Assessment on the Efficiency of an Active Solar Thermal Facade: Study of the Effect of Dynamic Parameters and Experimental Analysis When Coupled/Uncoupled to a Heat Pump

The building sector presents poor performance in terms of energy efficiency and is looking for effective alternatives aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels. The facade is a key element able to harness renewable energy as an Active Solar Thermal Facade (ASTF). The main purpose of this study is the assessment of a novel design concept based on a steel sandwich panel technology. The performance of the active system will be first addressed by a parametric study in order to analyze its behavior and secondly, by describing a real case based on an experimental test by connecting the active panels to a heat pump. The study shows the impact of solar irradiation and mass flow on the thermal jump achieved, while ambient and fluid inlet temperatures are the most influencing parameters in the efficiency of the facade. When coupled to the heat pump, results from a measurement campaign demonstrate a remarkable improvement in the performance of the ASTF. The results presented provide significant proof about the benefits of a synergetic combination of both technologies—solar facades and heat pumps—as efficient alternatives for the building sector, aiming to improve energy efficiency as well as reduce their dependence on non-renewable sources.This research was partially funded by the Basque Government through IT781-13 and IT1314-19 research groups and by the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU through PES17/25. Additionally, TECNALIA Research & Innovation supported the research activities research through a cooperation agreement (PT10516) with UPV/EHU

Economic Fluctuations, Child Mortality and Policy Considerations in the Least Developed Countries

Between 1990 and 2010 child mortality decreased in general terms in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), although the differences between countries over time are significant. This paper examines the relationship between short-term economic fluctuations and changes in child mortality in the LDCs during the period 1990-2010. Unlike other studies, we consider a large group of LDCs and provide empirical evidence of the asymmetrical effects of variations in Gross Domestic Product per capita on the evolution of child mortality rate in periods of economic recession and expansion. The significance of said effects diminishes when other relevant socio-economic control variables are considered, and some development policy considerations are addressed in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 4 target

INCIDENCIA DE FALLA RENAL AGUDA EN PACIENTES CON PREECLAMPSIA INGRESADAS EN LA UNIDAD DE CUIDADOS INTENSIVOS DEL HOSPITAL GENERAL DR. “GUSTAVO BAZ PRADA” EN EL PERIODO DE ENERO DE 2011 A DICIEMBRE DE 2011

Las Enfermedades Hipertensivas del Embarazo y en especial la preeclampsia son la principal causa de morbilidad y mortalidad perinatal y materna en México; en Estados Unidos y el resto del mundo no es discrepante la tendencia, ya que en estos lugares es considerada una de las tres principales causas de dicha morbimortalidad. Una de las complicaciones médicas que con más frecuencia se observa en pacientes obstétricas es la supresión brusca de la función renal, lo cual se conoce como síndrome de insuficiencia renal aguda. El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar la incidencia de falla renal aguda en pacientes con preeclampsia severa ingresadas a la unidad de cuidados intensivos en el hospital general Gustavo Baz Prada. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio observacional-retrospectivo- transversal-descriptivo en donde se hizo una revisión de expedientes de pacientes, obtenidos del servicio de estadística del Hospital General Dr. “Gustavo Baz Prada” que contaran con diagnóstico de preeclampsia severa ingresadas al servicio de terapia intensiva, del periodo del 01 de enero 2011 a diciembre del mismo año y determinar la falla renal aguda a través de determinar el índice de filtración glomerular. Resultados el total de la población obstétrica fue de 7780 pacientes de las cuales 64 se diagnosticaron 64 con preeclampsia con una incidencia del 8.2 por cada 1000. Y de estas pacientes 9 presentaron falla renal aguda es del 12%. Conclusiones: la falla renal se presento en un porcentaje esperado de acuerdo a los resultados reportados en la literatura resolviéndose satisfactoriamente si evolucionar a una falla crónic

