Simulación numérica del comportamiento termo-mecánico de presas de HCR Parte II: Aplicación a la Presa de Rialb

Se presenta en este trabajo un procedimiento numérico para la simulación del proceso de construcción de presas de Hormigón Compactado con Rodillo (HCR). El método se aplica a la presa de Rialb, recientemente contruida en España utilizando HCR con fuerte adición de cenizas volantes. Se obtienen como resultado la distribución y evolución de la temperatura en el interior de la presa durante y después de su construcción, así como la evolución de las resistencias a compresión y tracción y del módulo elástico. La metodología permite determinar el campo de tensiones en la presa en cualquier momento durante y después de su construcción. Para ello, se tienen en cuenta tanto los efectos mecánicos a largo plazo, incorporando un modelo de fluencia que tiene en cuenta el envejecimiento del hormigón, como el riesgo de fisuración a tracción, incorporando un modelo de degradación adecuado.Peer Reviewe

D8.1 (WP8): Data Management Plan

This document presents the deliverable D8.1 – the Data Management Plan (DMP) of work package 8 of the prodPhD project. It aims to present the plan for the management, generation, collection, security, preservation and sharing of data generated through the prodPhD project. The DMP is a key element for organizing the project’s data. It provides an analysis of the data, which will be collected, processed and published by the prodPhD consortium. The project embraces the initiatives of the European Commission to promote the open access to research data, aiming to improve and maximize access to and reuse of research data generated by Horizon 2020 projects. In this sense prodPhD will adhere to the Open Research Data Pilot (ORD Pilot) fostered by the European Commission, and this DMP will be developed following the standards of data storage, access and management. This plan will detail what data will be generated through the project, whether and how it will be made accessible for the verification and reuse and how it will be curated and preserved. In this context, the term data applies to the information generated during the different experimental campaigns carried out in the project, and specifically to the data, including associated metadata, to be used to validate the computational models and the technical solutions to be developed in the project. This document is the first version of the DMP and may be updated throughout the project, if significant changes (new data, changes in consortium policies, changes in consortium composition, etc.) arise

Predictors of childbirth experience: Prospective observational study in eastern Spain

Background. In recent years, birth experience has been highlighted by national and international organisations as a relevant value in measuring maternal health care quality. According to a standardised tool, we aimed to assess which clinical indicators had the most significant influence on the birth experience. Methods. This prospective observational study was carried out in fourteen hospitals in eastern Spain. 749 women consented to the collection of birth variables at discharge, and subsequently, at 1-4 months, data were collected on the birth experience as measured by the Spanish version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire. Next, a linear regression analysis was performed to determine which clinical birth indicators greatly influence the birth experience measure. Result. The study sample (n = 749) was predominantly Spanish and primipara, with 19.5% vaginal births. The predictors that emerged in the linear regression model were to have a birth companion (B = 0.250, p = 0.028), drink fluids during labour (B = 0.249, p < 0.001), have early skin-to-skin contact (B = 0.213, p < 0.001) and being transferred to a specialised room for the second stage of labour (B = 0.098, p = 0.016). The episiotomy (B = -0.100, p < 0.015) and having an operative birth (B = -0.128, p < 0.008) showed a negative influence. Conclusion. Our study supports that intrapartum interventions recommended according to clinical practice guidelines positively influence the mother's birth experience. Episiotomy and operative birth should not be used routinely as they negatively influence the birth experience.This work has been funded by the Project PI11/02124 and PI14/01549 within the Government R&D&I plan 2013–2016 and co-funded by ISCIII General Sub-Directorate for Evaluation and Promotion of research the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) "A way to make Europe"

The Spanish version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ-E): reliability and validity assessment

