Decomposing differences in total factor productivity across firm size

This paper investigates the extent to which the gap in total factor productivity between small and large firms is due to differences in the endowment of factors determining productivity and to the returns associated with these factors. We place particular emphasis on the contribution of differences in the propensity to innovate and in the use of skilled labor across firms of different size. Empirical evidence from a representative sample of Spanish manufacturing firms corroborates that both differences in endowments and returns to innovation and skilled labor significantly contribute to the productivity gap between small and large firms. In addition, it is observed that the contribution of innovation to this gap is caused only by differences in quantity, while differences in returns have no effect; in the case of human capital, however, most of the effect can be attributed to increasing differences in returns between small and large firms.Total Factor Productivity; skilled labor; innovation; firm size; Oaxaca decomposition

The important role of electrohydrodynamics in a system of Quincke rollers

Treballs Finals de Grau de Física, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2020, Tutor: Alberto Fernández-NievesColloidal spheres charged superficially are expected to repel each other through electrostatic interaction. However, in systems where the spheres are confined between two charged glass surfaces, it has been seen that long-range attractive interactions can arise due to hydrodynamics, indicating that fluid flow plays a role that is important and often neglected [1]. In this project we study the role of electrohydrodynamics in a two-dimensional system of particles that are propelled by an electric field via Quincke rotation. We determine the nature and consequences of the electrohydrodynamic flows and experimentally observe that their magnitude depends on the thickness of the cell and that it increases with it. Particle clustering and alignment has also been observed and analysed

DIFFERENCES IN TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS FIRM SIZE - A DISTRIBUTIONAL ANALYSIS

Productivity has been considered a key element for firms and economies to be more competitive. Several studies on productivity at a microeconomic level have found notable heterogeneity between firms. More concretely, differences in Total Factor Productivity (TFP) between large and small firms have been observed. Those differences might be caused by differences in the distribution of the factors determining the level of TFP across firms’ size, and by differences in the return to such factors. To assess to what extent the observed differences in TFP between large and small Spanish manufacturing firms are caused by the above-mentioned reasons we propose a methodology that, built on the traditional Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, focuses the attention on the entire distribution of productivity. The TFP index used in our paper guarantees comparison of the level of productivity across firms in a given year and over time, and has been computed using the information in the Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales (ESEE), a comprehensive survey of manufacturing firms in Spain from 1990 to 1999. Results confirm that the distribution of TFP in the large firms dominates that for the small firms, and how besides differences in the distribution of, for example, human capital and R&D expenditures across firms’ size, heterogeneity in returns between large and small firms play a major role in explaining differences in the distribution of TFP. Important policy issue are derived in connection with the possibility of increasing the aggregate productivity of the Spanish economy considering that the average firm size in Spain is smaller than in other European countries.

L2 pragmatics teaching: the impact of pedagogic tasks on the acquisition of L2 pragmatic competence

Treballs Finals del Grau d'Estudis Anglesos, Facultat de Filologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2019-2020, Tutor: Roger Gilabert Guerrero[eng] In second language teaching the main focus has not always been communication but the teaching of formal aspects of language such as grammatical structures and vocabulary. The learning of such parts of a language is of course important but communication is key when talking about SLL and SLA. One of the approaches thaL2 Pragmatics Teaching: The Impact of Pedagogic Tasks on the Acquisition of L2 Pragmatic Competencet has been claimed to potentially promote second language pragmatics learning in instructional settings is Focus on Form (FonF) through TBLT and TSLT. Therefore, this essay aims to underline the relevance of L2 pragmatics and to consider the effectiveness of using tasks to teach L2 pragmatics. To do so, this paper will draw from research studies on the acquisition of L2 pragmatics and will move from more theoretical to more practical aspects to showcase the advantages that L2 learners would gain from being taught through tasks.[cat] A l’hora d’ensenyar una segona llengua, sempre ha adquirit més importància l’ensenyament dels aspectes formals d’una llengua, com poden ser les estructures gramaticals i el vocabulari, que no pas la comunicació. L’aprenentatge dels aspectes d’un idioma és, per descomptat, important, però la comunicació és essencial quan es parla de l’ensenyament d’una segona llengua i l’adquisició d’una segona llengua. La focalització en la forma (FonF) a través de tàctiques d’ensenyament com poden ser l’ús de tasques pedagògiques amb instrucció explícita (TSLT) o no (TBLT) és un mètode reconegut per la seva gran utilitat pel que fa a l’aprenentatge de la pragmàtica d’una segona llengua. És per això que l’objectiu d’aquest treball és ratificar la importància d’aprendre la pragmàtica d’una segona llengua i provar l’efectivitat d’utilitzar tasques per ensenyar-la a classe. Així doncs, aquest treball es fonamenta en estudis de recerca sobre l’adquisició de la pragmàtica d’una segona llengua i utilitza punts de vista teòrics i pràctics per defensar els avantatges d’ensenyar la pragmàtica d’una segonL2 Pragmatics Teaching: The Impact of Pedagogic Tasks on the Acquisition of L2 Pragmatic Competencea llengua per mitjà de tasques pedagògiques

