Current Situation In Spain Research Articles

Geriatric oncology in Spain: survey results and analysis of the current situation

IntroductionGeriatric oncology (GO) is a discipline that focuses on the management of elderly patients with cancer. The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) created a Working group dedicated to geriatric oncology in February 2016.ObjectivesThe main goal of this study was to describe the current situation in Spain regarding the management of elderly cancer patients through an online survey of medical oncologists.MethodsA descriptive survey was sent to several hospitals by means of the SEOM website. A personal e-mail was also sent to SEOM members.ResultsBetween March 2016 and April 2017, 154 answers were collected. Only 74 centers (48%) had a geriatrics department and a mere 21 (14%) medical oncology departments had a person dedicated to GO. The vast majority (n = 135; 88%) had the perception that the number of elderly patients with cancer seen in clinical practice had increased. Eighteen (12%) oncologists had specific protocols and geriatric scales were used at 55 (31%) centers. Almost all (92%) claimed to apply special management practices using specific tools. There was agreement that GO afforded certain potential advantages. Finally, 99% of the oncologists surveyed believed it and that training in GO had to be improved.ConclusionsFrom the nationwide survey promoted by the Spanish Geriatric Oncology Working Group on behalf of SEOM, we conclude that there is currently no defined care structure for elderly cancer patients. There is an increasing perception of the need for training in GO. This survey reflects a reality in which specific needs are perceived.

Iluminando el cuarto oscuro: Tendencias discursivas e imaginario queer en la cinematografía española contemporánea.

Esta investigación pretende realizar una reflexión y análisis crítico del cine como constructor de imaginarios sociales y, concretamente, de cómo se ha construido y evolucionado la representación queer, con visiones alejadas del cine comercial, en la cultura visual española desde el tardofranquismo. El objetivo es, por una parte, tener una perspectiva general de la imagen que el colectivo ha tenido en el panorama audiovisual y, por otra parte, conocer el estado actual en España mediante el análisis fílmico crítico de las películas Los amigos raros (Roberto Pérez Toledo, 2014), El sexo de los ángeles (Xavier Villaverde, 2011) y A escondidas (Mikel Rueda, 2014). La investigación muestra un cambio en los imaginarios sociales actuales en las películas queer españolas a pesar del mantenimiento de estereotipos recurrentes.

Spain: from the indignados rebellion to regime crisis (2011-2016)

Since 15 May 2011 Spain has progressively entered a political and regime crisis in which the main institutional pillars of the political system constructed in 1977-1978 during the transition from the Franco dictatorship to parliamentary democracy suffered from serious wear. This can be analysed following Gramsci's notion of hegemony crisis whose main features fit well with the current situation in Spain. The regime crisis has passed through different stages – the last being the emergence and rise in the polls of Podemos, which emerged in a context marked by the deepening of the crisis and the difficulty of securing significant social victories. To understand the meaning of this current regime crises it is useful to read history, following Walter Benjamin as an open process full of bifurcations with no linear trajectory. Spanish regime crisis opens for the first time since the seventies the possibility of a social and political change whose final sense is still uncertain.

Reflexiones en torno al binomio formación-acreditación como elementos constitutivos de la profesionalización de la interpretación jurídica

It seems to be widely accepted that interpreter training and the implementation of credentialing certification tests as means of gatekeeper to the profession are crucial elements within the professionalisation process of legal interpreting (court and police interpreting etc.). However, quite often, these two elements are set up independently and without any relationship between each other. Taking advantage of the current situation in Spain, where the full transposition of EU Directive 2010/64 on interpreting and translation in criminal proceedings has not yet been accomplished, this paper aims at reviewing some aspects that shape legal interpreter training, which, in turn, contribute to different training models. Likewise, different professional accreditation models will be analysed so as to establish their relationship with training factors. Based on this analysis, we will later focus on the current situation in Spain. Our goal is to explore different pathways towards the full professionalisation of an activity the ultimate goal of which is to guarantee the right to due process and a fair trial.

