Promoting urban regeneration and aging in place: APRAM – An interdisciplinary method to support decision-making in building renovation

Current European policies aim to promote the sustainable urban regeneration of housing stock while ensuring aging in place. Following these targets, this research proposes the Architectural and Psycho-environmental Retrofitting Assessment Method (APRAM) as an interdisciplinary decision support system, specifically designed to be applied in building renovation, which considers architectural demands and residents’ perceptions. This method generates an integral diagnosis that combines an architectural evaluation, through technical inspection grids, and psycho-environmental perceptions, by gathering residents’ responses from a participatory survey, in order to facilitate decision-making regarding renovation proposals. Retrofitting interventions, structured in public space, building, and dwelling scales, are assessed using architectural priority levels as well as social and engagement indicators of satisfaction, attachment, social need, and willingness to participate, thereby establishing a decision support system for property owners or public entities. APRAM is applied and tested in a residential neighbourhood of Lisbon (Portugal), for which its architectural, social and economic reports are defined in a summary table and a graphical display that show the integral performance of each intervention. Over 80% of responses involve major demands for which the proposed method shows close connections between the architectural diagnosis and residents’ perceptions for the decision-making process.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

La conciliación entre la vida laboral y la práctica de la religión musulmana en España: un estudio sobre la aplicación del acuerdo de cooperación con la comisión islámica de España y otras cuestiones relacionadas

Integrado en el proyecto de investigación «El Islam en el ámbito laboral y de la Seguridad Social en España», del que el presente trabajo no sería sino un resultado parcial, a través de éste se pretenden analizar los efectos jurídicos derivados de algunas prácticas religiosas musulmanas en los ámbitos citados. En concreto, se analizan la profesión de fe, la oración, el ayuno durante el Ramadán, la peregrinación a La Meca, las festividades y las prescripciones alimenticias. Dicho análisis parte del siguiente punto de partida: la posibilidad de que un trabajador musulmán pueda hacer compatible su actividad laboral con la práctica de su religión, no sólo se halla genéricamente amparada por el derecho de libertad religiosa regulado en el artículo 16.1 de la Constitución Española, sino que encuentra un respaldo legal específico en el Acuerdo de cooperación firmado en 1992 entre el Estado español y la «Comisión Islámica de España», aprobado mediante la Ley 26/1992, de 10 de noviembre. A tal efecto, tras unas consideraciones genéricas sobre el culto del Islam en España, en primer lugar se describe a grandes rasgos el contenido de las prácticas religiosas musulmanas objeto de análisis. En segundo lugar, se constata de qué manera el Acuerdo de cooperación regula las especificidades propias del culto islámico y el modo de desarrollarlas en el ámbito laboral, así como en qué medida cuestiones de esta índole se van haciendo presentes dentro del campo de la negociación colectiva. Y, en último término, se identifican los principales puntos de conflicto (ilustrándolos en ocasiones a través de jurisprudencia), así como las carencias normativas existentes, proponiendo las oportunas soluciones. Todo ello refrendado con los resultados parciales de una encuesta dirigida a trabajadores musulmanes de diversas partes de España

Texture perception determined by doy protein isolate and inulin addition in potato puree: links with mechanical and microstructural features

This study evaluated the effect of adding soy protein isolate (SPI) and long-chain perception, trained and untrained panel inulin (INL) blends with 10 different SPI : INL ratios on the textural, rheological and 17 microstructural properties of freshly made and frozen/thawed potato puree. All the potato puree samples were subjected to a sensory texture pro?le analysis and a 21 trained panel rated the intensity of six descriptors, while an untrained panel did the same on six selected frozen/thawed products. The main SPI : INL ratio effect remained signi?cant for all the descriptors evaluated, when the analysis of variance was applied considering the untrained assessors as random effects. However, only trained panel scores for creaminess corresponded well with untrained assessor. Rheological ?ow index values were linked with variations in perceived consistency, and geometric and surface textural attributes were explained by structural features such as the presence of INL crystallites and SPI coarse strands

Psychometrical analysis of Lodahl and Kejner’s Job Involvement Scale in workers from Arequipa

