WP 55 - Part-time employment: A comparative analysis of Spain and the Netherlands

Most industrialized countries have seen part-time employment as a percentage of total employment increase in the last decade. This paper presents the results of a comparative study of part-time employment in Spain and the Netherlands. The project comprised a legal comparative study of the effectiveness of the normative solutions provided by the Dutch and Spanish legal orders regarding the protection of part-time workers and the promotion of part-time employment, with special attention paid to the gender dimension of part-time work in both countries; and an analysis, based on data extracted from the European Community Household Panel (1995-2001), of the determinants of part-time employment in both countries and an examination of the extent to which part-time jobs are used as stepping-stones to full-time positions. We found significant country differences regarding females’ decisions to take part-time jobs. We also found that, in general, Dutch females are not less likely than their male counterparts to increase the number of hours they work. However, this applies only to those females who are part of a couple or have children younger than 12 years. In Spain, females are 2.6 times less likely than their male counterparts to switch from a part-time to a full-time job. JEL classification: J22, J71, K31, K33Part-time employment, discrimination, gender differences, multinomial logit

Switch-based packing technique to reduce traffic and latency in token coherence

Token Coherence is a cache coherence protocol able to simultaneously capture the best attributes of traditional protocols: low latency and scalability. However it may lose these desired features when (1) several nodes contend for the same memory block and (2) nodes write highly-shared blocks. The first situation leads to the issue of simultaneous broadcast requests which threaten the protocol scalability. The second situation results in a burst of token responses directed to the writer, which turn it into a bottleneck and increase the latency. To address these problems, we propose a switch-based packing technique able to encapsulate several messages (while in transit) into just one. Its application to the simultaneous broadcasts significantly reduces their bandwidth requirements (up to 45%). Its application to token responses lowers their transmission latency (by 70%). Thus, the packing technique decreases both the latency and coherence traffic, thereby improving system performance (about 15% of reduction in runtime). © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This work was partially supported by the Spanish MEC and MICINN, as well as European Commission FEDER funds, under Grants CSD2006-00046 and TIN2009-14475-C04-01.Cuesta Sáez, BA.; Robles Martínez, A.; Duato Marín, JF. (2012). Switch-based packing technique to reduce traffic and latency in token coherence. Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing. 72(3):409-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpdc.2011.11.010S40942372

Spanish generation from Spanish Sign Language using a phrase-based translation system

This paper describes the development of a Spoken Spanish generator from Spanish Sign Language (LSE – Lengua de Signos Española) in a specific domain: the renewal of Identity Document and Driver’s license. The system is composed of three modules. The first one is an interface where a deaf person can specify a sign sequence in sign-writing. The second one is a language translator for converting the sign sequence into a word sequence. Finally, the last module is a text to speech converter. Also, the paper describes the generation of a parallel corpus for the system development composed of more than 4,000 Spanish sentences and their LSE translations in the application domain. The paper is focused on the translation module that uses a statistical strategy with a phrase-based translation model, and this paper analyses the effect of the alignment configuration used during the process of word based translation model generation. Finally, the best configuration gives a 3.90% mWER and a 0.9645 BLEU

El Costo de Nivel de Vida enla CapitalFederalde 1963 y los cambios de paradigmas estadísticos en Argentina

 ResumenEn 1963 las Dirección Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos de la Nación, publicó “El Costo del Nivel de Vida enla Capital Federal”. En este artículo se realiza un análisis de esa publicación, con la hipótesis de que respondió a un cambio de paradigma en la forma y fondo en que el estado atendía la necesidad de datos estadísticos. Considerando el contexto histórico, y en particular el ideológico, con sus impactos en la esfera del estado, se descubre los cambios en las relaciones de poder al interior de algunas oficinas del estado nacional, así como las nuevas demandas del desarrollismo y su interpelación a un conjunto de funcionarios. Palabras clave: Historia Económica Argentina – Costo de vida – Estadísticas

