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The research evaluates the impact of face-to-face and online flipped learning (OFL) on the academic performance in students of single-degree (SD) and double-degree (DD), compared to that achieved in the traditional methodology. A descriptive, quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out with a sample of 223 university marketing and communication students. The study was conducted in three phases: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results align with previous studies, which find that flipped learning (FL) face-to-face yields higher performance than traditional methodology. Like other studies, the highest scores in asynchronous activities were found for DD students. However, this study reveals that those adopting FL, both online and face-to-face, demonstrated superior academic performance compared to SD students using the traditional method in practical assessments. Notably, DD students who used OFL methodology outperformed their SD peers who used the traditional method in the overall subject score and in the synchronous and asynchronous activities. Furthermore, although modality did not influence the ratings of FL methodology; DD students who experienced this methodology online or face-to-face reported more positively on their attitudes, perceptions, interactions, academic results, and perceived satisfaction than SD students. These findings contribute to understanding of how the adoption of diverse learning methods and modalities influence the performance, attitudes, perceptions, interactions, results, and satisfaction of SD and DD students in the fields of marketing and communication. In conclusion, university business education institutions can enhance student performance and satisfaction by expanding DDs offerings and integrating active learning methods.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature related to assessment cocreation, specifically on students' perspectives on their participation throughout the process, including the professor's role as well as the knowledge and skills students acquired in assessment co-creation in online and blended settings. To do so, we conducted qualitative research where three cases were examined through a validated survey. Quantitative data (Likert scale and close-ended questions) was analyzed with excel whereas to study qualitative data we used Atlas.ti. As a result, students appreciated the opportunity given as they believe it helped them to better understand the assessment process, as well as allowing them to improve their own understanding of their assignments and, therefore, to better perform on them. Also, students claim they have acquired different skills: from academic to life-long learning skills. In conclusion, we believe assessment co-creation has great potential to help students' self-regulation and agency as well as to enhance students' motivation, proactivity, and collaborative participation in their own learning process. Finally, we would like to point out that more studies related to this topic need to be conducted since there are only a few examples.

Team project-based learning (TPBL) combines two learning techniques: 1) project-based learning (PBL) and 2) teamwork. This combination leverages the learning outcomes of both methods and places students in a real work situation where they must develop and solve a real project while working as a team. TPBL has been used in two advanced database subjects in Jaume I University (UJI)'s Computer Science degree program. This learning method was used for four years (academic years from 2018/2019 to 2021/2022) with positive outcomes. This study presents the project development, which includes teamwork formation, activities, timetable, and exercised learning competencies (both soft and specific). Further, the project's results were evaluated from three different perspectives: 1) teamwork evaluation by teammates; 2) students' opinions on the subject and project; and 3) subject final grades.

A main goal of the university institution should be to reduce the desertion of its students, in fact, the dropout rate constitutes a basic indicator in the accreditation processes of university centers. Thus, evaluating the cognitive functions and learning skills of students with an increased risk of academic failure can be useful for the adoption of strategies for preventing and reducing school dropout. In this research, cognitive functions and learning skills in 284 university students were evaluated. Academic performance predictors were identified, and conglomerates analysis was carried out to establish groups according to those variables. The stability and validity of the conglomerates were tested with discriminant analyzes and comparison tests. The variables associated significantly to academic performance were: attention, intelligence, motivation, metacognition and affective components. The conglomerate analysis suggested a three-group solution: (1) students with cognitive skills of moderate to high, but deficient learning strategies; (2) students with cognitive and learning capabilities of moderate to high; (3) students with cognitive functions low and moderate learning capacity. Students from groups 1 and 3 showed worse academic performance; 83.3% of students at risk of desertion belonged to such groups. Two groups of students have been identified with the highest risk of academic failure: those with poor cognitive capacity and those with bad learning skills.

Historically, traditional laboratory experiments have been given a central and distinctive role in science education. However, virtual laboratories have received considerable attention over the past several years in different areas of knowledge. The main aim of this study is to analyse the impact of the use of both traditional and virtual laboratories in Basic Science Subjects (BSS) in Health Sciences university degrees. For this reason, we have described and analysed different variables such as level of satisfaction, increase in perceived motivation and increase in perceived academic performance. Throughout the academic course the pupils who took part in our study carried out laboratory experiments both traditionally and virtually in different BSS, and they completed a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction and the impact of both approaches at the end of the course. The results point to statistically significant differences in favour of traditional laboratories in all the studied variables, together with some differences between male and female students. In general, students showed more positive attitudes towards traditional experiments. These results emphasize the importance of carrying out hands-on experiments to boost student motivation and perceived performance.

