A neurocognitive model for short-term sensory and motor preparatory activity in humans

The purpose of this review is to present information from different experiments that supports the proposal that brain systems are able to predict, in a short-term interval, certain characteristics about the next incoming stimuli. This ability allows the subject to be ready for the stimuli and be more efficient in completing the required task. Evidence is presented from different sensory-motor experiments, such as the central cueing Posner paradigm; Contingent Negative Variation (E1-E2), spectral modulation during expectancy and Lateralized Readiness Potential during the first-order sequential effect. Some cases from motor experiments are also presented, such as express saccades, the manual gap paradigm and ocular smooth pursuit movements. All these data support a neurocognitive model that can be related to neuroanatomical structures whose connections have been well- established. In the final section, a possible algorithm that explains the selection of a preparatory set among the alternatives is discussed

Análisis de la variable psicológica autoconfianza en futbolistas de un equipo semiprofesional

El propósito de este estudio consiste en determinar el grado de autoconfianza en jugadores de un equipo de fútbol en categoría semiprofesional. La muestra está constituida por 25 deportistas, los cuales cumplimentaron el Cuestionario de Características Psicológicas Relacionadas con el Rendimiento Deportivo (CPRD), aportando información relevante de los jugadores sobre el despliegue de esta habilidad en situaciones previas y durante las competiciones. El estudio elaborado se ajusta a un diseño de carácter descriptivo y transversal, considerado un estudio de casos múltiple. Los resultados muestran que los jugadores de este equipo de fútbol confían en su técnica deportiva y poseen una alta autoconfianza en cuanto al afrontamiento de la competición. Así pues, el estudio nos aporta una interesante y apreciada información con la finalidad de aplicar a posteriori, tratamientos psicológicos ajustados a las necesidades individuales y colectivas del equipo.The purpose of the present study is to analyze in a semiprofessional soccer team the autoconfidence degree of football players. The study included 25 football players who were administered the questionnaire of psychological characteristics related to the sports performance (CPRD), providing relevant information of the players on the deployment of this ability in previous situations and during the competitions. It has been conducted for this study a cross-sectional observational and descriptive and can be considered a case study. Analyses revealed that players rely on their technical sport and have high confidence about the confrontation of the competition. Therefore, this study offers us valuable information for future psychological treatment with athletes individually and collectivel

The relationship between R&D subsidy and R&D cooperation in eco-innovative companies. An analysis taking a complementarity approach

We analyze whether eco-innovation has a positive or negative influence on the business performance of companies and, through the complementarity approach, whether the joint implementation of R&D subsidy and R&D cooperation increases or decreases the sum of their respective individual impacts on the business performance. If the joint implementation is substitutive, business performance will be lower than potentially possible, so granting R&D subsidies under the condition of establishing R&D cooperation would not be an adequate policy to promote eco-innovation. The analyses were performed using data from the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) of 2013 for Spanish manufacturing companies. Our findings indicate that an eco-innovation-oriented strategy positively affects the labor productivity of companies and that receiving public aid as a consequence of establishing R&D cooperation agreements has a lower effect on labor productivity (non-eco-innovative companies), or the same effect (eco-innovative companies), compared to the sum of the individual impacts of R&D cooperation and R&D subsidy. Consequently, in non-eco-innovative companies the use of subsidized R&D cooperation is inadvisable, while their use in eco-innovative companies is neutral

Reduction of EEG power during expectancy periods in humans

The contingent negative variation (CNV), and the associated event-related desynchronization (ERD) on motor areas and sensory areas, and increase of alpha in the ipsilateral to the cued stimulus side, are different brain signals that reflect motor, sensory, and cognitive activations related to the expectancy of the next stimulus. However, the possibility of an overall change in EEG oscillatory activity during expectancy periods has not been directly addressed. The present report tests whether the background oscillatory activity is modulated by a warning signal. During the expectancy period, the power spectral density (PSD) between 0 and 42.9 Hz – including delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma – decreased with respect to the baseline. These results suggest that during expectancy periods there is a generalised decrease in the oscillatory activity, and that reduction of the EEG power would facilitate the phasic and oscillatory neural activities triggered by the next target stimulus.Junta de AndalucíaMinisterio de Ciencia y Tecnología (España

Conocimiento, valores e intenciones como determinantes del comportamiento ecológico

The aim of this paper is to explain the ecological behavior of individuals. In particular, the role that knowledge about the environment, values and intentions played in the realization of an ecological behavior has been analyzed. Previously, the measurement scales of each construct have been validated. A structural equation modeling was used to a sample of 497 individuals. The tested model explained 87 per cent of the variance of ecological behavior. Our results show that knowledge and values are able to generate, indirectly, environmental actions, mediated by intentions, while intentions have a direct influence on behavior.El objetivo de este trabajo es explicar el comportamiento ecológico de los individuos. En particular, se analiza el papel que, sobre el comportamiento, ejercen el conocimiento sobre el medio ambiente, los valores de las personas y sus intenciones a través de la propuesta de un modelo. Con carácter previo se han validado las escalas de medida específicas de cada constructo. La técnica estadística utilizada es la modelización de ecuaciones estructurales aplicada sobre una muestra de 497 individuos. El modelo testado es capaz de explicar el 87 % de la varianza del comportamiento ecológico. Nuestros resultados indican que el conocimiento y los valores son susceptibles de generar de forma indirecta actuaciones ecológicas por parte del individuo, mediadas por las intenciones; mientras que las intenciones ejercen una influencia directa sobre la conducta

