Activity In Spain Research Articles

Political and Economic Factors Influencing Strike Activity during the Recent Economic Crisis: A Study of the Spanish Case between 2002 and 2013

PolThe Great Recession and the upsurge of widespread social movements in various crisis-ridden countries have given new impetus to the debate on the relationship between economic breakdown and the occurrence of collective action. I revisit the issue by examining strike activity in Spain between 2002 and 2013. For a better understanding of the continuities and changes, I contrast two sets of literature on industrial conflict. The first deals with economic factors influencing strikes or, in other words, with the question of whether and how fluctuations in manpower supply and demand account for continuities and changes in strike activity. The second advocates for a look beyond the economy, towards the political exchange that takes place between unions and state actors and which, depending on its positive or negative nature, leads to shifts of the distributional struggle away from the marketplace towards the public arena or vice versa. The findings reveal that, rather than exclusive, the two perspectives prove to be mutually conducive and are most significant when they are combined. The political exchange model is helpful for understanding the rather stable or even declining strike frequency prior to the economic crisis but also the three nationwide general strikes in 2010 and 2012, which represented a rupture in the social consensus. If the general strikes are left aside, the economic variables come into play: an increased strike frequency during the economic crisis is in fact accompanied by a shift towards smaller strikes related to a single workplace, and to so-called “defensive” strikes. This indicates that an actual decrease in workers’ bargaining power was overcompensated by a growing number of circumstances in which the recourse to strike action became a means of last resort.

Femen in the current Spanish political context: feminist activism and counterhegemonic modes of representation

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to address Femen’s media-based activism in Spain, focusing, on the one hand, on the lack of understanding of Femen’s activist methods by broad swaths of institutionalized feminism, and on the other, on their activism’s repercussions in the broader debates in the current Spanish political context. In order to achieve these objectives, I work from the premise that the use of politics of the body linked to counterhegemonic representational modes impacts the possibilities and reach of Femen’s activist practices. At the same time, paradoxically, these practices are situated in the politics of the street and bodies in alliance that have determined new forms of political practice. I will argue that these new feminist political actions – which are articulated through processes of mediation, culture jamming and recontextualization – are defined not so much by the effectiveness of the new cultural practices one finds in contemporary activism, but by how they become part of what is now called awkward politics.

Damage estimation on concrete gravity dams through artificial accelerograms

The aim of this paper is to analyse the damage on gravity dams through artificial earthquakes from two methods. The first procedure defines the performance and the response curve of concrete gravity dams using a harmonic function which establishes linear displacements. The other procedure to obtain the artificial earthquake defines the power spectral density function consistent with the response spectrum. This artificial accelerogram is necessary to quantify the response curve of concrete gravity dams in the time domain. The seismic activity in Spain is not frequent, therefore it is often difficult to select real accelerograms to perform a complete seismic analysis, which makes artificial accelerograms extremely useful. Finally, combining these two procedures, a damage index is determined for assessing the crack’s magnitude. These both efficient and practical procedures are useful to develop further complicated analysis.

Industry vs Services: Do Enforcement Institutions Matter for Specialization Patterns? Disaggregated Evidence from Spain

We exploit historical differences in foral law to consistently estimate the contribution of the quality of enforcement institutions to economic specialization across Spanish provinces in the period 1999-2014. The distribution of economic activity in Spain as of today shows a strong pattern of geographical specialization. Regions less specialized in manufacturing (industry) and oriented to services sectors (Andalusia, Extremadura) in the south are compared with industrialized/manufacturing regions in the north such as the Basque Country, Navarre or Aragon. We construct province-level congestion rates across three different jurisdictions (civil, labor and administrative) from real judicial data measuring the performance of the Spanish judicial system over time, and estimate the effect of judicial efficacy on the share of manufacturing and services in the total output. Using a variety of estimation techniques, the evidence unveils strong and persistent effects of judicial efficacy on province-level economic specialization with notable distributional differences. The provinces with a historical experience of foral law are significantly more likely to have more efficient enforcement institutions at the present day. In turn, greater judicial efficacy facilitates specialization in high-productivity manufacturing while greater judicial inefficacy encourages service-intensive specialization. The effect of judicial efficacy on economic specialization does not depend on confounders, holds across a number of specification checks and appears to be causal. Lastly, the three jurisdictions seem relevant to explain specialization, although the administrative jurisdiction appears to have a more pronounced impact than the labor or civil jurisdictions.