This study investigates the factors that influence how long it takes for master's-level graduate students to find employment. The original contribution stems from questioning whether the structure and content of university programmes play a role in graduates' ability to secure jobs. To this end, we focus on three dimensions at three points in time after graduation: competence acquisition, teaching methods and programme characteristics. The dataset comes from a large-scale study on graduates' employability by the Observatory for University Employability and Employment (OEEU) and contains detailed information about master's degree graduates in Spain. A multinomial logit estimated by the maximum likelihood method is used to identify the critical factors influencing the likelihood of acquiring a job sooner. The findings indicate that educational programmes fail to provide the necessary competencies to ensure a smooth transition from the university to the job market and that study programme initiatives related to active learning and internships make a difference in this transition. We believe that these results shed light on specific characteristics of academic programmes and should be considered during programme design to enhance graduates' employability and faster labour market insertion.

This study is part of a larger R&D project that analyses the quality of training and the digital skills taught during the preservice training of teachers, as well as during the master's degree dissertation (TFM in Spanish) in the Degree in Education in Spain. The study is descriptive and exploratory in nature. It combines mixed techniques that are used on four sources: (1) External practice guides and dissertations (TFM) from 37 Spanish Faculties of Education; (2) interviews with a sample of 7 Master coordinators; (3) A survey on 94 university tutors from the above-mentioned universities, in charge of trainee teachers' external practice and dissertations (TFM); and (4) Interviews with 46 school tutors from practice schools. Results show the persistence of different situations and a lack of definition in the guidelines as well as in some teachers' perceptions that have more to do with educational models of the past. Among other aspects to improve, this degree shows a marginal use of ICT during Practicum and Dissertation phases, also a lack of assessment criteria in the guides regarding portfolios, theory/practice coordination, tutorship or prevention of plagiarism is observed in most of the studied cases.

This research investigated the level of knowledge and perceptions of trainee teachers towards the LGBTQ+ community. In order to achieve this, a descriptive study was carried out, with the objective of becoming aware of the expectations and preconceptions held by trainee teachers in the fourth year of their degree course in Primary and Infant Education during the 2018-2019 session. In addition, limitations of the educational approach and the keys to awareness and acceptance in school, of sexual and gender diversity, were also investigated. In order to collect the data a questionnaire instrument was used and a discussion group was also identified. The key results revealed that trainee teachers do understand the reality of this community and are disposed in favour of the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity in the classroom. In fact, they demonstrated the need for important training in order to provide an effective approach to sexually related material.

In 2012, the Canaries School Council (CSC) and the Canary Federation of Municipalities (FECAM) decided to investigate the level of school absenteeism in the Canary Islands. They therefore with the Ministry of Education Canary Islands Government about holding a conference for municipal technical teams on addressing this problem, which is particularly worrying in the Canary Islands. Following a needs analysis, the Canary Platform for the Reduction of Absenteeism was developed, comprising three web pages: i) a social network, for communication and cooperation between municipal technical teams; ii) a repository, for resources, such as protocols, documents, articles, communications, available to download; and iii) Moodle, for offering a 125-hour university course for the technical teams. The Canary Platform for the Reduction of Absenteeism operated between March 2013 and September 2018, beginning with 292 technicians from all the Canarian municipalities and, subsequently extending to other institutions, such as island councils, secondary school teachers, educational and psycho-pedagogical guidance teams, and local police. The level of use of, number of visits to, and number of downloads from the website during the first stage were much higher than the second, when despite not being updated, demand continued, especially for the standardized protocol for school absenteeism. These results proved that municipal teams need technical support, supervision, and guidance.

Executive functions (EFs) refer to a set of cognitive skills used to achieve goals and adapt to novelty and social situations. These cognitive skills strongly impact people's daily lives. Hence, assessing these skills is important for an early intervention to address their lack if need be. Nevertheless, relevant scientific literature reports difficulties in assessing EFs, as they are a set of processes that involve many dimensions. Further, there are differences between everyday situations wherein EFs are employed and the context of a typical performance-based task, involving the use of EFs. Questionnaires are an excellent way to address these difficulties. The objective of this study is to test SENA's convergent validity in terms of EFs' assessment. The SENA is the first Spanish standardized questionnaire based on DSM-5 (2013), it assesses emotional and behavioral problems in children aged 3-18 years. This experiment involved students from regular schools (N = 140; M age = 6.97 SD = 1.02). Statistical analysis was conducted that compared a validated EFs test (BRIEF-2) and the SENA test. The results of this study suggested the presence of convergent validity between SENA and BRIEF-2 vis-a-vis EFs. Thus, SENA is a valid assessment for EFs that are called for in school and family environments for those who speak Spanish. That said SENA is more comprehensive than BRIEF-2, as it not only assesses EFs but also identifies the problems currently associated with the failure in employing EFs, psychological vulnerabilities, and personal resources that are lacking. SENA provides a complete picture of children's and adolescents' behaviors and emotions.

