Composite materials, technologies and manufacturing: current scenario of European Union shipyards

This paper provides the results and the analysis of a study conducted on the processes and technologies currently used by European Union shipyards, and their potential interest in new advanced composite construction technologies, including Adaptive Moulds, Automated Tape Laying, Automated Fibre Placement, Curved Pultruded Profiles, Additive Manufacturing, Hot Stamping, Modular and Serialised Shipbuilding and Digitisation of Production. A new set of indexes are also introduced with the objective of facilitating the evaluation of the technological level of the shipyard, thereby allowing the understanding of the shipyard's interest in new developments. The analysis of the survey conducted shows that almost the 95% of shipyards either currently use or plan to use composite materials, being the composites made of fibreglass and polyester resin the most used. These composites are mainly manufactured by manual lamination and vacuum infusion techniques. The survey has also shown that there is a high interest in the shipyard digitisation and the use of new technologies in the shipbuilding industry, especially for new construction shipyards. The study shows that despite shipyards want to adopt digitisation in engineering and design processes, implementation of new technologies and concepts is being held back by financial cost and uncertainty regarding outcomes such as improved operational efficiency of vessels. The shipyards that do not use composites are less technologically advanced than those that use them, according to the analysis of the technological indexes. This analysis has also shown that the shipyards with a high technological index have a more varied potential market offer.This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 101006860, this support is gratefully acknowledged.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Detecting semantic violations of lock-free data structures through C++ contracts

The use of synchronization mechanisms in multithreaded applications is essential on shared-memory multi-core architectures. However, debugging parallel applications to avoid potential failures, such as data races or deadlocks, can be challenging. Race detectors are key to spot such concurrency bugs; nevertheless, if lock-free data structures are used, these may emit a significant number of false positives. In this paper, we present a framework for semantic violation detection of lock-free data structures which makes use of contracts, a novel feature of the upcoming C++20, and a customized version of the ThreadSanitizer race detector. We evaluate the detection accuracy of the framework in terms of false positives and false negatives leveraging some synthetic benchmarks which make use of the SPSC and MPMC lock-free queue structures from the Boost C++ library. Thanks to this framework, we are able to check the correct use of lock-free data structures, thus reducing the number of false positives.This work has been partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through Project Grant TIN2016-79637-P (BigHPC - Towards Unification of HPC and Big Data Paradigms) and the European Commission through Grant No. 801091 (ASPIDE - Exascale programmIng models for extreme data processing)

Guía de entornos saludables en el lugar de trabajo

Publicado en la página Web de la Consejería de Igualdad, Salud y Políticas Sociales: www.juntadeandalucia.es/salud (Ciudadanía / Nuestra Salud / Vida sana / Promoción de la Salud en el Lugar de Trabajo / Entornos)YesLa Guía de Entornos Saludables en el Lugar de Trabajo pretende ser una ayuda para los centros de trabajo, empresas y centros de la administración de Andalucía con interés en mejorar su entorno de trabajo, desde una perspectiva de promoción de la salud. En esta publicación se han recopilado desde herramientas para evaluar el entorno de trabajo, hasta enlaces para la descarga de material informativo y de señalización sobre esta materia

