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Liderazgo y factor humano en las Administraciones Públicas. Aplicación al proceso selectivo
No full textEl capítulo analiza la necesidad de reformar el modelo de empleo público en España, centrándose en tres aspectos clave: liderazgo, proceso selectivo y experiencias internacionales, con referencias a las reformas de la alta función pública en Francia (Informe Thiriez, 2019) y Reino Unido (Declaración de Reforma Gubernamental, 2021). Su objetivo es formular propuestas para transformar el sistema español, pasando de un modelo basado en el conocimiento técnico a otro que priorice la atracción y gestión del talento.
En primer lugar, se reflexiona sobre el liderazgo en la Administración pública, destacando que no debe entenderse solo como una jerarquía formal, sino como un atributo del sistema en el que múltiples actores pueden desempeñar un papel. Se analizan teorías como el liderazgo adaptativo y el transformacional, que enfatizan la importancia de la flexibilidad, la motivación y el aprendizaje organizacional en procesos de cambio.
El capítulo también revisa el modelo de reclutamiento y selección del personal público, resaltando la necesidad de incorporar mayor diversidad social y geográfica en la alta función pública española. Se evidencian sesgos socioeconómicos y territoriales en los procesos selectivos, que favorecen a candidatos de entornos privilegiados, en detrimento de la representatividad social. Para abordar esta problemática, se toman como referencia las reformas en Francia y Reino Unido, que han implementado medidas para mejorar la capilaridad del Estado y la porosidad del sector público. En Francia, por ejemplo, se han introducido becas y programas para fomentar el acceso de estudiantes de entornos desfavorecidos a la Administración, mientras que en Reino Unido se han desarrollado estrategias de descentralización administrativa y captación de talento en áreas menos representadas.
En cuanto a la situación española, se identifica la falta de liderazgo político en la reforma de la función pública y la necesidad de un compromiso más claro desde las máximas autoridades del Estado. También se señala la ausencia de una dirección pública profesional que garantice una gestión basada en el mérito y la competencia. A pesar de algunos avances en materia de diversidad e inclusión, el sistema sigue presentando limitaciones para captar talento de manera equitativa.
Finalmente, se subraya la importancia de reformar los modelos de empleo público para adaptarlos a las necesidades actuales, destacando la necesidad de un enfoque más dinámico, basado en la evaluación del desempeño, la movilidad interadministrativa y la integración de talento externo. Se concluye que sin una transformación profunda, la Administración pública podría convertirse en un factor de bloqueo para la modernización del país, en lugar de una palanca para el cambio social.This chapter analyzes the need to reform Spain’s public employment model, focusing on three key aspects: leadership, the selection process, and international experiences, with references to the reforms of the senior civil service in France (*Thiriez Report, 2019*) and the United Kingdom (*Declaration on Government Reform, 2021*). The objective is to formulate proposals to transform the Spanish system, shifting from a model centered on technical knowledge to one that prioritizes talent attraction and management.
First, the chapter explores leadership in public administration, emphasizing that it should not be understood merely as a formal hierarchy but as a systemic attribute in which multiple actors can play a role. Theories such as *adaptive leadership* and *transformational leadership* are analyzed, highlighting the importance of flexibility, motivation, and organizational learning in change processes.
The chapter also examines the recruitment and selection model of public personnel, stressing the need to incorporate greater social and geographical diversity into Spain’s senior civil service. Socioeconomic and territorial biases in the selection process are identified, favoring candidates from privileged backgrounds and undermining social representativeness. To address this issue, the author refers to reforms in France and the United Kingdom, where measures have been implemented to improve the *capillarity* of the State and the *porosity* of the public sector. For example, France has introduced scholarships and programs to facilitate access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, while the UK has developed strategies for administrative decentralization and talent recruitment in underrepresented areas.
Regarding the Spanish context, the chapter points out the lack of political leadership in civil service reform and the need for a clearer commitment from the country’s highest authorities. It also highlights the absence of a professionalized senior civil service that ensures a management approach based on merit and competence. Despite some progress in diversity and inclusion, the system still has significant limitations in attracting talent equitably.
Finally, the chapter underscores the importance of reforming public employment models to adapt to current needs, advocating for a more dynamic approach based on performance evaluation, inter-administrative mobility, and the integration of external talent. It concludes that without a profound transformation, public administration could become an obstacle to the country’s modernization rather than a driver of social change.Instituto Complutense de Ciencia de la Administración. Area de Función Pública EstratégicaDepto. de Ciencia Política y de la AdministraciónInstituto Complutense de Ciencia de la Administración (ICCA)Fac. de Ciencias Políticas y SociologíaTRUEpu
Wing Variability in Some Andean Brown Lacewing Insects as an Adaptive Survival Strategy (Insecta, Neuropterida, Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae)
No full textFunding: This research received no external funding.
