Articles publicats (D-EC)

Ocean literacy in managing marine protected areas: bridging natural and cultural heritage

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Ocean literacy in managing marine protected areas: bridging natural and cultural heritage Gómez, Sílvia; Garriga Ripoll, Anna; Bosch Badia, Maria Teresa; Bosch Vilarrubias, Marta; Vallasante, Sebastian; Salazar, Janire This study explores the factors driving the integration of ocean literacy into the management of Marine Protected Areas, highlighting its role as a powerful tool to transform the human-ocean relationship to improve conservation efforts. A survey was completed by 197 visitors in Cap de Creus (Northeastern Catalonia, Spain). The findings show that visitors who were more willing to pay for conservation valued cultural and natural heritage more highly, and held more positive opinions about protection, regardless of their knowledge and despite their lower income and educational level. These results show us that knowledge does not necessarily indicate greater environmental awareness. The need to consider the marine environment as a cultural-natural embedded heritage is highlighted to foster a cultural connection, inspire commitment to its protection and promote conservation that ensures human well-being and health. Finally, some recommendations are offered to improve the integration of OL in MPA policies

The impact of COIL on EFL learners' communication competence, anxiety, and soft skills

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The impact of COIL on EFL learners' communication competence, anxiety, and soft skills Remmerswaal, Robert; Tuncer, Hülya; Naval, Joaquín This paper investigated the effect of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' self-perceived communication competence (SPCC), communication anxiety (CA), and soft skills. The participants were 157 university students from Japan, Türkiye, and Spain who completed various tasks and created a video on Sustainable Development Goals during the fall of 2022. Students answered two surveys (pre-COIL and post-COIL) through a mixed-method convergent research design. Both surveys included three different 5-point Likert scales (analyzed via t-test and convergence analysis), and the post-COIL survey included additional open-ended questions for qualitative analysis. The t-test analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in EFL students' average SPCC. The convergence analysis showed that students with the lowest and highest SPCC, CA, and soft skills converged towards the average and experienced the greatest change in these traits post-COIL. Considering the qualitative data and social cognitive theory, participation in the COIL assisted students in better understanding their SPCC, CA, and soft skills when working in an international group

Understanding Return to Work After a Cancer-Related Sickness Absence. Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Among all Relevant Stakeholders

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Understanding Return to Work After a Cancer-Related Sickness Absence. Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Among all Relevant Stakeholders Ayala-Garcia, Amaya; Serra Saurina, Laura; Rodriguez-Arjona, Dolors; Benavides, Fernando García; Utzet, Mireia Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the themes acting as barriers or facilitators, from diagnosis and sickness absence (SA) to RTW and work retention, after a cancer-related SA from the perspectives of all stakeholders in the Spanish setting. Methods: Descriptive qualitative approach with a socio-constructivist perspective. Theoretical sampling was carried out until saturation. Six discussion groups (4–8 people/group) were conducted: three groups of people with a cancer-related SA in Catalonia (Spain), one with oncology care professionals, and two with company representatives. An additional individual interview was conducted with a primary care physician. The sessions were held virtually and were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis and mixed coding. Results: Barriers to RTW and work retention detected by stakeholders included insufficient information and guidance on the impact of cancer on work and SA management, lack of general knowledge and recognition of side effects, lack of consideration of job tasks by medical tribunals, and working in precarious employment. Facilitators included workplace support, psycho-oncologists, patient associations, and working for a public company. Conclusions: Both work interruption due to an SA and RTW, are key moments for determining cancer survivors' work retention. We found a general perception of lack of involvement of the social security system, companies, and health professionals in Spain in the impact of cancer on work. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Integrating the work sphere in cancer care from the beginning of cancer treatment, and by all stakeholders, could facilitate successful future RTW

Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Associated with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Scoping Review

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Associated with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Scoping Review Sanvisens, Arantza; Bueno, Clara; Calvete, Oriol; Solé, Francesc; Marcos-Gragera, Rafael; Solans Margalef, Marta Objective: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most frequent childhood cancer. Infant ALL (<1 year) is rare, but it captures a lot of interest due to its poor prognosis, especially in patients harbouring KMT2A rearrangements, which have been demonstrated to arise prenatally. However, epidemiological studies aimed at identifying specific risk factors in such cases are scarce, mainly due to sample-size limitations. We conducted a scoping review to elucidate the prenatal or perinatal factors associated with infant ALL. Methods: Original articles, letters, or conference abstracts published up to June 2022 were identified using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, and 33 observational studies were selected. Results: The study reveals several well-established associations across the literature, such as maternal exposure to pesticides and high birth weight, and outlines suggestive associations, such as parental heavy smoking, parental use of several medications (e.g., dipyrone), and maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy. Conclusions: This scoping review summarizes the few observational studies that have analysed the prenatal and perinatal risk factors for ALL in infants diagnosed before the age of 1 year. The results of this review highlight the lack of research into this specific age group, which merits further research