The effect of nature on designers' creativity, according to their personality profile

The aim of this work is to demonstrate whether natural environments, either real or simulated, tend to enhance designers' creativity, and whether the effects differ depending on their personality profile. Numerous studies have been conducted on the variables that shape the work environment and affect the designer's creativity, but few take into account the interaction between the work environment and the designer's personality profile. The aim of this study is to carry out a practical experiment in which a certain number of individuals solve conceptual design problems in different work environments, followed by an assessment of the creativity of the results. The results show higher values of creativity for both types of natural setting than in a neutral scenario. The personality of the designers determines whether the highest values are achieved in real or in artificial nature

A Jacobi-based algorithm for computing symmetric eigenvalues and eigenvectors in a two-dimensional mesh

The paper proposes an algorithm for computing symmetric eigenvalues and eigenvectors that uses a one-sided Jacobi approach and is targeted to a multicomputer in which nodes can be arranged as a two-dimensional mesh with an arbitrary number of rows and columns. The algorithm is analysed through simple analytical models of execution time, which show that an adequate choice of the mesh configuration (number of rows and columns) can improve performance significantly, with respect to a one-dimensional configuration, which is the most frequently considered scenario in current proposals. This improvement is especially noticeable in large systems.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Knowledge generation for enhancing design creativity through co-creative Virtual Learning Communities

With the current technological explosion, the arrival of Web 2.0 and the growth of ICTs, designers’ tools can be understood and used by novice users. With this statement in mind, and considering previous works that claim that team-working enhances creativity, the present paper reports on an experiment conducted to test whether a large group of creative people organised in a Virtual Learning Community are able to produce a Graphic Design with a satisfactory level of creativity starting from an almost complete lack of knowledge on the discipline, where a “satisfactory level of creativity” is understood as being that level which can be achieved by an individual with specific knowledge in the subject working in isolation. The results were assessed by means of an adapted questionnaire based on the CPSS taxonomy, and statistically analysed using ANOVA. The conclusions appear to reinforce the idea that virtual team-working enhances creativity, but the lack of specific competence training can be discerned by an expert eye.The research presented in this paper was funded by the Universitat Jaume I (project ref. P1· 1B2015-30 - El arte y el diseño en la nueva sociedad digital

A methodology for user-oriented scalability analysis

Scalability analysis provides information about the effectiveness of increasing the number of resources of a parallel system. Several methods have been proposed which use different approaches to provide this information. This paper presents a family of analysis methods oriented to the user. The methods in this family should assist the user in estimating the benefits when increasing the system size. The key issue in the proposal is the appropriate combination of a scaling model, which reflects the way the users utilize an increasing number of resources, and a figure of merit that the user wants to improve with the larger system. Another important element in the proposal is the approach to characterize the scalability, which enables quick visual analyses and comparisons. Finally, three concrete examples of methods belonging to the proposed family are introduced in this paper.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Training senior teachers in compulsory computer based language tests

AbstractThe IBT TOEFL has become the principal example of online high stakes language testing since 2005. Most instructors who do the preparation for IBT TOEFL face two main realities: first, students are eager and highly motivated to take the test because of the prospective implications; and, second, specific studies would be necessary to see if instructors may be familiarized with the use of computers in teaching and/or language testing for other high stakes tests. Now, many standardized tests are going online as well such as IELTS, BULATS and others (García Laborda, 2007). National Boards of Education are also considering this possibility for the national university entrance examination (PAU) (García Laborda & Magal Royo, 2007; García Laborda, 2006). However, in this case, teachers may not be willing or well prepared to face the challenge due to factors such as ICT familiarity. To date, many papers have explored the role of teacher training in their adaptation to the inclusion or implementation of ICT in the foreign language classroom (Zepp, 2005; Tan et al., 2003; Rehbein et al., 2003). However, it is necessary to consider the differences between the use of ICT for language testing (as opposed to general teaching) and the profile of senior high school foreign language teachers who may not be as flexible as their younger colleagues. This paper describes the trainees’ final attitudes of a six-month course held in Valencia (Spain). 26 teachers from private schools who teach many of the students who take the test every year participated in an in-service teacher training course in Valencia. Instructional methods principally included training in ICT strategy and use through face-to-face instruction and also autonomous learning, group work, synchronous and asynchronous communication, and computer based test design. The teachers’ responses to long discussions in a control session and to a questionnaire, along with the observations of a 20-hour course and the results of the familiarization with different tools show that for this type of training it is not only necessary to familiarize teachers with the testing tool but also with the process of creating online tests and with the testing process itself (Chapelle & Douglas, 2006; Stoynoff & Chapelle, 2005). Results from the platform use and the final questionnaire indicated that the majority of trainees reacted positively to the training and were eager to let the research team work with their students. However, they still felt they would not be able to use ICT for testing in their classes

La acción tutorial en Primaria [Texto impreso]

En la cub.: 1

Synthesis and reactivity of new mixed dicyclopentadienyl Group 4 metal complexes with the doubly bridged bis(dimethylsilanediyl)-cyclopentadiene-(η5-cyclopentadienyl) ligand

