Comparing linear and non linear wind flow models

Assessing wind conditions on complex terrain has become a hard task as terrain complexity increases. That is why there is a need to extrapolate in a reliable manner some wind parameters that determine wind farms viability such as annual average wind speed at all hub heights as well as turbulence intensities. The development of these tasks began in the early 90´s with the widely used linear model WAsP and WAsP Engineering especially designed for simple terrain with remarkable results on them but not so good on complex orographies. Simultaneously non-linearized Navier Stokes solvers have been rapidly developed in the last decade through CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) codes allowing simulating atmospheric boundary layer flows over steep complex terrain more accurately reducing uncertainties. This paper describes the features of these models by validating them through meteorological masts installed in a highly complex terrain. The study compares the results of the mentioned models in terms of wind speed and turbulence intensity

Caractérisation des systèmes de production ovine dans la zone de "Sierra del Segura y la Sagra", Espagne

[FR] Le présent article se propose d¿analyser les caractéristiques les plus saillantes du secteur ovin dans une partie de la zone géographique sous Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) "Cordero de Segura y la Sagra". Une enquête a été menée sur 93 propriétaires d¿élevages, dans l'objectif de connaître la situation du secteur dans cette zone. Les questions concernaient les sujets suivants: caractéristiques du troupeau, âge, niveau d'études, ouvriers à la ferme, continuité des activités de la ferme. La taille moyenne du troupeau est de 378 animaux et la race "Segureña" est prédominante (99%). Dans 93,4% des cas l¿éleveur travaille à temps plein dans l¿exploitation et le revenu principal est la vente d¿agneaux pour la viande, mais seulement 9,7% des éleveurs font partie d¿une coopérative pour la commercialisation. L'âge moyen du fermier est de 50 ans et 87,1% des éleveurs n¿ont pas d¿études ou de faible niveau. La moyenne du travail employé est de 1,31 UTA, essentiellement de type familial. Seulement dans 12% des cas il existe une sécurité de la continuité de l'activité. Les résultats obtenus montrent qu'il est nécessaire de parvenir à de meilleures conditions socioéconomiques pour les exploitations dans la zone étudiée. L'IGP "Cordero de Segura y la Sagra" pourrait être utile pour améliorer ces aspects.[EN] The aim of this study is to present the basic characteristics which define the sheep systems in some zones of the PGI Cordero de Segura y la Sagra protected area, in order to bring about actions to improve the competitiveness of such systems. A survey has been conducted among 93 farm owners. The questionnaire included questions regarding herd characteristics, age, educational level, workers, and continuity of the farm activity. The average herd size is 378 animals and the Segureña breed sheep is predominant (99 percent). In 93.5 percent of cases the owner works full time on the farm and the main economic benefit is the sale of lambs for meat, but only 9.7 percent of farmers belong to some kind of marketing cooperative. The average farmer's age is 50 years old and a high percentage (87.1 percent) has no education or a very basic one. The year work unit (YWU) is 1.31 and the work is mainly of family type. In only 12 percent of the cases the continuity of the activity is assured. The above analysed aspects show that it is necessary to achieve better socioeconomic conditions of farms. The PGI Cordero de Segura y la Sagra could be useful to improve these aspects. Therefore we suggest that the PGI must be promoted among farmers, especially among young people.Navarro-Ríos, M.; Marín-Bernal, A.; Martí, A.; Fernández Martínez, CJ. (2011). Characterizacion of Segureña sheep production system in the area of Sierra del Segura y la Sagra, Spain. Options Mediterraneennes. Serie A: Seminaires Mediterraneens. (100):211-216. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/107315S21121610

Magnetotelluric Characterization of the Alhama de Murcia Fault (Eastern Betics) - Preliminary Results

The Lorca Earthquake (11/5/2011, Mw 5.2) stands as the most destructive in Spain over the last 50 years. It was interpreted as having occurred in an intersegment zone of the strike-slip Alhama de Murcia Fault (AMF). Within the research project “Intergeosima”, a multi parametric characterization and monitoring of the fault structure is ongoing, with the aim of developing a future Near Fault Observatory (NFO) to improve the understanding of the seismic behaviour of the fault in the short and medium term. In this work we present the preliminary results of a magnetotelluric (MT) survey carried out along the rambla de la Torrecilla (SW of Lorca). A more resistivity area might correspond to the Quaternary units, whereas the conductive areas might delineate the extent of the fault gauge materials. Further analysis and inversion of the data are necessary to obtain a more detailed picture of the extension and geometry below the fault zone

