Construcción y validación de una escala de autoestima en la clase de lengua extranjera

Introducción: La autoestima es un factor que influye determinantemente en las percepciones, conductas y actitudes de las personas en el plano personal, social y académico. Tal influencia ha sido identificada concretamente en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de una lengua extranjera; sin embargo, hay pocos estudios previos y no existen herramientas específicas de dicho contexto que permitan conocer el estado de la cuestión con profundidad. Justificación y Objetivo: Siendo la autoestima un factor que desempeña una influencia considerable en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, no existe hasta la fecha una herramienta validada que diagnostique los niveles de autoestima de los estudiantes para el contexto específico de la clase de lengua extranjera. Por tanto, el objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es estudiar el constructo de autoestima, y construir y validar una escala de medida del constructo de la autoestima en dicho contexto. Metodología: Este estudio se ha secuenciado en diez pasos que guían el proceso de construcción y validación de la escala (Boateng et al., 2018 y Muñiz y Fonseca-Pedrero, 2019). Tras abordar la conceptualización de autoestima y sus aspectos teóricos se procedió a conformar un modelo teórico. Dicho modelo fue operativizado para identificar las dimensiones y sus respectivos factores, de cara a elaborar la escala de medición de autoestima con la mayor validez de contenido posible. La escala fue analizada por un grupo de expertos y sometida a estudio empírico para depurar los ítems mediante una prueba piloto. Una vez construida la versión primera de la escala se procedió al estudio de fiabilidad con una muestra de 252 hablantes nativos de español que estudiaban idiomas en contextos formales o informales. Una nueva depuración de ítems o factores mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio dio lugar a la versión definitiva de la escala, denominada Escala de Autoestima en la Clase de Lengua Extranjera (EACLE). Resultados: Se identificaron tres dimensiones: competencia en la lengua, desempeño de habilidades o tareas y apoyo social percibido. El coeficiente de confiabilidad de la prueba fue ω= .92. El análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) arrojó un ajuste aceptable del modelo de estructura tridimensional de 10 ítems. Conclusiones: El instrumento EACLE podría ser una herramienta útil para evaluar la autoestima de los estudiantes en la clase de idioma. Se añaden las implicaciones, limitaciones y direcciones para la investigación futura.Introduction: Self-esteem is a factor that has a decisive influence on people's perceptions, behaviors and attitudes on a personal, social and academic level. Such influence has been specifically identified in the process of teaching and learning a foreign language; however, there are few previous studies and there are no specific tools in this context that allow us to know the state of the question in depth. Justification and Objective: Being self-esteem a factor that plays a considerable influence on the teaching and learning processes, to date there is no validated tool that diagnoses the levels of self-esteem of students for the specific context of the foreign language class. Therefore, the objective of this doctoral dissertation is to study the construct of self-esteem, and to construct and validate a scale for measuring the construct of self-esteem in that context. Methodology: This study has been sequenced in ten steps that guide the scale construction and validation process (Boateng et al., 2018 and Muñiz and Fonseca-Pedrero, 2019). After addressing the conceptualization of self-esteem and its theoretical aspects, it proceeded to form a theoretical model. This model was operationalized to identify the dimensions and their respective factors, in order to develop the self-esteem measurement scale with the highest possible content validity. The scale was analyzed by a group of experts and subjected to an empirical study to refine the items through a pilot test. Once the first version of the scale was constructed, a reliability study was carried out with a sample of 252 native Spanish speakers who studied languages in formal or informal contexts. A new refinement of items or factors using confirmatory factor analysis gave rise to the final version of the scale, called the Self-Esteem Scale in the Foreign Language Class (SEFLS). Results: Three dimensions were identified: Language proficiency, performance of skills or tasks, and perceived social support. The reliability coefficient of the test was ω = .92. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded an acceptable fit of the 10-item three-dimensional structure model. Conclusions: The SEFLS instrument could be a useful tool to assess students' self-esteem in language class. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are added