The monocyclopentadienyl titanium complex [Ti{(C5H4)(SiMe2)2(η5-C5H3)} Cl3] 3 and the dichloro mixed dicyclopentadienyl Group 4 metal complexes [M(η5-C5R5){(C5H4)(SiMe2)2(η5-C5H3)} Cl2] (R=H; M=Ti 4, Zr 5, Hf 6; R=Me; M=Ti 7) containing the doubly bridged bis(dimethylsilanediyl)-cyclopentadiene-(η5-cyclopentadienyl) ligand were prepared in high yields by reaction of the monolithium salt Li[(C5H4)(SiMe2)2(C5H3)] 2 with equimolar amounts of TiCl4 or the monocyclopentadienyl complexes [Cp′MCl3], respectively. Reactions of the chloro complexes with various alkylating agents afforded the chloroalkyl [M(η5-C5H5){(C5H4)(SiMe2)2(η5-C5H3)}ClR] (M=Ti; R=Me 8, Et 9; M=Zr, R=Me 10, Et 11, CH2Ph 12; M=Hf, R=CH2Ph 13) and dialkyl [M(η5-C5R5){(C5H4)(SiMe2)2(η5-C5H3)}Me2] (M=Ti; R=H 14, Me 15; M=Zr; R=H 16, compounds. Formation of the heterodinuclear complex [Zr(η5-C5H5)Cl2(η5-C5H3)(SiMe2)2(η5-C5H3)Ti(NMe2)3] 17 with amine elimination was observed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy when complex 5 was reacted with Ti(NMe2)4. The catalytic activity of compounds 3–5 for ethylene polymerization has been studied using MAO as cocatalyst

Espacios visibles. Espacios invisibles. Mujer y memoria en la Salamanca del siglo XVI (selección documental). [Reseña]

Reseña de: Gloria García González - Mª Luz de Prado Herrera (coords.), Espacios visibles. Espacios invisibles. Mujer y memoria en la Salamanca del siglo XVI (selección documental), prólogo de Adriana Valerio, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Salamanca 2006

Consumo responsable frente ao cambio climático: O Proxecto Piensaenclima

[Resumo] O cambio climático é percibido como un dos maiores problemas a que se enfronta a humanidade, e pouco e pouco esta percepción está a se estender a todos os ámbitos sociais. Neste artigo centrámonos no consumo doméstico e na súa relación co cambio climático, pois unha análise do contexto fíxonos concluír que unha ferramenta útil para contribuír a se mitigar o cambio climático desde o ámbito do consumo doméstico consiste en ofrecerlles aos consumidores unha información sinxela, mais obxectiva e transparente, dos impactos das empresas sobre o clima. Neste sentido, outros estudos salientan a demanda de información a este respecto por parte da cidadanía. Así mesmo, sabemos que debe tratarse dunha información o máis simple posible, porque os consumidores tamén manifestan certo malestar polo exceso de información que se lles ofrece (diversidade de etiquetaxes, atención ao ambiental, ao social, ao saudable…). Tamén detectamos que a cidadanía expresa unha baixa credibilidade das mensaxes das empresas no que ten a ver co cambio climático, mentres que confían principalmente nos científicos e organizacións ambientais. O proxecto Piensaenclima aquí presentado analizou o desempeño en materia de cambio climático das maiores empresas de cinco sectores de consumo e presentou a información nun formato sinxelo destinado aos consumidores finais.[Abstract] Climate change is perceived as one of the biggest problems faced by Humanity. Gradually this perception is spreading to all areas of society. In this article we focus on domestic consumption and its relation to climate change. The context analysis has made us conclude that a useful tool for contributing to climate change mitigation from the area of domestic consumption is to offer consumers a simple, but objective and transparent about the corporate impacts on the climate. Some studies stress the public demand for information in this regard. On the other hand, should be noted that simple information is needed, as consumers also expressed to be overwhelmed by the information provided to them (label diversity, attention to environmental issues, social issues, health issues...). We have also found that people show a low credibility for the corporate messages on climate change, while relying mainly on scientist and environmental organizations. The project Piensaenclima, here presented, has analyzed the performance on climate change of the largest companies in five sectors of consumption and has delivered information in an easy

Un análisis de segmentación y perfil de los segmentos de los usuarios de vuelos de bajo coste

Many Spanish destinations are now considering low cost airlines (LCA) important for attracting tourists. However, there is little evidence on the characteristics travelers using low cost airlines and their flight preferences. Typical segmentation of air travelers are business versus leisure travelers and business versus tourist fares. The aim of this paper is to obtain a deeper understanding of the demand of LCA through a segmentation analysis, based on 808 foreign travelers who used Girona airport, that focuses on low cost travelers’ valuations of different flight attributes and trip related characteristics.Muchos destinos turísticos en España consideran a las compañías de bajo coste como un elemento de atracción para los turistas. Sin embargo no se sabe demasiado sobre las características de los viajeros que las utilizan ni de sus preferencias. La segmentación habitual de viajeros diferencia entre business y turista o entre tarifas business y turista. El objetivo de este artículo es profundizar en el conocimiento de la demanda de este tipo de compañías mediante un análisis de segmentación, sobre 808 viajeros extranjeros que utilizaron el aeropuerto de Girona, centrado en las valoraciones de los diferentes atributos del vuelo y de otras características relacionadas con el viaje de los usuarios de vuelos de bajo coste