Abstract: One of the strategies to improve governments’ allocation of resources, particularly when these are insufficient to meet all the public needs, is the use of targeting indices. Generally, a targeting index is a linear combination of wellbeing indicators (for example years of education, dwelling conditions, and so forth) that orders the members of the population according to their living conditions to classify and identify the beneficiaries of social programmes. The weighting method that we propose maximises a function that depends on the number of poor beneficiaries, by income and/or expenditure, given some normative restrictions. Therefore, the indices designed with this method target poor people taking into consideration not only the income dimension, but also other dimensions, such as health, nutrition, and dwelling, although they are not correlated with income and/or correlated with one another. The method for taking these dimensions into account is to specify weighting restrictions by an indicator of wellbeing. In other words, we establish maximum and minimum values for the weights according to the number of indicators and the needs of social programmes. These values maintain the balance between income-based weights and normative weights. Because of these characteristics, we call our method Maximising Poor Beneficiaries with Normative Restrictions (MPBR). The algorithm behind MPBR can maximises or minimises any function. For instance, in the first exercise of this study, it exclusively counts the number of expenditure -poor beneficiaries, and in the second it contemplates both income-poor and expenditure-poor beneficiaries, given double weight to those that meet both conditions - thus the poorest of the poor households become the first beneficiaries of social programmes-. We find that when the function to maximise counts exclusively the number of income-poor (or expenditure-poor) households before a cutoff, it is equivalent to minimising the IE (Inclusion error) and EE (Exclusion error). In fact, we theoretically and empirically demonstrate that the models that minimise the IE and EE (considering income-poor or expenditure-poor households) are probabilistic models. Therefore, we conclude that probabilistic models are a useful tool to determine approximately the minimum IE and EE that can be obtained with a set of indicators. Applying MPBR, we find that when the increase in an indicator of wellbeing statistically increases the probability of not being expenditure-poor, the weight of the indicator converges to a specific positive value to maximise the number of expenditure-poor beneficiaries; in contrast, if the increase in an indicator statistically decreases this probability, the weight of the indicator converges to the minimum allowed weight. In the case in which the indicator is not statistically significant in the probabilistic model, its weight does not converge to a specific value. However, when the weighting restrictions become stronger (for example a greater minimum weight), most of the weights converge to a value. In a comparison of MPBR with other weighting methods (for example PCA and normative method), we conclude that the index estimated with MPBR has a smaller IE and EE and distributes the weights between indicators more equitably than the indices calculated with other methods.

Abstract: Algorithms for minimizing other regular criteria than the makespan in the Flexible Job-shop Scheduling Problem (FJSP) are rather scarce. In this paper, we propose a local search algorithm to optimize any regular criterion in the FJSP, which makes use of the disjunctive graph model to represent schedules and search for an optimal solution. Two neighborhood structures are proposed based on moving critical operations. Efficient conditions for testing the feasibility of moves are presented and new move evaluation functions are proposed. The efficiency of the algorithm is shown on instances of the classical job-shop scheduling problem with total weighted tardiness, as well as on instances of the FJSP with other regular criteria. Resumen: Algoritmos formulados para minimizar criterios regulares diferentes al makespan en el problema de scheduling job-shop flexible son realmente escasos. En este paper se propone un algoritmo de búsqueda local para optimizar cualquier criterio regular que utiliza una gráfica disyuntiva para representar soluciones y la forma para optimizar. Aquí se propone un test de factibilidad para el movimiento de operaciones críticas y una función de estimación. La eficiencia del algoritmo es evidenciado al alcanzar resultados de calidad en instancias de la tardanza total en el problema clásico de Job-shop, como también en instancias del job-shop flexible con otros criterios regulares.

