Optimal Minimum Wage in a Competitive Economy: an Alternative Modelling Approach

This paper analyzes whether a minimum wage can be an optimal redistribution policy when distorting taxes and lump-sum transfers are also available in a competitive economy. We build a static general equilibrium model with a Ramsey planner making decisions on taxes, transfers, and minimum wage levels. Workers are assumed to differ only in their productivity. We find that optimal redistribution may imply the use of a minimum wage. The key factor driving our results is the reaction of the demand for low skilled labor to the minimum wage law. Hence, an optimal minimum wage appears to be most likely when low skilled households are scarce, the complementarity between the two types of workers is large or the difference in productivity is small. The main contribution of the paper is a modelling approach that allows us to adopt analysis and solution techniques widely used in recent public finance research. Moreover, this modelling strategy is flexible enough to allow for potential extensions to include dynamics into the model.

An empirical comparison of the performance of alternative option pricing models

Published as an article in: Investigaciones Economicas, 2005, vol. 29, issue 3, pages 483-523.

Energia-teknologia: taulak eta abakoak

Helburuak: Ikasmaterial honen helburu nagusiak honako hauek dira: Beroaren transmisioa irakasteko behar diren taula, abako eta korrelazio batzuk biltzea, ikasleak ikasturtean zehar irakasgaia hobeto jarrai dezan. Horretaz gain energia-teknologiako beste arlo batzuen (errekuntza, aire hezea eta hozte teknologia) taulak eta abakoak biltzea ere. Gai hauekin erlazionaturiko ariketa multzoa ere ageri da testuan emaitzekin. Norentzat: Industria Ingeniaritzako 4. mailako ikasleentzat. Baita Ingeniaritza Kimikoan Beroaren Transmisioa ikasten dabiltzan 2. mailako ikasleentzat, edota Industria Antolakuntzan bigarren zikloko lehenengo mailako ikasleentzat. 2010-11 ikasturtetik aurrera indarrean egongo diren gradu ikasketetan bigarren mailan irakatsiko den Termoteknia izeneko irakasgaian lagungarria ere izango da.

The coincidence of the kernel and nucleolus of a convex game: an alternative proof

In 1972, Maschler, Peleg and Shapley proved that in the class of convex the nucleolus and the kernel coincide. The only aim of this note is to provide a shorter, alternative proof of this result.

A neural extracellular matrix-based method for in vitro hippocampal neuron culture and dopaminergic differentiation of neural stem cells

Background: The ability to recreate an optimal cellular microenvironment is critical to understand neuronal behavior and functionality in vitro. An organized neural extracellular matrix (nECM) promotes neural cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Here, we expanded previous observations on the ability of nECM to support in vitro neuronal differentiation, with the following goals: (i) to recreate complex neuronal networks of embryonic rat hippocampal cells, and (ii) to achieve improved levels of dopaminergic differentiation of subventricular zone (SVZ) neural progenitor cells. Methods: Hippocampal cells from E18 rat embryos were seeded on PLL- and nECM-coated substrates. Neurosphere cultures were prepared from the SVZ of P4-P7 rat pups, and differentiation of neurospheres assayed on PLL- and nECM-coated substrates. Results: When seeded on nECM-coated substrates, both hippocampal cells and SVZ progenitor cells showed neural expression patterns that were similar to their poly-L-lysine-seeded counterparts. However, nECM-based cultures of both hippocampal neurons and SVZ progenitor cells could be maintained for longer times as compared to poly-L-lysine-based cultures. As a result, nECM-based cultures gave rise to a more branched neurite arborization of hippocampal neurons. Interestingly, the prolonged differentiation time of SVZ progenitor cells in nECM allowed us to obtain a purer population of dopaminergic neurons. Conclusions: We conclude that nECM-based coating is an efficient substrate to culture neural cells at different stages of differentiation. In addition, neural ECM-coated substrates increased neuronal survival and neuronal differentiation efficiency as compared to cationic polymers such as poly-L-lysine.

