Las redes sociales y los SIG como herramientas para conocer las preferencias sociales en las ciudades turísticas: el caso de Benidorm

El auge de las redes sociales como lugar de encuentro virtual ha traído consigo nuevas formas de interacción ciudadana. Éstas, a su vez, han trascendido a una escala espacio-temporal tal que su estudio resulta difícilmente abarcable por métodos tradicionales. A partir de las relaciones que acontecen en línea, las redes sociales recogen una gran cantidad de datos que se actualizan en tiempo real. Así, el objetivo de esta investigación se basa en utilizar estos datos, a modo de muestra representativa, para identificar las preferencias sociales en relación a los espacios de las ciudades turísticas. Se plantea como estudio de caso la ciudad de Benidorm por ser ésta la ciudad turística por excelencia de la provincia de Alicante, con una importante proyección internacional. La metodología consta de tres fases: primero, una aplicación informática obtiene datos de las redes sociales: Foursquare y Twitter; a continuación, los datos son clasificados para que, por último, sean georreferenciados y grafiados en una cartografía para visualizar y evaluar los resultados. Una vez representada la información es posible determinar, por un lado, qué ámbitos de la ciudad de Benidorm adquieren relevancia por ser lugares de concurrencia ciudadana y a partir de los cuales se establece comunicación e intercambio social; y, por otro lado, dar lectura al carácter turístico de la ciudad identificando el tipo y género al que pertenecen sus lugares de interés. La utilización de estas herramientas posibilita la interpretación de los flujos sociales que se producen en el espacio urbano y secunda el planteamiento de estrategias de planificación y gestión, particularmente en el ámbito turístico

Synchronized Artificial Natures: The Secret Life of Trees Connecting York, Delft and Alicante

This paper presents an experiment that explored teaching limits in architecture and computational arts. Three universities (York, Tu-Delft and Alicante) collaborated, commissioning and producing three Interactive scenographic spaces. These were formed by visitors, artificial trees as well as reactive technologies and emulated the way in which fungi communicate by connecting their roots underground. Over the four months of duration of the experiment, students learnt about programming resources in contemporary musical scenographic creation; graphic resources and digital manufacturing for 3D printing; component design; Arduino programming; and interfaces such as the “Game of Life” to explain the project in terms of cooperating particles. Theoretical backgrounds such as the architecture of contingency, readings such as “the secret life of the trees” by Wohlleben and performance practices such as “A-volve” by Mignonneau and Sommerer or “Hylozoic series” by Philip Beesley were approached in the workshop. The ultimate goals of this teaching practice described more explicitly in the paper include: understanding the ways in which communities cooperate; synchronous communication between scenic spaces as well as transparent design processes; and efforts to reduce excessive subject learning encapsulation in new Degrees based on the Bologna model

Modelos de brotes arbustivos o algas en arquitectura. O cómo replicar un vegetal mediante la Agregación Limitada por Difusión (DLA)

En el presente artículo se expone el desarrollo de un método de diseño de estructuras ramificadas del tipo algas marinas o formas arbustivas que se basa en la agregación limitada por difusión (DLA) para definir su geometría. Se ha usado la DLA para reproducir unas reglas de crecimiento convincentes o verosímiles a partir de lo aprendido de visores programables como el NetLogo (Wilensky 1999). En concreto, las herramientas que reproducen la simulación aprendida de NetLogo son el software Grasshopper para generar las geometrías, el plug-in Exoskeleton para obtener superficies envolventes a dichas estructuras alámbricas, y el plug-in Weaverbird para suavizar transiciones entre caras de malla. Ésta última herramienta permite suavizar la malla mediante iteraciones que aumentan o no el número de caras, lo que permite entender algunas teorías sobre transiciones suaves en bifurcaciones de estructuras naturales (Mattheck 1990). Este artículo sirve además para reflexionar acerca de cómo modelos físico cinéticos basados en mecanismos inspirados en la Inteligencia Artificial ayudan a compartir métodos de análisis con otras disciplinas como la cibernética o la dinámica de fluidos o las ciencias sociales y del medioambiente. ¿Por qué puede ocurrir esto? Por el rigor en el lenguaje que todo el rato pretende referirse a poblaciones de individuos, a ciclos de vida, a sistemas multivariables, a reglas de reciprocidad o a pactos con partículas próximas.This article discusses the development of a design method for branched structures with seaweed-like or shrub-like forms based on diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) to define its geometry. DLA has been used to reproduce convincing or credible growth rules from what has been learned from programmable displays such as NetLogo (Wilenski 1999). In particular, the tools that reproduce the simulation learned from NetLogo are the Grasshopper software to generate the geometry, the Exoskeleton plug-in to get surrounding surfaces to these wireframe structures, and the Weaverbird plug-in to smooth transitions between mesh faces. This last tool allows smoothing the mesh by iterations that increase or not the number of faces, which allows to understand some theories about smooth transitions in forks of natural structures (Mattheck 1990). This article also serves to reflect on how kinetic-physical models based on mechanics inspired by Artificial Intelligence help to share methods of analysis with other disciplines such as cybernetics or fluid dynamics or the social and environmental sciences. Why can this happen? Because of the rigor in language that all the time tries to refer to populations of individuals, to life cycles, to multi-variable systems, to reciprocity rules or to pacts with near particles

