Characterizing technical progress

Is there an aggregate technical shock? Is the growth rate of TFP a positive constant buffeted by random shocks? We use data on the Spanish economy, disaggregated by sector and region, from two different data sets to investigate the nature of technical change. Our results show that technical change is sector-specific, and operates at the national level. We also find that TFP growth rates are far from being constant. Thus, our findings contradict the basic assumption underlying the model of "Kapital, Labour and exogenous Aggregate TFP". We discuss the role of embodied technical change as a source of observed TFP growth. We also find no role for broad externalities as a determinant of TFP growth

From post-consumption experience evaluation to online generated content and intensification

En el contexto de los museos, el presente trabajo analiza hasta qué punto la evaluación de la experiencia in situ (satisfacción y valor percibido) que realizan los visitantes refuerza sus comportamientos online a corto plazo (consultar y generar contenido online). Sobre la base de la teoría del equilibrio y de la teoría del nivel óptimo de estimulación, proponemos la existencia de un efecto de la evaluación de la experiencia que adoptará forma de U invertida sobre la intensificación y forma de U sobre la intención de generar contenido online después de la visita. Los resultados indican que la satisfacción fomenta la intención de consumir más contenido, mientras que la percepción de haber alcanzado el máximo valor lo limita (efecto U invertida). Por otro lado, si bien la satisfacción y la percepción de una visita rentable motivan a los visitantes a publicar comentarios, las malas experiencias en los museos no tienen ningún impacto en la generación de contenido online.In the context of museums, this paper analyses to what extent visitor evaluation of the in situ experience (satisfaction and perceived value) drives their short-term online behaviours (visiting online content and generating content in online sites). On the basis of the balance theory and on the optimal stimulation level theory, it proposes that the evaluation of the experience has an inverted U-effect on visit intensification while a U-effect on the intention to generate content after the visit. Findings indicate that satisfaction fosters the intention to consume further content, while the perception of having gained the maximum value limits it (inverted U-effect). On the other hand, while satisfaction and the perception of a profitable visit motivate visitors to post online comments, poor experiences in museums have no impact on the generation of online content

CHARACTERIZING TECHNICAL PROGRESS

Is there an aggregate technical shock? Is the growth rate of TFP a positive constant buffeted by random shocks? We use data on the Spanish economy, disaggregated by sector and region, from two different data sets to investigate the nature of technical change. Our results show that technical change is sector-specific, and operates at the national level. We also find that TFP growth rates are far from being constant. Thus, our findings contradict the basic assumption underlying the model of "Kapital, Labour and exogenous Aggregate TFP". We discuss the role of embodied technical change as a source of observed TFP growth. We also find no role for “broad externalities” as a determinant of TFP growth.

Fidelidad en el trasvase cinematogrático: adaptación y legitimidad

The problematic nature of the adaptation of literary works to cinema is still today a widely debated and cultivated subject. Yet from early treatises which threw light on the question from very dissimilar perspectives, the topic of fidelity-or infidelity, depending on the case-to the original work was deeply studied, considering that in the translation process, the hierarchical hegemony of the literary discourse should be preserved and, its content, scrupulously respected.But, what is the real sense of referring to legitimacy when dealing with contemporary translation? The lines the reader has just iniciated start from a definition of the current concept of "adaptation", focalizing later upon the impracticality and inadequacy of the notion of fidelity

Mathematical analysis and numerical methods for pricing pension plans allowing early retirement

In this paper, we address the mathematical analysis and numerical solution of a model for pricing a defined benefit pension plan. More precisely, the benefits received by the member of the plan depend on the average salary and early retirement is allowed. Thus, the mathematical model is posed as an obstacle problem associated to a Kolmogorov equation in the time region where the salary is being averaged. Previously to the initial averaging date, a nonhomogeneous one factor Black-Scholes equation is posed. After stating the model, existence and regularity of solutions are studied. Moreover, appropriate numerical methods based on a Lagrange-Galerkin discretization and an augmented Lagrangian active set method are proposed. Finally, some numerical examples illustrate the performance of the numerical techniques and the properties of the solution and the free boundary.retirement plans, options pricing, Kolmogorov equations, complementarity problem, numerical methods, augmented Lagrangian formulation

Dendrímeros: Macromoléculas versátiles con interés interdisciplinar.

Los dendrímeros son una clase especial de polímeros que presentan estructuras bien definidas, altamente ramificadas en su interior y con numerosos grupos funcionales en la superficie. La posibilidad de controlar su constitución química e incorporar diferentes grupos funcionales en posiciones específicas ha llevado a que las moléculas dendríticas ofrezcan un abanico de nuevas propiedades y aplicaciones que les confiere un importante y reconocido interés interdisciplinar en áreas tan diversas como son la química inorgánica, orgánica, analítica, la biología, el diseño de nuevos materiales, la farmacología, la nanotecnología, etcétera. En este artículo proporcionamos una visión muy general de este tipo de macromoléculas, su estructura, métodos de síntesis y algunas de sus aplicacione

The Assessment of Motivation in the Learning of EFL at University Level: Validation of the English Language Learning Motivation Scale (ELLMS) at Four Spanish State Universities

Successful performance in the study of English as a Foreign Language is known to be subject to psychological constructs such as type of motivation, degree of self-regulated learning and levels of anxiety and burnout, or academic fatigue. The present study—conducted at the University of Valladolid Segovia Campus—served a double purpose. Firstly, it was used to validate the English Language Learner Motivation Scale (ELLMS) in a sample of university students who were studying this language but whose degrees were in subjects other than English Language or Linguistics. Secondly, it demonstrated that intrinsic motivation is associated with less anxiety and greater self-regulation and self-efficacy in the English language learning process. To both ends, we created a 94-question online survey which blended items from four other instruments measuring levels of anxiety, self-regulation and burnout. This questionnaire, delivered to 214 students from four different Spanish universities, produced interesting results. To begin with, it confirmed the first objective of the study and validated ELLMS as a viable instrument to measure motivation in this population, as well as confirming the presence of the three psychological factors envisaged in the original theoretical proposal and which the reader can find defined and analysed in depth in this paper: intrinsic motivation, external regulation and introjected regulation. The variable introjected regulation was negatively correlated with anxiety but positively with reported levels of burnout informed. With regard to external regulation, the results were not conclusive. This paper considers both the educational implications of these results and the impact that these variables have on the learning of English as a Foreign Language

Estadísticas de los gastos en bienes preferentes: Educación y Sanidad

El desarrollo y nivel de calidad que las estadísticas del gasto en educación y sanidad han alcanzado en la actualidad es algo incuestionable. Hace más de tres décadas era impensable compararse con otros países o regiones en términos de gastos públicos con el nivel de desagregación actual

La función tutorial en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje: comunicación y comunidad.

La función tutorial es uno de los principales factores que determinan la calidad de la formación en un entorno virtual de aprendizaje. El papel de orientador y guía por parte del profesorado asume un mayor protagonismo en la educación on-line y se hace precisa una formación específica en este campo. El texto describe las características de las herramientas de comunicación sincrónicas y asincrónicas más comunes en los entornos virtuales de aprendizaje y se detiene especialmente en una serie de recomendaciones acerca de lo que se consideran usos correctos de dichas herramientas con relación a los fines comunicativos que persiguen. Por otra parte, el texto define una serie de factores relevantes para la creación de comunidades en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje, entre los que se encuentran la naturaleza del contacto humano virtual; la creación de normas, reglas, reparto de responsabilidades y participación; la gestión del tiempo; la gestión de la información y el tamaño de los grupos.The tutoring on is one of the main factors that determine the quality of the formation in a virtual environment of learning. The text describes the characteristics of the most common synchronous and asynchronous communication tools in the virtual environments of learning and it stops especially in a series of recommendations about what we are considered correct uses of this tools with relationship to the talkative ends that pursue. On the other hand, the text defines a series of outstanding factors for the creation of communities in virtual environments of learning, among those that are the nature of the virtual human contact; the creation of norms, rules, allotment of responsibilities and participation; the management of the time; the management of the information and the size of the groups