We present a finitary regularly algebraizable logic not finitely equivalential, for every similarity type. We associate to each of these logics a class of algebras with an equivalence relation, with the property that in this class, the identity is atomatically definable but not finitely atomatically definable.

In this paper we mainly study preservation theorems for two fragments of the infinitary languagesLκκ, withκregular, without the equality symbol: the universal Horn fragment and the universal strict Horn fragment. In particular, whenκisω, we obtain the corresponding theorems for the first-order case.The universal Horn fragment of first-order logic (with equality) has been extensively studied; for references see [10], [7] and [8]. But the universal Horn fragment without equality, used frequently in logic programming, has received much less attention from the model (...) theoretic point of view. At least to our knowledge, the problem of obtaining preservation results for it has not been studied before by model theorists. In spite of this, in the field of abstract algebraic logic we find a theorem which, properly translated, is a preservation result for the strict universal Horn fragment of infinitary languages without equality which, apart from function symbols, have only a unary relation symbol. This theorem is due to J. Czelakowski; see [5], Theorem 6.1, and [6], Theorem 5.1. A. Torrens [12] also has an unpublished result dealing with matrices of sequent calculi which, properly translated, is a preservation result for the strict universal Horn fragment of a first-order language. And in [2] of W. J. Blok and D. Pigozzi we find Corollary 6.3 which properly translated corresponds to our Corollary 19, but for the case of a first-order language that apart from its function symbols has only oneκ-ary relation symbol, and for strict universal Horn sentences. The study of these results is the basis for the present work. In the last part of the paper, Section 4, we will make these connections clear and obtain some of these results from our theorems. In this way we hope to make clear two things: (1) The field of abstract algebraic logic can be seen, in part, as a disguised study of universal Horn logic without equality and so has an added interest. (2) A general study of universal Horn logic without equality from a model theoretic point of view can be of help in the field of abstract algebraic logic. (shrink)

Our work is a contribution to the model theory of fuzzy predicate logics. In this paper we characterize elementary equivalence between models of fuzzy predicate logic using elementary mappings. Refining the method of diagrams we give a solution to an open problem of Hájek and Cintula (J Symb Log 71(3):863–880, 2006, Conjectures 1 and 2). We investigate also the properties of elementary extensions in witnessed and quasi-witnessed theories, generalizing some results of Section 7 of Hájek and Cintula (J Symb Log (...) 71(3):863–880, 2006) and of Section 4 of Cerami and Esteva (Arch Math Log 50(5/6):625–641, 2011) to non-exhaustive models. (shrink)

In Dellunde et al. 997–1015), we determined the complete theory Te of modules of separably closed fields of characteristic p and imperfection degree e, eω{∞}. Here, for 0≠eω, we describe the closed set of the Ziegler spectrum corresponding to Te. Further, we establish a correspondence between certain submodules and n-types and we investigate several notions of dimensions and their relationships with the Lascar rank. Finally, we show that Te has uniform p.p. elimination of imaginaries and deduce uniform weak elimination (...) of imaginaries. (shrink)

Este artículo aborda el concepto de discriminación algorítmica desde una perspectiva conjunta de la filosofía y la ciencia de la computación, con el propósito de establecer un marco de discusión común para avanzar en el despliegue de las inteligencias artificiales en las sociedades democráticas. Se presenta una definición no normativa de discriminación y se analiza y contextualiza el concepto de algoritmo usando un enfoque intencional, enmarcándolo en el proceso de toma de decisiones e identificando las fuentes de discriminación, así como (...) los conceptos detrás de su cuantificación para terminar exponiendo algunos límites y desafíos. (shrink)

We prove the following preservation theorem for the Horn fragment of Equality-free Logic:Theorem 0.1. For any sentence σ ϵ L, the following are equivalent:i ) σ is preserved under Hs, Hs -1 and PR.i i ) σ is logically equivalent to an equality-free Horn sentence.

This paper presents a logical Style painting classifier based on evaluated Horn clauses, qualitative colour descriptors and Explanations. Three versions of $\ell $-SHE are defined, using rational Pavelka logic, and expansions of Gödel logic and product logic with rational constants: RPL, $G$ and $\sqcap $, respectively. We introduce a fuzzy representation of the more representative colour traits for the Baroque, the Impressionism and the Post-Impressionism art styles. The $\ell $-SHE algorithm has been implemented in Swi-Prolog and tested on 90 paintings (...) of the QArt-Dataset and on 247 paintings of the Paintings-91-PIB dataset. The percentages of accuracy obtained in the QArt-Dataset for each $\ell $-SHE version are 73.3%, 65.6% $) and 68.9% $). Regarding the Paintings-91-PIB dataset, the percentages of accuracy obtained for each $\ell $-SHE version are 60.2%, 48.2% $) and 57.0% $). Our logic definition for the Baroque style has obtained the highest accuracy in both datasets, for all the $\ell $-SHE versions. An important feature of the classifier is that it provides reasons regarding why a painting belongs to a certain style. The classifier also provides reasons about why outliers of one art style may belong to another art style, giving a second classification option depending on its membership degrees to these styles. (shrink)

This paper is a contribution to graded model theory, in the context of mathematical fuzzy logic. We study characterizations of classes of graded structures in terms of the syntactic form of their first-order axiomatization. We focus on classes given by universal and universal-existential sentences. In particular, we prove two amalgamation results using the technique of diagrams in the setting of structures valued on a finite MTL-algebra, from which analogues of the Łoś–Tarski and the Chang–Łoś–Suszko preservation theorems follow.

1964 fue un año resolutivo en el arranque del proceso aplicativo de la reforma litúrgica. Aunque estos inicios han sido ampliamente estudiados por liturgistas e historiadores del concilio, el acceso a nuevas fuentes documentales pone a disposición de los investigadores un material que sirve para completar, complementar, enriquecer y abrir nuevas pistas a los trabajos realizados hasta la fecha. Es el caso del archivo personal de Jorge Medina, en el que se encuentran catalogados diversos documentos, los que contienen material relativo, (...) tanto al complejo trayecto de la actuación de la reforma litúrgica como a la primera recepción y aplicación de la constitución Sacrosanctum concilium en Chile. A la luz de esta documentación inédita, este trabajo, que tiene como telón de fondo la publicación del motu proprio Sacram Liturgiam, estudia las propuestas que, en materia litúrgica, el episcopado chileno elevó a la santa sede para poner en marcha la reforma en el país. (shrink)

This paper is a contribution to the study of equality-free logic, that is, first-order logic without equality. We mainly devote ourselves to the study of algebraic characterizations of its relation of elementary equivalence by providing some Keisler-Shelah type ultrapower theorems and an Ehrenfeucht-Fraïssé type theorem. We also give characterizations of elementary classes in equality-free logic. As a by-product we characterize the sentences that are logically equivalent to an equality-free one.

The widely accepted “continuing bonds” model of grief tells us that rather than bereavement necessitating the cessation of one’s relationship with the deceased, very often the relationship continues instead in an adapted form. However, this framework appears to conflict with philosophical approaches that treat reciprocity or mutuality of some form as central to loving relationships. Seemingly the dead cannot be active participants, rendering it puzzling how we should understand claims about continued relationships with them. In this article, we resolve this (...) tension by highlighting two fundamental aspects of paradigmatic loving relationships that can, and often do, continue in an adapted form following bereavement: love and mutual shaping of interests, choices, and self-concepts. Attention to these continuing features of relationships helps to capture and clarify the phenomenological and behavioral features of continuing bonds. However, love and mutual shaping must also change in important ways following bereavement. Love becomes unreciprocated, and although the dead continue to shape our interests, choices, and self-concepts, we predominantly shape their legacies and memories in return. These changes place important constraints upon the nature of our interpersonal connections with the dead. (shrink)

When travelling to a new city, we acquire knowledge about its physical terrain, directions, historical facts and aesthetic features. Engaging in tourism practices, such as guided walking tours, provides experiences of a city that are necessarily mediated and partial. This has led scholars in tourism studies, and more recently in philosophy, to question the epistemological value of city tours, critiquingthem as passive, lacking in autonomous agency, and providing misrepresentative experiences of the city. In response, we argue that the mediated and (...) partial knowledge of a city acquired through city tours is not epistemologically disvaluable. Although city tours involve the transmission of testimonial knowledge, this does not necessarily render tourists as passive and non-autonomous. Instead,tourists have the potential to participate in the generation of their knowledge actively. Moreover, we argue that city tours also provide a tourist with valuable ‘objectual’ knowledge of a city, whichhas the potential to be first-personal and active, and does not necessarily misrepresent the city’s identity. This type of knowledge is valuable both for tourists as credible epistemic agents, and for the city itself, as the knowledge generated by the tour can facilitate an accurate representation of the city and promote social transformation. We conclude by highlighting four further epistemic and ethical implications of our argument. (shrink)

Human genomics is a translational field spanning research, clinical care, public health, and direct-to-consumer testing. However, law differs across these domains on issues including liability, consent, promoting quality of analysis and interpretation, and safeguarding privacy. Genomic activities crossing domains can thus encounter confusion and conflicts among these approaches. This paper suggests how to resolve these conflicts while protecting the rights and interests of individuals sequenced. Translational genomics requires this more translational approach to law.

The stream on political corporate social responsibility argues that companies have recently assumed state-like roles to influence global governance. However, following emerging calls for greater contextualization of CSR, we trace the historic evolution of PCSR in the case of Colombia and argue that such political engagement by firms is not new. Looking beyond a linear chronological account, we reveal the sedimentation process behind PCSR by exploring the archetypical political roles businesses have taken on in providing public goods and acting as (...) regulators, and chart their transformation. Our findings allow us to make two main contributions. First, by unearthing different strata of business and society relations, we enrich the research on PCSR, highlighting its historical sedimentation dynamics. By integrating institutional and historical perspectives, we respond to calls for complementary accounts of one of the premises found in the literature that considers globalization as the starting point of PCSR. Second, our exploration of the past and present of PCSR in Colombia provides scholars and practitioners with an overview of the complex state and stakes of CSR in that country. We also discuss the implications of sedimentation for PCSR theory and future research directions. (shrink)

Partiendo de la constatación husserliana de la crisis filosófica como crisis vital de una humanidad que se ha desviado de su _télos_ al implantar el modelo tecno-científico del dominio del mundo, el artículo investiga el lugar de la filosofía en el sistema educativo, explorando las reformas propuestas en Baviera y Prusia por Niethammer y Humboldt a principios del siglo XIX y que plantean, cada una a su modo, la necesaria incorporación de la filosofía a una educación de Estado que, frente (...) a las pretensiones utilitarias del filantropismo, logre elevar al hombre a su humanidad. En este sentido, retorna al concepto humanista de formación (_Bildung_) al que se consagran ambas reformas y que Gadamer recupera precisamente en _Verdad y método_ como un ideal para enfrentar la pretensión de universalidad de la ciencia moderna en relación a las nociones de conocimiento y de verdad, así como para pensar el horizonte ontológico de la experiencia hermenéutica. Es precisamente este ideal el que permite localizar el lugar de la filosofía en el conjunto del saber y conducir al hombre a su humanidad. (shrink)

ABSTRACT My aim in this paper is to present a pluralist thesis about the inferential role of logical constants, which embraces classical, relevant, linear and ordered logic. That is, I defend that a logical constant c has more than one correct inferential role. The thesis depends on a particular interpretation of substructural logics' vocabulary, according to which classical logic captures the literal meaning of logical constants and substructural logics encode a pragmatically enriched sense of those connectives. The paper is divided (...) into four parts: first, I introduce the motivation for the pluralist thesis of the paper; second I introduce the calculus for the different logics endorsed in the pluralist thesis; third, I motivate how the different behaviors of the logical vocabulary of these logics can be pragmatically interpreted, and fourth, I motivate how the different inferential roles that each substructural logic attribute to logical constants can coexist, and how we should reason with a logical constant c given this plurality. (shrink)

Critical aspects in the field of education are currently related to low levels of socioemotional competences and high rates of school dropouts. However, there are no standard practices or guidelines for helping countries to assess and train social and emotional competences. To overcome this limitation, the project Learning to be (L2B) aims to propose a comprehensive model of the assessment and development of social and emotional competences that bring together policymakers, researchers, teachers, school authorities and learners from different participating countries: (...) Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. The project attempts to create an international framework for regulating activities and supporting teachers working on the social and emotional competences of the students and to provide tools which can be used across countries. The aim of the paper is to describe how L2B has been developed in Spain by analyzing the contributions of the international framework and extracting the specific needs in the Spanish context. Specifically, we describe two products of the project: a) the process for creating a toolkit, a tool focused on creating activities and materials for helping teachers develop social and emotional competences of students and b) the results of an exploratory study in Spain in which social and emotional competences are assessed and compared to the international framework. First, we explain the definition of social and emotional competences used for creating the toolkit. Second, we analyze responses of Spanish students to questionnaires administered before applying the toolkit in the schools. The paper describes social and emotional competences in Spain and evaluates the overlap between relevant variables in Spain and those used for developing the toolkit, the international tool. Specific needs in Spain are discussed, as well as the contribution of the project for promoting the improved development of students’ social and emotional competences, improving learning outcomes and stronger social cohesion in schools and local communities, as well as the utility of the results for creating new educational policies. (shrink)

En este ensayo se destaca fundamentalmente las aportaciones de T.S. Kuhn, quien al aproximarse al conocimiento científico a partir del quehacer o práctica científica, observando a los observadores científicos, apunta a dos aspectos centrales sobre el cambio radical que ha experimentado la concep..

En este trabajo presentamos la traducción al castellano del tratado «Sobre la forma primera y la materia primera» del filósofo zaragozano Avempace, precedida por una introducción que trata de mostrar los cauces por los que ha llegado hasta nosotros esta obra y los problemas que presenta para la traducción.The aim of this essay is to offer the Spanish translation of the "Treatise on Primary Form and Primary Matter" written by the philosopher Avempace, from Saragossa. The preceding introduction is an attempt (...) to show the ways through which this work has reached us and the difficulties it presents for its translation. (shrink)

Spain occupies an area of 504.645 km, and it has a population of 46.5 million people, out of which 4,538,503 are immigrants. Life expectancy is 82.5 years. Its economy grew 1.4 % in 1014. Its current Constitution was enacted in 1978. It has been part of the European Union since 1986. Spain is a social and democratic state subject to the rule of law. Liberty, justice, equality, and political pluralism are the highest values of the legal order of the rule (...) of law. Spain is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. The legislative power rests upon two chambers: the Congress and Senate. The government exercises the executive powers and the regulatory powers. There have been six presidents since 1978 from all parties, socialist, centrist, and conservative. The judicial power rests upon the courts and tribunals established by law. (shrink)

Este artículo se centra en el gozo intelectual spinoziano. Después de un breve repaso de un libro de Jorge Wagensberg sobre la experiencia del gozo intelectual, aludo al fenómeno contrario: el pensamiento sombrío y el pesimismo. Después, remarco la defensa de Spinoza del gozo del conocimiento y su poder contra la tristeza y el pesimismo. Finalmente, analizo el peculiar gozo intelectual en Spinoza y conecto este gozo con la experiencia de eternidad y su expresión a través de categorías espaciales.

): This study answers the following question: How does John M. Finnis introduce in his Theory of Law the hartian and razian concept of “an exclusionary reason for action”? The search for an answer entails at least the following items: (a) the generic concept of a “reason for action” and its distinction from other possible motivations for action; (b) the distinctive elements of a legal reason for action, and its difference from other classes of reasons for action; (c) the correlative (...) concepts of authority and obligation, as applied to Law. This analysis will highlight some descriptive and evaluative achievements in Finnis’ proposal, particularly regarding his positivist predecessors, but also some theoretical difficulties, which we presume are linked to Finnis’ aim in trying to conciliate Legal Positivism and Natural Law Theory.Resumen:Este estudio intenta responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿cómo introduce John M. Finnis en la teoría ius-naturalista del derecho, la idea hartiana y raziana de que el derecho proporciona razones excluyentes para la acción? En la búsqueda de una respuesta se abordarán los siguientes ejes temáticos: (a) el concepto genérico de razón para actuar, y su distinción de otras motivaciones posibles para la acción; (b) los rasgos propios de la razón jurídica para obrar, que la diferencian de otro tipo de razones para la acción; (c) los conceptos correlativos de autoridad y obligación en referencia al derecho. En este análisis se señalarán algunas fortalezas en la propuesta de Finnis con respecto a sus predecesores de la tradición positivista, pero también algunas debilidades descriptivas e inconsistencias teóricas. Estas dificultades se presumen ligadas a la dificultad de Finnis en su intento de conciliar el aparato conceptual heredado de la tradición iuspositivista, con el esquema conceptual heredado de la tradición iusnaturalista y, más ampliamente, con la epistemología práctica tomista que recoge de esta tradición. (shrink)

The claim of this paper is to argue contra Waluchow’s and Raz’s versions of legal positivism – as main representatives of the inclusive and exclusive variants – that legal interpretation always requires an appeal to law’s rea- son or purpose. The main thesis could be expressed as follows: one technique of legal interpretation (the author labels it as systematical), one that demands that the interpreter interprets the law through its general pur- poses in legal practice, is not one technique amongst (...) many, it is necessary in all legal interpretation.The second purpose of the paper is to argue that this systematic approach towards legal interpretation enables an evaluative role on the part of the interpreter that may be called “interpretative creativity”. Due to this, the creative role in legal interpretation is not an exception, but a necessary element in all interpretation. This creative role is not a defect or an inevitable evil in law, but is functional and instrumental to law’s coordinating activity of citizen’s conducts in a reasonable manner.Resumen:Este trabajo se propone mostrar, en contraposición al positivismo jurídico de Wilfrid Waluchow y Joseph Raz —como representantes, respectiva- mente, de la versión incluyente y excluyente del positivismo contemporáneo—, que la interpretación jurídica supone atender siempre, y no de modo excepcional o recortado, a las razones o fines del derecho. La expresión metodológica de esta tesis podría enunciarse diciendo que la interpretación teleológica-sistemática, mediante la cual el intérprete determina el sentido de las normas a la luz de los fines globales de la práctica jurídica, no es un método interpretativo más, sino el modo necesario de toda interpretación jurídica.El segundo propósito de este trabajo es argumentar que la dimensión teleológica sistemática de la interpretación abre un espacio para la valoración por parte del intérprete que podría denominarse, “creatividad interpretativa”. Por esto mismo, la creatividad en la interpretación jurídica no es una excepción, sino una nota general y necesaria de toda interpretación. Se intentará mostrar, por último, que esta creatividad interpretativa no es un defecto o un mal inevitable del derecho, sino que es funcional o instrumental a la función del derecho de coordinar conductas de modo razonable. (shrink)

