Spanish Regions Research Articles

Educational efficiency across Spanish regions: a comparative analysis over time

AbstractThe present study aims to assess the performance of Spanish regional education systems using data from the last waves of the Programme for International Student Assessment dataset (2018 and 2022) to explore how productivity gaps across regions change over time. To do this, we apply a robust version of the base‐group base‐period Luenberger index, which allows us to estimate and compare the performance of schools from different groups (regions in our case), assuming they use different technology of production. Consequently, we can compare the technical and efficiency gaps between regions, to identify the best performers (benchmark) and explain the gaps in terms of efficiency change (catching‐up effect) and technological change. The results show that all Spanish regions have experienced a deterioration in their performance over time, thus confirming the expected negative effect of the school closures caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, there are notable differences in the evolution experienced by the different regions, which allow us to draw several relevant conclusions for the design of educational policies.

Land of wolves, school of shepherds: the importance of pastoral knowledge on co-existence with large carnivores

ABSTRACT The wolf (Canis lupus) is recovering and recolonizing its historic range in Europe. In places where wolves have long been absent, their recent recolonization could potentially provoke extensive livestock farmers’ opposition. To understand the conditions for extensive grazing-wolf co-existence, we conducted interviews with livestock farmers and shepherds to compare three Spanish regions in different wolf presence states: uninterrupted wolf presence, recent wolf recolonization and sporadic wolf presence. Our results show the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) for reducing conflict and enabling co-existence. In areas where wolves were extinct and have been recently recolonized, loss of TEK has led to less of both tolerance to wolves and awareness of the benefits they provide. Conversely, in areas where wolf presence has been uninterrupted, maintaining the TEK associated with livestock management, such as use of mastiff dogs and shepherd's role, has favored the co-existence of extensive grazing systems with wolves. Our findings have important implications for the EU Common Agricultural Policy by highlighting the urgent need to integrate the close link between TEK and the co-existence of extensive grazing systems with large carnivores. Furthermore, the EU Nature Restoration Law could reinforce these same approaches.

Optimizing sunflower yield: Understanding pollinator contribution to inform agri-environmental strategies

ContextThe agricultural intensification due to global increased food demand has harmed pollinator communities worldwide. However, some of the economically most important oilseed crops, such as the sunflower, depend on pollinators to produce seeds. While self-fertile varieties have undergone genetic selection to guarantee productivity, the pollinator-dependence levels and the economic contribution of pollinators have not been fully estimated. ObjectiveHere, we aimed to explore floral and pollinator constraints limiting the agricultural yield of sunflower varieties most frequently used in the Iberian Peninsula. MethodsPollination experiments were undertaken to analyse the pollinator-dependence level of 12 varieties under controlled conditions and also under natural conditions in 23 fields of two Spanish agricultural regions. The selfing ability and economic contribution of pollinators were estimated by comparing bagged and open-pollination treatments. ResultsOur results showed that the degree of pollinator-dependence is highly dependent on sunflower variety, with impacts on production and productivity outcomes, e.g. individual plant yield values varied between 0.188 and 0.692. Several varieties could self-fertilize and produce seeds regardless of pollinators. However, outcrossing significantly increased seed set in most varieties with increments up to 0.341. Overall, a trade-off between the number and weight of seeds was observed. Under natural field conditions, pollinators significantly increased overall sunflower production, although differences were observed among regions (increment of 275 kg/ha in Burgos and 382 kg/ha in Cuenca), with an associated economic outcome. ConclusionsThe self-fertilization ability and the level of pollinator-dependence vary according to the intrinsic reproductive traits of the variety analysed. Although some varieties are able to produce seeds despite the absence of pollinators, the sunflower clearly benefits from insect pollination. The landscape context and the availability of pollinator communities influenced the final crop yield and the economic outcome. SignificanceCombining landscape-restoring interventions with the cultivation of self-compatible varieties during at least the first years of implementation may be a solid additional agri-environmental strategy to maintain production levels and economic outcomes, which may particularly mitigate effects of pollinator and biodiversity losses mainly in highly simplified agroecosystems.

