Drivers and Obstacles to Banking SMEs: The Role of Competition and the Institutional Framework

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are important for employment and economic activity; however, they are perceived to lack adequate financing, which hampers their growth. As a consequence, governments have implemented a number of programs to foster SME lending and attention has focused on improving the institutional environment, such that the financial system is more willing to lend to SMEs. In this paper, we directly ask banks (the main providers of SME external finance) what factors they perceive as drivers and obstacles to financing SMEs. We also study to what degree competition and the institutional framework play a role in banks’ decisions. To do so, we use a unique survey of banks in Argentina and Chile, two neighboring emerging countries with significant differences in how their institutional environments are viewed, and thus expected to shape banks’ willingness to deal with SMEs. The paper shows that, despite alleged differences in the countries’ environments regarding rules, regulations, institutions, and ease of doing business, SMEs have become a strategic segment for most banks in both countries. In particular, banks have begun to target SMEs due to the significant competition in the corporate and retail sectors. They perceive the SME market as highly profitable, large, and with good prospects. Moreover, banks are developing coping mechanisms to overcome the particular institutional obstacles present in each country and to compete for SMEs. Banks’ interest in SMEs is not based on government programs, yet policy action might help reduce the cost of providing financing, especially long-term lending.small and medium enterprises, bank finance, financial constraints, banking market structure, institutional factors, regulation, competition

Mechanism of action of a Janus-faced single-domain protein inhibitor simultaneously targeting two peptidase classes

Protein inhibitors provide a physiological mechanism for the regulation of proteolytic enzymes. While most single-domain inhibitors have one reactive site with which they target peptidases of a specific catalytic class, selected specimens inhibit two peptidase molecules simultaneously, thus giving rise to ternary complexes. To study such inhibition, we analyzed the function of one of these proteins, sermetstatin, which strongly binds as a dimer to serine proteinases (SPs) and a metallopeptidase (MP). In addition, we determined the structures of the isolated inhibitor dimer and its heterotetrameric complexes with the SP subtilisin and the MP snapalysin, which reveal that inhibition occurs through two independent distal reactive sites. These structures and the derived model for the heterohexameric complex provide for the first time a detailed view of the molecular mechanism of simultaneous inhibition of proteinases belonging to two distinct mechanistic classes by a single-domain protein. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of phytotoxic, cytotoxic and antiparasitic in vitro activities of Borreria verticillata, a weed of Panamanian coffee crops.

In recent years, there have been significant changes in weed populations in different agricultural production systems. Coffee production is economically important in the Republic of Panama, and the specie Borreria verticillata affects a significant portion of this crop. Weeds may directly affect the yields of economically important plants through two main ways: by producing allelochemicals which inhibit plant growth or by competition for nutrients and water availability in the soil. Borreria verticillata was selected to evaluate its phytotoxic activity by which this weed affects the coffee crops. In addition, we carried out antiparasitic evaluations for determining the activity of Borreria verticillata extract against three human parasites: Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum. The experimental results revealed that the extract prepared using the aerial parts of Borreria verticillata did not show significant phytotoxic and cytotoxic effects. On the other hand, the antiparasitic evaluations showed that the extract possessed only moderate activities against Plasmodium falciparum. Finally, we proceeded to identify the major chemical components of this extract and we obtained three known compounds: scualene (1), epoxyscualene (2) and borrecapine (3).In recent years, there have been significant changes in weed populations in different agricultural production systems. Coffee production is economically important in the Republic of Panama, and the specie Borreria verticillata affects a significant portion of this crop. Weeds may directly affect the yields of economically important plants through two main ways: by producing allelochemicals which inhibit plant growth or by competition for nutrients and water availability in the soil. Borreria verticillata was selected to evaluate its phytotoxic activity by which this weed affects the coffee crops. In addition, we carried out antiparasitic evaluations for determining the activity of Borreria verticillata extract against three human parasites: Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum. The experimental results revealed that the extract prepared using the aerial parts of Borreria verticillata did not show significant phytotoxic and cytotoxic effects. On the other hand, the antiparasitic evaluations showed that the extract possessed only moderate activities against Plasmodium falciparum. Finally, we proceeded to identify the major chemical components of this extract and we obtained three known compounds: scualene (1), epoxyscualene (2) and borrecapine (3)

Identification of online reviews helpfulness using Neural Networks

[EN] During the last decade, research has shown that identifying helpful reviews from a big amount of user-generated review data has been a trending topic. This study proposes a classification system using an adaptive implementation of 1D Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) that can early identify whether an online review is helpful, fair or not helpful with 80% of accuracy. After using the neuronal encoding, a cluster analysis of the helpful and not helpful was made. The results reveal that the most significant words and documents for helpful reviews clusters describe cars and their characteristics. Whereas not helpful reviews clusters express details on car-related shops/companies in general.Olmedilla, M.; Martínez Torres, MDR.; Toral, SL. (2020). Identification of online reviews helpfulness using Neural Networks. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/148759OCS33633