Healthcare professionals often face ethical conflicts and challenges related to decision-making that have necessitated consideration of the use of conscientious objection (CO). No current guidelines exist within Spain’s healthcare system regarding acceptable rationales for CO, the appropriate application of CO, or practical means to support healthcare professionals who wish to become conscientious objectors. As such, a procedural framework is needed that not only assures the appropriate use of CO by healthcare professionals but also demonstrates its ethical validity, legislative compliance through (...) protection of moral freedoms and patients’ rights to receive health care. Our proposal consists of prerequisites of eligibility for CO (individual reference, specific clinical context, ethical justification, assurance of non-discrimination, professional consistency, attitude of mutual respect, assurance of patient rights and safety) and a procedural process (notification and preparation, documentation and confidentiality, evaluation of prerequisites, non-abandonment, transparency, allowance for unforeseen objection, compensatory responsibilities, access to guidance and/or consultative advice, and organizational guarantee of professional substitution). We illustrate the real-world utility of the proposed framework through a case discussion in which our guidelines are applied. (shrink)

The flowers of the primitive angiosperm plants were radially symmetrical (actinomorphic). Flowers with bilateral symmetry (zygomorphic) evolved in several clades independently as an adaptation to specialized methods of pollination and played an important role in the diversification of flowering plants. In the model species Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon), the related genes CYCLOIDEA (CYC) and DICHOTOMA (DICH) are key in the development of this trait. This raises the question of whether they played a role in the evolution of floral bilateral symmetry. To (...) address this, the evolution of CYC in relation to the evolution of zygomorphy is being investigated. Phylogenetic and functional analyses of CYC‐like genes are being carried out in groups either closely related to Antirhinum or in families where zygomorphy evolved as an independent event. In addition, the origin of zygomorphy is being studied by comparing the function of CYC‐like genes in species with zygomorphic flowers with their function in species with radially symmetrical flowers. BioEssays 26:1175–1184, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (shrink)

Information from forensic genetic tests of crime scene samples has been used to make claims about suspects' race and appearance. This article discusses and critiques the techniques used to make such claims, and raises policy concerns about them.

The aim of this paper is to give a general solution to the paradoxes of the material conditional, including the paradoxes generated by embedded conditionals. The solution consists in a pragmatic reinterpretation of the formal languages of classical logic LK and relevant logic LR as presented in Paoli. In particular I argue that the material conditional in the classical logic LK captures the truth conditions of “if...then”, but ignores certain pragmatic enrichments that are associated to it, while relevant logic LR (...) can give a systematic diagnostic of the cases in which a conditional is pragmatically enriched and those cases in which it is not. This diagnostic shows the reason why the paradoxes seem unacceptable and why they are, nevertheless, truth-preserving. This reinterpretation will also cover the solution that Paoli gives to McGee’s paradoxes of the Modus Ponens. (shrink)

As Social Economy financial institutions, credit unions have traditionally been considered less efficient than traditional banking entities. However, like banks and savings banks, they have to be as efficient and competitive as possible to survive in today’s business environment, especially at times of crisis. To date, there have been very few studies on their efficiency and practically none for the crisis period. Moreover, almost all the existing studies assess only financial efficiency, without considering their social function. This study examines the (...) levels of both financial and social efficiency in Spanish credit unions as well as their main determinants during the recent crisis. We apply the two-stage double bootstrap data envelopment analysis methodology based on panel data corresponding to all the credit unions active in Spain between 2008 and 2013. The empirical results indicate that financial and social efficiency achieved an acceptable level, although on average the former was slightly greater than the latter. We also find that both age and merger and acquisition activity were positively influential on the financial efficiency of credit unions but had a significant negative effect on their social efficiency. Moreover, the regional location of such entities and the financial crisis were also crucial determinants of both types of efficiency. Our findings are therefore useful for all the stakeholders of credit unions to know if these entities have been efficient according to a double bottom line accounting in the crisis period and hence to maintain successful social management that is compatible with satisfactory financial efficiency. (shrink)