Construction and validation of self-esteem in the foreign language classroom scale (SEFLS)

This paper describes the development and standardization of a measure of self-esteem in the foreign language classroom. The reliability and validity of self-esteem in the foreign language classroom scale (SEFLS) were determined for a sample of 252 Spanish native speakers studying a foreign language. The test reliability coefficient was ω= ,92. Confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) yielded a 10-item three-dimension structure acceptable model fit. The three dimensions were language competence, skills performance and perceived social support. The SEFLS measure could be a useful tool for assessing students’ self-esteem in the foreign language classroom. Implications, limitations, and directions for future organizational research are discussed.Este artículo describe el desarrollo y la estandarización de una medida deautoestima en la clase de lengua extranjera. La confiabilidad y la validez de la Escala deAutoestima en la Clase de Lengua Extranjera (SEFLS; en inglés) fue determinada para unamuestra de 252 hablantes nativos de español que estudian una lengua extranjera. El coeficientede confiabilidad de la prueba fue ω= ,92. El Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC)arrojó un ajuste aceptable del modelo de estructura tridimensional de 10 ítems. Las tresdimensiones fueron competencia lingüística, desempeño de destrezas y apoyo social percibido.La medida SEFLS podría ser una herramienta útil para evaluar la autoestima de losestudiantes en las clases de idiomas. Se añaden las implicaciones, limitaciones y direccionespara una investigación futura

Predictive Biomarkers to Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

There has been a high local recurrence rate in rectal cancer. Besides improvements in surgical techniques, both neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and long-course chemoradiation improve oncological results. Approximately 40–60% of rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation achieve some degree of pathologic response. However, there is no effective method of predicting which patients will respond to neoadjuvant treatment. Recent studies have evaluated the potential of genetic biomarkers to predict outcome in locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The articles produced by the PubMed search were reviewed for those specifically addressing a genetic profile’s ability to predict response to neoadjuvant treatment in rectal cancer. Although tissue gene microarray profiling has led to promising data in cancer, to date, none of the identified signatures or molecular markers in locally advanced rectal cancer has been successfully validated as a diagnostic or prognostic tool applicable to routine clinical practice

Detection and Molecular Diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in the Endangered Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), Spain

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are the main non-viral causes of diarrhoea in humans and domestic animals globally. Comparatively, much less information is currently available in free-ranging carnivore species in general and in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in particular. Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were investigated with molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) methods in individual faecal DNA samples of free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes from the main population nuclei in Spain. Overall, Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were detected in 2.4% (6/251) and 27.9% (70/251) of the animals examined, respectively. Positive animals to at least one of them were detected in each of the analysed population nuclei. The analysis of partial ssu rRNA gene sequences revealed the presence of rodent-adapted C. alticolis (n = 1) and C. occultus (n = 1), leporid-adapted C. cuniculus (n = 2), and zoonotic C. parvum (n = 2) within Cryptosporidium, and zoonotic assemblages A (n = 5) and B (n = 3) within G. duodenalis. Subgenotyping analyses allowed for the identification of genotype VaA19 in C. cuniculus (gp60 locus) and sub-assemblages AI and BIII/BIV in G. duodenalis (gdh, bg, and tpi loci). This study represents the first molecular description of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in the Iberian lynx in Spain. The presence of rodent/leporid-adapted Cryptosporidium species in the surveyed animals suggests spurious infections associated to the Iberian lynx's diet. The Iberian lynx seems a suitable host for zoonotic genetic variants of Cryptosporidium (C. parvum) and G. duodenalis (assemblages A and B), although the potential risk of human transmission is regarded as limited due to light parasite burdens and suspected low excretion of infective (oo)cysts to the environment by infected animals. More research should be conducted to ascertain the true impact of these protozoan parasites in the health status of the endangered Iberian lynx.This article is based upon work from project LIFE 19NAT/ES001055 LYNXCONNECT ‘Creating a genetically and demographically functional Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) metapopulation (2020–2025)’ supported by the European Commission. J.C.-G. was supported by the Centre for Biomedical Research Network (CB21/13/00083), Health Institute Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation and European Union-Next Generation EU. S.C.-S. was supported by an FPU grant (FPU19/06026) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. D.J.-M. holds a PhD contract granted by Own Research Plan of the University of Córdoba. D.G.-B. is the recipient of a Sara Borrell research contract (CD19CIII/00011) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. A.D. is the recipient of a PFIS contract (FI20CIII/00002) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. We thank all the veterinarians and animal keepers of ex situ and in situ conservation programs involved in the sampling as well as all the members of the CAD centre for their assistance in the collection of samples and epidemiological information. We also gratefully acknowledge Junta de Andalucía and Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha.S

Forest Restoration in a Fog Oasis: Evidence Indicates Need for Cultural Awareness in Constructing the Reference

Background: In the Peruvian Coastal Desert, an archipelago of fog oases, locally called lomas, are centers of biodiversity and of past human activity. Fog interception by a tree canopy, dominated by the legume tree tara (Caesalpinia spinosa), enables the occurrence in the Atiquipa lomas (southern Peru) of an environmental island with a diverse flora and high productivity. Although this forest provides essential services to the local population, it has suffered 90% anthropogenic reduction in area. Restoration efforts are now getting under way, including discussion as to the most appropriate reference ecosystem to use. Methodology/Principal Findings: Genetic diversity of tara was studied in the Atiquipa population and over a wide geographical and ecological range. Neither exclusive plastid haplotypes to loma formations nor clear geographical structuring of the genetic diversity was found. Photosynthetic performance and growth of seedlings naturally recruited in remnant patches of loma forest were compared with those of seedlings recruited or planted in the adjacent deforested area. Despite the greater water and nitrogen availability under tree canopy, growth of forest seedlings did not differ from that of those recruited into the deforested area, and was lower than that of planted seedlings. Tara seedlings exhibited tight stomatal control of photosynthesis, and a structural photoprotection by leaflet closure. These drought-avoiding mechanisms did not optimize seedling performance under the conditions produced by forest interception of fog moisture. Conclusions/Significance: Both weak geographic partitioning of genetic variation and lack of physiological specialization of seedlings to the forest water regime strongly suggest that tara was introduced to lomas by humans. Therefore, the most diverse fragment of lomas is the result of landscape management and resource use by pre-Columbian cultures. We argue that an appropriate reference ecosystem for ecological restoration of lomas should include sustainable agroforestry practices that emulate the outcomes of ancient uses

Circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and co-infection with Plasmodium falciparum in Equatorial Guinea

The impact of COVID-19 in Africa has been a big concern since the beginning of the pandemic. However, low incidence of COVID-19 case severity and mortality has been reported in many African countries, although data are highly heterogeneous and, in some regions, like Sub-Saharan Africa, very scarce. Many of these regions are also the cradle of endemic infectious diseases like malaria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, the diversity and origin of circulating variants as well as the frequency of co-infections with malaria in Equatorial Guinea. For this purpose, we conducted antigen diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, and microscopy examinations for malaria of 1,556 volunteers at six health centres in Bioko and Bata from June to October 2021. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were also taken for molecular detection of SARS-COV-2 by RT-qPCR and whole genome viral sequencing. We report 3.0% of SARS-CoV-2 and 24.4% of malaria prevalence over the sampling in Equatorial Guinea. SARS-CoV-2 cases were found at a similar frequency in all age groups, whereas the age groups most frequently affected by malaria were children (36.8% [95% CI 30.9-42.7]) and teenagers (34.7% [95% CI 29.5-39.9]). We found six cases of confirmed co-infection of malaria and SARS-CoV-2 distributed among all age groups, representing a 0.4% frequency of co-infection in the whole sampled population. Interestingly, the majority of malaria and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections were mild. We obtained the genome sequences of 43 SARS-CoV-2 isolates, most of which belong to the lineage Delta (AY.43) and that according to our pandemic-scale phylogenies were introduced from Europe in multiple occasions (7 transmission groups and 17 unique introductions). This study is relevant in providing first-time estimates of the actual prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in this malaria-endemic country, with the identification of circulating variants, their origin, and the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection.We would like to thank all volunteers who participated in this study and the local authorities and communities in Equatorial Guinea for their support. We also thank the IPBLN and IBV core facilities for their support to project activitiesN

