Asymmetric adjustment between oil prices and exchange rates : empirical evidence from major oil producers and consumers

This paper investigates the long-run relationship and asymmetric adjustment between the real oil prices and the real bilateral exchange rates of twelve major oil producers and consumers in the world. It uses threshold autoregressive, TAR, and momentum threshold autoregressive, M-TAR models. The data-set used is monthly series that covers 1970:01–2012:01. The results reveal the existence of cointegration in six of the twelve countries studied and cointegration and asymmetric adjustment in four countries of which Brazil, Nigeria and the UK show higher adjustment after a positive shock than after a negative shock while the Eurozone shows the opposite behaviour

Structural Failure of the Cohesive Core of Rockfill Dams: An Experimental Research Using Sand-Bentonite Mixtures

This article presents experimental research focusing on the structural failure of the central core of a rockfill dam using sand-bentonite mixtures. It comprised an extensive geotechnical characterization of soil materials and mixtures, including compaction and strength tests, as well as the construction of 1 m high and 1.5 m wide physical models. The displacements of the cohesive cores were recorded using a tailored measuring system, based on a laser pointer and a mirror, designed to amplify the real displacements. The cohesive cores were extremely sensitive to small oscillations and behaved as rigid bodies, similar to concrete slabs with three fixed sides and another free. The shape and dimensions of the breach formed on the cohesive cores had roughly the same shape and dimensions as the unprotected area. This experimental research has the potential to be used as validation tool for several models available in the literature to predict the failure of embankment dams

Desarrollo de nuevos hidrogeles ELR con injertos de péptidos de la laminina mediante la tecnología Click para su aplicación en regeneración tisular

El presente trabajo de Fin de Máster se centra en la obtención de materiales inteligentes como son los hidrogeles formados con biopolímeros basados en recombinámeros tipo elastina (ELRs), con la inclusión de secuencias específicas de péptidos de la laminina, que brindan a los hidrogeles una capacidad instructiva que mejora sus características fisicoquímicas y biológicas para que estos puedan ser usados en posibles aplicaciones biomédicas. Más concretamente, se explica el proceso de modificación química para la obtención del biopolímero VKV modificado con el grupo ciclooctino (VKV-cc) y el biopolímero SKS modificado con el grupo azida (SKS-N3) y la formación de hidrogeles utilizando la metodología click. Asimismo, se detalla el proceso de síntesis en fase sólida (SPPS) de la secuencia de los péptidos AASIKVAVSADR (péptido 1) y PPFLMLLKGSTR (péptido 2) usados posteriormente como nuevos dominios bioactivos injertados en hidrogeles formados por los recombinámeros VKV-cc y SKS-N3. Además, se incluye la caracterización de la unión del polímero VKV-cc con un número creciente de péptidos (VKV-cc-péptido) por técnicas de H-RMN, MALDI-ToF, análisis de aminoácidos y análisis elemental, así como la formación de hidrogeles con los recombinámeros VKV-cc-péptidos - SKS-N3 y el estudio reológico de las propiedades viscoelásticas de dichos hidrogeles. Por último, se realizó una evaluación de la biocompatibilidad de estos nuevos hidrogeles que incluyen péptidos de la laminina por medio de la actividad metabólica con un ensayo in vitro con queratinocitos inmortalizados humanos (HaCaT). Gracias a los resultados de los distintos estudios realizados se pudo concluir que estos biomateriales inteligentes presentan una gran versatilidad y eficiencia y su gran potencial para ser desarrollados y aplicados en la medicina regenerativa.This Master's Thesis focuses on obtaining intelligent materials such as hydrogels formed with biopolymers based on elastin-type recombinamers (ELRs), with the inclusion of specific sequences of laminin peptides, which provide hydrogels with a instructive that improves their physicochemical and biological characteristics so that they can be used in possible biomedical applications. More specifically, the chemical modification process for obtaining the VKV biopolymer modified with the cyclooctyne group (VKV-cc) and the SKS biopolymer modified with the azide group (SKS-N3) and the formation of hydrogels using the "click" methodology is explained. Likewise, the solid phase synthesis process (SPPS) of the sequence of the peptides AASIKVAVSADR (peptide 1) and PPFLMLLKGSTR (peptide 2) used as new inclusions in hydrogels formed by the biopolymers VKV-cc and SKS-N3 is detailed. In addition, the characterization of the biopolymers at three concentrations of the peptide (VKV-cc-peptide) and the SKS-N3 biopolymer by H-NMR techniques, MALDI-ToF, amino acid analysis, elemental analysis, and rheological study of the Viscoelastic properties of VKV-cc-peptide/SKS-N3 hydrogels. Finally, an evaluation of the biocompatibility of these new hydrogels that include laminin peptides was carried out with an in vitro assay with human immortalized keratinocytes ("HaCat") to verify the cellular metabolic activity on them. Thanks to the results of the different studies carried out, it was possible to conclude that these intelligent biomaterials have great versatility and efficiency and their great potential to be developed and applied in regenerative medicine.Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Cristalografía y MineralogíaMáster en Físic