Nueva normativa anticontaminante en vehículos diésel Euro 6

[EN] Recent research shows that pollutant emissions and fuel consumption of diesel vehicles in the real world often exceed the levels achieved in the homologation processes. By means of a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS), nitrogen oxides (NOx) were measured. These tests show as NOx emissions exceed the limit imposed by the Euro 6 norm. Thus, in order to complete the current homologation cycle (WLTC), the real driving emissions regulation (RDE) has been introduced, starting on September 1, 2017. This paper shows an analysis of NOx emissions on-board measurements in a Euro 6 diesel vehicle during an actual driving test by using a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS). The characteristics of this test route follow the requirements imposed by the RDE regulation. The analysis of emission results shows that the greatest amount of NOx per kilometer is emitted during the urban part of the test. Generally, in sections at low speeds with abrupt accelerations and decelerations. On the other hand, in sections with smoother accelerations and with periods maintained at intermediate speeds, this parameter is much lower. It can be 5 times lower than in the case of the sections with the highest NOx rates[ES] Investigaciones realizadas en los últimos años demuestran que las emisiones contaminantes y el consumo de los vehículos diésel en el mundo real suelen superar los niveles alcanzados en los procesos de homologación. Mediante mediciones de emisiones a bordo de los vehículos, se ha demostrado que los óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx), uno de los gases emitidos más nocivos, superan ampliamente el límite impuesto por la norma Euro 6 en su proceso de homologación. Así, con el objetivo de complementar el ciclo de homologación actual (WLTC), se introduce el ciclo de emisiones en conducción real (RDE), a partir del 1 de septiembre de 2017. En este artículo se analizan los resultados de las mediciones a bordo de las emisiones de NOx de un vehículo diesel Euro 6 en una prueba de conducción real utilizando un sistema portátil de medición de emisiones. Las características de esta ruta de prueba siguen los requisitos impuestos por la regulación RDE. El análisis de los resultados de emisiones muestra que la mayor cantidad de NOx por kilómetro recorrido se emite durante la sección urbana de la prueba. Generalmente, en tramos a bajas velocidades con aceleraciones y deceleraciones bruscas. Por el contrario, en tramos con aceleraciones más suaves y con periodos mantenidos a velocidades inter-medias este parámetro es mucho menor. Puede llegar a ser cinco veces menor que en el caso de los tramos con las tasas de NOx más altas.El coautor J. Monsalve-Serrano agradece el apoyo financiero de la Universitat Politècnica de València bajo la beca Ayudas para la Contratación de Doctores para el Acceso al Sistema Español de Ciencia, Tecnología e InnovaciónLuján, JM.; Dolz, V.; Monsalve-Serrano, J.; López-Cascant, JA. (2017). Nueva normativa anticontaminante en vehículos diésel Euro 6. Tecnica Industrial. 318:28-33. doi:10.23800/9939S283331

Risk factors associated with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction among heart transplant patients: results from the CAPRI study

[Abstract] The longer survival of patients with heart transplantation (HT) favors calcineurin inhibitor–related chronic kidney disease (CKD). It behoves to identify risk factors. At 14 Spanish centers, data on 1062 adult patients with HT (age 59.2 ± 12.3 yr, 82.5% men) were collected at routine follow-up examinations. Glomerular filtration rate, GFR, was estimated using the four-variable MDRD equation, and moderate-or-severe renal dysfunction (MSRD) was defined as K/DOQI stage 3 CKD or worse. Time since transplant ranged from one month to 22 yr (mean 6.7 yr). At assessment, 26.6% of patients were diabetic and 63.9% hypertensive; 53.9% were taking cyclosporine and 33.1% tacrolimus; and 61.4% had MSRD. Among patients on cyclosporine or tacrolimus at assessment, multivariate logistic regression identified male sex (OR 0.44), pre- and post-HT creatinine (2.73 and 3.13 per mg/dL), age at transplant (1.06 per yr), time since transplant (1.05 per yr), and tacrolimus (0.65) as independent positive or negative predictors of MSRD. It is concluded that female sex, pre- and one-month post-HT serum creatinine, age at transplant, time since transplant, and immunosuppression with cyclosporine rather than tacrolimus may all be risk factors for development of CKD ≥ stage 3 by patients with HT

Principales medidas de profilaxis en endoscopia bariátrica. Guía Española de Recomendación de Expertos

Bariatric endoscopy (BE) encompasses a number of techniques -some consolidated, some under development- aiming to contribute to the management of obese patients and their associated metabolic diseases as a complement to dietary and lifestyle changes. To date different intragastric balloon models, suture systems, aspiration methods, substance injections and both gastric and duodenal malabsorptive devices have been developed, as well as endoscopic procedures for the revision of bariatric surgery. Their ongoing evolution conditions a gradual increase in the quantity and quality of scientific evidence about their effectiveness and safety. Despite this, scientific evidence remains inadequate to establish strong grades of recommendation allowing a unified perspective on prophylaxis in BE. This dearth of data conditions leads, in daily practice, to frequently extrapolate the measures that are used in bariatric surgery (BS) and/or in general therapeutic endoscopy. In this respect, this special article is intended to reach a consensus on the most common prophylactic measures we should apply in BE. The methodological design of this document was developed while attempting to comply with the following 5 phases: Phase 1: delimitation and scope of objectives, according to the GRADE Clinical Guidelines. Phase 2: setup of the Clinical Guide-developing Group: national experts, members of the Grupo Español de Endoscopia Bariátrica (GETTEMO, SEED), SEPD, and SECO, selecting 2 authors for each section. Phase 3: clinical question form (PICO): patients, intervention, comparison, outcomes. Phase 4: literature assessment and synthesis. Search for evidence and elaboration of recommendations. Based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine classification, most evidence in this article will correspond to level 5 (expert opinions without explicit critical appraisal) and grade of recommendation C (favorable yet inconclusive recommendation) or D (inconclusive or inconsistent studies). Phase 5: External review by experts. We hope that these basic preventive measures will be of interest for daily practice, and may help prevent medical and/or legal conflicts for the benefit of patients, physicians, and BE in general

Penetrance of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Genotype-Positive Relatives

BACKGROUND Disease penetrance in genotype -positive (G+) relatives of families with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the characteristics associated with DCM onset in these individuals are unknown. OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the penetrance of new DCM diagnosis in G+ relatives and to identify factors associated with DCM development. METHODS The authors evaluated 779 G+ patients (age 35.8 +/- 17.3 years; 459 [59%] females; 367 [47%] with variants in TTN ) without DCM followed at 25 Spanish centers. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 37.1 months (Q1 -Q3: 16.3-63.8 months), 85 individuals (10.9%) developed DCM (incidence rate of 2.9 per 100 person -years; 95% CI: 2.3-3.5 per 100 person -years). DCM penetrance and age at DCM onset was different according to underlying gene group (log -rank P = 0.015 and P <0.01, respectively). In a multivariable model excluding CMR parameters, independent predictors of DCM development were: older age (HR per 1 -year increase: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.0-1.04), an abnormal electrocardiogram (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.38-3.29); presence of variants in motor sarcomeric genes (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.05-3.50); lower left ventricular ejection fraction (HR per 1% increase: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.82-0.90) and larger left ventricular end -diastolic diameter (HR per 1 -mm increase: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.06-1.13). Multivariable analysis in individuals with cardiac magnetic resonance and late gadolinium enhancement assessment (n = 360, 45%) identi fied late gadolinium enhancement as an additional independent predictor of DCM development (HR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.43-4.45). CONCLUSIONS Following a first negative screening, approximately 11% of G+ relatives developed DCM during a median follow-up of 3 years. Older age, an abnormal electrocardiogram, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, increased left ventricular end -diastolic diameter, motor sarcomeric genetic variants, and late gadolinium enhancement are associated with a higher risk of developing DCM. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2024;83:1640 -1651) (c) 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation. This is an open access article under the CC BY -NC -ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Final Report of the Andalusian Implementation of JA CHRODIS Workplace Health Promotion Good Practice

Informe de la implementación piloto en Andalucía de una buena práctica reconocida de Promoción de la Salud en Lugares de Trabajo, en el marco de la Acción Conjunta Europea CHRODIS PLUSChronic diseases such as chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability around the world. As the most important identified modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases are tobacco use, inadequate physical activity and poor diets, Workplace Health Promotioninterventions are thought to be strategic to avoid or delay the onset of chronic diseases.The present report documents the Andalusian pilotimplementation of certain elements of the “Lombardy Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) Network” (a Good Practice identified by the Joint Action CHRODIS for the prevention of chronic diseases). This implementation is the single one experience within the Joint Action CHRODIS PLUS (JAC+)focusing on a health promotion intervention on adults and, more specifically, in workplace settings. Following a common implementation strategy defined by JAC+ that enables an evidence-based reporting of the defined intervention, this report shares the systematic implementation process conducted and illustrates the experience of the cross-national transfer of a practice, providing useful guidance, ideas and suggestionsfor future similar attempts. With the collaboration of the Lombardy Region, the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health coordinated the pilot implementation in two sites: a public-private venture and a trade union(amedium-and small-sizedorganization, respectively). The Lombardy model was identified to fit the Andalusian existing WHP Programme the best because of its comprehensive and detailed continuity system, as well as the high managerial and workforce engagement attained, and the rewarding accreditation system they defined. Based upon a series of situational analyses, five categories of actions and their quantitative and qualitative indicators were decided for the actual Pilot Action Plan aimingto ensure, among other objectives, the organizational endorsement of WHP, the workforce participation in the actions, and the sustainability and continuity of participating organizations. Introductory sessions (onthe implementation areas ofhealthy lifestyles)were first broadly presented to at least 50% of the total number of employees in each organization. Then, according to the Lombardy model, each organization chose, among a battery of health promotion actions, two specific areas to focus and carryout (mainly, but not exclusively,healthy eating and physical activity). Each organization was advised by qualified professionals who supported and provided guidance throughout all the implementation process (creation of an internal steering group, conducting the series of general and/or in-depth practical sessions, etc.). A quasi-experimental pre-post design without control group or randomization of participants was also conducted in an attempt to monitorapossibleshift in different life habits and/or health indicators among the participants. After the first 9 months of intervention, global results from the T-test were not found statistically significant, although specific results (comparing pre-post percentages) pointed out promising increases in physical activity among participants of both organizations, as well as an increase in healthy eating and a decrease in sweets consumption in participants of the larger organization. Yet, employees in both organizations were very satisfied with the actions initiated and they regarded them as being highly useful. The highest managerial level of each organization significantly contributed to the implementation and made conditions for employees to participate. The piloting will continue for an additional two-year period, to follow-up the complete implementation of the original Lombardy 3-year cycle.Barriers, enablersand were pointed out as well as useful suggestions for future implementations.Ye

Exploring stream parallel patterns in distributed MPI environments

In recent years, the large volumes of stream data and the near real-time requirements of data streaming applications have exacerbated the need for new scalable algorithms and programming interfaces for distributed and shared-memory platforms. To contribute in this direction, this paper presents a new distributed MPI back end for GrPPI, a C++ high-level generic interface of data-intensive and stream processing parallel patterns. This back end, as a new execution policy, supports distributed and hybrid (distributed+shared-memory) parallel executions of the Pipeline and Farm patterns, where the hybrid mode combines the MPI policy with a GrPPI shared-memory one. These patterns internally leverage distributed queues, which can be configured to use two-sided or one-sided MPI primitives to communicate items among nodes. A detailed analysis of the GrPPI MPI execution policy reports considerable benefits from the programmability, flexibility and readability points of view. The experimental evaluation of two different streaming applications with different distributed and shared-memory scenarios reports considerable performance gains with respect to the sequential versions at the expense of negligible GrPPI overheads.This work was partially supported by the EU project No. 801091 "ASPIDE: Exascale programming models for extreme data process ing"; and the project TIN2013-41350-P "Scalable Data Management Techniques for High-End Computing Systems" from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad , Spain

Implementation in Andalusia of a JA-CHRODIS Workplace Health Promotion Good Practice

Implementación de la Buena Práctica CHRODIS de Promoción de la Salud en los Lugares de TrabajoYe