Stand-alone hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES)

End of Energy Poverty and achieving Sustainable Energy for all by 2030 is a universal challenge. 1.3 billion people without energy access and 2.8 billion people using unsustainable solid fuel for cooking and heating are global challenges for human and societal sustainable development. Nearly 1 trillion of investment is expected in the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) scenario to achieve universal energy access in 2030. Around 60% of investments will be in isolated off-grid and mini-grid systems with the relevant goal of duplicating the renewable energy sources in the energy mix. Access to innovation trends in renewable energy off-grid would benefit future installations. This work brings to light the recent years research contributions in Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) and related aspects that would benefit these required investments in isolated off-grid and mini-grid systems. An overview on the thematic focus of research in Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) in the last decade, period 2005 - 2015, is provided. This review covers multiple key aspects of HRES as the main focus of the research (technical, economical, environmental, financial, etc.); the design of the system (type of load, energy sources, storage, availability of meteorology data, etc.); different optimization criteria and objective function; software and modelling tools; and the type of application and country among others. A methodology for searching, identifying and categorizing the innovations related to HRES is proposed. Applying this methodology during this PhD work results in a primary database with a categorized bibliography including nearly 400 entries. Currently system design is mainly technical driven with economic feasibility analysis regarding the energy cost. As for environmental aspects, the beneficial impacts of renewable energy are hardly introduced as an economical value that is so far the most important decision-making criteria. Regarding decision-making tools, the most currently used optimization algorithms and software tools for the design of HRES is HOMER and a case study for understanding is proposed. Following the analysis of most popular and relevant criteria, an easy to use guideline is proposed encouraging decision-making for more sustainable energy access. There are untapped research opportunities for HRES in multi-disciplinary thematic areas. The analysis of innovations regarding the system design for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) have identified potential for research community aligned with the trends to integrate the value chain and foster innovative business models and sustainable energy markets. After the analysis of those different focus that goes from technical and economical, to environmental, regulatory or policy aspects, an integrated value chain for HRES systems is defined. Knowledge, methodologies & tools are provided in this PhD work for more stand-alone hybrid systems creating value for more of the stakeholders involved. After reviewing the latest innovations in HRES per thematic focus, an integrated value chain for those systems has been proposed and multidisciplinary research opportunities have been identified. Identifying the need to include the environmental aspects in early stages of the decision-making has lead to propose an easy to use guideline integrating most relevant criteria for the design of stand-alone renewable power systems. Finally, the research opportunities identified and the untapped potential of transferring latest innovations have result in the creation of the website ElectrifyMe (www.electrifyme.org) to enable valuable international networking contacts among researchers and encouraging multi-disciplinary research. "Knowledge, methodologies & tools" are powerful contributions by research community and innovators to foster more sustainable energy for all.El fi de la pobresa energètica i l'assoliment d'energia sostenible per a tothom l'any 2030 és un repte universal. 1,3 mil milions de persones sense accés a l'energia i 2,8 mil milions de persones que utilitzen combustible sòlid insostenible per cuinar i escalfar són desafiaments globals pel desenvolupament humà sostenible i social. S'espera una inversió aproximada de 1 trilió en l'energia sostenible per a tots (SE4ALL) per aconseguir l'accés universal a l'energia en 2030. Al voltant del 60 % de les inversions seran en sistemes off-grid i mini-grid, amb la corresponent meta de duplicar les fonts d'energia renovables en el mix energétic. En aquesta tesis es facilita una visió general sobre els àmbits temàtics de la recerca en Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) en l'última dècada, període 2005-2015. Aquesta revisió es refereix a diversos aspectes clau deis HRES com: el focus principal de la investigació (tècnics, econòmics, ambientals, financers, etc.); el disseny del sistema (tipus de carrega, fonts d'energia, l'emmagatzematge, la disponibilitat de dades de meteorologia, etc.); diferents criteris d'optimització i funció objectiu; programari de modelatge eines; i el tipus d'aplicació i el país, entre d'altres. Es proposa una metodologia per buscar, identificar i categoritzar les innovacions relacionades amb els HRES. L'aplicació d'aquesta metodologia durant aquest treball de doctorat proporciona una base de dades primaria amb una bibliografia classificada incloent prop de 400 entrades. Actualment el disseny dels sistemes incorporen criteris tècnics amb anàlisi de viabilitat econòmica sobre el cost de l'energia. Pel que fa a les eines de presa de decisions, el métode d'optimització més utilitzats en l'actualitat pel disseny de HRES és HOMER, i es proposa un estudi de cas per a la comprensió deis criteris de disseny. Després de l'anàlisi de la majoria deis valors més habituals i rellevants, es proposa una senzilla guia per la presa de decisions per a l'accés a l'energia més sostenible. Després de compartir innovacions i proporcionar metodologies i eines, facilitar la creació de xarxes entre els investigadors ha demostrat ser una poderosa acció per promoure recerca sense explotar amb equips multidisciplinaris i internacionals. La pàgina web ElectrifyMe (www .electrifyme .org) ha estat creada amb la finalitat de facilitar a la comunitat d'investigació descobrir les innovacions i compartir projectes . Coneixements, metodologies i eines es proporcionen en aquest treball de doctorat per afavorir la creació de valor als sistemes aïllats híbrids renovables (stand-alone HRES) pels actors involucrats. Després de revisar les últimes innovacions en la introducció de renovables en sistemes aïllats en diferent enfoc temàtic, s'han estat identificat oportunitats de recerca multidisciplinars i s'ha proposat una cadena de valor integrada per aquests sistemes. La identificació de la necessitat d'incloure els aspectes ambientals en les primeres etapes de la presa de decisions ha portat a proposar una guia fàcil per utilitzar la integració de criteris més rellevants pel disseny de sistemes d'energia renovables independents. Finalment, tes oportunitats de recerca identificades i el potencial sense explotar de transferir les darreres innovacions tenen com a resultat la creació de la pàgina web ElectrifyMe (www.electrifyme.org) per promoure contactes i col·laboracions de xarxes internacionals entre investigadors i el foment de la investigació multidisciplinar. "El coneixement, les metodologies i les eines són poderoses contribucions de la comunitat de recerca per assolir un accés sostenible a l'energia per tots

Study of optimization design criteria for stand-alone hybrid renewable power systems

Hybrid renewable power systems integrate two or more sources of energy, one of which is renewable, optionally a storage system and typically work in stand-alone mode. They are being considered more and more and we should increment their usage taking advantage of their positive benefits: free of charge resource availability, CO2 emissions reductions and subsidies. Dealing with their inconveniences: variability of renewable resources availability and cost acquisition, through the optimization of the design and the control of the system. The optimal design of hybrid renewable power systems is usually defined by economic criteria. But there are also technical and environmental criteria to be taken into account to improve decision-making. In this paper a discussion on different criteria will introduce the non-economical perspectives in addition to the economic criteria. A case study of a PV-Wind-Diesel-Battery system for a Telecommunication station in Catalonia is discussed. Availability of renewable energy sources is obtained with RETScreen and PVSyst. Analysis and simulations of various hybrid power systems have been done in HOMER resulting on a comparison of different scenarios. Optimal scenario taking into account the best results of all three types of criteria: economic, technical and environmental, is a trade-off of the economic optimum.Postprint (published version

Eficacia de las Terapias Contextuales en el Trastorno maníaco - depresivo/ Trastorno Bipolar

El presente estudio pretende mostrar la eficacia de las terapias contextuales para el trastorno bipolar. Dada la poca bibliografía existente y habiéndose encontrado pocos trabajos de investigación atendiendo a los criterios de selección de estudios con grupo control y de tratamiento, se escogieron 4 trabajos de la terapia dialéctico conductual (TDC) y 2 de la la terapia MBCT. Los resultados indican la eficacia de la TDC para la mejora de la adherencia al tratamiento y los síntomas depresivos, control afectivo y el mindfulness. En cuanto a la terapia MBCT, se observa una reducción de los síntomas de ansiedad y estrés, mejora del control afectivo y del mindfulness. Además, atendiendo a los factores comunes de ambas terapias encontramos que en los dos casos mejoran el control afectivo y las medidas de atención plena, así como, las medidas de las funciones ejecutivas.The present study aims to show the efficacy of contextual therapies for bipolar disorder. Given the little existing bibliography and having found few research based on the selection criteria of studies in which we include works with control and treatment groups, 4 works related to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and 2 on MBCT therapy were chosen. The results indicate the efficacy of DBT for improving adherence to treatment and depressive symptoms, affective control and mindfulness. Regarding MBCT therapy, a reduction in anxiety and stress symptoms, improvement in affective control and mindfulness are observed. In addition, considering the common factors of both therapies, we found that in both cases affective control and measures of mindfulness improve, as well as measures of executive functions

Mimicking the intestinal host–pathogen interactions in a 3D In vitro model: The role of the mucus layer

The intestinal mucus lines the luminal surface of the intestinal epithelium. This mucus is a dynamic semipermeable barrier and one of the first-line defense mechanisms against the outside environment, protecting the body against chemical, mechanical, or biological external insults. At the same time, the intestinal mucus accommodates the resident microbiota, providing nutrients and attachment sites, and therefore playing an essential role in the host–pathogen interactions and gut homeostasis. Underneath this mucus layer, the intestinal epithelium is organized into finger-like protrusions called villi and invaginations called crypts. This characteristic 3D architecture is known to influence the epithelial cell differentiation and function. However, when modelling in vitro the intestinal host–pathogen interactions, these two essential features, the intestinal mucus and the 3D topography are often not represented, thus limiting the relevance of the models. Here we present an in vitro model that mimics the small intestinal mucosa and its interactions with intestinal pathogens in a relevant manner, containing the secreted mucus layer and the epithelial barrier in a 3D villus-like hydrogel scaffold. This 3D architecture significantly enhanced the secretion of mucus. In infection with the pathogenic adherent invasive E. coli strain LF82, characteristic of Crohn’s disease, we observed that this secreted mucus promoted the adhesion of the pathogen and at the same time had a protective effect upon its invasion. This pathogenic strain was able to survive inside the epithelial cells and trigger an inflammatory response that was milder when a thick mucus layer was present. Thus, we demonstrated that our model faithfully mimics the key features of the intestinal mucosa necessary to study the interactions with intestinal pathogens.Postprint (published version

La formación en Moodle en el Campus Virtual de la Universitat de Barcelona

Este trabajo describe la planificación de la formación en Moodle en la UB. Se recoge la información descriptiva acumulada en los siguientes aspectos: tipología de cursos ofertados, facultades implicadas, participación docente, etc. desde su implantación en el curso 2006-07 hasta la actualidad. Se ha producido una implementación generalizada del uso de Moodle en la docencia cotidiana de los profesores de la UB. Como consecuencia, se están replanteando las metodologías docentes con un enfoque más acorde a las directrices que emanan del EEES. Se ha iniciado la exploración de su uso avanzado por parte de diferentes equipos docentes, al incluirlo en el desarrollo de nuevos proyectos de innovación docente de nuestra universidad