Institucionalización: abandono o la mejor opción

Introduction: The predominance of the aging population and the social and economic changes of today make it necessary for institutionalization to be an increasingly common resource in our country. This is accompanied by both positive and negative feelings by the geriatric patient and his relatives. The main objective of this review is to analyze the process of adaptation to institutionalization with the emotional and psychosocial changes that concern both the elderly and their environment. Material and methods: A search of articles in both Spanish and English is carried out in different databases such as PubMed and CINHAL and metasearch engines. A total of 19 articles are selected using the PICO strategy, including thesis and final degree projects. Results: Depression and dependence are the main problems that appear upon admission to the residential center. To address these, an assessment is carried out using scales following the patient’s own needs, thus personalizing the institutionalization care. Family dependence complicates adaptation to change. Discussion: At first, the image of the residence is usually negative, which changes over time. Depression decreases to more time of hospitalization when adapting to the center. It is important that the family respect the rules and maintain contact with the patient, as well as the intervention of the multidisciplinary team. Conclusions: Institutionalization is a great change for the elderly and their family, which will be overcome until they consider it their new home.Introducción: El predominio de la población envejecida y los cambios sociales y económicos de la actualidad, hacen preciso que la institucionalización sea un recurso cada vez más común en nuestro país. Esto viene acompañado de sentimientos tanto positivos como negativos por parte del paciente geriátrico y sus familiares. El objetivo principal de esta revisión es analizar el proceso de adaptación a la institucionalización con los cambios emocionales y psicosociales que atañen tanto al anciano como a su entorno. Material y métodos: Se realiza una búsqueda de artículos tanto en castellano como en inglés en distintas bases de datos como PubMed y CINHAL y metabuscadores. Se seleccionan un total de 19 artículos usando la estrategia PICO, incluyendo tesis y trabajos fin de grado. Resultados: La depresión y la dependencia son los principales problemas que aparecen al ingreso en el centro residencial. Para el abordaje de estos, se realiza una valoración mediante escalas siguiendo las necesidades propias del paciente, personalizando así los cuidados en la institucionalización. La dependencia familiar complica la adaptación al cambio. Discusión: En un primer momento, la imagen de la residencia suele ser negativa, la cual va cambiando con el tiempo. La depresión disminuye a mayor tiempo de internamiento al irse adaptando al centro. Es importante que la familia respete las normas y mantenga el contacto con el paciente, así como la intervención del equipo multidisciplinar. Conclusiones: La institucionalización supone un gran cambio para el anciano y su familia, el cual se irá superando hasta considerarlo su nuevo hogar

Formas de Hispanidad

Este texto presenta estudios sobre las múltiples formas de hispanidad, desarrollados en los últimos años por destacados investigadores del mundo hispánico que, poco a poco, han estado construyendo un nuevo espacio de investigación para una creciente y activa comunidad científica. En este libro el lector encontrará estudios con enfoques desde la ciencia política, la teoría política, la historia, la filosofía, la sociología, la economía, los estudios literarios y culturales, entre otras perspectivas académicas. Los aportes de cada aproximación teórica y disciplinar están orientados al logro de una meta común: la de reconstruir y reinterpretar la tradición histórica hispánica, desmantelando prejuicios ideológicamente provocados, con el fin de comprender los fenómenos políticos que la caracterizan. Por las mismas razones este libro se sitúa en el debate sobre las formas de escritura de la historia, que no es sólo un debate de teoría de la historia sino también de filosofía de lo histórico

