Search for very high energy gamma-ray emission from pulsar-pulsar wind nebula systems with the MAGIC telescope

The MAGIC collaboration has searched for high-energy gamma-ray emission of some of the most promising pulsar candidates above an energy threshold of 50 GeV, an energy not reachable up to now by other ground-based instruments. Neither pulsed nor steady gamma-ray emission has been observed at energies of 100 GeV from the classical radio pulsars PSR J0205+6449 and PSR J2229+6114 (and their nebulae 3C58 and Boomerang, respectively) and the millisecond pulsar PSR J0218+4232. Here, we present the flux upper limits for these sources and discuss their implications in the context of current model predictions.

Avaluació de les metadades com a eina d'indexació i recuperació al web de la Biblioteca de la Universitat de Barcelona

Coincidint amb la renovació del web de la Biblioteca de la Universitat de Barcelona, al mes de juny s'inicià un procés d'avaluació amb l'objectiu de replantejar la utilització de les metadades com a eina d'indexació i recuperació de continguts de pàgines web. L'article s'estructura en tres parts principals. En una primera part, s'estableixen els antecedents del web de la Biblioteca, l'origen i la forma de la inclusió de metadades en les seves pàgines i l'evolució del tema fins a arribar al moment de l'avaluació. Tot seguit, s'exposen totes les dades analitzades en el procés d'avaluació fet, partint de conceptes i aspectes teòrics fonamentals de l'anàlisi de contingut. L'apartat de conclusions amb què finalitza l'article parteix de la interpretació de les dades dels dos processos de manera relacionada per oferir un seguit d'indicacions o pautes que cal tenir en compte en el replantejament de la utilització de metadades com a eina de representació de contingut i de recuperació d'informació de les pàgines web de la BUB.

La mobilitat internacional d'estudiants de la Facultat de Biblioteconomia i Documentació de la Universitat de Barcelona en el marc del programa Erasmus: perspectiva i valoració

We review the participation of the Faculty of Library Sciences and Documentation of the University of Barcelona in the Erasmus program since 1993. In general, student participation has been low. We present the results of a study conducted in May 2007 among the students of the Faculty, designed a) to assess their experience of the Erasmus program and their evaluation of it and b) to promote student participation. Though the vast majority of students have heard of the Erasmus program, their awareness of specific aspects of the program is relatively low

Leaving the cave in search of life (A Platonic reading of R. Sirera's La caverna (The Cave)

The aim of this article is to show how a contemporary playwright thinks once more of the Platonic image of the cave in order to reflect on the necessary existential journey of men and women as in the case of a Bildungsroman. Sooner or later men and women must abandon the protection that any sort of cavern such as home, the family garden or family itself can offer. In spite of writing from a by no means idealistic or metaphysical point of view, thanks to R. Sirera and to the very applicability of Platonic images, Plato becomes once again a classical reference which is both useful and even unavoidable if one bears in mind the Platonic origin of all the literary caverns.

De llibertat, autoritat i in/dependències (a la vida i l'obra de Maria-Mercè Marçal)

This article pays attention to two moments in the life and work (inseparably united) of Maria-Mercè Marçal. The first refers to a search of small objects presided by the moon. Taking this search as a motif, the freedom which the poet confers to the nocturnal light ¿mythical and magical symbol of femaleness- and, therefore, to that which symbolises the heavenly body, is revealed. The second moment revolves around the reflection of Marçal on the ¿female authority¿, a concept which this author, inspired by the philosophical community of Diotima, distinguishes from power. Throughout history, Maria-Mercè Marçal remarked, many women have gained strength from the free atribution of authority to other women, to their texts, to their experiences.

