Board Independence and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: The Mediating Role of the Presence of Family Ownership

This paper examines the impact of board independence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and analyses the moderating effect of the presence of family ownership. Using an international sample from 29 countries from 2006 to 2014, our panel Tobit estimation shows that board independence is negatively associated with CSR disclosure practices and they present opposition to CSR disclosure practices. However, family ownership moderates the relationship and enforces the positive orientation of independent directors towards CSR disclosure. This shows that the presence of family ownership reduces independent director concern of reputation risks associated with receiving misleading information and family firms decrease the asymmetries of information between the independent director and management. The study also finds that independent directors encourage CSR disclosure in family firms more in civil law countries where investor protection is low compared to common law countries where investor protection is high.We would like to thank European Union for providing Erasmus Plus International Credit Mobility Scholarship to Mr. Shashank Bansal. This research is performed during his stay at University of Granada, Spain, as a part of scholarship

Evidence on the discrimination of quinoa grains with a combination of FT-MIR and FT-NIR spectroscopy

Quinoa is considered as a valuable re-emergent crop due to its nutritional composition. In this study, five quinoa grains from different geographical origin (Real, CHEN 252, Regalona, BO25 and UDc9) were discriminated using a combination of FT-MIR and FT-NIR spectra as input for principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and soft independent modelling class analogy (SIMCA). The results obtained from PCA and CA show a great power of discrimination, with an average silhouette width value of 0.96. Moreover, SIMCA showed an error rate and accuracy values of 0 and 1 respectively with only 4% misclassified samples. A relationship between each principal component and the most important variables for the discrimination were mainly due to vibrations of several oleofins groups (C–H, C–H2, C–H3), alkene group (–CH=CH–), hydroxyl group (O–H) and Amides I and II vibrational modes.Fil: Rodríguez, Silvio David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Fernandez, Maria Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado, Sara Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Buera, Maria del Pilar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos.; Argentin

Prevention of gender violence and working against LGBT prejudices: The intersection between collective action and institutional dynamics

This study compares two public campaigns against LGBT prejudices: ‘Dislike Homophobic Bullying’, by CIG, the Portuguese governmental mechanism for citizenship and gender equality; and the performative action ‘Exorcise the Pathologization’, included in the Portuguese branch of the international campaign Stop Trans Pathologization 2012. Using critical discourse analysis (CDA) and visual analysis (VA), we conclude that gender violence is a cross-cultural and structural problem embracing a wide range of forms of violence against women and LGBT people in Portugal. It is grounded in a dominant culture where gender is socially constructed as polarized, complemented by the performativity of discourse, the intersectional and institutional power relations underlying social practices. We demonstrate how public campaigns against homophobia and transphobia can contribute to de-naturalizing the gender divide and gender regime, and thus to changing the cultural ground of gender violence. However, without deconstructing gender, they are at risk of reproducing gender hierarchies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anxiety and mild microglial activation in the amygdala two weeks after NA-induced neuroinflammation

A single injection of neuraminidase (NA) within the cerebral ventricles (ICV) triggers an acute neuroinflammation. Neurological complications or behavioral alterations have been associated to neuroinflammation. While some of these symptoms decline with time along with inflammation, the possibility of long-term sequelae should be considered. Thus, we aimed to explore if NA-induced neuroinflammation provokes behavioral or neurological disturbances at medium (2 weeks) and long (10 weeks) term. Rats were ICV injected with NA or saline. First, neurological alterations of the sensorimotor reflexes were not found, suggesting that NA does not cause disturbances in major brain functions. While the open field test revealed normal locomotor capacity in the animals injected with NA, however the evaluation of specific behaviors (rearing and rearing with support) pointed out an increased anxiety state 2 weeks after NA administration, but not at long term (10 weeks). A histological study of brain areas related to emotions (amygdala) and stress response (hypothalamic PVN) revealed no significant differences in the number of microglia or astrocytes. Nevertheless, the morphological analysis of microglial cells demonstrated that, in the amygdala of NA injected rats, microglia presented a morphology consistent with a slightly activated state. Such morphological change, which was evident 2 weeks after NA injection, was virtually reverted 10 weeks post-ICV. These results point out that NA injected ICV may cause anxiety in the medium term (while not affecting other functions like sensorimotor functions or the locomotor capacity), a behavioral alteration that is transient and that concurs with a mild inflammation, evidenced by the overexpression of certain genes and, more notably, by the morphological bias of microglial cells located in the amygdala towards an activated profile.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Digital accreditations in MOOC-based training on sustainability: Factors that influence terminal efficiency

