Development for Sale: 18th Century Spanish Colonial Administrators and Long-Run Subnational Disparities in Peru

Contemporary regional disparities in Peru are related to differences in governance patterns during colonial times, with those provinces that were highly desirable to 18th century Spanish governors suffering greater conflict, ethnic segregation, and economic underdevelopment, writes Jenny Guardado

Do election handouts actually ‘buy’ votes?

Vote-buying is generally seen as detrimental for democracies. However, the efficacy of such bribes has rarely been studied. Jenny Guardado and Leonard Wantchékon find that there is little correlation between election handouts and support for the parties offering them. Possible explanations include the secrecy of the ballot and multiple opposing parties buying votes, and so we should be cautious about assuming they are effective

Engaging language and cultural spaces: Latin American parents’ reflections on language loss and maintenance in Vancouver

This qualitative study aims to explore the loss and maintenance of Spanish in Latin American children in Vancouver from the perspective of parents. It focuses on the experiences of children either developing bilingually (Spanish–English) or monolingually (English). The participating families were from Colombia, Guatemala, and El Salvador, and had children between the ages of three and seventeen. Drawing on semi-structured interview data, the article highlights the complexity of the issues affecting maintenance and loss of L1 and points to the multifaceted nature of the attendant consequences. The discussion mainly revolves around the issues of cultural identity, the role of family, intergenerational communication and the size of the L1 community.Cette étude qualitative explore la perspective de parents sur la perte et le maintien de la langue espagnole chez des enfants hispanophones de Vancouver. Cette étude se concentre en particulier sur les expériences de parents latino-américains d’enfants bilingues (espagnol-anglais) ou unilingues (anglais). Les familles ayant participé à cette étude étaient originaires de Colombie, du Guatemala et du Salvador et avaient des enfants âgés de trois à dix-sept ans. À partir d’entrevues semi-dirigées, l’article met en évidence la complexité des facteurs liés à la perte et/ou au maintien de la langue maternelle et expose la nature multiple des conséquences qui en découlent. La discussion touchera principalement aux questions d’identité culturelle, du rôle de la famille, de la communication entre les générations, et de la taille de la communauté latino-américaine

Design and Development of Distributed Lower Atmospheric Instrumentation Packages

The recent miniaturization of embedded electronics and widespread availability of low-cost sensors, microcontrollers and transceivers has enabled development of sensor suites that can be used for high temporal and spatial resolution measurements of atmospheric parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, particulate counts, wind velocity and much more. This thesis presents the development of both airborne and ground based distributed atmospheric instrumentation suites. First, we present a low-cost radiosonde platform capable of simultaneous multipoint launches or high cadence back-to-back continuous launches. This radiosonde platform can do wind measurements on an approximately 60 m scale up to a minimum of 25 km. It is capable of simultaneous communication on the ISM band at ranges up to 100 km with multiple payloads. Second presented is a high-altitude balloon (HAB) instrumented platform capable of controlled slow descent. With open communication ports, this HAB bus can be used with any instrumentation an end user wants to include. Novel methods of enabling both extended flight and controlled descent are also presented. And lastly, we present a design of a ground based IOT air quality monitoring system. This system provides information about particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compound content present in a given area. Information is uploaded to an open source platform connected to a local network over WiFi and saved to files by a Python 3.8 based data logger. All software development for each of these systems was completed in C++ using the Arduino IDE and in MATLAB. Circuit and PCB design was done using Autodesk Eagle

Comparison of two Near-Isogenic Lines of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum): One Endornavirus-Infected and the Other Endornavirus-Free