Estudio Conformacional de 1,2,3,4-tetrahidrocarbazol y triptolina mediante métodos computacionales y espectroscopía de rotación

En este TFG se han estudiado la triptolina y el tetrahidrocarbazol, dos derivados de indol precursores de fármacos en el área de la salud mental y la neurología. El trabajo ha incluido objetivos computacionales y experimentales. Los métodos computacionales se han utilizado para determinar el número de conformaciones de cada molécula y predecir sus propiedades electrónicas, estructurales y espectroscópicas. Los métodos teóricos utilizados han incluido la mecánica molecular para la búsqueda conformacional y los métodos de orbitales moleculares MP2 y B3LYP con la base de funciones 6-311++G(d,p). Los métodos teóricos predijeron dos confórmeros axial y ecuatorial para la triptolina y un único confórmero para el tetrahidrocarbazol. El trabajo experimental ha consistido en la observación del espectro de rotación del tetrahidrocarbazol, el cual se ha llevado a cabo mediante espectroscopía de microondas de banda ancha en chorro supersónico, utilizando un espectrómetro CP-FTMW. El estudio del espectro ha permitido detectar un único isómero para el tetrahidrocarbazol, para el que se han medido un gran número de transiciones. El ajuste con un Hamiltoniano de rotación ha proporcionado las constantes de rotación y los parámetros de acoplamiento de cuadrupolo nuclear experimentales, que se han comparado con las predicciones teóricas. Se incluye un listado de posibilidades de síntesis y usos indexados en las referencias, así como fichas técnicas para cada especie química.In this Diploma work we have studied tryptoline and tetrahydrocarbazole, two indole-based drug precursors in the area of mental health and neurology. The work has included computational and experimental objectives. The computational methods have been used to determine the number of conformations and to predict the electronic, structural and spectroscopic properties. The theoretical methods included molecular mechanics for the conformational search and the molecular orbital methods MP2 y B3LYP with the basis function 6-311++G(d,p). The theoretical methods predicted two axial and equatorial conformers for tryptoline and a single conformer for tetrahydrocarbazol. The experimental work consisted in the observation of the rotational spectrum of tetrahidrocarbazol, for which it was used broadband microwave spectroscopy in a supersonic jet, using a CP-FTMW spectrometer. The spectral study detected a single isomer for tetrahydrocarbazole, for which a large number of transitions were measured. A fit with a rotational Hamiltonian provided the experimental rotational constants and nuclear quadrupole coupling parameters, which were compared with the theoretical predictions. A list of synthesis possibilities and applications indexed in the references is included, as well as data sheets for each commercial chemical species.Departamento de Química Física y Química InorgánicaGrado en Químic

Super-Nernstian Shifts of Interfacial Proton-Coupled Electron Transfers : Origin and Effect of Noncovalent Interactions

The support of the University of Aberdeen is gratefully acknowledged. C.W. acknowledges a summer studentship from the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. E.P.M.L. acknowledges SeCYT (Universidad Nacional de Cordoba), ́ CONICET- PIP 11220110100992, Program BID (PICT 2012-2324), and PME 2006-01581 for financial support.Peer reviewedPostprin

Galaxy Zoo Morphology and Photometric Redshifts in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

It has recently been demonstrated that one can accurately derive galaxy morphology from particular primary and secondary isophotal shape estimates in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey imaging catalog. This was accomplished by applying Machine Learning techniques to the Galaxy Zoo morphology catalog. Using the broad bandpass photometry of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in combination with with precise knowledge of galaxy morphology should help in estimating more accurate photometric redshifts for galaxies. Using the Galaxy Zoo separation for spirals and ellipticals in combination with Sloan Digital Sky Survey photometry we attempt to calculate photometric redshifts. In the best case we find that the root mean square error for Luminous Red Galaxies classified as ellipticals is as low as 0.0118. Given these promising results we believe better photometric redshift estimates for all galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey ($\sim$350 million) will be feasible if researchers can also leverage their derived morphologies via Machine Learning. These initial results look to be promising for those interested in estimating Weak-Lensing, Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation, and other fields dependent upon accurate photometric redshifts.Comment: Submitted to ApJL, 4 pages, 3 figure

