas económicas y sociales. Con base en el análisis de los escándalos financieros más importantes de Europa, Estados Unidos y Colombia, y la literatura ofrecida por las ciencias sociales, la ética y l...

  14. The Impact of Climate Change on the Balanced-Growth-Equivalent: An Application of FUND

    OpenAIRE

    David Anthoff; Richard S. J. Tol

    2008-01-01

    The Stern Review added balanced growth equivalents (BGE) to the economic climate change research agenda. We first propose rigorous definitions of the BGE for multiple regions and under uncertainty. We show that the change in the BGE is independent of the assumed scenario of per capita income. For comparable welfare economic assumptions as the Stern Review, we calculate lower changes in BGE between a business as usual scenario and one without climate impacts with the model FUND than the Stern ...

  15. Proprioceptive changes impair balance control in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lotte Janssens

    Full Text Available Balance deficits are identified as important risk factors for falling in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD. However, the specific use of proprioception, which is of primary importance during balance control, has not been studied in individuals with COPD. The objective was to determine the specific proprioceptive control strategy during postural balance in individuals with COPD and healthy controls, and to assess whether this was related to inspiratory muscle weakness.Center of pressure displacement was determined in 20 individuals with COPD and 20 age/gender-matched controls during upright stance on an unstable support surface without vision. Ankle and back muscle vibration were applied to evaluate the relative contribution of different proprioceptive signals used in postural control.Individuals with COPD showed an increased anterior-posterior body sway during upright stance (p = 0.037. Compared to controls, individuals with COPD showed an increased posterior body sway during ankle muscle vibration (p = 0.047, decreased anterior body sway during back muscle vibration (p = 0.025, and increased posterior body sway during simultaneous ankle-muscle vibration (p = 0.002. Individuals with COPD with the weakest inspiratory muscles showed the greatest reliance on ankle muscle input when compared to the stronger individuals with COPD (p = 0.037.Individuals with COPD, especially those with inspiratory muscle weakness, increased their reliance on ankle muscle proprioceptive signals and decreased their reliance on back muscle proprioceptive signals during balance control, resulting in a decreased postural stability compared to healthy controls. These proprioceptive changes may be due to an impaired postural contribution of the inspiratory muscles to trunk stability. Further research is required to determine whether interventions such as proprioceptive training and inspiratory muscle training improve postural balance and reduce the

  16. Concordancia y utilidad de un sistema de estratificación para la toma de decisiones clínicas

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ana Isabel González González

    2017-04-01

    Conclusión: La fuerza de concordancia obtenida fue moderada/buena; la incorporación de un agrupador en la HCE puede servir de ayuda como recordatorio para una toma de decisiones más proactiva/integrada según las necesidades sociosanitarias de las personas con enfermedades crónicas.

  17. Water Balance and Level Change of Lake Babati, Tanzania: Sensitivity to Hydroclimatic Forcings

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    René P. Mbanguka

    2016-12-01

    Full Text Available We develop and present a novel integrated water balance model that accounts for lake water—groundwater interactions, and apply it to the semi-closed freshwater Lake Babati system, Northern Tanzania, East Africa. The model was calibrated and used to evaluate the lake level sensitivity to changes in key hydro-climatic variables such as temperature, precipitation, humidity and cloudiness. The lake response to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, Phase 5 (CMIP5 output on possible future climate outcomes was evaluated, an essential basis in understanding future water security and flooding risk in the region. Results show high lake level sensitivity to cloudiness. Increased focus on cloud fraction measurement and interpretation could likely improve projections of lake levels and surface water availability. Modelled divergent results on the future (21st century development of Lake Babati can be explained by the precipitation output variability of CMIP5 models being comparable to the precipitation change needed to drive the water balance model from lake dry-out to overflow; this condition is likely shared with many other East African lake systems. The developed methodology could be useful in investigations on change-driving processes in complex climate—drainage basin—lake systems, which are needed to support sustainable water resource planning in data scarce tropical Africa.

  18. 21st century changes in the surface mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet simulated with the global model CESM

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vizcaíno, M.; Lipscomb, W. H.; Van den Broeke, M.

    2012-04-01

    We present here the first projections of 21st century surface mass balance change of the Greenland ice sheet simulated with the Community Earth System Model (CESM). CESM is a fully-coupled, global climate model developed at many research centers and universities, primarily in the U.S. The model calculates the surface mass balance in the land component (the Community Land Model, CLM), at the same resolution as the atmosphere (1 degree), with an energy-balance scheme. The snow physics included in CLM for non-glaciated surfaces (SNiCAR model, Flanner and Zender, 2005) are used over the ice sheet. The surface mass balance is calculated for 10 elevation classes, and then downscaled to the grid of the ice sheet model (5 km in this case) via vertical linear interpolation between elevation classes combined with horizontal bilinear interpolation. The ice sheet topography is fixed at present-day values for the simulations presented here. The use of elevation classes reduces computational costs while giving results that reproduce well the mass balance gradients at the steep margins of the ice sheet. The simulated present-day surface mass balance agrees well with results from regional models. We focus on the regional model RACMO (Ettema et al. 2009) to compare the results on 20th-century surface mass balance evolution and two-dimensional patterns. The surface mass balance of the ice sheet under RCP8.5. forcing becomes negative in the last decades of the 21st century. The equilibrium line becomes ~500 m higher on average. Accumulation changes are positive in the accumulation zone. We examine changes in refreezing, accumulation, albedo, surface fluxes, and the timing of the melt season.

  19. Prevalence and factors associated with stages of behavior change for physical activity in adolescents: a systematic review.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nunes, Heloyse Elaine Gimenes; Silva, Diego Augusto Santos; Gonçalves, Eliane Cristina de Andrade

    2017-06-01

    To analyze prevalence and factors associated with stages of behavior change for physical activity in adolescents. A search was performed in SciELO, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and LILACS. The search terms were "behavior change" OR "stages of change" OR "stages of readiness" OR "readiness to change" OR "transtheoretical model" OR "process to change" OR "decisional balance", and "motor activity" OR "physical activity" OR "physical exercise" and "adolescent" OR "students". After the eligibility criteria, 18 articles were selected. The highest prevalence of adolescents in the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages was found in the Germany, South Korea, and Iran while there were more adolescents in the action and maintenance in South Korea and Brazil. The evidence of association indicated that females are more likely to be in precontemplation, contemplation and preparation. The evidence was inconclusive for age (in relation to the precontemplation, contemplation, action and maintenance stages), economic status (all stages), shift of study (when stratified by gender) and body composition (all stages). No association was found with parental level of education. The findings can help to guide interventions and further research on the topic of behavior changes for physical activity in adolescents.

  20. Asesoría en la toma de decisiones frente al aborto

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vanegas Blanca Cecilia

    1994-11-01

    Full Text Available

    Uno de los dilemas éticos más frecuentes a que se ve enfrentado el profesional de salud, se presenta cuando una mujer o pareja solicita asesoría en la toma de decisiones frente al aborto provocado, como alternativa de solución al embarazo indesearlo. El artículo hace una serie de reflexiones a considerar, antes de tomar la decisión, tales como: la gravedad del problema, el drama de la mujer, aspectos religiosos, éticos y consecuencias en el hijo indeseado. Finalmente, propone una serie de pasos que guían al profesional de salud para ofrecer la asesoría y reflexiones sobre su participación en medidas preventivas.

  1. Changes in ice dynamics and mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rignot, Eric

    2006-07-15

    The concept that the Antarctic ice sheet changes with eternal slowness has been challenged by recent observations from satellites. Pronounced regional warming in the Antarctic Peninsula triggered ice shelf collapse, which led to a 10-fold increase in glacier flow and rapid ice sheet retreat. This chain of events illustrated the vulnerability of ice shelves to climate warming and their buffering role on the mass balance of Antarctica. In West Antarctica, the Pine Island Bay sector is draining far more ice into the ocean than is stored upstream from snow accumulation. This sector could raise sea level by 1m and trigger widespread retreat of ice in West Antarctica. Pine Island Glacier accelerated 38% since 1975, and most of the speed up took place over the last decade. Its neighbour Thwaites Glacier is widening up and may double its width when its weakened eastern ice shelf breaks up. Widespread acceleration in this sector may be caused by glacier ungrounding from ice shelf melting by an ocean that has recently warmed by 0.3 degrees C. In contrast, glaciers buffered from oceanic change by large ice shelves have only small contributions to sea level. In East Antarctica, many glaciers are close to a state of mass balance, but sectors grounded well below sea level, such as Cook Ice Shelf, Ninnis/Mertz, Frost and Totten glaciers, are thinning and losing mass. Hence, East Antarctica is not immune to changes.

  2. Depoliticization and Criminalization of Social Protest through Economic Decisionism: the Colombian Case

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María Carolina Olarte

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available This article argues that current manifestations of criminalization of protest in contexts rich in natural resources can be inscribed in a wider economic context that contributes to the neutralization of political claims to land, natural resources and self-determination. The first part suggests a view of the tendency to criminalize protests as underpinned by a biopolitical immunization of economic decisions from political contestation. By effecting a normative, impassable disjuncture between what is considered juridical-political and what is considered economic, a biopolitical articulation appears in order to functionally present economic decisions as technical and necessary, and consequently, non-political. The second part of the article presents a preliminary approach to the current configuration of criminalization of protests in Colombia. I argue that recent initiatives to criminalize protests exemplify the manner in which physical violence, whether realized or implied, is playing an important role in the legitimization, foundation, and operation of a new property regime characterized by a de facto land reform, a selective enforcement of property rights and an increasing shielding of economic decisions - concerning natural resources exploitation - from political debate. Este artículo sostiene que las actuales formas de criminalización de la protesta social en contextos de riqueza en recursos naturales, pueden estar inscritas dentro de un contexto más amplio, que contribuye a la neutralización de las luchas en torno a la tierra, los recursos naturales y la autodeterminación. La primera parte presenta una perspectiva de la tendencia a la criminalización de la protesta, justificada como un medio eficiente de inmunización biopolítica de las decisiones económicas y de la confrontación política. Al producir un desentendimiento entre lo que se considera jurídico-político y lo que se considera económico, aparece una articulación biopol

  3. Lógica en la toma de decisiones de inversión en el sector de extracción de petróleo y gas natural

    OpenAIRE

    Mendieta Serna, Diego Andres

    2015-01-01

    Este documento se centra en la presentación de información y análisis de la misma a la hora de establecer la manera en que empresas del sector de extracción de gas natural y generación de energía a base de dicho recurso, toman decisiones en cuanto a inversión, centrándose en la lógica que usan a la hora de emprender este proceso. Esto debido a la constante necesidad de establecer procesos que permitan tomar decisiones más acertadas, incluyendo todas las herramientas posibles para tal fin. ...

  4. Factores que interfieren en la toma de decisiones de los contadores gerenciales o controllers de los hoteles: Un estudio en el sector hotelero de Florianópolis, Brasil

    OpenAIRE

    de Freitas, Claudio Luiz; Lunkes, Rogério João

    2011-01-01

    En los últimos años surgieron diversos trabajos que exploran el rol del contador gerencial o controller en las organizaciones, principalmente en temas relacionados con las actividades y su participación en el proceso de toma de decisiones. Estos estudios identificaron las actividades, y los factores organizacionales y personales relacionados con el grado de compromiso en la toma de decisiones. En este sentido, el objetivo de la presente investigación es identificar los aspectos organizacional...

  5. la influencia de la felicidad en las decisiones de inversión de activos de largo plazo para una muestra de siete gerentes financieros en la ciudad de Bogotá en el año 2016.

    OpenAIRE

    Poveda Achury, Juan Camilo

    2016-01-01

    El presente artículo contribuye con la investigación de las Finanzas Corporativas del Comportamiento, rama de las finanzas corporativas que considera que el individuo que toma decisiones financieras no es completamente racional y que por hecho existen sesgos psicológicos que influyen en sus decisiones. Este documento se enfoca, desde el punto de vista conceptual y también mediante el análisis de un estudio de campo, en la influencia de la felicidad en las decisiones de inversión en activos de...

  6. Regulation of average 24h human plasma leptin level; the influence of exercise and physiological changes in energy balance.

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Aggel-Leijssen, D.P.; van Baak, M.A.; Tenenbaum, R.; Campfield, L.A.; Saris, W.H.M.

    1999-01-01

    OBJECTIVE: The effects of short-term moderate physiological changes in energy flux and energy balance, by exercise and over- or underfeeding, on a 24h plasma leptin profile, were investigated. DESIGN: Subjects were studied over 24h in four randomized conditions: no exercise/energy balance (energy

  7. La Inteligencia Artificial aplicada a la toma de decisiones en la Empresa de Internet

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mª Carmen Lozano Gutiérrez

    2004-09-01

    Full Text Available En el presente documento de trabajo se presenta una aplicación de una metodología basada en distintas técnicas de Inteligencia Artificial (redes neuronales, lógica difusa, así como técnicas bio-inspiradas basadas en el comportamiento de las hormigas al proceso de toma de decisiones de la empresa en red, para la consecución de un objetivo concreto como es el de lograr la maximización de los enlaces recorridos así como el logro de una óptima usabilidad del sitio.

  8. The applicability of the decisional conflict scale in nursing home placement decision among Chinese family caregivers: A mixed methods approach

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yu-Ping Chang

    2017-12-01

    Full Text Available This study aimed to 1 examine relationships between uncertainty, perceived information, personal values, social support, and filial obligation among Chinese family caregivers faced with nursing home placement of an older adult family member with dementia; and 2 describe the applicability of the Decisional Conflict Scale in nursing home placement decision making among Chinese family caregivers through the integration of quantitative and qualitative data. We used a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data analysis consisted of descriptive and correlational statistics. We utilized a thematic analysis for the qualitative data. Data transformation and data comparison techniques were used to combine qualitative and quantitative data. Thirty Chinese family caregivers living in Taiwan caring for an older adult with dementia participated in this study. We found a significant association among the quantitative findings, which indicated that perceived information, personal values, social support, and filial obligation, and nursing home placement decisional conflict. Mixed-method data analysis additionally revealed that conflicting differences existed between the traditional role of Chinese family collective decision making and the contemporary role of single family member surrogate decision making. Although the Decisional Conflict Scale can be utilized when exploring nursing home placement for an older adult with dementia among Chinese family caregivers, applicability issues existed regarding cultural beliefs and values related to filial piety and family collectivism. Findings strongly support the need for researchers to consider cultural beliefs and values when selecting tools that assess health-related decision making across cultures. Further research is needed to explore the role culture plays in nursing home decision making.

  9. Human stick balancing: Tuning Lèvy flights to improve balance control

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cabrera, Juan Luis; Milton, John G.

    2004-09-01

    State-dependent, or parametric, noise is an essential component of the neural control mechanism for stick balancing at the fingertip. High-speed motion analysis in three dimensions demonstrates that the controlling movements made by the fingertip during stick balancing can be described by a Lévy flight. The Lévy index, α, is approximately 0.9; a value close to optimal for a random search. With increased skill, the index α does not change. However, the tails of the Lévy distribution become broader. These observations suggest a Lévy flight that is truncated by the properties of the nervous and musculoskeletal system; the truncation decreasing as skill level increases. Measurements of the cross-correlation between the position of the tip of the stick and the fingertip demonstrate that the role of closed-loop feedback changes with increased skill. Moreover, estimation of the neural latencies for stick balancing show that for a given stick length, the latency increases with skill level. It is suggested that the neural control for stick balancing involves a mechanism in which brief intervals of consciously generated, corrective movements alternate with longer intervals of prediction-free control. With learning the truncation of the Lévy flight becomes better optimized for balance control and hence the time between successive conscious corrections increases. These observations provide the first evidence that changes in a Lévy flight may have functional significance for the nervous system. This work has implications for the control of balancing problems ranging from falling in the elderly to the design of two-legged robots and earthquake proof buildings.

  10. Long-term Evaluation of Landuse Changes On Landscape Water Balance - A Case Study From North-east Germany

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wegehenkel, M.

    In this paper, long-term effects of different afforestation scenarios on landscape wa- ter balance will be analyzed taking into account the results of a regional case study. This analysis is based on using a GIS-coupled simulation model for the the spatially distributed calculation of water balance.For this purpose, the modelling system THE- SEUS with a simple GIS-interface will be used. To take into account the special case of change in forest cover proportion, THESEUS was enhanced with a simple for- est growth model. In the regional case study, model runs will be performed using a detailed spatial data set from North-East Germany. This data set covers a mesoscale catchment located at the moraine landscape of North-East Germany. Based on this data set, the influence of the actual landuse and of different landuse change scenarios on water balance dynamics will be investigated taking into account the spatial distributed modelling results from THESEUS. The model was tested using different experimen- tal data sets from field plots as well as obsverded catchment discharge. Additionally to such convential validation techniques, remote sensing data were used to check the simulated regional distribution of water balance components like evapotranspiration in the catchment.

  11. A comparison of face to face and group education on informed choice and decisional conflict of pregnant women about screening tests of fetal abnormalities

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kordi, Masoumeh; Riyazi, Sahar; Lotfalizade, Marziyeh; Shakeri, Mohammad Taghi; Suny, Hoseyn Jafari

    2018-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND GOAL: Screening of fetal anomalies is assumed as a necessary measurement in antenatal cares. The screening plans aim at empowerment of individuals to make the informed choice. This study was conducted in order to compare the effect of group and face-to-face education and decisional conflicts among the pregnant females regarding screening of fetal abnormalities. METHODS: This study of the clinical trial was carried out on 240 pregnant women at education course were held in two weekly sessions for intervention groups during two consecutive weeks, and the usual care was conducted for the control group. The rate of informed choice and decisional conflict was measured in pregnant women before education and also at weeks 20–22 of pregnancy in three groups. The data analysis was executed using SPSS statistical software (version 16), and statistical tests were implemented including Chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Wilcoxon test, Mann–Whitney U-test, one-way analysis of variance test, and Tukey's range test. The P education group, 64 members (80%) in group education class, and 20 persons (25%) in control group had the informed choice regarding screening tests, but there was no statistically significant difference between two individual and group education classes. Similarly, during the postintervention phase, there was a statistically significant difference in mean score of decisional conflict scale among pregnant women regarding screening tests in three groups (P = 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: With respect to effectiveness of group and face-to-face education methods in increasing the informed choice and reduced decisional conflict in pregnant women regarding screening tests, each of these education methods may be employed according to the clinical environment conditions and requirement to encourage the women for conducting the screening tests. PMID:29417066

  12. Chronic procrastination among Turkish adults: exploring decisional, avoidant, and arousal styles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ferrari, Joseph R; Ozer, Bilge Uzun; Demir, Ayhan

    2009-06-01

    The authors examined the prevalence of chronic procrastination (decisional, avoidant, and arousal styles) as functions of demographic variables among 354 Turkish adults (148 men, 206 women; M age = 38.7 years, SD = 8.26 years). Prevalence analyses showed that among Turkish participants, 17.5% were indecisive procrastinators, 13.8% were avoidant procrastinators, and 14.7% were arousal procrastinators. Results did not yield significant differences for gender or age on any forms of procrastination, which is consistent with other international samples. However, significant differences emerged depending on the number of children such that Turkish adults who had more than 3 children claimed to be more indecisive than they claimed to be arousal or avoidant procrastinators. Respondents with less than a graduate degree reported higher rates of indecision than did respondents with at least a graduate degree.

  13. Generación de trayectorias y toma de decisiones para uavs

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gonzalo Pajares

    2008-01-01

    Full Text Available Resumen: La generación de trayectorias y la replanificación de las mismas en entornos hostiles para UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles es una disciplina en auge. Los entornos hostiles se caracterizan por la presencia de amenazas, modeladas aquí como radares. Inicialmente se planifica una ruta. Si en vuelo surgen nuevas amenazas, la ruta inicial se replanifica. En ambos casos las rutas se obtienen mediante el algoritmo A*. Ante una replanificación el UAV toma una decisión sobre si continuar por la ruta inicial o por la replanificada. La teoría de la decisión multiatributo proporciona en este caso el mecanismo adecuado. Palabras clave: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, plan de vuelo, replanificación, toma de decisiones, teoría de la utilidad, amenazas, riesgo

  14. Variation of particle exhaust with changes in divertor magnetic balance

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Petrie, T.W.; Allen, S.L.; Brooks, N.H.

    2006-01-01

    Recent experiments on DIII-D point to the importance of two factors in determining how effectively the deuterium particle inventory in a tokamak plasma can be controlled through pumping at the divertor target(s): (1) the divertor magnetic balance, i.e. the degree to which the divertor topology is single-null or double-null (DN) and (2) the direction of the of B x ∇B ion drift with respect to the X-point(s). Changes in divertor magnetic balance near the DN shape have a much stronger effect on the particle exhaust rate at the inner divertor target(s) than on the particle exhaust rate at the outer divertor target(s). The particle exhaust rate for the DN shape is strongest at the outer strike point opposite the B x ∇B ion particle drift direction. Our data suggests that the presence of B x ∇B and E x B ion particle drifts in the scrape-off layer and divertor(s) play an important role in the particle exhaust rates of DN and near-DN plasmas. Particle exhaust rates are shown to depend strongly on the edge (pedestal) density. These results have implications for particle control in ITER and other future tokamaks

  15. Sistema integrado para toma de decisiones en el diseño de estructuras de hormigón

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Armengou, J.

    2012-09-01

    Full Text Available This paper presents a methodology to analyze decisions in the design of concrete structures. Specifically, we propose a multi-criteria approach to assess the value implications of precast concrete technologies versus in-situ concrete solutions. First, we emphasize the importance of careful decision-making in early stages of construction projects to enhance customer value. Second, we present a decisionmaking methodology that uses fuzzy logic to represent and synthesize information about risk-return tradeoffs in the different kinds of variables involved in the evaluation of a project’s value. To illustrate, we use our methodology to analyze precast vs. in-situ solutions in the design of drainage structures. The results of our analysis point at precast solutions as the most desirable design choice in this setting, and highlight the importance of value analysis in early stages of construction projects.

    El presente artículo hace una breve reflexión sobre las alternativas in situ y prefabricadas para estructuras de hormigón, justificando la necesidad de profundizar en métodos multicriterio como ayuda a la toma de decisiones. Manifiesta la trascendencia de la calidad en las decisiones más allá de este ámbito concreto, así como su influencia en la mayor eficiencia de las obras. Presenta luego un sistema de ayuda a la toma de decisiones basado en matemática difusa, que considera el valor de cada alternativa contemplando el riesgo inherente. Para ilustrarlo desarrolla un ejemplo aplicado a pasos inferiores que pueden resolverse mediante prefabricación o in situ. Efectuándolo por completo, llega a dos conclusiones principales: la bondad de la herramienta presentada y cómo la solución prefabricada, en este caso, aporta mayor valor. Concluye también que todo buen gestor debe plantearse su toma de decisión desde los inicios de cualquier proyecto, empleando herramientas como la presentada.

  16. Elevation change of the Greenland Ice Sheet due to surface mass balance and firn processes, 1960-2014

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Kuipers Munneke, P.; Ligtenberg, S. R M; Noël, B. P Y; Howat, I. M.; Box, J. E.; Mosley-Thompson, E.; McConnell, J. R.; Steffen, K.; Harper, J. T.; Das, S. B.; Van Den Broeke, M. R.

    2015-01-01

    Observed changes in the surface elevation of the Greenland Ice Sheet are caused by ice dynamics, basal elevation change, basal melt, surface mass balance (SMB) variability, and by compaction of the overlying firn. The last two contributions are quantified here using a firn model that includes

  17. Wii Fit Balance Board Playing Improves Balance and Gait in Parkinson Disease

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mhatre, Priya V.; Vilares, Iris; Stibb, Stacy M.; Albert, Mark V.; Pickering, Laura; Marciniak, Christina M.; Kording, Konrad; Toledo, Santiago

    2014-01-01

    Objective To assess the effect of exercise training by using the Nintendo Wii Fit video game and balance board system on balance and gait in adults with Parkinson disease (PD). Design A prospective interventional cohort study. Setting An outpatient group exercise class. Participants Ten subjects with PD, Hoehn and Yahr stages 2.5 or 3, with a mean age of 67.1 years; 4 men, 6 women. Interventions The subjects participated in supervised group exercise sessions 3 times per week for 8 weeks by practicing 3 different Wii balance board games (marble tracking, skiing, and bubble rafting) adjusted for their individualized function level. The subjects trained for 10 minutes per game, a total of 30 minutes training per session. Main Outcome Measurements Pre-and postexercise training, a physical therapist evaluated subjects’ function by using the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Sharpened Romberg with eyes open and closed. Postural sway was assessed at rest and with tracking tasks by using the Wii balance board. The subjects rated their confidence in balance by using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale and depression on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results Balance as measured by the Berg Balance Scale improved significantly, with an increase of 3.3 points (P = .016). The Dynamic Gait Index improved as well (mean increase, 2.8; P = .004), as did postural sway measured with the balance board (decreased variance in stance with eyes open by 31%; P = .049). Although the Sharpened Romberg with eyes closed increased by 6.85 points and with eyes opened by 3.3 points, improvements neared significance only for eyes closed (P = .07 versus P = .188). There were no significant changes on patient ratings for the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (mean decrease, −1%; P = .922) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (mean increase, 2.2; P = .188). Conclusions An 8-week exercise training class by using the Wii Fit balance board improved selective measures of

  18. Uma análise do comportamento empreendedor e do processo decisional de presidentes de associações apícolas no rio grande do sul

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Leticia Lengler

    2008-12-01

    Full Text Available This study purposes to relate the entrepreneurial profile and the decision making process of rural producers in collective organizations. Therefore, it’s aimed to identify the decisional process and the entrepreneurial profile of the presidents of two beekeeping associations located in the central area of Rio Grande do Sul. To reach these goals, the research used information from the two presidents through a two part questionnaire, one part regarding the decisional process and the other regarding the entrepreneurial profile. This way, it was possible to identify that the two presidents showed an entrepreneurial potential, however one of them takes decisions more individually them collectively.

  19. A Loudness Function for Maintaining Spectral Balance at Changing Sound Pressure Levels

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Sofus Birkedal

    Our perception of loudness is a function of frequency as well as sound pressure level as described in ISO226:2003: Normal Equal Loudness Level Contours, which describes the needed sound pressure level for pure tones to be perceived equally loud. At a music performance, this is taking care...... of by the sound engineer by listening to the individual sound sources and adjust and equalize them to the wanted spectral balance including the whole chain of audio equipment and surroundings. At a live venue the sound pressure level will normally change during a concert, and typically increase over time......B is doubling of the effect to the loudspeakers). A level depending digital loudness function has been made based on ISO226:2003, and will be demonstrated. It can maintain the spectral balance at alternating levels and is based on fractional order digital filters. Tutorial. Abstract T3.3 (30th August 16:00 - 17...

  20. A Balancing Act: China's Role in Climate Change

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hallding, Karl; Guoyi Han; Olsson, Marie (Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm (Sweden))

    2009-03-15

    At a time when climate change is at the top of the global political agenda, China has come to a point where continued economic growth must be balanced with environmental limitations. Through the implementation of ambitious national targets that bear on climate mitigation, the Chinese leadership is showing that it is willing to actively participate in the global climate game. China understands its role in global climate change and is fully aware of the fact that, at a minimal level, OECD countries will need some kind of assurance that China is sufficiently 'in' for there to be a realistic chance of containing global emissions. In return, at a minimal level, China will insist on developed countries demonstrating sufficient commitment (e.g., significant mid-term targets, clear response to China's proposal on technology transfer and adaptation). With those two minimal requirements met, trust building may start, and that is where the ultimate hope lies for an effective green deal

  1. Efecto del tipo de colocación en el comportamiento visual y la toma de decisiones en bloqueadores de voleibol

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sara Vila-Maldonado

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido analizar el comportamiento visual y de la toma de decisiones de jugadores de voleibol en la acción del bloqueo, ante dos situaciones diferentes de colocación: en apoyo y en salto. La muestra estaba compuesta por siete jugadores (25,14 ± 3,98 años de edad de categoría absoluta, que participaban durante el juego en la acción del bloqueo. Todos los participantes competían en liga FEV. Se utilizó el sistema de registro de los movimientos oculares Mobile Eye de los laboratorios ASL para analizar el comportamiento visual, y el software Suberlab 4.0 para analizar la toma de decisiones. Los resultados muestran que los jugadores de voleibol usan diferentes estrategias visuales en los dos tipos de colocación analizadas; además la fijación balón-muñeca es la más repetida.

  2. Las voluntades anticipadas y su utilización en la toma de decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nuria Terribas Sala

    2012-12-01

    Full Text Available Enfrentar la muerte como final inevitable de todo ser humano es una cuestión que ha preocupado a la humanidad desde sus orígenes y ha motivado innumerable literatura en todos los tiempos. Quizás por esta razón, la actuación del profesional sanitario en el tramo final de la vida de sus pacientes se ha enmarado tradicionalmente en la toma de decisiones individuales o bien de forma conjunta con la familia del enfermo, debatiéndose entre su máxima aspiración de salvar esa vida y la aceptación del desenlace inevitable como consecuencia de la enfermedad.

  3. Mass Balance Reconstruction and Volumetric change of Stok Glaicer , Ladak Region, Western Himalyas,India (1969-2015)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mohd, S.; AL, R.

    2017-12-01

    Understanding mass balance and volumetric change of glaciers are extremely important in areas where the majority of the population depends on cryospheric sources for the livelihood. Ladakh is one of the coldest and the aridest region of India. The majority of the population live in mountain pockets where the only source of water is snow and glacier melt for agriculture and domestic use. Stok village catchment (52 km2) has seven very small glaciers with an area ranging between 0.2-1.05 km2 at an elevation above 5300m a.s.l (GSI 2009). These glaciers contribute to a stream feeding Stok village of 274 ( 1469 individuals) households and a portion of Chuchot village before joining the Indus River. Ironically very limited studies have been carried out so far in this region, making it even more urgent to monitor the health of the glaciers in this region. With the changing climate, booming of the tourism industry and scarcity of water resources during the spring season, there is a shift in the livelihood of the region towards other option leading to a negative impact on the environment and over exploitation of natural resources. In this study we present analysis of measured annual mass balances for the period 2015-2017 and reconstruction of annual mass balances since 1969 to 2015 of Stok glacier located on the north eastern slope of Zanskar range in Ladakh region of western Himalayas. Direct glaciological methods were used to obtain annual mass balance for 2015-2017 and for reconstruction of annual mass balances, Classical Temperature Index model were used with the help of meteorological data from Indian Meteorological Department. The data gaps were filled with the help of several modelled datasets viz. HAR (High Asia Reanalysis), REMO, and Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS2.1 dataset. We also present catchment wide change in volume of the glaciers since 1969 to 2015. Declassified satellite images and Landsat images were used to obtain the change in volume of the glacier with

  4. [Balance trainability using the Nintendo Wii balance board in sportive people].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Paukowits, S; Stöggl, T

    2014-03-01

    A multivariable training has a positive impact on balance skills and risk of injury. To date the effect of this training using the Nintendo Wii balance board in sportive people has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether training with the Nintendo Wii balance board can improve balance skills. 20 people were randomized into a control and an intervention group each with 10 people who performed a unilateral stance test with eyes open and closed as well as the star excursion balance test before and after the intervention. The control group completed their usual sports and the intervention group an adjunct training with the Nintendo Wii balance board for 4 weeks. Adjunct Training using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board did not improve sportive people's balance skills significantly. The intervention group, however, attained better results in the star excursion balance test, whereas the control group did not show any changes. The unilateral stance tests did not provide significant differences before and after training within both groups. The use of the Nintendo Wii balance board should be further investigated by employing individual difficulty levels. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  5. Comparison of two balance training programs on balance in community dwelling older adults

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Shefali Walia

    2016-09-01

    Full Text Available Impaired balance has been associated with an increased risk for falls and a resulting increase in the mortality rate of elder people. Thus, balance-training interventions have an important place in fall prevention. This study was designed with the purpose of identifying the appropriate balance-training program for community dwelling elderly adults with an active lifestyle. A sample of 70 elderly adults were randomly allocated into two groups: group 1 (n=35 received general balance and mobility exercise; group 2 (n=35 received specific balance strategy training. The intervention consisted of 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were Timed up and go test (TUGT and Berg balance scale (BBS. An inter-group (2-way mixed model analysis of co-variance and intra-group (repeated measures analysis was done to find the change in balance scores. After the intervention, the TUGT scores in group 1 were, mean=10.38 s, standard deviation (SD=1.59 s and in group 2 were, mean=9.27 s, SD=1.13 s. Post training, BBS scores for group 1 were, mean=54.69, SD=1.13, and for group 2 were, mean=55.57, SD =0.56. There was a significant group × time effect for TUGT and BBS score. All the subjects showed significant changes in balance scores after balance training interventions. The subjects who participated in the specific balance-strategy training significantly improved their functional mobility, as shown on the TUGT, compared to the general training group.

  6. Oncology nursing: Finding the balance in a changing health care system.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bakker, Debra; Fitch, Margaret I; Green, Esther; Butler, Lorna; Olson, Karin

    2006-01-01

    Health care restructuring has resulted in significant changes in the workload and work environment for oncology nurses. While recent studies describe the impact of these changes on the general nursing workforce in several countries, there have been no published studies that have focused on worklife issues of Canadian oncology nurses. Therefore, a qualitative study was conducted to gain insight about how oncology nursing has changed over the past decade and how Canadian oncology nurses are managing these changes. Analysis of telephone interviews with 51 practising oncology nurses employed across Canada revealed three major themes. The first theme, "health care milieu", portrayed a picture of the cancer care environment and patient and professional changes that occurred over the past decade. The second theme, "conflicting demands", reflects how the elements of change and social forces have challenged professional oncology nursing practice. The third theme, "finding the way", describes the patterns of behaviour that nurses used to manage the changing health care environment and make meaning out of nurses' work in cancer care. Overall, the findings portray a picture of Canadian oncology nurses in "survival mode". They face many workplace challenges, but are able to keep going "for now" because they find ways to balance their responsibilities on a daily basis and because they know and believe that their specialized nursing knowledge and skills make a difference in patient care.

  7. Changes in dynamic balance control over time in children with and without Developmental Coodination Disorder

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Jelsma, L.D.; Smits-Engelsman, B.C.M.; Geuze, R.H.

    2015-01-01

    Changes in dynamic balance control over time in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder L.D. Jelsma1, B.C.M. Smits-Engelsman2 & R.H. Geuze1 1Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2-1, 9712 TS Groningen, the Netherlands.

  8. Subjective and objective knowledge and decisional role preferences in cerebrovascular patients compared to controls

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Riechel C

    2016-08-01

    Full Text Available Christina Riechel,1,* Anna Christina Alegiani,1,* Sascha Köpke,2 Jürgen Kasper,3,4 Michael Rosenkranz,1,5 Götz Thomalla,1 Christoph Heesen1,4 1Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; 2Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; 3Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway; 4Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; 5Department of Neurology, Albertinen-Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Risk knowledge and active role preferences are important for patient involvement in treatment decision-making and adherence. Although knowledge about stroke warning signs and risk factors has received considerable attention, objective knowledge on secondary prevention and further self-esteem subjective knowledge have rarely been studied. The aim of our study was to investigate knowledge and treatment decisional role preferences in cerebrovascular patients compared to controls. Methods: We performed a survey on subjective and objective stroke risk knowledge and autonomy preferences in cerebrovascular patients from our stroke outpatient clinic (n=262 and from pedestrians on the street taken as controls during a “World Stroke Day” (n=274. The questionnaire includes measures for knowledge and decisional role preferences from previously published questionnaires and newly developed measures, for example, subjective knowledge, revealed on a visual analog scale. Results: The overall stroke knowledge was low to moderate, with no differences between patients and controls. Knowledge about secondary prevention was particularly low. Only 10%–15% of participants correctly estimated the stroke absolute risk reduction potential of aspirin. The medical data

  9. Modelling the carbon and nitrogen balances of direct land use changes from energy crops in Denmark

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Hamelin, Lorie; Jørgensen, Uffe; Petersen, Bjørn Molt

    2012-01-01

    This paper addresses the conversion of Danish agricultural land from food/feed crops to energy crops. To this end, a life cycle inventory, which relates the input and output flows from and to the environment of 528 different crop systems, is built and described. This includes seven crops (annuals...... and perennials), two soil types (sandy loam and sand), two climate types (wet and dry), three initial soil carbon level (high, average, low), two time horizons for soil carbon changes (20 and 100 years), two residues management practices (removal and incorporation into soil) as well as three soil carbon turnover...... rate reductions in response to the absence of tillage for some perennial crops (0%, 25%, 50%). For all crop systems, nutrient balances, balances between above- and below-ground residues, soil carbon changes, biogenic carbon dioxide flows, emissions of nitrogen compounds and losses of macro...

  10. The Role of Health Care Provider and Partner Decisional Support in Patients' Cancer Treatment Decision-Making Satisfaction.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Palmer-Wackerly, Angela L; Krieger, Janice L; Rhodes, Nancy D

    2017-01-01

    Cancer patients rely on multiple sources of support when making treatment decisions; however, most research studies examine the influence of health care provider support while the influence of family member support is understudied. The current study fills this gap by examining the influence of health care providers and partners on decision-making satisfaction. In a cross-sectional study via an online Qualtrics panel, we surveyed cancer patients who reported that they had a spouse or romantic partner when making cancer treatment decisions (n = 479). Decisional support was measured using 5-point, single-item scales for emotional support, informational support, informational-advice support, and appraisal support. Decision-making satisfaction was measured using Holmes-Rovner and colleagues' (1996) Satisfaction With Decision Scale. We conducted a mediated regression analysis to examine treatment decision-making satisfaction for all participants and a moderated mediation analysis to examine treatment satisfaction among those patients offered a clinical trial. Results indicated that partner support significantly and partially mediated the relationship between health care provider support and patients' decision-making satisfaction but that results did not vary by enrollment in a clinical trial. This study shows how and why decisional support from partners affects communication between health care providers and cancer patients.

  11. Head balance of coniferous forest in years with extreme precipitation and its long-term changes in the regions of Bydgoszcz and Wroclaw

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bubnowska, J.; Gąsiorek, E.; Łabędzki, L.; Musiał, E.

    2005-01-01

    Climate changes, particularly visible in the last decades of the 20th century have paramount influence on human economic activity. Heat balance is one of the factors affecting the climate. That impact is noticeable when variations in heat balance components are examined e.g. in coniferous forest. This paper presents analyses of these variations during the growing season (III-X) in the years with maximal and minimal precipitation sums. The study shows also the changes in heat balance components in Wroclaw-Swojec in the years 1964-2000 and in Bydgoszcz in the years 1945-2003 [pl

  12. Wii Fit balance board playing improves balance and gait in Parkinson disease.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mhatre, Priya V; Vilares, Iris; Stibb, Stacy M; Albert, Mark V; Pickering, Laura; Marciniak, Christina M; Kording, Konrad; Toledo, Santiago

    2013-09-01

    To assess the effect of exercise training by using the Nintendo Wii Fit video game and balance board system on balance and gait in adults with Parkinson disease (PD). A prospective interventional cohort study. An outpatient group exercise class. Ten subjects with PD, Hoehn and Yahr stages 2.5 or 3, with a mean age of 67.1 years; 4 men, 6 women. The subjects participated in supervised group exercise sessions 3 times per week for 8 weeks by practicing 3 different Wii balance board games (marble tracking, skiing, and bubble rafting) adjusted for their individualized function level. The subjects trained for 10 minutes per game, a total of 30 minutes training per session. Pre-and postexercise training, a physical therapist evaluated subjects' function by using the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Sharpened Romberg with eyes open and closed. Postural sway was assessed at rest and with tracking tasks by using the Wii balance board. The subjects rated their confidence in balance by using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale and depression on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Balance as measured by the Berg Balance Scale improved significantly, with an increase of 3.3 points (P = .016). The Dynamic Gait Index improved as well (mean increase, 2.8; P = .004), as did postural sway measured with the balance board (decreased variance in stance with eyes open by 31%; P = .049). Although the Sharpened Romberg with eyes closed increased by 6.85 points and with eyes opened by 3.3 points, improvements neared significance only for eyes closed (P = .07 versus P = .188). There were no significant changes on patient ratings for the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (mean decrease, -1%; P = .922) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (mean increase, 2.2; P = .188). An 8-week exercise training class by using the Wii Fit balance board improved selective measures of balance and gait in adults with PD. However, no significant changes were seen in mood or

  13. SISTEMAS DE SOPORTE DE DECISIONES PARA LA CREACIÓN DE MODELOS NUMÉRICOS HIDRODINÁMICOS

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Fernando Toro

    Full Text Available Este artículo hace una corta descripción de las fases y pasos durante el desarrollo de un modelo numérico hidrodinámico y de las características que debe tener un Sistema de Soporte de Decisiones (SSD que asista al investigador en esta actividad. El SSD maneja, integra y analiza los resultados numéricos del modelo y los datos de campo, que se han incrementado mucho debido a los avances tecnológicos de las últimas décadas en este ramo.

