Return to Tourist Destination. Is it Reputation, After All?

In this paper we study the hypothesis that the repeated purchases in the tourism markets could be considered as a consequence of asymmetrical information problems. We analyze this hypothesis with the case study of the Island of Tenerife by the estimation of a count data model. We obtain that the length of the stay and the information obtained from previous visits and/or relatives and friends might increase the return to a destination suggesting the presence of a reputation mechanism as proposed by Shapiro (1983). We also estimate the determinants of the willingness to return confirming the main results.reputation, tourism, count data, logit

Phase retrieval from experimental far-field intensity data

Contiene: Fórmulas y 5 ilustraciones.We demonstrate the reconstruction of real and positive objects from experimental far-field intensity measurements by means of two phase-retrieval algorithms. Both the iterative Fourier transform and the simulated annealing algorithms are used, and an analysis is made of the advantages and disadvantages of each of these procedures and also of combinations of both methods. The objects tested either were binary or had many gray levels. We worked with data with a considerable amount of experimental noise, and in addition we recognized the importance of taking into account the nonrandom distortions produced by the detecting devices, which can critically bias the results toward erroneous estimates of the objects. Noisy data, however, can create ambiguities in the reconstructions, and hence additional information may be needed to overcome this disadvantage.Supported by the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia of Spain under grant pbO278. M. J. Pérez-Ilzarbe acknowledges a grant from Ministerio de Educaci6n y Ciencia - This paper was published in Journal of the Optical Society of America A, and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI=josaa-7-3-434. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.Peer reviewe

Redox-dependent and redox-independent functions of Caenorhabditis elegans thioredoxin 1

Thioredoxins (TRX) are traditionally considered as enzymes catalyzing redox reactions. However, redox-independent functions of thioredoxins have been described in different organisms, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet unknown. We report here the characterization of the first generated endogenous redox-inactive thioredoxin in an animal model, the TRX-1 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that TRX-1 dually regulates the formation of an endurance larval stage (dauer) by interacting with the insulin pathway in a redox-independent manner and the cGMP pathway in a redox-dependent manner. Moreover, the requirement of TRX-1 for the extended longevity of worms with compromised insulin signalling or under calorie restriction relies on TRX-1 redox activity. In contrast, the nuclear translocation of the SKN-1 transcription factor and increased LIPS-6 protein levels in the intestine upon trx-1 deficiency are strictly redox-independent. Finally, we identify a novel function of C. elegans TRX-1 in male food-leaving behaviour that is redox-dependent. Taken together, our results position C. elegans as an ideal model to gain mechanistic insight into the redox-independent functions of metazoan thioredoxins, overcoming the limitations imposed by the embryonic lethal phenotypes of thioredoxin mutants in higher organisms.NIH Office of Research Infrastructure P40 OD010440Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness BFU2015- 64408-PFondo Social Europeo BFU2015- 64408-PNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health R01AI07640

Engineered microenvironments for synergistic VEGF - integrin signalling during vascularization

We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability of critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth factor binding (FNIII12-14) and integrin binding (FNIII9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled on PEA. This material platform promotes synergistic integrin/VEGF signalling which is highly effective for vascularization events in vitro with low concentrations of VEGF. VEGF specifically binds to FN fibrils on PEA compared to control polymers (poly(methyl acrylate), PMA) where FN remains in a globular conformation and integrin/GF binding domains are not simultaneously available. The vasculogenic response of human endothelial cells seeded on these synergistic interfaces (VEGF bound to FN assembled on PEA) was significantly improved compared to soluble administration of VEGF at higher doses. Early onset of VEGF signalling (PLCγ1 phosphorylation) and both integrin and VEGF signalling (ERK1/2 phosphorylation) were increased only when VEGF was bound to FN nanonetworks on PEA, while soluble VEGF did not influence early signalling. Experiments with mutant FN molecules with impaired integrin binding site (FN-RGE) confirmed the role of the integrin binding site of FN on the vasculogenic response via combined integrin/VEGF signalling. In vivo experiments using 3D scaffolds coated with FN and VEGF implanted in the murine fat pad demonstrated pro-vascularization signalling by enhanced formation of new tissue inside scaffold pores. PEA-driven organization of FN promotes efficient presentation of VEGF to promote vascularization in regenerative medicine applications