A Comprehensive Approach to Facade Design for Preventing Rainwater Penetration: Implementation in Spanish Regions

Rainwater penetration into building facades results in multiple issues, including material and structural degradation, reduced energy efficiency, and health-related concerns among occupants. Currently, the watertightness performance of building facades is assessed based on standardized tests, which simulate generic water supplies and pressure differentials that do not reflect the specific exposure conditions of each facade. Consequently, practitioners’ decisions regarding facade design often rely on qualitative and imprecise criteria that do not align with the actual climatic loads. In this article, a comprehensive approach to facade design for preventing rainwater penetration is described, incorporating specific methodological refinements for reliable and practical implementation across various Spanish regions. In this approach, the parameters surpassed during any watertightness test (defined by the magnitude and duration of the water supplies and pressure differentials) are correlated with the recurrence of equivalent climatic exposures at the facade (determined by the climatic conditions of the site, facade height, and surrounding environment), thereby quantitatively characterizing the facade watertightness performance. The findings used to refine this method for implementation in Spain are illustrated and validated using selected case studies, and a comprehensive database is provided to enable its application at 360 locations distributed across various regions of the country.

Changing Nationalist Styles in Galicia: The Politics of Dual Identity

Abstract In the Spanish region of Galicia, immediately north of Portugal, the Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG) has achieved unprecedented electoral success, emerging as a prominent nationalist force within the Spanish political landscape. This study analyzes the discursive and performative repertoires employed by Galician nationalism and explores how the prevalent dual national identity in the region shapes these strategies. Reversing Brubaker’s theoretical framework and using framing and visual analysis, we compare the BNG’s strategies during two different institutional settings: its time in government (2005–2009) and its role leading the opposition (2020–2023). The findings reveal the failure of Galician nationalism to nationalize identity when in power, as policies aimed at promoting Galician identity generated a backlash and, ultimately, produced frame dealignment between the nationalists and the Galician people. The new BNG presents a social project based on the defense of Galician interests and the moderation of the nationalist discourse. It successfully accomplishes frame alignment by adapting to the non-conflictive, dual national identity shared by most Galicians while proposing an inclusive political style.

The interplay among sleep patterns, social habits, and environmental cues: insights from the Spanish population and implications for aligning daily rhythms.

The interplay among sleep patterns, social habits and environmental cues is becoming increasingly more important for public health and wellbeing due to its connection to circadian desynchronization. This paper explores said connections in Spain (which has an official and solar time mismatch), introducing the "Three Times Score" ‒which is based on questions widely used in the field‒ as a complementary tool for exploring the interplay of daily rhythms. The questionnaire covers sleep-related habits, social time, and environmental time. The study includes 9,947 participants (34.89 ± 12.15 y/o, mean ± SD; 5,561 women) from different Spanish regions. Sleep parameters were obtained for work and free days, as well as a modified version of the sleep-corrected midsleep on free days (MBFbc) and a parameter similar to social jet lag, both derived from bed time rather than sleep time. A number of indexes were computed to compare bed and work-related habits, together with natural light/dark cycle, along with the Three Times Score. Mixed-effect regression analysis was used to test whether the biological, social and environmental factors included in the study significantly predicted the sleep-related parameters: bedtime, wake-up time, time in bed and mid-bedtime. Temporal differences were found between work and free days, with waking-up occurring 2 h earlier on work days (7:10 ± 0:01) than on free days (9:15 ± 0:01). Bed times were 1 h earlier on work days (23:46 ± 0:01) than on free days (00:45 ± 0:01), whereas time in bed was over 1 h shorter on work (7 h 23 min) versus free (8 h 29 min) days. Strong correlations were found between work starting time and waking-up and bedtimes on workdays. Women went to bed earlier and woke up later, spending more time in bed. Differences in sleep habits were observed between work and free days across all age groups. The group of younger adults (18-30) reported going to bed later than older and younger groups, especially on free days. Adolescents and young adults also woke-up later than other age groups, especially on free days. Social jet lag (relative to bed time) and desynchronization indexes also varied with age, with younger adult participants exhibiting higher levels. Seasonal differences were limited, with minor variations between winter and summer. According to the multiple regression analysis, social (day type, work start time, alarm clock usage), biological (age, gender, in most cases related to sex) and environmental (sunset time) factors significantly contribute to predicting sleep/bed related schedules. This study provides insights into sleep habits in the Spanish population, introducing the Three Times Score as a complementary tool for exploring the interactions between sleep/bed-related habits, natural darkness and work-related schedules. Understanding this interplay is crucial for developing tailored interventions to improve sleep and wellbeing.

