The role of networking in the competitiveness profile of Spanish firms

Two main forces coincide nowadays in the characterisation of productive systems. On the one hand, the internationalisation of markets and economic activities has resulted in an increasing competition worldwide and a new and more global division of labour. On the other, the greater complexity of technology makes innovation a key factor in manufacturing firms’ competitiveness. Cooperative network relationships seem to be important in both processes. This paper aims to explore this aspect in the competitiveness behaviour of four Spanish manufacturing industries: food, chemicals, electronics and vehicles. Data has been obtained from a survey conducted specifically for this purpose at the firm level. Findings from the empirical analysis, based on the application of the Polytomus Logit Universal Model (PLUM), confirm the positive effects of the ability to network on company performance, particularly, intra-firm cooperation, cooperation between competitors and user-producer relationships.La internacionalización de mercados, de actividades económicas y la creciente competencia global son algunos de los factores que caracterizan los sistemas productivos actuales. A ello se suma una intensa complejidad tecnológica que afecta tanto a productos como a procesos productivos, concediéndole a la innovación un papel clave en la competitividad de las empresas manufactureras. En ambos procesos, las relaciones de cooperación empresarial se erigen como forma organizativa de creciente importancia. En este documento se explora la relación entre cooperación y comportamiento competitivo en cuatro industrias manufactureras: alimentación, química, electrónica y automóviles. La información estadística se ha obtenido a partir de una encuesta realizada a nivel microeconómico y diseñada específicamente con este fin en España. Los resultados que se derivan del análisis empírico, basados en la aplicación de un modelo Logit Universal (PLUM), confirman los efectos positivos de las relaciones cooperativas en los resultados empresariales, concretamente las relaciones intra-empresa, la cooperación entre competidores y las relaciones usuario-proveedor.Co-operation, Networking, Innovation, Competitiveness.

Improving Teaching Schemes in the Biology Degree to Learn how to Characterize Aquatic Ecosystems

En este capítulo se describe un Ciclo de Mejora en el Aula (CIMA) aplicado en la asignatura Ecología II del Grado en Biología de la Universidad de Sevilla. Concretamente, se lleva a cabo en clases prácticas donde los alumnos aprenden a caracterizar ecosistemas acuáticos. Se desarrolla en 3 sesiones, donde se toman muestras en el Parque del Alamillo y se analizan posteriormente en laboratorio. En el CIMA descrito, se trabajaron los tres aspectos fundamentales del Sistema Docente (Contenidos, Metodología y Evaluación), centrando la atención en el estudiante y su aprendizaje. Tras la experiencia, entre los principios didácticos que trataré de implementar en mi docencia se encuentran el trabajo en torno a problemas, la contextualización de los contenidos en un ámbito laboral, dar mayor cabida a las ideas de los alumnos, el empleo de actividades de contraste y, por último, adoptar una evaluación para mejorar el aprendizaje (y no solo del aprendizaje), del alumno, el método y el docente.This chapter describes a Classroom Improvement Cycle (CIMA) applied in Ecology II, in the Degree of Biology at the University of Seville. Specifically, it is developed in practical classes where the students learn to characterize aquatic ecosystems. In 3 sessions, samples are taken in Parque del Alamillo and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory. In the described CIMA, the three fundamental aspects of the Teaching System (Contents, Methodology and Evaluation) were addressed, focusing the attention on the student and his learning. After the experience, among the didactic principles that I will try to implement in my teaching are the work around problems, the contextualization of the contents in a work environment, giving more space to the ideas of the students, the use of contrast activities and, finally, adopt an assessment to improve learning and not just learning, the student, the method, and the teacher

Isolation of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria from Spartina densiflora and Sarcocornia perennis in San Antonio polluted salt marsh, Patagonian Argentina

With the purpose of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolation, several authors have sampled different wetlands in the northern half of Argentina. However, to date, we do not know the existence of microbiological studies conducted in the Patagonian salt marshes, and concretely, concerning isolation of PGPR. The present work was conducted in the heavy metal polluted San Antonio salt marsh, in two areas with different grade of pollution. In those areas, we isolated cultivable bacteria from the rhizosphere of the halophytes Spartina densiflora and Sarcocornia perennis, and look for several plant growth promoting (PGP) properties among them. In total, 60 different cultivable bacteria were isolated. 50% of the rhizobacterial strains demonstrated at least one of the PGP properties assayed, 25% of them produced siderophores, 16% were able to solubilize phosphate, 11% were able to produce auxins and 7% chitinase. We could observe that PGP properties were more abundant among bacteria growing in polluted soils. Also, bacteria inhabiting S. densiflora rhizosphere showed more PGP properties related to heavy metal phytostabilization mechanisms, in line with the phytoremediation strategy of this halophyte. Overall, these findings support the idea that coastal hazardous scenarios may be a good opportunity to seek for PGPR. Indeed, some of the strains isolated in this work presented more than one PGP property, so they may be selected for further formulation of inoculants for different applications. For further research, it would be interesting to analyse other PGP properties in these strains, as well as to isolate rhizobacteria from other halophytes in diverse Patagonian salt marshes.Fil: Idaszkin, Yanina Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; ArgentinaFil: Polifroni, Rosana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Mesa-Marín, Jennifer. Universidad de Sevilla; Españ

Análisis de la violencia simbólica en el conflicto armado en Colombia

La violencia simbólica no siempre es un reflejo de la violencia Estructural, muchas veces se constituye en una circunstancia propiciatoria de la violencia directa y el mantenimiento de condiciones estructurales de dominación y sometimiento. La ciencia política en particular no ha dedicado el suficiente esfuerzo y dedicación a la exploración de esta dimensión (violencia simbólica) de nuestra guerra interna. El espíritu que informa a este primer capítulo es el de exhortar e invitar a la elaboración de múltiples y cualitativos estudios de la violencia en toda su magnitud semántica y su multidimensionalidad fenoménica.Symbolic violence is not always a reflection of the structural violence often constitutes a propitiatory circumstances of direct violence and structural maintenance of conditions of domination and subjugation . Political science in particular has not devoted enough effort and dedication to the exploration of this dimension ( symbolic violence ) of our internal war. The spirit that informs this first chapter is to encourage and invite the development of multiple and qualitative studies of violence in all its magnitude and its phenomenal semantics multidimensionality.Politólogo (a)Pregrad

Designing Rapid Transit Network Design with Alternative routes

The aim of this paper is to propose a model for the design of a robust rapid transit network. In this paper, a network is said to be robust when the effect of disruption on total trip coverage is minimized. The proposed model is constrained by three different kinds of flow conditions. These constraints will yield a network that provides several alternative routes for given origin–destination pairs, therefore increasing robustness. The paper includes computational experiments which show how the introduction of robustness influences network desig

El reto de replicar proyectos en territorios diferentes: caso comparado entre Medellín – Vigía del Fuerte: Proyecto urbano integral, Comuna 13, Zona Centro Occidental de Medellín - Proyecto Municipal Integral, Vigía del Fuerte

Las Políticas Públicas de Intervención Urbana adoptadas por los recientes gobiernos (2004 – 2015) de la ciudad de Medellín y el Departamento de Antioquia presentan características similares en cuanto a los elementos fundamentales que las componen como la planeación, el papel de los actores, y el concepto del desarrollo territorial visto como un sistema integral, en el que varios componentes se unen para mejorar las condiciones de calidad de vida de una población específica -- Con este estudio de caso comparado se busca analizar la importancia de la institucionalidad al momento de implementar proyectos con características similares en territorios diferentes -- Para lograrlo, se tomarán como referencia para el análisis los Proyectos de Intervención Urbana Plan Urbano Integra (PUI) de la comuna 13, zona centro occidental de Medellín y el Plan Municipal Integral (PMI), formulado e implementado en el municipio de Vigía del Fuerte, ubicado en la región de Urabá, catalogado como el municipio con la inversión más alta per cápita en la historia del departamento de Antioquia, y que a pesar de esto continua siendo uno de los municipios con menor desarrollo en el departamento -- El estudio mostrará cómo, al momento de implementar un proyecto de intervención urbana, si no se tienen en cuenta unas condiciones básicas en términos de institucionalidad, niveles de gobernanza, diferencias sociales y espaciales, puede terminar siendo una intervención meramente física que no desarrolla y potencia las condiciones previamente mencionada