Background/Context: Many studies have systematized the wide range of youth civic engagement mechanisms identified to date; however, how young people deal with a complex flux of sociocultural and personal variables which condition their scope of engagement has received less attention. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: This article analyzes youths' appraisal of social issues and how this assessment influences the ways in which they engage with those issues. It also examines the elements of their inner worlds and their cultural settings that they consider deciding whether to get involved in one way or another. Research Design: A narrative discourse analysis is completed on two hundred Mexican and Spanish adolescents' explanations of an advertisement that sparked discussion on issues of undocumented immigration, discrimination, and past territorial disputes between the U.S.A. and Mexico. Youth civic engagement is categorized through 'ways of engagement,' a category that comprises the assessment of social issues performed by adolescents based on four constructs: civic knowledge, morals, discourse, and positioning. The analysis shows that four 'ways of engagement' are common to all the participants: pragmatic, complacent, critical-cynical, and empathetic. Findings/Results: The findings show how the participants assess the advertisement's possible intentions, positioning, and moral implications; at the same time, they explain the potential solutions they see possible while taking their own stands toward the advertisement. This type of personal appraisal makes them decide in what way they engage with this issue. Conclusions: Finally, reflections on the possible implications of the four 'ways of engagement' for citizenship education are presented.

The global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disrupted both public and private life for many. Concerning medical students, practical teaching and classrooms were substituted with a virtual curriculum. However, how this new academic environment has affected students' health and lifestyles has yet to be studied. In this study, we surveyed 2,776 students from nine different countries about changes in their university curricula and potential alterations in their daily habits, physical health, and psychological status. We found negative changes across all countries studied, in multiple categories. We found that 99% of respondents indicated changes in their instruction delivery system, with 90% stating a transition to online education, and 93% stating a reduction or suspension of their practical activities. On average, students spent 8.7 hours a day in front of a screen, with significant differences among countries. Students reported worsened studying, sleeping, and eating habits with substantial differences in Latin American countries. Finally, the participants frequently expressed onset and increase in both mental and physical health symptoms: backache, asthenopia, irritability, and emotional instability. Altogether, these results suggest a potential risk in the health and academic performance of future doctors if these new academic modalities are maintained.

The growing numbers of mobile students over the years made the provision of student services a key topic of interest for higher education institutions. In order to offer a better experience for international students, it is important to be aware of and assess their needs in relation to different sets of support services. The data used in this paper were gathered through the ESNsurvey 2016 project, a research venture focused on the experiences of participants in short-term student mobility in Europe. Responses were collected from 12,365 international students, who have participated in a short-term (3-12 months) study period abroad mostly through Europe's most promoted mobility program called ERASMUS+. For the purpose of this paper, the focus was only on the aspect of host university support services. The comments of 2,012 students about their experiences were analyzed using a probabilistic methodology known as Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). The findings reveal that some international students' concerns are not fully addressed by higher education institutions. The main problem areas identified with respect to host support services were admission, living costs, including accommodation and money concerns, and IT and bank issues. It is strongly recommended that universities address the problematic areas through student support services by assessing international students' opinions and needs.

The present investigation aims to analyze the effect of motivation on students' causal attributions to choose or abandon chemistry when it first becomes optional in the secondary education curriculum in Spain. Attributions to the effect of the family and to the teacher and classroom methodology were found to be common predictors of the choice to all the students in the sample. However, our analyses point to a significant effect of the students' motivation in other types of attributions. In the case of at-risk of abandonment students, specific causal attributions to the effect of friends and to the subject's relationship with mathematics were found. On the other hand, the effect of media was a significant predictor only in the case of highly-motivated students. Our study provides several suggestions for teachers, schools, and administrations to design counseling strategies to help students make the right choices.

• A month-based analysis showed an increasing number of suicides during the pandemic. • An overall increase was observed, regardless of major sociodemographic groups. • Groups with particular risk were: mid-age, large urban area, and single people. The COVID-19 pandemic has compromised public health response across the globe. Several countries reported increasing number of suicides during the pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the suicide mortality series in Spain (2000-2021), with a particular interest in depicting longitudinal trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it intended to identify sociodemographic groups with a higher increase in suicide victims during the pandemic. To do so, suicide cases from the National death index data were used. Weighted annual mortality rate was compared between pre-pandemic and pandemic years. Poisson time series models were used to analyze the trend in suicide mortality, considering sociodemographic variables (sex, age, migration status, marital status, and urbanicity). As a result, weighted mortality rate for 2020 was 8.92 (CI 95 = [8.29, 9.57]) and 9.21 for 2021 (CI 95 = [8.56, 9.88]). Annual mortality from the pandemic years was significantly higher than mortality from the prepandemic ones (p <.01). Poisson regression revealed a significant increase of cases during the pandemic months, RR = 1.05 (CI 95 = [1.02, 1.08]); being significant for both sexes, and migration groups (RR > 1.02, across series). A significantly increased number of suicides was also observed for mid-age adults, large urban areas, and single people (RR > 1.05, across series). To sum up, our study supports an increasing number of suicide victims in Spain during the pandemic. We show that the COVID-19 influence on suicide risk factors (e.g., lack of social support networks) plays a critical role in the increasing trend of specific sociodemographic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hands-on experimentation has widely demonstrated its efficacy in engineering training, especially in control formation, since experimentation using computer-aided control system design (CACSD) tools is essential for future engineers. In this context, this article describes a case study for Control Engineering formation, based on a new lab practice for the linear and angular velocity control for a commercial P3-DX robot platform, to teach industrial control. This lab proposal includes all the stages involved in the design of a real control system, from plant identification from an open-loop test to real experimentation of the designed control system. The lab practices proposed have a twofold objective: First, it is an interdisciplinary approach that allows students to put into practice the skills from other subjects in the curriculum, facilitating the integration of knowledge. In addition, it allows increasing the motivation of the students by working with a complex and realistic plant. The proposal has been evaluated through the grades of the students, as well as the perception of both students and instructors, and the results obtained allow to confirm the benefits of the proposal.

(1) Background: To analyze the prevalence of physical activity (PA) according to the presence of overweight or obesity and other sociodemographic factors in the Spanish adult population. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional study using the European Health Interview Surveys for Spain from 2014 and 2020. (3) Results: In overweight and obese people, the percentage of those who reported not performing any type of PA remained constant between 2014 and 2020, while a statistically significant increase was observed in the percentage of people who walked for 10 min a day and exercised at least 2 days a week. The probability of being obese with respect to normal weight was higher in individuals who reported not engaging in PA during leisure time (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.31–1.53), those who did not walk 10 min a day at least 2 days a week (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.15–1.35), and those who did not exercise at least 2 days a week (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.32–1.53). The probability of being overweight was higher in individuals who reported not performing PA during leisure time (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02–1.15) and in those who did not exercise at least 2 days per week (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.09–1.22). (4) Conclusions: Small increases in PA have been observed in both overweight and obese individuals from 2014 to 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many institutions of higher education are promoting campus internationalization as a core principle through international student mobility and, as a result, have expanded rapidly in enrollment. To effectively serve this growing population, many campuses have had to strengthen their student support services. However, while many have well-developed programs for students in general, not all services are designed to specifically cover the needs of international students. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on research conducted on the topic of international student satisfaction with university support services as a means to ensure a positive student experience. It also provides a new research approach for comparing how support services for international students are structured at Spanish and U.S. institutions.

Background: Breast cancer is currently the most prevalent malignancy among women. Psychological resilience is an important factor that diminishes the stress-related emotional and psychosocial disturbances triggered when receiving the diagnosis. Furthermore, resilience appears to be associated with cortisol, the hormonal end-product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; however, further studies are needed due to the mixed results reported. Thus, we aim to examine the predictive role of social support and cortisol in resilience among breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 132 women with primary breast cancer completed the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) and the Resilience Scale (RS-14) and provided four salivary samples for the estimation of participants' total daily cortisol production, for which the formula of the area under the curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) was applied. Moderation analyses were performed to study the influence of social support and AUCg on psychological resilience levels. Results: The regression analyses showed a direct significant effect for the emotional support subscale of MOS-SSS on resilience and the interaction between emotional support and AUCg was also found to be statistically significant. Specifically, the conditional effect of emotional support on resilience was found to be significant at middle (M = 3.08; p <.05) and low levels (M =.59; p <.001) of AUCg. Conclusions: Our results suggest that newly diagnosed breast cancer women with middle and low diurnal cortisol profiles may benefit more from emotional support based-interventions while women with high diurnal cortisol may need more individualized therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, Spain's Canary Islands have received thousands of undocumented migrants arriving by boat from the coasts of North and West Africa. The sharp increase of unaccompanied minors has presented a particular challenge, as these minors fall under the State's protection system and are entitled to an education and other rights, once in Spain. What economic and socio-cultural factors push these youth to seek a better life whilst endangering their own? What educational opportunities are available to them in Spain and how can these propel them into secure living situations? What can be said about their integration prospects? This ethnographic study, based on field research carried out in a reception centre for unaccompanied minors in Tenerife, focuses on the youth's migration trajectories, and on the extent to which the education and support they receive in Spain relates to their socio-economic integration into European society and beyond. The findings reveal that although the centre provides the youth with a window of opportunity to be in Spain and gain an education, the ambiguousness of their legal situation brought about by immigration policies once they have left the centre, is not conducive to their leading a stable and productive life in the current context.

