European countries’ vulnerability to COVID-19: multicriteria decision-making techniques

COVID-19 has triggered an unprecedented health crisis, crippling economic activity around the world. The aim of this paper is to analyse European countries’ vulnerability to the associated consequences. The analysis will focus on three areas that a priori are expected to be most severely affected by the pandemic – health, society and work – examining the possible relationship with countries’ wealth. The multicriteria decision-making Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) will be used to generate a ranking of countries based on criteria that define each of these three areas. The findings will provide authorities with quantitative information to guide their aid policies. The results show that Eastern European countries should direct their resources towards addressing health-related and social issues. Conversely, those that have higher GDP per capita and that have been hardest hit by coronavirus will have to make changes to their labour systems in order to minimize the fallout

Emerging Countries as the Main Destinations for European Value-Added Exports

Nowadays, production chains may cross the borders of several continents in search of greater profitability. In order to more accurately calculate countries’ foreign demand, value-added exports should be used rather than gross exports. This study takes the value-added exports calculated for European Union countries and uses extended gravity models to analyze the determinants of this trade, differentiating between countries according to the main destinations for their value-added, USA, Russia and China. The results reveal certain changes according to the economic period analyzed and the destination of the goods, with respect to key variables such as the wealth of the exporting country, the level of logistics performance and distance. In 2014, China registered an improvement in its position compared to Russia

Are validation scales useful for Detecting Deliberately Faked Personality Tests? A study in incarcerated populations

Personality self-report questionnaires are frequently used in forensic settings to detect psychopathology, to predict recidivism, and to assess adaptability to life in prison. Although most personality questionnaires include validity or control scales, even with the scales most outcomes can be easily manipulated. The aim of this study is to analyze the utility of the control scales of the Situational Personality Questionnaire. A sample of 200 male prisoners was randomized into two groups. Both groups completed the SPQ as a part of the mandatory psychological assessment when they entered prison, and then again 8 months later. In time 2, one group received instructions to falsify the results of the questionnaire. Results indicated that the feigned induction was effective. The control scales were not able to detect feigners. Results are discussed with regard to their implications for further research into assessing fake responses in forensic settings

Working alliance inventory applied to virtual and augmented reality (WAI-VAR): psychometrics and therapeutic outcomes

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Working Alliance Inventory-Short (WAI-S) adaptation to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) therapies (WAI-VAR). The relationship between the therapeutic alliance (TA) with VR and AR and clinically significant change (CSC) is also explored. Seventy-five patients took part in this study (74.7% women, Mage = 34.41). Fear of flying and adjustment disorder patients received VR therapy, and cockroach phobia patients received AR therapy. Psychometric properties, CSC, one-way ANOVA, Spearman’s Correlations and Multiple Regression were calculated. The WAI-VAR showed a unidimensional structure, high internal consistency and adequate convergent validity. “Not changed” patients scored lower on the WAI-VAR than “improved” and “recovered” patients. Correlation between the WAI-VAR and CSC was moderate. The best fitting model for predicting CSC was a linear combination of the TA with therapist (WAI-S) and the TA with VR and AR (WAI-VAR), due to the latter variable slightly increased the percentage of variability accounted for in CSC. The WAI-VAR is the first validated instrument to measure the TA with VR and AR in research and clinical practice. This study reveals the importance of the quality of the TA with technologies in achieving positive outcomes in the therapy

Bibliometrics as a Tool for Environmental Management at the University of Havana

Within the framework of the University of Havana Environment Network (Red MA-UH), much environmental research is carried out, but most of it is never implemented or applied due to poor visibility and a lack of efficient strategic alliances. Today, the results of much of this research become either grey literature or Cuban publications with poor visibility, and therefore they can’t be used for solving environmental problems affecting society. Nevertheless, this research could be used to help solve socio-environmental problems if decision-makers and international organizations were made aware of the results and provided funding to put them into practice. Research results are increasingly being disseminated on an international scale, so their visibility can be enhanced and funding and scientific collaboration can be gotten more easily, allowing the University of Havana Environment Network’s research to have the desired social effects. The present work is aimed at examining high-impact publications included in the Scimago Journal & Country Rank (SJCR) portal, specifically in the field of environmental sciences. Metrical indicators were used to show the University of Havana Environment Network how to make its research results more visible by identifying international high-impact publications in the environmental sciences, to enhance the visibility of research carried out at the University of Havana, which contributes, in turn, to implementation in environmental management, rational use and equitable distribution of resources, and the promotion of local development by means of environmental management strategies, guaranteeing a harmonious relationship between society and natur

Impact of a Web-Based Exercise and Nutritional Education Intervention in Patients Who Are Obese With Hypertension: Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial

Background: Internet-based interventions are a promising strategy for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. These have a tremendous potential for delivering electronic health interventions in scalable and cost-effective ways. There is strong evidence that the use of these programs can lead to weight loss and can lower patients’ average blood pressure (BP) levels. So far, few studies have investigated the effects of internet-based programs on patients who are obese with hypertension (HTN). Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the short- and long-term efficacy, in terms of body composition and BP parameters, of a self-administered internet-based intervention involving different modules and learning techniques aimed at promoting lifestyle changes (both physical activity and healthy eating) in patients who are obese with HTN. Methods: A randomized wait-list controlled trial design was used. We recruited 105 adults with HTN who were overweight or obese and randomly assigned them to either a 3-month internet-based intervention group (n=55) or the wait-list control group (n=50). We assessed BMI (primary outcome), body fat mass (BFM), systolic (S)BP and diastolic (D)BP, blood glucose and insulin levels, physical activity levels, and functional capacity for aerobic exercise at Time 0 (preintervention) and Time 1 (postintervention). All the patients in the wait-list control group subsequently received the intervention, and a secondary within-group analysis, which also included these participants, was conducted at Time 2 (12-month follow-up). Results: A 2-way mixed analysis of covariance showed a significant decrease in BMI, BFM, and blood glucose at 3 months in the internet-based intervention group; the effect size for the BMI and BFM parameters was moderate to large, and there was also a borderline significant trend for DBP and insulin. These results were either maintained or improved upon at Time 2 and showed significant changes for BMI (mean difference −0.4, 95% CI −0.1 to −0.6; P=.005), BFM (mean difference −2.4, 95% CI −1.1 to −3.6; P<.001), DBP (mean difference −1.8, 95% CI −0.2 to −3.3; P=.03), and blood glucose (mean difference −2, 95% CI 0 to −4; P=.04). Conclusions: Implementation of our self-administered internet-based intervention, which involved different learning techniques aimed to promote lifestyle changes, resulted in positive short- and long-term health benefits in patients who are obese with HTN

Efficiency of airlines: Hub and Spoke versus Point-to-Point

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the efficiency and financial situation of Spanish airlines by conducting a comparative analysis of those operating in hubs and those that employ the point-to-point system. Design/methodology/approach – Data envelopment analysis and accounting rates are implemented to do so. Findings – The results show that hubs do not result in the companies that use them being efficient. Instead, it is the charter, low-cost and private flight operators that best manage their resources. Originality/value – The study makes a novel contribution to the literature, as there has been no research on Spanish airlines that compares the two types of operators (hubs and point to point).Martí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM.; Calafat Marzal, MC. (2015). Efficiency of airlines: Hub and Spoke versus Point-to-Point. Journal of Economic Studies. 42(1):157-166. doi:10.1108/JES-07-2013-0095S157166421Salem Al‐Eraqi, A., Mustafa, A., & Tajudin Khader, A. (2010). An extended DEA windows analysis: Middle East and East African seaports. Journal of Economic Studies, 37(2), 208-218. doi:10.1108/01443581011043591Alarcon, S. (2008), “Endeudamientos y eficiencia en las empresas agrarias”,Revista Española de Financiación y Contabilidad, Vol. 37 No. 138, pp. 211-230.Alderighi, M., Cento, A., Nijkamp, P., & Rietveld, P. (2005). Network competition—the coexistence of hub-and-spoke and point-to-point systems. Journal of Air Transport Management, 11(5), 328-334. doi:10.1016/j.jairtraman.2005.07.006Assaf, A. G., & Josiassen, A. (2011). The operational performance of UK airlines: 2002‐2007. Journal of Economic Studies, 38(1), 5-16. doi:10.1108/01443581111096114Assaf, A. G., & Josiassen, A. (2012). European vs. U.S. airlines: Performance comparison in a dynamic market. Tourism Management, 33(2), 317-326. doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2011.03.012Banker, R. D., Charnes, A., & Cooper, W. W. (1984). Some Models for Estimating Technical and Scale Inefficiencies in Data Envelopment Analysis. Management Science, 30(9), 1078-1092. doi:10.1287/mnsc.30.9.1078Campa, F. and Campa, R. (2009), “Estructuras de oferta en transporte aéreo: modelos punto a punto y de red”,Harvard Deusto Business Review, No. 179, pp. 42-50.Charnes, A., Cooper, W. W., & Rhodes, E. (1978). Measuring the efficiency of decision making units. European Journal of Operational Research, 2(6), 429-444. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(78)90138-8Coto-Millan, P. , Inglada, V. and Rodriguez-Alvarez, A. (1999), “Economic and technical efficiency in the world air industry”,International Journal of Transport Economics, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 119-235.Farrell, M. J. (1957). The Measurement of Productive Efficiency. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series A (General), 120(3), 253. doi:10.2307/2343100Garcia, J. (2005), “El nuevo modelo aeroportuario europeo: más competencia, mejor regulación”,Universia Business Review, Vol. 4 No. 8, pp. 86-102.Goncharuk, A. G. (2007). Impact of political changes on industrial efficiency: a case of Ukraine. Journal of Economic Studies, 34(4), 324-340. doi:10.1108/01443580710817443Good, D. H., Röller, L.-H., & Sickles, R. C. (1995). Airline efficiency differences between Europe and the US: Implications for the pace of EC integration and domestic regulation. European Journal of Operational Research, 80(3), 508-518. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(94)00134-xHendricks, K., Piccione, M., & Tan, G. (1997). Entry and Exit in Hub-Spoke Networks. The RAND Journal of Economics, 28(2), 291. doi:10.2307/2555806Mulwa, M. R., Emrouznejad, A., & Murithi, F. M. (2009). Impact of liberalization on efficiency and productivity of sugar industry in Kenya. Journal of Economic Studies, 36(3), 250-264. doi:10.1108/01443580910983843Sellers, R. and Mas, F.J. (2009), “Determinantes de la eficiencia en el canal de distribución: análisis en agencias de viajes”,Revista Española de Investigación de Marketing ESIC, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 97-115.Zhang, B. , Wang, J. , Liu, C. and Zhao, Y. (2012), “Evaluating the technical efficiency of Chinese airport airside activities”,Journal of Air Transport Management, Vol. 20, May, pp. 23-27.Zhang, T., & Garvey, E. (2008). A comparative analysis of multi-output frontier models. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 9(10), 1426-1436. doi:10.1631/jzus.a082012

Opciones alternativas para prescribir actividad física entre niños y adolescentes obesos: marcha rápida con el apoyo de videojuegos activos

Background: Physical inactivity has been identified as an important public health concern for children. An increasing sedentary way of life is directly related to obesity; hence, prevention and management of childhood obesity are commonly based on lifestyle interventions wherein increasing physical activity is one of the main targets. The use of exergames can be useful in promoting physical activity, but it is necessary more research. This study analyzes the effects of an exergaming platform that involves brisk walking, on perceived exertion, self-efficacy, positive expectations and satisfaction in a sample of clinically obese children, as compared with normal weight children. Physiological variables like heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure were also measured. Method: A total sample of 42 children was recruited. Children were randomized into those walking on a treadmill and those using a treadmill with the support of the exergaming platform (Wii-Fit). Results: The obese children scored significantly higher in expectations and satisfaction in the exergame condition but not in self-efficacy, perceived exertion or physiological measures. Conclusions: These results suggest that this exergaming platform could be a tool to assist obese children in the practice of brisk walking as part of a programme designed to treat obesity.Introducción: La inactividad de los niños se ha identificado como un problema importante de salud pública. La generalización del sedentarismo está directamente relacionada con el aumento de la obesidad, por ello, el tratamiento de la obesidad infantil se basa en la intervención en estilos de vida siendo el aumento de actividad física uno de los objetivos principales. Los videojuegos activos podrían ser útiles para incrementar la actividad física, pero aún sería necesaria más investigación en este campo. Este estudio analiza los efectos de un videojuego activo que implica marcha rápida sobre el esfuerzo percibido, la auto-eficacia, las expectativas positivas y la satisfacción de un grupo de niños obesos y se compara con la respuesta de un grupo de niños normopeso. Se registraron también variables fisiológicas como la frecuencia cardiaca, el consumo de oxígeno y el gasto metabólico. Método: Una muestra de 42 niños fue estudiada. Los jóvenes fueron distribuidos de forma aleatoria en las dos opciones de ejercicio, marcha rápida en tapiz rodante con o sin el apoyo del videojuego activo (Wii-Fit). Resultados: Los niños obesos tuvieron puntuaciones significativamente más altas que los normopeso en las expectativas y la satisfacción que les producía la marcha rápida con apoyo del videojuego activo, pero en cambio no hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a la auto-eficacia, el esfuerzo percibido o en las variables fisiológicas. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que esta plataforma de videojuego activo podría ser una herramienta útil para facilitar la práctica de la marcha rápida en niños obesos, como parte de una intervención para tratar la obesidad.CIBEROBN is an initiative of ISCIII (Instituto de Salud Carlos III). Thanks are extended to the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Plan Nacional I+D+I 2008-2011), en el proyecto (PSI2011-25767); y la red de investigación en excelencia PROMETEO 2013 Fase II (PROMETEOII/2013/003

