Un servei de dinamització sòcio-econòmica per a les comaques de muntanya: el cas de l'Alt Urgell

El despoblament de les comarques de muntanya repercuteix no sols en un desarrelament de les persones afectades, sinó també en l'equilibri territorial general, ja que augmenta la congestió de les zones urbanes. Al marge del Plans de muntanya, per potenciar i recuperar aquelles comarques, cal trobar activitats alternatives i complementàries de l'agricultura i la ramaderia tradicionals. A l'Alt Urgell s'està fent una primera experiència en aquest sentit

Performance-based slenderness limits for deformations and crack control of reinforced concrete flexural members

The use of high strength materials allows flexural members to resist the design loads or to cover long spans with a reduced depth. However, the strict cross section dimensions and reinforcement amount required in ULS are often insufficient to satisfy the serviceability limit states. Due to the complexity associated to a rigorous computation of deflections and cracks width in cracked RC members along their service life, an effective way to ensure the satisfaction of the SLS is to limit the slenderness ratio l/d of the element. In the present study, the slenderness limit concept, previously used for deflection control, is generalized to incorporate the crack width limitations in the framework of structural performance-based design. Equations for slenderness limits incorporating the main parameters influencing the service behaviour of RC members are derived. Cracking and long-term effects are accounted for through simplified coefficients derived from structural concrete mechanics and experimental observations. The proposed slenderness limits are compared with those derived from a numerical non-linear time-dependent analysis for two case studies, and also with those obtained using the EC2 procedure for deflection calculation in terms of constant applied load and constant reinforcement strain. Very good results have been obtained in terms of low errors and scatter, showing that the proposed slenderness limits are a useful tool for performance-based design of RC structures.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Límites de esbeltez basados en prestaciones para vigas de hormigón armado para el control de deformaciones y el control de tensiones en la armadura

Due to the complex deformational behavior of cracked RC members, an effective way to ensure the fulfilment of the SLS is to limit the slenderness ratio l/d of the element. In this study, the deformation slenderness limit concept is generalized to incorporate crack width limitations. The proposed slenderness limits are compared with those derived from non-linear time-dependent analysis and also with those obtained using the EC2 method of deflections interpolation. Very good approximation and low scatter has been obtained showing that the proposed slenderness limits are a useful tool for performance-based design of RC structures.The financial support provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the European Funds for Regional Development (FEDER), through the Research projects: BIA2015-64672-C4-1-R and BIA2017-84975-C2-2-P and through the Excellence network BIA2015-71484-REDTPostprint (published version

Derisking Development by a Cocrystallization Screen of a Novel Selective Inhaled JAK-STAT inhibitor

The discovery and detailed characterization of several new solid forms of a novel selective inhaled JAK-STAT inhibitor are described. Using a holistic cocrystallization screen approach to explore its formulation landscape, we decrease the risk of future potential development failures due to a nonoptimal pharmacokinetic lung profile or undesired lung effects in humans

Ensayos en probetas para el estudio del efecto tamaño en la cabeza de compresión de vigas sometidas a esfuerzo cortante: aplicación de la metodología DIC

To evaluate how the size effect affects the stresses developed along the compression chord in a beams subjected to shear forces, a simplified experimental program was developed on 50 prismatic specimens subjected to a splitting test. The studied parameters were: dimensions, slenderness, concrete compressive strength, and maximum aggregate size. To capture the post-peak behavior of the concrete, the load was introduced as a function of the crack width, through appropriate control algorithms. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) in a 2D configuration has also been used to accurately capture the formation, width and propagation of cracks to corroborate the experimental measurements.The financial support provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the European Funds for Regional Development (FEDER), through the Research projects: BIA2015-64672-C4-1-R and BIA2017-84975-C2-2-P and through the Excellence network BIA2015-71484-REDT.Postprint (published version

Two New Polymorphic Cocrystals of Zafirlukast: Preparation, Crystal Structure, and Stability Relations

Two new cocrystals of zafirlukast with piperazine, existing in five different solid forms, have been discovered during a cocrystal screening. The crystal structure of one of these forms has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and the stability landscape of the crystalline forms of the new cocrystal has been studied. In the present article, we extend the knowledge about the solid state of this important pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of asthma by reporting the crystal structures of two new solvates (acetonitrile and butanol) and the elusive anhydrous Form X, which have been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction

Equilibrium solubility measurement of ionizable drugs – consensus recommendations for improving data quality

This commentary addresses data quality in equilibrium solubility measurement in aqueous solution. Broadly discussed is the “gold standard” shake-flask (SF) method used to measure equilibrium solubility of ionizable drug-like molecules as a function of pH. Many factors affecting the quality of the measurement are recognized. Case studies illustrating the analysis of both solution and solid state aspects of solubility measurement are presented. Coverage includes drug aggregation in solution (sub-micellar, micellar, complexation), use of mass spectrometry to assess aggregation in saturated solutions, solid state characterization (salts, polymorphs, cocrystals, polymorph creation by potentiometric method), solubility type (water, buffer, intrinsic), temperature, ionic strength, pH measurement, buffer issues, critical knowledge of the pKa, equilibration time (stirring and sedimentation), separating solid from saturated solution, solution handling and adsorption to untreated surfaces, solubility units, and tabulation/graphic presentation of reported data. The goal is to present cohesive recommendations that could lead to better assay design, to result in improved quality of measurements, and to impart a deeper understanding of the underlying solution chemistry in suspensions of drug solids

Cross sectional demand for the newly graduates who will work in the ICT market in Catalunya

L’objectiu d’aquest treball és definir quines poden ser les competències professionals transversals, que els enginyers tècnics i superiors recent titulats, han d’assolir per tal de desenvolupar la seva activitat laboral al sector TIC a Catalunya. Això es fa en base a una principal font d´ informació, com són, les dades obtingudes a partir de l´ anàlisi de les ofertes laborals de la Associació d´ Amics de la U.P.C. relatives als anys: 2.002, 2.003, 2.004, 2.005, 2.006 i 2007. Alhora contextualitzarem aquest anàlisi específic amb altres fonts d’informació rellevant. La principal conclusió del projecte és, la determinació de les principals competències transversals o genèriques pels enginyers recents titulats que contracta el sector TIC a Catalunya, entre les que destaquem: la capacitat per treballar en equip, la iniciativa o proactivitat, el compromís per aprendre la capacitat de comunicació, i la orientació al client. Una altre aportació és la no distinció, entre les competències sol·licitades als enginyers tècnics de les requerides, als superiors, recent titulats. I finalment, es veu una gran similitud per qualsevol de les diferents titulacions adreçades al sector: telecomunicació, informàtica i electrònica.Postprint (published version

Un servei de dinamització sòcio-econòmica per a les comarques de muntanya: el cas de l'Alt Urgell

El despoblament de les comarques de muntanya repercuteix no sols en un desarrelament de les persones afectades, sinó també en l'equilibri territorial general, ja que augmenta la congestió de les zones urbanes. Al marge del Plans de muntanya, per potenciar i recuperar aquelles comarques, cal trobar activitats alternatives i complementàries de l'agricultura i la ramaderia tradicionals. A l'Alt Urgell s'està fent una primera experiència en aquest sentit.Postprint (published version

Adjuvant therapy sparing in rectal cancer achieving complete response after chemoradiation

AIM: To evaluate the long-term results of conventional chemoradiotherapy and laparoscopic mesorectal excision in rectal adenocarcinoma patients without adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum staged cT3-T4 by endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging received neoadjuvant continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil for five weeks and concomitant radiotherapy. Laparoscopic surgery was planned after 5-8 wk. Patients diagnosed with ypT0N0 stage cancer were not treated with adjuvant therapy according to the protocol. Patients with ypT1-2N0 or ypT3-4 or N+ were offered 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant treatment on an individual basis. An external cohort was used as a reference for the findings. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy six patients were treated with induction chemoradiotherapy and 170 underwent total mesorectal excision. Cancer staging of ypT0N0 was achieved in 26/170 (15.3%) patients. After a median follow-up of 58.3 mo, patients with ypT0N0 had five-year disease-free and overall survival rates of 96% (95%CI: 77-99) and 100%, respectively. We provide evidence about the natural history of patients with localized rectal cancer achieving a complete response after preoperative chemoradiation. The inherent good prognosis of these patients will have implications for clinical trial design and care of patients. CONCLUSION: Withholding adjuvant chemotherapy after complete response following standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and laparoscopic mesorectal excision might be safe within an experienced multidisciplinary team