This paper presents a study to analyze the use of augmented reality (AR) for delivering multimedia content to support the teaching and learning process of the digestive and circulatory systems at the primary school level, and its impact on knowledge retention. Our AR application combines oral explanations and 3D models and animations of anatomical structures. A validation study was conducted with fourth grade students in order to evaluate the effect of our tool on knowledge retention. In this study, we attempt to verify whether students using the AR application retained more concepts that those learning the topic in a traditional setting. Results show an increased knowledge retention on students using AR multimedia contents as opposed to those following a traditional course, which validates AR technology as a promising tool to improve students' motivation and interest, and to support the learning and teaching process in educational contexts.

Contribution: Stereotypes and immediate environment are the reasons for low enrollment of women in STEM studies. Background: The low number of women in STEM degree courses has been the subject of much research, which has found that the lack of female enrollment is not evenly distributed across all STEM studies. In some areas, such as computing, communications, and electrical and electronic engineering (CCEEE), not only has the number of women not increased, it has even fallen. Research Questions: Is there a stereotype for women taking STEM studies? Is this stereotype different between women taking CCEEE and non-CCEEE degrees? What are the main reasons that lead women to enroll in STEM studies? Methodology: A survey was sent to 3699 female students and STEM graduates belonging to the authors' university in six schools with a lowest level of enrollment, and 1060 replies were received. A qualitative study based on data analysis triangulation was performed. Findings: The women surveyed consider social stereotypes (31.47%) and the immediate environment (14.5%) as the main reasons for the low enrollment of women in STEM studies. Surprisingly, the third reason (11.03%) is that women do not like engineering. New knowledge concerning what motivates female students to enroll in STEM studies, what stereotypes they must struggle against, and the existence of possible differences between CCEEE and STEM but non-CCEEE female students could help policy makers and academia to improve female enrollment in STEM and, in particular, in CCEEE studies.