Cooperative Trees by Adding Inosculated and Discrete Definitions to a DLA Design

This paper presents a method to generate free-form branched structures from a small number of different constructive elements, based on the postulates of discrete or combinatorial design. The research is based on the study of fractal growth as a generator of complex tree-like structures, using references from other scientific approaches in which the possibilities of the DLA (diffusion-limited aggregation) model have been explored. The proposed method uses the Grasshopper visual programming language, and incorporates new topological strategies to improve the performance or robustness of the system through tree-tree (inosculation) and tree-soil (aerial roots) cooperations. The simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method and its potential for the construction of structures with complex geometries from a discrete set of knots and bars and bioinspired strategies. The paper includes a review of the chosen design principles, the developed methodology and a recent physical test in Medellín (Colombia)

La Vida Secreta De Los Árboles: espacios escénicos sincronizados y naturalezas reactivas (Game of Life 1970 versión Alicante 2017)

Esta comunicación explica un experimento de colaboración y exploración de límites docentes disciplinares en arquitectura y artes computacionales llevado a cabo por tres universidades (York, Tu-Delft y Alicante) mediante la puesta en servicio de espacios escenográficos interactivos formados por visitantes, árboles artificiales y tecnologías reactivas que emulaban el modo de comunicación de hongos que conectan raíces bajo tierra. Durante cuatro meses que duró la experiencia, se produjeron aprendizajes en recursos de programación provenientes de la creación escenográfica musical contemporánea; en recursos gráficos y de fabricación digital para impresora 3D; en diseño de componentes; en programación mediante Arduino; en interfaces como el "Game of Life" para explicar el proyecto en clave de partículas que cooperan. Respaldos teóricos como la arquitectura de la contingencia, lecturas como "la vida secreta de los árboles" de Wohlleben y prácticas performaticas como "A-volve" de Mignonneau y Sommerer o "Hylozoic series" de Philip Beesley acompañaron el taller. Objetivos últimos de esta práctica docente son la comprensión de modos de cooperar de las comunidades; la comunicación sincrónica entre espacios escénicos; el énfasis en los procesos de diseño; y la búsqueda de fórmulas para reducir el encapsulamiento de aprendizajes del modelo Bolonia

A Phase I/II Clinical Trial to evaluate the efficacy of baricitinib to prevent respiratory insufficiency progression in onco-hematological patients affected with COVID19: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Objectives: Baricitinib is supposed to have a double effect on SARS-CoV2 infection. Firstly, it reduces the inflammatory response through the inhibition of the Januse-Kinase signalling transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. Moreover, it reduces the receptor mediated viral endocytosis by AP2-associated protein kinase 1 (AAK1) inhibition. We propose the use of baricinitib to prevent the progression of the respiratory insufficiency in SARS-CoV2 pneumonia in onco-haematological patients. In this phase Ib/II study, the primary objective in the safety cohort is to describe the incidence of severe adverse events associated with baricitinib administration. The primary objective of the randomized phase (baricitinib cohort versus standard of care cohort) is to evaluate the number of patients who did not require mechanical oxygen support since start of therapy until day +14 or discharge (whichever it comes first). The secondary objectives of the study (only randomized phase of the study) are represented by the comparison between the two arms of the study in terms of mortality and toxicity at day+30. Moreover, a description of the immunological related changes between the two arms of the study will be reported. Trial design: The trial is a phase I/II study with a safety run-in cohort (phase 1) followed by an open label phase II randomized controlled trial with an experimental arm compared to a standard of care arm

The evolution of the ventilatory ratio is a prognostic factor in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients

Background: Mortality due to COVID-19 is high, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between mortality and variables measured during the first three days of mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 intubated at ICU admission. Methods: Multicenter, observational, cohort study includes consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to 44 Spanish ICUs between February 25 and July 31, 2020, who required intubation at ICU admission and mechanical ventilation for more than three days. We collected demographic and clinical data prior to admission; information about clinical evolution at days 1 and 3 of mechanical ventilation; and outcomes. Results: Of the 2,095 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, 1,118 (53.3%) were intubated at day 1 and remained under mechanical ventilation at day three. From days 1 to 3, PaO2/FiO2 increased from 115.6 [80.0-171.2] to 180.0 [135.4-227.9] mmHg and the ventilatory ratio from 1.73 [1.33-2.25] to 1.96 [1.61-2.40]. In-hospital mortality was 38.7%. A higher increase between ICU admission and day 3 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.04 [CI 1.01-1.07], p = 0.030) and creatinine levels (OR 1.05 [CI 1.01-1.09], p = 0.005) and a lower increase in platelet counts (OR 0.96 [CI 0.93-1.00], p = 0.037) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. No association between mortality and the PaO2/FiO2 variation was observed (OR 0.99 [CI 0.95 to 1.02], p = 0.47). Conclusions: Higher ventilatory ratio and its increase at day 3 is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation at ICU admission. No association was found in the PaO2/FiO2 variation

Clustering COVID-19 ARDS patients through the first days of ICU admission. An analysis of the CIBERESUCICOVID Cohort

Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be classified into sub-phenotypes according to different inflammatory/clinical status. Prognostic enrichment was achieved by grouping patients into hypoinflammatory or hyperinflammatory sub-phenotypes, even though the time of analysis may change the classification according to treatment response or disease evolution. We aimed to evaluate when patients can be clustered in more than 1 group, and how they may change the clustering of patients using data of baseline or day 3, and the prognosis of patients according to their evolution by changing or not the cluster.Methods Multicenter, observational prospective, and retrospective study of patients admitted due to ARDS related to COVID-19 infection in Spain. Patients were grouped according to a clustering mixed-type data algorithm (k-prototypes) using continuous and categorical readily available variables at baseline and day 3.Results Of 6205 patients, 3743 (60%) were included in the study. According to silhouette analysis, patients were grouped in two clusters. At baseline, 1402 (37%) patients were included in cluster 1 and 2341(63%) in cluster 2. On day 3, 1557(42%) patients were included in cluster 1 and 2086 (57%) in cluster 2. The patients included in cluster 2 were older and more frequently hypertensive and had a higher prevalence of shock, organ dysfunction, inflammatory biomarkers, and worst respiratory indexes at both time points. The 90-day mortality was higher in cluster 2 at both clustering processes (43.8% [n = 1025] versus 27.3% [n = 383] at baseline, and 49% [n = 1023] versus 20.6% [n = 321] on day 3). Four hundred and fifty-eight (33%) patients clustered in the first group were clustered in the second group on day 3. In contrast, 638 (27%) patients clustered in the second group were clustered in the first group on day 3.Conclusions During the first days, patients can be clustered into two groups and the process of clustering patients may change as they continue to evolve. This means that despite a vast majority of patients remaining in the same cluster, a minority reaching 33% of patients analyzed may be re-categorized into different clusters based on their progress. Such changes can significantly impact their prognosis

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Actas del V Congreso ISUF-H Costa Rica 2021: Ciudades espontáneas versus ciudades planificadas: distintos retos, distintas realidades

En el año 2021 celebramos en Costa Rica la V edición del Congreso ISUF-H, los días 1, 2 y 3 de diciembre, con la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Costa Rica como anfitriona del evento. El congreso “Ciudades espontáneas versus ciudades planificadas: distintos retos, distintas realidades” propuso como eje central una reflexión crítica sobre los procesos de urbanización planificada y urbanización espontánea, en el cual se fomente un abordaje de las ciudades como expresión de organización social, económica, ambiental y cultural, enfatizando el carácter ideológico de la urbanización y subrayando su continua construcción como resultado de construcciones complejas. La celebración de un nuevo congreso en América Latina, permitió reforzar la tradición crítica en el abordaje de las ciudades, y reforzar también la necesidad de plantear una perspectiva latinoamericana de los estudios urbanos, y por consiguiente de una teoría urbana latinoamericana. En esta ocasión el congreso se centró en ahondar en la temática de la forma urbana, desde perspectivas transversales que involucren las amplias disciplinas que asumen como objeto de discusión las problemáticas de la ciudad contemporánea y cuestionan la dicotomía planteada entre lo espontáneo y lo planificado. Para la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Costa Rica y su Laboratorio de Ciudad y Territorio es un honor haber podido llevar a cabo esta nueva edición del congreso de la Asociación ISUF-H como segunda sede en un país latinoamericano. Relevante para fortalecer la temática de la forma urbana en la región, reforzando alianzas y estableciendo nuevas redes que permitan compartir conocimientos a partir de las experiencias de esas diversidades urbanas. Auspiciar el debate en torno a la morfología urbana y las diferencias entre esas ciudades espontáneas y las planificadas, fue una oportunidad para reunir a expertos de las distintas latitudes hispánicas.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ingeniería::Facultad de Ingeniería::Escuela de Arquitectur