The Contemporary Human Resources Function

Abstract Current companies encounter important challenges day to day. Many factors such as the economic globalization, the change in the way of working, the Internet boom, and the importance that the service sector is experiencing nowadays influence the new society in which persons and businesses actually cope. Each of these contingencies obligates the Human Resource function to adapt to new organizational goals moulding their strategies and tactics to the in fashion topics. In this work we present the classical functions integrated in the Human Resources department constituting its base of performance. We also deal equally with the high performance practices and the importance that is acquiring the binomial human resources management strategies – business performance such as new tendencies applicable in this area.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The VARying Effect of Foreign Shocks in Central and Eastern Europe

This paper investigates the impact of international shocks – interest rate, commodity price and industrial production shocks – on key macroeconomic variables in ten Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries by using near-VAR models and monthly data from the early 1990s to 2009. In contrast to previous work, the empirical analysis takes explicit account of the possibility of (multiple) structural breaks in the underlying time series. We establish strong evidence of structural breaks, particularly along the years 2007 and 2008, suggesting the very relevant impact of the recent global crisis on CEE economies. Moreover, our results suggest that the way how countries react to world commodity price shocks is related to the underlying economic structure and the credibility of the monetary policy. We also find that some countries like Slovakia and Slovenia – already euro area members – react stronger to foreign industrial production shocks than other countries and that the responses to such shocks are strongly correlated for selected CEE countries. Nevertheless, our results also shed light on substantial differences in responses to foreign interest rate shocks that originate from the US or the euro area.monetary policy, foreign shocks, multiple structural breaks, near-VAR model, CEE economies

Development and cross-national validation of the Emotional Effort Scale (EEF)

Background: Researchers define Emotional Labour (EL) as the effort associated with meeting the emotional requirements of the job, yet nobody has ever directly tested this effort. Building on classic stress and ego depletion theory, this study develops the Emotional Effort Scale (EEF). Methods: In Study 1, exploratory (N = 197) and confirmatory factor analysis (N = 182) were conducted with a British sample. In Study 2, the instrument was adapted to Spanish and measurement invariance was tested (N = 304). In Study 3, (N = 185), we tested convergent and divergent validity with the EL strategies (i.e., surface acting and deep acting) and the relationship between EEF and emotional exhaustion. Results: The final scale is a two-dimensional measure (explicit and implicit emotional effort) with good reliability levels in all samples (N = 818). Additionally, it shows adequate convergent, divergent and nomological validity. Conclusions: The Emotional Effort construct adds unique value to the literature. Thus, explicit effort seems to be the mechanism that explains the association between EL and exhaustion. Additionally, this study adapts and translates the measure to two of the most used languages in the world, enabling the emergence of cross-national studies in the field of emotions at work

Micro-Skills for learning Soft Systems Methodology? Challenges and opportunities in an undergraduate dissertation project

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) holds promise as an effective approach to addressing real-world problem situations. However, new learners of SSM can expect a number of challenges in learning the approach: its ambiguity and complexity, the number of likely unfamiliar concepts, its focus on rational analysis over emotion, and the demanding environment in which it is applied. This paper furthers the discussion of the teaching and learning of SSM in undergraduate education by considering SSM and its components from a skills-based perspective. We suggest that attention to critical, underlying component behaviors that make up SSM and an increased consideration of emotional issues in its application are key to improving learning outcomes for initial learners. We explore challenges and an approach for address these through an illustrative case involving an undergraduate dissertation project. Finally, we offer a number of recommendations and possible future lines of research which could support SSM's more widespread adoption in education and practice

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Among Latinos in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.

Low blood dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels have strong positive associations with stroke and coronary heart disease. However, it is unclear whether DHEAS is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we examined the association between cardiovascular risk factors and DHEAS concentration among a high-risk population of Latinos (Puerto Ricans aged 45 to 75 years at baseline) in a cross-sectional analysis of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Of eligible participants, 72% completed baseline interviews and provided blood samples. Complete data were available for 1355 participants. Associations between cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, total cholesterol, high-density lipid cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose) and log-transformed DHEAS (μg/dL) were assessed. In robust multivariable regression analyses, DHEAS was significantly inversely associated with age (β = -12.4; 95% CI: -15.2, -9.7; per 5 years), being female (vs. male) (β = -46; 95% CI: -55.3, -36.6), and plasma triglyceride concentration (β = -0.2; 95% CI: -0.3, -0.1; per 10 mg/dL) and was positively associated with total cholesterol and plasma glucose levels (β = 1.8; 95% CI: 0.6, 3 and β = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.3, respectively, per 10 mg/dL) after adjustment for smoking, alcohol, and physical activity and for postmenopausal hormone use in women. Estimates were unchanged after adjustment for measures of chronic disease and inflammation. Women exhibited a stronger age-related decline in DHEAS and a positive association with glucose in contrast to findings among men (P interaction < 0.05). In conclusion, in this large study of Latinos with a heavy cardiovascular risk factor burden, we observed significant associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and DHEAS, with variations by sex. These findings improve our understanding of the role DHEAS may play in CVD etiology