Lakes and reservoirs provide habitat for a wide range of species and are essential components of numerous ecosystems. In Spain, these water bodies are particularly important and sensitive, so studying the impact of climate change critical for their long-term management and maintenance. This study aims to identify warming trends in these water bodies and determine whether they vary by season or geographical location by processing time series data of surface temperatures from Landsat 5 images to identify changes in the surface temperature of lakes and reservoirs between 1994 and 2011. This analysis revealed that 87% of water bodies exhibit a warming trend, with an average increase in water surface temperature of þ0.037 ℃ per year. The Ebro and Guadalquivir depressions exhibited the highest temperature increases. However, temperature changes vary across the peninsula, generally associated with air surface temperatures, and are influenced by altitude in the mountain areas and Atlantic winds in the west depressions. The trends indicate a seasonal pattern: in summer, the number of water bodies with high temperatures increases, while in autumn there are more lakes and reservoirs with intermediate temperatures. In winter and spring, the number of water bodies with low temperatures decreases and they are located further north. The influence of factors such as climate and local conditions should be investigated to better understand the warming of these water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on how Spain's labour and employment law is dealing with technological disruption and, particularly, with algorithm management, looking for a harmonious equilibrium between traditional structures and profound changes. It pays special attention to the different actors affected and the most recent normative changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is associated with a heightened overall risk of future psychopathological problems. However, elucidating specific characteristics that determine an increased risk for certain individuals remains an area requiring further exploration. This study aimed to identify latent subgroups in a sample of college students with NSSI. Additionally, it sought to explore the differential associations of these subgroups with their psychopathological status (e.g., borderline symptoms and suicidal tendencies) both at baseline and after two years. The sample comprised 259 participants (89% females, Mage = 20.39, SD = 1.90) who reported engaging in NSSI in the last year. Three latent groups were found. The group exhibiting severe NSSI-features, high emotion dysregulation, and low perceived social support was the profile with high-risk of psychopathology both at baseline and follow-up. The findings enhance our understanding of the complex association between NSSI and future mental health issues, aiding in the early identification of at-risk individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European Union promoted the concept of collective self-consumption and the so-called energy communities, to involve citizens in energy management and to improve energy efficiency. In accordance, this work incorporates energy communities including public residential buildings in a city of the north of Spain to identify the possibilities of energy communities based on Photovoltaic energy systems, and to analyze their feasibility for self-production. In addition, the possibility of including a rooftop of a factory is studied to supply the complete electric demand. An economic analysis gives a 2 years payback, and an environmental analysis shows that this installation would save almost 1,600 tons/y of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gluten-free foods (GF) availability on supermarket shelves is growing and it is expected to continue expanding in the years ahead. These foods have been linked to a lower content of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs), molecules that trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in sensitive persons. In this study, the FODMAP content of 25 cereal-based GF foods in Spain (breakfast cereals, pasta, bread, biscuits, bakery products, and dough and puff pastry) and 25 gluten-containing equivalents (GC) available in the same supermarket were analysed and compared. Lactose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, mannitol, raffinose, stachyose and fructans were quantified. In a like-by-like analysis, GF foods were found to generally contain fewer FODMAPs than their GC counterparts. The ingredients used in the manufacture of GF cereal-based foods may contribute to this fact. When the individually wrapped size was considered, the proportion of samples classified as high-FODMAPs in GC and GF foods showed a trend towards fewer samples in the GF. However, not all the GF samples were low-FODMAP. Altogether, our findings provide essential information for FODMAP content databases of GF products in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on how Spain's labour and employment law is dealing with technological disruption and, particularly, with algorithm management, looking for a harmonious equilibrium between traditional structures and profound changes. It pays special attention to the different actors affected and the most recent normative changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Assuming the care of a family member with a disability or chronic illness constitutes a health risk factor for caregivers, who frequently overlook their own self-care. Objective: To analyze the self-care activities (SCAs) among caregivers of a family member with a disability or chronic illness and assess the impact on their satisfaction and quality of life (QoL). Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional, analytic study. Setting: Community. Participants: Five hundred caregivers of family members with a disability or chronic illness in the city of Zaragoza, Spain. Outcomes and Measures: The family caregivers' occupational performance and satisfaction were assessed with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and their QoL was assessed with the World Health Organization—Quality of Life. Results: In total, 32.8% of family caregivers had difficulty in all activities related to self-care, 46.6% had difficulty sleeping and resting, 31.6% had difficulty receiving health-related treatments, and 31.2% had difficulty with physical exercise. Women and younger family caregivers showed greater impairment in self-care. Occupational performance, satisfaction, and QoL worsened as the number of affected activities increased. Conclusions and Relevance: Caring for a family member with a disability or chronic illness has a negative impact on the SCAs of caregivers, especially among female caregivers and those of younger age. Caregiving is also associated with lower occupational performance, satisfaction, and QoL. Plain-Language Summary: Caring for a family member with a disability or chronic illness can become a health risk for caregivers, who frequently ignore their own self-care. The study results found that women and younger family caregivers showed a greater decline in self-care. This study provides information to help occupational therapists to work with family caregivers to prevent a decline in their self-care and improve their quality of life. This study provides information to help occupational therapists to work with family caregivers to prevent a decline in their self-care and improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Medical departments have evolved from a position of support to one of strategic leadership. The number of tasks and the complexity of interactions in which they are involved is increasing. However, the spectrum of their activity in the sector differs significantly from one company to another. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe their situation within the pharmaceutical industry, analyzing the positions, functions, and profiles of their professionals. Methods: This study consisted of an online survey containing 25 questions grouped into four blocks (structure, medical direction, training, and activities and responsibilities). Medical departments in the Spanish pharmaceutical industry of different sizes and scope were invited to participate. The survey took place in 2021, with a designated response period of three months. It is important to note that all responses collected during this time were treated as anonymous. Results: Thirty companies participated. A total of 93.3% of respondents worked for an international laboratory, with a size of 0–5 or 11–20 people (20.7%). For 27.6% of the companies, the number of medical advisors per medical department was 1 or 4, with varying numbers of medical scientific liaisons (1, 6–10, and > 20). A total of 56.7%, 33.3%, and 6.7% indicated that the country manager, head of regional medical affairs, and head of global medical affairs, respectively, had a solid-line reporting relationship with the medical directorate. Medical directors were mostly graduates in medicine (86.2%) with a doctorate (34.5%), and medical managers were mainly graduates in medicine (77.8%) and pharmacy (66.7%). Conclusions: This study reveals that respondents predominantly work in internationally focused laboratories, with professionals ranging from experienced medical directors to managers with 6–20 years of experience, each with distinct roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of pixel values extracted for each residential address using geographic information system (GIS) data from three satellites and evaluated their associations with odds of colorectal cancer (CRC) to compare how consistent associations were across exposure data sources. Topics include comparison of visual light estimates, association of artificial light at night (ALAN) exposure with CRC, and recommendation on future epidemiological studies.

