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Although children's school success is a parental goal in most cultures, there is wide cultural variation in the qualities that parents most wish their children to develop for that purpose. A questionnaire contained forty-one child qualities was administered to 757 parents in seven cultural communities in Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted separately within each sample and results revealed both similarities and differences across the seven samples. The factor structures showed considerable similarity: four domains of characteristics (Cognitive Qualities, Social Qualities, Negative temperament, and Good Characters) were identified in each sample as strongly influencing children's success in school. However, parents differed across the seven cultural communities in the importance they attributed to these factors. The results also reveal some culturally unique patterns in parents' concepts of the successful schoolchild; the seven samples were differentiated by distinctive associations of individual qualities around the four common domains. These results offer new insights for incorporating perspectives from other cultures into our own concepts of what qualities are most important for children's success in school, and how educators can be cognizant of differing cultural perspectives represented by the families whose children are their students.

Recent years have witnessed increasing attention to early childhood education and care as a foundation for children's successful development in school and beyond. The great majority of children in postindustrial societies now attend preschools or daycare, making this setting a major part of their culturally constructed developmental niches. Although an extensive literature demonstrates the importance of parental involvement or engagement in their children's schools, relationships between parents and their children's preschools have received scant attention in the research literature. This paper aims to address that gap through a mixed-methods cross-cultural study of parents and preschools in four Western countries: Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States. Following an introduction to national systems of preschool in each country, parents' involvement and ideas about the family-school relationship are presented, drawing from parental diaries and from semistructured interviews (n = 110). Results indicate areas of cross-cultural similarity but also some differences, especially between the U.S. sample and the three European samples. Discussion addresses the question of how preschools and parents can work together to create optimal developmental niches for their young children. The authors also suggest that parent-preschool relationships deserve greater attention by both researchers and program developers.

The Experiencing of Self Scale (EOSS) was created for the evaluation of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991, 2001, 2008) in relation to the concept of the experience of personal self as socially and verbally constructed. This paper presents a reliability and validity study of the EOSS with a Spanish sample (582 participants, 18 to 70 years old; 198 men and 384 women), gathered from different cities, universities and clinical centers. The clinical sample consisted of 162 people undergoing psychological or psychiatric treatment and 420 people without problems. Standard questionnaires (Eysenk Personality Questionnaire-Revised, Rosenberg Self-Esteem and Dissociative Experiences Scale) which measure similar self-concepts were used to explore the validity of the EOSS. The results show high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.935) and both high and significant correlations with the "neuroticism" scale of the EPQ-R (0.212, p less than 0.001), "dissociation" of the DES (r = 0.483, p less than 0.001) and negative self-esteem of the RSES (r = -0.544, p less than 0.001). The partial and total scores of EOSS also differentiated the clinical sample with high scores from the standard sample (t = 7.78, p less than 0.001). In conclusion, the EOSS has high internal reliability, high validity with similar self-concept scales, and it is also useful for evaluating people with psychological problems of self. (Contains 4 tables.)