Spanish Heart Transplant Registry. 28th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Heart Failure (1984-2016)

Introduction and objectivesThe present article reports the characteristics and results of heart transplants in Spain since this therapeutic modality was first used in May 1984. MethodsWe summarize the main features of recipients, donors, surgical procedures, and outcomes of all cardiac transplants performed in Spain up to December 31, 2016. ResultsA total of 281 cardiac transplants were performed in 2016. The whole historical series consisted of 7869 procedures. The main features of transplant procedures in 2016 were similar to those observed in recent years. A high percentage of procedures were urgent, particularly those with use of pretransplant continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (19.1% of all transplants). Survival significantly improved in the last decade compared with previous periods. ConclusionsDuring the last few years, transplant activity in Spain has remained steady, with approximately 250-300 transplants/year. Despite a more complex clinical context, survival has improved in recent years.

Registro Español de Trasplante Cardiaco. XXVIII Informe Oficial de la Sección de Insuficiencia Cardiaca de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1984-2016)

Introduction and objectivesThe present article reports the characteristics and results of heart transplants in Spain since this therapeutic modality was first used in May 1984. MethodsWe summarize the main features of recipients, donors, surgical procedures, and outcomes of all cardiac transplants performed in Spain up to December 31, 2016. ResultsA total of 281 cardiac transplants were performed in 2016. The whole historical series consisted of 7869 procedures. The main features of transplant procedures in 2016 were similar to those observed in recent years. A high percentage of procedures were urgent, particularly those with use of pretransplant continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (19.1% of all transplants). Survival significantly improved in the last decade compared with previous periods. ConclusionsDuring the last few years, transplant activity in Spain has remained steady, with approximately 250-300 transplants/year. Despite a more complex clinical context, survival has improved in recent years.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en

Status of Private Rheumatology in Spain

IntroductionRheumatologic care is offered by the National Health System in Spain. However, more than a quarter of health spending is carried out in private medicine. Currently, there are no data about the number of rheumatologists with private activity in Spain. ObjectivesTo evaluate the number of rheumatologists with private activity in Spain and to describe the profile and location of these professionals. Material and methodsA survey was developed and sent from the SER Commission on Private Practice to all SER active members. Data collection ends in December 2014. A descriptive statistical analysis and comparison of results was done. Results759 answers from a total of 980 surveys sent (77.45%) were obtained; 38% of Spanish rheumatologists have private activity; 13% exclusively private practice and 25% private practice shared with his or her public activity. The private practice rheumatologist profile is: male, 49 years old with 19 years of experience after finishing the specialty and with a working day of 42h per week. There is a clear predominance of private practice in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia with 28% of the total, followed by Madrid 18%, Andalusia 12% and Valencia 8%. Conclusions38% of Spanish rheumatologists are working in private practice. The profile of professionals working in private practice is different from that of those who work exclusively in public health.Private rheumatology is located in all regions, although most private rheumatologists are located in the regions of Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia and Andalusia, representing more than 50% of the total.

Political Participation and New Technologies of Communication in Spain

The consolidation of the Internet as not only a media outlet, but also a multifunctional platform, has put into question the traditional relationship between media and political participation. The latest political developments in Spain, such as the 15-M movement or the success of Podemos, show that new technologies increase the options for new and fresh ways of political activism. This study provides a diagnosis of the role played by new technologies of communication, particularly the Internet, in political activism in Spain. The results show a noteworthy dissemination of the Internet as a political information source, as well as a platform to participate in politics. In addition, the analysis suggests that online participation is a phenomenon more popular among young people, with high studies and located on the ideological left. This profile is similar to that of citizens who support the new political forces like Podemos and the different citizens’ movements which are demanding a reconfiguration of the democratic system in Spain.

Evolution, trends and design parameters for the management of Areas of Logistic Activities in Spain

In the last 50 years a new organization of international markets that directly affects procurement systems, production, and distribution has been developed, the supply chain. In this new globalized trade setup logistics is particularly relevant and unique, occupying preferential status in the competitiveness of products and companies. The transport system necessary for the supply and distribution is linked to linear and nodal infrastructures, both essential for the logistic chain. Within the nodal infrastructure, we find Logistics Platforms, which not only act as support to the infrastructure itself, but also provide value-added services and are configured as the main points of the supply chain, providing companies with the ability to implement some of the above mentioned logistic activities, in order to match demand and supply, thus optimizing the supply chain and reducing logistics’ costs. Since there is no regulation and standardization to support the design of these “Logistics Areas”, we will proceed to analyze 33 emblematic Spanish Logistics Platforms. This study will focus on the analysis of the role or relevance of logistics centrality, its intermodality, the degree of spatial concentration, the multifunctional level or the sector-specific expertise, and internal management. As a final point, the paper offers recommendations and standards for its design and management as well as a new definition of Logistics Activity Area.

Communication Activism as a School of Politics: Lessons From Spain's Indignados Movement

In this article, we draw on ethnographic research to examine some key communication activism practices of Spain's indignados (15M) movement. The 15M radically transformed communication activism in Spain through its strong political-pedagogical orientation. Here lies the greatest 15M lesson for Communication for Social Change: Ordinary citizens in countries like Spain are rejecting traditional roles as “beneficiaries” of institutional communication campaigns. Instead, they have become active political actors who are able to generate their own processes of political pedagogy and communication. We conceptualize this lesson by positing the existence of three principles of 15M communication activism as a school of politics: the principles of pedagogical sovereignty, action, and networking.

University research and the creation of spin‐offs: The Spanish case

AbstractThe backbone of the European innovation strategy is knowledge transfer from universities to companies, the programmes supporting the creation of university spin‐offs being one of its pillars. In order to achieve a better understanding of this kind of entrepreneurial activity in Spain, this article analyses the relationship between research activity and the creation of spin‐offs and identifies the factors which can be linked to the level of technology used by these companies. Consulting the websites of Spanish universities and their respective Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) led to the identification of 499 spin‐offs. We analysed two groups of universities, correlating their number and technological nature with the research potential of the parent university, the general economic situation and the assistance received in creating this type of company. We found a positive relation between the creation of university spin‐offs and the average number of projects achieved by the university. In addition, their technological nature is positively related to the number of patents awarded to the university. This article focuses on Spain. However, the aspects addressed are common to other countries and its results may therefore be of interest to universities and policy makers wishing to promote the commercialisation of research outcomes.

Programas comunitarios de salud podológica. Revisión bibliográfica

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica para identificar los Programas de salud de Podología basados en el cuidado de la salud de los pies en otros países y los programas o actividades similares desarrolladas en España.Método: Revisión bibliográfica en diferentes bases de datos (Pubmed, Scopus, CINAHL, SportDiscus y Goggle Académico), con diferentes descriptores MESH relacionados con el tema. Se incluyen artículos que tienen una relación directa con el desarrollo de Programas de Salud Podológica en diferentes países. Como primera línea se han seleccionado artículos que trataban específicamente de la implantación de guías, protocolos o programas de salud dirigidos específicamente por Podología; incluyéndose artículos sin limitar fecha de publicación en algunas bases de datos específicas, para elaborar un recorrido histórico por el campo de actuación de la Podología en diferentes épocas. Se excluyeron los artículos que no se relacionaban con el pie o con el miembro inferior; se incluyeron los artículos que tienen una relación directa con el desarrollo de Programas de Salud Podológica en diferentes países. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 128 referencias. Se seleccionaron 74 y finalmente 19 estudios fueron los incluidos en el estudio, 16 internacionales y 9 nacionales.Conclusión: Existen escasez de investigaciones sobre Podología y Promoción de la Salud, hecho que nos llama la atención, pues la implementación de Programas de Salud Podológica tiene un impacto positivo en la salud de los pies de las personas y contribuyen a la prevención de alteraciones podológicas y ayudan a reducir la incidencia de complicaciones.

Choral groups in Spain: A space for coexistence and music education

This paper presents the most relevant data obtained from a study conducted with the participation of 1255 choirs, most of them registered in the database of the Music and Dance Documentation Center from the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music of Spain. The main aim of the study of such an extensive array of choirs is to get sufficient information to describe the basic profile of choral activity in Spain. In order to conduct this study a questionnaire was designed including some specific questions for each one of the three types of choirs in which the sample was classified: children/youth choirs, mixed choirs and equal voices choirs. The questionnaire includes variables referring to the basic profile of the choirs, institutional linkage, repertoires, financing, data about the activities of the choirs and the conductors’ profile. The results show, among other things, that the choirs establish long lasting associative experiences and that, though many conductors are trained as musicians, they are not specialized in choral conducting. Finally, the qualitative and quantitative importance of the choral activity to enhance cultural heritage, musical education and social relevance of the choral movement in Spain stands out.

Market driven management of climate change impacts in the Spanish mussel sector

Mussel farming is the largest aquaculture activity in Spain both in volume and value, being a key pillar for the development of the coastal areas in Galicia (NW Spain), where this production is concentrated. The available scientific knowledge suggests that in the long term the primary productivity of the Galician estuaries will be reduced due to climate change. Consequently, adaptive management will be required to face this challenge. The impact of the likely production decrease will depend, among other factors, on the availability of substitutes, being their identification the main object of this research. So, it was analysed whether this markets are integrated or not through cointegration tests, finding that only the French and the Spanish markets are partially integrated. This implies that since very little substitutes are available for the Galician fresh mussels, decreases in production will not necessarily affect producer's income, as prices increases will compensate the (eventual) reduction in volume. In terms of policy, this study suggests that market intelligence may contribute to an adaptive, pragmatic and flexible framework to face climate change impacts, avoiding too anticipated or blind responses that may result in economic, environmental and social costs.