A program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses in primary care

Background: Attention to patients with acute minor-illnesses requesting same-day consultation represents a major burden in primary care. The workload is assumed by general practitioners in many countries. A number of reports suggest that care to these patients may be provided, at in least in part, by nurses. However, there is scarce information with respect to the applicability of a program of nurse management for adult patients with acute minor-illnesses in large areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses requesting same-day consultation in primary care in a largely populated area. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all adult patients seeking same day consultation for 16 common acute minor illnesses in a large geographical area with 284 primary care practices. Patients were included in a program of nurse case management using management algorithms. The main outcome measure was case resolution, defined as completion of the algorithm by the nurse without need of referral of the patient to the general practitioner. The secondary outcome measure was return to consultation, defined as requirement of new consultation for the same reason as the first one, in primary care within a 7-day period. Results: During a two year period (April 2009-April 2011), a total of 1,209,669 consultations were performed in the program. Case resolution was achieved by nurses in 62.5% of consultations. The remaining cases were referred to a general practitioner. Resolution rates ranged from 94.2% in patients with burns to 42% in patients with upper respiratory symptoms. None of the 16 minor illnesses had a resolution rate below 40%. Return to consultation during a 7-day period was low, only 4.6%. Conclusions: A program of algorithms-guided care is effective for nurse case management of patients requesting same day consultation for minor illnesses in primary care.

A program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses in primary care

Background: Attention to patients with acute minor-illnesses requesting same-day consultation represents a major burden in primary care. The workload is assumed by general practitioners in many countries. A number of reports suggest that care to these patients may be provided, at in least in part, by nurses. However, there is scarce information with respect to the applicability of a program of nurse management for adult patients with acute minor-illnesses in large areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses requesting same-day consultation in primary care in a largely populated area. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all adult patients seeking same day consultation for 16 common acute minor illnesses in a large geographical area with 284 primary care practices. Patients were included in a program of nurse case management using management algorithms. The main outcome measure was case resolution, defined as completion of the algorithm by the nurse without need of referral of the patient to the general practitioner. The secondary outcome measure was return to consultation, defined as requirement of new consultation for the same reason as the first one, in primary care within a 7-day period. Results: During a two year period (April 2009-April 2011), a total of 1,209,669 consultations were performed in the program. Case resolution was achieved by nurses in 62.5% of consultations. The remaining cases were referred to a general practitioner. Resolution rates ranged from 94.2% in patients with burns to 42% in patients with upper respiratory symptoms. None of the 16 minor illnesses had a resolution rate below 40%. Return to consultation during a 7-day period was low, only 4.6%. Conclusions: A program of algorithms-guided care is effective for nurse case management of patients requesting same day consultation for minor illnesses in primary care.

Quality of life, happiness and satisfaction with life of individuals 75 years old or older cared for by a home health care program

This case study identifies the elements that compose the Quality of Life (QofL) of individuals who were 75 years old or older and receive care at home. The study's sample was composed of individuals 75 years or older cared for by a home health care service in the primary health care unit in Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain (n=26). The variables included: a) socio-demographic data; b) concept of QofL; c) perception of QofL; d) reasons for their perception; d) satisfaction with life and related aspects; and f) feeling of happiness. Face to face interviews were conducted. A total of 76.9% of the individuals reported a good perception of QofL and the main reasons related to it were: health, family and social relationships, and the ability to adapt. Role Theory and Disengagement Theory explain the adaptation process of these individuals at this point in life.

A program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses in primary care

Background: Attention to patients with acute minor-illnesses requesting same-day consultation represents a major burden in primary care. The workload is assumed by general practitioners in many countries. A number of reports suggest that care to these patients may be provided, at in least in part, by nurses. However, there is scarce information with respect to the applicability of a program of nurse management for adult patients with acute minor-illnesses in large areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses requesting same-day consultation in primary care in a largely populated area. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all adult patients seeking same day consultation for 16 common acute minor illnesses in a large geographical area with 284 primary care practices. Patients were included in a program of nurse case management using management algorithms. The main outcome measure was case resolution, defined as completion of the algorithm by the nurse without need of referral of the patient to the general practitioner. The secondary outcome measure was return to consultation, defined as requirement of new consultation for the same reason as the first one, in primary care within a 7-day period. Results: During a two year period (April 2009-April 2011), a total of 1,209,669 consultations were performed in the program. Case resolution was achieved by nurses in 62.5% of consultations. The remaining cases were referred to a general practitioner. Resolution rates ranged from 94.2% in patients with burns to 42% in patients with upper respiratory symptoms. None of the 16 minor illnesses had a resolution rate below 40%. Return to consultation during a 7-day period was low, only 4.6%. Conclusions: A program of algorithms-guided care is effective for nurse case management of patients requesting same day consultation for minor illnesses in primary care.

Quality of life, happiness and satisfaction with life of individuals 75 years old or older cared for by a home health care program

This case study identifies the elements that compose the Quality of Life (QofL) of individuals who were 75 years old or older and receive care at home. The study's sample was composed of individuals 75 years or older cared for by a home health care service in the primary health care unit in Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain (n=26). The variables included: a) socio-demographic data; b) concept of QofL; c) perception of QofL; d) reasons for their perception; d) satisfaction with life and related aspects; and f) feeling of happiness. Face to face interviews were conducted. A total of 76.9% of the individuals reported a good perception of QofL and the main reasons related to it were: health, family and social relationships, and the ability to adapt. Role Theory and Disengagement Theory explain the adaptation process of these individuals at this point in life.

Quality of life, happiness and satisfaction with life of individuals 75 years old or older cared for by a home health care program

This case study identifies the elements that compose the Quality of Life (QofL) of individuals who were 75 years old or older and receive care at home. The study's sample was composed of individuals 75 years or older cared for by a home health care service in the primary health care unit in Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain (n=26). The variables included: a) socio-demographic data; b) concept of QofL; c) perception of QofL; d) reasons for their perception; d) satisfaction with life and related aspects; and f) feeling of happiness. Face to face interviews were conducted. A total of 76.9% of the individuals reported a good perception of QofL and the main reasons related to it were: health, family and social relationships, and the ability to adapt. Role Theory and Disengagement Theory explain the adaptation process of these individuals at this point in life.

Proposta i implementació d'un motor de recuperació d'informació especialitzat en dret d'estrangeria (Codex)

CODEX SEARCH és un motor de recuperació d'informació especialitzat en dret d'estrangeria que està basat en eines i coneixement lingüístics. Per a desenvolupar un SRI (sistema de recuperació d'informació) eficient en el domini indicat no n'hi ha prou amb emprar un model tradicional de RI (recuperació d'informació), és a dir, comparar els termes de la pregunta amb els de la resposta, bàsicament perquè no expressen implicacions. En aquest sentit, la solució lingüística proposada es basa a incorporar el coneixement dels especialistes mitjançant la integració en el sistema d'una llibreria de casos. Els casos són exemples de procediments aplicats per experts/ertes en la solució de problemes que han ocorregut en la realitat i que han acabat en èxit o fracàs. Els resultats obtinguts en aquesta primera fase són molt encoratjadors, però és necessari continuar la investigació en aquest camp per millorar el rendiment del prototip.

De llibertat, autoritat i in/dependències (a la vida i l'obra de Maria-Mercè Marçal)

This article pays attention to two moments in the life and work (inseparably united) of Maria-Mercè Marçal. The first refers to a search of small objects presided by the moon. Taking this search as a motif, the freedom which the poet confers to the nocturnal light ¿mythical and magical symbol of femaleness- and, therefore, to that which symbolises the heavenly body, is revealed. The second moment revolves around the reflection of Marçal on the ¿female authority¿, a concept which this author, inspired by the philosophical community of Diotima, distinguishes from power. Throughout history, Maria-Mercè Marçal remarked, many women have gained strength from the free atribution of authority to other women, to their texts, to their experiences.

X-Ray systems: radiation protection program in basic research applications

Although the radiation doses involved in basic research radiology are relatively small, the increasing number of radiological procedures makes risks becoming increasingly high. Quality control techniques in radiological practice have to ensure an adequate system of protection for people exposed to radiation. These techniques belong to a quality assurance program for X-ray machines and are designed to correct problems related to equipment and radiological practices, to obtain radiological images of high quality and to reduce the unnecessary exposures.

Construcció i explotació d'un magatzem de dades per a l'anàlisi d'informació sobre allotjaments turístics

Trabajo centrado en el estudio y aplicación práctica de las técnicas conocidas bajo el nombre de almacenes de datos y, concretamente, en sistemas ROLAP para dar respuesta a las necesidades de los entornos decisorios. En él se detallan los requisitos para desplegar un análisis de información sobre establecimientos turísticos, se expone la planificación, método basado en UML, el análisis, diseño, los pasos de recuperación de los datos -para su posterior transformación y carga en un base de datos relacional MySQL- y la presentación de las consultas OLAP e informes.