Background: In Spain, the risk of imported malaria has increased in recent years due to the rise in international travel and migration. Little is known about the knowledge, information sources, clinical practice, and specific needs of primary care physicians (PCPs) concerning malaria despite the pivotal role played by these professionals in managing the health of tourists. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of PCPs in Spain regarding malaria. Methods: This research analyses data from (1) a cross-sectional nationwide survey assessing the knowledge and attitudes of PCPs regarding malaria, and (2) a retrospective review of 373 malaria cases appearing in primary care medical records (PCMRs) in the Madrid area over the past 15 years to determine how cases were documented, managed, or characterized in the primary care setting. Results: The survey findings reveal a modest level of self-perceived familiarity with malaria (221/360, 57.6%), even though 32.8% of the practitioners reported having delivered care for confirmed or suspected cases of the disease, these practitioners had greater knowledge of malaria (80.4%) compared to physicians who reported not having delivered care for malaria (19.6%, p < 0.001). Ten percent of the survey participants did not know the name of the mosquito that transmits malaria, and only 40.7% would promptly request malaria testing for a traveller with symptoms after a trip to an endemic area. Responses provided by younger PCPs varied to a greater extent than those of their more experienced colleagues regarding prevention practices and patient management. A review of PCMRs showed that only 65% of all patients were recorded as such. Among those registered, only 40.3% had a documented malaria episode, and of those, only 16.6% received proper follow-up. Only 23.7% of the patients with a PCMR had a record that specifically indicated travel to an endemic country or travel classified as visiting friends and relatives (VFR). Conclusions: The findings of this study underscore the critical role of PCPs in the field of travel medicine, particularly given the increase in imported malaria cases. These results highlight the need for targeted training in travel medicine and the need to ensure optimal patient education in care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular calcification is an important risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is also a complex process involving osteochondrogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and abnormal deposition of minerals in the vascular wall. In an observational, multicenter European study, including 112 patients with CKD from Spain and 171 patients on dialysis from France, we used serum proteome analysis and further validation by ELISA to identify calprotectin, a circulating damage-associated molecular pattern protein, as being independently associated with CV outcome and mortality. This was confirmed in an additional cohort of 170 patients with CKD from Sweden, where increased serum calprotectin concentrations correlated with increased vascular calcification. In primary human VSMCs and mouse aortic rings, calprotectin exacerbated calcification. Treatment with paquinimod, a calprotectin inhibitor, as well as pharmacological inhibition of the receptor for advanced glycation end products and Toll-like receptor 4 inhibited the procalcifying effect of calprotectin. Paquinimod also ameliorated calcification induced by the sera of uremic patients in primary human VSMCs. Treatment with paquinimod prevented vascular calcification in mice with chronic renal failure induced by subtotal nephrectomy and in aged apolipoprotein E–deficient mice as well. These observations identified calprotectin as a key contributor of vascular calcification, and increased circulating calprotectin was strongly and independently associated with calcification, CV outcome, and mortality in patients with CKD. Inhibition of calprotectin might therefore be a promising strategy to prevent vascular calcification in patients with CKD. Editor's summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased vascular calcification, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, Amaya-Garrido and colleagues performed a proteomic analysis on two cohorts of patients, one with stage 3-4 CKD and one with stage 5 CKD on dialysis, finding that increased calprotectin was associated with increased risk of CV complications and mortality. In a 5/6 nephrectomy mouse model of CKD on a high-phosphate diet, administration of the calprotectin inhibitor paquinimod could prevent increased vascular calcification without affecting renal function or calprotectin abundance, with similar findings observed after treatment of aged apolipoprotein E–deficient mice on a high-phosphate diet. These findings suggest that inhibition of calprotectin might help to prevent vascular calcification in high-risk patients. —Melissa Norton [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescence is a period when at-risk health behaviors often begin, such as tobacco and alcohol use; thus, it is a critical period for implementing preventive strategies. Method: In this context, 106 adolescents took part in this research (54 females and 52 males; mean age for both groups = 14.10). The main objectives were to first study the relationships between psychosocial factors, such as "coping style" and the new construct of "positivity," and "tobacco and alcohol use"; then to analyze the potential effect of gender and age differences. Results: Results revealed (1) significant relationships among "coping," "positivity," and substance use; (2) that these effects were modulated by age and gender, and (3) that "positivity" was one of the most significant predictors of "tobacco and alcohol" use, having a protective role. Conclusion: Results concerning the contribution of "coping style," "age" and "gender" in explaining adolescents' "tobacco and alcohol" use tend to be consistent with previous research on this topic. On the other hand, results regarding the "positivity" dimension constitute a novel contribution to the research in this area, suggesting its significant protective role against the development of risk behaviors such as "tobacco and alcohol use."

The aim of this study was to assess whether coping styles, social stress, and sexual sensation seeking were predictors of HIV/STD risk behaviours in adolescents. A representative sample of 4,456 female and male Spanish high school students aged 13 to 18 years participated. A stratified random sampling procedure was used. Self-report questionnaires on coping styles, social stress, sexual sensation seeking, and sexual behavior were administered to participants at their high schools. Sexual sensation seeking predicted whether sex was with a casual partner and whether drugs were used at the last sexual intercourse in males and females. Nonproductive coping was a risk factor in the use of drugs at the last sexual intercourse in males. Problem-solving coping style was related to a lower likelihood in the use of drugs at the last sexual encounter in females and to a higher likelihood of condom use at last sexual intercourse in males. Social stress increased the likelihood of having used drugs at last sexual intercourse in females. This study highlights the need to incorporate sexual sensation seeking, social stress, and coping styles in HIV/STD prevention programs aimed at adolescents. (Contains 6 tables.)

This paper explores teachers' ethnotheories of the "ideal student" in five western societies: Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the US. Quantitative and qualitative methods are used to derive culture-specific profiles of the "ideal student" as described by kindergarten and primary school teachers in semi-structured interviews (sample n's = 12 to 21). Discriminant function analysis shows that teachers' descriptor profiles can be correctly assigned to their own cultural group in up to 94% of all cases. Qualitative analysis of the interviews suggests both shared themes (e.g. motivation, independence) and culturally specific understandings of their meaning and significance. Contrary to the prevalent focus on cognitive qualities emphasized by western educational assessment practices, teachers in all the samples talked more about the importance of social intelligence and self-regulation for success in school. (Contains 1 table.)

Adequate gestational progression depends to a great extent on placental development, which can modify maternal and neonatal outcomes. Any environmental toxicant, including metals, with the capacity to affect the placenta can alter the development of the pregnancy and its outcome. The objective of this study was to correlate the placenta levels of 14 essential and non-essential elements with neonatal weight. We examined relationships between placental concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, mercury, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, rubidium, selenium, strontium, and zinc from 79 low obstetric risk pregnant women in Ourense (Northwestern Spain, 42°20′12.1″N 7°51.844′O) with neonatal weight. We tested associations between placental metal concentrations and neonatal weight by conducting multivariable linear regressions using generalized linear models (GLM) and generalized additive models (GAM). While placental Co (p = 0.03) and Sr (p = 0.048) concentrations were associated with higher neonatal weight, concentrations of Li (p = 0.027), Mo (p = 0.049), and Se (p = 0.02) in the placenta were associated with lower newborn weight. Our findings suggest that the concentration of some metals in the placenta may affect fetal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities are making significant efforts to implement the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, in which sensors collect data from heterogeneous sources, and advanced software systems can provide an accurate city context. Most initiatives focus on improving the quality of life through energy-efficient buildings, waste management, or reducing traffic congestion. One of the main applications of IoT is smart tourism. This concept focuses on using Information and Communication Technologies to give visitors better experiences without interfering with the city's daily life. This paper studies related concepts and related works in smart tourism, sustainability, and IoT, identifying challenges and literature gaps. Finally, we provide a brief analysis of the real case study of the mountainous Alpujarra region in Spain based on its specific characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic arsenic exposure may be associated with diabetes, but the evidence at low-moderate levels is not sufficient. Polymorphisms in diabetes-related genes have been involved in diabetes risk. We evaluated the association of inorganic arsenic exposure on diabetes in the Hortega Study, a representative sample of a general population from Valladolid, Spain. Total urine arsenic was measured in 1451 adults. Urine arsenic speciation was available in 295 randomly selected participants. To account for the confounding introduced by non-toxic seafood arsenicals, we designed a multiple imputation model to predict the missing arsenobetaine levels. The prevalence of diabetes was 8.3%. The geometric mean of total arsenic was 66.0 μg/g. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for diabetes comparing the highest with the lowest tertile of total arsenic were 1.76 (1.01, 3.09) and 2.14 (1.47, 3.11) before and after arsenobetaine adjustment, respectively. Polymorphisms in several genes including IL8RA, TXN, NR3C2, COX5A and GCLC showed suggestive differential associations of urine total arsenic with diabetes. The findings support the role of arsenic on diabetes and the importance of controlling for seafood arsenicals in populations with high seafood intake. Suggestive arsenic-gene interactions require confirmation in larger studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze a teleconsultation modality based on a simple telephone call, using either landline or mobile phone, made available to more than two million people. Telecommunication systems are an increasingly common feature in modern healthcare. However, making teleconsultations available to the entire population covered by a public health system is a challenging goal. Design/methodology/approach This retrospective longitudinal observational study analyzed how this modality was used at the primary care level in Galicia, a region in the Northwest of Spain, in 2014 and 2015, focusing on demand, gender and age preferences, rural vs urban population and efficiency. Findings Of 28,472,852 consultations requested in this period, 9.0 percent were telephone consultations. Women requested more telephone consultations (9.9 percent of total consultations) than men (7.7 percent of total consultations). The highest demand occurred for the over 85 age group for both men and women. In both years, 2014 and 2015, the number of telephone consultations per inhabitant was higher in urban (0.53 and 0.69) than in rural areas (0.34 and 0.47). In 10.9 percent of cases, the telephone consultations required further face-to-face consultation. Originality/value Conventional voice telephone calls can efficiently replace conventional face-to-face consultations in primary healthcare in roughly 10 percent of cases. Women are more likely than men to use primary care services in both face-to-face and telephone consultation modalities. Public healthcare systems should consider implementing telephone consultations to deliver their services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a subsampling-based testing procedure for the comparison of the exceedance distributions of stationary time series is introduced. The proposed testing procedure has a number of advantages including the fact that the assumption of stationary can be relaxed for some specific forms of non-stationary and also that the two time series are not required to be independently-generated. For this purpose, a test based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and the L-Wasserstein distances between generalized Pareto distributions is introduced and studied in some detail. The performance of the testing procedure is illustrated through a simulation study and with an empirical application to a set of data concerning daily maximum temperature in the 17 autonomous communities of Spain for the period 1990-2004. The autonomous communities were clustered according to the similarities of the fitted generalized Pareto models and then mapped. The cluster analysis reveals a clear distinction between the four northeast communities on the shores of the Bay of Biscay (which are the regions exhibiting milder temperatures) and the remaining regions. A second cluster corresponds to the southern Mediterranean area and the central region which corresponds to the communities with highest temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the last decades the presence of social inequalities in diabetes care has been observed in multiple countries, including Spain. These inequalities have been at least partially attributed to differences in diabetes self-management behaviours. Communication problems during medical consultations occur more frequently to patients with a lower educational level. The purpose of this cluster randomized trial is to determine whether an intervention implemented in a General Surgery, based in improving patient-provider communication, results in a better diabetes self-management in patients with lower educational level. A secondary objective is to assess whether telephone reinforcement enhances the effect of such intervention. We report the design and implementation of this on-going study. Methods/design The study is being conducted in a General Practice located in a deprived neighbourhood of Granada, Spain. Diabetic patients 18 years old or older with a low educational level and inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c > 7%) were recruited. General Practitioners (GPs) were randomised to three groups: intervention A, intervention B and control group. GPs allocated to intervention groups A and B received training in communication skills and are providing graphic feedback about glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Patients whose GPs were allocated to group B are additionally receiving telephone reinforcement whereas patients from the control group are receiving usual care. The described interventions are being conducted during 7 consecutive medical visits which are scheduled every three months. The main outcome measure will be HbA1c; blood pressure, lipidemia, body mass index and waist circumference will be considered as secondary outcome measures. Statistical analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions will include multilevel regression analysis with three hierarchical levels: medical visit level, patient level and GP level. Discussion The results of this study will provide new knowledge about possible strategies to promote a better diabetes self-management in a particularly vulnerable group. If effective, this low cost intervention will have the potential to be easily incorporated into routine clinical practice, contributing to decrease health inequalities in diabetic patients. Trial registration Clinical Trials U.S. National Institutes of Health. NCT01849731. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In That Nothing Is Known, Francisco Sanchez created a very interesting reflection on the analysis of language and on the epistemic consequences of the importance of language. He did so in a way that allowed some scholars to consider him a predecessor of analytic philosophy. The Spanish physician believed that language had a leading role within science, but he also thought that language was a weak foundation upon which to build any attempt of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the broader theme of Latin American migration to Europe, this article looks at the less explored case of Colombian migrants in the United Kingdom and Spain. More specifically, it focuses on the transnational political activities of these migrants in connection with the armed conflict and search for peace in Colombia, a case of 'diaspora politics' that has not received much attention. It is based on research into the wider transnational political linkages of Colombians in these two countries conducted during 2004-2007. This research involved nearly 100 semi-structured interviews with Colombian men and women who had migrated for political, security, labour and other reasons, as well as interviews with experts, participant observation and analysis of online community forums and other materials. As such, this study went beyond the dominant focus on economic migration. This approach helped to shed light on an aspect of Colombian migrant transnational politics hardly taken into account before, that is, the individual and collective activities that deal with the violence, human rights situation, and search for peace in Colombia. The first part of the article offers a summary of the conceptual and methodological issues underpinning this research and a description of the most relevant characteristics of the two migrant communities studied. In the second part, the article analyses the evidence gathered on Colombian migrant transnational activism in relation to the armed conflict and search for peace in Colombia and the potential and limitations of this work. The aim of the article is two-fold: to enrich the pool of knowledge on Latin American migration to Europe and to engage with recent literature on the role that diasporas and transnational communities play in relation to conflict in their home countries as part of diasporic or transnational civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most existing scholarly work available on Colombian migrants' transnational political practices has emphasized the divisions, mistrust and apathy affecting them. However, research conducted by the author among Colombians in the United Kingdom and Spain departs from previous studies by stressing the broad nature of migrants' transnational political participation, which involves engagement in both formal and informal politics, at the individual and collective levels, and in initiatives coming from 'above' and 'below'. It also shows how transnational political practices oriented towards the home country occur simultaneously with activities in the host society, contrary to what has generally been thought. This was more the case among Colombians in Spain than among those in the UK, which could be partly explained by differences in the historical development and size of each community, as well as the role played by individual factors, such as migrants' previous political experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical homocystinuria is due to cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency. More than 130 mutations, which differ in prevalence and severity, have been described at the CBS gene. Mutation p.I278T is very prevalent, has been found in all European countries where it has been looked for with the exception of the Iberian peninsula, and is known to respond to vitamin B6. On the other hand, mutation p.T191M is prevalent in Spain and Portugal and does not respond to B6. We analysed 30 pedigrees from Spain, Portugal, Colombia and Argentina, segregating for homocystinuria. The p.T191M mutation was detected in patients from all four countries and was particularly prevalent in Colombia. The number of p.T191M alleles described in this study, together with those previously published, is 71. The prevalence of p.T191M among CBS mutant alleles in the different countries was: 0.75 in Colombia, 0.52 in Spain, 0.33 in Portugal, 0.25 in Venezuela, 0.20 in Argentina and 0.14 in Brazil. Haplotype analyses suggested a double origin for this mutation. No genotype–phenotype correlation other than the B6-nonresponsiveness could be established for the p.T191M mutation. Additionally, three new mutations, p.M173V, p.I429del and c.69_70+8del10, were found. The p.M173V was associated with a mild, B6-responsive, phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a mandible recovered in 2003 from the Aurora Stratum of the TD6 level of the Gran Dolina site (Sierra de Atapuerca, northern Spain). The specimen, catalogued as ATD6-96, adds to the hominin sample recovered from this site in 1994-1996, and as- signed to Homo antecessor. ATD6-96 is the left half of a gracile mandible belonging to a probably female adult individual with premolars and molars in place. This mandible shows a primitive structural pattern shared with all African and Asian Homo species. However, it is small and exhibits a remarkable gracility, a trait shared only with the Early and Middle Pleistocene Chinese hominins. Furthermore, none of the mandibular features considered apomorphic in the European Middle and Early Upper Pleistocene hominin lineage are present in ATD6-96. This evidence reinforces the taxonomic identity of H. antecessor and is consistent with the hypothesis of a close relationship between this species and Homo sapiens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the pattern of dental development of Hominid XVIII from the Middle Pleistocene Sima de los Huesos site of the Sierra de Atapuerca in Burgos, Spain. Comparison of dental pattern to that of modern humans; Effect of tooth-jaw relationship to molar development; Effect of genetic differences for onset of dental and skeletal formation.

Covers information on a study which presented the evidence derived from Lower Pleistocene human fossil remains recovered from the TD6 level, Aurora stratum, of the Gran Dolina site in Sierra de Atapuerca, northern Spain. Mineralization stages of teeth of hominids from level TD6; Details on the result of the study.

Focused on a study that analyzed the buccal striation pattern in teeth samples from Homo heidelbergensis hominid fossils recovered from Sima de los Huesos, Spain. Inferences about dietary behavior from analysis; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Presents the analysis of an almost complete human male pelvis, Pelvis 1, from the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos in Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. Other fossils from this site, and their dating and classification; Details about the pelvis; How a female pelvis would differ; Body mass of the male; Encephalization quotients compared with Neanderthals and modern humans.

Reports the discovery of Homo antecessor, a species of hominid from the lower Pleistocene cave site of Gran Dolina, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. Fully modern midfacial morphology of the fossils; Traits defining the fossil; Other fossils discovered at the site; Where H. antecessor is likely situated on the human evolutionary tree.

Reports on the human remains dating more than 780,000 years as associated with a rich faunal and lithic assemblage in the Pleistocene cave site of Gran Dolina, Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain. Micrommal species as representing the late Biharian; Lithic objects; Consideration for the hominid fossils.

There is some evidence that male gender could have a negative impact on the prognosis and severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of the present study was to compare the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between hospitalized men and women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. This multicenter, retrospective, observational study is based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry. We analyzed the differences between men and women for a wide variety of demographic, clinical, and treatment variables, and the sex distribution of the reported COVID-19 deaths, as well as intensive care unit (ICU) admission by age subgroups. This work analyzed 12,063 patients (56.8% men). The women in our study were older than the men, on average (67.9 vs. 65.7 years; p < 001). Bilateral condensation was more frequent among men than women (31.8% vs. 29.9%; p = 0.007). The men needed non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation more frequently (5.6% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001, and 7.9% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001, respectively). The most prevalent complication was acute respiratory distress syndrome, with severe cases in 19.9% of men (p < 0.001). In men, intensive care unit admission was more frequent (10% vs. 6.1%; p < 0.001) and the mortality rate was higher (23.1% vs. 18.9%; p < 0.001). Regarding mortality, the differences by gender were statistically significant in the age groups from 55 years to 89 years of age. A multivariate analysis showed that female sex was significantly and independently associated with a lower risk of mortality in our study. Male sex appears to be related to worse progress in COVID-19 patients and is an independent prognostic factor for mortality. In order to fully understand its prognostic impact, other factors associated with sex must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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If Electronic Health Records contain a large amount of information about the patient’s condition and response to treatment, which can potentially revolutionize the clinical practice, such information is seldom considered due to the complexity of its extraction and analysis. We here report on a first integration of an NLP framework for the analysis of clinical records of lung cancer patients making use of a telephone assistance service of a major Spanish hospital. We specifically show how some relevant data, about patient demographics and health condition, can be extracted; and how some relevant analyses can be performed, aimed at improving the usefulness of the service. We thus demonstrate that the use of EHR texts, and their integration inside a data analysis framework, is technically feasible and worth of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several corrections to the article "The p.T191M mutation of the CBS gene is highly prevalent among homocystinuric patients from Spain, Portugal and South America," in the previous issue are presented.

Reports on the testing of an adaptive puff model around As Pontes power plant in Spain. Features of the model; Method used to calculate maximum plume impact distance from the source; Difference between the estimated and observed maximum impact distance.

Background: Although genotyping allows family screening and influences risk-stratification in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or isolated left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), its result is negative in a significant number of patients, limiting its widespread adoption.Objectives: This study sought to develop and externally validate a score that predicts the probability for a positive genetic test result (G+) in DCM/LVSD.Methods: Clinical, electrocardiogram, and echocardiographic variables were collected in 1,015 genotyped patients from Spain with DCM/LVSD. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables independently predicting G+, which were summed to create the Madrid Genotype Score. The external validation sample comprised 1,097 genotyped patients from the Maastricht and Trieste registries.Results: A G+ result was found in 377 (37%) and 289 (26%) patients from the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Independent predictors of a G+ result in the derivation cohort were: family history of DCM (OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.73-3.04; P < 0.001), low electrocardiogram voltage in peripheral leads (OR: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.38-5.49; P < 0.001), skeletal myopathy (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.60-7.31; P = 0.001), absence of hypertension (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.67-3.13; P < 0.001), and absence of left bundle branch block (OR: 3.58; 95% CI: 2.57-5.01; P < 0.001). A score containing these factors predicted a G+ result, ranging from 3% when all predictors were absent to 79% when ≥4 predictors were present. Internal validation provided a C-statistic of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71-0.77) and a calibration slope of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.80-1.10). The C-statistic in the external validation cohort was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71-0.78).Conclusions: The Madrid Genotype Score is an accurate tool to predict a G+ result in DCM/LVSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content in two traditional smoked sausages from Spain was determined. Results showed, that total average levels of PAHs found were higher in “Chorizo de cebolla” (101.81 vs. 98.48μgkg−1). Most contents of PAHs found in both sausages were phenanthrene, naphthalene and anthracene. The maximum level for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) of 5μgkg−1 in smoked meat products was not exceeded in any samples. BaP represented a 0.73% and 1.15% with respect to the total sum of the 15 PAHs that were investigated in this study for “Chorizo gallego” and “Chorizo de cebolla”, respectively. Correlation statistic analysis (P<0.01) of the contents from samples analysed, showed that BaP was a good marker for Σ15 PAHs in “Chorizo gallego” samples (RBaP/Σ15PAHs =0.77; P<0.01) and it was a good marker for 7 US EPA probably carcinogenic PAHs in “Chorizo de cebolla” samples (RBaP/7EPA =0.95) and in “Chorizo gallego” samples (RBaP/7EPA =0.81). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Airport Falconry is the most effective technique to prevent wildlife strikes. • Birdstrikes on Spanish air transport cost a minimum of EUR 9 Million per year. • Spanish air safety managers invest EUR 2.5 Million per year to prevent birdstrikes. • Wildlife control service could be supported by charging EUR0.036 per passenger. • Wildlife service cost should be referred to new strike index in future researches. Most cited research regarding wildlife strikes on airports state that this causes economic losses of approximately USD1.2 billion annually to the global air transport sector. Airport security managers address this problem by deploying several well-known countermeasures, including outsourcing wildlife control services (WCS) to perform preventive actions. Among these actions, the use of raptors plays an important role due to their effectiveness in dispersing wildlife. This paper aims to characterise the organisational and cost aspects of such services to provide a baseline reference, by applying a case study analysis methodology on Spanish civil and military air transport data, crossing strike records, the number of flight operations per airport, and WCS bidding for the years 2010 to 2016. The case study highline how the damages due to wildlife strikes are expected to cost a minimum of EUR 9 million and a maximum of EUR 44 Million to Spanish air transport industry, meanwhile the investment in prevention services for such hazard cost almost EUR 2.5 Million to airport safety managers, including airport falconry with a median cost of EUR 6666 per raptor requested. This can also be expressed as a median cost service for each airport ranging from EUR 0.023 to 0.036 per passenger, what may establish a baseline reference for future research to determine new WCS efficiency indicators and the fundaments to reject a budget reduction on airport wildlife control services in contrast with the damage cost when such hazards happens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The dispersal of hominins may have been favored by the opening of the landscape during the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition (EMP) in Western Europe. The structure of the small-vertebrate assemblages of the archaeo-paleontological karstic site of Gran Dolina in Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) shows important environmental and climatic changes in the faunal succession, across the Matuyama–Brunhes boundary at 780 ka. These changes are interpreted to indicate impoverishment of the forests, along with an increase in dry meadows, and open lands in general that entailed a tendency towards the loss of diversity in small-vertebrate communities above the EMP. We