Modern data acquisition techniques such as Global positioning system (GPS), Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and mobile phones have resulted in the collection of huge amounts of data in the form of trajectories during the past years. Popularity of these technologies and ubiquity of mobile devices seem to indicate that the amount of spatio-temporal data will increase at accelerated rates in the future. Many previous studies have focused on efficient techniques to store and query trajectory databases. Early approaches to recovering information from this kind of data include single predicate range and nearest neighbour queries. However, they are unable to capture collective behaviour and correlations among moving objects. Recently, a new interest for querying patterns capturing ‘group’ or ‘common’ behaviours have emerged. An example of this type of pattern are moving flocks. These are defined as groups of moving objects that move together (within a predefined distance to each other) for a certain continuous period of time. Current algorithms to discover moving flock patterns report problems in scalability and the way the discovered patterns are reported. The field of frequent pattern mining has faced similar problems during the past decade, and has sought to provided efficient and scalable techniques which successfully deal with those issues. This research proposes a framework which integrates techniques for clustering, pattern mining detection, postprocessing and visualization in order to discover and analyse moving flock patterns in large trajectory datasets. The proposed framework was tested and compared with a current method (BFE algorithm). Synthetic datasets simulating trajectories generated by large number of moving objects were used to test the scalability of the framework. Real datasets from different contexts and characteristics were used to assess the performance and analyse the discovered patterns. The framework shows to be efficient, scalable and modular. This research shows that moving flock patterns can be generalized as frequent patterns and state-of-the-art algorithms for frequent pattern mining can be used to detect the moving flock patterns. This research develops preliminary visualization of the most relevant findings. Appropriate interpretation of the results demands further analysis in order to display the most relevant information.

This paper aims to analyze concealment and deception in self-defeating organizational crisis response strategies and the possible consequences of their adoption on a company’s reputation. It represents an example of where every guideline to address stakeholders after a crisis was dismissed. It investigates a major environmental incident that took place in Colombia in 2013 and studies how the responsible company responded to the incident through the examination of company reports, media statements and national and international newspaper articles. The analysis shows that in addition to environmental damage, the company’s reputation was affected by the way the company responded during this crisis. The outcomes highlight the importance of the manner in which a crisis response is managed, as these types of mistakes often aggravate reputational damage. This paper is an invitation for companies to be quick, consistent and transparent with their responses when facing their stakeholders in moments of crisis. Not doing so may aggravate not only social but also economic and environmental impacts. Contrary to other contributions on the subject, this study implies that a misleading crisis response, including concealment and deception, can be an even greater challenge to a company’s reputation than the crisis itself.

Abstract: The Métropole de Lyon, involved in a major Permeable City project, was selected as a pilot site for the Life Artisan project. The latter aims to demonstrate and value the potential of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). As such, the Metropole de Lyon has adapted and set up stormwater trees to manage rainwater in the urban space formerly built. This involves removing the kerb of the tree pit, digging out around the tree pit, and installing an infiltration trench at the street gutter’s level (stormwater path). The space inside the tree pit is planted to promote the creation of simplified ecosystems. To test the concept, 10 stormwater trees have been retrofitted in consultation with citizens. The retrofitted trees and the untouched trees are equipped with sensors to measure their effectiveness as NBS. The first results show that although the trees pits were dimensioned to abate, by infiltration, 15 mm of rain for about 600 m2, a maximum of 39 mm of rain has been abated over the monitored period. The success of this test has motivated the local authority to deploy more stormwater trees and to accelerate the sustainable transition to a permeable and green city. To do so, the transition method from the European program SWITCH (Sustainable Water management Improves Tomorrow’s Cities Health) is used. It led to the writing of a technical guide on stormwater trees to raise awareness on the subject for the metropolitan actors, in the first place. In addition, the supply of rainwater to the trees doubles their growth over a season and increases the evapotranspiration, which could have an impact for the urban cool islands. } Abstract: La Métropole de Lyon, que participa en un importante proyecto de Ciudad Permeable, fue seleccionada como lugar piloto para el proyecto Life Artisan. Este último pretende demostrar y valorar el potencial de las Soluciones Basadas en la Naturaleza (SBN). Para ello, la Metropole de Lyon ha adaptado e instalado árboles de lluvia para gestionar la escorrentia en el espacio urbano anteriormente construido. Se trata de retirar el bordillo del alcorque, excavar alrededor del alcorque e instalar una zanja de infiltración al nivel de la cuneta de la calle (camino de aguas pluviales). El espacio interior del alcorque se planta para favorecer la creación de ecosistemas simplificados. Para probar el concepto, se han retroadaptado 10 árboles de lluvia en consulta con los ciudadanos. Los árboles retroadaptados y los intactos están equipados con sensores para medir su eficacia como NBS. Los primeros resultados muestran que, aunque los alcorques estaban dimensionados para reducir, por infiltración, 15 mm de lluvia en unos 600 m2, se ha reducido un máximo de 39 mm de lluvia durante el periodo supervisado. El éxito de esta prueba ha motivado a la autoridad local a desplegar más árboles pluviales y a acelerar la transición sostenible hacia una ciudad permeable y verde. Para ello se utiliza el método de transición del programa europeo SWITCH (Sustainable Water management Improves Tomorrow's Cities Health). Ha llevado a la redacción de una guía técnica sobre los árboles de lluvia para sensibilizar sobre el tema a los agentes metropolitanos, en primer lugar. Además, el suministro de agua de lluvia a los árboles duplica su crecimiento a lo largo de una temporada y aumenta la evapotranspiración, lo que podría repercutir en la creación de islas urbanas de frescura.