Prediction of Surface Roughness of SLM Built Parts after Finishing Processes Using an Artificial Neural Network

A known problem of additive manufactured parts is their poor surface quality, which influences product performance. There are different surface treatments to improve surface quality: blasting is commonly employed to improve mechanical properties and reduce surface roughness, and electropolishing to clean shot peened surfaces and improve the surface roughness. However, the final surface roughness is conditioned by multiple parameters related to these techniques. This paper presents a prediction model of surface roughness (Ra) using an Artificial Neural Network considering two parameters of the SLM manufacturing process and seven blasting and electropolishing processes. This model is proven to be in agreement with 429 experimental results. Moreover, this model is then used to find the optimal conditions to be applied during the blasting and the electropolishing in order to improve the surface roughness by roughly 60%

Contribution in the foot health status in elderly people based on the results of biomechanics gait analysis

Purpose: To examine the correlation between the gait biomechanic analysis, foot dynamometry movements and different variables about the foot health status in elderly people. Relevance: Exact knowledge of the biomechanics of foot-print using this tool, as well as the relationship with the function and health status of the foot are important for planning the rehabilitation of the musculo skeletal pathology of the foot. Participants: 22 participants over 60 years old were recruited for a physical activity program. Methods: The variables were about anthropometric characteristics, about general and foot health status by FHSQ questionnaire scores ( foot pain, foot function, participant shoes, general health, physical activity, social capacity and vigour), about biomechanic gait analysis ( maximum pressures retro, mid and front foot, pressures times, times to initiate and end supports, maximum average pressures) and about analogue dynamometry variables in differente foot movements. Analysis: We used Pearson’s linear correlation with 95% Zr and a multivariant correlation. We looked for simple and multiple regression models. Results: the Pearson´s linear correlation showed relationships between foot pain variable with ending support in mid right foot variable (r = 0.562), maximum average pressure in mid right foot (r = 0.424), maximum average time pressure in front right foot (r = 0.588) and first right foot finger flexion (r = 0.434). A multivariant correlation was performed using the foots physical components of the FHSQ questionnaire scores how to dependent variable (foot pain) and the most relevant independents variables; ending support in mid right foot, maximum average time pressure in front right foot, first right foot finger flexion (r2 = 0.484; p < 0.007). Conclusions: We determined a significant quantitative relationship between biomechanics gait analysis, right foot dynamometry movements and the foot health status.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Salarios en Argentina durante el siglo XX. Fuentes, Estado del arte y propuestas de agenda

La evolución y nivel de los salarios son elementos centrales en la historia económica. Permite acercarse a las condiciones de vida, desigualdad, distribución del ingreso, además de otros análisis posibles. En el caso de Argentina, las fuentes disponibles han permitido observar casi todo el siglo XX, con alguna limitación. Dados los cambios en las características políticas e ideológicas a lo largo del siglo, diferentes organizaciones relevaron los datos, con diversos objetivos y herramientas. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis de las series de salarios disponibles, describiendo su contrucción y uso, así como sus posibilidades y límites. En el marco de las nuevas agendas en historia económica, se sugerirán senderos de investigación  a futuro.La evolución y nivel de los salarios son elementos centrales en la historia económica. Su estudio permite acercarse a las condiciones de vida, desigualdad, distribución del ingreso, además de otros análisis posibles. En el caso de Argentina, las fuentes disponibles han permitido observar casi todo el siglo XX, con alguna limitación. Dados los cambios en las características políticas e ideológicas a lo largo del siglo, diferentes organizaciones relevaron los datos, con diversos objetivos y herramientas. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis de las series de salarios disponibles, describiendo su contrucción y uso, así como sus posibilidades y límites. En el marco de las nuevas agendas en historia económica, se sugerirán senderos de investigación  a futuro