La enseñanza de la toma de decisiones en el proyecto de arquitectura

Ponencia presentada a Session 5: Del diseño a la obra / From design until the building processe

Directional multivariate extremes in environmental phenomena

Several environmental phenomena can be described by different correlated variables that must be considered jointly in order to be more representative of the nature of these phenomena. For such events, identification of extremes is inappropriate if it is based on marginal analysis. Extremes have usually been linked to the notion of quantile, which is an important tool to analyze risk in the univariate setting. We propose to identify multivariate extremes and analyze environmental phenomena in terms of the directional multivariate quantile, which allows us to analyze the data considering all the variables implied in the phenomena, as well as look at the data in interesting directions that can better describe an environmental catastrophe. Since there are many references in the literature that propose extremes detection based on copula models, we also generalize the copula method by introducing the directional approach. Advantages and disadvantages of the non-parametric proposal that we introduce and the copula methods are provided in the paper. We show with simulated and real data sets how by considering the first principal component direction we can improve the visualization of extremes. Finally, two cases of study are analyzed: a synthetic case of flood risk at a dam (a 3-variable case), and a real case study of sea storms (a 5-variable case)

Gingivocrevicular transudate for HIV screening

Producción CientíficaThe use of saliva as an alternative biological fluid to serum in diagnosis or screening of infectious diseases by antibody detection has been the main subject of several articles in the last few years [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Saliva samples can be obtained simply, without specialized personnel, and the process is non-traumatic for the patient and economic and poses no contamination risks for health workers. For these reasons, saliva samples may be of great utility in underdeveloped nations, where there is a severe shortage of personnel and specialized equipment. Saliva is a mixture of the secretions produced by the salivary glands and gingival crevicular transudate (GCT). The use of GCT, which has a greater concentration of immunoglobulins (Ig) of the IgG type than does complete saliva [7], seems to improve detection of such Ig in the samples [8]

Reactive transport models of the geochemical interactions at the iron/bentonite interface in laboratory corrosion tests

Carbon steel and compacted bentonite have been proposed as candidate materials for the overpack and buffer, respectively, of the multi-barrier system of a geological high-level radioactive waste repository. Carbon steel corrosion may impair bentonite properties. The interactions of corrosion products and bentonite are analyzed with laboratory corrosion tests. Here coupled thermo-hydro-chemical-mechanical (THCM) models of two types of heating and hydration tests performed on compacted bentonite in contact with Fe powder are presented to study the iron-bentonite interactions at representative repository conditions. Tests on small cells (SC) were performed under unsaturated non-isothermal conditions in 25 mm long columns containing 21 mm of bentonite and 4 mm of Fe powder. Tests on medium-size cells (FB) were performed under unsaturated non-isothermal conditions in 99.8 mm long columns containing 86.8 mm of bentonite and 13 mm of Fe powder. Model results for the SC tests showed that magnetite and Fe(OH)2(s) were the main corrosion products which compete for Fe2+ precipitation. Computed corrosion products precipitate mainly in the Fe powder, penetrate a few mm into the bentonite and reproduce the measured iron weight data. Model results of the FB tests showed that magnetite precipitates throughout the Fe powder interface and reproduce the main trends of the corrosion products. Model results of these corrosion tests will be of great relevance for the performance assessment of engineered barriers of radioactive waste repositoriesThe research leading to these results was funded by ENRESA within the Work Package ACED of EURAD (European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management of the European Union, grant agreement nº 847593), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-109544RB-I00) and the Galician Regional Government (Grant ED431C2021/54). The comments and corrections of the special editor and the two anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciate

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Envelope Protein Ion Channel Activity Promotes Virus Fitness and Pathogenesis

Deletion of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) envelope (E) gene attenuates the virus. E gene encodes a small multifunctional protein that possesses ion channel (IC) activity, an important function in virus-host interaction. To test the contribution of E protein IC activity in virus pathogenesis, two recombinant mouse-adapted SARSCoVs, each containing one single amino acid mutation that suppressed ion conductivity, were engineered. After serial infections, mutant viruses, in general, incorporated compensatory mutations within E gene that rendered active ion channels. Furthermore, IC activity conferred better fitness in competition assays, suggesting that ion conductivity represents an advantage for the virus. Interestingly, mice infected with viruses displaying E protein IC activity, either with the wild-type E protein sequence or with the revertants that restored ion transport, rapidly lost weight and died. In contrast, mice infected with mutants lacking IC activity, which did not incorporate mutations within E gene during the experiment, recovered from disease and most survived. Knocking down E protein IC activity did not significantly affect virus growth in infected mice but decreased edema accumulation, the major determinant of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) leading to death. Reduced edema correlated with lung epithelia integrity and proper localization of Na+ /K+ ATPase, which participates in edema resolution. Levels of inflammasome-activated IL-1b were reduced in the lung airways of the animals infected with viruses lacking E protein IC activity, indicating that E protein IC function is required for inflammasome activation. Reduction of IL-1b was accompanied by diminished amounts of TNF and IL-6 in the absence of E protein ion conductivity. All these key cytokines promote the progression of lung damage and ARDS pathology. In conclusion, E protein IC activity represents a new determinant for SARS-CoV virulence

Fattening Commercial Zebu with Grazing and Low Supplementation on Small Farms.

