Using remote sensing and census tract data to improve representation of population spatial distribution: case studies in the Brazilian Amazon

This work proposes a methodological approach to redistribute population data obtained from polygonal census tracts into population density surfaces (grids) based on a cell space database. The methodology was first developed for the municipality of Marabá, Pará state, in the Brazilian Amazon. We used a dasymetric method to eliminate areas of environmental restriction to human presence; then integrated environmental data indicative of human presence to generate a potential surface of population occurrence; and finally, census population count data were redistributed into cells. The methodology was subsequently adapted for 13 municipalities of the Sustainable Forests District (SFD) of BR-163, generating population distribution surfaces for 2000 and 2007. The evolution of the resident population over the SFD-BR163 showed spatial patterns compatible with the occupation process described in the literature and verified by fieldwork. To be applied over other areas, the proposed methodology must be adapted with local parameters but in this way, population density surfaces can be useful as an additional data source to study population and environment relationships.     

AIDS, “reversal” of the demographic transition and economic development: evidence from Africa

Using country- and region-level data, I investigate the effect of HIV/AIDS on fertility in Africa during 1985–2000. Results differ depending on the variation used and the estimation method. Between estimates that exploit cross-sectional variation suggest a positive significant effect of HIV/AIDS on fertility, whereas within estimates that are identified of off time-series variation show both positive and negative results depending on the HIV/AIDS variable used. These within estimates are insignificant in most of the specifications.     

从一个民族的近代婚姻看理性婚姻的意义

本文通过对纳西族近代婚姻的考察,分析其理性内涵的丰富性、合理性.纳西族近代婚姻是通过对家族经济状况、家庭社会背景、健康状况的综合考察平衡后,经由"父母之命、媒妁之言"缔结的理性婚姻.这种理性婚姻为婚姻的稳定、和满提供了基本条件.本文首次提出"理性婚姻"的概念并指出理性婚姻在一个私有化、现代化社会有其特殊意义.     

汉语简称的分类及其规范

汉语简称是一种较为特殊的语言表达形式,其构成方式也比较多.以往的分类,缺乏统一的标准,结果便不甚理想.本文从简称的构成"原素"及其在全称中的位置两个层次人手,对简称的构成方式进行了重新分类,结果相对严谨合理,界线分明,而且对简称的规范化也有一定意义.     

现代化与中国传统诗学的开新

"现代化"作为20世纪中国文化的套话,深人到中国社会生活的各个层面.中国传统诗学正是在这一背景下遭遇了域外诗学的挑战,并由此规定了现代汉语诗学的路向.本文从外形式到内结构梳理了现代中国诗歌的"现代化"历程,揭示了这一过程中诗学转换的轨迹.     

The Minimal Spanning Tree Preservation Approaches for DNA Multiple Sequence Alignment and Evolutionary Tree Construction

In this paper, we propose a new criterion, namely the minimal spanning tree preservation approach, for both of the DNA multiple sequence alignment and the construction of evolutionary trees. It is our aim to keep the proximity information among the sequences or species via our approach. The basic idea behind this approach is that those distances among species which are close to one another are more informative than the others.     

From Linear to Semidefinite Programming: An Algorithm to Obtain Semidefinite Relaxations for Bivalent Quadratic Problems

In this paper, we present a simple algorithm to obtain mechanically SDP relaxations for any quadratic or linear program with bivalent variables, starting from an existing linear relaxation of the considered combinatorial problem. A significant advantage of our approach is that we obtain an improvement on the linear relaxation we start from. Moreover, we can take into account all the existing theoretical and practical experience accumulated in the linear approach. After presenting the rules to treat each type of constraint, we describe our algorithm, and then apply it to obtain semidefinite relaxations for three classical combinatorial problems: the K-CLUSTER problem, the Quadratic Assignment Problem, and the Constrained-Memory Allocation Problem. We show that we obtain better SDP relaxations than the previous ones, and we report computational experiments for the three problems.     

European cultures and management styles

After the establishment of the Common Market in Europe, many companies from abroad opted for a single European headquarters and searched for European managers. That leads to the question whether one can really speak of a common European management style. The article at hand examines this issue. To do this, the legal framework and Corporate Governance background of individual European countries are assessed. Furthermore, cultural differences in Europe are considered. Referring to studies of cultural dimensions in European countries, the authors propose five different cultural areas in Europe. This leads to a concluding discussion of management styles in these regions.     

Zur Aktualität des Kompetenzbegriffs und zur Bedeutung der Kompetenz-entwicklung für das Coaching

The popular use of the term “competence” and the significance of competence development in coachingThe term “competence” is frequently used by employers, employees, trainers and authors alike, though in many cases the concept behind this term might differ considerably. But what does competence really mean, how does competence differ from other concepts like qualification, ability and skill and what is essential in developing competencies? If competence is seen as a disposition of self-organization, it helps people to solve unknown and difficult requirements based on their knowledge. The basic aim of coaching is the development of job-related competencies. Particularly social and personal competencies can be highly improved and enlarged by coaching. Thereby the coach takes the role of a consultant, who assists the coachees during their learning process and supports them with appropriate methods and tools.     

Methodological Challenges Posed by Measures of Performance

Performance measures are everywhere, but they are filled with errors, and these errors are likely to cause faulty inferences. We should distrust performance measures, but we cannot ignore them because they are powerful motivators that can produce dramatic improvements in human and organizational performance.