Adjusting to economic integration with the United States: Mexico's exchange rate policy and business cycle features since 1980

Valenzuela, Manuel Valenzuela The University of New Mexico 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

Mexico is in the middle of a long lasting process of economic integration with its NAFTA partners, especially with the United States. This process started in the 1980s with unilateral trade liberalization and was reinforced in 1994 by the enactment of NAFTA. For more than two decades the Mexican government has adjusted institutions and public policies to achieve economic stability and sustainable economic growth in the new context of globalization and economic integration. In addition to trade liberalization, the Mexican government has implemented successive economic reforms including deregulation of economic activity, privatization of the banking system and state-owned enterprises, restructuring of external debt, and legal reform of rural property. These reforms have contributed to economic stability in the country. However, sustainable economic growth is still to come. In this study we investigate two important issues related to the process of economic integration: Mexico's exchange rate policy and features of the business cycles of Mexico and the United States. Chapter I presents a brief overview of the Mexican economy. Chapter 2 analyzes the role of two different kinds of exchange rate policies (pegged and floating) for the behavior of inflation and economic growth using a vector error correction approach. The main conclusion is that the exchange rate regime does matter for inflation during the 1980--2004 period. With respect to economic growth, however, our findings are not conclusive. Chapter 3 examines the main characteristics of the Mexican and U.S. business cycles and some of their interactions using the classical approach based on second moment statistics as well as modern time series tools. We also investigate the effect of NAFTA on business cycle synchronization in the two countries and the nature of the long-run relationship among them. Our findings indicate that Mexican and U.S. gross domestic products have shared a long-run equilibrium relationship since 1980, with the U.S. driving the Mexican business cycle. It is also clear that the Mexican economy has strengthened its ties with the U.S. economic activity since the enactment of NAFTA. Chapter 4 presents some concluding remarks and suggests some pending tasks for Mexico's economic policy.

Violence against women in Latin America : analysis of femicide in Ecuador

Valenzuela Trivino, Gilda Martina Ewha Womans University 2020 국내석사

In Ecuador, violence against women is a problem entrenched in the country's social practices and the patriarchal structure. This violence manifests itself in different ways. Femicide (the death of women for gender reasons), is the most extreme form of violence against women, The country's criminal legislation was amended in 2014 to include the classification of femicide in its regulations and thus visualize a phenomenon that was being ignored. However, the inclusion of this crime in the law has been only the first step. Without a proper judicial structure and gender training, there is no guarantee that judicial processes and women's rights will be properly respected and enforced. By reviewing the judicial expedients of recorded cases of deaths of women on the basis of gender in Ecuador between 2015 and 2018, the current situation of femicide in the country could be characterized, identifying the prevalence of women’s deaths perpetrated by their intimate partners. In the same way, the review of the judicial process carried out in cases in which the judges changed the denomination of femicide of the crime to that of murder or general homicide, suppressing the gender name in the crime. This demonstrates the need for deep training in a gender focus for the Ecuadorian Judicial System. 여성 대상 폭력 범죄는 에콰도르의 사회적 관습과 가부장제적 구조와 깊게 관련되어 있다. 이 폭력은 다양한 방식으로 표출되는데, 그 중에서도 여성살해는 가장 극단적인 방법으로 간주 된다. 에콰도르의 형법은 2014년 법개정을 통해 여성살해를 포함시켰고, 이는 이전까지 주목받지 못했던 현상을 가시화 시키는 역할을 하였다. 그러나 법 개정을 통해 항목을 포함시킨 것은 겨우 첫 걸음을 뗀 것에 불과하다. 적절한 사법 제도의 구축과 젠더 교육이 선행되지 않는다면, 여성의 권리가 사법절차를 통해 보호 받고 존중될 것이라 보장할 수 없다. 본 논문은 2015년부터 2018년까지 젠더적 원인으로 사망한 여성들의 재판 속기록을 살펴봄으로써 친밀한 파트너에 의해 반복적으로 일어나는 여성살해를 진단하고, 현 에콰도르의 여성살해의 성격을 파악하고자 한다. 동일한 방식으로, 재판이 진행되는 과정에서 판사가 여성살해를 일반 살인이나 일반 연쇄살인으로 변경한 사례를 살펴봄으로써 에콰도르의 사법제도에 소속된 공무원들에게 성인지 교육을 제공해야 할 중요성과 필요성을 증명한다.

