Information and communication technology (ICT) skills and job satisfaction of primary education teachers in the context of Covid-19. Theoretical model

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that educational systems must have an online component or even a substitute. However, the efforts for this necessary transition fall largely on the teaching staff, who have been forced to quickly adapt their activities to a virtual environment. In this study, a theoretical model for analyzing how teachers’ information and communications technology (ICT) skills and the integration of these technologies influence the improvement of teaching and teacher job satisfaction is introduced. The model also pays special attention to the gender gap related to the use of ICT in teaching. At the empirical level, the model is validated on a sample of 257 Spanish primary school teachers, using the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation method. The results of the analysis show that, although the teachers’ ICT skills help them improve their teaching activities, such skills do not have a direct impact on teachers’ job satisfaction. However, teachers who integrate ICTs into their teaching activities not only improve their results and lighten their workload but also enjoy higher job satisfaction, which translates into more motivated and committed teachers. In addition, teachers’ ICT skills influence job satisfaction in different ways depending on gender. Although, for female teachers, the integration of ICT increases their job satisfaction, the results show that, for male teachers, this integration should generate improvements in teaching to yield enhanced job satisfaction. As the main implication, it is recommended to invest in teachers’ ICT skills, as these lead to enhanced efficiency and motivation and enable the change toward an ICT-based teaching model.

Factores de riesgo ante el cambio climático, que enfrentan los pobladores de la comunidad Yaule Abajo, sector 1, municipio de Matagalpa, II semestre 2016

El presente estudio titulado Factores de riesgo ante el cambio climático, que más afectan a los pobladores de la comunidad de Yaule Abajo sector 1, Municipio de Matagalpa, durante el II semestre 2016. La investigación tiene el propósito de analizar los factores de riesgo, que genera el cambio climático, siendo de gran relevancia, el poco interés de la población sobre cuido y protección del medio ambiente al identificar la problemática que se está dando en relación a esta temática. Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo, analizándose la estructura del problema, describiendo aspectos relevantes de la realidad, como los pobladores aplican estrategias para adquirir conocimientos en temas relacionados con el medio ambiente y cambio climático. Se hizo uso de observación a la comunidad, encuestas y entrevistas. El estudio presenta las Siguientes conclusiones relevantes en base a los objetivos específicos propuestos: Poco interés de los pobladores que realizan acciones inadecuadas en contra de la naturaleza lo que incide de manera negativa que los habitantes de la comunidad al encontrarse con algunos factores de riesgo hace uso inapropiado de los recursos Naturales. La importancia de la temática radica en aportar un poco más al mejoramiento de los factores de riesgo ante el cambio climático en donde se proponen algunas acciones que permitan enriquecer la practica en función del proceso educativo ambienta

Microbial community changes induced by Managed Aquifer Recharge activities: linking hydrogeological and biological processes

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is a technique used worldwide to increase the availability of water resources. We study how MAR modifies microbial ecosystems and its implications for enhancing biodegradation processes to eventually improve groundwater quality. We compare soil and groundwater samples taken from a MAR facility located in NE Spain during recharge (with the facility operating continuously for several months) and after 4 months of no recharge. The study demonstrates a strong correlation between soil and water microbial prints with respect to sampling location along the mapped infiltration path. In particular, managed recharge practices disrupt groundwater ecosystems by modifying diversity indices and the composition of microbial communities, indicating that infiltration favors the growth of certain populations. Analysis of the genetic profiles showed the presence of nine different bacterial phyla in the facility, revealing high biological diversity at the highest taxonomic range. In fact, the microbial population patterns under recharge conditions agree with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH). Moreover, DNA sequence analysis of excised denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) band patterns revealed the existence of indicator species linked to MAR, most notably Dehalogenimonas sp., Nitrospira sp. and Vogesella sp.. Our real facility multidisciplinary study (hydrological, geochemical and microbial), involving soil and groundwater samples, indicates that MAR is a naturally based, passive and efficient technique with broad implications for the biodegradation of pollutants dissolved in water.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Failure to review STAT clinical laboratory requests and its economical impact

