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Background: This study addresses the contribution of worker representation to health and safety in the pandemic context. To do so, we examine whether the self‐reported presence of representatives in workplaces is associated with the implementation of anti‐COVID‐19 protective action and with which type of measures their existence is most strongly associated (individual, collective or organizational). The article also explores how the presence of worker representatives and anti‐COVID‐19 protective measures are distributed according to workers' socio‐professional characteristics and company features. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study based on an online survey conducted in Spain (n = 19,452 workers). Multiple Correspondence Analysis was used for the multivariate description while the association between worker representation and protective measures was assessed by robust Poisson regressions. Results: The maps resulting from the Multiple Correspondence Analysis allow for the identification of patterns of inequalities in protection, with a clear occupational social class divide. The regression models show that protective measures are applied more frequently where worker representatives exist, this association being particularly strong in relation to organizational measures. Conclusions: The presence of worker representation is systematically associated with a greater presence of protective measures, which could have implications for the reduction of social inequalities resulting from labor‐management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: According to the latest European guidelines, discontinuation of monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene‐related peptide (anti‐CGRP MAb) may be considered after 12–18 months of treatment. However, some patients may worsen after discontinuation. In this study, we assessed the response following treatment resumption. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in 14 Headache Units in Spain. We included patients with response to anti‐CGRP MAb with clinical worsening after withdrawal and resumption of treatment. Numbers of monthly migraine days (MMD) and monthly headache days (MHD) were obtained at four time points: before starting anti‐CGRP MAb (T‐baseline); last month of first treatment period (T‐suspension); month of restart due to worsening (T‐worsening); and 3 months after resumption (T‐reintroduction). The response rate to resumption was calculated. Possible differences among periods were analysed according to MMD and MHD. Results: A total of 360 patients, 82% women, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at migraine onset of 18 (12) years. The median (IQR) MHD at T‐baseline was 20 (13) and MMD was 5 (6); at T‐suspension, the median (IQR) MHD was 5 (6) and MMD was 4 (5); at T‐worsening, the median (IQR) MHD was 16 (13) and MMD was 12 (6); and at T‐reintroduction, the median (IQR) MHD was 8 (8) and MHD was 5 (5). In the second period of treatment, a 50% response rate was achieved by 57.4% of patients in MHD and 65.8% in MMD. Multivariate models showed significant differences in MHD between the third month after reintroduction and last month before suspension of first treatment period (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results suggest that anti‐CGRP MAb therapy is effective after reintroduction. However, 3 months after resumption, one third of the sample reached the same improvement as after the first treatment period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is focused on the Almonte‐Marismas aquifer located within Doñana Natural Space (SW Spain); this aquifer is threatened by droughts, irrigation‐driven groundwater overexploitation, urban use, and the potential reactivation of gas extraction and storage projects. We present ground deformation measurements from Sentinel‐1 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data ranging from 1 to 2.5 cm, covering ∼2,500 km2 from 2014 to 2020. Detecting spatially distributed ground deformation over this agricultural area is challenging due to the low‐coherence radar signals; consequently, the ground movement results are on the same order of magnitude as the errors associated with InSAR data. We have approached this issue by considering auxiliary information such as groundwater levels, climatic time series, and pumping rates and analyzing their spatio‐temporal connections to ground displacements. We correlate InSAR and hydrogeological information through wavelet analysis, developing a Python package that allows applying the same methodology in other similar study areas. For the first time in the Doñana area, a significant relationship between distances to pumping wells and the displacement extent is detected. Moreover, other subsidence‐related triggering factors are identified, such as the soil moisture balance, clay shrinking‐swelling processes, and creep of geological formations. These results are highly valuable to support aquifer management decisions in the Doñana Natural Space; in this border region, three groundwater bodies were officially declared overexploited in 2020. Our findings provide a ground motion baseline assessment to help differentiate historical variations from any future anthropogenic effect in this complex marsh land ecosystem. Plain Language Summary: This work is focused on Doñana Natural Space (SW Spain), which integrates the Doñana National Park and the Doñana Natural Park in a single space. Doñana has acquired the highest protected area categories that a natural area can receive from international conservation organizations. However, Doñana's ability to support biodiversity is under constant threat due to droughts, groundwater overexploitation for irrigation, urban use, and the reactivation of a gas extraction and storage project. This study presents ground deformation measurements in the Doñana area derived from Earth observation data ranging from 1 to 2.5 cm from 2014 to 2020. The work relates ground displacement, groundwater and climatic information through mathematical tools. For the first time in the Doñana area, a significant relationship between distances to pumping wells and the displacement extent is detected. These results are highly valuable to support aquifer management decisions in the Doñana Natural Space. Our findings provide a ground motion baseline assessment that will help differentiate historical variations from any future anthropogenic effect in this complex marsh land ecosystem. Key Points: Integrated Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar and hydrogeological analysis has shown displacements up to 2.5 cm/year on the aquifer that hosts the Doñana Natural SpaceWavelet method with a new Python package allows for integrated displacement, groundwater level, climatic and pumping time series analysesThe results provide a ground motion baseline to differentiate natural variations from future anthropogenic effects in the Doñana area [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use census microdata for Spain and the United States to examine gender differences in cross‐national heterosexual couples (marriages and cohabitating unions involving natives and immigrant spouses). We examine whether native men and native women in cross‐national couples exhibit similar patterns regarding the country of birth, age, and educational attainment of their international partners. Countries are ranked by their level of the human development index (HDI). In both Spain and the United States, native men are slightly overrepresented in cross‐national couples. Native men are more likely to be married to individuals from low HDI countries than native women. On the contrary, native women are predominantly married to men born in countries with similar or higher levels of HDI. Unions of native men are characterized by large spousal age differences, which increase with the HDI gap; this pattern reverses among native women. These gender asymmetries do not extend to education level, with cross‐national couples, overall, involving highly educated individuals. These results point to the endurance of certain features of traditional marriage patterns in cross‐national couples, but the patterns differ starkly between native men and native women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: First‐line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is limited to carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, and in refractory cases, alternatives are scarce. Lacosamide has been suggested as a valid option. In this study, we describe a series of patients who received oral lacosamide as treatment for TN after first‐line drug failure. Methods: In this retrospective descriptive cohort study, we included patients with refractory TN who attended a tertiary center between 2015 and 2021 and were prescribed oral lacosamide after first‐line treatment failure. The primary endpoints were pain relief and adverse effects. We secondarily analyzed clinical outcomes and compared responders versus nonresponders in the search for potential predictors of response. Results: Eighty‐six patients were included (mean age: 62 [SD 15.6] years; 54/86 [63%] female). The TN etiology was secondary in 16/86 (19%) patients. Concomitant continuous pain was present in 29/86 (34%) patients. The mean number of previous treatments was 2.7 [SD 1.5]. Pain relief was achieved in 57/86 (66%) cases, with 28/86 (33%) patients presenting adverse effects, all of which were mild. No statistically significant differences were observed between responders and nonresponders, but subtle clinical differences suggested potential predictors of response. Conclusion: Lacosamide may be an effective and relatively safe treatment for refractory pain in