  14. Evaluación de las Habilidades Cognoscitivas para la Toma de Decisiones: Un Estudio Comparativo entre los Estudiantes y los Profesionales de la Salud Pública-Edición Única

    OpenAIRE

    Igor Martín Ramos Herrera

    2007-01-01

    Se presenta un estudio transeccional, correlacional y no experimental que compara las habilidades cognoscitivas para tomar decisiones de los estudiantes de licenciatura en ciencias de la salud, estudiantes de posgrado en salud pública y profesores de salud pública de la Universidad de Guadalajara, así como de una parte del personal que labora en la Secretaría de Salud Jalisco. El objetivo fue comparar la capacidad para tomar decisiones en salud pública de estos cuatro grupos a ...

  15. La disonancia cognitiva y trampa de la memoria en decisiones de Inversión: caso colombiano

    OpenAIRE

    Acevedo Pulido, Camila

    2016-01-01

    Este documento es el resultado de una investigación bajo el enfoque de Finanzas Corporativas del Comportamiento, disciplina relevante en el mundo financiero desde el 2002 y que hasta el momento poco se ha investigado en Colombia. Esta difiere del supuesto tradicional de la racionalidad de los individuos en la toma de decisiones financieras, ya que pueden ser influenciadas por sesgos cognitivos y emocionales que la teoría ortodoxa no tiene en cuenta en sus supuestos. Esta investigación busca ...

  16. Seasonal changes in the radiation balance of subarctic forest and tundra

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lafleur, P.M.; Renzetti, A.V.; Bello, R.

    1993-01-01

    This paper examines the seasonal behavior of the components of the radiation budget of subarctic tundra and open forest near Churchill, Manitoba. Data were collected between late February and August 1990. The presence of the winter snowpack is the most important factor which affects the difference in radiation balances of tundra and forest. Overall, net radiation was about four to five times larger over the forest when snow covered the ground. Albedo differences were primarily responsible for this difference in net radiation; however, somewhat smaller net longwave losses were experienced at the tundra site. The step decrease in albedo from winter to summer (i.e. snow-covered to snow-free conditions) was significant at both sites. The forest albedo decreased by about three-fold while the tundra experienced a seven-fold decrease. Net radiation at both sites increased in direct response to the albedo change. Transmissivity of the atmosphere near Churchill also appeared to change at about the same time as the loss of the snow cover and may be related to changing air masses which bring about the final snow melt

  17. Past and future sea-level change from the surface mass balance of glaciers

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    B. Marzeion

    2012-11-01

    Full Text Available We present estimates of sea-level change caused by the global surface mass balance of glaciers, based on the reconstruction and projection of the surface mass balance of all the individual glaciers of the world, excluding the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. The model is validated using a leave-one-glacier-out cross-validation scheme against 3997 observed surface mass balances of 255 glaciers, and against 756 geodetically observed, temporally integrated volume and surface area changes of 341 glaciers. When forced with observed monthly precipitation and temperature data, the glaciers of the world are reconstructed to have lost mass corresponding to 114 ± 5 mm sea-level equivalent (SLE between 1902 and 2009. Using projected temperature and precipitation anomalies from 15 coupled general circulation models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5 ensemble, they are projected to lose an additional 148 ± 35 mm SLE (scenario RCP26, 166 ± 42 mm SLE (scenario RCP45, 175 ± 40 mm SLE (scenario RCP60, or 217 ± 47 mm SLE (scenario RCP85 during the 21st century. Based on the extended RCP scenarios, glaciers are projected to approach a new equilibrium towards the end of the 23rd century, after having lost either 248 ± 66 mm SLE (scenario RCP26, 313 ± 50 mm SLE (scenario RCP45, or 424 ± 46 mm SLE (scenario RCP85. Up until approximately 2100, ensemble uncertainty within each scenario is the biggest source of uncertainty for the future glacier mass loss; after that, the difference between the scenarios takes over as the biggest source of uncertainty. Ice mass loss rates are projected to peak 2040 ∼ 2050 (RCP26, 2050 ∼ 2060 (RCP45, 2070 ∼ 2090 (RCP60, or 2070 ∼ 2100 (RCP85.

  18. Assessment of Stage of Change, Decisional Balance, Self-Efficacy, and Use of Processes of Change of Low-Income Parents for Increasing Servings of Fruits and Vegetables to Preschool-Aged Children

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hildebrand, Deana A.; Betts, Nancy M.

    2009-01-01

    Objective: Use the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) to determine the proportionate stage of change of low-income parents and primary caregivers (PPC) for increasing accessibility, measured as servings served, of fruits and vegetables (FV) to their preschool-aged children and evaluate response differences for theoretical constructs.…

  19. Nivel de conocimiento de la gestión administrativa para la toma de decisiones de Instituciones Educativas Primarias Rurales de la provincia de Urubamba, región Cusco 2012

    OpenAIRE

    Santiestaban, Matto Marleny

    2014-01-01

    La presente investigación titulada "Nivel de conocimiento de la gestión administrativa para la toma de decisiones de las instituciones educativas primarias rurales de la provincia de Urubamba, Región Cusco 2012" es un estudio que consiste en determinar la relación que existe entre las variables de gestión administrativa y toma de decisiones, relación que se ha determinado como resultado de todas las actividades metodológicas y procedimentales que se han desplegado para su realización. Esta in...

  20. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ACCOUNTING INFORMATION FOR THE DECISIONAL PROCESS

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chiriac Silviu

    2014-07-01

    Full Text Available The contemporary evolution of accounting led to the elaboration of an information system which connects all the organizational structures of a company, in which the accounting information system is the basic component of the information system. It responds to information requirements of other departments as well as to external factors. This study is meant to show the importance that we have to give to accounting information, addressing it according to the sources where found and its areas of application. The following study reviews the main articles and books that have approached the study of the „accounting information” from a decisional view. Our research is a qualitative approach, by a theoretical point of view. A review of the local and foreign literature has been made. The starting point of this work relates to the fact that that the main source for the informational sistem is accountancy, without it the system could not exist. In the first part of this study, we have reviewed the actual level of knowledge about accountancy presented by a selection of authors that have studied this subject. After presenting the authors, we have reviewed the way in which the national and international regulators have referred to the subject. The informational needs of the internal users depend on a large scale on the size of the entity; as an example, the management of a smaller company will give a high level of importance for any accounting information, while a larger company’s informational needs are more diverse and are usually grouped according to the organization chart. Based on the accounting information, you cand realise a measurement system of economic performance. To exemplify the importance that the accounting information requires, we have presented the areas of use required. At the entity’s level we have graphically presented possibilities of capitalisation of the accounting information concluding that this represents the key to the

  1. A longitudinal study of change in falls risk and balance and mobility in healthy older people and people with Alzheimer disease.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Suttanon, Plaiwan; Hill, Keith D; Said, Catherine M; Dodd, Karen J

    2013-08-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the rate of change in falls risk and balance and mobility performance in people with Alzheimer disease (AD) compared with those of healthy older people over a 1-yr period. A 1-yr follow-up study of change in levels of falls risk, balance, and mobility performance in 15 community-dwelling older people with mild to moderate AD and 15 healthy age-matched older people was conducted. Each participant completed a comprehensive assessment of balance and mobility, falls and falls risk, and level of physical activity at baseline and 1 yr later. The rate of increase in the number of falls and risk of falling was greater in people with AD. The rate of deterioration on a number of balance and mobility measures was also significantly greater in people with AD compared with the healthy older people. People with mild to moderate AD have an increased rate of decline in falls risk, balance, and mobility over a 12-mo period compared with age-matched healthy older people. Given this increased rate of decline, intermittent review of falls, balance and mobility, and interventions to address identified contributory risk factors should be considered by health practitioners.

  2. In the balance

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kluth, Michael Friederich; Pilegaard, Jess

    The present paper seeks to make sense of recent EU naval capability changes by applying neo-realist theory on the EU as an international actor in the global balance of power. The paper compares three different strands of Neo-realist theory by deducting key predictions about the expected defense...... posture of the Union and the expected changes in naval capabilities. The predictions are subsequently held up against recent data on naval military build-up in the EU. The paper argues that the observed patterns are best explained not as bandwagoning with the United States, but as a long-term balancing...

  3. LOS SERVICIOS DE INTELIGENCIA EMPRESARIAL PARA EL APOYO A LAS DECISIONES SOBRE LA ORIENTACIÓN ESTRATÉGICA DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sonallys Sáchez-Reyes

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available La inteligencia empresarial ofrece productos informativos de valor añadido que sustentan la toma de decisiones en las organizaciones. Estos incluyen la recopilación, el procesamiento y el análisis de diferentes tipos de información, sobre: el mercado, las tecnologías, las regulaciones y el medio ambiente; entre otros; en dependencia de los objetivos y por tanto de las necesidades de las entidades. En particular, aquellos que se orientan al apoyo de las decisiones estratégicas requieren del conocimiento de la situación externa – del micro y el macroentorno – y de las condiciones internas de la organización. Según la experiencia de la Consultoría Biomundi/IDICT (Cuba en este tipo de servicios, la participación activa tanto de los clientes como de los consultores, garantiza que se obtengan resultados que satisfagan las expectativas de aquellos. En el presente trabajo se ofrecen las características y los resultados de dos servicios de consultoría, en los que se utilizaron algunas técnicas de análisis cualitativo, que favorecieron la gestión de la información interna de las organizaciones y la obtención de un conocimiento para la toma de decisiones. Se presentan como estudios de caso la elaboración de un proyecto -mediante la matriz de marco lógico- para establecer el sistema de ciencia e innovación (SCeI en la zona especial de desarrollo del Mariel (ZEDM; y un análisis de prefactibilidad, para la diversificación productiva de una empresa cubana que se instalará en la ZEDM y debe responder a su SCeI.

  4. Rapidly Assessing Changes in Bone Mineral Balance Using Natural Stable Calcium Isotopes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Morgan, J. L. L.; Gordon, G. W.; Romaniello, S. J.; Skulan, J. L.; Smith, S. M.; Anbar, A. D.

    2011-01-01

    We demonstrate that variations in the Ca isotope ratios in urine rapidly and quantitatively reflect changes in bone mineral balance. This variation occurs because bone formation depletes soft tissue of light Ca isotopes, while bone resorption releases that isotopically light Ca back into soft tissue. In a study of 12 individuals confined to bed rest, a condition known to induce bone resorption, we show that Ca isotope ratios shift in a direction consistent with net bone loss after just 7 days, long before detectible changes in bone density occur. Consistent with this interpretation, the Ca isotope variations track changes observed in N-teleopeptide, a bone resorption biomarker, while bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, a bone formation biomarker, is unchanged. Ca isotopes can in principle be used to quantify net changes in bone mass. Ca isotopes indicate an average loss of 0.62 +/- 0.16 % in bone mass over the course of this 30-day study. The Ca isotope technique should accelerate the pace of discovery of new treatments for bone disease and provide novel insights into the dynamics of bone metabolism.

  5. Modelo de uso de información para la toma de decisiones estratégicas en organizaciones de información

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yunier RODRÍGUEZ-CRUZ

    Full Text Available Resumen Se presenta un modelo de uso de información para la toma de decisiones estratégicas en organizaciones de información cubanas. Su concepción parte del reconocimiento de las características de la toma de decisiones en los contextos organizacionales, enfatizando en el nivel estratégico de decisión. Esta caracterización profundiza sobre las particularidades de las decisiones estratégicas y las ventajas y capacidades organizacionales que genera, así como los diferentes componentes intrínsecos del proceso: situación-problema, individuo, información y elementos contextuales. La investigación se sustenta en la Fenomenografía como método de investigación, la que permite examinar los componentes y las relaciones que intervienen en el proceso de decisión a nivel estratégico. La propuesta de modelo de uso de información se sustenta en tres dimensiones: una dimensión informacional, una dimensión de comportamiento ante el uso de información y una dimensión contextual. Cada una de estas responde a los componentes particulares del proceso y esta relación contribuye considerablemente a establecer una propuesta que reconoce la información, procesos informacionales y sistemas de información, así como las especificidades del uso de información derivado del comportamiento de los decisores y los diversos procesos gerenciales que inciden y garantizan la creación de mejores y mayores capacidades organizacionales para llevar a cabo los procesos de decisión estratégicos.

  6. Balance Maintenance in High-Speed Motion of Humanoid Robot Arm-Based on the 6D Constraints of Momentum Change Rate

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Da-song Zhang

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Based on the 6D constraints of momentum change rate (CMCR, this paper puts forward a real-time and full balance maintenance method for the humanoid robot during high-speed movement of its 7-DOF arm. First, the total momentum formula for the robot’s two arms is given and the momentum change rate is defined by the time derivative of the total momentum. The author also illustrates the idea of full balance maintenance and analyzes the physical meaning of 6D CMCR and its fundamental relation to full balance maintenance. Moreover, discretization and optimization solution of CMCR has been provided with the motion constraint of the auxiliary arm’s joint, and the solving algorithm is optimized. The simulation results have shown the validity and generality of the proposed method on the full balance maintenance in the 6 DOFs of the robot body under 6D CMCR. This method ensures 6D dynamics balance performance and increases abundant ZMP stability margin. The resulting motion of the auxiliary arm has large abundance in joint space, and the angular velocity and the angular acceleration of these joints lie within the predefined limits. The proposed algorithm also has good real-time performance.

  7. Effects of climate variability and functional changes on the interannual variation of the carbon balance in a temperate deciduous forest

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Wu, Jian; van der Linden, Leon; Lasslop, G.

    2012-01-01

    scale, direct climatic variability and changes in ecosystem functional properties regulated the IAV of the carbon balance at this site. Correlation analysis showed that the sensitivity of carbon fluxes to climatic variability was significantly higher at shorter than at longer time scales and changed...... seasonally. Ecosystem response anomalies implied that changes in the distribution of climate anomalies during the vegetation period will have stronger impacts on future ecosystem carbon balances than changes in average climate. We improved a published modelling approach which distinguishes the direct....... At the annual time scale as much as 80% of the IAV in NEE was attributed to the variation in photosynthesis and respiration related model parameters. Our results suggest that the observed decadal NEE trend at the investigated site was dominated by changes in ecosystem functioning. In general this study showed...

  8. Sistema de apoyo a la toma de decisiones en el proceso de negociación comercial

    OpenAIRE

    Karel Manuel Domínguez-Rodríguez; Lino Téllez-Sánchez

    2011-01-01

    Se abordaron aspectos relacionados con el apoyo a la toma de decisiones en el proceso de negociación comercial teniendo en cuenta que ese proceso es una herramienta informática cuya finalidad es dinamizarlo, mediante la generación y evaluación sistemática de diferentes alternativas y escenarios de negocios, que permiten demostrar la viabilidad de la propuesta. El sistema asesora la actuación profesional en correspondencia con la necesidad que durante el proceso de negociación se anticipen est...

  9. Diseño de sistema experto para toma de decisiones de compra de materiales

    OpenAIRE

    Carlos A. Torres Navarro; Javier A. Córdova Neira

    2014-01-01

    El objetivo de esta investigación es verificar la factibilidad de integración entre las teorías de inventarios y de sistemas expertos a través del diseño de un sistema informático basado en el conocimiento para apoyar el proceso de toma de decisiones en el área de logística y abastecimiento de una empresa forestal líder en Latino América. La metodología utilizada consistió en una revisión de publicaciones científicas de acceso online sobre modelos de inventarios, criterios de clasificación mu...

  10. Dietary change, energy balance and body weight regulation among migrating students.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Reeves, S L; Henry, C J

    2000-11-01

    This study was conducted to examine how subjects modulate their food intake and energy balance when they migrate from a low energy density food intake pattern to one of high energy density. It was hypothesised that an increase in the energy density of food consumed would result in increased body weight of the migrating subjects unless food intake and energy balance could be modulated. Food selection, food intake, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and anthropometric measurements were made on 53 female and 56 male newly arrived overseas students. All subjects were from Malaysia, but the data was collected at Oxford Brookes University where the subjects were studying. Food intake using 3-day food diaries and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). BMR and anthropometric measurements including body weight were measured on arrival in the UK and after 3 and 6 months' stay. Student's t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the data. A significant difference (P foods consumed in Malaysia and after 3 and 6 months in the UK. There was also a significant decrease (P food selection due mainly to the lack of availability of certain foods in UK supermarkets. No significant differences were found in the BMR and anthropometric measurements made at the start of the study and later assessments. It appears that Malaysian students are able to remain in energy balance and are weight stable at least during the first 6 months of residence in the UK, despite the wider choice of energy dense food available. This suggests that at least in the short term, subjects are able to modulate their food intake in response to changes in the energy densities and free choice of food.

  11. Change in functional balance after an exercise program with Nintendo Wii in Latino patients with cerebral palsy: a case series.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gatica-Rojas, Valeska; Cartes-Velásquez, Ricardo; Méndez-Rebolledo, Guillermo; Olave-Godoy, Felipe; Villalobos-Rebolledo, David

    2016-08-01

    [Purpose] This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving functional balance using an exercise program with Nintendo and the Balance Board peripheral in subjects with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] This study included 4 male outpatients of a neurological center. All participants received an exercise program based on the use of Nintendo with the Balance Board peripheral. Training consisted of three 25-min sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session was guided by a physical therapist. Timed up-and-go and one-leg standing tests were conducted before and after the intervention. [Results] All subjects showed significant improvements in the results of the timed up-and-go test. However, there were no significant changes in the results of the one-leg standing test. [Conclusion] The exercise protocol involving Nintendo with the Balance Board peripheral appears to improve functional dynamic balance in patients with cerebral palsy. However, static functional balance does not improve after 6 weeks of training.

  12. Knowledge, satisfaction with information, decisional conflict and psychological morbidity amongst women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

    Science.gov (United States)

    De Morgan, Simone; Redman, Sally; D'Este, Catherine; Rogers, Kris

    2011-07-01

    To assess knowledge, satisfaction with information, decisional conflict and psychological morbidity amongst women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and to explore the factors associated with less knowledge and greater confusion about DCIS. A cross-sectional survey of women diagnosed with DCIS in Australia (N=144). This study found misunderstanding and confusion amongst women diagnosed with DCIS and a desire for more information about their breast disease. Approximately half of participants worried about their breast disease metastasizing; approximately half expressed high decisional conflict; 12% were anxious and 2% were depressed. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that worry about dying from the breast disease was significantly associated with not knowing that DCIS could not metastasize (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.03-14.25); and confusion about whether DCIS could metastasize was significantly associated with dissatisfaction with information (OR 12.5; 95% CI 3.8-40.2). Good communication about how DCIS differs from invasive breast cancer is essential to alleviating the confusion and worry amongst women with DCIS. Recommendations about how best to communicate a diagnosis of DCIS, including the uncertainties, are needed to guide health professionals to promote better understanding about DCIS and increase the well-being of women with DCIS. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

  13. Multiple sclerosis: changes in microarchitecture of white matter tracts after training with a video game balance board.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Prosperini, Luca; Fanelli, Fulvia; Petsas, Nikolaos; Sbardella, Emilia; Tona, Francesca; Raz, Eytan; Fortuna, Deborah; De Angelis, Floriana; Pozzilli, Carlo; Pantano, Patrizia

    2014-11-01

    To determine if high-intensity, task-oriented, visual feedback training with a video game balance board (Nintendo Wii) induces significant changes in diffusion-tensor imaging ( DTI diffusion-tensor imaging ) parameters of cerebellar connections and other supratentorial associative bundles and if these changes are related to clinical improvement in patients with multiple sclerosis. The protocol was approved by local ethical committee; each participant provided written informed consent. In this 24-week, randomized, two-period crossover pilot study, 27 patients underwent static posturography and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at study entry, after the first 12-week period, and at study termination. Thirteen patients started a 12-week training program followed by a 12-week period without any intervention, while 14 patients received the intervention in reverse order. Fifteen healthy subjects also underwent MR imaging once and underwent static posturography. Virtual dissection of white matter tracts was performed with streamline tractography; values of DTI diffusion-tensor imaging parameters were then obtained for each dissected tract. Repeated measures analyses of variance were performed to evaluate whether DTI diffusion-tensor imaging parameters significantly changed after intervention, with false discovery rate correction for multiple hypothesis testing. There were relevant differences between patients and healthy control subjects in postural sway and DTI diffusion-tensor imaging parameters (P balance improvement detected at static posturography (r = -0.381 to 0.401, P balance board system modified the microstructure of superior cerebellar peduncles. The clinical improvement observed after training might be mediated by enhanced myelination-related processes, suggesting that high-intensity, task-oriented exercises could induce favorable microstructural changes in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis.

  14. Decisiones en reacciones adversas a medicamentos, intoxicaciones y respuestas inesperadas de productos naturales como problema de salud pública

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Pedro P. Álvarez-Falconí

    2007-10-01

    Full Text Available En esta revisión se evalúa la información relevante sobre diversas reacciones adversas severas atribuidas a medicamentos de relativa reciente introducción en el mercado mundial, intoxicaciones por medicamentos contaminados, así como respuestas inesperadas adversas de productos naturales, todo lo cual contribuyó a la toma y adopción de decisiones en el pasado y en el presente, por organismos reguladores en medicamentos en diversos países. Se exploran a grandes perfiles las acciones relacionadas con los pilares de las políticas de medicamentos, los sucesos históricos y actuales calificados como desastres o tragedias en salud pública en el uso de medicamentos en el siglo pasado y presente, a fin de ofrecer un panorama básico en este manejo. Se incluyeron efectos que afectaron la salud por el empleo de algunos productos naturales para prestar atención a su implicancia en la práctica médica. Se comentan y discuten las decisiones de los organismos reguladores internacionales, los enormes gastos en salud pública por reacciones adversas, las estrategias que han contribuido a evitar perjuicios en la sociedad por reacciones adversas de medicamentos innovadores y antiguos. Se contribuye en afianzar los conceptos de responsabilidad empresarial y gubernamental, estándares científicos, éticos y seguridad de los medicamentos, la importancia del control de calidad, bioética, buenas prácticas clínicas en la investigación científica en medicamentos, buenas prácticas de manufactura y evitar prácticas corruptas. Se reafirma que el éxito de la medicina moderna se debe en magnitud importante a los medicamentos y dentro de ellos a los innovadores. Las decisiones oportunas de los expertos se orientan a evitar tragedias, sufrimientos y gastos innecesarios por reacciones adversas a medicamentos y consecuentemente eludir problemas en salud pública.

  15. Computerized Agility Training Improves Change-of-Direction and Balance Performance Independently of Footwear in Young Adults

    Science.gov (United States)

    Paquette, Max R.; Schilling, Brian K.; Bravo, Joshua D.; Peel, Shelby A.; Li, Yuhua; Townsend, Robert J.

    2017-01-01

    Understanding the effects of training in different footwear on sporting performance would be useful to coaches and athletes. Purpose: This study compared the effects of computerized agility training using 3 types of footwear on change-of-direction and balance performance in young adults. Method: Thirty recreationally active young adults…

  16. Estados financieros tradicionales, una limitante en las decisiones gerenciales = Traditional financial reports, a limiting on managerial decisions

    OpenAIRE

    Carreño Acosta, Azucena

    2012-01-01

    Tomar decisiones gerenciales en las organizaciones, debe basarse en el estudio o análisis de las distintas herramientas de control de gestión de que se dispone, como son los Estados Financieros, según los Principios de Contabilidad Generalmente Aceptados en Colombia (PCGA) y las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera (NIIF). Sin embargo, frente a las exigencias actuales y a los directivos de hoy, estas herramientas se perciben con cierto grado de vulnerabilidad que no permiten r...

  17. Modelo de inteligencia de negocio para la toma de decisiones en la empresa San Roque S.A.

    OpenAIRE

    AUTOR: S??nchez Guevara, Omar Antonio

    2014-01-01

    Las empresas comercializadoras de dulces tradicionales crecen en el mercado peruano, esto obliga a dichas empresas a volverse m??s competitivas y para ello toman decisiones las cuales presentan riesgos, por lo tanto para minimizar el riesgo es esencial la cantidad y calidad de informaci??n que se tiene disponible, tal es el caso de la empresa San Roque S.A. donde la informaci??n disponible para generar y analizar las propuestas de las posibles promociones de ventas, es insuficiente, generando...

  18. Hacia una gestión de marketing socialmente responsable: decisiones de compra y de comunicación

    OpenAIRE

    Morillo Moreno, Milangela del Carmen

    2009-01-01

    En el presente trabajo se aborda el marketing como sistema de pensamiento organizacional, enfocado en el marco de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC), para lo cual se consideran varias posturas acerca de su significado. Las decisiones de compra y la comunicación involucran una elevada responsabilidad social. Éstas incluyen el papel de los medios de comunicación como parte integrante de la gestión de marketing. Entre sus principales resultados destacan que la RSC beneficia la colectivi...

  19. Scenario forecasting changes in the water balance components of the Olenek and Iindigirka river basins due to possible climate change

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ye. M. Gusev

    2015-06-01

    Full Text Available Scenario projections of the dynamics of meteorological characteristics for the basins of the Olenek and Indigirka rivers (the Republic of Sakha in the XXI century have been obtained for four IPCC global climate change scenarios of SRES family which correspond to specified scenarios of economic, technological, political, and demographic development of human civilization. The projections have been used to calculate scenarios of possible changes in water balance components for the basins under consideration up to the year of 2063. The calculation procedure involves a physically-based model for heat and mass exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere SWAP and climate scenario generator MAGICC/SCENGEN.

  20. Effects of Land Cover Changes to the Quantity of Water Supply and Hydrologic Cycle using Water Balance Models

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Caja CC

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available The hydrologic cycle is a recurring consequence of different forms of movement of water and changes of its physical state on a given area of the earth. The land cover of a certain area is a significant factor affecting the watershed hydrology. This also affects the quantity of water supply within the watershed. This study assessed the impacts of the changing land cover of the Ipo watershed, a part of the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system which is the main source of Metro Manila’s water supply. The environmental impacts were assessed using the interaction of vegetation cover changes and the output flow rates in Ipo watershed. Using hydrologic modelling system, the hydrological balance using rainfall, vegetation and terrain data of the watershed was simulated. Over the years, there has been a decreasing land cover within the watershed caused mostly by deforestation and other human activities. This significant change in the land cover resulted to extreme increase in water discharge at all streams and rivers in the watershed and the water balance of the area were affected as saturation and shape of the land terrain changes.

  1. Work-Life Balance and the Canadian Teaching Profession

    Science.gov (United States)

    Froese-Germain, Bernie

    2014-01-01

    Over the past few decades Canada has experienced sweeping demographic, social, economic and technological changes. These changes have had, and continue to have, a major impact on the work-life balance of Canadians--that is, on their ability to balance work and personal demands. Some of these factors also impact the work-life balance of the…

  2. CARACTERÍSTICAS SOCIOECONÓMICAS Y CONSISTENCIA EN LA TOMA DE DECISIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jhon James Mora

    2002-01-01

    Full Text Available Este ensayo analiza cuál es el efecto de las características socioeconómicas sobre la consistencia en las preferencias cuando los agentes se encuentran eligiendo entre loterías. El análisis parte de realizar la prueba de ALLAIS, sobre la consistencia en las elecciones, a los estudiantes de la carrera de Economía y Negocios Internacionales de la Universidad Icesi y, se encuentra que el sexo, el estrato socioeconómico, el ingreso, la edad y el semestre en forma conjunta no son relevantes para explicar la consistencia en las preferencias. Sin embargo, también se observa que la CARACTERÍSTICAS SOCIOECONÓMICAS Y CONSISTENCIA EN LA TOMA DE DECISIONES JOHN JAMES MORA1 Economista, Universidad del Valle, Maestría Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Jefe del Departamento de Economía, Universidad Icesi. email: jjmora@icesi.edu.co edad y el semestre podrían ayudar a explicar la consistencia.

  3. Miniature Piezoelectric Macro-Mass Balance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sherrit, Stewart; Trebi-Ollennu, Ashitey; Bonitz, Robert G.; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph

    2010-01-01

    Mass balances usually use a strain gauge that requires an impedance measurement and is susceptible to noise and thermal drift. A piezoelectric balance can be used to measure mass directly by monitoring the voltage developed across the piezoelectric balance, which is linear with weight or it can be used in resonance to produce a frequency change proportional to the mass change (see figure). The piezoelectric actuator/balance is swept in frequency through its fundamental resonance. If a small mass is added to the balance, the resonance frequency shifts down in proportion to the mass. By monitoring the frequency shift, the mass can be determined. This design allows for two independent measurements of mass. Additionally, more than one sample can be verified because this invention allows for each sample to be transported away from the measuring device upon completion of the measurement, if required. A piezoelectric actuator, or many piezoelectric actuators, was placed between the collection plate of the sampling system and the support structure. As the sample mass is added to the plate, the piezoelectrics are stressed, causing them to produce a voltage that is proportional to the mass and acceleration. In addition, a change in mass delta m produces a change in the resonance frequency with delta f proportional to delta m. In a microgravity environment, the spacecraft could be accelerated to produce a force on the piezoelectric actuator that would produce a voltage proportional to the mass and acceleration. Alternatively, the acceleration could be used to force the mass on the plate, and the inertial effects of the mass on the plate would produce a shift in the resonance frequency with the change in frequency related to the mass change. Three prototypes of the mass balance mechanism were developed. These macro-mass balances each consist of a solid base and an APA 60 Cedrat flextensional piezoelectric actuator supporting a measuring plate. A similar structure with 3 APA

  4. Assessing motivation and readiness to change for weight management and control: an in-depth evaluation of three sets of instruments.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Martina eCeccarini

    2015-05-01

    Full Text Available It is highly recommended to promptly assess motivation and readiness to change in individuals who wish to achieve significant lifestyle behavior changes in order to improve their health, overall quality of life and well-being. In particular, motivation should be assessed for those who face the difficult task to maintain weight, which implies a double challenge: weight loss initially and its management subsequently. In fact, weight-control may be as problematic as smoking or drugs-taking cessation, since they all share the commonality of being highly refractory to change behaviors. This paper will examine three well-established tools following the Trans-theoretical Model (TTM, specifically assessing readiness to change in weight management: the URICA, the S-Weight and the P-Weight and the Decisional Balance Inventory. Though their strengths and weaknesses may appear to be rather homogeneous and similar, the S-Weight and P-Weight are more efficient in assessing readiness to change in weight management and control. Assessing motivation and readiness to change may be a crucial step in promptly identifying psychological obstacles or resistance towards weight-management in overweight or obese hospitalised individuals, and it may contribute to provide a more effective weight-control treatment intervention.

  5. Aplicación del modelo Balance of Care en la toma de decisiones acerca del mejor cuidado para las personas con demencia

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ester Risco

    2017-11-01

    Discusión: El modelo Balance of Care permite evaluar de manera sistemática, objetiva y mediante un equipo multidisciplinario el emplazamiento más adecuado para las personas con demencia. Se deberían incluir otras intervenciones coste-eficientes para mejorar la situación domiciliaria de estas personas.

  6. Changes in muscle activation following balance and technique training and a season of Australian football.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Donnelly, C J; Elliott, B C; Doyle, T L A; Finch, C F; Dempsey, A R; Lloyd, D G

    2015-05-01

    Determine if balance and technique training implemented adjunct to 1001 male Australian football players' training influenced the activation/strength of the muscles crossing the knee during pre-planned and unplanned sidestepping. Randomized Control Trial. Each Australian football player participated in either 28 weeks of balance and technique training or 'sham' training. Twenty-eight Australian football players (balance and technique training, n=12; 'sham' training, n=16) completed biomechanical testing pre-to-post training. Peak knee moments and directed co-contraction ratios in three degrees of freedom, as well as total muscle activation were calculated during pre-planned and unplanned sidestepping. No significant differences in muscle activation/strength were observed between the 'sham' training and balance and technique training groups. Following a season of Australian football, knee extensor (p=0.023) and semimembranosus (p=0.006) muscle activation increased during both pre-planned sidestepping and unplanned sidestepping. Following a season of Australian football, total muscle activation was 30% lower and peak valgus knee moments 80% greater (p=0.022) during unplanned sidestepping when compared with pre-planned sidestepping. When implemented in a community level training environment, balance and technique training was not effective in changing the activation of the muscles crossing the knee during sidestepping. Following a season of Australian football, players are better able to support both frontal and sagittal plane knee moments. When compared to pre-planned sidestepping, Australian football players may be at increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury during unplanned sidestepping in the latter half of an Australian football season. Copyright © 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Agenda 21 interim balance, 1997

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Van Vuuren, D.P.; Bakkes, J.A.

    1997-10-01

    Five years after the `United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)`, an interim balance was drawn up to see what was done to meet the ambitious challenges adopted in Agenda 21 during this conference. Such a balance is presented in this report and the complementary brochure, `Developments in Sustainability 1992-1997`, reflecting societal developments and changes in environmental quality, as well as changes in responses to environmental concerns. 24 figs., 12 tabs., 68 refs.

  8. Recovery of balance function among individuals with total knee arthroplasty: Comparison of responsiveness among four balance tests.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chan, Andy C M; Ouyang, Xi H; Jehu, Deborah A M; Chung, Raymond C K; Pang, Marco Y C

    2018-01-01

    Balance deficits are common after total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however the responsiveness of commonly used balance measurement tools has not been well defined. The objective of this prospective study was to compare the internal and external responsiveness of four measurement tools in assessing recovery of balance function following TKA. A total of 134 individuals with TKA (95 women; age: 66.3±6.6years) completed the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Mini-BESTest, Brief-BESTest, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks post-TKA. The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) served as the anchor measure, and was also measured across these time points. Internal responsiveness was indicated by the standardized response mean (SRM), while external responsiveness was reflected by the degree of association of the changes of balance scores with those of FGA. The SRM ranged from 0.60-1.14 for the BESTest, 0.40-0.94 for the Mini-BESTest, 0.27-0.91 for the Brief-BESTest, and 0.19-0.70 for the BBS, over time. The change in BESTest and Mini-BESTest scores predicted the change in the FGA scores across all time periods, except for the Mini-BESTest between weeks 12-24, accounting for 13-27%, and 12-24% of the variance, respectively. The Brief-BESTest scores only predicted FGA scores between the weeks 2-4 (R 2 =20%). The changes in BBS scores were not associated with the FGA. The BESTest is the most responsive in measuring recovery of balance among individuals with TKA. The Mini-BESTest is a reasonable option during time constraints. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  9. Compensatory Changes in Energy Balance Regulation over One Athletic Season.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Silva, Analiza M; Matias, Catarina N; Santos, Diana A; Thomas, Diana; Bosy-Westphal, Anja; MüLLER, Manfred J; Heymsfield, Steven B; Sardinha, LUíS B

    2017-06-01

    Mechanisms in energy balance (EB) regulation may include compensatory changes in energy intake (EI) and metabolic adaption (MA), but information is unavailable in athletes who often change EB components. We aim to investigate EB regulation compensatory mechanisms over one athletic season. Fifty-seven athletes (39 males/18 females; handball, volleyball, basketball, triathlon, and swimming) were evaluated from the beginning to the competitive phase of the season. Resting and total energy expenditure (REE and TEE, respectively) were assessed by indirect calorimetry and doubly labeled water, respectively, and physical activity energy expenditure was determined as TEE - 0.1(TEE) - REE. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and changed body energy stores was determined by 1.0(ΔFFM/Δtime) + 9.5(ΔFM/Δtime). EI was derived as TEE + EB. REE was predicted from baseline FFM, FM, sex, and sports. %MA was calculated as 100(measured REE/predicted REE-1) and MA (kcal) as %MA/100 multiplied by baseline measured REE. Average EI minus average physical activity energy expenditure was computed as a proxy of average energy availability, assuming that a constant nonexercise EE occurred over the season. Body mass increased by 0.8 ± 2.5 kg (P energy availability (r = 0.356 and r = 0.0644, respectively). TEE increased over the season without relevant mean changes in weight, suggesting that EI compensation likely occurred. The thrifty or spendthrift phenotypes observed among sports and the demanding workloads these athletes are exposed to highlight the need for sport-specific energy requirements.

  10. La toma de decisiones multicriterio eficaces en el ámbito de la pequeña y mediana empresa: el establecimiento de los objetivos y la determinación de los criterios

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Fernández Barberis, Gabriela

    2001-01-01

    Full Text Available Una de las condiciones que define y caracteriza al empresario o directivo es que, en la empresa, él es la persona que toma las decisiones de importancia. Esta es una responsabilidad que ningún empresario o directivo puede eludir. Ahora bien, todo ser humano, por las propias condiciones en que se desenvuelve en la vida, se ve forzado, desde que supera el período de la primera infancia, a adoptar continuamente múltiples y variadas decisiones. No obstante, se plantean numerosos problemas y se ha dedicado mucho esfuerzo y tiempo a analizar, con todo tipo de detalles, los procesos de toma de decisiones multicriterio que se producen en el ámbito empresarial. Una vez superada la primera etapa del proceso, identificada como “el planteamiento de la situación” es necesario proceder al próximo paso, de crucial y vital importancia para la eficacia y eficiencia de la empresa y se refiere a “el establecimiento de los objetivos”. Mientras el planteamiento de la situación nos indica dónde estamos, el establecimiento de los objetivos nos señala dónde queremos ir. Adicionalmente, una de las funciones principales que cumple el establecimiento de los objetivos en el proceso de toma de decisiones consiste en establecer múltiples criterios, usualmente en conflicto entre sí, que se utilizarán para evaluar las distintas alternativas de decisión. De esta forma, en el presente trabajo se estudia con cierto grado de detalle el establecimiento de los objetivos y la determinación de los criterios dentro del proceso de toma de decisiones en el ámbito de la pequeña y mediana empresa. La extensión del análisis de decisión multicriterio al ámbito empresarial permite así afrontar situaciones que son directa y perentoriamente conflictivas, y que requieren una solución en el más breve plazo posible.

  11. Public sector austerity cuts in Britain and the changing discourse of work-life balance

    OpenAIRE

    Lewis, Suzan; Anderson, Deirdre; Lyonette, Clare; Payne, Nicola; Wood, Stephen; ,

    2017-01-01

    The relative importance of economic and other motives for employers to provide support for work- life balance (WLB) is debated within different literatures. However, discourses of WLB can be sensitive to changing economic contexts. This article draws on in-depth interviews with senior HR professionals in British public sector organisations to examine shifting discourses of WLB in an austerity context. Three main discourses were identified: WLB practices as organisationally embedded amid finan...

