Exploring Populism in Times of Crisis: An Analysis of Disinformation in the European Context during the US Elections

Funding: This research was funded by the VI Research Plan University of Seville [grant number IV.3-2017, Periodismo II].Electoral contests around the world are suffering from an increasing distrust triggered by the dissemination of conspiracy theories. Extant research on political communication has largely studied this phenomenon, but, in some cases, it has neglected the relationship between social and legacy media in the breakthrough of a radicalized populism. Based on a wide literature review of liberal democracy and the roots of populism, this study addresses the right-wing populist communicative actions as one of the causes of the fragmentation of the democratic system, defining a journalistic and fact-checking standard to promote a well-informed society. Specifically, our research focus is to illustrate the impact of populist rhetoric on the traditional media system through a multiple-case study applied in European countries affected by right-wing populist discourse following the last United States elections (2020). The results show a connection among the strategies (game frames) used on Twitter, being less clear in the number of retweets and the presence on the front pages of newspapers. These data serve as a guide to build a journalistic indicator, arguing that high-quality information could be the key for democratic systems to minimize populist rhetoric and tackle the disinformation that endangers their future

Building extreme right discourses on Twitter for non-campaign periods: insights from populist leaders across Europe

The growing success of extreme right-wing populist parties changed the political state of play in Europe, which has been widely studied by the literature. Populist parties apply a particular communication style, based on simple and non-mediated messages on social media that promote distrust in public institutions. However, the ways in which these strategies are applied for non-campaigns weeks remain little addressed by academia, as well as its development in small countries. This study examines how far-right leaders from European countries with different sizes and historical extremist backgrounds used Twitter during a non-campaign period (29 September 2020 to 28 February 2021). Specifically, we analyze the issues (issue frame), strategies (game frame), and propaganda mechanisms employed through a mixture of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample includes the messages posted on Twitter (n=1346) by the leaders of the main far-right parties in France (Rassemblement National), Austria (FPÖ), Germany (AfD), Spain (Vox), and Portugal (Chega!). A manual content analysis was applied, allowing comparison of countries with different traditions regarding the Extreme Right. The results show a common pattern of anti-migration messages as the main topic for their communication style, but some differences are found in terms of agenda and propaganda. The most recent parties (AfD, Vox, and Chega!) rarely use Twitter tools, which means leaving behind the interactive capacity of social media; meanwhile, the agenda is less thematic in the Austrian and Portuguese cases. Our research contributes to discussions about the communication practices of far-right populist parties in Europe, identifying trends by country as the binary opposition between the people and the elite is not expressed through the same type of propaganda

Plan de mejora basado en la metodologia seis sigma para un proceso de produccion de microproductos de madera

237 p.El presente estudio titulado “Plan de Mejora basado en la Metodología Seis Sigma para un Proceso de Producción de Microproductos de Madera”, busca diseñar y estructurar una propuesta de mejora para el proceso de fabricación de palos de helado de TEMSA, filial de la Compañía Chilena de Fósforos S.A., de larga trayectoria en el rubro. Actualmente la empresa pierde un 61% de la madera, entre las etapas de debobinado de la madera hasta la fase de selección mecánica del producto, cifra que es considerada “excesiva”, y que obviamente la administración desea disminuir, aumentando con ello su nivel de productividad. De esta forma nace este estudio, el cual se vale de la Metodología Seis Sigma para elaborar un plan concreto que permita acceder a las mejoras deseadas. Seis Sigma es una filosofía empresarial que busca eliminar los efectos negativos de la variación en los procesos propios de la empresa, valiéndose de una rigurosa metodología para la solución de problemas, utilizando como arma principal, las herramientas estadísticas. Así, este documento incorpora una descripción de la problemática a enfrentar, un completo marco teórico que cubre los aspectos principales de Seis Sigma: sus conceptos relevantes, su metodología de trabajo DMAIC (Define – Measure – Analyze – Improve – Control) y sus herramientas más importantes. Además, entrega una introducción a Lean Production, otra filosofía empresarial conocida por ser un gran complemento de Seis Sigma, logrando potenciarse mutuamente. Como último desarrollo teórico, se expone un estado del arte acerca de este tipo de estudios en la industria maderera. De esta forma, se procede a elaborar el plan de mejora usando los 4 primeros pasos de la metodología DMAIC, donde sin duda, el desarrollo más profundo es la etapa de Análisis. El plan de mejora se materializa en una serie de diez propuestas que permitirían acceder a ahorros de 17,6 a 20,4 cajas de palos cada turno de trabajo, lo cual significaría un aumento en la productividad de un 13% a 15% respecto de su actual situación. Hablando en términos mensuales, el plan de mejora podría significar un aumento de los ingresos por concepto de ventas que vaya desde los USD$26.400 hasta los USD$30.600 mensuales

