Complejidad y sostenibilidad de dos agro ecosistemas con cacao, Siuna, 2017

This research was carried out in El Carao-Hormiguero Community, Siuna, 2017, in the farms of Los Laureles belonging to Mr. German Valerio Pérez and El Encanto belonging to Mr. Carlos López Lagos, with the purpose of evaluating the complexity and sustainability of two agro ecosystems with cocoa through the management of biodiversity in agroecosystems and determine the level of sustainability in the sociocultural, economic and agro-environmental aspects. Two methodologies were applied, Vázquez (2013) which evaluates six indicatives and 64 indicators, they are measured with a range of (0-4) being this a standard value to measure the level of complexity of the production systems and HESOFI (2015) that evaluates 71 indicators, 12 components and 3 criteria such as sociocultural, economic and agro-environmental and for each criterion a value of 100 is assigned. The coefficient and management of biodiversity in the Los Laureles Farm is moderately complex with a level of 2.61 (56.71%) with a satisfactory rating and El Encanto Farm 1.60 (33.44%), being determined as an uncomplicated production system with a moderately satisfactory rating. The level of sustainability measured by the socio-cultural, economic and agro-environmental dimensions for El Encanto farm was 132 out of 300, its strength lies on the sociocultural (66%), agro-environmental (41%) and economic with (25%). Los Laureles farm presented a value of 202 out of 300, its greatest strength being the sociocultural (75%), the agro-environmental (69%) and the economic (58%). These results indicate that Los Laureles farm has a degree of sustainability of (67.40%), and El Encanto farm with (44.19%).Esta investigación se realizó en la comunidad El Carao-Hormiguero, Siuna, 2017, en las fincas Los Laureles del Sr. German Valerio Pérez y El Encanto del Sr. Carlos López Lagos, con el fin de evaluar la complejidad y sostenibilidad de dos agro ecosistemas con cacao a través de manejo de biodiversidad en los agroecosistemas y determinar el nivel de sostenibilidad en el aspecto sociocultural, económico y agro-ambiental.         Se aplicaron dos metodologías, Vázquez (2013) la cual evalúa seis indicativos y 64 indicadores, se miden con un rango de (0-4) siendo este un valor estándar para medir el nivel de complejidad de los sistemas de producción y HESOFI (2015) que evalúa 71 indicadores, 12 componentes y 3 criterios, sociocultural, económicos y agro-ambiental y para cada criterio se asigna un valor de 100.          El coeficiente y manejo de la biodiversidad en la finca Los Laureles es medianamente complejo con un nivel del 2.61 (56.71%) con un índice satisfactorio y El Encanto 1.60 (33.44%), determinándose como un sistema de producción poco complejo con índice medianamente satisfactorio.            El nivel de sostenibilidad que miden las dimensiones socio-cultural, económica y agro-ambiental para la finca El Encanto fue de 132 de 300, su fuerza radica en lo sociocultural con (66%), agro-ambiental con (41%) y económico con un (25%). Los Laureles presentó un valor de 202 de 300, su mayor fuerte fue lo sociocultural (75%), lo agro- ambiental (69%) y lo económico (58%). Tales resultados indican que Los Laureles cuenta con un grado de sostenibilidad del (67.40%), y El Encanto con (44.19%)

Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Spanish version

This article presents the process of adjusting into Spanish Kenny’s Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (Kenny, Davis, & Oates, 2004). This questionnaire is based on Barlow’s theory of performance anxiety and evaluates levels of anxiety whilst on stage. After doing two translations into Spanish, a peer review, and pilot study, the questionnaire was answered by 490 musicians training in six Spanish music conservatories. Results showed that the adapted version of the instrument, with some minor modifications, has good psychometric properties, also validated through a confirmatory factor analysis procedure. Thereof, and in accordance with to Barlow’s theoretical framework, we saw emerge three related factors that made reference to specific cognitions of performance anxiety, such as helplessness as a factor of psychological vulnerability and early family influences. Performance anxiety is related to a psychological vulnerability profile and early relationship context. Finally, it is important to count with reliable instruments that allow contrasting theories in different cultural background, comparing the effects of problems or treatment outcomes

Music Self-Efficacy for Performance: An explanatory model based on Social Support

Personal perceptions of self-efficacy are particularly relevant in the field of music performance, which is oriented toward the outward expressions of one’s own ability through public performances. Within this context, a number of personal variables, including social support and performance anxiety, have been shown to be associated with musical success and are therefore relevant for research that seeks to understand the four sources of self-efficacy (mastery experiences, vicarious observation, verbal persuasion, physiological states) that are integral components of Bandura’s (2002) Social Learning Theory. Previous research, as well as observed differences among musicians associated with educational level (preuniversity) and gender (male/female), underpins the context of this study, which presents evidence regarding the factors that are capable of mediating perceptions of self-efficacy for musical performance. Specifically, the main objectives of this study were to more clearly understand relations between social support, public performance, musical performance anxiety, and self-efficacy using structural equation modeling and to compare these results according to gender. A battery of questionnaires was submitted to 359 preuniversity Spanish music students. Results highlight the relevance of family support for self-efficacy in public performance: directly and mediated through musical performance anxiety. The role of teachers and peers appeared to be relevant only for boys and was mediated through performance anxiety. Public performances lead to a greater degree of musical self-efficacy, but only in girls. Further research shall be required in order to improve pedagogical methods and help teachers increasingly individualize their teaching

Computational study of Mn-doped GaN polar and non-polar surfaces

First-principles calculations were carried out in order to study the magnetic, electronic and structural properties of the Mn-doped polar GaN(0 0 0 1) and non-polar GaN(101¯0) and GaN(112¯0) surfaces, with the aim of refining the growth of thin films of this material. The results indicate that the surfaces present magnetization of approximately 4.0 μβ/Mn atom, in agreement with the recently reported theoretical and experimental results. Calculations of surface formation energy indicate that Mn atoms are incorporated into top surface layers (first and second) of GaN, being the MnGa incorporation in the polar surface more energetically favourable than in the nonpolar surfaces. In addition, it was observed that the magnetic coupling between the Mn impurities depends on the surface orientation, which could be useful for the design of magnetic nanodevices

Are digital twins improving urban-water systems efficiency and sustainable development goals?

