Uncertainties Generated during the Brexit Process among Highly Qualified Spanish Workers

This article analyses the influence of Brexit on the decision of Spanish workers in the UK to remain or return to Spain. With this aim, we conducted a qualitative research study based on 38 in-depth interviews with Spanish migrants living in the UK just a few months before the country’s actual exit from the EU. We find that, despite the persistent idea of returning to their country of origin, there are social and economic factors that “anchor” these migrants to remain in the UK. However, the Brexit process has acted as a catalyst, “de-anchoring” and breaking down identification with the destination country. This study finds that the settlement of Spanish workers’ in the UK is not only conditioned by personal factors but that new social, economic and political events in the host country play an important part in this process

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Incertidumbres generadas durante el proceso del Brexit entre los trabajadores españoles altamente cualificados

This article aims to analyse the influence of Brexit on the decision to settle or return of these workers. To this end, we conducted a qualitative research through 38 in-depth interviews with Spanish migrants living in the UK some months before the actual exit from the EU. After analysing the interviews we observed that, despite the permanent idea of return and despite the three analysed variables that “anchor” these people to remain in the UK, the post-Brexit process has exerted a catalysing effect, “disanchoring” and breaking down the identification process with the local population. This study describes that workers’ decisions to migrate and settle are not only conditioned by personal aspects but instead new social, economic and political events in the host country play an important part in this process.El objeto de este artículo es analizar la influencia del Brexit en los trabajadores españoles en Reino Unido. Para ello, llevamos a cabo un estudio cualitativo mediante 38 entrevistas en profundidad a migrantes españoles residentes en Gran Bretaña meses antes de la salida efectiva de la Unión Europea. Del análisis de las entrevistas pudimos observar que, a pesar de la permanente idea de retorno al país de origen, se dan diversas variables sociales y emocionales que anclan a estas personas a permanecer en el Reino Unido. Sin embargo, el proceso posterior del Brexit ha ejercido un efecto catalizador, «desanclando» y rompiendo el proceso identitario con la sociedad de destino. Creemos que este estudio nos permite describir cómo los procesos de asentamiento de migrantes están condicionados por diversos acontecimientos sociales y políticos del país de destino

Teachers´ Attitudes Towards the Introduction of ICT in Ecuadorian Public Schools

This article focus on the attitudes of teachers about the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Ecuadorian schools. While the advantages of ICT in education are well researched, much less is known about the attitudes of teachers towards them. This article provides a qualitative interpretative analysis of the opinions and attitudes of 56 teachers in Ecuador. The produced results acknowledged that implementation of ICT in schools is a difficult task due to a lack of materials and resources, high organisational and social demands perceived by teachers, competition caused by younger teachers and students, and job and personal insecurity. Finally, this article suggests some aspects that should be considered and some actions that should be taken in order to minimize these negative aspects

Mentored peer review of standardized manuscripts as a teaching tool for residents: a pilot randomized controlled multi-center study

Abstract Background There is increasing need for peer reviewers as the scientific literature grows. Formal education in biostatistics and research methodology during residency training is lacking. In this pilot study, we addressed these issues by evaluating a novel method of teaching residents about biostatistics and research methodology using peer review of standardized manuscripts. We hypothesized that mentored peer review would improve resident knowledge and perception of these concepts more than non-mentored peer review, while improving review quality. Methods A partially blinded, randomized, controlled multi-center study was performed. Seventy-eight neurology residents from nine US neurology programs were randomized to receive mentoring from a local faculty member or not. Within a year, residents reviewed a baseline manuscript and four subsequent manuscripts, all with introduced errors designed to teach fundamental review concepts. In the mentored group, mentors discussed completed reviews with residents. Primary outcome measure was change in knowledge score between pre- and post-tests, measuring epidemiology and biostatistics knowledge. Secondary outcome measures included level of confidence in the use and interpretation of statistical concepts before and after intervention, and RQI score for baseline and final manuscripts. Results Sixty-four residents (82%) completed initial review with gradual decline in completion on subsequent reviews. Change in primary outcome, the difference between pre- and post-test knowledge scores, did not differ between mentored (−8.5%) and non-mentored (−13.9%) residents (p = 0.48). Significant differences in secondary outcomes (using 5-point Likert scale, 5 = strongly agree) included mentored residents reporting enhanced understanding of research methodology (3.69 vs 2.61; p = 0.001), understanding of manuscripts (3.73 vs 2.87; p = 0.006), and application of study results to clinical practice (3.65 vs 2.78; p = 0.005) compared to non-mentored residents. There was no difference between groups in level of interest in peer review (3.00 vs 3.09; p = 0.72) or the quality of manuscript review assessed by the Review Quality Instrument (RQI) (3.25 vs 3.06; p = 0.50). Conclusions We used mentored peer review of standardized manuscripts to teach biostatistics and research methodology and introduce the peer review process to residents. Though knowledge level did not change, mentored residents had enhanced perception in their abilities to understand research methodology and manuscripts and apply study results to clinical practice