Background: Failure to follow-up laboratory test results has been described as one of the major processes contributing to unsafe patient care. Currently, most of the laboratories do not know with certainty not only their rate of missed (or unreviewed) requests but the economical cost and impact that this issue implies. The aim of our study was to measure that rate and calculate the resulting costs. Material and methods: In January 2015, we checked in our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for every emergency request from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2014, if they had been reviewed by any allowed user or not. 319,064 requests were ordered during that period of time. Results were expressed as “ordered requests”, “missed requests” and its percentage. Additionally, total cost of missed requests was calculated in euros (€). “Non-productive days” were theorised (as the days producing requests that were not reviewed) based on these results. Results: 7924 requests (2.5%) were never reviewed by clinicians. This represented a total cost of 203,039 € and 27 “non-productive” days in three years. Significant differences between inpatients, outpatients and emergency department as well as different emergencies units were found after application of statistical analysis. Conclusions: In terms of resources, never reviewed or missed requests appear to be a not negligible problem for the clinical laboratory management. Electronic result delivery, with electronic endorsement to indicate follow-up of requests along with better systems of electronic requesting should be investigated as a way of improving patient outcomes and save unnecessary expenses

Approaches for Noise Barrier Effectiveness Evaluation based on <em>In Situ</em> “Insertion Loss” Determination

In situ evaluation of the effectiveness of noise barriers may be based on the assessment of their intrinsic or extrinsic characteristics. The evaluation of intrinsic characteristics is based on acoustic properties, such as noise barrier absorption or insulation. The evaluation of the extrinsic characteristics is based on the calculation of the barrier Insertion Loss, which is defined as the difference in the noise level before and after the installation of the barrier. Insertion Loss is calculated using two different approaches: the direct and indirect methods. The direct method is used when the barrier has not been installed yet or can be removed, while the indirect method is used when the barrier is already installed and cannot be easily removed. This chapter describes the different approaches used in the scientific literature for in situ evaluation of the effectiveness of noise barriers and discusses the noise attenuation levels obtained with each approach

A technical evaluation, performance analysis and risk assessment of multiple novel oxy-turbine power cycles with complete CO2 capture

In recent years there has been growing concern about greenhouse gas emissions (particularly CO2 emissions) and global warming. Oxyfuel combustion is one of the key technologies for tackling CO2 emissions in the power industry and reducing their contribution to global warming. The technology involves burning fuel with high-purity oxygen to generate mainly CO2 and steam, enabling easy CO2 separation from the flue gases by steam condensation. In fact, 100% CO2 capture and near-zero NOx emissions can be achieved with this technology. This study examines nineteen different oxy-turbine cycles, identifying the main parameters regarding their operation and development. It also analyses the use of advanced natural gas (NG) combustion cycles from the point of view of the carbon capture and storage (CCS) and considering political, legislative and social aspects of deploying this technology. Six oxy-turbine cycles which are at the most advanced stages of development (NetPower, Clean Energy Systems CES), Modified Graz, E-MATIANT, Advanced Zero Emission Power AZEP 100% and Semi-Closed Oxy-fuel Combustion Combined Cycle (SCOC-CC)), were chosen to conduct a Political, Environmental, Social, Technological, Legislative and Economic (PESTLE) risk analysis. This compares each technology with a conventional combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant without carbon capture as the base-case scenario. Overall, the net efficiency of the different oxy-turbine cycles ranges between 43.6% and 65%, comparable to a CCGT power plant, while providing the extra benefits of CO2 capture and lower emissions. A multi-criteria analysis carried out using DECERNS (Decision Evaluation in Complex Risk Network Systems) software determined that, depending on the specific criterion considered, one can draw different conclusions. However, in terms of technology, environment and social opinion, the most promising cycles are the NetPower and CES cycles, whereas from an economic point of view, E-MATIANT is more competitive in the energy market. Giving each factor equal importance, the NetPower cycle must be considered to be the best oxy-turbine cycle based on our analysis. Most of the oxy-turbine cycles are still under development and only a few cycles (e.g., CES and NetPower) are progressing to the demonstration phase. In consequence, political measures such as CO2 tax and emission allowances need to be implemented for oxy-turbine technologies to become the preferred option for fossil fuel power plants burning natural gas

