Prehistoric materials from Ceada das Chás/Castelo de Lobarzán: an approach from the pottery assemblage and its decorative patterns

Este estudio se centra en el análisis de la distribución de los materiales prehistóricos recuperados y en las técnicas y patrones decorativos del conjunto cerámico del enclave de A Ceada das Chás/Castelo de Lobarzán (Oímbra/Monterrei, Ourense). Los resultados permiten cuestionar aspectos en cuanto a la ocupación, el modelo de asentamiento y su cronología. Proponemos un modelo de ocupación en altura, articulada en torno a los bloques graníticos y posibles estructuras perecederas. Además, la presencia de material significativo en el interior de pequeñas cavidades inmediatas a las dispersiones cerámicas, y la reciente identificación de pintura de tradición esquemática en el interior de una de ellas, amplían el rango de usos del yacimiento, que podrían tener un carácter simbólico. Tales evidencias, junto con la tradición alfarera, la industria lítica en sílex y otros posibles materiales alóctonos, refuerzan la hipótesis del corredor del río Támega como vía de contacto y su relevancia en la prehistoria del noroeste peninsular.This study is focused on the spatial analysis of the prehistoric remains and the techniques and decorative patterns of the pottery assemblage recorded at A Ceada das Chás/Castelo de Lobarzán (Oímbra/Monterrei, Ourense). Our results allow us to address questions regarding the occupation, settlement patterns and chronology. We propose an occupation model in altitude, articulated around granite blocks and likely with perishable structures. In addition, the presence of relevant archaeological materials inside the small caves close to the pottery dispersion areas, and the recent identification of schematic paintings in one of them, increase the range of uses of the archaeological site, including their symbolic use. This archaeological evidence, together with the pottery assemblage, the flint tools and other allochthonous materials, reinforces the hypothesis of the Támega River as a relevant interaction corridor and its role during Prehistory in the Northwest of Iberia.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2019-104247RA-I0

Machine learning approximations to predict epigenetic age acceleration in stroke patients

Age acceleration (Age-A) is a useful tool that is able to predict a broad range of health outcomes. It is necessary to determine DNA methylation levels to estimate it, and it is known that Age-A is influenced by environmental, lifestyle, and vascular risk factors (VRF). The aim of this study is to estimate the contribution of these easily measurable factors to Age-A in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD), using different machine learning (ML) approximations, and try to find a more accessible model able to predict Age-A. We studied a CVD cohort of 952 patients with information about VRF, lifestyle habits, and target organ damage. We estimated Age-A using Hannum\u27s epigenetic clock, and trained six different models to predict Age-A: a conventional linear regression model, four ML models (elastic net regression (EN), K-Nearest neighbors, random forest, and support vector machine models), and one deep learning approximation (multilayer perceptron (MLP) model). The best-performing models were EN and MLP; although, the predictive capability was modest (

Our waves in the ocean: Projects for marine conservation and sustainable fisheries

Poster.-- Close Encounters IIM (2nd Kind) Virtual Conference, 26th February 2021N

Development and validation of a clinical score to estimate progression to severe or critical state in Covid-19 pneumonia hospitalized patients

The prognosis of a patient with Covid-19 pneumonia is uncertain. Our objective was to establish a predictive model of disease progression to facilitate early decision-making. A retrospective study was performed of patients admitted with Covid-19 pneumonia, classified as severe (admission to the intensive care unit, mechanic invasive ventilation, or death) or non-severe. A predictive model based on clinical, analytical, and radiological parameters was built. The probability of progression to severe disease was estimated by logistic regression analysis. Calibration and discrimination (receiver operating characteristics curves and AUC) were assessed to determine model performance. During the study period 1,152 patients presented with Covid-19 infection, of whom 229 (19.9%) were admitted for pneumonia. During hospitalization, 51 (22.3%) progressed to severe disease, of whom 26 required ICU care (11.4); 17 (7.4%) underwent invasive mechanical ventilation, and 32 (14%) died of any cause. Five predictors determined within 24 hours of admission were identified: Diabetes, Age, Lymphocyte count, SaO2, and pH (DALSH score). The prediction model showed a good clinical performance, including discrimination (AUC 0.87 CI 0.81, 0.92) and calibration (Brier score = 0.11). In total, 0%, 12%, and 50% of patients with severity risk scores ≤5%, 6-25%, and >25% exhibited disease progression, respectively. A simple risk score based on five factors predicts disease progression and facilitates early decision-making according to prognosis.Carlos III Health Institute, Spain, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SPAIN) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)Instituto de Salud Carlos II

The CARBA-MAP study: national mapping of carbapenemases in Spain (2014–2018)