"The original Octonauts books have inspired a popular animated television series broadcast worldwide. In their fourth adventure, the Octonauts travel to a large reef city. When they arrive, they discover that the once bustling waters have turned into a ghost town! The colorful coral has turned an eerie white and buildings lay empty and crumbling. The Octonauts explore the different reef neighborhoods, from mangrove forests to seagrass meadows, to learn about the plants and animals that make up this strange tropical world. Will the crew be able to find clues to solve the mystery of the Great Ghost Reef? Reviews I've had the pleasure of reviewing all of the books in Meomi's wonderful 'Octonauts' series, which are published by Immedium. I have to say, they just keep getting better and better, and the newest, The Octonauts & the Great Ghost Reef is probably my favorite yet. Not only are the illustrations so cute I want to hang them on my walls, but the story is great, and it's educational. I've selected a few of my favorite images for this post, but pick up the book, because it won't disappoint! Every page is filled with the cutest illustrations, featuring Meomi's signature characters! Tokyo Bunnie The Octonauts are Diesel Oakland's favorite team of underwater animal explorers. Cute, colorful, imaginative, and action-packed, their exploits appear in four volumesTheir mission? To investigate the mysteries of the deep and to help their fellow creatures. Kids will love the fact that The Octonauts have their own unique personalities, a deep sea workstation in which they live and play, and jobs just like real scientist-explorers. Adults will appreciate the cool graphics and quirky humor. And both will look forward to the vibrant illustrations and little visual details that make each adventure worth returning to again and again. - Colin Waters, Diesel Bookstore, Oakland, CA The eight cuddly underwater explorerstake a vacation to the Great Reef City only to discover the wondrous reef ecosystem has become bereft of both life and colorthe anime-inspired artwork and oodles of minute details bubbling around each page will have [children] deeply immersed in the fantastical undersea world. --Ian Chipman , ALA Booklist" About the Authors Meomi is Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy who live in Vancouver, Canada. They enjoy spending their time making up silly stories, drawing strange creatures, and collecting pine cones. Meomis artwork has been featured in books, art shows, and products. Visit them at www.meomi.com. About Immedium Immedium, Inc. inspires a world of imagination, and creates entertaining books that have multi-dimensional appeal. Based in San Francisco, CA, Immedium sits on the Pacific Rim, a vibrant intersection for crossover cultural trends from Asia and America. Embracing an increasingly diverse and multimedia world, Immedium publishes titles ranging from eye-catching childrens books, such as the Octonauts (www.octonauts.com) and contemporary non-fiction to commentaries on art and popular culture. Visit us at www.immedium.com.

Abstract: Colombia is a country whose economy is largely driven by SMEs companies, but with the advance of technology, their production and growth is stagnating. Only companies that have under- stood the importance of innovation and have applied technologies framed in the DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION are making progress. One of the most critical reasons why these companies have not yet begun to go through this change of ideology is due to the lack of knowledge and support. The information is abundant but it is not compiled in a single digital site, where any- one can find it. Companies will continue to invest in technology to support the shift towards remote work and automation, but that is no longer enough. One of the most relevant findings when talking to various stakeholders, has been to understand that in the collective imagination of entrepreneurs, there are misconceptions about what DT means. It is common that this concept is framed in a series of myths that confuse and are transferred from voice to voice, creating a panorama of misinformation. That is why, I took on the challenge of creating a digital strategy that brings together in one place the dimensions that are part of the DT. The objective is to demystify the preconceived ideas of entrepreneurs so they can understand that their perception of digital reality has been created under ideas that do not correspond to the truth. Therefore, to achieve this change of mentality, a common and direct language will be used in order to make people feel identified with their false ideas about the concept and as a result, they will experience a desire to explore further. Resumen: Colombia es un país cuya economía está en gran medida impulsada por empresas pymes, pero con el avance de la tecnología, su producción y crecimiento se están estancando. Solo las empresas que han comprendido la importancia de la innovación y han aplicado tecnologías enmarcadas en la TRANSFORMACIÓN DIGITAL están progresando. Una de las razones más críticas por las cuales estas empresas aún no han comenzado a pasar por este cambio de ideología se debe a la falta de conocimiento y apoyo. La información es abundante, pero no está recopilada en un solo espacio digital, donde cualquiera pueda encontrarla. Las empresas continúan invirtiendo en tecnología para respaldar el cambio hacia el trabajo remoto y la automatización, pero eso ya no es suficiente. Uno de los hallazgos más relevantes al hablar con diversos interesados ha sido comprender que en la imaginación colectiva de los empresarios, hay conceptos erróneos sobre lo que significa la Transformación Digital. Es común que este concepto se enmarque en una serie de mitos que confunden y se transmiten voz a voz, creando un panorama de desinformación. Por eso, asumí el desafío de crear una estrategia digital que reúna en un solo lugar las dimensiones que forman parte de la TD. El objetivo es desmitificar las ideas preconcebidas de los empresarios para que puedan entender que su percepción de la realidad digital se ha creado bajo ideas que no corresponden a la verdad. Por lo tanto, para lograr este cambio de mentalidad, se utilizará un lenguaje común y directo con el fin de que las personas se sientan identificadas con sus ideas falsas sobre el concepto y, como resultado, experimenten el deseo de explorar más a fondo. Dentro de esta estrategia y como artefacto final, desarrollé un sitio web llamado ""Mitos Digitales"", los empresarios podrán comprender el concepto, sus componentes, beneficios, la tecnología más usada, historias de éxito y una recopilación de mitos desarticulados. Finalmente, podrán encontrar algunos recursos en términos de formación y ayuda financiera que el gobierno y las organizaciones privadas en Colombia están proporcionando para apoyar y fortalecer el crecimiento y desarrollo tecnológico de las pymes.

Teen girls rewrite the universe on a daily basis! This comic collection proves theres nothing better than using your imagination except maybe talking nonsense with your friends. Hey, why not both? Nathalie and Marie are 17 years old and best friends. Since elementary school, theyve been creatively filling moments of boredom with a game called What If We Were...?. One player names a topiclets say vampire slayers for exampleand then both imagine what life would be like as that subject. I would only hunt vampires during daytime, because it would be less exhausting would be a good answer. I would only hunt them for sport, to eventually sell their skins could be another, if a little disturbing. Easy to play, but hard to master. An expert player will know how to think outside the box and surprise their opponent. And after all these years, Nathalie and Marie are experts! Shortlisted for the Prix des Libraires du Quebec, What If We Were collects dozens of these games as hilarious and addictive comic strips, along with super-fun bonus material like diary entries, bonus comics, and more.

This silver anniversary edition of Dave Coverlys Reuben award-winning Speed Bump collects 300 of his best cartoons into one full-color book. 25 years of ideas. 25 years of drawings. 25 years of coffee. Man, thats a lot of coffee. Coverlys work has appeared in over 400 newspapers, including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Detroit Free Press, as well as in Parade magazine, textbooks, greeting cards, and even on that internet thingy. Dry and gentle not only describes Daves hands, but his sense of humor as well. And while there are no guarantees in life, this new collection of Speed Bump cartoons hopes to make you think, smile, snort awkwardly, rethink, pause for a bathroom break, maybe get a second cup of coffee, and return to read a few more before realizing you really should be doing something a little more productive.

Betty and Veronica are living life as one another on the next leg of their world tour: Seoul, South Korea! In this new country they discover their voicesliterallywhen they are approached with the musical offer of a lifetime! Meanwhile, trouble is brewing back at home in Riverdale, USA, as transfer student Violette is ready to call it quits and head back home to France! Will the girls at Riverdale High make their school more welcoming to these new transfers? And just how well will these new girls fit in with everyone in town? All these questions and more will be answered in this exciting, penultimate chapter of Farewell, Betty & Veronica!