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Over the last few years, we have witnessed a growing interest in computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) tools and the commercial success of foreign language teaching applications that incorporate speech synthesis and automatic speech recognition technologies. However, empirical evidence supporting the pedagogical effectiveness of these systems remains scarce. In this article, a minimal-pair-based CAPT tool that implements exposure-perception-production cycles and provides automatic feedback to learners is tested for effectiveness in training adult native Spanish users (English level B1-B2) in the production of a set of difficult English sounds. Working under controlled conditions, a group of users took a pronunciation test before and after using the tool. Test results were considered against those of an in-classroom group who followed similar training within the traditional classroom setting. Results show a significant pronunciation improvement among the learners who used the CAPT tool, as well as a correlation between human rater's assessment of posttests and automatic CAPT assessment of users.

The present paper, drawing from the perspective of social cognition, examines and evaluates an intervention based on social-cognitive perspective-taking on the reduction of stereotyping and prejudice in older adults. Data were collected in a sample of Spanish participants with a mean age of 63.2 years. The intervention, aimed at reducing prejudice and stereotyping, was based on mental imagery and tested different variables that could moderate perspective-taking effectiveness. Main effects were not found in ANOVAs, but the interaction effects reveal that the intervention was effective for some participants, particularly for those with higher scores in agreeableness, differential attribution, and some values. Conclusions are applied to the field of university programs for older adults. (Contains 1 table and 5 figures.)

This article examines the innovative regulations, methodologies, and institutions involved in the development of the European Higher Education Area and their implications for teaching, research, and management of University Programs for Older People. It also identifies the main tendencies, creative dimensions, and ethical commitments implicit in the objective of educating older people as European citizens. Finally, the paper proposes avenues of research to be pursued for the quality evaluation of university programs for older people in Spain and the European Union.

Purpose: The clinical spectrum of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) includes predisposition to infections, autoimmune/inflammatory complications and malignancy. Liver disease is developed by a proportion of patients with CVID, but limited evidence is available about its prevalence, pathogenesis and prognostic outcome. This lack of evidence leads to the absence of guidelines in clinical practice. In this study, we aimed at defining the characteristics, course and management of this CVID complication in Spain. Methods: Spanish reference centers were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey. Thirty-eight patients with CVID-related liver disease from different hospitals were evaluated by a retrospective clinical course review. Results: In this cohort, abnormal liver function and thrombocytopenia were found in most of the patients (95% and 79% respectively), in keeping with the higher incidence of abnormal liver imaging and splenomegaly. The most common histological findings included nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) and lymphocytic infiltration, which have been associated with portal hypertension (PHTN) leading to a poorer prognosis. Autoimmune/ inflammatory complications occurred in 82% of the CVID patients that developed l i ver disease and 52% of the patients treated wi th immunomodulators showed a reduction in the liver function tests' abnormalities during treatment. Among the experts that conducted the survey, there was 80% or more consensus that the workup of CVID-related liver disease requires liver profile, abdominal ultrasound and transient elastography. The majority agreed that liver biopsy should be essential for diagnosis. There was 94% consensus that endoscopic studies should be performed in the presence of PHTN. However, there was 89% consensus that there is insufficient evidence on the management of these patients. Conclusion: Liver disease varies in severity and may contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in patients with CVID. Hence the importance of close follow-up and screening of this CVID complication to prompt early targeted intervention. Further research is needed to evaluate the pathophysiology of liver disease in patients with CVID to identify personalized treatment options. This study emphasizes the urgent need to develop international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of this CVID complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considers whether Internet technologies have led to competitive advantage for companies operating in traditional industries. Highlights include a literature review; using the resource-based view (RBV) of firms as a theoretical framework for an empirical investigation; and a survey that investigated Internet technologies and competitive advantage among Spanish firms. (Contains 62 references.) (LRW)