Evaluación funcional en la vejez

Este trabajo presenta los resultados de un estudio realizados con personas mayores usuarios del Centro de Saúde da Covilhã en el que se utilizó una muestra de conveniencia con el propósito de establecer el nivel de funcionalidad de personas mayores de 65 años. Se tomó como variable dependiente la capacidad de desempeño de las actividades de la vida diaria y de las actividades instrumentales y como variable independiente diversos aspectos sociodemográficos como edad, sexo, personas con las que conviven, hábitos, etc. A través de la aplicación del Índice de Katz y de la Escala de Lawton, obtuvimos resultados que nos permiten afirmar que las personas ancianas que no residen en una residencia de ancianos mantiene un alto nivel de independencia funcional. Este nivel de funcionalidad está relacionado con factores sociodemográficos o condiciones de vida, pero sin llegar a los niveles significativos esperados. El análisis detallado de cada una de los aspectos evaluados nos permite establecer un perfil más preciso de los factores influyentes, tal como puede verse en la discusión de este trabajo.This paper presents the results of an investigative study conducted with older people users of the Health Center of Covilhã, where a convenience sample was used with the aim to establish the functionality level of people over 65 years old. The dependent variable was the ability to perform the independent variable included sociodemographic aspects, such as age, gender, habits, etc. Through the application of the Katz Index and the Lawton Scales, allowed to state that those individuals living outside old people’s homes keep a high level of functional independence. This level of functionality is related to socio-demographic factors and quality of life. However, the significance levels expected were not found. A detailed analysis of each subscale allows to establish a more accurate profile of the influential factors, as it can be seen in the discussion provided in this study

Development of a multimodal foveated endomicroscope for the detection of oral cancer

A multimodal endomicroscope was developed for cancer detection that combines hyperspectral and confocal imaging through a single foveated objective and a vibrating optical fiber bundle. Standard clinical examination has a limited ability to identify early stage oral cancer. Optical detection methods are typically restricted by either achievable resolution or a small field-of-view. By combining high resolution and widefield spectral imaging into a single probe, a device was developed that provides spectral and spatial information over a 5 mm field to locate suspicious lesions that can then be inspected in high resolution mode. The device was evaluated on ex vivo biopsies of human oral tumors

Impacto del ciclo económico sobre la evolución de la supervivencia infantil en el mundo en desarrollo. Determinantes de la pobreza infantil en Europa

El presente trabajo se corresponde con dos investigaciones relacionadas con la infancia en situación de riesgo y vulnerabilidad. A) Examinamos la correspondencia entre las fluctuaciones económicas cíclicas y la evolución de la mortalidad infantil en los Países Menos Adelantados (PMA) durante el periodo 1990-2010, poniendo de manifiesto efectos asimétricos de las fluctuaciones económicas sobre la evolución de la mortalidad infantil en periodos de recesión y expansión económica. B) Valoramos en qué medida las diferencias en la tasa de pobreza infantil entre los países europeos pueden explicarse simultáneamente por características de los hogares (perspectiva micro) y por factores específicos de cada país (perspectiva macro), tales como prestaciones económicas en el ámbito de la protección a la infancia o situación socio-laboral general.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Impacto del ciclo económico sobre la evolución de la supervivencia infantil en los países menos adelantados

Entre 1990 y 2010 la mortalidad infantil ha decrecido en los Países Menos Adelantados (PMA) en términos generales, aunque con significativas diferencias entre países y entre periodos. Obviamente, dicha evolución se ha visto afectada por la situación económica de los países. Este trabajo examina la relación a corto plazo entre las fluctuaciones económicas y la evolución de la mortalidad infantil en los PMA durante el periodo 1990-2010. Para ello, realizamos un análisis de varianza discriminando entre periodos con crecimiento y decrecimiento en el Producto Interior Bruto (PIB) per cápita, que complementamos con un análisis de regresión para datos de panel con objeto de comprobar los efectos asimétricos de las variaciones del PIB per cápita sobre las tasas de mortalidad infantil en periodos de recesión y expansión económica. La significatividad de los efectos de los cambios en la coyuntura económica se reduce cuando consideramos variables control como el nivel educativo de las mujeres, la prevalencia del SIDA y la tasa bruta de natalidad.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Multidimensional nos supervised analysis (textural and spacial) in MRI tomography for watercore detection

4 Pags., 2 figs.This work has been carried out in the frame of the European project InsideFood (Integrated sensing and imaging devices for designing, monitoring and controlling microstructure of foods). The aim of this project is to provide technological solutions for exploring the microstructure of foods, by the combination and application of different non-destructive techniques such as X-ray CT, OCT, MRI, NMR, TRS and SRS, aimed at online sensing of food microstructure, water status, texture and optical properties. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been used in order to detect watercore disorder in three different varieties of apples, which are non commercialized due to their watercore development problems. These three varieties are: Ascara2, Rebellón and Tempera, which were grown under favourable conditions for the development of such disorder. At first step, MRI has been used for screening the apples population in order to detect those ones which had watercore problems. Then, an image analysis has been done in all these apples, in order to check the evidences of such disorder. Several methods have been used: Texture analysis, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Cluster AnalysisPeer reviewe

A comparison of Clinical Risk Index for babies (CRIB-II), Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP-II) and SNAPPE-II in predicting parenteral nutrition necessity in low birth weight preterm neonates.

Advances in perinatal care have made it possible to improve survival of low birth weight neonates. Clinical risk index for babies (CRIB-II), score for neonatal acute physiology (SNAP-II), and SNAP-perinatal extension-II (SNAPPE-II) have been used as mortality predictors for preterm infants. Feeding intolerance is very frequent in preterm neonates, and the development of an early effective biomarker for its prediction could be useful for carrying out a proper feeding strategy. Our aim was to compare the ability of CRIB-II, SNAP-II and SNAPPE-II in predict the feeding intolerance and parenteral nutrition necessity in preterm neonates. Methods: A retrospective cohort study on preterm neonates’ born at Jaen Hospital Complex with low birth weight and ≤ 36 weeks of gestation was done. Epidemiological, clinical and clinical scores CRIB II, SNAP-II and SNAPPE-II were recorded. Results: 255 low birth weight preterm neonates, 131 males (51.4%), aged ≤32 weeks of gestation (71%), were enrolled at our hospital. Parenteral nutrition needed were significantly higher in preterm neonates weighed 2500-1500 g (73.3%) and ≤ 1000g (87%). CRIB-II, SNAP-II and SNAPPE-II mean values were higher in neonates group subjected to parenteral nutrition compared with oral nutrition (p<0.05). CRIB-II and SNAPPE-II scores significantly correlated with parenteral nutrition days (p<0.05). Overall mortality rate was 11%. The 78.6% of all deceased infants needed parenteral nutrition. Conclusion: Clinical Risk Index for babies (CRIB-II) better than SNAPPE-II correlated with the feeding intolerance and thus the parenteral nutrition days in preterm neonates with low birth weight.Subvencionado: Ayuda del Plan Propio de Investigación de la UMA. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

PERCEIVED SELF-EFFICACY IN THE SOCIOCULTURAL SPHERE WITH MEXICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

The aim of the present study was to compare the profiles of perceived self-efficacy in the sociocultural sphere between men and women university students. A total sample of 2,089 participants, 902 women and 1,187 men (average age = 18.23 ± .74 years) participated in this study. A quantitative approach with a descriptive and transversal survey design was applied. The results of the one-way multivariate analysis of variance, followed by the oneway univariate analyses of variance, showed that women reported statistically significant higher punctuations than men regarding the perceived self-efficacy in the promotion of culture and cultural identity (p &lt; .001). Therefore, gender is an important variable when designing any kind of intervention for improving the perceived self-efficacy of students in a sociocultural sphere. Future research should apply these findings within other cultures