Limitation of life-sustaining treatment in patients with prolonged admission to the ICU. Current situation in Spain as seen from the EPIPUSE Study

ObjectiveLimitation of life-sustaining treatment (LLST) is a recommended practice in certain circumstances. Limitation practices are varied, and their application differs from one center to another. The present study evaluates the current situation of LLST practices in patients with prolonged admission to the ICU who suffer worsening of their condition. DesignA prospective, observational cohort study was carried out. SettingSeventy-five Spanish ICUs. PatientsA total of 589 patients suffering 777 complications or adverse events with organ function impairment after day 7 of admission, during a three-month recruitment period. Main variables of interestThe timing of limitation, the subject proposing LLST, the degree of agreement within the team, the influence of LLST upon the doctor-patient-family relationship, and the way in which LLST is implemented. ResultsLLST was proposed in 34.3% of the patients presenting prolonged admission to the ICU with severe complications. The incidence was higher in patients with moderate to severe lung disease, cancer, immunosuppressive treatment or dependence for basic activities of daily living. LLST was finally implemented in 97% of the cases in which it was proposed. The decision within the medical team was unanimous in 87.9% of the cases. The doctor–patient–family relationship usually does not change or even improves in this situation. ConclusionLLST in ICUs is usually carried out under unanimous decision of the medical team, is performed more frequently in patients with severe comorbidity, and usually does not have a negative impact upon the relationship with the patients and their families.

An Overview of The Needs of Technology in Language Testing in Spain

Over the few years, computer based language testing has become prevailing worldwide. The number of institutions the use computers as the main means of delivery has increased dramatically. Many students face each day tests for well-known high-stakes decisions which imply the knowledge and ability to use technology to provide evidence of language mastery. However, this situation is not the same everywhere. While countries like the United States or the United Kingdom are spearheads of this tendency, others like Spain, lag way behind. This paper addresses the needs of use of computer based language testing in the new Spanish educational system. To do so, this paper introduces the current situation in Spain, then proceeds to do a SWOT analysis emphasizing the lacks and opportunities for language based assessments and concludes by stating the positive issues involving them.

PROF-ETEV study: prophylaxis of venous thromboembolic disease in critical care units in Spain.

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in critically ill patients has a high incidence despite prophylactic measures. This fact could be related to an inappropriate use of these measures due to the absence of specific VTE risk scores. To assess the current situation in Spain, we have performed a cross-sectional study, analyzing if the prophylactic measures were appropriate to the patients' VTE risk. Through an electronic questionnaire, we carried out a single day point prevalence study on the VTE prophylactic measures used in several critical care units in Spain. We performed a risk stratification for VTE in three groups: low, moderate-high, and very high risk. The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines were used to determine if the patients were receiving the recommended prophylaxis. A total of 777 patients were included; 62% medical, 30% surgical, and 7% major trauma patients. The median number of the risk factors for VTE was four. According to the proposed VTE risk score, only 2% of the patients were at low risk, whereas 83% were at very high risk. Sixty-three percent of patients received pharmacological prophylaxis, 12% mechanical prophylaxis, 6% combined prophylaxis, and 19% did not receive any prophylactic measure. According to criteria suggested by the guidelines, 23% of medical, 71% of surgical, and 70% of major trauma patients received an inappropriate prophylaxis. Most critically ill patients are at high or very high risk of VTE, but there is a low rate of appropriate prophylaxis. The efforts to improve the identification of patients at risk, and the implementation of appropriate prevention protocols should be enhanced.

Who is speaking? The Indignados as political subjects

Since 2011, the Indignados have been a prominent feature of Spanish politics. Based on the emotional characteristics and framing of the movement, this article argues that our common notions of how democracy and legitimacy should work, and in particular ideas of deliberative democracy, consistently favour political behaviour of a certain kind, namely that of rational action. This article argues that ideas of radical democracy, especially those of Jacques Rancière, could help broaden the idea of politics, in arguing that only recognising rational actions is an exclusionary practice. The article thus uses the case of the Indignados in order to rethink some dimensions of democratic theory. It starts out with an outlook on the current situation in Spain and then moves on to describe the main tenets of deliberative democracy and the problem the Indignados pose to such a theory. In opposition to this it introduces Rancière's works, and argues that this has much higher bearing for our contemporary problems of democracy. The article concludes by saying that deliberative democracy lacks explanatory power when it comes to the Indignados. By requiring a unified sovereign, a distinction between voice and noise, and a consensual form of legitimate decision-making, the Indignados are not deemed political subjects in deliberative democratic theory. This can be seen as an exclusionary practice, since the Indignados still form a noticeable presence in today's political landscape. Therefore, there is a need for revising what constitutes a political subject and a political action.

INVESTIGACION SOBRE LA SEGURIDAD FRENTE A INCENDIOS EN LOS HOSPITALES ESPAÑOLES: SITUACION ACTUAL Y SOLUCION PROPUESTA

RESUMEN: En este articulo se ha desarrollado el tema de la seguridad frente a incendios en los hospitales espanoles. Se estudia la situacion actual en Espana, analizando por un lado la normativa contra incendios de obligado cumplimiento y, por otro, realizando una investigacion detallada en los propios edificios hospitalarios, lo cual permite llegar a conclusiones reales sobre la situacion existente. Este analisis descubre notables carencias de la normativa en su aplicacion a hospitales, lo cual implica que la situacion actual en estos edificios no sea la adecuada, ya que en caso de incendio no hay medios que permitan defender a los ocupantes en el mismo edificio forzando a realizar una evacuacion vertical que nunca deberia ser considerada como posible. Como respuesta a la situacion descrita se justifica una solucion basada en la integracion de tecnologias de proteccion pasiva ante incendios y sistemas de control activo del humo. En suma, este articulo ofrece un estudio actual de la situacion real existente en los hospitales espanoles ofreciendo una solucion que resuelva los problemas existentes incorporando las nuevas oportunidades que ofrece la tecnologia al mismo tiempo que se consigue una mayor eficiencia en el uso de los recursos. Palabras Clave: normativa de seguridad frente incendios, seguridad frente incendios en hospitales, evacuacion, diseno del edificio vs seguridad, control del humo.

<i>Ophrys</i> × <i>castroviejoi</i> (Orchidaceae), nuevo híbrido para España

Serra Laliga, Ll. & X. Soler, J. 2012. Ophrys × castroviejoi (Orchidaceae), a new hybrid for Spain. Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid 69(2): 237-242 (in Spanish). Ophrys x castroviejoi is described and illustrated; it is a hybrid of O. scolopax and O. speculum, wich was obtained artificially in 1931 and named as O. x kelleriella, considered nomen nudum. It is offered its known distribution and current situation in Spain.

Beyond school inclusion: secondary school and preparing for labour market inclusion for young people with disabilities in Spain

Research analysing good practices in the area of labour market inclusion for people with disabilities shows that the role of the secondary school is fundamental in improving employment opportunities. The aim of this article is to analyse to what extent secondary education in Spain prepares young people with learning difficulties for later inclusion in society and the labour market. Results from studies into good practices in secondary education have established which educational characteristics to take into account for pupils' transition to working life and the need for the school to lead this process. We contrast these results with the current situation in Spain by comprehensively analysing how current secondary education is facing up to the challenges of labour market inclusion for young people with disabilities. Following this, we propose guidelines for the improvement of educational practices in secondary education so as to foster opportunities for labour market participation, from an inclusive viewpoint, for young people with learning disabilities.

