Resumen gráfico y lingüístico de la calidad de la enseñanza en una discusión en gran grupo

Con el objetivo de conseguir un resumen visual y lingüístico de la percepción de la calidad de la enseñanza en una discusión en gran grupo a través de un conjunto borroso, durante el curso académico 2014-2015 realizamos un estudio de campo con 49 estudiantes del grado de Maestro en Educación Infantil. Para ello nos apoyamos en un conjunto de diez rúbricas, el Instructional Quality Assessment (IQA), que permiten valorar diversos aspectos del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje a través de una escala fija y discreta: 0, 1, 2, 3 ó 4 (Boston, 2012)

Long-Term Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Conference Call Intervention on Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers

Recent evidence supports the efficacy of conference call cognitive–behavioral interventions in preventing depression in caregivers at post-intervention, but we do not know whether the results are sustained long term. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a cognitive–behavioral intervention administered by telephone conference call in preventing depression in caregivers with elevated depressive symptoms, comparing all components of the intervention versus only the behavioral ones. A randomized controlled trial was conducted using a dismantling strategy. At total of 219 caregivers were randomly assigned to a cognitive–behavioral conference call intervention (CBCC; n = 69), a behavioral-activation conference call intervention (BACC; n = 70), or a usual care control group (CG, n = 80). Information was collected on depressive symptoms and depression at pre-intervention and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months post-intervention. At 36 months, there was a reduction in depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of major depressive episodes in both the CBCC and BACC groups compared to CG (8.7%, 8.6%, and 33.7%, respectively). The results show that a conference call intervention was effective in the long term to prevent depression in caregivers and that the behavioral-activation component was comparable to the complete cognitive–behavioral protocolThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under grant number 2012-PN162S

Analysis of the Components of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for the prevention of Depression Administered via Conference Call to Nonprofessional Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effective and accessible interventions for indicated prevention of depression are necessary and lacking, especially for informal caregivers. Although telephone-based interventions could increase the accessibility for caregivers, randomized controlled trials are scarce, with no examination of prevention to date. Moreover, the efficacy of specific therapeutic components in preventive cognitive-behavioral programs is unknown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-administered psychological preventive intervention in informal caregivers with high depressive symptoms. A total of 219 caregivers were randomized to a cognitive-behavioral conference call intervention (CBCC, n = 69), a behavioral-activation conference call intervention (BACC, n = 70), or a usual care control group (CG, n = 80). Both interventions consisted of five 90-minute group sessions. At the post-intervention, incidence of depression was lower in CBCC and BACC compared to CG (1.5% and 1.4% vs. 8.8%). Relative risk was 0.17 for the CBCC and 0.16 for the BACC, and the number-needed-to-treat was 14 in both groups. Depressive symptoms were significantly lower in BACC and BACC groups compared to CG (d = 1.16 and 1.29), with no significant differences between CBCC and BACC groups. The conference call intervention was effective in preventing depression and the behavioral-activation component (BACC) was comparable to the CBCC interventionThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under grant number 2012-PN162S

Multidimensional nos supervised analysis (textural and spacial) in MRI tomography for watercore detection

4 Pags., 2 figs.This work has been carried out in the frame of the European project InsideFood (Integrated sensing and imaging devices for designing, monitoring and controlling microstructure of foods). The aim of this project is to provide technological solutions for exploring the microstructure of foods, by the combination and application of different non-destructive techniques such as X-ray CT, OCT, MRI, NMR, TRS and SRS, aimed at online sensing of food microstructure, water status, texture and optical properties. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been used in order to detect watercore disorder in three different varieties of apples, which are non commercialized due to their watercore development problems. These three varieties are: Ascara2, Rebellón and Tempera, which were grown under favourable conditions for the development of such disorder. At first step, MRI has been used for screening the apples population in order to detect those ones which had watercore problems. Then, an image analysis has been done in all these apples, in order to check the evidences of such disorder. Several methods have been used: Texture analysis, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Cluster AnalysisPeer reviewe

Protocol for a randomized controlled dismantling study of a brief telephonic psychological intervention applied to nonprofessional caregivers with symptoms of depression