  12. The changing impact of snow conditions and refreezing on the mass balance of an idealized Svalbard glacier

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ward Van Pelt

    2016-11-01

    Full Text Available Glacier surface melt and runoff depend strongly on seasonal and perennial snow (firn conditions. Not only does the presence of snow and firn directly affect melt rates by reflecting solar radiation, it may also act as a buffer against mass loss by storing melt water in refrozen or liquid form. In Svalbard, ongoing and projected amplified climate change with respect to the global mean change has severe implications for the state of snow and firn and its impact on glacier mass loss. Model experiments with a coupled surface energy balance - firn model were done to investigate the surface mass balance and the changing role of snow and firn conditions for an idealized Svalbard glacier. A climate forcing for the past, present and future (1984-2104 is constructed, based on observational data from Svalbard Airport and a seasonally dependent projection scenario. Results illustrate ongoing and future firn degradation in response to an elevational retreat of the equilibrium line altitude (ELA of 31 m decade−1. The temperate firn zone is found to retreat and expand, while cold ice in the ablation zone warms considerably. In response to pronounced winter warming and an associated increase in winter rainfall, the current prevalence of refreezing during the melt season gradually shifts to the winter season in a future climate. Sensitivity tests reveal that in a present and future climate the density and thermodynamic structure of Svalbard glaciers are heavily influenced by refreezing. Refreezing acts as a net buffer against mass loss. However, the net mass balance change after refreezing is substantially smaller than the amount of refreezing itself, which can be ascribed to melt-enhancing effects after refreezing, which partly offset the primary mass-retaining effect of refreezing.

  13. Análisis de la evolución de la Neuroeconomía en la Toma decisiones

    OpenAIRE

    Cortés Bernales, Edgar

    2016-01-01

    La investigación se ha orientado, partiendo del origen y la evolución de la neurociencia, hacia los efectos que otorga la toma de decisiones, donde la interdisciplinariedad existente en la neurociencia, nos muestra una complementariedad e “integración” entre diversas disciplinas, que permite el reordenamiento de los saberes y dar cabida a nuevos planteamientos científicos -- Contamos por una parte con las ciencias cognitivas, las cuales tienen su origen en seis disciplinas: la lingüística, la...

  14. DISEÑO DE UN SISTEMA DE COSTOS PARA LA TOMA DE DECISIONES EN UNA EMPRESA DE SALUD

    OpenAIRE

    Lezcano, German Eduardo

    2016-01-01

    INTRODUCCIÓN -- METODOLOGÍA -- RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN -- 1. ESTUDIO EXPLORATORIO BIBLIOGRÁFICO SOBRE COSTOS DE PRODUCCIÓN DE SERVICIO EN EMPRESAS DE SALUD -- 2. ESTUDIO DESCRIPTIVO DE "CLÍNICA PRIVADA ESTÉTICA Y RECONSTRUCTIVA -- DISEÑO DEL PLAN PARA "CLÍNICA PRIVADA ESTÉTICA Y RECONSTRUCTIVA" EN BASE A LOS MÉTODOS DE COSTEO -- CONCLUSIONES -- BIBLIOGRAFIA El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar un sistema de costos para la toma de decisiones en una empresa de salud radicada en la ciudad d...

  15. Diseño de un sistema de control de gestión basado en la metodología del balanced scorecard y gestión por procesos en un laboratorío farmacéutico, Guayaquil 2007

    OpenAIRE

    Navarrete Carreno, Oswaldo Vicente; Rios Saltos, Liliana Elizabeth; Sanchez Macias, Alex Antonio

    2008-01-01

    En el ambiente competitivo y versátil en el que se encuentran sumergidas las empresas de hoy, precisa cada vez con sublime obligación el disponer de la información útil y fiable para tomar decisiones oportunas y proactivas. Es así que en la presente tesis mostramos el diseño del Balanced Scorecard al LABORATORIO FARMACÉUTICO, que comienza analizando sus fortalezas, debilidades y oportunidades. Para luego desplegar los objetivos estratégicos de donde se obtienen indicadores que ayudan a med...

  16. Un sistema di supporto alla decisione per facilitare nuove azioni di finanziamento in ambito pubblico

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Maria Franca Norese

    2014-12-01

    Full Text Available Un approfondimento analitico sulle modalità di finanziamento che hanno interessato la Regione Piemonte, sviluppato con il contributo di chi vi ha operato direttamente, ha permesso di acquisire, codificare e organizzare importanti elementi di conoscenza e di proporne l’uso per accrescere la cultura valutativa in Regione. Un accresciuto interesse a rendere più efficienti le azioni di finanziamento pubblico ha spinto ad utilizzare i risultati dell’analisi effettuata in un modello multicriteri di valutazione e in un sistema di supporto alla decisione rivolto a facilitare i nuovi processi di finanziamento e rendere operative attività di monitoraggio in un contesto di apprendimento organizzativo.

  17. Postural changes versus balance control and falls in community-living older adults: a systematic review

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Viviane Lemos Silva Fernandes

    2018-06-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Introduction: Since falls are considered to be a public health problem, it is important to identify whether postural changes over time contribute to the risk of falls in older adults. Objective: To investigate whether postural changes increase fall risk and/or postural imbalance in healthy, community-dwelling older adults. Methods: In April 2016, two reviewers independently searched the PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases for studies in English published in the previous 10 years, using the following combined keywords: “posture” or (“kyphosis”,“lumbar lordosis”,“flexed posture”,“spinal curvature”,“spinal sagittal contour” AND “elderly” AND “fall”. Study quality was assessed according to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines for observational studies. Results: The search retrieved 1,734 articles. Only observational studies that assessed posture, balance, and/or falls in older adults were considered eligible for review. The final sample included 17 articles: reliability and reproducibility of the instruments were not reported in five studies, while two studies offered a questionable description of the instruments used. Fourteen articles analyzed postural changes at the trunk level and three articles assessed them at the ankles and feet. Most studies found a positive association between postural changes and an increased risk for loss of balance and falls. Conclusion: Thoracic hyperkyphosis, loss of lumbar lordosis, and decreased plantar arch seem to contribute to greater postural instability, and thus to a higher risk of falls in community-living older adults.

  18. Energy balance and stability

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hammer, R.

    1982-01-01

    The energy balance of the outer atmospheres of solarlike stars is discussed. The energy balance of open coronal regions is considered, discussing the construction and characteristics of models of such regions in some detail. In particular, the temperature as a function of height is considered, as are the damping length dependence of the global energy balance in the region between the base of the transition region and the critical point, and the effects of changing the amount of coronal heating, the stellar mass, and the stellar radius. Models of coronal loops are more briefly discussed. The chromosphere is then included in the discussion of the energy balance, and the connection between global energy balance and global thermal stability is addressed. The observed positive correlations between the chromospheric and coronal energy losses and the pressure of the transition region is qualitatively explained

  19. Balancing Trust and Control

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Jagd, Søren

    This paper focuses on the leadership challenge of balancing trust and control. The relation between trust and control has for a long time been a puzzling issue for management researchers. In the paper I first show that there has been a dramatic change in the way the relation between trust...... and control has been conceptualized in trust research. While the relation between trust and control earlier was conceptualized as a more or less stable balance between trust and control, more recent research conceptualizes the relation between trust and control more as a dynamical process that involves...... an ongoing process of balancing the relation between trust and control. Second, taking the departure in the recent conceptualization of the balance between trust and control as an interactive process I discuss the challenges for management in handling this more subtle balancing of trust and control...

  20. Procesos drv: la toma de decisiones como entrenamiento para equipos de trabajo

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    José Luis Zanazzi

    2010-04-01

    Full Text Available Este artículo presenta un método orientado a facilitar la toma de decisiones en equipos de trabajo. La propuesta utiliza herramientas de la Teoría de Utilidad Multiatributo, combinadas con Estadística. El artículo contiene una revisión de contribuciones al problema de la decisión con múltiples decisores, y una reflexión sobre características y requerimientos de las prácticas grupales. Además, se describen los fundamentos conceptuales del método. Se  enumeran y explican los pasos necesarios para su aplicación. El método se ejemplifica con la capacitación de un equipo responsable por el desarrollo de un sistema de mantenimiento preventivo. En ésta y otras experiencias, la propuesta resultó motivadora, con buen nivel de logros y amplia colaboración de los participantes. Esta contribución se diferencia de otros aportes, porque visualiza el proceso de toma de decisiones como una interesante posibilidad de capacitación grupal y, por ello, orienta su estrategia a posibilitar el intercambio de conocimientos, afianzar liderazgos, aumentar la cohesión interna y favorecer el compromiso con la decisión adoptada. This paper presents a method designed to facilitate group decision making. The proposal relies on tools of the Multiattribute Utility Theory combined with Statistics. The article contains a review of contributions to the problem of multiple decision makers and a reflection on the characteristics and requirements of group practices. It describes the conceptual foundations of the method and it also identifies and explains the steps needed for implementation. The method is exemplified with the training of a team responsible for the development of a preventive maintenance system. In this and other experiences, the proposal was motivating, with good level of achievements and ex-tensive collaboration of the participants. This contribution differs from others because it considers the decision making process as an interesting

  1. INFLUENCIA DE LAS CARACTERÍSTICAS DEMOGRÁFICAS Y SITUACIONALES EN LA SATISFACCIÓN Y TOMA DE DECISIONES DE LAS ACTIVIDADES TURÍSTICAS A TRAVÉS DEL MOBILE MARKETING

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lázaro Florido-Benítez

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available La democratización del medio digital en las polis turísticas, ha hecho que los humanos se transformen en personas bifuncionales (Humano-smartphone, estos dispositivos han cambiando el paradigma en la toma de decisiones de las actividades turísticas cuando viajamos y, por ende, condicionan al turista su nivel de satisfacción global de su entorno más inmediato. Las factores demográficos y situacionales, son el germen de la adopción de la toma de decisiones de actividades como: búsqueda de información, nuevas experiencias o la compra de productos y servicios a través de los teléfonos inteligentes.

  2. Risk-informed profitability-based analysis support of nuclear power station balance-of-plant change management

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liming, J.K. [EQE International, Inc., An ABS Group Company, Irvine, CA (United States); Kee, E.J.; Grantom, C.R.; Richards, A.M. [STP Nuclear Operating Company, Wadsworth, TX (United States)

    2001-07-01

    In this paper, a three-phased method is proposed for the STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) Risk and Reliability Analysis Section (RRA) to perform analyses and decision-making support for the STPNOC Balance-of-Plant (BOP)Task Force in managing change to simultaneously optimize plant safety and maximize long-term return-on-asset (or profitability) for the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station (STPEGS). (authors)

  3. Risk-informed profitability-based analysis support of nuclear power station balance-of-plant change management

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liming, J.K.; Kee, E.J.; Grantom, C.R.; Richards, A.M.

    2001-01-01

    In this paper, a three-phased method is proposed for the STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) Risk and Reliability Analysis Section (RRA) to perform analyses and decision-making support for the STPNOC Balance-of-Plant (BOP)Task Force in managing change to simultaneously optimize plant safety and maximize long-term return-on-asset (or profitability) for the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station (STPEGS). (authors)

  4. The balanced scorecard advantage: Driving strategic change into Canada's nuclear laboratory site operations

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lafreniere, P.; Weeks, D.

    2001-01-01

    The challenges presented by the size, diversity, complexity and history of the Facilities and Nuclear Operations (FNO) Group at AECL's Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) required a change to the traditional management approach. As a result, a strategy was adopted that focused on integrating contemporary business practices such as process mapping, activity based management and use of the Balanced Scorecard methodology into the operational culture at CRL. In addition, revitalization of the performance management methods process was undertaken to provide a tool for assessment of business and individual performance. performance. (author)

  5. Japan and the changing global balance of power: The view from the summit

    OpenAIRE

    Dobson, H.

    2010-01-01

    This article explores Japan's relative decline and its responses to the changing global balance of power through a case study of one symptom of this shift: the rise of the G20 as the 'premier forum for international economic co-operation' at the expense of the G8. The G8 has traditionally held a significant position in Japan's international relations that appears to be undermined by the rise of the G20. Japan's responses to these developments reveal it to be a status quo power that is still c...

  6. Tipos de lógica utilizadas en la toma de decisiones estratégicas de marketing

    OpenAIRE

    Garzón Rivera, Marcela; Boyacá Torres, Natalia María

    2015-01-01

    Para el administrador el proceso de la toma de decisiones es uno de sus mayores retos y responsabilidades, ya que en su desarrollo se debe definir el camino más acertado en un sin número de alternativas, teniendo en cuenta los obstáculos sociales, políticos y económicos del entorno empresarial. Para llegar a la decisión adecuada no hay que perder de vista los objetivos y metas propuestas, además de tener presente el proceso lógico, detectando, analizando y demostrando el porqué de esa ele...

  7. Balance Changes in Trained and Untrained Elderly Undergoing a Five-Months Multicomponent Training Program

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ana Cordellat

    2016-10-01

    Full Text Available Balance is a main focus of elderly activity programs which can be assessed by functional tests or stabilometry platforms. Our study aims to compare balance-changes in trained (TRA and untrained (UNT elderly following a 5-month Multi-Component Training Program (MCTP, twice a week, one hour per day. 10 TRA (>2-years and 9 UNT (first year performed the Romberg´s test (Open-Eyes 30 seconds/Closed-Eyes 30 seconds ratio on a stabilometry platform (BT4, Hur Labs. COP displacement (Trace Length: TL and sway area (C90 were registered twice PRE (1&2, POST (3&4 and 3 months later (Detraining: 5&6 the EFAM-UV© program, a Cognitive MCTP based on gait training and Dual-Task neuromuscular proposals in enriched environments. Regarding Open-Eyes, Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons showed significant group-differences in TL for 1, 2, 5 & 6 sample conditions, and a slight trend toward significance in C90 1&5. TL also showed significant group-differences in Closed-Eyes 1, 5 & 6, while C90 only in 5 & 6 Closed-Eyes. Balance indicators TL and C90 show a different way regarding the training status. A 5-month MCTP reduces differences, but detraining quickly affects UNT. Although effective, short multicomponent interventions could lead to early worsening, so the ratio training-detraining might be considered in untrained elderly population.

  8. Política de autogestión hospitalaria en Chile: percepciones de los tomadores de decisiones Hospital self-management policy in Chile: perceptions of decision-makers

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Claudio A. Méndez

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Conocer las percepciones de los tomadores de decisiones respecto de la etapa de implementación de la política de autogestión hospitalaria en dos hospitales de alta complejidad del sur de Chile. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo y exploratorio basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas en profundidad a tomadores de decisiones de los hospitales Regional de la ciudad de Valdivia y San José de la ciudad de Osorno, durante el período de agosto de 2010 a diciembre de 2011. Se seleccionó una muestra por conveniencia de 26 tomadores de decisiones. Las 26 entrevistas fueron grabadas y transcritas en forma literal. El análisis de la información se hizo utilizando la técnica de análisis de contenido, en su aproximación inductiva. RESULTADOS: Para los entrevistados, la conceptualización de la autogestión está determinada por la autonomía para la toma de decisiones respecto de la asignación de recursos y el financiamiento de la provisión de servicios de salud en las instituciones hospitalarias. También manifestaron que para mejorar la etapa de implementación se deben incluir políticas de recursos humanos y de financiamiento de la función de provisión de servicios de salud. A las debilidades, por su parte, las relacionaron con la ausencia de capacidades organizacionales y competencias gerenciales de los equipos de salud para la implementación de los cambios. CONCLUSIONES: La política de autogestión hospitalaria es conceptualizada desde la autonomía financiera, y su implementación está determinada por las brechas de capacidad que persisten en el diseño de la política.OBJECTIVE: To learn the perceptions of decision-makers concerning the imple­men­t­ation stage of a hospital self-management policy in two highly complex hospitals in southern Chile. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study based on semi-structured in-depth interviews of decision-makers at the Regional Hospital of Valdivia

  9. Deterioration of Gait and Balance over Time: The Effects of Age-Related White Matter Change - The LADIS Study

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Kreisel, S.H.; Blahak, C.; Bazner, H.; Inzitari, D.; Pantoni, L.; Poggesi, A.; Chabriat, H.; Erkinjuntti, T.; Fazekas, F.; Ferro, J.M.; Langhorne, P.; O'Brien, J.; Scheltens, P.; Visser, M.C.; Wahlund, L.O.; Waldemar, G.; Wallin, A.; Hennerici, M.G.

    2013-01-01

    Background: Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between the severity of age-related white matter change (ARWMC) and lower body motor function. However, the association between prevalent ARWMC and incident deterioration of balance and gait remains insufficiently investigated. This study

  10. Environmental change and the carbon balance of Amazonian forests

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Aragao, Luiz E.O.C.; Poulter, Benjamin

    2014-01-01

    Extreme climatic events and land-use change are known to influence strongly the current carbon cycle of Amazonia, and have the potential to cause significant global climate impacts. This review intends to evaluate the effects of both climate and anthropogenic perturbations on the carbon balance of the Brazilian Amazon and to understand how they interact with each other. By analysing the outputs of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report 4 (AR4) model ensemble, we demonstrate that Amazonian temperatures and water stress are both likely to increase over the 21. Century. Curbing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon by 62% in 2010 relative to the 1990's mean decreased the Brazilian Amazon's deforestation contribution to global land use carbon emissions from 17% in the 1990's and early 2000's to 9% by 2010. Carbon sources in Amazonia are likely to be dominated by climatic impacts allied with forest fires (48.3% relative contribution) during extreme droughts. The current net carbon sink (net biome productivity, NBP) of +0.16 (ranging from +0.11 to +0.21) PgCyear-1 in the Brazilian Amazon, equivalent to 13.3% of global carbon emissions from land-use change for 2008, can be negated or reversed during drought years [NBP=-0.06 (-0.31 to +0.01) PgCyear -1 ]. Therefore, reducing forest fires, in addition to reducing deforestation, would be an important measure for minimizing future emissions. Conversely, doubling the current area of secondary forests and avoiding additional removal of primary forests would help the Amazonian gross forest sink to offset approximately 42% of global land-use change emissions. We conclude that a few strategic environmental policy measures are likely to strengthen the Amazonian net carbon sink with global implications. Moreover, these actions could increase the resilience of the net carbon sink to future increases in drought frequency. (authors)

  11. Environmental change and the carbon balance of Amazonian forests.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Aragão, Luiz E O C; Poulter, Benjamin; Barlow, Jos B; Anderson, Liana O; Malhi, Yadvinder; Saatchi, Sassan; Phillips, Oliver L; Gloor, Emanuel

    2014-11-01

    Extreme climatic events and land-use change are known to influence strongly the current carbon cycle of Amazonia, and have the potential to cause significant global climate impacts. This review intends to evaluate the effects of both climate and anthropogenic perturbations on the carbon balance of the Brazilian Amazon and to understand how they interact with each other. By analysing the outputs of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report 4 (AR4) model ensemble, we demonstrate that Amazonian temperatures and water stress are both likely to increase over the 21st Century. Curbing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon by 62% in 2010 relative to the 1990s mean decreased the Brazilian Amazon's deforestation contribution to global land use carbon emissions from 17% in the 1990s and early 2000s to 9% by 2010. Carbon sources in Amazonia are likely to be dominated by climatic impacts allied with forest fires (48.3% relative contribution) during extreme droughts. The current net carbon sink (net biome productivity, NBP) of +0.16 (ranging from +0.11 to +0.21) Pg C year(-1) in the Brazilian Amazon, equivalent to 13.3% of global carbon emissions from land-use change for 2008, can be negated or reversed during drought years [NBP = -0.06 (-0.31 to +0.01) Pg C year(-1) ]. Therefore, reducing forest fires, in addition to reducing deforestation, would be an important measure for minimizing future emissions. Conversely, doubling the current area of secondary forests and avoiding additional removal of primary forests would help the Amazonian gross forest sink to offset approximately 42% of global land-use change emissions. We conclude that a few strategic environmental policy measures are likely to strengthen the Amazonian net carbon sink with global implications. Moreover, these actions could increase the resilience of the net carbon sink to future increases in drought frequency. © 2014 The Authors. Biological Reviews © 2014 Cambridge Philosophical

  12. Design Strategies for Balancing Exertion Games

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Jensen, Mads Møller; Grønbæk, Kaj

    2016-01-01

    In sports, if players' physical and technical abilities are mismatched, the competition is often uninteresting for them. With the emergence of exertion games, this could be changing. Player balancing, known from video games, allows players with different skill levels to compete, however, it is un......In sports, if players' physical and technical abilities are mismatched, the competition is often uninteresting for them. With the emergence of exertion games, this could be changing. Player balancing, known from video games, allows players with different skill levels to compete, however......, it is unclear how balancing mechanisms should be applied in exertion games, where physical and digital elements are fused. In this paper, we present an exertion game and three approaches for balancing it; a physical, an explicit-digital and an implicit-digital balancing approach. A user study that compares...... these three approaches is used to investigate the qualities and challenges within each approach and explore how the player experience is affected by them. Based on these findings, we suggest four design strategies for balancing exertion games, so that players will stay engaged in the game and contain...

  13. Changes in the Relative Balance of Approach and Avoidance Inclinations to Use Alcohol Following Cue Exposure Vary in Low and High Risk Drinkers

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ross C. Hollett

    2017-05-01

    Full Text Available According to the ambivalence model of craving, alcohol craving involves the dynamic interplay of separate approach and avoidance inclinations. Cue-elicited increases in approach inclinations are posited to be more likely to result in alcohol consumption and risky drinking behaviors only if unimpeded by restraint inclinations. Current study aims were (1 to test if changes in the net balance between approach and avoidance inclinations following alcohol cue exposure differentiate between low and high risk drinkers, and (2 if this balance is associated with alcohol consumption on a subsequent taste test. In two experiments (N = 60; N = 79, low and high risk social drinkers were exposed to alcohol cues, and pre- and post- approach and avoidance inclinations measured. An ad libitum alcohol consumption paradigm and a non-alcohol exposure condition were also included in Study 2. Cue-elicited craving was characterized by a predominant approach inclination only in the high risk drinkers. Conversely, approach inclinations were adaptively balanced by equally strong avoidance inclinations when cue-elicited craving was induced in low risk drinkers. For these low risk drinkers with the balanced craving profile, neither approach or avoidance inclinations predicted subsequent alcohol consumption levels during the taste test. Conversely, for high risk drinkers, where the approach inclination predominated, each inclination synergistically predicted subsequent drinking levels during the taste test. In conclusion, results support the importance of assessing both approach and avoidance inclinations, and their relative balance following alcohol cue exposure. Specifically, this more comprehensive assessment reveals changes in craving profiles that are not apparent from examining changes in approach inclinations alone, and it is this shift in the net balance that distinguishes high from low risk drinkers.

  14. Task-dependent changes of corticospinal excitability during observation and motor imagery of balance tasks.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mouthon, A; Ruffieux, J; Wälchli, M; Keller, M; Taube, W

    2015-09-10

    Non-physical balance training has demonstrated to be efficient to improve postural control in young people. However, little is known about the potential to increase corticospinal excitability by mental simulation in lower leg muscles. Mental simulation of isolated, voluntary contractions of limb muscles increase corticospinal excitability but more automated tasks like walking seem to have no or only minor effects on motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This may be related to the way of performing the mental simulation or the task itself. Therefore, the present study aimed to clarify how corticospinal excitability is modulated during AO+MI, MI and action observation (AO) of balance tasks. For this purpose, MEPs and H-reflexes were elicited during three different mental simulations (a) AO+MI, (b) MI and (c) passive AO. For each condition, two balance tasks were evaluated: (1) quiet upright stance (static) and (2) compensating a medio-lateral perturbation while standing on a free-swinging platform (dynamic). AO+MI resulted in the largest facilitation of MEPs followed by MI and passive AO. MEP facilitation was significantly larger in the dynamic perturbation than in the static standing task. Interestingly, passive observation resulted in hardly any facilitation independent of the task. H-reflex amplitudes were not modulated. The current results demonstrate that corticospinal excitability during mental simulation of balance tasks is influenced by both the type of mental simulation and the task difficulty. As H-reflexes and background EMG were not modulated, it may be argued that changes in excitability of the primary motor cortex were responsible for the MEP modulation. From a functional point of view, our findings suggest best training/rehabilitation effects when combining MI with AO during challenging postural tasks. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  15. Changes in Olsen Phosphorus Concentration and Its Response to Phosphorus Balance in Black Soils under Different Long-Term Fertilization Patterns

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhan, Xiaoying; Zhang, Li; Zhou, Baoku; Zhu, Ping; Zhang, Shuxiang; Xu, Minggang

    2015-01-01

    The Olsen phosphorus (P) concentration of a soil is a key index that can be used to evaluate the P supply capacity of the soil and to estimate the optimal P fertilization rate. A study of the relationship between the soil Olsen P concentration and the P balance (P input minus P output) and their variations among different fertilization patterns will help to provide useful information for proper management of P fertilization. In this paper, the two investigated long-term experiments were established on black soils in the northeast region of China. Six fertilization treatments were selected: (1) unfertilized (CK); (2) nitrogen only (N); (3) nitrogen and potassium (NK); (4) nitrogen and phosphorus (NP); (5) nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK); and (6) nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and manure (NPKM). The results showed that the average Olsen P concentrations in the black soils at Gongzhuling and Harbin (16- and 31-year study periods, respectively), decreased by 0.49 and 0.56 mg kg-1 a-1, respectively, without P addition and increased by 3.17 and 1.78 mg kg-1 a-1, respectively, with P fertilization. The changes in soil Olsen P concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with the P balances at both sites except for the NP and NPK treatments at Gongzhuling. Under an average deficit of 100 kg ha-1 P, the soil Olsen P concentration at both sites decreased by 1.36~3.35 mg kg-1 in the treatments without P addition and increased by 4.80~16.04 mg kg-1 in the treatments with 100 kg ha-1 of P accumulation. In addition, the changes in Olsen P concentrations in the soil with 100 kg ha-1of P balance were significantly correlated with the P activation coefficient (PAC, percentage of Olsen P to total P, r=0.99, P<0.01) and soil organic matter content (r=0.91, P<0.01). A low pH was related to large changes of Olsen P by 1 kg ha-1 of P balance. These results indicated that soil organic matter and pH have important effects on the change in soil Olsen P by 1 kg ha-1 of P

  16. Pericias psicológicas y otros medios probatorios en las decisiones en las comisarías de familia de Bogotá: casos de violencia de pareja contra la mujer

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Martha Stella Ospino Rodríguez

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available En este artículo se presenta el estudio que establece la asociación de las pericias psicológicas y otros medios probatorios con las decisiones de los operadores de justicia en las Comisarías de Familia de Bogotá; para lo cual, se realizó una investigación con diseño analítico de corte transversal descriptivo con 47 mujeres víctimas de violencia de pareja que solicitaron medida de protección en el Centro de Atención Integral contra la Violencia Intrafamiliar (CAVIF. Se analizaron los fallos de las medidas de protección definitivas impuestas en 16 comisarías de familia de 13 localidades de Bogotá. Los resultados mostraron que no existe asociación entre la utilización de las pericias psicológicas, dictamen de lesiones no fatales del Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses (INMLCF, informes sociales, denuncias de Fiscalía y testimonios de terceros, con las decisiones tomadas por los comisarios de familia. Solo se encontró asociación entre la aceptación de cargos, con las decisiones de aprobación de acuerdo conciliatorio y conminación a no agresión del accionado.

  17. Correlation of Head Impacts to Change in Balance Error Scoring System Scores in Division I Men's Lacrosse Players.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Miyashita, Theresa L; Diakogeorgiou, Eleni; Marrie, Kaitlyn

    Investigation into the effect of cumulative subconcussive head impacts has yielded various results in the literature, with many supporting a link to neurological deficits. Little research has been conducted on men's lacrosse and associated balance deficits from head impacts. (1) Athletes will commit more errors on the postseason Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) test. (2) There will be a positive correlation to change in BESS scores and head impact exposure data. Prospective longitudinal study. Level 3. Thirty-four Division I men's lacrosse players (age, 19.59 ± 1.42 years) wore helmets instrumented with a sensor to collect head impact exposure data over the course of a competitive season. Players completed a BESS test at the start and end of the competitive season. The number of errors from pre- to postseason increased during the double-leg stance on foam ( P impacts sustained over the course of 1 lacrosse season, as measured by average linear acceleration, head injury criteria, and Gadd Severity Index scores. If there is microtrauma to the vestibular system due to repetitive subconcussive impacts, only an assessment that highly stresses the vestibular system may be able to detect these changes. Cumulative subconcussive impacts may result in neurocognitive dysfunction, including balance deficits, which are associated with an increased risk for injury. The development of a strategy to reduce total number of head impacts may curb the associated sequelae. Incorporation of a modified BESS test, firm surface only, may not be recommended as it may not detect changes due to repetitive impacts over the course of a competitive season.

  18. Relación entre el modelo de diseño organizacional y la delegación de toma de decisiones del equipo de trabajo de la oficina de DEVIDA – Tarapoto, 2016

    OpenAIRE

    Bermudes Valles, Jorge Luis

    2016-01-01

    El objetivo de la investigación es determinar la relación entre el modelo del diseño organizacional y la delegación de toma de decisiones del equipo de trabajo de la oficina de DEVIDA - Tarapoto. Año 2016; se tuvo como hipótesis de trabajo Ho: La relación entre el modelo de diseño organizacional y la delegación de toma de decisiones del equipo de trabajo de la oficina de DEVIDA - Tarapoto. Año 2016. Es directa y positiva, para contrastar ello se utilizó el diseño no experimenta...

  19. CONVENIENCIA DE LA CIRUGÌA PROFILÁCTICA DEL TERCER MOLAR RETENIDO: UN ANÁLISIS DE DECISIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Adriana Ramírez

    2008-04-01

    Full Text Available Antecedentes. La proporción de cirugías de terceros molares que se realizan de manera profiláctica es difícil de estimar de manera precisa y depende en muchos casos de la definición que se dé para éste término. Objetivo. Determinar entre pacientes y cirujanos cuál es la alternativa más útil para plantear la cirugía profiláctica de los terceros molares retenidos asintomáticos. Material y métodos. Un análisis de decisiones clínicas (modelo de árbol de decisiones se utilizó para definir el tratamiento del tercer molar retenido asintomático. Las probabilidades para los desenlaces fueron obtenidos de la literatura. Las utilidades o preferencia fueron asignadas independientemente por pacientes y cirujanos. Resultados. La alternativa más conveniente para los pacientes fue la No extracción, mientras que para los cirujanos, la Si extracción. La decisión de los cirujanos resultó inestable al efectuar el análisis de sensibilidad bivariado al modificarse algunos valores asignados en el modelo, mientras que se mantuvo entre los pacientes. Conclusión. Las diferencias en las utilidades asignadas por pacientes y cirujanos, podrían deberse a la falta de información ofrecida al grupo de pacientes y a la diferencia de intereses entre unos y otros, si esto se corrige, la discrepancia entre los dos grupos logrará cerrarse, y a lo mejor podrían llegar a encontrar que la misma decisión es verdaderamente la más conveniente para ambos.

  20. Greenland Surface Mass Balance as Simulated by the Community Earth System Model. Part II: Twenty-First-Century Changes

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Vizcaino, M.; Lipscomb, W.H.; Sacks, W.J.; van den Broeke, M.R.

    2014-01-01

    This study presents the first twenty-first-century projections of surface mass balance (SMB) changes for the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) with the Community Earth System Model (CESM), which includes a new ice sheet component. For glaciated surfaces, CESM includes a sophisticated calculation of energy

  1. An efficient regional energy-moisture balance model for simulation of the Greenland Ice Sheet response to climate change

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    A. Robinson

    2010-04-01

    Full Text Available In order to explore the response of the Greenland ice sheet (GIS to climate change on long (centennial to multi-millennial time scales, a regional energy-moisture balance model has been developed. This model simulates seasonal variations of temperature and precipitation over Greenland and explicitly accounts for elevation and albedo feedbacks. From these fields, the annual mean surface temperature and surface mass balance can be determined and used to force an ice sheet model. The melt component of the surface mass balance is computed here using both a positive degree day approach and a more physically-based alternative that includes insolation and albedo explicitly. As a validation of the climate model, we first simulated temperature and precipitation over Greenland for the prescribed, present-day topography. Our simulated climatology compares well to observations and does not differ significantly from that of a simple parameterization used in many previous simulations. Furthermore, the calculated surface mass balance using both melt schemes falls within the range of recent regional climate model results. For a prescribed, ice-free state, the differences in simulated climatology between the regional energy-moisture balance model and the simple parameterization become significant, with our model showing much stronger summer warming. When coupled to a three-dimensional ice sheet model and initialized with present-day conditions, the two melt schemes both allow realistic simulations of the present-day GIS.

  2. Tecnologías de información en la toma de decisiones operativas en empresas petroleras del estado Zulia

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Romero, Mildred

    2010-09-01

    Full Text Available Las tecnologías de información (TI han surgido como nuevas herramientas que transforman la manera tradicional de hacer las cosas, facilitando la automatización en actividades tanto operativas como administrativas en las organizaciones y mejorando el manejo de información. Atendiendo a la relevancia que han tomado las TI, el presente estudio se planteó como objetivo analizar la influencia de las tecnologías de información en la delegación de autoridad, y en la eficacia, eficiencia y efectividad de las decisiones operativas en las empresas del sector petrolero del estado Zulia. Fundamentándose para ello en los postulados de autores como Daft (2007, Domínguez et al. (1995, Fernández et al. (2003, Oz (2001, entre otros. La población objeto de estudio la conforman las empresas que prestan servicios a pozo. Llevándose a cabo una investigación de tipo descriptiva- transeccional con un diseño no experimental. Como resultado se pudo apreciar que las TI en las empresas del sector petrolero del estado Zulia han presentado mayor relevancia en la eficacia organizacional, es decir, han logrado las metas propuestas, sin embargo, los mismos resultados no son notorios en la eficiencia y efectividad. Palabras clave: Tecnologías de información, decisiones, operativo.

  3. Estudio de la relación entre conocimiento y toma de decisiones en jugadores de tenis, y su influencia en la pericia deportiva. (Relation between knowledge and decision making in tennis players and its influence in sport expertise.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Luis García González

    2009-10-01

    Full Text Available Resumen Este trabajo pretende estudiar no solo algunos de los factores cognitivos implicados dentro del tenis, sino establecer las relaciones existentes entre distintos factores cognitivos fundamentales como el conocimiento y la toma de decisiones. De esta forma, se han evaluado 12 tenistas de distinto nivel de pericia en variables como el conocimiento declarativo y procedimental general de juego (medidos a través de cuestionarios, toma de decisiones y ejecución (evaluados a través de observación sistemática. Podemos destacar fundamentalmente la relación observada entre el conocimiento, tanto declarativo como procedimental, y la toma de decisiones, destacando en mayor medida la que se produce entre el conocimiento procedimental general y la toma de decisiones tanto en el servicio como en el resto de golpeos, que plantean la importancia del conocimiento sobre los aspectos tácticos y decisionales que los jugadores de tenis desarrollan durante el juego. Abastract This work tries to study nonsingle some of the cognitive factors implied in tennis, but to establish the existing relations between different fundamental cognitive factors as the knowledge and the decision making. Of this form, 12 tennis players of different skill level in variables like declarative and procedural knowledge (measured through questionnaires, decision making and execution (evaluated through systematic observation have evaluated themselves. We can emphasize the relation observed between the knowledge (declarative and procedural, and decision making, emphasizing in greater measurement the one takes place between the procedural knowledge and decision making in service as in the game play, that raise the importance of the knowledge on the tactical and decisional aspects that tennis players develop during the game.

  4. Effects on the Treatments in Physical Therapy with the Wii Fit Plus Balance Board Concerning the Postural Changes on Children Suffering Spastics Hemiparesis. Case Report

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Luisa Fernanda Córdoba Castillo

    2015-05-01

    Full Text Available Introduction: This study tried to determine the effects on the treatments in physical therapy with the Wii Balance Board and Wii Fit Plus __both of Wii, Nintendo Company Limited__ concerning the postural changes on children suffering spastics hemiparesis. Material and methods: Longitudinal cohort case studies done with two children, from the municipality of Popayán, suffering cerebral palsy type spastic hemiparesis. This children had a test on static posture with the software APIC v. 2.0, previously, It was executed an exercises program using Wii Fit plus Balance Board for 20 sessions. Results: Both of the patients had remarkable changes on lateralization of the center of gravity. This change can subserve the postural changes later. Conclusions: The application of the game with Wii Fit Plus with Wii Balance Board in physical therapy is a useful alternative in rehabilitation of hemi paretic patients related to a better distribution of the center of gravity. It is advisable to avoid weight overload and compensations.

  5. Evaluation and physiotherapeutic intervention in older with deficit balance through the Scale of Berg and Wii Balance Board platform

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Juliana Secchi Batista

    Full Text Available Introduction The aging process causes structural and functional changes in the organism. Among these changes, the systems responsible for controlling the balance are also affected, especially in women. This study aims to perform an assessment and physiotherapy intervention in elderly with balance deficits through Berg scale and platform Wii Balance Board. Materials and methods The study was longitudinal quasi-experimental intervention. Held in the city of Passo Fundo, RS - Brazil. Participants were 38 elderly women who had a deficit balance. The instruments used to collect data was a questionnaire to identify, assess balance across the Berg Balance Scale and an intervention program with six games via the Wii Balance Board™ platform. To statistically analyze the effects before and after the intervention were used Wilcoxon and Pearson correlation, with a significance level of p = 0.05. Results In the present study, we observed a statistically significant improvement in the balance of elderly compared before and after intervention, moreover, the six games played also showed statistical significance when comparing the first and twentieth session, highlighting the games Tightrope Walk Table Tilt, Deep Breathing and Soccer Heading. Conclusion The evaluation and balance training with the platform Wii Balance Board were able to provide significant results for the elderly, besides, the game has the potential to treat the health, well-being and functional capacity of older people through the visual representation the game in real time.

  6. AN INITIAL EVALUATION OF THE BTRACKS BALANCE PLATE AND SPORTS BALANCE SOFTWARE FOR CONCUSSION DIAGNOSIS.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Goble, Daniel J; Manyak, Kristin A; Abdenour, Thomas E; Rauh, Mitchell J; Baweja, Harsimran S

    2016-04-01

    As recently dictated by the American Medical Society, balance testing is an important component in the clinical evaluation of concussion. Despite this, previous research on the efficacy of balance testing for concussion diagnosis suggests low sensitivity (∼30%), based primarily on the popular Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). The Balance Tracking System (BTrackS, Balance Tracking Systems Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) consists of a force plate (BTrackS Balance Plate) and software (BTrackS Sport Balance) which can quickly (balance testing with gold standard accuracy. The present study aimed to determine the sensitivity of the BTrackS Balance Plate and Sports Balance Software for concussion diagnosis. Cross-Sectional Study. Preseason baseline balance testing of 519 healthy Division I college athletes playing sports with a relatively high risk for concussions was performed with the BTrackS Balance Test. Testing was administered by certified athletic training staff using the BTrackS Balance Plate and Sport Balance software. Of the baselined athletes, 25 later experienced a concussion during the ensuing sport season. Post-injury balance testing was performed on these concussed athletes within 48 of injury and the sensitivity of the BTrackS Balance Plate and Sport Balance software was estimated based on the number of athletes showing a balance decline according to the criteria specified in the Sport Balance software. This criteria is based on the minimal detectable change statistic with a 90% confidence level (i.e. 90% specificity). Of 25 athletes who experienced concussions, 16 had balance declines relative to baseline testing results according to the BTrackS Sport Balance software criteria. This corresponds to an estimated concussion sensitivity of 64%, which is twice as great as that reported previously for the BESS. The BTrackS Balance Plate and Sport Balance software has the greatest concussion sensitivity of any balance testing instrument reported to date. Level 2

  7. Balancing beyond the horizon?

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kluth, Michael Friederich; Pilegaard, Jess

    2011-01-01

    The present article seeks to make sense of recent European Union (EU) naval capability changes by applying neo-realist theory to the EU as a collective actor in the global balance of power. The paper compares two different strands of neorealist theory by deducing key predictions about the expecte......-term balancing strategy aimed at bolstering the autonomy and international influence of the Union vis-a`-vis other major powers, including the USA....

  8. Empirical Study on the Indicators of Sustainable Performance – the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard, Effect of Strategic Organizational Change

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Maria Radu

    2012-06-01

    Full Text Available The sustainable organizational change has an ever increasing importance, leading to the rethinking of the management and systems of performance measurement and monitoring within the companies. As a reaction to current economic phenomena, in the first section of this work we tried to bring out the need for using the couple Balanced Scorecard - Corporate Social Responsibility by companies. Thus, companies involved in sustainable actions must grant a great importance to the impact of environmental, social and economic factors in providing added value, informing the interested parties and reflecting the reporting of sustainable performance. As a consequence, in the second part of the work we present the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard for the implementation of efficient strategies which cumulate the economic, social and environmental aspects as integrating system for sustainable performance and as a new challenge for organizational change. The key performance indicators included in the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard are quantified by the indicators of sustainable development, based on which the empirical research described in the third section of the work was achieved. Through the quantitative analysis of the economic and ecological indicators (Gross Domestic Product per capita, respective, Environmental Performance Index in correlation with the social indicator (Global Competitive Index, we conclude that the implementation of green strategies by companies leads to sustainable economic growth.

  9. Evaluation of social-cognitive versus stage-matched, self-help physical activity interventions at the workplace.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Griffin-Blake, C Shannon; DeJoy, David M

    2006-01-01

    To compare the effectiveness of stage-matched vs. social-cognitive physical activity interventions in a work setting. Both interventions were designed as minimal-contact, self-help programs suitable for large-scale application. Randomized trial. Participants were randomized into one of the two intervention groups at baseline; the follow-up assessment was conducted 1 month later. A large, public university in the southeastern region of the United States. Employees from two academic colleges within the participating institution were eligible to participate: 366 employees completed the baseline assessment; 208 of these completed both assessments (baseline and follow-up) and met the compliance criteria. Printed, self-help exercise booklets (12 to 16 pages in length) either (1) matched to the individual's stage of motivational readiness for exercise adoption at baseline or (2) derived from social-cognitive theory but not matched by stage. Standard questionnaires were administered to assess stage of motivational readiness for physical activity; physical activity participation; and exercise-related processes of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and goal satisfaction. The two interventions were equally effective in moving participants to higher levels of motivational readiness for regular physical activity. Among participants not already in maintenance at baseline, 34.9% in the stage-matched condition progressed, while 33.9% in the social-cognitive group did so (chi2 = not significant). Analyses of variance showed that the two treatment groups did not differ in terms of physical activity participation, cognitive and behavioral process use, decisional balance, or the other psychological constructs. For both treatment groups, cognitive process use remained high across all stages, while behavioral process use increased at the higher stages. The pros component of decisional balance did not vary across stage, whereas cons decreased significantly

  10. Development of a Common Nordic Balance Settlement

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    NONE

    2006-02-15

    NordREG finds it essential for the customers that a common integrated end-user electricity market is developed and that all end-users are able to take part in the Nordic market. A common Nordic balance settlement is one important part of such a change. However, attention has to be paid to the comments that a badly designed common system is worse than well-designed national systems. It is thus important that the change to a common balance settlement is so thoroughly investigated that the common system gives a basis for a well-functioning market. An important basis for such a change is an agreed vision for the process: The present different systems for balance settlement shall by the year 2010 be replaced by a common Nordic balance settlement. This means that: It will be possible for a supplier to sell to the whole Nordic market from one legal entity and using only one system for customer management and reporting. The common Nordic balance settlement will be designed in such a way that it contributes to a well functioning market. This means for example that it will be attractive even for small suppliers and some end-users to be balance responsible parties. It is feasible that the first phase is focused on those present differences that are most decisive for fulfilment of the vision. NordREG recommends that the following issues shall be discussed and agreed in co-operation between NordREG, Nordel and relevant stakeholders in the first phase: The definition shall include how the common Nordic balance settlement shall interact with the balance control and the balance regulation of the interconnected power system and the balance settlement between countries performed by the TSOs. The definition should include the cost-base for common Nordic balance settlement in relation to other system responsibility costs. The core activities of system responsibility have also been analyzed by NordREG. It is important to find a balance between inter alia the need for simplicity and the

  11. Development of a Common Nordic Balance Settlement

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    2006-02-01

    NordREG finds it essential for the customers that a common integrated end-user electricity market is developed and that all end-users are able to take part in the Nordic market. A common Nordic balance settlement is one important part of such a change. However, attention has to be paid to the comments that a badly designed common system is worse than well-designed national systems. It is thus important that the change to a common balance settlement is so thoroughly investigated that the common system gives a basis for a well-functioning market. An important basis for such a change is an agreed vision for the process: The present different systems for balance settlement shall by the year 2010 be replaced by a common Nordic balance settlement. This means that: It will be possible for a supplier to sell to the whole Nordic market from one legal entity and using only one system for customer management and reporting. The common Nordic balance settlement will be designed in such a way that it contributes to a well functioning market. This means for example that it will be attractive even for small suppliers and some end-users to be balance responsible parties. It is feasible that the first phase is focused on those present differences that are most decisive for fulfilment of the vision. NordREG recommends that the following issues shall be discussed and agreed in co-operation between NordREG, Nordel and relevant stakeholders in the first phase: The definition shall include how the common Nordic balance settlement shall interact with the balance control and the balance regulation of the interconnected power system and the balance settlement between countries performed by the TSOs. The definition should include the cost-base for common Nordic balance settlement in relation to other system responsibility costs. The core activities of system responsibility have also been analyzed by NordREG. It is important to find a balance between inter alia the need for simplicity and the

  12. CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LA FUNCIÓN DE VALOR EMPLEADA EN LAS DECISIONES AMBIENTALES POR LAS GRANDES ORGANIZACIONES: ESTUDIO DE LOS GRANDES PROYECTOS HIDROELÉCTRICOS EN COLOMBIA

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    RODOLFO GARCÍA SIERRA

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available Esta investigación ofrece una explicación sobre una de las fuentes generadoras de los altos nive- les de conflictividad, actualmente predecibles entre las comunidades locales y la construcción de megaproyectos hidroeléctricos en Colombia, a través de una mirada endógena de las grandes organizaciones, específicamente en su proceso de toma de decisiones ambientales basado en juicio de expertos. En este caso el análisis se aplica a la construcción de megaproyectos hidroeléctricos (>350 MW en Colombia durante el período 2010 al 2020. La investigación emplea la teoría prospectiva acumulativa (Cumulative Prospect Theory - CPT. Se inicia determinando el uso de la heurística de disponibilidad y su cuantificación, a partir de los criterios de facilidad de recordación y tiempo de deliberación de las respuestas. Paso siguiente, se caracteriza la función de preferen - cias de los expertos, determinando las dimensiones en las que se presentan zonas de aptitudes de ganancia (altas y bajas y zonas de aptitudes de pérdidas (bajas y altas. Su aplicación a las organiza - ciones según las simulaciones realizadas, permite mejorar la influencia de las comunidades locales en las decisiones ambientales, teniendo presente los resultados sobre las aptitudes de pérdidas que han experimentado los tomadores de decisiones, ante peticiones externas en las dimensiones tecnológicas y ambientales.

  13. Evaluation of three energy balance-based evaporation models for estimating monthly evaporation for five lakes using derived heat storage changes from a hysteresis model

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Duan, Z.; Bastiaanssen, W.G.M.

    2017-01-01

    The heat storage changes (Qt) can be a significant component of the energy balance in lakes, and it is important to account for Qt for reasonable estimation of evaporation at monthly and finer timescales if the energy balance-based evaporation models are used. However, Qt has been often neglected in

  14. Specific balance training included in an endurance-resistance exercise program improves postural balance in elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Frih, Bechir; Mkacher, Wajdi; Jaafar, Hamdi; Frih, Ameur; Ben Salah, Zohra; El May, Mezry; Hammami, Mohamed

    2018-04-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6 months of specific balance training included in endurance-resistance program on postural balance in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty-nine male patients undergoing HD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (balance training included in an endurance-resistance training, n = 26) or a control group (resistance-endurance training only, n = 23). Postural control was assessed using six clinical tests; Timed Up and Go test, Tinetti Mobility Test, Berg Balance Scale, Unipodal Stance test, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scale. All balance measures increased significantly after the period of rehabilitation training in the intervention group. Only the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scores were improved in the control group. The ranges of change in these tests were greater in the balance training group. In HD patients, specific balance training included in a usual endurance-resistance training program improves static and dynamic balance better than endurance-resistance training only. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation using exercise in haemodialysis patients improved global mobility and functional abilities. Specific balance training included in usual endurance resistance training program could lead to improved static and dynamic balance.

  15. Effects of the stages of change model-based education and motivational interview on exercise behavior in diabetic women.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sekerci, Yasemin Gümüs; Kitis, Yeter

    2018-05-08

    In this study, we examined the effects of exercise education and a motivational interview program, based on the stages of change model (SCM), on stage of change, using cognitive and behavioral methods, perceived benefits and barriers and self-confidence in Turkish women with diabetes. This intervention study was carried out in 2015 on 55 women selected from a family health centers' population. An exercise guide was prepared based on the SCM for the intervention group. The intervention group was followed seven times at 1-month intervals via home visits, and exercise education and the motivational interview program were conducted to identify changes in behavior. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected from both groups using a personal description form, Exercise Stages of Change Scale, Exercise Processes of Change Scale, Exercise Decisional Balance Scale, and Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale. After the exercise program, each group was re-subjected to the same scales. We used a chi-square test and independent and paired sample t-tests to analyze the data. The stages of change, using cognitive and behavioral methods, perceived benefits and self-confidence for exercise in the intervention group significantly improved compared with that in the control group (p interview program based on SCM positively affected stages of change, using cognitive and behavioral methods, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-confidence for exercise behavior in women with diabetes. We conclude that the education and motivational interview program based on SCM are effective in promoting exercise habit.

  16. Plasticity of cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Froemke, Robert C

    2015-07-08

    Synapses are highly plastic and are modified by changes in patterns of neural activity or sensory experience. Plasticity of cortical excitatory synapses is thought to be important for learning and memory, leading to alterations in sensory representations and cognitive maps. However, these changes must be coordinated across other synapses within local circuits to preserve neural coding schemes and the organization of excitatory and inhibitory inputs, i.e., excitatory-inhibitory balance. Recent studies indicate that inhibitory synapses are also plastic and are controlled directly by a large number of neuromodulators, particularly during episodes of learning. Many modulators transiently alter excitatory-inhibitory balance by decreasing inhibition, and thus disinhibition has emerged as a major mechanism by which neuromodulation might enable long-term synaptic modifications naturally. This review examines the relationships between neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity, focusing on the induction of long-term changes that collectively enhance cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance for improving perception and behavior.

  17. Influencia de la religión en la toma de decisiones sobre sexualidad en estudiantes católicos practicantes

    OpenAIRE

    Juan Pablo Sanabria Mazo; Juliana Jiménez Sierra; Katherine Parra Blandón; María Alejandra Tordecilla Casallas

    2016-01-01

    Esta investigación cualitativa de diseño fenomenológico tuvo como objetivo comprender la influencia de la religión en la toma de decisiones sobre sexualidad en estudiantes católicos practicantes. La muestra, seleccionada intencionalmente, estuvo conformada por cuatro hombres y cuatro mujeres, de los cuales dos de cada sexo habían iniciado su vida sexual y dos no. Las entrevistas en profundidad se analizaron con el apoyo del programa Atlas.ti. Las motivaciones para no iniciar su vida sexual se...

  18. Una aplicación de apoyo a la toma de decisiones para el costeo de maquinarias de cosecha forestal

    OpenAIRE

    Acuña,Eduardo; Drake,Fernando; Garcias,Marco

    2011-01-01

    Desde hace años las empresas forestales y en especial las que prestan servicios de cosecha forestal han implementado la computación como una herramienta de trabajo, esto ha permitido automatizar la toma de decisiones. El propósito de esta práctica es lograr que el sector forestal siga siendo competitivo a nivel internacional, para tal objetivo se hace necesario optimizar las diferentes actividades que participan en la producción forestal. Los costos asociados a la faena de cosecha forestal so...

  19. Load Balancing Scientific Applications

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Pearce, Olga Tkachyshyn [Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)

    2014-12-01

    The largest supercomputers have millions of independent processors, and concurrency levels are rapidly increasing. For ideal efficiency, developers of the simulations that run on these machines must ensure that computational work is evenly balanced among processors. Assigning work evenly is challenging because many large modern parallel codes simulate behavior of physical systems that evolve over time, and their workloads change over time. Furthermore, the cost of imbalanced load increases with scale because most large-scale scientific simulations today use a Single Program Multiple Data (SPMD) parallel programming model, and an increasing number of processors will wait for the slowest one at the synchronization points. To address load imbalance, many large-scale parallel applications use dynamic load balance algorithms to redistribute work evenly. The research objective of this dissertation is to develop methods to decide when and how to load balance the application, and to balance it effectively and affordably. We measure and evaluate the computational load of the application, and develop strategies to decide when and how to correct the imbalance. Depending on the simulation, a fast, local load balance algorithm may be suitable, or a more sophisticated and expensive algorithm may be required. We developed a model for comparison of load balance algorithms for a specific state of the simulation that enables the selection of a balancing algorithm that will minimize overall runtime.

  20. The balancing mechanism. How to ensure the power production-consumption balance in a market opened to competition

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Harmnd, Y.; Nebas-Hamoudia, C.; Larripa, B.; Neupont, B.

    2005-01-01

    As electricity is a non-storable product in large quantities, generation and consumption have to be balanced at all times. In France, this balancing was historically solely supplied by EDF. Recent legislative changes have opened balancing supplies, thus creating competition. RTE, the electricity transmission system operator, has developed, in consultation with the main market players, the balancing mechanism. This enables available capacities to be merged in order to guarantee this balance. It operates like a permanent bidding system open to producers, industrial consumers and foreign players. Bids submitted by players are selected by RTE depending on the system requirements, taking into account merit order criterion and technical constraints. Prices issued from the balancing mechanism are used to provide a legitimate reference price for the settlement of imbalances between supplies and consumptions of the different electricity market players. Transparency, a crucial element of this mechanism, is ensured by a comprehensive system of open data publication. Since its launch, the balancing mechanism has proven its operational strength. (author)

  1. Strategic management by balanced development: meaning

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yevtushenko Natalya Olexandrivna

    2016-02-01

    Full Text Available Based on analyzes of references it was found out the meaning of «management», «strategic management», «development of enterprise», «balanced development» and were proved their connections. It was described authorial interpretation of definition “strategic management by balanced development”. The next descriptions were separated: presence of quantitative and quality changes, adaptation to influence of internal and external environment factors. It was set that a human capital is the main source of the balanced development. On the basis of generalization and systematization of existent interpretations was offered authorial determination of essence of concept «strategic management by balanced development of enterprise».

  2. LOS ESTUDIOS DE MERCADO Y PERFILES DE SECTOR COMO HERRAMIENTAS ÚTILES PARA LA TOMA DE DECISIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yolanda Morejón-Bravo

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available En primer lugar, se ofrece una breve explicación de los fundamentos teóricos de la inteligencia empresarial y sus productos, haciendo énfasis en los perfiles estratégicos, y dentro de ellos, en los perfiles de sector. También, se hace énfasis en los estudios de mercado y sus características. En segundo lugar, se presentan dos casos de estudio (un perfil de sector y un estudio de mercado, que demuestran la importancia de estos productos y servicios de inteligencia competitiva, para la toma de decisiones lo más acertada posible, en las organizaciones.

  3. Toma de decisiones mediante metodología multicriterio (carbón nacional y seguridad energética)

    OpenAIRE

    Cansado Bravo, Pablo; Rodríguez Monroy, Carlos

    2017-01-01

    Este artículo investiga la viabilidad de alternativas a largo plazo del carbón español a través de un proceso MCDM (Toma de decisiones multicriterio). La principal contribución de esta investigación es doble. En primer lugar, evaluar el comportamiento a largo plazo de los yacimientos de carbón existentes en España utilizando la metodología MAUT dentro de tres ámbitos de competencia diferenciados: ubicación geográfica, tecnología minera del carbón y tipo de carbón. En segundo lugar, evalúa las...

  4. Estrategias para la toma de decisiones sobre costos en un proceso productivo. Toma de decisiones sobre costos en la pesca del atún

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gladys Fernández de H.

    2000-01-01

    Full Text Available La contabilidad de costos ha adquirido un papel fundamental dentro de las organizaciones modernas, considerándose una herramienta valiosa en el control y la toma de decisiones estratégi- cas, utilizando para ello nuevas técnicas, tales como el costeo basado en actividades (ABC y el en- foque de la cadena de valor, a través de los cuales se controlan las actividades desempeñadas en los procesos y se logra el entendimiento del comportamiento de los costos. En este sentido se seleccio- nó el proceso de pesca del atún para identificar las actividades que intervienen en el mismo y dife- renciar aquellas que agregan o no valor al producto. Se tomó como muestra un barco atunero, por el método del muestreo aleatorio al azar simple, para garantizar la representatividad de la misma. El estudio se realizó aplicando técnicas de recolección de información, tales como la entrevista y la ob- servación directa. Con la identificación de actividades se espera que la empresa encargada del pro- ceso de pesca del atún pueda realizar un mejor control de estas y alcanzar un nivel de desempeño por actividad, a la vez que permita la planificación de las mismas. Se determinó además las actividades que no agregan valor, en las cuales se pueden lograr reducciones de costos.

  5. The Impact of Strong Climate Change on Inter-state Balancing in a Fully-renewable Simplified European Electricity System

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wohland, Jan; Witthaut, Dirk

    2017-04-01

    Electricity systems with a high penetration of renewables are strongly affected by weather patterns. Due to the variability of the climate system, a substantial fraction of energy supply needs to be provided by dispatchable power plants even if the consumption is on average balanced by renewables (e.g. Rodriguez et al. [2014]). In an interconnected system like the European electricity grid, benefits can arise from balancing generation mismatches spatially as long as overproduction in one region coincides with lack of generation in another region. These benefits might change as the climate changes and we thus investigate alterations of correlations between wind timeseries and Backup energy requirements. Our analysis is based on a five member model-ensemble from the EUROCORDEX initiative and we focus on onshore wind energy. We use the highest temporal (3h) and spatial (0.11°) resolution available to capture the intermittent and spatially diverse nature of renewable generation. In view of inter-model spread and other uncertainties, we use the strong climate change scenario rcp8.5 in order to obtain a high signal-to-noise ratio. We argue that rcp8.5 is best suited to reveal interesting interactions between climate change and renewable electricity system despite the fact that is in contradiction to the UNFCCC temperature goals (e.g. Schleussner et al. [2016]). We report spatially inhomogeneous alterations of correlations. In particular, we find increasing correlations between central and northern European states and decreasing correlations at the south-western and south-eastern margins of Europe. This hints to a lowering of balancing potentials within central and northern Europe due to climate change. A possible explanation might be associated to polar amplification and increasing frequencies of blocking events (Coumou [2015]). Moreover, we compute wind energy generation using a single-turbine model and a semi-random deployment procedure as developed in Monforti et al

  6. DECISIONES ESTRATÉGICAS DE LECTURA Y RENDIMIENTO EN TAREAS DE COMPETENCIA LECTORA SIMILARES A PISA

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María-Ángeles Serrano Mendizábal

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available El rendimiento dispar encontrado en algunos pa ses del informe PISA 2009 (OECD, 2010 entre textos continuos y no-continuos en tareas de competencia lectora, as como la naturaleza y estructura diferente de la informaci n textual, han motivado el estudio del procesamiento on-line de ambos tipos de texto con el objetivo de explorar qu sucede cuando se usan para responder preguntas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las decisiones estrat gicas de relectura de textos continuos y no-continuos en tareas de competencia lectora similares a las de PISA, as como la estabilidad en el uso de esta estrategia. Para ello, se aplicaron dos pruebas estandarizadas de competencia lectora a 112 alumnos de 6. de Primaria y 1. y 2. de ESO, una que inclu a dos textos continuos y otra con cinco textos, tres continuos y dos no-continuos. Los estudiantes leyeron los textos y contestaron las preguntas con el software Read&Answer (Vidal-Abarca, Mart nez, Salmer n, Cerd n y otros, 2011, que permite registrar la conducta on-line adem s del rendimiento. Las puntuaciones en los textos no-continuos resultaron m s bajas que en los continuos, a pesar del mayor n mero de re - lecturas de estos antes de responder. Asimismo, los estudiantes mostraron un grado de estabilidad en sus decisiones estrat gicas de relectura en ambos tipos de texto. El menor rendimiento en textos no-continuos sumado al n mero superior de relecturas para responder preguntas sobre estos, podr a estar indi - cando una menor competencia de nuestros estudiantes en el uso de estrategias relacionadas con la interpretaci n de informaci n no-continua en comparaci n con la mostrada para procesar textos continuos. Los resultados revelan la im - portancia de ense ar de manera expl cita procedimientos espec cos para la comprensi n de textos no-continuos a trav s de las diversas materias.

  7. Deterioration of gait and balance over time

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kreisel, Stefan H; Blahak, Christian; Bäzner, Hansjörg

    2013-01-01

    Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between the severity of age-related white matter change (ARWMC) and lower body motor function. However, the association between prevalent ARWMC and incident deterioration of balance and gait remains insufficiently investigated. This study investig......Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between the severity of age-related white matter change (ARWMC) and lower body motor function. However, the association between prevalent ARWMC and incident deterioration of balance and gait remains insufficiently investigated. This study...... relevance: given the increasing use of neuroimaging, incidental white matter pathology is common; being able to delineate natural trajectories of balance and gait function given ARWMC may improve patient advice and help optimize allocation of care....

  8. RELACIÓN ENTRE LOS SISTEMAS DE CONTABILIDAD Y CONTROL DE GESTIÓN Y LOS SESGOS EN LA EVALUACIÓN Y TOMA DE DECISIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    ERNESTO LOPEZ-VALEIRAS

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Los directivos realizan evaluaciones y toman decisiones que pueden estar sesgadas y, como conse - cuencia, provocar efectos contrarios a los deseados en el rendimiento organizacional. La identifi - cación de los sesgos y sus causas han sido ampliamente estudiadas en la literatura de contabilidad y control de gestión en las últimas décadas. El objetivo de este trabajo es sintetizar los resultados previos, lo cual permite disponer de una visión más clara y comprensiva del papel de los Sistemas de Contabilidad y Control de Gestión (SCCG en relación a los sesgos en las decisiones y evaluaciones. Como resultado se obtiene un marco conceptual en el que los SCCG se postulan al mismo tiempo como generadores e inhibidores de sesgo, en función de sus propias características y de las carac - terísticas de los usuarios. Este resultado permite que profesionales (especialmente los controllers y académicos conozcan mejor los procesos de utilización de la información generada por los SCCG y así actúen en consecuencia.

  9. Blood pressure associates with standing balance in elderly outpatients.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jantsje H Pasma

    Full Text Available OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the association of blood pressure measurements in supine and standing position after a postural change, as a proxy for blood pressure regulation, with standing balance in a clinically relevant cohort of elderly, is of special interest as blood pressure may be important to identify patients at risk of having impaired standing balance in routine geriatric assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional cohort study, 197 community-dwelling elderly referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic of a middle-sized teaching hospital were included. Blood pressure was measured intermittently (n = 197 and continuously (subsample, n = 58 before and after a controlled postural change from supine to standing position. The ability to maintain standing balance was assessed during ten seconds of side-by-side, semi-tandem and tandem stance, with both eyes open and eyes closed. Self-reported impaired standing balance and history of falls were recorded by questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between blood pressure and 1 the ability to maintain standing balance; 2 self-reported impaired standing balance; and 3 history of falls, adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Blood pressure decrease after postural change, measured continuously, was associated with reduced ability to maintain standing balance in semi-tandem stance with eyes closed and with increased self-reported impaired standing balance and falls. Presence of orthostatic hypotension was associated with reduced ability to maintain standing balance in semi-tandem stance with eyes closed for both intermittent and continuous measurements and with increased self-reported impaired standing balance for continuous measurements. CONCLUSION: Continuous blood pressure measurements are of additional value to identify patients at risk of having impaired standing balance and may therefore be useful in routine geriatric care.

  10. The subjective dimension of decision making in sport development and validity of the cetd questionnaire of sport decision style Dimensión subjetiva de la toma de decisiones en el deporte: desarrollo y validación del cuestionario cetd de estilo de decision en el deporte

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    J.L. Graupera

    2010-09-01

    Full Text Available

    One of the main objectives of sport psychological research is knowing how sportsmen and women understand, perceive, interpret and decide in sport situations. This study presents the results of the development and validation of a questionnaire for analysing the personal dimension of decision making in sport. This instrument permits to explore different aspects of this process such as commitment with the decision training, perceived decisional competence and anxiety with decisional situations. Its psychometric properties permits to say that is an adequate tool for sport psychologists and coaches in order to improve psychological process implied in sport decisions.
    KEY WORDS: Decision making, questionnaire, psychological processes, assessment

     

    Una de los retos de la investigación sobre los procesos psicológicos en el ámbito deportivo es acercarse a la comprensión de lo que percibe, interpreta y decide el deportista ante las situaciones que su deporte le presenta. En el presente estudio se presenta el desarrollo y validación de un instrumento para analizar la dimensión subjetiva de la toma de decisiones en el deporte. Este instrumento permite explorar aspectos relacionados con la toma de decisiones tales como el compromiso al decidir, la competencia decisional percibida así como la ansiedad y el agobio al decidir.
    Sus características psicométricas permite que se puede considerar adecuados para poder ser empleado por los profesionales del Deporte y la Psicología con intenciones de mejorar los aspectos psicológicos y emocionales de los deportistas participantes en deportes en los que la decisión es fundamental.
    PALABRAS CLAVE: Toma de decisiones, Cuestionario, procesos psicológicos, evaluación

  11. Changes in oxygen content and acid-base balance in arterial and portal blood in response to the dietary electrolyte balance in pigs during a 9-h period after a meal

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Dersjant-Li, Y.; Verstegen, M.W.A.; Jansman, A.; Schulze, H.; Schrama, J.W.; Verreth, J.A.J.

    2002-01-01

    The effect of two dietary electrolyte balance (dEB, Na K - Cl-) levels on arterial and portal blood oxygen content, blood pH, and acid-base status in pigs was studied during a 9-h period after a meal, using a crossover experimental design. The dEB levels were established by changing the Cl- level in

  12. Factors related to reduction in the consumption of fast food: application of the theory-based approaches

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Zeinab Jalambadani

    2017-09-01

    Full Text Available Background. The Trans-Theoretical model (TTM and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB may be promising models for understanding and predicting reduction in the consumption of fast food. The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of the Trans-Theoretical model (TTM and the additional predictive role of the subjective norms and perceived behavioural control in predicting reduction consumption of fast food in obese Iranian adolescent girls. Materials and methods. A cross sectional study design was conducted among twelve randomly selected schools in Sabzevar, Iran from 2015 to 2017. Four hundred eighty five randomly selected students consented to participate in the study. Hierarchical regression models used to predict the role of important variables that can influence the reduction in the consumption of fast food among students. using SPSS version 22. Results. Variables Perceived behavioural control (r=0.58, P<0.001, Subjective norms (r=0.51, P<0.001, self-efficacy (r=0.49, P<0.001, decisional balance (pros (r=0.29, P<0.001, decisional balance (cons (r=0.25, P<0.001, stage of change (r=0.38, P<0.001, were significantly and positively correlated while experiential processes of change (r=0.08, P=0.135 and behavioural processes of change (r=0.09, P=0.145, were not significant.Conclusions. The study demonstrated that the TTM (except the experiential and behavioural processes of change focusing on the perceived behavioural control and subjective norms are useful models for reduction in the consumption of fast food.

  13. Simulación como herramienta de ayuda para la toma de decisiones empresariales. Un caso práctico || Simulation as a business decision making tool. A case study

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Puche Regaliza, Julio César

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available La toma de decisiones empresariales es un factor crítico para la viabilidad de las empresas. En el actual escenario más dinámico, global y competitivo, este factor crítico abre espacio a requerimientos más amplios. El modelado y la simulación tradicionalmente han formado parte sustancial del juego de herramientas utilizadas para el soporte a la toma de decisiones, especialmente en referencia a la toma de decisiones estratégicas. En este trabajo, pretendemos mostrar una perspectiva clara sobre el valor añadido que ofrece la simulación. En primer lugar, se describen las etapas que deben llevarse a cabo para completar un proceso de toma de decisiones mediante simulación. A continuación, se desarrolla un caso práctico en el que se plasman dichas etapas frente a la decisión de implantar un comportamiento PUSH o un comportamiento PULL en una determinada empresa. Los resultados obtenidos nos conducen a la decisión de implantar PULL en favor de PUSH, mostrando que el valor esperado de las técnicas de simulación justifica que una organización madura incorpore tales técnicas en su banco de talento corporativo. || Business decision making is a critical factor to the viability of companies. In the current more dynamic, global and competitive scenario, this critical factor opens space to wider requirements. Modeling and simulation have traditionally formed a substantial part of the toolkit used to support decision making, especially in the business strategy field. In this paper, our aim is to open a clear perspective on the added value offered by simulation. We first introduce an overview about the process of decision making based on simulation. Next, a case study is developed, in which such steps are reflected to decide whether to implement a PUSH behavior or a PULL behavior in a particular company. The results obtained lead us to the decision to implement PULL instead of PUSH, showing that simulation techniques are a very valuable tool to

  14. Systematic tools for chemical equation balancing

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Filby, E.E.; Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID; Idaho Univ., Idaho Falls, ID

    1989-01-01

    One of the most important skills that chemists and chemical engineers must develop is the ability to balance chemical equations. The normal first method taught is ''balancing by inspection'', which is sometimes explained as simply ''mental algebra.'' Every textbook surveyed for this paper presents equation balancing first as a matter of trial and error; this includes four very recently published books. Very little further guidance is provided until oxidation-reduction reactions must be balanced. The most commonly taught approaches for balancing, redox equations have been the oxidation state change and ion-electron methods. Unfortunately, redox reactions are usually treated as a new topic, and what the student has teamed about ''ordinary'' equations is of little or no help. All too often, these contradictions simply confuse and frustrate students, and equation balancing is relegated to the status of a black art. This is ironic because such,confusion and frustration is not necessary: Chemical equations can, in fact, be balanced by explicitly definable mathematical methods. The purpose of this paper is to outline the algebraic methods involved

  15. Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH and oxygen balances

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Anders Omstedt

    2012-12-01

    Full Text Available Possible future changes in Baltic Sea acid–base (pH and oxygen balances were studied using a catchment–sea coupled model system and numerical experiments based on meteorological and hydrological forcing datasets and scenarios. By using objective statistical methods, climate runs for present climate conditions were examined and evaluated using Baltic Sea modelling. The results indicate that increased nutrient loads will not inhibit future Baltic Sea acidification; instead, the seasonal pH cycle will be amplified by increased biological production and mineralization. All examined scenarios indicate future acidification of the whole Baltic Sea that is insensitive to the chosen global climate model. The main factor controlling the direction and magnitude of future pH changes is atmospheric CO2 concentration (i.e. emissions. Climate change and land-derived changes (e.g. nutrient loads affect acidification mainly by altering the seasonal cycle and deep-water conditions. Apart from decreasing pH, we also project a decreased saturation state of calcium carbonate, decreased respiration index and increasing hypoxic area – all factors that will threaten the marine ecosystem. We demonstrate that substantial reductions in fossil-fuel burning are needed to minimise the coming pH decrease and that substantial reductions in nutrient loads are needed to reduce the coming increase in hypoxic and anoxic waters.

  16. Evaluación económica y toma de decisiones en salud ambiental

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gutiérrez Zúñiga Cristina

    1994-01-01

    Full Text Available Ante el creciente deterioro ambiental y sus posibles consecuencias en la salud de la población resulta una prioridad indiscutible el diseño e instrumentación de políticas que controlen las actividades económicas bajo el criterio de protección a la salud humana y al ambiente mismo. Es preciso que dichas políticas consideren la factibilidad económica de las alternativas de protección existentes. Sin embargo, por la cantidad de intereses dentro del área ambiental, otros factores como el social y el político deben también ser considerados. La evaluación económica ha sido vista como un promisorio fundamento para la toma de decisiones en esta materia. Los autores analizan la capacidad de esta herramienta para organizar en forma sistemática y comparable los costos y los beneficios de alternativas para la solución de problemas ambientales. Se resumen las principales características de los estudios de costo-beneficio y costo-efectividad, las formas de evaluación económica del ambiente, y las particularidades de esta área para la aplicación de dichas técnicas de análisis. Se señalan los límites encontrados en estas herramientas para cuantificar los costos no monetarios de los riesgos ambientales y de los consecuentes daños a la salud, tales como el dolor, el sufrimiento ó la incapacidad de personas económicamente inactivas, constituyendo estos aspectos el reto metodológico de la evaluación económica en el área. Se reflexiona sobre la importancia de ampliar los insumos informativos para la toma de decisiones en materia de salud ambiental en aspectos como la distribución de los costos y los beneficios entre los distintos grupos sociales. Por último se señala tanto la creciente politización del tema ambiental, como la posibilidad técnica de manipulación de estas herramientas de análisis. Partiendo de estos elementos se señala la necesidad, por parte de los evaluadores, de ser conscientes sobre las implicaciones pol

  17. Policías, ladrones y gente corriente: Diferencias entre expertos y noveles en el uso de estrategias para la toma de decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Rocío García-Retamero

    2009-06-01

    Full Text Available Imagine que quiere invertir su dinero en una propiedad inmobiliaria, y el hecho de que ésta pueda ser objeto de hurto es crucial para usted... En este artículo analizamos las estimaciones que expertos y noveles en el ámbito de la delincuencia realizan sobre el poder de distintas claves para predecir el éxito en la conducta de hurto y las estrategias que utilizan en su toma de decisiones.

  18. Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on balance in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Beauchamp, Marla K; O'Hoski, Sachi; Goldstein, Roger S; Brooks, Dina

    2010-09-01

    To describe within-subject effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on balance in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine whether any observed changes in balance were associated with change in exercise tolerance or health-related quality of life. Single-arm longitudinal study. Inpatient PR center. Subjects with COPD (N=29; mean +/- SD age, 69.8+/-10.3y; forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 46.3%+/-22.3% predicted; 59% men [n=17]). A standardized 6-week multidisciplinary PR program (exercise training, breathing exercises, education, and psychologic support). Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and health-related quality of life from the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ). Subjects showed small improvements in BBS (2.8+/-2.8 points; P.05). There was a weak relationship between change in BBS and change in CRQ scores (r=.40; P=.045) and no relationship with change in 6MWT. PR contributed to minor improvements in balance and had no effect on balance confidence in subjects with COPD. Further work is warranted to determine the optimal intervention for improving balance in this population.

  19. Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of two simplified 3-point balance measures in patients with stroke.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Yi-Miau; Huang, Yi-Jing; Huang, Chien-Yu; Lin, Gong-Hong; Liaw, Lih-Jiun; Lee, Shih-Chieh; Hsieh, Ching-Lin

    2017-10-01

    The 3-point Berg Balance Scale (BBS-3P) and 3-point Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS-3P) were simplified from the BBS and PASS to overcome the complex scoring systems. The BBS-3P and PASS-3P were more feasible in busy clinical practice and showed similarly sound validity and responsiveness to the original measures. However, the reliability of the BBS-3P and PASS-3P is unknown limiting their utility and the interpretability of scores. We aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the BBS-3P and PASS-3P in patients with stroke. Cross-sectional study. The rehabilitation departments of a medical center and a community hospital. A total of 51 chronic stroke patients (64.7% male). Both balance measures were administered twice 7 days apart. The test-retest reliability of both the BBS-3P and PASS-3P were examined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The MDC and its percentage over the total score (MDC%) of each measure was calculated for examining the random measurement errors. The ICC values of the BBS-3P and PASS-3P were 0.99 and 0.97, respectively. The MDC% (MDC) of the BBS-3P and PASS-3P were 9.1% (5.1 points) and 8.4% (3.0 points), respectively, indicating that both measures had small and acceptable random measurement errors. Our results showed that both the BBS-3P and the PASS-3P had good test-retest reliability, with small and acceptable random measurement error. These two simplified 3-level balance measures can provide reliable results over time. Our findings support the repeated administration of the BBS-3P and PASS-3P to monitor the balance of patients with stroke. The MDC values can help clinicians and researchers interpret the change scores more precisely.

  20. Mecanismos cognitivos en la toma de decisiones en situaciones de incertidumbre. Un estudio con pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Aurora Moreno

    2012-08-01

    Full Text Available Los pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer (DTA suelen presentar problemas en la toma de decisiones (TD, incluso ya en fase leve. Diversos estudios han analizado el funcionamiento de los mecanismos cognitivos en los procesos de TD, especialmente en situaciones de incertidumbre. Una de estas aproximaciones es la hipótesis del marcador somático a través de la Iowa Gambling Task (IGT y el índice Gambling (IG. Uno de los problemas es la inespecificidad de los indicadores de la IGT, por ello se han propuesto modelos explicativos para solventar estas carencias, como el Prospective Valence Learning (PVL. En este trabajo, aplicamos la IGT a 10 pacientes y 10 controles. Analizamos los parámetros del PVL: aversión a las pérdidas (λ regla de utilidad (α, recencia (A y consistencia (c, y la evolución de la tarea en función de las elecciones ventajosas. Nuestros resultados muestran que el rendimiento de los controles es mejor que el de pacientes DTA, aunque en las fases iniciales no hay diferencias, estas se ciñen a los dos bloques finales. En los parámetros del PVL se obtienen diferencias en α y c y en menor medida en λ. A partir de los parámetros del PVL podemos caracterizar el proceso de toma de decisiones de los pacientes DTA, como sensibles a las pérdidas, más influenciados por las elecciones inmediatas y un nivel de consistencia muy bajo, que indica estrategias de elección aleatoria.

  1. Use of the Microsoft Kinect system to characterize balance ability during balance training.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lim, Dohyung; Kim, ChoongYeon; Jung, HoHyun; Jung, Dukyoung; Chun, Keyoung Jin

    2015-01-01

    The risk of falling increases significantly in the elderly because of deterioration of the neural musculature regulatory mechanisms. Several studies have investigated methods of preventing falling using real-time systems to evaluate balance; however, it is difficult to monitor the results of such characterizations in real time. Herein, we describe the use of Microsoft's Kinect depth sensor system to evaluate balance in real time. Six healthy male adults (25.5±1.8 years, 173.9±6.4 cm, 71.4±6.5 kg, and 23.6±2.4 kg/m(2)), with normal balance abilities and with no musculoskeletal disorders, were selected to participate in the experiment. Movements of the participants were induced by controlling the base plane of the balance training equipment in various directions. The dynamic motion of the subjects was measured using two Kinect depth sensor systems and a three-dimensional motion capture system with eight infrared cameras. The two systems yielded similar results for changes in the center of body mass (P>0.05) with a large Pearson's correlation coefficient of γ>0.60. The results for the two systems showed similarity in the mean lower-limb joint angle with flexion-extension movements, and these values were highly correlated (hip joint: within approximately 4.6°; knee joint: within approximately 8.4°) (0.400.05). Large differences with a low correlation were, however, observed for the lower-limb joint angle in relation to abduction-adduction and internal-external rotation motion (γ<0.40) (P<0.05). These findings show that clinical and dynamic accuracy can be achieved using the Kinect system in balance training by measuring changes in the center of body mass and flexion-extension movements of the lower limbs, but not abduction-adduction and internal-external rotation.