TN patients after first‐line treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study was to undestand the effect of two organic amendments on three planted autochthonous species in two substrates mulched with pine chips 6 years after starting an experimental restoration in a quarry for cement production in semiarid SE Spain. But because this kind of mulch contained pine cones and pine seedlings appeared after the first year of the restoration, new objectives were added to the initial one: to check if organic amendments influenced pine growth among planted vegetation and if there were competition between planted and non‐planted species. Essential soil parameters, plant cover and diversity and pine growth were measured and statistically processed with correlation analyses, ANOVA and detrended correspondence analysis. Six years after restoration, organic amendments contributed significantly to explain the differences on the tested variables. The combined effects of the two substrates and the two organic amendments effectively enhanced soil properties recovery, but they also facilitated the establishment and entry of new species in addition to planted vegetation, driving a differential plant development. Planted vegetation cover and total plant cover from amended plots were double that of control plots. The number of pines, as well as their coverage, depended on the interaction between amendment type and substrate. Organic amendments favoured opportunistic species which, despite competing with those planted, helped to control soil erosion and enhanced pedogenesis. Pine chips used as mulch and derived pine seedlings, despite not entering the experimental design, might have some potential in the restoration of these particular degraded semiarid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the growing number of studies on direct participation labor‐management practices, little is known about the role of their different discretionary degrees (delegation or consultation) and topics in their relationship with the psychosocial work environment by occupational groups. Methods: Cross‐sectional study on the relationship between direct participation and work‐related psychosocial risks (using COPSOQ‐ISTAS21 v3) on a representative sample of the salaried and wage‐earning employees in Spain (n = 1807). Prevalence ratios were calculated using adjusted Poisson regression models, controlling for 10 other labor‐management practices, sex, and age, and stratified by occupational group. Results: The use of direct participation was either associated consistently with a healthier psychosocial work environment (mostly in manual occupations, which presented twice as many positive associations as nonmanual occupations, and of greater strength, mostly in the control and social support dimensions) or there were no significant associations (mostly among nonmanual occupations and in relation to work pace). More frequent and stronger associations were observed when consultation and delegation were used in combination. If used separately, consultation achieved better results among manual occupations and delegation among nonmanual occupations. Direct participation topics were not important for results in manual occupations whereas results were better on tactical (vs. operational) issues in nonmanual occupations. Conclusions: Direct participation does not change power structure, but it may be a useful intervention at the company level to reduce work‐related psychosocial exposures and associated diseases among workers in manual occupations, and consequently for decreasing occupational exposures and health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the application of geophysical methods to reconstruct the palaeo‐landscapes of sites of special historical interest in support of the planning of archaeological researches. Given the extent of the surface to be investigated, electromagnetic methods have proven to be very suitable for their speed, resolution and versatility for this objective. In particular, coastal areas of the Mediterranean have undergone significant changes in the position of the coastline, because of changes in sea level and sediment inputs that have covered natural harbours used for the establishing colonies. In this paper, we present the results of a geophysical survey conducted using frequency‐domain electromagnetic (FDEM) method carried out to get the geometry of a coastal area near to Emporiae (NE, Spain), which was supposed to form a natural port that was used by Greeks and Romans for its first colonial settlements on the Iberian Peninsula. The results obtained from a dense network of apparent conductivity measurements, supported punctually by other geophysical data (VES and ERT) and boreholes, has allowed us to define the geometry of the basin and confirm the hypotheses of the existence of harbour buried under the coastal and alluvial sediments in the bay close to the remains from Greek and Roman times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Miniature pigs have gained popularity as companion animals in the recent years in Spain. Due to the fact that their abandonment and crossing breeds with wild boars can cause severe problems, investigation about the health status is needed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine their health status according to the clinical findings during physical examination and the results of antibody serology tests against selected infectious diseases. Methods: Two‐hundred and eleven miniature pigs (Sus scrofa) were included in the study. Their origin, age, sex, housing conditions and diet were recorded. Results: The housing of the animals ranged from wild animals to ones living in animal sanctuaries. The diet varied from a natural one in the wild to commercial and homemade food. Thirty animals out of two‐hundred and eleven were hybrids between miniature pigs and wild boars according to morphological characteristics. Antibody serology techniques of Influenza A virus, Hepatitis E virus, brucellosis, tuberculosis, African swine fever, Classical swine fever and Aujeszky's disease was performed. The prevalence for Influenza A was 5.30%, for Hepatitis E was 5.35% and the rest tested negative. It is important to control and monitor these zoonotic infections to prevent Public Health problems. Conclusions: The results obtained from this investigation demonstrated that the animals' health status in this study is optimal and the diseases prevalence is similar or minor when compared to previous studies. This study confirms the hybridization of miniature pig and wild boar in Catalonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed pharmacoeconomic costs associated with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) compared with other available second‐line therapies for chronic graft‐vs‐host disease (cGvHD) in a tertiary Spanish institution. Methods: Patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with steroid‐refractory cGvHD were eligible. Data were collected retrospectively from index date until 1 year or relapse. Patients were distributed in two cohorts (ECP vs non‐ECP), matched by age (≤ or > 40), hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HLA‐identical sibling donor or other) and number of previous immunosuppressive lines (1, 2, or ≥ 3). Costs were assigned using the 2016 diagnosis‐related group (DRG) system: DRG 579 (€22 383) overnight stay due to major complication (ie, sepsis, pneumonia, parenteral nutrition, or respiratory failure), and DRG 875 (€5154) if no major complication. The primary endpoint was healthcare resource utilization per patient. Results: Forty patients (n = 20 per cohort) were included. Median age was 49, and 37.5% were female. Mean total cost per patient was €25 319 (95% CI: €17 049–€33 590) across the two cohorts, with a slightly lower mean cost per ECP‐treated patient (€23 120) compared with the non‐ECP cohort (€27 519; P =.597). Twenty‐seven inpatient hospitalizations occurred among ECP‐treated patients, vs 33 in the non‐ECP cohort. Day hospital and external consultations were more frequent in the ECP cohort. However, fewer inpatient admissions included DRG 579 compared with the non‐ECP cohort (44% vs 58%). Inpatient length of stay was slightly shorter in the ECP cohort (30 vs 49 days; P =.298). Conclusions: ECP treatment may yield economic savings in Spain through resource savings and moving costs toward outpatient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information regarding impact on healthcare systems of relapsed or refractory (R/R) FLT3 mutated (FLT3mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is scarce. Objective: To assess the time and reimbursement associated with hospitalizations of patients with R/R FLT3mut AML in a tertiary Spanish hospital. Methods: Retrospective review of medical charts identified patients aged ≥ 18 years with R/R FLT3mut AML between 1998 and 2018. Data were collected from the date of first diagnosis of R/R FLT3mut AML (index) until death or loss to follow‐up. The primary end point was duration and frequency of hospitalization, use of outpatient resources and transfusion burden. Reimbursement associated with hospitalizations (including associated chemotherapy) was also assessed. Results: Thirty‐eight patients were eligible for inclusion. Their median age was 52 years, and 30 (79%) received intensive salvage chemotherapy; FLAG‐IDA‐based regimens were the most frequent (24 patients, 63%). Overall, there were 150 hospitalizations (mean 3.9/patient; mean duration 21 days). Patients spent a mean of 24% of the study period in hospital. Total mean reimbursement was €108 293 per patient; the majority (€89 834) attributable to inpatient stays (€22 576 /hospitalization). During chemotherapy period (prior to first alloHSCT), there were 