Toldo urbano: Posibilidades de reducción de la demanda de refrigeración

As a result of the current economic and energy crisis, it has become necessary to rethink urban planning, starting from a global concept of efficiency and considering buildings not as isolated entities, but as part of an urban system, which consumes energy on a much larger scale. The connection between urban morphology and microclimate is a widely discussed question, including issues like the urban heat island phenomenon or outdoor comfort in open spaces. However, there is still a lot of work to be done regarding the influence of these microclimatic variations on building energy consumption. In that sense, would it be possible to apply efficient measures of microclimate modification on an urban scale to increase comfort levels in public spaces while at the same time, reducing building consumption? This paper focuses on urban canopy shading. Its effectiveness as a shading device and its capability to improve outdoor climate in areas with an excess of solar radiation is widely demonstrated. In this case, its effect on indoor climate of is evaluated. The case study is located in Cordoba (Spain), as an example of a climate with a hot and dry summer (according to CTE, level 4). A complete street canyon model has been created. Two buildings, one on each side of the street canyon, have been tested using an energy simulation software (Design Builder). Model features and simulation settings correspond to real values. Urban canopy shading effectiveness has been analyzed according to cooling demand decrease, taking into account both buildings. Spatial factors (street orientation, width-height ratio, windows-opaque ratio) and material factors (U-values and skin mass, % obstruction) have been considered. Results show 18% to 45% cooling demand decrease due to the canopy shading. Spatial factors are much more relevant than material factors: windows-opaque ratio is a determining factor, in contrast to mass and U-values. This study shows the importance of evaluating both urban facades, which means working from an urban perspective beyond the local scale of a single building.El contexto de crisis económica y energética en que nos encontramos, hace necesario repensar la forma de planificar la ciudad partiendo de un concepto global de eficiencia y entendiendo los edificios no como entes aislados que consumen energía, sino como parte de un sistema, consumidor una escala mucho mayor. La relación entre morfología urbana y el microclima es una cuestión ampliamente tratada, abordándose el fenómeno isla de calor o el confort en espacios urbanos. Sin embargo, en cuanto a la influencia de estas variaciones microclimáticas sobre el consumo energético del edificio, aún queda mucho por hacer. En esta línea, nos planteamos: ¿sería posible implantar estrategias de modificación del microclima a escala urbana, que aumenten los niveles de confort en exterior y, simultáneamente disminuyan el consumo de los edificios? En este artículo se analiza el caso del toldo urbano. Su eficacia como elemento de sombra, y su capacidad de mejorar las condiciones exteriores en climas con exceso de radiación solar, está ampliamente demostrada. En esta ocasión, nos centramos en su repercusión sobre el ambiente interior en edificios residenciales. El caso de estudio se localiza en Córdoba (España), ejemplo de clima con verano cálido y seco (según CTE, severidad 4). Se ha creado un modelo de cañón urbano, en cuya parte central se ubican los dos edificios (uno a cada lado de la calle) objeto de simulación energética con Design Builder. Las características del modelo y simulación, responden a condiciones similares a las edificaciones residenciales del entorno. La efectividad del toldo se ha analizado en base a la disminución de demanda de refrigeración que genera, teniendo en cuenta ambos edificios. Se han considerado tanto variables espaciales (orientación de la calle, proporción ancho-alto, % de hueco en fachadas) como materiales (Transmitancia y masa de los cerramientos,% obstrucción solar del toldo). Los resultados reflejan reducciones de demanda entre el 18 y el 45% y una mayor importancia de las variables espaciales frente a las materiales. El % de hueco en fachada se muestra como parámetro de gran relevancia, en contraposición a la masa y la transmitancia. Se concluye que el análisis debe efectuarse considerando las dos fachadas urbanas en su totalidad, es decir, partiendo de una perspectiva urbana que trasciende de la escala local de edificio

Multifactorial control and treatment intensity of type-2 diabetes in primary care settings in Catalonia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many studies on diabetes have demonstrated that an intensive control of glycaemia and the main associated risk factors (hypertension, dislipidaemia, obesity and smoking) reduce cardiovascular morbi-mortality. Different scientific societies have proposed a multifactorial approach to type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>The objective of this study was to identify the degree of control of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and of cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients, using the GedapS 2004 guidelines, and to analyse the type and intensity of drug treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This cross-sectional, multicentre, epidemiological study was conducted in a primary care setting in Vallès Occidental South, Catalonia. Data were collected of 393 patients aged 18 and above who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2. Biodemographic and clinical data, cardiovascular risk factors, associated cardiovascular disease, and treatment were assessed. Descriptive and multivariable analysis with logistic regression was realized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 392 patients with a mean age of 66.8 years (SD = 10.6) (45.4% male patients) were analyzed. The duration of diabetes was 8.4 years (SD = 7.6). The degree of multifactorial control of risk factors was only 2.6%, although in more than 50% individual cardiovascular risk factor was controlled, except for LDL cholesterol (40.6%) and systolic blood pressure (29.6%). Furthermore, only 13.0% of subjects had an optimal BMI, 27.5% an optimal waist circumference. Treatment for diabetes was prescribed in 82.7% of patients, for hypertension 70.7%, for dyslipidaemia 47.2% and 40.1% were taking antiplatelets.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Over 50% of type 2 diabetic patients presented optimal control of the majority of individual cardiovascular risk factors, although the degree of multifactorial control of diabetes was insufficient (2.6%) and should be improved. Drug treatment can be intensified using a larger number of combinations, particularly in patients with target organ damage and associated clinical cardiovascular disease.</p

Nueva información sobre la morfología, reproducción y distribución del pulpo megatuberculado Graneledone macrotyla del talud continental Patagónico

The new information reported in this paper is based on 11 specimens of the large-tuberculate octopus Graneledone macrotyla. These specimens were caught in bottom trawl surveys ATLANTIS 2009 and 2010 carried out on the Patagonian slope off the Argentinean Economic Exclusive Zone between 24 February and 1 April 2009 and from 9 March to 5 April 2010 respectively. A new diagnosis and a complete description of the species are provided. This is the first time that stylets, beaks and spermatophores are described. This is also the first time in which mature females have been studied and the female genitalia described. Like other eledonid octopods, G. macrotyla does not have spermathecae in the oviducal glands. The presence of fertilized eggs inside the ovary suggests that fertilization takes place within the ovary. The simultaneous occurrence of oocyte cohorts at different oogenic stages suggests that the species is a multiple spawner. G. macrotyla inhabits shallower waters on the Patagonian slope (475-921 m) than in the subantartic area (1647-2044 m). From a biogeographical point of view, our data show that G. macrotyla inhabits the plume of cold subantarctic waters, which is pushed far north into the southwestern Atlantic by the Falkland (Malvinas) Current.La novedosa información que se proporciona en este trabajo se basa en 11 ejemplares del pulpo megatuberculado Graneledone macrotyla. Esos ejemplares se capturaron en las campañas de prospección ATLANTIS 2009 y 2010, realizadas con arte de arrastre bentónico en el talud patagónico por fuera de la Zona Económica Exclusiva de Argentina, entre el 24 de febrero y el 1 de abril de 2009 y desde el 9 de marzo hasta el 5 de abril de 2010, respectivamente. Se ofrece una nueva diagnosis y una descripción completa de la especie. Esta es la primera vez en que se describen los estiletes, picos y espermatóforos. También es totalmente novedoso el estudio de hembras maduras, lo que ha permitido la descripción de su órgano genital. Como ocurre en otros pulpos de la subfamilia Eledoninae, G. macrotyla carece de espermatecas en las glándulas oviductales. La presencia de huevos fecundados en el ovario sugiere que la fecundación acontece dentro de este órgano. La presencia simultánea de varias cohortes de ovocitos de diferente tamaño sugiere que se trata de una especie cuya freza es múltiple. G. macrotyla vive en aguas más someras del talud patagónico (475-921 m) que en la región subantártica (1647-2044 m). Estos datos muestran que G. macrotyla vive en la pluma de aguas subantárticas, que transportan agua fría hacia el norte del Atlántico sudoccidental a través de la corriente de Malvinas (Falkland)

New insights into the morphology, reproduction and distribution of the large-tuberculate octopus Graneledone macrotyla from the Patagonian slope

The new information reported in this paper is based on 11 specimens of the large-tuberculate octopus Graneledone macrotyla. These specimens were caught in bottom trawl surveys ATLANTIS 2009 and 2010 carried out on the Patagonian slope off the Argentinean Economic Exclusive Zone between 24 February and 1 April 2009 and from 9 March to 5 April 2010 respectively. A new diagnosis and a complete description of the species are provided. This is the first time that stylets, beaks and spermatophores are described. This is also the first time in which mature females have been studied and the female genitalia described. Like other eledonid octopods, G. macrotyla does not have spermathecae in the oviducal glands. The presence of fertilized eggs inside the ovary suggests that fertilization takes place within the ovary. The simultaneous occurrence of oocyte cohorts at different oogenic stages suggests that the species is a multiple spawner. G. macrotyla inhabits shallower waters on the Patagonian slope (475-921 m) than in the subantartic area (1647-2044 m). From a biogeographical point of view, our data show that G. macrotyla inhabits the plume of cold subantarctic waters, which is pushed far north into the southwestern Atlantic by the Falkland (Malvinas) Current.Nueva información sobre la morfología, reproducción y distribución del pulpo megatuberculado Graneledone macrotyla del talud continental Patagónico. – La novedosa información que se proporciona en este trabajo se basa en 11 ejemplares del pulpo megatuberculado Graneledone macrotyla. Esos ejemplares se capturaron en las campañas de prospección ATLANTIS 2009 y 2010, realizadas con arte de arrastre bentónico en el talud patagónico por fuera de la Zona Económica Exclusiva de Argentina, entre el 24 de febrero y el 1 de abril de 2009 y desde el 9 de marzo hasta el 5 de abril de 2010, respectivamente. Se ofrece una nueva diagnosis y una descripción completa de la especie. Esta es la primera vez en que se describen los estiletes, picos y espermatóforos. También es totalmente novedoso el estudio de hembras maduras, lo que ha permitido la descripción de su órgano genital. Como ocurre en otros pulpos de la subfamilia Eledoninae, G. macrotyla carece de espermatecas en las glándulas oviductales. La presencia de huevos fecundados en el ovario sugiere que la fecundación acontece dentro de este órgano. La presencia simultánea de varias cohortes de ovocitos de diferente tamaño sugiere que se trata de una especie cuya freza es múltiple. G. macrotyla vive en aguas más someras del talud patagónico (475-921 m) que en la región subantártica (1647-2044 m). Estos datos muestran que G. macrotyla vive en la pluma de aguas subantárticas, que transportan agua fría hacia el norte del Atlántico sudoccidental a través de la corriente de Malvinas (Falkland)

Traduire la terminologie du bouddhisme à la lumière de la pratique du dharma

L'implantation du bouddhisme en Occident comme tradition vivante conduit à reposer le problème de la traduction de sa terminologie sous un éclairage nouveau, ouvrant ainsi un champ d'étude qui apporte de nouvelles données à la traductologie. Le groupe de recherche Marpa du Departament de Traducció i d'Interpretació de l'Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona présente ici quelques résultats des travaux préliminaires en vue de l'élaboration d'une banque de données terminologique multilingue conçue comme aide à la traduction des textes du bouddhisme tibétain en espagnol et en catalan.The translation of Buddhist terminology has had to be rethought in the light of the practice of Buddhism in the West as a living tradition. This new area of research has already made a contribution to translation studies. In this article, the Marpa research group in the Departament de Traducció i d'Interpretació de l'Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona presents the results of some preliminary studies aimed at building a multilingual terminology data bank designed as an aid to translating Tibetan Buddhist texts into Spanish and Catalan

The impact of a programme to improve quality of care for people with type 2 diabetes on hard to reach groups: The GEDAPS study

AIMS: We investigated whether a continuous quality improvement programme in primary care for people with type 2 diabetes led to better care and outcomes in hard to reach groups. METHODS: GEDAPS was implemented in Catalonia, Spain between 1993 (n=2239) and 2002 (n=5819). Process (e.g., education), intermediate (e.g., HbA1c) and final (e.g. retinopathy) outcomes were compared between urban and rural areas, and between younger (≤74 years) and older (≥75 years) individuals as examples of harder to reach groups. RESULTS: In 1993, people in urban areas had significantly better or similar outcomes to rural areas; by 2002, most outcomes improved in urban and rural areas. For all outcomes, the improvement in rural areas was similar to or better than urban areas. Similarly, for most outcomes, the younger and older group improved, with the older group experiencing similar or better improvements than the younger group for all indicators, except coronary artery disease. CONCLUSIONS: A quality improvement programme was associated with equivalent or better outcomes in hard to reach groups, regardless of whether they were specifically targeted. The ability to apply one programme to all populations could save time and money

Cluster randomized trial in smoking cessation with intensive advice in diabetic patients in primary care : ITADI Study

Background: It is a priority to achieve smoking cessation in diabetic smokers, given that this is a group of patients with elevated cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, tobacco has a multiplying effect on micro and macro vascular complications. Smoking abstinence rates increase as the intensity of the intervention, length of the intervention and number and diversity of contacts with the healthcare professional during the intervention increases. However, there are few published studies about smoking cessation in diabetics in primary care, a level of healthcare that plays an essential role in these patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive smoking cessation intervention in diabetic patients in primary care. Methods/Design: Cluster randomized trial, controlled and multicentric. Randomization unit: Primary Care Team. Study population: 546 diabetic smokers older than 14 years of age whose disease is controlled by one of the primary care teams in the study. Outcome Measures: Continuous tobacco abstinence (a person who has not smoked for at least six months and with a CO level of less than 6 ppm measured by a cooximeter) , evolution in the Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model of Change, number of cigarettes/day, length of the visit. Point of assessment: one- year post- inclusion in the study. Intervention: Brief motivational interview for diabetic smokers at the pre-contemplation and contemplation stage, intensive motivational interview with pharmacotherapy for diabetic smokers in the preparation-action stage and reinforcing intevention in the maintenance stage. Statistical Analysis: A descriptive analysis of all variables will be done, as well as a multilevel logistic regression and a Poisson regression. All analyses will be done with an intention to treatment basis and will be fitted for potential confounding factors and variables of clinical importance. Statistical packages: SPSS15, STATA10 y HLM6. Discussion: The present study will try to describe the profile of a diabetic smoker who receives the most benefit from an intensive intervention in primary care. The results will be useful for primary care professionals in their usual clinical practice

Valor del ADN-VPH en el cribado de la población oportunista en el departamento 6 de Valencia

La infecció pel Virus del Papil·loma Humà (VPH) és la causa principal de gairebé tots els casos de càncer cervical. En països on s'apliquen de manera programada tècniques de detecció, hi ha una disminució de la incidència i la mortalitat del càncer cervical. La detecció del VPH és un avenç important per a la prevenció del càncer en permetre un diagnòstic precoç de lesions cancerígenes. És per això que, es va decidir estudiar durant un any a la població de pacients que acudien a les consultes de ginecologia i aplicar si estava indicat el protocol de detecció de l'ADN-VPH segons les indicacions de l'Asociació Espanyola de Patologia Cervical i Colposcopia (AEPCC) per després traure conclusions.La infección por el Virus del Papiloma Humano (VPH) es la causa principal de casi todos los casos de cáncer cervical. En países donde se aplican de forma programada técnicas de detección, existe una disminución de la incidencia y la mortalidad del cáncer cervical. La detección del VPH es un avance importante para la prevención del cáncer al permitir un diagnostico precoz de lesiones cancerígenas. Es por ello que, se decidió estudiar durante un año a la población de pacientes que acudían a las consultas de ginecología y aplicar si estaba indicado el protocolo de detección del ADN-VPH según las indicaciones de la Asociación Española de Patología Cervical y Colposcopia (AEPCC) para después extraer conclusiones

Memòria personal : una altra manera de llegir la història

El llibre proposa el consens assolit entre les diverses fórmules que s'han afirmat amb més o menys fortuna els darrers temps al voltant de la literatura personal, aquella del "jo", autobiogràfica, dietarística. Memòria personal entre històri