  2. How Workplace Managers Can Protect Against Hostile Environment Claims From Their Female And Male Employees: A Legal Review Of Decisional Law

    OpenAIRE

    Nina Compton

    2011-01-01

    Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances within the workplace setting.  A review of case law illuminates the circumstances that have been identified as sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of l964.  This paper reviews the decisional law which has recognized various forms of prohibited sexual harassment.  The case analysis explores numerous types of “hostile environment” sexual harassment that can...

  3. Water use efficiency and crop water balance of rainfed wheat in a semi-arid environment: sensitivity of future changes to projected climate changes and soil type

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Yanmin; Liu, De Li; Anwar, Muhuddin Rajin; O'Leary, Garry; Macadam, Ian; Yang, Yonghui

    2016-02-01

    Wheat production is expected to be affected by climate change through changing components of the crop water balance such as rainfall, evapotranspiration (ET), runoff and drainage. We used the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM)-wheat model to simulate the potential impact of climate change on field water balance, ET and water use efficiency (WUE) under the SRES A2 emissions scenario. We ran APSIM with daily climate data statistically downscaled from 18 Global Circulation Models (GCMs). Twelve soil types of varying plant available water holding capacity (PAWC) at six sites across semi-arid southeastern Australia were considered. Biases in the GCM-simulated climate data were bias-corrected against observations for the 1961-1999 baseline period. However, biases in the APSIM output data relative to APSIM simulations forced with climate observations remained. A secondary bias correction was therefore performed on the APSIM outputs. Bias-corrected APSIM outputs for a future period (2021-2040) were compared with APSIM outputs generated using observations for the baseline period to obtain future changes. The results show that effective rainfall was decreased over all sites due to decreased growing season rainfall. ET was decreased through reduced soil evaporation and crop transpiration. There were no significant changes in runoff at any site. The variation in deep drainage between sites was much greater than for runoff, ranging from less than a few millimetres at the drier sites to over 100 mm at the wetter. However, in general, the averaged drainage over different soil types were not significantly different between the baseline (1961-1999) and future period of 2021-2040 ( P > 0.05). For the wetter sites, the variations in the future changes in drainage and runoff between the 18 GCMs were larger than those of the drier sites. At the dry sites, the variation in drainage decreased as PAWC increased. Overall, water use efficiency based on transpiration (WUE

  4. Cover crops mitigate direct greenhouse gases balance but reduce drainage under climate change scenarios in temperate climate with dry summers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tribouillois, Hélène; Constantin, Julie; Justes, Eric

    2018-02-14

    Cover crops provide ecosystem services such as storing atmospheric carbon in soils after incorporation of their residues. Cover crops also influence soil water balance, which can be an issue in temperate climates with dry summers as for example in southern France and Europe. As a consequence, it is necessary to understand cover crops' long-term influence on greenhouse gases (GHG) and water balances to assess their potential to mitigate climate change in arable cropping systems. We used the previously calibrated and validated soil-crop model STICS to simulate scenarios of cover crop introduction to assess their influence on rainfed and irrigated cropping systems and crop rotations distributed among five contrasted sites in southern France from 2007 to 2052. Our results showed that cover crops can improve mean direct GHG balance by 315 kg CO 2 e ha -1  year -1 in the long term compared to that of bare soil. This was due mainly to an increase in carbon storage in the soil despite a slight increase in N 2 O emissions which can be compensated by adapting fertilization. Cover crops also influence the water balance by reducing mean annual drainage by 20 mm/year but increasing mean annual evapotranspiration by 20 mm/year compared to those of bare soil. Using cover crops to improve the GHG balance may help to mitigate climate change by decreasing CO 2 e emitted in cropping systems which can represent a decrease from 4.5% to 9% of annual GHG emissions of the French agriculture and forestry sector. However, if not well managed, they also could create water management issues in watersheds with shallow groundwater. Relationships between cover crop biomass and its influence on several variables such as drainage, carbon sequestration, and GHG emissions could be used to extend our results to other conditions to assess the cover crops' influence in a wider range of areas. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. Decisiones de financiamiento en pymes: ¿existen diferencias en función del tamaño y la forma legal?

    OpenAIRE

    Briozo, Anahí; Vigier, Hernán; Castillo, Natalia; Pesce, Gabriela; Speroni, Carolina

    2016-01-01

    Se analiza si existen características diferenciales en las pequeñas y medianas empresas en función de su tamaño y de su forma legal. Se estudian en especial las decisiones de financiamiento, tomando como marco el enfoque de jerarquía financiera, trade-off y ciclo de vida. Empleando una muestra de empresas radicadas en la ciudad de Bahía Blanca (Argentina), se realizan test no paramétricos y test de independencia sobre las variables. Los resultados muestran que las empresas de mayor tamaño se ...

  6. Decisiones de financiamiento en pymes: ¿existen diferencias en función del tamaño y la forma legal?

    OpenAIRE

    Anahí Briozzo; Hernán Vigier; Natalia Castillo; Gabriela Pesce; M. Carolina Speroni

    2016-01-01

    Se analiza si existen características diferenciales en las pequenas ˜ y medianas empresas en función de su tamano ˜ y de su forma legal. Se estudian en especial las decisiones de financiamiento, tomando como marco el enfoque de jerarquía financiera, trade-off y ciclo de vida. Empleando una muestra de empresas radicadas en la ciudad de Bahía Blanca (Argentina), se realizan test no paramétricos y test de independencia sobre las variables. Los resultados muestran que las empresas de mayor tamano...

  7. UNA APROXIMACIÓN A LA PLANEACIÓN MINERA A CIELO ABIERTO DESDE UN ENFOQUE BASADO EN DECISIONES BAJO INCERTIDUMBRE

    OpenAIRE

    FRANCO SEPÚLVEDA, GIOVANNI; BRANCH BEDOYA, JOHN WILLIAN; JARAMILLO ÁLVAREZ, PATRICIA

    2010-01-01

    En este artículo se presenta en primer lugar una descripción del proceso de planeamiento minero desde un punto de vista clásico y su relación con los actuales procesos de planeamiento minero que tienen como base la optimización en sus diferentes etapas. Seguidamente, se realiza un acercamiento a los procesos de planeación minera a cielo abierto desde un enfoque basado en decisiones bajo incertidumbre. Por último, se lleva a cabo un análisis crítico de los artículos encontrados clasificándolos...

  8. Análisis microeconometrico de las decisiones de participación y gasto turístico de los hogares

    OpenAIRE

    Mateo Erroz, Sara

    2012-01-01

    La tesis se enmarca en el análisis microeconométrico de la demanda turística de los hogares españoles. Su objetivo general es estudiar los determinantes que influyen en la decisión de consumo turístico, frecuencia de consumo y gasto de los hogares en servicios turísticos. En el análisis de todas las decisiones intervienen variables no estrictamente económicas específicas de cada hogar (número de miembros, existencia de niños y otras variable ligadas al ciclo de vida del hogar) y de sus mi...

  9. De la evidencia al desempeño: cómo fijar prioridades y tomar buenas decisiones From evidence to performance: setting priorities and making good decisions

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Franklin White

    1998-07-01

    Full Text Available En esta época de respeto por la ciencia médica y por la responsabilidad gerencial, las organizaciones de salud deben rendir cuentas por sus acciones con creciente frecuencia. La época en que se determinaban las prioridades y se tomaban las decisiones sobre bases políticas o acatando el consejo intuitivo de asesores respetados y bien intencionados ha dado paso gradualmente a una era que valora la demostración de efectividad y eficiencia. Las decisiones relativas a las prioridades y a los programas deben basarse firmemente en conocimientos comprobados y someterse a evaluación continua. Esta transición requiere promover el pensamiento crítico en todos los ámbitos. Surge entonces la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cómo podemos promover el razonamiento crítico en los servicios de salud para fijar prioridades, adoptar decisiones acertadas y poner en práctica iniciativas efectivas? En otras palabras, ¿cómo podemos pasar de la evidencia al desempeño? Una pregunta aún más básica es ¿por qué debemos fijar prioridades?In today's world, with its respect for the medical sciences and demand for administrative accountability, health institutions are publicly responsible for their actions to an unprecedented degree. Making decisions and setting priorities on the basis of politics or unvalidated expert opinions is no longer acceptable. Instead, proven efficiency and effectiveness, as demonstrated by scientific evidence under continuous evaluation, are essential to decision-making. The need for applying rational criteria makes it necessary to explore a fundamental question: How can we promote critical reasoning within health services so as to adequately set priorities, make proper decisions, and launch effective interventions? In other words, how can we move from evidence to performance and why set priorities at all?

  10. The GHG balance of biofuels taking into account land use change

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lange, Mareike

    2011-01-01

    The contribution of biofuels to the saving of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has recently been questioned because of emissions resulting from land use change (LUC) for bioenergy feedstock production. We investigate how the inclusion of the carbon effect of LUC into the carbon accounting framework, as scheduled by the European Commission, impacts on land use choices for an expanding biofuel feedstock production. We first illustrate the change in the carbon balances of various biofuels, using methodology and data from the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. It becomes apparent that the conversion of natural land, apart from grassy savannahs, impedes meeting the EU's 35% minimum emissions reduction target for biofuels. We show that the current accounting method mainly promotes biofuel feedstock production on former cropland, thus increasing the competition between food and fuel production on the currently available cropland area. We further discuss whether it is profitable to use degraded land for commercial bioenergy production as requested by the European Commission to avoid undesirable LUC and conclude that the current regulation provides little incentive to use such land. The exclusive consideration of LUC for bioenergy production minimizes direct LUC at the expense of increasing indirect LUC. - Research highlights: → We analyzed the EC's current sustainability regulations for biofuels with respect to land use change (LUC). → The current regulatory system taking LUCs into account minimizes direct LUC at the cost of increasing indirect LUC. → We propose subjecting all agricultural activities to a carbon accounting system. → In the short run, the indirect LUC risk can be reduced by promoting high energy productive crops and biofuel feedstock production on degraded land.

  11. Hemorheological changes, the state of microcirculation, and blood acid-base balance in rats under conditions of a 30-day limiting of the motor activity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shtykhno, Y. M.; Udovichenko, V. I.

    1980-01-01

    Changes were expressed in reduction in number of true capillaries, the appearance of nonfunctioning empty vessels and in the opening of the arteriolo-venular shunts. Changes in the acid-base balance in the direction of reduction of buffer blood content were also noted.

  12. Carbon balance variability in the Amazon Basin with climate change based on regular atmospheric profiling of greenhouse gases

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gatti, L.; Domingues, L. G.; Gloor, M.; Miller, J. B.; Peters, W.; Silva, M. G.; Correia, C. S. D. C.; Basso, L. S.; Alden, C. B.; Borges, V. F.; Marani, L.; Santos, R. S.; Crispim, S. P.; Sanches, A.; Costa, W. R.

    2017-12-01

    Net carbon exchange between tropical land and the atmosphere is potentially important because the vast amounts of carbon in forests and soils can be released on short time-scales e.g. via deforestation or changes in temperature and precipitation. Such changes may thus cause feedbacks on global climate as have been predicted in earth system models. The Amazon is the most significant region in the global carbon cycle, hosting by far the largest carbon vegetation and soil carbon pools ( 200 PgC). From 2010 onwards we have extended an earlier greenhouse gas measurement program to include regular vertical profiles of CO2 from the ground up to 4.5 km height at four sites along the main air-stream over the Amazon Basin. Our measurements demonstrate that surface flux signals are primarily concentrated to the lower 2 km and thus vertical profile measurements are ideally suited to estimate greenhouse gas balances. To understand the role of Amazon in global carbon budget it is important to maintain a long period of measurements that can represent the whole region. Our results already permit a range of insights about the magnitude, seasonality, inter-annual variation of carbon fluxes and their climate controls. Most recent years have been anomalously hot with the southern part of the Basin having warmed the most. Precipitation regimes also seem to have shifted with an increase in extreme floods. For the specific period we will discuss the period of 2010 to 2016, where the years 2010 and 2015/16 were anomalously dry and hot (both El Nino years) and the year 2013 was the wettest and coldest year. This period provides an interesting contrast of climatic conditions in a warming world with increasing human pressures and we will present the carbon balance for the basin during the last 7 years. We will analyze the effect of this climate variability on annual and seasonal carbon balances for these seven years using our atmospheric data. Our data permit us not only to estimate net CO2

  13. A New Standing Posture Detector to Enable People with Multiple Disabilities to Control Environmental Stimulation by Changing Their Standing Posture through a Commercial Wii Balance Board

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shih, Ching-Hsiang; Shih, Ching-Tien; Chiang, Ming-Shan

    2010-01-01

    This study assessed whether two persons with multiple disabilities would be able to control environmental stimulation using body swing (changing standing posture) and a Wii Balance Board with a newly developed standing posture detection program (i.e. a new software program turns a Wii Balance Board into a precise standing posture detector). The…

  14. Water balance of Slovenia 1971 - 2000

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Frantar, P; Dolinar, M; Kurnik, B

    2008-01-01

    The water is becoming more and more valuable natural resource. The increasing water demand and climate changes are making water a precious and not always available valuable. The water balance is the most appropriate way to make a full overview of water cycle in Slovenia, to find general information about hydrological characteristics of drainage basins, precipitation, evaporation and runoff. The article presents the methodology and the results of the Water balance project of Slovenia. Slovenia has the geographical position at the juncture of 4 main European georegions: The Alps, the Panonian Basin, the Mediterranean and the Dinaric Mountains. This makes the territory very diverse also from a hydrological point of view. Our major watershed divides the precipitation runoff into two watershed areas - the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. Due to this watershed almost all the Slovenia's rivers have headwaters in our territory. Water balance is calculation of water inputs and outputs over the defined area. The basic elements of the water balance include all the inflows and outflows for a given basin and serve for the computation of the water regime of a catchment area. It is defined by the parameters precipitation (P), evaporation (E), discharge (Q) and the change of the water reserves (dS). Main results of the water balance elements for the 1971 - 2000 period for Slovenia are: Average annual precipitation in Slovenia is 1579 mm, average annual evapotranspiration is 717 mm and calculated runoff is 862 mm. Compared to water amounts in the World, where the average precipitation is 750 mm, evapotranspiration is 480 mm and runoff is 270 mm, Slovenia shows an abundance of water quantities. Also the runoff coefficient with 55 % is much higher as 36 % of the world. The major questions remain if we are capable to live with this water amounts within the limits of sustainable development and what will be the effects of climate change to water balance.

  15. Alternative energy balances for Bulgaria to mitigate climate change

    Science.gov (United States)

    Christov, Christo

    1996-01-01

    Alternative energy balances aimed to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are developed as alternatives to the baseline energy balance. The section of mitigation options is based on the results of the GHG emission inventory for the 1987 1992 period. The energy sector is the main contributor to the total CO2 emissions of Bulgaria. Stationary combustion for heat and electricity production as well as direct end-use combustion amounts to 80% of the total emissions. The parts of the energy network that could have the biggest influence on GHG emission reduction are identified. The potential effects of the following mitigation measures are discussed: rehabilitation of the combustion facilities currently in operation; repowering to natural gas; reduction of losses in thermal and electrical transmission and distribution networks; penetration of new combustion technologies; tariff structure improvement; renewable sources for electricity and heat production; wasteheat utilization; and supply of households with natural gas to substitute for electricity in space heating and cooking. The total available and the achievable potentials are estimated and the implementation barriers are discussed.

  16. Dynamic power balance analysis in JET

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Matthews, G F; Silburn, S A; Challis, C D; Iglesias, D; King, D; Eich, T; Sieglin, B; Contributors, JET

    2017-01-01

    The full scale realisation of nuclear fusion as an energy source requires a detailed understanding of power and energy balance in current experimental devices. In this we explore whether a global power balance model in which some of the calibration factors applied to the source or sink terms are fitted to the data can provide insight into possible causes of any discrepancies in power and energy balance seen in the JET tokamak. We show that the dynamics in the power balance can only be properly reproduced by including the changes in the thermal stored energy which therefore provides an additional opportunity to cross calibrate other terms in the power balance equation. Although the results are inconclusive with respect to the original goal of identifying the source of the discrepancies in the energy balance, we do find that with optimised parameters an extremely good prediction of the total power measured at the outer divertor target can be obtained over a wide range of pulses with time resolution up to ∼25 ms. (paper)

  17. Comunicación familiar y toma de decisiones en sexualidad entre ascendientes y adolescentes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Valentina González

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Los individuos adolescentes aprenden de sexualidad a través de diferentes medios, pero la familia es uno de los primeros agentes socializadores y es la encargada, a través de la comunicación, de trasmitir información sobre ésta. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir los procesos de comunicación que se establecen entre padres y madres con sus hijos e hijas adolescentes para entablar diálogos sobre sexualidad y su relación con la toma de decisiones, en dos familias pertenecientes a instituciones educativas de Cali. A través de esta investigación cualitativa encontramos que los procesos de comunicación, los temas abordados y los recursos empleados, están influidos por los conocimientos y percepciones de los ascendientes, en quienes la sexualidad aún es un tabú y tienen carencia de información y de estrategias de acompañamiento.

  18. Electric power balance sheet 2012

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    2013-01-01

    The mission of RTE, the French electricity Transportation grid, a public service assignment, is to balance the electricity supply and demand in real time. This report presents RTE's technical results for the year 2012: strong seasonal contrast of power consumption, rise of the renewable energies contribution in meeting the electricity demand, slight decay of the nuclear and thermal power generation, decrease of the export balance and change in trades structure, adaptation of RTE's network to the evolutions of the energy system

  19. Reliability, Validity, and Minimal Detectable Change of Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Its Short Versions in Older Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Min H; Miller, Kara; Smith, Kristin; Fredrickson, Kayle; Shilling, Tracy

    2016-01-01

    Cancer is primarily a disease of older adults. About 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in persons aged 55 years and older. Cancer and its treatment can cause diverse sequelae impacting body systems underlying balance control. No study has examined the psychometric properties of balance assessment tools in older cancer survivors, presenting a significant challenge in the selection of outcome measures for clinicians treating this fast-growing population. This study aimed to determine the reliability, validity, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Balance Evaluation System Test (BESTest), Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), and Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Brief-BESTest) in community-dwelling older cancer survivors. This study was a cross-sectional design. Twenty breast and 8 prostate cancer survivors participated [age (SD) = 68.4 (8.13) years]. The BESTest and Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale were administered during the first session. Scores of Mini-BESTest and Brief-BESTest were extracted on the basis of the scores of BESTest. The BESTest was repeated within 1 to 2 weeks by the same rater to determine the test-retest reliability. For the analysis of the inter-rater reliability, 21 participants were randomly selected to be evaluated by 2 raters. A primary rater administered the test. The 2 raters independently and concurrently scored the performance of the participants. Each rater recorded the ratings separately on the scoring sheet. No discussion among the raters was allowed throughout the testing. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change (MDC), and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. Concurrent validity of these balance tests with the ABC Scale was examined using the Spearman correlation. The BESTest, Mini-BESTest, and Brief-BESTest had high test-retest (ICC = 0.90-0.94) and interrater reliability (ICC = 0.86-0.96), small standard error of measurement (0

  20. BALANCE

    Science.gov (United States)

    Carmichael, H.

    1953-01-01

    A torsional-type analytical balance designed to arrive at its equilibrium point more quickly than previous balances is described. In order to prevent external heat sources creating air currents inside the balance casing that would reiard the attainment of equilibrium conditions, a relatively thick casing shaped as an inverted U is placed over the load support arms and the balance beam. This casing is of a metal of good thernnal conductivity characteristics, such as copper or aluminum, in order that heat applied to one portion of the balance is quickly conducted to all other sensitive areas, thus effectively preventing the fornnation of air currents caused by unequal heating of the balance.

  1. Examining the Transition to a Four-Day School Week and Investigating Post-Change Faculty/Staff Work-Life Balance: A Community College Case Study

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cardinale, Nelly

    2013-01-01

    This single descriptive embedded case study examined the process of implementing a four-day work/school week at a community college and investigated post-change faculty/staff work-life balance. All of the students attending this college live at home. The change was implemented due to state funding shortfalls, increasing college utility expenses…

  2. Response to Out of Balance: The risk of irreversible climate change

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Charest, J.J.

    1991-09-01

    The Standing Committee on Environment of the Canadian House of Commons tabled a report entitled Out of Balance, which was an investigation of issues related to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and possible responses to impending climatic change. The government's response to the recommendations made in that report are presented. The framework to the government's response is first introduced, which includes the National Action Strategy on Global Warming (NASGW) that provides a strategy for Canadian initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy is based on the fundamental principles of comprehensiveness, the importance of international agreements, and flexibility. The Standing Committee's recommendations focused on policies to limit Canadian emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases. Canadian policies to achieve this goal are being implemented in the Green Plan and the NASGW. Other recommendations and responses involve environmental education, greenhouse gas data collection, phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons, natural gas leakage, energy conservation and demand management, regulatory systems, fuel efficiency standards, forest management, greenhouse gas emissions from federal departments and agencies, and encouragement of environmentally acceptable technologies

  3. Use of the Microsoft Kinect system to characterize balance ability during balance training

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lim DH

    2015-06-01

    Full Text Available Dohyung Lim,1 ChoongYeon Kim,2 HoHyun Jung,1 Dukyoung Jung,3 Keyoung Jin Chun21Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Advanced Biomedical Engineering Lab, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Cheonan, Republic of Korea; 3R&D Team, Senior Products Industrial Center, Busan, Republic of KoreaAbstract: The risk of falling increases significantly in the elderly because of deterioration of the neural musculature regulatory mechanisms. Several studies have investigated methods of preventing falling using real-time systems to evaluate balance; however, it is difficult to monitor the results of such characterizations in real time. Herein, we describe the use of Microsoft’s Kinect depth sensor system to evaluate balance in real time. Six healthy male adults (25.5±1.8 years, 173.9±6.4 cm, 71.4±6.5 kg, and 23.6±2.4 kg/m2, with normal balance abilities and with no musculoskeletal disorders, were selected to participate in the experiment. Movements of the participants were induced by controlling the base plane of the balance training equipment in various directions. The dynamic motion of the subjects was measured using two Kinect depth sensor systems and a three-dimensional motion capture system with eight infrared cameras. The two systems yielded similar results for changes in the center of body mass (P>0.05 with a large Pearson’s correlation coefficient of γ>0.60. The results for the two systems showed similarity in the mean lower-limb joint angle with flexion–extension movements, and these values were highly correlated (hip joint: within approximately 4.6°; knee joint: within approximately 8.4° (0.40<γ<0.74 (P>0.05. Large differences with a low correlation were, however, observed for the lower-limb joint angle in relation to abduction–adduction and internal–external rotation motion (γ<0.40 (P<0.05. These findings show that clinical and dynamic accuracy can be achieved using the Kinect

  4. Effect of therapeutic horseback riding on balance in community-dwelling older adults with balance deficits.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Homnick, Douglas N; Henning, Kim M; Swain, Charlene V; Homnick, Tamara D

    2013-07-01

    Falls are an important cause of morbidity in older adults. Equine-assisted activities including therapeutic riding (TR) benefit balance and neuromuscular control in patients with neurological disabilities but have not been systematically studied in older adults at greater risk for falls due to balance deficits. The effect of an 8-week TR program on measures of balance and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults with established balance deficits was evaluated. This was a pretest-post-test single-group trial of a TR program on measures of balance and quality of life. The study was conducted at a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Premier riding center. The subjects comprised 9 adults (5 female, 4 males) with a mean age 76.4 years (range 71-83 years). This included an 8-week observation period followed by an 8-week TR program consisting of 1 hour per week of supervised horseback riding and an 8-week follow-up period. SUBJECTS received balance testing at weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24 using the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FABS), and quality of life was measured at weeks 8 and 16 using the Rand SF (short form) 36 quality-of-life measure. OUTCOME MEASURES were change in the FABS and Rand SF 36. There was no significant difference in balance scores between the start and end of the observation period. There was a significant improvement in the balance score and perception of general health from the start to the end of the intervention period, and no significant difference between the end of the intervention and the end of study, suggesting that improvements may have been sustained. TR is a safe activity for older adults with mild to moderate balance deficits and leads to both improvements in balance and quality of life. Longer and larger studies to assess the benefit of equine-assisted activities on improvements in balance and reduction in fall risk are needed.

  5. La inteligencia de negocio como apoyo a la toma de decisiones en el ámbito académico (Business Intelligence as decision support system in academic environment

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yusnier Reyes Dixson

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available Spanish abstract. Las organizaciones competitivas han establecido sistemas de inteligencia de negocio para proporcionar a sus trabajadores herramientas que les ayuden en la toma de decisiones (Guitart y Conesa, 2014. El acertado flujo y gestión de datos e información es vital para un acertado proceso de toma de decisiones. Esta táctica trasladada al ámbito universitario significa proporcionar a profesores y directivos sistemas que apoyen la toma de decisiones en su actividad docente (Guitart y Conesa, 2014. A pesar de las ventajas que ha propiciado el uso de estos sistemas y de las dificultades detectadas con el tratamiento y la forma en que se utilizan los datos para dar soporte a las decisiones en el ámbito académico universitario, no se ha evidenciado un uso sistemático de los mismos. Debido al aumento del volumen de los datos almacenados, los profesores y directivos se enfrentan a un ambiente de incertidumbre y complejidad crecientes. Generalmente no se cuenta con las herramientas necesarias para manipular estos datos y convertirlos en información valiosa. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo desarrollar un sistema basado en inteligencia de negocios que permita capturar, almacenar, procesar, analizar y mostrar de manera eficiente, los datos generados en el proceso de formación. La propuesta fue utilizada con datos reales del primer año de una facultad de la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas en los cursos 2012-2013, 2013-2014 y del primer semestre del curso 2014-2015 a partir de lo cual se obtuvo información útil para la toma de decisiones. Por último se propuso un conjunto de elementos organizativos para la correcta utilización del sistema. English abstract. Competitive organizations have established business intelligence systems to provide their workers with tools to help them in decision-making (Guitart and Conesa, 2014. The successful flow and management of data and information is vital for a successful decision

  6. Predictive value of the transtheoretical model to smoking cessation in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chouinard, Maud-Christine; Robichaud-Ekstrand, Sylvie

    2007-02-01

    Several authors have questioned the transtheoretical model. Determining the predictive value of each cognitive-behavioural element within this model could explain the multiple successes reported in smoking cessation programmes. The purpose of this study was to predict point-prevalent smoking abstinence at 2 and 6 months, using the constructs of the transtheoretical model, when applied to a pooled sample of individuals who were hospitalized for a cardiovascular event. The study follows a predictive correlation design. Recently hospitalized patients (n=168) with cardiovascular disease were pooled from a randomized, controlled trial. Independent variables of the predictive transtheoretical model comprise stages and processes of change, pros and cons to quit smoking (decisional balance), self-efficacy, and social support. These were evaluated at baseline, 2 and 6 months. Compared to smokers, individuals who abstained from smoking at 2 and 6 months were more confident at baseline to remain non-smokers, perceived less pros and cons to continue smoking, utilized less consciousness raising and self-re-evaluation experiential processes of change, and received more positive reinforcement from their social network with regard to their smoke-free behaviour. Self-efficacy and stages of change at baseline were predictive of smoking abstinence after 6 months. Other variables found to be predictive of smoking abstinence at 6 months were an increase in self-efficacy; an increase in positive social support behaviour and a decrease of the pros within the decisional balance. The results partially support the predictive value of the transtheoretical model constructs in smoking cessation for cardiovascular disease patients.

  7. Análisis de los factores cognitivos que inciden en la toma de decisiones de inversión de los administradores financieros de la ciudad de Barranquilla

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    José Luis Alcalá Villarreal

    2014-12-01

    Full Text Available La mayoría de los directores financieros admiten (Roa, 2010 que existe una gran laguna entre lo aprendido sobre finanzas corporativas en las distintas escuelas de negocios y lo puesto en práctica como ejecutivos. La explicación se encuentra resumida en tres conceptos clave: el sesgo, la estructuración y la heurística, los cuales en su conjunto permiten entender de mejor forma las finanzas conductuales. Es por ello que en este artículo de clasificación corto, producto de una entrega parcial de tesis doctoral, pretendemos abordar esta problemática desde lo conceptual de este campo, que aplica investigación científica desde lo cognitivo y emocional en términos de la toma de decisiones económicas y financieras, así como también la comprensión de la manera como los errores de razonamiento afectan las mismas. Los errores que surgen de esta toma de decisiones se conocen como errores cognitivos y vienen dados principalmente por los conceptos ya mencionados.

  8. Social Decision Making in Adolescents and Young Adults: Evidence From the Ultimatum Game and Cognitive Biases.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Marchetti, Antonella; Baglio, Francesca; Castelli, Ilaria; Griffanti, Ludovica; Nemni, Raffaello; Rossetto, Federica; Valle, Annalisa; Zanette, Michela; Massaro, Davide

    2018-01-01

    During adolescence and early adulthood, individuals deal with important developmental changes, especially in the context of complex social interactions. Previous studies demonstrated that those changes have a significant impact on the social decision making process, in terms of a progressive increase of intentionality comprehension of others, of the sensitivity to fairness, and of the impermeability to decisional biases. However, neither adolescents nor adults reach the ideal level of maximization and of rationality of the homo economicus proposed by classical economics theory, thus remaining more close to the model of the "bounded rationality" proposed by cognitive psychology. In the present study, we analyzed two aspects of decision making in 110 participants from early adolescence to young adulthood: the sensitivity to fairness and the permeability to decisional biases (Outcome Bias and Hindsight Bias). To address these questions, we adopted a modified version of the Ultimatum Game task, where participants faced fair, unfair, and hyperfair offers from proposers described as generous, selfish, or neutral. We also administered two behavioral tasks testing the influence of the Outcome Bias and of the Hindsight Bias in the evaluation of the decision. Our behavioral results highlighted that the participants are still partially consequentialist, as the decisional process is influenced by a complex balance between the outcome and the psychological description of the proposer. As regards cognitive biases, the Outcome Bias and the Hindsight Bias are present in the whole sample, with no relevant age differences.

  9. Changes in the Mass Balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet in a Warming Climate During 2003-2009

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zwally, H. Jay; Luthcke, Scott

    2010-01-01

    Mass changes of the Greenland ice sheet (GIS) derived from ICESat and GRACE data both show that the net mass loss from GIS during 2003-2009 is about 175 Gt/year, which contributes 0.5mm/yr global sea-level rise. The rate of mass loss has increased significantly since the 1990's when the GIS was close to mass balance. Even though the GIS was close to mass balance during the 1990's, it was already showing characteristics of responding to8 warmer climate, specifically thinning at the margins and thickening inland at higher elevations. During 2003-2009, increased ice thinning due to increases in melting and acceleration of outlet glaciers began to strongly exceed the inland thickening from increases in accumulation. Over the entire GIS, the mass loss between the two periods, from increased melting and ice dynamics, increased by about 190 Gt/year while the mass gain, from increased precipitation and accumulation, increased by only about 15Gt/year. These ice changes occurred during a time when the temperature on GIS changed at rate of about 2K/decade. The distribution of elevation and mass changes derived from ICESat have high spatial resolution showing details over outlet glaciers, by drainage systems, and by elevation. However, information on the seasonal cycle of changes from ICESat data is limited, because the ICESat lasers were only operated during two to three campaigns per year of about 35 days duration each. In contrast, the temporal resolution of GRACE data, provided by the continuous data collection, is much better showing details of the seasonal cycle and the inter-annual variability. The differing sensitivity of the ICESat altimetry and the GRACE gravity methods to motion of the underlying bedrock from glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) is used to evaluate the GIA corrections provided by models. The two data types are also combined to make estimates of the partitioning of the mass gains and losses among accumulation, melting, and ice discharge from outlet

  10. PERSPECTIVE: Climate change: seeking balance in media reports

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huntingford, Chris; Fowler, David

    2008-06-01

    very general terms the role of near-stable (at century timescales) pre-industrial atmospheric CO2 concentrations in sustaining life (along with the other greenhouse gas concentrations), but how much higher values of CO2 could cause dangerous perturbation to the climate system. Boykoff and Mansfield (2008) provide a valuable insight in to how climate change is presented in the media. As the general consensus among climate research scientists is that to avoid 'dangerous' climate change there is a requirement to make very large reductions in emissions and soon, then this will be politically difficult to achieve against such a backdrop of such press reporting denying the IPCC message. We have also used this perspective article to consider how the debate over climate change (as induced through anthropogenic emissions) is presented through popular science books. In some ways this is equally worrying—how is it that such polarized views can be presented in books frequently citing the same research papers? With significant public funds placed in climate change research, it might be expected that the public deserve more definitive answers. So the main question here is whether (a) there remains massive uncertainty in how raised atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations will manifest themselves through changes to future climates, or, (b) is there selective interpretation of key research papers (and indeed the IPCC report). If the answer is (b)—and that is consistent with the evidence—then each scientific issue raised by the sceptics should be addressed. There are important steps in this direction. For example the Royal Society has on its web site specific answers to several of the commonly used misleading arguments. See http://royalsociety.org/downloaddoc.asp?id=1630 a web page entitled 'Facts and fictions about climate change'. As governments struggle to balance issues of economic development, the ubiquitous use of fossil fuels, and the need for very large reductions in

  11. Inflación y su impacto en la lectura y análisis de estados financieros en la toma de decisiones

    OpenAIRE

    Calderón, Karina Andrea

    2015-01-01

    I. INTRODUCCIÓN - II. METODOLOGÍA - 1) Estudio exploratorio bibliográfico sobre inflación y su impacto en los Estados Financieros y en la toma de decisiones - 2) Estudio exploratorio sobre la normativa contable vigente a nivel nacional e internacional referida al ajuste por pérdida del poder adquisitivo - 3) Identificación de los efectos de la inflación sobre la gestión empresarial - 4) Análisis de índices que permitan establecer la importancia de la implementación del ajuste por inflación. ...

  12. Insights: A New Method to Balance Chemical Equations.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Garcia, Arcesio

    1987-01-01

    Describes a method designed to balance oxidation-reduction chemical equations. Outlines a method which is based on changes in the oxidation number that can be applied to both molecular reactions and ionic reactions. Provides examples and delineates the steps to follow for each type of equation balancing. (TW)

  13. Your organization should consider a cash-balance pension plan.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Godwin, N H; Key, K G

    2000-08-01

    In recent years, a growing number of healthcare organizations have dropped the traditional defined-benefit pension plan and adopted cash-balance pension plans. A cash-balance pension plan generally allows employers to pay less in overall pension benefits and administration costs. A cash-balance pension plan pays benefits according to a predetermined formula based on an average of the employee's annual salary over his or her length of service. This provides recognizable benefits to younger employees but lower overall benefits to employees who have a long length of service. To assuage employees who may feel cheated out of the pension benefits they expected, employers that change to a cash-balance pension plan should consider offering higher guaranteed growth rates, advanced notification of the change to the new plan, and generous early-retirement options for employees with longer lengths of service.

  14. “Pivot” Toward Asia: The Strategic Direction of Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept in a Changing Balance of Powers

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Elena Yu. Litsareva

    2015-04-01

    Full Text Available The article examines some reasons of the “Russia’s pivot” toward Asia at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries. The Asian policy of the Russia was starting to change at the second half of the 1990s. Russia conducted its policy at the East Asia in a view of the changed balance of national interests, regardless of the ideological considerations and attached a special importance to the economic cooperation. Developing the external political concept and determining the priority areas for development, Russia has had to reckon with the objective processes, occurring in the world. Russia, as the "Eurasian" power, building relations with the Asia-Pacific countries, was to have a vital task - to raise the political and economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region to the level, achieved by Russia in Europe. Gradually, the East Asia has become the priority strategic direction of the Russia positioning in the world. For a long time it was thought that using its geostrategic position, Russia could be an important factor in the global political and economic system, linking Europe and Asia-Pacific markets. Russia Federation supported the East Asia countries in ensuring regional security and stability. Analysis of the Asia-Pacific regional political situation shows that there are significant changes here and these changes are largely connected with the significant changes in the global balance of powers. In the course of the Ukrainian events (spring 2014 and entering the West economic sanctions against Russia in connection with the accession of the Crimea, Russian “pivot” toward Asia, in particular the East Asia, looks entirely justified and reasonable.

  15. Using Electrolyte Free Water Balance to Rationalize and Treat Dysnatremias.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shah, Sanjeev R; Bhave, Gautam

    2018-01-01

    Dysnatremias or abnormalities in plasma [Na + ] are often termed disorders of water balance, an unclear physiologic concept often confused with changes in total fluid balance. However, most clinicians clearly recognize that hypertonic or hypotonic gains or losses alter plasma [Na + ], while isotonic changes do not modify plasma [Na + ]. This concept can be conceptualized as the electrolyte free water balance (EFWB), which defines the non-isotonic components of inputs and outputs to determine their effect on plasma [Na + ]. EFWB is mathematically proportional to the rate of change in plasma [Na + ] (dP Na /dt) and, therefore, is actively regulated to zero so that plasma [Na + ] remains stable at its homeostatic set point. Dysnatremias are, therefore, disorders of EFWB and the relationship between EFWB and dP Na /dt provides a rationale for therapeutic strategies incorporating mass and volume balance. Herein, we leverage dP Na /dt as a desired rate of correction of plasma [Na + ] to define a stepwise approach for the treatment of dysnatremias.

  16. Using Electrolyte Free Water Balance to Rationalize and Treat Dysnatremias

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shah, Sanjeev R.; Bhave, Gautam

    2018-01-01

    Dysnatremias or abnormalities in plasma [Na+] are often termed disorders of water balance, an unclear physiologic concept often confused with changes in total fluid balance. However, most clinicians clearly recognize that hypertonic or hypotonic gains or losses alter plasma [Na+], while isotonic changes do not modify plasma [Na+]. This concept can be conceptualized as the electrolyte free water balance (EFWB), which defines the non-isotonic components of inputs and outputs to determine their effect on plasma [Na+]. EFWB is mathematically proportional to the rate of change in plasma [Na+] (dPNa/dt) and, therefore, is actively regulated to zero so that plasma [Na+] remains stable at its homeostatic set point. Dysnatremias are, therefore, disorders of EFWB and the relationship between EFWB and dPNa/dt provides a rationale for therapeutic strategies incorporating mass and volume balance. Herein, we leverage dPNa/dt as a desired rate of correction of plasma [Na+] to define a stepwise approach for the treatment of dysnatremias. PMID:29740578

  17. Using Electrolyte Free Water Balance to Rationalize and Treat Dysnatremias

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sanjeev R. Shah

    2018-04-01

    Full Text Available Dysnatremias or abnormalities in plasma [Na+] are often termed disorders of water balance, an unclear physiologic concept often confused with changes in total fluid balance. However, most clinicians clearly recognize that hypertonic or hypotonic gains or losses alter plasma [Na+], while isotonic changes do not modify plasma [Na+]. This concept can be conceptualized as the electrolyte free water balance (EFWB, which defines the non-isotonic components of inputs and outputs to determine their effect on plasma [Na+]. EFWB is mathematically proportional to the rate of change in plasma [Na+] (dPNa/dt and, therefore, is actively regulated to zero so that plasma [Na+] remains stable at its homeostatic set point. Dysnatremias are, therefore, disorders of EFWB and the relationship between EFWB and dPNa/dt provides a rationale for therapeutic strategies incorporating mass and volume balance. Herein, we leverage dPNa/dt as a desired rate of correction of plasma [Na+] to define a stepwise approach for the treatment of dysnatremias.