An evaluation of the life cycle cost of rapeseed oil as a straight vegetable oil fuel to replace petroleum diesel in agriculture

The use of straight vegetable oil (SVO) as biofuel has been recognized as a valid substitute of diesel fuel in the agricultural sector under specific circumstances. Its direct use reduces most of the chemical processes involved when converting it into biodiesel, thus lowering harmful emissions. This study presents the economic analysis of a self-supply farming model that uses rapeseed as its fuel base. This model addresses agricultural environmental concerns and can even minimize dependence on the fluctuating costs of diesel fuel. The use of SVO in agriculture can help reduce farmers’ vulnerability to fossil fuel prices. The economic evaluation of the model proposed in this study shows clear economic benefits of introducing rapeseed to the traditional crop rotation of wheat and barley. The key factors analyzed in this model are diesel fuel price, diesel fuel grants and crop aids. The current situation in Spain favors the use of diesel fuel in agriculture rather than rapeseed SVO due to an 8% profit difference. However, results show that changes in key factors slightly affect the profit margin, calculating a difference of only 3.7% for particular factor combinations. Combined environmental-friendly agriculture supporting policies are necessary to cover this slight profit difference to promote this biofuel. ► We economically evaluate small-scale rapeseed oil self-supply used as biofuel. ► We model six different crop systems scenarios, two using rapeseed oil as biofuel. ► The introduction of rapeseed in the traditional crop rotation is economically advantageous. ► Scenarios using diesel fuel show slightly higher economic benefit results. ► We show that this difference can be minimized applying environmental policy measures.

Prophylaxis therapy in haemophilia A: current situation in Spain

The Spanish Epidemiological Study in Haemophilia carried out in 2006 enrolled 2400 patients [2081-86.7% with haemophilia A (HA) and 319-13.3% with haemophilia B]; 465 of them (19.4%) were on prophylaxis. These rates were higher in patients with severe haemophilia (45.4%) and severe paediatric cases (72.5%). On the basis of information recorded in this study, we analysed the current situation of prophylaxis therapy administered to patients with HA in Spain, as well as their orthopaedic status. Prophylaxis was used in 399 (19.2%) patients with HA; such prophylaxis was primary (PP) in 20.3% and secondary (SP) in 75.9% of cases. Among severe HA patients, 313 (45.9%) were on prophylaxis (22.3% on PP and 74.7% on SP). Taking into account the patients' age, 34.7% of severe HA adults were on prophylaxis (6% PP and 92.1% SP), whereas 71.5% of severe HA paediatric patients (40.5% PP and 55.4% SP) received this kind of treatment. Established haemophilic arthropathy (EHA) was detected in 142 from 313 severe HA patients (45.3%) on prophylaxis, but only in 2.9% of patients under PP vs. 59% of patients receiving SP. There was no EHA in adult severe HA patient on PP, whereas 70.4% on SP had joint damage (P < 0.00001). Among paediatric severe HA patients, EHA was detected in 3.3% under PP and 37.8% under SP (P < 0.00001). In conclusion, our data suggest that an early initiation of prophylaxis avoids EHA in the long-term in patients with severe HA. We should emphasize the early onset of prophylaxis regimens.

Mercado laboral y salud. Informe SESPAS 2010

The labor market, where the supply of labor meets demand, determines employment and working conditions, with positive and negative effects on the active population’s health and that of their families. Labor markets are also affected by national and international social and economic policies. Unemployment, precarious contracts and new types of employment have been shown to be related to exposure to living and working conditions that cause physical and mental health problems. Some collectives, such as manual, young or immigrant workers, are more vulnerable to labor market fluctuations and more frequently experience adverse employment and working conditions. The current situation in Spain is now highly worrysome. In Spain, in 2009, more than 1.2 million workers lost their jobs. The unemployment rate has doubled in 5 years, from 9% in 2005 to 18% in 2009. Temporary contracts account for 24% of all job contracts. Economic and employment policies are urgently needed to reverse this situation, which unquestionably has a negative effect on people’s health and wellbeing.

Editorial: Going to Gothenburg?

We open this second issue of the year in what has become a traditional way, with an extensive article on libraries in the host country for this year’s World Library and Information Congress (WLIC), to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 10–15 August. In her paper, ‘Swedish libraries: An overview’, Barbro Thomas – now retired, but with a distinguished professional career which included serving as a member of numerous professional boards and committees in Sweden and in IFLA – gives us a very readable overview of the Swedish library landscape. Her paper describes the background to public library development, the development of university and university college libraries and library legislation, and provides an overview of the national policy on literature and the remuneration system for Swedish writers, translators and illustrators. The paper concludes with a description of the new national structure with the National Library as the supervising authority for both academic and public libraries and suggests that cooperation between public and research libraries will deepen in future. The second paper in this issue is a revised translation of a paper presented at the 2009 WLIC in Milan, by Margarita Perez Pulido, a professor in the Faculty of Library and Information Science and a Director of the Documentation Service at the University of Extremadura in Spain, where she teaches planning and evaluation of information systems and professional ethics. Her paper, ‘Programs promoting reading in Spanish prisons’, focuses on a series of studies and findings that document the effectiveness of reading and writing as a tool for the rehabilitation of disadvantaged population groups, including prisoners. The paper provides an analysis of the current situation in Spain which identifies examples of best practices, analyzes methodologies, and examines the extent of innovation demonstrated by these programs within the unique prison environment, as well as in the context of the Spanish cultural and legal framework. Innovative services of a different kind are the subject of the next paper, ‘Innovative services for libraries through the Virtual Reading Rooms of the Digital Dissertation Library, Russian State Library’, by Nina Avdeeva, Head of the Department of Support of Access to Digital Resources of the Russian State Library, Head Manager of the Digital Dissertation Library (DDL) project of the Russian State Library and Chief Developer of the DDL website. The paper describes how the Russian State Library started the DDL in 2003 to ensure that its valuable collection of dissertations was safely kept and widely accessible. Virtual Reading Rooms, where readers can access the resources of the DDL, have been set up in various libraries in Russia and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Within the framework of the DDL, the Open Digital Dissertation Library (ODDL) allows authors to place their dissertations or abstracts on open access at the DDL website. The Russian State Library continues to work on the development of the DDL in order to form a common information zone for researchers. Another aspect of ‘virtuality’ is the subject of a revised version of another Milan WLIC paper, ‘Virtual reunification as the future of ‘codices dispersi’: Practices and standards developed by e-codices – Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland’, by Anne Marie Austenfeld, a research associate with the Library which is a joint project of the University of Fribourg Medieval Institute and the Abbey Library of St. Gall. Her paper describes how the advent of the online digital library has made possible the virtual reunification of valuable medieval and early modern manuscripts – known as ‘codices dispersi’ – which are physically dispersed in various library collections. The e-codices website of the Virtual Manuscript Library aims to make complete digital images of dispersed materials accessible to scholars as an identifiable collection or unit, provide a context for serious study, and offer participating owner libraries the I F L A

Tratamiento del carcinoma hepatocelular en España. Análisis de 705 casos en 62 centros

Background and objective Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis and its current situation in Spain is not well known. Therefore, a national registry was created to assess the characteristics of patients with de novo HCC. Patients and method Between 1/10/2008 and 31/1/2009, 62 centers reported the baseline demographic, clinical and tumor characteristics, the first choice of treatment and eligibility for transplantation (OLT) of HCC diagnosed during this time. Results There were 705 new cases of HCC, 78% men, mean age 65 years, 89% cirrhosis (58% Child-Pugh class A, 42% HCV, 30% alcohol). Only 334 cases (47%) were diagnosed by screening. The size of the main nodule and BCLC stage were significantly lower in the screening group than in the rest ( p<0.001). The applicability of radical therapies (resection and percutaneous ablation) was significantly higher (47.5% versus 24.6%, p<0.001) as well as the evaluation for OLT (31% versus 12%, p<0.001). The screening did not differ according to gender ( p=0.204) or age (<50 years, <65, <75, >75 years) ( p=0.171). Chemoembolization was the most common treatment: initial tumors (46.4%), tumors >5 cm (15.7%), multifocal HCC (37.9%) and as a bridge to OLT (33%). Conclusion The majority of HCC patients are diagnosed in Spain out of early detection programs, and this limits the chance for early diagnosis and effective therapy.

