The macroeconomic effects of COVID-19 in Spain: A comparative analysis

Treball Final de Grau en Economia. Codi: EC1049. Curs acadèmic: 2020/2021The coronavirus pandemic has left our economy in an unprecedented situation. The impact has been massive and global, and although it is expected to be temporary, it could cause structural damage. Some characteristics of our economy, such as the sectoral specialisation of our productive system, the small average size of firms and the high degree of seasonality, make it more vulnerable than other countries. Such a situation initially requires immediate and decisive economic policies. These policies must be limited in time, until employment and economic activity regain momentum after the imposed closure, and coordinated at the international level. The aim is to mitigate the loss of income of households and firms affected by the crisis and to prevent the temporary shock from having lasting effects over time. Fiscal policy is the most appropriate tool for this purpose. Monetary policy must also be active to ensure adequate financing and liquidity conditions for economic agents. Policies should encourage financial institutions to continue to ensure that credit reaches households and firms, thereby maintaining the financial stability of the system. Social policies must also be implemented to help the sectors most affected by the crisis. As the crisis is global, a coordinated response is also needed at the international level. At the European level, a common response is needed, supported by a risk and financial resource sharing mechanism and a global banking union. Once the tipping point of this crisis is passed, economic policies should reduce structural deficits and public debt and promote long-term growth

Perception of climate change and farm level adaptation choices in central Kenya

Farmers are experiencing the need to adapt to climate change, and are developing different strategies. This article contributes to the understanding of farmers' adaptation choices, their determinants and their implications, in relation to the household income. In 2014, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 220 household surveys were carried out with farmers in coffee and food crop zones in Central Kenya. The Heckman model was used to evaluate the determinants of adaptation choices and their marginal effect. Farmers from the coffee zone or from the food crop zone perceive and adapt differently to climate change. Farmers who are aware of changes in climate are more willing to explore adaptation strategies. A positive relationship is found between adaptation to climate change and household income. The highest payoff/return is achieved if multiple adaptation choices are used rather than a single strategy. The choices of strategies are also determined by household characteristics, resource endowment, institutional variables, and climate information. The strong correlation between socio-institutional variables and adaptation capacity suggests the need for the establishment and strengthening of local institutions, such as micro-finance and extension. (Résumé d'auteur

Ka-Band Diplexer for 5G mmWave Applications in Inverted Microstrip Gap Waveguide Technology

This article belongs to the Special Issue Millimeter and Terahertz Wireless CommunicationsA new cost-efficient, low-loss Ka-band diplexer designed in inverted microstrip gap waveguide technology is presented in this paper. Gap waveguide allows to propagate quasi-TEM modes in the air between two metal plates without the need for contact between them by using periodic metasurfaces. The diplexer is realized by using a bed of nails as AMC (Artificial Magnetic Conductor), first modeled with a PMC (Perfect Magnetic Conductor) surface for design simplification, and two fifth order end-coupled passband filters (BPFs) along with a power divider. The experimental verification confirms that the two channels centered at 24 GHz and 28 GHz with 1 GHz of bandwidth show measured insertion losses of 1.5 dB and 2 dB and 60 dB of isolation between them. A slight shift in frequency is observed in the measurements that can be easily explained by the variation in the permittivity of the substrate.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades grant numbers [PID2019-107688RB-C21, TEC2016-79700-C2-R and TEC2017-86619-R]

Diseño de un drone para la lectura de tarjetas RFID

In this Final Degree Project, we have designed two unmanned aerial aircraft (drones) to read RFID tags (Radio Frequency Identification Systems), to use them in an application such as the stock control in a certain company. Our main purpose is to develop the capabilities of these drones to be able to fly above a region, read automatically these tags, which would be located in boxes or in objects in stock, and send their correspondent codes to a terrain base, where a computer should be able to process them. This process would lead to a reduction of time compared to the actual manual mode of lecture. First of all, the historical timeline of unmanned aerial vehicles and RFID systems have been studied. Moreover, we have analysed the basic concepts of electromagnetism, in order to understand the operation of the Radio Frequency Identification Systems. These systems contain different parts, which are described, and are capable to work at different frequencies, depending on the range that we need in the application. After these theoretical concepts, the block diagram has been defined for each of the two drones. The first one is a commercial Parrot Bebop Drone, useful to work inside and outside, in which we have introduced a RFID System that works at 125 kHz (low frequency), whilst the other one is a microdrone of development Crazyflie, with a reduced size, ideal for working indoor, and a RFID System of 13.56 MHz (high frequency). During the project, the advantages and disadvantages of each one have been exposed, as long as their possible applications. Then, we have proceeded to the election of each of the blocks defined previously, considering their characteristics and the desired application and, finally, we have put them together to design the systems, and we have configured the software needed. Following these steps, we have been able to develop completely the first system, the commercial drone which works at low frequency, and we have been able to verify its proper use

