Madrid Region Of Spain Research Articles

Importance of the quality management of aerobiological monitoring networks: The case study of Madrid Region in Spain

Interest in biological air quality monitoring is rising, and updated public information is increasingly demanded by stakeholders in the case of airborne pollen, which requires maintaining high standards of data quality. The number of aerobiological stations worldwide is continuously growing, and quality management is becoming more complex with the increase in the scale of aerobiological networks. Quality control exercises are crucial for maintaining the quality of the data used in the pollen monitoring routine over time. In this study we show the results of an intercomparison test among technicians in the Madrid Region Palynological Network in central Spain in order to identify potential sources of error during the pollen analysis. The findings of this intercomparison exercise indicated very high-quality pollen data based on two different proficiency tests: i) the technicians' analysis of common samples with the light microscopes used in the routine pollen analysis; and ii) the analysis of common samples with all technicians using the same light microscope. A few specific remarkable errors were detected (i.e., those whose Absolute Error > |10| and Relative Error > |20 %|), such as confusion by four participants between Quercus vs. Acer and Quercus vs. Platanus pollen. Since the pollen analysis routine requires very experienced professionals, we believe it is essential to provide adequate training programmes for pollen analysis and the specific identification of these problematic pollen types. High-quality environmental data is crucial for sharing with regional, national and continental networks to ensure applicability, reproducibility and integration in large-scale studies.

Driving Behaviour Estimation System Considering the Effect of Road Geometry by Means of Deep NN and Hotelling Transform

In this work, an intelligent hybrid model is proposed to identify hazardous or inattentive driving manoeuvres on roads, with the final goal being to increase and ensure travellers’ safety and comfort. The estimation is based on the effects that road geometry may have on vehicle accelerations, displacements and dynamics. The outputs of the intelligent systems proposed are how the type of driving can be characterized as normal, careless or distracted. The intelligent system consists of an LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) neural network in a first step that distinguishes between normal and abnormal driving behaviour and then a second module that classifies abnormal forms of driving as aggressive or inattentive, with the latter implemented with another LSTM, a CNN (convolutional neural network) or the Hotelling transform. They are applied to some of the characteristics of vehicle dynamics to estimate the driving behaviour. Smartphone inertial sensors such as GPS, accelerometers and gyroscopes are used to measure these vehicle characteristics and to identify driving events in manoeuvres. Specifically, the critical acceleration due to the influence of the road geometry can be measured with inertial sensors, and then, this road acceleration with the lateral acceleration allows us to estimate the driver’s perceived acceleration. This perceived acceleration affects the driving style and, consequently, the estimation of the appropriate speed to travel on that road. There is use of both a traditional two-lane and a motorway route located in the Madrid region of Spain. Driving behaviour is determined by considering how changes in road geometry may affect one’s driving style and, consequently, the estimation of the proper speed. The results obtained with some of the proposed configurations of the intelligent hybrid system reach an accuracy of 97.21% in detecting dangerous driving or driving with a certain risk. This could allow generating real-time alerts for potentially dangerous or inattentive manoeuvres, leading to safer and more appropriate driving.

Simuliids from Madrid Autonomous Region (Spain): update and new contributions

Simuliidae family in Spain has been studied irregularly: some enclaves have been widely investigated by both national and foreign experts, while others have been merely mentioned or addressed indirectly for various reasons. The Madrid Region in Spain has been recurrently investigated in this respect, yet many geographical areas remain to be studied regarding Simuliidae taxonomy, geographical distribution, and ecology. In this study, a thorough sampling was conducted based on searching for preimaginal stages of larva and pupa attached or fixed to any suitable support in different lotic water systems. The latter were chosen for their favourable conditions for hosting new and valuable information. The collected material was identified based on morphological characteristics. A total of 16 species were identified. The following is an update of the simuliid fauna and its altitudinal ranges from Spain’s central geographical area, including seven new records for the Madrid Region: Prosimulium rufipes (Meigen, 1830); Simulium (Nevermannia) naturale Davies, 1966; Simulium (Nevermannia) quasidecolletum Crosskey, 1988; Simulium (Nevermannia) urbanum Davies, 1966; Simulium (Simulium) trifasciatum Curtis, 1839; Simulium (Simulium) maximum (Knoz, 1961); Simulium (Simulium) variegatum Meigen, 1818. Following the update, the species with the narrowest altitudinal distribution were: S. (N.) naturale and S. (N.) urbanum: 1843-1844 meters (m), while Simulium (Nevermannia) cryophilum (Rubtsov, 1959) and Simulium (Simulium) intermedium Roubaud, 1906 presented the widest distribution: 870-2000 m. In this study, S. (N.) naturale and S. (N.) urbanum also displayed the narrowest altitudinal range, with 1 m, whereas S. (N.) cryophilum presented the broadest, with 603 m. The present study contributes to the knowledge of Spanish blackflies generally and from the Madrid Region in particular, providing new insights into the species composition and their altitudinal distribution. It thus lays the foundations for future works.

COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies in the Era of COVID-19 Vaccination and the Omicron Variant.

A greater understanding of clinical trends in COVID-19 outcomes among patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) over the course of the pandemic, particularly the Omicron era, is needed. This ongoing, observational, and registry-based study with prospective data collection evaluated COVID-19 clinical severity and mortality in 1818 adult HM patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between 27 February 2020 and 1 October 2022, at 31 centers in the Madrid region of Spain. Of these, 1281 (70.5%) and 537 (29.5%) were reported in the pre-Omicron and Omicron periods, respectively. Overall, patients aged ≥70 years (odds ratio 2.16, 95% CI 1.64-2.87), with >1 comorbidity (2.44, 1.85-3.21), or with an underlying HM of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (1.64, 1.19-2.27), had greater odds of severe/critical COVID-19; odds were lower during the Omicron BA.1/BA.2 (0.28, 0.2-0.37) or BA.4/BA.5 (0.13, 0.08-0.19) periods and among patients vaccinated with one or two (0.51, 0.34-0.75) or three or four (0.22, 0.16-0.29) doses. The hospitalization rate (75.3% [963/1279], 35.7% [191/535]), rate of intensive care admission (30.0% [289/963], 14.7% [28/191]), and mortality rate overall (31.9% [409/1281], 9.9% [53/536]) and in hospitalized patients (41.3% [398/963], 22.0% [42/191]) decreased from the pre-Omicron to Omicron period. Age ≥70 years was the only factor associated with higher mortality risk in both the pre-Omicron (hazard ratio 2.57, 95% CI 2.03-3.25) and Omicron (3.19, 95% CI 1.59-6.42) periods. Receipt of prior stem cell transplantation, COVID-19 vaccination(s), and treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or remdesivir were associated with greater survival rates. In conclusion, COVID-19 mortality in HM patients has decreased considerably in the Omicron period; however, mortality in hospitalized HM patients remains high. Specific studies should be undertaken to test new treatments and preventive interventions in HM patients.

Correlation between Health and eHealth Literacy and a Healthy Lifestyle: A Cross-Sectional Study of Spanish Primary Healthcare Patients.

Health literacy and eHealth literacy play a crucial role in improving a community's ability to take care of themselves, ultimately leading to a reduction in disparities in health. Embracing a healthy way of living is vital in lessening the impact of illnesses and extending one's lifespan. This research delves into the link between the health and eHealth literacy levels of individuals accessing primary healthcare services and investigates how this relates to adopting a health-conscious lifestyle. The approach involves a cross-sectional examination carried out at a healthcare facility in the Madrid region of Spain, focusing on adult patients who are in need of primary care nursing services. Health and eHealth literacy and a healthy lifestyle were measured using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ), and the "PA100" questionnaire, respectively. Only some of the dimensions of the HLQ and eHLQ were significantly related to a healthy lifestyle, predominantly with a very low or low relationship. Dimension three of the HLQ and dimension five of the eHLQ acquired more importance and were positioned as positive predictors of a healthy lifestyle. This study helps comprehend the relationship between health and eHealth literacy and a healthy lifestyle, which provides information that contributes to understanding the factors that might have a higher impact on lifestyles.

Factors Influencing eHealth Literacy among Spanish Primary Healthcare Users: Cross-Sectional Study

Adequate eHealth literacy levels empower people to make informed decisions, enhancing their autonomy. The current study assessed a group using primary care services for their eHealth literacy and examined its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics. Adult patients in need of primary care nursing services participated in this cross-sectional study, which was carried out in a healthcare center in the Madrid region of Spain. Through systematic random sampling, 166 participants were chosen for the study. The eHealth Literacy Questionnaire was used to assess eHealth literacy (eHLQ). The studied population showed higher eHealth literacy scores in dimensions 2 ("understanding of health concepts and language") and 4 ("feel safe and in control"); the lowest scores were recorded for dimensions 1 ("using technology to process health information"), 3 ("ability to actively engage with digital services"), and 7 ("digital services that suit individual needs"). People with completed secondary education and a better-perceived health status who were younger and employed showed a higher level of eHealth literacy. The findings advance our knowledge of the variables affecting eHealth literacy. We may be able to understand patients' needs and provide them with greater support if we can pinpoint the areas where they demonstrate the lowest eHealth literacy.

Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterobacteriaceae other than Escherichia Coli in Raccoons from the Madrid Region of Spain.

Raccoons are an invasive alien species widely distributed in the Madrid region of Spain. These animals can carry a variety of enteric bacteria with associated antimicrobial resistance, which can infect humans and livestock. However, to our knowledge, the presence of non-E. coli Enterobacteriaceae in raccoons has not been previously studied. We conducted a study to examine the species distribution of Enterobacteriaceae isolates other than E. coli, as well as their antimicrobial resistance, in the faeces of 83 raccoons in the Madrid region. We detected 12 Enterobacteriaceae isolates other than E. coli belonging to seven different species: Citrobacter freundii (1 isolate), Citrobacter gillenii (3 isolates), Citrobacter murliniae (1 isolate), Citrobacter portucalensis (2 isolates), Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. hoffmannii (1 isolate), Hafnia paralvei (2 isolates) and Raoultella ornithinolytica (2 isolates). These isolates were found in 7 of the 83 (8.4%) animals studied. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of the presence of non-E. coli Enterobacteriaceae in raccoon faeces. All isolates but one were resistant to at least one of the 14 antimicrobials tested. Resistance to ampicillin (83.3%), amoxicillinclavulanic acid (50%) and cefoxitin (33.3%) was the most frequent. Our study indicates that raccoons are a potential source of infection with Enterobacteriaceae other than E. coli for humans and livestock in the Madrid region.

Monkeypox outbreak predominantly affecting men who have sex with men, Madrid, Spain, 26 April to 16 June 2022.

Up to 22 June 2022, 508 confirmed cases of monkeypox (MPX) have been reported in the Madrid region of Spain, 99% are men (n = 503) with a median age of 35 years (range: 18–67). In this ongoing outbreak, 427 cases (84.1%) reported condomless sex or sex with multiple partners within the 21 days before onset of symptoms, who were predominantly men who have sex with men (MSM) (n = 397; 93%). Both the location of the rash, mainly in the anogenital and perineal area, as well as the presence of inguinal lymphadenopathy suggest that close physical contact during sexual activity played a key role in transmission. Several cases reported being at a sauna in the city of Madrid (n = 34) or a mass event held on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria (n = 27), activities which may represent a conducive environment for MPX virus spread, with many private parties also playing an important role. Because of the rapid implementation of MPX surveillance in Madrid, one of the largest outbreaks reported outside Africa was identified. To minimise transmission, we continue to actively work with LGBTIQ+ groups and associations, with the aim of raising awareness among people at risk and encouraging them to adopt preventive measures.

Acute and Post-Acute COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Population-Based Registry Study

Introduction: The severity of acute clinical outcomes and mortality in hematologic malignancy (HM) patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 was exhaustively documented in the first weeks of the pandemic. A consistent increased mortality compared to non-cancer patients was observed across studies.In this study we aimed to estimate survival in COVID-19 HM patients by type of malignancy, to describe acute and post-acute clinical outcomes, and to compare outcomes in early and later pandemic periods.Methods: In this population-based registry study sponsored by the Madrid Society of Hematology (Asociación Madrileña de Hematología y Hemoterapia), we collected de-identified data on clinical characteristics, treatment and acute and post-acute outcomes in adult patients with hematologic malignancies and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within the Madrid region of Spain. Our case series included all eligible patients admitted to 26 regional health service hospitals and 5 private healthcare centers between February 28, 2020 and February 18, 2021 with a coverage of 98% on a population of 6.6 million inhabitants. The study outcomes were all-cause mortality, severity of disease (WHO), oxygen support, ICU admission, and follow-up symptoms and signs and complications. Survival probabilities were estimated with the actuarial method and reported overall and stratified by type of malignancy and for two study periods (early cohort,-COVID-19 diagnosis from February 28 to 31 May, 2020, and later cohort, up to February 18, 2021).Results: Of the 1408 patients reported to the HEMATO-MADRID COVID-19 registry, 1166 were included in the present analyses; 839 (72%) had a lymphoid malignancy, including 325 (28%) with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 50 (4%) with Hodgkin lymphoma and 263 (23%) with multiple myeloma; and 327 (28%) had a myeloid malignancy, including 115 (10%) with myelodysplastic syndrome, 92 (8%) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 87 (7%) with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.Overall COVID-19 clinical severity was classified as critical in 19% of patients, severe in 36%, moderate in 22%, and mild in 22%; 10% were admitted to an ICU; 8% were on mechanical ventilation and 19% on noninvasive ventilation. Mild disease increased between early and later period from 15% to 38% of patients; severe disease decreased from 42% to 24%, p<0.001. COVID-19 treatment with steroids increased from 38% to 59%, p<0.001.At follow-up, 22% reported persistent symptoms related to COVID-19 at 2 months, 16% at 4 months and 14% at 6 months.381 of 1166 (33%) patients died. Overall 30-day survival was 68%; 2 and 3-month overall survival probabilities were 56% and 53%, respectively. Survival was more favorable for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (82%, 69% and 65% at 30-days, 2 and 3 months, respectively) than for those with lymphoid malignancies (68%, 56% and 54%) or myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (61%, 51%, 46%), p=001.285 (37%) patients died in the early period vs 96 (24%) in the later, p<0.001, but median (interquartile range) follow-up time was much higher in the early vs later, 45 (20-116) days vs. 26 (11-86), respectively. Overall survival was not different between periods, p=0.5 (hazard ratio [95%C], 0.93 [0.73-1.17]). In the later cohort, 30 and 60-day survival probabilities were 71% and 56% vs. 67% and 56% in the early cohortConclusions. A population-based registry in Spain provided strong evidence that although COVID-19 severity decreased over year 1 of the pandemic, mortality remained high, and survival was stable over time in the group of patients with hematological malignancy infected by SARS-Coc-2. A relevant proportion of the infected patients (1 in 6) referred persistent symptoms attributable to COVID-19. The improved clinical management of severe COVID-19 in non-cancer patients that followed the dissemination of evidence-based recommendations did not translate in more favorable survival in patients with hematological malignancies. Research is needed to address the specific characteristics and improve the clinical management of this vulnerable population. DisclosuresMartinez-Lopez: Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Jiménez-Yuste: Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BioMarin: Consultancy; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Kwon: Gilead: Honoraria.

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in the Madrid region of Spain are carriers of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli and enteropathogenic E.coli.

The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance is unclear. Raccoons in North America can carry a variety of enteric bacteria, with associated antimicrobial resistance, that could infect humans and livestock. The potential for raccoons to carry these bacteria in Europe, where they are an invasive species, has not been explored. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of Escherichiacoli with associated antimicrobial resistance in raccoons from the Madrid region of Spain and to determine whether they are carriers of potential human pathogens, including verotoxin-producing E.coli (VTEC) and enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC). In total, we tested 237 E.coli isolates from the faeces of 83 euthanized raccoons for susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents and the presence of VTEC and EPEC. Antimicrobial resistance to at least one antimicrobial was detected in the faeces of 51% (42/83; 95% CI, 40.1-61.1) of the raccoons tested. A high percentage of raccoons carried, in their faeces, E.coli isolates resistant to ampicillin (33%), streptomycin (33%), tetracycline (30%), sulphafurazole (31%) and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (23%). We detected one isolate of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E.coli from the faeces of one raccoon. We detected VTEC in the faeces of one raccoon, and EPEC in the faeces of 12% (10/83) of the raccoons. Of the raccoons that carried EPEC in their faeces, 60% (6/10) carried EPEC isolates that exhibited characteristics associated with pathogenicity in humans. Raccoons in Madrid can carry pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant E.coli in their faeces and may be a risk to public health because of their potential to contaminate food and the environment with their faeces.

Impact of hematologic malignancy and type of cancer therapy on COVID-19 severity and mortality: lessons from a large population-based registry study

BackgroundPatients with cancer have been shown to have a higher risk of clinical severity and mortality compared to non-cancer patients with COVID-19. Patients with hematologic malignancies typically are known to have higher levels of immunosuppression and may develop more severe respiratory viral infections than patients with solid tumors. Data on COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies are limited. Here we characterize disease severity and mortality and evaluate potential prognostic factors for mortality.MethodsIn this population-based registry study, we collected de-identified data on clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes in adult patients with hematologic malignancies and confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection within the Madrid region of Spain. Our case series included all patients admitted to 22 regional health service hospitals and 5 private healthcare centers between February 28 and May 25, 2020. The primary study outcome was all-cause mortality. We assessed the association between mortality and potential prognostic factors using Cox regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, hematologic malignancy and recent active cancer therapy.ResultsOf 833 patients reported, 697 were included in the analyses. Median age was 72 years (IQR 60–79), 413 (60%) patients were male and 479 (69%) and 218 (31%) had lymphoid and myeloid malignancies, respectively. Clinical severity of COVID-19 was severe/critical in 429 (62%) patients. At data cutoff, 230 (33%) patients had died. Age ≥ 60 years (hazard ratios 3.17–10.1 vs < 50 years), > 2 comorbidities (1.41 vs ≤ 2), acute myeloid leukemia (2.22 vs non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and active antineoplastic treatment with monoclonal antibodies (2·02) were associated with increased mortality; conventional chemotherapy showed borderline significance (1.50 vs no active therapy). Conversely, Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (0.33) and active treatment with hypomethylating agents (0.47) were associated with lower mortality. Overall, 574 (82%) patients received antiviral therapy. Mortality with severe/critical COVID-19 was higher with no therapy vs any antiviral combination therapy (2.20).ConclusionsIn this series of patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19, mortality was associated with higher age, more comorbidities, type of hematological malignancy and type of antineoplastic therapy. Further studies and long-term follow-up are required to validate these criteria for risk stratification.

Petrographic and SEM‐EDX characterization of Mousterian white/beige chert tools from the Navalmaíllo rock shelter (Madrid, Spain)

AbstractStudying lithic raw material sourcing, processing and distribution is helpful when trying to reconstruct the territory, ecology, and cultural practices of Neanderthal groups. The use of multiple methods in such analyses allows for more refined characterizations to be made, helping to distinguish between materials better than any single method. Although 85% of the raw materials making up the Mousterian assemblage at the Navalmaíllo Rock Shelter (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid Region of Spain) correspond to the available local geological resources, 10% is made of white/beige chert, which is not registered in regional geological cartography. Petrographic and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses were performed to determine the origin of this white/beige chert and thus shed light on the procurement strategies of the Neanderthal groups that occupied the rock shelter. The results show this chert to correspond to three different types of rock: quartz–kaolinite rocks from dykes, cretaceous marine cherts, and quartz fillings of cavities/fractures. These findings are in accordance with the geological features and formations present in the Lozoya valley, as recorded during a geoarchaeological survey, and indicate that the Neanderthals occupying the center of the Iberian Peninsula possessed a detailed knowledge of the landscape that allowed them to exploit its resources during MIS5a–early MIS4.