Identificación de un establecimiento de producción porcina infectado con Brucella suis a partir de un caso clínico de brucelosis humana en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

En este trabajo reportamos un caso de brucelosis humana ocasionada por Brucella suis en una persona que trabajaba en un establecimiento de producción porcina en pequeña escala. La granja no tenía antecedentes de la enfermedad y los animales no registraban signos clínicos al ser examinados. Se obtuvieron muestras de suero de todos los padrillos (n=3), de 16/22 chanchas y 9/25 cachorras y se analizaron mediante las técnicas de aglutinación rápida en placa con antígeno tamponado (BPA) y Rosa de Bengala (RB) y Polarización de la Fluorescencia (FPA). Muestras de tejido de un padrillo y de una hembra serológicamente positivos fueron analizadas por cultivo bacteriológico y por la técnica de Inmunofluorescencia Directa (IFD). Se detectaron anticuerpos específicos en el 53% de los cerdos adultos (10/19), mientras que todas las cachorras fueron seronegativas. Se aisló B. suis biovar 1 de un padrillo. En contraste, la bacteria no fue aislada en ninguno de los tejidos de la cerda seropositiva aunque sí se detectó la bacteria mediante IFD. A partir de los datos bacteriológicos y serológicos se evidencia la presencia de una infección endémica por B. suis. Asimismo, teniendo en cuenta la falta de medidas de prevención y de bioseguridad se concluye que la persona probablemente adquirió la enfermedad por contacto directo con los animales infectados o con el ambiente contaminado con la bacteria.Here we report a case of human brucellosis due to Brucella suis in a person who worked in a small-scale pig farm. The farm had no history of clinical brucellosis, and signs of the disease were not observed upon clinical examination of the animals. Serum from all the 3 boars, 16/22 sows and 9/25 gilts was obtained for serological examination by Buffered Plate Agglutination Test (BPAT), Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Fluorescent Polarization Assay (FPA). Bacteriological culture and Direct Fluorescence Antibody Test (DFAT) were performed in tissue samples from a seropositive boar and a sow. Specific antibodies were detected in 53 % (10/19) adult pigs, while all sampled gilts were seronegative. B. suis biovar 1 was isolated from one boar. In contrast, while the bacterium was not isolated from any tissue from a seropositive sow, it was detected by DFAT. From the bacteriological and serological evidence of B. suis endemic infection in the pig farm and the lack of preventive measures and biosecurity practices, it is concluded that the person most likely acquired the disease from the infected animals or by contact with contaminated environment in the farm.Fil: Bence, Angel Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Análisis Bioquímicos y Minerales; ArgentinaFil: Moran, María Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Cacciato, Claudio Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Soto, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Gutiérrez, Silvina Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Estein, Silvia Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentin

The service delivery process : An examination of how consumers evaluate technology-assisted service encounters in the retail banking industry