Association of increased plasma cardiotrophin-1 with inappropriate left ventricular mass in essential hypertension

Inappropriate left ventricular mass is present when the value of left ventricular mass exceeds individual needs to compensate hemodynamic load imposed by increased blood pressure. The goal of this study was to investigate whether plasma concentration of cardiotrophin-1, a cytokine that induces exaggerated hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes with hypertensive phenotype, is related to inappropriate left ventricular mass in patients with essential hypertension. The study was performed in 118 patients with never-treated hypertension and without prevalent cardiac disease. The left ventricular mass prediction from stroke work (systolic blood pressurexDoppler stroke volume), sex, and height (in meters(2.7)) was derived. An observed left ventricular mass/predicted left ventricular mass value >128% defined inappropriate left ventricular mass. Plasma cardiotrophin-1 was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The studies were repeated in a group of 45 patients after 1 year of antihypertensive treatment. At baseline 67 and 51 patients presented with appropriate and inappropriate left ventricular mass, respectively. Plasma cardiotrophin-1 was higher (P<0.001) in patients with inappropriate mass than in patients with appropriate mass and normotensive controls. A direct correlation was found between cardiotrophin-1 and observed left ventricular mass/predicted left ventricular mass ratio (r=0.330, P<0.001) in all hypertensive patients. After treatment, plasma cardiotrophin-1 decreased and increased in patients in which inappropriate left ventricular mass regressed and persisted, respectively, despite a similar reduction of blood pressure in the 2 subgroups of patients. Albeit descriptive in nature, these results suggest the hypothesis that an excess of cardiotrophin-1 may contribute to inappropriate left ventricular growth in hypertensive patients

Tres años de ensayos de poda mecánica y manual en limonero Fino 95

La poda manual de limoneros en el sureste de España supone aproximadamente el 39% del total de los costes de mano de obra del cultivo. La poda mecánica se puede integrar en una estrategia de gestión del cultivo para reducir los costes de poda; sin embargo no es una técnica que está ampliamente aceptada entre los agricultores, entre otros motivos, por la falta de estudios rigurosos con variedades y formas de cultivo que justifiquen sus posibles ventajas. En este trabajo se exponen los resultados de una experiencia de tres años para evaluar el potencial de la poda mecánica combinada con poda manual en limoneros ‘Fino 95’. Los parámetros analizados han sido producción, calibre, calidad de la fruta, características de la biomasa podada y productividad de la labor. Se han realizado cinco tipos de tratamientos de poda: (1) poda manual (control) y cuatro intensidades de poda mecánica que tienen en común la poda de faldas y copa; y en las que la intensidad de poda mecánica se incrementó a medida que la intensidad de la poda manual se reducía; (2) poda mecánica de faldas y copa con repaso manual, (3) poda mecánica de faldas, copa y un lado del árbol; y poda manual del otro lado del árbol, (4) poda mecánica de faldas, copa y un lado del árbol, y (5) poda mecánica de faldas, copa y los dos lados del árbol. Estos tratamientos se han repetido durante tres años con alternancia de tipo de poda en el mismo bloque creando cinco tratamientos plurianuales. La principal conclusión del trabajo es que el tratamiento plurianual que alternó anualmente poda mecánica y manual, o bien el tratamiento de solo poda mecánica los tres años obtuvieron la mayor producción comercial acumulada. Por otro lado, los tratamientos con poda manual y mecánica el mismo año han obtenido la menor producción comercial acumulada