The Productivity Paradox and the New Economy: The Spanish Case

This paper studies the impact of the information and communication technologies (ICT) on economic growth in Spain using a dynamic general equilibrium approach. Contrary to previous works, we use a production function with six different capital inputs, three of them corresponding to ICT assets. Calibration of the model suggests that the contribution of ICT to Spanish productivity growth is very relevant, whereas the contribution of non-ICT capital has been even negative. Additionally, over the sample period 1995-2002, we find a negative TFP and productivity growth. These results together aim at the hypothesis that the Spanish economy could be placed within the productivity paradox.New economy, information and communication technologies, technological change, productivity paradox.

ICT-specific technological change and productivity growth in the US 1980-2004

This paper studies the impact of the information and communication technologies (ICT) on U.S. economic growth using a dynamic general equilibrium approach. We use a production function with six different capital inputs, three of them corresponding to ICT assets and other three to non-ICT assets. We find that the technological change embedded in hardware equipment is the main leading non-neutral force of the U.S. productivity growth and accounts for about one quarter of it during the period 1980-2004. As a whole, ICT-specific technological change accounts for about 35% of total labor productivity growth.New economy, information and communication technologies, specific-technological change, neutral-technological change.

A novel particle tracking and break-up detection algorithm: application to the turbulent break-up of bubbles

A new method has been developed to measure experimentally the break-up properties of bubbles. The technique is based on the application of a particle tracking velocimetry algorithm to high-speed video images not only to measure the velocity of the bubbles, but also to detect the break-up events. Thus the algorithm is able to associate every broken bubble with the daughter bubbles formed upon their corresponding break-up. Moreover, the lifetime, as well as the number and size of fragments resulting from the break-up process, can be measured for a large number of bubbles. Statistical processing of the information collected allows us to compute the break-up frequency and daughter size distribution of the bubbles as a function of the bubble size and the mean properties of the base flow. The method has been employed to study the break-up of a cloud of bubbles injected at the central axis of a turbulent water jet. Experimental results for the break-up frequency and daughter bubble size distribution are also presented to illustrate the performance of the technique

Predictive analysis of transmissible quinolone resistance indicates Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as a potential source of a novel family of Qnr determinants

Additional files: Microsoft excel document containing the descriptions of the genes shown in Figure 2.Background Predicting antibiotic resistance before it emerges at clinical settings constitutes a novel approach for preventing and fighting resistance of bacterial pathogens. To analyse the possibility that novel plasmid-encoded quinolone resistance determinants (Qnr) can emerge and disseminate among bacterial pathogens, we searched the presence of those elements in nearly 1000 bacterial genomes and metagenomes. Results We have found a number of novel potential qnr genes in the chromosomes of aquatic bacteria and in metagenomes from marine organisms. Functional studies of the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Smqnr gene show that plasmid-encoded SmQnr confers quinolone resistance upon its expression in a heterologous host. Conclusion Altogether, the data presented in our work support the notion that predictive studies on antibiotic resistance are feasible, using currently available information on bacterial genomes and with the aid of bioinformatic and functional tools. Our results confirm that aquatic bacteria can be the origin of plasmid-encoded Qnr, and highlight the potential role of S. maltophilia as a source of novel Qnr determinants.This work has been supported by grants BIO2005-04278, LSHM-CT-2005-518152 and LSHM-CT-2005-018705. L. M-M and J.M. R.-M. are supported by REIPI, RD06/0008 from ISCIII, Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Spain.Peer reviewe

Bases científicas del entrenamiento deportivo

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Estudio científico del Mihrab de la antigua mezquita de Almería

En este trabajo se realiza un estudio de los distintos materiales empleados en la construcción, tanto originales como añadidos, las distintas intervenciones rea lizadas en el Mihrab de la antigua Mezquita de Almería. El estudio de las mues tras ha permitido determinar la naturaleza de cada una de ellas, así como la exis tencia de gran cantidad de sales (clomros y sulfatos en su mayoría). Asimismo, se ha obtenido información sobre su micromorfología. porosidad, mayor o me nor grado de cristalinidad y estado de alteración. Finalmente se ha comprobado la aplicación, en época reciente, de consolidantes que han sido responsables del desprendimiento superficial

Characterising epithelial tissues using persistent entropy

In this paper, we apply persistent entropy, a novel topological statis- tic, for characterization of images of epithelial tissues. We have found out that persistent entropy is able to summarize topological and geomet- ric information encoded by -complexes and persistent homology. After using some statistical tests, we can guarantee the existence of signi cant di erences in the studied tissues.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MTM2015-67072-

UPCT-Bloopbusters: Teaching Science and Technology through Movie Scenes and related Experiments

[EN] In order to change the preconceptions of youth towards science and technology subjects (which, usually, are perceived as difficult or boring), new educational methods aimed at motivating and engaging students in learning are becoming more and more necessary. In this sense, an educational project called ‘UPCT-Bloopbusters’ through which a group of professors of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Spain, use science fiction movie scenes ─as well as experiments─ within the lecture room to teach both physics and engineering technology is hereby presented. The methodology of the project is properly described and the results of a survey carried out among the students of a course in which such methodology has been used are shown. In view of this survey, it can be concluded that the project has been more than welcome by the students while at the same time has favored the learning of a great deal of physics and technology concepts.http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Rodríguez, J.; Castro-Rodríguez, E.; Sánchez-Pérez, J.; Serrano-Martínez, J. (2018). UPCT-Bloopbusters: Teaching Science and Technology through Movie Scenes and related Experiments. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 347-353. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.7992OCS34735