Political and institutional factors in regime change in the ERM: An application of duration analysis

This paper analyses the functioning of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). To that end, we apply duration models to estimate an augmented target-zone model, explicitly incorporating political and institutional factors into the explanation of European exchange rate policies. The estimations are based on quarterly data of eight currencies participating in the ERM, covering the complete history of the European Monetary System. Our results suggest that both economic and political factors are important determinants of the ERM currency policies. Concerning economic factors, the money supply, the real exchange rate, the interest in Germany and the central parity deviation would have negatively affected the duration of a given central parity, while credibility and the price level in Germany would have positively influenced such duration. Regarding political variables, elections, central bank independence and left-wing administrations would have increased the probability of maintaining the current regime, while unstable governments would have been associated with more frequent regime changes. Moreover, we show how the political augmented model outperforms, both in terms of explanatory power and goodness of fit, the model which just incorporates pure economic determinants.Duration analysis, political variables, exchange rates, European Monetary System

Social Vulnerability and COVID-19 Vaccine in Spain

Different analyses show that the design of vaccination policies should especially protect the most vulnerable social groups, since the level of acceptance is determined by the population’s knowledge, attitude and concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The objective of this work will be to detect the most socially vulnerable groups with respect to COVID-19 and to analyze the factors that influence predisposition to vaccination. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) on the Effects and Consequences of Coronavirus (Study 3346 of December 2021). Sociodemographic variables (sex, age, employment status, studies and subjective class identification) were extracted, as well as the answers to the questions indicating the attitude towards vaccination, corresponding to questions 7,8,10 and 11 of the study. The most vulnerable group was lower class women (self-perceived), under 45 years of age with lower educational level, unemployed or performing unpaid work in the home. Most of them are not predisposed to vaccinate only because of the obligation to do so, mainly due to lack of belief in the power and efficacy of vaccines, as well as fear of health risks/collateral side effects. The lower vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population group may be due to a lack of awareness and lower trust in the authorities, as well as the benefits of the vaccine, which could be related to a lack of policy targeting the most socially vulnerable populations.The results of this article are part of a project funded by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) through the call “Subvenciones para formación e investigación en materias de interés para el organismo para el año 2022”. Call code: BDNS: 609943.Psicologí

Older Adults and Positive Mental Health during the Second and Sixth COVID-19 Waves in Spain

The spread of the COVID-19 virus was a worldwide phenomenon, which was unprecedented in modern times. The restriction measures can be perceived as a heavy burden for mental health during this period, particularly for some groups. The aim of this study is to examine a positive mental health model across ages, where a moderated mediation model is proposed involving sex differences and confidence in coping with COVID-19. Two independent samples were studied during the second and sixth waves in Spain: n = 2861 and n = 2462, respectively. The main conclusions can be described as follows: (i) while age was not related to mental health during the second wave, a positive relationship was found between it and the sixth one; (ii) age was positively related to the confidence in coping with COVID-19 during both of the waves; (iii) women showed worse scores for the variables in the study than the men did during the second wave, but this pattern was reversed in the sixth one; (iv) after a moderated mediation model on the relationship between age and positive mental health in terms of confidence in coping with COVID-19 and sex, an interaction was found for the second wave but not for the sixth one. These results suggest that older adults and women would develop more strategies and resources for a positive mental health across time.The results of this article are part of a project funded by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) through the call “Subvenciones para formación e investigación en materias de interés para el organismo para el año 2022”. Call code: BDNS: 609943.Educació

Conditioning factors of linearized wood's function lactation curve shape parameters, milk yield, fat and protein content in murciano-granadina primiparous does

Research Areas: Agriculture ; Veterinary Sciences ; ZoologyA total of 137,927 controls of 22,932 Murciano-Granadina first lactation goats (measured between 1996–2016) were evaluated to determine the influence of the number of kids, season, year and farm on total milk yield, daily milk yield, lactation length, total production of fat and protein and percentages of fat and protein. All factors analyzed had a significant effect on the variables studied, except for the influence of the number of kids on the percentages of fat and protein, where the variation was very small. Goats with two offspring produced nearly 15% more milk, fat and protein per lactation compared to goats with simple kids. Kiddings occurring in summer–autumn resulted in average milk, fat and protein yields nearly 14, 19 and 23% higher when compared to winter–spring kiddings. Lactation curves were evaluated to determine the effects of the number of kids and season, using the linearized version of the model of Wood in random regression analyses. Peak Yield increased by about 0.3 kg per additional offspring at kidding, but persistence was higher in goats with single offspring. The kidding season significantly influenced the lactation curve shape. Hence summer-kidding goats were more productive, and peak occurred earlier, while a higher persistence was observed in goats kidding during autumn.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

El agua inglesa. Abastecimiento a la ciudad de Cartagena entre los siglos XIX y XX

La ciudad de Cartagena a lo largo de toda su historia ha tenido que hacer frente a los problemas derivados de la falta de agua disponible en su territorio para satisfacer las necesidades de la población. Desde sus primeros pobladores hasta nuestros días, han sido muchos los intentos de paliar este problema mediante la búsqueda de recursos hídricos. La inexistencia de cursos de aguas permanentes y la mala calidad y escasez de las obtenidas del subsuelo han sido, en muchas ocasiones, un obstáculo para el desarrollo de la ciudad y un reto sólo superado a mediados del siglo XX con la traída de aguas del río Taibilla

