On some categorical-algebraic conditions in S-protomodular categories

In the context of protomodular categories, several additional conditions have been considered in order to obtain a closer group-like behavior. Among them are locally algebraic cartesian closedness and algebraic coherence. The recent notion of S-protomodular category, whose main examples are the category of monoids and, more generally, categories of monoids with operations and Jo\'{o}nsson-Tarski varieties, raises a similar question: how to get a description of S-protomodular categories with a strong monoid-like behavior. In this paper we consider relative versions of the conditions mentioned above, in order to exhibit the parallelism with the "absolute" protomodular context and to obtain a hierarchy among S-protomodular categories

Multi-asset minority games

We study analytically and numerically Minority Games in which agents may invest in different assets (or markets), considering both the canonical and the grand-canonical versions. We find that the likelihood of agents trading in a given asset depends on the relative amount of information available in that market. More specifically, in the canonical game players play preferentially in the stock with less information. The same holds in the grand canonical game when agents have positive incentives to trade, whereas when agents payoff are solely related to their speculative ability they display a larger propensity to invest in the information-rich asset. Furthermore, in this model one finds a globally predictable phase with broken ergodicity

Soroprevalência de hepatite viral a em estudantes de medicina da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Curso de Medicina. Departamento de Clínica Médica

Leader-member exchange, contrato psicológico e implicação afectiva : estudo exploratório com uma amostra de trabalhadores temporários de call center

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Secção de Psicologia dos Recursos Humanos, do Trabalho e das Organizações), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2011Com o crescimento do trabalho temporário que se tem vindo a verificar no sector de prestação de serviços em Portugal, e devido a elevada taxa de turnover que caracteriza a área dos Call Centers, tornou-se imperativa a necessidade de efectuar mais estudos nesta área de forma a compreender as especificidades deste sector. O presente estudo pretende explorar o efeito da qualidade das trocas estabelecidas com o superior hierárquico directo (LMX- Leader-Member Exchange) e da percepção da natureza das trocas estabelecidas com a organização (conteúdo do contrato psicológico) na implicação afectiva dos trabalhadores temporários de Call Center, tendo como base conceptual a Teoria da Troca Social (Blau, 1964) e a Teoria da Reciprocidade (Gouldner, 1960). Foi utilizada uma amostra portuguesa de 529 trabalhadores temporários de Call Center, a prestar serviços nas instalações da organização cliente. De forma a testar as nossas hipóteses recorreu-se a Análise de Regressão e verificou-se que: 1) O LMX está significativamente correlacionado com a implicação afectiva (H1); 2) O conteúdo do contrato psicológico não se relaciona significativamente com a implicação afectiva (H2); 3) A relação entre o LMX e a implicação afectiva não é mediada pelo conteúdo do contrato psicológico. Sugerimos que para investigações futuras seja analisado o papel do conteúdo do contrato psicológico como moderador da relação entre o LMX e a implicação afectiva, assim como a utilização do suporte organizacional (POS) como mediador da relação entre o LMX e a implicação afectiva.With the growth of temporary work that has been observed in the service sector in Portugal, and due to a high turnover rate that characterizes Call Centers, it became imperative to conduct more research in this area in order to understand the specificities of this sector. The present study aims to explore the effect of the quality of exchanges established with the immediate superior (LMX - Leader-Member Exchange) and the perception of the nature of exchanges established with the organization (the content of the psychological contract) in the affective commitment of Call Center temporary workers, based on the concept of Social Exchange Theory (Blau, 1964) and the norm of reciprocity (Gouldner, 1960). We used a sample of 529 Portuguese Call Center temporary workers, who provide services on the premises of the client organization. In order to test our hypotheses we used a regression analysis and found that: 1) LMX is significantly correlated with affective commitment (H1), 2) The nature of the psychological contract is not related significantly with affective commitment (H2), 3) the relationship between LMX and affective commitment is not mediated by the nature of the psychological contract. We suggest that future research examine the role of the content of the psychological contract as a moderator of the relationship between LMX and affective commitment, as well as the use of perceived organizational support (POS) as a mediator of the relationship between LMX and affective commitment

Online social networking and employee productivity

Throughout the history of Internet and information and communication technology (lCT) new technologies have evolved quickly and especially networked technologies have gained value from the individuals who apply these technologies. This paper reports the research findings of an investigation of the effects organisations may experience if employees are granted unrestricted access to online social networks. Recent studies by Casella and Hanaki (2008) and Murphy and Pauleen (2007) emphasise the management need to adapt to change that results from employees' use of networked technologies. In current workplaces that rely on intellectual capital to be successful in business, employees are a key source of knowledge and mainly responsible for intellectual capital growth. It is therefore argued in this paper that organisations should critically investigate the application of technology such as online social networking (OSN) in order to support employees in the processes required for knowledge creation. The research problem stated by this study aimed to investigate what the effect of social networking is on employee productivity within organisations and specifically within tertiary educational institutions. In addressing the research problem this paper will provide an overview of the literature review findings as well as the relevant empirical research findings with regard to what OSN entails; what the possible consequences are if employees are allowed access to online social networks without restriction; and how online social networks can contribute to the productivity of an organisation