Computing the absorption and emission spectra of 5-methylcytidine in different solvents: a test-case for different solvation models

International audience; The optical spectra of 5-methylcytidine in three different solvents (tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, and water) is measured, showing that both the absorption and the emission maximum in water are significantly blue-shifted (0.08 eV). The absorption spectra are simulated based on CAM-B3LYP/TD-DFT calculations but including solvent effects with three different approaches: (i) a hybrid implicit/explicit full quantum mechanical approach, (ii) a mixed QM/MM static approach, and (iii) a QM/MM method exploiting the structures issuing from molecular dynamics classical simulations. Ab-initio Molecular dynamics simulations based on CAM-B3LYP functionals have also been performed. The adopted approaches all reproduce the main features of the experimental spectra, giving insights on the chemical−physical effects responsible for the solvent shifts in the spectra of 5-methylcytidine and providing the basis for discussing advantages and limitations of the adopted solvation models

Biomarkers improve mortality prediction by prognostic scales in community-acquired pneumonia

Background: Prognostic scales provide a useful tool to predict mortality in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the inflammatory response of the host, crucial in resolution and outcome, is not included in the prognostic scales. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate whether information about the initial inflammatory cytokine profile and markers increases the accuracy of prognostic scales to predict 30-day mortality. To this aim, a prospective cohort study in two tertiary care hospitals was designed. Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and the systemic cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukins IL6, IL8 and IL10 were measured at admission. Initial severity was assessed by PSI (Pneumonia Severity Index), CURB65 (Confusion, Urea nitrogen, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, > or = 65 years of age) and CRB65 (Confusion, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, > or = 65 years of age) scales. A total of 453 hospitalised CAP patients were included. Results: The 36 patients who died (7.8%) had significantly increased levels of IL6, IL8, PCT and CRP. In regression logistic analyses, high levels of CRP and IL6 showed an independent predictive value for predicting 30-day mortality, after adjustment for prognostic scales. Adding CRP to PSI significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) from 0.80 to 0.85, that of CURB65 from 0.82 to 0.85 and that of CRB65 from 0.79 to 0.85. Adding IL6 or PCT values to CRP did not significantly increase the AUC of any scale. When using two scales (PSI and CURB65/CRB65) and CRP simultaneously the AUC was 0.88. Conclusions: Adding CRP levels to PSI, CURB65 and CRB65 scales improves the 30-day mortality prediction. The highest predictive value is reached with a combination of two scales and CRP. Further validation of that improvement is needed

Acute Effects of Muscular Fatigue on Vertical Jump Performance in Acrobatic Gymnasts, Evaluated by Instrumented Insoles: A Pilot Study

The study of fatigue during training is becoming a very useful tool to avoid possible injuries not only during the training sessions but also during recovery time. Many researches have proved that concepts such as muscular fatigue and postactivation potentiation have a close relationship. With this aim, vertical jump can provide a very important information that can help to analyze the muscular fatigue that happened during this type of activity, mainly if the monitoring system is able to measure jumping parameters during their regular training session in their natural training environment. This study was performed with instrumented insoles called ECnsole. These insoles were tested with a group of twelve volunteers. In a tumbling surface, the participants performed a jumping protocol in three conditions: rest, fatigue-induced, and recovery. Using these validated insoles, the acrobatic gymnasts showed an inability to use the stretch-shortening cycle for improving vertical jumping performance after fatigue condition, although no deterioration of jump performance was found.Junta de Andalucía European Commission P10-TIC5997European Commissio

