How cyclical do cyclically-adjusted balances remain? An EU study

Observed budget balances are an imperfect indicator of the fiscal policy stance, because fluctuations in economic activity induce automatic changes in the balance, hence the use of cyclically-adjusted balances (CAB). However, this paper shows that CABs (as measured through one of the two methods currently used by the Commission) tend to be systematically overestimated during downturns and underestimated during expansions. The dominant source of this distortion arises from the filtering of revenues deemed to be cyclical, possibly signalling a problem with the computation of elasticities. The effect of the items which are assumed not to move with the cycle is non significant, but this overall result conceals offseting effects: public investment turns to be significantly procyclical and interest payments and transfers to firms are countercyclical. Classification-JEL : H6, E6.. cyclically adjusted balances, fiscal policy, EU.

Hacia un concepto de ciencia intercultural

Se presenta una revisión extensa de bibliografía sobre ciencia intercultural. Este tópico ha provocado en la pasada década un animado debate en la comunidad internacional que se dedica a la investigación sobre la enseñanza de las ciencias, especialmente en la cultura anglosajona. La escasez de trabajos publicados en España sobre ciencia intercultural frente a la importante diversidad cultural existente en nuestro país, con el añadido del reciente fenómeno de la inmigración, recomiendan la revisión del tópico y la promoción de investigaciones en este ámbito de trabajo. Se analizan las líneas existentes y los debates suscitados, relacionándolos como un tópico integrado en los enfoques ciencia-tecnología-sociedad.An extensive review of the bibliography on intercultural science is presented. In the past decade, this topic has provoked a lively debate within the international community, which is committed to the study of science education, especially in Anglo-Saxon culture. The shortage of works published in Spain on intercultural science, as compared to the important cultural diversity existing in our country, together with the addition of the recent phenomenon of immigration, calls for the revision of the topic and the promotion of investigation in this line of work. The existing outlines and resulting debates are analysed, relating them as an integrated topic within the science-technology-society fields

Importancia del grado de Satisfacción con la Simulación Clínica en la formación práctica de los alumnos de enfermería

La Simulación Clínica es una metodología de aprendizaje innovadora que aproxima al estudiante a la realidad profesional. La satisfacción es un criterio de evaluación de la formación recibida. Realizamos un estudio descriptivo para determinar y analizar la satisfacción de los alumnos de tercer curso del Grado en Enfermería de la ULPGC con la Simulación Clínica en los laboratorios de prácticas de la asignatura de Técnicas de Enfermería. Utilizamos la ESECS (Escala de Satisfacción de Experiencias Clínicas Simuladas) con sus 3 dimensiones de satisfacción práctica, cognitiva y realismo, resultando la primera, la satisfacción práctica, la que muestra valores mas altos (M=7,2), próximos a la satisfacción global (M=7,01). Los estudiantes se muestran satisfechos con la Simulación Clínica, aunque la misma podría mejorar con la adaptación de los laboratorios, la adquisición de simuladores de media/alta fidelidad y la reducción del número de alumnos por grupo en el laboratorio

Density correlation in liquid surfaces: Bedeaux-Weeks high order terms and non capillary wave background

We present Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of liquid-vapor surfaces, and their Intrinsic Sampling Method analysis, to get a quantitative test for the theoretical prediction of the capillary wave (CW) effects on density correlation done by Bedeaux and Weeks (BW) in 1985. The results are contrasted with Wertheim’s proposal which is the first term in BW series and are complemented with a (formally defined and computational accessible) proposal for the background of non-CW fluctuations. Our conclusion is that BW theory is both accurate and needed since it may differ significantly from Wertheim’s proposal. We discuss the implications for the analysis of experimental X-ray surface diffraction data and MD simulations.We acknowledge the support of the Spanish Secretariat for Research, Development, and Innovation (Grant Nos. FIS2017-86007-C3 and FPU2015/0248) and from the Maria de Maeztu Programme for Units of Excellence inR&D(No. MDM-2014-0377

Monitoring resistance of Helicoverpa armigera to different insecticides used in cotton in Spain

Helicoverpa armigera is the key pest of cotton in Spain, resulting in many insecticide treatments against it. The resistance status of H. armigera to different insecticides currently used in cotton was evaluated in Spain in two different seasons, 1999 and 2004. Four populations were tested in total, two in each season. Toxicological bioassays were conducted in the laboratory, and performed on third instar larvae by topical application of the insecticides. LD50's were estimated by probit analysis and resistance factors (RF) were calculated at the LD50 level. Four insecticides were evaluated, but only endosulfan reached a moderate resistance level (RF = 11.4), and the others (methomyl, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin) showed low resistance (RF between 1.9 and 6.0). Such results indicate the generally low resistance of H. armigera to most of the insecticides used against this pest in cotton in Spain. Possible explanations for this situation are discusse

Side effects of different pesticides used in citrus on the adult stage of the parasitoid Aphytis melinus DeBach (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae) and its progeny

Twelve pesticides commonly used in citrus in Spain were tested on adults of Aphytis melinus DeBach to determine their effects on parasitoid survival and fecundity, and the duration of the residue of each pesticide. Six of these pesticides were found to be harmless to moderately harmful to this parasitoid in a laboratory assay in closed Petri dishes: spinosad (bait formulation), azadirachtin, fenbutatin, fosetyl-Al, copper oxichloride, and mancozeb, with their scores on the reduction of beneficial capacity (RBC) index being between 21.4 and 94.6% after one week. The other six pesticides classified as harmful were tested on citrus plants to study their persistence over time under greenhouse conditions: Pirimicarb, pyriproxifen, paraffinic oil, abamectin, chlorpyrifos, and lambda-cyhalothrin. Most of these products reduced their negative effect on adults of A. melinus between one and six weeks after treatment, although lambdacyhalothrin was still harmful to parasitoids 11 weeks after application. This information can help growers and consultants to make decisions about pesticide selection and application timing in citrus in order to support IPM implementation when A. melinus is present