Inflation Targeting and Growth: The Role of the Tradable Sector

This paper provides an analytical explanation to the empirical association between monetary policy conducted according to the inflation targeting (IT) framework and the appreciation of the exchange rate, relating it to the literature on the effects of the exchange rate on growth. A two sector small open economy model is developed in which the behavior of the non tradable inflation and the nominal exchange rate are analyzed. The results indicate that the response to inflation variance under the IT regime causes the appreciation trend. Since this trend is not reversed immediately, increasing returns in the tradable sector affect capital accumulation

Drawing the Horton Set in an Integer Grid of Minimum Size

In 1978 Erd\H os asked if every sufficiently large set of points in general position in the plane contains the vertices of a convex $k$-gon, with the additional property that no other point of the set lies in its interior. Shortly after, Horton provided a construction---which is now called the Horton set---with no such $7$-gon. In this paper we show that the Horton set of $n$ points can be realized with integer coordinates of absolute value at most $\frac{1}{2} n^{\frac{1}{2} \log (n/2)}$. We also show that any set of points with integer coordinates combinatorially equivalent (with the same order type) to the Horton set, contains a point with a coordinate of absolute value at least $c \cdot n^{\frac{1}{24}\log (n/2)}$, where $c$ is a positive constant

Development of a methodology for the submission of bids following the PMI guidelines

El presente estudio propone la formulación de una guía metodológica para la elaboración de licitaciones mediante los lineamientos del PMI. Para desarrollar esta metodología se tuvo en cuenta el marco normativo y teórico en el que se fundamenta la presentación de licitaciones, la gestión del alcance, tiempo, costos, calidad, recursos humanos, comunicaciones, riesgos, adquisiciones, interesados, junto con los factores de seguimiento, basado en los lineamientos del PMI, para presentar las propuestas de manera precisa, adecuada, impecable y eficiente. Se evidenció que el soporte primordial para la presentación de licitaciones es el de crear y ajustar adecuadamente los entregables, junto con el conocimiento del marco normativo, para así generar la lista de actividades y secuencias, establecer roles y responsabilidades, identificar riesgos y principales adquisiciones, asegurar las comunicaciones y la calidad, para finalmente asignar recursos y generar el presupuesto. Este artículo define el procedimiento para la presentación de licitaciones, basado en los fundamentos teóricos, normativos y la aplicación de buenas prácticas de manera estándar, organizada y sistémica. Es presentado como un instrumento y una guía que permita el armónico desarrollo y desenvolvimiento al momento de presentar una licitación, y de aumentar la probabilidad de éxito para ser adjudicatario de una licitación.This study presents the development of a methodology for the submission of bids following the PMI guidelines. To propose this methodology the theoretical and regulatory framework, the scope, time, costs, quality, human resources, communications, risks, acquisitions and stakeholders management, along with the monitoring factors, were considered and discussed under the PMI guidelines, for submitting the bid proposals in a precise, suitable, flawless and efficient manner. It is shown here that the essential basis for the submission of bids is the suitable creation and adjustment of deliverables, taking into account the regulatory framework, thereby generating the activities list, the sequence, establishing the roles and responsibilities, identifying the risks and major acquisitions, ensuring the communications and quality, to finally assign resources and calculate the budget. This article defines the procedure for the submission of bids, based on the theoretical, regulatory foundations and the implementation of good practices, in a standard, organized and systemic way. It is presented as a tool and a guideline for the submission of bids that allows a harmonious development and unfolding, therefore, increasing the probability of success of being awarded a bid

A Dynamic Factor Model for the Colombian Inflation

We use a dynamic factor model proposed by Stock and Watson [1998, 1999, 2002a,b] to forecast Colombian inflation. The model includes 92 monthly series observed over the period 1999:01-2008:06. The results show that for short-run horizons, factor model forecasts significantly outperformed the auto-regressive benchmark model in terms of the root mean squared forecast error statistic.Dynamic factor models, static factor models, forecast accuracy. Classification JEL: C13, C33, C53.

Molecular Beacons: Powerful Tools for Imaging RNA in Living Cells

Recent advances in RNA functional studies highlights the pivotal role of these molecules in cell physiology. Diverse methods have been implemented to measure the expression levels of various RNA species, using either purified RNA or fixed cells. Despite the fact that fixed cells offer the possibility to observe the spatial distribution of RNA, assays with capability to real-time monitoring RNA transport into living cells are needed to further understand the role of RNA dynamics in cellular functions. Molecular beacons (MBs) are stem-loop hairpin-structured oligonucleotides equipped with a fluorescence quencher at one end and a fluorescent dye (also called reporter or fluorophore) at the opposite end. This structure permits that MB in the absence of their target complementary sequence do not fluoresce. Upon binding to targets, MBs emit fluorescence, due to the spatial separation of the quencher and the reporter. Molecular beacons are promising probes for the development of RNA imaging techniques; nevertheless much work remains to be done in order to obtain a robust technology for imaging various RNA molecules together in real time and in living cells. The present work concentrates on the different requirements needed to use successfully MB for cellular studies, summarizing recent advances in this area

