Water accounting for stressed river basins based on water resources management models

[EN] Water planning and the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) represent the best way to help decision makers to identify and choose the most adequate alternatives among other possible ones. The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEA-W) is displayed as a tool for the building of water balances in a river basin, providing a standard approach to achieve comparability of the results between different territories. The target of this paper is to present the building up of a tool that enables the combined use of hydrological models and water resources models to fill in the SEEA-W tables. At every step of the modelling chain, we are capable to build the asset accounts and the physical water supply and use tables according to SEEA-W approach along with an estimation of the water services costs. The case study is the Jucar River Basin District (RBD), located in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain which as in other many Mediterranean basins is currently water-stressed. To guide this work we have used PATRICAL model in combination with AQUATOOL Decision Support System (DSS). The results indicate that for the average year the total use of water in the district amounts to 15,143 hm3/year, being the Total Water Renewable Water Resources 3909 hm3/year. On the other hand, the water service costs in Jucar RBD amounts to 1634 million per year at constant 2012 prices. It is noteworthy that 9% of these costs correspond to non-conventional resources, such as desalinated water, reused water and water transferred from other regions.The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments, suggestions and positive feedback. All remaining errors, however, are solely the responsibility of the authors. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Jucar River Basin Authority – Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar (Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment) for providing data to develop this study. The authors wish to thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for its financial support through the NUTEGES project (CGL2012-34978). We also value the support provided by the European Community's Seventh Framework Program in financing the projects ENHANCE (FP7-ENV2012, 308438) and IMPREX (H2020-WATER-2014-2015, 641811).Pedro Monzonís, M.; Solera Solera, A.; Ferrer Polo, FJ.; Andreu Álvarez, J.; Estrela Monreal, T. (2016). Water accounting for stressed river basins based on water resources management models. The Science of The Total Environment. 565:181-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.161S18119056

Isolo : a new concept of privacy

Isolo es un conjunto de cuatro productos interactivos, diseñados por los estudiantes del Grado de Diseño de EINA, que exploran y aplican el concepto “privacidad”. Los proyectos ofrecen diferentes formas de aislamiento respetando los hábitos de los usuarios y recreando atmósferas de intimidad, desde el individuo hasta el colectivo. Los proyectos presentados son: Köllen Eget es un espacio de trabajo adaptado a los nuevos hábitos de trabajo y al uso de las de las nuevas tecnologías. La interactividad del producto permite reorganizar el espacio y generar un ambiente personalizado, adaptándose a cada usuario gracias a la iluminación, la acústica y la presencia de diferentes elementos móviles. Còdol es un separador de espacios que contempla el contraste entre el vacío y la plenitud. Consigue crear un ambiente privado dentro de un entorno interior y concurrido gracias a su estructura envolvente de paneles móviles con propiedades acústicas y tonalidades suaves. Petal es una silla versátil y adaptable al usuario, inspirada en las formas orgánicas de las flores. En cada lateral hay un panel flexible que permite ser regulado en diferentes posiciones y de esta manera convertirlo en un espacio del almacenamiento personalizado acorde con las necesidades del usuario. Kodama es un panel decorativo, que se presenta como una arboleda de influencia oriental coronada por los elementos más distintivos de todo el conjunto: los asientos, que están colocados aleatoriamente por toda la estructura a disposición del usuario.Isolo és un conjunt de quatre productes interactius, dissenyats pels estudiants del Grau de Disseny d’EINA, que exploren i apliquen el concepte “privacitat”. Els projectes ofereixen diferents formes d’aïllament respectant els hàbits dels usuaris i recreant atmosferes d’intimitat, des de l’individu fins al col·lectiu. Els projectes presentats són: Köllen Eget és un espai de treball adaptat als nous hàbits de treball i a l’ús de les noves tecnologies. La interactivitat del producte permet reorganitzar l’espai i generar un ambient personalitzat, adaptant-se a cada usuari a través de la il·luminació, l’acústica i la presència de diferents elements mòbils. Còdol és un separador d’espais que contempla el contrast entre el buit i el ple. Aconsegueix crear un ambient privat dins d’un entorn interior i concorregut gràcies a la seva estructura envoltant de panells mòbils amb propietats acústiques i tonalitats suaus. Petal és una cadira versàtil i adaptable a l’usuari, inspirada en les formes orgàniques de les flors. A cada lateral hi ha un panell flexible que permet ser regulat en diferents posicions i d’aquesta manera convertir-lo en un espai d’emmagatzematge personalitzat d’acord amb les necessitats de l’usuari. Kodama és un panell decoratiu, que es presenta com una arbreda d’influència oriental, coronada pels elements més distintius de tot el conjunt: els seients, que estan disposats aleatòriament per tota l’estructura a disposició de l’usuari.Isolo is a set of four interactive products, designed by students on the EINA Bachelor’s Degree in Design, that explore and apply the concept of “privacy”. The projects offer different forms of isolation, respecting users’ habits and recreating atmospheres of intimacy, from the individual to the group. The projects presented are: Köllen Eget is a workspace adapted to new working habits and the use of new technologies. The interactivity of the product allows users to reorganise their space and create a personalised ambience, adapting to each user through light, sound and the presence of different mobile elements. Còdol is a space divider that considers the contrast between empty and full. It manages to create a private ambience in an interior and busy environment thanks to its structure, surrounded by moveable panels with sound properties and soft tones. Petal is a versatile chair that is adaptable to the user, inspired by the organic shapes of flowers. On each side is a flexible panel that can be regulated in different positions, so turning it into a personalised storage space in line with your needs. Kodama is a decorative panel displayed as an Oriental-influenced woodland crowned by the most distinctive elements of the entire piece: the seats, which are placed at random throughout the whole structure for use by the user