73 hospitalizations (mean duration 22 days); mean reimbursement was €19 776 per hospitalization and €49 819 per patient. AlloHSCT (n = 16) involved 77 hospitalizations (mean duration 21 days), mean reimbursement €25 231/hospitalization and €131 515 per patient. Conclusion: Data from this study suggest that there is a substantial healthcare resource utilization and cost burden on R/R FLT3mut AML patients in Spain receiving active treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trends in seasonal mean values of maximum and minimum temperature are analysed in the Spanish mainland from the new MOTEDAS_century database. This new data set has been developed combining the digitalized archives from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) with information retrieved from Annual Books published by the former Meteorological Agency dating back to 1916, and covers the period 1916–2015. In all four seasons, mean seasonal temperature of maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) increased. The raising occurred in two main pulses separated by a first pause around the middle of the 20th century, but differed among seasons and also between maximum and minimum temperature. Analysis of the percentage of land affected by significant trends in maximum temperature reveals two increasing phases in spring and summer for Tmax, and in spring, summer, and autumn for Tmin. However, winter Tmax only rose during the recent decades, and autumn Tmax in the first decades. Negative significant trends were found in extended areas in spring Tmax, and in spring, autumn, and summer Tmin, confirming the first pause around the 1940's–1960's. Trends of seasonal mean values of Tmax and Tmin are not significant for at least the last 25–35 years of the study period, depending on the season. The areas under significant positive trend are usually more extended for Tmin than Tmax at any season and period. Areas with significant trend expand and contract in time according to two spatial gradients: south‐east to north‐west (east‐west) for Tmax, and west to east for Tmin. We hypothesize a relationship between atmospheric prevalent advection and relief as triggering factors to understand spatial and temporal differences in seasonal temperatures at regional scale during the 20th century in the Iberian Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation constitutes a particularly variable climatic element in Spain. Study of teleconnection indices, closely related to precipitation, enables us to establish to a greater or lesser degree the mechanisms regulating pluviometric variability; these are vital for planning and managing water resources in semiarid regions. In the present article we attempt to identify the low‐frequency patterns that present the closest statistical relationship with rainfall for each of the points on the MOPREDAS pluviometric data grid, covering the whole area of peninsular Spain. The results obtained reveal the clear dominance of Mediterranean Basin patterns, specifically of the Mediterranean Oscillation (MO) and of its version in the mid‐levels of the troposphere (ULMO). Results, however, show a significant dominance of the Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO) in the east of the Iberian Peninsula and the eastern part of the Cantabrian façade. Also noteworthy is the control exerted by the NAO over much of the centre and southwest of Spain, as well as the surprising dominance of an index that heretofore has not been used much, known as the Paris‐London Westerly Index. Finally, we performed a regionalisation based upon the correlations between the teleconnection and precipitation indices by means of a principal components analysis, which revealed the existence of three differentiated pluviometric regions in peninsular Spain: Atlantic (centre and south), Mediterranean (east) and Cantabrian (north). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the geometries of fault‐controlled dolostone geobodies and their structural and sequence stratigraphic controls, which provide new insights for the prediction and production of fault‐controlled dolomitized hydrocarbon reservoirs. A very thick succession (>1600 m) of Aptian–Albian shallow‐marine carbonates of the Benassal Formation that crop out in the Benicàssim area (Maestrat Basin, eastern Spain) is partly replaced by dolomite, resulting in dolostone geometries ranging from massive patches to stratabound bodies. Detailed mapping, systematic logging and correlation were carried out to characterize the structural, sedimentary and sequence stratigraphic framework of the area and to constrain the principal controls on the full‐range of dolostone geometries. The results show that carbonate sediments accumulated in a half graben stacked in three transgressive–regressive sequences. Large‐scale massive dolostone patches (with up to kilometre extension) formed near large‐scale faults indicating that they acted as entry points for warm dolomitizing fluids into the basin. These dolostone patches laterally pass to large stratabound bodies that extend for long distances (at least 7 km) away from feeding faults, forming a continuum. The presence of a regional unconformity and a clastic fine‐grain low‐permeability unit (Escucha Formation) on top of the Benassal Formation likely constrained the dolomitization fluids to an up to 580 m thick interval below the base of the Escucha Formation. Thus, only limestones within this interval, corresponding to the two uppermost transgressive–regressive sequences, were dolomitized. There is a clear relationship between the stratigraphic framework and the preferred replaced beds. Dolomitization preferentially affected sediments deposited in inner to middle ramp settings with predominant wackestone to packstone textures. Such facies are laterally most abundant in the east of the study area (i.e. basinward) and vertically in layers around the maximum flooding zone of the top sequence, which is preferentially affected by dolomitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study draws on the work–family and cross‐national management literature to examine the relationships between Family‐Supportive Organizational Perceptions (FSOP), work–family enrichment, and job burnout across five countries with different cultural backgrounds: Malaysia, New Zealand, France, Italy, and Spain. Using a combined sample of 980 employees, we find support for a partial mediation model in which FSOP is positively associated with work–family enrichment, which in turn is negatively related to job burnout. Given our focus on support, we test the moderating role of the cultural value humane orientation, that is, the extent to which a society values altruism, kindness, and compassion. The five countries in our sample offer variation in their country‐level scores as determined by the GLOBE study (House et al., 2004). We found that individuals from cultures that scored higher in "as is" humane orientation (i.e., scores for actual practices) experienced lower job burnout when FSOP increased. This pattern was reversed when considering "should be" humane orientation (i.e., scores for ideal values). The implications for the work–family and the cross‐national management literature, and for practice, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine benthic dinoflagellates are interesting not only because some epiphytic genera can cause harmful algal blooms but also for understanding dinoflagellate evolution and diversification. Our understanding of their biodiversity is far from complete, and many thecate genera have unusual tabulation patterns that are difficult to relate to the diverse known phytoplankton taxa. A new sand‐dwelling genus, Pachena gen. nov., is described based on morphological and DNA sequence data. Three species were discovered in distant locations and are circumscribed, namely, P. leibnizii sp. nov. from Canada, P. abriliae sp. nov. from Spain, and P. meriddae sp. nov. from Italy. All species are tiny (about 9–23 μm long) and heterotrophic. Species are characterized by their tabulation (APC 4′ 3a 6′′ 5c 5s 5′′′ 2′′′′), an apical hook covering the apical pore, an ascending cingulum, and a sulcus with central list. The first anterior intercalary plate is uniquely "sandwiched" between two plates. The species share these features and differ in the relative sizes and arrangements of their plates, especially on the epitheca. The ornamentation of thecal plates is species‐specific. The new molecular phylogenies based on SSU and LSU rDNA sequences contribute to understanding the evolution of the planktonic relatives of Pachena, the Thoracosphaeraceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time‐loss definition of injury is commonly adopted in epidemiological groin‐injury studies in football, with a significant risk of underestimating the impact of these injuries. This study investigated the extent of groin problems, beyond the time‐loss approach, over a full Spanish football season. Players from 17 amateur male teams were followed over 39 consecutive weeks. Groin‐injury time loss and self‐reported groin pain, irrespective of time loss, were combined to calculate the average weekly prevalence of all groin problems with or without time loss. A subscale measuring hip‐ and groin‐related sporting function from the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score questionnaire (HAGOS, Sport/Rec) was registered every 4 weeks. In total, 407 players participated in the study. The average (range) weekly prevalence of all groin problems was 11.7% (7.2%‐20.8%); 1.3% with time loss (0.0%‐3.2%) and 10.4% without time loss (6.3%‐17.6%). Players with groin problems reported lower scores (mean difference) on the HAGOS, Sport/Rec subscale compared with players without (−19.5 [95% CI: −20.7 to −18.4]), while there was no difference between players reporting groin problems with and without time loss (4.0 [95% CI: −1.1 to 9.1]). The traditional time‐loss measure only captured 10% of all groin problems. Hip‐ and groin‐related sporting function was not different between players reporting groin problems with or without time loss, suggesting the reason for continuing to play is not only related to the severity of symptoms. These findings question the judicious use of the time‐loss approach in overuse conditions, such as groin pain in footballers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent and highly disabling chronic pain syndrome. However, differences among patients regarding how pain impacts on daily life are remarkable. The main aim of this study was to identify clinical and pain‐related cognitive variables characterizing patients reporting high adaptability despite experiencing severe chronic pain. Methods: Two hundred and eighty‐three Spanish patients with FM with high levels of pain were classified into 2 groups: (1) those reporting low impact of the syndrome, and (2) those with moderate‐to‐high impact. Perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms along with pain catastrophizing, psychological inflexibility, and perceived control over pain were evaluated. Differences in sociodemographics, years with FM, past/current major depressive disorder comorbidity, and health‐related economic costs (ie, medications, use of medical services, lost productivity due to sick leave) were also assessed. Stepwise logistic regression analyses predicting group membership from clinical variables and pain‐related cognitive processes as predictors were performed. Results: Lower stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, along with reduced pain catastrophism, psychological inflexibility, and perceived control over pain, were found in the low‐impact group. Significant predictors of group membership (low‐impact vs. moderate‐to‐high impact) in regression analyses were "cognitive fusion" (psychological inflexibility), "helplessness" (pain catastrophizing), and depressive symptomatology, together with pain intensity and other FM symptoms. Conclusions: The present study provides further evidence on resilience resources in chronic pain by identifying some variables (ie, reduced depressive symptomatology, pain catastrophizing, and psychological inflexibility) differentially characterizing a profile of patients with FM who are especially able to adapt to high levels of pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recognition of pain in people with dementia is challenging. Observational scales have been developed, but there is a need to harmonize and improve the assessment process. In EU initiative COST-Action TD1005, 36 promising items were selected from existing scales to be tested further. We aimed to study the observer agreement of each item, and to analyse the factor structure of the complete set.Methods: One hundred and ninety older persons with dementia were recruited in four different countries (Italy, Serbia, Spain and The Netherlands) from different types of healthcare facilities. Patients represented a convenience sample, with no pre-selection on presence of (suspected) pain. The Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC, research version) item pool includes facial expressions of pain (15 items), body movements (10 items) and vocalizations (11 items). Participants were observed by health professionals in two situations, at rest and during movement. Intrarater and interrater reliability was analysed by percentage agreement. The factor structure was examined with principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation.Results: Health professionals performed observations in 40-57 patients in each country. Intrarater and interrater agreement was generally high (≥70%). However, for some facial expression items, agreement was sometimes below 70%. Factor analyses showed a six-component solution, which were named as follows: Vocal pain expression, Face anatomical descriptors, Protective body movements, Vocal defence, Tension and Lack of affect.Conclusions: Observation of PAIC items can be done reliably in healthcare settings. Observer agreement is quite promising already without extensive training.Significance: In this international project, promising items from existing observational pain scales were identified and evaluated regarding their reliability as an alternative to pain self-report in people with dementia. Analysis on factor structure helped to understand the character of the items. Health professionals from four countries using four different European languages were able to rate items reliably. The results contributed to an informed reduction of items for a clinical observer scale (Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition scale with 15 items: PAIC15). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early marine diagenetic dolomite is a rather thermodynamically‐stable carbonate phase and has potential to act as an archive of marine porewater properties. However, the variety of early to late diagenetic dolomite phases that can coexist within a single sample can result in extensive complexity. Here, the archive potential of early marine dolomites exposed to extreme post‐depositional processes is tested using various types of analyses, including: petrography, fluid inclusion data, stable δ13C and δ18O isotopes, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and U‐Pb age dating of various dolomite phases. In this example, a Triassic carbonate platform was dissected and overprinted (diagenetic temperatures of 50 to 430°C) in a strike‐slip zone in Southern Spain. Eight episodes of dolomitization, a dolostone cataclasite and late stage meteoric/vadose cementation were recognized. The following processes were found to be diagenetically relevant: (i) protolith deposition and fabric‐preservation, and marine dolomitization of precursor aragonite and calcite during the Middle–Late Triassic; (ii) intermediate burial and formation of zebra saddle dolomite and precipitation of various dolomite cements in a Proto‐Atlantic opening stress regime (T ca 250°C) during the Early–Middle Jurassic; (iii) dolomite cement precipitation during early Alpine tectonism, rapid burial to ca 15 km, and high‐grade anchizone overprint during Alpine tectonic evolution in the Early Eocene to Early Miocene; (iv) brecciation of dolostones to cataclasite during the onset of the Carboneras Fault Zone activity during the Middle Miocene; and (v) late‐stage regression and subsequent meteoric overprint. Data shown here document that, under favourable conditions, early diagenetic marine dolomites and their archive data may resist petrographic and geochemical resetting over time intervals of 108 or more years. Evidence for this preservation includes preserved Late Triassic seawater δ13CDIC values and primary fluid inclusion data. Data also indicate that oversimplified statements based on bulk data from other petrographically‐complex dolomite archives must be considered with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to analyze the development of self‐concept during adolescence. Participants included 484 teenagers (226 boys and 258 girls) from middle‐class families in the Basque Country region of Spain (Mage = 14.99, SD = 1.81 in Time 1 and Mage = 15.64, SD = 1.80 in Time 2). Longitudinal analysis found differences in the general school dimension. Six dimensions (math, verbal, general school, physical abilities, parent relationships and same‐sex relationships) reported a linear trend with a decreasing monotonic pattern; self‐esteem fit a cubic trend and physical appearance a quadratic trend line. Males showed higher means in self‐esteem, math, physical abilities, physical appearance, emotional stability and parent relationships; and females had higher values in verbal and general school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to examine the commuting behaviour of self‐employed workers in Spain as well as its relationship with satisfaction with jobs and housing. According to our results although conventional estimations indicate that commuting trips are shorter among the self‐employed, the differences with employees vanish when the potential endogeneity of self‐employment is controlled for. We also show that the job and housing satisfaction levels of the self‐employed are less sensitive to commuting than those of employees, and that in fact no significant effect is observed for relevant segments of the former group, what gives partial support to the theoretical model that we propose where imperfect information problems affect the employees but not the self‐employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time series analysis methods have been used to detect behavioral patterns in a set of nine time series. These series contained information in a 3‐h time step about meteorological, hydrological and tidal data of a sand dune pond area located in Doñana National Park in the southwest of Spain. The methods used, such as wavelet analysis and additive seasonal decomposition, had never been applied before in the types of ecosystems studied. These approaches have improved the current knowledge of the conceptual model of the Santa Olalla pond system, the only system with a permanent hydroperiod located in this protected area. In addition, complex surface water‐groundwater interactions, not visible through descriptive methods, have been distinguished to have a strong seasonal component. Finally, we evaluated the effect of pumping activity in a nearby coastal resort on the water supply of the Santa Olalla pond system. Although direct damage to this sand dune pond has not yet been identified, special attention must be paid in order