Board Independence And Firm Performance: The Moderating Effect Of Institutional Context

This study proposes a new research approach to examine the relationship between board independence and corporate performance, measured by technical efficiency. Moreover, this paper examines the moderating role that institutional factors exert on this relationship through the legal system—the content of law and its enforcement. The research questions are examined using an international sample of 2185 firms from 2006 to 2015, applying truncated regression models for panel data and employing data envelopment analysis to examine efficiency as a measure of performance. This paper supports that board independence increases the firm's technical efficiency. Even more, greater legal and judicial protection exerts a positive moderating effect on the previous relationship by protecting private benefits for insiders, among other aspects. Thus, the positive impact of independent directors on efficiency is greater when firms operate in countries with a greater extent of law and enforcement. Our findings include endogeneity checks using instrumental variables

Estrategias interculturales promotoras de la identidad cultural en niños de 4 años en un contexto de educación virtual en una institución pública del distrito de Pueblo Libre en Lima

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la aplicación y los resultados alcanzados de estrategias interculturales diseñadas para promover la identidad cultural en niños de 4 años de una institución pública de Pueblo Libre. Este estudio se realizó en la modalidad investigación – acción y propuso estrategias para garantizar el desarrollo de la identidad cultural. Es decir, se planteó desarrollar estrategias interculturales que permitan un desarrollo óptimo de la identidad en estudiantes de cuatro años en el contexto de la educación virtual. Se planteó como hipótesis desarrollar estrategias para promover la identidad de cada niño, creando un ambiente diverso, de aceptación, conciencia, promoción de su entorno cultural e interacción con sus compañeros difundiendo y apreciando las riquezas simbólicas que cada familia presenta. Además, esta propuesta buscó que los niños reconozcan sus culturas, raíces, ascendencias, familias y costumbres para fomentar un desarrollo con autoestima y prevenir la influencia de estereotipos culturales y raciales discriminatoriosThe present study aimed to analyze the application and the results achieved of intercultural strategies designed to promote cultural identity in 4-year-old children from a public institution in Pueblo Libre. This study was carried out in the research - action modality and proposed strategies to guarantee the development of cultural identity. That is, it was proposed to develop intercultural strategies that allow an optimal development of identity in four-year-old students in the context of virtual education. It was hypothesized to develop strategies to promote the identity of each child, creating a diverse environment of acceptance, awareness, promotion of their cultural environment and interaction with their peers, spreading and appreciating the symbolic riches that each family presents. In addition, this proposal sought that children recognize their cultures, roots, ancestry, families and customs to promote a development with self-esteem and prevent the influence of discriminatory cultural and racial stereotypes

Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) ISG15: molecular characterization and in vivo interplay with viral infections

The interferon-stimulated gene 15 (Isg15) is strongly induced by type I interferon (IFN I), viral infection, and double-stranded RNA (poly I:C) in several fish species, suggesting that Isg15 protein could play a key role in fish innate immunity against viral diseases. Thus, the aim of the present study was to characterize the molecular structure and transcription pattern of the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) Isg15 gene in response to viral infections. The molecular characterization shows that the Senegalese sole Isg15 gene codes for a typical Isg15 protein of 165 aa, containing two ubiquitin-like domains and one conserved LRLRGG conjugating motif at the C-terminal end. The untranslated 5´-end region exhibited the structure of an IFN-stimulated gene promoter, with two interferon stimulated response elements (ISRE). Pairwise alignments based on deduced amino acid sequences showed homologous relationships (72.5-74.2%) between the Isg15 of Senegalese sole and other pleuronectiforms. The Isg15 transcription has been studied in head kidneys of Senegalese sole inoculated with poly I:C and with different fish viruses: two Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia Virus (VHSV) isolates (highly pathogenic and non-pathogenic to sole), and one reassortant Viral Nervous Necrosis Virus (VNNV) isolate, composed of a RGNNV-type RNA1 and a SJNNV-type RNA2 (pathogenic to sole). These challenges showed that poly I:C induces Isg15 transcription from 3 to 72 h post-injection (p.i.), whereas the induction in response to viral infections started at 24-48 h p.i. The fast induction of Isg15 indicates the potential implication of this ISG in the antiviral state stablished by the IFN I system. On the other hand, the interaction between each virus and the IFN I system was evaluated in fish inoculated with poly I:C and subsequently (24 h later) challenged with the different viruses. This challenge showed a viral multiplication decrease in poly I:C treated animals compared with untreated fish. Besides, results showed that only both pathogenic isolates interfered negatively with the Isg15 stimulation triggered by poly I:C. These results suggest that the Isg15 might play an important role in host defense against RNA virus infection, and the pathogenic isolates used in this study may have mechanisms to evade or limit the Senegalese sole innate host defenses.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Do proctored online University exams in Covid-19 era affect final grades respect face-to-face exams?

[EN] The Covid-19 pandemic forced universities to convert their traditional face-to-face exams to online exams with doubts as to whether student cheating or technical difficulties would affect their final grades. After taking three of these exams online, we considered comparing their grades with those of previous years on traditional exams. The average mark of the traditional exams before the pandemic was 6.95 over 10, while the average mark of the three exams carried out in the Covid-19 era is 6.64. The student's t test indicated that there are no significant differences between the two types of exams in the mean (p = 0.408), the median (p = 0.378), the range (p = 0.307), the minimum (p = 0.410) and the maximum (p = 0.072). Taking online exams did not modify the exam grades compared to previous years. There is a lot of variability in similar studies in the literature due to cheating that can be performed in online exams. A proctoring system, good question design, and limited exam time can minimize these differences.Alegre-Martínez, A.; Martinez-Martinez, MI.; Alfonso-Sanchez, JL. (2021). Do proctored online University exams in Covid-19 era affect final grades respect face-to-face exams?. En 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 727-734. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd21.2021.12701OCS72773

Changes in total and inner retinal thicknesses in type 1 diabetes with no retinopathy after 8 years of follow-up

Purpose:To evaluate changes in retinal layer thickness in patients with Type 1 diabetes with no diabetic retinopathy after 8 years of follow-up. Methods:Ninety Type 1 diabetes and 60 control eyes were studied. Changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner nuclear layer thicknesses in all Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study areas were evaluated. Results:The mean ages were 42.93 ± 13.62 and 41.52 ± 13.05 years in the diabetic and control group, respectively. In 2009, total retinal thickness was higher in diabetic patients; differences were statistically significant in all except the nasal areas. In both groups, the mean foveal thickness remained the same during the 8 years. Among diabetic patients, there was a significant reduction in total retinal thickness in all areas excluding the outer temporal one; controls only in the inferior areas. The thickness loss was due to the thinning of the inner retinal layers (inner nuclear layer, ganglion cell layer, and retinal nerve fiber layer). The controls showed a significant diminution in the retinal nerve fiber layer and in the ganglion cell layer areas. The inner nuclear layer showed a diminution in the diabetes mellitus group. Conclusion:Before the onset of diabetic retinopathy, Type 1 diabetes patients experience a diminution of their inner retinal layer thicknesses over time, supporting the hypothesis of retinal neurodegeneration

Solitary colonic polypoid ganglioneuroma

This short report discusses a case of solitary colonic polypoid ganglioneuroma associated with melanosis coli in a woman with no systemic manifestations. To our knowledge this is the first ganglioneuroma reported in the literature in association with melanosis coli. The nature and significance of this event remains unclear, although this may be coincidental due to the laxative intake. Further investigation is necessary to clarify this point. The interest of this case lies moreover in the rarity of this entity and its endoscopic and histologic resemblance to sessile polyps frequent in the clinical practice

Estimulación del sistema mediado por interferón tipo I de lenguado senegalés (Solea senegalensis) en respuesta a infecciones por nodavirus