SMASAC, la manufacturera peruana: una experiencia del inicio de la gestión cultural 2021-2022

Laboratorio SMASAC es una organización manufacturera que durante sus 38 años de existencia ha tenido como prioridad principal su actividad primaria: la producción de productos para sus clientes. Sin embargo, en la búsqueda de la mejora en la competitividad y productividad dentro del mercado manufacturero, vio la necesidad de adaptarse a las nuevas exigencias de los clientes para quienes actualmente es importante ser una marca con propósito. Esto significa no solo trabajar por motivos económicos, sino tener una razón de existir y de hacer lo que hace, materializando su propósito en los productos o servicios que ofrece y en las acciones que realiza, conectando mejor con sus clientes y colaboradores. Es por eso que, una de las principales acciones internas a realizar es mejorar su clima laboral de la mano de una cultura organizacional sólida, que motive a sus colaboradores y que estos no solo estén informados de qué los define, sino también que se comporten y relacionen considerando lo que define a la organización, para lo que se debe implementar un fuerte sistema de creencias que aporte a su ventaja diferencial en su rubro de mercado; es decir, el conjunto de los principales elementos identitarios de su cultura organizacional. Pero esto implica principalmente un cambio en la gerencia conservadora que tiene la empresa. Respondiendo a esta necesidad, desde el año 2021 se fue gestando un cambio paulatino de la gestión organizacional. Como primera acción, se incorporó en el organigrama institucional el área de Transformación Organizacional, que tiene como finalidad gestar cambios en la organización desde las áreas de comunicación interna, capacitación y desarrollo con acciones que fortalezcan e involucren a los colaboradores con la cultura organizacional y mejoren el clima laboral. Es esta área la que expone en el siguiente trabajo los retos que tiene para poder gestar el camino hacia un cambio en la visión de la gerencia general y, la principal acción que surge con motivo de este cambio: el desarrollo de una guía de cultura. Esta herramienta marca un antes y un después dentro de la organización ya que su existencia ratifica la preocupación y compromiso de la gerencia general por la gestión del bienestar de sus colaboradores a través de la formalización de su gestión cultural, donde se refleje un buen clima laboral con colaboradores más productivos, motivados y satisfechos.SMASAC Laboratory is a manufacturing organization that, over its 38 years of existence, has placed its primary focus on its core activity: the production of products for its clients. However, in the pursuit of enhancing competitiveness and productivity within the manufacturing market, it recognized the imperative to adapt to the evolving demands of its customers, for whom being a purpose-driven brand is now of utmost importance. This signifies not only working for economic motives but having a reason for existence and for undertaking its actions, embodying its purpose in the products or services it provides, and in the actions it takes, fostering stronger connections with its customers and collaborators. That's why one of the key internal actions to be undertaken is enhancing its work environment alongside a robust organizational culture, one that inspires its collaborators. Not only should they be well-informed about what defines them, but they should also conduct themselves and relate to others in alignment with the organization's defining aspects. To achieve this, a strong belief system must be implemented that contributes to their competitive edge in the market sector. This implies incorporating the core identifying elements of their organizational culture. However, this primarily involves a shift in the conservative management that the company currently possesses. In response to this necessity, a gradual shift in organizational management has been taking shape since 2021. As a first step, the institutional hierarchy welcomed the establishment of the Organizational Transformation department. This department is tasked with instigating changes within the organization through initiatives within internal communication, training, and development. These efforts are designed to strengthen and engage employees with the organizational culture, leading to an enhanced work environment. It's this area that presents in the following work the challenges it faces in order to pave the way for a change in the general management's perspective, and the main action that arises as a result of this change: the development of a culture guide. This tool marks a turning point within the organization, as its existence reaffirms the concern and commitment of the general management towards the well-being of its collaborators through the formalization of its cultural management. This is meant to reflect a positive work environment with more productive, motivated, and satisfied employees

Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia in Human and Animal Stool Samples

Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are opportunistic microorganisms with remarkable zoonotic transmission potential due to their capacity to infect humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these microorganisms in stool samples of animal and human origin. In total, 369 stool samples (205 from human patients with diarrhea and 164 of animal origin) were included in the study. Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia presence were determined by using multiplex nested PCR. Positive results were analyzed by using Sanger sequencing of the amplicon, utilizing BLASTN and ClustalX software to confirm identification. Cryptosporidium spp. were found in 0.97% and 4.26% of human and animal samples, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in human and animal stools in 6.82% and 3.05% of the samples, respectively. No associations were found when analyzing the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi and the demographic and clinical variables of patients and animals. This study demonstrates the presence of these microorganisms in human and animal samples from different species, and the most interesting findings are the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in pets (e.g., rodents) that are not usually included in this type of study, and the identification of E. bieneusi in patients with diarrhea without underlying disease

Analysis of Periodic Structures Made of Pins Inside a Parallel Plate Waveguide

Special Issue: Higher Symmetries and Its Application in Microwave Technology, Antennas and MetamaterialsIn this work, we have analyzed different versions of periodic structures made with metallic pins located inside a parallel plate waveguide (PPWG), varying the symmetry and disposition of the pins. The analysis focuses on two main parameters related to wave propagation. On one hand, we have studied how the different proposed structures can create a stopband so that the parallel plate modes can be used in gap waveguide technology or filtering structures. On the other hand, we have analyzed the dispersion and equivalent refractive index of the first propagating transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM). The results show how the use of complex structures made with pins in the top and bottom plates of a PPWG have no advantages in terms of the achieved stopband size. However, for the case of the propagating mode, it is possible to find less dispersive modes and a higher range of equivalent refractive indices when using double-pin structures compared to a reference case with single pins.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades grant number [TEC2016-79700-C2-2-R], Becas Santander Jóvenes Investigadores and FONDECYT 11180434

Repair of complete bilateral cleft lip with severely protruding premaxilla performing a premaxillary setback and vomerine ostectomy in one stage surgery

Background: The authors present a technique for selected cases of CBCL. The primary repair of the CBCL with a severely protruding premaxilla in one stage surgery is very difficult, essentially because a good muscular apposition is difficult, forcing synchronously to do a premaxillary setback to facilitate subsequent bilateral lip repair and, thus, achieving satisfactory results. We achieve this by a reductive ostectomy on the vomero- premaxillary suture. Material and Methods: 4 patients with CBCL and severely protruding premaxilla underwent premaxillary setback by vomerine ostectomy at the same time of lip repair in the past 24 months. The extent of premaxillary setback varied between 9 and 16 mm. The required amount of bone was removed anterior to the vomero-premaxillary suture. The authors did an additional simultaneous gingivoperiosteoplasty in all patients, achieving an enough stability of the premaxilla in its new position, to be able to close the alveolar gap bilaterally. The authors have examined the position of premaxilla and dental arch between 6 and 24 months. We did not do the primary nose correction, because this increased the risk of impairment of the already compromised vascularity of the philtrum and premaxilla. Results : The follow-up period ranged between 6 and 24 months. None of the patients had any major complication. During follow-up, the premaxilla was minimally mobile. We achieved a good lip repair in all cases: adequate muscle repair, symmetry of the lip, prolabium and Cupid’s bow, as well as good scars. Conclusions : To our knowledge, there are few reports of one stage surgery with vomerine ostectomy to repair CBCL with severely protruding premaxilla. Doing this vomerine ostectomy, we don’t know how it will affect the subsequent growth of the premaxila and restrict the natural maxillary growth. Applying this alternative treatment for children with CBCL and protruded premaxilla without any preoperative orthopedic, we can successfully perform, in a single-stage surgery, a good primary lip repair at our center. Further confirmations of this surgery with follow up and anthropometric studies of these patients during childhood and adolescence are require