La contratación pública de obras: situación actual y puntos de mejora

La construcción pública ha sido, es y será uno de los pilares fundamentales del sector construcción español, si bien la actual situación de crisis económica y la reducción de la inversión pública en nuevas infraestructuras ha generado un descenso de actividad hasta niveles similares a los años noventa. El retorno a índices de actividad más elevados no solo se conseguirá con la recuperación de la economía del país, sino que será necesario realizar ciertas mejoras en los procesos de licitación con objeto de conseguir una mayor funcionalidad y flexibilidad en la contratación pública de obras

Predicting Pregnancy Outcomes Using Longitudinal Information: A Penalized Splines Mixed–Effects Model Approach

We propose a semiparametric mixed–effects model (SNMM) using penalized splines to clas- sify longitudinal data and improve the prediction of a binary outcome. The work is motivated by a study in which different hormone levels were measured during the early stages of preg- nancy, and the challenge is using this information to predict normal versus abnormal pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this paper is to compare models and estimation strategies based on alternative formulations of SNMMs depending on the characteristics of the data set under con- sideration. For our motivating example, we address the classification problem using a particular case of the SNMM in which the parameter space has a finite dimensional component (fixed effects and variance components) and an infinite dimensional component (unknown function) that need to be estimated. The nonparametric component of the model is estimated using pe- nalized splines. For the parametric component, we compare the advantages of using random effects versus direct modeling of the correlation structure of the errors. Numerical studies show that our approach improves over other existing methods for the analysis of this type of data. Furthermore, the results obtained using our method support the idea that explicit modeling of the serial correlation of the error term improves the prediction accuracy with respect to a model with random effects, but independent errors.MTM2014-52184-

Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) I. Structures with Parasitic and Possible Taxonomic Meaning

The larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (the most important dipteran causing sheep myiasis in the Palearctic region) has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of mouth-hooks, oral ridges, labial lobes, body spines and anterior and posterior peritremes is described for the first time. Their possible adaptations to a parasitic lifeway are also discussed. Thus, the use of new structures in the Sarcophagidae taxonomy is proposed from the point of view of their ultrastructure and adaptative morphology

Heptagon-Containing Nanographene Embedded into [10]Cycloparaphenylene

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel type of nanohoop, consisting of a cycloparaphenylene derivative incorporating a curved heptagon-containing π-extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) unit. We demonstrate that this new macrocycle behaves as a supramolecular receptor of curved π-systems such as fullerenes C60 and C70, with remarkably large binding constants (ca. 107 M−1), as estimated by fluorescence measurements. Nanosecond and femtosecond spectroscopic analysis show that these host-guest complexes are capable of quasi-instantaneous charge separation upon photoexcitation, due to the ultrafast charge transfer from the macrocycle to the complexed fullerene. These results demonstrate saddle-shaped PAHs with dibenzocycloheptatrienone motifs as structural components for new macrocycles displaying molecular receptor abilities and versatile photochemical responses with promising electron-donor properties in host-guest complexes

Micromixers for Wastewater Treatment and Their Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

The use of micromixers and catalytically active nanocomposites can be an attractive alternative for the treatment of wastewaters from the textile industry, due to their high activity, low consumption of such nanocomposites, short reaction times and the possibility to work under continuous operation. In this study, 6 different designs of micromixers were modeled and evaluated for the treatment of wastewaters. Velocity profiles, pressure drops, and flows were analyzed and compared for the different devices under the same mixing conditions. In addition, Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to determine their performance in terms of environmental impact. Considering the high environmental impact of water sources contaminated by dyes from the textile industry, it becomes critically important to determine when the proposed micromixers are a suitable alternative for their remediation. The LCA and operational efficiency studies results shown here provide a route for the design of novel wastewater treatment systems by coupling low-cost and high-performance micromixers

Effect of the addition of alginate and/or tetracycline on brushite cement properties

Calcium phosphate cements have the advantage that they can be prepared as a paste that sets in a few minutes and can be easily adapted to the shape of the bone defect, which facilitates its clinical application. In this research, six formulations of brushite (dicalcium phosphate dihydrated) cement were obtained and the effect of the addition of sodium alginate was analyzed, such as its capacity as a tetracycline release system. The samples that contain sodium alginate set in 4 or 5 min and showed a high percentage of injectability (93%). The cements exhibit compression resistance values between 1.6 and 2.6 MPa. The drug was released in a range between 12.6 and 13.2% after 7 days. The antimicrobial activity of all the cements containing antibiotics was proven. All samples reached values of cell viability above 70 percent. We also observed that the addition of the sodium alginate and tetracycline improved the cell viability.Imaging- and therapeutic targets in neoplastic and musculoskeletal inflammatory diseas

Walking family: Programme of parental skills during foster care and reunification. Summary of main findings of the Project I+D EDU2014-52921-C2. [Infographics]

Podeu consultar la versió castellana, francesa i portuguesa al recurs relacionat.Walking Family is a support programme for specific parenting skills in foster care and reunification. Its main aim is to promote the acceptance and involvement of the welfare measure and to foster and strengthen reunification. One of the most relevant aspects of the programme is its group methodology, as it can be used to convey effective coping strategies for everyday problems. Walking Family is characterised by three cornerstones of innovation: positive parenting and child welfare, child participation and family resilience. The programme is developed over 5 modules, each containing 3 sessions. Each session offers activities to do with the children, with the parents and with the family as a unit