Microarray profiling of mononuclear peripheral blood cells identifies novle candidate genes related to chemoradiation response in rectal cancer

Preoperative chemoradiation significantly improves oncological outcome in locally advanced rectal cancer. However there is no effective method of predicting tumor response to chemoradiation in these patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells have emerged recently as pathology markers of cancer and other diseases, making possible their use as therapy predictors. Furthermore, the importance of the immune response in radiosensivity of solid organs led us to hypothesized that microarray gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells could identify patients with response to chemoradiation in rectal cancer. Thirty five 35 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were recruited initially to perform the study. Peripheral blood samples were obtained before neaodjuvant treatment. RNA was extracted and purified to obtain cDNA and cRNA for hybridization of microarrays included in Human WG CodeLink bioarrays. Quantitative real time PCR was used to validate microarray experiment data. Results were correlated with pathological response, according to Mandard´s criteria and final UICC Stage (patients with tumor regression grade 1–2 and downstaging being defined as responders and patients with grade 3–5 and no downstaging as non-responders). Twenty seven out of 35 patients were finally included in the study. We performed a multiple t-test using Significance Analysis of Microarrays, to find those genes differing significantly in expression, between responders (n = 11) and non-responders (n = 16) to CRT. The differently expressed genes were: BC 035656.1, CIR, PRDM2, CAPG, FALZ, HLA-DPB2, NUPL2, and ZFP36. The measurement of FALZ (p = 0.029) gene expression level determined by qRT-PCR, showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. Gene expression profiling reveals novel genes in peripheral blood samples of mononuclear cells that could predict responders and non-responders to chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Moreover, our investigation added further evidence to the importance of mononuclear cells’ mediated response in the neoadjuvant treatment of rectal cancer.This investigation was supported by the Fundación Investigación Biomédica Mutua Madrileña. MC, CC and AB were supported by projects P08-TIC-4299 and CTS2200 of Junta de Andalucía, TIN2009-13489 of DGICT, Madrid, and GREIB PYR_2010-02 and 2010_05 of University of Granada

Residual pulmonary infiltrates, symptoms and diffusion impairment at one‐year after severe COVID‐19 infection have different associated factors

Menendez R, Mendez R, Latorre A, Gonzalez-Jimenez P, Peces-Barba G, Molina M, et al. Residual pulmonary infiltrates, symptoms and diffusion impairment at 1-year after severe COVID-19 infection have different associated factors. J Intern Med. 2023;00:1-13. Introduction. After severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia, patients may show lung sequelae on radiology and functional impairment at the 1-year followup. We aimed to describe the persistence of symptoms, radiological alterations, or reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at 1-year follow-up in patients from the Spanish Registry RECOVID. Methods. RECOVID collected symptom and radiological and functional lung tests data on hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 during the acute phase and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Results. Of the 2500 enrolled survivors (90% admitted to the ward), 1874 had follow-up visits for up to a year. Of these, 42% continued to present with symptoms, 27% had radiological sequelae and 31% had reduced DLCO. Independently associated factors included female sex, asthma and the requirement for invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Complete radiological resolution was 72.2% at 12 months; associated factors with incomplete recovery were age, male sex, oxygen or respiratory support, corticosteroids and an initial SpO(2)/FiO(2) = 2. Reduced D-LCO was observed in 31% of patients at 12 months; associated factors were older age, female sex, smoking habit, SpO(2)/FiO(2) = 2 and the requirement of respiratory support.At 12 months, a proportion of the asymptomatic patients showed reduced D-LCO (9.5%), radiological findings (25%) or both (11%). Conclusions. The factors associated with symptom persistence, incomplete radiological resolution and D-LCO <80% differed according to age, sex, comorbidities and respiratory support. The burden of symptoms, reduced D-LCO and incomplete radiological resolution were considerable in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at the 1-year follow-up after hospitalisation