Parables of Un-freedom: Novels about the Spanish Inquisition in post-1956 People’s Poland

The article examines three post-1956 novels ostensibly about the Spanish Inquisition’s activities in Spain at the end of the fifteenth century: Jerzy Andrzejewski’s Ciemności kryją ziemię (The Inquisitors, 1957), Julian Stryjkowski’s Przybysz z Narbony (1978), and Jozef Cepik’s Torquemada (1986). These works are placed in a number of broader contexts: the uses of the historical novel in Poland; post-war Polish censorship discourse about the use of historical analogy to address current social and political problems, a practice which the political authorities sought to restrict; the contemporary critical reception where reviews of each novel are seen as articulating the novels’ fundamental concerns albeit subject to the same censorship restrictions; and ultimately the longestablished tradition of Aesopian writing within Polish literature. The analysis demonstrates the expansion of the space for critical public expression particularly in the Thaw years of 1956-57, and its contraction over time up to the mid-1970s. The rise of an independent publishing network at that point paradoxically both facilitates a more open discussion of the potential meanings of literary texts but equally has to observe censorship proprieties to avoid exposing officially published authors to political sanctions. With the growth of underground publishing, the Spanish Inquisition theme gradually declines in relevance, reflected by the critical marginalisation of Cepik’s novel. Ultimately, the article positions the trend within Macherey’s theory of significant silences within literary works, which permits a refinement of the historically contingent screen and marker that have typically defined Aesopian works. The article presents, with their English translations, hitherto unpublished documents from the Polish Party and Censorship archives, including examples of work confiscated by the censors.

Making the absent present: Political parties and emigrant issues in country of origin parliaments

A growing number of countries have granted their emigrant citizens the right to vote in homeland elections from afar. Yet, there is little understanding of the extent to which emigration issues are visible in the subsequent legislative processes of policymaking and representation. Based on an original data set of parliamentary activities in Spain, Italy, France and Romania, this article analyses why political parties pay attention to emigrants. To that end, we propose a conceptual framework which draws on both theories of issue salience and substantive representation. Bridging these two frameworks allows us bring in both parties (salience) and constituencies (representation) in the analysis of the linkage between electorates and parliaments at a transnational level. We test a series of hypotheses and find that parties are more likely to focus on emigration issues the stronger their electoral incentives and in the context of electoral systems allowing the emigrants to elect special emigrant representatives.

Parents' Nonstandard Work Hours and Children's Time Use in Spain: The Intersection of Parental Work Schedules, Gender, and Education

This study uses time-diary data from two-parent families with children aged 10-16 (N = 913) to analyse how parental work schedules interfere with children’s daily activities in Spain, a country where evening work is strongly institutionalised. Fathers’ work schedules are generally unrelated to children’s time use. Mothers’ evening work hours are significantly associated to less time on “developmental” family and educational activities, and with more time spent watching television and doing electronic activities without parents, two potentially “risky” activities in developmental terms. These associations generally apply to less-educated mothers, but not to high-educated mothers. On weekends, children with mothers who were more active on evening work during the week disproportionately participate in educational and family activities, reflecting partly a compensatory pattern in time use allocation. Overall, results suggest that constraints associated to evening work hours influence children’s daily activities, but with remarkable gendered and socioeconomic inequalities in family life.

Extra-curricular Activities in Spain: Sports-related Activities and their Personal and Academical Implications

----- Bibliography: Cladellas Pros, Ramon/Castello Tarrida, Anoni: Extra-curricular Activities in Spain: Sports-related Activities and their Personal and Academical Implications, IJREE, Vol. 5, Issue 1-2017, pp. 108-115. https://doi.org/10.3224/ijree.v5i1.09

Criterios de diseño sísmico en viaductos de alta velocidad en la zona de Levante

In this article the seismic design criteria that was taken into account to design different high speed railway bridges in the Spanish Levante region is discussed. This is one of the areas with more seismic activity in Spain with a peak ground acceleration of 0.29g.No unique solution has been found for all the structures. Each bridge has been studied individually to find the most suitable alternative taking into account seismic forces, maintenance and conservation works. In this article conventional solutions with rigid joints between deck and substructure, bridges with antiseismic devices (dampers and pendulum bearings) and structures with limited ductile behaviour are shown.

LA FORMACIÓN DE LOS PROFESIONALES DE ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA Y DEPORTE EN ESPAÑA

Este estudo analisa a formação inicial e permanente das pessoas que trabalham em atividade física e esporte na Espanha. Foi empregada como metodologia uma entrevista aplicada a 2.500 profissionais da atividade física e esporte em todas as províncias da Espanha. Os resultados mostram que 38% dessas pessoas não possuem titulação de atividade física e esporte (formação inicial). Também, muitas pessoas com titulação desempenham funções laborais para as quais não foram formadas e nem são qualificadas. Além disso, se observa que essas pessoas têm uma alta formação permanente quanto maior a sua formação inicial. Do mesmo modo, a maioria dos titulados da atividade física e esporte considera que a sua formação inicial serviu muito para seu adequado desempenho profissional.