Análisis de la accesibilidad urbanística y arquitectónica: SIG de la accesibilidad de Mallorca

La movilidad es un derecho fundamental de todos los ciudadanos de aquí que el análisis de la accesibilidad y evaluación sea una exigencia que han de considerar los planificadores territoriales. Actualmente las tecnologías de la información geográfica constituyen un instrumento que facilitan el reconocimiento de las barreras arquitectónicas y urbanísticas, tanto desde el punto de vista técnico como del ciudadano. Sobre esta base, el presente artículo muestra el desarrollo del Sistema de Información Geográfica de la Accesibilidad de Mallorca (SIGMA) cuyo objetivo principal es el de facilitar información actualizada y precisa al ciudadano y, al mismo tiempo, diseñar una herramienta de análisis, evaluación y soporte a la toma de decisiones para la mejora de la accesibilidad urbana y arquitectónica. El proyecto se ha desarrollado de acuerdo al Decreto 20/2003 del Reglamento de Supresión de Barreras Arquitectónica, Boletín Oficial de las Islas Baleares 18-03-2003). La construcción del SIGMA ha sido realizada por un equipo de investigación de la Universidad de las Islas Baleares y un grupo de trabajo del Área de Accesibilidad del Consell de Mallorca.Mobility is a fundamental right of all citizens that is why the analysis accessibility and its evaluation are demands that have to be considered by the territorial planners. Currently geographical information technologies are instruments that provide the recognition of the architectural barriers and urban, both from the technical and from the citizen’s point of view. On this base, the present article shows the development of the Accessibility's Geographic information System of Majorca (SIGMA) whose main goal is that one of to provide up-to-date information and precise to the citizen and, at the same time, to design a tool of analysis, evaluation and support to the decision making for the improvement of the urban accessibility and architectural. The project has been developed according to the regulations (Decree 20/2003 of the Regulations of Barrier Suppression Architectural, Official Gazette of Balearic Islands 18-03-2003). The construction of the SIGMA has been made by a team of investigation of the University of Balearic Islands and a working group of the Area of Accessibility of the Council of Majorca

Vaccination sequence effects on immunological response and tissue bacterial burden in paratuberculosis infection in a rabbit model

[EN] Paratuberculosis (PTB), a chronic granulomatous enteritis produced by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is considered as one of the diseases with the highest economic impact in the ruminant industry. Vaccination against MAP is recommended during the first months after birth on the basis that protection would be conferred before the first contact with mycobacteria. However, little is known about the therapeutic effect of MAP vaccination in controlled experimental conditions. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination before and after challenge with MAP in a rabbit infection model. The rabbits were divided into four groups: non-infected control (NIC, n = 4), infected control challenged with MAP (IC, n = 5), vaccinated and challenged 1 month after with MAP (VSI, n = 5) and challenged with MAP and vaccinated 2 months later (IVS, n = 5). The results from this study show a quick increase in IFN-γ release upon stimulation with bovine, avian and johnin PPD in animals vaccinated before MAP challenge. All vaccinated animals show an increased humoral response as seen by western blot and ELISA. The final bacteriology index (considering tissue culture and qPCR) shows that the IC group was the most affected. Vaccination after infection (IVS) produced the lowest bacteriology index showing significant differences with the IC group (p = 0.034). In conclusion, vaccination against MAP shows positive effects in a rabbit model. However, vaccination after infection shows a slightly stronger protective effect compared to vaccination before infection, suggesting a therapeutic effect. This feature could be applied to previously infected adult animals under field conditionsSIThe authors thank Felix Blanco from the animal facilities (NEIKER-Tecnalia). This study was supported with funds from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad from the Spanish Government (AGL 2012-39818-C02-02). RA acknowledges support from the Departamento de Educación y Universidades of the Basque Government (BFI-2012-237

A Development Methodology to Facilitate the Integration of Smart Spaces into the Web of Things