Large-scale genomic studies have significantly increased our knowledge of genetic variability across populations. Regional genetic profiling is essential for distinguishing common benign variants from disease-causing ones. To this end, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of exonic variants in the population of Navarre (Spain), utilizing whole genome sequencing data from 358 unrelated individuals of Spanish origin. Our analysis revealed 61,410 biallelic single nucleotide variants (SNV) within the Navarrese cohort, with 35% classified as common (MAF > 1%). By comparing allele frequency data from 1000 Genome Project (excluding the Iberian cohort of Spain, IBS), Genome Aggregation Database, and a Spanish cohort (including IBS individuals and data from Medical Genome Project), we identified 1069 SNVs common in Navarre but rare (MAF ≤ 1%) in all other populations. We further corroborated this observation with a second regional cohort of 239 unrelated exomes, which confirmed 676 of the 1069 SNVs as common in Navarre. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of population-specific characterization of genetic variation to improve allele frequency filtering in sequencing data analysis to identify disease-causing variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires present a significant risk to societies globally due to population growth, concentrated activities, climate change, and extreme environmental conditions. To establish effective fire suppression and management policies, it is crucial to determine whether the distance between ignition points and urban areas is increasing or decreasing. This study analyzes 101,597 fires in Spain and California between 2007 and 2015, where ignition points and all built-up areas were precisely geolocated in 2014. The study employs the Mann–Kendall test to determine trends and analyze the relative distance of wildfires to human buildings over time. The results indicate that wildfires are becoming statistically significantly closer in several areas. It is also observed that the majority of wildfires are moving away from buildings, although this is not a significant finding. These results suggest the possibility of further research into the reasons behind these observations and possible future developments and their consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains one of the top ten causes of mortality globally. Children accounted for 12% of all TB cases and 18% of all TB deaths in 2022. Paediatric TB is difficult to diagnose with conventional laboratory tests, and chest radiographs remain crucial. However, in low-and middle-income countries with high TB burden, the capacity for radiological diagnosis of paediatric TB is rarely documented and data on the associated radiation exposure limited. Methods: A multicentre, mixed-methods study is proposed in three countries, Mozambique, South Africa and Spain. At the national level, official registry databases will be utilised to retrospectively compile an inventory of licensed imaging resources (mainly X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) scan equipment) for the year 2021. At the selected health facility level, three descriptive cross-sectional standardised surveys will be conducted to assess radiology capacity, radiological imaging diagnostic use for paediatric TB diagnosis, and radiation protection optimization: a site survey, a clinician-targeted survey, and a radiology staff-targeted survey, respectively. At the patient level, potential dose optimisation will be assessed for children under 16 years of age who were diagnosed and treated for TB in selected sites in each country. For this component, a retrospective analysis of dosimetry will be performed on TB and radiology data routinely collected at the respective sites. National inventory data will be presented as the number of units per million people by modality, region and country. Descriptive analyses will be conducted on survey data, including the demographic, clinical and programmatic characteristics of children treated for TB who had imaging examinations (chest X-ray (CXR) and/or CT scan). Dose exposure analysis will be performed by children's age, gender and disease spectrum. Discussion: As far as we know, this is the first multicentre and multi-national study to compare radiological capacity, radiation protection optimization and practices between high and low TB burden settings in the context of childhood TB management. The planned comparative analyses will inform policy-makers of existing radiological capacity and deficiencies, allowing better resource prioritisation. It will inform clinicians and radiologists on best practices and means to optimise the use of radiological technology in paediatric TB management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, there are no studies that have compared university food environments (FEs) with different sociocultural contexts. Therefore, we analyzed differences in the availability and properties of commercially produced foods, in a northern and a southern European university (located in Norway and Spain, respectively). A cross‐sectional observational study was conducted at OsloMet—Oslo Metropolitan University and at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU. The nutritional quality of food products was estimated through the following nutrient profiling models (NPMs): those proposed by the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN), the UK nutrient profiling model (UK NPM), the Norwegian Food and Drink Industry Professional Practices Committee (Matbransjens Fagligle Utvalg [MFU]), and a combination of them. In addition, food items were classified using the NOVA system. A total of 251 and 1051 products were identified at OsloMet and the UPV/EHU, respectively. The percentage categorized as low nutritional quality (LNQ) was higher at the UPV/EHU (almost 54.5% of the total products) compared with at OsloMet (almost 40%) (p < 0.001). Most of the products were categorized as ultra‐processed, and there were no differences in the percentage of ultra‐processed foods between the two universities (OsloMet 86.1%, UPV/EHU 83.3%, p > 0.05). A higher proportion of LNQ products was found at the UPV/EHU than at OsloMet, probably due to the government policies and actions for creating healthy FEs. Consequently, there is a need to develop interventions to improve the FE at the UPV/EHU, adapted to its sociocultural context. Practical Application: This study reveals north–south differences in terms of the availability of low nutritional quality food products. In particular, a higher proportion of this type of product was found at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU than at OsloMet—Oslo Metropolitan University. Our exploratory hypothesis is that this phenomenon is a consequence of the Nordic government policies that have great potential to create healthy FEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media consumption is an undeniable fact in present-day society. The hours that members of all social segments spend in front of a screen take up a large part of their leisure time worldwide. Audiovisual communication becomes especially important within the context of today's digital society (society-network), where information and communication technologies pervade all corners of everyday life. However, people do not own enough audiovisual media skills to cope with this mass media omnipresence. Neither the education system nor civic associations, or the media themselves, have promoted audiovisual skills to make people critically competent when viewing media. This study aims to provide an updated conceptualization of the "audiovisual skill" in this digital environment and transpose it onto a specific interventional environment, seeking to detect needs and shortcomings, plan global strategies to be adopted by governments and devise training programmes for the various sectors involved.