The aim of this paper was to describe and group grazing commercial Zebu bulls, with low supplementation. Forty-four beef-producing farms from several cooperatives of credits and services were studied. Their members are private farmers from Sibanicu, Camaguey, Cuba. The farms were visited for three years,  and official records were made of each farmer for these variables: resources, animals, management, production, and economy. The main statigraph for the variables were calculated. The  average  initial weight, final weight, weight gain, and production per ha were, 202.6; 371.6; 501; and 326.2 kg, during 339.7 fattening days, respectively. The principal component  analysis (PCA) showed  a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient higher than 0.66, and a significant Bartlett  sphericity  coefficient (P < 0.01), with self-values above 1. The two groups were made using a BIETAPIC cluster analysis

Tumores cerebrales de origen astrocítico: caracterización clínica y epidemiológica

A retrospective, descriptive and transversal study was carried out in the hospital ”Arnaldo Milian Castro” in the period from August 1998 to August 2005 in patients histologically diagnosed with malignant brain tumors of astrocytic lineage. In the process of this study was made a characterization of patients that suffered from malignant brain tumors of astrocytic lineage. Some parametrs were taken into account such as: age, sex, race, clinical manifestations, diagnostic means, more frecuent localization and histologic grade. Using these variables and the percent method was found that these tumors frecuently appear after fifties, in persons of male sex and white race. Endocraneal hypertensión, headache and neurological localization symptoms were most frecuent. The most useful means for the diagnosis proved to be the computer axial tomography. The basic localization of tumor was detected in the brain hemispheres, and was found also a malignant tumors' predominance.Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y transversal en el Hospital Provincial Universitario “Arnaldo Milián Castro” en el período de agosto de 1998 a agosto de 2005, con 104 pacientes a los que se les diagnosticó histológicamente un tumor cerebral maligno de la serie astrocítica. Nos propusimos caracterizar a los pacientes que padecieron tumores cerebrales de la serie astrocítica, se tuvieron en cuenta: edad, sexo, raza, manisfestaciones clínicas, medios diagnósticos, localización más frecuente y grado histológico. Con estas variables y el empleo del método de por ciento encontramos que estos tumores aparecieron frecuentemente después de los 50 años, en el sexo masculino y en la raza blanca. La cefalea, y los signos y síntomas de focalización neurológica y de hipertensión endocraneana son los más frecuentes; la tomografía axial computadorizada es un medio útil para el diagnóstico; su ubicación fundamental fue en los hemisferios cerebrales y predominaron los de alto grado de malignidad

Intervención educativa para prevenir embarazos en la adolescencia

Introduction: the pregnancy in the adolescence has several adverse consequences, either physical or psychosocial in the youngest teenagers (15-16 years), mainly the ones that belong to the disadvantaged class.Objective: to evaluate its influence in order to diminish pregnancy in the adolescence.Method: it was performed a program of intervention for the teenagers with pregnancy risk in the family medical office #3, at "Ramón Heredia Umpierre", polyclinic. It was selected a sample of 50 patients, after the application of an initial questionnaire that explored the existence of validated risk factors. There were taught 10 educational activities of 45 minutes and a weekly frequency. It was applied a program directed to increase the knowledge about the subject and it was determined its influence on some modifiable factors.Results: the group of age between the 14-16 years prevailed. Initially the level of unsuitable knowledge was about 72 %, increasing at the end of the study in 96%, what showed the efficiency of the program. The lack of knowledge about the safer contraceptive methods was about 15% at the beginning of the program and increased in 35% at the end of it. The results were organized in data association charts and it was used the percentage like summary measure.Conclusions: the educational strategy applied was valid but not 100 % reliable to avoid pregnancy in the adolescence, but if complemented with other intervention techniques, it could be very effective.Introducción: el embarazo en la adolescencia tiene unas consecuencias adversas tanto de tipo físico y psicosocial, en especial en las más jóvenes (15-16 años) y sobretodo en las pertenecientes a las clases sociales más desfavorecidas. Objetivo: evaluar  la influencia del mismo, para disminuir el embarazo en la adolescencia.Método: se realizó  un programa de intervención a las adolescentes con riesgo de embarazo pertenecientes al consultorio médico de familia #3, de la policlínica "Ramón Heredia Umpierre", Se seleccionó una muestra de 50 pacientes, luego de la aplicación de un cuestionario inicial  que exploró la existencia de factores validados como  riesgo. Se impartieron 10 actividades educativas con una duración de 45 minutos y una frecuencia semanal. Se aplicó un  programa dirigido a incrementar los conocimientos entorno al tema y determinar  su influencia sobre algunos factores modificables.Resultados: predominó el grupo de edad entre los 14-16 años. Inicialmente el nivel de conocimiento inadecuado fue de un 72 %, incrementándose al final del estudio en un 96%, lo que mostró, la eficacia del programa. La falta de conocimiento sobre los métodos anticonceptivos más seguros  era de 15%  al inicio del programa y se favoreció en un 35% al final del mismo. Los resultados se  organizaron en tablas de asociación de datos y se utilizó el porcentaje como medida de resumen. Conclusiones: la estrategia educativa aplicada es válida  pero no confiable el 100% para prevenir el embarazo en la adolescencia, pero si se complementa con otras  técnicas  de intervención   puede ser muy efectiva

Intervención educativa para prevenir embarazos en la adolescencia. CMF# 3. Veguita. Diciembre 2010-2011

Introduction: nowadays the teenagers are affected by a disproportionate percentage of non-planned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS) and other severe problems of the reproductive health.Objective: to evaluate the efficiency of an Educational Intervention Program to avoid pregnancies in the adolescence. MFO#3. Veguitas. December 2010-2011.Method: it was performed an intervention program to the teenagers with pregnancy risk, the sample was made by 50 patients, after the application of an initial questionnaire that explored the existence of validated risk factors. They were taught 10 educational activities with duration of 45 minutes per week. It was also applied a program to increase the knowledge about the subject and determine its influence on some modifiable factors.Results: the group of age between 14-16 years prevailed. Initially the level of unsuitable knowledge was about 72 %, at the end of the study it increased, obtaining 96%, what showed the efficiency of the program. The lack of knowledge on the safer contraceptive methods was about 15% at the beginning of the program and it increased in 35% at the end of it.Conclusions: the group of age between 14-16 years with an amount of 26 participants prevailed. In the teenagers studied prevailed like a risk group the one that was not preconcepcionally controlled. After the application of the educational strategy of intervention, most of the teenagers expressed that they had increased their knowledge.Introducción: en  la actualidad los adolescentes se encuentran afectados por un porcentaje desproporcionado de embarazo no planificados, enfermedades de transmisión sexual (incluido el SIDA) y otros problemas graves de la salud reproductiva.Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia de un programa de Intervención educativa para prevenir embarazos en la adolescencia. CMF# 3. Veguitas. Diciembre 2010-2011.Método: se realizó  un programa de intervención a las adolescentes con riesgo de embarazo, la muestra quedó constituida por 50 pacientes, luego de la aplicación de un cuestionario inicial  que exploró la existencia de factores validados como  riesgo. Se impartieron 10 actividades educativas con una duración de 45 minutos y una frecuencia semanal. Se aplicó un  programa dirigido a incrementar los conocimientos entorno al tema y determinar  su influencia sobre algunos factores modificables. Resultados: predominó el grupo de edad entre los 14-16 años. Inicialmente el nivel de conocimiento inadecuado fue de un 72 %, incrementándose al final del estudio en un 96%, lo que mostró, la eficacia del programa. La falta de conocimiento sobre los métodos anticonceptivos más seguros  era de 15%  al inicio del programa y se favoreció en un 35% al final del mismo.Conclusiones: predominó el grupo de edad 14-16 años con un total de 26 participantes. En las adolescentes estudiadas  predominó como grupo de riesgo las que no estaban controladas preconcepcionalmente. Después de aplicada la estrategia educativa de intervención, la mayoría de las adolescentes manifestaron haber aumentado sus conocimientos

Predictors of severe sepsis among patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia

Background Severe sepsis, may be present on hospital arrival in approximately one-third of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Objective To determine the host characteristics and micro-organisms associated with severe sepsis in patients hospitalized with CAP. Results We performed a prospective multicenter cohort study in 13 Spanish hospital, on 4070 hospi- talized CAP patients, 1529 of whom (37.6%) presented with severe sepsis. Severe sepsis CAP was independently associated with older age ( > 65 years), alcohol abuse (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 - 1.61), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.50 - 2.04) and renal disease (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.21 - 2.03), whereas prior antibiotic treat- ment was a protective factor (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.52 - 0.73). Bacteremia (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05 - 1.79), S pneumoniae (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.31 - 1.95) and mixed microbial etiology (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.10 - 2.49) were associated with severe sepsis CAP. Conclusions CAP patients with COPD, renal disease and alcohol abuse, as well as those with CAP due to S pneumonia or mixed micro-organisms are more likely to present to the hospital with severe sepsis