Genetic variability and differentiation between populations of Rhodnius prolixus and R. pallescens, vectors of Chagas' Disease in Colombia

Enzyme polymorphism in Rhodnius prolixus and R. pallescens (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), principal vectors of Chagas' disease in Colombia, was analyzed using starch gel electrophoresis. Three geographic locations were sampled in order to determine gene flow between populations and to characterize intra- and interspecific differences. Of 25 enzymes assayed 10 were successfully resolved and then used to score the genetic variation. The enzymes PEPD, GPI, PGM and ICD were useful to differentiate these species and PGD, PGM and MDH distinguished between sylvatic and domiciliary populations of R. prolixus. Both polymorphism and heterozygosity indicated greater genetic variability in sylvatic habitats (H = 0.021) compared to domiciliary habitats (H = 0.006) in both species. Gene flow between sylvatic and domiciliary populations in R. prolixus was found to be minimal. This fact and the genetic distance between them suggest a process of genetic isolation in the domiciliary population.

Revisi�� de la Guia d���avaluaci�� del testimoni en viol��ncia de g��nere (GAT-VIG-R)

Nou document produ��t pels professionals dels equips d���assessorament t��cnic penal de Catalunya (EAT penal) en l�����mbit de la jurisdicci�� d���adults, elaborat en el context del programa Compartim del Centre d���Estudis Juridics i Formaci�� Especialitzada del Departament de Just��cia. En aquest cas, es tracta de la revisi�� de la Guia d���avaluaci�� del testimoni en viol��ncia de g��nere (GAT-VIG-R) amb mostres dels EAT penal de Catalunya. Transcrivim una part de la presentaci�� de l���obra on els mateixos autors ens expliquen els motius de la seva elaboraci��: �����s dins els peritatges psicol��gics on se���ns encomana una de les tasques m��s delicades i complexes que duem a terme els psic��legs dels EAT penal: l���an��lisi de la credibilitat dels testimonis. ��s en aquest camp que decidim, l���any 2009, donar un pas m��s enll�� i analitzar en profunditat les t��cniques que hi ha actualment sobre l���an��lisi de la credibilitat del testimoni adult en viol��ncia de g��nere per tal de valorar la seva possible efic��cia i la seva posterior administraci��. El present document suposa el primer pas per millorar l���avaluaci�� del testimoni en viol��ncia de g��nere dins dels equips d���assessorament t��cnic penal mitjan��ant la revisi�� de la Guia d���avaluaci�� del testimoni en viol��ncia de g��nere, instrument publicat al nostre pa��s el 2007 per Ju��rez, J.R.; Mateu, A. i Sala, E. Aix�� el present treball ��s el punt de partida per tal d���obtenir un primer perfil sociodemogr��fic, psicol��gic i del testimoni en casos de viol��ncia de g��nere cre��bles amb l���objectiu que en properes recerques puguem arribar a obtenir criteris objectius per tal de discernir els testimonis cre��bles en viol��ncia de g��nere d���aquells que no ho s��n.���

Revisiting the size-R&D productivity relation: introducing the mediating role of decision-making style on the scale and quality of innovative output

We develop a mediation model in which firm size is proposed to affect the scale and quality of innovative output through the adoption of different decision styles during the R&D process. The aim of this study is to understand how the internal changes that firms undergo as they evolve from small to larger organizations affect R&D productivity. In so doing, we illuminate the underlying theoretical mechanism affecting two different dimensions of R&D productivity, namely the scale and quality of innovative output which have not received much attention in previous literature. Using longitudinal data of Spanish manufacturing firms we explore the validity of this mediation model. Our results show that as firms evolve in size, they increasingly emphasize analytical decision making, and consequently, large-sized firms aim for higher-quality innovations while small firms aim for a larger scale of innovative output.

