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A pragmalinguistic approach to the expressive speech act of thanking in service encounters between waiters and customers
No full textEste artículo se ha realizado en el marco de un contrato para la Formación del Profesorado Universitario (FPU22) del Ministerio de Universidades. Con este trabajo tratamos de comprobar la vigencia de una premisa extendida en otras contribuciones que abordan la pragmática del acto de habla expresivo agradecer en español. En muchos estudios se acepta esta premisa, según la cual, en la cultura hispánica y más concretamente en España, los hablantes de español no expresan agradecimiento en los encuentros de servicio cuando se benefician de la acción de un trabajador. El principal argumento que sostiene esta idea se basa en el hecho de que el trabajador beneficia al cliente al realizar una acción que forma parte de sus obligaciones laborales. Así, el principal objetivo es describir la dinámica de comportamiento lingüístico con respecto al agradecimiento en encuentros de servicio. Para circunscribir nuestro ámbito de estudio, abordamos los encuentros de servicio en el sector de la hostelería, en concreto las interacciones entre camareros y clientes. Además de comprobar la validez actual de esta hipótesis, discutimos si la realización del acto de habla expresivo de agradecimiento en este tipo de situación comunicativa se considera una necesidad de cortesía social o no. La recogida de datos se ha realizado a través de un cuestionario que combina preguntas de actitudes lingüísticas con una sección de tipo Discourse Completion Test (DCT). Este cuestionario incluye preguntas para clientes y preguntas para camareros, lo que permite una aproximación holística a la cuestión que tratamos. El análisis de los resultados refuta la hipótesis señalada, pues, en las diez situaciones comunicativas que componen la sección DCT, aquella que presenta la mayor frecuencia de ausencia de agradecimiento en las respuestas apenas supera el 10%. En las otras nueve situaciones, más del 90% de los informantes expresan su agradecimiento al camarero tras ofrecer este algún tipo de servicio. En dicho análisis se detallan cuáles son las estructuras lingüísticas utilizadas con mayor frecuencia por los clientes para transmitir el agradecimiento. Además, describimos ciertos rasgos sociológicos que permitirían esbozar una división entre el perfil de hablante del cliente más agradecido y el del cliente menos agradecido, centrándonos en la edad y en el género de estos. Combinando la percepción de los informantes que responden en calidad de clientes con la de los que lo hacen en calidad de camareros, los datos señalan que los clientes menores de treinta y un años y, entre ellos, las mujeres, constituyen el perfil de hablante que más frecuentemente agradece el servicio de los camareros y camareras.In this paper we try to check the validity of a premise that is widespread in other contributions that deal with the pragmatics of the expressive speech act of thanking in Spanish. In many studies this premise is accepted, according to which, in Hispanic culture and more specifically in Spain, Spanish speakers do not express gratitude in service encounters when they benefit from the action of a worker. The main argument supporting this idea is based on the fact that the worker benefits the customer by performing an action that is part of his or her job duties. Thus, the main objective is to describe the dynamics of linguistic behaviour with respect to appreciation in service encounters. To circumscribe our scope of study, we address service encounters in the hospitality industry, specifically interactions between waiters and customers. In addition to testing the current validity of this hypothesis, we discuss whether the performance of the expressive speech act of thanking in this type of communicative situation is considered a necessity of social politeness or not. Data collection has been carried out by means of a questionnaire combining language attitude questions with a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) section. This questionnaire includes questions for customers and questions for waiters, which allows for a holistic approach to the issue at hand. The analysis of the results refutes the aforementioned hypothesis, since, in the ten communicative situations that make up the DCT section, the one with the highest frequency of absence of thanks in the responses barely exceeds 10%. In the other nine situations, more than 90% of the informants express their gratitude to the waiter after offering some kind of service. In this analysis, the linguistic structures most frequently used by customers to convey their thanks are detailed. In addition, we describe certain sociological features that would allow us to outline a division between the speaker profile of the most grateful customer and the least grateful customer, focusing on their age and gender. Combining the perception of informants who respond as customers with that of those who respond as waiters and waitresses, the data show that customers under the age of thirty-one and, among them, women, constitute the speaker profile that most frequently thanks waiters and waitresses for their service
Nonlinear Optimal Control of an H-Type Gantry Crane Driven by Dual PMLSMs