Digital certificates in massive open online course (MOOC) learning experiences provide alternative credentials linked to lifelong learning. The Bi-National Laboratory on Smart Sustainable Energy Management and Technology Training provided the context for this research. This project was undertaken by Mexican and United States universities, businesses and governmental organisations, having granted 17,776 certifications in sustainability and 10,705 labour competence certificates. The research focused on analysing the factors that promote digital credentials, from the point of view of participant and platform characteristics, in the framework of MOOCs in energy sustainability, through the MexicoX and edX platforms. Using the ex post facto method, two validated instruments were applied to analyse motivation and self-regulation processes. A total of 4,002 useful responses were gathered from participants in 35 MOOC courses. The results account for six determinant factors for digital accreditation: perceived usefulness, self-efficacy, knowledge domain and expertise, group work disposition, achievement drive, and performance strategic thinking. We highlight implications for research on educational innovation and for educational practice in MOOCs. These data may be of interest to academics, researchers and decision-makers interested in training through distance environments. Implications for practice or policy: • Digital certifications in MOOCs are motivation for participants to successfully finish their courses, and this can be leveraged for education and research. • Course leaders need to consider that effective design and implementation of new models for MOOCs may help improve terminal efficiency. • The potential perceived benefits from training on professional performance have the greatest influence on the terminal efficiency of MOOC participants

“You knew you had to be there, it had to be done”: Experiences of health professionals who faced the COVID-19 pandemic in one public hospital in Spain

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the lack of a government contingency plan for an effective response to an unexpected health crisis. This study uses a phenomenological approach to explore the experience of healthcare professionals during the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in a public health hospital in the Valencia region, Spain. It assesses the impact on their health, coping strategies, institutional support, organizational changes, quality of care, and lessons learned. Methods: We carried out a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with doctors and nurses from the Preventive Medicine, Emergency, and Internal Medicine Services and the Intensive Care Unit, using the Colaizzi’s 7-step data analysis method. Results: During the first wave, lack of information and leadership led to feelings of uncertainty, fear of infection, and transmission to family members. Continuous organizational changes and lack of material and human resources brought limited results. The lack of space to accommodate patients, along with insufficient training in treating critical patients, and the frequent moving around of healthcare workers, reduced the quality of care. Despite the high levels of emotional stress reported, no sick leave was taken; the high levels of commitment and professional vocation helped in adapting to the intense work rhythms. Healthcare professionals in the medical services and support units reported higher levels of stress, and a greater sense of neglect by their institution than their colleagues in managerial roles. Family, social support, and camaraderie at work were effective coping strategies. Health professionals showed a strong collective spirit and sense of solidarity. This helped them cope with the additional stress and workload that accompanied the pandemic. Conclusion: In the wake of this experience, they highlight the need for a contingency plan adapted to each organizational context. Such a plan should include psychological counseling and continuous training in critical patient care. Above all, it needs to take advantage of the hard-won knowledge born of the COVID-19 pandemi

Physicochemical, thermal and rheological properties of isolated Argentina quinoa starch

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical, thermal and pasting properties of the starch of six quinoa genotypes native to the northwest of Argentina. The genotypes belonging to two genotype groups, highlands and dry valley, were grown in Jujuy, Argentina. Significant differences among genotypes were observed (P < 0.05) in amylose content, swelling power, water-binding capacity, thermal and pasting properties. In the different genotypes, the starch was characterized by a typical A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, with relative crystallinity ranging between 26.1 and 28.5%. Granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), which is the single enzyme responsible for amylose biosynthesis, was also identified, with the 67- and 58-kDa quinoa polypeptides corresponding to the full-length and mature GBSS proteins. Studies of the pasting properties showed that the starch of the genotypes from the highlands had lower peak viscosity and lower breakdown parameter than that of the genotypes from the dry valleys. The results showed that the genotypic background and the environment influence the pasting curves. The novel findings discussed in this study constitute a starting point for research focusing on incorporating innovative technologies in the food and biomaterials industry.Fil: Lopez Fernandez, Maria Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Silvio David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Favre, Leonardo Cristian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos.; ArgentinaFil: Busch, Verónica María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos.; ArgentinaFil: Buera, Maria del Pilar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos.; Argentin

Study of the impact of social learning and gamification methodologies on learning results in higher education

In this work, as the last step of a longitudinal study of the impact of so- cial learning and gamification methodologies on learning results in higher education, we have recorded the activity in a software platform based on Moodle, especially built for encouraging online participation of the stu- dents to design, carry out and evaluate a set of learning tasks and games, during two consecutive editions of an undergraduate course. Our aim is to confirm the relationships of the patterns of accomplishment of the gam- ified activities and the network structure of the social graphs associated to the online forums with knowledge adquisition and final outcomes. For this purpose we have offered two learning paths, traditional and novel, to our students. We have identified course variables that quantitatively explain the improvements reported when using the innovative methodolo- gies integrated in the course design, and we have applied techniques from the social network analysis (SNA) and the machine learning/deep learn- ing (ML/DL) domains to conduct success/failure classification methods finding that, generally, very good results are obtained when an ensemble approach is used, that is, when we blend the predictions made by different classifiers. The proposed methodology can be used over reduced datasets and variable time windows for having early estimates that allow pedagog- ical interventions. Finally, we have applied other statistical tests to our datasets, that confirm the influence of learning path on learning results

