Market and multi-regulation of educational systems: Case studies on the trajectory of schools in Chile 2000-2010

Las políticas educacionales que incentivan la competencia entre las escuelas suscriben los argumentos económicos sobre la naturaleza superior de los mercados y se articulan a partir de una visión virtuosa sobre sus efectos en el campo educativo. El siguiente trabajo tiene como propósito explorar la relación entre las dinámicas de mercado en educación, especialmente la expansión de la competencia entre escuelas a través de la privatización, identificando las respuestas que elaboran las escuelas a los contextos que le plantea un ambiente competitivo. De este modo, nuestro objetivo es comprender cómo se relacionan estos contextos de competencia con las trayectorias de escuelas durante el periodo 2000-2010 en Chile. Para responder a este objetivo, utilizamos un diseño de investigación basado en un estudio de casos múltiples y a través de distintas fuentes de información indagamos en la trayectoria de escuelas públicas y privadas emplazadas en contextos de privatización.Contemporary educational policies that encourage competition between schools subscribe to economic arguments about the superior nature of markets and are articulated based on a virtuous vision of their effects. The following report aims to explore the connections between market dynamics in education, especially the expansion of competition between schools through privatisation identifying the responses that schools elabo-rate to a competitive environment. Thus, our objective is to understand how market dynamics are related to the trajectories of schools during the period 2000-2010 in Chile. To respond to this objective, we used a research design based on a multiple case study and through different sources of information we examined the trajectory of public and private schools located in highly competitive context

The use of machine learning algorithms for the study of business profitability : a new approach based on preferences

In recent years, researchers in the Field of Artificial Intelligence have developed a learning technique, namely, preference learning, that is suitable to be used for economic analysis. The present research empirically tests one of these models, which consists of a combination of LACE and RFE algorithms. The problem of forecasting the profitability of Spanish companies upon the basis of a set of financial ratios is used as a benchmark. The model provides forecasted rankings, which are a kind of information that is more useful for the economic analysts than the forecasted class memberships that traditional machine learning techniques provide.En los últimos años, investigadores del campo de la Inteligencia Artificial han desarrollado una técnica de aprendizaje llamada “aprendizaje de referencia”, que puede usarse para el análisis económico. Esta investigación pone a prueba de manera empírica uno de estos modelos, que consiste en la combinación de algoritmos LACE y RFE. El problema de investigar los posibles beneficios de compañías españolas por encima de la base de un set de ratios financieros se usa como limitación. El modelo proporciona rankings pronosticados, los cuales son un tipo de información que es más útil para los analistas económicos que para los miembros que las técnicas que el aprendizaje tradicional proporciona

Genetical genomics: use all data

BACKGROUND: Genetical genomics is a very powerful tool to elucidate the basis of complex traits and disease susceptibility. Despite its relevance, however, statistical modeling of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) has not received the attention it deserves. Based on two reasonable assertions (i) a good model should consider all available variables as potential effects, and (ii) gene expressions are highly interconnected, we suggest that an eQTL model should consider the rest of expression levels as potential regressors, in addition to the markers. RESULTS: It is shown that power can be increased with this strategy. We also show, using classical statistical and support vector machines techniques in a reanalysis of public data, that the external transcripts, i.e., transcripts other than the one being analysed, explain on average much more variability than the markers themselves. The presence of eQTL hotspots is reassessed in the light of these results. CONCLUSION: Model choice is a critical yet neglected issue in genetical genomics studies. Although we are far from having a general strategy for model choice in this area, we can at least propose that any transcript level is scanned not only for the markers genotyped but also for the rest of gene expression levels. Some sort of stepwise regression strategy can be used to select the final model

