Programs In Spain Research Articles

Analysing students’ content-learning in science in CLIL vs. non-CLIL programmes: empirical evidence from Spain

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates students’ performance in content-subjects in the framework of CLIL programmes in Spain. So far, CLIL research has focused primarily on language attainment in the L2 and the L1, but students’ achievements as regards content-subjects have been largely ignored. Competence in Science in the L1 is analysed by comparing pupils enrolled in mainstream schools with students in the so-called ‘bilingual streams’ offering CLIL-based approaches. The main objective is to assess if students learning Science through the L2 (English) outperform their counterparts studying in the L1 (Spanish) as regards content acquisition. The paper analyses a sample of 709 6th grade Primary Education students enrolled in public schools in the Principality of Asturias (Spain). A test to assess students’ knowledge in Science and a context questionnaire (measuring participants’ socio-economic status) were designed. The main finding is that students learning contents in their L1 perform slightly better than those studying Science through the L2. Furthermore, participants with lower socio-economic status obtain lower scores than those coming from more privileged backgrounds.

Cost-effectiveness of a cascade screening program for the early detection of familial hypercholesterolemia

Although familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) confers a high risk of coronary artery disease, most patients are undiagnosed, and little is known about the efficiency of genetic cascade screening programs at national level. The aim of the study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a national genetic cascade screening program in Spain. An economic evaluation was performed using a decision tree analysis. The choice in the decision tree was between implementation of the national program for FH (NPFH) or keeping the usual clinical care. The NPFH detects FH patients through total cholesterol measurement at primary care level and use of genetic testing in index cases and relatives. The payer (National Health System) and social (including the productivity lost) perspectives were considered. The outcome variables were coronary events avoided, deaths avoided, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. From the payer perspective, the application of the NPFH during 1 year prevents 847 coronary events and 203 deaths in the 9000 FH patients cohort during a 10-year follow-up, yielding an extra 767 QALYs, at a cost of €29,608 per QALY gained. From the social perspective, the NPFH is dominant over the control (the cost decreases and the effectiveness increases). The sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the findings. The NPFH based on molecular testing is a cost-effective diagnostic and management strategy that supports government expenditure aimed at preventing coronary artery disease in FH patients in Spain. Implementation of such a strategy is likely to be also cost-effective in countries with similar developed healthcare systems.

Региональная политика Европейского союза в Испании и Португалии в XXI веке: проблемы и перспективы

The main aspects and directions of the regional policy of the European Union in the countries of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in the beginning of the 21 st century are examined. The author analyses the socio-economic development of territories, explores the condition of such areas as environmental protection, culture and innovations support, development of international relations with countries and regions of the Middle East and North Africa in the framework of the neighbourhood policy. The problem of the effectiveness of the implementation of regional programmes in Spain and Portugal is raised. The programmes “Madeira - Azores - Canary Islands,” “INTERREG MED,” “Southwestern Europe,” “Programme of Cross-border Cooperation in the Mediterranean Basin” are characterized. The success of regional cooperation in this area is assessed. Projects and initiatives implemented by the European Union in the Spanish and Portuguese regions are listed: project for the development of Porto-Gondomar, project “CypFire,” project “MedPAN,” projects “МЕЕТ: the Mediterranean experience of ecotourism” and “SLOWMED: “slow” food as a means of dialogue in Mediterranean contexts.” Their impact on the socio-economic development of the area is analysed. It is concluded that Spanish and Portuguese regions are interested in achieving results within the framework of regional policy implementation and the strengthening of relations in the context of European integration.

Identificación y evaluación de repoblaciones forestales mediante el Inventario Forestal Nacional español

Puerta-Pinero, A. 2016. Identification and evaluation of afforestations through the Spanish National Forest Inventory. Ecosistemas 25(3): 43-50. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2016.25-3.05 Afforestation programs in Spain were performed mainly between 1930-1970 decades. The study of the state and functioning of these anthropogenic forests has a wide debate among scientists and stakeholders. Forest inventories represent a crucial source of data to evaluate the long-term functioning of these forests at broad spatial scales. This article shows several tools to identify and select plots from the third Spanish Forest Inventory composed by uniform afforestations. The functions intend to facilitate the work of scientists and technicians whose objective could be influenced by the presence or absence of these artificial forest type. Those functions are a first attempt to include or exclude plots that are composed by artificially afforested forests. I also present some preliminary results, and discuss strengths, weaknesses and future directions relative to the use of these functions.

The Impact of Individual, Educational, and Workplace Factors on the Transfer of School-Based Learning into the Workplace

The aim of this study was to investigate the transfer of learning of professional competences from vocational colleges to the workplace context in vocational education. Concretely, the study examined the relations between the professional competences learned at school and the use and further development of those competences at the workplace during the practice module in vocational education programmes in Spain. The study analysed individual, educational design and work environment factors that facilitate or hinder transfer of learning. The study took a multidimensional approach to professional competences by observing four dimensions: hard-specific, hard-generic, interpersonal and intrapersonal. The data collection drew from a questionnaire administered to students of vocational education programmes (N = 379) after they had completed the practice module scheme. A moderation analysis was applied to observe the effect of individual, educational design and workplace factors on the relation between the competences learned at school and those used at the workplace. The findings showed that compulsory placement, school-work alignment, work-based supervisor, access to resources and task complexity are significant moderators between the competences learned at school and those used at the workplace. The study highlights the coherence between the school and workplaces and work environment characteristics as factors conducive to transfer of learning.

<b>Trainee primary-school teachers’ perceptions on CLIL instruction and assessment in universities: A case study

CLIL is an important approach in training future Primary School Teachers since bilingual programs developed at schools in Spain require not only professionals with proficientSecond Language (L2) levels, but also future teachers who are versed in the main methodological principles for CLIL. Firstly, this case study reviews the legislation for bilingual programs in Spain. Secondly, it describes teacher training through a CLIL course within the Faculty of Education at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, focussing on the methodology and evaluation procedures followed in the course. Thirdly, this paperrefersto the method performed to evaluate students’ perceptions ofthe CLIL training and assessment process. Finally, it shows the results from the study and some conclusionsrelated to the assessment and instruction process for the implementation of the CLIL approach in Primary School Teaching Undergraduate Programs.

Genomics advances for boosting aquaculture breeding programs in Spain

Spain is among the main seafood consumer countries in the world and an important aquaculture industry has been developed to satisfy its demands. Rearing facilities of aquatic species exist in Spain since Roman times, and in the Middle Age more sophisticated hatcheries were developed in Monasteries and Abbeys for freshwater species. Galicia (NW Spain) is the main productive region due to the special characteristics of its coasts. Different fish and mollusk species are produced in intensive or semi-extensive systems in this region. The leader species of Spanish aquaculture is the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), and within fish, sea bream (Sparus aurata), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and turbot (Scopthalmus maximus). Breeding programs started in the 90's in turbot, currently in the fifth generation of selection, and more recently in sea bass and sea bream. Microsatellite traceability tools have been developed to assist breeding programs and to estimate heritabilities for potential selective traits in fish and, to a minor extent, in mollusks. Genomic resources and tools arrive to Spanish aquaculture through flatfish (turbot and Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis) and later, this know-how has been transferred to other fish and mollusk species. The first transcriptomic databases, microarrays and genetic maps were developed in turbot and Senegalese sole. The last main achievement has been the whole assembling of turbot genome, which is being used as reference for new genotyping (RAD-seq) and gene expression (RNA-seq) methodologies. It is time to apply the huge amount of information accumulated in broad multidisciplinary research consortia to boost production to a higher level in collaboration with industry. Statement of relevanceMain genomics advances for boosting Spanish aquaculture

Implementing a VATS Lobectomy Program in Spain. The Wet Lab, a Necessary Tool

Implementing a VATS Lobectomy Program in Spain. The Wet Lab, a Necessary Tool

Acquisition of L2 Spanish requests in short-term study abroad

The aim of this investigation was to examine the pragmatic development of 20 students during a short-term study abroad program in Spain. Request strategies were assessed with a written request production questionnaire. A language contact profile (LCP) was used to measure the relationship between pragmatic performance ratings and target language contact. Pretest and posttest mean scores on the request production questionnaire indicated that the students improved their request performance as rated by two native speakers. In looking at the specific request strategies used on the pretest and posttest vignettes, it is clear, however, that the students improved some aspects of their request production while other aspects remained unchanged. Further, LCP scores indicated that the students had little contact with native speakers during their time in Spain. No significant relationships were found between the LCP and request performance ratings. Results suggest that study abroad leadership should support students’ L2 pragmatic development before, during, and after study abroad.

Effectiveness and safety of aflibercept for metastatic colorectal cancer: retrospective review within an early access program in Spain.

In the VELOUR study, aflibercept+FOLFIRI regimen resulted in improved survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who progressed after oxaliplatin. The use of aflibercept outside the clinical trial framework needs to be further assessed in terms of effectiveness and tolerability. Early access to aflibercept through a named patient programme (NPP) was provided to mCRC patients receiving FOLFIRI as second-line treatment in Spain. The effectiveness of aflibercept was assessed as progression-free survival (PFS) achieved within the NPP population. Post hoc analyses on PFS were done according to certain baseline characteristics (K-RAS mutation, prior targeted therapy) or prognostic factors. Registries from 71 mCRC patients included in the NPP were reviewed retrospectively. The median age for the NPP population was 64years (19.7% aged≥70years) and 63.4% patients had ≥2 metastases. A median PFS of 5.3months (95% CI, 3.6-8.5months) was achieved, which did not depend on K-RAS mutation status or prior targeted therapy received. The risk of progression or death increased in patients with a poor prognosis as per the GERCOR score (performance status [PS] 1-2 and increased baseline lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] level) compared with patients with a good prognosis (PS 0 and normal LDH level) (median PFS: 2.6 vs. 8.3months, respectively; p=0.0124). Aflibercept was well tolerated, with a manageable toxicity profile. Bearing in mind the differences in sample size, the PFS achieved with the aflibercept+FOLFIRI regimen in the real-life practice setting is comparable to that observed in the clinical trial setting.

Batterer Intervention Programs in Spain: An Analysis of Their Effectiveness.

Intimate partner violence against women is a social and women's health concern. Much effort has gone into providing services and support for victims of this violence. By contrast, intervention programs focusing on the batterers themselves have received far less attention. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic review of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) implemented in Spain as provided by research published in peer-reviewed journals and scientific reports. The results obtained show that assessment focuses mainly on evaluating whether there is an improvement in the psychological variables of abusers. In cases where the rate of success or failure is analyzed, it is important to note the high drop-out rates observed, and the wide variability in success and improvement rates obtained. In summary, the results obtained in this revision allow to corroborate the assumption that associated with BIP is a lot of controversy, since its construction, its implementation, its assessment, and its effectiveness.

Identifying nursing activities in population-based colorectal and breast cancer screening programs in Spain: A Delphi study

BackgroundGuidelines for quality assurance in cancer screening recommend that nurses be included on multidisciplinary teams for population-based cancer screening programs, however there are no current documents describing the activities of nurses in these programs. ObjectivesTo identify nursing activities performed in cancer screening programs in Spain from the perspective of professionals involved in those programs. MethodsA national two-round Delphi study was conducted in a population of sixty-eight cancer screening experts who were invited to participate and asked to identify nursing activities in cancer screening from a list of 24 possible activities. This list was obtained from a review article that was adapted for this study. Individuals were also asked to report the importance and frequency of these activities. ResultsForty-seven experts participated, and they identified 25 activities performed by colorectal cancer screening nurses and 17 performed by breast cancer screening nurses. These activities were primarily in the areas of patient management, education and health promotion. All activities selected by breast cancer screening professionals were also selected by colorectal cancer screening professionals. ConclusionsThe most important and frequent working practices of cancer screening nurses include acting as a link between the user and the primary care team, providing users with information and explaining that information, and resolving users’ concerns. The main responsibilities that were identified included registering all nursing activities during the process of cancer screening and keeping all patient data confidential.