Data Availability Statement: All data are contained within the article.
Acknowledgments: We want to express our gratitude to Eduardo Ruiz for helping us by making the photographs, to Teófilo Gómez-Calcerrada and Rocío Caparrós for reading the English manuscript, and to Francisco Blanco for his advice in statistical analysis.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interestSimple Summary
The family of brown lacewings (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) shows many strategies of crypsis, including a brown general body; disruptive, dark variegated or maculated wings; falcate wings; and so on. On this basis, some species present a real marked variability in the shape and size of their wings, as well as a remarkably wide variation in wing coloration patterns, which do not seem to be affected by their geographical distribution, sex, or age. This variability makes it more difficult for a potential predator to learn a certain wing model to locate. In this contribution, we demonstrate the efficacy of such variability as an anti-predatory strategy used to maximize the survival and reproductive success of the species by avoiding or minimizing the risk of potential visual identification by predators.
Abstract
The variability in shape and coloration patterns associated with strategies of crypsis increases the environmental entropy and makes it more difficult for a potential predator to learn a certain prey to locate. To demonstrate this concept, we composed images of the wings of two Hemerobiidae species (Gayomyia falcata and Megalomus stangei) on a leaf background and then optically analyzed them by calculating the entropy of the images (in color as well as grayscale). For comparison, we colored the wings of Hemerobiidae artificially, and the analysis was repeated with these non-cryptic wings. The results indicate that the artificially colored wings reduce the entropy of the image, facilitating the location of the specimen, while the natural wings increase the entropy, thus hiding the presence of the specimen. In this context, the more morphological and chromatic diversity that the wings show, the greater the increase in entropy.Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEpu
Everyday Memory Questionnaire—Revised (EMQ-R): Psychometric validation of the European Portuguese version in non-clinical sample
No full textThe present study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and present a psychometric validation for the Everyday Memory Questionnaire—Revised (EMQ-R) to the Portuguese population. The study involved 267 participants aged between 18 and 75 years (M = 39.32; SD = 14.8), recruited online. Self-report measures of anxiety and depression symptoms were administered to assess the instrument’s convergent validity. To examine the factorial structure of the measure, a two-step validation process was employed. Given the uncertainty about the optimal measurement model, the sample was randomly divided into two independent subsamples. First, a principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to explore the factorial structure. Next, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to validate the identified structure. The results supported a unidimensional structure consisting of 12 items, suggesting that perceived memory difficulties are best represented as a single overarching factor. High reliability was observed for this structure (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega values ≥ 0.90). The results also indicated that general memory complaints were moderately correlated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the study highlighted the promising potential of the measure as a screening tool for detecting subjective memory complaints, with an optimal cut-off score of 16 points. Future studies should focus on validating the EMQ-R with clinical samples, exploring its discriminative ability, and examining the stability of the cut-off score across different populations and contexts.Depto. de Psicología Social, del Trabajo y DiferencialDepto. de Psicología Experimental, Procesos Cognitivos y LogopediaFac. de PsicologíaTRUEpu
Post-Synthetic Graphitization and Photoluminescence Tuning of Carbon Dots from L-Glutamic Acid
No full textSupporting Information is available from the Wiley Online Library: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sstr.202400532Carbon dots are promising luminescent nanostructures. Their availability, based on inexpensive precursors and their intrinsic fluorescent nature, place them as potential choices against traditional quantum dots in some applications. However, the carbon dots nature is nowadays not well defined and understood. They are usually hybrid nanomaterials in terms of structure and composition, which hinders the knowledge of their photoluminescence mechanisms. Herein, the solvent-free pyrolysis of L-glutamic acid by microwave synthesis leads to an incomplete graphitization of the precursor resulting in loose polymer-like nanohybrids. Further experiments confirm that these carbon dots (CD) can be crosslinked and graphitized in a second heating step when using temperatures above 160 °C, reaching a plateau of graphitization over 200 °C. An exhaustive analysis by thermogravimetric analysis, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy highlights the structural changes undergo from 140 to 200 °C, where an increase of stability is observed due to the graphitization process. The condensation and decarboxylation reactions with loss of hydrophilic functional groups like amine and carboxylic acids explain the formation of sp2 domains and the concomitant loss of solubility. The annealed CD exhibit a broader and slightly red-shifted emission band, with lower emission quantum yields, when compared to the initial nanohybrids.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICIN)Comunidad de Madrid (CM)Depto. de Química OrgánicaFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpu
Resource-consumer dynamics in drylands: Modeling the role of plant–plant facilitation–competition shifts with a piecewise system
No full textThis work has been funded by the Catalonia AGAUR agency, Spain (2021SGR00113 grant) (JT); the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2022-136613NB-I00 grant) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 ‘ERDF A way of making Europe’ (JT); the Ramón Cajal grants RYC-2017-22243 (JS) and RYC-2021-031797-I (MB) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 ‘FSE invests in your future’; the Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu Program for Centers and Units of Excellence in R&D (CEX2020-001084-M grant) (JT and JS); the Brazilian São Paulo Research Foundation FAPESP (2021/14987-8 and 2022/14484-9 grants) (LPC); and the European Community H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017-777911 grant (JT). We also acknowledge the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya for institutional support. We want to thank Dr. Blai Vidiella for useful comments in drylands modeling.In drylands, water availability determines plant population densities and whether they cooperate via facilitation or compete. When water scarcity intensifies, plant densities decrease and competition for water surpasses the benefits of soil improvement by facilitator plants, involving an abrupt shift from facilitation to competition. Here, we model this facilitation–competition shift using a piecewise system in a resource species such as grasses studying its impact on a resource-consumer dynamical system. First, the dynamics of each system i.e., competitive and cooperative, are introduced separately for this resource-consumer system. The competitive system, by setting conditions to have a monodromic equilibrium in the first quadrant, has no limit cycles. With a monodromy condition in the same quadrant, the cooperative system only has a hyperbolic, small amplitude limit cycle, allowing for an oscillating coexistence. The dynamic properties of the piecewise system become richer. We here prove the extension of the center-focus problem in this particular case, and from a weak focus of order three, we find 3 limit cycles arising from it. We also study the case assuming continuity in the piecewise system. Finally, we present a special and restricted way of obtaining a limit cycle of small amplitude in a pseudo-Hopf bifurcation type. Our results suggest that abrupt density-dependent functional shifts, such as those described in drylands, could introduce novel dynamical phenomena in population dynamis. Our work also provides a novel theoretical framework to model and investigate population dynamics where ecological interactions change due to density-dependent effects.Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (España)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)European CommissionUniversidad Complutense de MadridFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloDepto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEpu
The role of IgE in Crohn's disease by impairing the capacity of plasmacytoid dendritic cells to generate FOXP3+ Tregs
No full textBackground: A causal relationship between Crohn's disease (CD) and asthma is reported, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We sought to investigate the role of IgE and IgE-mediated pathways in the pathophysiology of CD.Methods: 20 CD patients, 10 allergic patients without inflammatory bowel disease, and 10 healthy donors (HD) were included in the study. Total serum IgE was quantified by ELISA. Circulating IgE+ and FcεRIα+ immune cells, as well as specific CD4+ T cell populations, were determined by flow cytometry. Gene set enrichment signatures from available single-cell (sc)RNAseq datasets of the intestine from CD patients were analyzed. Purified plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) from CD patients were cocultured with naïve CD4+ T cells to assess Tregs generation.Results: CD patients, similar to allergic non-CD patients, displayed significantly higher numbers of circulating IgE+ or FcεRIα+ immune cells than HD. The percentage of blood IgE+ or FcεRIα+ pDCs was significantly higher in CD than HD and similar to allergic non-CD patients. CD patients showed significantly higher numbers of effector memory CD4+ T cells and lower numbers of FOXP3+ Tregs than HD. scRNAseq data from CD patients confirmed that Tregs imbalance and overactivation of IgE-mediated pathways take place also in gut tissues of children and adults, suggesting IgE could interfere in the pDC-Tregs axis. In vitro functional experiments demonstrated that IgE-crosslinking on pDCs from CD patients impairs Treg generation, which was restored by the anti-IgE mAb omalizumab.Conclusions: IgE might play an unprecedented role in CD by impairing the capacity of pDCs to generate Tregs, which could represent a novel mechanism contributing to CD to be exploited for alternative therapeutic interventions.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónComunidad de MadridDepto. de Bioquímica y Biología MolecularFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpu
Presos de ETA: reinserción y perdón
No full textDocumento de trabajo nº 5Depto. de Economía Aplicada, Estructura e HistoriaFac. de Ciencias Económicas y EmpresarialesFALSEunpu
Global Trends in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Education: A Bibliometric Analysis
No full textIntroduction: The aim of this study was to examine the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GAI) in dental education through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, with the goal of identifying potential future research areas in this field.
Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, with no date restrictions. The inclusion criteria encompassed research articles, reviews and proceedings papers focused on the use of AI in dental education. The Bibliometrix R package was used for data analysis.
Results: A total of 54 documents were analysed, revealing a significant increase in publications from 2021 to 2024. The Journal of Dental Education was identified as the most prolific source, with the United States leading in terms of contributions. The findings showed a growing interest in AI's potential to transform dental education, with significant contributions from a diverse set of global authors and institutions. Several key themes were identified, including ‘large language models’, ‘chatbots’ and ‘clinical decision support systems’. The citation analysis highlighted influential papers, including those by Thurzo et al. (2023) and Yüzbaşıoğlu (2021).
Conclusion: There is a growing interest in the use of AI and GAI in dental education. However, further research, particularly experimental studies, is essential to fully understand their impact on educational outcomes in dentistry. Key areas for exploration include the application of AI for personalised learning, the integration of chatbots as educational tools to support students, and the use of AI for training and assessing practical skills.Depto. de Especialidades Clínicas OdontológicasDepto. de Odontología Conservadora y PrótesisFac. de OdontologíaTRUEpu
Avatars and the real world: Studying personal and organizational impact of virtual identities
No full textEste trabajo parte del objetivo principal de analizar el impacto de los avatares en la construcción de la identidad digital y la interacción social en el metaverso. Para alcanzarlo, se adopta una metodología mixta, basada en entrevistas, encuesta y análisis de contenido; desde una perspectiva exploratoria y con un triple enfoque: evaluación de las marcas, percepción de los usuarios y opinión de expertos/as en psicología y el ámbito digital. Los resultados revelan una concordancia entre el avatar y la identidad personal, una tendencia menos marcada a la experimentación con nuevas identidades, y la persistencia de estereotipos físicos. Desde la perspectiva de las marcas, los avatares permiten la conexión con la audiencia y la simplificación de las transacciones comerciales. Por su parte, a nivel psicológico, los avatares pueden reforzar la autoimagen y facilitar la socialización, pero también generar presiones sobre la apariencia y riesgos como el acoso virtual. El estudio concluye que el metaverso se encuentra en una etapa incipiente, con potencial para transformar la interacción social y comercial, pero requiere mejoras en accesibilidad, inclusión y protección de datos para garantizar un desarrollo equitativo y seguro.This research is proposed according to the main goal of analyzing the impact of avatars in the building of a digital identity and social interactions in the metaverse. In order to achieve it, a mix of methods has been applied (interviews, survey and content analysis), from an exploratory approach and from a triple perspective: perceptions of brands, users and psychology experts. Findings reflect a concordance between avatars and personal identities, a less marked trend to try new identities, and the persistence of physical stereotypes. From brands perspective, avatars allow them to connect with their audiences and simplify commercial transactions. For its part, from a psychological point of view, avatars can strengthen self-image and make socialization easier, but also generate a social pressure about appearance and encourage virtual bullying. The study concludes that the metaverse is still in an early stage of development. It has the potential to transform social and commercial interactions, but needs accessibility, inclusion and security improvements in order to allow a safe and equity experience for users.Depto. de Ciencias de la Comunicación AplicadaFac. de Ciencias de la InformaciónTRUEpu
Ciento volando, más que pájaros (Película documental de Arantxa Aguirre, 2024)
No full textCreado para conmemorar el centenario de Eduardo Chillida, el trabajo de Arantxa Aguirre sobrevuela por encima de la efeméride y el hábil juego de palabras para convertirse en una honda reflexión cruzada sobre la experiencia del artista vasco, con múltiples puntos de vista ensamblados en un discurso fragmentado. Desde el corazón del Bosque Leku, la gran y más personal creación del escultor, durante hora y media seguimos el vuelo libre que nos propone Arantxa a partir de una frase de Chillida: “más vale ciento volando que pájaro en mano”. Visualizando y aunando testimonios sobre la obra nacida en y para ese espacio, donde la naturaleza y la imaginación del artista del hierro se dan la mano, remontan el aire y nos desafían a la comprensión de un fenómeno artístico, en su contexto originario.Depto. de Ciencias de la Comunicación AplicadaFac. de Ciencias de la InformaciónFALSEpu