Waste collection system analysis with simulation model

Valenzuela M. Mavis O 강원대학교 대학원 2023 국내석사

This research presents a comprehensive methodology employed to determine the optimal parameter for a simulated urban waste collection system using an example problem approach. The study utilizes data obtained from a simulated model of the waste collection system, incorporating real parameter inputs obtained from the Panama cleaning authority (AAUD), a study conducted by Jica Kokusai Kogyo.co - in 2002, and inputs from Panama municipal entities. While research on waste collection systems often focuses on the vehicle routing problem and optimization techniques, this study takes a different approach. Rather than analyzing vehicle routing or solving optimization problems, the primary objective is to assess the performance of the system and select the optimal parameter through a sensitivity analysis. Firstly, we utilized the factorial design approach to evaluate the factors that affect the simulated collection system. Additionally, a general formula considering the cost was utilized to assess how changes in the cost impact the optimal parameter with the performance evaluation by the minimum remaining trash left. The results of the study indicate that for scenarios involving low trash generation and low coefficient of variance, the most suitable system is a compact truck twelve tons. On the other hand, for scenarios involving medium and high trash generation, a 24 tons compact truck is identified as the most appropriate system. 본 논문은 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 도시 폐기물 수집 시스템의 최적 매개변수 결정을 위해 종합적인 방법론을 제시하는데 목적이 있다. 본 연구는 2002년에 수행한 Jica Kokusai Kogyo.co에서 연구한 결과로, 파나마 청소 관리 기관 (AAUD)로부터 얻은 실제 매개변수와 파나마 지방 단체로부터의 획득한 정보를 바탕으로 구현한 시뮬레이션 모델에서 얻은 데이터를 활용한다. 폐기물 수집 시스템에 대한 연구는 일반적으로 차량 경로 문제와 최적화 기법에 초점을 맞추지만, 본 연구는 다른 접근 방식을 취한다. 주요 목표는 차량 경로 분석, 최적화를 대신하여 시스템의 성능을 평가하고 민감도 분석을 통해 최적 매개변수를 선택하는 것이다. 먼저, Factorial Design을 이용하여, 시뮬레이션으로 모사된 폐기물 수집 시스템에 영향을 미치는 요소를 평가했다. 또한, 일반적인 비용을 고려하여 비용의 변화가 최적 매개변수에 미치는 영향을 최소 잔류 폐기물로 평가했다. 그 결과, 폐기물 생성이 적고 변동 계수가 낮은 시뮬레이션 시나리오의 경우, 12톤의 소형 트럭이 가장 적합하다는 것을 알 수 있다. 것을 나타낸다. 반면에, 폐기물 생성이 이보다 높고 변동 계수가 높은 시나리오의 경우, 24톤 소형 트럭이 가장 적합한 시스템으로 확인되었다.

Local People Participation in Mangrove Restoration Projects: Impacts on Social Capital and Livelihood : A Case Study in the Philippines