Theoretical view on the origin and implications of structural distortions in polyoxometalates

Structural features of polyoxometalates (POMs) —versatile inorganic clusters of academic and technological interest— are discussed in the present article. POMs are, in general, very regular structures presenting a high symmetry in most cases. Distortions are, however, important for some electronic and magnetic properties. We herein discuss some particular geometric features that are crucial for the theoretical treatment and comprehension of well-known experimental phenomena. For instance, we have been able to understand and rationalize the geometrical distortions present in molybdenum POMs. Moreover, we can affirm that these geometrical distortions are caused by a pseudo Jahn Teller effect. In what concerns NMR chemical shifts, we present a discussion on the importance of geometry for the correct description of the signals and the key role played by the interatomic distances. Finally, a study on the adsorption of Keggin clusters on silver surfaces shows how the POM structure looses its regular shape to adapt to that new situation

El Raonament probabilístic en alumnes d'educació infantil i de cicle mitjà d'educació primària

Es presenta un estudi realitzat amb alumnes d'educació infantil i d'educació primària per detectar els coneixements i els raonaments previs que tenen sobre probabilitat i atzar. A partir d'una activitat senzilla, s'han analitzat els seus raonaments probabilístics i s'ha fet una comparativa entre els alumnes d'educació infantil i els d'educació primària. Els resultats no mostren diferències significatives entre les dues poblacions de l'estudi, ja que la majoria dels alumnes té una òptica totalment determinista i no entén l'atzar. Aquests resultats coincideixen amb els d'altres autors com Inhelder i Piaget (1955), que afirmen que aquest raonament no s'obté fins a finals de l'educació primària.This article presents a study of kindergarten and primary school students designed to detect pre-existing knowledge and reasoning with respect to probability and chance. A simple activity was used to analyse probabilistic reasoning and a comparison between kindergarten and primary school students made. The results show no significant differences between the two groups, as most children do not understand chance due to their completely deterministic perspective. These results align with other authors, such as Piaget and Inhelder (1951), who argue that this type of reasoning is not obtained until the end of primary education

African swine fever vaccines: a promising work still in progress

African swine fever (ASF), a disease of obligatory declaration to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), has contributed to poverty and underdevelopment of affected areas. The presence of ASF has been historically neglected in Africa, contributing to its uncontrolled expansion and favouring its spread to continental Europe on at least three occasions, the last one in 2007 through the Republic of Georgia. Since then, African swine fever virus (ASFV) has spread to neighbouring countries, reaching the European Union in 2014, China in the summer of 2018 and spreading through Southeast Asia becoming a global problem. Lack of available vaccines against ASF makes its control even more difficult, representing today the number one threat for the swine industry worldwide and negatively affecting the global commerce equilibrium.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dictamen

Treballs Finals de Grau de Dret. Universitat de Barcelona. Curs: 2014-2015. Tutor: Ujala Joshi Juber

Les pel·lícules com a recurs didàctic per explicar biologia i geologia a secundària

Màster Universitari de Formació del Professorat de Secundària Obligatòria i Batxillerat, Facultat d'Educació, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2020-2021, Tutor: Francisco Javier Íñiguez Porras[cat] L’ensenyament de les ciències i el cinema són dues disciplines que poden unir-se i treballar molt bé de forma conjunta. Des de l’aparició del cinema al 1895 són moltes i molt diverses les aplicacions didàctiques que se li han donat a aquest. Entre elles, destaca l’ús de les pel·lícules de ciència ficció per explicar i/o aclarir certs conceptes de ciències que mostren un elevat grau de dificultat o comprensió. El present projecte mostra una proposta d’innovació adaptada als temps actuals que busca potenciar l’ús de les noves tecnologies per tal d’optimitzar l’aprenentatge significatiu en els joves de secundària. La realització del mencionat parteix de l’objectiu d’oferir una guia didàctica al docent, per tal de recolzar-se i transportar aquest recurs didàctic a l’aula. Fonamentalment, es basa en la descripció clara i ordenada de tot un llistat de pel·lícules que poden usar-se com a recurs didàctic per a explicar ‘Biologia i Geologia’ als alumnes de primer, tercer i quart curs de l’Educació Secundària Obligatòria. Tanmateix, s’inclou la programació completa de cada activitat, la temporització, els recursos que es requereixen i l’avaluació corresponent. S’espera que pugui esdevenir una proposta innovadora i interessant que pugui ser aplicada en les aules d’avui i d’un futur pròxim