Entre mystique et politique, quelques ��l��ments structurels du Rāmāyaṇa de Tulsi Dās et leurs traces dans l'histoire de la r��ception du texte

Tulsi Das est probablement n�� aux alentours de 1550, en tant que brahmane, dot�� ainsi d'une naissance favorable parmi les lettr��s et ��rudits de l'Inde. L'A. consid��re qu'il a r��ussi, dans son Ramayana, un mariage in��gal�� entre obligations dans le monde et intuition mystique lib��ratrice ou l'amour fou pour un dieu personnel. En s'incrivant dans une perspective de l'histoire de la r��ception du texte, l'A. montre que Tulsi a largement contribu�� �� fa��onner et �� d��terminer l'histoire religieuse de l'Inde du Nord. Son oeuvre compte parmi les livres religieux les plus lus et r��cit��s

Especificaci��n de procesos en industria qu��mica para la implantaci��n de la producci��n en SAP R/3

En este proyecto se ha realizado un estudio en el campo del modelado de los procesos de negocio y sus notaciones. En concreto, se han analizado las notaciones BPMN y UML que se han usado para especificar los procesos en la gesti��n de la fabricaci��n de una empresa qu��mica. Tras estas especificaciones, se ha realizado la comparaci��n de estas dos notaciones con el fin de escoger la mejor de ellas para especificar procesos de negocio. A partir de la especificaci��n de procesos, se ha descrito la implantaci��n del m��dulo de fabricaci��n de SAP en la misma empresa.

Multinationals, R&D and productivity: Evidence for UK Manufactoring firms

In this study we analyze multinationality (domestic-based firms vs. multinationals) and foreignness (foreign vs. domestic firms) effects in the returns of R&D to productivity. We follow a two-step strategy. In the first step, we consistently ''s productivity by GMM and numerically compute the sample distribution of the R&D returns. In the second step, we use stochastic dominance techniques to make inferences on the multinationality and foreignness effects. Results for a panel of UK manufacturing firms suggest that multinationality and foreignness effects operate in an opposite way: whilst the multinationality effect enhances R&D returns, the foreignness diminishes them.

Estimation of parametric and nonparametric models for univariate claim severity distributions - an approach using R

This paper presents an analysis of motor vehicle insurance claims relating to vehicle damage and to associated medical expenses. We use univariate severity distributions estimated with parametric and non-parametric methods. The methods are implemented using the statistical package R. Parametric analysis is limited to estimation of normal and lognormal distributions for each of the two claim types. The nonparametric analysis presented involves kernel density estimation. We illustrate the benefits of applying transformations to data prior to employing kernel based methods. We use a log-transformation and an optimal transformation amongst a class of transformations that produces symmetry in the data. The central aim of this paper is to provide educators with material that can be used in the classroom to teach statistical estimation methods, goodness of fit analysis and importantly statistical computing in the context of insurance and risk management. To this end, we have included in the Appendix of this paper all the R code that has been used in the analysis so that readers, both students and educators, can fully explore the techniques described

The link between public support and private R&D effort: What is the optimal subsidy?

The effectiveness of R&D subsidies can vary substantially depending on their characteristics. Specifically, the amount and intensity of such subsidies are crucial issues in the design of public schemes supporting private R&D. Public agencies determine the intensities of R&D subsidies for firms in line with their eligibility criteria, although assessing the effects of R&D projects accurately is far from straightforward. The main aim of this paper is to examine whether there is an optimal intensity for R&D subsidies through an analysis of their impact on private R&D effort. We examine the decisions of a public agency to grant subsidies taking into account not only the characteristics of the firms but also, as few previous studies have done to date, those of the R&D projects. In determining the optimal subsidy we use both parametric and nonparametric techniques. The results show a non-linear relationship between the percentage of subsidy received and the firms��� R&D effort. These results have implications for technology policy, particularly for the design of R&D subsidies that ensure enhanced effectiveness.

Participaci�� de Catalunya en convocat��ries del 7�� Programa marc d'R+D de la UE. Per��ode 2007-2009

Resum de l'informe "Participaci�� de Catalunya en convocat��ries del 7�� Programa marc d'R+D de la UE. Per��ode 2007-2009" elaborat per investigadors del Grup de Recerca AQR - Institut de Recerca en Economia Aplicada (IREA) de la Universitat de Barcelona, que pret��n donar a con��ixer la realitat de la participaci�� catalana en el 7�� Programa Marc de la Uni�� Europea, el principal instrument europeu de finan��ament de la recerca, durant el per��ode 2007-2009.