Valenzuela, Roswin B. 서울대학교 대학원 2019 국내석사

Climate change is a global problem caused by cumulative actions of multi-level actors; hence, solving the climate change problem requires collective action. Networks have been created to establish cooperation and collaboration between multi-level stakeholders; this facilitates the exchange of knowledge and strengthens the cooperation between countries and stakeholders. Cooperation is not only relevant for actions against climate change, but it also contributes to the development of the local communities by increasing their social capital through their involvement and participation in climate change mitigation projects. Through social relations, local communities expand their assets which are relevant to gaining more economic profits. This study assessed the impacts of local community participation in mangrove restoration projects to social capital; and further analyzed its implications people’s access to information and access to services—both variables are essential in improving one’s livelihoods. This study was conducted in the Province of Quezon, Philippines using face-to-face interview as the main method for data collection. The results of this study suggest that participation is beneficial to the local people as it can improve their livelihoods. Their participation increases social capital, consequently, improves their access to information and access to services. 기후변화는 여러 나라와 지역의 행위자들이 행동한 것이 누적되어 야기되는 세계적 문제이다. 따라서, 기후 변화 문제를 해결하기 위해서는 여러 협력적 집단 행동이 요구된다. 이런 다층의 이해관계자들간 협력과 협동은 네트워크에 의하여 가능하다. 이는 국가와 이해관계자 사이에서 지식의 교환을 용이하게 하며 협력을 강화한다. 기후 변화 문제 해결을 위한 행동에는 이해당사자들의 협력이 필요하며 지역 공동체가 기후 변화 완화 프로젝트에 참여하는 협력 활동은 사회적 자본을 증가시켜 지역 공동체의 발전에도 기여한다. 네트워크에 기반한 사회적 관계를 통해 지역 공동체들은 더 많은 경제적 이익을 얻는 기반이 되는 자산을 확장한다. 본 연구는 맹그로브 복원 프로젝트에 지역 사회가 참여하는 것이 사회적 자본에 미치는 영향을 평가했다. 더 나아가 본 연구는 사회적 자본이 지역 주민의 정보 접근 및 서비스 접근에 미치는 영향을 분석했다. 이 연구는 필리핀 퀘존 (Quezon)에서 실시되었으며 데이터 수집을 위해서 대면 인터뷰가 수행되었다. 본 연구의 결과로는 지역 주민의 참여가 그들의 생계를 향상하는데 도움이 되며 사회적 자본을 증진하는 것으로 확인되었다. 결과적으로 지역사회의 맹그로브 복원사업 참여가 사회자본 확장을 통하여 지역주민의 정보와 서비스 접근성을 향상시키는데도 기여함을 밝혔다.

DYNAMICS OF SELENIUM IN CIBOLA LAKE, ARIZONA (SEDIMENT LOADING, BIOREMEDIATION, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANT, FLUSHING)

VILLEGAS, SELSO VALENZUELA THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1997 국내박사

Ablation of cereblon attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress in type 2 diabetic cardiomyopathy

Maria Victoria Faith Valenzuela Garcia 인제대학교 일반대학원 2024 국내박사

Objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin dysfunction, brought about by chronic hyperglycemia. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been implicated in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) progression. This study aimed to determine a novel target for new therapeutic modality to address T2DM-induced cardiomyopathy. Cereblon (CRBN) has been found to function cardiovascular disease and so, this study further elucidated how CRBN can induce cardioprotection via attenuation of ER stress response in T2DM. Methods: 11-week-old C57BL/6 and CRBN knockout mice were fed with high fat diet for 4 weeks and administered with streptozotocin to induce T2DM in vivo after which samples were collected when mice reached 20 weeks of age. Mouse cardiac fibroblasts treated with high glucose and palmitic acid were used to induce ER stress in vitro. Pharmacologic and genetic CRBN knockdown was also done on in vitro T2DM mode using TD-165, a PROTAC-based CRBN degrader, and shCRBN adenovirus, respectively. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses was used to assess ER stress protein and RNA expression under T2DM conditions. Results: Higher CRBN levels were observed in the T2DM model in vivo and in vitro. ER stress proteins were modulated upon knockdown of CRBN, both genetic and pharmacological, suggesting the possible interaction of CRBN with ER stress proteins. Additionally, fibrosis was also alleviated upon knockdown of CRBN−/−. Conclusions: Knockdown of CRBN regulated the quantitative expression of ER stress proteins and RNA indicating that CRBN may be used as a novel target in alleviating ER stress in T2DM. 목적: 당뇨병(T2DM)은 만성 고혈당증으로 인한 인슐린 기능 장애가 특징이다. 소포체(ER)의 조절 기전은 당뇨병성 심근병증의 진행과도 관련이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이 연구는 당뇨병성 심근병증(T2DM)으로 인한 심장병의 이완기 조절을 통한 심장섬유화의 새로운 표적 타깃과 소포체의 분자적 조절기전을 규명하는 것이다. 더 나아가 새로운 진단 및 치료제 개발에도 기여할 것이다. 세레블론(CRBN)은 심혈관 질환에 중요한 표적 단백질이며, 이번 연구에서는 CRBN이 소포체 기능 조절 기전을 통해 당뇨병성 심근병증 모델에서 심장섬유화 억제 및 심장 보호를 유도하는 기전을 규명하고자 한다. 방법: 동물 모델은 11주령의 C57BL/6 과 CRBN 결핍 마우스에 4주 동안 고지방식이를 섭취 후 스트렙토조토신을 투여하여 당뇨병성 심근병증(T2DM)을 유도한 후 마우스 20주령에 샘플링하였다. 세포 모델에서는 마우스 심장 섬유아세포에 당뇨병성 조건인 고포도당과 팔미틴산 처리로 소포체(ER) 스트레스를 유도했다. 또한 PROTAC 기반 CRBN 분해제인 TD-165와 아데노바이러스 기반 shCRBN를 사용하여 약리학적 및 유전학적 CRBN 결손을 유도하여 소포체 기능 조절을 통한 당뇨병성 심근병증의 분사생물학적 기전 규명했다. 웨스턴 블롯 및 RT-PCR 분석을 통해 ER 스트레스 단백질 발현 및 RNA 발현을 평가하였다. 결과: 세포수준과 동물수준에서 대조군보다 당뇨병성 심근병증 조건군에서 CRBN 발현이 높게 발현되는것을 관찰하였다. 유전학적 및 약리학적 방법으로 CRBN 결핍시 ER 스트레스 단백질이 조절되었으며, 이는 CRBN과 ER 스트레스 단백질의 상호 작용 가능성을 시사한다. 또한 CRBN결핍마우스에서도 ER 스트레스 단백질의 변화를 확인하였으며 심장섬유화도 완화되었다. 결론: 당뇨병성 조건에서, CRBN 결핍시 ER 스트레스 단백질과 RNA의 정량적 발현이 조절되어졌다. 이는 CRBN이 ER 스트레스를 완화하는 새로운 표적으로 사용될 수 있음을 나타내며 심장섬유화를 억제하여 심장 기능을 개선하는 치료제 개발에 기여할 것이다.

"Tending to the past": The historical poetics of Joy Harjo and Natasha Trethewey

Valenzuela-Mendoza, Eloisa The University of Iowa 2014 해외박사(DDOD)

In placing Joy Harjo and Natasha Trethewey in conversation with each other, my dissertation analyzes -- alongside their poetry and prose -- monuments, paintings, television, film, photographs, and performance as connected to understanding the impact of historical legacies on lived experiences within the empire of U.S. America. Toni Morrison's concept of recovering the "unwritten interior life" of the slave experience -- a life hidden within slave narratives -- assists in understanding the historical poetics of Joy Harjo and Natasha Trethewey as artists engaged in similar projects of reclamation. For Harjo this entails shedding a light on the weight of Native American histories for the descendants of survivors while contesting the myths that abound within popular culture regarding Native peoples. Trethewey's work intervenes within the public memory of the nation by centering on the inner-lives of African Americans as well as other people of color, stressing their various gendered and racialized experiences. The gaps within the records that each poet illuminates do not constitute a failure of history, per se, but rather emphasize limitations concerning traditional methodologies of history-writing. In order to further expand on this argument, throughout my work I rely upon certain ideas from 20 th century ethical philosopher Emmanuel Levinas regarding our obligations to the past of the Other as well as the potential violence inherent within Western philosophical rhetoric regarding the Other. "Tending to the Past" argues that due to the gaps within the archival records we need multiple ways of approaching our history. The absence within the archives of the "emotional truths" or "interior lives" of historical subjects proves to emphasize the necessity for the poetic interventions of Joy Harjo and Natasha Trethewey.

