On the Quantitative Effects of Unconventional Monetary Policies

I use a unique micro price data to estimate the pass-through from commodity prices to retail prices in several countries. The paper presents and develops a simple methodology to estimate the pass-through from the prices of different commodities into various sectors across several countries. This is the first exercise of this type. As expected, countries respond differently to the different shocks; and sectors respond differently across countries and commodities. A third of all the explained variation is driven by sectoral characteristics, which is a dimension mostly disregarded by the literature.

La misión cultural de la biblioteca universitaria

The cultural commitment of the academic librar

Aerodynamic Optimization of High-Speed Trains Nose using a Genetic Algorithm and Artificial Neural Network

An aerodynamic optimization of the train aerodynamic characteristics in term of front wind action sensitivity is carried out in this paper. In particular, a genetic algorithm (GA) is used to perform a shape optimization study of a high-speed train nose. The nose is parametrically defined via Bézier Curves, including a wider range of geometries in the design space as possible optimal solutions. Using a GA, the main disadvantage to deal with is the large number of evaluations need before finding such optimal. Here it is proposed the use of metamodels to replace Navier-Stokes solver. Among all the posibilities, Rsponse Surface Models and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are considered. Best results of prediction and generalization are obtained with ANN and those are applied in GA code. The paper shows the feasibility of using GA in combination with ANN for this problem, and solutions achieved are included

Is math anxiety caused by a deficit in basic numerical skills? A study using numerical and non-numerical tasks

Recent research found differences between high and low anxiety adults in basic numerical tasks like Arabic number comparison and dot enumeration (Maloney et al., 2010; 2011). This led some researchers to consider that math anxiety could be motivated by a subtle deficit in processing quantities. However, most of these studies did not controlled for some relevant variables, hence the difficulties found in basic tasks could be motivated by differences in working memory or in “general” anxiety between the high and low math anxiety groups. In the present research working memory skills and trait and mood anxiety were assessed in 15 low anxiety and 15 high anxiety 6th grade students, then both groups took part in three experiments. In the first, dot comparison task, bigger effects of distance and magnitude were found in the high anxiety group. In Experiment 2, Arabic number comparison, however, the only difference between both groups was related to speed: low anxiety participants were faster. Similar differences were found in Experiment 3, in which participants were required to perform an attentional (Posner) task without numerical content. It is concluded that the relationship between performance and math anxiety is more complex than previously thought.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Screening of Synergic Interactions of Anti-Angiogenic and Anti-Tumor Compounds

Solid cancers have several common characteristics that Hanahan & Weinberg named as the hallmarks of cancer. Angiogenesis is an essential hallmark of cancer because tumor cells need oxygen and nutrients delivered by the vascular system. In fact, tumor growth and metastasis are angiogenesis dependent, and microvascular endothelial cells recruited by tumors have become an important target in cancer therapy. Combinations of drugs with different modes of action may lead to enhanced antitumor and antiangiogenic effects without injuring the host. The combined use of two drugs may sometimes produce enhanced, unchanged or diminished effects in comparison with their individual effects. These three different types of behaviour of the interacting drugs are called synergy, additive/indifferent and antagonistic effects. In the present work, we analyze 105 paired combinations of 15 compounds, some described by our research group as potent antiangiogenic compounds, and others currently used in clinical therapy. Our results show synergistic effects of several paired combinations using the MTT assay. [Our experimental work is supported by grants BIO2014-56092-R (MINECO and FEDER), P12-CTS-1507 (Andalusian Government and FEDER) and funds from group BIO-267 (Andalusian Government). The "CIBER de Enfermedades Raras" is an initiative from the ISCIII (Spain)].This communication has the support of a travel grant "Universidad de Málaga.Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech".Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Minimal formulation of the linear spatial analysis of capillary jets: Validity of the two-mode approach

A rigorous and complete formulation of the linear evolution of harmonically stimulated capillary jets should include infinitely many spatial modes to account for arbitrary exit conditions [J. Guerrero et al., J. Fluid Mech. 702, 354 (2012)]. However, it is not rare to find works in which only the downstream capillary dominant mode, the sole unstable one, is retained, with amplitude determined by the jet deformation at the exit. This procedure constitutes an oversimplification, unable to handle a flow rate perturbation without jet deformation at the exit (the most usual conditions). In spite of its decaying behavior, the other capillary mode (subdominant) must be included in what can be called a “minimal linear formulation.” Deformation and mean axial velocity amplitudes at the jet exit are the two relevant parameters to simultaneously find the amplitudes of both capillary modes. Only once these amplitudes are found, the calculation of the breakup length may be eventually simplified by disregarding the subdominant mode. Simple recipes are provided for predicting the breakup length, which are checked against our own numerical simulations. The agreement is better than in previous attempts in the literature. Besides, the limits of validity of the linear formulation are explored in terms of the exit velocity amplitude, the wave number, the Weber number, and the Ohnesorge number. Including the subdominant mode extends the range of amplitudes for which the linear model gives accurate predictions, the criterion for keeping this mode being that the breakup time must be shorter than a given formula. It has been generally assumed that the shortest intact length happens for the stimulation frequency with the highest growth rate. However, we show that this correlation is not strict because the amplitude of the dominant mode has a role in the breakup process and it depends on the stimulation frequency.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Spain, under Contract No. FIS2014-25161Junta de Andalucía under Contract No. P11-FQM-791

Process Asset Library based on Knowledge Management Techniques

Software Engineering Lab is a research center at Carlos III University of Madrid (Spain) that is developing a Process Asset Library (PAL) including concepts about Knowledge Management in order to contribute to generate, acquire, share and distribute knowledge of processes defined in the organization for developing software projects. The technology minimizes the risk of losing essential knowledge to meet goals. It is searching technical collaboration for this project