Formulación de un examen académico óptimo

The aim of this paper is to formulate an optimal academic exam for a given subject. To do this, the probability is first modelled of a student passing the exam according to the number of units he studies and the professor evaluates. That simulation model is developed by performing a probabilistic analysis. An optimal exam is then defined as the one that awards the grade that the student deserves. Therefore, in an optimal exam, approve those who deserve to approve, and disapprove those that do not deserve to approve. Besides, this exam must respect the limitations of time and effort that the professor imposes. Based on this definition and using the simulation model, an INLP type optimization model is formulated. This optimization model determines the number of units the professor must evaluate to maximize the probability of getting an optimal exam.El objetivo de este trabajo es formular un examen académico óptimo para una materia dada. Para ello, primero, se modela la probabilidad de que un estudiante apruebe el examen en función del número de unidades que estudia y de las que el profesor evalúa. Ese modelo de simulación es desarrollado realizando un análisis probabilístico. Un examen óptimo es luego definido como aquel que asigna la nota que el estudiante merece. Por lo tanto, en un examen óptimo, aprueban quienes merecen aprobar, y desaprueban quienes no merecen aprobar. Además, el examen debe respetar las limitaciones de tiempo y esfuerzo que el profesor impone. En base a esta definición y usando el modelo de simulación, se formula un modelo de optimización del tipo INLP. Este modelo de optimización determina el número de unidades que el profesor debe evaluar para maximizar la probabilidad de conseguir un examen óptimo.Facultad de Informátic

Formulación de un examen académico óptimo

The aim of this paper is to formulate an optimal academic exam for a given subject. To do this, the probability is first modelled of a student passing the exam according to the number of units he studies and the professor evaluates. That simulation model is developed by performing a probabilistic analysis. An optimal exam is then defined as the one that awards the grade that the student deserves. Therefore, in an optimal exam, approve those who deserve to approve, and disapprove those that do not deserve to approve. Besides, this exam must respect the limitations of time and effort that the professor imposes. Based on this definition and using the simulation model, an INLP type optimization model is formulated. This optimization model determines the number of units the professor must evaluate to maximize the probability of getting an optimal exam.El objetivo de este trabajo es formular un examen académico óptimo para una materia dada. Para ello, primero, se modela la probabilidad de que un estudiante apruebe el examen en función del número de unidades que estudia y de las que el profesor evalúa. Ese modelo de simulación es desarrollado realizando un análisis probabilístico. Un examen óptimo es luego definido como aquel que asigna la nota que el estudiante merece. Por lo tanto, en un examen óptimo, aprueban quienes merecen aprobar, y desaprueban quienes no merecen aprobar. Además, el examen debe respetar las limitaciones de tiempo y esfuerzo que el profesor impone. En base a esta definición y usando el modelo de simulación, se formula un modelo de optimización del tipo INLP. Este modelo de optimización determina el número de unidades que el profesor debe evaluar para maximizar la probabilidad de conseguir un examen óptimo.Facultad de Informátic

Formulación de un examen académico óptimo

The aim of this paper is to formulate an optimal academic exam for a given subject. To do this, the probability is first modelled of a student passing the exam according to the number of units he studies and the professor evaluates. That simulation model is developed by performing a probabilistic analysis. An optimal exam is then defined as the one that awards the grade that the student deserves. Therefore, in an optimal exam, approve those who deserve to approve, and disapprove those that do not deserve to approve. Besides, this exam must respect the limitations of time and effort that the professor imposes. Based on this definition and using the simulation model, an INLP type optimization model is formulated. This optimization model determines the number of units the professor must evaluate to maximize the probability of getting an optimal exam.El objetivo de este trabajo es formular un examen académico óptimo para una materia dada. Para ello, primero, se modela la probabilidad de que un estudiante apruebe el examen en función del número de unidades que estudia y de las que el profesor evalúa. Ese modelo de simulación es desarrollado realizando un análisis probabilístico. Un examen óptimo es luego definido como aquel que asigna la nota que el estudiante merece. Por lo tanto, en un examen óptimo, aprueban quienes merecen aprobar, y desaprueban quienes no merecen aprobar. Además, el examen debe respetar las limitaciones de tiempo y esfuerzo que el profesor impone. En base a esta definición y usando el modelo de simulación, se formula un modelo de optimización del tipo INLP. Este modelo de optimización determina el número de unidades que el profesor debe evaluar para maximizar la probabilidad de conseguir un examen óptimo.Facultad de Informátic

A digital signal processing teaching methodology using concept-mapping techniques

The main goal of this study is to develop a scientific method for designing a teaching methodology used in a basic digital signal processing (DSP) course. The proposed method is based on concept-mapping techniques, which applies multivariate statistic analysis to summarize the experience and knowledge of teachers involved in basic DSP teaching. As a result, a set of teaching methodologies is obtained. This result, as well as other information obtained related to the relative importance of the concepts to be covered, has been used to program the course. Moreover, different teaching tools have been developed to implement the proposed teaching methodology. Finally, the reliability of the method has been compared with similar studies to validate the proposed methodolog

Interactive multimedia teaching of digital signal processors

This article shows a novel approach to Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) teaching based on an interactive multimedia educational tool, designed with Shockwave™ and Macromedia Director™. The use and utility of the tool has been analyzed, and the benefits of this novel teaching methodology have been pointed ou