Estimating the Incremental Cost Per QALY Produced by the Spanish NHS: A Fixed-Effect Econometric Approach.

Knowing the health opportunity costs of funding decisions is crucial to assess whether the health gains associated with new interventions are larger than the health losses imposed by the displacement of resources. Empirical estimates based on the effect of health spending on health outcomes have been proposed in several countries, including Spain, as a proxy to capture these opportunity costs. However, there is a need to regularly update existing health opportunity cost estimates and to explore the role of omitted variable bias in these estimations. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated and refined estimate of the causal impact of health spending on health in Spain that can be translated into an estimate of the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year produced by the Spanish national health system. We applied fixed-effect models using data for 17 Spanish regions from 2002 until 2022 to estimate the impact of public health spending on health outcomes and explored the extent of omitted variable bias. Changes in these estimates over time were assessed and alternative specifications were tested. Based on fixed-effect models with control variables, the estimated spending elasticity was 0.061, which translated into an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year of approximately €34,000. The bias-corrected elasticity was 0.075, with a corresponding incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year of €27,000. We found that the estimated impact of spending on health decreases when recent years of data are added, and that the extent of omitted variable bias appears to increase, particularly when adding the COVID-19 pandemic period. This study provides an updated estimation of the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year produced by the Spanish national health system. The estimates provided can be easily updatable as new data become accessible, and the methods applied might be transferable to other settings with similar available data.

Molecular analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in La Rioja (Spain): five new variants.

To study BRCA1/2 gene variants in La Rioja in the northcentral area of Spain. We performed a molecular analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in 642 individuals from 427 different families from June 2008 to December 2019. We identified 71 families with pathogenic variants in these genes, 32 families with BRCA1 variants and 39 families with BRCA2 variants. The pathogenic variants c.959delG in BRCA1 and c.1363_1369delTCAGAGA, c.1397dupA, c.4234_4236delACTinsC and c.8387delC in BRCA2 have not been previously described. The c.81-2A > T variant in BRCA1, detected in two unrelated families, has not been reported previously in the Spanish population. Two large genomic deletions were found in the BRCA1 gene in exons (Ex) 23-24 and Ex1A-1B-2, and one deletion was found in the BRCA2 gene in Ex2. The pathogenic variant c.5123C > A in BRCA1 was detected in 8 unrelated families and was the most frequent pathogenic variant in our population. The c.6024dupG mutation in BRCA2 was detected in 6 unrelated families; the c.2808_2011delACAA mutation in BRCA2 was found in 5 different families; the c.211A > G mutation in BRCA1 was found in three different families; and the c.68_69delAG, c81-2A > T, c.4038_4039delAA, and c.5266dupC variants in BRCA1 and the c.2457delA, c.2701delC, c.5116_5119delAATA, c.6275delTT, c.7558C > T and c.7617 + 1G > A variants in BRCA2 were found in two different families. The spectrum of pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes in La Rioja is similar to that in other Spanish regions, with some unique characteristics. The pathogenic c.6024dupG variant in the BRCA2 gene was detected in a large number of families and could have a founding effect in the Ebro riverside areas in the regions of La Rioja and Navarra. Not applicable.

