¿La cultura es un factor que influye en la percepción de las marcas? :Caso: La imagen de marca-país de México entre los turistas españoles

Aquest treball presenta un model comparatiu d’anàlisis de la marca en base a l’inconscient col•lectiu, teoria desenvolupada per C. G. Jung (1991), adequat per Sabrine Dornelles (2010) a l’estudi de les marques comercials i contrastat en aquest treball amb la proposta d’aproximació al Perfil Arquetípic Azteca. Per aquesta raó, s’ha realitzat una revisió bibliográfica en referencia a l’objecte de l’estudi del posicionament de la marca, i en especial, dels atributs vinculats al perfil azteca. Amb l’objectiu de conèixer si la cultura influeix o no, en la percepció d’una marca, s’ha realitzat un pre-test via online amb subjectes de nacionalitat espanyola i de països d’Amèrica llatina (Argentina, Colòmbia, Equador, Perú, República Dominicana i Veneçuela) per al grup de control. 5 Els resultats han sigut tractats tant a nivell d’estadística descriptiva com a mode inferencial. Les dades amb significació p≤ 0,05 mostren els estímuls (atributs) que foren associats o no, amb la marca del país Mèxic. Mentre que l’arquetip occidental (grec) va permetre en major percentatge valorar la marca amb tots els subjectes (espanyols, mexicans i llatins) l’arquetip prehispànic no dóna significació suficient amb els espanyols i llatins, però en canvi aporta matisos en el cas dels mexicans. En referència a l’esmenta’t anteriorment , cal que el proper pas sigui millorar el perfil d’arquetipus azteca.

Interregional compensatory mechanisms of motor functioning in progressing preclinical neurodegeneration.

Understanding brain reserve in preclinical stages of neurodegenerative disorders allows determination of which brain regions contribute to normal functioning despite accelerated neuronal loss. Besides the recruitment of additional regions, a reorganisation and shift of relevance between normally engaged regions are a suggested key mechanism. Thus, network analysis methods seem critical for investigation of changes in directed causal interactions between such candidate brain regions. To identify core compensatory regions, fifteen preclinical patients carrying the genetic mutation leading to Huntington's disease and twelve controls underwent fMRI scanning. They accomplished an auditory paced finger sequence tapping task, which challenged cognitive as well as executive aspects of motor functioning by varying speed and complexity of movements. To investigate causal interactions among brain regions a single Dynamic Causal Model (DCM) was constructed and fitted to the data from each subject. The DCM parameters were analysed using statistical methods to assess group differences in connectivity, and the relationship between connectivity patterns and predicted years to clinical onset was assessed in gene carriers. In preclinical patients, we found indications for neural reserve mechanisms predominantly driven by bilateral dorsal premotor cortex, which increasingly activated superior parietal cortices the closer individuals were to estimated clinical onset. This compensatory mechanism was restricted to complex movements characterised by high cognitive demand. Additionally, we identified task-induced connectivity changes in both groups of subjects towards pre- and caudal supplementary motor areas, which were linked to either faster or more complex task conditions. Interestingly, coupling of dorsal premotor cortex and supplementary motor area was more negative in controls compared to gene mutation carriers. Furthermore, changes in the connectivity pattern of gene carriers allowed prediction of the years to estimated disease onset in individuals. Our study characterises the connectivity pattern of core cortical regions maintaining motor function in relation to varying task demand. We identified connections of bilateral dorsal premotor cortex as critical for compensation as well as task-dependent recruitment of pre- and caudal supplementary motor area. The latter finding nicely mirrors a previously published general linear model-based analysis of the same data. Such knowledge about disease specific inter-regional effective connectivity may help identify foci for interventions based on transcranial magnetic stimulation designed to stimulate functioning and also to predict their impact on other regions in motor-associated networks.

Origin and outcome of multiple pregnancies in Bern, Switzerland, 1995-2006 and the current proposal of the Swiss parliament to revise the Swiss law of reproductive medicine: Switzerland quo vadis?

INTRODUCTION: Infertility treatments are a major source of the increase in multiple pregnancies (MPs). AIMS: The aims of the present study were (1.) to investigate the origin and maternal/neonatal outcomes of MP and (2.) to review the different measures that can be adopted to reduce these serious complications. METHODS: The study included all women with multiple births between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2006 at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland. The outcomes associated with the various origins of MP (natural conception, ovarian stimulation [OS] ‒ in-vitro fertilisation [IVF-ICSI]) were analysed using a multinomial logistic regression model. An analysis of the Swiss law on reproductive medicine and its current proposed revision, as well as a literature review using Pubmed, was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 592 MP were registered, 91% (n = 537) resulted in live births. There was significantly more neonatal/maternal morbidity in MP after OS compared with natural conception and even with the IVF-ICSI group. With a policy of elective single embryo transfer (eSET), twin rates after IVF-ICSI can be reduced to <5% and triplets to <1%. CONCLUSIONS: After OS, more triplets are found and the outcome of MP is worse. MP is known to be associated with morbidity, mortality, and economic and social risks. To counteract these complications (1.) better training for physicians performing OS should be encouraged and (2.) the Swiss law on reproductive medicine needs to be changed, with the introduction of eSET policies. This would lead to a dramatic decrease in neonatal and maternal morbidity/mortality as well as significant cost reductions for the Swiss healthcare system.

Population pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir in solid-organ transplant recipients receiving oral valganciclovir.

Valganciclovir (VGC) is an oral prodrug of ganciclovir (GCV) recently introduced for prophylaxis and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection. Optimal concentration exposure for effective and safe VGC therapy would require either reproducible VGC absorption and GCV disposition or dosage adjustment based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). We examined GCV population pharmacokinetics in solid organ transplant recipients receiving oral VGC, including the influence of clinical factors, the magnitude of variability, and its impact on efficacy and tolerability. Nonlinear mixed effect model (NONMEM) analysis was performed on plasma samples from 65 transplant recipients under VGC prophylaxis or treatment. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption appropriately described the data. Systemic clearance was markedly influenced by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), patient gender, and graft type (clearance/GFR = 1.7 in kidney, 0.9 in heart, and 1.2 in lung and liver recipients) with interpatient and interoccasion variabilities of 26 and 12%, respectively. Body weight and sex influenced central volume of distribution (V(1) = 0.34 liter/kg in males and 0.27 liter/kg in females [20% interpatient variability]). No significant drug interaction was detected. The good prophylactic efficacy and tolerability of VGC precluded the demonstration of any relationship with GCV concentrations. In conclusion, this analysis highlights the importance of thorough adjustment of VGC dosage to renal function and body weight. Considering the good predictability and reproducibility of the GCV profile after treatment with oral VGC, routine TDM does not appear to be clinically indicated in solid-organ transplant recipients. However, GCV plasma measurement may still be helpful in specific clinical situations.

On the impact of fundamentals, liquidity and coordination on market stability

We develop a coordination game to model interactions betweenfundamentals and liquidity during unstable periods in financial markets.We then propose a flexible econometric framework for estimationof the model and analysis of its quantitative implications. The specificempirical application is carry trades in the yen dollar market, includingthe turmoil of 1998. We find a generally very deep market, withlow information disparities amongst agents. We observe occasionallyepisodes of market fragility, or turmoil with up by the escalator, downby the elevator patterns in prices. The key role of strategic behaviorin the econometric model is also confirmed.

MRI monitoring of focal cerebral ischemia in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-deficient mice.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a potential target for neuroprotection in focal ischemic stroke. These nuclear receptors have major effects in lipid metabolism, but they are also involved in inflammatory processes. Three PPAR isotypes have been identified: alpha, beta (or delta) and gamma. The development of PPAR transgenic mice offers a promising tool for prospective therapeutic studies. This study used MRI to assess the role of PPARalpha and PPARbeta in the development of stroke. Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion induced focal ischemia in wild-type, PPARalpha-null mice and PPARbeta-null mice. T(2)-weighted MRI was performed with a 7 T MRI scan on day 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14 to monitor lesion growth in the various genotypes. General Linear Model statistical analysis found a significant difference in lesion volume between wild-type and PPAR-null mice for both alpha and beta isotypes. These data validate high-resolution MRI for monitoring cerebral ischemic lesions, and confirm the neuroprotective role of PPARalpha and PPARbeta in the brain.

Cultural events as tourism supply in coastal Catalan resorts

During the last three decades, the number of tourism events has been growing in Catalan coastal resorts because of the recover of Catalan cultural traditions, festivals and folklore, and also because of tourism growth. Catalan tourism resorts use events as catalysers for new supply and as a mean to differentiate and singularize themselves from their competitors. The tourism potential of cultural events is undeniable but there are some problems that prevent a more effective impact as economic and regional development agents. This paper reflects some discussions and conclusions obtained from the analysis of 264 valid responses of a survey made to different Catalan event organizers in 2008 and 2009. We describe and characterize cultural event supply in coastal resorts in order to study the events tourism importance, their capacity to generate and spread economic development, and their managerial model. The analysis is made in a geographical basis, comparing the results of the territorial organization of events of the city of Barcelona, coastal and inland municipalities. Finally some considerations about event regional tourism policy and tourism development are discussed.

Varaosaliiketoiminnan analysointi ja kehittäminen teknologiayrityksessä

Palveluliiketoiminnan merkitys teollisten yritysten kasvusta ja kannattavuudesta kasvaa voimakkaasti. Palveluliiketoiminnan voidaan katsoa olevan asiakaslähtöisyyden perusta. Diplomityön toimeksiantajan yksi palveluliiketoiminnan muoto on varaosaliiketoiminta. Varaosaliiketoiminta muodostaa yrityksen palvelutarjonnasta merkittävän osan, mutta sen asema yrityksessä on ollut epäselvä, eikä yhtenäistä johtamistapaa ole ollut. Tästä syystä nähtiin olennaiseksi analysoida liiketoiminnan nykytilaa ja kehittää varaosaliiketoiminnalle uusi liiketoimintamalli. Nykytilan analysointiin käytettiin syksyllä 2007 käyttöönotettua liiketoimintatiedon hallinnan työkalua. Varsinainen tutkimusosa toteutettiin haastattelututkimuksella, jossa haastateltiin 15 henkilöä joiden toimenkuva liittyi varaosaliiketoimintaan. Haastattelujen tarkoituksena oli selvittää varaosaliiketoiminnan nykytilaa, löytää kehitysehdotuksia ja määritellä varaosaliiketoiminnan kriittiset menestystekijät. Liiketoiminnan analysointiin käytettiin teorioita palvelu- ja varaosaliiketoiminnasta sekä varaosista. Tutkimusmenetelmät perustuivat toimialarakenne-, strategia- ja kilpailija-analyyseihin. Työn tuloksista voidaan todeta, että varaosaliiketoiminnalla tulisi olla oma strategia ja kyseisen liiketoiminnan asema tulisi määritellä selkeämmin palveluliiketoiminnassa. Työn tuloksena esitetään varaosaliiketoiminnan uusi liiketoimintamalli, joka perustuu kriittisiin menestystekijöihin. Kriittiset menestystekijät ovat hankintatoiminta, palvelu, sisäinen prosessi ja liiketoiminnan kehittäminen. Kyseisille tekijöille esitetään kehitysehdotuksia sekä toimenpidesuositukset, joilla uusi liiketoimintamalli on mahdollista implementoida käytäntöön.

Modelo de comportamiento en sevicio para estructuras reticulares de hormigón. Parte II: Diagrama tensión- deformación para elementos fisurados a flexión

This paper presents a general methodology to adjust the coefficients defining a constitutive law for tensioned concrete to simulate, under serviceability conditions, the behaviour of cracked concrete members subjected to simple and combined bending (with axial compressive forces). Although experimental results could be used to obtain the mentioned objective, in this work the models proposed by the CEB are utilized, in order to obtain more general conclusions not subjected to specific experiments. A numerical parametrical analysis is performed to determine the more significant variables influencing the Tension-Stiffening effect and simplified closed-form solution is derived for rectangular sections. A systematic study has been to verify the ability of the method to simulate long-term effects. The methodology can be implemented as an initial process in a general model of analysis like the one presented in Part I

Tratamentos térmico e químico para remoção de óxidos alcalinos de cinzas de capim elefante

Elephant grass ash (EGA) was produced at 700 °C, with two different treatments: hot water (EGAhw) or acid solution (EGAas). The efficiency of the treatments at removing the potassium oxide was evaluated with the aim of using the EGA as a pozzolanic mineral addition for cement-based composites. Characterizations were carried out by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), pozzolanic activity by electric conductivity and application of the kinetic-diffusive model. The analysis evidenced that the chemical treatment was more efficient for removing potassium oxide. The pozzolanic activity test and the kinetic parameters for the EGAas indicated that this ash is suitable for cement-based composites.

Ostotapahtuman ennustemallin kehittäminen ajoneuvomarkkinoinnin tueksi

Perinteisesti ajoneuvojen markkinointikampanjoissa kohderyhmät muodostetaan yksinkertaisella kriteeristöllä koskien henkilön tai hänen ajoneuvonsa ominaisuuksia. Ennustavan analytiikan avulla voidaan tuottaa kohderyhmänmuodostukseen teknisesti kompleksisia mutta kuitenkin helppokäyttöisiä menetelmiä. Tässä työssä on sovellettu luokittelu- ja regressiomenetelmiä uuden auton ostajien joukkoon. Tämän työn menetelmiksi on rajattu tukivektorikone sekä Coxin regressiomalli. Coxin regression avulla on tutkittu elinaika-analyysien soveltuvuutta ostotapahtuman tapahtumahetken mallintamiseen. Luokittelu tukivektorikonetta käyttäen onnistuu tehtävässään noin 72% tapauksissa. Tukivektoriregressiolla mallinnetun hankintahetken virheen keskiarvo on noin neljä kuukautta. Työn tulosten perusteella myös elinaika-analyysin käyttö ostotapahtuman tapahtumahetken mallintamiseen on menetelmänä käyttökelpoinen.