Maintaining therapeutic levels of anticoagulation is essential to avoid health complications in people who take vitamin K antagonists. This study aimed to analyze the influence of people's characteristics and the presence of changes in their lives in the control of therapeutic levels of anticoagulation. A longitudinal multicenter study with a 1-year follow-up of a cohort of 199 people receiving anticoagulant therapy was performed. The effect of biological, clinical, social, lifestyle, and changes in life on the international normalized ratio (INR) was analyzed. During the follow-up, 46.7% of participants presented good INR control. At baseline, a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (P =.00), the lack of comorbidities (P =.03), absence of depression (P =.04), and not following a pharmacological treatment with hypoglycemia drugs (P =.01) were associated with good INR control. During the follow-up, the variable of making changes to the usual diet was associated with poor INR control (P =.05). In the binary multiple regression model, factors associated with poor control were taking hypoglycemia drugs (P =.02) and the presence of depression (P =.04), and only the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was associated with good control (P =.03). People with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation had good INR control. Having comorbidities, suffering depression, taking hypoglycemia drugs, and making changes to the diet have a negative effect on INR control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropometrics have been widely used to study the influence of environmental factors on health and nutritional status. In contrast, anthropometric geography has not often been employed to approximate the dynamics of spatial disparities associated with socio-economic and demographic changes. Spain exhibited intense disparity and change during the middle decades of the 20th century, with the result that the life courses of the corresponding cohorts were associated with diverse environmental conditions. This was also true of the Spanish territories. This paper presents insights concerning the relationship between socio-economic changes and living conditions by combining the analysis of cohort trends and the anthropometric cartography of height and physical build. This analysis is conducted for Spanish male cohorts born in 1934-1973 who were recorded in the Spanish military statistics. This information is interpreted in light of region-level data on gross domestic product and infant mortality. Our results show an anthropometric convergence across regions that, nevertheless, did not substantially modify the spatial patterns of robustness, featuring primarily robust north-eastern regions and weak central-southern regions. These patterns persisted until the 1990s (cohorts born during the 1970s). For the most part, anthropometric disparities were associated with socio-economic disparities, although the former lessened over time to a greater extent than the latter. Interestingly, the various anthropometric indicators utilised here do not point to the same conclusions. There have been some discrepancies found between height and robustness patterns that moderate the statements from the analysis of cohort height alone regarding the level and evolution of living conditions across Spanish regions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to present an applied general equilibrium model to the economy of the Madrid region. The model developed is considered a neoclassical version of the Walrasian equilibrium, modelling production sectors on perfect competition, full use of production factors and the clearing of all markets of goods. The model thus enables the second objective of the study: to estimate the impact of the 2007–2013 Structural Funds received on the economy of the Madrid region. The effects resulting from the injection of the funds are quantified by simulations performed using the developed model. This analysis of the quantification of effects is extremely important, as the priority objectives of the European Regional Policy have changed with respect to the previous period. In the current operational programme, the Madrid region comes under the regional competitiveness objective, which focuses on the priorities of innovation, research, the information society and business development. The sectors that have traditionally benefited, mainly infrastructure, therefore give way to others and the injection of funds into the Madrid economy is to be through other areas. In addition, there has been a reduction of the European aid received by our Region, as compared with previous Programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. There is confusion in the literature about the potential effect of maternal glucose levels on the fetal heart rate (FHR) cardiotocographic interpretation. Methods. Study design: prospective clinical descriptive study. Subjects: 21 pregnant women with diabetes mellitus, 23 women with gestational diabetes and 18 healthy non-diabetic pregnant volunteers (control group). Treatment: maternal capillary glucose measurement and objective FHR analysis (Oxford System 8002) pre- and 1 h post-meal. Statistical analysis: descriptive statistics, Student t-tests and Pearson correlation studies. Results. Maternal capillary glucose levels ranged between 2.7–10.5 mmol/l pre-meal and 4.2–14.8 mmol/l post-meal. The differences between objective FHR parameters pre- and post-meal were not significant in any of the groups of women studied. No correlation was found between prandial glycemic and FHR changes. Women with optimal and suboptimal glycemic control exhibited similar objective FHR parameters pre- and post-meal. Women with gestational diabetes showed similar prandial cardiotocographic changes irrespective of whether they were on insulin therapy or on hypoglycemic diet only. Conclusions. Objective FHR parameters are unaffected by prandial glycemic changes over a wide range of maternal glucose levels. Timing the non-stress test in relation to the meals seems irrelevant in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gilthead seabream is one of the most important fish species for Mediterranean aquaculture. More than 80% of the genetically improved fingerlings of this species originate from a single country, Greece. A previous study revealed moderate genotype-by-environment (G x E) interactions for growth traits and organ weights between commercial production sites in Greece and Spain. The main objectives of this study were to identify QTLs and genes associated with growth traits and organ weights in gilthead seabream and to identify the biological processes and pathways controlling these traits under different temperature environments. For growth traits, we found fourteen genome-wide suggestive SNP effects in Spain. A strong peak between 1.97 Mb to 4.69 Mb on chromosome (chr) 22 was shared among three growth traits (harvest weight, fillet weight and thermal growth coefficient). Fourteen genome-wide suggestive SNP effects were also identified in Greece. However, none overlap with those found in Spain. Two SNPs on chr5 (chr5:5729959, chr5:2336903) and two SNPs on chr6 (chr6:1957732, chr6:3659811) were associated with all three growth traits. For organ weights, a total of 15 SNPs were associated above the suggestive threshold in Spain. Four SNPs (chr22:1966940, chr22:6094383, chr22:67838, chr15:16798259) are shared between viscera weight and liver weight, while one SNP (chr22:67838) is shared among viscera, liver and heart weight. Interestingly, three of these four SNPs (chr22:1966940, chr22:67838, and chr15:16798259) also overlap with significant SNPs associated with growth traits. None of the SNPs associated with viscera weight, liver weight and heart weight are shared with Greece. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analyses showed that light absorption and ECM-receptor interaction are significantly enriched with growth traits QTLs in Spain but not in Greece. For organ weights, response to stimulus is the most prominent process in Spain, while cell adhesion, and regulation of phosphorylation are more prominent in Greece. Genomic architectures for growth traits and organ weights differ between environments. These findings not only explain part of the G x E interactions, but also give insight into how genetics determines differences in how environmental conditions affect growth and organ weights. • Differences in genomic architectures were observed for growth traits and organ weights of gilthead seabream between production sites. • Pathways involved in light absorption and ECM-receptor interactions were found to be important in the Spanish production site, but not in the Greek site. • Pathways involved in response to stimulus is more prominent process in Spain, however, cell adhesion, and regulation of phosphorylation are more prominent in Greece. • This work provides insight into how genetics determines differences in how environmental conditions affect growth and organ weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case of a heterosexual couple in Bilbao, Spain with lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). It says that the couple both suffered painful bilateral inguinal swellings. After a polymerized chain reaction analysis was conducted, the couple was found positive for genital Chlamydia trachomatis type L2 infection. The man was treated with doxycycline 100mg twice daily and erythromycin 500 mg 4 times daily for the woman for 21 days. The result suggests that the classic genital inguinal LGV is still existent and that it can take the form of urethritis and cervicitis without genital ulceration. It notes that clinicians to be alert, to focus on the problems related to LGV and to provide new technology to improve the diagnosis and the epidemiologic surveillance of the diseases.

