Mitigating Wicked Problems Through Sustainable Technological Innovation? The Case of Liquid Natural Clay

The complexity and wicked nature of climate change and the wide variety of its effects has created high uncertainty, knowledge gaps and ambiguities in relation to how to deal, manage, and cope with these issues. The solution alternatives seem ill formulated and ambiguous, and a high variety of actors with different values and visions, enhance these ambiguities, creating more uncertainty. In the face of these problems, the following research study aims to improve the approaches related to the solution alternatives to tackle them, by exploring and applying different elements and embedded in risk governance principles and other recommendations obtained from risk science, and putting them in practice through the analysis of the development and implementation of sustainable technological innovation product, corresponding to Liquid Natural Clay

Quantum Mechanics on a background modulo observation

In this work we will answer the following question: What remains of Quantum Mechanics when we transform the background space-time into a space modularized by observation or measurement regions ? This new moduli space is constructed by identifying regions of space-time where quantum phase comparison (observation, measurement) is implied. We call it Observation Modular space (OM-space). In addition we replace in QM statements the Plank constant (h) by the quantity $\zeta_0 4 \pi^2$ (where $\zeta_0$ is the Plank Length) or otherwise, replacing $P_0$ (the Planck Momentum) by $4 \pi^2$. This maps Quantum Mechanics into a very rich dual Number Theory which we call Observation Modular Quantum Mechanics (OM-QM). We find the OM-dual to the Dirac Equation, the quantum Wave Function and a free particle's mass. The OM-QM counterparts of the Energy turns out to be a simple function of the zeroes of the Riemann zeta function. We also find the OM-QM correspondents to the electron spin, the electron charge, the Electric Field and the Fine Structure Constant. We also find the OM-QM correspondents of the Heisemberg uncertainty relation and Einstein's General Relativity Field equation emerging as certain limits of a unique OM-QM equation. We also get the OM-QM correspondents of the Gravitational Constant and the Cosmological Constant. We find the analog of holography in the OM-QM side and we get an interpretation of spin as a high dimensional curvature. An interpretation of the OM-QM correspondence is proposed as giving the part of QM information which is not measurement or observation dependent. Some potential future applications of this correspondence are discussed.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figure

Uncovering the desired qualities and behaviours of general practitioners (GPs) during medical (service recovery) encounters

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to uncover the desired qualities and behaviours that patients believe GPs should have in medical (service recovery) encounters. In particular, we try to reveal the qualities and behaviours of GPs that patients value, to understand the underlying benefits that they look for during personal (service recovery) encounters, and to graphically illustrate the findings in a so-called hierarchical value map. This will prove to be important in order to understand patients’ needs and desires correctly. Design/Methodology/Approach – An exploratory research study using the qualitative laddering interviewing technique was regarded as appropriate as it allows researchers to gain a deeper insight into an underdeveloped research subject. In total, in-depth laddering interviews with 38 respondents were conducted. Findings – In case of a service recovery encounter, patients believe that GPs need to show competence, friendliness and empathy in order to restore trust in them. GPs should also listen actively and do the appropriate checks in order to find the root cause of the problem. “Health” was the main value sought by patients. This value is considered by patients to be the gateway to moving on with their everyday lives and search the attainment of other values such as wellbeing, belongingness, accomplishment and self-realization. Moreover, respondents would like to gain knowledge about their disease in order to prevent them in the future and to have some sense of control over the decision of the treatment. Patients also want a more active role in the medical (service recovery) encounter, which calls for a more shared approach by GPs in the interaction with their patients. Research limitations/implications – Due to the exploratory nature of the study in general and the scope and size of its sample in particular, the findings are tentative in nature. As the study involved patients from one large metropolitan area in the UK, the results cannot be generalized beyond this group. Practical implications – If GPs know what dissatisfied patients expect, they can adapt their behaviours to their patients’ underlying expectations, which should have a positive impact on the evaluation of the doctor-patient relationship. For this purpose, the paper gives recommendations that can help GPs recover patients’ trust while at the same time improving their performance in medical (service recovery) encounters. Originality/value – This paper gives a valuable first insight into the desired qualities and behaviours of GPs during medical (service recovery) encounters. The study results especially indicate that complaining patients are people first and patients second, where the primary importance is the satisfaction of basic social needs. The fact that this study has revealed the highest number of values in published laddering studies so far shows how crucial these medical (service recovery) encounters in general and GP qualities and behaviours in particular are for patients. Another strong contribution of this paper is the finding that all the identified concepts from the laddering interviews that are shown in the hierarchical value maps must not been seen in strict isolation, as in previous research, but have to be understood as a network of interrelated concepts