Combined electromagnetic and thermal design platform for totally enclosed induction machines

The aim of the thesis is to design a suitable thermal model that can be used as a tool for constructing the TEFC squirrel cage induction machine in addition to the electromagnetic model. A lumped-parameter thermal model is developed. The related problems and aspects of implementation are discussed in details. Losses are calculated analytically and the loss values are used in the thermal model. The sensitivity analysis is introduced to determine the most critical parameters of the model.

Chasing performance persistence of hedge funds

The thesis examines the performance persistence of hedge funds using complement methodologies (namely cross-sectional regressions, quantile portfolio analysis and Spearman rank correlation test). In addition, six performance ranking metrics and six different combinations of selection and holding periods are compared. The data is gathered from HFI and Tremont databases covering over 14,000 hedge funds and time horizon is set from January 1996 to December 2007. The results suggest that there definitely exists performance persistence among hedge funds and the strength and existence of persistence vary among fund styles. The persistence depends on the metrics and combination of selection and prediction period applied. According to the results, the combination of 36-month selection and holding period outperforms other five period combinations in capturing performance persistence within the sample. Furthermore, model-free performance metrics capture persistence more sensitively than model-specific metrics. The study is the first one ever to use MVR as a performance ranking metric, and surprisingly MVR is more sensitive to detect persistence than other performance metrics employed.

Effects of the 2,4-D herbicide on gills epithelia and liver of the fish Poecilia vivipara

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, usually named 2,4-D is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. Acute toxicity of 2,4-D herbicide was investigated through its effects on guppies (Poecilia vivipara Bloch et Schneider 1801). Fish were exposed to the herbicide at concentrations of 10, 20 and 40µl per liter of water for 24 hours to determine its effects on gills and liver epithelia. The estimated LC50 was 34.64µl of 2,4-D per liter of water. Histochemical analyses and Feulgen's reaction were conducted to detect glycoconjugates and DNA, respectively, in gills and liver epithelia. Histochemistry revealed qualitative variations of glycoconjugates present on mucous cells and granules. The four types of mucous cells contained neutral granules, acids, or both. Increasing amounts of syalomucins were observed from the control group to the group exposed to the highest concentration of 2,4-D, suggesting increased mucous viscosity and the formation of plaques that could inhibit gas exchange and osmoregulation. Lamellar fusion observed in the group exposed to 40µl of 2,4-D suggests a defense mechanism. Hepatocytes showed vacuolization in the 10 and 20µl/L groups. The 40 µl/L group showed normal hepatocytes as well as changed ones, many Ito cells, micronuclei, and nuclear swelling. These effects may be associated with toxicity or adaptative processes to cellular stress. The data from this study indicates the importance of assessing similar risks to aquatic species and suggests that Poecilia vivipara is an adequate biological model for analysis of environmental contamination.

Modeling light interception and distribution in mixed canopy of common cocklebur (Xanthium stramarium) in competition with corn

The aim of this study was to model light interception and distribution in the mixed canopy of Common cocklebur (Xanthium stramarium) with corn. An experiment was conducted in factorial arrangement on the basis of randomized complete blocks design with three replications in Gonabad in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons. The factors used in this experiment include corn density of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 plants per meter of row and density of Common cocklebur of zero, 2, 4, 6 and 8 plants per meter of row. INTERCOM model was used through replacing parabolic function with triangular function of leaf area density. Vertical distribution of the species' leaf area showed that corn has concentrated the most leaf area in layer of 80 to 100 cm while Common cocklebur has concentrated in 35-50 cm of canopy height. Model sensitivity analysis showed that leaf area index, species' height, height where maximum leaf area is seen (hm), and extinction coefficient have influence on light interception rate of any species. In both species, the distribution density of leaf area at the canopy length fit a triangular function, and the height in which maximum leaf area was observed was changed by change in density. There was a correlation between percentage of the radiation absorbed by the weed and percentage of corn seed yield loss (r² = 0.89). Ideal type of corn was determined until the stage of tasseling in competition with weed. This determination indicates that the corn needs more height and leaf area, as well as less extinction coefficient to successfully fight against the weed.