Background Although depression is a common problem in caregivers and there are effective cognitive-behavioral interventions for its prevention, the ability of caregivers to attend these treatments is often limited by logistics. Furthermore, the efficacy of the components of these interventions is unknown. The objectives of this study are to (a) evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-administered cognitive-behavioral intervention to prevent depression with all its components (cognitive and behavioral) and only with behavioral activation, and to (b) analyze the mediators of the change in depressive symptoms. Methods/Design A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to dismantle the components of a cognitive-behavioral intervention. Caregivers with elevated depressive symptoms will be randomly assigned to a cognitive-behavioral intervention, an intervention with only the behavioral activation component, or a usual care control group. Each condition will consist of approximately 60 participants. The two interventions will consist of five sessions lasting 90 min each, applied to groups of about 5 participants at a time via conference call. Trained interviewers, blind to the experimental conditions, will conduct the assessments at the pre-treatment, post-treatment and 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Discussion This study will provide evidence of the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention to prevent depression in caregivers with elevated depressive symptoms administered via conference call, and on the impact of the behavioral activation component on the overall efficacy of the program. If we find favorable results, it would mean that we have developed a program of prevention of depression of higher clinical utility and efficacy than those currently available, which would make it possible for a large number of caregivers to have access to such resourcesThis study was funded by grant 2012-PN162 (PSI2012-37396) from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain. We wish to thank support from Ministry of Labor and Welfare (Xunta de Galicia)S

A brief problem-solving indicated-prevention intervention for prevention of depression in nonprofessional caregivers

Background: Despite depression being a common problem among nonprofessional caregivers, no studies of prevention of depression targeting this population exist in the literature. The studies of indicated prevention of depression aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a problem-solving intervention in preventing clinical depression in a sample of female caregivers. Method: A controlled randomized trial was conducted among 173 participants (mean age 53.9 years), 89 of whom were randomized to the intervention group and 84 (controls) to usual care. The intervention comprised five weekly 90-minute group sessions. Results: At post-treatment, depression symptoms in the intervention group had remitted significantly more than in the control group, with a large effect size (d = 1.54). The proportion of participants showing clinically significant improvement was significantly larger in the intervention group (80.9% vs. 11.9% among controls), and fewer intervention-group participants had progressed to clinical depression during the study period (4.5% vs. 13.1% among controls). The intervention group also exhibited a significantly greater reduction in emotional distress and caregiver burden than the control group. Conclusions: These findings attest to the short-term efficacy of the interventionUna intervención breve de solución de problemas para la prevención indicada de la depresión en cuidadoras. Antecedentes: a pesar que la depresión es un problema frecuente en los cuidadores no profesionales, en la literatura no hay estudios de prevención indicada de la depresión en esta población. Se evaluó la eficacia de una intervención de solución de problemas para prevenir la depresión clínica en una muestra de cuidadoras. Método: se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado entre 173 participantes (edad promedio 53,9 años), 89 de las cuales fueron asignadas al azar al grupo de intervención y 84 (controles) a atención habitual. La intervención constó de cinco sesiones aplicadas semanalmente en formato grupal de una duración de 90 minutos cada una. Resultados: en el postratamiento, los síntomas depresivos en el grupo de intervención disminuyeron significativamente más que en el grupo control, con un tamaño del efecto d grande de 1,54. La proporción de participantes con mejoría clínicamente significativa fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de intervención (80,9% frente a 11,9% entre los controles); y menos participantes del grupo de intervención progresaron a una depresión clínica durante el período del estudio (4,5% frente a 13,1% entre los controles). El grupo de intervención también tuvo una reducción significativamente mayor en malestar emocional y sobrecarga del cuidador que el grupo control. Conclusiones: estos hallazgos demuestran la eficacia de la intervención a corto plazoThis study was supported by grant 2007/PN017 from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Spain. This research was also supported from Ministry of Labour and Welfare (Xunta de Galicia)S

Monitoring the performance of wastewater treatment plants for organic matter removal using excitation-emission matrix fluorescence

This study has assessed the usefulness of excitation-emission matrix fluorescence (EEMF) as a fast and simple analytical technique to track changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) during the sequence of treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Three different industrial wastewaters and treatment plants have been studied in this work: an industrial park wastewater treated in an independent line at the Burgos WWTP (Spain), a food industry wastewater (crisps and snacks manufacturing) that was treated in a MBR (Membrane Biological Reactor) pilot plant (University of Burgos) and a municipal landfill leachate treated in a physicochemical treatment plant within the same landfill. Removal percentages for the wastewater organic matter at each stage of the treatment plants were successfully obtained by monitoring the main fluorescence peaks: protein-like peaks (tryptophan-like peaks T1, T2 and tyrosine-like peaks B1, B2), humic-like peaks (fulvic-like peak A and humic-like peak C) and microbially-derived peak M. Therefore, EEMF readily allows the assessment of the reactivity of the different types of organic matter towards specific treatments, such as clarification, biodegradation, filtration, etc. Among the wastewaters studied, the food industry wastewater exhibited the greater diversity of fluorescence peaks (B1, B2, T1, T2, A1, A2 and M) whereas the landfill leachate only showed the presence of humic substances (mainly humic-like peak C). This study has demonstrated that EEMF is a useful and user-friendly technique to monitor the performance of wastewater treatment plants for organic matter removal, allowing a rapid response to potential problems in the treatment