Intergovernmental discontent in rural areas: A perspective from local councils in Spain during the Great Recession

Left-behind places have gained attention during the last years and among those, particular attention has been paid to rural areas, where discontent finds anchor in an articulated narrative of distinctiveness that separates rural and urban, and on which populist parties would have tapped. Thus, rural discontent can be considered a specific expression of disaffection of left-behind places, shaped and characterised by the processes and narratives that are particular to rural areas. Understanding the social justice structure of the discontent is essential to identify the critical elements contributing to a revival of rural-urban cleavages and rethink the development paths in rural areas that feel left behind.To advance on the qualitative understanding of the configuration of the left-behind places, this contribution explores discontent among rural mayors in a Spanish region -Valencia- during the Great Recession. Building on qualitative evidence and using a social justice approach, the presentation will explore the institutional factors driving rural discontent. The results describe the emergence of rural discontent rooted in perceptions of intergovernmental inequality upon redistribution, recognition and representation issues that are shaped by demographic, political and environmental features of rurality.

Bordering Dynamics in Sports among Spanish and French Border Regions

ABSTRACT The role that sports play in cross-border cooperation still remains unclear and under-researched. This paper aims to address this gap by conducting a qualitative study on the impact of basketball and hiking/mountaineering on cross-border cooperation in the New Aquitaine, Basque Country, and Navarre (NAEN) Euroregion. The research identified some significant barriers to enhancing cross-border sports cooperation, primarily associated with regional and national sports legislation and structure. However, the evidence also revealed a lack of information among sports agents regarding opportunities for cross-border sports participation. Also, we present some differences in terms of border cooperation for each sport analyzed. Some policy implications are suggested to increase cross-border cooperation in sports, focusing on creating networks for shared information and establishing clear roles and responsibilities among sports agents to enhance cooperation. These changes should precede the development of targeted logistical and financial support for sports activities in these border regions.

Changes in the Climate Comfort of the Coast of Spain (1940-2022)

The Spanish coastal regions register specific climatic conditions due to the combination of mild temperatures with little variation throughout the year, high relative humidity and the influence of maritime storms. In summer, the climatic comfort conditions are excessively hot, especially on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Understanding these conditions and analysing the temporal evolution of recent decades, as well as regional differences, is fundamental for future summer tourism planning in the coming decades. This study analyses the principal 37 coastal tourist hubs of Spain grouped into 10 large regions (the Atlantic, Cantabrian, Mediterranean coasts, and the two archipelagos of the Balearic and Canary Islands). Daily data drawn from the ERA-5 (Copernicus) atmospheric reanalysis from 1940 to 2022 have been used (mean air temperature, mean relative humidity, and mean wind speed), with which the Climate Comfort Index has been calculated (CCI) by González (1998). The results show a significant reduction of the CCI in all the coastal areas analyzed, being more relevant in winter (-0.10 decade). The decrease in the index implies a decrease in cold thresholds and an expansion of comfort throughout the study area, especially in the central Mediterranean and Cantabrian Sea. For its part, in summer, the most important decreases (-0.07 and -0.08 / decade) show an increase in the most important climatic discomfort on the Cantabrian Coast – Euskal Kostaldea and on the Costa Brava-El Garraf, with a significant intensification and expansion temporary thermal sensation of heat. In other coastal sectors, in recent years, the climatic thresholds of heat and extreme heat have been reached for the first time.

Floods in the Pyrenees: a global view through a regional database

Abstract. This paper shows the first systematic dataset of flood episodes referring to the entire Pyrenees massif, named PIRAGUA_flood, which covers the period 1981–2015 (available at http://hdl.handle.net/10261/270351, last access: 21 July 2024). First, the structure of the database is detailed so that it can be reproduced anywhere else in the world, adapting to the specific nature of each situation. Subsequently, the paper addresses the spatial and temporal distribution of flood episodes and events (including trends) that affected the Pyrenees regions of Spain (Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre, the Basque Country), France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie) and Andorra, as well as the massif as a whole, for a given period of time. In the case of the Spanish regions, it was also possible to analyse the compensation payments by the Spanish Insurance Compensation Consortium and the number of deceased. The weather types associated with flood episodes were also classified based on sea level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height from ERA5. The results show 181 flood events and 154 fatalities, some of which affected more than one region. In the Spanish part of the Pyrenees, between 1996 and 2015, there was a total compensation payout amounting to EUR 142.5 million (2015). The eastern part of the area records more flood events than the western one, with Catalonia being the community that registered the highest number of events, followed by Andorra and Occitanie. Associated weather types are dominated by the southern component flow over the Pyrenees region, with a talweg on the Iberian Peninsula and a depression in the vicinity, either in the Atlantic or in the Mediterranean. In terms of the entire massif, there is a slight positive trend of 0.84 events per decade, driven by the evolution of ordinary and extraordinary floods but not significant at 95 %. At a regional level, flood behaviour is more heterogeneous, although not significant for the most part. Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the only region that shows a positive and significant trend of 0.34 events per decade.

