An experimental simulation of a progressive structure for public university feesin Spain based on the Italian experience

El sistema universitario español ha introducido en los últimos años cambios significativos en su forma de financiación, fundamentalmente a través de los incrementos en los precios públicos pagados por los estudiantes. Estos aumentos se han llevado a cabo siguiendo básicamente criterios de permanencia y difieren según la comunidad autónoma en la que se ubique la universidad y el área de conocimiento del grado cursado. Lo que es común, en términos generales, es que este incremento ha sido lineal en renta, esto es, todos los estudiantes pagan los mismos precios públicos independientemente de la renta de su hogar de origen. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar cuál es el impacto, en términos de equidad, del actual sistema de precios públicos universitarios (lineal) en la renta de los hogares españoles y compararlo con el sistema italiano (progresivo en el cobro). Además, se propone simular los resultados de aplicar una estructura de progresividad similar a la italiana para el caso español. Los datos utilizados en este análisis proceden de la Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares para el caso español y los Presupuestos de los Hogares Italianos (Indagine sui Bilanci delle Famiglie Italiane) para el caso italiano. Los resultados resultan en cierta manera inesperados, en relación con el planteamiento teórico de cada sistema: el sistema español resulta ser más progresivo que el italiano. En las simulaciones de políticas de precios alternativas en las que se establezca un precio que sea creciente con la capacidad de pago (fundamentalmente, replicando el sistema italiano o replanteando la situación del español con criterios de equidad vertical), se observa que se consiguen elevadas dosis de progresividad y redistribución al sistemaThe spanish higher education system has introduced significant changes in its finan-cing system in recent years, mainly through increases in public fees paid by students. Theseincreases were made basically by following several permanence criteria, which differ depen-ding on the autonomous region the university belongs to, as well as the area of knowledge ofthe Degree. However, in general terms, this increase is linear in terms of income, that is, allstudents pay the same public fees regardless of the income of their home/household of origin.The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact, in terms of equity, of the current system ofpublic university fees (linear) on the income of Spanish households, and compare the resultswith the Italian system (progressive in the collection). In addition, we propose to simulate theresults of applying a progressive structure similar to the Italian model for the Spanish case. Thedata used in this analysis come from the Household Budget Survey for the Spanish case, andits equivalent in Italy for the Italian case. The results turn out to be somewhat unexpected,with regards to the theoretical approach of each system: the Spanish system turns out to bemore progressive than the Italian one. It can be observed in the simulations of alternative pricepolicies, where an increase in prices proportional to the ability to pay is established (especiallyby copying the Italian system or reconsidering the situation of the Spanish system with verticalequity criteria) that they manage to give a great degree of progressiveness and redistributionto the syste

El federalismo mexicano en los debates de la Cámara de diputados (1994-2006)

Este volumen de los Papeles de Discusión del IELAT recoge los textos que se presentaron y discutieron bajo el formato de ponencias en el simposio titulado “El pensamiento liberal atlántico 1770-1880. Fiscalidad en perspectiva comparada” celebrado en el 7º Congreso del Consejo Europeo de Investigaciones Sociales de América Latina (CEISAL) “Memoria, presente y porvenir” celebrado en la Universidad Fernando Pessoa de Oporto (Portugal) los días 12-15 de junio de 2013. En dicho Simposio participaron historiadores y científicos sociales americanos y europeos con el empeño de analizar comparativamente las ideas políticas en el espacio atlántico en torno a la fiscalidad y las haciendas públicas desde la década de 1770 (cuando se pusieron las bases del modelo político liberal del Estado moderno) y hasta la década de 1880 (cuando se comenzó a transformar dicho esquema con la incorporación de nuevas ideas que primaban el progreso económico y mayor justicia social). El Consejo Europeo de Investigaciones Sociales de América Latina (CEISAL) es una organización no gubernamental de carácter científico y sin ánimo de lucro cuyo objetivo esencial es la colaboración estrecha entre los miembros y las organizaciones e institutos de investigación que lo componen para la producción de trabajos de investigación en el ámbito de las ciencias sociales enfocados al desarrollo de la región latinoamericana. La participación en el Congreso de CEISAL y la publicación de estos Papeles de Discusión en el IELAT forman parte de las actividades científicas desarrolladas en el proyecto de investigación titulado El pensamiento liberal atlántico, 1770-1880. Fiscalidad, recursos naturales, integración social y política exterior desde una perspectiva comparada (HAR2010-18363, subprograma HIST) del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), cuyo investigador principal responsable es Pedro Pérez Herrero.185-201 p.En este trabajo se presenta una aproximación al estudio del papel de la élite política parlamentaria en la construcción del federalismo fiscal mexicano entre los años 1994 y 2006. El análisis se basa en las declaraciones y en las iniciativas de los miembros de la Cámara de Diputados, cuyos textos se encuentran disponibles en el Diario de los Debates. A partir de ello, se muestra el diagnóstico que los diputados elaboran en materia de federalismo, así como los principales temas de discusión y sus propuestas. Finalmente, se evidencia el juicio que los mismos representantes realizan sobre el alcance de las medidas presentadas. El estudio forma parte de un proyecto de investigación más amplio en el que se examina en qué medida los diferentes actores políticos y sociales han influido en el desarrollo del federalismo fiscal en México.The present work explores the role played by the parliamentary political elite in the construction of Mexican fiscal federalism between 1994 and 2006. The analysis is based on the relevant declarations and initiatives of the members of Mexico’s lower house, whose texts can be found on the Journal of Debates. Upon examination of these documents, the research shows the diagnosis made by deputies in presenting the issue of federalism, the principal topics discussed and their proposals. Finally, the study underlines members' views on the scope of measures presented. The study is part of a wider research on the modalities in which different political and social actors have affected the development of fiscal federalism in Mexico.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovació

Excimer Laser Crystallization of Silicon Thin-Films for Monolithic 3D Integration

In 1964 the first metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit (IC) became available. Shortly after in 1965 Gordon Moore predicted the pace of the device density increase in ICs. His prediction became a self-fulfilling prophecy, which taking advantage of the formal device scaling rules introduced by Robert Dennard in 1974, drove the evolution of the integrated electronic industry. In conventional two dimensional ICs, devices are integrated into a single layer of silicon in what is called the front end of line (FEOL) fabrication. Additional layers on top of the devices serve as inter-dielectric isolating layer and metal interconnects and are fabricated in the back end of line (BEOL) process. Scaling the dimension of devices allows for an increase in device density, improvement on device switching speed and reduction of the cost per device. The conjunction of these benefits drove the industry thus far. Over the past decade further scaling the devices while achieving also an increase in performance and cost benefits became extremely difficult. As the dimensional scaling of complementary MOS (CMOS) devices reaches its limits, three dimensional ICs (3DICs) are increasingly being considered as a path to achieve higher device densities. 3DICs offer a way to increase density by using multiple device layers on the same die, reducing the interconnect distance and allowing for a decrease in signal delay. Among different fabrication techniques, monolithic 3D integration is potentially more cost effective but requires high performance devices, a process compatible with transistor integration in the BEOL stack and needs to deliver a high device density and uniformity in order to be adopted by the very large scale integration (VLSI) industry. This work focuses on a particular laser crystallization technique to achieve monolithic device integration. The technique, called Excimer Laser Crystallization (ELC), makes use of an excimer laser to achieve a large grain polycrystalline thin-film starting from an amorphous layer, allowing integration of high quality thin-film transistors (TFTs). Thus far, the ELC technique has been studied on thin-films typically deposited on top of quartz substrate or Si/SiO₂ wafers. On the other hand state of the art VLSI integration uses more advance BEOL stacks with low-κ material as interlayer dielectrics (ILDs) to passivate the copper (Cu) interconnect lines. This thesis focuses on three different key aspect to enable laser crystallization in the BEOL for device integration: 1. Excimer laser crystallization of amorphous silicon on low-κ dielectric; 2. Excimer laser crystallization of amorphous silicon on BEOL processed wafer; 3. VLSI of TFTs on excimer laser crystallized silicon. The ELC of amorphous silicon on low-κ dielectric is first explored through one dimension (1D) finite element method (FEM) simulation of the temperature evolution during the laser exposure in two different systems: 1. amorphous silicon deposited on top of SiO₂ dielectric; 2. amorphous silicon deposited on top of low-κ dielectric. Simulations predict that is necessary a lower laser energy for crystallizing the silicon on the low-κ material. Experimental observations confirm the predicted behavior yielding a 35% lower energy for crystallization of thin-film silicon on top of a low-κ dielectric. Material characterization through defect enhanced SEM micrograph, Raman spectroscopy and XRD analysis shows an equivalent material morphology for the two system with a preferential (111) crystal orientation for the SiO₂ system. Silicon crystallization on BEOL processed wafer is studied through a combination of 1D FEM simulation and experimental observation on a silicon layer deposited on top of a SiO₂dielectric protecting the underlying damascene Cu structure. 1D FEM show that during the silicon laser exposure, because of the short pulse width of the laser (30 ns), the heat is retained in the amorphous silicon layer allowing its melting while keeping the temperature of the Cu lines below 320 °C which is a favorable condition for monolithic integration in the BEOL. Further experimental evidences show the ability of crystallizing a-Si on such structure while preserving the physical and electrical properties of the Cu lines. The feasibility of monolithic VLSI 3D integration is demonstrated through integration of TFTs devices on 200 mm silicon wafers. The integration process and performance of the TFTs device are modeled through technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulations which are used to define the process flow and the fabrication parameters. Characterization of the TFTs over multiple die yield good device performance and uniformity. TFTs characterized with 1.5 V of supply voltage have a sub-threshold slope down to 79 mV/decade, current density up to 26.3 μA/μm, a threshold voltage of 0.23 V, current On/Off ratio above 10⁵ and device field effect mobility up to 19.8 cm²/(V s) for LPCVD-sourced silicon. Furthermore, the Levinson method allows characterization of the trap density in the thin-film polysilicon devices yielding a mean value 8.13×10¹² cm². This work present an integration scheme which proves to be compatible with VLSI in the BEOL of wafers. It paves the way to further development which could lead to an high performance, cost effective, monolithic 3D integration approach useful in application such as reconfigurable logic, display, heterogeneous integration and on chip optical communications