Phase angle by electrical bioimpedance is a predictive factor of hospitalisation, falls and mortality in patients with cirrhosis

The phase angle is a versatile measurement to assess body composition, frailty and prognosis in patients with chronic diseases. In cirrhosis, patients often present alterations in body composition that are related to adverse outcomes. The phase angle could be useful to evaluate prognosis in these patients, but data are scarce. The aim was to analyse the prognostic value of the phase angle to predict clinically relevant events such as hospitalisation, falls, and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Outpatients with cirrhosis were consecutively included and the phase angle was determined by electrical bioimpedance. Patients were prospectively followed to determine the incidence of hospitalisations, falls, and mortality. One hundred patients were included. Patients with phase angle¿=¿4.6° (n¿=¿31) showed a higher probability of hospitalisation (35% vs 11%, p¿=¿0.003), falls (41% vs 11%, p¿=¿0.001) and mortality (26% vs 3%, p¿=¿0.001) at 2-year follow-up than patients with PA¿>¿4.6° (n¿=¿69). In the multivariable analysis, the phase angle and MELD-Na were independent predictive factors of hospitalisation and mortality. Phase angle was the only predictive factor for falls. In conclusion, the phase angle showed to be a predictive marker for hospitalisation, falls, and mortality in outpatients with cirrhosis.Postprint (published version

Millora de material docent en l'àmbit de l'electrònica de potència a l'EUETIT i l'EPSEM adaptat als crèdits ECTS.

El projecte “Millora de material docent en l'àmbit de l'electrònica de potència a l'EUETIT i l'EPSEM adaptat als crèdits ECTS” te com a finalitat la millora de la formació i rendiment acadèmic dels estudiants tenint present el proper horitzó de l’any 2010 en que s’iniciarà el desplegament dels nous plans d'estudi fonamentats en l'EEES i la adopció del sistema ECTS. Els objectius que es volen assolir son:1. Aprofundir en la coordinació de continguts i mètodes entre les assignatures de la mateixa titulació involucrades en el projecte. 2. Elaborar un material multimèdia específic per l’aprenentatge d’electrònica de potència. Tota la documentació multimèdia generada i actualitzada estarà dipositada en el Campus digital de les assignatures (Atenea) en l'entorn Moodle. 3. Dissenyar, muntar, provar i fabricar material de laboratori que permetin millorar els mètodes i continguts docents. 4.Avançar mitjançant les noves metodologies docents cap a la convergència de l’EEES i la implantació dels ECTS. 5. Estrènyer la col·laboració entre els equips docents dels dos campus que la UPC té a Terrassa i Manresa. 6. Col·laborar amb la Factoria de Recursos Docents amb l'ús d'estàndards de materials docents de la UPC. Allotjar el material al Dipòsit de Materials Docentes de la UPC.Peer Reviewe

Male-biased gastrointestinal parasitism in a nearly monomorphic mountain ungulate

Background: Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) is a nearly monomorphic mountain ungulate with an unbiased sex-specific overwinter adult survival. Few differences in gastrointestinal parasitism have been reported by coprology as yet. This study aims to assess diversity, prevalence, intensity of infection and aggregation of gastrointestinal nematodes in male and female adult chamois. We expect no differences in the parasite infection rates between sexes. Findings: Gastrointestinal tracts of 28 harvested Pyrenean chamois in the Catalan Pyrenees (autumn 2012 and 2013) were necropsied and sexual differences in the diversity and structure of parasite community, prevalence, intensity of infection, and richness were investigated. We found 25 helminth species belonging to 13 different genera. Conclusions: Contrary to our expectations, male chamois showed different parasite communities, higher prevalence, intensity of infection and richness than females. Such sexual differences were clear irrespective of age of individuals. Hence, male chamois must cope with a more diverse and abundant parasite community than females, without apparent biological cost. Further research will be required to confirm this hypothesis

Strategies to reengage patients lost to follow up in HIV care in high income countries, a scoping review

Background: Despite remarkable achievements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), losses to follow-up (LTFU) might prevent the long-term success of HIV treatment and might delay the achievement of the 90-90-90 objectives. This scoping review is aimed at the description and analysis of the strategies used in high-income countries to reengage LTFU in HIV care, their implementation and impact. Methods: A scoping review was done following Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework and recommendations from Joanna Briggs Institute. Peer reviewed articles were searched for in Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science; and grey literature was searched for in Google and other sources of information. Documents were charted according to the information presented on LTFU, the reengagement procedures used in HIV units in high-income countries, published during the last 15 years. In addition, bibliographies of chosen articles were reviewed for additional articles. Results: Twenty-eight documents were finally included, over 80% of them published in the United States later than 2015. Database searches, phone calls and/or mail contacts were the most common strategies used to locate and track LTFU, while motivational interviews and strengths-based techniques were used most often during reengagement visits. Outcomes like tracing activities efficacy, rates of reengagement and viral load reduction were reported as outcome measures. Conclusions: This review shows a recent and growing trend in developing and implementing patient reengagement strategies in HIV care. However, most of these strategies have been implemented in the United States and little information is available for other high-income countries. The procedures used to trace and contact LTFU are similar across reviewed studies, but their impact and sustainability are widely different depending on the country studied

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Situación y perspectivas laborales de los técnicos de salud de atención primaria de Cataluña Working conditions of public health workers in the primary care in Catalonia, Spain

Objetivos: Explorar la situación laboral de los técnicos de salud adscritos a las unidades docentes de medicina de familia y comunitaria de Cataluña. Métodos: Estudio transversal. Resultados: De 53 posibles técnicos de salud, se obtuvieron 40 respuestas, 29 completas. Más de la mitad de los técnicos de salud del Institut Català de la Salut son interinos. Sus principales actividades son la docencia, el apoyo metodológico a la investigación y la evaluación de servicios y personal sanitario. Desean mayor definición de sus funciones y mejorar sus condiciones de trabajo. Aunque una pequeña proporción considera muy difícil la coordinación en la salud pública, la mayoría muestra disposición a colaborar. Conclusiones: La inestabilidad laboral, las mejoras salariales y la definición de funciones son prioritarias para los técnicos de salud. Consideran deseable la coordinación de la atención primaria con los servicios de salud pública.<br>Objective: To describe the working conditions and tasks of health workers in the health training unit of family medicine in Catalonia, Spain. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Results: Fifty-three public health workers were located. Forty responses were obtained, of which 29 were complete. More than half the health technicians in the Catalan Health Service had temporary contracts. Their main tasks were teaching, providing methodological assistance in research, and auditing healthcare services and healthcare workers. Health technicians wanted more precise job definition and better working conditions. Although a small proportion believed coordination of primary care and public health to be very difficult, most would take part in it. Conclusions: The main issues for public health workers were work instability, better salaries, and greater job definition. Coordination between primary care and public health was considered desirable