El efecto de la descentralización del sector público sobre la deuda pública de los países

El endeudamiento excesivo de los gobiernos subcentrales se considera uno de los peligros de la descentralización fiscal. Por otra parte, la descentralización podría garantizar la estabilidad fiscal del sector público al restringir los gobiernos “Leviatánicos”. Dado que el impacto de la descentralización fiscal sobre la deuda pública y sobre los resultados fiscales es ambiguo desde un punto de vista teórico, se analiza esta cuestión empíricamente con un panel de 8 países federales y cuasifederales, con medidas solo regionales de la descentralización para el período 1990-2011, y otro panel de 18 países federales y no federales, con medidas tanto regionales como locales de la descentralización para el periodo de 1980-2011. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que la descentralización regional aumenta la deuda pública, mientras que la descentralización local la reduce. Asimismo, el tamaño del Sector Público también incrementa dicha deuda, mientras que el saldo primario parece tener una relación negativa, siendo las demás variables no significativas.Excessive borrowing by subnational governments is considered to be one of the perils of fiscal decentralization. On the other hand, fiscal decentralization might ensure the fiscal stability of the public sector by constraining Leviathan governments. Since the impact of decentralized government on fiscal outcomes is therefore ambiguous from a theoretical perspective, we explore this question empirically with a panel of 8 federal countries, with only regional decentralization measures over 1990-2001 period, and another panel of federal and non-federal countries, both regional and local measures of decentralization over the 1980-2011 period. Our findings suggest that regional decentralization increases public debt, while local decentralization reduces it. Also, the size of Public Sector increases the debt, while the primary balance seems to have a negative relationship, with no other significant variables

Synthesis of porous graphene/TiO2 by use of recycled graphite

Graphene-based nanomaterials are a kind of new technological materials with high interest for physicists, chemists and materials scientists. Graphene is a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of carbon atoms in a hexagonal configuration with atoms bonded by sp2 bonds. These bonds and this electron configuration provides the extraordinary properties of graphene, such as very large surface area, a tunable band gap, high mechanical strength and high elasticity and thermal conductivity [1]. Graphene has also been investigated for preparation of composites with various semiconductors like TiO2, ZnO, CdS aiming at enhanced photocatalytic activity for their use for photochemical reaction as water splitting or CO2 to methanol conversion [2-3]. In this communication, the synthesis of porous graphene@TiO2 obtained from a powder graphite recycled, supplied by ECOPIBA, is presented. This graphite was exfoliated, using a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) and sonication. Titanium(IV) isopropoxide was used as TiO2 source. After removing the surfactant with a solution HCl/n-propanol, a porous solid is obtained with a specific area of 358 m2g-1. The solid was characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS, EDX and TEM. Figure 1 shows the graphene 2D layer bonded with nanoparticles of TiO2. When a water suspension of this material is exposed with UV-vis radiation, water splitting reaction is carried out and H2/O2 bubbles are observed (Figure 2)Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Procesamiento intraoracional de pronombres personales en ninos con trastorno especifico del lenguaje

62 p.Los niños con trastorno específico del lenguaje (TEL) suelen presentar dificultades a nivel de la morfosintaxis. Entre otros aspectos, manifiestan problemas en el procesamiento de los pronombres. El presente estudio está dirigido a estudiar este aspecto en niños con TEL a través de la aplicación del Test de Referencia Pronominal Sintáctica. Estudios previos sobre este tema en el habla inglesa utilizando esta misma prueba indican que los niños con TEL presentan un desempeño inferior en el procesamiento de los pronombres personales que sus controles. El propósito de este estudio fue conocer el rendimiento de los niños con TEL de lengua española en el procesamiento de pronombres personales. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que los niños con TEL de habla española también presentan un rendimiento inferior en el procesamiento intraoracional de pronombres personales, lo que se podría relacionar con un déficit representacional para las relaciones de dependencia sintáctica

Estudio de un método de aprendizaje combinado mediante el uso de la expresión artística y del cuento del camaleón del autor Leo Lion-ni, para el estímulo del aprendizaje significativo a través de las emociones