Oligodendrocyte differentiation from adult multipotent stem cells is modulated by glutamate

We used multipotent stem cells (MSCs) derived from the young rat subventricular zone (SVZ) to study the effects of glutamate in oligodendrocyte maturation. Glutamate stimulated oligodendrocyte differentiation from SVZ-derived MSCs through the activation of specific N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits. The effect of glutamate and NMDA on oligodendrocyte differentiation was evident in both the number of newly generated oligodendrocytes and their morphology. In addition, the levels of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2A protein increased during differentiation, whereas NMDAR2B and NMDAR3 protein levels decreased, suggesting differential expression of NMDA receptor subunits during maturation. Microfluorimetry showed that the activation of NMDA receptors during oligodendrocyte differentiation elevated cytosolic calcium levels and promoted myelination in cocultures with neurons. Moreover, we observed that stimulation of MSCs by NMDA receptors induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which were negatively modulated by the NADPH inhibitor apocynin, and that the levels of ROS correlated with the degree of differentiation. Taken together, these findings suggest that ROS generated by NADPH oxidase by the activation of NMDA receptors promotes the maturation of oligodendrocytes and favors myelination

Wage stickiness and unemployment fluctuations: an alternative approach

28 p.

Sustitución del gen nirA entre cianobacterias termofílicas. Clonación, expresión y purificación de la nitrito reductasa de Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1

220 p.

Energia Elektrikoaren Sorkuntza

Helburuak: Sektore elektrikoan gaur egun energia elektrikoa sortzeko erabiltzen diren teknologiei buruzko oinarrizko ezagutza bat lortzea. Norentzat: Energia elektrikoaren sorkuntza ikasgai bezala duten ikasleentzat

An Alternative View of the US Price-Dividend Ratio Dynamics

As a necessary condition for the validity of the present value model, the price-dividend ratio must be stationary. However, significant market episodes seem to provide evidence of prices significantly drifting apart from dividends while other episodes show prices anchoring back to dividends. This paper investigates the stationarity of this ratio in the context of a Markov- switching model à la Hamilton (1989) where an asymmetric speed of adjustment towards a unique attractor is introduced. A three-regime model displays the best regime identification and reveals that the first part of the 90’s boom (1985-1995) and the post-war period are characterized by a stationary state featuring a slow reverting process to a relatively high attractor. Interestingly, the latter part of the 90’s boom (1996-2000), characterized by a growing price-dividend ratio, is entirely attributed to a stationary regime featuring a highly reverting process to the attractor. Finally, the post-Lehman Brothers episode of the subprime crisis can be classified into a temporary nonstationary regime.

Evaluation of two alternative carbon capture and storage technologies

4 p.

Alternative trajectories for decarbonizing urban transportation

4 p.

Evaluation of Two Alternative Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies: A Stochastic Model

30 p.

EAEko energia elektrikoaren eskariaren analisi ekonometrikoa

Lan honen helburua, Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoko energia elektrikoaren etxebizitzen eskaeraren analisia egitea da, eta azterketa honetatik ondorio zehatzak atera eta hauek azaltzea. Azterketa hau egiteko, ekonomiari aplikaturiko metodo estatitistikoak erabiliko ditugu, konkretuki metodo ekonometrikoak.

Generación de energía eléctrica por combustión de biomasa forestal mediante ciclo rankine. Central de 2MW

[ES]Este proyecto se centra en el estudio y diseño de una central de generación de energía eléctrica por medio de biomasa forestal. La motivación para la realización de este proyecto reside en la gran importancia que en los últimos años están tomando las energías renovables. El Calentamiento Global es un hecho que durante los últimos años ha llevado a la investigación y desarrollo de las energías alternativas, que frenan o contribuyen al ralentizamiento de este fenómeno. Por su parte la implantación de una planta como la que se estudia a continuación, no solo ayudaría a la reducción de emisiones netas de CO2 a la atmósfera, sino que también tendría numerosas ventajas como son la creación de empleo, la limpieza de bosques, lo que ayuda a la prevención de incendios y plagas, y proporcionaría una independencia energética. Los pasos que se van a seguir en el proyecto son los siguientes:  Explicar el alcance y los objetivos del proyecto. Desarrollar las posibles alternativas que existen para la valorización de la biomasa forestal, incluyendo un resumen de las ventajas y desventajas que cada una presenta. Informe detallado de la alternativa seleccionada, la combustión, que incluye la explicación del proceso en la planta desde que el residuo sale del bosque, hasta la obtención de la energía eléctrica. Análisis económico y rentabilidad de la planta. Realizar el cronograma del proyecto. Por último se realizará un análisis de los posibles riesgos.