Edificación y desarrollo sotenible. GBC: un método para la evaluación ambiental de edificios

The contribution of buildings to sustainable development should include as a strategic objective minimising or reducing as much as possible any negative local or global impact on the environment, and in relation to economic, social and matters by considering building processes as a whole, from beginning to end. This is why a work group has been set up in Spain as part of the Green Building Challenge (GBC) group, whose primary goal is to develop a methodology for the environmental assessment of buildings. The GBC method is based on a set of criteria to study data provided by the inventory of a lifecycle analysis, establishing a number of environmental-impact categories: consumption of resources, direct environmental loads, interior environment quality, quality of service, economy, operational management, and transport. Within each of these categories a set of criteria f or comparison are defined, structured on a scale of credits to be assigned according to the corresponding degree of compliance. The relative importance of some criteria compared with others is determined by jeans of a number of weighting coefficients that are assigned to each of the assessment criteriaLa contribución de la edificación en un desarrollo sostenible debe plantearse como objetivo estratégico minimizar o reducir al máximo, tanto a nivel local como global, su contribución a los diferentes efectos negativos sobre el medioambiente, y en los aspectos económicos. sociales y culturales. considerando los procesos edificatorios de una forma integra, desde su inicio hasta su final. Este es el motivo por el que se ha constituido en España un equipo de trabajo que se integra en el grupo internacional Green Building Challenge (GBC). que tiene como objetivo primordial el desarrollo de una metodología para la evaluación medioambiental de edificios. El método GBC esta basado en un conjunto de criterios que analiza los datos aportados por el inventario de un análisis de cielo de vida estableciendo una serie de categorías de impacto medioambiental: consumo de recursos, cargas medioambientales directas, calidad del ambiente interior, calidad del servicio, economía. gestión del funcionamientoy transporte. Dentro de cada una de estas categorías se definen un conjunto de criterios de comparación estructurados en una escala de créditos a asignar en función del grado de cumplimiento. La relativa importancia de unos criterios respecto de otros es determinada mediante una serie de coeficientes de ponderación que son asignados a todos y cada uno de los criterios de evaluación

Modelo de rehabilitación ambiental para edificios terciarios: el caso del palacio de congresos Europa de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Este artículo presenta el desarrollo y resultados de la primera fase del asesoramiento ambiental que forma parte del proceso de rehabilitación y ampliación del Palacio de Congresos Europa (PEV-G) del Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz, en el marco de las actuaciones que esta ciudad ha decidido emprender como European Green Capital, a partir de haber obtenido este reconocimiento en 2012. Es un desarrollo de Green Building Council España (GBCe) en colaboración con Societat Orgànica (SO) que propone una metodología y unas acciones para abordar un proceso continuo de mejora ambiental para que el edificio, sus actividades y los actores directamente relacionados puedan alcanzar los máximos niveles posibles de sostenibilidad ambiental, atendiendo también a las dimensiones económica y social. A través de diferentes modelos se ha estudiado el edificio existente, así como las hipótesis de ampliación y rehabilitación determinadas por el ayuntamiento en su anteproyecto, empleando la metodología del análisis de ciclo de vida simplificado centrada en los vectores ambientales de energía, agua, materiales y residuos. Se han determinado diferentes opciones de mejora basadas en aspectos pasivos, activos y de gestión del edificio que han permitido establecer los objetivos ambientales a los cuales debe responder el proyecto, rehabilitación, ampliación y uso del PEV-G. Por último, se han redactado los requerimientos que forman parte de los pliegos de licitación del proceso que va del proyecto al edificio acabado, así como el protocolo ambiental a aplicar en las fases aun no ejecutadas. Los trabajos realizados incluyen el desarrollo inicial de una nueva herramienta de certificación de la calidad ambiental de los edificios Verde RH EQ Rehabilitación de Equipamientos, que se suma a las existentes. De la visión, objetivos, metodología y acciones de reducción de impactos ambientales aplicables al PEV-G se ha obtenido un protocolo de actuación válido para ser aplicado en otros equipamientos de Vitoria-Gasteiz, el País Vasco y el resto de España, a ser rehabilitados en el futuro próximo

Selección de forjados unidireccionales con criterios técnicos, económicos y sostenibles

This paper presents a method for finding the optimal floor slabs according to the requirements of the Spanish Building Code (CTE), the Spanish Structural Concrete Code (EHE-08) and good building practices. This method is applied to the case of one-way floor slabs with on-site cast ribs according with the characteristics and performance parameters usually offered by firms in the industry. The initial data and the variables involved in the process cover the technical viability, sustainability and monetary cost of slabs by incorporating specific ratios to assess the suitability of each solution. The method set out here may prove helpful to construction specialists who need to select optimal-cost floor slabs with the lowest environmental impacts.<br><br>En este artículo se presenta un método para la búsqueda de forjados óptimos tomando en cuenta las exigencias del Código Técnico de la Edificación, CTE, de la Instrucción de Hormigón Estructural, EHE-08, y de la buena práctica constructiva. Esta metodología se aplica al caso de forjados unidireccionales con nervio hormigonado <i>in situ</i> de acuerdo a las características y prestaciones habituales que ofertan las empresas del sector. Los datos de partida y las variables implicadas en el proceso hacen referencia a la viabilidad técnica, sostenibilidad y coste económico de los forjados a través de la incorporación de ratios específicos que evalúan la idoneidad de cada solución. El método aquí expuesto pretende servir de ayuda para el profesional de la construcción que necesite seleccionar aquellos forjados de coste óptimo que proporcionen el menor impacto medioambiental

Understanding the impact of haemodialysis on UK NHS patients’ wellbeing: a qualitative investigation