Limitations and pitfalls of the brain that prevent us from thinking

When we think or make decisions, we must not forget that there are several internal "pitfalls" that cause our brain to make decisions incorrectly. Many authors have written on various pitfalls that may affect us. In this paper, five of them are identified and they are: The use of patterns when thinking, the relativity of things, the anchor effect, loss aversion, value attribution and diagnosis bias

Segregaci?n socio-espacial urbana ; caso de la comuna seis del municipio de Ibagu? (Tolima)

186 p. Recurso Electr?nicoLa investigaci?n est? enmarcada bajo la l?nea de trabajo; Segregaci?n espacial en el contexto de la ciudad de Ibagu?, respectivamente en la comuna n?mero seis. Se propone en primera instancia una inmersi?n acad?mica, la cual sint?ticamente hace referencia en los aspectos enf?ticos durante la investigaci?n, para continuamente denotar los objetivos y el problema que aqueja dicho fen?meno en el contexto, determinando con pertinencia la orientaci?n de bases epist?micas, bajo el mando de los fundamentos te?ricos. Secularmente se propone un breve estado del arte, para continuamente sustentar los conceptos a trabajar en la investigaci?n con bases concretas. Dentro de la investigaci?n se intentaran determinar los mecanismos por los cuales se origina la diferenciaci?n social en nuestro pa?s de manera general, para posteriormente recaer a un plano local referenciado como Ibagu?, marcando una pauta inicial frente a generar un an?lisis acad?mico de forma precisa. Mediante la caracterizaci?n de la poblaci?n, y la elaboraci?n de elementos cartogr?ficos que evidencien la segregaci?n en el sector. Lo anterior mente estipulado, ha sido analizado bajo el ?rea de conocimiento desde las ciencias sociales aplicado al campo hist?rico y geogr?fico, sin desligar una propuesta curricular que permita la ense?anza de la segregaci?n espacial desde el campo de las ciencias sociales en b?sica secundaria y media. Finamente la pertinencia investigativa sobre la cual se fundamenta el presente P.I est? marcada bajo la l?nea de investigaci?n ense?abilidad e investigaci?n geogr?fica, apoyada en el grupo de investigaci?n Geopaideia. Palabras Clave: Desigualdad Social, Segregaci?n Socio-Espacial, Territorializaci?n, Uso del Suelo, Curr?culo.The research is framed under the line of work; spatial segregation in the context of the city of Ibagu?, respectively in commune numbers six. It is proposed in the first instance an academic immersion, which synthetically makes reference in the emphatic aspects during the investigation, to continually denote the objectives and the problem that afflicts this phenomenon in the context, determining with pertinence the orientation of epistemic bases under the command of the theoretical foundations. Secularly it proposes a brief state of the art, to continually sustain the concepts to work in the investigation with concrete bases. Within the research will try to determine the mechanisms by which social differentiation originates in our country in general, to later fall to a local level referenced as Ibagu?, marking an initial pattern versus generating a precise academic analysis. Through the characterization of the population, and the elaboration of cartographic elements that show the segregation in the sector. The above stipulated, has been analyzed under the area of knowledge from the social sciences applied to the historical and geographical field, without disconnecting a curricular proposal that allows the teaching of spatial segregation from the field of social sciences in secondary and secondary. Finally the investigative relevance on which this P.I is based is marked under the line of research teaching and geographic research, supported by the Geopaideia research group. Keywords: Social Inequality, Socio-Spatial Segregation, Territorialisation, Land Use, Curriculum

Teaching conceptions and approaches: do qualitative results support survey data?

This study examined preservice teachers’ teaching conceptions and approaches measured quantitatively and qualitatively in order to identify any convergence of findings. Additionally, any changes in conceptions and approaches towards a student- or teacher-centred orientation upon completion of a training course were compared. Method: Preservice teachers completed a scale on approaches to teaching and answered open-ended questions on teaching before and after an initial teacher training programme. Results and conclusions: Inconsistencies in the results suggest that research on teaching and learning should use a combination of techniques in order to ensure that phenomena are accurately examined so that appropriate educational decisions are made.This study examined preservice teachers’ teaching conceptions and approaches measured quantitatively and qualitatively in order to identify any convergence of findings. Additionally, any changes in conceptions and approaches towards a student- or teacher-centred orientation upon completion of a training course were compared. Method: Preservice teachers completed a scale on approaches to teaching and answered open-ended questions on teaching before and after an initial teacher training programme. Results and conclusions: Inconsistencies in the results suggest that research on teaching and learning should use a combination of techniques in order to ensure that phenomena are accurately examined so that appropriate educational decisions are made