Empleo de tres constelaciones de viviendas para innovar dentro del aula de dibujo

[EN] This text presents the findings resulting from a teaching innovation experience that begins in the 2021-2022 academic year, continues in 2022-2023 and extends in 2023-2024. The experiment, carried out during the fourth semester of the degree in fundamentals of architecture at the University of Alicante and through an architectural drawing subject, consists of blurring the boundaries between the profession and the academic world through the collaboration of the intervening agents, namely students, teachers and Spanish architects of recognized prestige. Thus, starting from a series of meetings and interactive intersections in the form of conferences, round tables and interviews, a working methodology is proposed in which the student, aware of his active role in understanding and interpreting the graphic, has the opportunity to synthesize the skills and abilities acquired in a format that, although exclusively graphic, in most cases exceeds the starting content. Three housing constellations, one per academic year, will be the vehicle to put into play constant self-evaluation, active participation, the search for radicality or conscious innovation by the aforementioned agents. Always around an element common to all contexts: the image.[ES] El presente texto expone los hallazgos resultados de una experiencia de innovación docente que se inaugura en el curso académico 2021-2022, continúa en el 2022-2023 y se extiende en el 2023-2024. El experimento, realizado durante el cuarto semestre del grado en fundamentos de la arquitectura de la Universidad de Alicante y a través de una asignatura de dibujo arquitectónico, consiste en difuminar los límites entre la profesión y el mundo académico mediante la colaboración de los agentes intervinientes, a saber, discentes, docentes y arquitectas y arquitectos españoles de reconocido prestigio. Así, partiendo de una serie de encuentros e intersecciones interactivas en forma de conferencias, mesas redondas y entrevistas, se propone una metodología de trabajo en la que el discente, consciente de su papel activo a la hora de comprender e interpretar lo gráfico, tiene la oportunidad de sintetizar las competencias y capacidades adquiridas en un formato que, aunque exclusivamente gráfico, en la mayoría de los casos excede los contenidos de partida. Tres constelaciones de viviendas, una por curso académico, serán el vehículo para poner en juego la constante autoevaluación, la participación activa, la búsqueda de la radicalidad o la consciente innovación por parte de los citados agentes. Siempre en torno a un elemento común a todos los contextos: la imagen.Navarro Jover, L.; Juan Gutiérrez, PJ.; López Ujaque, JM. (2023). Use of three housing constellations to innovate within the drawing classroom. EGE Revista de Expresión Gráfica en la Edificación. (19):37-50. https://doi.org/10.4995/ege.2023.2070337501

Exploiting graphic processing units parallelism to improve intelligent data acquisition system performance in JET's correlation reflectometer

The performance of intelligent data acquisition systems relies heavily on their processing capabilities and local bus bandwidth, especially in applications with high sample rates or high number of channels. This is the case of the self adaptive sampling rate data acquisition system installed as a pilot experiment in KG8B correlation reflectometer at JET. The system, which is based on the ITMS platform, continuously adapts the sample rate during the acquisition depending on the signal bandwidth. In order to do so it must transfer acquired data to a memory buffer in the host processor and run heavy computational algorithms for each data block. The processing capabilities of the host CPU and the bandwidth of the PXI bus limit the maximum sample rate that can be achieved, therefore limiting the maximum bandwidth of the phenomena that can be studied. Graphic processing units (GPU) are becoming an alternative for speeding up compute intensive kernels of scientific, imaging and simulation applications. However, integrating this technology into data acquisition systems is not a straight forward step, not to mention exploiting their parallelism efficiently. This paper discusses the use of GPUs with new high speed data bus interfaces to improve the performance of the self adaptive sampling rate data acquisition system installed on JET. Integration issues are discussed and performance evaluations are presente

Early detection of learning difficulties using the BADyG-E2r Battery during primary education