Family-centered approach in early childhood intervention of a vulnerable population from an Ecuadorian rural context

Introduction: Studies about the implementation of the Family Centered Practices approach in Early Childhood Intervention refer as outcomes that have an impact on the Quality of Family Life, on children’s development, and also on family empowerment. In Ecuador, despite an absence of Early Childhood Intervention policies and programs, a university has developed training in Family Centered Practices for graduate students. A formative component is to implement a Routines Based Model with families of children with disabilities. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact on the Family Quality of Life, children’s development and self perceived competence of families after the Routines Based Model has been implemented in their natural environment. Method: Eight families from a rural area and their children with disabilities were included in the study. The Family Quality of Life Scale-Early Childhood Intervention and the Screening of the Battelle Developmental Inventory were applied at the beginning and end of the process. A qualitative interview established the family perspective upon the outcomes in their family and their children. Results: There is evidence of a significant increase in the families’ Quality of Life and in the children’s development at the end of the process. At the interview the families declared themselves more competent to understand and contribute to the development of their children. Discussion: The results provide knowledge of the implementation of a Routine Based Model in vulnerable contexts. Also contributes in the understanding of the family perspective on the outcomes and perceived benefits for the children and the family itself as a measure of quality of the intervention and training. Implications of the results for initial and ongoing training of early care professionals with vulnerable populations are discussed

Micro Smart Micro-grid and Its Cyber Security Aspects in a Port Infrastructure

Maritime ports are intensive energy areas with a plenty of electrical systems that require an average power of many tens of megawatts (MW). Competitiveness, profits, reduction of pollution, reliability of operations, carbon emission trading are important energy related considerations for any port authority. Current technology allows the deployment of a local micro-grid of the size of tenths of MW, capable of islanded operation in case of emergency and to grant an increasing energy independency. Ownership of the grid permits a large flexibility on prices of energy sold inside the port, trading on local electric market and reduction of pollution. Renewable energy generation has a large impact on costs since features a low marginal cost. Unfortunately the smart grid is a critical asset within the port infrastructure and its intelligence is a high-level target for cyberattacks. Such attacks are often based on malicious software (malware), which makes use of a controlling entity on the network to coordinate and propagate. In this document, we will outline some features of a port smart grid and typical characteristics of cyber-attacks including potential ways to recognize it and suggestion for effective countermeasures

Rinosinusitis aguda en niños

Acute rhinosinusitis is defined as inflammation of the mucous lining of the nasal passage and sinus, and has a less than 12 weeks duration.Bacteria commonly isolated in pediatric patients are Streptococcus pneumoniae, non typeable Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, beta hemolytic streptococcus Group A,Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. In about one third of patients, it is polymicrobial infection. The initial phase of acute rhinosinusitis is viral (90% of cases), primarily rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus and parainfluenza.La presentación clínica más común es una descarga nasal, tos o ambas, con una duración de más de 10 días.The diagnosis is usually based on the clinicCurrent guidelines for the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis usually recommend a course of antibiotic therapy from 10 to 14 days.La rinosinusitis aguda se define como la inflamación del revestimiento mucoso nasal y de senos paranasales, y que tiene una duración menor a 12 semanas. Las bacterias comúnmente aisladas en pacientes pediátricos son Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae no tipificable, Moraxella catarrhalis, estreptococo beta hemolítico del Grupo A, Streptococcus pyogenes y Staphylococcus aureus. En aproximadamente un tercio de los pacientes, la infección es polimicrobiana. La fase inicial de la rinosinusitis aguda es viral (en un 90% de los casos), principalmente por rinovirus, adenovirus, virus de la influenza y parainfluenza. La presentación clínica más común es una descarga nasal, tos o ambas, con una duración de más de 10 días. El diagnóstico es clínico. Las guías actuales para el tratamiento de rinosinusitis aguda bacteriana generalmente recomiendan un curso de terapia antibiótica de 10 a 14 días