Introduction:Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including isolates producing acquired carbapenemases, constitute a prevalent health problem worldwide. The primary objective of this study was to determine the distribution of the different carbapenemases among carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE, specifically Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae complex, and Klebsiella aerogenes) and carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa (CPPA) in Spain from January 2014 to December 2018.Methods: A national, retrospective, cross-sectional multicenter study was performed. The study included the first isolate per patient and year obtained from clinical samples and obtained for diagnosis of infection in hospitalized patients. A structured questionnaire was completed by the participating centers using the REDCap platform, and results were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.Results: A total of 2,704 carbapenemase-producing microorganisms were included, for which the type of carbapenemase was determined in 2692 cases: 2280 CPE (84.7%) and 412 CPPA (15.3%), most often using molecular methods and immunochromatographic assays. Globally, the most frequent types of carbapenemase in Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa were OXA-48-like, alone or in combination with other enzymes (1,523 cases, 66.8%) and VIM (365 cases, 88.6%), respectively. Among Enterobacterales, carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae was reported in 1821 cases (79.9%), followed by E. cloacae complex in 334 cases (14.6%). In Enterobacterales, KPC is mainly present in the South and South-East regions of Spain and OXA-48-like in the rest of the country. Regarding P. aeruginosa, VIM is widely distributed all over the country. Globally, an increasing percentage of OXA-48-like enzymes was observed from 2014 to 2017. KPC enzymes were more frequent in 2017–2018 compared to 2014–2016.Discussion: Data from this study help to understand the situation and evolution of the main species of CPE and CPPA in Spain, with practical implications for control and optimal treatment of infections caused by these multi-drug resistant organisms

Land- and water-based exercise intervention in women with fibromyalgia: the al-andalus physical activity randomised controlled trial

Background The al-Andalus physical activity intervention study is a randomised control trial to investigate the effectiveness of a land- and water-based exercise intervention for reducing the overall impact of fibromyalgia (primary outcome), and for improving tenderness and pain-related measures, body composition, functional capacity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, fatigue, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, and cognitive function (secondary outcomes) in women with fibromyalgia. Methods/Design One hundred eighty women with fibromyalgia (age range: 35-65 years) will be recruited from local associations of fibromyalgia patients in Andalucía (Southern Spain). Patients will be randomly assigned to a usual care (control) group (n = 60), a water-based exercise intervention group (n = 60) or a land-based exercise intervention group (n = 60). Participants in the usual care group will receive general physical activity guidelines and participants allocated in the intervention groups will attend three non-consecutive training sessions (60 min each) per week during 24 weeks. Both exercise interventions will consist of aerobic, muscular strength and flexibility exercises. We will also study the effect of a detraining period (i.e., 12 weeks with no exercise intervention) on the studied variables. Discussion Our study attempts to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia and improve patients' health status by implementing two types of exercise interventions. Results from this study will help to assess the efficacy of exercise interventions for the treatment of fibromyalgia. If the interventions would be effective, this study will provide low-cost and feasible alternatives for health professionals in the management of fibromyalgia. Results from the al-Andalus physical activity intervention will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well-being of women with fibromyalgia.This study was supported by the Consejeria de Turismo, Comercio y Deporte (CTCD-201000019242-TRA), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (I + D + I DEP2010-15639, grants: BES-2009-013442, BES-2011-047133, RYC-2010-05957, RYC-2011-09011), the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation (20090635), the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP-2009-3173), Granada Research of Excelence Initiative on Biohealth (GREIB), Campus BioTic, University of Granada, Spain and European University of Madrid. Escuela de Estudios Universitarios Real Madrid. 2010/04RM

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

A Comprehensive Approach to Measuring Financial Vulnerability and Literacy: Unveiling Connections

In the aftermath of the 2007–08 financial crisis, the worsening financial conditions of households increased concerns about their financial vulnerability (FV). In this context, policymakers embraced the notion of financial knowledge to foster sound financial behaviors among individuals and households, aiming to mitigate the detrimental effects of FV on households’ financial wellbeing and the overall economy. However, the relationship between FV and financial literacy remains inconclusive. This lack of definitive findings may stem from limitations in measuring FV and narrow focus on specific dimensions of financial literacy. This paper analyzes the relationship between financial literacy and FV by creating a comprehensive measure of (the level of) FV and considering different dimensions of financial literacy. Using a sample of 8,554 individuals in Spain obtained from the 2016–17 Survey of Financial Competences, we construct a continuous measure of FV by using Nonlinear Principal Components Analysis (NLPCA). Then, we employ OLS and ordered probit regressions to examine the potential association between different dimensions of financial literacy and FV. The findings indicate that the level of FV is negatively related to self-perceived financial knowledge, while no statistically significant relationship is found regarding objective financial knowledge. Evidence also reveals that “highly financially included” individuals are more likely to exhibit financial resilience. These findings highlight the need for the development of financial education initiatives that are action-oriented