Falls from height during the floor slab formwork of buildings: Current situation in Spain

Problem One of the phases with the highest risk of falls from a height in the construction of a building is during the floor slab formwork stage. This paper analyzes this particular risk , as well as the most frequently used fall-protection systems. Method A survey was carried out to define the current situation in Spain with regard to falls from a height during floor slab formwork and the fall-protection systems used to prevent such a risk. Results The results of the survey clarified the current situation in Spain with regard to this risk, and made it clear that there is considerable risk of falling from a height during the floor slab formwork stage. Discussion All the safety systems analyzed presented a series of weak points that should be studied in detail before they can be used on building sites. Impact on industry The risk of falling associated with floor slab formwork and the most frequently used protection systems are analyzed. As no research had been carried out to date on this type of risk, we consider the research presented in this article to be a pioneer in the field.

Radiation oncology: Future needs and equipment. Current situation in Spain

Spain's radiation oncology infrastructure has evolved in terms of both quantity and structure since the last analysis was carried out in 1999. The purpose of this paper is to describe the current facilities, basically consisting of external radiotherapeutic units, and to present a calculation model for estimating the number of irradiation units required to guarantee equitable cover for radiotherapeutic treatment. An electronic questionnaire was designed to be accessed via a link on the Spanish Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology Web page. The questionnaire provides details of the current state of Spain's radiotherapeutic facilities, and a descriptive study has been performed with analytical data. The scope of the study included all the centres providing oncology-radiotherapy in Spain. The units analysed encompassed the centres and irradiation units actively providing care in 2004. Ninety-seven centres were detected, in which 177 external radiotherapy units were registered. Forty-five of these were cobalt units and 132 were accelerators. The rate of radiotherapy use in Spain based on the best scientific evidence available and on its rate of use with cancer has been estimated at 61%. The number of external irradiation units available in 2004 (177) is clearly lower than the number desirable (266-316).

Participación de las mujeres en los ensayos clínicos según los informes de la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios: 2007

The evaluation of the gender bias in clinical trials is not unanimous. The aim of this study has been the assessment of the current situation in Spain regarding the manipulation of data from clinical trials at the publication of the Law of Equality. We have examined the study design, sample population, demographic data and baseline clinical characteristics of participants, results and conclusions of the trial in the summaries of the final reports of clinical trials received in the first four months of 2007 in the Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. From twenty-five documents analysed, in their results and conclusions: Five subdivide data sets by age and gender, thirteen do not subdivide data by gender nor do they provide a conclusion, three do not subdivide results neither but do describe severe side effect by gender and four others provide no results or conclusions. Only twenty percent of the reviewed summaries provide data subdivided by gender. This could be due to the fact that it has not been made or that it was not given enough importance to include it in the summary, neither of which is satisfactory. A more detailed study is difficult due to the current quality of the summaries provided of the final reports of the clinical trials, which is the only document that is mandatory to send to the AEMPS once the trial has concluded. We expect that with the publication of the new Law of Equality this situation will improve, given the growing evidence of the relevance of the subdivision by gender.

Finalidades de la educación científica en secundaria : opinión del profesorado sobre la situación actual

En este artículo, se presenta el diagnóstico que, sobre algunos aspectos que caracterizan la situación actual de la educación científica en nuestro país, realiza una muestra de docentes de secundaria, implicados en iniciativas de innovación y/o investigación. En concreto se les consulta sobre las dimensiones formativas que prioriza la enseñanza habitual, los aprendizajes que producen en los estudiantes, así como las razones que pueden explicar esta situación. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto profundos obstáculos que habría que salvar para promover una educación científica de mayor calidad y más adecuada a las demandas de la sociedad actual.