Non-reciprocal Acoustic Devices for RF Communications

The purpose of this research is to develop, demonstrate, and characterize a novel architecture based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices capable of non-reciprocal propagation of forward and reverse signals. To begin, a novel topology is introduced based on asymmetrical delay lines and a current source representing a copy of the input signal. An analysis of this structure demonstrates it is capable of functioning as an isolator with the added capability of tuning the frequency response by controlling the phase relationships be- tween input signal and its copy. The structure is dependent on creating large phase shifts of 360◦ and 180◦ which is implemented in the acoustic domain. The current source functioning as a copy of the input signal is implemented by a parametric circuit. When a non-linear capacitor is pumped by a large signal at exactly twice the input signal frequency, an amplified copy of the input signal is reflected with a phase shift according to the pump signal phase due to the presence of negative resistance. This is precisely the behavior required for the topology to function. This type of parametric amplification is known as phase-coherent degenerate parametric amplifier. To investigate further, models are developed for the surface acoustic wave transducers, the non-linear capacitor, and the overall structure in Keysight’s Advanced Design Systems (ADS). Harmonic balance simulations in ADS verify the theory and demonstrate the same tunable behavior. These simulations are then used to design the SAW device and the peripheral circuitry required to match and isolate the pump signal from the input signal. The SAW device is fabricated on bulk LiN bO3 and bonded to a PCB board containing the pump circuitry. The first implementation is based on a bi-directional center transducer design and demonstrates overall functionality with limited bandwidth due to the single resonant parametric circuit design. A secondary device with a uni-directional SAW center transducer, which better matches the bandwidth of the input and output transducers, and a 2nd order resonant network result in improved performance demonstrating gain and isolation throughout the bandwidth of the SAW filter. Furthermore, the tunable aspect is also demonstrated by controlling the phase relationship between input and pump signals. This device, however, requires phase-coherence between signals and the relationship fP=2fS to be maintained. This is difficult to implement in practical systems and requires additional complicated circuitry. For this reason, a phase-incoherent version was also investigated. The addition of the uni-directional center transducer which couples the negative resistance to the acoustic waves, generates another form of asymmetry which also results in non-reciprocal propagation of forward and reverse signals. Due to its general applicability, the focus of the work is shifted to this prototype. The device is capable of functioning under different pump frequencies each with its advantages and disadvantages. For this reason, the performance both phase-coherent and incoherent modes of operation in terms of gain, isolation, noise, and linearity are characterized and understood under the lens of para- metric amplification. When compared to the state-of-the-art, the device exhibits superior performance in terms of isolation and insertion loss

Contribuciones sociológicas de Durkheim y Bernstein sobre la diversidad sociocultural en la escuela

Existe consenso en torno a que la disciplina sociológica brindó un marco para comprender las relaciones entre los sistemas educativos y los contextos sociales más amplios en que se emplazan. No obstante, los retratos que ha esbozado aquella tradición en torno a la escuela, adquieren significados contrastantes. Las perspectivas que explora este articulo surgen como una respuesta a la obsolescencia de los modelos determinísticos del cambio educativo y su dificultad para explicar aquellos procesos de cambio que tienen lugar en la escuela. El presente artículo ofrece una reflexión teórica en torno a la cuestión de la diversidad sociocultural, a partir de la distinción entre los órdenes instrumental y expresivo en la escuela, delimitando la diversidad como un ámbito problemático y brindando herramientas conceptuales a partir de las aportaciones de Durkheim y Bernstein. El abordaje propuesto está anclado a la distinción entre los modelos de relaciones integrativas basadas en la solidaridad orgánica y mecánica, presentando un esfuerzo sistemático de teorización en torno al ámbito de prácticas educativas. Finalmente, se concluye que las políticas educativas se enfrentan a un dilema entre la exigencia de rendimientos especializados y un conjunto de competencias, valores y creencias basales en el contexto de sociedades que se complejizan y diversifican aceleradamente y aspiran a una coexistencia entre las dinámicas de cambio tecnológico y profundización democrática

Contribuciones sociológicas de Durkheim y Bernstein sobre la diversidad sociocultural en la escuela1

Existe consenso en torno a que la disciplina sociológica brindó un marco para comprender las relaciones entre los sistemas educativos y los contextos sociales más amplios en que se emplazan. No obstante, los retratos que ha esbozado aquella tradición en torno a la escuela, adquieren significados contrastantes. Las perspectivas que explora este articulo surgen como una respuesta a la obsolescencia de los modelos determinísticos del cambio educativo y su dificultad para explicar aquellos procesos de cambio que tienen lugar en la escuela. El presente artículo ofrece una reflexión teórica en torno a la cuestión de la diversidad sociocultural, a partir de la distinción entre los órdenes instrumental y expresivo en la escuela, delimitando la diversidad como un ámbito problemático y brindando herramientas conceptuales a partir de las aportaciones de Durkheim y Bernstein. El abordaje propuesto está anclado a la distinción entre los modelos de relaciones integrativas basadas en la solidaridad orgánica y mecánica, presentando un esfuerzo sistemático de teorización en torno al ámbito de prácticas educativas. Finalmente, se concluye que las políticas educativas se enfrentan a un dilema entre la exigencia de rendimientos especializados y un conjunto de competencias, valores y creencias basales en el contexto de sociedades que se complejizan y diversifican aceleradamente y aspiran a una coexistencia entre las dinámicas de cambio tecnológico y profundización democrática./There is consensus that the sociological discipline provided a framework for understanding the relationships between education systems and the broader social contexts in which they are situated. However, the portraits that tradition has sketched of schools take on contrasting meanings. The perspectives explored in this article arises as a response to the obsolescence of deterministic models of educational change and their difficulty in explaining those processes of change that take place in schools. This article offers a theoretical reflection on the concerns of socio-cultural diversity based on the distinction between the instrumental and expressive orders in schools, delimiting diversity as a problematic area and providing conceptual resources based on the contributions of Durkheim and Bernstein. This approach is conceptually anchored to the distinction between models of integrative relations based on organic and mechanical solidarity and presents a systematic effort to theorise educational practices. The article concludes that educational policies address a dilemma between the demand for specialised performances and a set of core competencies, values, and beliefs in the context of societies that are equally complexifying and diversifying rapidly, societies that aspire to a coexistence between the dynamics of technological change and democratic life