Psychiatric comorbidities in opioid-dependent patients undergoing a replacement therapy programme in Spain: The PROTEUS study

Opioid-dependent patients show a high rate of psychiatric comorbidities. The prevalence and characteristics of patients with dual diagnosis have not been well established in Spanish opioid agonist treatment (OAT) programmes. Thus, 621 opioid-dependent patients enrolled in OAT programmes were assessed, using the EuropASI questionnaire, for psychiatric comorbidities, which were detected in 67% of patients (anxiety 53%, mood disorders 48%, sleep disorders 41%, substance-related disorders 36%). In addition, compared with patients without a dual diagnosis, patients with dual pathology were significantly older, used benzodiazepines and cannabis in significantly greater percentages, and showed significantly more frequent infectious and non-infectious comorbidities, worse overall working status, a lower proportion of drivers and higher levels of severity regarding medical, employment, alcohol, legal, family and psychological issues. Therefore, the data showed a very high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in opioid-dependent patients receiving OAT in Spain and several problems frequently associated with patients with dual diagnosis. Physicians treating opioid-dependent patients should be aware of these facts to correctly identify and manage patients with a dual diagnosis.

Genomics advances for boosting aquaculture breeding programs in Spain

Spain is among the main seafood consumer countries in the world and an important aquaculture industry has been developed to satisfy its demands. Rearing facilities of aquatic species exist in Spain since Roman times, and in the Middle Age more sophisticated hatcheries were developed in Monasteries and Abbeys for freshwater species. Galicia (NW Spain) is the main productive region due to the special characteristics of its coasts. Different fish and mollusk species are produced in intensive or semi-extensive systems in this region. The leader species of Spanish aquaculture is the Mediterranean mussel (Mytillus galloprovincialis), and within fish, sea bream (Sparus aurata), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and turbot (Scopthalmus maximus). Breeding programs started in the 90's in turbot, currently in the fifth generation of selection, and more recently in sea bass and sea bream. Microsatellite traceability tools have been developed to assist breeding programs and to estimate heritabilities for potential selective traits in fish and, to a minor extent, in mollusks. Genomic resources and tools arrive to Spanish aquaculture through flatfish (turbot and Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis) and later, this know-how has been transferred to other fish and mollusk species. The first transcriptomic databases, microarrays and genetic maps were developed in turbot and Senegalese sole. The last main achievement has been the whole assembling of turbot genome, which is being used as reference for new genotyping (RAD-seq) and gene expression (RNA-seq) methodologies. It is time to apply the huge amount of information accumulated in broad multidisciplinary research consortia to boost production to a higher level in collaboration with industry. Statement of relevanceMain genomics advances for boosting Spanish aquaculture.

Power Structure in the Peer Group: The Role of Classroom Cohesion and Hierarchy in Peer Acceptance and Rejection of Victimized and Aggressive Students

This study addresses the interacting effects of classroom cohesion and hierarchy on the relationships between victimization and aggression with peer acceptance and rejection. Classroom cohesion and hierarchy were constructed from friendship nominations. Multilevel analysis conducted in a sample of seventh- and eighth-grade students from the Sociescuela program in Spain ( N = 6,600) showed that in cohesive and hierarchical classrooms, a higher level of victimization was found; peer rejection was more strongly associated with victimization. In contrast to previous research, for males, aggression was more strongly associated with peer acceptance in less hierarchized classrooms.

Quality of implementation in evidence-based positive parenting programs in Spain: Introduction to the special issue

The main contribution of this special issue is to present evaluation studies involving large-scale experiences of implementation of positive parenting programs delivered through home, group-based, and on-line formats in Spain. Two research questions were addressed: (1) what factors affect implementation; and (2) for whom and under which implementation conditions the programs lead to positive outcomes. Target populations were mainly families from low and middle socioeconomic backgrounds, and parents at psychosocial risk attending family support services in need of improving their parenting skills. All the programs fall under the umbrella of the positive parenting initiative launched by the Council of Europe, are evidence-based, follow a collaborative schema with national, regional, or local authorities, have multi-site implementation, and are supported by highly experienced researchers from Spanish universities. Special attention is given to the program adaptations to different contexts, the profile of parents who benefited most from the programs, analyses of the implementation process, and the assessment of parenting programs in the community. The information provided will help to increase our knowledge of evidence-based parenting programs in Spain, their implementation processes and results, and the future challenges that need to be addressed to continue the current expansion of evidence-based parenting programs.

Employment outcomes and satisfaction levels in graduates of the gerontology master's programs in Spain

ABSTRACTThere has been an increase in the aging population in developed countries. This has led to a need for trained people in the gerontological field. The most common academic way of specializing in this field in Spain is via a master's program. It is well known that investing in human capital increases knowledge, productivity, and the probability of getting a job. The question is if these kinds of educational programs are useful to provide real preparation for students and if the programs are useful for getting into the job market. We asked graduates to supply the answers. A survey was completed by 144 graduates from the Universities of Salamanca and Seville. Most graduates selected these master's programs to increase their probability of getting a job. A total of 64.6% reported that they had got a job, 38.8% of which got one in the first 2 years after graduating. A total of 55.6% felt that they had got a job thanks to having done the master's program. The usefulness of the acquired knowledge (47.9%) and social networks (28.8%) was seemingly high when getting a job. A high percentage of students (67%) found a job in this field after completing the master's program, and they got their first experience in a relatively short period after graduating. Investment in human capital is considered useful by graduates. The labor market is interested in highly qualified specialists. To have a postgraduate degree is still an advantage in getting a job, even after the 2008 economic crisis.

Reluctant to talk, reluctant to listen: Public relations professionals and their involvement in CSR programmes in Spain

This article examines the type of contributions that public relations professionals make towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, while discussing the issues and obstacles they face to enter into that professional area. To do so, the authors have looked at the top publicly owned companies in Spain, which are part of the so-called IBEX35®. The research included semi-structured interviews and interpretative analysis of official documents and reports. Our findings suggest that despite normative claims from CSR departments that downplay the importance of public relations in the design and implementation of CSR programmes, the empirical evidence suggests otherwise. In this context, our findings show important operational deficiencies and accountability deficits precisely because of the lack of public relations input in the design and implementation of these programmes.

Los programas deportivos de la radio española en las redes sociales: estudio comparado del periodo 2010-2015

Las redes sociales se han ido convirtiendo en un escaparate a través del que los medios de comunicación pueden promocionarse. Al igual que otros muchos medios, las emisoras radiofónicas han hecho un uso de las redes sociales para autopromocionarse mejor y, en ocasiones, mantener una mayor retroalimentación con sus radioyentes. Pero no todos los programas hacen el mismo uso y no . En este artículo, se analiza la consolidación en las redes sociales de los principales programas deportivos radiofónicos en España. Mediante un análisis comparado entre los años 2010 y 2015, a lo largo del texto se trata de observar la evolución de los mencionados programas, a la par que establecer comparativas entre los seguidores que dichos programas tienen en las redes sociales y su número de oyentes según el Estudio General de Medios.

Low HIV testing uptake following diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in Spain: implications for the implementation of efficient strategies to reduce the undiagnosed HIV epidemic

ABSTRACTSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recognized as one of the conditions in which HIV testing is most clearly indicated. We analyse whether people diagnosed with an STI are being tested for HIV according to the experience of participants in an outreach rapid testing programme in Spain. Between 2008 and 2010, 6293 individuals underwent rapid testing and completed a self-administered questionnaire. We calculated the percentage of individuals that were diagnosed with an STI in the last 5 years and identified the setting where the last episode occurred. We then determined the percentage not receiving an HIV test after the last STI diagnosis and estimated the associated factors. Overall, 17.3% (N = 959) of participants reported an STI diagnosis in the last 5 years, of which 81.5% occurred in general medical settings. Sixty-one percent reported not undergoing HIV testing after their last STI diagnosis, 2.2% of whom reported they had refused the test. Not receiving an HIV test after the last STI diagnosis was independently associated with not being a man who has sex with men (MSM), having had fewer sexual partners, being diagnosed in general medical settings and having received a diagnosis other than syphilis. An unacceptably large percentage of people diagnosed with STI are not being tested for HIV because healthcare providers frequently fail to offer the test. Offering routine HIV testing at general medical settings, regardless of the type of STI diagnosed and population group, should be a high priority and is probably a more efficient strategy than universal screening in general healthcare settings.