How to create or integrate large Smart Spaces (considered as mash-ups of sensors and actuators) into the paradigm of ?Web of Things? has been the motivation of many recent works. A cutting-edge approach deals with developing and deploying web-enabled embedded devices with two major objectives: 1) to integrate sensor and actuator technologies into everyday objects, and 2) to allow a diversity of devices to plug to Internet. Currently, developers who want to use this Internet-oriented approach need have solid understanding about sensorial platforms and semantic technologies. In this paper we propose a Resource-Oriented and Ontology-Driven Development (ROOD) methodology, based on Model Driven Architecture (MDA), to facilitate to any developer the development and deployment of Smart Spaces. Early evaluations of the ROOD methodology have been successfully accomplished through a partial deployment of a Smart Hotel

Niveles de vida y diferencias rural-urbana de la estatura en los inicios del crecimiento económico español

This paper examines the urban-rural differences of the height during the early stages of modern economic growth and industrialization in Spain. Its aim is to explore the extent of the urban penalty, and the changes of biological welfare in the cities and villages, in the rural and urban areas. We use height data of military recruitment records between 1857 and 1936, that provide information on the health and net nutrition of cohorts 1837-1915. We note that previous studies reported higher penalty in rural areas than in cities, and that the height deteriorated in the most industrialized cities due to unhealthy environments, child labor and spread of infections. The new data shows that in some rural areas had better nutritional status that in urban areas with better care resources, so the rural-urban gap was more diverse than we thought, not only by environmental factors but institutions. Data suggests more research on height by social classes in the diverse Spanish geography.Este trabajo examina las diferencias urbano-rurales de la estatura durante las primeras fases de la industrialización española. Su objetivo es explorar la dimensión de la urban penalty y los cambios del bienestar biológico en las ciudades frente al mundo rural. Usamos como principal fuente de datos las tallas de los reclutamientos militares entre 1857 y 1936, que nos informan sobre la salud y la nutrición neta en las cohortes de 1837 a 1915. Señala que los estudios previos registraron una mayor penalización en las zonas rurales que en las ciudades y que la talla se deterioró en las ciudades más industrializadas como consecuencia de ambientes insalubres, del abultado empleo infantil y alta incidencia de las infecciones. Los nuevos datos demuestran que en ciertos ámbitos rurales había un mejor estado nutricional que en algunos centros urbanos bien provistos de recursos asistenciales; por tanto, la brecha rural-urbana de la estatura fue más diversa de lo que pensábamos, por factores no sólo ambientales sino institucionales. Se sugiere ampliar la investigación sobre la geografía de la estatura y analizarla por clases sociales

Clinical and molecular characterization of a cardiac ryanodine receptor founder mutation causing catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

Background Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a difficult-to-diagnose cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). We identified a family of 1400 individuals with multiple cases of CPVT, including 36 SCDs during youth. Objectives We sought to identify the genetic cause of CPVT in this family, to preventively treat and clinically characterize the mutation-positive individuals, and to functionally characterize the pathogenic mechanisms of the mutation. Methods Genetic testing was performed for 1404 relatives. Mutation-positive individuals were preventively treated with β-blockers and clinically characterized with a serial exercise treadmill test (ETT) and Holter monitoring. In vitro functional studies included caffeine sensitivity and store overload–induced calcium release activity of the mutant channel in HEK293 cells. Results We identified the p.G357S_RyR2 mutation, in the cardiac ryanodine receptor, in 179 family members and in 6 SCD cases. No SCD was observed among treated mutation-positive individuals over a median follow-up of 37 months; however, 3 relatives who had refused genetic testing (confirmed mutation-positive individuals) experienced SCD. Holter monitoring did not provide relevant information for CPVT diagnosis. One single ETT was unable to detect complex cardiac arrhythmias in 72% of mutation-positive individuals, though the serial ETT improved the accuracy. Functional studies showed that the G357S mutation increased caffeine sensitivity and store overload–induced calcium release activity under conditions that mimic catecholaminergic stress. Conclusion Our study supports the use of genetic testing to identify individuals at risk of SCD to undertake prophylactic interventions. We also show that the pathogenic mechanisms of p.G357S_RyR2 appear to depend on β-adrenergic stimulation

Dietary Strategies for Metabolic Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic risk factors, characterized by abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), hypertension, and insulin resistance. Lifestyle modifications, especially dietary habits, are the main therapeutic strategy for the treatment and management of metabolic syndrome, but the most effective dietary pattern for its management has not been established. Specific dietary modifications, such as improving the quality of the foods or changing macronutrient distribution, showed beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome conditions and individual parameters. On comparing low-fat and restricted diets, the scientific evidence supports the use of the Mediterranean Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet intervention as the new paradigm for metabolic syndrome prevention and treatment. The nutritional distribution and quality of these healthy diets allows health professionals to provide easy-to-follow dietary advice without the need for restricted diets. Nonetheless, energy-restricted dietary patterns and improvements in physical activity are crucial to improve the metabolic disturbances observed in metabolic syndrome patients

A decision support system for on-line leakage localization

This paper describes a model-driven decision-support system (software tool) implementing a model-based methodology for on-line leakage detection and localization which is useful for a large class of water distribution networks. Since these methods present a certain degree of complexity which limits their use to experts, the proposed software tool focuses on the integration of a method emphasizing its use by water network managers as a decision support system. The proposed software tool integrates a model-based leakage localization methodology based on the use of on-line telemetry information, as well as a water network calibrated hydraulic model. The application of the resulting decision support software tool in a district metered area (DMA) of the Barcelona distribution network is provided and discussed. The obtained results show that the leakage detection and localization may be performed efficiently reducing the required time. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.The authors wish to thank the support received by the AM0901 project funded by R+i Alliance (Suez Environnement) and by the EFFINET grant FP7-ICT-2012-318556 of the European Commission.Peer Reviewe

Evolutionary history of Podarcis tiliguerta on Corsica and Sardinia.

BACKGROUND: Podarcis tiliguerta is a wall lizard endemic to the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Previous findings of high mtDNA and morphological diversity have led to the suggestion that it may represent a species complex. Here, we analysed mitochondrial and nuclear markers (mtDNA, 3110 bp; 6 nDNA loci, 3961 bp) in P. tiliguerta sampled from thirty-two localities across Corsica and Sardinia. RESULTS: We find much greater intraspecific genetic divergence than between sister species of other Mediterranean island Podarcis, i.e., between P. lilfordi and P. pityusensis. We detected three mtDNA clusters in Corsica (North, South-East and South-West) and either two or three in Sardinia (North vs. South) depending on the clustering method. Only one or two nDNA groups were identified within each main island (again, depending on the method). A Bayesian time-calibrated multispecies coalescent tree was obtained from mtDNA and provided statistical support for a Miocene origin of the species (13.87 Ma, 95% HPD: 18.30-10.77 Ma). The posterior mean divergence time for the Corsican and Sardinian lineages was 12.75 Ma ago (95% HPD: 16.94-9.04 Ma). CONCLUSION: The results support the evolutionary distinctiveness of Corsican and Sardinian populations and also indicate a lack of post-divergence migration despite periods of contact being possible. Further to this, species delimitation analyses of Corsican and Sardinian lineages provided statistical support for their recognition as distinct (sister) taxa. Our results provide new insights into the biogeography of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, and contribute important findings relevant to the systematics and evolution of this speciose lizard genus

PLIO: a generic tool for real-time operational predictive optimal control of water networks

This paper presents a generic tool, named PLIO, that allows to implement the real-time operational control of water networks. Control strategies are generated using predictive optimal control techniques. This tool allows the flow management in a large water supply and distribution system including reservoirs, open-flow channels for water transport, water treatment plants, pressurized water pipe networks, tanks, flow/pressure control elements and a telemetry/telecontrol system. Predictive optimal control is used to generate flow control strategies from the sources to the consumer areas to meet future demands with appropriate pressure levels, optimizing operational goals such as network safety volumes and flow control stability. PLIO allows to build the network model graphically and then to automatically generate the model equations used by the predictive optimal controller. Additionally, PLIO can work off-line (in simulation) and on-line (in real-time mode). The case study of Santiago-Chile is presented to exemplify the control results obtained using PLIO off-line (in simulation). © IWA Publishing 2011.Research in this group is partially supported by by the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Committee, under grant ref. 2009/SGR/1491, by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology under grant WATMAN (CICYT DPI2009-13744) and the EU project WIDE (FP7-IST-224168).Peer Reviewe