Machine learning, optimization, and anti-training with sacrificial data

Valenzuela, Michael The University of Arizona 2016 해외박사(DDOD)

Traditionally the machine learning community has viewed the No Free Lunch (NFL) theorems for search and optimization as a limitation. I review, analyze, and unify the NFL theorem with the many frameworks to arrive at necessary conditions for improving black-box optimization, model selection, and machine learning in general. I review meta-learning literature to determine when and how meta-learning can benefit machine learning. We generalize meta-learning, in context of the NFL theorems, to arrive at a novel technique called Anti-Training with Sacrificial Data (ATSD). My technique applies at the meta level to arrive at domain specific algorithms and models. I also show how to generate sacrificial data. An extensive case study is presented along with simulated annealing results to demonstrate the efficacy of the ATSD method.

Effects of Nonuniform Root-zone Salinity on Na+, Cl- and Nitrate Uptake in Irrigated Almond

Valenzuela Acevedo, Francisco Jose Gabriel University of California, Davis ProQuest Dissertat 2018 해외박사(DDOD)

Californian agriculture is under increasing threat from salinity as a consequence of scarcer water resources, combined with the increasing use of low quality ground water. In many regions of California, groundwater used for irrigation, is compro. Almond is an important crop for California's with a surface of 890,000 acres planted supplying ~80% of the world almond exports and contributes $11 billion of total value added to California's economy and generates 104,000 direct and indi. Currently the main strategy used to manage salts consists of the application of water in excess of plant needs to leach salts from the root zone, traditionally this would be achieved by flood irrigation so the movement of water deep into the soi. As a consequence of the mobility of nitrate in the soil, salinity management imposes an additional environmental risk since the leaching of saline salts can easily result in the loss of nitrate from the cropping system. Collectively these constr. Historically salt levels in the root zone have been measured in saturated paste extracts (EC~e~) of soil cores collected from within the main rooting zone at different depth. The average value of all depths represents the saline level of the roo. Under the complex scenario of heterogeneous salinity the main challenge for studies on saline stress for California almond orchards is to develop methodologies that better simulate field conditions, and to conduct pot or other studies that attem. Two experiment experiments were carried out to test tree response under non-uniform saline conditions. Experiment 1: Non-uniform saline, osmotic and nutritional conditions in root sub-zones of plants were evaluated by the use of a split-root met.

Predictive modeling for complex traits: Normal human pigmentation variation

Valenzuela, Robert Keams The University of Arizona 2011 해외박사(DDOD)

Melanin pigmentation is a complex trait governed by many genes. Variation in melanin pigmentation within, and between, populations makes it an important trait for assisting in physical identification of an individual in forensic investigations. Utilizing a training sample (n=789) comprised of various ethnicities and SNPs (75) in 24 genes previously implicated in human or animal pigmentation studies, I determined three-SNP multiple linear regression models that accounted for large proportions of pigmentation variation in skin (45.7%), eye color (76.4%), and hair [eumelanin-to-pheomelanin (43.2%) and total melanin (76.3%)], independent of ethnic origin. Rather than implementing stepwise regression, to ascertain the three-SNP predictive models, I devised an algorithm that is likely more robust than stepwise regression. The algorithm consisted of two steps: the first step reduced the pool of 75 SNPs to a pool of 40 by selection of SNPs that were significant (p<0.05) by one-way ANOVA; the second step enabled selection of SNPs for model incorporation based on their frequency in the best-fitted models of all possible combinations of three-SNP models (i.e., 40 choose 3). Prediction models were validated utilizing an independent cohort (n=242, test sample) that was very similar in ethnic composition to the training sample. Relative shrinkage was moderate for skin reflectance (23.4%), eye color (19.4%), and eumelanin-to-pheomelanin (37.3%) of hair, and largest for total melanin (67%) of hair. Additionally, we refined our model-building algorithm, enabling visual comparison of the frequency and co-linearity due to linkage or co-inheritance of SNPs of the best-fitted models. Application of our algorithm to the test sample yielded the same or similar models as the training sample. Two of the three SNPs composing the models were the same, with some variability in the third SNP of the model.