  18. Estimates of Ice Sheet Mass Balance from Satellite Altimetry: Past and Future

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zwally, H. Jay; Zukor, Dorothy J. (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    A major uncertainty in predicting sea level rise is the sensitivity of ice sheet mass balance to climate change, as well as the uncertainty in present mass balance. Since the annual water exchange is about 8 mm of global sea level equivalent, the 20% uncertainty in current mass balance corresponds to 1.6 mm/yr in sea level change. Furthermore, estimates of the sensitivity of the mass balance to temperature change range from perhaps as much as - 10% to + 10% per K. A principal purpose of obtaining ice sheet elevation changes from satellite altimetry has been estimation of the current ice sheet mass balance. Limited information on ice sheet elevation change and their implications about mass balance have been reported by several investigators from radar altimetry (Seasat, Geosat, ERS-1&2). Analysis of ERS-1&2 data over Greenland for 7 years from 1992 to 1999 shows mixed patterns of ice elevation increases and decreases that are significant in terms of regional-scale mass balances. Observed seasonal and interannual variations in ice surface elevation are larger than previously expected because of seasonal and interannUal variations in precipitation, melting, and firn compaction. In the accumulation zone, the variations in firn compaction are modeled as a function of temperature leaving variations in precipitation and the mass balance trend. Significant interannual variations in elevation in some locations, in particular the difference in trends from 1992 to 1995 compared to 1995 to 1999, can be explained by changes in precipitation over Greenland. Over the 7 years, trends in elevation are mostly positive at higher elevations and negative at lower elevations. In addition, trends for the winter seasons (from a trend analysis through the average winter elevations) are more positive than the corresponding trends for the summer. At lower elevations, the 7-year trends in some locations are strongly negative for summer and near zero or slightly positive for winter. These

  19. Pilot study comparing changes in postural control after training using a video game balance board program and 2 standard activity-based balance intervention programs.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pluchino, Alessandra; Lee, Sae Yong; Asfour, Shihab; Roos, Bernard A; Signorile, Joseph F

    2012-07-01

    To compare the impacts of Tai Chi, a standard balance exercise program, and a video game balance board program on postural control and perceived falls risk. Randomized controlled trial. Research laboratory. Independent seniors (N=40; 72.5±8.40) began the training, 27 completed. Tai Chi, a standard balance exercise program, and a video game balance board program. The following were used as measures: Timed Up & Go, One-Leg Stance, functional reach, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, force plate center of pressure (COP) and time to boundary, dynamic posturography (DP), Falls Risk for Older People-Community Setting, and Falls Efficacy Scale. No significant differences were seen between groups for any outcome measures at baseline, nor were significant time or group × time differences for any field test or questionnaire. No group × time differences were seen for any COP measures; however, significant time differences were seen for total COP, 3 of 4 anterior/posterior displacement and both velocity, and 1 displacement and 1 velocity medial/lateral measure across time for the entire sample. For DP, significant improvements in the overall score (dynamic movement analysis score), and in 2 of the 3 linear and angular measures were seen for the sample. The video game balance board program, which can be performed at home, was as effective as Tai Chi and the standard balance exercise program in improving postural control and balance dictated by the force plate postural sway and DP measures. This finding may have implications for exercise adherence because the at-home nature of the intervention eliminates many obstacles to exercise training. Copyright © 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Lives in the Balance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Our Children, 1997

    1997-01-01

    Changes in the workplace that would provide flexibility for working parents are slowly developing and receiving government, business, and societal attention. A sidebar, "Mother, Professional, Volunteer: One Woman's Balancing Act," presents an account of how one woman rearranged her professional life to enable her to do full-time…

  1. Technologies for Advanced Gait and Balance Assessments in People with Multiple Sclerosis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Camille J. Shanahan

    2018-02-01

    Full Text Available Subtle gait and balance dysfunction is a precursor to loss of mobility in multiple sclerosis (MS. Biomechanical assessments using advanced gait and balance analysis technologies can identify these subtle changes and could be used to predict mobility loss early in the disease. This update critically evaluates advanced gait and balance analysis technologies and their applicability to identifying early lower limb dysfunction in people with MS. Non-wearable (motion capture systems, force platforms, and sensor-embedded walkways and wearable (pressure and inertial sensors biomechanical analysis systems have been developed to provide quantitative gait and balance assessments. Non-wearable systems are highly accurate, reliable and provide detailed outcomes, but require cumbersome and expensive equipment. Wearable systems provide less detail but can be used in community settings and can provide real-time feedback to patients and clinicians. Biomechanical analysis using advanced gait and balance analysis technologies can identify changes in gait and balance in early MS and consequently have the potential to significantly improve monitoring of mobility changes in MS.

  2. 2017 Copyright © 2017, CRISA Publications THE ROLE OF ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    students worldwide. Self-efficacy to abstain from alcohol use plays a significant role in ... harms including substance abuse, drink driving ... are outcome expectations - the belief that certain kinds of .... Alcohol Decisional Balance Scale (ADBS).

  3. Time-of-day influences postural balance in older adults

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Jorgensen, M G; Rathleff, Michael Skovdal; Laessoe, U

    2012-01-01

    Postural balance assessments are performed in both clinical and basic research settings on a daily basis. During a 24-h time span our physiology and physical performance undergo radical changes as we are influenced by the circadian rhythm. The time-of-day interaction on postural balance is unknow...... in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the time-of-day effect on postural balance in older adults....

  4. A Pulmonary Rehabilitation Decisional Score to Define Priority Access for COPD Patients

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Michele Vitacca

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available This retrospective study aimed to evaluate, through an ad hoc 17-item tool, the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Decisional Score (PRDS, the priority access to PR prescription by respiratory specialists. The PRDS, scoring functional, clinical, disability, frailty, and participation parameters from 0 = low priority to 34 = very high priority for PR access, was retrospectively calculated on 124 specialist reports sent to the GP of subjects (aged 71±11 years, FEV1%  51±17 consecutively admitted to our respiratory outpatient clinic. From the specialist’s report the final subject’s allocation could be low priority (LP (>60 days, high priority (HP (30–60 days, or very high priority (VHP (<30 days to rehabilitation. The PRDS calculation showed scores significantly higher in VHP versus LP (p<0.001 and significantly different between HP and VHP (p<0.001. Comparing the specialist’s allocation decision and priority choice based on PRDS cut-offs, PR prescription was significantly more appropriate in VHP than in HP (p=0.016. Specialists underprescribed PR in 49% of LP cases and overprescribed it in 46% and 30% of the HP and VHP prescriptions, respectively. A multicomprehensive score is feasible being useful for staging the clinical priorities for PR prescription and facilitating sustainability of the health system.

  5. Funciones de la corteza prefrontal ventromedial en la toma de decisiones emocionales

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    David Contreras

    2008-01-01

    Full Text Available La corteza prefrontal ventromedial (VMPFC ha sido implicada en la toma de decisiones emocionales debido a su posible participación en el aprendizaje de inversión afectivo, la propensión al riesgo y la impulsividad. Su especial entramado de conexiones con otras áreas de la corteza y con estructuras subcorticales como la amígdala justifican que pueda tener un papel de interfase entre cognición y emoción, y desempeñar una función fundamental en la regulación y el control del comportamiento. En este trabajo revisamos estudios realizados con la tarea de apuestas de Iowa, tareas de aprendizaje de inversión afectivo, tareas de apuestas con diferente varianza para medir la propensión al riesgo y tareas que introducen demora temporal de la recompensa para evaluar la impulsividad. Los datos obtenidos en esos trabajos con pacientes lesionados en la VMPFC o en otras áreas prefrontales y controles no lesionados, y datos conductuales y de actividad cerebral pueden interpretarse mejor si asumimos que la VMPFC está encargada de representar la expectativa de refuerzo. La representación de un reforzador esperado incluye la demora del reforzador, y la varianza de su magnitud.

  6. Influencia de un programa de supervisión reflexiva sobre la toma de decisiones y la ejecución del pase en jóvenes jugadores de baloncesto

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Dami\\u00E1n Iglesias Gallego

    2005-01-01

    Full Text Available El propósito de esta investigación fue analizar la influencia de un programa de supervisión reflexiva sobre la toma de decisiones y la ejecución del pase en baloncesto en situación real de competición. En el estudio participaron un total de 12 jugadores infantiles de baloncesto pertenecientes a un equipo de las categorías de formación de un club A.C.B., y estructurados en un grupo experimental (n = 6 y un grupo control (n = 6. La intervención llevada a cabo se orientó hacia la mejora de la selección de la respuesta, y consistió en el visionado y análisis de acciones de pase durante 11 sesiones individuales post-partido que mantenían el supervisor y cada uno de los jugadores. Los resultados han mostrado que los sujetos pertenecientes al grupo experimental mejoraron de forma significativa el porcentaje de acierto en la toma de decisiones y la ejecución del pase en situación real de juego.

  7. Balance Training Reduces Brain Activity during Motor Simulation of a Challenging Balance Task in Older Adults: An fMRI Study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ruffieux, Jan; Mouthon, Audrey; Keller, Martin; Mouthon, Michaël; Annoni, Jean-Marie; Taube, Wolfgang

    2018-01-01

    Aging is associated with a shift from an automatic to a more cortical postural control strategy, which goes along with deteriorations in postural stability. Although balance training has been shown to effectively counteract these behavioral deteriorations, little is known about the effect of balance training on brain activity during postural tasks in older adults. We, therefore, assessed postural stability and brain activity using fMRI during motor imagery alone (MI) and in combination with action observation (AO; i.e., AO+MI) of a challenging balance task in older adults before and after 5 weeks of balance training. Results showed a nonsignificant trend toward improvements in postural stability after balance training, accompanied by reductions in brain activity during AO+MI of the balance task in areas relevant for postural control, which have been shown to be over-activated in older adults during (simulation of) motor performance, including motor, premotor, and multisensory vestibular areas. This suggests that balance training may reverse the age-related cortical over-activations and lead to changes in the control of upright posture toward the one observed in young adults.

  8. Adaptive control of dynamic balance in human gait on a split-belt treadmill.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Buurke, Tom J W; Lamoth, Claudine J C; Vervoort, Danique; van der Woude, Lucas H V; den Otter, Rob

    2018-05-17

    Human bipedal gait is inherently unstable and staying upright requires adaptive control of dynamic balance. Little is known about adaptive control of dynamic balance in reaction to long-term, continuous perturbations. We examined how dynamic balance control adapts to a continuous perturbation in gait, by letting people walk faster with one leg than the other on a treadmill with two belts (i.e. split-belt walking). In addition, we assessed whether changes in mediolateral dynamic balance control coincide with changes in energy use during split-belt adaptation. In nine minutes of split-belt gait, mediolateral margins of stability and mediolateral foot roll-off changed during adaptation to the imposed gait asymmetry, especially on the fast side, and returned to baseline during washout. Interestingly, no changes in mediolateral foot placement (i.e. step width) were found during split-belt adaptation. Furthermore, the initial margin of stability and subsequent mediolateral foot roll-off were strongly coupled to maintain mediolateral dynamic balance throughout the gait cycle. Consistent with previous results net metabolic power was reduced during split-belt adaptation, but changes in mediolateral dynamic balance control were not correlated with the reduction of net metabolic power during split-belt adaptation. Overall, this study has shown that a complementary mechanism of relative foot positioning and mediolateral foot roll-off adapts to continuously imposed gait asymmetry to maintain dynamic balance in human bipedal gait. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  9. Comparing Age-Ralated Changes of Balance Performance In Youth and Older Adults

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Monireh Nobahar Ahari

    2010-04-01

    Full Text Available Objectives: The purpose of current study was to compare the effect of aging on balance in different sensory conditions. Methods & Materials: In this cross sectional study we compared 20 healthy youth (with age 22.75±2.29 and 20 healthy older adults (with age 65.1±4.16 in single leg standing in different sensory conditions. Sensory conditions were open eye/ hard surface (OEHS, closed eye/ hard surface (CEHS, closed eye/ foam surface (CEFS as balance tasks. One-way ANOVA, paired t-test and Independent Sample t-test were used. Results: findings showed significant difference between youth and older adults in all three sensory conditions. In addition, in each group, there was significant difference between OEHS and CEHS/ CEFS. Hence, significant difference was seen between CEHS and CEFS in each group. Conclusion: based of our findings sensory information is more critical for balance in elderly than youth. In addition, standing on One-Leg can be used as a proper test for evaluation of older adults.

  10. Clinical Assessment of Fluid Balance is Incomplete for Colorectal Surgical Patients

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Tolstrup, J; Brandstrup, B

    2015-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fluid balance for the surgical patient has been proven very important for the postoperative outcome and development of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time in modern times, the accordance between nurse-based fluid charting (cumulated fluid...... surgery were included. Cumulated fluid balance and body weight change were charted preoperatively and daily at the same time during a postoperative period of 6 days. Differences were calculated by subtracting cumulated fluid balance from body weight change (1 g = 1 mL), and agreement was assessed...... by making Bland-Altman plots as well as Pearson correlations. RESULTS: From day 1 to 4, the mean difference between cumulated fluid balance and body weight change was below 0.4 kg/L. On day 5 and 6, the discrepancies increased with mean differences of, respectively, 1.2 kg/L (p 

  11. Work Life Balance - catchword or catalyst for sustainable work?

    OpenAIRE

    Littig, Beate

    2008-01-01

    'The origin of the formula work-life balance (WLB) can be seen in at least three social contexts: the increasing labour market participation of women, demographic changes and corporate interests in flexible labour. WLB seems to be attractive for all stakeholders, despite the resulting tensions between corporate driven flexibility and the need for individual balancing and self-organisation. It reflects changes in the sphere of paid labour on the one hand and the increasing demand for individua...

  12. Changes in Nature's Balance Sheet: Model-based Estimates of Future Worldwide Ecosystem Services

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Joseph Alcamo

    2005-12-01

    Full Text Available Four quantitative scenarios are presented that describe changes in worldwide ecosystem services up to 2050-2100. A set of soft-linked global models of human demography, economic development, climate, and biospheric processes are used to quantify these scenarios. The global demand for ecosystem services substantially increases up to 2050: cereal consumption by a factor of 1.5 to 1.7, fish consumption (up to the 2020s by a factor of 1.3 to 1.4, water withdrawals by a factor of 1.3 to 2.0, and biofuel production by a factor of 5.1 to 11.3. The ranges for these estimates reflect differences between the socio-economic assumptions of the scenarios. In all simulations, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag behind other parts of the world. Although the demand side of these scenarios presents an overall optimistic view of the future, the supply side is less optimistic: the risk of higher soil erosion (especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and lower water availability (especially in the Middle East could slow down an increase in food production. Meanwhile, increasing wastewater discharges during the same period, especially in Latin America (factor of 2 to 4 and Sub-Saharan Africa (factor of 3.6 to 5.6 could interfere with the delivery of freshwater services. Marine fisheries (despite the growth of aquaculture may not have the ecological capacity to provide for the increased global demand for fish. Our simulations also show an intensification of present tradeoffs between ecosystem services, e.g., expansion of agricultural land (between 2000 and 2050 may be one of the main causes of a 10%-20% loss of total current grassland and forest land and the ecosystem services associated with this land (e.g., genetic resources, wood production, habitat for terrestrial biota and fauna. The scenarios also show that certain hot-spot regions may experience especially rapid changes in ecosystem services: the central part of Africa, southern Asia, and the Middle East. In general

  13. Factores externos determinantes de las decisiones de inversión a largo plazo en el sector farmacéutico

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Josnel Martínez

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available La presente investigación tiene por objetivo identificar los factores externos determinantes de las decisiones de inversión a largo plazo en el sector farmacéutico del estado Zulia. Desde el punto de vista teórico, los principales autores citados son David (2008, Hitt y otros (2004 y Hill y Jones (1996. Metodológicamente, es de tipología descriptiva con un diseño de campo-no experimental y transversal. La población estuvo compuesta por las siete (7 farmacias inscritas y activas en el Registro Municipal de la Alcaldía Bolivariana del municipio Jesús Enrique Lossada – estado Zulia, al mes de mayo de 2015. Se utilizó el cuestionario estructurado como instrumento de recolección de datos aplicado a los gerentes generales, quienes fueron las unidades informantes; el mismo fue validado por cinco (5 expertos y el nivel de confiabilidad aplicando el Alpha-Cronbach, que fue de 0,89. Los resultados evidencian que los factores externos determinantes de las decisiones de inversión a largo plazo en el sector farmacéutico del estado Zulia son: la inflación, la escasez, la fluctuación de precios, el patrón de consumo y la tendencia del desempleo (dentro de los factores económicos; los hábitos de compra (dentro de los factores sociales, culturales, demográficas y ambientales; la política monetaria y la política fiscal (dentro de los factores políticas gubernamentales y legales; los avances en la tecnología (dentro de los factores tecnológicos y las debilidades en la cartera de productos ofertados por la competencia (dentro de los factores competitivos.

  14. Una aplicación de apoyo a la toma de decisiones para el costeo de maquinarias de cosecha forestal

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Eduardo Acuña

    2011-02-01

    Full Text Available Desde hace años las empresas forestales y en especial las que prestan servicios de cosecha forestal han implementado la computación como una herramienta de trabajo, esto ha permitido automatizar la toma de decisiones. El propósito de esta práctica es lograr que el sector forestal siga siendo competitivo a nivel internacional, para tal objetivo se hace necesario optimizar las diferentes actividades que participan en la producción forestal. Los costos asociados a la faena de cosecha forestal son los de mayor incidencia dentro de los planes operativos, por ello es importante tener conocimiento de sus efectos reales en el cálculo de las tarifas. El trabajo realizado consistió en desarrollar un software de aplicación y consulta para la estructuración y tarifa a cobrar para una faena de cosecha forestal mecanizada, desarrollado en el lenguaje de programación Visual Basic. SICOFOR 1.0.1 al ser comparado con otras planillas de cálculo como por ejemplo las desarrolladas en Microsoft Excel entrega una mayor facilidad de trabajo, permite actualizar las bases de datos de la maquinaria a utilizar, personal, administración e implementación de trabajo para cada sistema de aprovechamiento, además entrega detalladamente la tarifa a cobrar. Aunque realmente los que fijan las tarifas de los diferentes servicios son las empresas demandantes de los servicios, el desarrollo del programa como herramienta de apoyo a la toma de decisiones, sigue siendo útil para comparar la tarifa que la empresa forestal mandante ofrece y los costos reales del servicio de cosecha, para tomar la decisión de aceptar o desestimar el negocio.

  15. INTRA-RATER RELIABILITY OF WII BALANCE BOARD (WBB IN ASSESSING STANDING BALANCE IN OLDER ADULTS

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Shilpa Dugani Burji

    2014-06-01

    Full Text Available Background: WII Balance Board (WBB being one of the latest, advanced technologies of high sensitivity in monitoring change in balance over time and owing to, ease of use, and portability, it is being used in physical therapy clinics as a popular substitute for the expensive and complicated force plates to improve dynamic strength and balance. Despite its growing popularity, the WBB’s reliability as an intervention and assessment tool for balance is still being investigated. So this study aims in finding the accuracy of WBB. The objectives of the study are to find the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Standard Error Measurement on both day 1 and day 2 with eyes closed and eyes open in older adults. Method: 30 subjects over the age of 65 years were assessed for balance using WBB. Subjects were measured in double limb stance with eyes open and closed with feet comfortably distant apart on the board. The same procedure was repeated after 24 hours. Results: The study showed to be statistically significant for eyes open on day 1 and day 2, but was not statistically significant for eyes closed on day 1 and day 2. Conclusion: The study suggested that the WBB was reliable for eyes open and not reliable with eyes closed.

  16. Occupational balance of women with rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stamm, Tanja; Wright, Jon; Machold, Klaus; Sadlo, Gaynor; Smolen, Josef

    2004-01-01

    Occupational balance has been shown to be an important factor in maintaining health. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reduces functional ability and quality of life and may thus reduce occupational balance. The aim of this qualitative pilot study was to explore occupational balance in women who have RA. Nine women with RA with past, but not current, paid work experience, no other confounding neuro-motor disease and with disease duration of 0.75-31 years were selected from an Austrian rheumatology outpatient clinic. Age range of the participants was 28-68 years. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed by the constant comparative method from an occupational perspective. Three main categories emerged: (1) The participants experienced a process of change that affected their occupational balance. (2) This new state of occupational balance was characterized by changed levels of involvement in physical, mental, social and rest occupations and by a certain level of unpredictability of symptoms. (3) Overall, the new state of occupational balance was valued differently: positively, indifferently or negatively. RA was found to have a considerable impact on occupational balance. The experience is not invariably seen as negative as previous literature would suggest. Further research should explore the longitudinal dimension of occupational balance in people with RA. Copyright (c) 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

  17. The nervous system does not compensate for an acute change in the balance of passive force between synergist muscles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lacourpaille, Lilian; Nordez, Antoine; Hug, François

    2017-10-01

    It is unclear how muscle activation strategies adapt to differential acute changes in the biomechanical characteristics between synergist muscles. This issue is fundamental to understanding the control of almost every joint in the body. The aim of this human experiment was to determine whether the relative activation of the heads of the triceps surae [gastrocnemius medialis (GM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and soleus (SOL)] compensates for differential changes in passive force between these muscles. Twenty-four participants performed isometric ankle plantarflexion at 20 N m and 20% of the active torque measured during a maximal contraction, at three ankle angles (30 deg of plantarflexion, 0 and 25 deg of dorsiflexion; knee fully extended). Myoelectric activity (electromyography, EMG) provided an index of neural drive. Muscle shear modulus (elastography) provided an index of muscle force. Passive dorsiflexion induced a much larger increase in passive shear modulus for GM (+657.6±257.7%) than for GL (+488.7±257.9%) and SOL (+106.6±93.0%). However, the neural drive during submaximal tasks did not compensate for this change in the balance of the passive force. Instead, when considering the contraction at 20% MVC, GL root mean square (RMS) EMG was reduced at both 0 deg (-39.4±34.5%) and 25 deg dorsiflexion (-20.6±58.6%) compared with 30 deg plantarflexion, while GM and SOL RMS EMG did not change. As a result, the GM/GL ratio of shear modulus was higher at 0 deg and 25 deg dorsiflexion than at 30 deg plantarflexion, indicating that the greater the dorsiflexion angle, the stronger the bias of force to GM compared with GL. The magnitude of this change in force balance varied greatly between participants. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  18. Land motion due to 20th century mass balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kjeldsen, K. K.; Khan, S. A.

    2017-12-01

    Quantifying the contribution from ice sheets and glaciers to past sea level change is of great value for understanding sea level projections into the 21st century. However, quantifying and understanding past changes are equally important, in particular understanding the impact in the near-field where the signal is highest. We assess the impact of 20th century mass balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet on land motion using results from Kjeldsen et al, 2015. These results suggest that the ice sheet on average lost a minimum of 75 Gt/yr, but also show that the mass balance was highly spatial- and temporal variable, and moreover that on a centennial time scale changes were driven by a decreasing surface mass balance. Based on preliminary results we discuss land motion during the 20th century due to mass balance changes and the driving components surface mass balance and ice dynamics.

  19. Effects of perturbations to balance on neuromechanics of fast changes in direction during locomotion.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Anderson Souza Oliveira

    Full Text Available This study investigated whether the modular control of changes in direction while running is influenced by perturbations to balance. Twenty-two healthy men performed 90° side-step unperturbed cutting manoeuvres while running (UPT as well as manoeuvres perturbed at initial contact (PTB, 10 cm translation of a moveable force platform. Surface EMG activity from 16 muscles of the supporting limb and trunk, kinematics, and ground reaction forces were recorded. Motor modules composed by muscle weightings and their respective activation signals were extracted from the EMG signals by non-negative matrix factorization. Knee joint moments, co-contraction ratios and co-contraction indexes (hamstrings/quadriceps and motor modules were compared between UPT and PTB. Five motor modules were enough to reconstruct UPT and PTB EMG activity (variance accounted for UPT  = 92 ± 5%, PTB = 90 ± 6%. Moreover, higher similarities between muscle weightings from UPT and PTB (similarity = 0.83 ± 0.08 were observed in comparison to the similarities between the activation signals that drive the temporal properties of the motor modules (similarity = 0.71 ± 0.18. In addition, the reconstruction of PTB EMG from fixed muscle weightings from UPT resulted in higher reconstruction quality (82 ± 6% when compared to reconstruction of PTB EMG from fixed activation signals from UPT (59 ± 11%. Perturbations at initial contact reduced knee abduction moments (7%, as well as co-contraction ratio (11% and co-contraction index (12% shortly after the perturbation onset. These changes in co-contraction ratio and co-contraction index were caused by a reduced activation of hamstrings that was also verified in the activation signals of the specific motor module related to initial contact. Our results suggested that perturbations to balance influence modular control of cutting manoeuvres, especially the temporal properties of muscle recruitment, due to altered afferent

  20. Herramienta informática como apoyo en la toma de decisiones en proyectos de agua y saneamiento en comunidades indígenas

    OpenAIRE

    VILLEGAS GONZÁLEZ, PAULA ANDREA; OBREGÓN NEIRA, NELSON; LARA BORRERO, JAIME ANDRÉS; MÉNDEZ FAJARDO, SANDRA; VARGAS LUNA, ANDRÉS

    2010-01-01

    Esta investigación propone una nueva metodología, generando no solo nuevos modelos conceptuales si no también una nueva herramienta informática para la toma de decisiones en proyectos de agua y saneamiento en comunidades indígenas. Específicamente se incorporan herramientas tales como: árboles de decisión, opiniones difusas y encapsulamiento de conocimiento experto. La metodología incluye además del diseño conceptual del modelo a desarrollar, encuestas e investigación de campo y la programaci...

  1. Presbyastasis: a multifactorial cause of balance problems in the ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    Presbyastasis: a multifactorial cause of balance problems in the elderly. C Rogers. Abstract. Presbyastasis is the result of age-related physiological changes in the three sensory systems and their central connections that contribute to balance. In all likelihood, presbyastasis is a complex condition involving many intertwined ...

  2. El Perfeccionamiento de la gestión ambiental desde el análisis de riesgo para la toma eficiente de decisiones

    OpenAIRE

    Alejandro Merayo Rodríguez; Oscar Santiago Barzaga Sablón

    2010-01-01

    Se aborda la gestión ambiental y su articulación con la gestión de riesgo y la vulnerabilidad, como herramientas para la toma efectiva de decisiones, en la que se realizó un análisis de la evolución relacionada con la percepción de los problemas ambientales y su relación con la gestión ambiental, teniendo como punto de partida los diferentes paradigmas económicos que fueron marcando los distintos momentos de su desarrollo hasta la actualidad. Se presenta como resultado del estudio, una reform...

  3. Una aproximación a la planeación minera a cielo abierto desde un enfoque basado en decisiones bajo incertidumbre

    OpenAIRE

    FRANCO SEPÚLVEDA, GIOVANNI; BRANCH BEDOYA, JOHN WILLIAN; JARAMILLO ÁLVAREZ, PATRICIA

    2011-01-01

    En este artículo se presenta en primer lugar una descripción del proceso de planeamiento minero desde un punto de vista clásico y su relación con los actuales procesos de planeamiento minero que tienen como base la optimización en sus diferentes etapas. Seguidamente, se realiza un acercamiento a los procesos de planeación minera a cielo abierto desde un enfoque basado en decisiones bajo incertidumbre. Por último, se lleva a cabo un análisis crítico de los artículos encontrados clasificándolos...

  4. Diseño e implantación de un sistema de apoyo a las decisiones basado en el modelo de transporte

    OpenAIRE

    Yacuzzi, Enrique; Rodríguez, Víctor M.

    2002-01-01

    Se presenta el diseño y la implantación del SPT (Sistema de Producción y Transporte), un sistema de apoyo a las decisiones (DSS) basado en el modelo de transporte. Fue construido para una empresa argentina de cemento que abastece a sus clientes desde varias plantas industriales y está estructurado sobre el Optimat, un software comercial. Se lo utiliza con éxito en la planificación operativa y en la decisión de las políticas empresariales, tanto estratégicas como tácticas. El proyecto da gran ...

  5. Las decisiones públicas en la gobernabilidad democrática. El caso del gobierno panista en Nuevo León

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Laura Nelly Medellín Mendoza

    2008-01-01

    Full Text Available Durante el gobierno del Partido Acción Nacional en Nuevo León (1997-2003, se presentaron dificultades para fijar un espacio de deliberación democrática específicamente en las políticas de desarrollo urbano. Esto ocasionó la activación en la esfera pública de organizaciones de la sociedad civil como la Asociación de Vecinos y Comerciantes de la avenida Venustiano Carranza y la Alianza por San Pedro. Los casos, aunque tuvieron una trayectoria distinta, muestran la importancia de conceder un ejercicio deliberativo en las decisiones públicas para la sustentabilidad de una gobernabilidad democrática .

  6. [The balanced scorecard. "Tool or toy" in hospitals].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Brinkmann, A; Gebhard, F; Isenmann, R; Bothner, U; Mohl, U; Schwilk, B

    2003-10-01

    The change in hospital funding with diagnosis related groups (DRG), medical advances as well as demographic changes will call for new quantitative and qualitative standards imposed on German hospitals. Increasing costs and competition in the health care sector requires new and innovative strategies for resource management. Today's policy is mainly defined by rationing and intensified workload. The introduction of DRGs will presumably further constrict management perspectives on pure financial aspects. However, to ensure future development, compassionate services and continued existence of hospitals, a balance of seemingly conflicting perspectives, such as finance, customer, process, learning and growth are of utmost importance. Herein doctors and nurses in leading positions should play a key role in changing management practice. For several years the balanced scorecard has been successfully used as a strategic management concept in non-profit organizations, even in the health care sector. This concept complies with the multidimensional purposes of hospitals and focuses on policy deployment. Finally it gives the opportunity to involve all employees in the original development, communication and execution of a balanced scorecard approach.

  7. Typical balance exercises or exergames for balance improvement?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gioftsidou, Asimenia; Vernadakis, Nikolaos; Malliou, Paraskevi; Batzios, Stavros; Sofokleous, Polina; Antoniou, Panagiotis; Kouli, Olga; Tsapralis, Kyriakos; Godolias, George

    2013-01-01

    Balance training is an effective intervention to improve static postural sway and balance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus exercises for improving balance ability in healthy collegiate students in comparison with a typical balance training program. Forty students were randomly divided into two groups, a traditional (T group) and a Nintendo Wii group (W group) performed an 8 week balance program. The "W group" used the interactive games as a training method, while the "T group" used an exercise program with mini trampoline and inflatable discs (BOSU). Pre and Post-training participants completed balance assessments. Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to determine the effect of training program. Analysis of the data illustrated that both training program groups demonstrated an improvement in Total, Anterior-posterior and Medial Lateral Stability Index scores for both limbs. Only at the test performed in the balance board with anterior-posterior motion, the improvement in balance ability was greater in the "T group" than the "W group", when the assessment was performed post-training (p=0.023). Findings support the effectiveness of using the Nintendo Wii gaming console as a balance training intervention tool.

  8. Una revisión al estado del arte de la integración de toma de decisiones en la red logística

    OpenAIRE

    Cesar Augusto Pineda Pérez; César Amilcar López Bello

    2013-01-01

    El presente artículo es resultado de la investigación del proyecto titulado “Integración de Toma de decisiones en la red logística” y comprende la revisión del estado del arte en el cual se identifica el concepto de integración en la cadena de suministro, los tipos de integración, mecanismos de integración, herramientas de integración, estrategias de integración y final-mente los beneficios y las medidas de rendimiento.

  9. The adverse effect of real effective exchange rate change on trade balance in European transition countries

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Selena Begović

    2017-12-01

    Full Text Available Most European transition countries have fixed or highly managed flexible exchange rate regimes. This exchange rate rigidity is sometimes argued to worsen the trade balance by keeping the currency overvalued. However, there is no unambiguous evidence that currency depreciation/devaluation positively affects trade balance and leads towards the adjustment, even in the short-run. Therefore, we examine the effect of real effective exchange rate (hereafter REER on trade balance in European transition economies over the period 2000-2015. By using fixed effect model for static and generalised method of moments for dynamic estimation, we find that there is an adverse effect of the REER on trade balance in European transition countries over the period 2000-2015. Namely, depreciation of REER deteriorates trade balance in European transition countries, which could be explained by high import dependence and low export capacity. This implies that policymakers in European transition countries should not use exchange rate policy to improve trade balance. This is important in the light of their accession towards European economic and monetary integration, implying that these countries should focus more on using fiscal, rather than monetary (and exchange rate, policy to adjust trade balance, which is one of the required real convergence towards the EU standards.

  10. Trade Balance and the J-Curve Phenomenon in Malawi

    OpenAIRE

    Mataya, Charles S.; Veeman, Michele M.

    1997-01-01

    The effects of successive currency devaluations, since the 1980s, on Malawi's trade balance are analysed. The major hypothesis tested is that currency devaluation leads to an improvement in trade balance through changes in the real exchange rate. This hypothesis is not supported by the data for Malawi. Although there is evidence of a lagged adjustment yielding an improvement in the trade balance three years after devaluation, the magnitude of this improvement is insufficient to overcome the i...

  11. Volume changes of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland, due to surface mass balance, ice flow, and subglacial melting at geothermal areas

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Magnússon, Eyjólfur; Björnson, Helgi; Dall, Jørgen

    2005-01-01

    We present observed changes in the geometry of western Vatnajökull over a period of about ten years which are caused by the surface mass balance, ice flow (both during surges and quiescent periods), and basal melting due to geothermal and volcanic activity. Comparison of two digital elevation...

  12. Trends and balances: 1985-1990

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1985-01-01

    This is the seventh edition of Trends and Balances to be presented to the staff of Oak Ridge National (ORNL) and other interested parties. Each year at the end of the planning cycle the Laboratory publishes its official planning document, the Institutional Plan. Trends and Balances is brought out as a condensation of that more formal document and is intended to provide a reference to the kinds of plans that have occupied senior laboratory management over the past year. An institution as large as ORNL changes slowly, so some of the information in this document overlaps that contained in the previous edition of Trends and Balances. Much, however, is different. A new section, for example, describes what senior Laboratory management feels are five new directions for science and technology at ORNL. This document is intended to provide new insights into the programs and structure of the Laboratory

  13. Mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet (2003-2008) from ICESat data

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Sørensen, Louise Sandberg; Simonsen, Sebastian Bjerregaard; Nielsen, Karina

    2011-01-01

    ICESat has provided surface elevation measurements of the ice sheets since the launch in January 2003, resulting in a unique dataset for monitoring the changes of the cryosphere. Here, we present a novel method for determining the mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet, derived from ICESat...... studies of the Greenland ice sheet mass balance, based on different remote-sensing techniques....... altimetry data. Three different methods for deriving elevation changes from the ICESat altimetry dataset are used. This multi-method approach provides a method to assess the complexity of deriving elevation changes from this dataset. The altimetry alone can not provide an estimate of the mass balance...

  14. Balance Problems

    Science.gov (United States)

    ... fully trust your sense of balance. Loss of balance also raises the risk of falls. This is a serious and even life-threatening ... 65. Balance disorders are serious because of the risk of falls. But occasionally balance problems may warn of another health condition, such ...

  15. Mass-balance measurements in Alaska and suggestions for simplified observation programs

    Science.gov (United States)

    Trabant, D.C.; March, R.S.

    1999-01-01

    US Geological Survey glacier fieldwork in Alaska includes repetitious measurements, corrections for leaning or bending stakes, an ability to reliably measure seasonal snow as deep as 10 m, absolute identification of summer surfaces in the accumulation area, and annual evaluation of internal accumulation, internal ablation, and glacier-thickness changes. Prescribed field measurement and note-taking techniques help eliminate field errors and expedite the interpretative process. In the office, field notes are transferred to computerized spread-sheets for analysis, release on the World Wide Web, and archival storage. The spreadsheets have error traps to help eliminate note-taking and transcription errors. Rigorous error analysis ends when mass-balance measurements are extrapolated and integrated with area to determine glacier and basin mass balances. Unassessable errors in the glacier and basin mass-balance data reduce the value of the data set for correlations with climate change indices. The minimum glacier mass-balance program has at least three measurement sites on a glacier and the measurements must include the seasonal components of mass balance as well as the annual balance.

  16. Staff relations and work-life balance: course outline.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Harvey, A; Durrance, D; Couger, G

    2001-01-01

    Changes in the American workforce have intensified the need for veterinary medical education regarding staff relations and work-life balance. A 20-hour, one-week elective course was offered to junior veterinary students in order to provide a forum for lecture and discussion covering topics such as team building, conflict resolution, stress management, and work-life balance. Instructors are master's level counselors.

  17. Monthly water balance model for climate change analysis in agriculture with R

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kalicz, Péter; Herceg, András; Gribovszki, Zoltán

    2015-04-01

    For Hungary regional climate models projections suggest a warmer climate and some changes in annual precipitation distribution. These changes force the whole agrarian sector to consider the traditional cropping technologies. This situation is more serious in forestry because some forest populations are on their xeric distributional limits (Gálos et. al, 2014). Additionally, a decision has an impact sometimes longer than one hundred years. To support the stakeholder there is a project which develops a GIS (Geographic Information System) based decision support system. Hydrology plays significant role in this system because water is often one of the most important limiting factor in Hungary. A modified Thorntwaite-type monthly water balance model was choosen to produce hydrological estimations for the GIS modules. This model is calibrated with the available data between 2000 and 2008. Beside other meteorological data we used mainly an actual evapotranspiration map in the calibration phase, which was derived with the Complementary-relationship-based evapotranspiration mapping (CREMAP; Szilágyi and Kovács, 2011) technique. The calibration process is pixel based and it has several stochastic steps. We try to find a flexible solution for the model implementation which easy to automatize and can be integrate in GIS systems. The open source R programming language was selected which well satisfied these demands. The result of this development is summarized as an R package. This publication has been supported by AGRARKLIMA.2 VKSZ_12-1-2013-0034 project. References Gálos B., Antal V., Czimber K., Mátyás Cs. (2014) Forest ecosystems, sewage works and droughts - possibilities for climate change adaptation. In: Santamarta J.C., Hernandez-Gutiérrez L.E., Arraiza M.P. (eds) 2014. Natural Hazards and Climate Change/Riesgos Naturales y Cambio Climático. Madrid: Colegio de Ingenieros de Montes. ISBN 978-84-617-1060-7, D.L. TF 565-2014, 91-104 pp Szilágyi J., Kovács Á. (2011

  18. Managing work-life balance of working mothers

    OpenAIRE

    2014-01-01

    M.Comm. (Business Management) Changes in the corporate landscape and an increase in female participation rates in corporate workforces necessitate a better understanding of female career paths and how organisations can accommodate them better. The purpose of this study is to identify the most appropriate work-life balance benefits organisations can offer to female employees to assist them in achieving greater work-life balance. The study further aims to identify learning and development op...

  19. Effects of dynamic posturographic balance training versus conventional balance training on mobility and balance in elderly

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saddiqi, F.A.; Masood, T.

    2017-01-01

    To determine the effects of dynamic posturographic balance training versus conventional balance training in improving mobility and balance in elderly. Methodology: Forty subjects between 50 to 80 years of age were selected via non-probability convenience sampling technique, for this randomized controlled trial. Both females and males with no major co-morbid conditions and cognitive impairments were recruited and randomized via coin toss method into two equal groups: Dynamic Posturographic balance training (DPG) group and Conventional balance training (CBT) group. The DPG training was provided via Biodex Balance System (Static and Dynamic). Both groups received interventions 3 times (35 to 45min each day) a week for 8 weeks, after which terminal assessment was done. Data were collected on demographic profile, balance via berg balance score and mobility by using Timed Up and Go Test. Independent samples t test was used to check difference between CBT group and DPG Group and repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for within-group analysis. Results: Baseline analysis of Berg balance scale and timed up and go test between two groups showed no significant difference with (p 0.805 and 0.251, respectively). After 8 weeks of intervention, there was significant difference between the groups in both variables (p 0.019 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Dynamic posturographic balance training was more effective in improving dynamic balance and mobility in elderly population in comparison to conventional balance training. (author)

  20. Load balancing in integrated optical wireless networks

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Yan, Ying; Dittmann, Lars; Wong, S-W.

    2010-01-01

    In this paper, we tackle the load balancing problem in Integrated Optical Wireless Networks, where cell breathing technique is used to solve congestion by changing the coverage area of a fully loaded cell tower. Our objective is to design a load balancing mechanism which works closely...... with the integrated control scheme so as to maximize overall network throughput in the integrated network architecture. To the best of our knowledge no load balancing mechanisms, especially based on the Multi-Point Control Protocol (MPCP) defined in the IEEE 802.3ah, have been proposed so far. The major research...... issues are outlined and a cost function based optimization model is developed for power management. In particularly, two alternative feedback schemes are proposed to report wireless network status. Simulation results show that our proposed load balancing mechanism improves network performances....

  1. The balance of uranium supply and demand to 1990

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Erkes, P.

    1980-01-01

    The subject is discussed under the following headings: lead times in the nuclear industry; short term flexibilities -impact on demand of changes in tails assay and effect on supply of changed operating characteristics; supply-demand balance (Uranium Institute methodology); installed nuclear capacity forecast; enrichment capacity forecast; uranium production projections; estimates of uranium supply and demand until 1990; the effect of stockpiling; recent influences on the supply and demand balance; the Harrisburg experience; the International Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE); the oil price spiral; conclusions. (U.K.)

  2. Cultural Change and a Balanced Scorecard. Does Your Organization Measure Up?

    Science.gov (United States)

    McAlary, Chris K.

    2001-01-01

    Discusses the balanced scorecard concept, a customer-based planning and process improvement system for measuring the success of campus business enterprises and helping to better achieve organizational goals. Scorecard design and implementation are described as are selected success stories. (GR)

  3. Validity and reliability of the Nintendo Wii Balance Board for assessment of standing balance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Clark, Ross A; Bryant, Adam L; Pua, Yonghao; McCrory, Paul; Bennell, Kim; Hunt, Michael

    2010-03-01

    Impaired standing balance has a detrimental effect on a person's functional ability and increases their risk of falling. There is currently no validated system which can precisely quantify center of pressure (COP), an important component of standing balance, while being inexpensive, portable and widely available. The Wii Balance Board (WBB) fits these criteria, and we examined its validity in comparison with the 'gold standard'-a laboratory-grade force platform (FP). Thirty subjects without lower limb pathology performed a combination of single and double leg standing balance tests with eyes open or closed on two separate occasions. Data from the WBB were acquired using a laptop computer. The test-retest reliability for COP path length for each of the testing devices, including a comparison of the WBB and FP data, was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots (BAP) and minimum detectable change (MDC). Both devices exhibited good to excellent COP path length test-retest reliability within-device (ICC=0.66-0.94) and between-device (ICC=0.77-0.89) on all testing protocols. Examination of the BAP revealed no relationship between the difference and the mean in any test, however the MDC values for the WBB did exceed those of the FP in three of the four tests. These findings suggest that the WBB is a valid tool for assessing standing balance. Given that the WBB is portable, widely available and a fraction of the cost of a FP, it could provide the average clinician with a standing balance assessment tool suitable for the clinical setting. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Interchangeability of the Wii Balance Board for Bipedal Balance Assessment.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bonnechère, Bruno; Jansen, Bart; Omelina, Lubos; Rooze, Marcel; Van Sint Jan, Serge

    2015-08-27

    Since 2010, an increasing interest in more portable and flexible hardware for balance and posture assessment led to previously published studies determining whether or not the Wii Balance Board could be used to assess balance and posture, both scientifically and clinically. However, no previous studies aimed at comparing results from different Wii Balance Boards for clinical balance evaluation exist. The objective of this crossover study is to assess the interchangeability of the Wii Balance Board. A total of 6 subjects participated in the study and their balance was assessed using 4 different Wii Balance Boards. Trials were recorded simultaneously with Wii Balance Boards and with a laboratory force plate. Nine relevant clinical parameters were derived from center of pressure displacement data obtained from Wii Balance Board and force plate systems. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), F tests, and Friedman tests were computed to assess the agreement between trials and to compare the Wii Balance Board and force plate results. Excellent correlations were found between the Wii Balance Board and force plate (mean ρ =.83). With the exception of 2 parameters, strong to excellent agreements were found for the 7 remaining parameters (ICC=.96). No significant differences were found between trials recorded with different Wii Balance Boards. Our results indicate that for most of the parameters analyzed, balance and posture assessed with one Wii Balance Board were statistically similar to results obtained from another. Furthermore, the good correlation between the Wii Balance Board and force plate results shows that Wii Balance Boards can be reliably used for scientific assessment using most of the parameters analyzed in this study. These results also suggest that the Wii Balance Board could be used in multicenter studies and therefore, would allow for the creation of larger populations for clinical studies. Ethical Committee of the Erasme Hospital (CCB B406201215142

  5. Effects of increased wind power generation on Mid-Norway's energy balance under climate change: A market based approach

    Science.gov (United States)

    Francois, Baptiste; Martino, Sara; Tofte, Lena; Hingray, Benoit; Mo, Birger; Creutin, Jean-Dominique

    2017-04-01

    Thanks to its huge water storage capacity, Norway has an excess of energy generation at annual scale, although significant regional disparity exists. On average, the Mid-Norway region has an energy deficit and needs to import more electricity than it exports. We show that this energy deficit can be reduced with an increase in wind generation and transmission line capacity, even in future climate scenarios where both mean annual temperature and precipitation are changed. For the considered scenarios, the deficit observed in winter disappears, i.e. when electricity consumption and prices are high. At the annual scale, the deficit behavior depends more on future changes in precipitation. Another consequence of changes in wind production and transmission capacity is the modification of electricity exchanges with neighboring regions which are also modified both in terms of average, variability and seasonality. Keywords: Variable renewable energy, Wind, Hydro, Energy balance, Energy market

  6. La influencia del conocimiento político en las decisiones de voto

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Marta FRAILE

    2007-01-01

    Full Text Available Este trabajo discute y compara dos lógicas explicativas del comportamiento electoral: el voto por resultados y el voto ideológico. En concreto, el trabajo pone a prueba uno de los principales supuestos de ambas teorías: que las reglas que guían las decisiones de voto de los ciudadanos son las mismas independientemente de su nivel de interés, conocimiento e información sobre los temas políticos. Para ello se analiza material empírico proveniente de encuestas postelectorales en cuatro democracias: España, Portugal, Hungría y Polonia. Los datos pertenecen al segundo módulo del programa de Estudio Comparado de Sistemas Electorales (CSES, 2005, que contiene información sobre el comportamiento electoral y el conocimiento político de los ciudadanos. Los resultados apuntan a que mientras la influencia del conocimiento político en la lógica del voto por resultados es clara y contundente, resulta mucho menos concluyente en el caso del voto ideológico. Todo ello sugiere que el control democrático de los gobiernos a través de la sanción de su rendimiento requiere unos niveles mínimos de conocimiento e información sobre la política por parte de la ciudadanía.

  7. Decisional procrastination of school-to-work transition: Personality correlates of career indecision

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bańka Augustyn

    2015-03-01

    Full Text Available Procrastination as putting off until tomorrow what one had intended to do today is well-known tendency in everyday life. In an attempt to understand the character of procrastination in different life-domains, a large body of research has been accumulated over the last decades. This article was aimed to evaluate a specific decisional procrastination of school-to-work transition (SWT that is treated as maturity postponement. Two studies are reported examining SWT procrastination defined as career indecision among Polish students graduating universities. In Study 1 (N=366, attitudinal and identity statuses were analyzed as correlates of career procrastination. A path analysis conducted for the model, which was aimed to explain the influence of career self-efficacy and occupational commitment on career indecision (dependent variable, revealed its very good fitness (RMSEA=.000. Those two independent variables explain 10% of career indecision variance. Stepwise multiple regression analyses conducted to ascertain relationship of five identity statuses (Brzezińska, Piotrowski, 2010 to procrastination measure (career indecision showed that Commitment Making and Ruminative Exploration are strongest predictor variables. In study 2 (N=157, the stepwise multiple regression analyses conducted to ascertain the independent relationship of each of Big Five personality factor revealed that Neuroticism and Extraversion accounts of the most of explained variance of school-to-work transition procrastination.

  8. Chance for balance: Chance for balance

    OpenAIRE

    Sævild, Katariina; Skov Sørensen, Katrine; Kildahl Lauritsen, Louise; Fuglsang, Sofie Olivia; Arnbjerg, Stine Høegh

    2015-01-01

    This project investigates how (im) balance between family and career influences Danish women's desire to have children. In order to answer this question, we have chosen to use qualitative method and our analysis is based on two semi-structured research interviews with two chosen women. Thus these women’s definition of balance and their view on children define the project. We have chosen to use of work-life balance theories, Thomas Hoejrup’s lifeform-analysis and Anthony Giddens’ theories of s...

  9. Impacts of climate change on the water balance of a large nonhumid natural basin in China

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Qiang; Liang, Liqiao

    2015-08-01

    Water resources are contingent on the combined effects of climate change and watershed characteristics. An analytical model devised from the Budyko framework was used to investigate the partitioning of precipitation ( P) into actual evapotranspiration ( E) and streamflow ( Q) parameters for the Yellow River Basin (YRB), a water-limited basin, to estimate the response of E and Q to P and potential evapotranspiration ( E p ). Although a steady state was assumed, the analytical model, incorporating an adjustable parameter characteristic of catchment conditions ( ω), can be run to analyze the sensitivity of catchment characteristics on water resources. The theory predicts that Q and E are more sensitive to P than to E p . For example, a 10 % increase in P will result in a 22.8 % increase in Q, while a 10 % increase in E p will decrease Q by 13.2 %. The model shows that, to some extent, water balance is governed by changing catchment characteristics (such as changes in vegetation on annual scales). These findings indicate that additional elucidative data can be drawn from the Budyko framework when taking into account catchment characteristics. Furthermore, the model can analyze the response of water resources to climate change on different temporal and spatial scales.

  10. Impacts of Cropland Changes on Water Balance, Sediment and Nutrient Transport in Eden River, UK

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Yumei; Quinn, Paul; Liang, Qiuhua; Adams, Russell

    2017-04-01

    Water is the key to food and human life. Farming is the main part of economic and society in Eden, with approximately 2000 farms which covers 95% of under crops. However, with the growth of farming practice and global climate changes, Eden has presented great challenges and bringing uncertainty in the water quality caused by the agricultural diffuse pollution. This expected to reduce negative impacts of the water diffuse pollution from agriculture in Eden. Therefore, there is a high need to ensure effective water resource management to enhance water quality, to address the flow pathways and sediment transport in different farming practice and cropland changes. Hence we need to understand nutrient and the hydrological flow pathways from soil to Hillslope to channel. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impacts of different cropland changes on water balance, sediment and nutrient transport. By using the hydrological models Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Catchment Runoff Attenuation Flux Tool (CRAFT), it can show the sediment and nutrient export from the load for each flow pathways (overland flow, soil water flow and ground water flow). We will show results from a small research catchment (10km2) area to the whole of Eden (800km2) at a daily time step.

  11. A Review of Postural Balance and its Related Factors in the Elderly

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Masoumi Nasrin

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Objective: The slowing down of the nervous system function and changes in the musculoskeletal system (including joint changes and instability during old age have resulted in imbalance and lack of postural control becoming common problems during this age period. Using balancing tests and identifying those at risk can be an important step in the prevention of falls and its consequences in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the balance status of the elderly according to some demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 194 elderly retired from public institutions were selected using systematic random sampling method and studied. To gather information, tinetti gait and balance evaluation tests were performed which included 16 items in 2 sections of dynamic balance and static balance. After collecting the data, they were analyzed using SPSS software, and Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Results showed that regarding static balance, 82% of participants had natural balance and 18% had abnormal balance. Regarding dynamic balance, 95.4% of participants had natural balance and 4.6% had abnormal balance. Among the demographic characteristics (age, gender, and disease, age had a significant relationship with balance (dynamic and static. Moreover, a significant relationship was observed between dynamic balance and disease. Therefore, the possibility of imbalance in the elderly increased with age and history of a disease. Conclusion: Imbalance has been introduced as one of the most common risk factors for falls in the elderly. Therefore, using balance tests and identifying elderly with balance disorders, and using multilateral interventions (including balance rehabilitation programs, regular exercise programs, suitable living environment (safer furniture, installing rails and handles, and showers with no tub, and specialist

  12. Improvements in balance control in individuals with PCS detected following vestibular training: A case study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Prangley, Alyssa; Aggerholm, Mathew; Cinelli, Michael

    2017-10-01

    Concussed individuals have been found to experience balance deficits in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction as indicated by greater Center of Pressure (COP) displacement and velocity. One possible reason for this change in balance control could be due to damage to the lateral vestibulospinal tract which sends signals to control posterior muscles, specifically ankle extensors leading to compensatory torques about the ankle. The purpose of the study was to quantify balance assessments in individuals experiencing persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) to determine balance control changes following a vestibular training intervention. Participants (N=6,>26days symptomatic), were tested during their first appointment with a registered physiotherapist (PT) and during each follow up appointment. Participants were prescribed balance, visual, and neck strengthening exercises by the PT that were to be completed daily between bi-weekly appointments. Balance assessments were quantified using a Nintendo Wii board to record ground reaction forces. Participants completed 4 balance assessments: 1) Romberg stance eyes open (REO); 2) Romberg stance eyes closed (REC); 3) single leg stance eyes open (SEO); and 4) single leg stance eyes closed (SEC). The balance assessments were conducted on both a firm and compliant surfaces. Significant improvements in balance control were noted in ML/AP displacement and velocity of COP for both SEC and Foam REC conditions, with additional improvements in AP velocity of COP for Foam REC and in ML displacement of COP during Foam SEC. Overall, findings indicate that objectively quantifying balance changes for individuals experiencing persistent PCS allows for a more sensitive measure of balance and detects changes unrecognizable to the naked eye. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Panorámica de las teorías y métodos de investigación en torno a la toma de decisiones en el tenis

    OpenAIRE

    García González, Luis; Araújo, Duarte; Carvalho, João; Villar Álvarez, Fernando del

    2011-01-01

    In this theoretical and methodological review of decision making in tennis, we describe some of the explanatory theories of the decisional process by using two approaches: cognitive psychology and ecological psychology. Within the former approach, based on models of information processing, we focus on the importance of visual and perceptual behaviour as mediators of anticipation and decision-making skills in tennis, as well as related concepts such as attention and visual acuity. Subsequently...

  14. Toma de decisiones compartidas y medicina mínimamente impertinente en el manejo de las enfermedades crónicas

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Claudia Zeballos-Palacios

    Full Text Available Las enfermedades crónicas son la causa más importante de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. Estas condiciones requieren considerable inversión de tiempo y recursos por parte del sistema de salud en el Perú, así como de los pacientes y sus familiares. Paradójicamente, las estrategias médicas desarrolladas para el manejo de estas condiciones generan una carga constante y creciente para el paciente y su entorno, que repercute en la calidad de vida del paciente y en los resultados terapéuticos. En este artículo describimos el rol de la toma de decisiones compartidas y de la medicina mínimamente impertinente como estrategias para abordar estos problemas

  15. Optimized balance rehabilitation training strategy for the elderly through an evaluation of balance characteristics in response to dynamic motions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jung, HoHyun; Chun, Keyoung Jin; Hong, Jaesoo; Lim, Dohyung

    2015-01-01

    Balance is important in daily activities and essential for maintaining an independent lifestyle in the elderly. Recent studies have shown that balance rehabilitation training can improve the balance ability of the elderly, and diverse balance rehabilitation training equipment has been developed. However, there has been little research into optimized strategies for balance rehabilitation training. To provide an optimized strategy, we analyzed the balance characteristics of participants in response to the rotation of a base plate on multiple axes. Seven male adults with no musculoskeletal or nervous system-related diseases (age: 25.5±1.7 years; height: 173.9±6.4 cm; body mass: 71.3±6.5 kg; body mass index: 23.6±2.4 kg/m2) were selected to investigate the balance rehabilitation training using customized rehabilitation equipment. Rotation of the base plate of the equipment was controlled to induce dynamic rotation of participants in the anterior–posterior, right-diagonal, medial–lateral, and left-diagonal directions. We used a three-dimensional motion capture system employing infrared cameras and the Pedar Flexible Insoles System to characterize the major lower-extremity joint angles, center of body mass, and center of pressure. We found statistically significant differences between the changes in joint angles in the lower extremities in response to dynamic rotation of the participants (P0.05). These results indicate that optimizing rotation control of the base plate of balance rehabilitation training equipment to induce anterior–posterior and medial–lateral dynamic rotation preferentially can lead to effective balance training. Additional tests with varied speeds and ranges of angles of base plate rotation are expected to be useful as well as an analysis of the balance characteristics considering a balance index that reflects the muscle activity and cooperative characteristics. PMID:26508847

  16. Balance and Gait in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparison with Healthy Controls and the Immediate Change after an Intervention based on the Bobath Concept.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ilett, P; Lythgo, N; Martin, C; Brock, K

    2016-06-01

    The objective of this study is to compare the balance and gait of 11 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to 11 healthy controls and to investigate the immediate change after a single intervention based on the Bobath concept on these activities in the MS group. Balance was assessed by ground reaction forces (GRF) and centre of pressure movements during single limb standing (SLS), the Lateral Reach Test (LRT) and the Four Square Step Test (FSST). Gait was evaluated by GRF, ankle kinematics and spatiotemporal measures. Baseline measures in the MS group showed significantly greater vertical GRF variability (p = 0.008) during SLS reached less distance on the LRT (p = 0.001) and were slower completing the FSST (p Bobath concept delivered to the most impaired foot and ankle. After the intervention, the MS group had significant changes towards the control group values with reduced mediolateral (p = 0.002) and vertical (p = 0.016) GRF variability in the SLS task, faster FSST time (p = 0.006) and increased ankle PF during gait (p = 0.002). This study provides further evidence of balance and gait limitations in people with MS and indicates that a single treatment based on principles of the Bobath concept to the foot and ankle can result in immediate improvements in balance and ankle PF during gait in people with MS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. Automated Decisional Model for Optimum Economic Order Quantity Determination Using Price Regressive Rates

    Science.gov (United States)

    Roşu, M. M.; Tarbă, C. I.; Neagu, C.

    2016-11-01

    The current models for inventory management are complementary, but together they offer a large pallet of elements for solving complex problems of companies when wanting to establish the optimum economic order quantity for unfinished products, row of materials, goods etc. The main objective of this paper is to elaborate an automated decisional model for the calculus of the economic order quantity taking into account the price regressive rates for the total order quantity. This model has two main objectives: first, to determine the periodicity when to be done the order n or the quantity order q; second, to determine the levels of stock: lighting control, security stock etc. In this way we can provide the answer to two fundamental questions: How much must be ordered? When to Order? In the current practice, the business relationships with its suppliers are based on regressive rates for price. This means that suppliers may grant discounts, from a certain level of quantities ordered. Thus, the unit price of the products is a variable which depends on the order size. So, the most important element for choosing the optimum for the economic order quantity is the total cost for ordering and this cost depends on the following elements: the medium price per units, the stock cost, the ordering cost etc.

  18. Decisional role preferences, risk knowledge and information interests in patients with multiple sclerosis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Heesen, Christoph; Kasper, Jürgen; Segal, Julia; Köpke, Sascha; Mühlhauser, Ingrid

    2004-12-01

    Shared decision making is increasingly recognized as the ideal model of patient-physician communication especially in chronic diseases with partially effective treatments as multiple sclerosis (MS). To evaluate prerequisite factors for this kind of decision making we studied patients' decisional role preferences in medical decision making, knowledge on risks, information interests and the relations between these factors in MS. After conducting focus groups to generate hypotheses, 219 randomly selected patients from the MS Outpatient Clinic register (n = 1374) of the University Hospital Hamburg received mailed questionnaires on their knowledge of risks in MS, their perception of their own level of knowledge, information interests and role preferences. Most patients (79%) indicated that they preferred an active role in treatment decisions giving the shared decision and the informed choice model the highest priority. MS risk knowledge was low but questionnaire results depended on disease course, disease duration and ongoing immune therapy. Measured knowledge as well as perceived knowledge was only weakly correlated with preferences of active roles. Major information interests were related to symptom alleviation, diagnostic procedures and prognosis. Patients with MS claimed autonomous roles in their health care decisions. The weak correlation between knowledge and preferences for active roles implicates that other factors largely influence role preferences.

  19. Methods for monitoring work-life balance in a digital world

    OpenAIRE

    Chong, Ming Ki; Whittle, Jon; Rashid, Umar; Ang, Chee Siang; Whiting, Rebecca; Roby, Helen; Chamakiotis, Petros; Symon, Gillian

    2014-01-01

    Digital technologies - smart phones, email, social networking, etc. - are fundamentally changing our relationship with work. Digital technologies enable us to be always connected. However, the question remains as to how digital technologies affect our work-life balance. In this position paper, we report on some methods we are using to study how to continuously monitor and observe work-life balance, and discuss the advantages/disadvantages of these methods. Work-life balance is a relatively un...

  20. Effective strategic leadership: Balancing roles during church ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    Effective strategic leadership: Balancing roles during church transitions. ... a substantive grounded theory of organisational change and leadership, particularly focusing on the manifestation and management of organisation inertia in churches ...

  1. Nitrogen deposition, land cover conversion, and contemporary carbon balance of Europe

    Science.gov (United States)

    Churkina, G.; Zaehle, S.; Hughes, J.; Viovy, N.; Jung, M.; Chen, Y.; Heimann, M.; Roedenbeck, C.; Jones, C.

    2009-04-01

    In Europe, atmospheric nitrogen deposition has more than doubled, forest cover was steadily increasing, and agricultural area was declining over the last 50 years. What effect have these changes had on the European carbon balance? In this study we estimate responses of the European land ecosystems to nitrogen deposition, land cover conversion and climate. We use results from four ecosystem process models such as BIOME-BGC, JULES, ORCHIDEE, and ORCHIDEE-CN to address this question. We discuss to which degree carbon balance of Europe has been altered by nitrogen deposition in comparison to other drivers and identify areas which carbon balance has been most effected by anthropogenic changes.

  2. Chloride-mass-balance for predicting increased recharge after land-use change

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gee, G.W.; Zhang, Z.F.; Tyler, S.W.; Albright, W.H.; Singleton, M.J.

    2004-02-23

    The chloride-mass-balance (CMB) method has been used extensively to estimate recharge in arid and semi-arid environments. Required data include estimates of annual precipitation, total chloride input (from dry fallout and precipitation), and pore-water chloride concentrations. Typically, CMB has been used to estimate ancient recharge but recharge from recent land-use change has also been documented. Recharge rates below a few mm/yr are reliably detected with CMB; however, estimates above a few mm/yr appear to be less reliable. We tested the CMB method against 26 years of drainage from a 7.6-m-deep lysimeter at a simulated waste-burial ground, located on the Department of Energy s Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State, USA where land-use change has increased recharge rates. Measured drainage from the lysimeter for the past 26 years averaged 62 mm/yr. Precipitation averaged 190 mm/yr with an estimated chloride input of 0.225 mg/L. Initial pore-water chloride concentration was 88 mg/L and decreased to about 6 mg/L after 26 years, while the drainage water decreased to less than 1 mg/L. A recharge estimate made using chloride concentrations in drain water was within 20 percent of the measured drainage rate. In contrast, recharge estimates using 1:1 (water: soil) extracts were lower than actual by factors ranging from 2 to 8 or more. The results suggest that when recharge is above a few mm/yr, soil water extracts can lead to unreliable estimates of recharge. For conditions of elevated recharge, direct sampling of pore water is the preferred method, because chloride concentrations are often 20 to 50 times higher in directly-sampled pore water than in pore-water extracts.

  3. Observatorios de convivencia y seguridad ciudadana: herramientas para la toma de decisiones y gobernabilidad

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gabriela Sánchez-Rentería

    Full Text Available La necesidad de gobernabilidad para generar desarrollo en los países, se ha venido convirtiendo en foco de interés de los gobiernos. América Latina cuenta con sistemas políticos en crisis de gobernabilidad, dada la incapacidad de los actores estratégicos para resolver los conflictos basándose en reglas y procedimientos establecidos. La presente revisión tiene como objetivo mostrar cómo la creación de sistemas de vigilancia en violencia (observatorios contribuye al fortalecimiento de la gobernabilidad y a la generación de políticas públicas efectivas. Se realizó un análisis de los componentes necesarios para la existencia de gobernabilidad y su relación con el papel que cumplen los observatorios para proporcionar información confiable, oportuna y representativa. La gobernabilidad se enriquece con la legitimidad otorgada por la ciudadanía a partir de los resultados de los gobiernos, en la formulación, implementación, evaluación de políticas públicas y la toma de decisiones en salud pública basadas en evidencia.

  4. The beliefs about pros and cons of drinking and intention to change among hazardous and moderate alcohol users: a population-based cross-sectional study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ansker, Fredrik G; Helgason, Asgeir R; Ahacic, Kozma

    2014-08-01

    Fundamental to supporting hazardous alcohol users are the rationales for reducing alcohol intake highlighted by the users themselves. This study analyses the relative importance of beliefs about pros and cons of drinking in relation to having an intention to reduce intake among both hazardous and moderate alcohol users. Intention to change was assessed in a representative sample of Stockholm's population (n = 4278, response rate 56.5%). Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test measure. A decisional balance inventory was used to examine various beliefs about the pros and cons of drinking, which covered affect changes, social gains and losses, and possible adverse effects. Independent correlations were determined by logistic regression using a backward exclusion procedure (P > 0.05). Higher ratings of importance were generally related to intent, whether or not the contrast was with having no intent or already having made a reduction. This was especially true for hazardous users. Only two beliefs were independently correlated with change among hazardous users: 'Drinking could get me addicted' and 'Drinking makes me more relaxed/less tense' (pseudo-R2 change rated pro arguments as more important than those with no intent to change. Of the investigated pros and cons, only a few were independently related to intention to change drinking behaviour. These arguments provide interesting topics in consultations. Little support was found for any rational decision making behind the intention to reduce alcohol intake. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association.

  5. The relevance of clinical balance assessment tools to differentiate balance deficits

    OpenAIRE

    Mancini, Martina; Horak, Fay B

    2010-01-01

    Control of balance is complex and involves maintaining postures, facilitating movement, and recovering equilibrium. Balance control consists of controlling the body center of mass over its limits of stability. Clinical balance assessment can help assess fall risk and/or determine the underlying reasons for balance disorders. Most functional balance assessment scales assess fall risk and the need for balance rehabilitation but do not differentiate types of balance deficits. A system approach t...

  6. Relaciones de poder y estructura de decisiones del gremio cafetero colombiano: La Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, FEDERACAFE, y el Fondo Nacional del Café

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Francisco Rodríguez Vargas

    1997-12-01

    Full Text Available Este artículo presenta información sobre la estructura de centros de decisión de la Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, organización que se ha destacado en la economía y la sociedad colombianas durante setenta años, así como el mecanismo institucional esencial para su desarrollo como es el Fondo Nacional del Café, cuyos ingresos provienen de las tasas parafiscales que el Estado ha impuesto a los cafeteros por su producto estratégico de exportación. La perspectiva del estudio relaciona la interacción de las instituciones constituidas por leyes, decretos, normas, tanto del gobierno como de las regiones y de los municipios en donde se lleva a cabo la producción y comercialización del café. La cogestión de los impuestos corporativos del Fondo Nacional del Café toca las fronteras entre la gestión pública que responde al interés nacional y la gestión social privada de una asociación exitosa de profesionales agrícolas que responde a los intereses particulares de los productores. La estrategia de los dirigentes cafeteros ha sido guardar su autonomía organizacional de defensa de los intereses de sus asociados frente al gobierno por la vía de influir sobre las decisiones públicas como su aliado y nunca como su contradictor. La permanencia de sus directivos, la centralización de decisiones estratégicas, la descentralización operativa y su capacidad técnica para el manejo de la información nacional e internacional sobre su socio en la cogestión del Fondo Nacional de Cafeteros, por tanto, han ganado la capacidad de manejarse a sí mismo, es decir, su autonomía y capacidad de autogestión de sus decisiones.

  7. The effect of general and spinal anesthesia on balance control in elderly patients.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Suárez, Alejo; Macadar, Omar

    2008-01-01

    Falls are a major problem in the elderly population, but few communications address the influence of anesthesia on balance control. This study reports how a general balanced anesthesia (GBA) and a spinal anesthesia (SA) affect balance control in the elderly. We divided into three groups, according to electronystagmography findings and type of anesthesia, 21 men older than 65 years (mean age, 72 years) who were scheduled for prostate adenectomy. One group, designated GBN, consisted of normal subjects who underwent surgery under GBA. In another group, designated GBP, were pathological subjects who had clinically compensated central vestibular disorders (CVDs) and underwent surgery under GBA. The third group, designated SP, contained CVD patients who underwent surgery under SA. We assessed balance control via static posturography preoperatively and 48 hours postoperatively. We observed no change in balance control parameters (center of pressure distribution area [COPa] or COP sway velocity [SV]) for those patients in the GBN group or for those in the SP group. We did observe a significant difference for the patients in the GBP group, with higher postoperative values of COPa and SV (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Our results showed that in subjects with clinically compensated underlying CVD prior to a GBA, balance control worsens after the procedure, whereas no change in balance control occurs after an SA. Balance control in subjects with normal vestibuloocular function did not change even after a GBA.

  8. Balance Problems

    Science.gov (United States)

    ... often, it could be a sign of a balance problem. Balance problems can make you feel unsteady. You may ... related injuries, such as a hip fracture. Some balance problems are due to problems in the inner ...

  9. Effect of aquatic dual-task training on balance and gait in stroke patients.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kim, Kyoung; Lee, Dong-Kyu; Kim, Eun-Kyung

    2016-07-01

    [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aquatic dual-task training on balance and gait in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty stroke patients were divided into the experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Both groups underwent neurodevelopmental treatment. The experimental group additionally underwent aquatic dual-task training for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Balance was measured using the Berg balance scale, Five Times Sit-to Stand Test, and Functional Reach Test. Gait was measured using the 10-Meter Walk Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and Functional Gait Assessment. [Results] For intragroup comparison, the experimental group showed a significant change after the experiment in all balance and gait assessment tests. For intergroup comparison, the experimental group showed relatively more significant change after the experiment in all balance and gait assessment tests. [Conclusion] Our results showed that aquatic dual-task training has a positive effect on balance and gait in stroke patients.

  10. Mass balance re-analysis of Findelengletscher, Switzerland; benefits of extensive snow accumulation measurements

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Leo eSold

    2016-02-01

    Full Text Available A re-analysis is presented here of a 10-year mass balance series at Findelengletscher, a temperate mountain glacier in Switzerland. Calculating glacier-wide mass balance from the set of glaciological point balance observations using conventional approaches, such as the profile or contour method, resulted in significant deviations from the reference value given by the geodetic mass change over a five-year period. This is attributed to the sparsity of observations at high elevations and to the inability of the evaluation schemes to adequately estimate accumulation in unmeasured areas. However, measurements of winter mass balance were available for large parts of the study period from snow probings and density pits. Complementary surveys by helicopter-borne ground-penetrating radar (GPR were conducted in three consecutive years. The complete set of seasonal observations was assimilated using a distributed mass balance model. This model-based extrapolation revealed a substantial mass loss at Findelengletscher of -0.43m w.e. a^-1 between 2004 and 2014, while the loss was less pronounced for its former tributary, Adlergletscher (-0.30m w.e. a^-1. For both glaciers, the resulting time series were within the uncertainty bounds of the geodetic mass change. We show that the model benefited strongly from the ability to integrate seasonal observations. If no winter mass balance measurements were available and snow cover was represented by a linear precipitation gradient, the geodetic mass balance was not matched. If winter balance measurements by snow probings and snow density pits were taken into account, the model performance was substantially improved but still showed a significant bias relative to the geodetic mass change. Thus the excellent agreement of the model-based extrapolation with the geodetic mass change was owed to an adequate representation of winter accumulation distribution by means of extensive GPR measurements.

  11. The evolution of balanced scorecard

    OpenAIRE

    Eremina G.

    2016-01-01

    The article describes the evolution of the Balanced scorecard (BSC) as one of the world's most popular systems of measuring performance. The BSC, developed by Robert Kaplan and David Norton as a strategic management tool, has been constantly changing with the accumulation of practical experience of its use. The author of the article establishes the chronology of the publication of articles and books that have become milestones on the way of development of the BSC and traces of system changes ...

  12. Temporal and spatial variability of global water balance

    Science.gov (United States)

    McCabe, Gregory J.; Wolock, David M.

    2013-01-01

    An analysis of simulated global water-balance components (precipitation [P], actual evapotranspiration [AET], runoff [R], and potential evapotranspiration [PET]) for the past century indicates that P has been the primary driver of variability in R. Additionally, since about 2000, there have been increases in P, AET, R, and PET for most of the globe. The increases in R during 2000 through 2009 have occurred despite unprecedented increases in PET. The increases in R are the result of substantial increases in P during the cool Northern Hemisphere months (i.e. October through March) when PET increases were relatively small; the largest PET increases occurred during the warm Northern Hemisphere months (April through September). Additionally, for the 2000 through 2009 period, the latitudinal distribution of P departures appears to co-vary with the mean P departures from 16 climate model projections of the latitudinal response of P to warming, except in the high latitudes. Finally, changes in water-balance variables appear large from the perspective of departures from the long-term means. However, when put into the context of the magnitudes of the raw water balance variable values, there appears to have been little change in any of the water-balance variables over the past century on a global or hemispheric scale.

  13. Validation of a robotic balance system for investigations in the control of human standing balance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Luu, Billy L; Huryn, Thomas P; Van der Loos, H F Machiel; Croft, Elizabeth A; Blouin, Jean-Sébastien

    2011-08-01

    Previous studies have shown that human body sway during standing approximates the mechanics of an inverted pendulum pivoted at the ankle joints. In this study, a robotic balance system incorporating a Stewart platform base was developed to provide a new technique to investigate the neural mechanisms involved in standing balance. The robotic system, programmed with the mechanics of an inverted pendulum, controlled the motion of the body in response to a change in applied ankle torque. The ability of the robotic system to replicate the load properties of standing was validated by comparing the load stiffness generated when subjects balanced their own body to the robot's mechanical load programmed with a low (concentrated-mass model) or high (distributed-mass model) inertia. The results show that static load stiffness was not significantly (p > 0.05) different for standing and the robotic system. Dynamic load stiffness for the robotic system increased with the frequency of sway, as predicted by the mechanics of an inverted pendulum, with the higher inertia being accurately matched to the load properties of the human body. This robotic balance system accurately replicated the physical model of standing and represents a useful tool to simulate the dynamics of a standing person. © 2011 IEEE

  14. Balancing through episodic learning

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Scheuer, John Damm

    2013-01-01

    Peter Jarvis’s theory about learning suggests that human beings learn and change as a result of hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, and feeling. They change and learn by interacting with other humans, things, and events in certain time-space contexts and by reflecting upon these, as well...... as upon wished-for future states or past experiences, knowledge, and history, and upon what these experiences mean to one’s own self and identity. This chapter explores how female top managers have to reflect and find a balance in their work-family lives on the basis of interaction with, and inputs from...

  15. Fire-induced albedo change and surface radiative forcing in sub-Saharan Africa savanna ecosystems: Implications for the energy balance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dintwe, Kebonye; Okin, Gregory S.; Xue, Yongkang

    2017-06-01

    Surface albedo is a critical parameter that controls surface energy balance. In dryland ecosystems, fires play a significant role in decreasing surface albedo, resulting in positive radiative forcing. Here we investigate the long-term effect of fire on surface albedo. We devised a method to calculate short-, medium-, and long-term effect of fire-induced radiative forcing and their relative effects on energy balance. We used Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data in our analysis, covering different vegetation classes in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Our analysis indicated that mean short-term fire-induced albedo change in SSA was -0.022, -0.035, and -0.041 for savannas, shrubland, and grasslands, respectively. At regional scale, mean fire-induced albedo change in savannas was -0.018 and -0.024 for northern sub-Saharan of Africa and the southern hemisphere Africa, respectively. The short-term mean fire-induced radiative forcing in burned areas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was 5.41 W m-2, which contributed continental and global radiative forcings of 0.25 and 0.058 W m-2, respectively. The impact of fire in surface albedo has long-lasting effects that varies with vegetation type. The long-term energetic effects of fire-induced albedo change and associated radiative forcing were, on average, more than 19 times greater across SSA than the short-term effects, suggesting that fires exerted far more radiative forcing than previously thought. Taking into account the actual duration of fire's effect on surface albedo, we conclude that the contribution of SSA fires, globally and throughout the year, is 0.12 W m-2. These findings provide crucial information on possible impact of fire on regional climate variability.

  16. Work Change in Multiple Sclerosis as Motivated by the Pursuit of Illness-Work-Life Balance: A Qualitative Study

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lavanya Vijayasingham

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Individuals with multiple sclerosis have a tendency to make early decisions for work change, even in reversible, episodic, or mild disease stages. To better understand how a multiple sclerosis (MS diagnosis influences perceptions of work and motivations for work changes, we conducted a hermeneutic phenomenology study to explore the work lives of ten individuals with MS in Malaysia. The interpretive analysis and cumulative narratives depict an overarching change in their concept of ideal work and life aspirations and how participants make preemptive work changes to manage illness-work-life futures in subjectively meaningful ways. Discussions on their integrated pursuit of finding dynamic and subjective illness-work-life balance include reconciling the problem of hard work and stress on disease activity and progress, making positive lifestyle changes as health management behaviour, and the motivational influence of their own life and family roles: the consideration of their spouses, parents, and children. At an action level, work change was seen as moral and necessary for the management of illness futures. Our findings contribute insights on how individual perceptions and holistic life management decisions contribute to on-going and disrupted work trajectories, which can inform practice and policy on early interventions to support continued employment.

  17. Work Change in Multiple Sclerosis as Motivated by the Pursuit of Illness-Work-Life Balance: A Qualitative Study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vijayasingham, Lavanya; Jogulu, Uma; Allotey, Pascale

    2017-01-01

    Individuals with multiple sclerosis have a tendency to make early decisions for work change, even in reversible, episodic, or mild disease stages. To better understand how a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis influences perceptions of work and motivations for work changes, we conducted a hermeneutic phenomenology study to explore the work lives of ten individuals with MS in Malaysia. The interpretive analysis and cumulative narratives depict an overarching change in their concept of ideal work and life aspirations and how participants make preemptive work changes to manage illness-work-life futures in subjectively meaningful ways. Discussions on their integrated pursuit of finding dynamic and subjective illness-work-life balance include reconciling the problem of hard work and stress on disease activity and progress, making positive lifestyle changes as health management behaviour, and the motivational influence of their own life and family roles: the consideration of their spouses, parents, and children. At an action level, work change was seen as moral and necessary for the management of illness futures. Our findings contribute insights on how individual perceptions and holistic life management decisions contribute to on-going and disrupted work trajectories, which can inform practice and policy on early interventions to support continued employment.

  18. Limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico y principios bioéticos en la toma de decisiones

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gilberto de Jesús Betancourt Betancourt

    Full Text Available Se realiza un estudio de los principios básicos o tradicionales de la bioética y su influencia en la práctica de la limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos, como condicionante que favorece su aplicación en los pacientes en estado terminal. Se aborda la necesidad de una bioética no importada de otros países, que se corresponda a las características de la realidad latinoamericana y a cada contexto sociocultural. El trabajo tiene como objetivo fundamental resaltar la importancia de estos principios básicos en la discusión ético-clínica para la toma de decisiones, a partir de una bioética que se corresponda a la realidad de los sistemas imperantes.

  19. Interchangeability of the Wii Balance Board for Bipedal Balance Assessment

    OpenAIRE

    Bonnech?re, Bruno; Jansen, Bart; Omelina, Lubos; Rooze, Marcel; Van Sint Jan, Serge

    2015-01-01

    Background Since 2010, an increasing interest in more portable and flexible hardware for balance and posture assessment led to previously published studies determining whether or not the Wii Balance Board could be used to assess balance and posture, both scientifically and clinically. However, no previous studies aimed at comparing results from different Wii Balance Boards for clinical balance evaluation exist. Objective The objective of this crossover study is to assess the interchangeabilit...

  20. Emerging therapies for gait disability and balance impairment: promises and pitfalls

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Maetzler, W.; Nieuwhof, F.; Hasmann, S.E.; Bloem, B.R.

    2013-01-01

    Therapeutic management of gait and balance impairment during aging and neurodegeneration has long been a neglected topic. This has changed considerably during recent years, for several reasons: (1) an increasing recognition that gait and balance deficits are among the most relevant determinants of

  1. Grey Balance Colorimetry of the Automatically Guided Printing

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Igor Zjakic

    2005-12-01

    Full Text Available Apart from visual control, it is possible to controll the ink on a print by means of auxilliary instruments - densitometer, colorimeter and spectral photometer.One of the problems in offset printing reproduction is the inconstancy of theink flow and ink consumption during the run printing. This problem appears because of the change of ink viscosity, the change of ink temperature, the change of fountain solution quantity in ink, the change of printing speed etc.This article shows the measurements of the chromatic values performed by spectral photometer on the control - signal strip from the very beginning of the run printing till 20000th print. Gray balance (CMY by means of CIE L*a*b* system has been investigated. Densitometric values of the solid area, the growth of the screen values and doubling-shear have been determined. The results of the spectrophotometric measurements of gray balance and the densitometric measurements of the solid tint have been analyzed.

  2. On balance: lifestyle, mental health and wellbeing.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Haggett, Ali

    2016-10-18

    Given the supremacy of the biomedical model in defining our understanding and treatment of a wide range of physcial and psychological disorders, it is perhaps curious that simultaneously, scientists, clinicians, governments and patients routinely employ the concepts of "lifestyle" and "balance" to try to explain the causes of bodily disease and psychological disorder. Concurrently, the health advantages that are assumed to be inherent in a "balanced life" have been exploited by a rapidly expanding consumer market in "wellbeing"-by companies and individuals promoting food supplements, "wearable fitness", diet trends and the self-help material. Exploring the tension between the biomedical doctrine and the parallel preoccupation with balance and lifestyle has provided the impetus for this special issue. Emerging originally from papers presented at an interdisciplinary conference held at the University of Exeter in June 2015, and augmented by two further comment pieces, the collection of articles aims to explore the ways in which changing notions of "balance" have been used to understand the causes of mental illness; to rationalise new approaches to its treatment; and to validate advice relating to balance in work and family life.

  3. Analysis and experimental study on hydraulic balance characteristics in density lock

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gu Haifeng; Yan Changqi; Sun Furong

    2009-01-01

    Through the simplified theoretical model, the hydraulic balance condition which should be met in the density lock is obtained, when reactor operates normally and density lock is closed. The main parameters influencing this condition are analyzed, and the results show that the hydraulic balance in the density lock is characterized with self-stability in a certain range. Meantime, a simulating experimental loop is built and experimental verification on the self-stability characteristic is done. Moreover, experimental study is done on the conditions of flow change of work fluids in the primary circuit in the process of stable operations. The experimental results show that the hydraulic balance in the density lock can recovered quickly, depending on the self-stability characteristic without influences on the sealing performance of density lock and normal operation of reactor, after the change of operation parameters breaks the hydraulic balance. (authors)

  4. Metodología basada en viñetas para el estudio de toma de decisiones clínicas: validez, utilidad y aplicación en los estudios de campo de la CIE-11

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Spencer C. Evans

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Las metodologías basadas en viñetas se utilizan frecuentemente para examinar los procesos de toma de decisiones, incluyendo los de profesionales sanitarios. No obstante, existen dudas respecto a si las viñetas reflejan adecuadamente los fenómenos del “mundo real” permitiendo así resultados y conclusiones válidas. Ofrecemos una visión de las características, variaciones de diseño, fortalezas y debilidades de estos estudios para examinar cómo los profesionales forman juicios clínicos (como el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Siendo “híbridos” de las encuestas tradicionales y los métodos experimentales, estos estudios pueden ofrecer tanto la alta validez interna de los experimentos como la alta validez externa de las encuestas, al aislar múltiples factores predictivos del comportamiento de los clínicos. Un diseño adecuado para poner a prueba preguntas específicas acerca de los juicios y la toma de decisiones permite resultados altamente generalizables a la “vida real”, sin las limitaciones éticas, prácticas y científicas de los métodos alternativos (como la observación, el auto-informe, la evaluación de pacientes estandarizados, o el análisis de archivos clínicos. Concluimos con recomendaciones metodológicas que se ilustran tras una descripción del uso de las metodologías de viñetas para investigar las decisiones diagnósticas de los clínicos en los estudios de campo controlados de la clasificación de los trastornos mentales y del comportamiento en la CIE-11.

  5. Nitrogen deposition, land cover conversion, climate, and contemporary carbon balance of Europe (Invited)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Churkina, G.; Zahle, S.; Hughes, J.; Viovy, N.; Chen, Y.; Jung, M.; Ramankutty, N.; Roedenbeck, C.; Heimann, M.; Jones, C.

    2009-12-01

    In Europe, atmospheric nitrogen deposition has more than doubled, air temperature was rising, forest cover was steadily increasing, while agricultural area was declining over the last 50 years. What effect have these changes had on the European carbon balance? In this study we estimate responses of the European land ecosystems to nitrogen deposition, rising CO2, land cover conversion and climate change. We use results from three ecosystem process models such as BIOME-BGC, JULES, and ORCHIDEE (-CN) to address this question. We discuss to which degree carbon balance of Europe has been altered by nitrogen deposition in comparison to other drivers and identify areas which carbon balance has been affected by anthropogenic changes the most. We also analyze ecosystems carbon pools which were affected by the abovementioned environmental changes.

  6. DISEÑO E IMPLEMENTACION DE UN SISTEMA DE GESTION DEL CONOCIMIENTO SOBRE AMERICA LATINA PARA LA TOMA DE DECISIONES DE ACTORES SOCIALES RELEVANTES

    OpenAIRE

    CHEYRE ESPINOSA, JUAN EMILIO

    2013-01-01

    El proyecto Fondef D07I1048 consistió en diseñar una metodología para el conocimiento y la toma de decisiones de actores sociales relevantes sobre América Latina. La aplicación de esta metodologia es de utilidad para ejecutivos y empresarios, que tienen interés en invertir (IED) en países de América Latina en el largo plazo, como así mismo a otros tomadores de decisión. Esta metodología creada está compuesta por un estudio de antecedentes cualitativos y cuantitativos que se constr...

  7. Overview of Ice-Sheet Mass Balance and Dynamics from ICESat Measurements

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zwally, H. Jay

    2010-01-01

    The primary purpose of the ICESat mission was to determine the present-day mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, identify changes that may be occurring in the surface-mass flux and ice dynamics, and estimate their contributions to global sea-level rise. Although ICESat's three lasers were planned to make continuous measurements for 3 to 5 years, the mission was re-planned to operate in 33-day campaigns 2 to 3 times each year following failure of the first laser after 36 days. Seventeen campaigns were conducted with the last one in the Fall of 2009. Mass balance maps derived from measured ice-sheet elevation changes show that the mass loss from Greenland has increased significantly to about 170 Gt/yr for 2003 to 2007 from a state of near balance in the 1990's. Increased losses (189 Gt/yr) from melting and dynamic thinning are over seven times larger'than increased gains (25 gt/yr) from precipitation. Parts of the West Antarctic ice sheet and the Antarctic Peninsula are losing mass at an increasing rate, but other parts of West Antarctica and the East Antarctic ice sheet are gaining mass at an increasing rate. Increased losses of 35 Gt/yr in Pine Island, Thwaites-Smith, and Marie-Bryd.Coast are more than balanced by gains in base of Peninsula and ice stream C, D, & E systems. From the 1992-2002 to 2003-2007 period, the overall mass balance for Antarctica changed from a loss of about 60 Gt/yr to near balance or slightly positive.

  8. Balanced high fat diet reduces cardiovascular risk in obese women although changes in adipose tissue, lipoproteins, and insulin resistance differ by race.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Niswender, Kevin D; Fazio, Sergio; Gower, Barbara A; Silver, Heidi J

    2018-05-01

    We previously reported that consuming a balanced high fat diet (BHFD) wherein total saturated fat was reduced and total unsaturated fat increased by proportionately balancing the type of fat (1/3 saturated, 1/3 monounsaturated, 1/3 polyunsaturated) led to significant improvements in inflammatory burden, blood pressure, and vascular function in obese premenopausal European American (EA) and African American (AA) women. Here we compared changes in adipose tissue, lipoproteins, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk between EA and AA women. Dietary intakes, plasma fatty acids, lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoproteins, HOMA-IR and ASCVD risk was measured in 144 women who consumed BHFD for 16 weeks. Generalized linear modeling was performed while controlling for change in body weight. EA women had greater reductions in visceral adipose tissue. Only EA women had significant reductions in fasting insulin levels (↓24.8%) and HOMA-IR (↓29%) scores. In EA women, the most significant improvements occurred in VLDL particle size (↑), apolipoprotein B levels (↑), serum TG (↓), number of plasma LDL particles (↓), and serum LDL-cholesterol (↓). In AA women, significant improvements occurred in HDL particle size (↑), number of large HDL particles (↑), and apolipoprotein AI levels (↑). Consequently, both groups had improved ASCVD risk scores (↓5.5%). Consuming the balanced high fat diet led to significant reduction in cardiovascular risk factors in both groups. However, the pattern of response to BHFD differed with EA women responding more in components of the apolipoprotein B pathway versus AA women responding more in components of the apolipoprotein AI pathway. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  9. Do budget balance rules anchor budget balance expectations? -- Some international evidence

    OpenAIRE

    Rülke, Jan-Christoph; Frenkel, Michael; Lis, Eliza

    2013-01-01

    This is the first study that analyzes whether budget balance expectations are anchored and whether budget balance rules effectively anchor expectations. To this end, we use a unique data set which covers budget balance expectations in 17 countries that implemented a budget balance rules. While our results are mixed concerning the general impact of budget balance rules on anchoring expectations, we do find that specific features of budget balance rules are important to successfully anchor budg...

  10. Operational Management of Intraday and Balancing Markets - a survey

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Andersen, Jeanne; K. Detlefsen, Nina

    changes and challenges, which may be better addressed with closer collaboration. In order to evaluate the benefits of cross-border balancing, it is essential to have an understanding of the mechanisms and operations of the European markets and how they interact. Therefore, this paper aims at describing...... electricity markets in Europe: day-ahead markets and markets with shorter time spans. The focus will be on balancing markets and how these are used operationally. The most promising theoretical models found in the literature with applications to balancing will be presented. The purpose of this is to identify...

  11. Technology strategy and the balance sheet: 3 points to consider.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Waldron, David J

    2005-05-01

    Most hospitals use technology strategically to differentiate themselves from their competition. The rapid rate of change in healthcare technologies necessitates development of a technology life-cycle management program. Having access to flexible sources of capital appropriate to each category of technology assets allows liabilities and assets to be matched on a "balanced" balance sheet.

  12. Carbon balances during land conversion in early bioenergy systems

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zenone, T.; Chen, J.; Gelfand, I.; Robertson, G. P.; Hamilton, S. K.

    2012-12-01

    In this study, we established a field experiment and deployed seven eddy-covariance towers to quantify the roles of land use change and the subsequent carbon (C) balances of three different bioenergy systems (corn, switchgrass, and mixed prairie species) that were developed from two historical land use types: monocultural grasslands dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss) and lands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Three CRP fields and three cropland fields were converted to soybean in 2009 (conversion year) before establishing the cellulosic biofuel cropping systems in 2010 (establishment year). A CRP perennial grassland site was kept undisturbed as a reference. Conversion of CRP to soybean induced net C emissions during the conversion year (134 -262 g C m-2 yr-1), while in the same year the net C balance at the CRP grassland reference was -35 g C m-2 yr-1 (i.e., net C sequestration). The establishment of switchgrass and mixed prairie induced a cumulative C balance of -113 g C m-2 (switchgrass from CRP), 250 g C m-2 (switchgrass from cropland), 706 g C m-2 (mixed prairie from CRP), and 59 g C m-2 (mixed prairie from cropland) over the three-year study period. The cumulative three-year C balance of corn converted from CRP and from cropland was -151 g C m-2 and -183 g C m-2, respectively. Eddy flux measurements during cellulosic biofuel crop establishment reveal annual changes in C balance that cannot be detected using conventional mass balance approaches. When end-use of harvested biomass was considered, the C balances for all studied systems, except the reference site, exhibited large C emissions ranging from 150 to 990 g C m-2 over the three-year conversion phase.

  13. LA PARTICIPACIÓN DE LOS TRABAJADORES EN LA TOMA DE DECISIONES DE SUS EMPRESAS. REALIDADES Y REGULACIONES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Rómulo Ogando Ramos

    2010-12-01

    Full Text Available El trabajo aborda la participación activa y consciente de los trabajadores en la toma de decisiones como condición indispensable de su desempeño laboral y su desarrollo individual. Tiene como propósito fundamental analizar el tratamiento del tema en un grupo de documentos regulatorios de la Gestión de Recursos Humanos y de esta manera, mostrar los espacios oficiales de participación que tienen los trabajadores y las formas que puede adoptar la misma.AbstractThe paper deals with the active and conscious participation of the workers in the decision-making as an indispensable condition of its labor performance and its individual development. Its main purpose is to analyze the treatment of this subject in a group of regulations of Human Resource Management and thus, to show the official spaces of participation that the workers have and the ways that it can takes.

  14. TOMA DE DECISIONES DE AGENTES RACIONALES CON PROCESOS MARKOVIANOS. Avances recientes en economía y finanzas

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Onésimo Hernández-Lerma

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available En esta investigación se revisa la evolución teórica y práctica de los procesos markovianos y se resalta su rápido avance y notorio potencial en el modelado de los procesos de toma de decisiones de agentes racionales. Dichos procesos han incorporado dinámicas más realistas en el comportamiento de diversas variables económicas y financieras que enriquecen el análisis en ambientes con riesgo e incertidumbre. Particularmente, se destaca diversas extensiones y reformulaciones de procesos markovianos de decisión, juegos estocásticos, optimalidad de Blackwell para procesos de difusión controlados, control óptimo estocástico con procesos de difusión y su combinación con saltos de Poisson, modelado de series de tiempo con cadenas de Markov y, por último, redes bayesianas con cadenas de Markov en conjunción con simulación Monte Carlo (MCMC.

  15. Fondo de infraestructura social municipal y de aportaciones para el fortalecimiento municipal. Toma de decisiones de los gobiernos municipales del Estado de México 2008-2014

    OpenAIRE

    Fernández Pilar, María Dolores

    2016-01-01

    El trabajo de investigación que a continuación se presenta, tiene por objetivo conocer y analizar los factores que influyen en la toma de decisiones de los gobiernos municipales para la selección de obras y acciones que se ejecutan con los fondos federales de Aportaciones para el Fortalecimiento de los Municipios y de las Demarcaciones Territoriales del Distrito Federal (FORTAMUNDF) así como el de Aportaciones para la Infraestructura Social Municipal y de las Demarcaciones Territoriales del ...

  16. Land-use change to bioenergy production in Europe: implications for the greenhouse gas balance and soil carbon

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Don, Axel; Osborne, Bruce; Hastings, Astley

    2012-01-01

    for Miscanthus). However, there was no positive or even negative effects on the C balance if energy crops are established on former grassland. Increased bioenergy production may also result in direct and indirect land-use changes with potential high C losses when native vegetation is converted to annual crops......Bioenergy from crops is expected to make a considerable contribution to climate change mitigation. However, bioenergy is not necessarily carbon neutral because emissions of CO2, N2O and CH4 during crop production may reduce or completely counterbalance CO2 savings of the substituted fossil fuels...... of lower fertilizer requirements as well as a higher N-use efficiency, due to effective N-recycling. Perennial energy crops have the potential to sequester additional carbon in soil biomass if established on former cropland (0.44 Mg soil C ha 1 yr 1 for poplar and willow and 0.66 Mg soil C ha 1 yr 1...

  17. Inclusive Competitive Game Play Through Balanced Sensory Feedback.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Westin, Thomas; Söderström, David; Karlsson, Olov; Peiris, Ranil

    2017-01-01

    While game accessibility has improved significantly the last few years, there are still barriers for equal participation and multiplayer issues have been less researched. Game balance is here about making the game fair in a player versus player competitive game. One difficult design task is to balance the game to be fair regardless of visual or hearing capabilities, with clearly different requirements. This paper explores a tentative design method for enabling inclusive competitive game-play without individual adaptations of game rules that could spoil the game. The method involved applying a unified design method to design an unbalanced game, then modifying visual feedback as a hypothetical balanced design, and testing the game with totally 52 people with and without visual or hearing disabilities in three workshops. Game balance was evaluated based on score differences and less structured qualitative data, and a redesign of the game was made. Conclusions are a tentative method for balancing a multiplayer, competitive game without changing game rules and how the method can be applied.

  18. Biomechanical assessment of dynamic balance: Specificity of different balance tests.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ringhof, Steffen; Stein, Thorsten

    2018-04-01

    Dynamic balance is vitally important for most sports and activities of daily living, so the assessment of dynamic stability has become an important issue. In consequence, a large number of balance tests have been developed. However, it is not yet known whether these tests (i) measure the same construct and (ii) can differentiate between athletes with different balance expertise. We therefore studied three common dynamic balance tests: one-leg jump landings, Posturomed perturbations and simulated forward falls. Participants were 24 healthy young females in regular training in either gymnastics (n = 12) or swimming (n = 12). In each of the tests, the participants were instructed to recover balance as quickly as possible. Dynamic stability was computed by time to stabilization and margin of stability, deduced from force plates and motion capture respectively. Pearson's correlations between the dynamic balance tests found no significant associations between the respective dynamic stability measures. Furthermore, independent t-tests indicated that only jump landings could properly distinguish between both groups of athletes. In essence, the different dynamic balance tests applied did not measure the same construct but rather task-specific skills, each of which depends on multifactorial internal and external constraints. Our study therefore contradicts the traditional view of considering balance as a general ability, and reinforces that dynamic balance measures are not interchangeable. This highlights the importance of selecting appropriate balance tests. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. COMPETITIVE BALANCE IN AMERICAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL: THE GI BILL, GRANT-IN-AID AND THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

    OpenAIRE

    Steven Salaga

    2015-01-01

    This paper identifies three historical events, listed in the title, representing key changes in the business structure of American college football and then tests to see whether these events are associated with changes in competitive balance. The analysis shows that balance has been relatively stable despite these alterations. The significant effects that are uncovered are confined to single conferences suggesting these events are not tied to widespread changes in balance throughout the sport...

  20. The "balance of nature"-evolution of a Panchreston.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Daniel Simberloff

    2014-10-01

    Full Text Available The earliest concept of a balance of nature in Western thought saw it as being provided by gods but requiring human aid or encouragement for its maintenance. With the rise of Greek natural philosophy, emphasis shifted to traits gods endowed species with at the outset, rather than human actions, as key to maintaining the balance. The dominance of a constantly intervening God in the Middle Ages lessened interest in the inherent features of nature that would contribute to balance, but the Reformation led to renewed focus on such features, particularly traits of species that would maintain all of them but permit none to dominate nature. Darwin conceived of nature in balance, and his emphasis on competition and frequent tales of felicitous species interactions supported the idea of a balance of nature. But Darwin radically changed its underlying basis, from God to natural selection. Wallace was perhaps the first to challenge the very notion of a balance of nature as an undefined entity whose accuracy could not be tested. His skepticism was taken up again in the 20th century, culminating in a widespread rejection of the idea of a balance of nature by academic ecologists, who focus rather on a dynamic, often chaotic nature buffeted by constant disturbances. The balance-of-nature metaphor, however, lives on in large segments of the public, representing a fragile aspect of nature and biodiversity that it is our duty to protect.

  1. Applying the balanced scorecard in healthcare provider organizations.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Inamdar, Noorein; Kaplan, Robert S; Bower, Marvin

    2002-01-01

    Several innovative healthcare executives have recently introduced a new business strategy implementation tool: the Balanced Scorecard. The scorecard's measurement and management system provides the following potential benefits to healthcare organizations: It aligns the organization around a more market-oriented, customer-focused strategy It facilitates, monitors, and assesses the implementation of the strategy It provides a communication and collaboration mechanism It assigns accountability for performance at all levels of the organization It provides continual feedback on the strategy and promotes adjustments to marketplace and regulatory changes. We surveyed executives in nine provider organizations that were implementing the Balanced Scorecard. We asked about the following issues relating to its implementation and effect: 1. The role of the Balanced Scorecard in relation to a well-defined vision, mission, and strategy 2. The motivation for adopting the Balanced Scorecard 3. The difference between the Balanced Scorecard and other measurement systems 4. The process followed to develop and implement the Balanced Scorecard 5. The challenges and barriers during the development and implementation process 6. The benefits gained by the organization from adoption and use. The executives reported that the Balanced Scorecard strategy implementation and performance management tool could be successfully applied in the healthcare sector, enabling organizations to improve their competitive market positioning, financial results, and customer satisfaction. This article concludes with guidelines for other healthcare provider organizations to capture the benefits of the Balanced Scorecard performance management system.

  2. The "balance of nature"-evolution of a Panchreston.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Simberloff, Daniel

    2014-10-01

    The earliest concept of a balance of nature in Western thought saw it as being provided by gods but requiring human aid or encouragement for its maintenance. With the rise of Greek natural philosophy, emphasis shifted to traits gods endowed species with at the outset, rather than human actions, as key to maintaining the balance. The dominance of a constantly intervening God in the Middle Ages lessened interest in the inherent features of nature that would contribute to balance, but the Reformation led to renewed focus on such features, particularly traits of species that would maintain all of them but permit none to dominate nature. Darwin conceived of nature in balance, and his emphasis on competition and frequent tales of felicitous species interactions supported the idea of a balance of nature. But Darwin radically changed its underlying basis, from God to natural selection. Wallace was perhaps the first to challenge the very notion of a balance of nature as an undefined entity whose accuracy could not be tested. His skepticism was taken up again in the 20th century, culminating in a widespread rejection of the idea of a balance of nature by academic ecologists, who focus rather on a dynamic, often chaotic nature buffeted by constant disturbances. The balance-of-nature metaphor, however, lives on in large segments of the public, representing a fragile aspect of nature and biodiversity that it is our duty to protect.

  3. HIV prevention in single, urban women: condom-use readiness.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Morrison-Beedy, D; Lewis, B P

    2001-01-01

    To understand women's readiness to use condoms and their perceived pros and cons for condom use. Comparative, descriptive design guided by the Transtheoretical Model. Data were collected at two urban primary health care centers in western New York. 364 single urban women with steady (main) or other (casual, concurrent, multiple, new) sexual partners. Most participants were young (mean age of 27 years), economically disadvantaged women of color. Each participant completed an anonymous questionnaire that included items for the stage of change algorithm, decisional balance of the pros and cons of condom use, sexual history, and HIV risk information. Most women were in the early stages of change (not intending to use condoms), but those with other partners were further along in the stages of change for condom use than those with steady partners. The pros or advantages of condom use differed for these women depending on partner type. The change in the balance between the pros and cons occurred as theoretically predicted for women with steady and other partners. Effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions for women may be enhanced if they are tailored to both readiness to change and partner type.

  4. El proceso cognitivo de la toma de decisiones en la enfermedad de Alzheimer

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María Rita Malm Morgan

    2015-06-01

    Full Text Available El objetivo de este trabajo es describir, desde la neuropsicología, el proceso de Toma de Decisiones (TD en sujetos que padecen la Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA. Para ello, se estableció una comparación del desempeño en TD de 40 sujetos con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Alzheimer con el desempeño de un grupo control de 40 sujetos sin diagnóstico de enfermedad neurológica y /o psiquiátrica, pareados por NSEC. El desempeño en la TD se evaluó con la tarea de Game Dice Task (GDT –Tarea del Juego de los Dados de Brand–. También se aplicaron otras pruebas y tareas de evaluación cognitiva para determinar la relación de la TD con otras Funciones Ejecutivas (FE. Los resultados permitieron establecer que el proceso de TD se deteriora desde los comienzos de la enfermedad, evidenciando que el desempeño de los sujetos con EA es significativamente inferior al de los sujetos sanos, con un porcentaje mayor de respuestas de riesgo y aumentos significativos de los tiempos de respuesta. También se observó deterioro en todas las funciones ejecutivas evaluadas. El trabajo provee evidencia empírica que soporta la idea de que la TD se encuentra estrechamente relacionada a las demás FE.

  5. THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMES. A SYNTHETIC ANALYSIS OF THE DECISIONAL FACTORS AND PROCESS

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Livia Oltean

    2013-06-01

    Full Text Available Having an increased complexity, the internationalization process of small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs becomes, in the context of globalization and of the freedom of circulation of goods, services, and capital, a decisive factor of both the evolution of the company and the economic force distribution report on the market. The evolution of the world economic system opened a wide action field for small and medium sized companies, who had to adapt to new rules. The internationalization of SMEs is no longer an option, but it becomes a condition of their existence. A high importance in this process belongs to the way decisions are made, both regarding the target market and the entry option, the way entry barriers are overcome and the promotional techniques in this extended business environment. A synthetic analysis of the decisional factors and process is needed in order to fully and correctly understand the internationalization strategies adopted by SMEs. This paper is built around three major objectives, with the scope of determining the SMEs’ internationalization decisions, as well s the impediments met in the process. The paper contributes to the literature in the field of the internationalization of SMEs through the analysis and interpretation of the results acquired during the study regarding their behavior towards the activity expansion on international markets.

  6. Balance of trade and government intervention — Japan as a role model?

    OpenAIRE

    Schnabl, Gunther

    1996-01-01

    Japan's industrial and trade policies are often seen as the reason for high Japanese balance of trade surpluses. Does this theory stand up to a close examination of the relationships between balance of trade, trade policy and structural change?

  7. A century of variation in the dependence of Greenland iceberg calving on ice sheet surface mass balance and regional climate change.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bigg, G R; Wei, H L; Wilton, D J; Zhao, Y; Billings, S A; Hanna, E; Kadirkamanathan, V

    2014-06-08

    Iceberg calving is a major component of the total mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS). A century-long record of Greenland icebergs comes from the International Ice Patrol's record of icebergs (I48N) passing latitude 48° N, off Newfoundland. I48N exhibits strong interannual variability, with a significant increase in amplitude over recent decades. In this study, we show, through a combination of nonlinear system identification and coupled ocean-iceberg modelling, that I48N's variability is predominantly caused by fluctuation in GrIS calving discharge rather than open ocean iceberg melting. We also demonstrate that the episodic variation in iceberg discharge is strongly linked to a nonlinear combination of recent changes in the surface mass balance (SMB) of the GrIS and regional atmospheric and oceanic climate variability, on the scale of the previous 1-3 years, with the dominant causal mechanism shifting between glaciological (SMB) and climatic (ocean temperature) over time. We suggest that this is a change in whether glacial run-off or under-ice melting is dominant, respectively. We also suggest that GrIS calving discharge is episodic on at least a regional scale and has recently been increasing significantly, largely as a result of west Greenland sources.

  8. RELACIÓN ENTRE DECISIONES ARBITRALES Y VARIABLES DEPORTIVAS EN EL FÚTBOL PROFESIONAL DE COSTA RICA

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    María Clara Rodríguez

    2002-12-01

    Full Text Available Con el objetivo de determinar objetivamente si existen algunas tendencias en los juicios arbitrales del fútbol costarricense, específicamente en cuanto a amonestaciones y expulsiones, se analizaron 575 partidos de primera y segunda división jugados durante los años 2001 y 2002, a partir de los informes arbitrales oficiales. Se confirmó la hipótesis de la ventaja para el equipo local, así como la tendencia a compensar las sanciones entre los equipos contrincantes, especialmente con respecto a las expulsiones; no hubo diferencias en función del nivel de los árbitros, ni se evidenciaron sesgos en función de los equipos. Se hallaron diferencias significativas individuales entre los árbitros. También se encontraron diferencias significativas para tarjetas rojas (TA y tarjetas amarillas (TR entre primer y segundo tiempo, y con relación al número total de goles marcados. En conclusión, se observó mayor discriminación en las decisiones arbitrales frente a las TR y mayor homogeneidad frente a las TA.

  9. The balanced scorecard: an integrative approach to performance evaluation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Oliveira, J

    2001-05-01

    In addition to strict financial outcomes, healthcare financial managers should assess intangible assets that affect the organization's bottom line, such as clinical processes, staff skills, and patient satisfaction and loyalty. The balanced scorecard, coupled with data-warehousing capabilities, offers a way to measure an organization's performance against its strategic objectives while focusing on building capabilities to achieve these objectives. The balanced scorecard examines performance related to finance, human resources, internal processes, and customers. Because the balanced scorecard requires substantial amounts of data, it is a necessity to establish an organizational data warehouse of clinical, operational, and financial data that can be used in decision support. Because it presents indicators that managers and staff can influence directly by their actions, the balanced-scorecard approach to performance measurement encourages behavioral changes aimed at achieving corporate strategies.

  10. Negative leave balances

    CERN Multimedia

    Human Resources Department

    2005-01-01

    Members of the personnel entitled to annual leave and, where appropriate, saved leave and/or compensatory leave are requested to take note of the new arrangements described below, which were recommended by the Standing Concertation Committee (SCC) at its meeting on 1Â September 2005 and subsequently approved by the Director-General. The changes do not apply to members of the personnel participating in the Progressive Retirement Programme (PRP) or the Part-time Work as a pre-retirement measure, for whom the specific provisions communicated at the time of joining will continue to apply. Â Negative balances in annual leave, saved leave and/or compensatory leave accounts at the end of the leave year (30th September) and on the date on which bonuses are credited to the saved leave account (31st December): Where members of the personnel have a leave account with a negative balance on 30Â September and/or 31Â December, leave will automatically be transferred from one account to another on the relevant dates i...

  11. Negative leave balances

    CERN Multimedia

    Human Resources Department

    2005-01-01

    Members of the personnel entitled to annual leave and, where appropriate, saved leave and/or compensatory leave are requested to take note of the new arrangements described below, which were recommended by the Standing Concertation Committee (SCC) at its meeting on 1 September 2005 and subsequently approved by the Director-General. The changes do not apply to members of the personnel participating in the Progressive Retirement Programme (PRP) or the Part-time Work as a pre-retirement measure, for whom the specific provisions communicated at the time of joining will continue to apply.  Negative balances in annual leave, saved leave and/or compensatory leave accounts at the end of the leave year (30th September) and on the date on which bonuses are credited to the saved leave account (31st December): Where members of the personnel have a leave account with a negative balance on 30 September and/or 31 December, leave will automatically be transferred from one account to another on the relevant dates in or...

  12. Expectativas racionales versus neuroeconomía: ¿cómo tomamos decisiones los agentes?

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Juan Gabriel López Vera

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available La implementación de políticas económicas en los países significa la manera más visible como los gobiernos intervienen sobre el funcionamiento del mercado libre para orientar sus perturbaciones a los menores niveles posibles y de esa forma asegurar que la participación de los individuos y empresas sean lo más inclusivas posibles.Sin embargo, la formulación de políticas sugiere que los individuos cambien ciertos patrones de comportamiento para que se logren los resultados esperados y en la mayoría de los casos esos resultados no se logran alcanzar, en parte porque los agentes no se ajustan a las particularidades de los rigurosos modelos de predicción.La mayoría de dichos modelos sugiere una conducta perfecta e ideal que escapa a las actitudes de las personas en su vida diaria, el presente documento constituye una aproximación a ese comportamiento a través de la decisiones individuales explorando el supuesto clásico de la racionalidad y contraponiendo a esta el papel de los impulsos que se fundamentan en la actividad neuronal del cerebro y que se define como neuroeconomía.

  13. Peritajes psicológicos forenses en decisiones judiciales de primera instancia en delitos sexuales

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Milena M. Rudas

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Se analiza la importancia de los informes psicológicos forenses en la toma de decisiones judiciales de primera instancia en delitos sexuales en la ciudad de Barranquilla (Colombia mediante un enfoque cuantitativo de alcance descriptivo. Se analizaron diversas variables con el propósito de categorizar si en las sentencias judiciales se menciona la pericial por el juez al momento de dictarlas, y cuál es el valor diferencial de los informes psicológicos forenses. También se revisó la concordancia entre la decisión final del juez y los resultados plasmados en el informe psicológico. Como conclusión significativa se obtuvo que en el 80 % de las sentencias hubo mención a la pericial por el juez al fundamentar su decisión; en un 80 % de los casos el juez tomó la decisión de manera concordante con los resultados del informe psicológico. Como conclusión se plantea que para la Administración de Justicia se requiere personal auxiliar especializado y que el psicólogo jurídico en función forense funge como fuente directa de conocimiento, y se constituye en un medio de convicción apreciable.

  14. Operational management of intraday and balancing markets. A survey

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Andersen, Jeanne [Aarhus Univ. (Denmark). Dept. of Economics and Business, Business and Social Sciences; Detlefsen, Nina K. [Energinet.dk, Fredericia (Denmark). Systems Analysis

    2011-07-01

    Lately, there has been increased attention on the challenges that will appear when balancing the electricity in the future and the benefits of integrated markets between countries and regions. This is among other things due to the fact that electricity markets in the future will experience major changes and challenges, which may be better addressed with closer collaboration. In order to evaluate the benefits of cross-border balancing, it is essential to have an understanding of the mechanisms and operations of the European markets and how they interact. Therefore, this paper aims at describing electricity markets in Europe: day-ahead markets and markets with shorter time spans. The focus will be on balancing markets and how these are used operationally. The most promising theoretical models found in the literature with applications to balancing will be presented. The purpose of this is to identify the tools necessary to analyze future balancing of power systems. (orig.)

  15. Reference data on reaction time and aging using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Blomkvist, Andreas W.; Eika, Fredrik; Rahbek, Martin T.

    2017-01-01

    Wii Balance Board has the potential to be a multi-modal test and intervention instrument for these risk factors, however, reference data are lacking. Objective To provide RT reference data and to characterize the age-related changes in RT measured by the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. Method Healthy...... participants were recruited at various locations and their RT in hands and feet were tested by six assessors using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. Reference data were ana-lysed and presented in age-groups, while the age-related change in RT was tested and characterized with linear regression models. Results...

  16. Coastal estuaries and lagoons: The delicate balance at the edge of the sea

    Science.gov (United States)

    Conrads, Paul A.; Rodgers, Kirk D.; Passeri, Davina L.; Prinos, Scott T.; Smith, Christopher; Swarzenski, Christopher M.; Middleton, Beth A.

    2018-04-19

    Coastal communities are increasingly concerned about the dynamic balance between freshwater and saltwater because of its implications for societal, economic, and ecological resources. While the mixing of freshwater and saltwater sources defines coastal estuaries and lagoons, sudden changes in this balance can have a large effect on critical ecosystems and infrastructure. Any change to the delivery of water from either source has the potential to affect the health of both humans and natural biota and also to damage coastal infrastructure. This fact sheet discusses the potential of major shifts in the dynamic freshwater-saltwater balance to alter the environment and coastal stability.

  17. Inter-comparison of ice sheet mass balance products from GRACE: ESA CCI Round Robin results

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Groth, A.; Horwath, M.; Horvath, A.

    -term satellite-based data products are generated for selected ECVs. Since ice sheet mass balance is an ECV parameter of highest interest, both the AIS_cci and the GIS_cci project will provide mass balance products based on satellite gravimetry data: (a) time series of monthly mass changes for individual drainage...... basins, and (b) gridded mass changes covering the entire ice sheet.Gravimetry Mass Balance (GMB) products are derived from data acquired by the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) mission. Although GRACE data have the advantage of being directly sensitive to mass changes, their limited...... drainage basins the GMB time series are compared to independent mass balance products based on satellite altimetry and firn densification information from a regional climate model. This inter-comparison has aided the algorithm definition for the operational ECV production....

  18. Lógica difusa para la toma de decisiones y la selección de personal

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Francisco Javier Ruvalcaba Coyaso

    2016-02-01

    Full Text Available Este trabajo de investigación se enfoca en la lógica difusa. Identifica de qué manera sirve para la selección de personal y qué publicaciones relevantes existen acerca de su efectividad en el escenario empresarial. La revisión realizada se llevó a cabo a partir de una búsqueda en bases de datos especializadas. Se encuentra que la fuzzy logic puede ofrecer al proceso de selección de personal algo de certidumbre, en particular en la toma de decisiones que lo acompaña. Puede contribuir también en el proceso de identificación de la persona más adecuada para realizar un conjunto de actividades, de acuerdo, además, con su perfil psicológico. Su uso ayuda, en efecto, a disminuir la ambigüedad y la subjetividad inherentes a la decisión en estos procesos. Esto, dado que los resultados de las pruebas psicométricas y de las entrevistas no son discrecionales, ellas se acompañan, usualmente, de múltiples criterios de asignación de valor.

  19. FINANCIAL CRISIS, SUBSIDIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE EQUATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    FLORINA BRAN

    2011-03-01

    Full Text Available Financial crisis, subsidies and climate change in the equation ofsustainable development. An irreducible situation such as the contemporary financialcrisis creates the premises of major overthrow in decision criteria. Meanwhile,significant progresses in overcoming the ecological crisis, fueled mainly by the climatechange are also in relation with such changes. This convergence is easy to be observeddue to logical connections. If its existence was noticed at decisional levels is theoverarching question that structure the paper. Since the answer is positive, there areexplored the visions and plans of measures developed within this confrontation. Thereis applied a global approach and that is why each discussion considers also theimplications of economic globalization and of global environmental action as influencefactors on the path and direction of change.

  20. The ionisation balance of C0 to C+4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nussbaumer, H.; Storey, P.J.

    1975-01-01

    The ionisation balance for the ions C 0 -C +4 has been calculated for 10 8 -3 ] 12 and 2 x 10 4 K 5 K. The presence of metastable terms is included in the calculation of the collisional dielectronic recombination and ionisation coefficients. The influence of the observed solar radiation field on the ionisation balance is investigated. Changes in that field do strongly influence the results. (orig.) [de