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an economically important food crop cultivated worldwide. So far, all tested commercial cultivars have been shown to be infected with Bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV). Although BPEV does not cause apparent disease, the effect of this virus on bell pepper has not been investigated. A comparative study that included plant phenotype and some physiological characteristics was conducted with two near-isogenic lines (NIL) of the bell pepper cv. Marengo: one infected with BPEV and the other BPEV-free. The interaction of BPEV with a disease-causing virus of pepper, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), was also investigated. Differences in the overall phenotypic characteristics between the two bell pepper lines were not observed. Comparisons of the vegetative growth which included plant growth habit, plant height, stem thickness, fruit size, and percentage of dry matter did not yield statistically significant differences. The BPEV-free line showed significantly higher percentage of seed germination and root length, and the total fruit weight obtained from the BPEV-negative line was significantly higher than the fruit weight from the BPEV-infected line. A field isolate of PMMoV was characterized and used to conduct an interaction study between BPEV and PMMoV. Mechanical inoculations of PMMoV to the bell pepper NILs resulted in less severe symptoms in the BPEV-infected line than in the BPEV-free line. The BPEV-infected line also yielded lower virus titer and viral RNA accumulation. Although the virus titer and RNA accumulation data analyses did not result in statistically significant differences, the negative effect of BPEV on PMMoV was consistent in the various tests, suggesting that BPEV has an antagonistic effect on PMMoV. The overall results of this investigation suggest that infections of bell pepper by BPEV could have a negative effect on bell pepper production. However, more comparative studies involving biotic and abiotic agents should be conducted to determine other effects that BPEV may have on bell pepper

A Computational Framework for Planning Therapeutical Sessions aimed to Support the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders using Emotional Virtual Agents

