Contested Niche Innovations in Transport: Experiences from the Inter-comunal Bicycle Sharing System in Santiago de Chile, 2011-2017

Significant new technological developments in transport are already part of our urban landscape, helped by trends in the globalisation of economic activities. Acknowledging that technology is a facilitator of key changes in urban mobility, this thesis examines the institutional context in which a new transport technology is deployed, highlighting concerns not only about possible failures of an ‘enabling state’, but also about the ‘enabling environment’ as a central policy issue. This perspective provides a suitable space to further discuss the increasing governance hybridity in deploying new technologies in transport, acknowledging that the balance of power appears to be shifting. This research seeks to analyse the role of decision-making processes in triggering transformative adaptations that account for a mobility justice transition towards more equitable and inclusive mobility landscapes. Empirically, the thesis presents a case study promoting utility cycling via the deployment of an inter-comunal Bicycle Sharing Scheme, comprising 14 comunas in Santiago, Chile’s capital city, a fragmented metropolitan area with high socio-spatial inequalities. This research approach combines quantitative and qualitative methods of data gathering and analysis. A survey of 343 current bike-hire users at the busiest stations in order to gauge the perceived benefits of such deployment was complemented by interviews with key decision-makers and direct observations of operational logistics in the field. Business model innovation and public tendering processes provided valuable insights into the decision-making process as a subject of analysis. Findings suggest that a mobility justice transition is a relational matter. Indeed, inter-governmental agreements and collaborative actions were crucial in challenging patterns of socio-spatial inequality and proved to be a transformative strategy for change. However, prospects for a radical transition towards greater mobility justice are mixed. In conclusion, partnerships supporting niche-innovations operate within norms, values and practices, which are socially and culturally conditioned, and systematically shaped by the actions of society. Unfolding this rationale and ‘working through’ tensions and synergies towards the search for a common interest on the basis of transparency, collaboration, trust and deliberation, there is potential for setting out a mobility justice transition pathway

Urban spatial structure and economic growth in Spanish metropolitan areas

There is a large literature on the existence of agglomeration economies, as shown in the surveys by Moomaw (1983) or Gerking (1993). The benefits of these economies arise from multiple sources, but some negative externalities might also emerge. Within the hierarchical urban system, cities at different ranks (different size) take on different economic functions with variant 'efficient sizes' (Capello and Camagni, 2000) and, indeed, the distributions of cities' relative size have been stable in many countries (Black and Henderson, 1999; Eaton and Eckstein, 1997; Nitsch, 2005) and, in many cases they obey the Zipf's law (Gabaix, 1999). If a city is able to adjust its spatial structure to offset the negative exter- nalities due to its size, it will be able to keep growing. If that is not possible, it might be more convenient to transit from a monocentric to a polycentric structure, which is usually considered as a possible strategy to eliminate diseconomies in urban economics (Sasaki and Mun, 1996; Fujita et al., 1997). However, there is little empirical evidence on the links between urban spatial structure and growth---which are usually understood within the context of urban evolution. One notable exception is the study by Cervero (2001), where it is argued that more compact, centralized and accessible cities are usually associated with higher productivity levels. In this context, this paper explores the links between urban spatial structure and economic growth in metropolitan areas in Spain, where this type of analysis is virtually non-existent. However, it is a relevant policy issue due to a variety of reasons such as the increased urban sprawl and the different costs it brings about. The analysis will also enable to evaluate if there is any particular type of urban spatial structure which prevails on the grounds of its superior efficiency, together with evaluating if an efficient urban spatial structure hinges on the size and other attributes specific to each particular metropolitan area.

Urban spatial structure and economic growth in Spanish metropolitan areas

There is a large literature on the existence of agglomeration economies, as shown in the surveys by Moomaw (1983) or Gerking (1993). The benefits of these economies arise from multiple sources, but some negative externalities might also emerge. Within the hierarchical urban system, cities at different ranks (different size) take on different economic functions with variant 'efficient sizes' (Capello and Camagni, 2000) and, indeed, the distributions of cities' relative size have been stable in many countries (Black and Henderson, 1999; Eaton and Eckstein, 1997; Nitsch, 2005) and, in many cases they obey the Zipf's law (Gabaix, 1999). If a city is able to adjust its spatial structure to offset the negative exter- nalities due to its size, it will be able to keep growing. If that is not possible, it might be more convenient to transit from a monocentric to a polycentric structure, which is usually considered as a possible strategy to eliminate diseconomies in urban economics (Sasaki and Mun, 1996; Fujita et al., 1997). However, there is little empirical evidence on the links between urban spatial structure and growth---which are usually understood within the context of urban evolution. One notable exception is the study by Cervero (2001), where it is argued that more compact, centralized and accessible cities are usually associated with higher productivity levels. In this context, this paper explores the links between urban spatial structure and economic growth in metropolitan areas in Spain, where this type of analysis is virtually non-existent. However, it is a relevant policy issue due to a variety of reasons such as the increased urban sprawl and the different costs it brings about. The analysis will also enable to evaluate if there is any particular type of urban spatial structure which prevails on the grounds of its superior efficiency, together with evaluating if an efficient urban spatial structure hinges on the size and other attributes specific to each particular metropolitan area

Reading as a source of pleasure of learning

Wells (1988) afirma que los niños a quienes se les ha leído cuentos en casa están en mejores condiciones para el aprendizaje escolar que aquellos que no han vivido esta experiencia. La lectura, fundamento esencial en el desarrollo psicoevolutivo del niño, se planifica en la presente programación globalizada para el segundo nivel del primer ciclo con la finalidad de racionalizar la práctica docente, con objeto de que ésta no se desarrolle de forma arbitraria, sino que obedezca a un plan. En él, se expone como la lectura debe ser la fuente de placer de todo aprendizaje que el niño haga.Wells (1988) says that children who have been read stories at home are in better conditions for school learning that those who have not lived this experience. Reading, an essential basis in child’s psycho-evolutionary development, is planned in this global programming for the second level of the first cycle, in order to rationalize the teaching practice, with the purpose that it does not develop arbitrarily, but follows a plan. In its developing, it is set out how reading should be the source of pleasure for all learning that the child does through his whole life