Contribuciones sociológicas de Durkheim y Bernstein sobre la diversidad sociocultural en la escuela

There is consensus that the sociological discipline provided a framework for understanding therelationships between education systems and the broader social contexts in which they are situated.However, the portraits that tradition has sketched of schools take on contrasting meanings. Theperspectives explored in this article arises as a response to the obsolescence of deterministic modelsof educational change and their difficulty in explaining those processes of change that take place inschools. This article offers a theoretical reflection on the concerns of socio-cultural diversity based on the distinction between the instrumental and expressive orders in schools, delimiting diversity as a problematic area and providing conceptual resources based on the contributions of Durkheim and Bernstein. This approach is conceptually anchored to the distinction between models ofintegrative relations based on organic and mechanical solidarity and presents a systematic effort to theorise educational practices. The article concludes that educational policies address a dilemma between the demand for specialised performances and a set of core competencies, values, and beliefs in the context of societies that are equally complexifying and diversifying rapidly, societiesthat aspire to a coexistence between the dynamics of technological change and democratic life.Existe consenso en torno a que la disciplina sociológica brindó un marco para comprender las relacionesentre los sistemas educativos y los contextos sociales más amplios en que se emplazan. No obstante, los retratosque ha esbozado aquella tradición en torno a la escuela, adquieren significados contrastantes. Las perspectivas que explora este articulo surgen como una respuesta a la obsolescencia de los modelos determinísticos del cambio educativo y su dificultad para explicar aquellos procesos de cambio que tienen lugar en la escuela. Elpresente artículo ofrece una reflexión teórica en torno a la cuestión de la diversidad sociocultural, a partir de ladistinción entre los órdenes instrumental y expresivo en la escuela, delimitando la diversidad como un ámbito problemático y brindando herramientas conceptuales a partir de las aportaciones de Durkheim y Bernstein. El abordaje propuesto está anclado a la distinción entre los modelos de relaciones integrativas basadas en lasolidaridad orgánica y mecánica, presentando un esfuerzo sistemático de teorización en torno al ámbitode prácticas educativas. Finalmente, se concluye que las políticas educativas se enfrentan a un dilema entrela exigencia de rendimientos especializados y un conjunto de competencias, valores y creencias basales en elcontexto de sociedades que se complejizan y diversifican aceleradamente y aspiran a una coexistencia entre lasdinámicas de cambio tecnológico y profundización democrática

Scalable Feature Selection Using ReliefF Aided by Locality-Sensitive Hashing

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Feature selection algorithms, such as ReliefF, are very important for processing high-dimensionality data sets. However, widespread use of popular and effective such algorithms is limited by their computational cost. We describe an adaptation of the ReliefF algorithm that simplifies the costliest of its step by approximating the nearest neighbor graph using locality-sensitive hashing (LSH). The resulting ReliefF-LSH algorithm can process data sets that are too large for the original ReliefF, a capability further enhanced by distributed implementation in Apache Spark. Furthermore, ReliefF-LSH obtains better results and is more generally applicable than currently available alternatives to the original ReliefF, as it can handle regression and multiclass data sets. The fact that it does not require any additional hyperparameters with respect to ReliefF also avoids costly tuning. A set of experiments demonstrates the validity of this new approach and confirms its good scalability.This study has been supported in part by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (projects PID2019-109238GB-C2 and TIN 2015-65069-C2-1-R and 2-R), partially funded by FEDER funds of the EU and by the Xunta de Galicia (projects ED431C 2018/34 and Centro Singular de Investigación de Galicia, accreditation 2016-2019). The authors wish to thank the Fundación Pública Galega Centro Tecnolóxico de Supercomputación de Galicia (CESGA) for the use of their computing resources. Funding for open access charge: Universidade da Coruña/CISUGXunta de Galicia; ED431C 2018/3