Nivel de clima laboral en trabajadores de una institución educativa privada del distrito de Pueblo Libre

La presente investigación tiene por objetivo determinar el nivel de clima laboral de los trabajadores de un centro educativo particular del distrito de Pueblo Libre. El estudio es de tipo descriptivo con corte transeccional. Asimismo, estuvo conformada por una población y muestra censal de 18 empleados, todos ellos de género femenino. El instrumento utilizado para la medición del clima laboral, fue la Escala de Clima Laboral- SP CL de Palma, S. (2004), el cual está estandarizado en nuestro país. Este instrumento consta de 50 ítems en una escala de Likert, siendo la puntuación de forma directa; y evalúa y mide el clima laboral en cinco dimensiones: Autorrealización, involucramiento laboral, supervisión, comunicación, condiciones laborales. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que el clima laboral de los trabajadores obtuvo una categoría diagnóstica de favorable. Los factores con más alta puntuación resultaron ser supervisión e involucramiento laboral, mientras que el factor que recibió menor puntuación fue condiciones laborales, aunque con una categoría diagnóstica de favorable.The objective of this research is to determine the level of work environment of workers in a particular educational center in the district of Pueblo Libre. The study is descriptive with a transactional cut. It was also made up of a population and sample of 18 employees, all of them female. For the measurement of the work climate, the Work Climate Scale - SP CL of Palma, S. (2004) was used, which is validated in our country. This instrument consists of 50 items on a Likert scale, with the score directly. This instrument evaluates and measures the work climate in five dimensions: Self-realization, labor involvement, supervision, communication, working conditions. The results obtained indicated that the working environment of the workers obtained a diagnostic category of Favorable. The factors with the highest score were Supervision and Labor Involvement, while the factor that received the lowest score was Labor Conditions, although with a diagnostic category of Favorabl

Family-centered approach in Early Childhood Intervention of a vulnerable population from an Ecuadorian rural context

IntroductionStudies about the implementation of the Family Centered Practices approach in Early Childhood Intervention refer as outcomes that have an impact on the Quality of Family Life, on children’s development, and also on family empowerment. In Ecuador, despite an absence of Early Childhood Intervention policies and programs, a university has developed training in Family Centered Practices for graduate students. A formative component is to implement a Routines Based Model with families of children with disabilities. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact on the Family Quality of Life, children’s development and self-perceived competence of families after the Routines Based Model has been implemented in their natural environment.MethodEight families from a rural area and their children with disabilities were included in the study. The Family Quality of Life Scale-Early Childhood Intervention and the Screening of the Battelle Developmental Inventory were applied at the beginning and end of the process. A qualitative interview established the family perspective upon the outcomes in their family and their children.ResultsThere is evidence of a significant increase in the families’ Quality of Life and in the children’s development at the end of the process. At the interview the families declared themselves more competent to understand and contribute to the development of their children.DiscussionThe results provide knowledge of the implementation of a Routine Based Model in vulnerable contexts. Also contributes in the understanding of the family perspective on the outcomes and perceived benefits for the children and the family itself as a measure of quality of the intervention and training. Implications of the results for initial and ongoing training of early care professionals with vulnerable populations are discussed

Productos culturales digitales argentinos: fics fanarts y fanvideos

El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo presentar una síntesis de la Tesis de Maestría LOS NUEVOS PRODUCTOS CULTURALES DIGITALES EN ARGENTINA: Fanfics, fanart y fan videos en la cultura del fandom de Buenos Aires (2001-2012), defendida y aprobada en la Universidad Nacional de Quilmes el 8 de noviembre de 2016. En la misma, se buscó identificar la tensión entre similitudes y diferencias de objetos culturales digitales amateurs frente a los productos de las Industrias Culturales, considerando la formación de tres tipos de objeto (literario, audiovisual y gráfico) en el género de ficción/fantasía. Si bien existen diversos estudios a nivel internacional al respecto de estas producciones, en la Argentina no se habían encontrado -hasta el momento de la tesis- análisis de estas piezas, que forman parte de la creciente cultura digital, novedosa para los campos de investigación cultural y comunicacional.Producción, circulación y consumo de nuevos medios y narrativas.Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) - Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia