289 research outputs found
Intention to Transfer and Transfer Following eLearning in Spain
Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICUnderstanding vocational learning and transfer is vital to European citizens. We need to understand how transfer works, which factors influence it, and how these factors affect employee behaviour. Research in online training specific to Southern Europe is needed to move the field forward. The Unified Model of Motivation for Training Transfer (MTT) was proposed to understand behaviour change after training. It conceives three phases: (1) forming transfer intentions, (2) actualizing implementation intentions for transfer, and (3) strengthening transfer commitment. We analysed initial transfer intention and transfer following online training in three Spanish organisations. We used an ex post facto prospective design with one group (n = 204). We applied the online version of the Initial Transfer Intention questionnaire (ITI) three days before the training, and the Transfer Questionnaire (TrQ) three to four months after the training. Training consisted of 22 online courses offered by the three participating organisations. A cluster analysis and post hoc analysis were performed. We identified three groups (k = 3), indicating that there were significant differences in the means between employees with low and high intention to transfer. Results showed a greater difference in the factor profile between participants with LowPT and HighPT. We identified common characteristics among people with low levels of transfer; this information can help understand what type of employee will transfer less and provide cues on how to prevent this from happening in future training activities. Limitations and recommendations for research and practice are discussed
Superstatistics of Brownian motion: A comparative study
The dynamics of temperature fluctuations of a gas of Brownian particles in
local equilibrium with a nonequilibrium heat bath, are described using an
approach consistent with Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics (BG). We use mesoscopic
nonequilibrium thermodynamics (MNET) to derive a Fokker-Planck equation for the
probability distribution in phase space including the local intensive variables
fluctuations. We contract the description to obtain an effective probability
distribution (EPD) from which the mass density, van Hove's function and the
dynamic structure factor of the system are obtained. The main result is to show
that in the long time limit the EPD exhibits a similar behavior as the
superstatistics distribution of nonextensive statistical mechanics (NESM),
therfore implying that the coarse-graining procedure is responsible for the so
called nonextensive effects.Comment: 14 pages,5 figure
Generalized Casimir forces in non-equilibrium systems
In the present work we propose a method to determine fluctuation induced
forces in non equilibrium systems. These forces are the analogue of the well
known Casimir forces, which were originally introduced in Quantum Field theory
and later extended to the area of Critical Phenomena. The procedure starts from
the observation that many non equilibrium systems exhibit long-range
correlations and the associated structure factors diverge in the long
wavelength limit. The introduction of external bodies into such systems in
general modifies the spectrum of these fluctuations and leads to the appearance
of a net force between these bodies. The mechanism is illustrated by means of a
simple example: a reaction diffusion equation with random noises.Comment: Submitted to Europhysics Letters. 7 pages, 2 figure
Inconsistency of a dissipative contribution to the mass flux in hydrodynamics
The possibility of dissipative contributions to the mass flux is considered
in detail. A general, thermodynamically consistent framework is developed to
obtain such terms, the compatibility of which with general principles is then
checked--including Galilean invariance, the possibility of steady rigid
rotation and uniform center-of-mass motion, the existence of a locally
conserved angular momentum, and material objectivity. All previously discussed
scenarios of dissipative mass fluxes are found to be ruled out by some
combinations of these principles, but not a new one that includes a smoothed
velocity field v-bar. However, this field v-bar is nonlocal and leads to
unacceptable consequences in specific situations. Hence we can state with
confidence that a dissipative contribution to the mass flux is not possible.Comment: 18 pages; submitted to Phys. Rev.
The non-equilibrium work relation. Thermodynamic analysis and microscopic foundations
We discuss the conditions for which the non-equilibrium work relation is
valid by means of thermodynamic and microscopic arguments.Comment: 16 pages 1 figur
Crowded Letter and Crowded Picture LogMAR acuity in Children with Amblyopia: a quantitative comparison.
Aims Clinically, picture acuity tests are thought to overestimate visual acuity (VA) compared with letter tests, but this has not been systematically investigated in children with amblyopia. This study compared VA measurements with the LogMAR Crowded Kay Picture test to the LogMAR Crowded Keeler Letter acuity test in a group of young children with amblyopia.
Methods 58 children (34 male) with amblyopia (22 anisometropic, 18 strabismic and 18 with both strabismic/anisometropic amblyopia) aged 4-6 years (mean=68.7, range=48-83 months) underwent VA measurements. VA chart testing order was randomised, but the amblyopic eye was tested before the fellow eye. All participants wore up-to-date refractive correction.
