Dogs catch human yawns

This study is the first to demonstrate that human yawns are possibly contagious to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Twenty-nine dogs observed a human yawning or making control mouth movements. Twenty-one dogs yawned when they observed a human yawning, but control mouth movements did not elicit yawning from any of them. The presence of contagious yawning in dogs suggests that this phenomenon is not specific to primate species and may indicate that dogs possess the capacity for a rudimentary form of empathy. Since yawning is known to modulate the levels of arousal, yawn contagion may help coordinate dog–human interaction and communication. Understanding the mechanism as well as the function of contagious yawning between humans and dogs requires more detailed investigation

Análisis de mercados inmobiliarios (un enfoque desde cointegración y econometría espacial)

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Departamento de Fundamentos del Análisis Económico II (Economía Cuantitativa), leída el 28/06/2016. Tesis formato europeo (compendio de artículos)The first chapter of this thesis examines the formation process of residential prices in Spain (1995Q1 – 2012Q4). We propose two models to compare their performance in the context of comparative dynamics and predictive capacity. A structural model is derived from an eclectic theoretical framework in which we review published literature on the housing market and select a set of variables representative of this literature. We used GDP pre-capita, interest rates, the supply of new residential buildings and the gross residential-capital formation as explanatory variables for the average house price per square meter in Spain. The other model is generated by an algorithm known as GASIC2. Using our review of the literature we select a set of 46 variables, we form the respective database and let the algorithm to select the best model out the 2 (70 trillion) nested models. The condition imposed on the algorithm is to be parsimonious, i.e. having only 4 regressors. Annual theoretical effort of families to pay for their residence, the apparent concrete consumption, the mortgage interest rate and the real GDP are selected by GASIC to explain the average residential price in Spain; a similar model to the structural one. Our analytical framework is cointegration. Therefore, we assessed the integration order of both models’ variables. We identified all variables have order of integration of first degree (some with a structural break in the recent economic crisis). This leads us to test the hypothesis of cointegration. Proving such an existence, two error correction models (ECM) were estimated (one for the structural approach and one for the algorithmic) to calculate price and income elasticities, and produce dynamic forecasts. The long-term equations in both models behave similarly and give a good idea of the long-term equilibrium relationship between housing prices and their fundamentals. It is in the short term specification where the structural model and the algorithmic model differ. The model generated with GASIC has got a non-significant error correction mechanism, implying that the gap between the change in housing prices and longterm path is not traced. The consequence of such failure generates less accurate house price forecasts. However, the analysis of elasticities remains valid in both long and short term price equations...El primer capítulo de esta tesis analiza el proceso de formación del precio medio residencial por metro cuadrado en España (T1 1995 – T4 2012). Proponemos dos modelos para comparar su rendimiento en los contextos de estática comparativa y capacidad predictiva. Un modelo es estructural, derivado de un marco teórico ecléctico en el cual revisamos la literatura publicada en el sector inmobiliario residencial y seleccionamos un conjunto de variables representativo de esta literatura. Utilizamos el PIB per cápita, las tasa de interés, las entregas de los nuevos edificios residenciales y la formación bruta de capital inmobiliario como variables explicativas del precio residencial medio por metro cuadrado en España. El otro modelo es generado por un algoritmo conocido como GASIC4 . De nuestra revisión de la literatura seleccionamos un conjunto de 46 variables, formamos la respectiva base de datos y dejamos que algoritmo conforme el mejor modelo posible de los 2 (70 billones) modelos anidados. La condición impuesta al algoritmo es que sea parsimonioso, o sea, que tenga solo 4 regresores. El esfuerzo teórico anual de las familias para pagar su residencia, la producción aparente de concreto, el tipo de interés hipotecario y el PIB real son seleccionados por GASIC para explicar el precio medio residencial en España; un modelo similar al estructural. Nuestro marco analítico es de cointegración. Por lo tanto, evaluamos el orden de integración de las variables de ambos modelos. Se ha identificado que todas tienen orden de integración de primer grado (algunas de ellas con un shock estructural en la reciente crisis económica). Esto nos da pie para probar la hipótesis de cointegración. Demostrando tal existencia, se han estimado dos modelos de corrección del error (ECM) para calcular elasticidades precio e ingreso y producir previsiones dinámicas. Las ecuaciones de largo plazo en ambos modelos se comportan de forma similar dan buena idea de la relación de equilibrio de largo plazo entre el precios de la vivienda y sus variables fundamentales. Es en la especificación de corto plazo cuando el modelo estructural y el modelo algorítmico difieren. En el modelo generado por GASIC, el mecanismo de corrección del error es no significativo, lo que implica que la brecha entre la variación de precios de viviendas y su senda de largo plazo no es capturada por el modelo. La consecuencia de tal falta genera previsiones menos precisas de los precios del inmobiliario residencial. Sin embargo, el análisis de las elasticidades sigue siendo válido para ambas especificaciones de largo y corto plazo...Depto. de Análisis Económico y Economía CuantitativaFac. de Ciencias Económicas y EmpresarialesTRUEunpu

Fractional-order describing function of systems with backlash

This paper analyses the dynamical properties of systems with backlash and impact phenomena based on the describing function method. It is shown that this type of nonlinearity can be analysed in the perspective of the fractional calculus theory.N/

MR findings of endocardial fibroelastosis in children

BACKGROUND: Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) is characterized by a diffuse white fibrous tissue lining the endocardium. The diagnosis is difficult to establish because clinical symptoms and electrocardiographic findings are nonspecific. Surgical resection of EFE requires the establishment of the diagnosis and delineation of the extent of the fibrotic changes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of MRI in the assessment of EFE in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three children after surgery for aortic stenosis who were suspected of having EFE were evaluated by echocardiography and MRI. The MR evaluation consisted of black-blood, triple IR, bright-blood, perfusion and myocardial delayed-enhancement sequences. EFE was confirmed at surgery in all patients. RESULTS: Echocardiograms demonstrated vigorous systolic function but substantial diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in all. Mild endocardial brightening of the anterior septum, anterior wall, or papillary muscles was present in two. No study was thought to be diagnostic of endocardial fibrosis. On MRI EFE manifested at the endocardial surface as a rim of hypointense signal in the perfusion sequences and as a rim of hyperintense signal in the myocardial delayed-enhancement sequences. The black-blood, triple IR, and bright-blood sequences were not diagnostic. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of EFE is difficult to establish by echocardiography. MRI using perfusion and myocardial delayed enhancement can be useful in establishing the diagnosis

Analysis of Systems with Backlash and Impacts through the Describing Function

This paper analyses the dynamical properties of systems with backlash and impact phenomena based on the describing function method. The dynamics is illustrated using the Nyquist and Bode plots and the results are compared with those of standard models

Office Market Dynamics in Madrid : Modelling with a Single-Equation Error Correction Mechanism

This paper seeks to explain the office market dynamics in Madrid by using cointegration models. Specifically, we focus on the equilibrium path of stock, vacancy rate and letting rents, and feedback with two exogenous economic determinants, namely, service sector employment and gross domestic product. We apply for the first time a single-equation error correction mechanism (ECM) to a system of equations for the commercial property market of Madrid and examine its accuracy when compared to the more frequently used classical two-step ECM. The main findings to emerge from our empirical analysis are that rents and vacancy rates react rapidly when they do not correspond to their equilibrium level. Stock, as expected, responds more slowly when it does not correspond to its long-term path. We draw on quarterly observations for the Madrid market between 2001:Q1 and 2015:Q2