On the system of the functions x (s) / (s-r)k

"Vegeu el resum a l'inici del document del fitxer adjunt."

R&D cooperation between Spanish firms and scientific partners: what is the role of tertiary education?

This paper explores the factors that determine firm���s R&D cooperation with different partners, paying special attention on the role of tertiary education (degree and PhDs level) in facilitating the connection between the firms and the to scientific bodies (technology centres, public research centres and universities). Here, we attempt to answer two questions. First, are innovative firms that carry out internal and external R&D activities more likely to cooperate on R&D projects with other partners? Second, do Spanish innovative firms with a high participation of researchers with degrees or PhDs tend to cooperate more with scientific partners? To answer both questions we apply a three-dimensional approach on a firm level Panel Data with a sample of 4.998 manufacturing and services Spanish firms. First, we run a complementary test between external R&D acquisition and skilled research workers and find that firms which carry out external R&D activities obtain a greater return on R&D cooperation when they have skilled workers in R&D, especially in high-tech manufactures and KIS services. Second, we carry out a 2-step tobit model to estimate, in the first stage, the determinants that explain whether Spanish innovative firms cooperate or not; and in the second stage the factors that affect the choice of partners. And third, we apply an ordered probit model to test the marginal effects of explanatory variables on the different partners. Here we contrast some of the most interesting empirical hypotheses of previous studies, and which emphasize the role of employees with degrees and PhDs in facilitating cooperative R&D between firms and scientific partners.

The determinants of YIc's R&D activity

This paper examines the determinants of young innovative companies��� (YICs) R&D activities taking into account the autoregressive nature of innovation. Using a large longitudinal dataset comprising Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 1990-2008, we find that previous R&D experience is a fundamental determinant for mature and young firms, albeit to a smaller extent in the case of the YICs, suggesting that their innovation behaviour is less persistent and more erratic. Moreover, our results suggest that firm and market characteristics play a distinct role in boosting the innovation activity of firms of different age. In particular, while market concentration and the degree of product diversification are found to be important in boosting R&D activities in the sub-sample of mature firms only, YICs��� spending on R&D appears to be more sensitive to demand-pull variables, suggesting the presence of credit constraints. These results have been obtained using a recently proposed dynamic type-2 tobit estimator, which accounts for individual effects and efficiently handles the initial conditions problem.

Swallowing difficulties with oral drugs among polypharmacy patients attending community pharmacies.

Background Swallowing difficulties are common and can affect patients' ability to take solid oral dosage forms, thus compromising medication adherence. Strategies developed by patients to overcome such difficulties while taking medicines have seldom been described. Objective To determine prevalence and characteristics of swallowing difficulties among primary care patients attending their community pharmacies; to explore strategies developed by patients to overcome their difficulties, and health professionals' awareness of these problems. Setting Prospective study with a semi-structured questionnaire in random community pharmacies located in two Swiss regions. Method In each pharmacy, an interviewer asked 16 questions to each consecutive patient (18��years and older) with a prescription for at least 3 different solid oral forms. Main outcome measure Quantification of number of patients with swallowing difficulties and detailed description of difficulties. Results Among 122 pharmacies, 59 (48��%) accepted to join the study and 410 patients were enrolled. Thirty-seven patients (9.0��%) reported ongoing swallowing difficulties, while 55 patients (13.4��%) reported past difficulties. For the majority of patients, difficulties occurred at each single dose (83.7��%), with a single medication (59.8��%) and lasted for less than 12��months (53.8��%). Number of tablets was not the main trigger. Swallowing difficulties impaired extremely daily life in 12��% of the patients. Intentional non adherence (23��% of patients) and altering the oral dose formulation were the most common and potentially harmful strategies used by patients to overcome their swallowing difficulties. According to the patients, pharmacists and physicians rarely inquired about their swallowing difficulties. Conclusion We report a fairly high prevalence of swallowing difficulties in polypharmacy patients attending their community pharmacies. Pharmacists have to interview patients on their swallowing difficulties in a more systematic way, support patients in finding solutions and refer them to their physician if necessary to ensure continuity in care.