No full textGantry cranes of the H-type with dual electric-motor actuation are widely used in industry. In this article, the control problem of an H-type gantry crane which is driven by a pair of linear permanent magnet synchronous motors (dual PMLSMs) is considered. The integrated system that comprises the H-type gantry crane and its two LPMSMs is proven to be differentially flat. The control problem for this robotic system is solved with the use of a nonlinear optimal control method. To apply the nonlinear optimal control method, the dynamic model of the H-type gantry crane with dual LPMSM undergoes approximate linearization at each sampling instant with the use of first-order Taylor series expansion and through the computation of the associated Jacobian matrices. The linearization point is defined by the present value of the system's state vector and by the last sampled value of the control inputs vector. To compute the feedback gains of the optimal controller an algebraic Riccati equation is repetitively solved at each time-step of the control algorithm. The global stability properties of the nonlinear optimal control method are proven through Lyapunov analysis. The proposed control scheme achieves stabilization of the H-type gantry crane with dual LPMSMs without the need of diffeomorphisms and complicated state-space model transformations.Gerasimos Rigatos has been partially supported by Grant Ref. 301022 ‘Nonlinear optimal and flatness-based control methods for complex dynamical systems’ of the Unit of Industrial Automation of the Industrial Systems Institute, Pierluigi Siano and Mohammed AL-Numay acknowledge financial support from the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2024R150), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Beyond the window: the impact of the visual home environment on psychological restoration during lockdown episodes
No full textEste estudio analiza el grado de influencia de diversas características habitacionales —especialmente la capacidad restauradora del paisaje observado desde las viviendas— en el malestar psicológico generado en situaciones de inmovilidad domiciliaria. La metodología parte de una encuesta online realizada durante el confinamiento domiciliario ocasionado por la enfermedad por Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). En ella se consideraron variables espaciales como la localización, la amplitud de la vivienda y la valoración subjetiva del paisaje visible desde la vivienda. El análisis estadístico se estructura en tres niveles: primero, mediante tablas de contingencia y test chi-cuadrado, explorando asociaciones marginales y construyendo perfiles en función de variables demográficas y ambientales relacionadas con la presencia de sentimientos negativos; posteriormente, se emplea un árbol de decisión para detectar combinaciones de factores que explican patrones de respuesta complejos; finalmente, se ajusta un modelo de regresión logística múltiple para cuantificar los efectos individuales e interactivos mediante medidas de significación estadística y odds ratios. Los resultados muestran que las personas jóvenes y aquellas que no valoraban previamente las vistas desde su vivienda fueron las más afectadas en términos emocionales, mientras que el hecho de disponer de una vivienda más amplia ayudó a reducir ese impacto. Además, la valoración positiva del paisaje observado desde el domicilio está relacionada con una mayor restauración psicológica. Estas conclusiones refuerzan la importancia de la planificación territorial y del diseño urbanístico en la calidad de vida, destacando la necesidad de integrar el paisaje en las estrategias de ordenación del territorio y desarrollo urbano. La investigación aporta evidencia sobre cómo los elementos espaciales influyen en la percepción y el bienestar de la población, destacando el papel fundamental de la Geografía en el estudio de la interacción entre las personas y su entorno construido.This study analyzes the degree of influence of various housing characteristics, especially the restorative capacity of the landscape observed from within the home, on the psychological distress experienced during situations of residential immobility. The methodology is based on an online survey conducted during the home confinement imposed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The survey considered spatial variables such as location, dwelling size, and the subjective assessment of the visible landscape from the home. The statistical analysis is structured into three levels: first, contingency tables and chi-square tests were used to explore marginal associations and to build profiles based on demographic and environmental variables related to the presence of negative emotions; second, a decision tree was employed to identify combinations of factors that explain complex response patterns; finally, a multiple logistic regression model was applied to quantify individual and interactive effects using statistical significance measures and odds ratios. The results show that young people and those who did not previously value the view from their home were the most emotionally affected, whereas having a larger dwelling helped mitigate this impact. Furthermore, a positive assessment of the landscape observed from the home is associated with greater psychological restoration. These findings reinforce the importance of territorial planning and urban design in shaping quality of life, emphasizing the need to integrate landscape considerations into territorial and urban development strategies. The research provides evidence on how spatial elements influence people’s perception and well-being, highlighting the fundamental role of Geography in studying the interaction between individuals and their built environment
Wavelength-dependent activity screening of reduced titania for photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid in batch and flow-mode
No full textWater reuse is an emerging solution to decrease pressure on freshwater supplies and meet the increasing demand. This study explores the use of semiconductor photocatalysis for pesticide removal, focusing on extending TiO2 absorption to visible light and accelerating the screening of its wavelength-dependent photocatalytic activity. Grey to black TiO2 photocatalysts with lower direct and indirect band gap energies, up to 1.56 eV and 2.16 eV, respectively, were prepared by the chemical reduction of titania P25. The XPS analysis showed considerable oxygen vacancies, especially at the highest reduction temperature of 400 °C. The fraction of oxygen in the TiO2 lattice decreased from 90 % in the case of P25 to 53% for the photocatalyst obtained at 400 °C. The wavelength-dependent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of imidacloprid was screened in a batch photoreactor. TiO2 P25 presented higher photocatalytic activity than the reduced materials at 400 and 413 nm. At 443 nm, the material reduced at 400 °C exhibited the highest degradation efficiency of 16.8 % compared to 4.2 % as found for P25. Selected photocatalysts were then immobilized as thin films and tested in a 3D-printed flow photoreactor. Wavelength and photocatalyst’s impact on imidacloprid degradation in flow mode aligned with batch mode observations. The film activity remained stable after multiple reaction conditions and at least 150 min of operation. The proposed in-flow screening strategy is a promising approach to rapidly identify visible-light active catalysts, while minimizing the consumption of photocatalytic material and water contaminated with model pollutants.This work was supported by the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS−UEFISCDI (grant PN-III-P1–1.1-PD-2021–0387), MINECO (PID2019–108453GB-C21) and MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and EU “NextGeneration”/PRTR (Project PCI2020–111968/ERANET-M/3D-Photocat)
El concepto de derecho subjetivo. Las diversas caras de un concepto poliédrico
Full text linkEl propósito de este trabajo es confrontar la concepción de los derechos subjetivos sostenida por Kelsen en su Teoría general de las normas con los enfoques defendidos por Hohfeld, Hart, y Dworkin. En mi opinión, el contraste entre la concepción de los derechos de Kelsen y las propuestas de estos otros tres autores puede ayudarnos a comprender mejor por qué la asunción de ciertos presupuestos teóricos relativos a la naturaleza del Derecho (objetivo) lleva a Kelsen a la adopción de una determinada estrategia al clarificar el concepto de derecho subjetivo. Además, este contraste entre concepciones de los derechos subjetivos me ayudará a defender la tesis de que derecho subjetivo es un concepto poliédrico, así como a aventurar una propuesta relativa a las caras principales que debe integrar su análisis.The purpose of this paper is to confront the conception of rights defended by Kelsen in his General Theory of Norms with the approaches defended by Hohfeld, Hart, and Dworkin. In my opinion, the contrast between Kelsen’s conception about rights and the proposals of these other three authors can help us to better understand why the assumption of certain theoretical presumptions regarding the nature of law commits Kelsen to the adoption of a certain strategy on clarifying the concept of rights. Also, this contrast between conceptions of rights will allow me to defend the idea that a right is a polyhedral concept, as well as to put forward a proposal on the main planes that should integrate its analysis
Correlation of gendered language and the gender gap in job vacancies in the Lithuanian logistics sector
No full textPurpose – This article looks at how the gender divide is reflected in the wording of vacancies by analysing offers for drivers (mostly men) and middle managers (mostly women) in the logistics sector of Lithuania. Design/methodology/approach – A list of stereotypically feminine and masculine words relevant to our corpus was compiled based on previous studies and adapted to our study. This was correlated with 126 job postings found during a 5-month period thanks to a Python programme especially developed to find patterns, connections and similarities. Findings – We found significant differences in the wording of adverts for predominantly men's and women's positions, and a correlation of certain words with a specific gender, which we have called red flags. Research limitations/implications – Although our study focuses on a local sector, we believe that its findings can be transposable to other countries and industries. Nevertheless, studies that look at the actual gender of both applicants and selected candidates are necessary to confirm the findings. Also, corpus studies can deepen our understanding of qualitative aspects of gendered wording. Originality/value – We study gender wording in recruitment in the logistics sector, in two positions that show a reverse gender divide. Sector-specific lists of feminine and masculine words have been compiled, and we have created an open-access customisable gender checker website that can be used by employers and researchers