Designing robust rapid transit networks with alternative routes

The aim of this paper is to propose a model for the design of a robust rapid transit network. In this paper, a network is said to be robust when the effect of disruption on total trip coverage is minimized. The proposed model is constrained by three different kinds of flow conditions. These constraints will yield a network that provides several alternative routes for given origin–destination pairs, therefore increasing robustness. The paper includes computational experiments which show how the introduction of robustness influences network design.Unión Europea FP6-021235-2Ministerio de Fomento PT2007-003-08CCPPMinisterio de Educación y Ciencia TRA2005-09068-C03-01 MTM2006-15054Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TRA2008-06782-C02-01Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada 39682-0

Brain Sparing Effect on Neurodevelopment in Children with Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Systematic Review.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pregnancy complication. Multiple studies have connected FGR to poor cognitive development, behavior disorders, and academic difficulties during childhood. Brain sparing has traditionally been defined as an adaptive phenomenon in which the brain obtains the blood flow that it needs. However, this adaptive phenomenon might not have a complete protective effect. This publication aims to systematically review the consequences of brain redistribution on neurodevelopment in children who presented with placental intrauterine growth restriction. Methods: We performed a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. It included studies on intrauterine growth restriction or small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses, which middle cerebral artery was measured, and neurodevelopment assessed during childhood. PUBMED and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant published studies. Results: Of the 526 studies reviewed, only 12 were included. Brain sparing was associated with poor cognitive function and lower scores in IQ. Cerebral redistribution was related to better executive function and better behavior at 4 years old but not at 12 years old. Conclusions: We can assume that fetal brain sparing could not be a fully protective phenomenon. We could not find clinical differences in behavioral and executive functions because the results were heterogeneous. Some cognitive abilities could be affected in FGR brain sparing fetuses

Effect of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Salicornia ramosissima Seed Germination under Salinity, CO2 and Temperature Stress

In a scenario of climate change and growing population, halophyte root microbiota interactions may be a sustainable solution to improve alternative crop production while combating abiotic stress. In this work, seeds of the cash crop halophyte Salicornia ramosissima were inoculated with five different plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria consortia, isolated from the rhizosphere of five halophytes in southwestern Spain salt marshes. For the first time, we recorded seed germination response to three interactive abiotic stressors, CO2 (400 and 700 ppm), temperature (25 and 29 ℃) and salinity (171, 510 and 1030 mM NaCl), all of them related to climate change. Salinity played a decisive role, as no significant differences were registered between treatments at 171 mM NaCl and no germination took place at 1030 mM NaCl. At 510 mM NaCl, one rhizobacterial consortium improved seed parameters notably, increasing up to 114% germination percentage and 65% seedlings biomass. These first findings encourage us to think that cash crop halophytes like S. ramosissima and halophyte root microbiota may be valuable resources for human or animal feeding in a future climate reality.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CGL2016-75550-R)Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (FPU014/03987

Concepciones de formadores de profesores sobre la modelación matemática y la relación con sus prácticas de enseñanza

Este estudio indaga las concepciones sobre la modelación matemática de dos formadores de profesores y su relación con los objetivos, los tipos de problemas y las dinámicas de clase que ellos llevan a cabo; para esto, se emplearon diferentes instrumentos de recolección de información tales como entrevistas, cuestionarios escritos y observaciones de clase. Los principales hallazgos en relación con la concepción de los profesores sobre la modelación dan cuenta de esta como un proceso de construcción de un modelo a partir de un enunciado, que la mayoría de veces, requiere un cambio de representación matemática, atendiendo principalmente al propósito de reforzar los conceptos propios de la disciplina; además, que son pocos los espacios que se dan para que los futuros maestros vivan experiencias que relacionan las matemáticas formales con su cotidianidad