This paper displays some results from research carried out in Andalusia (Spain) to evaluate the impact of the educational innovation policy developed by the regional government through widely introducing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in primary and secondary schools (ICT Centres). Specifically, it analysed the effect of the measures used to integrate ICTs on the educational administration and education centres. This integration is analysed not only at an institutional level, concerning the organization of the centres, but also regarding the classroom and its repercussions in teaching-learning processes. (Contains 1 table and 5 footnotes.) [This research was supported by the Spanish Science and Education Ministry, National Announcement Plan 2004-2007 (Project SEC2004-01421).]

In the field of geographical and environmental education, maps and geo-referenced information are frequently used, in which the earth's surfaces are represented in a two-dimensional (2D) way. Students have difficulty interpreting the relief representation and switching between 2D and 3D scenarios. Digital terrain modelling is added to the traditional cartographic techniques to represent the landforms, and the AR technology provides a new 3D and mapping human-machine interaction. In the 2015-2016 course, an educational experiment using AR on a tablet with 63 students from La Laguna University was performed covering three steps: academic improvement, usability of this technology to interpret the relief, and if it is motivating for the students. This paper presents the results in usability and motivation. A usability study in terms of efficiency, efficacy and satisfaction is presented. To assess student motivation, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory motivational model with six dimensions is adopted. Results about AR on tablets in the interpretation of terrain relief show a great usability of this technology, which serves as a motivational tool for the 3D visualization.

This article provides new insights into the role of public universities in regional development by looking at their involvement in Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3), a key element of the current European Cohesion Policy. In the latter, stakeholders from the triple or Quadruple Helix (public, private, research and nongovernmental sectors) jointly identify areas for research, development and innovation (RDI) investment. The analysis focuses on the region of Catalonia, which hosts a mix of higher education institutions (HEIs) with different characteristics and different relationships with local innovation stakeholders. The authors examine in-depth one of the main RIS3 funding instruments recently implemented in the region: the Research and Innovation Smart Specialization Strategy for Catalonia Communities. The Communities support the implementation of action plans for industrial research and development, jointly defined by research and private-sector stakeholders in RIS3 strategic areas. The instrument embeds the characteristics of a continuous EDP and enables exploration of the challenges and opportunities that emerge when researchers engage in strategic market-oriented RDI activities. The article highlights how HEIs are evolving and adapting to the new policy environment and concludes with policy implications.

Socio-emotional skills are highly prized on the labour market these days; many writers say that competencies of this type help to increase individuals' employability, but educational institutions consistently forget their responsibility for providing training in them. Most jobs call not only for knowledge and specific technical competencies, but also for a certain level of social and emotional skills enabling workers, for example, to work in teams, to motivate themselves when confronting problems, to solve interpersonal disputes, and to tolerate high levels of stress. The best way of developing socio-emotional skills is through experience, appropriate training and practice. For this reason, we argue that the time spent undergoing on-site training is a perfect opportunity for tutors to help students and recent graduates to develop their socio-emotional skills. (Contains 3 tables.)