The Johansen Test and the Transitivity Property

Sometimes two variables Y and Z are each cointegrated with another variable X, but Y and Z do not appear to be cointegrated with each other. This article provides a possible explanation why this might happen.cointegration

Impartició d'assignatures en anglès: una experipència a la Universitat Rovira i Virgili

En aquesta comunicació explicarem la nostra experiència docent a la facultat d’Economia i Empresa de la URV impartint assignatures en anglès, concretament les assignatures de Matemàtiques i Economia Internacional. Amb els nous plans d’estudis els estudiants han d’acreditar la competència del domini de l’anglès. Tenen diverses maneres de fer-ho i una d’elles és superar 12 crèdits d’assignatures impartides en anglès. Destaquem que en les assignatures que impartim utilitzem com a suport el llenguatge gràfic i simbòlic, que escrit és independent de la llengua i això fa que siguin assignatures més assequibles d’entrada per fer en anglès. No obstant, cal tenir present també la dificultat intrínseca d’aquestes assignatures més instrumentals o tècniques. Per aquest motiu els alumnes tenen diversos materials de suport a l’assignatura: apunts al campus virtual que poden consultar abans i després de les classes, articles i llibres de referència en anglès. Els alumnes de primer curs que puguin tenir algun problema amb l’idioma tenen també accés als apunts en català i la traducció del llibre bàsic de referència al castellà. Amb els tres anys d’experiència que tenim no podem extreure conclusions definitives sobre els resultats dels estudiants. Tot i que fins ara no hem observat una gran diferència amb els percentatges d’aprovats dels altres grups, el que sí podem dir és que el nombre d’alumnes que s’ha anat matriculant en aquests grups ha crescut significativament. Això ens indica que la iniciativa és bona. Per altra part, hem observat que aquests cursos han fet augmentar el nombre d’estudiants visitants estrangers (Erasmus) amb el que s’ha introduït una dimensió intercultural a classe molt enriquidora.Peer Reviewe

Disentangling the role of deviant letter position on cognate word processing

The datasets presented in this study can be found in online repositories. The names of the repository/repositories and accession number(s) can be found at: https://osf.io/mqhu5/?view_only=94cdf0d86e0b4e7e8b2757e33f6a78ce.The way of coding letter position has been extensively assessed during the recognition of native words, leading to the development of a new generation of models that assume more flexible letter position coding schemes compared to classical computational models such as the interactive activation (IA) model. However, determining whether similar letter position encoding mechanisms occur during the bilingual word recognition has been largely less explored despite its implications for the leading model of bilingual word recognition (multilink) as it assumes the input-coding scheme of the IA model. In this study, we aimed to examine this issue through the manipulation of the position of the deviant letter of cognate words (external and internal letters). Two experiments were conducted with Catalan-Spanish bilinguals (a masked priming lexical decision task and a two-alternative forced-choice task) and their respective monolingual controls. The results revealed a differential processing for the first letter in comparison to the other letters as well as modulations as a function of language cue, suggesting amendments to the input-coding scheme of the multilink model.This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Center (CIPsi/UM), School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653. This was been also funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (PCIN-2015-165-C02-02 and MINECO/FEDER), by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (RED2018-102615-T), and by the Research Promotion Program of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (2018PFR-URV-B2-32)

The role of emotionality in the acquisition of new concrete and abstract words

A processing advantage for emotional words relative to neutral words has been widely demonstrated in the monolingual domain (e.g., Kuperman et al., 2014). It is also well-known that, in bilingual speakers who have a certain degree of proficiency in their second language, the effects of the affective content of words on cognition are not restricted to the native language (e.g., Ferré et al., 2010). The aim of the present study was to test whether this facilitatory effect can also be obtained during the very early stages of word acquisition. In the context of a novel word learning paradigm, participants were trained on a set of Basque words by associating them to their Spanish translations. Words’ concreteness and affective valence were orthogonally manipulated. Immediately after the learning phase and 1 week later, participants were tested in a Basque go-no go lexical decision task as well as in a translation task in which they had to provide the Spanish translation of the Basque words. A similar pattern of results was found across tasks and sessions, revealing main effects of concreteness and emotional content as well as an interaction between both factors. Thus, the emotional content facilitated the acquisition of abstract, but not concrete words, in the new language, with a more reliable effect for negative words than for positive ones. The results are discussed in light of the embodied theoretical view of semantic representation proposed by Kousta et al. (2011)This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (PSI2012-37623 and PSI2012-32834). Besides, it was funded by FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) through the state budget, with reference IF/00784/2013/CP1158/CT0013S

Caracterització i estudi de procedència de l’alabastre del retaule de l’altar major de Poblet

S’ha realitzat la caracterització del material petri usat en l’execució del retaule de l’altar major de Poblet, esculpit en guix alabastrí, des dels punts de vista mineralògic, petrològic i geoquímic, mitjançant l’observació macroscòpica i microscòpica (microscòpia òptica de transmissió electrònica de rastreig) i la difracció de raigs X. Els resultats revelen que aquest alabastre és, en força àrees del retaule, de molt bona qualitat, si bé presenta abundants components que evidencien un descens en la seva puresa en algunes àrees. La caracterització geoquímica d’algunes mostres d’alabastre mitjançant l’estudi de les composicions isotòpiques del sofre i l’oxigen del sulfat del guix, ha permès recolzar analíticament la teoria coneguda documentalment sobre la procedència dels alabastres del retaule de l’altar major de Poblet de la zona de Sarra

Plasma homocysteine and vitamin B12 serum levels, red blood cell folate concentrations, C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation and risk of recurrent miscarriage: a case-control study in Spain.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation have been postulated as a possible cause of recurrent miscarriage (RM). There is a wide variation in the prevalence of MTHFR polymorphisms and homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels among populations around the world. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible association between hyperhomocysteinemia and its causative genetic or acquired factors and RM in Catalonia, a Mediterranean region in Spain. Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with ≥ 3 unexplained RM and 30 healthy control women having at least one child but no previous miscarriage were included. Plasma Hcy levels, MTHFR gene mutation, red blood cell (RBC) folate and vitamin B12 serum levels were measured in all subjects. Results: No significant differences were observed neither in plasma Hcy levels, RBC folate and vitamin B12 serum levels nor in the prevalence of homozygous and heterozygous MTHFR gene mutation between the two groups studied. Conclusions: In the present study RM is not associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, and/or the MTHFR gene mutation

Nitrous oxide reduction in wastewater treatment plants by the regulation of the internal recirculation flow rate with a fuzzy controller

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABThe reduction of greenhouse gas emissions due to anthropogenic causes is one of the world's main challenges to face climate change. Wastewater treatment plants are necessary to improve the quality of wastewater before it is discharged into the receiving environment, but they have the disadvantage of generating nitrous oxide emissions during the biological treatment, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Avoiding partial nitrification by increasing dissolved oxygen is one of the ways to reduce these emissions. However, this article proposes to face a reduction of nitrous oxide emissions by reducing oxygen to minimum levels causing heterotrophic microorganisms to reduce nitrous oxide to dinitrogen. To achieve this objective, the present work proposes a regulation of the internal recirculation flow rate of the biological treatment by means of a fuzzy controller. This regulation is added to a usual control strategy in wastewater treatment plants, which achieves satisfactory results with respect to water quality and operational costs but that generates high nitrous oxide emissions. The Benchmark Simulation Model no. 2 Gas is used as working scenario, which includes the two main nitrous oxide emission pathways: heterotrophic denitrification and ammonia oxidizing bacteria denitrification. The proposed internal recirculation manipulation is shown to achieve nitrous oxide reductions of 26.70 and 30.83 % in different time periods with a slight effluent quality improvement and an operational cost reduction

A multi-centre, randomized, 3-month study to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone app to increase caregiver's positive mental health

Background: To assess the effectiveness of a smartphone app-based intervention compared to a regular intervention of caregivers in primary health care institutions. The intervention is aimed at increasing positive mental health and decreasing caregiver's burden. Methods/design: Randomized and controlled trial with an experimental group and a control group. Subjects: 108 caregivers over 18, with a minimum of 4 months of experience as caregivers. Description of the intervention: an intervention with a smartphone app (n = 54) or a regular intervention for caregivers (n = 54). Each caregiver installs a smartphone app and uses it for 28 days. This app offers them a daily activity (Monday-Friday). These activities are related to the Decalogue of Positive Mental Health, which was designed ad hoc by a group of experts. The outcomes will be the score of caregiver burden, the positive mental health and participant satisfaction. These results will be assessed after the first, third and sixth month. Discussion: The results of this study will offer evidence of the effectiveness of an intervention using a free smartphone app. If its effectiveness is proven and the results are acceptable, this could lead to a rethinking of the intervention offered to caregivers in primary care