Background: The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) was originally designed to study women’s perceptions of labour and birth. The main objective of our study was to adapt the CEQ to the Spanish context and determine its psychometric properties. This would provide an opportunity to evaluate women’s experiences in order to improve evidence in the Spanish context as recommended by national guidelines. Methods: The CEQ was translated into Spanish using a standard forward and back translation method (CEQ-E). A convenience sample of 364 women was recruited from 3 Spanish hospitals; all participants were able to read and write in Spanish. Mothers with high risk pregnancies or preterm deliveries were excluded from the study. A self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic variables was completed by participants before discharge. Data on childbirth variables were obtained from maternity records. Between 1 and 3 months postpartum a postal CEQ-E questionnaire was sent. The CEQ-E structure was examined by a confirmatory factor analysis of polychoric correlations using a diagonally weighted least squares estimator. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity was conducted by testing differences in CEQ-E scores between known-groups (to differ on key variables). Results: 226 (62.1%) of the recruited participants completed the postal questionnaire. The CEQ-E factor structure was similar to the original one. The Spanish version showed fit statistics in line with standard recommendations: CFI = 0.97; NNFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.066; SRMS = 0.077. The internal consistency reliability of the CEQ-E was good for the overall scale (0.88) and for all subscales (0.80, 0.90, 0.76, 0.68 for “own capacity”, “professional support”, “perceived safety” and “participation”, respectively) and similar to the original version. Women with a labour duration ≤ 12 h, women with a labour not induced, women with a normal birth and multiparous women showed higher overall CEQ-E scores and “perceived safety” subscale scores. Women with a labour duration ≤ 12 h and those with previous experience of labour obtained higher scores for the “own capacity” and “participation” subscales. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the CEQ-E can be considered a valid and reliable measure of women’s perceptions of labour and birth in Spain.This work has been funded by the Project PI11/02124 and PI14/01549 within the Government R&D&I plan 2013–2016 and co-funded by ISCIII General Sub-Directorate for Evaluation and Promotion of research the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) "A way to make Europe"

Usefulness of the CONUT index upon hospital admission as a potential prognostic indicator of COVID-19 health outcomes

Background: In-hospital mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is high. Simple prognostic indices are needed to identify patients at high-risk of COVID-19 health outcomes. We aimed to determine the usefulness of the CONtrolling NUTritional status (CONUT) index as a potential prognostic indicator of mortality in COVID-19 patients upon hospital admission. Methods: Our study design is of a retrospective observational study in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients. In addition to descriptive statistics, a Kaplan-Meier mortality analysis and a Cox regression were performed, as well as receiver operating curve (ROC). Results: From February 5, 2020 to January 21, 2021, there was a total of 2969 admissions for COVID-19 at our hospital, corresponding to 2844 patients. Overall, baseline (within 4 days of admission) CONUT index could be scored for 1627 (57.2%) patients. Patients' age was 67.3 ± 16.5 years and 44.9% were women. The CONUT severity distribution was: 194 (11.9%) normal (0-1); 769 (47.2%) light (2-4); 585 (35.9%) moderate (5-8); and 79 (4.9%) severe (9-12). Mortality of 30 days after admission was 3.1% in patients with normal risk CONUT, 9.0% light, 22.7% moderate, and 40.5% in those with severe CONUT (P < 0.05). An increased risk of death associated with a greater baseline CONUT stage was sustained in a multivariable Cox regression model (P < 0.05). An increasing baseline CONUT stage was associated with a longer duration of admission, a greater requirement for the use of non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, and other clinical outcomes (all P < 0.05). The ROC of CONUT for mortality had an area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval of 0.711 (0.676-0746). Conclusion: The CONUT index upon admission is potentially a reliable and independent prognostic indicator of mortality and length of hospitalization in COVID-19 patientsThe work is supported by a grant from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement (No 101016216

Prototipo de sistema para control y monitoreo de una red de sensores mediante comunicación GSM aplicada a domótica

En este trabajo se describe la arquitectura de una red de sensores aplicada a domótica. La red está formada por un nodo base implementado en un controlador digital de señales modelo DSPIC30F3013 de la compañía Microchip. Este nodo base fue probado utilizando dos sensores digitales de efecto hall, un sensor analógico de temperatura y un actuador para control de iluminación. Además, se utiliza un modem GSM que permite realizar la comunicación entre la red de sensores y el usuario usando un teléfono móvil. El modem GSM se configura, sin usar una computadora personal, mediante comandos AT, los cuales son enviados desde el DSPIC30F3013 para su inicialización, configuración, envío y recepción de mensajes. El modem GSM utiliza una interfaz UART de comunicación para el envío y recepción de los comandos AT desde el DSPIC30F3013. Con este módulo de comunicación el usuario puede controlar la iluminación y monitorear los sensores de efecto hall y temperatura usando el servicio de mensajes cortos. La propuesta de este sistema es una solución de bajo costo que permite el monitoreo y control de forma inalámbrica en casas habitación. El sistema es fácilmente adaptable a otro tipo de sensores y actuadores, lo que proporciona gran flexibilidad