El lenguado senegalés es susceptible a la infección por el Virus de la Necrosis Nerviosa Viral (VNNV). Los betanodavirus se clasifican en cuatro genotipos, siendo los genotiposSJNNV, RGNNV y virus recombinantes RGNNV-SJNNV los que causan mortalidad en lenguado. En condiciones experimentales es el recombinante el que provoca mayor mortalidad. Las diferencias en la tasa de mortalidad pueden indicar variaciones en la interacción entre los distintos genotipos y el sistema inmune de lenguado. El sistema del interferón tipo I es un componente esencial de la respuesta inmune frente a infecciones virales, induciendo la expresión de genes que codifican proteínas antivíricas, tales como la Mx, la ISG15 y la PKR. El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido cuantificar la transcripción de Mx, ISG15 y PKR en respuesta a infecciones por SJNNV, RGNNV y un recombinante RG-SJ.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Satisfacción laboral en agencias de una entidad financiera de Lima, 2020

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo determinar el nivel de satisfacción laboral en las agencias de una Entidad Financiera de Lima, 2020, durante la crisis sanitaria del COVID – 19. El diseño de investigación es no experimental, tipo de estudio simple de enfoque descriptivo y corte transversal, empleando recopilación de datos e información a través de la técnica de encuesta, e instrumento un cuestionario, el cual consta de 14 ítems en una escala de 5 niveles diferentes. El instrumento se aplicó a 73 colaboradores del área operativa de cuatro agencias de la Entidad Financiera, los datos recolectados fueron procesados mediante el programa estadístico informático SPSS y posteriormente analizados para responder a los objetivos de la investigación. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el nivel de la satisfacción laboral en las agencias de una Entidad Financiera es de nivel regular. Los resultados para las dimensiones fueron: dimensión relaciones interpersonales, nivel bueno con un porcentaje de calificación del 34.2%; dimensión aspectos económicos, nivel regular con un porcentaje de calificación del 52.1%; dimensión condiciones de trabajo, nivel regular con un porcentaje de calificación del 41.1%; por último, dimensión reconocimientos y oportunidades, nivel regular con un porcentaje de calificación del 39.7%. Se concluye que el mayor número de colaboradores afirma que el nivel de la satisfacción laboral es regular, lo cual se respalda en las dimensiones de la investigación. Las limitaciones presentadas fueron la obtención de autorización de parte de la empresa para el uso de su nombre en la presente investigación; además, del arduo trabajo en recolectar la información de la muestra seleccionada debido a los escasos tiempos libres de los colaboradores

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Depression Biomarkers in Women With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study objectives: The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on mediators of cardiovascular disease and depression in women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unknown. We aimed to assess the effect of CPAP therapy on a variety of biomarkers of inflammation, antioxidant activity, and depression in women with OSA. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in 247 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ? 15). Women were randomized to CPAP (n = 120) or conservative treatment (n = 127) for 12 weeks. Changes in tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF?), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were assessed. Additional analyses were conducted in subgroups of clinical interest. Results: Women had a median (25th-75th percentiles) age of 58 (51-65) years, body mass index 33.5 (29.0-38.3) kg/m2, and AHI 33.3 (22.8-49.3). No differences were found between groups in the baseline levels of the biomarkers. After 12 weeks of follow-up, there were no changes between groups in any of the biomarkers assessed. These results did not change when the analyses were restricted to sleepy women or to those with severe OSA. In women with CPAP use at least 5 hours per night, only TNF? levels decreased compared to the control group (-0.29 ± 1.1 vs -0.06 ± 0.53, intergroup difference -0.23 [95% CI = -0.03 to -0.50]; p = 0.043). Conclusions: Twelve weeks of CPAP therapy does not improve biomarkers of inflammation, antioxidant activity, or depression compared to conservative treatment in women with moderate-to-severe OSA