Related diversification and R&D intensity dynamics

Using longitudinal data of Spanish manufacturing companies, we study the dynamic, bidirectional relationship between firm research and development (R&D) intensity and corporate diversification in an organic growth setting. Our empirical approach accounts for the different sources of endogeneity. Although we find a positive linear effect of R&D intensity on related diversification, the effect of related diversification on R&D intensity assumes the form of an inverted U. Thus, the effect of related diversification on R&D intensity is positive, but marginally decreases for moderate levels of related diversification. Such an effect can become negative, however, for high levels of related diversification. Additionally, as a consequence of dynamics, the effects after one year are substantially lower than the overall effects that occur over several years.     

Diversity and School Curriculum: the response of the Spanish educational system to the needs of academically highly able pupils

In Spain, there is a growing awareness that diversity, and the special educational needs arising out of it, are not only reflected in the social sphere and the school system but also in legislation. Legal changes since 1990 have had many implications for the education of highly able pupils: the Resolucion of 29 April 1996 extends the principles of integration and diversity to all pupils, not exclusively the handicapped. The present study overviews the possibilities under current Spanish legislation for responding and adapting to the educational needs of highly able pupils. It shows how the legislation and guiding principles of the Spanish educational system make it possible to give an effective response to educating highly able students. However, work is needed on the adaptation of diagnostic tests and curricular material, and the training of specialized professionals.     

Postural control and physiological responses to a simulated match in U-20 judo competitors

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the effects of judo combat on the athletes’ postural control (PC) and physiological loading before, during and after a simulated match. Seventeen under-20 regional and national level athletes completed one modified 7-min match. At baseline, during the combat (3rd and 7th minutes) and 2-min post-match centre of pressure (CoP) parameters were assessed. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLa) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and local RPE (LRPE) were collected. Significant increments were observed in CoP mean positioning and velocity at 3rd and 7th minutes, but the CoP deviation in both axes was unaffected. HR and BLa were elevated at 3rd and 7th minutes, and they remained elevated 2-min post-match. However, CoP returned to baseline 2-min post-match. RPE was elevated at 3rd and 7th minutes and the greatest effort was displayed in the Deltoid and Quadriceps. Thus, one simulated judo match stimulates a significant metabolic response and balance is degraded, with the greatest effects on the anterior–posterior axis and it recovers to baseline level after 2 min of passive rest. The physiological load cannot be regarded as a potential predictor variable of CoP. Overall, a judo match predominantly affects the upper body than the other body parts.     

An experimental study of constrained clustering effectiveness in presence of erroneous constraints

Recently a new fashion of semi-supervised clustering algorithms, coined as constrained clustering, has emerged. These new algorithms can incorporate some a priori domain knowledge to the clustering process, allowing the user to guide the method. The vast majority of studies about the effectiveness of these approaches have been performed using information, in the form of constraints, which was totally accurate. This would be the ideal case, but such a situation will be impossible in most realistic settings, due to errors in the constraint creation process, misjudgements of the user, inconsistent information, etc. Hence, the robustness of the constrained clustering algorithms when dealing with erroneous constraints is bound to play an important role in their final effectiveness.     

Protecting Copyright Through Semantic Technology

As regulatory actions against copyright infringement have become to a large degree ineffective in the global context of Internet, new solutions balancing the interests of copyright owners, users and intermediaries were required. Semantic technology applied to Copyright may be considered an alternative to DRM or TPM systems, as metadata can be associated with a work, its title, author or right holder and intellectual property rights involved, so combining query languages and applications, the use or diffusion of those contents over the Internet can be controlled (authorizing or denying them) in what we named “Semantic Copyright”.     

Parents’ response to a Facebook group in secondary education. Preliminary data

ABSTRACT

Social networks are explored as educational tools, but results remain contradictory. The goal was to assess families’ response to a Facebook group created to support class work and expand it to homes. Forty parents (27 mothers, 13 fathers) participated. A pre-experimental one-group post-test-only research design was followed. The group’s activity was analysed using Gytrics, while interviews were conducted with parents. Quantitative results showed that the group had a significant impact: a high percentage joined the group, its reach was 100% (all participated), there were 15,875 visits, 502 publications (103 made by parents), 2823 reactions, Tuesdays and Thursdays were the most active days and 21:00–22:00 the most active hours. Qualitative results showed six themes: change in the perception of the subject, novel experience, interesting/positive, learning community, safe environment and reasons to join. The use of Facebook to support class work had a positive impact on parents, connecting school and family.     

The Impact of Tourette’s Syndrome in the School and the Family: Perspectives from Three Stakeholder Groups

This article analyzes the perceptions of Spanish health professionals, children with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) and their parents about social, school and family problems related to the disorder. A qualitative research methodology was used involving Focus Groups (FGs) made up of children with TS (× 2 FGs), parents/caregivers of persons with TS (× 2 FGs) and health professionals (× 1 FG). The study highlights many of the principal areas of concern for persons with TS, parents/caregivers and health professionals that directly and indirectly add to the burden of living with the disorder. The results of the study point out that the stigma and social maladjustment in children with TS is caused in large part by a misunderstanding of the disorder by teachers and peers. Parents of children with TS especially emphasize tics, considering them to be the main cause of social maladaptation. The results suggest that interventions among parents, teachers and peers should be implemented towards a greater understanding of the disorder and its symptoms.     

Functioning of the attentional networks at rest vs. during acute bouts of aerobic exercise

The present study explored the effects of three different activity conditions on three attentional functions: alerting, orienting, and executive control. A group of highly experienced cyclists performed the Attention Network Test-Interactions (Callejas, Lupiá?ez, & Tudela, 2004) at rest, during moderate aerobic exercise, and during intense aerobic exercise. Results indicated that aerobic exercise accelerated reaction time and reduced the alerting effect compared with the rest condition. However, aerobic exercise did not modulate the functioning of either the orienting or the executive control attentional networks. No differences in reaction time or attentional functioning were observed between the two aerobic exercise workloads. The present results suggest that moderate aerobic exercise modulates the functioning of phasic alertness by increasing the general state of tonic vigilance.