Módulo de inversiones para la rehabilitación energética de edificios de viviendas: Revisión y aplicación al indicador de pobreza energética

In the present paper has been prepared a module of investments for energy- efficient retrofitting, in the framework of a work coordinated by the Grupo de Termotecnia and Arditec from Universidad de Sevilla. First, it was analyzed the foundations of existing costs, both solutions of thermal envelope and facilities, as in the methodology of the simplified procedure of certification of the energy efficiency of existing buildings CE3_Viviendas and the improvement measures of energy demand which proposes the tool, in order to identify the solutions that would be part of the module. Secondly, it was developed a cost structure of energy- efficient retrofitting model based on the systematic classification of the Andalucía’s cost base building. From this, the costs of the proposed energy efficiency solutions were calculated according to the procedure of unit prices used in the sector traditionally. It was established a relationship between economic and social aspects with the obtained results by using fuel poverty’s indicator.En el presente trabajo se ha elaborado un módulo de inversiones para la rehabilitación energética de edificios de viviendas, en el marco de un trabajo coordinado por el Grupo de Termotecnia y Arditec de la Universidad de Sevilla. En primer lugar, se analizaron las bases de costes existentes, tanto de soluciones de envolvente térmica como de instalaciones, así como la metodología de trabajo del procedimiento simplificado de certificación de eficiencia energética de edificios existentes CE3_Viviendas y la relación de medidas de mejora de la demanda energética que propone la herramienta, identificando el conjunto de soluciones que formarán parte del módulo. En segundo lugar, se elaboró un modelo de estructura de costes de rehabilitación energética basado en la clasificación sistemática de la Base de Costes de la Construcción de Andalucía, a partir del cual calcular los costes de las soluciones de rehabilitación energética propuestas siguiendo el procedimiento de elaboración de precios unitarios tradicionalmente utilizado en el sector. Por último, en base a los resultados obtenidos se establece una relación entre los aspectos económicos, coste de una rehabilitación energética, y sociales, calidad de vida de los inquilinos, mediante el análisis del indicador de Pobreza Energética

Association of Functional Polymorphisms of KIR3DL1/DS1 With Behçet's Disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is an immune-mediated vasculitis related to imbalances between the innate and adaptive immune response. Infectious agents or environmental factors may trigger the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. HLA-B51 is the genetic factor stronger associated with the disease, although the bases of this association remain elusive. NK cells have also been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of BD. A family of NK receptors, Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR), with a very complex organization, is very important in the education and control of the NK cells by the union to their ligands, most of them, HLA class I molecules. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of certain KIR functional polymorphisms to the susceptibility to BD. A total of 466 BD patients and 444 healthy individuals were genotyped in HLA class I (A, B, and C). The set of KIR genes and the functional variants of KIR3DL1/DS1 and KIR2DS4 were also determined. Frequency of KIR3DL1004 was lower in patients than in controls (0.15 vs. 0.20, P = 0.005, Pc = 0.015; OR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.54-0.90) in both B51 positive and negative individuals. KIR3DL1004, which encodes a misfolded protein, is included in a common telomeric haplotype with only one functional KIR gene, KIR3DL2. Both, KIR3DL1 and KIR3DL2 sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns but they have different capacities to eliminate them. The education of the NK cells depending on the HLA, the balance of KIR3DL1/KIR3DL2 licensed NK cells and the different capacities of these receptors to eliminate pathogens could be involved in the etiopathogenesis of BD

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

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Prevalence of energy poverty in Japan: A comprehensive analysis of energy poverty vulnerabilities

Energy poverty, defined as the inability to fulfil adequate levels of domestic energy services, has been analysed in Japan previously. However, neither policy agendas nor official definitions of energy poverty have been established yet, resulting in the neglect of energy-poor households and other relevant aspects of this issue. This study is the first to examine the contextual factors of energy poverty in Japan, through the perspective of energy poverty vulnerabilities. The study uses a new multidimensional approach, covering the issues of affordability and accessibility to different forms of energy, as well as the effects of new technologies on the risk of energy poverty. The study develops several unexplored issues in previous literature, such as access to low-carbon energy as an issue in developed countries. The results highlight the role of location, infrastructure and household characteristics in influencing the risk of suffering energy poverty in Japan. The seasonality of energy poverty in Japan is also analysed, revealing higher rates of energy poverty in the northern regions during winter and in the southernmost region during summer. Finally, the impact of the ongoing energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy on energy poverty is discussed. © 2021 The Author(s

Towards a just energy transition, barriers and opportunities for positive energy district creation in Spain

This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Communities in the Changing Energy Landscape.To mitigate the effects of climate change, the European Commission created a Strategic Energy Technology Plan committing to forming 100 Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by 2025. These are considered to potentially be major instruments for decarbonization in a just transition. This plan has led to some districts being defined as PEDs, although none have fully met the criteria to be a PED yet. Research shows that new forms of energy ownership and production, as could potentially be found in PEDs, could help reduce energy poverty, which affects a significant segment of the population, as households can reduce their energy expenditure as well as improve their energy behavior. This paper set out to shed light on the PED landscape, investigating the barriers and opportunities to PED creation in Spain and its potential to mitigate energy poverty. We conducted a literature review on community-owned energy in Spain, followed with expert interviews (energy researchers, stakeholders, and NGOs) who focus on sustainability issues in Spain. Results show a number of barriers (lack of knowledge and awareness, and lack of trust from consumers) and opportunities connected with the creation of PEDs. In conclusion, policymaker engagement and support play a key role in successfully implementing PEDs.This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sk;odowska-Curie Actions, Innovative Training Networks, Grant Agreement No 812730. Authors acknowledge the support for this work provided by the EPIU-Energy poverty intelligence unit (Funded by UE-European Regional Development Fund, UIA04-212 (EPIU)

A novel Index of Vulnerable Homes: Findings from application in Spain

This paper develops a novel index of vulnerable homes in terms of fuel poverty that is based on the analysis of different existing fuel poverty indicators and their relationship to the residential sector. The new index of vulnerable homes unifies the many indicators hitherto employed, and assesses the home vulnerability situation regardless of whether or not it is in fuel poverty by using three dimensions: monetary cost, energy and thermal comfort. The monetary dimension analyses vulnerability in relation to the available net income to face everyday life. The energy variable assesses the vulnerability related to the constructive characteristics of the dwelling. Finally, the introduction of the thermal-comfort variable enables the evaluation of the vulnerability related to the inner temperature of the dwelling and its perception by occupants. The combination of the different resulting values in each dimension and its relationship to the quality of life of occupants establishes a hierarchy of vulnerable levels. As a result, a multi-dimensional index is defined which relates technical aspects (characteristics of the dwelling) and social aspects (quality of life of households). The index of vulnerable homes provides a more complete assessment of the home situation than the existing fuel poverty indicators by identifying which variables require a greater assistance

Energy poverty goes south? Understanding the costs of energy poverty with the index of vulnerable homes in Spain

In southern European countries, despite having mild winters, many people live in cold and energy-inefficient properties and struggle to meet their energy needs for comfort and warmth, and therefore they run the risk of developing cold-related illnesses. Although the relationship between health, energy poverty, and cold/warm homes has been analysed by numerous studies, the identification of the direct impact of this relationship on society remains elusive in these countries. This paper shows a case study in a working-class district of Seville, Spain. Six multi-family residential buildings (providing social housing for a total of seventy-one households), built prior to energy-efficiency regulations being in place, are retrofitted by Seville City Council. The Index of Vulnerable Homes, defined by the authors, assesses the vulnerability to energy poverty (pre- and post-intervention) of those households. Furthermore, the costs to the National Health Service (NHS) are also estimated. The results show that savings for the NHS could be used in order to define the payback period of those retrofitting funds. In conclusion, this paper presents how the Index of Vulnerable Homes would be able to help in the development of a comprehensive and coordinated strategy in social housing to address energy poverty, and in the monitoring of the effectiveness of ongoing projects in the city of Seville

Energy poverty and emerging debates: Beyond the traditional triangle of energy poverty drivers

This paper evaluates whether, how, and why policy documents in six diverse European countries (Spain, France, Portugal, the UK, North Macedonia, and Slovenia) link energy poverty to other related policy areas. Our exploratory study suggests that the most explicit links to energy poverty are made in energy efficiency policies rather than in energy price and income policies, due to the dominant techno-economic approach to addressing energy poverty. As countries with a long tradition of addressing energy poverty, France and the UK integrate energy poverty to a greater extent in linked policies. Policy integration is reflected in EU efforts to include energy poverty in climate and energy policies. Emerging debates linked to energy poverty include good governance, citizens' agency, new energy services, and new threats from the energy transition. We argue that the spatial divide of energy poverty across Europe is more than a physical (infrastructural) divide. It is a policy (political) divide embedded in the economic and political space co-shaped by national path dependencies, such as the social welfare system, the energy market, the level of experience of dealing with energy poverty, and the influence of EU policies. These conditions determine the national policy integration efforts linked to energy poverty. © 2022 Elsevier Lt