Capacitación e comportamento financeiro da xeración millennial en España

Individuals’ financial capability, resulting from the combination of the financial literacy they have and the opportunity to access financial products, is a challenge in today's societies and, particularly, for certain population groups such as the millennial generation. For this reason, it is important to study the financial capability of millennials and to validate whether there are differences regarding that of preceding generations. After the literature review, the empirical analysis is carried out using a sample based on the Survey of Financial Competences (SFC). The sample is composed of 6,852 non-retired individuals under 65 years of age, of which approximately 34% are millennials. Descriptive and econometric analyses are based on this sample. However, financial inclusion is more related to the financial behaviours of respondents. This relationship is clear, regardless of the generational cohort analysed, in the delay in payments, the maintenance of emergency funds and the financial planning horizon. It is also found that the correlation of some behaviours with financial literacy is more similar between millennials and non-millennials than when the former is compared with their peers. This research contributes to the existing financial literature through the analysis of the financial capability of the Spanish millennial generation and the analysis of how this capability influences its financial behaviour. In this sense, the research brings empirical evidence to a field of study in which there is hardly any reference that goes beyond descriptive analyses focused on AngloSaxon contexts.A capacitación ou competencia financeira dos individuos, resultado da combinación da súa cultura financeira e da oportunidade de acceder aos produtos financeiros, supón un reto nas sociedades actuais e, particularmente, para certos colectivos de poboación como a xeración millennial. Por esta razón, é importante coñecer a competencia financeira dos millennials e constatar se existen diferenzas con respecto ás xeracións predecesoras. Tras a revisión da literatura, a análise empírica baséase nunha mostra de datos extraída da Enquisa de Competencias Financeiras (ECF). A mostra está conformada por unhas 6.852 persoas non xubiladas menores de 65 anos, das cales aproximadamente un 34% son millennials, e sobre elas aplicaranse senllas análises estatístico-descritivas e econométricas. A evidencia empírica suxire que a  capacidade financeira dos individuos está máis condicionada pola súa cultura financeira que polas súas oportunidades de acceso a produtos financeiros. Con todo, a inclusión financeira relaciónase en maior medida cos comportamentos financeiros dos enquisados. Esta relación é clara, con independencia da cohorte xeracional analizada, no atraso en pagos, no mantemento de fondos de emerxencia e no horizonte de planificación financeira. Tamén se detecta que a relación que manteñen algúns comportamentos coa capacitación financeira é máis similar entre os millennials adultos e os non millennials, que cando se compara aos primeiros cos seus conxéneres. Esta investigación contribúe á literatura financeira existente a través da análise da competencia financeira da xeración millennial en España e de como esta inflúe no seu comportamento financeiro. Neste sentido, o traballo achega evidencias empíricas a un campo de estudo no que apenas existen investigacións que vaian máis aló das análises centradas en contextos anglosaxóns.La capacitación o competencia financiera de los individuos, resultado de la combinación de su cultura financiera y de la oportunidad de acceder a los productos financieros, supone un reto en las sociedades actuales y, particularmente, para ciertos colectivos de población como la generación millennial. Por esta razón, es importante conocer la competencia financiera de los millennials y constatar si existen diferencias con respecto a las generaciones predecesoras. Tras la revisión de la literatura, el análisis empírico se basa en una muestra de datos extraída de la Encuesta de Competencias Financieras (ECF). La muestra está conformada por unas 6.852 personas no jubiladas menores de 65 años, de las cuales aproximadamente un 34% son millennials, y sobre ellas se aplicarán sendos análisis estadístico-descriptivos y econométricos. La evidencia empírica sugiere que la capacidad financiera de los individuos está más condicionada por su cultura financiera que por sus oportunidades de acceso a productos financieros. Sin embargo, la inclusión financiera se relaciona en mayor medida con los comportamientos financieros de los encuestados. Esta relación es clara, con independencia de la cohorte generacional analizada, en el retraso en pagos, en el mantenimiento de fondos de emergencia y en el horizonte de planificación financiera. También se detecta que la relación que mantienen algunos comportamientos con la capacitación financiera es más similar entre los millennials adultos y los no millennials, que cuando se compara a los primeros con sus congéneres. Esta investigación contribuye a la literatura financiera existente a través del análisis de la competencia financiera de la generación millennial en España y de cómo esta influye en su comportamiento financiero. En este sentido, el trabajo aporta evidencias empíricas a un campo de estudio en el que apenas existen investigaciones que vayan más allá de los análisis centrados en contextos anglosajones