Corporate social responsibility and stakeholders: a cluster analysis

Texto dispoñible en galego e españolNos últimos anos o sector empresarial veu realizando un crecente esforzo no desenvolvemento de políticas de “responsabilidade social empresarial” (RSE). Este comportamento susténtase na expectativa de que estas políticas melloran as relacións cos stakeholders –ou grupos de interese– e a reputación empresarial. Neste traballo dimensiónase a RSE utilizando o enfoque dos grupos de interese e aplicando unha análise clúster a unha mostra de empresas galegas. Como resultado identificamos catro segmentos de empresas que, unha vez caracterizados, proporcionan diversos modelos de resposta e implantación da RSEEn los últimos años el sector empresarial ha venido realizando un creciente esfuerzo en el desarrollo de políticas de “responsabilidad social empresarial” (RSE). Este comportamiento se sustenta en la expectativa de que estas políticas mejoran las relaciones con los stakeholders –o grupos de interés– y la reputación empresarial. En este trabajo se dimensiona la RSE utilizando el enfoque de los grupos de interés y aplicando un análisis clúster a una muestra de empresas gallegas. Como resultado identificamos cuatro segmentos de empresas que, una vez caracterizados, proporcionan diversos modelos de respuesta e implantación de la RSEIn the last years the business sector has come developing an increasing effort in the development of Corporate Social Responsibility activities. This behavior is sustained in the expectations of these improve the relationships with stakeholders and business reputation. This research measure the CSR using stakeholders approach and a cluster analysis is applied on a sample of galician companies. The obtained result is the identification of four segments of companies that provide different models for CSR implementation managementS

Corporate social responsibility and stakeholders: a cluster analysis

Texto dispoñible en galego e españolIn the last years the business sector has come developing an increasing effort in the development of Corporate Social Responsibility activities. This behavior is sustained in the expectations of these improve the relationships with stakeholders and business reputation. This research measure the CSR using stakeholders approach and a cluster analysis is applied on a sample of galician companies. The obtained result is the identification of four segments of companies that provide different models for CSR implementation management.Nos últimos anos o sector empresarial veu realizando un crecente esforzo no desenvolvemento de políticas de “responsabilidade social empresarial” (RSE). Este comportamento susténtase na expectativa de que estas políticas melloran as relacións cos stakeholders –ou grupos de interese– e a reputación empresarial. Neste traballo dimensiónase a RSE utilizando o enfoque dos grupos de interese e aplicando unha análise clúster a unha mostra de empresas galegas. Como resultado identificamos catro segmentos de empresas que, unha vez caracterizados, proporcionan diversos modelos de resposta e implantación da RSEEn los últimos años el sector empresarial ha venido realizando un creciente esfuerzo en el desarrollo de políticas de “responsabilidad social empresarial” (RSE). Este comportamiento se sustenta en la expectativa de que estas políticas mejoran las relaciones con los stakeholders –o grupos de interés– y la reputación empresarial. En este trabajo se dimensiona la RSE utilizando el enfoque de los grupos de interés y aplicando un análisis clúster a una muestra de empresas gallegas. Como resultado identificamos cuatro segmentos de empresas que, una vez caracterizados, proporcionan diversos modelos de respuesta e implantación de la RS

CSR valuation by the consumer and measurement of its effect on the purchases

El principal objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar una escala de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial válida y fiable desarrollada desde el punto de vista del consumidor. A partir de aquí, se plantea un análisis causal que tiene como finalidad identificar aquellas actuaciones que provocan una respuesta por parte del mercado. Los resultados obtenidos permitirán informar a las empresas sobre las prácticas en materia de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial que tienen un efecto positivo sobre la actitud del consumidor hacia la empresa y su intención futura de compra.The objective of this paper is to provide a valid and reliable CSR scale from the consumer perspective. From this point of view, a causal analysis is developed in order to identify those actions that really generate a response from the market. The final results will allow us to advise the companies about those actions which have a positive effect on consumer buying behaviour.O principal objetivo deste trabalho é construir uma escala de Responsabilidade Social Empresarial válida e confiável, desenvolvida sob o ponto de vista do consumidor. A partir daí, pretendemos realizar uma análise causal com a finalidade de identificar as ações que provoquem respostas por parte do mercado. Os resultados obtidos permitirão informar às empresas sobre práticas de Responsabilidade Social Empresarial com efeito positivo sobre a atitude do consumidor para com a empresa e sua futura intenção de compra

Dinámica de septinas y regulación de la separación celular durante el crecimiento hifal de Candida albicans ¿una diana de antifúngicos?

Resumen del trabajo presentado al "IV Congreso GEBMP: Simposio Hongos Patógenos" celebrado en Badajoz el 6 de julio del 2012.Peer Reviewe

A membrane-associated form of the transcription factor Ace2 controls septin ring dynamics during Candida albicans hyphal growth

Resumen del trabajo presentado a la Vth International Conference on Molecular Mechanisms of Fungal Cell Wall Biogenesis celebrada en Primosten (Croacia) del 6 al 9 de Junio de 2012.Peer Reviewe