Este trabajo se basa en el empleo combinado de una metodología basada en cuentos artísticos de Leo Lionni y en artes plásticas. Se han empleado 5 actividades para desarrollarlas en base al cuento del Camaleón, llamado “Mi camaleón” dado que los alumnos han desarrollado de manera artística el camaleón. El estudio está centrado en el desarrollo de capacidades: el arte como lenguaje expresivo, actitud positiva ante el arte plástico y la cultura andaluza, conocimiento de algunas obras y sus autores de interés nacional e internacional creatividad e imaginación, psicomotricidad fina como la presión manual y amplitud de movimientos según el soporte y el material utilizado, o hábitos de limpieza. Se emplearon una serie de ítems para evaluar la eficacia del aprendizaje. Los resultados mostraron un elevado éxito en partición y aprendizaje. Sin embargo, se observó que en aquellas actividades de creación autónoma existía una carencia de creatividad, que sugiere que el empleo o uso excesivo de tecnologías TICs no favorece el desarrollo de estas actividades artísticas de creación propia

Utilidad del índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistemática preoperatorio como predictor de metástasis post resección quirúrgica por cáncer de colon

Objetivo: Evaluar al índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica (IIS) preoperatorio como predictor de metástasis en pacientes con cáncer de colon y determinar factores de riesgo posoperatorios de cáncer de colon metastásico. Material y métodos: Este estudio analítico de pruebas diagnósticas y de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte incluyó a 93 pacientes posoperados (46 casos y 47 controles) aleatoriamente, de cáncer de colon entre los años 2014 al 2018. Se realizó análisis bivariado mediante la prueba de t de Student y X 2 considerándose un valor p < 0.05. En la evaluación de los factores de riesgo se usó OR e IC al 95%. El IIS fue calculado mediante la curva de ROC hallando su punto de corte óptimo, así como la sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos. Resultados: El IIS preoperatorio fue superior en quienes presentaron metástasis de cáncer de colon (1070.8 vs 645.8, p<0.001). El análisis de la curva ROC determinó que el mejor punto de corte del IIS preoperatorio fue de 528.5. El IIS presentó una sensibilidad de 84.8%, especificidad de 63.8%, valor predictivo positivo de 69.6% y negativo de 81.1% en el diagnóstico de cáncer de colon. Los pacientes con un valor mayor de IIS al punto de corte de cáncer de colon tuvieron mayor riesgo de metástasis (OR: 9.83, p<0.001). En cuanto a las variables intervinientes, existió una mayor proporción de hombres con metástasis (OR:2.5, p=0.049), y la localización más frecuente fue el colon izquierdo (OR: 3.11, p=0.009). Finalmente, el análisis multivariado muestra como único factor independiente al IIS con OR:9.51 e IC al 95%:3.19 - 25.14. Conclusiones: Un índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica (IIS) preoperatorio es un predictor de metástasis además de ser un factor de riesgo posoperatorio de cáncer de colon. El IIS preoperatorio junto con la localización izquierda del cáncer y el sexo masculino constituyen factores de riesgo posoperatorios para cáncer de colon metastásico.Objective: To evaluate the preoperative systemic immunity-inflammation index (IIS) as a predictor of metastasis in patients with colon cancer and to determine postoperative risk factors for metastatic colon cancer. Material and methods: This analytical study of diagnostic and case-control tests nested in a cohort included 93 post-operative patients (46 cases and 47 controls) randomazed selected from colon cancer between 2014 and 2018. Bivariate analysis was performed using the t test and chi-square considering a p value <0.05. In the evaluation of the risk factors, OR and 95% CI were used. The IIS was calculated using the ROC curve finding its optimal cut-off point, as well as the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Results: The preoperative IIS was higher in those who had colon cancer metastases (1070.8 vs 645.8, p <0.001). The analysis of the ROC curve determined that the best cut-off point of the preoperative IIS was 528.5. The IIS presented a sensitivity of 84.8%, specificity of 63.8%, positive predictive value of 69.6% and negative of 81.1% in the diagnosis of colon cancer. Patients with a higher IIS value at the colon cancer cut-off point had a higher risk of metastasis (OR: 9.83, p <0.001). Regarding the intervening variables, there was a higher proportion of men with metastases (OR: 2.5, p = 0.049), and the most frequent location was the left colon (OR: 3.11, p = 0.009). Finally, the multivariate analysis shows as the only independent factor the IIS with OR: 9.51 and 95% CI: 3.19 - 25.14. Conclusions: A preoperative systemic immunity-inflammation index (IIS) is a predictor of metastasis as well as being a postoperative risk factor for colon cancer. The preoperative IIS together with the left location of the cancer and the male sex are postoperative risk factors for metastatic colon cancer.Tesi