to maintain groundwater inputs that are integral to maintaining its current status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi) is a critically endangered amphibian species which inhabits a small 20 km2 holm oak and beech forest area in NE Spain. Calotriton arnoldi strictly lives in running waters and might be highly vulnerable to hydrological perturbations expected to occur under climate and vegetation cover changes. Knowledge about the potential response of the species habitat to environmental changes can help assessing the actions needed for its conservation. Based on knowledge of the species and supported by observations, we proposed daily low and high streamflow event thresholds for the viability of C. arnoldi. We used the rainfall–runoff model PERSiST to simulate changes in the frequency and duration of these events, which were predicted under two climate and four vegetation cover scenarios for near‐future (2031–2050) and far‐future (2081–2100) periods in a reference catchment. All future scenarios projected a significant decrease in annual streamflow (from 21% to as much as 67%) with respect to the reference period. The frequency and length of low streamflow events will dramatically increase. In contrast, the risk of catastrophic drift linked to high streamflow events was predicted to decrease. The potential change in vegetation toward an expansion of holm oak forests will be more important than climate changes in determining threshold low flow conditions. We thus demonstrated that consideration of potential changes in vegetation and not only changes in climate variables is essential in simulating future streamflows. This study shows that future low streamflow conditions will pose a severe threat for the survival of C. arnoldi and may help taking management actions, including limiting the expansion of holm oak forest, for ameliorating the species habitat and help its conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Upper Eocene fish‐bearing deposits of the Terminal Complex of the Plana de Vic (Ebro Basin, Catalonia, NE Spain) and its fish assemblage are analysed in detail from a stratigraphic and sedimentological point of view. Moreover, the taphonomic features and taxonomy of the fishes are studied for the first time. Fishes belonging to the families Clupeidae, Synodontidae, and an indeterminate percomorph have been identified, including a new lizardfish taxon, Ausonasynodus almerai gen. et sp. nov. The fish specimens are preserved in finely laminated limestones, resulting from the development of microbial mats on the seafloor. The presence of these microbially induced biolaminations favoured the good preservation of the fossil material. The combination of the stratigraphic and sedimentological context of the studied deposits, together with the taphonomic and paleobiological information obtained from the fishes, suggest that they were likely deposited in a shallow marine setting, probably in restricted or protected areas, under arid climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire has been one of the main causes of disturbance of vegetation over time, and since the Neolithic has become an irreplaceable tool for the opening of forest spaces and maintenance of pastures. Previous studies showed that the intensity and effects of wildfires are related to the biomass and controlled by climate factors. However, in regions such as Cantabria, where agriculture and livestock have spread throughout the territory since prehistory, fires should also be closely related to human land uses. The aim of this paper was to investigate the history of fires and vegetation since the Neolithic in the Cantabrian Mountains, using sedimentary charcoal and pollen data to study the role of human activities in the processes that have shaped ecosystems throughout the Holocene. The asynchrony and quantitative differences in the results obtained at different sites indicate significant variations in fire patterns at regional scale since the Neolithic, although the type and size of each basin also had a strong influence on charcoal accumulation. Maximum values for charcoal accumulation rate at La Molina were observed between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age but occurred after about 3500 cal years BP at El Cueto de la Avellanosa. At El Sertal, low charcoal accumulation rate values were observed, probably because the sequence begins in a space that already had been cleared; the maximum values occurred during the most recent millennium. These data provide evidence that fire has been a key factor in forest retreat and in maintaining open landscapes since the Neolithic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To study mortality in a cohort of cocaine use disorder patients, and compare results in those with concurrent alcohol or opiates disorder. Design, Setting and Participants: A cohort of 10 539 cocaine use disorder individuals entering drug treatment in public out‐patient centres in the city of Barcelona was followed from 1997 to 2011. Participants were divided at baseline into three groups: those with only cocaine use disorder (CUD), those with cocaine and alcohol use disorder but not opioid (CAUD) and those with cocaine and opioid use disorder (COUD). Mortality was assessed through the Spanish National Mortality Register. Measurements: Crude mortality rates (CMR), standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and rate ratios (RR) were calculated for each group. A multivariable Cox regression model was fitted to obtain adjusted mortality hazard ratios (aHR) of CAUD and COUD with respect to CUD. Specific mortality causes were also examined. Findings: The total of 716 deaths registered resulted in a CMR = 6.0/1000 person‐years (PY); 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.1–7.0 for CUD, CMR = 5.8/1000 PY (95% CI = 4.9–6.7) for CAUD and CMR = 20.7/1000 PY (95% CI = 18.8–22.8) for COUD, with no significant differences among sexes. Compared with the general population, mortality was four times higher (SMR = 4.1, 95% CI = 3.5–4.8) among CUD, more than three times among CAUD (SMR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.9–3.9) and more than 10 times among COUD (SMR = 11.6, 95% CI = 10.5–12.8), being always higher in women. External injuries, led by overdose, accumulated the biggest percentage of deaths among the three groups, but infectious diseases showed the highest excess mortality. Some differences regarding causes of death were observed between the three groups. Conclusions: Mortality risk and excess mortality are significantly greater among those with cocaine and opiates use disorder than among people with only cocaine use disorder or cocaine and alcohol use disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the reference range of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in different BMI categories and its impact on the classification of hypothyroidism.Methods: The study included 3,928 individuals free of thyroid disease (without previous thyroid disease, no interfering medications, TSH <10 µUI/mL and thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPO Abs] <50 IU/mL) who participated in a national, cross-sectional, population-based study and were representative of the adult population of Spain. Data gathered included clinical and demographic characteristics, physical examination, and blood and urine sampling. TSH, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and TPO Ab were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence (E170, Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland).Results: The reference range (p2.5-97.5) for TSH was estimated as 0.6 to 4.8 µUI/mL in the underweight category (BMI<20 kg/m2 ), 0.6 to 5.5 µUI/mL in the normal-weight category (BMI 20-24.9 kg/m2 ), 0.6 to 5.5 µUI/mL in the overweight category (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 ), 0.5 to 5.9 µUI/mL in the obesity category (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2 ), and 0.7 to 7.5 µUI/mL in the morbid obesity category (BMI ≥40). By using the reference criteria for the normal-weight population, the prevalence of high TSH levels increased threefold in the morbid obesity category (P < 0.01).Conclusions: Persons with morbid obesity might be inappropriately classified if the standard ranges of normality of TSH for the normal-weight population are applied to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was analysed whether investment in the education of both women and men serves to empower wives resulting in more balanced household decisions being taken on matters related to consumption and financial management. They considered that household decision-making could be made by mainly the wife, mainly the husband or the couple acting jointly. They then applied multinomial probit models to the Spanish Living Conditions Survey of 2010. Results show that, when controlling for demographic, family and labour market characteristics, the level of education of both the husband and wife has a positive effect in terms of a more egalitarian decision-making process in relation to three areas of expenditure: daily shopping, expensive purchases of consumer durables and significant expenditure on children. However, only women's education has a positive effect on borrowing money and no effect of education is observed with regard to the use of savings. Results are less conclusive for households where decisions are taken primarily by the wife or husband, since men's education increases the role of husbands in the household making-decision process whereas no effect of wives' education is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to widen the empirical evidence about the determinants of Spanish academics' publication productivity across fields of study. We use the