[EN] Interaction is defined as the realization of a reciprocal action between two or more people or things. Particularly in computer science, the term interaction refers to the discipline that studies the exchange of information between people and computers, and is generally known by the term Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Good design decisions and an adequate development of the software is required for efficient HCI to facilitate the acceptability of computer-based applications by the users. In clinical settings it is essential to eliminate any barrier and facilitate the interaction between patients and the system. A smooth communication between the user and the computer-based application is fundamental to maximise the advantages and functionalities offered by the system. The design of these applications must consider the personal and current needs of the user by applying a User-Centered Design methodology. The main purpose of this research work is to contribute in the improvement of HCI-based applications addressed to the clinical context, particularly to enhance computer-based interactive sessions to support people suffering from a mental disorder such as Major Depression (MD). Thanks to the advances in Artificial Intelligence techniques, it is now possible to partially automate complex tasks such as the continuous provision of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies (CBTs) to patients. These CBTs require good levels of adaptability and variability during the interaction with the patient that facilitates the acceptability in the user, an optimal usability and good level of engagement for a successful mid/long term use of the application and treatment adherence. The modelling of complex deliberative and affective processes in artificial systems can be applied to support the prevention and treatment of mental health related issues, enhancing the continuous and remote assistance of patients, saving some economical and clinical resources and reducing the waiting lists in the health services. In this regard, the efforts of this Thesis have been concentrated on the research of two main lines: (1) the generation and planning of adequate contents in an interactive system to support the prevention and treatment of MD based on characteristics of the user; and (2) the modelling of relevant affective processes able to communicate the contents in an emotional effective way taking into account the importance of the affective conditions associated with the MD in the users. Rule Based Systems and the appraisal theory of emotions have been the roots used to develop the main two modules of the computational Framework presented: the Contents Management and the Emotional Modules. Finally, the obtained Framework was integrated into two interactive systems to evaluate the achievement of the research objectives. The first system has been developed in the context of the Help4Mood European research project and its main aim was to support the remote treatment of patients with MD. The second scenario was a system developed to prevent MD and suicidal thoughts in the University community, which was developed in the context of the local PrevenDep research project. These evaluations have indicated that the proposed Framework has reached good levels of usability and acceptability in the target users thanks to the personalizations and adaptation capabilities of the contents and in the way how these contents are communicated to the user. The research work and the obtained results in this Thesis has contributed to the state of the art in HCI-based systems used as support in therapeutic interventions for the prevention and treatment of MD. This was obtained by the combination of a personalized content management to the patient, and the management of the affective processes associated to these pathologies. The developed work also identifies some research lines that need to be addressed in future works to get better HCI systems used for therapeutic purposes.[ES] Interactuar se define como la realización de una acción recíproca entre dos o más personas o cosas. Particularmente en informática, el término interacción se refiere a la disciplina que estudia el intercambio de información entre las personas y computadoras, y suele conocerse por el término anglosajón Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Un buen diseño y un adecuado desarrollo del software es necesario para lograr una HCI eficiente que facilite la aceptabilidad del sistema por el usuario. En entornos clínicos es fundamental eliminar cualquier tipo de barrera y facilitar la interacción entre los pacientes y el computador. Es de vital importancia que haya una buena comunicación entre usuario y computador, por este motivo el sistema debe de estar diseñado pensando en las necesidades actuales, cambiantes y personales del usuario, basándose en la metodología de diseño centrado en el usuario. El propósito principal de esta investigación es la identificación de mejoras en HCI aplicada en entornos clínicos, en concreto para dar soporte a personas con trastornos mentales como la Depresión Mayor (DM) y que precisan de terapias psicológicas adecuadas y continuas. Gracias a técnicas de Inteligencia Artificial, es posible automatizar eficientemente ciertas acciones asociadas a los procesos de las terapias cognitivo-conductuales (CBTs, del inglés Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies). Los sistemas de ayuda a la CBT, requieren de una adaptabilidad y variabilidad en la interacción para favorecer la usabilidad del sistema y asegurar la continuidad de la motivación del paciente. Una buena gestión de esta automatización influiría en la aceptabilidad de los pacientes y podría mejorar su adherencia a los tratamientos y por consiguiente mejorar su estado de salud. Adicionalmente, la unión de procesos deliberativos dinámicos pueden liberar recursos clínicos, mejorando el control de los pacientes, y reduciendo los tiempos de espera y los costes económicos. En este sentido, los esfuerzos de esta Tesis se han centrado en la investigación de dos líneas diferentes: (1) la selección y planificación adecuada de los contenidos presentados durante la interacción a través de una planificación dinámica y personalizada, y (2) la adecuación de la comunicación de los contenidos hacia el paciente tomando en cuenta la importancia de los procesos afectivos asociados a estas patologías. Los Sistemas Basados en Reglas (SBR) han sido la herramienta utilizada para dar soporte a los dos módulos principales que componen el Framework presentado en esta Tesis: el módulo de gestión de los contenidos y el módulo emocional. Concluida la fase de diseño, desarrollo y testeo, el Framework fue adaptado e integrado en sistemas reales, para validar la viabilidad y la adecuación del marco de trabajo de esta Tesis. En primer lugar, el sistema se aplicó durante tres años en el tratamiento de la DM en varios centros clínicos europeos en el contexto del Proyecto Europeo de investigación Help4Mood. Finalmente, el sistema fue evaluado en la tarea de prevención de la DM y del suicidio en el Proyecto Local de investigación PrevenDep, de un año de duración. El feedback de estas evaluaciones demostraron que el HCI del Framework tiene unos niveles altos de usabilidad y aceptación, gracias a la personalización, variabilidad y adaptación de los contenidos y de la comunicación de los mismos. Los experimentos computacionales llevados a cabo en esta Tesis han permitido avanzar el estado del arte de sistemas computacionales emocionales aplicados en entornos terapéuticos para la prevención y tratamiento de la DM. Principalmente, gracias a la combinación de una gestión personalizada de los contenidos hacia el paciente tomando en cuenta la importancia de los procesos afectivos asociados a estas patologías. Este trabajo abre nuevas líneas de investigación, como la aplicación de este sistema en otras patologías de salud mental en las qu[CA] Interactuar es defineix com la realització d'una acció recíproca entre dos o més persones o coses. Particularment en informàtica, el terme interacció es refereix a la disciplina que estudia l'intercanvi d'informació entre les persones i computadores, i es sol conèixer pel terme anglosaxó Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Un bon disseny i un adequat desenvolupament del software és necessari per aconseguir una HCI eficient que faciliti l'acceptabilitat del sistema per l'usuari. En entorns clínics és fonamental eliminar qualsevol tipus de barrera i facilitar la interacció entre els pacients i el computador. És de vital importància que hi hagi una bona comunicació entre l'usuari (o pacient) i el computador, per aquest motiu el sistema ha d'estar dissenyat pensant en les necessitats actuals, cambiants i personals de l'usuari, basant-se en la metodologia de disseny centrat en l'usuari. El propòsit principal d'aquesta investigació és la identificació de millores en HCI aplicada en entorns clínics, en concret per donar suport a persones amb trastorns mentals com la Depressió Major (DM) i que precisen de teràpies psicològiques adequades i contínues. Gràcies a tècniques d'Intel·ligència Artificial, és possible automatitzar eficientment certes accions asociades al processos de les teràpies cognitiu-conductuals. Els sistemes computacionals de ajuda a la CBT, requereixen d'una adaptabilitat i variabilitat en la interacció per afavorir la usabilitat del sistema i assegurar la continuïtat de la motiviació del pacient. Una bona gestió d'aquesta automatització influiria en l'acceptabilitat dels pacients i podria millorar la seva adherència als tractaments i per tant millorar el seu estat de salut. Addicionalment, la unió de processos deliberatius dinàmics poden alliberar recursos clínics, millorant el control dels pacients, i reduint els temps d'espera i els costos econòmics. En aquest sentit, els esforços d'aquesta Tesi s'han centrat en la investigació de dues línies diferents: (1) la selecció i planificació adequada dels continguts presentats durant la interacció a través d'una planificació dinàmica i personalitzada, i (2) l'adequació de la comunicació dels continguts cap al pacient tenint en compte la importància dels processos afectius associats a aquestes patologies. Els Sistemes Basats en Regles (SBR) han estat la eina utilitzada per donar suport als dos mòduls principals que componen el Framework presentat en aquesta Tesi: el mòdul de gestió dels continguts oferits a l'usuari; i el mòdul emocional. Conclosa la fase de disseny, desenvolupament i testeig, el Framework va ser adaptat als dominis corresponents i integrat en sistemes madurs per ser avaluat en dos escenaris reals, per validar la viabilitat i l'adequació del Framework d'aquesta tesi. Primerament, el sistema es va aplicar durant tres anys en el tractament de la DM major en diversos centres clínics europeus en el context del Projecte Europeu d'investigació Help4Mood. Finalment, el sistema va ser avaluat en la tasca de prevenció de la DM i del suïcidi al Projecte Local d'investigació PrevenDep, d'un any de durada. El feedback de les avaluacions han demostrat que el HCI del Framework obté uns nivells alts d'usabilitat i acceptació, gràcies a la personalització, variabilitat i adaptació dels continguts i de la comunicació. Els experiments computacionals duts a terme en aquesta Tesi han permès avançar l'estat de l'art de sistemes computacionals emocionals aplicats en entorns terapèutics per a la prevenció i tractament de la DM. Principalment, gracies a la combinació d'una gestió personalitzada dels continguts cap al pacient tenint en compte la importància dels processos afectius associats a aquestes patologies. Aquest treball obre noves línies d'investigació, com l'aplicació d'aquest sistema en altres patologies de salut mental en què sigui recomanable l'aplicació de sessions terapèutiques.Bresó Guardado, A. (2016). A Computational Framework for Planning Therapeutical Sessions aimed to Support the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders using Emotional Virtual Agents [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/64082TESI