EU and crisis management: Afghanistan and Ukraine on social media

The European Union (EU) is a very relevant actor in the political scene. The EU's external action is inspired by the principles of peace and rule of law. However, the EU is composed of different institutions and leaders, making it difficult to find a single voice. This promotes a feeling of remoteness that threatens the legitimacy of the EU political system. In recent years, the EU has faced many internal challenges, such as the refugee crisis and Brexit, but recent events in Afghanistan and Ukraine reveal the need to further our understanding of the role of the EU as an international actor. Bearing these trends in mind, this research aimed to explore the management of crisis communication by the EU leaders regarding the two most recent international events: Afghanistan in 2021 and Ukraine in 2022. Specifically, we analyze the profiles of Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen), Josep Borrell (@JosepBorrellF), and Charles Michel (@eucopresident). Content analysis is manually performed on 479 tweets on military conflicts over a general sample of 661 messages. The strategies and specific topics are studied based on a pretest. In addition, we calculate the impact rate of the tweets. In this sense, the data were captured for a 2-month period (15 August to 15 September 2021 and 24 February to 24 March 2022). As a result, we show the predominance of messages on Ukraine together with a significantly different action of von der Leyen in terms of strategies and employment of the tools of Twitter. Her impact rate is also higher. This study contributes to current discussions on the mission of communication to foster trust, since the anti-publicity bias of the EU requires better levels of coherence to more effectively disseminate messages

Living with digestive stomas: strategies to cope with the new bodily reality

OBJETIVO: el objetivo del estudio fue describir las estrategias desarrolladas por personas portadoras de estomas digestivos para hacer frente a su situación. MÉTODO: se realizó un estudio cualitativo de carácter descriptivo con 21 personas ostomizadas residentes en las provincias de Málaga y Granada (España). La selección de los informantes se hizo siguiendo los criterios de adecuación y diversidad mediante un muestreo intencional. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. RESULTADOS: tras el análisis del contenido se obtuvieron tres categorías en torno a las cuales se desarrollaban las distintas estrategias: Autocuidados, Adaptación al cambio corporal y Autoayuda. CONCLUSIÓN: las estrategias desarrolladas están enfocadas a conseguir un manejo efectivo del estoma, quedando vinculadas estrechamente a la consecución de la autonomía. Conocer cuáles son las estrategias puestas en marcha se hace indispensable para ofrecer como profesionales de enfermería unos cuidados de calidad centrados en las personas y su proceso.OBJECTIVE: the objective in this study was to describe the strategies developed by digestive stoma patients to cope with their situation. METHOD: a qualitative and descriptive study was undertaken, involving 21 stoma patients living in the provinces of Málaga and Granada (Spain). The informants were selected in accordance with criteria of appropriateness and diversity, through intentional sampling. The data were collected by means of semistructured interviews. RESULTS: the content analysis revealed three categories around which the distinct strategies were developed: Self-care, Adaptation to the bodily change and Self-help. CONCLUSION: the strategies developed are focusing on achieving the effective management of the stoma and are closely linked with the achievement of autonomy. Discovering the strategies applied is fundamental for the nursing professionals to offer high-quality care, centered on people and their process.OBJETIVO: o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as estratégias desenvolvidas pelas pessoas portadoras de estomas digestivos para enfrentar a sua situação. MÉTODO: foi realizado estudo qualitativo, de caráter descritivo, com 21 pessoas ostomizadas, residentes nas províncias de Málaga e Granada (Espanha). A seleção dos participantes foi feita seguindo-se os critérios de adequação e diversidade de uma amostragem intencional. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de entrevistas semiestruturadas. RESULTADOS: através da análise do conteúdo foram obtidas três categorias, em torno das quais foram desenvolvidas as diferentes estratégias: autocuidados, adaptação à mudança corporal e autoajuda. CONCLUSÃO: as estratégias desenvolvidas estão focadas para assegurar manejo eficaz do estômato, estando intimamente vinculadas à conquista da autonomia. Conhecer quais são as estratégias a serem implementadas é indispensável para oferecer, como profissionais de enfermagem, atendimento de qualidade com foco nas pessoas e sua carreira