Differences in Classification Standards For the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Children. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically all over the world in recent years. While obesity in adults can be easily measured using the BMI calculation, determining overweight and obesity in children is more controversial. The aim was to compare the three most used international classification systems (WHO 2007, CDC 2000 and Cole-IOTF) to determine overweight and obesity in infant and adolescent populations. We performed a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines of articles comparing any of the three classification systems. The main findings were that the WHO 2007 criteria show the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the child and youth population. The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity was determined to be higher in boys than in girls in most studies, when analysing the classifications of the WHO 2007, CDC 2000 and Cole-IOTF together. However, there was a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in girls than in boys when only the CDC 2000 and Cole-IOTF criteria were considered. Both the results of the review and the great heterogeneity found in the meta-analysis show that it is necessary to unify the criteria for the classification of childhood overweight and obesity. International standards are insufficient for working with the current population. A working group should be created to address this issue and agree on the unification of a gold standard, taking into account the geographical region, the ethnic groups and the age groups of the child and youth population and above all, the secular growth.Catholic University of Valencia for their contribution and help in the payment of the Open Access publication under grant number 2022-275-002. Likewise,Medicin

Solubility of CO2 in three cellulose-dissolving ionic liquids

The solubility of CO2 in three cellulose-dissolving ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate, [Emim][DEP], 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Amim][Cl], and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Bmim][Cl]) at temperatures within 298 and 356 K and pressures up to 6.5 MPa was determined using a Van Ness-type apparatus (static isochoric). It was demonstrated that this device can work in isothermal and isoplethal modes, being the latter faster and more precise. Moreover, it was possible to determine CO2 solubilities in metastable liquid [Bmim][Cl]. Experimental data were modeled using the Extended Henry's law correlation and the group contribution equation of state. New parameters for the binary interaction of CO2 with ionic liquid groups were calculated.Fil: Pérez, Eduardo. Universidad de Valladolid; EspañaFil: de Pablo, Laura. Universidad de Valladolid; EspañaFil: Segovia, J. Juan. Universidad de Valladolid; EspañaFil: Moreau, Alejandro. Universidad de Valladolid; EspañaFil: Sánchez, Francisco Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pereda, Selva. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Bermejo, María Dolores. Universidad de Valladolid; Españ

Analysis of the Psychosocial Sphere of Older Adults in Extreme Poverty in the Peruvian Amazon

The situation of social exclusion in which older adults live in extreme poverty is a problem that leads to psychological alterations such as depression or cognitive deterioration. Our objective was to analyze the living conditions and the psychosocial sphere of older adult people living in extreme poverty in Requena del Tapiche in Peru. This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Sixty participants between 60 and 100 years of age of both sexes were included who gave their informed consent. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed, and the Gijón, family Apgar, Yesavage, and Pfeiffer scales were used. The sample was composed of 55% women and 45% men, with a mean age of 79.2 years (SD 6.67). More than half live alone or with their spouse. Fifty-seven percent sleep on the floor or on wood, and about 82% do not have safe water. Family dysfunction is found in 40%, and 98% are at social risk or with an established social problem and a precarious economic situation. More than 60% suffer from depressive symptoms, which are more frequent in women. We conclude that older adults perceive deficient family support, observing a deteriorated social situation. Most of them are at risk of social exclusion and loneliness, making them more vulnerable. They show sadness, with a high rate of depression. People with more cognitive impairment live alone, and those in social exclusion suffer a higher degree of depression. More cooperative projects and health promotion interventions developed in the peripheral neighborhoods of Requena del Tapiche are needed to improve the impact on the health of older adult people in extreme poverty.The publication costs of this work have been financed by the Catholic University of Valencia under grant 2023-275-001.Medicin

Distance learning ects and flipped classroom in the anatomy learning: comparative study of the use of augmented reality, video and notes

Background: The establishment of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is one of the pillars of the European Space of Higher Education. This way of accounting for the time spent in training has two essential parts, classroom teaching (work with the professor) and distance learning (work without the professor, whether in an individual or collective way). Much has been published on the distance learning part, but less on the classroom teaching section. In this work, the authors investigate didactic strategies and associated aids for distance learning work in a concept based on flipped classroom where transmitting information is carried out with aids that the professor prepares, so that the student works in an independent way before the classes, thus being able to dedicate the classroom teaching time to more complex learning and being able to count on the professor’s help. Methods: Three teaching aids applied to the study of anatomy have been compared: Notes with images, videos, and augmented reality. Four dimensions have been compared: the time spent, the acquired learnings, the metacognitive perception, and the prospects of the use of augmented reality for study. Results: The results show the effectiveness, in all aspects, of augmented reality when compared with the rest of aids. The questionnaire assessed the acquired knowledge through a course exam, where 5.60 points were obtained for the notes group, 6.54 for the video group, and 7.19 for the augmented reality group. That is 0.94 more points for the video group compared with the notes and 1.59 more points for the augmented reality group compared with the notes group. Conclusions: This research demonstrates that, although technology has not been sufficiently developed for education, it is expected that it can be improved in both the autonomous work of the student and the academic training of health science students and that we can teach how to learn. Moreover, one can see how the grades of the students who studied with augmented reality are more grouped and that there is less dispersion in the marks compared with other materials.Financial support of the Foundation “Prevere Bernat Beny”.Pedagogí