Sobre el armado de vigas planas de hormigón

El uso de vigas planas en edificación se ha generalizado por motivos funcionales.El cálculo automatizado de esfuerzos y armado en ordenador provoca en ocasiones un exceso de confianza en el tratamiento de los detalles de casos particulares.En este articulo se trata el caso de apoyo extremo de vigas de borde y se muestran los efectos que sobre el armado tiene la asimetría de las condiciones de apoyo

Game species: extinction hidden by census numbers

Management of game species may involve a risk of alteration of their genetic properties. Local adaptations may be disrupted if artificially selected individuals from farms or those belonging to distant geographical areas are introduced to increase population density or trophy ‘quality’. In Spain, red deer (Cervus elaphus) from different European subspecies have been introduced to increase the size of trophies (antlers) of local populations. Legislation against these introductions is not effective for various reasons, and once the individuals are in the Iberian peninsula it is virtually impossible to prevent their spreading throughout the whole territory without a genetic tool to distinguish between autochthonous and foreign specimens. We have developed such a genetic test and propose a strategy to dissuade land-owners from importing foreign deer. Since deer are bred mainly for their antlers, our strategy is based on an agreement with the National Trophy Body in Spain which rejects trophies from foreign populations. Rejection decreases the value of the trophy so that it becomes more profitable to produce autochthonous deer. Using such a strategy at some critical step in the production or commercialisation process may be a good model to apply in protecting genetic properties of exploited species

Especies de caza: procesos de extinción ocultos tras elevados tamaños de censo

Management of game species may involve a risk of alteration of their genetic properties. Local adaptations may be disrupted if artificially selected individuals from farms or those belonging to distant geographical areas are introduced to increase population density or trophy “quality”. In Spain, red deer (Cervus elaphus) from different European subspecies have been introduced to increase the size of trophies (antlers) of local populations. Legislation against these introductions is not effective for various reasons, and once the individuals are in the Iberian peninsula it is virtually impossible to prevent their spreading throughout the whole territory without a genetic tool to distinguish between autochthonous and foreign specimens. We have developed such a genetic test and propose a strategy to dissuade land–owners from importing foreign deer. Since deer are bred mainly for their antlers, our strategy is based on an agreement with the National Trophy Body in Spain which rejects trophies from foreign populations. Rejection decreases the value of the trophy so that it becomes more profitable to produce autochthonous deer. Using such a strategy at some critical step in the production or commercialization process may be a good model to apply in protecting genetic properties of exploited species.La gestión de las especies de caza puede conllevar riesgos de alteración de sus propiedades genéticas. Las adaptaciones locales pueden deteriorarse si ejemplares producidos mediante selección artificial en granjas o procedentes de áreas geográficas distantes, son introducidos para aumentar la densidad poblacional o la "calidad" de los trofeos de caza. En España, se han introducido ejemplares de ciervo ibérico (Cervus elaphus) procedentes de distintas subespecies europeas para aumentar así el tamaño de las cuernas (trofeos de caza) de las poblaciones autóctonas. La legislación contra este tipo de introducciones no es eficaz por diversos motivos y, una vez introducidos los ejemplares en la península ibérica, es prácticamente imposible prevenir su dispersión por todo el territorio sin contar con herramientas genéticas que permitan diferenciar los ejemplares autóctonos de los foráneos. Nosotros hemos desarrollado un test genético para este fin, y hemos propuesto una estrategia para disuadir a lospropietarios de llevar a cabo la importación de ejemplares foráneos. Puesto que los ciervos se crían fundamentalmente por su cornamenta como trofeo de caza, nuestra estrategia se ha basado en un acuerdo con la Junta Nacional de Homologación de Trofeos de Caza, para que ésta rechace los trofeos pertenecientes a ejemplares foráneos. Este rechazo reduce el valor de los ejemplares procedentes de otras poblaciones y favorece la producción de ciervo autóctono. Sugerimos que la utilización de estrategias de este tipo en puntos clave de procesos de producción o comercialización, puede ser un buen modelo a aplicar para proteger las propiedades genéticas de las especies sujetas a explotación por el hombre