En el siguiente artículo se presenta el análisis psicométrico de la Escala de Involucramiento en el trabajo de Lodahl y Kejner, que consta de 20 ítems dispuestos en una escala tipo Likert con cinco alternativas de respuesta. Se compone de siete factores y posee adecuados niveles de validez y confiabilidad según la teoría clásica de los tests. Se aplicó la prueba a 223 trabajadores de la ciudad de Arequipa, del sector salud y del sector administrativo. Los resultados indican que la prueba tiene adecuada homogeneidad y una estructura interna de cinco factores: absorción por el trabajo, irrelevancia del trabajo, preocupación por el trabajo, sentido de trabajo y desmotivación. Sus niveles de confiabilidad se ubican por encima de 0.725, obtenidos a través de la prueba Alfa de Cronbach. Se concluye que la prueba es válida y confiable.In the following article we present a psychometric analysis of Lodahl and Kejner’s Job Involvement Scale, which contains 20 items in a Likert scale with five alternatives to answer. This instrument has seven factors and adequate levels of validity and reliability according to the classic theory of tests. We applied the test to 223 workers at Arequipa City, from the health and administrative occupational field. The results indicate that the test have adequate homogeneity and an internal structure of five factors: absorption for work, irrelevance of work, concern for work, sense of work and unmotivation. Its levels of reliability are located over 0.725, obtained by the Cronbach’s Alpha Test. We conclude the test is valid and reliable

Role of lysosomal enzymes released by alveolar macrophages in the pathogenesis of the acute phase of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Hydrolytic enzymes are the major constituents of alveolar macrophages (AM) and have been shown to be involved in many aspects of the inflammatory pulmonary response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of lysosomal enzymes in the acute phase of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HPs). An experimental study on AM lysosomal enzymes of an HP-guinea-pig model was performed. The results obtained both in vivo and in vitro suggest that intracellular enzymatic activity decrease is, at least partly, due to release of lysosomal enzymes into the medium. A positive but slight correlation was found between extracellular lysosomal activity and four parameters of lung lesion (lung index, bronchoalveolar fluid total (BALF) protein concentration, BALF LDH and BALF alkaline phosphatase activities). All the above findings suggest that the AM release of lysosomal enzymes during HP is a factor involved, although possibly not the only one, in the pulmonary lesions appearing in this disease

Association between interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism (-174 G/C), serum interleukin-6 levels and mortality in severe septic patients

The association between interleukin (IL)-6 promoter polymorphism (-174 G/C), circulating IL-6 levels and mortality in septic patients has scarcely been addressed, and then only in studies of small sample size, and a direct association among them has not been previously reported. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine whether this association exists. An observational, prospective and multicenter study including severe septic patients was undertaken and serum IL-6 levels at severe sepsis diagnosis and IL-6 promoter polymorphism (-174 G/C) were determined. The end-point of the study was 30-day mortality. The study included 263 patients with the following genotypes of IL-6 promoter polymorphism (-174 G/C): 123 (46.8%) GG, 110 (41.8%) GC and 30 (11.4%) CC. CC homozygous patients showed lower sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, serum IL-6 levels and mortality at 30 days compared to those with other genotypes (GC or GG). On regression analysis, CC homozygous patients showed lower 30-day mortality than those with genotype GG (odds ratio = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.053-0.838; p = 0.03) or GC (hazard ratio = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.074-1.037; p = 0.06). The most important results of our study were that CC might be a favorable genotype in septic patients showing lower serum IL-6 levels and lower risk of death within 30 days

The 4G/4G genotype of PAI-1 polymorphism is associated with higher plasma PAI-1 concentrations and mortality in patients with severe sepsis

Objective: Two studies have reported that patients with the 4G/4G genotype of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) genetic polymorphism had higher plasma PAI-1 concentrations and higher risk of death than those with the 4G/5G or 5G/5G genotypes; one study involved 175 children with meningococcal disease, and the other included 88 adult patients with septic shock. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between carriage of the 4G/4G genotype, plasma PAI-1 concentrations and mortality in a large series of adult septic patients. Methods: An observational, prospective, multicenter study was carried out in six Spanish Intensive Care Units including severe septic patients. We determined the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and plasma PAI-1 concentrations in all patients. The end-points of the study were 30-day and 6-month mortality. Results: We included a total of 260 patients, 82 (31.5%) with 4G/4G, 126 (48.5%) with 4G/5G and 52 (20.0%) with 5G/5G genotype. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the 4G/4G genotype was associated with higher mortality at 30 days (Odds Ratio = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.063-3.561; p = 0.03) and at 6 months (Odds Ratio = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.221-3.934; p = 0.01), and that higher plasma PAI-1 concentrations were associated with higher mortality at 30 days (Odds Ratio = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.002-1.022; p = 0.02) at 6 months (Odds Ratio = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.003-1.023; p = 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that increased plasma PAI-1 concentrations were associated with the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype (regression coefficient = 4.82; 95% CI = 3.227 to 6.406; p<0.001). Conclusions: The major findings of our study, to our knowledge the largest series reporting data about 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene, plasma PAI-1 concentrations and mortality in septic patients, were that septic patients with the 4G/4G genotype had higher plasma PAI-1 concentrations and higher risk of death than those with 4G/5G or 5G/5G genotypes

Prevalencia de obesidad y otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular en una población rural del Paraguay(1)

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de obesidady su relación con otros factores de riesgo cardiovasculares(FRC): antecedente familiar, HTA, DM, Dislipemia; enuna población rural del Paraguay.MATERIAL Y METODO: estudio observacional,descriptivo con componente analítico, de residentes enBella Vista Norte, realizado de enero a marzo de 2004.Muestreo aleatorio simple con visitas casa por casa, fueronincluidos individuos de 15 a 60 años de ambos sexos.Las variables fueron: peso, talla, IMC, circunferencia decintura y factores de riesgo cardiovasculares. Se analizó laasociación existente entre obesidad y otros FRC mediantela prueba chi2, se tomó la razón de riesgo (RR) y los valoresde p para el análisis de los resultados.RESULTADOS: de los 216 sujetos evaluados, 140(64,8%) eran de sexo femenino, con una media de edad:40±13 años. Se encontró sobrepeso/obesidad en 52,3%,(33,8% con sobrepeso y 18,5% obesos), en 44/76 (57,9%)varones y en 69/140 (49,6%). La mayor tasa de sobrepesofue observada entre 45 y 55años (37%) y obesidad entre35 y 54 años (63%). Los antecedentes familiares de losque presentaban sobrepeso/obesidad es la siguiente: HTA:52,2%, Dislipidemia 40,7%, DM 30,1%, ACV 9,7% eIAM 8,8%. Hubo asociación entre sobrepeso/obesidadcon: Dislipidemia en 59% (RR=2,11; IC95% 1,5–3;p&lt;10!5); con HTA en 52,2% (RR=2,34; IC95% 1,6–3;p&lt;10–5); con tolerancia anormal a la glucosa un 7,1%(RR=3,65; IC95% 0,8–16,8; p=NS). Se encontró obesidadabdominal en 63 (29,2%). Estos presentaron asociacióncon HTA en el 54% (RR=1,72; IC95%1,24-2,4; p&lt;10!2),con dislipidemia 65,1% (RR=1,8; IC95% 1,4–2,4; p&lt;10–4); con DM en 9,5% (RR=3,64; IC95% 1,06-12,4; p=NS).Hubo correlación lineal estadísticamente significativaentre los valores de IMC con los de: la presión arterial(estad f=24, r2=0,10, p&lt;10Ñ6), con los del colesterol (estadf=19, r2=0,08, p&lt;10Ñ6), y los de triglicéridos (estad f=16,r2=0,07, p&lt;10Ñ4); y entre los valores de cintura con losde: presión arterial (estad f=30, r2=0,12, p&lt;10Ñ6), con losdel colesterol (estad f=24, r2=0,10, p&lt;10Ñ3), y los de triglicéridos(estad f=33, r2=0,14, p&lt;10Ñ3). Las asociacionesmostraron además ser estadísticamente significativas conlos test de comparación de medias.CONCLUSIÓN: Poco más de la mitad de la poblaciónrural estudiada presentó sobrepeso/obesidad, asociándoseéste parámetro con la hipertensión arterial y la dislipidemiaen forma estadísticamente significativa

Lifestyle and Treatment Adherence Intervention after a Coronary Event Based on an Interactive Web Application (EVITE): Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol

Coronary heart disease is one of the main causes of morbimortality around the world. Patients that survive a coronary event suffer a high risk of readmission, relapse and mortality, attributed to the sub-optimal control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), which highlights the need to improve secondary prevention strategies aimed at improving their lifestyle and adherence to treatment. Through a randomized controlled clinical trial, this study aims to evaluate the effect of an intervention involving an online health application supported by a mobile telephone or tablet (mHealth) on lifestyle (diet, physical activity, and tobacco consumption) and treatment adherence among people with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. The sample will comprise 240 subjects (120 in each arm: intervention and usual care). They are assessed immediately and nine months after their hospital discharge about sociodemographic, clinical, CVRF, lifestyle, and treatment adherence characteristics. The educative intervention, involving a follow-up and self-monitoring, will be performed using an online mHealth tool consisting of an application for mobile phones and tablets. The quantitative primary outcomes from the two groups will be compared using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for age and gender. A multivariate analysis will be performed to examine the association of the intervention with lifestyle habits, the control of CVRFs, and outcomes after discharge in terms of the use of health services, emergency visits, cardiovascular events and readmissions.Andalusian Ministry of Health and Families, Spain. Public funding. PI-0067-2018. JA Tur is funded by CIBEROBN (CB12/03/30038)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III and cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund