A Mixed-Effects Location Scale Model for Dyadic Interactions.

We present a mixed-effects location scale model (MELSM) for examining the daily dynamics of affect in dyads. The MELSM includes person and time-varying variables to predict the location, or individual means, and the scale, or within-person variances. It also incorporates a submodel to account for between-person variances. The dyadic specification can accommodate individual and partner effects in both the location and the scale components, and allows random effects for all location and scale parameters. All covariances among the random effects, within and across the location and the scale are also estimated. These covariances offer new insights into the interplay of individual mean structures, intra-individual variability, and the influence of partner effects on such factors. To illustrate the model, we use data from 274 couples who provided daily ratings on their positive and negative emotions toward their relationship - up to 90 consecutive days. The model is fit using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo methods, and includes subsets of predictors in order to demonstrate the flexibility of this approach. We conclude with a discussion on the usefulness and the limitations of the MELSM for dyadic research

Statistics for evaluating pre-post change: Relation between change in the distribution center and change in the individual scores

In a number of scientific fields, researchers need to assess whether a variable has changed between two time points. Average-based change statistics (ABC) such as Cohen's d or Hays' ω2 evaluate the change in the distributions' center, whereas Individual-based change statistics (IBC) such as the Standardized Individual Difference or the Reliable Change Index evaluate whether each case in the sample experienced a reliable change. Through an extensive simulation study we show that, contrary to what previous studies have speculated, ABC and IBC statistics are closely related. The relation can be assumed to be linear, and was found regardless of sample size, pre-post correlation, and shape of the scores' distribution, both in single group designs and in experimental designs with a control group. We encourage other researchers to use IBC statistics to evaluate their effect sizes because: (a) they allow the identification of cases that changed reliably; (b) they facilitate the interpretation and communication of results; and (c) they provide a straightforward evaluation of the magnitude of empirical effects while avoiding the problems of arbitrary general cutoffs.EE was supported by the scholarship FPI-UAM 2011 (granted by Universidad Autónoma de Madrid). The publication fee was partially supported by the Library of UC, Davi

Fluid reasoning and the developing brain.

Fluid reasoning is the cornerstone of human cognition, both during development and in adulthood. Despite this, the neural mechanisms underlying the development of fluid reasoning are largely unknown. In this review, we provide an overview of this important cognitive ability, the method of measurement, its changes over the childhood and adolescence of an individual, and its underlying neurobiological underpinnings. We review important findings from psychometric, cognitive, and neuroscientific literatures, and outline important future directions for this interdisciplinary research

Getting us there: funding the transport infrastructure of tomorrow

One of the key challenges facing policymakers is the question of how to fund new transport infrastructure in an increasingly fiscally restrained environment. Infrastructure expenditure is already failing to keep up with community expectations, and population growth is driving demand for new services. Meanwhile, state governments are increasingly restricted by the need to ensure that their credit ratings remain strong. As government continues to balance growing costs and proportionally declining revenue, competition for scare budget dollars will increase and infrastructure investments will be increasingly judged on their long term financial cost to government. To ensure that vital new transport infrastructure is not left off the table in future government budgets, this report has examined a number of options available for boosting the revenue streams associated with currently cost-inhibitive infrastructure classes

La técnica del etalonaje. Caso: diferencias entre los archivos ProRes y RAW de la Black Magic Cinema Camera 2.5K

The idea of this thesis arises from my interest in new technologies applied to film. Specifically for my personal interest in the evolution of colour grading with the arrival of digital cinema. The main objective of this work is to observe the behaviour offered by RAW and Apple Prores recording formats of the Black Magic Cinema Camera during the colour grading. Thesis define the concept of colour grading and the process from preproduction of an audiovisual project to the completion during postproduction. Some key concepts relevant to colour and digital image will also be defined for a perfect understanding for the practical part of the project. Later I will study through a series of analyses the response of RAW and Apple ProRes files when they are subjected to the colour grading processes. During this stage I will obtain a series of results with which I can make a number of conclusions. I can define the response during grading colour for each of the two signals. The results obtained after having done all this process have been totally unexpected. We might have thought that the ProRes files, under strong signal compression, would provide a worse outcome compared to RAW files. However, they have shown to withstand a professional quality comparable to the result obtained by RAW signals. If we think with the technical limitations that arise depending on weather we are using one or the other format, we must ask us if we should use RAW files Black magic cinema camera regarding Apple ProRes files.Ferrer Cebrià, EJ. (2015). La técnica del etalonaje. Caso: diferencias entre los archivos ProRes y RAW de la Black Magic Cinema Camera 2.5K. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/56291TFG

Utilización racional del estiércol fluido de porcino (EFP) como fertilizante agrícola

4 Pags.- 3 Tabls.- 2 Figs.En este trabajo se presentan los estudios estadísticos y ecuaciones de correlación entre parámetros, obtenidos de los resultados de los análisis laboratoriales de más de 300 muestras de EFP, de forma que resulte más sencillo el conocimiento de la composición cualitativa y cuantitativa para su aplicación agrícola.Peer reviewe

Competition for water between protein (from Haloferax mediterranei) and cations Na+ and K+: a quantum approach to problem

The competition between Na+ and K+ with a protein for water was investigated by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The optimized potential energy curves have been made in the DFT, together with balanced basis sets of split valence Def2-SV(P). Initially, calculations were done in order to know the organization of the hydration shell of the sodium and potassium ions, when up to sixteen molecules of water are added. The results indicate the structure and stability of these cations with water clusters. Then, this knowledge was used for the analysis of the hydrated protein when potassium or sodium cations approach them, showing that cation has a dehydration process more favorable energetically, and indicating for which cation, potassium or sodium is the competition with the protein for water more favorable.This work was partially supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology Grant FIS2012-35880

Tipificació de dos noms Cavanillesians, Galium Fruticescens (Rubiaceae) i Scorzonera pumila (Compositae)

The Cavanillesian names Galium fruticescens and Scorzonera pumila, basionym of Launaea pumila, are lectotypified from original specimens preserved in the Cavanilles herbarium in the Royal Botanic Garden of Madrid (MA).Els noms cavanillesians Galium fruticescens i Scorzonera pumila, basiònim de Launaea pumila, són lectotipificats a partir d’espècimens que pertanyen al material original de l’autor conservat a l’herbari del Reial Jardí Botànic de Madrid (MA)

Nuevos híbridos en el género Cistus L. (Cistaceae)

RESUMEN: Se describen dos nuevos híbridos dentro del género Cistus L. producto del cruzamiento entre C. albidus × C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis (C. × clausonii nothosubsp. crespoi nothosubsp. nova) y C. creticus × C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis (C. × escartianus nothosubsp. navarroi nothosubsp. nova). Ambos híbridos han aparecido de modo espontáneo donde convergen sus parentales en las instalaciones exteriores y viveros del CIEF (Centro para la Investigación y Experimentación Forestal de la Generalitat Valenciana); igualmente, el primero aparece también en el medio natural, en el seno de una neopoblación artificial establecida para la recuperación de C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis.ABSTRACT: New hybrids in the genus Cistus L. (Cistaceae). Two new hybrid taxa are described for the genus Cistus L., coming from the crossings C. albidus × C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis (C. × clausonii nothosubsp. crespoi nothosubsp. nova) and C. creticus × C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis (C. × escartianus nothosubsp. navarroi nothosubsp. nova). Both taxa have appeared spontaneously where their parents meet, both outdoor and inside the nurseries of the CIEF (Generalitat Valenciana’s Centre for Forestry Research and Experimentation). In addition, the first one also has been found in wild, inside an artificial neo-population established to recover the endangered species C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis