El aprendizaje de la lengua china como L2 y las tecnologías: un modelo de sinización

Este trabajo reúne las principales conclusiones de la investigación que el autor realizó en el año 2016 sobre la repercusión de la aplicación de las tecnologías en la enseñanza/aprendizaje de la lengua china, en el ámbito asiático, concretamente, y a nivel mundial, en general. Con ellas, concluye en la gran relevancia que el uso de las tecnologías aporta a la enseñanza del chino y tomando a éste como herramienta de transmisión cultural, analiza su repercusión actual en un presunto proceso de sinización. Los estudios de interculturalidad recientes señalan la necesidad de reformular los significados tradicionales de orientalismo y orientalización. De modo que la beneficiosa aportación de las tecnologías en la docencia del chino satisface y se suma a una reformulación, tanto de estos conceptos como de la expansión sínica internacionalmente. La accesibilidad tecnológica a la lengua china, entre otras cuestiones, facilita una expansión de la sinidad sin parangón en la historia y, por descontado, caracteriza un modo de mostrarse: más accesible y más abierta que con la restricción lingüística. En consecuencia, el uso de las tecnologías aplicadas a un proceso general de alfabetización del chino sugiere una renovación de las relaciones interculturales, una reformulación del binomio Oriente-Occidente y, en definitiva, una revolución global si lo extrapolamos a ámbitos no restrictivos

Estudio de pórticos metálicos industriales frente al fuego, mediante el uso combinado de aceros

En este artículo se ha planteado la utilización de las estructuras metálicas vistas en diferentes tiempos de exposición al fuego. Para ello se ha utilizado de manera combinada un acero al carbono convencional (S275), con un acero micro aleado (FR) con mejores prestaciones a altas temperaturas. Con objeto de mejorar el comportamiento del conjunto también se ha planteado el uso de una protección mediante pintura intumescente. El presente estudio analiza 462 casos diferentes, todos ellos son pórticos de 35 metros de luz, en los cuales se ha estudiado su comportamiento para diferentes tiempos de exposición frente al fuego (0… 90 minutos). Otra de las variables que se ha considerado es la protección pasiva frente al fuego, que se ha resuelto mediante la aplicación de otra serie de espesores de pintura intumescente (0… 1800 micras). La última variable tenida en cuenta en el estudio está relacionada con el precio de los materiales a utilizar. Esto es debido a que la producción de estos materiales de elevadas prestaciones, no son fáciles de conseguir en el mercado debido a su elevado coste y por ello, se ha tratado de establecer su valor con relación al coste del acero S275, más utilizado en edificación. Esto se ha realizado a través de una serie de coeficientes de mayoración del precio del acero FR frente al acero S275 (1.00… 1.50). El objetivo es demostrar que existen casos donde es más rentable el combinar los dos aceros y razonar la posición de cada acero dentro de los pórticos

Is the corporate financial strategy in the oil and gas sector affected by ESG dimensions?

The oil and gas sector is under pressure because of its impact on sustainability. Company’s stakeholders are aware of the ethical behavior of those firms related to hazardous activities. Literature has analyzed the relationship between corporate social responsibility and different measures of efficiency (e.g., financial performance or market value) without a conclusive result. This research establishes an ESG index (environmental, social and governance) that allows a comprehensive measure of corporate social responsibility and its effects on corporate financial strategy. The study analyzes how the ESG index influences the value of oil and gas companies as well as their financial performance and financial risk. To do this, the PLS-SEM was applied to a sample of 219 oil and gas companies in different countries. Results show that the environmental and governance dimensions are the backbone of the ESG index that positively impact on all three

Ambient air pollution and thyroid function in Spanish adults. A nationwide population-based study ([email protected] study)

Background Recent reports have suggested that air pollution may impact thyroid function, although the evidence is still scarce and inconclusive. In this study we evaluated the association of exposure to air pollutants to thyroid function parameters in a nationwide sample representative of the adult population of Spain. Methods The [email protected] study is a national, cross-sectional, population-based survey which was conducted in 2008-2010 using a random cluster sampling of the Spanish population. The present analyses included 3859 individuals, without a previous thyroid disease diagnosis, and with negative thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Abs) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of 0.1-20 mIU/L. Participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter <2.5 mu m (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), corresponding to the health examination year, obtained by means of modeling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry-transport model). TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and TPO Abs concentrations were analyzed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Modular Analytics E170 Roche). Results In multivariate linear regression models, there was a highly significant negative correlation between PM2.5 concentrations and both FT4 (p<0.001), and FT3 levels (p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, there was a significant association between PM2.5 concentrations and the odds of presenting high TSH [OR 1.24 (1.01-1.52) p=0.043], lower FT4 [OR 1.25 (1.02-1.54) p=0.032] and low FT3 levels [1.48 (1.19-1.84) p=<0.001] per each IQR increase in PM2.5 (4.86 mu g/m(3)). There was no association between NO2 concentrations and thyroid hormone levels. No significant heterogeneity was seen in the results between groups of men, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. Conclusions Exposures to PM2.5 in the general population were associated with mild alterations in thyroid function.CIBERDEM (Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad-ISCIII), Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad-ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI17/02136, PI20/01322), Consejeria de Salud y familias (PI-0144-2018), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) "A way to build Europe". GRM belongs to the regional Nicolas Monardes research program of the Consejeria de Salud (RC-0006-2016; Junta de Andalucia, Spain). CMA is recipient of a "Rio Hortega" research contract (CM19/00186, Instituto de Salud Carlos III). VKDG is recipient of a "Rio Hortega" research contract (CM21/00214, Instituto de Salud Carlos III)

Methodology and fieldwork logistics of a multilevel research study on the influence of neigbourdhood's characteristics on natives and Ecuadorian's mental health in Spain

The methodological design, characteristics and fieldwork stage of a multilevel research study on the impact of the environmental characteristics on mental health in an autochthonous and immigrant population are described in this paper. Individual data were obtained using a core questionnaire 40 minutes length from home interviews of Spanish and Ecuadorian adults from September 2006 to January 2007. A random sample of 1186 people aged 18-55, with equal distribution of gender and nationality was obtained from Civil Registers of 33 areas (municipalities or neighbourhoods) of Madrid, Alicante, Almeria and Murcia, chosen by ethnic density and socioeconomic criteria. Previously, a pilot study was carried out. Socioeconomic indicators of neighbourhoods and selected communities were obtained from Municipal Registers and other secondary sources. Finally, 1144 people were interviewed (96%). Each person was contacted at home at two different times. The global response rate was 61%, higher among Ecuadorians (69%), who presented more problems of localisation (34%). Analyzing methods and fieldwork process the conclusion is that sample strategies for this type of population studies should be evaluated using feasibility criteria given time and money constraints, against the need to obtain representative samples of the target populations. There were serious shortcomings in the availability of social integration indicators at the neighbourhood level. Se realizó una investigación multinivel sobre el impacto de las características ambientales de la zona de residencia en la salud mental de población autóctona e inmigrante. El objetivo de este artículo es describir el planteamiento metodológico de la investigación, el trabajo de campo, las tasas de respuesta correspondientes y discutir el diseño metodológico y las dificultades derivadas de su puesta en práctica. Los datos individuales se obtuvieron aplicando un cuestionario estructurado de aproximadamente 40 minutos, mediante entrevista domiciliaria a personas españolas y ecuatorianas de 18 a 55 años. El trabajo se realizó de septiembre de 2006 a enero de 2007 en una muestra estimada de 1.186 personas equiparada por sexo y nacionalidad, obtenida aleatoriamente de los Padrones Municipales de 33 áreas (municipios o barrios) de Madrid, Alicante, Almería y Murcia, seleccionadas según criterios de densidad étnica y socioeconómicos. Previamente se realizó un estudio piloto (n=113) Los indicadores sociodemográficos de las áreas se obtuvieron a partir de fuentes secundarias. Se entrevistó a 1.144 personas (96%). La tasa de respuesta global fue del 61%, superior entre ecuatorianos (69%), colectivo que presentó más problemas de localización (34%). Las negativas a colaborar fueron más altas entre españoles (21%). Se concluye que en este tipo de estudios sería conveniente revisar las estrategias de muestreo para combinar criterios de eficiencia con la necesidad de obtener una muestra representativa de la población diana. Se constata la dificultad de obtener datos inframunicipales de integración social

Gender-Based Differences by Age Range in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Spanish Observational Cohort Study

There is some evidence that male gender could have a negative impact on the prognosis and severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of the present study was to compare the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between hospitalized men and women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. This multicenter, retrospective, observational study is based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry. We analyzed the differences between men and women for a wide variety of demographic, clinical, and treatment variables, and the sex distribution of the reported COVID-19 deaths, as well as intensive care unit (ICU) admission by age subgroups. This work analyzed 12,063 patients (56.8% men). The women in our study were older than the men, on average (67.9 vs. 65.7 years; p < 001). Bilateral condensation was more frequent among men than women (31.8% vs. 29.9%; p = 0.007). The men needed non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation more frequently (5.6% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001, and 7.9% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001, respectively). The most prevalent complication was acute respiratory distress syndrome, with severe cases in 19.9% of men (p < 0.001). In men, intensive care unit admission was more frequent (10% vs. 6.1%; p < 0.001) and the mortality rate was higher (23.1% vs. 18.9%; p < 0.001). Regarding mortality, the differences by gender were statistically significant in the age groups from 55 years to 89 years of age. A multivariate analysis showed that female sex was significantly and independently associated with a lower risk of mortality in our study. Male sex appears to be related to worse progress in COVID-19 patients and is an independent prognostic factor for mortality. In order to fully understand its prognostic impact, other factors associated with sex must be considered

Fatty liver index as a predictor for type 2 diabetes in subjects with normoglycemia in a nationwide cohort study

Our aim was to evaluate whether fatty liver index (FLI) is associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) development within the Spanish adult population and according to their prediabetes status; additionally, to examine its incremental predictive value regarding traditional risk factors. A total of 2260 subjects (Prediabetes: 641 subjects, normoglycemia: 1619 subjects) from the [email protected] cohort study were studied. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, clinical data and survey on habits were recorded. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed and fasting determinations of glucose, lipids and insulin were made. FLI was calculated and classified into three categories: Low ( 60). In total, 143 people developed diabetes at follow-up. The presence of a high FLI category was in all cases a significant independent risk factor for the development of diabetes. The inclusion of FLI categories in prediction models based on different conventional T2DM risk factors significantly increase the prediction power of the models when all the population was considered. According to our results, FLI might be considered an early indicator of T2DM development even under normoglycemic condition. The data also suggest that FLI could provide additional information for the prediction of T2DM in models based on conventional risk factors

Do specific antimicrobial stewardship interventions have an impact on carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacilli? A multicentre quasi-experimental ecological study: time-trend analysis and characterization of carbapenemases

CarbaPIRASOA team.[Background] Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) are among the most threatening microorganisms worldwide and carbapenem use facilitates their spread. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) can help to optimize the use of antibiotics. This study evaluates the impact of a multifaceted educational ASP on carbapenem use and on the epidemiology of CR-GNB.[Methods] We conducted a quasi-experimental, time-series study in seven hospitals, from January 2014 to September 2018. The key intervention was composed of educational interviews promoting the appropriate use of carbapenems. The primary endpoints were carbapenem consumption and incidence density (ID) of CR-GNB. All non-duplicated CR-GNB clinical isolates were tested using phenotypic assays and PCR for the presence of carbapenemases. Joinpoint regression and interrupted time-series analyses were used to determine trends.[Results] A decrease in carbapenem consumption throughout the study period [average quarterly percentage change (AQPC) −1.5%, P < 0.001] and a −8.170 (−16.064 to −0.277) level change following the intervention were observed. The ID of CR-Acinetobacter baumannii decreased (AQPC −3.5%, P = 0.02) and the overall ID of CR-GNB remained stable (AQPC −0.4%, P = 0.52). CR-GNB, CR-Pseudomonas aeruginosa and CR-A. baumannii IDs per hospital correlated with the local consumption of carbapenems. The most prevalent carbapenem resistance mechanisms were OXA-23 for CR-A. baumannii (76.1%), OXA-48 for CR-Klebsiella pneumoniae (66%) and no carbapenemases for CR-P. aeruginosa (91.7%). The epidemiology of carbapenemases was heterogeneous throughout the study, especially for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.[Conclusions] In conclusion, a multifaceted, educational interview-based ASP targeting carbapenem prescribing reduced carbapenem use and the ID of CR-A. baumannii.This work was funded by the Spanish Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Society (SEIMC).Peer reviewe

EducaFarma 7.0

Memoria ID-013. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2018-2019

Predictive Power of the "Trigger Tool" for the detection of adverse events in general surgery: a multicenter observational validation study

Background In spite of the global implementation of standardized surgical safety checklists and evidence-based practices, general surgery remains associated with a high residual risk of preventable perioperative complications and adverse events. This study was designed to validate the hypothesis that a new “Trigger Tool” represents a sensitive predictor of adverse events in general surgery. Methods An observational multicenter validation study was performed among 31 hospitals in Spain. The previously described “Trigger Tool” based on 40 specific triggers was applied to validate the predictive power of predicting adverse events in the perioperative care of surgical patients. A prediction model was used by means of a binary logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of adverse events among a total of 1,132 surgical cases included in this study was 31.53%. The “Trigger Tool” had a sensitivity and specificity of 86.27% and 79.55% respectively for predicting these adverse events. A total of 12 selected triggers of overall 40 triggers were identified for optimizing the predictive power of the “Trigger Tool”. Conclusions The “Trigger Tool” has a high predictive capacity for predicting adverse events in surgical procedures. We recommend a revision of the original 40 triggers to 12 selected triggers to optimize the predictive power of this tool, which will have to be validated in future studies