Effect of a daily dose of <i>Lactobacillus brevis</i> CD2 lozenges in high caries risk schoolchildren

Objectives A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to validate the hypothesis that the use of lozenges containing Lactobacillus brevis CD2 (Inersan®, CD Investments srl) may reduce plaque pH, salivary mutans streptococci (ms) and bleeding on probing, during a 6-week period, in a sample of high caries risk schoolchildren. Methods A total of 191 children (aged 6–8 years), presenting two to three carious lesions and a salivary ms concentration of ≥105 CFU/ml, were enrolled and divided into two groups, an L. brevis CD2 lozenge group and a no L. brevis lozenge group, and examined at baseline (t0), after 3 weeks (t1), after 6 weeks of lozenge use (t2) and 2 weeks after the cessation of lozenge use (t3). Plaque pH was assessed using the microtouch technique following a sucrose challenge. The area under the curve (AUC5.7 and AUC6.2) was recorded. Salivary ms were counted, and bleeding on probing was assessed. Results At t0, the plaque-pH and ms concentration values were similar in both groups. Mean areas (AUC5.7 and AUC6.2) were significantly greater in the control group at t1, t2 and t3. L. brevis CD2 lozenges significantly reduced salivary ms concentrations and bleeding. The subjects from the test group showed a statistically significant decrease (p=0.01)in salivary ms concentration. At t2, a statistically significantly lower bleeding value was recorded in the test group compared with the control group (p=0.02). Conclusions Six weeks’ use of lozenges containing L. brevis CD2 had a beneficial effect on some important variables related to oral health, including a reduction in plaque acidogenicity, salivary ms and bleeding on probing.</br

Does a social/behavioural gradient in dental health exist among adults? A cross-sectional study

Objective To explore the potential presence of a social/behavioural gradient in dental health among Italian adults using a cross-sectional study. Methods Caries indices were recorded among 480 subjects (52.9% men, 47.1% women) who also completed a structured self-administered social and behavioural questionnaire. A social/behavioural gradient was generated as the sum of the worst circumstances recorded on the questionnaire (cariogenic diet, smoking, lowest occupational profile, brushing teeth < twice daily, lowest educational level, uneven dental examination attendance). Results Caries figures (DMFT) and the number of filled sound teeth (FS-T) were statistically significantly linked to the social/behavioural gradient (DMFT: χ(2)(9) = 20.17 p = 0.02, Z = 0.02 p = 0.99; FS-T: χ(2)(9) = 25.68 p < 0.01, Z = -4.31 p < 0.01). DMFT was statistically significantly associated with gender and with social and behavioural variables. FS-T was higher in women (p = 0.03) and was linked to smoking ( p < 0.01). Conclusions The proposed social/behavioural gradient demonstrated how subjects reporting the worst circumstances on the questionnaire exhibited the worst dental health. The use of the gradient demonstrates that health promotion and prevention cannot be compartmentalized

Una alternativa progresiva a la estructura lineal de precios públicos en la financiación del sistema universitario en España

This paper analyzes the substantial changes that have been introduced recently in the Spanish University System funding. The aims are, first, to review the consequences of these measures in terms of adequacy and equity and, secondly, to provide an accurate discussion of the feasibility of applying a progressive system in public prices, taking into account the student’s economic background. The findings show that the introduction of such a system would be compatible with the principles of adequacy and equity, so as viable in its application. However, some design precautions are also highlighted, so that the effects on revenue, progressivity and redistribution are the desirable ones.Este trabajo analiza los principales cambios que se han introducido recientemente en la financiación del Sistema Universitario Español. El objetivo es, por una parte, revisar las consecuencias derivadas de estas medidas en términos de suficiencia y equidad y, por otra, estudiar la viabilidad de aplicar un sistema progresivo en el cobro de precios públicos, teniendo en cuenta el origen económico del estudiante. Las conclusiones evidencian que la introducción de un sistema de este tipo sería compatible con los principios de suficiencia y de equidad, y viable en su aplicación. Sin embargo, se requieren algunas precauciones para que los efectos en recaudación, progresividad y redistribución tengan el resultado perseguido

Web Usability Probe: A Tool for Supporting Remote Usability Evaluation of Web Sites

Abstract. Usability evaluation of Web sites is still a difficult and time-consuming task, often performed manually. This paper presents a tool that supports remote usability evaluation of Web sites. The tool considers client-side data on user interactions and JavaScript events. In addition, it allows the definition of custom events, giving evaluators the flexibility to add specific events to be detected and considered in the evaluation. The tool supports evaluation of any Web site by exploiting a proxy-based architecture and enables the evaluator to perform a comparison between actual user behavior and an optimal sequence of actions