Comment on "Canonical formalism for Lagrangians with nonlocality of finite extent"

We show by some counterexamples that Lagrangian sysytems with nonlocality of finite extent are not necessarily unstable.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure Submitted to Phys. Rev.

On the Bound States in a Non-linear Quantum Field Theory of a Spinor Field with Higher Derivatives

We consider a model of quantum field theory with higher derivatives for a spinor field with quartic selfinteraction. With the help of the Bethe-Salpeter equation we study the problem of the two particle bound states in the "chain" approximation. The existence of a scalar bound state is established.Comment: 14 pages, no figures, LaTe

Corporate social responsibility and its effect on earnings management: an empirical research on Spanish firms

The ethics of financial reporting assumes a centre stage in the corporate world in the background of an emerging understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the CSR orientation of a firm affects its reporting incentives, in terms of the accrual-based earnings management. The main argument is that CSR induces transparency and reduces the propensity towards the number of opportunities for earnings management. Using archival data from a panel sample of 100 most reputable Spanish firms between 2011 and 2015, we find a negative impact of CSR practices on earnings management. The findings demonstrate the socially responsible firms are inclined to foster long–term relationships with stakeholders rather than maximise their short-term profit. In this regard, providing quality earnings is closely connected to CSR activities, especially in that both aim to meet the needs of the stakeholders. Our findings have important implications for shareholders, investors and analysts who may consider CSR as an expression of ‘ethical’ investing and a possible reflection of the quality of financial reporting. These groups should be very cautious in relying on CSR information for Spanish firm's analysis, since CSR is found to have significant impact on earnings management

Migration of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) from cardboard containers to dry food and prediction tool

This research aimed to study the migration of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) from primary carton packages to dry foods, using 16 aromatic hydrocarbons as model substances, covering a wide range of molecular masses and chemical structures. Migration experiments were performed using modified polyphenylene oxide as a food simulant and couscous and polenta as dry foods. The migration tests were carried out to simulate storage at room temperature for long periods and in hot food containers as the worst scenario. Multivariate analysis algorithms were applied to correlate and group the migration of model substances, and a partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was built to predict the worst-case migration. The results showed strong correlations in the migration patterns of the model substances, based on their volatility, food matrix, migration time and temperature. Different behaviour between the migration of the most volatile and the heaviest model substances was observed

A Short-Term Body Jump® Training Program Improves Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Young Active Women

(1) Background: Body Jump® is a novel group fitness program with musical support, which is performed rebounding in a minitrampoline. Although the number of practitioners has increased exponentially in recent years, this activity’s short-term effects on physical fitness and body composition in women have not yet been studied. (2) Methods: 27 healthy young women were randomly divided into a Body Jump® group (BJ) and a control group (CG). BJ performed three classes per week for one month. The week before and after the intervention, the anthropometric assessments were carried out to estimate the body composition, and different performance tests were performed to assess the jumping capacity (countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) tests), the muscular strength (1RM test) and the aerobic fitness (UKK test). (3) Results: VO2 max (p = 0.001), CMJ flight height (p = 0.023), SJ flight height (p = 0.003) and the 1RM value in the half-squat exercise (p = 0.009) were significantly increased in BJ. In CG, there were no statistically significant differences after the intervention period. Regarding the changes in body composition, a significant enhancement in several parameters were found in BJ, such as the sum of skinfolds (p = 0.003) and the percentage of fat mass (p = 0.002), while no changes were found in any of the anthropometric variables in CG. (4) Conclusions: carrying out the Body Jump® program three days per week for one month had positive effects on physical fitness and body composition in a group of healthy young women. This training program can be an effective option for enhancing, in the short term, these fitness parameters and the body composition of these recreational users into the fitness centers.This research was partially supported by project EAC1-16I

Phylogenetic analyses and toxigenic profiles of Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium acuminatum isolated from cereals from Southern Europe

Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium acuminatum are toxigenic species that contaminate cereal crops from diverse climatic regions. They are common in Spanish cereals. The information available on their phylogenetics and toxigenic profiles is, however, insufficient to assist risk evaluation. In this work, phylogenetic analyses were performed using partial sequences of the translation elongation factor gene (EF-1a) of F. equiseti and F. acuminatum strains isolated from barley and wheat from Spain and other countries. The Northern and Southern European F. equiseti strains largely separated into two phylogenetically distinct clusters. This suggests the existence of two distinct populations within this species, explaining its presence in these regions of markedly different climate. Production of type A and B trichothecenes by the Spanish strains, examined in wheat cultures using a multitoxin analytical method, indicated that F. equiseti could produce deoxynivalenol and nivalenol and other trichothecenes, at concentrations that might represent a significant risk of toxin contamination for Southern European cereals. F. acuminatum showed low intraspecific genetic variability and 58% of the strains could produce deoxynivalenol at low level. Neither species was found to produce T-2 or HT-2 toxins. The present results provide important phylogenetic and toxigenic information essential for the accurate prediction of toxigenic risk

Efectos de la modalidad de grupo de apoyo en mujeres víctimas de violencia, atendidas en la clínica psicológica de la Universidad Santa María La Antigua