Enhanced stress response in rats that suffered acute neuroinflammation induced by neuraminidase three months before

Microglial cells are protagonists in neuroinflammatory processes and their activation is a notorious feature of such events. In acute inflammation, microglial cells return to their basal surveillant state in few days. However, sometimes they evolve towards a primed state, characterized by hypersensitivity to new stimuli and an exacerbated response which may jeopardize brain functions. Because the hypothalamus is a pivotal hub for neuroendocrine and autonomic functions, we have been exploring evidences of microglial priming in this region and its consequences. We used a model of acute ventricular neuroinflammation consisting in the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of neuraminidase (NA). This enzyme is found in the cover of neurotropic bacteria and viruses, e.g. influenza, mumps or measles viruses, thus mimicking a brain infection. Three months after inducing neuroinflammation with NA to rats, an acute stressor was applied to investigate the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the stress response elicited, as well as the inflammatory activation of hypothalamic microglial cells. The acute stressor was forced swimming for 6 minutes. Afterwards, blood samples were retrieved to determine corticosterone levels by ELISA, and the brains extracted to analyze microglial cells in histological sections by immunohistochemistry with IBA1 and inflammatory markers by qPCR. Stressed rats previously injected with NA had increased levels of corticosterone compared with control rats that were equally stressed but had been ICV injected with saline. Also, qPCR studies in hypothalamic tissue revealed that NA treated rats presented an increased expression of the genes for the inflammasome protein NLR family pyring domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and the microglial marker IBA1. Concomitantly, the morphological analysis of microglial cells located in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) showed a morphological bias towards a slightly activated state in microglia...Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Vending Machines of Food and Beverages and Nutritional Profile of their Products at Schools in Madrid, Spain, 2014-2015

BACKGROUND: Policies restricting access to sugary drinks and unhealthy foods in the school environment are associated with healthier consumption patterns. In 2010, Spain approved a Consensus Document regarding Food at Schools with nutritional criteria to improve the nutritional profile of foods and drinks served at schools. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of food and drink vending machines at secondary schools in Madrid, the products offered at them and their nutritional profile. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a random sample of 330 secondary schools in Madrid in 2014-2015. The characteristics of the schools and the existence of vending machines were recorded through the internet and by telephone interview. The products offered in a representative sample of 6 vending machines were identified by in situ inspection, and its nutritional composition was taken from its labeling. Finally, the nutritional profile of each product was analyzed with the United Kingdom profile model, which classifies products as healthy and less healthy. RESULTS: The prevalence of vending machines was 17.3%. Among the products offered, 80.5% were less healthy food and drinks (high in energy, fat or sugar and poor in nutrients) and 10.5% were healthy products. CONCLUSIONS: Vending machines are common at secondary schools in Madrid. Most products are vending machines are still less healthy. Fundamento: Las políticas restrictivas del acceso a bebidas azucaradas y alimentos no saludables en el entorno escolar se asocian con patrones de consumo más saludables. En 2010 se aprobó en España el Documento de Consenso sobre la Alimentación en los Centros Educativos con criterios nutricionales para mejorar el perfil nutricional de los alimentos y bebidas ofertados. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la frecuencia de máquinas expendedoras de bebidas y alimentos y perfil nutricional de sus productos en los Institutos de Enseñanza Secundaria (IES) de Madrid.Métodos: Estudio transversal sobre una muestra aleatoria de 330 IES de la Comunidad de Madrid durante el curso 2014-2015. A través de internet y por entrevista telefónica se registraron las características de los centros y la existencia o no de máquinas expendedoras en ellos. Los productos ofertados en una muestra representativa de 6 máquinas expendedoras se obtuvieron mediante inspección in situ y su composición nutricional se tomó del eti-quetado. Por último, el perfil nutricional de los productos se analizó con el modelo del Reino Unido, que clasifica los productos en saludables y menos saludables. Resultados: La prevalencia de máquinas expendedoras fue del 17,3%. El 80,5% de sus productos fueron menos saludables, altamente energéticos, ricos en grasa o azúcar y pobres en micronutrientes. El 10,5% resultaron ser productos saludables.Conclusión: Las máquinas expendedoras son frecuentes en los IES de Madrid y la mayoría de sus productos tienen un mal perfil nutricional. Palabras clave:Obesidad infantil. Máquinas expendedoras de alimen-tos. Escuela secundaria. Recomendaciones alimentarias.S