Aims and Objectives: While haemodialysis (HD) is an effective treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the requirements and restrictions it imposes on patients can be onerous. The aim of the current study was to obtain UK National Health Service (NHS) patients’ perspectives on the challenges arising from HD with the intention of identifying potential improvements. Background: Depression rates are particularly high in those with ESRD, however, there is limited insight into the range of stressors associated with HD treatment within the NHS contributing to such high rates, particularly those of a cognitive or psychological nature. Design: A qualitative approach was used to obtain rich, patient-focused data; one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty ESRD at a UK NHS-centre. Methods: Patients were interviewed during a typical HD session. Thematic analysis was used to systematically interpret the data. Codes were created in an inductive and cyclical process using a constant comparative approach. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: 1) fluctuations in cognitive/physical wellbeing across the HD cycle, 2) restrictions arising from the HD treatment schedule, 3) Emotional impact of HD on the self and others. The findings are limited to predominantly white, older patients (median = 74 years) within an NHS setting. Conclusions: Several of the experiences reported by patients as challenging and distressing have so far been overlooked in the literature. A holistic-based approach to treatment, acknowledging all aspects of a patient’s wellbeing, is essential if optimal quality of life is to be achieved by healthcare providers. Relevance to clinical practice: The findings can be used to inform future interventions and guidelines aimed at improving patients’ treatment adherence and outcomes, for example, improved reliable access to mental health specialists

Coping style and health-related quality of life in caregivers of epilepsy patients

Epilepsy has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients and personal coping style is an important determinant. Less is known about home caregivers. This study investigates HRQOL and coping style of both patients and caregivers and their interaction. Epilepsy patients attending the outpatient clinic of the University Medical Centre in Utrecht and their caregivers were sent EQ5D and RAND-36 questionnaires. The Utrecht Coping List was used to chart personal coping styles. HRQOL scores of patients and caregivers were compared to the general Dutch population. The association between patient and caregiver HRQOL scores was calculated. A stepwise backward multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explain variances in caregiver HRQOL. Eighty-six couples (49%) returned all questionnaires. Caregiver HRQOL scores were comparable to the general Dutch population (EQ5D: 0.88–0.88; p = 0.90, RAND-36 MCS: −2 points; p = 0.16), while patients HRQOL scores were lower (EQ5D: 0.79; p < 0.01, RAND-36 MCS −10 points; p < 0.01). However, on several specific domains, associations between patient and caregiver HRQOL scores within couples were found. Passive coping style explained 50% of variation in HRQOL scores of caregivers. As a group, caregivers of epilepsy patients have normal HRQOL, but there are significant associations between patient and caregiver HRQOL scores. Improving caregiver HRQOL through interventions on coping style might benefit patients as well. Recognizing personal coping styles of both patient and caregiver should be part of a patient-oriented approach in treatment

The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 Sequence Region in the Musaceae: Structure, Diversity and Use in Molecular Phylogeny

Genes coding for 45S ribosomal RNA are organized in tandem arrays of up to several thousand copies and contain 18S, 5.8S and 26S rRNA units separated by internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2. While the rRNA units are evolutionary conserved, ITS show high level of interspecific divergence and have been used frequently in genetic diversity and phylogenetic studies. In this work we report on the structure and diversity of the ITS region in 87 representatives of the family Musaceae. We provide the first detailed information on ITS sequence diversity in the genus Musa and describe the presence of more than one type of ITS sequence within individual species. Both Sanger sequencing of amplified ITS regions and whole genome 454 sequencing lead to similar phylogenetic inferences. We show that it is necessary to identify putative pseudogenic ITS sequences, which may have negative effect on phylogenetic reconstruction at lower taxonomic levels. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on ITS sequence showed that the genus Musa is divided into two distinct clades – Callimusa and Australimusa and Eumusa and Rhodochlamys. Most of the intraspecific banana hybrids analyzed contain conserved parental ITS sequences, indicating incomplete concerted evolution of rDNA loci. Independent evolution of parental rDNA in hybrids enables determination of genomic constitution of hybrids using ITS. The observation of only one type of ITS sequence in some of the presumed interspecific hybrid clones warrants further study to confirm their hybrid origin and to unravel processes leading to evolution of their genomes

Maîtrise des conditions de réfrigération des fruits et des légumes

An efficient cold chain allows freshness of vegetables and flavour of fruits which are advantages in a quantitatively supplied market. The postharvest temperature falling down must occurr precociously, and in most cases, rapidly. These requirements are difficult to be respected with prepacked and stacked products. A measuring method and sensors have been developped to have access to the heat and mass transfer conditions inside a bulky handling unit like a pallet. Tests about performance of different bins arrangements and air blast devices may be carried out. Tests have been carried out at industrial scale in a packing station. Knowledge of the local heat and mass transfer conditions and modelling of the product behaviour, allows process improvement. / Une véritable chaîne du froid dans la filière fruits et légumes garantit la fraîcheur des produits, atout commercial décisif dans un marché quantitativement satisfait. La mise en température de conservation après récolte doit répondre à des contraintes de précocité et d'homogénéité difficiles à respecter avec des produits conditionnés en palettes. Des capteurs et une méthode d'investigation ont été développés afin d'accéder aux conditions de réfrigération à l'intérieur d'une palette. Il est possible de tester les performances de différents arrangements de colis et de dispositifs aérauliques. Des essais ont été réalisés dans des stations légumières. La connaissance des conditions d'échange de chaleur locales et l'utilisation d'un modèle de comportement des produits, permet d'évaluer les possibilités d'amélioration des procédés