La presente investigación se dio con el propósito de revisar el efecto de la modalidad grupo de apoyo a mujeres víctimas de violencia, atendidas en la Clínica Psicológica María Eugenia de Alemán, de la Universidad Santa María la Antigua, en el período de 2016 y 2017. La atención se dio de forma gratuita, todos los martes, de 4:00 pm a 7:00 p.m. En ese tiempo, atendimos a 73 mujeres que asistieron a las sesiones semanales, lo que constituyó la población. La muestra se sacó con las mujeres que asistieron a más de seis sesiones, y así obtuvimos 20 participantes. A lo largo del estudio, construímos una base de datos del total de las participantes, con información de edad, escolaridad, religión, nacionalidad e institución que la había referido, entre otros datos. En base a esto, observamos que las víctimas extranjeras están más desprotegidas que las panameñas, que la mayoría de las víctimas del grupo están en plena edad productiva (30 a 49 años) y que los procesos judiciales por denuncia de violencia doméstica, son muy lentos en el país. Y lo más importante fue que las participantes confirmaron los efectos positivos que se mencionan en la bibliografía revisada, de la modalidad de grupo de apoyo, en su vida como receptoras de la violencia doméstica

The Effect of Cranio-Cervical Position on Core Muscle Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise

This study aimed to investigate the influence of head position on the electromyographical activity of the core muscles during the prone plank exercise. Twenty healthy participants were enrolled in this study. Muscle activation was registered using surface electromyography in the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and the lumbar portion of erector spinae. Three plank conditions were randomly evaluated, varying the position of the cranio-cervical segment during the plank performance (neutral, flexion and extension). The activation of each individual examined muscle and the overall core muscle activity (Total Intensity), as well as the ratings of perceived exertion were analysed with statistical significance set at p 0.90). The rectus abdominis presented larger activation in flexion compared to the other variations (p 0.70). Flexion elicited a greater response for both sides of external oblique when compared to neutral and extension, and also for both sides of internal oblique compared to the other conditions (p 0.70). Both flexion and extension reported higher exertion rating values compared to neutral (p 0.90). Head position influenced the electromyographical activation of core musculature, showing highest values when performing the plank in a head flexion.This research was funded by Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, and European Social Fund (European Union), Grant Project Number ACIF/2016/048

Respuesta cardíaca de defensa y emocionalidad negativa en población normal

III Jornades d'Investigació per a l'Alumnat de la Facultat de Ciències de la SalutLa Respuesta Cardíaca de Defensa (RCD) es un patrón dinámico de reactividad cardíacaen respuesta a un estímulo aversivo, intenso e inesperado que consiste en doscomponentes sucesivos acelerativos y decelerativos, cuya significación psicológica seatribuye tanto a procesos atencionales como emocionales. De acuerdo con el modelode la cascada defensiva propuesto por Lang (1995), el segundo componente acelerativode la RCD puede interpretarse como un indicador de activación del sistema motivacionaldefensivo. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar la relación entre laRCD y los niveles de ansiedad y depresión, como indicadores de emocionalidad negativa.La muestra experimental fue de 100 participantes, estudiantes de Psicología yCriminología de la Universitat Jaume I. La tarea experimental consistió en la presentaciónde un sonido intenso y aversivo (500 ms, 105 dB) tras un periodo de reposo de6 minutos. El registro de los componentes acelerativos y decelerativos se realizó durantelos 80 s posteriores a la presentación del estímulo acústico. Al finalizar la sesiónexperimental se administró una batería de cuestionarios, entre ellos el BDI y el STAI-R.Los análisis preliminares muestran una mayor reactividad cardíaca en los participantescon mayores puntuaciones en ansiedad y depresión. Estos datos sugieren que unamayor reactividad del sistema motivacional defensivo podría interpretarse como unfactor de vulnerabilidad para desarrollar trastornos de ansiedad y depresión. Podemosconcluir, por tanto, que la RCD parece ser un indicador fiable y válido de la hiperactividaddel sistema motivacional defensivo en personas que presentan una mayor predisposicióna reaccionar con sintomatología ansiosa o depresiva.The Cardiac Defense Response (CDR) is a dynamic pattern of cardiac reactivity in responseto an aversive, discrete, intense and unexpected stimulus consisting of twosuccessive accelerative and decelerative components whose psychological significanceis attributed to both attentional and emotional processes. According to the modelof the defensive cascade proposed by Lang (1995), the second accelerative componentof the CDR can be interpreted as an indicator of activation of the defensive motivationalsystem. This study aims to analyze the relationship between CDR and levels ofanxiety and depression as indicators of negative emotionality. The sample consisted of100 participants, students of Psychology and Criminology, from Jaume I University. Theexperimental task consisted in the presentation of intense and aversive sound (500 ms,105 dB) after a 6-minute rest period. Accelerative and decelerative components wereobtained during the 80 s after the presentation of the acoustic stimulus. At the end ofthe experimental session, a battery of questionnaires was administered, including BDIand STAI-R. Preliminary results show higher cardiac reactivity in participants withhigher scores both on anxiety and depression. These data suggest that a greater reactivityof the defensive motivational system can be a factor of vulnerability to developanxiety and depression disorders. We can conclude, therefore, that CDR may be interpretedas an index of the hyperactivity of the defensive motivational system in peoplewith greater predisposition to react with anxious or depressive symptoms