A new formulation of compartmental epidemic modelling for arbitrary distributions of incubation and removal times

The paradigm for compartment models in epidemiology assumes exponentially distributed incubation and removal times, which is not realistic in actual populations. Commonly used variations with multiple exponentially distributed variables are more flexible, yet do not allow for arbitrary distributions. We present a new formulation, focussing on the SEIR concept that allows to include general distributions of incubation and removal times. We compare the solution to two types of agent-based model simulations, a spatially homogeneous one where infection occurs by proximity, and a model on a scale-free network with varying clustering properties, where the infection between any two agents occurs via their link if it exists. We find good agreement in both cases. Furthermore a family of asymptotic solutions of the equations is found in terms of a logistic curve, which after a non-universal time shift, fits extremely well all the microdynamical simulations. The formulation allows for a simple numerical approach; software in Julia and Python is provided.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures. v2 matches published version: improved presentation (including title, abstract and references), results and conclusions unchange

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTION: INDUCTION PROGRAM

The following dissertation aims to demonstrate if the lack of an induction process for employees in a marine industry company hinders their productivity. Also, an induction program is presented as an intervention proposal of organization development, on the premise that this program is a first step in the solving of the existing low productivity problem. By means of observation and casual interviews with the employees as research methods, it was found that the studied company personnel never went through a formal induction process and thereby, have many knowledge gaps that hinder their performance and that can be resolved by an induction program for employees.

Emotion, Psychological Well-Being and Their Influence on Resilience. A Study with Semi-Professional Athletes

The objective of the present study is to analyze the influence of coaches on emotional intelligence and on levels of anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, and resilience among athletes. Five-hundred forty-seven semi-professional athletes between the ages of 16 and 19 participated in this study. Various statistical analyses were conducted which explain the causal relationships between the variables. The results, obtained using a structural equations model, find that while autonomy support positively predicts emotional intelligence, perceived control predicts it negatively. Moreover, emotional intelligence positively predicts self-esteem and self-determined motivation, but negatively predicts anxiety. Other results show that self-esteem positively predicts self-determined motivation, whereas anxiety predicts it negatively. Finally, self-determined motivation positively predicts resilience. Indeed, the study demonstrates the influence and the importance of coaches in relation to the emotional intelligence, psychological well-being, and motivational processes of adolescent athletes when the latter engage in their respective sports. These results help to better understand how different behavioral, emotional, and social aspects belonging to the athlete interrelate with one another during competition

The Effect of the Universal Child Care Cash Benefit on Female Labour Supply in Spain

The aim of this paper is to measure the potential and real effect of universal child care cash benefit schemes on female labour supply. This subsidy, which was considered ground-breaking due to the fact that it was available to all, was introduced through the Spanish Government Act 35/2007 (BOE, 2007) and was in effect until 2010. Known as the "baby bonus", this subsidy of €2,500 per child born aimed to increase the birth rate in Spain. The introduction of this family policy provides a unique setting for a quasi-experiment, using semi-parametric DiD analysis and individual panel data sourced from the EU-SILC dataset. The results provide evidence of the positive effect of a cash-for-care subsidy that reduces the costs of a new child and increases female labour supply

Validation of the Satisfaction Scale of Basic Psychological Needs in Physical Education with the Incorporation of the Novelty in the Spanish Context

The purpose of the study was to validate to the physical education context, the Spanish version of the Scale of the Satisfaction of Psychological Needs toward the Physical Education classes of Menéndez and Fernández-Rio, with the incorporation of the novelty, since they contemplated its inclusion. In this study, 1444 students participated (mean = 15.34, standard deviation = 1.12) from several schools in Almeria. To analyze the psychometric properties of the scale, several analyses were carried out. The results offered support for both the four-factor structure and the higher-order model called satisfaction. The analysis of invariance with respect to gender showed that the factor structure of the questionnaire was invariant. The Cronbach alpha values were higher than 0.70 in the subscales. The results of this study demonstrated the reliability and validity of the Scale of the Satisfaction of Psychological Needs, with the incorporation of novelty in the Spanish context of Physical Education