evaluate variation in diversity of the faunal succession of Gran Dolina using Shannon’s Second Theorem as an index of ecosystem structure. The long cultural-stratigraphic sequence of Gran Dolina during the EMP is somewhat similar in its completeness and continuity to that in the locality of Gesher Benot Ya''aqov in the Upper Jordan Valley. We also evaluate related data including faunal and floral (pollen) succession. Both localities present cold, dry and humid, warm fluctuations at the transition between the Early and the Middle Pleistocene. Comparisons between these sites present opportunities to understand large-scale climatic changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Measurements of the scattering matrix at 488 nm and 633 nm of two airborne desert dust samples collected in Spain and China, and at 488 nm of a volcanic ash sample from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption are presented. The complete scattering matrix at 514 nm of a pollen sample (cypress) is also reported for the first time. • Volcanic ash samples collected around the world are remarkably similar in terms of size, morphology and optical constants, which results in very similar scattering matrix elements and justifies calculating an average scattering matrix of volcanic ash. Similarly, an average scattering matrix of desert dust has been constructed. • Measurements of the backscattering depolarization ratio do not enable identifying these major types of aerosols. • Morphological differences at the sub-micron scale between irregular mineral aerosol particles are mainly registered in the scattering angle dependence of the F 22 / F 11 and F 44 / F 11 elements. • Cypress pollen, with a very narrow size distribution, can be distinguished from mineral particles by a characteristic angular dependence of the degree of linear polarization. Atmospheric aerosols play key roles in climate and have important impacts on human activities and health. Hence, much effort is directed towards developing methods of improved detection and discrimination of different types of aerosols. Among these, light scattering-based detection of aerosol offers several advantages including applications in both in situ and remote sensing devices. In this work, new scattering matrix measurements for two samples of airborne desert dust collected in Spain and China are reported. The average extrapolated scattering matrices of airborne desert dust and of volcanic ash at two wavelengths have been calculated and compared with the aim of finding criteria to distinguish these two types of aerosol. Additionally, the scattering matrix of cypress pollen has been measured and extrapolated to explore differences with mineral dust that can be exploited in atmospheric detection. Field measurements of the backscattering linear depolarization ratio δ L (180°) are used to obtain information about non-sphericity and discrimination between fine and coarse aerosol. However, the average δ L (180°) for the three types of aerosols considered in this work in the visible spectral range is δ L (180°) = 0.40 ± 0.05. This shows that δ L (180°) is not informative about the composition or morphology of irregular particles. By contrast, measurements of scattering matrix elements or depolarization ratios at different scattering angles may provide information about the structural differences of particles, and in particular may enable to differentiate airborne volcanic ash from desert dust, which are otherwise similar in terms of size and optical constants. Cypress pollen shows a characteristic degree of linear polarization curve that is very different from that of polydisperse irregular mineral dust. Light scattering field instruments and remote sensing methods could extract more information about the characteristics of aerosol particles if modifications were introduced to measure the phase curves of several scattering matrix elements or depolarization ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although a number of patients with HIV infection and hematological disease have successfully undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), short and long-term outcomes remain not well known. We report the largest Spanish experience treating HIV-infected adult patients with high-risk hematological malignancies with allogeneic HSCT., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 22 HIV-positive patients who received allogeneic HSCT in five centers in Spain., Results: A total of 22 patients with high-risk hematological malignancies were transplanted between 1999 and 2018. Median age was 44 years. With a median follow-up of 65 months (8-112), overall survival and event-free survival were 46%. Nonrelapse mortality was 14% at 12 months and relapse was 24% at 24 months. Grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) rate was 44%, and moderate/severe chronic GVHD rate was 41% at 24 months. All patients received combination antiretroviral therapy. Two patients showed severe toxicity related to drug interaction with antiretroviral therapy. 68% of patients showed infectious complications with viral infections as the most frequent cause. Two patients had invasive aspergillosis and one patient presented disseminated tuberculosis. All survivors except one maintained undetectable HIV load at last follow-up after HSCT., Conclusion: Allogeneic HSCT is an effective therapy for high-risk hematological malignancies in patients with HIV infection, and long-term HIV suppression with combination antiretroviral therapy is feasible. However, drug interactions with antiretroviral agents, occurrence of GVHD, and frequent infectious complications account for a complex procedure in this population. Selected HIV-infected patients with hematologic malignancies should be considered for allo-HSCT when indicated, in experienced centers.