Risk transmission between Latin America stock markets and the US: impacts of the 2007/2008 Crisis

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the US subprime financial turmoil has had any statistically significant effect on the conditional volatility of stock prices in Latin America for which the BEKK methodology is adopted, developed by Engle and Kroner (1995). The t-student distribution is employed as it can provide a best fit for financial data. In order to do this study, we will investigate four Latin America emerging capital markets (Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico) and the United States, considering the period of the recent financial crisis of 2007/2008, analyzing before, during and after the crisis period. Our results show that before the crisis there is no evidence of volatility spillovers from the North American stock market to Latin American ones. During the crisis, there is evidence of volatility spillover effects on some countries. Brazil and Chile affect the US volatility and Argentina, Chile and Mexico are affected by the US's. After the crisis, the volatility of all Latin American stock markets affect and are affected by the US market. These results show an increase in spillover effects from a shock to US stock market to Latin American countries after the 2007/2008 financial crisis.financial crisis, volatility spillover, Latin America

Anticipated Synchronization in a Biologically Plausible Model of Neuronal Motifs

Two identical autonomous dynamical systems coupled in a master-slave configuration can exhibit anticipated synchronization (AS) if the slave also receives a delayed negative self-feedback. Recently, AS was shown to occur in systems of simplified neuron models, requiring the coupling of the neuronal membrane potential with its delayed value. However, this coupling has no obvious biological correlate. Here we propose a canonical neuronal microcircuit with standard chemical synapses, where the delayed inhibition is provided by an interneuron. In this biologically plausible scenario, a smooth transition from delayed synchronization (DS) to AS typically occurs when the inhibitory synaptic conductance is increased. The phenomenon is shown to be robust when model parameters are varied within physiological range. Since the DS-AS transition amounts to an inversion in the timing of the pre- and post-synaptic spikes, our results could have a bearing on spike-timing-dependent-plasticity models

Mutualistic networks: moving closer to a predictive theory

Plant–animal mutualistic networks sustain terrestrial biodiversity and human food security. Global environmental changes threaten these networks, underscoring the urgency for developing a predictive theory on how networks respond to perturbations. Here, I synthesise theoretical advances towards predicting network structure, dynamics, interaction strengths and responses to perturbations. I find that mathematical models incorporating biological mechanisms of mutualistic interactions provide better predictions of network dynamics. Those mechanisms include trait matching, adaptive foraging, and the dynamic consumption and production of both resources and services provided by mutualisms. Models incorporating species traits better predict the potential structure of networks (fundamental niche), while theory based on the dynamics of species abundances, rewards, foraging preferences and reproductive services can predict the extremely dynamic realised structures of networks, and may successfully predict network responses to perturbations. From a theoretician’s standpoint, model development must more realistically represent empirical data on interaction strengths, population dynamics and how these vary with perturbations from global change. From an empiricist’s standpoint, theory needs to make specific predictions that can be tested by observation or experiments. Developing models using short‐term empirical data allows models to make longer term predictions of community dynamics. As more longer term data become available, rigorous tests of model predictions will improve.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151249/1/ele13279_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151249/2/ele13279.pd

National input-output table of Brazil

This paper reports on the basic information about the Brazilian input-output tables. First part presents the history of constructing I-O tables in Brazil, starting from the non-official table of 1959. The second part illustrates some basic features of the last table with the reference year of 2005. It also articulates the issues concerning the integration of the table into 2005 BRICS International Input-Output Table.Brazil; Input-Output; Tables

Foreign language instruction: Students' perception of a virtual learning environment

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão, Curso de Graduação em Língua e Literatura Estrangeira.Ambientes Virtuais de aprendizagem (AVA) são recursos e ferramentas tecnológicas adaptadas para serem usados com objetivos educacionais. Apesar de ser diretamente relacionado ao ensino a distância, nos últimos anos, ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem também estão sendo usados como suporte de aulas presenciais. O objetivo desta pesquisa qualitativa é investigar o uso do ambiente virtual de aprendizagem - Moodle na disciplina do curso de Letras Inglês LLE7495 - Compreensão e Produção Escrita V, com foco na percepção dos alunos em relação a este ambiente virtual. Um questionário foi elaborado e aplicado aos estudantes que cursaram a disciplina no semestre 2011.1. Ao final da pesquisa foi possível concluir que os estudantes estão conscientes das possibilidades que o uso do ambiente virtual pode oferecer para seu processo de aprendizagem. Também que professores precisam estar cientes das possibilidades permitidas pelo uso do ambiente e devem estar preparados para o uso do mesmo. Também foi possível concluir que os estudantes estão cientes do seu papel no processo de aprendizagem.Virtual learning environments (VLE) are technological resources and tools adapted and used for educational purposes. Although they are directly related to distance education, in the last years, VLE have been also used to support on-campus classes. The aim of this qualitative research is to investigate the use of the virtual learning environment - Moodle in the Letras Inglês Course LLE7495 - Compreensão e Produção Escrita V, focusing on students' perceptions in relation to this virtual environment. A questionnaire was devised and applied to students who took this course in the semester 2011.1. At the end of the study it was concluded that students are aware of the possibilities that the use of the virtual environment can provide for their learning process, and also that teachers need to be aware of the possibilities afforded by the use of the environment and must be prepared to use it. Furthermore, that the students are aware of their role in the learning process

Penerapan Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Penerimaan Dana Bantuan Operasional Sekolah pada Siswa SMA N 1 Sidomulyo Menggunakan Metode Topsis Berbasis Web

Menurut Peraturan Mendiknas nomor 69 Tahun 2009, BOS adalah program pemerintah yang pada dasarnya adalah untuk penyediaan pendanaan biaya operasi nonpersonalia bagi satuan pendidikan dasar sebagai pelaksana program wajib belajar. Adapun permasalahan yang terjadi saat ini dalam melakukan penentuan penerimaan siswa penerima bantuan operasiobal sekolah berupa beasiswa yang terjadi saat ini pada SMAN 1 Sidomulyo, Lampung Selatan adalah masih belum tercapainya standar penilaian kelayakan agar dapat dan wajib menerima bantuan operasional sekolah tersebut, Aplikasi yang dirancang dan yang akan diimplementasikan ini didukung dengan Metode TOPSIS, menggunakan metode pengembangan waterfall dan diimplementasikan dengan Flowchart, Diagram Konteks, Data Flow Diagram, Entity Relationship Diagram, Relasi Tabel, Spesifikasi Tabel, dan menggunakan aplikasi Adobe serta Basis Data MySQL, sebagai database yang dirancang menjadi lebih bai