Training manual for clinicians: the conversations with Latino parents after an ASD diagnosis

This pilot study developed a training manual and presentation for clinicians (i.e. Service Coordinators and Psychologists) in the Los Angeles area working in community agencies, specifically Westside Regional Center, that is on the front line of diagnosis of Latino children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aim of this pilot study was to inform and educate clinicians on how to assist families and their child after age 3 who have been newly diagnosed with ASD. By training clinicians to be culturally responsive when engaging with families they can better assist in empowering parents over their child’s ASD diagnosis. Empowered parents are more likely to use and access therapeutic services offered in the community for their child. Using convenience sampling, eleven clinicians attended a ninety-minute training/Powerpoint presentation. After the presentation, the clinicians completed a nine-item evaluation form to determine the effectiveness of the training. Feedback from the participants will be used for future editions of this training manual and presentation. Results from this pilot study suggest that clinicians would benefit from this training/presentation to engage Latino families in a culturally responsive manner when discussing their child’s ASD diagnosis

Trans diequatorially fused 3\u27,3\u27-Diphenyl-2\u27-morpholinone derivatives of 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose

The chemistry of amino sugar compounds has been studied in the last years in connection with the study of natural products, and many of them have been isolated. 57,17,18 Amino sugars play an important role in biochemistry, forming blocks of homo- and heteropolymers and complex molecules such as microbial polysaccharides, enzymes, gangliosides, glycoproteins, and antibiotics. This research project had the purpose of preparing a derivative of 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, with a free hydroxyl group at the anomeric carbon, with the 4,6-positions blocked with the benzylidene cyclic acetal, and the 2,3-positions being blocked by a 3,3-diphenyl-2-morpholinone ring trans diequatorially fused to the amino sugar ring. The C-1 position was initially protected with a β-benzyl aglycon, which was expected to be removable selectively by catalytic hydrogenation. It was also hoped that we could optimize conditions for the synthesis of the morpholinone derivative. Selective cleavages of the blocking groups were to be investigated