Teaching nutrition in pharmacy studies at the university

Se recopila información sobre la enseñanza de la Nutrición en Facultades de Farmacia antes y tras la reciente incorporación al Espacio Europeo de Educación superior (EEES). Desde el año 1990 las directrices propias del título en Farmacia (RD1464/1990 de 20 de noviembre) señalan como asignatura Troncal la Nutrición y Bromatología en el segundo ciclo de la licenciatura con una carga lectiva mínima de 6 créditos. En el Libro Blanco de la titulación de Farmacia (2004) se reafirma el interés de la Nutrición y Bromatología para el Farmacéutico, señalándose como una de sus competencias: “Emitir consejo nutricional y alimentario en los ámbitos comunitario, hospitalario y en atención domiciliaria”. A la asignatura se le asignan entre 8,5 y 11 créditos en las diferentes Facultades de España. En la actualidad, tras la implantación del EEES y tras la nueva normativa general de enseñanzas la orden CIN/2137/2008 de 3 de julio, que establece los requisitos para la verificación de los títulos universitarios oficiales que posibiliten para el ejercicio de la profesión de Farmacéutico. Se recoge como una de las competencias del Graduado en Farmacia: “Prestar consejo terapéutico en farmacoterapia y dietoterapia, así como en el ámbito nutricional y alimentario en los establecimientos en los que presten servicios”. De forma que los nuevos planes de estudio puestos en marcha por las Facultades de Farmacia incluyen entre sus materias obligatorias, las correspondientes al área de Nutrición y Bromatología. Según todo lo expuesto, el profesional farmacéutico sigue manteniendo una preparación significativa en temas de alimentación y salud.Information on the teaching of Nutrition in Faculties of Pharmacy is compiled before and after the recent incorporation to the European Space for Higher Education (ESHE). Since the year 1990, the national guidelines for the University Degree in Pharmacy (RD 1464/1990, BOE of November 20) point to Nutrition and Food Sciences as a main topic located in the second cycle of the degree with a 6 credits of academic load. According to Libro Blanco de Farmacia (2004) the interest of the Nutrition and Food Sciences is reinforced for Pharmacy students, being one of its professional skills: "To provide alimentary and nutritional counseling in different settings such as health centers, hospital and home". Nutrition and Food Sciences has about 8.5 to 11 credits in the Faculties of Pharmacy in Spain. Currently, after the incorporation into the ESHE with the aid of Spanish directives for university studies (CIN/2137/2008 of July 3) the requirements for the official university titles in Pharmacy are established. One competence for pharmacists is: "To provide therapeutic counseling in pharmacotherapy and diet therapy in the health-related establishments in which they work". One consequence of this design is that the Faculties of Pharmacy are including Nutrition and Food Sciences among their obligatory matters. In conclusion, the pharmacist continues to have some knowledge in the arena of food, diet and health

Telomerase gene therapy ameliorates the effects of neurodegeneration associated to short telomeres in mice

Neurodegenerative diseases associated with old age such as Alzheimer's disease present major problems for society, and they currently have no cure. The telomere protective caps at the ends of chromosomes shorten with age, and when they become critically short, they can induce a persistent DNA damage response at chromosome ends, triggering secondary cellular responses such as cell death and cellular senescence. Mice and humans with very short telomeres owing to telomerase deficiencies have an earlier onset of pathologies associated with loss of the regenerative capacity of tissues. However, the effects of short telomeres in very low proliferative tissues such as the brain have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we describe a mouse model of neurodegeneration owing to presence of short telomeres in the brain as the consequence of telomerase deficiency. Interestingly, we find similar signs of neurodegeneration in very old mice as the consequence of physiological mouse aging. Next, we demonstrate that delivery of telomerase gene therapy to the brain of these mice results in amelioration of some of these neurodegeneration phenotypes. These findings suggest that short telomeres contribute to neurodegeneration diseases with aging and that telomerase activation may have a therapeutic value in these diseases

Asignación de docentes a establecimientos educativos: un enfoque multi-objetivo

Contar con una adecuada planificación logística contribuye a mejorar el funcionamiento del sistema educativo, impactando positivamente las condiciones asociadas al aprendizaje. Este trabajo propone una nueva formulación matemática del problema de Asignación de Docentes a Establecimientos Educativos (ADEE), con un enfoque multi-objetivo para: (1) minimizar la distancia entre la residencia del docente y el establecimiento educativo, (2) maximizar la cantidad de docentes asignados al mismo establecimiento educativo y (3) maximizar la cantidad de clases dictadas por un docente en diferentes turnos. Para resolver la formulación propuesta se presenta un Algoritmo Evolutivo Multi-Objetivo (MOEA) basado en el NSGA-II. Resultados experimentales con datos reales del Departamento de Alto Paraná del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias (MEC) de Paraguay con 457 establecimientos educativos, 2995 clases y 1808 docentes, indican mejoras significativas en la asignación.XXI Workshop Tecnología Informática aplicada en Educación (WTIAE)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic