Corridor Location: Generating Competitive and Efficient Route Alternatives

The problem of transmission line corridor location can be considered, at best, a "wicked" public systems decision problem. It requires the consideration of numerous objectives while balancing the priorities of a variety of stakeholders, and designers should be prepared to develop diverse non-inferior route alternatives that must be defensible under the scrutiny of a public forum. Political elements aside, the underlying geographical computational problems that must be solved to provide a set of high quality alternatives are no less easy, as they require solving difficult spatial optimization problems on massive GIS terrain-based raster data sets.Transmission line siting methodologies have previously been developed to guide designers in this endeavor, but close scrutiny of these methodologies show that there are many shortcomings with their approaches. The main goal of this dissertation is to take a fresh look at the process of corridor location, and develop a set of algorithms that compute path alternatives using a foundation of solid geographical theory in order to offer designers better tools for developing quality alternatives that consider the entire spectrum of viable solutions. And just as importantly, as data sets become increasingly massive and present challenging computational elements, it is important that algorithms be efficient and able to take advantage of parallel computing resources.A common approach to simplify a problem with numerous objectives is to combine the cost layers into a composite a priori weighted single-objective raster grid. This dissertation examines new methods used for determining a spatially diverse set of near-optimal alternatives, and develops parallel computing techniques for brute-force near-optimal path enumeration, as well as more elegant methods that take advantage of the hierarchical structure of the underlying path-tree computation to select sets of spatially diverse near optimal paths.Another approach for corridor location is to simultaneously consider all objectives to determine the set of Pareto-optimal solutions between the objectives. This amounts to solving a discrete multi-objective shortest path problem, which is considered to be NP-Hard for computing the full set of non-inferior solutions. Given the difficulty of solving for the complete Pareto-optimal set, this dissertation develops an approximation heuristic to compute path sets that are nearly exact-optimal in a fraction of the time when compared to exact algorithms. This method is then applied as an upper bound to an exact enumerative approach, resulting in significant performance speedups. But as analytic computing continues to moved toward distributed clusters, it is important to optimize algorithms to take full advantage parallel computing. To that extent, this dissertation develops a scalable parallel framework that efficiently solves for the supported/convex solutions of a biobjective shortest path problem. This framework is equally applicable to other biobjective network optimization problems, providing a powerful tool for solving the next generation of location analysis and geographical optimization models

The association between different domains of quality of life and symptoms in primary care patients with emotional disorders

Despite the importance of quality of life (QoL) in primary care patients with emotional disorders, the specific influence of the symptoms of these disorders and the sociodemographic characteristics of patients on the various QoL domains has received scant attention. The aim of the present study of primary care patients with emotional disorders was to analyse the associations between four different QoL domains and the most prevalent clinical symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety and somatization), while controlling for sociodemographic variables. A total of 1241 participants from 28 primary care centres in Spain were assessed with the following instruments: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 to evaluate depression; the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD)-7 for anxiety; PHQ-15 for somatization; and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Short Form (WHOQOL- Bref) to assess four broad QoL domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The associations between the symptoms and QoL domains were examined using hierarchical regression analyses. Adjusted QoL mean values as a function of the number of overlapping diagnoses were calculated. The contribution of sociodemographic variables to most QoL domains was modest, explaining anywhere from 2% to 11% of the variance. However, adding the clinical variables increased the variance explained by 12% to 40% depending on the specific QoL domain. Depression was the strongest predictor for all domains. The number of overlapping diagnoses adversely affected all QoL domains, with each additional diagnosis reducing the main QoL subscales by 5 to 10 points. In primary care patients with a diagnostic impression of an emotional disorders as identified by their treating GP, clinical symptoms explained more of the variance in QoL than sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, level of education, marital status, work status, and income. Given the strong relationship between depressive symptoms and QoL, treatment of depression may constitute a key therapeutic target to improve QoL in people with emotional disorders in primary care

The advantages of disposable screen-printed biosensors in a bioelectronic tongue for the analysis of grapes

Producción CientíficaDisposable screen-printed sensors have been modified with enzymes and used to form a bioelectronic tongue dedicated to the discrimination between different grape varieties. The multisensory system combined serigraphied electrodes modified with carbon, platinum, gold, graphene, Prussian blue and nickel oxide nanoparticles (M-SPE) covered with glucose oxidase (M-GOX-SPE) or tyrosinase (M-Tyr-SPE). The M-GOX-SPE and M-Tyr-SPE sensors produced a variety of responses due to the different behavior of the electron mediators of the six screen-printed materials used for the electro-catalysis of the glucose and phenols by means of glucose oxidase and tyrosinase. This variety of responses, together with the capability of the sensors to detect glucose or phenols, allowed the bioelectronic tongue developed here to discriminate between the juices obtained from different varieties of grape. Partial least-squares (PLS-1) multivariate calibration of electrochemical data has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of glucose and polyphenols in musts. The discrimination capability shown by this array of cheap and single-use sensors was similar to that found in other complex bioelectronic tongues. The lower price, ease of use and portability of the modified screen-printed electrode system makes the bioelectronic tongue developed here an alternative tool that can be used in situ in the vineyard block.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad – FEDER (Grant CICYT AGL2012-33535)Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación - Ref. VA-032U13)University of Valladolid (PIF-UVa

Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy versus treatment as usual in adult patients with emotional disorders in the primary care setting (PsicAP study) : protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Demand for primary care (PC) services in Spain exceeds available resources. Part of this strong demand is due to the high prevalence of emotional disorders (EDs)-anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorders-and related comorbidities such as pain or chronic illnesses. EDs are often under- or misdiagnosed by general practitioners (GPs) and, consequently, treatment is frequently inadequate. We aim to compare the short- and long-term effectiveness of group-delivered transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (TD-CBT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in the treatment of EDs in the PC setting in Spain. We also aim to compare the effect of these treatments on disability, quality of life, cognitive-emotional factors, and treatment satisfaction. Here we present the study design of a two-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (N=1126) to compare TAU to TD-CBT for EDs. TAU will consist primarily of pharmacological treatment and practical advice from the GP while TD-CBT will be administered in seven 90-minute group sessions held over a period ranging from 12 to 14 weeks. Psychological assessments are carried out at baseline (ie, pretreatment); posttreatment; and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. The study is conducted in approximately 26 PC centers from the National Health System in Spain. This study was initiated in December 2013 and will remain open to new participants until recruitment and follow-up has been completed. We expect all posttreatment evaluations to be completed by December 2017, and follow-up will end in December 2018. We expect the TD-CBT group to have better results compared to TAU on all posttreatment measures and that this improvement will be maintained during follow-up. This project could serve as a model for use in other areas or services of the National Health System in Spain and even in other countries. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 58437086; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN58437086 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6mbYjQSn3

High MICs for Vancomycin and Daptomycin and Complicated Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections with Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

We investigated the prognostic role of high MICs for antistaphylococcal agents in patients with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus catheter-related bloodstream infection (MSSA CRBSI). We prospectively reviewed 83 episodes from 5 centers in Spain during April 2011 June 2014 that had optimized clinical management and analyzed the relationship between E-test MICs for vancomycin, daptomycin, oxacillin, and linezolid and development of complicated bacteremia by using multivariate analysis. Complicated MSSA CRBSI occurred in 26 (31.3%) patients; MICs for vancomycin and daptomycin were higher in these patients (optimal cutoff values for predictive accuracy = 1.5 mu g/mL and 0.5 mu g/mL). High MICs for vancomycin (hazard ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-5.5) and daptomycin (hazard ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.9) were independent risk factors for development of complicated MSSA CRBSI. Our data suggest that patients with MSSA CRBSI caused by strains that have high MICs for vancomycin or daptomycin are at increased risk for complications

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) catheter-related bacteraemia in haemodialysis patients

Background: the aim of the study was to determine clinical and microbiological differences between patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) undergoing or not undergoing haemodialysis, and to compare outcomes. Methods: prospective multicentre study conducted at 21 Spanish hospitals of patients with MRSA bacteraemia diagnosed between June 2008 and December 2009. Patients with MRSA-CRB were selected. Data of patients on haemodialysis (HD-CRB) and those not on haemodialysis (non-HD-CRB) were compared. Results: among 579 episodes of MRSA bacteraemia, 218 (37.7 %) were CRB. Thirty-four (15.6 %) were HD-CRB and 184 (84.4 %) non-HD-CRB. All HD-CRB patients acquired the infection at dialysis centres, while in 85.3 % of the non-HD-CRB group the infection was nosocomial (p < .001). There were no differences in age, gender or severity of bacteraemia (Pitt score); comorbidities (Charlson score ≥ 4) were higher in the HD-CRB group than in the non-HD-CRB group (73.5 % vs. 46.2 %, p = .003). Although there were no differences in VAN-MIC ≥1.5 mg/L according to microdilution, using the E-test a higher rate of VAN-MIC ≥1.5 mg/L was observed in HD-CRB than in non-HD-CRB patients (63.3 % vs. 44.1 %, p = .051). Vancomycin was more frequently administered in the HD-CRB group than in the non-HD-CRB group (82.3 % vs. 42.4 %, p = <.001) and therefore the appropriate empirical therapy was significantly higher in HD-CRB group (91.2 % vs. 73.9 %, p = .029). There were no differences with regard to catheter removal (79.4 % vs. 84.2 %, p = .555, respectively). No significant differences in mortality rate were observed between both groups (Overall mortality: 11.8 % vs. 27.2 %, p = .081, respectively), but there was a trend towards a higher recurrence rate in HD-CRB group (8.8 % vs. 2.2 %, p = .076). Conclusions: in our multicentre study, ambulatory patients in chronic haemodialysis represented a significant proportion of cases of MRSA catheter-related bacteraemia. Although haemodialysis patients with MRSA catheter-related bacteraemia had significantly more comorbidities and higher proportion of strains with reduced vancomycin susceptibility than non-haemodialysis patients, overall mortality between both groups was similar

Interaction between cardiovascular risk factors and body mass index and 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer death, and overall mortality

The effect of above-normal body mass index (BMI) on health outcomes is controversial because it is difficult to distinguish from the effect due to BMI-associated cardiovascular risk factors. The objective was to analyze the impact on 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer deaths and overall mortality of the interaction between cardiovascular risk factors and BMI. We conducted a pooled analysis of individual data from 12 Spanish population cohorts with 10-year follow-up. Participants had no previous history of cardiovascular diseases and were 35-79years old at basal examination. Body mass index was measured at baseline being the outcome measures ten-year cardiovascular disease, cancer and overall mortality. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for potential confounders, considering the significant interactions with cardiovascular risk factors. We included 54,446 individuals (46.5% with overweight and 27.8% with obesity). After considering the significant interactions, the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease was significantly increased in women with overweight and obesity [Hazard Ratio=2.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.19-4.61) and 5.65 (1.54-20.73), respectively]. Overweight and obesity significantly increased the risk of cancer death in women [3.98 (1.53-10.37) and 11.61 (1.93-69.72)]. Finally, obese men had an increased risk of cancer death and overall mortality [1.62 (1.03-2.54) and 1.34 (1.01-1.76), respectively]. In conclusion, overweight and obesity significantly increased the risk of cancer death and of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease in women; whereas obese men had a significantly higher risk of death for all causes and for cancer. Cardiovascular risk factors may act as effect modifiers in these associations

Dilemas de la paz territorial en los tiempos del post-acuerdo: Experiencias territoriales en la región del eje cafetero

El presente libro, tejido a múltiples voces, perspectivas, abordajes teóricos y metodológicos, se inscribe en los proyectos editoriales de la región eje cafetero que se alejan de las lecturas dicotómicas o categóricas, por el contrario, transita los laberintos que se abren camino cuando una sociedad se traza la difícil tarea de construir una paz territorial en medio de los escenarios de la guerra. La memoria social, las voces de sobrevivientes, organizaciones sociales, medios de comunicación, posturas oficiales y cívicas, las apuestas pedagógicas por la paz, las lecturas territoriales del conflicto y las múltiples secuelas de las variadas violencias constituyen los horizontes temáticos de los 12 capítulos del presente libro, interpretando las complejas realidades presentes en el corazón de la región cafetera. Resultado de multiplicidad de voces, formaciones disciplinares y experiencias vitales, así como de la diversidad de organizaciones, entidades y universidades que acogieron el llamado del ¨Programa de Investigación en Transiciones, Violencias y Memoria¨ para construir una apuesta editorial recreada en los marcos de la sociología relacional, las cuales, a partir de perspectivas históricas, críticas y situadas, adelantaron análisis situados en la región cafetera en los tiempos del postacuerdo.Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres ; Sistema Universitario del Eje Cafetero ; Universidad Católica de Manizales ; Universidad Católica de Pereira ; Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Innovación y Extensión Editorial Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira Pereira, Colombia.CONTENIDO Prólogo ....................................................................................................................6 Jefferson Jaramillo Marín Encrucijadas de una paz inacabada. A manera de introducción.....................12 Por: Luis Adolfo Martínez Herrera y Oscar Arango Gaviria PARTE I................................................................................................................20 Las tensiones de la memoria histórica y de los medios de comunicación en el contexto regional ..................................................................................................20 CAPÍTULO UNO.................................................................................................21 La memoria histórica en la región......................................................................22 Alberto Berón Ospina CAPÍTULO DOS .................................................................................................38 La mutación del periodismo en tiempos transicionales....................................39 Juan Antonio Ruiz Romero PARTE II..............................................................................................................73 Excombatientes, reintegrados y sobrevivientes del conflicto armado..............73 CAPÍTULO TRES...............................................................................................74 Una guerra silenciada: enunciaciones iniciales sobre los actores ...................75 y las dinámicas del conflicto armado en el Eje Cafetero ..................................75 Oscar Fernando Martínez Herrera y Miguel Gómez Bermeo CAPÍTULO CUATRO .....................................................................................106 Experiencia institucional de la Agencia para la Reincorporación y la Normalización en la atención de personas que se acogen a procesos de desarme, desmovilización, reintegración y reincorporación en el Eje Cafetero: 2003- 2020 .....................................................................................................................107 José Luis Medrano Benavides, Lina Marcela Duque Ossa, Oscar Fernando Sanmiguel CAPÍTULO CINCO..........................................................................................137 Entre víctimas y victimarios. Percepciones sociales de sobrevivientes del conflicto armado ................................................................................................................138 Luis Adolfo Martínez Herrera y Nicolás Muñoz Giraldo CAPÍTULO SEIS...............................................................................................173 Transición y reincorporación desde el Jimmy Tatamá: entre retórica y territorialidad.....................................................................................................174 Julio César Murillo García PARTE III...........................................................................................................197 Organizaciones sociales, historias y pedagogías regionales para la paz .......197 CAPÍTULO SIETE............................................................................................198 La Unión Patriótica: notas históricas sobre su acción política en el departamento de Risaralda, marzo 28 de 1984 - enero 6 de 1989 ..........................................199 Jahir Rodríguez Rodriguez CAPÍTULO OCHO ...........................................................................................250 Quinchía: memoria latente de un pueblo ultrajado. Reflexiones sobre la reparación simbólica..........................................................................................251 Gina M. Arias-Rodríguez y Érika V. Tobón-González CAPÍTULO NUEVE .........................................................................................279 La escuela de liderazgo para la paz: seis años al servicio dela educación para la paz ...................................................................................................................280 Oscar Arango Gaviria CAPÍTULO DIEZ..............................................................................................313 Una experiencia de formación para la paz ......................................................314 Claudia Mónica Londoño V. y Claudia Patricia Herrera G.. ........................314 PARTE IV...........................................................................................................338 Secuelas del conflicto armado y redefiniciones de las nociones de memoria y transiciones..........................................................................................................338 CAPÍTULO ONCE............................................................................................339 Comprensiones psicosociales sobre la desaparición forzada en Colombia...340 Mitzin Guadalupe Mata Mata y Mauricio Orozco Vallejo CAPÍTULO DOCE............................................................................................362 Narrativas, obsolescencias y hegemonías.........................................................363 Camilo Lozano River

Procesos de Oxidación avanzada en el tratamiento de agua

A lo largo de este libro diversos autores especializados exponen el tema permitiendo al lector encontrar desde principios básicos, hasta aplicaciones de procesos, resultando ser una fuente de consulta con una visión amplia de los procesos de oxidación avanzada y sus aplicaciones dentro del tratamiento de agua.El agua es un líquido vital, sin ella no podemos subsistir. Además de usarla en nuestro hogar, se utiliza en gran variedad de procesos industriales para la transformación de materias primas en productos terminados. El agua usada industrialmente cambia su composición fisicoquímica, ya que agregamos un sinfín de compuestos orgánicos e inorgánicos. Por ello, es necesario desarrollar nuevas metodologías que permitan de manera segura y eficiente recuperar la calidad del agua usada originalmente para poder usarla.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Méxic