Diferencias en el tiempo de evitación de la colisión: impulsividad - reflexividad

Se ha estudiado la relevancia de algunos factores relacionados con las diferencias individuales en el campo de los fenómenos subyacentes a la circulación vial. En concreto, se ha pretendido verificar la incidencia del sexo y del estilo cognitivo > de los sujetos sobre su tendencia a asumir riesgos en la determinación del tiempo para la colisión. Se ha utilizado una muestra de 60 sujetos (48 mujeres y 12 hombres) clasificados en dos grupos según su puntuación en la subescala de > de Zuckerman. Todos los sujetos realizaron una tarea de simulación de evitación de colisiones con vehiculos circulando en sentido opuesto utilizando tres valores de velocidad. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que tanto en el grupo de hombres como en el de mujeres, los sujetos > presentan un tiempo para el contacto menor que los >, lo que se interpreta como una actitud menos conservadora al enjuiciar el riesgo potencial de una situación simulada de conducción

Dynamic Visual Acuity

We present a review on the visual ability to discriminate ¿ ne details of moving objects (DVA: Dynamic Visual Acuity), showing the most relevant differences, which have been attributed to this visual capacity in comparison to SVA (static visual acuity). It is known that the correlation between SVA and DVA is low. Moreover, when DVA is measured, not only the minimum spatial separation that the visual system can resolve is evaluated, but also the functionality of the oculomotor system. Therefore, assessing DVA also involves measuring the ability of the eye to actively seek information. Nowadays, it is known that DVA is one of the best indicators of success in certain sports specialties (table tennis, baseball, etc...) and that it negatively correlates with accident rates in traf¿ c scenarios. The investigated factors that produce a signi¿ cant reduction in dynamic spatial resolution are: the speed of the stimulus, affecting both vertical and horizontal trajectories; the stimulus exposure time; ambient illumination; reduction in contrast and subject age. Moreover, it has been veri¿ ed that this visual capacity is likely to improve with training.Postprint (published version

Effective Visual Field Rehabilitation in Homonymous Hemianopia by Attaching Binocular Prisms to Lenses

Postprint (published version

Salud emocional, una expectativa de vida en ancianos operados de catarata

It is of interest to know how visual disturbances that increase with aging influence disability for activities. Increased life expectancy has enabled this population may be greater socioeconomic background and medical implications; it is usual a separation between the mental and emotional states. The quantitative and qualitative assessment of visual acuity in both pre and postoperative patients are cataract surgery involves an expectation between life satisfaction and psychological well-being and their hopes from the point of functional, psychological and emotionally. It is important to consider that the welfare explains how and why patients experience in their lives and significantly positive terms. Many psychological discomforts disappear or are attenuated after cataract surgery. An upward growth between visual gain related to activities and social roles they play, as well as life satisfaction and emotional health is estimated.Es de interés conocer cómo las alteraciones visuales que aumentan con el envejecimiento influyen en las discapacidades para realizar actividades. El incremento de las expectativas de vida ha posibilitado que se acreciente esta población con sus implicaciones socioeconómicas y médicas; es usual una separación entre los estados psíquicos y emocionales. La valoración cuantitativa y cualitativa de la agudeza visual tanto pre como postoperatoria en los pacientes que son operados de catarata implica una expectativa entre la satisfacción vital y el bienestar psicológico y sus esperanzas desde el punto de vista funcional, psíquico y emocional. Es importante considerar que el bienestar explica cómo y por qué los pacientes experimentan en sus vidas en términos positivos y de forma significativa. Muchos malestares de orden psicológico desaparecen o se atenúan después de la intervención quirúrgica de la catarata. Se estima un crecimiento ascendente entre la ganancia visual relacionada con las actividades y los roles sociales que desempeñan, así como de la satisfacción vital y la salud emocional

Calidad de vida de un paciente con esclerosis múltiple. Revisión bibliográfica.

Introducción: La esclerosis múltiple es una enfermedad neurológica inflamatoria, desmielinizante y neurodegenerativa, de carácter autoinmune que afecta al sistema nervioso central. La principal característica clínica es la gran variabilidad de signos y síntomas. Tiene un curso inestable, crónico e incapacitante, que evoluciona a brotes, sin que se pueda prever la evolución. Afecta con más frecuencia a adultos jóvenes en la flor de la vida, donde los efectos psicosociales y económicos pueden ser devastadores. Objetivo principal: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica para conocer la calidad de vida de los pacientes con EM. Metodología: Se ha realizado una revisión bibliográfica con el fin de localizar y recuperar documentos de fuentes de información primarias, secundarias y terciarias, pudiendo hallar así la mejor evidencia posible para realizar el trabajo de investigación. Conclusión: Tras la revisión bibliográfica se puede afirmar que la calidad de vida del paciente con esclerosis múltiple se ve afectada. La enfermería tiene un gran papel ayudando a maximizar la autonomía e independencia de estos pacientes, además de dar apoyo psicológico para poder afrontar esta enfermedad. Palabras clave: Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS): “Esclerosis múltiple” “Impacto psicosocial” “Calidad de vida” “Neuropsicología” “Cognición” “Adaptación psicológica” “Cuidados de enfermería”. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): “Multiple sclerosis” “Mental health” “Quality of life”.<br /