Development and Validation of Clinical Whole-Exome and Whole-Genome Sequencing for Detection of Germline Variants in Inherited Disease

Context.-With the decrease in the cost of sequencing, the clinical testing paradigm has shifted from single gene to gene panel and now whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. Clinical laboratories are rapidly implementing next-generation sequencing-based whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. Because a large number of targets are covered by whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, it is critical that a laboratory perform appropriate validation studies, develop a quality assurance and quality control program, and participate in proficiency testing. Objective.-To provide recommendations for wholeexome and whole-genome sequencing assay design, validation, and implementation for the detection of germline variants associated in inherited disorders. Data Sources.-An example of trio sequencing, filtration and annotation of variants, and phenotypic consideration to arrive at clinical diagnosis is discussed. Conclusions.-It is critical that clinical laboratories planning to implement whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing design and validate the assay to specifications and ensure adequate performance prior to implementation. Test design specifications, including variant filtering and annotation, phenotypic consideration, guidance on consenting options, and reporting of incidental findings, are provided. These are important steps a laboratory must take to validate and implement whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing in a clinical setting for germline variants in inherited disorders

The spatial distribution of renewable energy infrastructure in three particular provinces of South Africa

Renewed interest is being shown in South Africa in the promotion of infrastructure for renewable energy (RE) to supplement the country’s current energy- generation capacity and to break loose from its dependency on an unsustainable fossil-fuel-based energy-provision system. The latter system not only has unfavourable consequences for the environment, but is managed by a state-owned institution which since 2008 has been incapable of providing reliable electricity. RE infrastructure - especially for the generation of solar and wind energy - is a relatively new feature in the South African landscape. This paper examines the spatial distribution of the newly commissioned infrastructures for wind and solar energy (operational and under construction) and the role they can play in the diversification of the rural economies of parts of the country’s Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. First, literature on evolutionary economic geography, path dependence and new path creation is reviewed. Second, the role of a single energy provider — embedded in a monopolistic energy policy —in inhibiting the transition from a mainly fossil-fuel-based energy-provision system to a multi-source (multi-owner) provision system is discussed. Third, the reasoning behind the siting of the infrastructures for solar and wind energy in three particular provinces is explained. Fourth, the possible roles these new infrastructures can play in the diversification of the rural economies where they occur are advanced. The paper concludes that solar- and wind-energy projects have the ability to transform the South African energy context and that these projects present some positive socio-economic impacts for rural economies in the three particular provinces. The paper also recommends that future research efforts should be aimed at the evolution of this socio-economic transformation by taking into account the pre-development context of the areas under study

Effect of operational parameters and Pd/In catalyst in the reduction of nitrate using copper electrode

Water with high concentration of nitrate may cause damage to health and to the environment. This study investigated how concentration, current density, flow, pH, the use of Pd/In catalyst and operating mode (constant current density and constant cell potential) have an influence in the electrochemical reduction of nitrate and in the formation of gaseous compounds using copper electrode. Experiments were performed in two-compartment electrolytic cells separated by a cationic membrane with nitrate model solutions prepared as a surrogate of concentrated brines from membrane desalination plants. The results show that the electroreduction process has potential for reduction of nitrate and that it is influenced by the operational conditions. The best conditions found for the treatment - with satisfactory reduction of nitrate, formation of compounds and reproducibility - were at nitrate concentrations of 600 and 1000 mg.L-1, current density of 1.1 mA.cm-2 and without pH control, since in these conditions the production of gaseous compounds is higher than the production of nitrite. When Pd/In catalyst was used, the nitrate reduction was 50% after 6 hours of experiment and the predominant product were gaseous compounds. When compared to the experiment without the catalyst, the arrangement with Pd/In was the most efficient one.Fil: Beltrame, Thiago Favarini. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Coelho, Vanessa. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Marder, Luciano. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Ferreira, Jane Zoppas. Ufrgds Lacor; BrasilFil: Marchesini, Fernanda Albana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica ; ArgentinaFil: Bernardes, Andrea Moura. Ufrgds Lacor; Brasi

Gendered waters : the participation of women on the program 'One million cisterns' in the Brazilian semi-arid region

"July 2011"Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on May 18, 2011).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Jere GillesVita.This dissertation presents a qualitative case study of women participation in the Program 'OneMillion Cisterns' in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region, in three locations: Afogados da Ingazeira, Mossoro and Fortaleza, using participant observations, document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key participants. It illustrates the promises and the challenges of bringing about 'deep' gender equality and women's empowerment in water development. The case study shows that women not only derived significant material benefits from the program (access to water, more time, better health); they also acquired economic and political opportunities, as cistern builders and as members of municipal water commissions - roles that had traditionally been reserved for men. The study also found significant synergies between civil society, government and international agencies in creating new avenues for participation and social inclusion, despite considerable resistance and numerous misunderstandings around gender equality. A confluence of favorable conditions at the macro, meso and micro levels enabled women to extent and amplify their participation in water management and in their own development. Key for this transformational process was the role played by local feminist NGOs as well as by social movements and networks supporting women's organizations.Includes bibliographical reference