The use of these new interaction tool implies the improvement of the awareness of the whole system and it lies in improving the sustainability and efficiency of the water systems with the integration of measurements. The research proposed a methodology, which enables improvement in the accuracy and reliability of data and it increases the performance of water systems. This study proposes a pressure-reduction strategy and the implementation of pumps as turbines (PATs), applicable in Sta Cruz, Madeira water system. The use of the developed digital twin model assures a decrease of 3.3 hm3 in water-demand volume, increasing renewable generation by micro-hydropower up to 1.2 GWh. These actions would result in savings above 1.5 M€, decreasing around 530 tons of CO2 emissions each year. The consideration of these values implies the improvement of different indicators, which allows the evaluation of different targets linked to sustainable development goals (SDGs). A digital twin is a tool, which enables a real-time simulation of the water systems and therefore, the water managers can make a decision in the management of the water system over time. The use of these new interaction tool implies the improvement of the awareness of the whole system and it lies in improving the sustainability and efficiency of the water systems with the integration of measurements. The research proposed a methodology to integrate GIS and water models, being the main goal the integration of social, economic, environmental and technical issues. This integration enables improvement in the accuracy and reliability of data and it increases the performance of water systems. This study proposes a pressure-reduction strategy and the implementation of pumps as turbines (PATs), applicable in Sta Cruz, Madeira water system. The use of the developed digital twin model assures a decrease of 3.3 hm3 in water-demand volume, increasing renewable generation by micro-hydropower up to 1.2 GWh. These actions would result in savings above 1.5 M€, decreasing around 530 tons of CO2 emissions each year. The consideration of these values implies the improvement of different indicators, which allows the evaluation of different targets linked to sustainable development goals (SDGs). © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Efecto del ejercicio físico en la productividad laboral y el bienestar

This study analyses a systematic physical activity programme carried out over one year. The study was conducted with 92 employees working in a consultancy company. A total of 53 employees agreed to participate in the programme, while the remaining 39 formed the control group. The aim of the study was to improve the participants' overall physical condition as a way to enhance cardiovascular resistance, strength and flexibility. The results obtained showed an improvement in the participants' physical condition. Once the efficacy of the physical training programme was demonstrated, the influence of the intervention on other parameters was examined. The programme participants showed higher levels of well-being and satisfaction with life and work as well as lower levels of perceived stress and better job performance evaluations than the participants in the control group. The implications of the findings are discussed

Variables de afrontamiento y psicológicas explicativas de la ansiedad escénica en instrumentistas de viento metal

En el proceso de aprendizaje musical, uno de los mayores problemas a los que los estudiantes deben hacer frente es la ansiedad escénica. Este problema puede llegar incluso a propiciar el abandono de los estudios o llevar a los estudiantes a adoptar conductas adictivas relacionadas con el consumo de sustancias para mitigar las nefastas consecuencias que puede llegar a provocar la ansiedad escénica. En este estudio y a partir del triple sistema de vulnerabilidad descrito por Barlow (2000) se explica la presencia de mayores o menores niveles de ansiedad a partir de características personales como la indefensión, la sensibilidad al castigo o el optimismo disposicional. Se estudia también cómo estos constructos se relacionan con la existencia de pensamientos de abandono de los estudios musicales, así como con la existencia de conductas relacionadas con el consumo de sustancias para mitigar los efectos de la ansiedad escénica. Se hace patente cómo la indefensión es un factor mediador clave entre características personales y contextuales de cara a generar mayores o menores niveles de ansiedad escénica. Se ha contado con una muestra de estudiantes de instrumentos de viento metal de 6 centros distintos de formación superior españoles. Consideramos que es necesaria más investigación, con otros tipos de instrumentistas de cara a estudiar si existen diferencias entre ellos que sugieran la aplicación de planes formativos especializados en un futuro. In the process of musical learning, one of the biggest problems that students must face is stage anxiety. This problem can even lead to the abandonment of studies or lead students to adopt addictive behaviours related to the use of substances to mitigate the harmful consequences that stage anxiety can cause. In this study and taken into account the triple vulnerability system described by Barlow (2000) the presence of higher or lower levels of anxiety is explained from personal characteristics such as helplessness, sensitivity to punishment or dispositional optimism. Thus, it is also studied how these constructs are related to the existence of thoughts of abandonment of musical studies, as well as to the existence of behaviours related to the consumption of substances to mitigate the effects of stage anxiety. It becomes clear how helplessness is a key mediating factor between personal and contextual characteristics in order to generate higher or lower levels of stage anxiety. For this study has been gathered a sample of students of metal wind instruments from 6 different centres of Spanish higher education. In this sense we consider that more research is necessary, with other types of instrumentalists in order to study if there are differences between them that could suggest the application of specialized training plans in the future