Graphical tools for helping firefighters in victim rescues. Assessment during a live fire training program

This study compares three different methods to communicate the features of a building to firefighters, before starting a victim rescue during a live fire training program. Participants in this study did not previously know the hotel used for developing the activities. The effective number of participants was 144, all professional firefighters. One of the exercises in this training program was thoroughly designed not only for training purposes, but also to test different guide versions. The innovative guides were based on two different technologies (simple stapled sheets of paper and digital content displayed on a tablet) and were developed using several graphical tools (conventional pictures, aerial images captured with drone, 3D models, 360° pictures, etc.). With the intention of facilitating firefighters’ activity during a victim rescue, results obtained using these tools were compared with a conventional communication method. The assessment methodology applied in this study included the use of an anonym questionnaire, as well as the analysis of the videos captured with action cameras, attached with a harness to the chest of two of the four firefighters in every team, during the training activities. Thanks to these videos, it was possible to compare the time required for rescuing the victim and to observe followed paths, visited rooms and substantial information about the tested tools, including valuable participants’ comments. For in emergency situations, the tools described in this paper were preferred to the already existent self-protection plans, usually considered too extensive for fast communication, a matter of special importance in victim rescues

Environmental impact of the diet of young Portuguese and its relationship with adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

Objective: To estimate, in a cohort of young Portuguese adults, the environmental impact (greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, energy used, acidification and potential eutrophication) of diet according to adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD). Methods: Data from 1554 participants of the Epidemiologic Health Investigation of Teenagers in Porto (EPITeen) were analysed. Food intake and MD adherence were determined using validated questionnaires. The environmental impact was evaluated with the EAT-Lancet Commission tables, and the link between MD adherence and environmental impact was calculated using adjusted multivariate linear regression models. Results: Higher adherence (high vs. low) to the MD was associated with lower environmental impact in terms of land use (7.8 vs. 8.5 m2, p = 0.002), potential acidification (57.8 vs. 62.4 g SO2-eq, p = 0.001) and eutrophication (21.7 vs. 23.5 g PO4-eq, p < 0.001). Energy use decreased only in the calorie-adjusted model (9689.5 vs. 10,265.9 kJ, p < 0.001), and GHG emissions were reduced only in a complementary model where fish consumption was eliminated (3035.3 vs. 3281.2 g CO2-eq, p < 0.001). Meat products had the greatest environmental impact for all five environmental factors analysed: 35.7% in GHG emissions, 60.9% in energy use, 72.8% in land use, 70% in acidification and 61.8% in eutrophication. Conclusions: Higher adherence to the MD is associated with lower environmental impact, particularly in terms of acidification, eutrophication, and land use. Reducing meat consumption can contribute to greater environmental sustainability. © The Author(s) 2024.Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on). The EPITeen cohort study was supported by national funding from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. This study was supported through FEDER from the Operational Programme Factors of Competitiveness—COMPETE and through national funding from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science) within the project PTDC/DTP-EPI/6506/2014, and by the Epidemiology Research Unit—Institute of Public Health, University of Porto (UID/DTP/047507/2013)

Effects of 2 Physiotherapy Programs on Pain Perception, Muscular Flexibility, and Illness Impact in Women With Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study

[EN] Objective This study assessed the effect of 2 physiotherapy programs designed to improve flexibility and to reduce the impact of the illness and pain perception in women with the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), and compared the effects of the 2 programs in the short and intermediate term. Methods Twenty FMS patients were randomly assigned to 2 training groups, one following a program of kinesiotherapy and active muscular stretching and one using techniques of Global Myofascial Physiotherapy, according to the Mézières method. Both groups met twice a week for 12 weeks, for a total of 150 minutes each week. Flexibility and illness impact were measured by means of a standard test, whereas pain was assessed by means of thumb palpation. Measurements were taken at the beginning and end of the program and 24 weeks after its end. Results Patients had achieved a statistically significant reduction in the severity of the disease and improved their flexibility level by the end of the program, but had returned to initial values after follow-up. Significant differences were not observed between the 2 treatment groups in the initial values or in the results at the end of the program or after the follow-up, so neither program proved better than the other. Conclusion The FMS patients in this study improved their flexibility level and general well-being using both kinesiotherapy and stretching exercises techniques.S

Relationship between aerobic fitness and quality of life in female fibromyalgia patients

[EN] Objective: To determine whether there is a direct link between quality of life and aerobic capacity among female fibromyalgia patients. Design: Cross-section study. Setting: University of Leo´ n. Subjects: Twenty-nine women belonging to the Leo´ n Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Association. Main measurements: Aerobic capacity and quality of life were measured by means of the Six-Minute Walk Test and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Outcome measures included heart rate and rate of perceived fatigue and dypsnoea. Results: The average distance walked was 432.8 (61.2) m and the total average Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score was 47.5 (18.9). Only item 1 of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, physical function, showed any statistically significant link with the distance walked, which had no statistically significant rela- tionship with any of the variables studied. Conclusion: The physical fitness of women with fibromyalgia, as determined by the Six-Minute Walk Test and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, has no direct relation with quality of life as the patients perceive it.S

Raw versus cooked food matching: Nutrient intake using the 2015/16 Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey

In many countries, statistics from household consumption and expenditure surveys are increasingly being used to inform policies and programs. In household surveys, foods are typically reported as they are acquired (the majority are raw). However, the micronutrient content of some foods diminishes during processing and cooking. Using food consumption data from the 2015/16 Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey, this study analyzes whether mean consumption estimates of dietary energy, macronutrients, and eight micronutrients are equivalent (applying a two-side paired equivalence test) when matching foods: (1) considering the nutrient content in raw foods (as reported in the survey), and (2) considering the nutrient content in foods as typically consumed, thus applying yield and retention factors as needed. Both food matching approaches rendered statistically equivalent mean consumption estimates, at national and county levels, for dietary energy, protein, fats, available carbohydrates, total fiber, calcium and zinc. Non-equivalent means were found for iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, and C. The higher differences between the means were, in percentage change, for vitamin C (47 %), B1 (34 %) and B12 (26 %)

Integrating clinical research in an operative screening and diagnostic breast imaging department: First experience, results and perspectives using microwave imaging.

Clinical research is crucial for evaluating new medical procedures and devices. It is important for healthcare units and hospitals to minimize the disruptions caused by conducting clinical studies; however, complex clinical pathways require dedicated recruitment and study designs.This work presents the effective introduction of novel microwave breast imaging (MBI), via MammoWave apparatus, into the clinical routine of an operative screening and diagnostic breast imaging department for conducting a multicentric clinical study. Microwave breast imaging, using MammoWave apparatus, was performed on volunteers coming from different clinical pathways. Clinical data, comprising demographics and conventional radiologic reports (used as reference standard), was collected; a satisfaction questionnaire was filled by every volunteer. Microwave images were analyzed by an automatic clinical decision support system, which quantified their corresponding features to discriminate between breasts with no relevant radiological findings (NF) and breasts with described findings (WF). Conventional breast imaging (DBT, US, MRI) and MBI were performed and adapted to assure best clinical practices and optimum pathways. 180 volunteers, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, were enrolled in the study. After microwave images' quality assessment, 48 NF (15 dense) and 169 WF (88 dense) breasts were used for the prospective study; 48 (18 dense) breasts suffered from a histology-confirmed carcinoma. An overall sensitivity of 85.8 % in breasts lesions' detection was achieved by the microwave imaging apparatus. An optimum recruitment strategy was implemented to assess MBI. Future trials may show the clinical usefulness of microwave imaging, which may play an important role in breast screening. [Abstract copyright: © 2023 The Authors.