Asuminen muutoksessa : Asunnot ja naapuruston jaetut tilat asukkaiden arjessa

YH Kodit Oy:n kerrostalokiinteistökantaan keskittyvä Asuminen muutoksessa -tutkimushanke (2020–2021) tarkasteli kerrostalojen asuntoja, jaettuja tiloja sekä ympäröiviä naapurustoja asukkaiden arjen tarpeiden näkökulmasta, alati muuttuvan yhteiskunnan kontekstissa. Tutkimuksen lähtökohtana oli tuottaa kokonaisvaltaista ja yhteen kokoavaa tietoa siitä, miten asuinympäristön tilat, toiminnot ja palvelut vaikuttavat yhdessä ja erikseen asukkaiden erilaisten tarpeiden toteutumismahdollisuuksiin sekä tukevat hyvää asumista ja hyvinvointia. Hankkeen loppuraportti tarjoaa tietoa suomalaisten asuinympäristöjen kehittämiseksi sekä uudis- että korjausrakentamisen suunnittelun näkökulmista. Tutkimus koostui kahdesta rinnakkain toteutetusta tarkastelutasosta: asuntojen laatutekijät sekä naapurusto ja jaetut tilat. YH Kotien kerrostalokannan ja niitä ympäröivien naapurustojen tilojen ja toimintojen tarkastelun lisäksi hankkeessa toteutettiin vuoden 2020 lopulla kaikille YH Kotien kerrostaloasukkaille suunnattu asukaskysely, jossa tiedusteltiin asukkaille koronavuoden aikana muodostuneista asumiseen liittyvistä muutoksista ja kokemuksista. Kyselyyn saatujen yli 1300 vastauksen analyysin pohjalta tutkimuksen keskiöön nostettiin kaksi asumiseen liittyvää tarvetta: arjen sujuvuus sekä rentoutuminen ja vapaa-aika. Tarpeiden toteutumismahdollisuuksia tarkasteltiin edelleen kerrostaloasuntojen ominaisuuksien (luonnonvalo, kalustettavuus, yhteydet) ja naapuruston sosiaalisen infrastruktuurin ulottuvuuksien kautta. Kahta tarkastelutasoa yhdistävä tieto vahvistaa ymmärrystä asumisesta ei vain asunnon tai asuinrakennusten puitteissa toteutuvana, vaan laajemmin asuinympäristöön sitoutuvana ilmiönä. Kerrostaloasuntojen tarkastelusta johdetut keskeiset tulokset korostavat esitettyjen laatutekijöiden vaikutuksia asuntojen käyttö- ja mukautumispotentiaalien kannalta. Naapurustojen tarkasteluosuuden tulokset puolestaan käsittelevät jaettujen tilojen mahdollisuuksia naapurustojen sosiaalisen infrastruktuurin vahvistamisessa. Molempia tulososuuksia heijastellaan lopuksi takaisin asukaskyselyn tuloksiin. Tutkimuksen tulosten pohjalta johdettiin viisi suositusta, jotka ovat: 1) suunnittele asuntojen luonnonvalo-olosuhteet niin ikkunasijoittelu, massoittelu kuin varjostavat tekijät kuten parvekkeet huomioiden, 2) suunnittele asuntojen joustavaa käyttöä tukevia kalustettavia paikkoja, 3) huomioi erilaiset yksityisyyden tarpeet niin asuntojen sisällä kuin naapurustonkin tasolla, 4) huomioi asunnon ja naapuruston väliset rajapinnat niin yhteyksien, näkymien kuin tilatarjonnan osalta, sekä 5) huomioi asukkaiden virkistysmahdollisuudet asunnoissa ja asuinympäristössä. Tulokset ja niiden pohjalta laaditut suositukset korostavat asuntojen ja asuinympäristön yhteisvaikutteisuutta asukkaiden muuttuvassa arjessa.Housing in Change: Apartments and Shared Spaces of the Neighbourhoods in Everyday Life The Housing in Change project (2020–2021) investigated YH Kodit Ltd. owned apartments, their shared spaces and neighbourhoods from the perspective of the residents’ needs in a changing society. The aim of the research was to understand how the spaces and their functionality separately or combined effect the residents’ potential to fulfill their needs, and how the spaces may support residents’ contentment and wellbeing. This final report provides information for both new-built and renovation design in the Finnish context. The research consisted of two analysis levels, i.e. the housing quality aspects of the apartments, and the shared spaces of the neighborhoods. In addition to examining YH Kodit apartment blocks and their surroundings, a resident survey was conducted in 2020 to investigate both the residents’ experiences and the changes in their way of living during a covid-19 pandemic year. Based on the survey with over 1300 responses, two central needs of the living environment were highlighted: the ease of everyday life practices, and the use of the home for relaxation and free time. These two aspects were subsequently studied through the qualitative factors of the apartments (i.e. daylight, furnishability, connections) as well as through the social infrastructure of the neighborhoods. Combining the two levels – apartments and neighbourhood – strengthens the understanding of living, which not only happens inside apartments or buildings, but is a rich phenomenon tied to the wider living environment. Key findings on the apartments’ qualitative factors highlight their clear impact on the usage and adaptability potentials of the apartments. Neighbourhood key findings highlight the potential of shared spaces as part of the wider social infrastructure. Finally, both aspects are reflected back in the resident survey results. The key findings led to the following five suggestions for future housing design: 1) design better daylight conditions in apartments, including the careful consideration of window locations, depth of building mass, and shading elements such as balconies; 2) design furnishable places that support adaptability of the apartments, so that they can be used and furnished in different ways; 3) take into account different needs and levels of privacy in the wider neighbourhood environment; 4) consider the boundaries of the apartments and the neighbourhood (e.g. connections, views, and different kinds of spaces); and 5) consider the residents’ needs for recreation and leisure time in the living environment. The findings and suggestions for improvement highlight the close connection of the apartments to their wider living environments in a changing everyday life