The aim of the present study was to assess the predictive capacity of several of the most relevant cognitive skills in the academic field that were evaluated using Differential and General Skills Battery(BADyG-E2r). Particular attention was focused on the variables that need to be overcome regarding the curricular objectives related to pass/fail grading as evaluated by the teachers in the instrumental disciplines of Mathematics and Language. The psychometric battery was applied to the 3rd year students in primary education (a total of 512 students) at 4 public schools that were randomly selected in the province of Alicante (Spain). A follow-up of their academic evolution was under taken until the end of primary education. The obtained results show that high scores in Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Verbal Syllogisms positively and significantly predict academic success at the end of primary education in the subjects of Language and Mathematics

Regímenes cambiarios de iure y de facto. El caso de la peseta/dólar, 1965-1998

En este trabajo se aplican tres procedimientos estadísticos alternativos al tipo de cambio peseta/dólar norteamericano, con el objetivo de conocer el verdadero régimen cambiario al que estuvo sujeto durante el período 1965-1998. El estudio toma la perspectiva que señala la divergencia entre regímenes cambiario de facto y de iure. Los resultados indican que la peseta, al igual que otras monedas, no exhibió el régimen flotante que de iure tenía en relación al dólar durante las tres últimas décadas de su existencia. Por el contrario, el tipo de cambio peseta/dólar se movió dentro de un corredor más bien estrecho en dichos años.In this paper we apply three different statistical procedures to the peseta/dollar exchange rate with the aim of discovering the true foreign exchange regime followed by the monetary authorities during the 1965-1998 period. The study´s perspective emphasizes the divergence between de jure and de facto exchange regimes. The results seem to imply that the peseta, as well as other currencies, did not exhibit the floating regime that de jure had in relation to the US dollar in the last three decades of its existence. On the contrary, the peseta/dollar exchange rate moved within rather narrow fluctuation bands during those years.Apoyo financiero del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Plan Nacional I+D: SEJ-2005 09094/ECON)Publicad

Evaluating Urban Regeneration Policies. Methodological Proposal to Delimitate Experimental and Equivalent Urban Areas

El presente artículo presenta una propuesta metodológica para la delimitación de áreas territoriales aplicando una estrategia de corte cuasi-experimental, comparando las áreas en las que se ha desarrollado algún proyecto de regeneración urbana llamadas “áreas experimentales” con otras similares en las que no se ha desarrollado ningún proyecto, denominadas “áreas equivalentes”. Esta metodología es el paso previo necesario para el análisis de los efectos de los programas de regeneración urbana, que permitirá posteriormente comparar la evolución en el tiempo de pares semejantes entre sí (área experimental y área equivalente). En primer lugar, se explica el objetivo que subyace a la delimitación de estas áreas territoriales. En segundo lugar, se describe la metodología utilizada para seleccionar las áreas equivalentes. En tercer lugar, se presentan los resultados, esto es, la delimitación de áreas experimentales y equivalentes. . Por último, mediante procedimientos estadísticos concretos, análisis de varianza o ANOVA de un factor, se validan los resultados obtenidos. El trabajo se centra en las ciudades andaluzas de más de 100 mil habitantes en las que se han ejecutado proyectos de regeneración urbana.This article analyses a methodological proposal for the delimitation of territorial areas applying a quasi-experimental strategy, comparing areas where projects have been developed based in urban regeneration called “experimental areas” with similar ones without any project, called “equivalent areas”. This methodology is a necessary previous step to analyze the effect of programs about urban regeneration, which will allow subsequently to compare the evolution of similar pairs among themselves (experimental and equivalent areas). Firstly, we explain the underlying objective of delimitation in these territorial areas. Secondly, the methodology used to select the equivalent areas is described. Thirdly, the results are presented, it means, the delimitation of experimental and equivalent areas. Finally, through means of specific statistical procedures, analysis of variance or ANOVA of a factor, the obtained results are validated. The work is focused on Andalusian cities with a population over 100.000 inhabitants in which urban regeneration projects have been implemented.Consejería de Fomento y Vivienda de la Junta de Andalucía GGI30011/DIYFEDER GGI30011/DI