This study examined consumers\u27 perceptions post-adoption of technology and how these perceptions affect their levels of dis/satisfaction and their continued use of technology·assisted service encounters. To this end, this study investigated the criteria that consumers in Western Australia\u27s retail banking industry are likely to use when evaluating banking transactions involving EFTPOS, ATM, telephone, and Online banking modes. II examined whether these criteria changed with the mode of electronic banking in use and whether the significance of the criteria changed with consumers\u27 demographic characteristics. In addition, this study explored whether consumers who use these modes of electronic banking experience the paradoxes of technology adoption identified by Mick and Foumier (1998). Previous studies have shown that when evaluating the quality of services provided by organizations and their levels of dis/satisfaction with these services. Consumers are likely to base their judgements on their perceptions of the service delivery process (Lehtinen & Lehtinen, 1982; Brogowicz, Delene, & Lyth, 1990; Dllllllher & Mattsson, 1994; Danaher & Mattsson, 1998; Gronroos, 1998; Swam:, 1998). In particular, the studies have shown that the most significant element of the service delivery process is personal contact, that Is the interactions between organisations\u27 personnel and their customers (Sclmeider & Bowen, 1985; LeBIIUic & Nguyen, 1988; Parasuraman, Zeithaml, & Beny, 198fl; Howcroft, 1993; Donner & Dudley, 1997; Nichols, Gilbert, & Roslow, 1998; Tan, Beaumont, \u26 Freeman, 1999; Gabbott & Hogg, 2000). However, technological advancements have meant that some service organisations have changed their service delivery processes by substituting contact personnel with service delivery technologies. Consequently, consumers have been producing and delivering services for themselves by interacting with the service delivery technologies that are available (Bancel-charensol, 1999). Researchers assert that changing the characteristics of the service delivery process can result in changes in how consumers evaluate the quality of services provided by organisations and how they assess their resulting levels of dis/satisfaction (Chase, 1978; Lovelock & Young, 1979; Gronroos, 1984; Zeithaml, Parasuraman, & Beny, 1990). As such, this study examined the effects that retail banking technologies have on consumers\u27 evaluations of the service encounter and how these evaluations translate into usage patterns. Data were collected using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The minimum of the qualitative phase of the study was to identify the criteria that consumers are likely to use when evaluating their technology-based banking transactions and the paradoxes of technology adoption that they are likely to experience. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with consumers who reported they use at least one of the four modes of electronic banking. The interviews were tape-recorded and analysed using N.U.D.I.S.T. software. The second phase of the study examined consumers\u27 opinions towards relevant criteria identified in the qualitative phase and the effect these criteria have on consumers\u27 use of the four modes of el«1ronic banking. Data for this stage were collected through a mail survey questionnaire that was mailed out to a sample of 1700 Western Australians. In total, 453 useable questionnaires were returned. The data were imported into SPSS v. 10 and analysed using non-parametric statistics. This study showed that consumers are likely to evaluate their electronic banking service encounters on the basis of perceived convenience, transaction aids available, and perceived risk. The findings also indicate that these criteria have sub dimensions. Perceived convenience relates to the perceived ease of transactions, perceived speed of transactions, and accessibility to consumers\u27 transaction accounts from different locations and beyond the bank\u27s traditional operating hours. The transaction aids include the voice prompts available with telephone banking and the visual cues available with Online banking. Perceived risk dimensions include psychological, performance, financial, and physical risks. The present study also showed that some criteria have a greater effect on consumers\u27 use of some modes of electronic banking than others. For instance, in regards to voice prompts, psychological and performance risks appeared to have an effect on the number of tell-phone banking transactions consumers are likely to conduct. Consumers who use electronic banking can experience six of the eight paradoxes of technology adoption identified by Mick and Fournier (199g): freedom/enslavement, control/chaos, engaging/disengaging, efficiency/inefficiency, fulfils/create needs, and competence/incompetence. The findings showed that in most case one side of the paradox dominates. It appears that existing theories, instruments, and techniques of evaluating the service encounter need to be adapted to be applicable to technology-assisted service encounter;. Specifically, these theories, instruments, and techniques need to minimise or exclude elements that require consumers to evaluate their interactions with and perceptions of organisations\u27 customer service personnel and replace them with dimensions relating to consumers’ interactions with the technologies that facilitate the service delivery process. However, an exception needs to be made for technology-assisted service encounters conducted using the telephone because in these service encounters consumers can access organisations\u27 customer service representatives, The findings were used to propose the TASE (technology-assisted service encounters) model, which includes items relating to the three main dimensions of perceived convenience, transaction aids, and perceived risk. The TASE model can be adapted and used to measure consumers’ evaluation of the service delivery processes of organisations in various service industries. The findings of this study have significant managerial applications. Organisations can use these findings to assess the viability of commercial technologies that they intend to implement by examining consumers\u27 perceptions of new technologies based on the relevant criteria and paradoxes identified in this study. In addition, organizations can use these findings to develop promotional strategies that address consumers\u27 concerns about using technology-based service delivery options in order to encourage them to participate more in the service delivery process. In addition the proposed T ASE model can be used to develop an instrument for measuring consumers\u27 levels of dis/satisfaction with technology-based service encounters in general

Educación inclusiva y TIC: Sistemas de barrido ocular para alumnado con parálisis cerebral en Educación Primaria: Inclusive education and ICT: Eye-tracking systems for students with cerebral palsy in Primary Education

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are an essential tool for achieving inclusive education. We present a research that studies one of the two cases in Spain of a 1st grade primary school student with cerebral palsy with spasticity, who only has ocular muscle control. Alternatives have been sought to access the curriculum on an equal opportunity basis, using eye-tracking devices, augmentative communication systems, and ICT. The results advance the adequate inclusion process that demonstrates presence, participation and learning among equals. In addition, good results in learning qualifications are guaranteed. To access the curriculum, only access adaptations have been made, not significant adaptations.  Resumen: El uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) como herramienta de acceso al currículo, supone uno de los grandes avances para alcanzar una educación más inclusiva. Se presenta el estudio de uno de los dos casos en España, que explora la implementación y el proceso llevado a cabo en un centro educativo para  hacer efectiva la inclusión educativa de una alumna de 1º curso de Educación Primaria que presenta parálisis cerebral con predominio espástico, lo que supone una dificultad en el control muscular, siendo solo este controlado de manera ocular, por lo que se han buscado alternativas para su acceso al currículo a través del uso de dispositivos de barrido ocular, sistemas aumentativos de comunicación y TIC. Los resultados avanzan la idoneidad del proceso de inclusión que supone la presencia, participación y aprendizaje en igualdad de oportunidades y los óptimos resultados de aprendizaje utilizando en exclusiva adaptaciones de acceso al currículo oficial. Palabras clave: Barrido ocular, comunicación aumentativa, educación inclusiva, inclusión, parálisis cerebral, TIC.   Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are an essential tool for achieving inclusive education. We present a research that studies one of the two cases in Spain of a 1st grade primary school student with cerebral palsy with spasticity, who only has ocular muscle control. Alternatives have been sought to access the curriculum on an equal opportunity basis, using eye-tracking devices, augmentative communication systems, and ICT. The results advance the adequate inclusion process that demonstrates presence, participation and learning among equals. In addition, good results in learning qualifications are guaranteed. To access the curriculum, only access adaptations have been made, not significant adaptations. Key words: Eye-tracking, augmentative communication, inclusive education, inclusion, cerebral palsy, ICT

Percepción de los usuarios sobre la calidad de atención que reciben en el Centro de Salud nº 34 de la Villa Potrerillos, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza durante el segundo semestre de 2018

Desde hace décadas, la calidad de la salud se ha convertido en una de las mayores preocupaciones de las instituciones de salud, que tratan de optimizar sus resultados para aproximarse a las necesidades de los pacientes y del personal que desarrolla su labor profesional. Según la OMS, la calidad de la asistencia sanitaria se refiere a asegurar que cada paciente reciba el conjunto de servicios diagnósticos y terapéuticos más adecuados para conseguir una atención sanitaria óptima, teniendo en cuenta todos los factores y los conocimientos del paciente y del servicio médico y lograr el mayor resultado con el mínimo riesgo del efector iatrogénicos y la máxima satisfacción del paciente en proceso. La medida de la satisfacción de los pacientes con los servicios sanitarios es un proceso complejo relacionado con múltiples factores basados en experiencias previas, factores culturales, sociales, políticos y estilos de vida. Este trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo analizar la percepción que tienen los usuarios sobre la calidad de atención recibida en el Centro de Salud nº 34 de la Villa Potrerillos, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, durante el último semestre de 2018. Es un estudio de tipo cuanticualitativo, retrospectivo, descriptivo y de corte transversal.Fil: Alvarado, Héctor Ricardo.Fil: Femeni, Antonio Damián.Fil: Moran, Hilda María Victoria

Modulation of Optical Properties of Dissolved Humic Substances by their Molecular Complexity

In this study, we show that several UV-Vis absorbance, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence parameters of a series of dissolved humic substances (DHS) from different sources (e.g. terrestrial fulvic and humic acids, and humic acid-like molecules extracted from composted and vermicomposted wastes) correlate with the molar absorptivity at 280 nm per mole of organic carbon (μ280), which in turn is proportional to the molecular complexity (e.g. molecular size, aromaticity and oxidation degree) of the DHS. Both absorbance and fluorescence spectral responses were sensitive to the molecular complexity associated with the maturation degree of the DHS. Depending on the DHS, different emitting responses by excitation at the UVA (340 nm) and VIS (460 nm) regions of the absorption spectra were observed. The results were explained in terms of the extent of intramolecular electronic interactions between electron donor groups, such as polyhydroxylated aromatics and indoles, and more oxidized acceptor groups (e.g. quinones or other oxidized aromatics) as the molecular complexity of the DHS increased.Fil: Mignone, Ricardo Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Marcela Vanessa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Moran Vieyra, Faustino Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Palazzi, Valeria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Beatriz Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Martire, Daniel Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Borsarelli, Claudio Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentin