Observar lo invisible. Radiotelescopios: Infraestructuras entre el paisaje y el cosmos

This article investigates the evolution of a kind of astronomic observatory -the radio telescope- that has been varying since its origin due to the advances in science and technology associated with the field of radio astronomy. The article raises the hypothesis that the origin of this branch of science produced a paradigm shift that leads to a transgression of the typology of the spaces for knowledge and observation of the cosmos. At the same time, it offers a new type of infrastructure that, due to its scale, establishes a new relationship with the landscape. It creates spaces of convergence between nature, technology and culture. A study of six of the most representative large-scale radio telescopes of their class is carried out. The research compares both the technical data and the formal aspects with the aim of reaching a series of conclussions that contribute to a better understanding of the types of space that radio telescopes produce in relation to the landscape and the human beings.Este artículo investiga acerca de la evolución de un tipo de observatorio astronómico –el radiotelescopio- que desde sus orígenes hasta la actualidad ha ido variando en base a los avances en la ciencia y la tecnología asociadas al campo de la radioastronomía. Se plantea la hipótesis de que el origen de esta rama de la ciencia supuso un cambio de paradigma que conlleva una transgresión de la tipología de los espacios dedicados al conocimiento y la observación del cosmos. Esta nueva clase de observatorio, al mismo tiempo ofrece un nuevo tipo de infraestructuras que, por su gran escala, establece una nueva relación con el paisaje, generando espacios de convergencia entre la naturaleza, la tecnología y la cultura.Se realiza un estudio de seis de los radiotelescopios de gran escala más representativos de su clase, comparando tanto los datos técnicos como los aspectos formales con el objetivo de obtener una serie de conclusiones que contribuyan a un mejor entendimiento de los tipos de espacio que estos producen en relación al paisaje y a los seres humanos

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

GAIA 2.0: El prototipo

GAIA 2.0: EL PROTOTIPO es una propuesta para satisfacer la hipótesis de Bruno Latour de Gaia 2.0. Se propone revertir las acciones metabólicas de los vecinos del Barrio del Puerto en Coslada a través de una infraestructura energética que se asienta sobre un espacio fallido de la ciudad. Se busca generar nuevas relaciones entre lo humano y lo no-humano y entender la ciudad bajo un urbanismo interespecie. El prototipo plantea una nueva manera de vivir la ciudad, un nuevo modo de coexistir

Arquitectura, infraestructura y paisaje: el observatorio astronómico

El ser humano siempre ha puesto su mirada en el cielo. Los observatorios astronómicos son los espacios que le permiten establecer una conexión con el cosmos y tomar conciencia de sí mismo. Son, entonces, lugares con gran carga energética capaces de transmitir fuertes sensaciones a los usuarios y expandir los límites del conocimiento humano. Iñaki Ábalos los define como espacios donde convergen tres realidades: la ciencia, la infraestructura y el arte. Por tanto, nos centraremos en entender el observatorio a través de sus vinculaciones con estas tres esferas. Con este fin, se realiza un catálogo de diecisiete casos de estudio, seleccionados en función de su relevancia y en relación a los mecanismos espaciales que utiliza cada uno de ellos. En la ficha resumen de cada observatorio, se incluye una pequeña reflexión sobre su funcionamiento, dibujos que lo ilustran y una recopilación de datos que permite, finalmente, comparar los distintos casos de forma sistemática. Tras ello, se observa que la tecnología empleada para relacionar cosmos-ser humano es un factor condicionante en la evolución de la tipología, sobre todo debido a que la superficie habitable se ha reducido al mínimo. Se elimina, pues, esa cualidad de espacio destinado a la contemplación. Sin embargo, al ubicarse en espacios naturales aislados y emplear instrumentos compositivos de carácter representativo, cuentan con una gran carga paisajística. Por tanto, se propone devolver el carácter contemplativo a esta tipología a través de su capacidad de construir nuevos paisajes y generar emociones en el espectador

Contemporary use of cefazolin for MSSA infective endocarditis: analysis of a national prospective cohort

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the real use of cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infective endocarditis (IE) in the Spanish National Endocarditis Database (GAMES) and to compare it with antistaphylococcal penicillin (ASP). Methods: Prospective cohort study with retrospective analysis of a cohort of MSSA IE treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Outcomes assessed were relapse; intra-hospital, overall, and endocarditis-related mortality; and adverse events. Risk of renal toxicity with each treatment was evaluated separately. Results: We included 631 IE episodes caused by MSSA treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Antibiotic treatment was cloxacillin, cefazolin, or both in 537 (85%), 57 (9%), and 37 (6%) episodes, respectively. Patients treated with cefazolin had significantly higher rates of comorbidities (median Charlson Index 7, P <0.01) and previous renal failure (57.9%, P <0.01). Patients treated with cloxacillin presented higher rates of septic shock (25%, P = 0.033) and new-onset or worsening renal failure (47.3%, P = 0.024) with significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality (38.5%, P = 0.017). One-year IE-related mortality and rate of relapses were similar between treatment groups. None of the treatments were identified as risk or protective factors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that cefazolin is a valuable option for the treatment of MSSA IE, without differences in 1-year mortality or relapses compared with cloxacillin, and might be considered equally effective

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis.

The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327  There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in th

Prosthetic Valve Candida spp. Endocarditis: New Insights Into Long-term Prognosis—The ESCAPE Study

International audienceBackground: Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Candida spp. (PVE-C) is rare and devastating, with international guidelines based on expert recommendations supporting the combination of surgery and subsequent azole treatment.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed PVE-C cases collected in Spain and France between 2001 and 2015, with a focus on management and outcome.Results: Forty-six cases were followed up for a median of 9 months. Twenty-two patients (48%) had a history of endocarditis, 30 cases (65%) were nosocomial or healthcare related, and 9 (20%) patients were intravenous drug users. "Induction" therapy consisted mainly of liposomal amphotericin B (L-amB)-based (n = 21) or echinocandin-based therapy (n = 13). Overall, 19 patients (41%) were operated on. Patients <66 years old and without cardiac failure were more likely to undergo cardiac surgery (adjusted odds ratios [aORs], 6.80 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-29.13] and 10.92 [1.15-104.06], respectively). Surgery was not associated with better survival rates at 6 months. Patients who received L-amB alone had a better 6-month survival rate than those who received an echinocandin alone (aOR, 13.52; 95% CI, 1.03-838.10). "Maintenance" fluconazole therapy, prescribed in 21 patients for a median duration of 13 months (range, 2-84 months), led to minor adverse effects.Conclusion: L-amB induction treatment improves survival in patients with PVE-C. Medical treatment followed by long-term maintenance fluconazole may be the best treatment option for frail patients