Comparison of AHP and a Utility-Based Theory Method for Selected Vertical and Horizontal Forest Structure Indicators in the Sustainability Assessment of Forest Management in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Madrid Region

This paper compares two pairwise comparison methods, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a utility theory based method (UTB method), for sustainability assessment in forest management at the local level. Six alternatives were ranked, corresponding to six different types of forest management in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park in the Madrid Region in Spain. The methods were tested by postgraduate students enrolled in a “Decision Support Systems” course at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Three sustainability indicators were considered: structural diversity, timber yield, and amount of biomass. The utility theory based method was the first to be compared, which is implemented in the computer program SILVANET. For each pair of alternatives, the students were asked which one they considered to be more sustainable. In the case of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the students compared the indicators and the alternatives for each indicator. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient indicated that there was no correlation between the rankings for most of the students. The results revealed that the convergence in opinion in the AHP method was higher than in the utility based method for a low number of participants, and distinguished the differences between the alternatives more accurately. However in the case of the UTB method, the participants considered sustainability as a whole and made a more context-based comparison.

Lessons for regional energy modelling: enhancing demand-side transport and residential policies in Madrid

ABSTRACT The subnational level embodied by regions and cities presents unique challenges for energy policy. Large metropolitan areas tend to be consumers rather than producers of energy, with two of the most critical sectors being transport and residential. The Madrid region in Spain – one of Europe’s most significant urban areas – represents such a phenomenon. The Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) modelling approach has been applied to Madrid for long-term sustainable energy planning. This paper presents the model, a business-as-usual projection and two alternate scenarios to 2050. The results show that by applying measures to decarbonize the transport and residential sectors, significant reductions in energy demand are possible.

Sustainability assessment in forest management based on individual preferences

This paper presents a methodology to elicit the preferences of any individual in the assessment of sustainable forest management at the stand level. The elicitation procedure was based on the comparison of the sustainability of pairs of forest locations. A sustainability map of the whole territory was obtained according to the individual's preferences. Three forest sustainability indicators were pre-calculated for each point in a study area in a Scots pine forest in the National Park of Sierra de Guadarrama in the Madrid Region in Spain to obtain the best management plan with the sustainability map. We followed a participatory process involving fifty people to assess the sustainability of the forest management and the methodology. The results highlighted the demand for conservative forest management, the usefulness of the methodology for managers, and the importance and necessity of incorporating stakeholders into forestry decision-making processes.

Obtaining a Maximum AADT Sustained by Two-lane Roads: An Application to the Madrid Region in Spain

At the time of developing the latest Road Master Plan for the Madrid Region (Spain), the question came up as to what traffic volume should be established as a criterion to trigger the upgrade of a two-lane highway to a four-lane facility. Conventional wisdom suggested a maximum annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 10,000 veh/day. The main objective of this research was to determine whether 10,000 veh/day is a reasonable upgrade threshold or if this threshold is too conservative and a higher value can be adopted. Assessment was made based on actual traffic volume measured in two-lane facilities, service vehicle tables provided by different highway agencies and a statistical analysis of the traffic volume distribution of in-service facilities in the Madrid Region. A total of 36 segments exceeding an AADT of 10,000 veh/day at some point between 1998 and 2008 were found and analyzed. Results indicated that maximum observed values fit fairly well with the service volume tables provided by HCM 2010 and FDOT and an increase in the upgrade threshold is feasible. These results offer guidance as to what value can be considered for future planning applications, including impact traffic studies and local and regional planning.

Can educational video games increase high school students' interest in theatre?

The value of educational video games in education is undeniable and the benefits of using video games in classroom instruction have been proved by many researchers. Nevertheless, these benefits have not been proved sufficiently for some domains, such as artistic disciplines. In this paper we explore the effects of an educational video game on high school students' interest towards classical theatre. The game covers the story of “The Foolish Lady” (La Dama Boba) based on the homonymous classic theatre play by Spanish playwright Lope de Vega. A mixed experimental design was followed, whereby researchers conducted pre-tests and post-tests to estimate the effect of playing the video game on student interest (within-subjects factor) towards theatre. We also measured changes in linguistic knowledge and knowledge about the play. The experiment was carried out with 754 students from 8 different schools in the Madrid region in Spain, divided into experimental group and two control groups. With the objective of improving the comparative power of the study, two control groups were used: (1) traditional teaching with the usual teacher and, (2) as the best educative case we could implement, teaching with a professional actor who had played the male protagonist of the theatre play. The experimental group played the video game. Results show that the video game was more effective in incrementing students' interest in theatre than the traditional class, but slightly less effective than the class with the actor. On the other hand, game and teacher approaches obtained similar results in the improvement of students' knowledge about the play's plot and some linguistic concepts. These results open up a new horizon in using video games as motivators in different artistic domains.

Influence of health behaviours on the incidence of infection and allergy in adolescents: the AFINOS cross-sectional study

BackgroundSome health behaviours are liable to affect the incidence of allergies and/or common infections in young people; however, the extent and ways in which these might occur are mostly unknown. This study examines the association of health behaviours related to physical activity, sedentariness, diet and sleep with allergy and infection symptoms in adolescents, and also with biological markers that might mediate disease incidence.MethodsThe study comprised a total of 2054 adolescents (50.7% girls) from the Madrid region of Spain. The incidence of infection and allergy symptoms three months prior to the study was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. Physical and sedentary activities, height and weight, food habits and sleep duration were also self-reported and their influence on infection and allergy incidence was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Blood biomarkers (IgE, eosinophil percentage, leptin, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) were evaluated in a subsample of 198 subjects.ResultsAdequate sleep duration (OR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.64 to 0.97) and unhealthy weight status (overweight/obesity) (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.04-1.74) were independently associated with decreased and increased allergy incidence, respectively. No significant association was observed with infection incidence. IgE and leptin differed between adolescents with and without allergy symptoms. In regression models IgE was significantly associated with inadequate sleep duration and leptin with weight status.ConclusionExcess weight and inadequate sleep duration are independently associated with the incidence of allergy symptoms in adolescents. Adequate sleep duration and weight during adolescence might be relevant for a decreased risk of suffering allergy symptoms.

Application of a geographical assessment method for the characterization of wildland–urban interfaces in the context of wildfire prevention: A case study in western Madrid

The increasing occurrence of fires in areas where wildlands and urban structures meet (wildland–urban interface areas, WUIs) is currently of great concern to policy makers in Euro-Mediterranean countries. A better understanding of these areas is crucial for efficient fire management. This paper presents a method to map and characterize WUIs from the perspective of fire risk using a case study in the Madrid Region of Spain. The internal structure of interface areas, and also the features of the landscapes in which they are located, were analyzed. Spatial analyses of pooled data, including fuel, topography, housing structure, past fires and key driving forces were based on Geographic Information Systems. This procedure enabled the identification of seven representative WUI Situations within the 14,800 ha of WUI in the area. The results revealed the variability of WUIs, suggesting that wildfire prevention needs to be adapted to the different types of WUIs. The characterization of such situations may be a useful tool to achieve this goal.

Epidemiological factors associated with the exposure of cattle to Coxiella burnetii in the Madrid region of Spain

Domestic ruminants are considered to be the major source of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever. Even though Q fever is considered to be present worldwide, its distribution in many areas and countries remains unknown. Here, a serological assay was used to estimate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cattle in the Madrid region of Spain, to assess its spatial distribution, and to identify risk factors associated with positive results. Ten animals from each of 110 herds (n=1100) were randomly selected and analyzed using an ELISA test. In addition, epidemiological information, at both the herd and individual level, was collected. Variables for which an association with test results was detected in a bivariate analysis were included as predictors (main effects) in a multivariable logistic regression model. Herd and individual seroprevalences were 30% (95% CI=22.2-39.1) and 6.76% (95% CI=5.42-8.41), respectively, and a strong spatial dependence was identified at the first neighbour level using the Cuzick-Edwards test. Production type (dairy >beef >bullfighting) and age of animals (old vs. young) were the only variables significantly associated (P<0.05) with positive serological results at the herd and individual levels, respectively. These results indicate that cattle are exposed to C. burnetii in the Madrid region The high herd seroprevalence found in dairy herds (75%) indicates a higher risk of infection (probably for management reasons) whereas no C. burnetii positive bullfighting herds were identified.