O106 / #796 FEASIBILITY OF TRANSCUTANEOUS SPINAL CORD STIMULATION COMBINED WITH ROBOTIC-ASSISTED GAIT TRAINING (LOKOMAT) FOR GAIT REHABILITATION FOLLOWING INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY. A CASE SERIES STUDY

Transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive technique for neuromodulation with therapeutic potential for motor rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of the present study was to analyze the feasibility of a program of 20 sessions of 30-Hz tSCS combined with robotic-assisted gait training in incomplete SCI. The results of the present work partially belong to a randomized clinical trial that is in progress

Can transcranial direct current stimulation enhance functionality in older adults? A systematic review

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, easy to administer, well-tolerated, and safe technique capable of affecting brain excitability, both at the cortical and cerebellum levels. However, its effectiveness has not been sufficiently assessed in all population segments or clinical applications. This systematic review aimed at compiling and summarizing the currently available scientific evidence about the effect of tDCS on functionality in older adults over 60 years of age. A search of databases was conducted to find randomized clinical trials that applied tDCS versus sham stimulation in the above-mentioned population. No limits were established in terms of date of publication. A total of 237 trials were found, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Finally, nine studies were analyzed, including 260 healthy subjects with average age between 61.0 and 85.8 years. Seven of the nine included studies reported superior improvements in functionality variables following the application of tDCS compared to sham stimulation. Anodal tDCS applied over the motor cortex may be an effective technique for improving balance and posture control in healthy older adults. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to determine the most effective protocols and to clarify potential benefits for older adults

Determinants of blood eosinophil levels in the general population and patients with COPD : a population-based, epidemiological study

Blood eosinophils are considered a biomarker for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Population-based studies are needed to better understand the determinants of the blood eosinophil count (BEC) in individuals with and without COPD. EPISCAN II is a multicentre, cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study aimed at investigating the prevalence and determinants of COPD in Spain. Study subjects were randomly selected from the general population, and COPD was defined by a post-bronchodilator FEV/FVC < 0.7. For the pre-specified outcomes related to BEC, the first 35 COPD and 35 non-COPD subjects were consecutively recruited in 12 of the participating centres with the objective of analysing 400 individuals in each group. Baseline BEC and its association with demographic, clinical and functional variables were analysed. A total of 326 COPD and 399 non-COPD subjects were included in the analysis. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 63.2 years (11.0), 46.3% were male, and 27.6% were active smokers. BEC was significantly higher in individuals with COPD [192 cells/μL (SD: 125) vs. 160 cells/μL (SD: 114); p = 0.0003]. In a stepwise multivariate model, being male, active smoker and having a previous diagnosis of asthma were independently associated with having a higher BEC. This population-based study estimated the distribution of eosinophils in the healthy adult population and concluded that COPD patients have a significantly higher BEC. Male sex, active smoking and concomitant asthma were significantly associated with a higher BE

Sex bias in diagnostic delay in bronchiectasis : An analysis of the Spanish Historical Registry of Bronchiectasis

Diagnostic delay is common in most respiratory diseases, particularly in bronchiectasis. However, sex bias in diagnostic delay has not been studied to date. Objective: Assessment of diagnostic delay in bronchiectasis by sex. Methods: The Spanish Historical Registry of Bronchiectasis recruited adults diagnosed with bronchiectasis from 2002 to 2011 in 36 centres in Spain. From a total of 2113 patients registered we studied 2099, of whom 1125 (53.6%) were women. Results: No differences were found for sex or age (61.0 ± 20.6, p = 0.88) or for localization of bronchiectasis (p = 0.31). Bronchiectasis of unknown aetiology and secondary to asthma, childhood infections and tuberculosis was more common in women (all p s 2 years). Independent factors associated with this sex bias were age at onset of symptoms, smoking history, daily expectoration and reduced lung function