Effect of an Intensive Weight-Loss Lifestyle Intervention on Kidney Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Large randomized trials testing the effect of a multifactorial weight-loss lifestyle intervention including Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on renal function are lacking. Here, we evaluated the 1-year efficacy of an intensive weight-loss intervention with an energy-reduced MedDiet (erMedDiet) plus increased physical activity (PA) on renal function. Methods: Randomized controlled "PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea-Plus"(PREDIMED-Plus) trial is conducted in 23 Spanish centers comprising 208 primary care clinics. Overweight/obese (n = 6,719) adults aged 55-75 years with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intensive weight-loss lifestyle intervention with an erMedDiet, PA promotion, and behavioral support (intervention) or usual-care advice to adhere to an energy-unrestricted MedDiet (control) between September 2013 and December 2016. The primary outcome was 1-year change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR). Secondary outcomes were changes in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), incidence of moderately/severely impaired EGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and micro-to macroalbuminuria (UACR ≥30 mg/g), and reversion of moderately (45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) to mildly impaired GFR (60 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m2) or micro-to macroalbuminuria. Results: After 1 year, EGFR declined by 0.66 and 1.25 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the intervention and control groups, respectively (mean difference, 0.58 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: 0.15-1.02). There were no between-group differences in mean UACR or micro-to macroalbuminuria changes. Moderately/severely impaired EGFR incidence and reversion of moderately to mildly impaired GFR were 40% lower (HR 0.60; 0.44-0.82) and 92% higher (HR 1.92; 1.35-2.73), respectively, in the intervention group. Conclusions: The PREDIMED-Plus lifestyle intervention approach may preserve renal function and delay CKD progression in overweight/obese adults.This work was supported by the official Spanish Institutions for funding scientific biomedical research, CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS), which is cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund (5 coordinated FIS projects leaded by J.S.-S and J.V., including the following projects: PI13/00673, PI13/00492, PI13/00272, PI13/01123, PI13/00462, PI13/00233, PI13/02184, PI13/00728, PI13/01090, PI13/01056, PI14/01722, PI14/00636, PI14/00618, PI14/00696, PI14/01206, PI14/01919, PI14/00853, PI14/01374, PI14/00972, PI14/00728, PI14/01471, PI16/00473, PI16/00662, PI16/01873, PI16/01094, PI16/00501, PI16/00533, PI16/00381, PI16/00366, PI16/01522, PI16/01120, PI17/00764, PI17/01183, PI17/00855, PI17/01347, PI17/00525, PI17/01827, PI17/00532, PI17/00215, PI17/01441, PI17/00508, PI17/01732, PI17/00926; PI19/00957, PI19/00386, PI19/00309, PI19/01032, PI19/00576, PI19/00017, PI19/01226, PI19/00781, PI19/01560, and PI19/01332); the Especial Action Project entitled Implementación y evaluación de una intervención intensiva sobre la actividad física Cohorte PREDIMED-Plus grant to J.S.-S.; the European Research Council (Advanced Research Grant 2014–2019; agreement #340918) granted to M.Á.M.-G.; the Recercaixa (No. 2013ACUP00194) grant to J.S.-S.; grants from the Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI0458/2013, PS0358/2016, and PI0137/2018); the PROMETEO/2017/017 grant from the Generalitat Valenciana; the SEMERGEN grant; funds from the European Regional Development Fund (CB06/03); International Nut & Dried Fruit Council – FESNAD (Long-term effects of an energyrestricted Mediterranean diet on mortality and cardiovascular disease 2014–2015, No. 201302) (PI: M.Á.M.-G.); the AstraZeneca Young Investigators Award in Category of Obesity and T2D 2017 (PI: D.R.); grant of support to research groups No. 35/2011 (Balearic Islands Gov.; FEDER funds) (J.A.T. and C.B.); the JR17/00022 (ISCIII) grant to O.C.; the Boosting young talent call grant program for the development of IISPV research projects 2019–2021 (Ref.: 2019/IISPV/03 grant to A.D.-L.); the Societat Catalana d’Endocrinologia i Nutrició (SCEN) Clinical-Research Grant 2019 (IPs: J.S.-S. and A.D.-L.). Collaborative Nutrition and/or Obesity Project for Young Researchers 2019 supported by CIBEROBN entitled Lifestyle Interventions and Chronic Kidney Disease: Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Metabolomic Profile (LIKIDI study) grant to A.D.-L

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

Jardins per a la salut

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia. Assignatura: Botànica farmacèutica. Curs: 2014-2015. Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són el recull de les fitxes botàniques de 128 espècies presents en el Jardí Ferran Soldevila de l’Edifici Històric de la UB. Els treballs han estat realitzats manera individual per part dels estudiants dels grups M-3 i T-1 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos de febrer a maig del curs 2014-15 com a resultat final del Projecte d’Innovació Docent «Jardins per a la salut: aprenentatge servei a Botànica farmacèutica» (codi 2014PID-UB/054). Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pels professors de l’assignatura. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica. També s’ha pretès motivar els estudiants a través del retorn de part del seu esforç a la societat a través d’una experiència d’Aprenentatge-Servei, deixant disponible finalment el treball dels estudiants per a poder ser consultable a través d’una Web pública amb la possibilitat de poder-ho fer in-situ en el propi jardí mitjançant codis QR amb un smartphone

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Ahora / Ara

La cinquena edició del microrelatari per l’eradicació de la violència contra les dones de l’Institut Universitari d’Estudis Feministes i de Gènere «Purificación Escribano» de la Universitat Jaume I vol ser una declaració d’esperança. Aquest és el moment en el qual les dones (i els homes) hem de fer un pas endavant i eliminar la violència sistèmica contra les dones. Ara és el moment de denunciar el masclisme i els micromasclismes començant a construir una societat més igualitària. Cadascun dels relats del llibre és una denúncia i una declaració que ens encamina cap a un món millor