Desde que Asín Palacios publicó su estudio pionero sobre Ibn Masarra a partir de las fuentes indirectasdisponibles, proponiendo que su pensamiento estaba inspirado en los escritos del Pseudo-Empédoclesárabe y que había sido el introductor de la filosofía en al-Andalus, seinició el debate al respecto. El hallazgo de dos de las obras del autor cordobés ha dado una nueva orientacióna la polémica. En este artículo se revisan algunos aspectos fundamentales del debate sobre la «reconstrucción» del pensamiento masarrí realizada por Asín, cuestionando (...) el supuesto influjo del Pseudo-Empédocles, y se analiza el texto de Ibn ÔArabı¯ de Murcia que inspiró la asociación entre la imagen delas cinco columnas atribuida a Ibn Masarra y los cinco principios del Pseudos-Empédocles.Since Asín Palacios first published his pioneering study on the Andalusian thinker Ibn Masarra, basedon indirect sources, there has been an intense debate on some of his conjectures: he proposed that Ibn Masarrawas influenced by the writings of the so-called Pseudo-Empedocles and he introduced Philosophy in al-Andalus. The discovery of two unknown works by the author provideda new framework for discussion. The present article examines Asín’s «reconstruction» of Ibn Masarra’sthought, analysing the theory of the Pseudo-Empedocles influence, as well as a text by Ibn ÔArabı¯ which inspired the association of the image of the five pillars attributed to Ibn Masarra with the five principles of the Pseudo-Empedocles. (shrink)

Recientemente se ha encontrado una copia de la obra al-garib al-muntaqà min kalm ahl al-tuqà, hasta ahora desaparecida. En el manuscrito la autoría del Muntaqà se atribuye a Ibn Masarra. En este artículo se muestra que su más probable autor, según indican las fuentes, es Ibn Jamis al-Yaburi, importante eslabón en la historia del sufismo andalusí. Se analizan además la estructura y el contenido de esta obra ascético-mística que Ibn Jamis transmitió al cadí �Iya? de Ceuta.

Las frutas y hortalizas han sido siempre noticia debido principalmente a sus propiedades beneficiosas para la salud. Sin embargo, cada vez más ocupan titulares debido a su implicación en toxiinfecciones alimentarias. Por este motivo, desde 2008, las frutas y hortalizas frescas son consideradas por muchos organismos internacionales como un alimento de riesgo. Uno de los principales problemas microbiológicos de las hortalizas de hojas son las bacte­rias entéricas que pueden adherirse rápidamente al tejido durante el cultivo, coexistir con las bacterias epífitas (...) y persistir por largos periodos de tiempo. La prevalencia de microorganismos patógenos en las frutas y hortalizas es baja y la cuantificación de las bac­terias patógenas o de microorganismos indicadores generalmente muestra niveles muy bajos, lo que no justificaría el elevado número de alertas microbiológicas asociadas a este tipo de productos. Sin embargo, existen dudas sobre si los recuentos obtenidos utilizan­do las técnicas convencionales son capaces de reflejar realmente todos los microorganismos presentes en el producto vegetal, así como en el agua de riego y en el suelo. Varios estudios han demos­trado que cuando las bacterias son sometidas a distintos factores de estrés entran en un estado temporal de baja actividad metabóli­ca en el cual las células pueden persistir durante largos periodos de tiempo sin división celular, llamado estado de latencia o viable pero no cultivable. La relevancia que el estado fisiológico de las bacterias puede tener en el desarrollo de toxiinfecciones alimenta­rias causadas por las frutas y hortalizas es un tema de gran interés que está atrayendo más y más la atención de los investigadores. (shrink)

The present global financial crisis has revived the notion that competitive markets may lead some directors and executives to behave in opportunistic ways considered unethical and even illegal, through the pursuit of self-interest. This article proposes and tests an integrated model that offers new insights into the relationship between board structure, independence and firm value. By incorporating the proportion of independent directors on the board as a moderating factor in this relationship, this study contributes to a better understanding of the (...) entrenchment and convergence-of-interests hypotheses. Using empirical data obtained from 114 Spanish listed companies in a context of economic crisis, from 2007 to 2010, we conclude that having a board with a greater proportion of independent directors reduces the negative association existing between firm value and a large board size and significant board share ownership. (shrink)