Self-perception of Teaching Difficulties in Prospective Teachers: Adaptation of the Teaching Problems Inventory

The aim of this article is to analyze the psychometric properties of an abbreviated version of the Teaching Problems Inventory. For this purpose, the scale is subjected to a previous exploratory factor analysis to statistically examine the underlying constructs. Previously, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed and a new grouping into dimensions was generated. To analyze the properties of the items, descriptive statistics were performed: mean, standard deviation and inter-item correlations. To study the psychometric properties of the scale, Cronbach's alpha, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) -to identify the latent structure of the variables-, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used as a procedure to check the results of the EFA. As recommended, participants were randomly divided into two groups to perform the AFE with one group and the AFC with the other to avoid distortions Participant: the proportion of items, sample size, normality, linearity, and correlation between variables were checked as assumptions for the factor analysis. The sample consisted of 992 undergraduate teacher training and master's degree students from different Spanish regions: Valencia, Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, Castilla la Mancha, and Castilla y León. The results of the different reliability and validity analyses showed that the reduced scale has higher reliability values and is still sensitive to capture gender and age scoring difference. As a conclusion, the consistency of the instrument to evaluate the teaching difficulties of students of different degrees and postgraduate degrees in education is highlighted. As for the limitations, the elimination of 2 items relevant at a theoretical level stands out: Motivating students in school tasks and Discipline problems with students/groups of students.

An adaptation of Random Forest to estimate convex non‐parametric production technologies: an empirical illustration of efficiency measurement in education

AbstractThis paper presents a novel approach to conduct non‐parametric estimations of production technologies that adhere to the basic assumptions of production theory axioms, including free disposability in inputs and outputs and convexity. The methodology is rooted in adapting the highly effective machine learning techniques associated with Random Forest and the use of splines. The new method features a piecewise linear estimator analogous to data envelopment analysis (DEA); however, it distinguishes itself by addressing DEA's overfitting and lack of robustness via randomization of data and input variables in the construction of the models. In this paper, the virtues of employing machine learning techniques for assessing the efficiency of public services, particularly in the realm of educational institutions, are underscored. The new approach has the capability to predict outputs based on inputs, even for units not included in the observed sample. Furthermore, it enables the identification of the most relevant inputs in relation to output production. To demonstrate the advantages of our method, an estimation of the educational production function is conducted for Spanish regions utilizing data sourced from the Program for International Student Assessment.

Linking financial ecosystem and the growth of young SMEs: evidence from Spanish regions

AbstractThis study analyses the effect of the financial ecosystem on the growth of young firms at the regional level. This subject is relatively new in entrepreneurial finance research since most of the previous studies have failed to consider all the alternative sources of external financing to which young firms have access. This study highlights the relevance of alternative resources and actors in the financial environment beyond traditional banks, such as crowdfunding, business angels, peer-to-peer lending, accelerators, incubators and venture capital. Specifically, our research incorporates a proxy of the development of the financial ecosystem based on survey data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). Moreover, our investigation uses a sample of young small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) representing every Spanish region between 2008 and 2015. The empirical analysis applies panel data methodology. The results show that the growth of young enterprises depends on developing a regional financial ecosystem, evidencing that better access to external finance favours the growth of young firms. This relationship is even more relevant among early-stage firms, which suggests that firm age moderates the relationship between the regional financial ecosystem and the growth of young SMEs.