Histórias de opressão e violência antes do diagnóstico de HIV em mulheres indígenas do sul do México
No full textIntroducción: Entre los trastornos más importantes que genera la violencia en la salud de la mujer se encuentran la depresión, la ansiedad, el estrés postraumático, el intento de suicidio y los trastornos de la alimentación, además del incremento del riesgo de contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual como el VIH. Objetivo: Indagar los tipos de violencia vividos por mujeres indígenas antes del diagnóstico de VIH. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo etnográfico. La información se trianguló mediante observación participante y entrevistas semiestructuradas a 10 mujeres mexicanas de tres comunidades indígenas de la etnia chinanteca, mayores de 18 años, con diagnóstico de VIH de más de un año. Se aplicó análisis crítico del discurso. Resultados: Las opresiones vividas por las mujeres se describieron en tres categorías: historias de violencia de género durante la infancia y la adolescencia; detonadores de la violencia —alcoholismo del padre, pobreza extrema y bajo nivel educativo—; y naturalización comunitaria de los mandatos de género. Conclusiones: Los tipos de violencia que viven estas mujeres requieren ser problematizados desde los derechos humanos, la perspectiva de género y la salud pública por parte de investigadores y profesionales de la salud.Introduction: Among the most significant disorders that violence generates in women’s health are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide attempts and eating disorders, in addition to an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Objective: To investigate the types of violence experienced by indigenous women prior to their HIV diagnosis. Methodology: A qualitative ethnographic study was conducted. Data were triangulated through participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 10 Mexican women from three indigenous communities of the Chinantec ethnic group, all over 18 years of age, with an HIV diagnosis for more than one year. Critical discourse analysis was applied. Results: The oppressions experienced by the women were described in three categories: histories of gender-based violence during childhood and adolescence; triggers of violence —father’s alcoholism, extreme poverty and low educational level—; and community naturalization of gender mandates. Conclusions: The types of violence experienced by these women need to be problematized from a human rights, gender and public health perspective by researchers and health professionals.Introdução: Entre os transtornos mais importantes que a violência gera na saúde da mulher estão a depressão, a ansiedade, o estresse pós-traumático, as tentativas de suicídio e os transtornos alimentares, além do aumento do risco de contrair infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, como o HIV. Objetivo: Investigar os tipos de violência sofridos por mulheres indígenas antes do diagnóstico de HIV. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo etnográfico qualitativo. As informações foram trianguladas por meio de observação participante e entrevistas semiestruturadas com 10 mulheres mexicanas de três comunidades indígenas da etnia Chinantec, todas maiores de 18 anos e com diagnóstico de HIV há mais de um ano. Foi realizada análise crítica do discurso. Resultados: As opressões vividas pelas mulheres foram descritas em três categorias: histórias de violência de gênero durante a infância e adolescência; detonadores da violência —alcoolismo do pai, pobreza extrema e baixo nível educacional—; e naturalização comunitária dos mandatos de gênero. Conclusões: Os tipos de violência sofridos por essas mulheres precisam ser problematizados a partir de uma perspectiva de direitos humanos, gênero e saúde pública por pesquisadores e profissionais da saúde
Non Pharmacological Approach to Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review to Inform Nursing Practice
No full textSe estima que el Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) afecta al 1% de la población mundial, asociándose en el 50% de los casos a trastornos de ansiedad. En la población infantojuvenil, esta comorbilidad supone un desafío relevante a nivel clínico, dada su alta prevalencia, presentación atípica e impacto negativo en la salud física, mental y en la calidad de vida tanto del menor como del entorno familiar. Las limitaciones y efectos adversos de los tratamientos farmacológicos sumados al diagnóstico cada vez más precoz y las frecuentes hospitalizaciones, destacan la relevancia de explorar estrategias alternativas tempranas para su manejo desde el ámbito de enfermería. Este estudio identificó las intervenciones no farmacológicas más efectivas en el manejo de los trastornos de ansiedad en pacientes infantojuveniles con TEA, en función de la reducción de la sintomatología, la mejora en la regulación emocional y conductual y el impacto en la calidad de vida, considerando la edad y el contexto. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía en cinco bases de datos PubMed, CINAHL/EBSCOhost, Scopus, PyscInfo e IBECS obteniendo 270 artículos. Tras eliminar duplicados y aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión en dos fases de cribado, se seleccionaron 26 artículos publicados entre 2015 y febrero de 2025. Los resultados se han agrupado en 3 temáticas principales: (1) regulación de la sintomatología ansiosa, (2) impacto en la regulación emocional y conductual, (3) mejoras en la calidad de vida del paciente y su entorno, considerando diferencias por edad y contexto. Las intervenciones basadas en Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual específicamente adaptadas al TEA y con implicación activa parental parecen ser las más efectivas para la reducción de la ansiedad en niños y adolescentes. Se recomienda que futuras investigaciones mejoren el rigor metodológico, corrijan sesgos de representación y validen intervenciones tanto en contextos hispanohablantes como hospitalarios.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect 1% of the global population, with 50% of cases also presenting anxiety disorders. In children and adolescents, this comorbidity poses a significant clinical challenge due to its high prevalence, atypical presentation, and negative impact on physical and mental health, as well as the quality of life of both the child and their family. The limitations and adverse effects of pharmacological treatments, combined with earlier diagnoses and frequent hospitalizations, highlight the need to explore early alternative management strategies from a nursing perspective. This study identified the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing anxiety in young ASD patients, focusing on symptom reduction, emotional and behavioral regulation, and quality of life improvements, while considering age and context. A literature review was conducted across five databases PubMed, CINAHL/EBSCOhost, Scopus, PsycInfo, and IBECS, yielding 270 articles. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion/exclusion criteria in a two-stage screening process, 26 articles published between 2015 and February 2025 were selected. The results were grouped into three main themes: (1) regulation of anxious symptoms, (2) impact on emotional and behavioral regulation, and (3) improvements in patient and family quality of life, accounting for age and contextual differences. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions, specifically adapted for ASD and involving active parental participation, were found to be the most effective in reducing anxiety in children and adolescents. Future research should focus on improving methodological rigor, addressing representation biases, and validating interventions in both Spanish-speaking and hospital settings
The inherited exile of Jordi Soler: identity, subalternity, and displacement
No full textEl objetivo de este trabajo es analizar dimensiones político-literarias del exilio heredado en la trilogía La guerra perdida (2012) de Jordi Soler. En primer lugar, examinaremos la estructura y caracterización de los personajes en los tres libros. Con el fin de destacar la microfísica de poder de las distintas categorías identitarias que presenta la obra, confrontaremos la metodología de la autonovela familiar —que permite equiparar la naturaleza estructural de distintas formas de violencia a través del concepto de subalternidad— con el enfoque de la posmemoria y los estudios sobre el trauma en contextos políticos de gran trascendencia. Además, estudiaremos cómo la descentralidad identitaria del autor influye en sus decisiones literarias y cómo esto genera tensiones entre las historias que reivindica y las que omite. A partir de ello, analizaremos cómo el linaje simbólico masculino, cristalizado en la figura de su abuelo Arcadi y en la colectividad que representa, se erige como fuente identitaria principal del autor/narrador. Finalmente, abordaremos el papel del desplazamiento en la construcción narrativo-identitaria del autor/narrador y argumentaremos que ciertas narrativas dominantes siguen reproduciendo, de manera acrítica, las estructuras de poder establecidas. De este modo, proponemos un enfoque que complementa los estudios de la memoria al visibilizar la naturalización y despolitización de determinadas formas de sometimiento y opresión.The objective of this paper is to analyze the political-literary dimensions of inherited exile in Jordi Soler’s trilogy La guerra perdida (2012). First, the structure and characterization of the characters in the three books will be examined. To highlight how the microphysics of power influences the different identity categories presented in the work, the methodology of the family autonovel —which enables the structural nature of different forms of violence to be equated through the concept of subalternity— is contrasted with the framework of postmemory and trauma studies in politically significant contexts. The paper will also explore how the author’s identity decentralization impacts his literary decisions, generating tensions between the stories he embraces and those he omits. From this, it will be argued that the symbolic male lineage, crystallized in the figure of his grandfather Arcadi and the community he represents, stands as the primary identity source for the author/narrator. Finally, the role of displacement in the author/narrator’s narrative-identity construction will be addressed, and the paper will discuss how certain dominant narratives continue to uncritically reproduce established power structures. Thus, an approach will be proposed that complements memory studies by highlighting the naturalization and depoliticization of forms of subjugation and oppression