Dones, trajectòries de vida i noves ruralitats

En el marc d'un cert retorn al camp per part d'alguns col·lectius i en determinats territoris, dones formades s'instal·len en aquests entorns rurals i des de la seva posició contribueixen a construir la ruralitat actual. Aquest és un fenomen nou a diverses àrees rurals d'Espanya i d'Europa i frena la tendència d'un procés sostingut de despoblament rural selectiu quant a edat i gènere que ha afectat negativament les dones joves. Aquest article pretén donar a conèixer la trajectòria de vida d'algunes dones de Catalunya i Galícia que han decidit viure en entorns rurals i que resideixen al mateix municipi, comarca o província on van néixer. Ens interessa saber què els ha portat a viure al món rural i si aquesta permanència o tornada al lloc d'origen té a veure amb motius familiars, laborals o socioambientals que puguin il·lustrar la tendència d'aquestes noves ruralitats. De forma expressa, relacionem la seva trajectòria de mobilitat residencial amb el nivell d'estudis i l'ocupació laboral. L'estudi constata que els aspectes socioambientals i emocionals són importants en el retorn i corrobora que, amb igualtat de formació acadèmica, hi ha diferències d'oportunitats segons el grau de ruralitat.En el marco de un cierto retorno al campo por parte de algunos colectivos y en determinados territorios, mujeres formadas se instalan en el medio rural y desde su posición contribuyen a construir la ruralidad actual. Este es un fenómeno nuevo en diversas áreas rurales de España y Europa que frena la tendencia de un proceso sostenido de despoblamiento rural selectivo en cuanto a la edad y al género que ha afectado negativamente a las mujeres jóvenes. Este artículo pretende dar a conocer la trayectoria de vida de algunas mujeres de Cataluña y Galicia que han decidido vivir en entornos rurales y que residen en el mismo municipio, comarca o provincia donde nacieron. Nos interesa saber qué las ha llevado a vivir en el medio rural y si esta permanencia o vuelta al lugar de origen se relaciona con motivos familiares, laborales o socioambientales que puedan ilustrar la tendencia de las nuevas ruralidades. De forma expresa, relacionamos la trayectoria de movilidad residencial de las mujeres con su nivel de estudios y la ocupación laboral. El estudio constata que los aspectos socioambientales y emocionales son importantes en el retorno y corrobora que, con igualdad de formación académica, hay diferencias de oportunidades según el grado de ruralidad.Dans le cadre d'un certain retour au champ de la part de certains groupes et sur des territoires déterminés, des femmes formées s'installent en milieu rural et contribuent depuis leur position à bâtir la ruralité actuelle. Il s'agit d'un phénomène nouveau dans plusieurs zones rurales de l'Espagne et de l'Europe qui freine la tendance d'un processus soutenu de dépeuplement rural sélectif en ce qui concerne l'âge et le genre et qui a négativement affecté les femmes jeunes. Cet article souhaite faire connaître la trajectoire de vie de quelques femmes de la Catalogne et de la Galice qui ont décidé d'habiter dans des environnements ruraux et qui résident dans la même commune, région ou province où elles sont nées. Nous cherchons à savoir ce qui les a amenées à vivre dans un milieu rural et si cette permanence ou retour au lieu d'origine est liée à des motifs familiaux, professionnels ou socio-environnementaux qui puissent illustrer la tendance des nouvelles ruralités. Nous associons expressément la trajectoire de mobilité résidentielle des femmes avec leur niveau d'études et leur profession. L'étude constate que les aspects socio-environnementaux et émotionnels sont importants dans ce retour et ce qui confirme que, à avec une formation académique similaire, il existe des différences d'opportunités selon le degré de ruralité.In the context of a certain 'back to the countryside' move on the part of certain groups and in specific geographic areas, educated women are settling in the rural environment and from this position are helping to build the new rurality. This is a new phenomenon, seen in several rural areas of Spain and other countries in Europe, which is slowing down a sustained process of rural depopulation, selective in terms of age and gender, that has negatively affected young women. This article aims to illustrate the life journeys of some women from Catalonia and Galicia who have made the choice to live in rural areas, in the same municipality, county or province where they were born. Our aim is to ascertain, first, what factors have led them to live in the rural environment and, second, whether their return to their place of origin is related to family, work or social and environmental reasons, which could give us an insight into the way in which the new ruralities are being shaped. We explicitly relate women's paths of residential mobility to their level of education and their occupation. The study reveals that socio-environmental and emotional factors are important in the desire to return and it indicates that, given equal educational backgrounds, there are differences in opportunities depending on the degree of rurality of the different areas

A multiplier peroxiporin signal transduction pathway powers piscine spermatozoa

Article publicat sota una PNAS license: https://www.pnas.org/authors/fees-and-licenses#license-to-publishThe primary task of a spermatozoon is to deliver its nuclear payload to the egg to form the next-generation zygote. With polyandry repeatedly evolving in the animal kingdom, however, sperm competition has become widespread, with the highest known intensities occurring in fish. Yet, the molecular controls regulating spermatozoon swimming performance in these organisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that the kinematic properties of postactivated piscine spermatozoa are regulated through a conserved trafficking mechanism whereby a peroxiporin ortholog of mammalian aquaporin-8 (Aqp8bb) is inserted into the inner mitochondrial membrane to facilitate H2O2 efflux in order to maintain ATP production. In teleosts from more ancestral lineages, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), in which spermatozoa are activated in freshwater, an intracellular Ca2+ -signaling directly regulates this mechanism through monophosphorylation of the Aqp8bb N-terminus. In contrast, in more recently evolved marine teleosts, such the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), in which spermatozoa activation occurs in seawater, a cross-talk between Ca2+ - and oxidative stress-activated pathways generate a multiplier regulation of channel trafficking via dual N-terminal phosphorylation. These findings reveal that teleost spermatozoa evolved increasingly sophisticated detoxification pathways to maintain swimming performance under a high osmotic stress, and provide insight into molecular traits that are advantageous for postcopulatory sexual selection