Spanish Survey on Human Resources in Science and Technology addressed to Spanish resident PhDs employed in Spanish universities as academics. Productivity is measured as the total number of publications in a three-year period. We show how personal and academic variables explain differences in productivity within universities and fields of studies and across fields of research. Female workers report lower productivity than their male counterparts, but family responsibilities do not explain this gender gap. The type of contract and tenure or rank do not seem to have any influence on productivity. Researchers seeking professional promotion rather than altruism or personal satisfaction are more productive and young scholars publish more than their older counterparts. Additionally, we find a certain research-teaching trade-off and some nuances in the predictors of publication productivity across birth cohorts and fields of study. Finally, international cooperation is one of the most relevant determinants of the number of publications, regardless of the birth cohort. The institutional context in the Spanish research system as regards requirements for promotion and the assessment of research outcomes may contribute to the understanding and interpretation of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of online social networks and organizational learning capability on innovation performance. The paper is theory-confirming. Theoretical relationships were tested using an empirical study of 202 four-star and five-star Spanish hotels. Results confirm that the introduction of online social network use for internal and external cognitive processes positively affects innovation performance. This study highlights the potential as well as the limitations of online social networks and organizational learning capability in promoting innovation capability. Businesses must consciously manage the assimilation and use of online social networks to benefit from them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To analyze whether associations between workplace psychosocial exposures and the mental health of the working population in Spain changed between 2005 and 2010. Methods Two representative samples of the Spanish working population have been analyzed, 2005 (n = 5073) and 2010 (n = 3544). Results In 2010 there was a significant association between poor mental health and exposure to high Demands, low Social Support and high Insecurity over working conditions, and exposure to high Insecurity over losing the job only for men. In 2005 there was a significant association with exposure to high Demands and low Social Support. Conclusion Changes in the associations between psychosocial risks and mental health may be related to the socioeconomic context marked by the rise in unemployment and the destruction of jobs as a result of the 2008 economic crisis. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:399-407, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The goal of this study was to estimate excess death due to external causes among 18- to 64-year-olds with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who were treated at public outpatient treatment centers, and the time elapsed from treatment initiation to death. Methods We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study among 7,012 outpatients aged 18 to 64 years who began treatment for AUD between 1997 and 2007. Deaths due to external causes (intentional and unintentional injuries) were monitored until the end of 2008. Person-years (PY) of follow-up and crude mortality rates (CMRs) were calculated for all study variables, for each sex, and for 2 age groups (18 to 34 and 35 to 64 years). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were estimated by age group and sex. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Results We recorded 114 deaths due to external causes. The CMR was 2.7 per 1,000 PY (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2 to 3.2), with significant gender differences only among younger individuals (CMR for males = 3.9 per 1,000 PY [95% CI: 2.2 to 5.5] and CMR for females = 2.8 per 1,000 PY [95% CI: 0.1 to 5.6]). Unintentional injury was the most common cause of death ( n = 65), of which acute poisoning ( n = 25; 38.5%) and traffic accidents ( n = 15; 23.1%) were the most prevalent. Suicide accounted for 91.8% ( n = 49) of deaths from intentional injuries. The excess of mortality between the AUD group and the general population (SMR) was 9.5 higher than in the general population (95% CI: 7.9 to 11.4), with significant differences between genders (SMR = 6.1 [95% CI: 4.9 to 7.5] in males and SMR = 20.4 [95% CI: 13.9 to 29.9] in females). Approximately 35% of deaths among individuals aged <35 years and 60% among women occurred within a year of initiating treatment. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of excess of mortality among people with AUD and patients' vulnerability during the initial years of treatment. Preventing premature deaths due to external causes among women and younger patients with AUD is a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine changes in the use of alcohol, cannabis and hypnotics/sedatives between two periods (before and during Spain's economic crisis), and to identify differences in the change between employed and unemployed individuals. Design Using cross-sectional data from four editions of the Spanish Household Survey on Alcohol and Drugs, we selected economically active individuals aged 16-64 years (total sample = 62 440) and defined two periods, pre-crisis [period 1 (P1) = 2005-07] and crisis (P2 = 2009-11). Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted to obtain prevalence ratios (PR) of heavy and binge drinking and multinomial regression models to obtain relative risk ratios (RRR) of cannabis and hypnotic/sedative use between the two periods, also considering the interaction between period and employment status. Findings While the prevalence of alcohol use remained stable, heavy drinking declined in P2 in men both overall [PR = 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.67-0.79] and in the two age groups (16-34 and 35-64 years), and also in women overall (PR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.75-0.99) and in the older age group. In contrast, binge drinking increased overall in P2 in men (PR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.12-1.22) and in women (PR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.49-1.76), and in both age groups. No differences in the change were observed between employed and unemployed individuals. Overall cannabis use remained stable in P2, but unemployed men and women of the older age group were more likely to have increased sporadic use compared to their employed counterparts (RRR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.36-3.68 and RRR = 3.21; 95% CI = 1.30-7.93, respectively). Hypnotic/sedative use remained stable in P2 in men, but unemployed men were less likely to have increased heavy use in P2 compared with employed men (RRR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.49-0.97). In women, heavy use increased in P2 overall and in the older age group, irrespective of employment status. Conclusion During a period of economic recession in Spain, heavy drinking decreased and binge drinking increased. Sporadic cannabis use increased among older unemployed men and women. Heavy use of hypnotics/sedatives increased among employed men while older women increased use irrespective of employment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-based practice may be implemented more successfully if the barriers to its implementation have been previously identified. Many of the available instruments to measure these barriers have been validated in single samples or without confirmatory analyses. The objective of the study was to contrast the goodness of fit of two measurement models (24 items and 19 items) for the Spanish version of the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) in a sample of 1,673 full-time registered nurses in 10 hospitals and 57 primary health care centers in the Spanish Public Health Service. The 19-item model performed better in all four subsamples. A hypothesis of strict invariance, with equal factor loadings, intercepts, and error variance in all contexts in which it was evaluated, was supported. Goodness-of-fit indices provided strong evidence of good fit according to standard cut-off criteria in a multisample confirmatory factor analysis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine the pattern of psychosocial risk exposures at work among wage-earners in Spain in 2005 and 2010, and to analyze changes in exposure inequalities by gender and job category. Methods Psychosocial exposures were compared using the COPSOQ-ISTAS21 method, based on two surveys representative of the Spanish wage-earning population (2005 and 2010). Statistical analysis was conducted using correspondence analysis. Results There was an increase in exposure to high Double Presence, low Social Support, high Work Pace, and high Insecurity about finding a job; and reduction in exposure to high Insecurity about losing a job, and to high Insecurity over worsening of employment conditions. A gender- and occupation-related gradient was maintained. Conclusion Although this study analyzes wage-earner 'survivors' after the outbreak of the current economic crisis, it shows a worsening of harmful exposures to some psychosocial risks. In a context of job destruction, concerns about worsening working conditions appear to be subordinate to insecurity about job loss. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:1032-1042, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine predictors of changes in amount of cocaine use among regular users outside treatment services. Design Longitudinal study-we estimated the proportion of subjects who increased or decreased cocaine use and assessed possible predictors related to these changes among a street-recruited cohort of young regular cocaine users ( RCU). Setting Three Spanish cities: Barcelona, Madrid and Seville Participants A total of 720 RCU aged 18-30 years not regularly using heroin were recruited in the community during 2004-06 (Itinere Project). Follow-up interviews ( n = 501) were carried out at 12-24 months. Measurements The average amount of cocaine used weekly was calculated taking into account the number of days of use and the usual quantity (g/day). A multinomial logistic regression approach was used to investigate the association between changes in amount of cocaine use (i.e. difference exceeded 33.3% of baseline level) after 12-24 months, and baseline socio-demographic characteristics, nightlife, patterns of cocaine use and use of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs. Findings Cocaine use baseline average level was 2.14 g/week [95% confidence interval ( CI) = 2.02-2.42]. It decreased in 71.5% of subjects and increased in 14.1%. In multinomial analysis, negative associations were found between decreasing cocaine use and high levels of alcohol consumption and using an increasing number of psychoactive drugs. Moreover, low education level, having used cocaine frequently in houses and reporting cocaine binges were associated with increasing cocaine use. Conclusions A street-recruited cohort of cocaine users in Spain showed a significant reduction in cocaine use over a period of 12-24 months. High consumption of alcohol and increasing use of other psychoactive drugs decreased the probability of reducing cocaine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To describe the second version of the Spanish Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and to present evidence of its validity and reliability. Methods The original Danish long COPSOQ II questionnaire was adapted to the labor market, cultural, and linguistic setting of Spain and included in the 2010 Spanish Psychosocial Risks Survey. Analysis involved the assessment of psychometric characteristics and associations among psychosocial scales and health scales. Medium and short versions were derived from the long one. Results The long questionnaire was configured with 24 dimensions (92 items); medium-length questionnaire with 20 dimensions (69 items); and short questionnaire with 14 dimensions (28 items). All scales showed acceptable reliability and concordance between versions. Most associations among psychosocial scales and Mental Health, Stress, and Burnout scales were in the expected direction, except the scale of Influence, that showed some incongruent associations. Conclusion Results support the validity and reliability of Spanish COPSOQ II questionnaires as tools for psychosocial risk assessment at the workplace, however, better scales should be developed specially for the dimension of Influence. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:97-107, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study estimates life-time incidence trends of cannabis and cocaine use over 38 years from general population surveys of drug use ( GPSDU) in Spain, taking into account changes of population age structure. Design Periodic cross-sectional studies. Setting Eight biennial GPSDU from 1995 to 2009 in Spain. Participants Interviewees aged 15-64 years who reported age of first ever cannabis and/or cocaine use between 10 and 64 years between 1971 and 2008. Measurements Estimates of raw and standardized incidences were calculated as a weighted mean of the incidences from all surveys. Standardization was conducted to take into account changes of population age structure. Incidence trends were extracted applying weighted cubic smoothing splines to incidence estimates. Findings For both substances, estimated raw incidence trends increased up until 2000 (rates of 11.5 ± 0.7 and 3.6 ± 0.5 per 1000, respectively, for cannabis and cocaine), and then decreased significantly (in 2008, 9.6 ± 1.2 and 2.7 ± 0.6, respectively). In contrast, standardized rates exhibit a steadily increasing trend up to 2000 (9.0 ± 0.6 and 2.8 ± 0.4), followed by a statistically non-significant increasing trend afterwards (in 2008, 9.5 ± 1.2 and 2.8 ± 0.6). The largest increases of incidence were observed in both male and female subjects aged 15-19 years. Conclusions Using data from Spanish general population surveys of drug use, an apparently decreasing trend of raw incidence rates in both cannabis and cocaine use from 2000 became non-decreasing trends when these rates were standardized. First experiences of cannabis and cocaine use in Spain occur mainly in younger ages (15-19 years). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the cost of adding either pregabalin or gabapentin to the management of community-treated patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted using medical records from a Spanish health care provider claims database. Patients receiving health care for PNP, above 18 years and for which either pregabalin or gabapentin was initiated between 2006 and 2008 were included. Economic evaluation included health care resource utilization costs and costs due to sick leave. Results A total of 1163 patients with PNP were eligible for analysis: 764 were prescribed pregabalin and 399 gabapentin in addition to current pain therapy. Mean age was 59.2 years and 62.2% were female. Concomitant use of analgesics was higher in the gabapentin cohort (3.2 vs. 2.7; P = 0.003), mainly due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (74.9% vs. 69.5%; P = 0.018) and opioids (27.7% vs. 17.9%; P = 0.031). Adjusted total costs per patient was lower in pregabalin-treated patients (€2514 vs. €3241; P = 0.003), due to less sick leave (€1067 vs. €1633; P = 0.018) and lower health care costs (€1447 vs. €1609; P = 0.004). The higher acquisition cost of pregabalin (€351 vs. €191; P < 0.001) was largely compensated with lower costs in medical visits, physiotherapy, hospital stays and concomitant analgesics. Conclusions In community-treated patients with PNP, total costs were considerably less for those patients initiated with pregabalin therapy than for those patients starting gabapentin add-on therapy. The relatively higher treatment acquisition cost of pregabalin was largely compensated by the overall lower costs for the other components of health care resources and sick leave, thus reducing the economic impact on the health care provider's budget and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the relationships between organisms and environmental elemental stoichiometry and ecosystem structure and function has recently received increasing attention. Some elements, however, have been less studied or have even been neglected. One of these elements is K, despite its critical importance in the water economy of plants., We hypothesized that K concentrations and especially K contents (concentrations × biomass), their stoichiometries with respect to C, N, and P contents, and their relative allocations to foliar and woody compartments would be linked to climatic gradients in the availability of water, forest type and growth. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the data set of the Catalan Forest Inventory., Evergreens, the type of tree with the slowest growth, showed the highest K contents, especially in wood, and the lowest plasticity to change the stoichiometry of K within and between foliar and woody biomasses along climatic gradients. The allocation of K to leaves in relation to the allocation of C, N and P increased with mean annual precipitation ( MAP) and was concomitant with decreases in the allocation of K to wood in relation to the allocation of C, N and P (higher K:CL/W, K:NL/W and K:PL/W)., In summer, the driest period, higher K: C, K: N and K: P content ratios in leaves were accompanied by lower K: C, K: N and K: P content ratios in wood, mainly in the species at the driest sites. Higher K: C and K: N content ratios in leaves and above-ground biomass in all forest types, and higher K:CL/W and K:NL/W in conifers and deciduous trees were related to higher growth. K contents of leaves were better correlated with tree growth than were K concentrations of leaves in all forest types., These results show that the stoichiometry of K is strongly related to the availability of water and that the uptake of K is more related to the uptake of water than the uptake of N and P. Stoichiometric differences involving K are related to both the response of plants to drought and to plant growth. K thus plays a key role, together with N and P, in the response of plants to climatic gradients for improving the capacities for growth and adaptation to water stress along environmental gradients and through time (seasons). Moreover, these results show that the differences in stoichiometric composition and plasticity involving K contents can underlie the long-term adaptation of trees to different ecological styles of life. K should thus be considered in ecological stoichiometric studies of terrestrial plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary Human noroviruses (NoV) were quantified and characterized in an 18 month survey conducted along the Llobregat river catchment in Spain. Sample types included freshwater, untreated and treated wastewater and drinking water. High NoV genome copy numbers were reported, reaching up to 106 l−1 and 109 l−1 in freshwater and raw sewage respectively. In both types of samples, GII NoV genome copies outnumbered those of GI, although without significance. All samples of semi-treated and treated drinking water were negative for NoV. A clear seasonality of NoV occurrence was observed both in river water and sewage samples, with significantly higher genome copy numbers in the cold than in the warm months period. Mean NoV log reduction rates after biological treatment of sewage were 2.2 and 3.1 for GI and GII respectively. A total of 77 NoV strains isolated in the Llobregat river catchment could be phylogenetically characterized, 44 belonging to GI and 33 to GII. The most prevalent genotype was GI.4, followed by GII.4 and GII.21. Several variants of the pandemic GII.4 strain were detected in the environment, corroborating their circulation among the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Anti-p155 autoantibody, which was recently described in adult patients with dermatomyositis (DM), seems to be associated with cancer in this population. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the accuracy of anti-p155 testing for the diagnosis of cancer-associated myositis. Methods We searched relevant databases, with no restrictions on study design or language, for original studies that included adult patients with probable/definite DM or amyopathic DM who were evaluated for neoplasm and anti-p155 status. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a bivariate model. We computed the diagnostic odds ratio (OR), likelihood ratios (LRs) for positive and negative test results, positive and negative predictive values, and the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistic, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were computed for the parameters studied. Results Six studies including a total of 312 adult patients with DM were selected. The pooled sensitivity of anti-p155 for diagnosing cancer-associated DM was 78% (95% CI 45-94%), and specificity was 89% (95% CI 82-93%). The diagnostic OR was 27.26 (95% CI 6.59-112.82), and LRs for positive and negative test results were 6.79 (95% CI 4.11-11.23) and 0.25 (95% CI 0.08-0.76), respectively. Heterogeneity was substantial except with regard to the LR for a positive test result. The area under the SROC curve was 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93). Taking the pooled prevalence of 17% as pretest probability, anti-p155 had a positive predictive value of 58% and a negative predictive value of 95%. Conclusion Our findings indicate that anti-p155 autoantibody determination is useful for diagnosing cancer-associated myositis and guiding disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that explores the dynamics of mortality and growth on the distribution of Scots pine in Iberian Peninsula through the use of the National Forest Inventory of Spain (IFN). It states that the mortality (MR) was calculated and two climatic data sets such as the characterization of spatial variability of climate and description the climatic anomalities in Iberian Peninsula. It adds that climatic impacts interact with forest structure, specially older forests.

Bird electrocution on power lines is an important conservation problem that affects many endangered species. We surveyed 3,869 pylons in the Barcelona Pre-littoral Mountains (Catalonia, NE Spain) and collected 141 carcasses of electrocuted birds, mainly raptors and corvids. Univariate analysis indicated that metal pylons with pin-type insulators or exposed jumpers, with connector wires, located on ridges, overhanging other landscape elements, and in open habitats with low vegetation cover were the most dangerous. A logistic regression model indicated that the probability of a pylon electrocuting a bird was mainly related to pylon conductivity, distribution of the conductive elements on the cross-arms, cross-arm configuration, habitat, topography, whether the pylon was overhanging other landscape elements, and presence of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We validated the predictive power of this model by using a random sample of 20% of all pylons surveyed. We found that bird mortality was aggregated mainly on pylons assigned a high probability risk by the model. Pylons included in the very high electrocution risk category (9.2%) accounted for 53.2% of carcasses, whereas pylons classified in the low electrocution risk category (54.5%) only accounted for 3.5% of mortality. Power companies employed this classification to prioritize the correction of 222 pylons by installing alternate cross-arms and suspended jumpers and isolating wires and jumpers. We evaluated the effectiveness of this mitigation strategy. A significant fall in the mortality rate on corrected pylons combined with the lack of any reduction in the mortality rate in a sample of 350 noncorrected pylons indicated that the model selected adequately the most dangerous pylons and that the applied correction measures were effective. Consequently, our strategy may be a useful tool for optimizing efforts and resources invested in solving the problem of bird electrocution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the concurrent relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and externalizing and internalizing problems and social school behavior in a Spanish community sample, separately for boys (n=439) and girls (n=428), enrolled in 2nd, 4th, or 6th grades. Weekly participation in extracurricular activities was related to better emotional and behavioral adjustment and social competence. Overall, the relations were low and different according to gender, type of activity, and informant. Better adjustment was more related to participation in sports activities in boys and to participation in nonsports activities in girls. Size effect was higher for girls and decreased for both boys and girls when parental education and parenting practices were considered. Findings supported previous results obtained in American adolescents. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cartography of land covers was used to study fertility and soil evolution in a mountainous Mediterranean area during the anthropocene period ( Crutzen P J 2002 Geology of mankind Nature 415 23). The aim was to determine changes in fertility as agricultural lands were abandoned in the 14 000 hectare area that constitutes Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park in a pre-coastal Catalan mountain range (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula). The analysis of land covers using vegetation maps, orthorectified images and aerial photography has allowed us to differentiate six vegetation groups: holm-oak wood, pine grove, oak wood, scrub, active agricultural fields and abandoned agricultural fields. The anthropic covers over the past 100 years were subdivided into five categories: active fields and those abandoned over four time periods. Study variables include field shape (concave, convex, flat), orientation (north, south) and slope (ranging from 12º to 24º). The parameters used for the physical-chemical soil analysis included organic material, phosphorous and potassium; fertility was classified based on groups, types and classes. The results indicate that even when the visual appearance of certain landscapes is similar, the edaphic characteristics may be very different. Changes induced by human disturbance share this phenomenon. Therefore, land management should be considered globally, taking into account vegetation, soils and water as interdependent factors, since it is their interaction that produces landscape and most affects its evolution over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To estimate the annual incidence of heroin use in Spain. Participants and design Data on individuals' year of first heroin use (from 1971 to 2005), year of first heroin treatment between 1991 and 2005 and most frequent route of heroin administration when presenting to treatment were obtained from the Spanish Drug Observatory Register and used to calculate the delay between onset and treatment. By using a log-linear model approach it was possible to correct for missing observations (heroin users who presented for treatment before 1991 and those who had still not presented by the end of 2005) and to estimate heroin incidence over time. Findings The estimated incidence of problematic heroin use in the population aged 15–44 peaked at 190 per 100 000 in 1980—after rising rapidly from less than 40 per 100 000 in 1971—and fell subsequently to about 8 per 100 000 in 2005. On average, incidence was five times higher in men. Injecting heroin incidence peaked and declined rapidly from 1980; as heroin smoking did not decline as rapidly, from 1985 onwards its estimated incidence has remained above that of heroin injecting. The delay between starting heroin use and entering treatment had a median of 3 years. Conclusions We demonstrate the utility of a method to estimate heroin incidence from analysis of observed trends in presentations at specialist drug treatment facilities. The estimates suggest that incidence of heroin use, especially injecting, has fallen since 1980 and is now lower than in the early 1970s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a series of novelties with respect to previous studies of the effect of productive infrastructures on output growth. We study public investment in road infrastructures as a determinant of the total factor productivity (TFP) growth for Spanish provinces (NUTS 3) for the period 1984–1994. We allow the effect of road infrastructures to depend on the extent of the road use by provincial industries, proxied by these industries’ vehicle intensity. Moreover, we consider the services provided by the stock of road infrastructures as an impure public good, that is, one that is subject to congestion. Finally, using the instrumental variables technique, we account for possible problems of endogeneity in the regressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]