Validation of the dutch eating behavior questionnaire for children (DEBQ-C) for use with Spanish children

Introduction: The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire for children was developed by Van Strien and Oosterveld (2008) to measure three different eating behaviors (emotional eating, restrained eating and external eating); it is an adaptation of the DEBQ for adults. Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire for Children (DEBQ-C) with a Spanish sample. Method: The DEBQ-C was administered to 473 children (240 boys and 233 girls), from 10 to 14 years old. The sample included a Clinical Overweight Group (COG; n = 81) comprising children who were receiving weight loss treatments, a Non Clinical Overweight Group (NCOG, n = 31) comprising children who were overweight but not in treatment, and a Normal Weight Group (NWG, n = 280). Results: Results showed that the DEBQ-C had acceptable internal consistency (a = 0.70). Temporal stability was good for “External Eating” and “Restrained Eating” scales. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor solution had good fit indices. Furthermore, the clinical overweight participants scored significantly higher on “External Eating” and “Restrained Eating” compared to the normal weight children. Conclusion: The DEBQ-C proved to be an effective instrument for researching children’s eating behaviors.Introducción: El cuestionario holandés de comportamiento alimentario para niños fue desarrollado por Van Strien y Oosterveld (2008) para medir tres conductas diferentes de ingesta (comer emocional, comer restrictivo, y comer externo). Este cuestionario es una adaptación del DEBQpara adultos. Objetivo: El propósito de este estudio es analizar las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario Holandés de Comportamiento Alimentario Infantil (DEBQ-C) con una muestra española. Método: El DEBQ-C se administró a un total de 473 niños (240 niños y niñas 233), de 10 a 14 años de edad. La muestra incluye un grupo clínico de niños con sobrepeso (COG, n = 81) que comprende los niños que estaban recibiendo tratamientos de pérdida de peso, un grupo de niños no clínico con sobrepeso (NCOG, n = 31) que comprende los niños que tenían sobrepeso pero que no estaban en tratamiento, y un grupo normopeso (NWG, n = 280). Resultados: Los resultados indican que el DEBQ-C mostró una coherencia interna aceptable (a = 0,70). La estabilidad temporal fue buena para las escalas “comer externo” y “comer restrictivo”. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró que la solución de tres factores presenta buenos índices de ajuste. Además, los participantes con sobrepeso clínicos puntuaron significativamente más alto en “comer externo“ y “comer restrictivo” en comparación con los niños de peso normal. Conclusiones: Se demuestra que el DEBQ-C es un instrumento eficaz para la investigación del comportamiento alimentario en niños.CIBERobn is an initiative of ISCIII. This study has been supported in part by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica 2008-2011) in the project (PSI2008-04392/PSIC

Participación de la Unión Europea en las cadenas globales de valor: vinculación logística y económica

La internacionalización de los procesos de fabricación está obligando a realizar estudios exhaustivos que aporten información precisa sobre el posicionamiento comercial de los países. En este artículo se analiza una parcela importante del reciente paradigma aflorado con las cadenas globales de valor (CGV) y el nivel participación de los países pertenecientes a la UE. El estudio engloba tanto aspectos logísticos como los económicos propios de cada Estado miembro. Los resultados revelan que aquellos países cuya exportación de valor añadido tiene mayor peso en su nivel de participación en las CGV precisan de mayor desarrollo logístico y económico que aquellos cuya importación de inputs es más relevante