El maltrato psicológico. Causas, consecuencias y criterios jurisprudenciales. El problema probatorio

Tradicionalmente, la violencia psicológica ha sido considerada como un tipo de violencia «invisible», ya que no se expresa a través de agresiones físicas. Es un hecho admitido que el maltrato psicológico, en sentido estricto, implica siempre conductas dirigidas a causar un daño en la víctima de muy difícil prueba porque, al no tratarse de menoscabos o lesiones físicas, no quedan huellas visibles en la mujer maltratada. Sin embargo, los comportamientos a través de los cuales se manifiesta, son susceptibles de ser identificados, si contamos con las herramientas conceptuales adecuadas para sacar a la superficie los elementos necesarios para su acreditación, lo que además nos permitirá advertir acerca de las consecuencias nocivas que el maltrato psicológico produce en las mujeres afectadas, consecuencias que han permanecido prácticamente desapercibidas, hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo. Tanto es así, que hace veinticinco años, aproximadamente, se consideraba muy difícil de trascender y objetivar la fundamental cuestión de la prueba de las conductas implicadas en la violencia psicológica perpetrada en el ámbito de las relaciones de pareja

Anomalía congénita del atlas asociada con fractura de la apófisis espinosa de C-7 : a propósito de 1 caso

Se presenta 1 paciente con un defecto congenita del arco posterior del atlas asociado con una fractura de la apólisis espinosa de C-7. La TAC, precedida de una correcta evaluación clínica, permiten diferenciar los traumatismos agudos de las anomalías congénitas en el atlas.A case of a congenital cleft of the posterior arch of the atlas associated with a fracture of the spinous process of C-7 is reported. Appropiate clinical evaluation and CT-scan study allow to differentiate acute trauma from a congenital abnormality in the atlas

Superconductivity and magnetism on flux grown single crystals of NiBi3

We present resistivity, magnetization and specific heat measurements on flux grown single crystals of NiBi3. We find typical behavior of a type-II superconductor, with, however, a sizable magnetic signal in the superconducting phase. There is a hysteretic magnetization characteristic of a ferromagnetic compound. By following the magnetization as a function of temperature, we find a drop at temperatures corresponding to the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic amorphous Ni. Thus, we assign the magnetism in NiBi$_3$ crystals to amorphous Ni impurities

Physical Education Classes as a Precursor to the Mediterranean Diet and the Practice of Physical Activity

Physical activity and a healthy, balanced diet are remaining unresolved issues among young people. According to the World Health Organization, young people do not get enough exercise during the week, and physical education classes are the best way to promote healthy habits. This study aims to analyze how the role of the teacher influences the frustration of psychological needs, coping strategies, motivation, and the adoption of healthy eating habits through the Mediterranean diet and the regular practice of physical activity. The study involved 1031 boys and 910 girls between the ages of 13 and 18. To explain the relationships between the different variables included in this study, a model of structural equations has been developed. The results showed that autonomy support negatively predicted the frustration of four psychological needs. The failure to meet four psychological needs negatively predicted resilience. Likewise, resilience positively predicted autonomous motivation, and this positively predicted the Mediterranean diet and the practice of physical activity. Thus, the results obtained in the present study are in line with those of various studies wherein physical education classes were seen to help consolidate healthy living habits

Crystallization and melting of bacteria colonies and Brownian Bugs

Motivated by the existence of remarkably ordered cluster arrays of bacteria colonies growing in Petri dishes and related problems, we study the spontaneous emergence of clustering and patterns in a simple nonequilibrium system: the individual-based interacting Brownian bug model. We map this discrete model into a continuous Langevin equation which is the starting point for our extensive numerical analyses. For the two-dimensional case we report on the spontaneous generation of localized clusters of activity as well as a melting/freezing transition from a disordered or isotropic phase to an ordered one characterized by hexagonal patterns. We study in detail the analogies and differences with the well-established Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young theory of equilibrium melting, as well as with another competing theory. For that, we study translational and orientational correlations and perform a careful defect analysis. We find a non standard one-stage, defect-mediated, transition whose nature is only partially elucidated.Comment: 13 Figures. 14 pages. Submitted to Phys. Rev.