Introduction of nirsevimab in Catalonia, Spain: description of the incidence of bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus in the 2023/2024 season.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes most of the cases of bronchiolitis and thousands of deaths annually, particularly in infants less than 6months old. In Catalonia (Spain), infants born between April 2023 and March 2024 aged 0-6months during their first RSV season have been candidates to receive nirsevimab, the novel monoclonal antibody against RSV, since October 2023. We aimed to analyse the dynamics of all-causes bronchiolitis diagnoses and RSV community infections in the current season and compare them to pre-nirsevimab epidemics. We collected epidemiological data from the Information System for Surveillance of Infections in Catalonia (SIVIC) on daily all-causes bronchiolitis clinical diagnoses and RSV-confirmed cases provided by rapid antigen tests in primary care practices. We calculated the rate ratio (RR) for the incidence of all-causes bronchiolitis for children aged 0-11m-old with respect to 12-35m-old between September 2014 and January 2024. We analysed the RR of the incidence of RSV-confirmed infection for 0-11m-old and 12-35m-old with respect to the > 35m-old, from January 2021 to January 2024. We then computed the relative difference of the RR, designated as percentage of reduction of risk, between season 2023/2024 and former epidemics. With a global coverage recorded rate for nirsevimab of 82.2% in January 2024, the age-specific 0-11m-old RR (95% CI) of RSV infection incidence for > 35m-old was 1.7 (1.5-2.0) in season 2023/2024. The RR (95% CI) had been 7.4 (5.6-9.9), 8.8 (6.9-11.3), and 7.1 (5.7-8.9) in 2020/2021, 2021/2022, and 2022/2023, respectively. Regarding the incidence of all-causes bronchiolitis for the 0-11m-old group compared to the 12-35m-old, the pre-pandemic (2014/2015-2019/2020) and 2022/2023 RR (95% CI) were 9.4 (9.2-9.6) and 6.0 (5.7-6.2), respectively, significantly higher than the RR of 3.6 (3.4-3.8) for the most recent season, 2023/2024. Conclusion: Concurring with the introduction of nirsevimab, the risk of RSV infection for infants aged 0-11m-old compared to > 35m-old has been reduced by 75.6% (73.4-77.5) in last season, and the risk for all-causes bronchiolitis for 12-35m-old by 61.9% (60.9-62.9) from the pre-pandemic period and by 39.8% (39.3-40.2) from the 2022/2023 epidemic, despite high RSV community transmission, especially in older infants What is Known: • RSV is responsible for approximately 70% of bronchiolitis cases and causes severe disease, particularly in infants < 6months of age. • Nirsevimab effectiveness against RSV-associated disease, particularly hospitalisations, was expected to be around 80%; other Spanish regions, such as Galicia and Valencia, and European countries including Luxembourg and Germany, have already reported good results in implementing nirsevimab to prevent RSV-associated hospitalisations and PICU stays. What is New: • We provide insight into the community incidence of RSV and all-causes bronchiolitis for season 2023/2024, when nirsevimab has been introduced to the Catalan population, using. primary healthcare data, which enabled us to assess the burden of RSV infections and bronchiolitis in the commonly seasonally saturated primary healthcare practices. • Our study reveals that the risk of all-causes bronchiolitis for infants aged 0-11m-old compared to older infants was reduced by 40% compared to the previous season and 62% compared to pre-pandemic standards, and for RSV infection it was reduced by 76%.

Beyond Words: Analyzing Emotions and Linguistic Characteristics to Detect Hoax-Related Tweets During Spanish Regional Elections

Detecting misinformation on social media, especially Twitter/X, is crucial during electoral periods. This study presents a comprehensive methodology using a Random Forest model to identify hoax-related tweets in the Spanish political landscape by analyzing their syntactic, semantic, lexical and emotional characteristics. The results reveal consistent emotional patterns where, the emotions most closely related to misinformation tend to be anger, disgust, fear and negativity. As a tangible outcome, we propose a tool designed to enhance the efficiency of fact-checkers in the detection of hoaxes. Also considered are the limitations of generic and multilingual approaches, supporting the use of context-specific strategies. The study demonstrates the effectiveness and generalizability, of the screening tool proposed as a means of combating misinformation in tweets during Spanish electoral periods.