Turismo y Género. Una mirada desde Iberoamérica

En las últimas cuatro décadas ha crecido el interés de la academia, gobiernos y organizaciones internacionales por estudiar cómo ha sido, en qué circunstancias y qué efectos ha traído la incorporación de las mujeres al turismo. De esta forma se inicia un debate internacional en el que se cuestionan, por un lado, los efectos negativos de esta actividad en la vida de las mujeres y, por el otro, se realzan beneficios económicos que mejoran su calidad de vida y la de sus familias. A pesar del interés y la importante participación de mujeres en el sector turístico, aún son insuficientes los estudios enfocados en explicar y evidenciar su situación laboral. En este contexto, surge la idea de publicar un libro que compilara trabajos recientes en torno a las condiciones de las trabajadoras en el sector turístico de Iberoamérica.Esta obra se compone de tres secciones, Aproximaciones teórico metodológicas, Mujer y turismo en zonas rurales y La mujer en empresas turísticas, cuyas investigaciones abordan distintos temas para evidenciar los problemas enfrentados por las mujeres, proponer diversas soluciones y comprender su escenario laboral. En la primera sección, hay dos capítulos que proponen marcos teóricos para analizar el empoderamiento de las mujeres en el turismo rural. Los resultados de investigaciones de la segunda sección visibilizan las desigualdades, reflexionan y proponen acciones para mejorar las condiciones de las trabajadoras turísticas. En la última, en los tres capítulos, concentrados en las actividades empresariales, se estudian las desventajas y obstáculos de la empleada en alguna compañía turística.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México

Differentiation syndrome in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all- trans retinoic acid and anthracycline chemotherapy: Characteristics, outcome, and prognostic factors

Differentiation syndrome (DS) can be a life-threatening complication in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) undergoing induction therapy with all- trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Detailed knowl- edge about DS has remained limited. We present an analysis of the incidence, char- acteristics, prognostic factors, and out- come of 739 APL patients treated with ATRA plus idarubicin in 2 consecutive trials (Programa Espanol de Tratamientos en Hematologíc [PETHEMA] LPA96 and LPA99). Overall, 183 patients (24.8%) ex- perienced DS, 93 with a severe form (12.6%) and 90 with a moderate form (12.2%). Severe but not moderate DS was associated with an increase in mortality. A bimodal incidence of DS was observed, with peaks occurring in the first and third weeks after the start of ATRA therapy. A multivariate analysis indicated that a WBC count greater than 5 x 109/L and an abnor- mal serum creatinine level correlated with an increased risk of developing severe DS. Patients receiving systematic pred- nisone prophylaxis (LPA99 trial) in con- trast to those receiving selective prophy- laxis with dexamethasone (LPA96 trial) had a lower incidence of severe DS. Pa- tients developing severe DS showed a reduced 7-year relapse-free survival in the LPA96 trial (60% vs 85%, P = .003), but this difference was not apparent in the LPA99 trial

Post-Franco Theatre

In the multiple realms and layers that comprise the contemporary Spanish theatrical landscape, “crisis” would seem to be the word that most often lingers in the air, as though it were a common mantra, ready to roll off the tongue of so many theatre professionals with such enormous ease, and even enthusiasm, that one is prompted to wonder whether it might indeed be a miracle that the contemporary technological revolution – coupled with perpetual quandaries concerning public and private funding for the arts – had not by now brought an end to the evolution of the oldest of live arts, or, at the very least, an end to drama as we know it