Eficacia de las intervenciones psicológicas breves para reducir los síntomas depresivos en cuidadores: Revisión sistemática y meta-análisis

The purposes of this work were to determine the efficacy of brief psychological interventions (≤ 8 sessions) aimed to reduce depressive symptomatology in nonprofessional caregivers and to analyze the influence of the potential moderator variables on the effect size. Studies were selected from PsycINFO and Medline databases, as well as from previous reviews or meta-analyses. Most of the interventions were able to reduce depressive symptoms, with a medium combined effect size (d = -0.61). The interventions that obtained the best results were those that (a) were based on the integrator multifactorial model of depression and the problem-solving model, (b) were aimed at caregivers with depressive symptoms but who had not yet developed a major depressive disorder, (c) in which an inclusion criterion was being at risk for depression, (d) were aimed at depression as the main objective, (e) had a low risk of bias (f) had a higher percentage of women. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron determinar la eficacia de las intervenciones psicológicas breves (≤ 8 sesiones) dirigidas a reducir la sintomatología depresiva de los cuidadores y analizar la influencia de variables moderadoras potenciales sobre el tamaño del efecto. Se seleccionaron 11 estudios de las bases de datos PsycINFO y Medline, así como de revisiones y meta-análisis previos. La mayoría de las intervenciones lograron disminuir los síntomas depresivos, con un tamaño del efecto combinado moderado (d = -0.61). Las intervenciones que obtuvieron mejores resultados fueron aquellas que (a) estaban basadas en el modelo integrador multifactorial de la depresión y en el de solución de problemas, (b) estaban dirigidas a cuidadores con síntomas depresivos pero que todavía no habían desarrollado un trastorno depresivo mayor, (c) incluían como criterio de inclusión presentar riesgo de depresión, (d) tenían como objetivo principal la depresión, (e) presentaban bajo riesgo de sesgos, (f) tenían un mayor porcentaje de mujeres.

Effect of balneotherapy in sulfurous water on an in vivo murine model of osteoarthritis

[Abstract] Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that results in progressive cartilage destruction and subsequently joint dysfunction. Growing evidence indicates beneficial impact of balneological interventions in OA; however, their mechanisms of action are still unclear. Here, we evaluate the effect of balneotherapy in sulfurous water in an OA experimental model. Experimental OA was induced in Wistar rats by transection of the medial collateral ligament and removal of the medial meniscus of the left knee. Animals were randomized into three groups: non-treated (control) and balneotherapy using sulfurous water (SW) or tap water (TW). Macroscopic evaluation was performed, as well as evaluation of pain levels and analysis of motor function by rotarod test. Histopathological changes in articular cartilage and synovium were also evaluated. The presence of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and oxidative damage markers was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Joint destabilization induced joint thickening, loss of joint flexion, and increased levels of pain. At day 40, animals from SW group presented lower pain levels than those from control group. Experimental OA also affected motor function. Balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water significantly improved joint mobility in relation to that in tap water. Besides, we observed that cartilage deterioration was lower in SW group than in the other two groups. Likewise, SW group showed reduced levels of MMP-13 in the cartilage. Conversely, we failed to observe any modulation on synovial inflammation. Finally, balneotherapy in sulfurous water diminished the presence of oxidative damage markers. Our results suggest the beneficial effect of balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water on an experimental model of OA, showing a reduced cartilage destruction and oxidative damage. Thus, these findings support the use of balneotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment in OA.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI16/02124Xunta de Galicia; AGRUP2015/05 CICA-INIBICXunta de Galicia; IN607A 2017/11(GPC

Life cycle assessment of alternative processes to treat fly ash from waste incineration

Unsustainable consumption and production patterns, together with industrialization and population growth, have increased the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW), causing several environmental problems. The European Waste Framework Directive (WFD) sets waste prevention, preparation for reuse and recycling as priority strategies. Nevertheless, still a great amount of MSW ends up in landfills and waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. WtE plants reduces waste volume and allows efficient recovery of energy, however, incineration results in various types of solid wastes, bottom, boiler and fly ashes (FA). Due to the concentration of dangerous substances, FA are treated by means of stabilisation/solidification (S/S), thermal treatments or combined treatments, to reduce their toxicity and to avoid negative impacts on the environment and human health. Among S/S alternatives, stabilisation with cement and carbonation are one of the most popular. To determine the environmental performance of these processes this paper conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA). The study evaluated FA stabilisation with cement and water and FA carbonation for 55 % and 100 % excess of CO2 in the flue gas at the outlet of the reactor, and pressures of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 bar. The results showed that the range of pressure between 3 and 4 bar, and 55 % excess of CO2 in the flue gas have an efficient performance. The comparison of FA carbonation and stabilization displayed that the latter has higher impacts than the alternative carbonation due mainly to the cement production and the reduction of lixiviation and CO2 capture in the ash