Results The Kay Picture test significantly overestimated VA by 0.098 logMAR (95% limits of agreement (LOA), 0.13) in the amblyopic eye and 0.088 logMAR (95% LOA, 0.13) in the fellow eye, respectively (p< 0.001). No interactions were found from occlusion therapy, refractive correction or type of amblyopia on VA results (p> 0.23). For both the amblyopic and fellow eyes, Bland-Altman plots demonstrated a systematic and predictable difference between Kay Picture and Keeler Letter charts across the range of acuities tested (Keeler acuity: amblyopic eye 0.75 to -0.05 logMAR; fellow eye 0.45 to -0.15 logMAR). Linear regression analysis (p< 0.00001) and also slope values close to one (amblyopic 0.98, fellow 0.86) demonstrate that there is no proportional bias.
Conclusions The Kay Picture test consistently overestimated VA by approximately 0.10 logMAR when compared with the Keeler Letter test in young children with amblyopia. Due to the predictable difference found between both crowded logMAR acuity tests, it is reasonable to adjust Kay Picture acuity thresholds by +0.10 logMAR to compute expected Keeler Letter acuity scores
ALBACORE (Thunnus alalunga) REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY STUDY FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC STOCK:YEARS 2020 AND 2021
The ICCAT North Atlantic Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) Research Program was established to
enhance knowledge on albacore to provide more accurate scientific advice to the Commission.
Funds are provided to the Albacore WG to develop research activities to accomplish several
objectives. One of the research objectives is to increase knowledge on reproductive biology for
the northern Atlantic stock, maturity schedules (L50) and egg production (size/age related
fecundity. In March 2021, Terms of Reference were published by ICCAT. A Consortium
integrated by Canada, Venezuela, Chinese-Taipei and Spain presented an offer to collect
gonad samples and spines throughout the year and carry out the study of reproductive biology
for North Atlantic albacore stock.
Results of histological analysis: maturity stages, batch fecundity and seasonal area of
spawners are presented as well as the age determined of partially collection of albacore
spines. Analysis were done with the total albacore gonads samples collected in 2020 and
2021 for the reproductive biology study of northern albacore.
Runoff response of a small agricultural basin in the argentine Pampas considering connectivity aspects
Our manuscript analyses the surface runoff variability, and its controlling factors in a small basin with gentle slopes, at the headwaters of a flat catchment, to improve the knowledge of the hydrology of plain areas under agriculture. We study runoff, rainfall and antecedent conditions in the argentine Pampas region. We use correlations, regressions and quantitative and qualitative descriptive information of the system: erosion signs, ground cover by crops, groundwater depth data and temporal changes in the drainage network, to discuss and understand the complexity of the runoff process by frameworks to study (dis)connectivity. The analysis of 56 events evidenced a nonlinear rainfall–runoff relationship. In contrast with other works, we identified clear upper limit events, under which hydrological responses emerge, as a result of combinations of antecedent wetness, rainfall erosivity, ground cover and preferential drainage paths. We separated the nonlinear rainfall–runoff response in three linear relationships according to differences in antecedent wetness conditions. We found differences in runoff responses under wet and dry antecedent conditions, but complex responses under medium antecedent conditions. The analyses of the inputs, the structural and the functional elements of the (dis)connectivity frameworks, were key in the understanding of the temporal changes of runoff, and its complex responses. Temporal coincidences of connectivity components and their feedbacks appear to be strongly associated with the runoff dynamics. High-magnitude hydrological responses occur with complete coincidences, while partial coincidences between the components reduce connectivity and low magnitude and/or heterogeneous responses prevail. Thus, these analyses suggest that runoff is controlled by (dis)connectivity in this basin with gentle slopes. Our work contributes to the understanding of the process of surface runoff in the context of humid flatlands under agricultural land use, by the identification of the complex combinations of factors which regulate/control the (dis)connectivity that helps to interpret the nonlinearities of runoff.Fil: Ares, María Guadalupe. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras "Dr. Eduardo Jorge Usunoff". - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras "Dr. Eduardo Jorge Usunoff". - Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras "Dr. Eduardo Jorge Usunoff"; ArgentinaFil: Varni, Marcelo Raúl. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras "Dr. Eduardo Jorge Usunoff". - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras "Dr. Eduardo Jorge Usunoff". - Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras "Dr. Eduardo Jorge Usunoff"; ArgentinaFil: Chagas, Celio Ignacio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia. Departamento de Ingenieria Agricola y Uso de la Tierra. Cátedra de Manejo y Conservación de Suelo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin
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