Background and Aims: Ageing is often accompanied by a decrease of food consumption, possibly leading to undernutrition. A single nutritional study was conducted in 2011 in the general population, showing that 5.5% of people aged >65 years were undernourished. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in the elderly and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of subjects aged ≥60 years in urban and rural areas of the country's eight administrative regions. A questionnaire including socio-demographic data, food consumption frequencies and anthropometric measurements was used. Student's t-test and Man Whitney test were used with a significance level of 5%. A multivariate analysis was performed between undernutrition and the other factors collected., Results: 1698 older adults were included (male: 63.5%, sex ratio M/F = 1.7), with a mean age of 71.6 ± 9.4 years and a BMI of 22.6 ± 4.4 kg/m 2 . The prevalence of undernutrition was 14.4%. Undernutrition was significantly associated with age 80-89 years and ≥90 years, (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0001 respectively), male sex (p = 0.006), rural areas (p = 0.002), being in activity (p = 0.009) and fish consumption (p = 0.039). Breakfast was consumed every day in 87.2% of cases, lunch in 74.3% and dinner in 83.2%. Rice and bread were the most consumed food., Conclusion: Early detection of nutritional disorders, nutritional education and promotion of a balanced diet could help improve the health of the elderly., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest related to this article., (Copyright © 2024 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess whether an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL1RN) polymorphism is associated with disease susceptibility and/or severity in a Spanish population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Methods: An 86-bp variable-number tandem repeat polymorphism within IL1RN intron 2 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction in genomic DNA obtained from 247 unrelated patients with RA (group A) and 287 healthy control subjects. The polymorphism analysis was repeated in a second group of 194 patients with RA (group B). Clinical information from patients in group A was used to compare activity and severity data in patients stratified according to the different alleles or genotypes. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to determine the strength of the association of the different alleles or genotypes with RA activity or severity., Results: In the control group, the allelic frequencies were 76% for IL1RN*1 (4 repeats), 21% for IL1RN*2 (2 repeats), 3% for IL1RN*3 (5 repeats), and 0.3% for IL1RN*4 (3 repeats). In group A patients with RA, both the frequency (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.1-1.96, P = 0.007) and carriage rate (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2, P = 0.01) of allele IL1RN*2 were significantly increased. The increased frequency of IL1RN*2 was confirmed in group B patients with RA (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.1-1.97, P = 0.01). In patients with RA, homozygosity for IL1RN*2 was associated with an increased number of affected articular areas during the first year of followup but not with other parameters of disease activity or severity., Conclusion: Our results suggest that IL1RN has a role in determining susceptibility to RA in the Spanish population.

Objective: To describe survival of lupus in South European Spanish patients., Patients and Methods: Observational study of all SLE Spanish patients seen at three University Hospitals between 1975 and 1993. The charts of all patients were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-four clinic and laboratory variables were extracted from charts. Univariate analysis, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, actuarial life tables and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to calculate survival probability and identify variables associated with survival., Results: Three hundred and six (275 female and 31 male) patients were identified. Their mean age at diagnosis was 31.9 years (range 4 to 85). The mean duration of followup was 79 (1-126) months. Thirty-one patients died. The most common cause of death was infection (29%). Five, 10 and 15 years' survival rate was 90%+/-0.0158, 85%+/-0.0262 and 80%+/-0.0413, respectively. Log-rank analysis showed that male sex, proteinuria and nephropathy at diagnosis were associated with poor survival. By univariate and multivariate analysis male gender, nephropathy and CNS involvement were associated with worse survival., Conclusion: In SLE patients from Spain, rate of survival is similar to other Caucasian patients, and better than other ethnic groups of Spanish ancestry. Other factors rather than genetic factors could explain our findings.