Nirsevimab and Acute Bronchiolitis Episodes in Pediatric Emergency Departments.

In the 2023-2024 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season, Spain became one of the first countries to introduce universal RSV prophylaxis, during which all infants born at this time were eligible to receive nirsevimab. Locally, most Spanish regions also immunized infants younger than age 6 months at the start of the season (extended catch-up). The aim of this study was to assess how RSV prophylaxis affected the number of infants presenting to pediatric emergency departments with acute respiratory infections. A retrospective study was conducted in 15 Spanish pediatric emergency departments from 9 different regions between the 2018 and 2024 epidemic seasons (November-January). We compared the seasons occurring in 2018-2023 and the 2023-2024 season regarding the number of episodes of lower respiratory tract infection and acute bronchiolitis, acute bronchiolitis-related hospital admissions, and PICU admissions. A comparison with the average rates for the previous epidemic seasons revealed a 57.7% decrease in episodes of lower respiratory tract infection in 2023-2024 (95% CI, 56.5-58.8; P < .001; range among hospitals, 4.8-82.8), a 59.2% decrease in episodes of acute bronchiolitis (95% CI, 57.9-60.4; P < .001; range, 6.9-84.1), a 63.1% reduction in acute bronchiolitis-related hospital admissions (95% CI, 60.9-65.2; P < .001; range, 31.4-86.8), and a 63.1% reduction in PICU admissions (95% CI, 58.1-67.9; P < .001; range, 18.2-81.8). Hospitals in regions applying extended catch-up showed better results. Nirsevimab can protect a broad infant population against RSV infection with high effectiveness. Approaches including extended catch-up are the most effective, although cost- effectiveness must be considered.

Committed, Resilient, or Transient. School Principals’ Perception of Professional Identity

ABSTRACT Building a professional identity as school leader is essential to the success of any management project. The Spanish context makes it twice as important to know its managers’ perception of their role and practice as school principals. This article aims to: (a) identify principals’ profiles based on both the transition from teaching to management and their expectations of permanence in the post; (b) establish relationships between these profiles and relevant aspects concerning the process of building a professional identity as school principals; and (c) to determine whether gender is related in any way to the principals’ profiles and the rest of the aspects investigated. The information was obtained with an ad hoc questionnaire from which 779 valid records were obtained, corresponding to principals of schools in all Spanish regions. Cluster analysis established three principal profiles: committed, resilient, and transient. Subsequent analyses compared the three groups according to the stated objectives. The results and conclusions of the study lead to implications about the need for institutional support for school principals during their transition from teaching and allow us to specify aspects and modalities on which such support should be focused.

Development and validation of a green analytical method for determining fourteen bisphenols in bee pollen by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A new analytical method was developed and validated to determine fourteen bisphenols (A, B, C, E, F, M, P, S, Z, AF, AP, BP, FL, PH) in bee pollen using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Two different sample treatments were proposed and evaluated: one based on the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged & safe) approach and the other utilizing microextraction with a supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS). In both cases, average analyte recovery ranged between 71 % and 114 %, and the matrix effect was between −45 % and +5 %, although it was not significant when using the QuEChERS-based method (<±20 %). The environmental impact of both sample treatments was assessed using different analytical metrics, with both procedures classified as environmentally friendly, though slightly better results were obtained for SUPRAS. The method was fully validated, showing that the QuEChERS approach had better overall performance, particularly regarding sensitivity and matrix effect. Consequently, the QuEChERS methodology was applied to determine bisphenols in thirty bee pollen samples from different Spanish regions. Residues of three bisphenols (M, P, and S) were detected, although only bisphenol S was quantified in several samples at low concentration levels (<7 μg kg−1), which is below the established specific migration limit (SML; 50 μg kg−1). However, regarding human health, the estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient, and hazard index assessed were higher than acceptable limits, suggesting a potential risk for human consumers.