A search for water maser emission in nearby low-luminosity QSO host galaxies

A sample of nearby galaxies hosting low-luminosity type 1 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs), previously studied in CO and HI emission lines, has been searched for maser emission. Using the Effelsberg 100-m telescope, we observed 17 sources with redshifts of z-30{\deg} for emission in the 22 GHz water vapor maser transition. The sample objects have been drawn from a wide-angle survey for optically bright QSOs (Hamburg /ESO survey, HES). No host galaxies from the sample have been detected in the water maser emission line. In this paper we review the discussion on the reasons for water megamasers being rarely found in Seyfert 1 galaxies. Eight of them are bulge dominated and probably of elliptical type (E/S0), whereas 6 have spiral geometry. Three of the objects seem to be in a phase of merging/interaction. We found 3{\sigma} upper limits for the flux density of 27 to 60 mJy at spectral resolutions of ~0.43 km/s. We furthermore find that the viewing angle to the line of sight to the galaxy, under which the probability to detect megamaser emission is highest, is about 6{\deg}.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRAS, 9 pages, 6 figure

The use of interactive game technology to improve the physical health of the elderly : a serious game approach to reduce the risk of falling in older people

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.The elderly population is growing dramatically both in Australia and globally. With age, the human body undergoes a series of changes that can lead to decline in mental and physical health. Decline in motor functions increases the risk of developing health problems such as postural instability, balance disorders or simply having a fall. Falling is the main cause of disability and fatality among the elderly. Statistics show that one in three older adults might experience a fall every year. This could be prevented with regular exercise. Exercises with a walking component have proven to reduce falls by 40%. However, compliance with physical activity is often poor due to the mode of delivery, which is often unattractive. One approach that might help alleviate this is the use of commercial video games to engage the elderly in physical exercise. However, this practice may have undesirable results as such games are not designed to provide therapeutic support for the elderly but instead to entertain a much younger audience. This thesis aims to solve the above problem through the use of interactive game technology by testing that optimal results for the health of the elderly come from the combination of three elements: • the integration of a formal method to assess progress towards and the achievement of the desired health outcomes, • inclusion of meaningful tasks aligned with the specific health objectives • an appropriate game design through the use of user-centred design methodologies. Firstly, literature in the area of video games with health purposes for the elderly is reviewed to develop a clear understanding of the health issues and the research opportunities in the area. Secondly, a series of game prototypes is built and tested to investigate whether off-the-shelf game technology can be used to reliably perform a clinical test for fall risk assessment. Then a game is developed that aims to reduce the risk of falling by training a set of specific cognitive and physical functions that have been shown to be associated with falling. This prototype, known as the StepKinnection game, integrates the concept of an appropriate game design for the elderly, inclusion of meaningful tasks and the collection of stepping performance data. Thirdly, a series of studies on independent-living people aged 65 years and over are conducted. These studies confirmed the ability to reliably perform a clinical test using off-the-shelf game technology, the acceptance and ease of use of the StepKinnection game, and the potential of StepKinnection to reduce the risk of falling in the elderly. Finally, an analytical framework is developed for designing interactive games with health purposes for the elderly. This framework aims to assist the development of games aligned to particular health outcomes. This framework emphasises the importance of aligning the game goals to the expected health outcomes as well as the continuous assessment of progress and effectiveness

Verification of the reflective model of first order factors for reward and empowerment constructs based on questionnaires derived from Lawler et al. (1991)

Purpose: High involvement practices have traditionally been classified in four main categories: training, communication, rewards and empowerment. In order to measure the degree of implementation of these programs, different questionnaires have been developed. In this paper, we have identified 3 types of questionnaires and we have deeply analyzed the psychometrical properties of one of these types: questionnaires derived from Lawler et al. (1991). The most recent investigation seems to show that psychometrical properties of both training and communication constructs are appropriate. However, it is necessary to work on rewards and empowerment scales. This research analyzes, by means of confirmatory factorial, two reflective measurement models, already present in the previous literature of rewards and empowerment scales. Design/methodology/approach: Spanish samples from 1997 (n=105), as well as United States ones (n=212 dating 1996 and n=143 dating 1999) have been used. Convergent and discriminant validity were tested. Findings and Originality/value: None of the models presents and acceptable adjustment in the used samples. Therefore, a possible future line of investigation in order to check whether the measurement model of rewards and empowerment constructs is formative instead of reflective, has been opened. Practical implications: Practitioners can profit from the results of this research because questionnaires validity will allow companies to have measurement and good practices diagnosis tools that can be used either for internal benchmarking or for the comparison with reference groups of companies. Originality/value: Our paper identifies three questionnaire typologies used in the field of investigations of rewards and empowerment practices. We show that the point of view with which the scales of theses questionnaires have been treated has always been reflective. Moreover, this is one of the few papers that have checked the validity of the measurement model of questionnaires derived from Lawler et al. (1991). It questions the validity of a single questionnaire with similar samples, of different years, and simultaneously, with samples from same years but from different countries.Peer Reviewe

What do we know about rubrics used in higher education?

Castellano: Objeto: En este artículo comparamos las estrategias de búsqueda y los resultados de tres revisiones de literatura recientes sobre uso rúbricas en educación. Con todo ello pretendemos identificar qué se sabe, que no se sabe aún y si hay material para lanzar una nueva revisión de literatura en estos momentos. Diseño/metodología/enfoque: Análisis comparado de las tres revisiones de literatura reciente y búsqueda sistemática de literatura. Aportaciones y resultados: De los 142 artículos incluidos en las tres revisiones recientes, pocos se centran en docencia universitaria y los resultados no se presentan desagregados por niveles educativos. Consideramos que no existe una respuesta científica concluyente para cómo crear y validar una rúbrica para evaluación de asignaturas universitarias, ni para qué sirven las rúbricas, ni si vale la pena el esfuerzo de desarrollarlas. Las recomendaciones para el uso adecuado de rúbricas están basadas en evidencias anecdóticas sin una metodología robusta y contrastada. Tampoco es fácil localizar qué asignaturas, ni qué objetos, ni en qué contextos han sido objeto de investigación las rúbricas, ni qué rúbricas validadas hay disponibles para ellos. Originalidad / Valor añadido: Hemos realizado una nueva revisión y comparamos los artículos seleccionados con los utilizados en las revisiones anteriores. Hemos localizado 241 nuevos artículos no incluidos en las revisiones anteriores. Probablemente con todo este nuevo material se pueda realizar en el futuro algún meta-análisis.English: Purpose: In this paper we compare the search strategies and the results of three recent literature reviews on the rubrics use in education. With all this we aim to identify what is known, what it is not known yet and if there is material to launch a new literature review right now. Design/methodology: Comparative analysis of three recen literature reviews and systematic literature review. Findings: Of the 142 papers included in the three recent reviews, few focus on university learning and the results are not broken down by educational level. We believe that there is no conclusive scientific answer to how to create and validate an assessment rubric for university courses, or what purpose they serve , or if it's worth the effort to develop them. Recommendations for the appropriate use of rubrics are based on anecdotal evidence without robust and proven methodology. Nor is easy to find what subjects, or what objects, and in what contexts have been investigated the rubrics or which validated rubrics are available. Originality/value: We conducted a new review and we compare the selected papers with those used in previous reviews. We have located 142 new papers not included in previous reviews. Probably all this new material can be used in the future for a metaanalysis.Peer Reviewe

An integrative model of knowledge management and team work

La relevancia de la gestión de recursos humanos en la gestión del conocimiento ha sido estudiada en las publicaciones académicas desde un enfoque de procesos de selección, remuneración o del sistema de desarrollo de carrera. Hemos encontrado pocas publicaciones que se centren en el comportamiento del grupo de personas que generan, comparten y transmiten el conocimiento trabajando en equipos. El objetivo de esta investigación es proponer un modelo que describa la relación entre gestión del conocimiento y trabajo en equipo, integrando las propuestas de los modelos de Nonaka y Takeuchi (1995); Leonard-Barton (1995) y Heisig (2000), y plantear una reflexión para futuras investigacionesHuman Resource Management relevance in Knowledge Management has been studied in academic literature mostly from the point of view of recruitment, selection, wages and salaries and career development processes. We have found few publications that are focused in the behaviour of the group of people who generate, share and transfer that knowledge while working in a team. The aim of this paper is to propose a framework that describes the relation between knowledge management and team work,, integrating Nonaka and Takeuchi, Leonard- Barton and Heisig framework proposals, as well as to outline some reflexions for further researches.Peer Reviewe

Galaxy evolution across the optical emission-line diagnostic diagrams?

The discovery of the M-sigma relation, the local galaxy bimodality, and the link between black-hole and host-galaxy properties, have raised the question whether AGN play a role in galaxy evolution. Several theoretical models implement AGN feedback to explain the observed galaxy luminosity function, and possibly the color and morphological transformation of spiral galaxies into passive ellipticals. To understand the importance of AGN feedback, a study of the AGN populations in the radio-optical domain is crucial. A mass sequence linking star-forming galaxies and AGN has been already noted in previous works, and it is now investigated as possible evolutionary sequence. We observed a sample of 119 intermediate-redshift (0.04<z<0.4) SDSS-FIRST radio emitters with the Effelsberg 100-m telescope at 4.85 and 10.45 GHz and obtained spectral indices. We find indications of spectral index flattening in high-metallicity star-forming galaxies, composite galaxies, and Seyferts. This "flattening sequence" along the [NII]-based emission-line diagnostic diagram is consistent with the hardening of galaxy ionizing field, due to nuclear activity. After combining our data with FIRST measurements at 1.4 GHz, we find that the three-point radio spectra of Seyferts and LINERs show substantial differences, attributable to small radio core components and larger (arcsecond sized) jet/lobe components, respectively. A visual inspection of FIRST images seems to confirm this hypothesis. Galaxies along this sequence are hypothesized to be transitioning from the active star-forming galaxies (blue cloud) to the passive elliptical galaxies (red sequence). This supports the suggestion that AGN play a role in shutting down star-formation, and allow the transition from one galaxy class to the other.Comment: 20 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Desarrollo y validación de un modelo multidimensional de la producción ajustada

In the last 30 years of research of lean manufacturing many different questionnaires was proposed to check the degree of the use of the concept. The set of the items used changed considerably from one investigation to another one. Until now isn’t appreciate a movement that converge towards the use, by the investigators, of a few instruments whose validity and reliability have been compared in different surroundings. In fact, the majority of investigations are based on ad-hoc questionnaires and a few of them present the questionnaire validation checking only the unidimensionality and -Cronbach. Nevertheless it seems to have a consensus in identifying 5 big constructs that compose the lean manufacturing (TQM, JIT, TPM, supply chain management and high-involvement). Our research has consisted of identifying and summarizing the models that have been published previously to add the items in constructs or sub-scales of constructs. Later we developed an integrating questionnaire, starting off of the items that appeared in previous investigations. Finally we realized the sub-scales and models validation through a confirmatory factorial analysis, using date of a sample of Spanish Sheltered Work Centre’s (N=128). Of all proposed models, the best an adjustment takes place with the first order model with 20 sub-scales. Our investigation contributes to an integrating vision of the published models and the lean manufacturing sub-scales validity and reliability verification raised by other investigators. Due to his confirming approach, it can serve as generalization of studies that had been realized in contexts with different samples to which we have used for the replication.En los últimos 30 años de investigación sobre producción ajustada se han propuesto deferentes cuestionarios para diagnosticar el grado de uso de este concepto. El conjunto de ítems empleado ha variado notablemente de una investigación a otra. No se aprecia todavía un movimiento que converja hacia la utilización, por parte de los investigadores, de unos pocos instrumentos cuya validez y fiabilidad se haya contrastado en diferentes entornos. De hecho, la mayoría de las investigaciones se basan en cuestionarios ad-hoc y pocas de ellas presentan una validación del cuestionario más allá de verificar la unidimensionalidad y el de Cronbach. Sin embargo, parece haber consenso en identificar 5 grandes constructos que componen la producción ajustada (gestión de la calidad, flujo interno de producción, mantenimiento, gestión de la cadena de suministro y la implicación de los operarios). Nuestro trabajo ha consistido en identificar y resumir los modelos de producción ajustada, identificando el modo en que agregan los ítems en constructos o sub-escalas de constructos. Posteriormente hemos desarrollado un cuestionario partiendo de los ítems que figuraban en los modelos publicados. Finalmente, hemos realizado la validación de sub-escalas y modelos mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio, usando datos de una muestra de Centros Especiales de Empleo españoles (N=128). De todos los modelosplanteados, el mejor ajuste se produce con el modelo de 20 sub-escalas de primer orden. Nuestro trabajo aporta una visión integradora comparando los modelos publicados previamente y la comprobando la validez y fiabilidad de las sub-escalas de producción ajustada planteadas por otros investigadores. Debido a su enfoque confirmatorio, puede servir de generalización de estudios que se habían realizado en contextos con muestras diferentes a las que nosotros hemos empleado para la replicación.Peer Reviewe