idUS. Depósito de Investigación Universidad de Sevilla
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Holistic assessment of the economic, environmental, and social impact of building construction. Application to housing construction in Andalusia
No full textBuildings, although increasingly efficient, currently lack a comparative analysis from a holistic perspective. A large part of the effort to increase their efficiency focuses on their direct consumption of water and energy through the design of more efficient systems, but another large part of the consumption is caused indirectly by the production processes and the construction itself. The present model evaluates the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) from the construction site perspective by proposing an integration of social and environmental indicators assessment to the cost control in projects. Construction cost control is normally defined by classification systems of work units with a coding system. This allows incorporating the evaluation of the other two dimensions of sustainability to make a socio-environmental assessment. The environmental assessment is covered with the footprint family indicators while, for the social assessment, an indicator consisting of an evaluation of project occupational risks is proposed. This methodology allows the holistic evaluation of all the work units in the project. The model is applied to the construction of social housing in Andalusia, validating its versatility and allowing to simulate different scenarios. The five most impacting units out of sixty evaluated in the construction of a social housing multifamily building represent around 70 % of the total impact in each category. Slight changes to four of those work units by others commonly used can reduce up to 20% the impacts in various categories
A Robust Method to Perform In Vitro and In Planta Interbacterial Competition Assays: Killing Plant Pathogens by a Potent Biocontrol Agent
No full textInterbacterial competition assays have become an essential tool for understanding the interactions between bacteria and their ability to outcompete one another in natural environments. This is especially relevant when studying the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a contact-dependent bacterial weapon that can be used to kill or inhibit the growth of other competing bacteria. Some beneficial environmental microorganisms such as Pseudomonas putida rely on the T6SS as their primary biocontrol mechanism to eliminate resilient plant pathogens. Competition assays are an essential methodology in this field that allows us to understand the efficacy of this bacterial nanoweapon. This chapter outlines the methodology for conducting in vitro and in planta competition assays between P. putida, a well-known biocontrol agent, and phytopathogenic bacterial species of economic and scientific interest
Panorama actual del melanoma en Portugal, España, Italia y Grecia: tendencias y perspectivas
No full textObjective: To study melanoma incidence trends from 1990 through 2021 in Southern European countries—Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece—and explore regional and age-period-cohort (A-P-C) patterns.
Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were used to calculate age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs). Joinpoint regression and age-period cohort (A-P-C) models were applied to identify trends and patterns.
Results: A substantial increase in melanoma ASIRs was observed across all Southern European countries from 1990 through 2021. Joinpoint analysis revealed a potential turning point in the 2010s, with ASIRs stabilizing or declining in younger age groups across all countries. For instance, rates among younger women in Italy, Portugal, and Spain have shown signs of stabilization or decline, while Greek women experienced a continued but slower increase. Men exhibited a similar trend, except for Greece, where the increase rate persisted albeit at a slower pace. Gender differences were evident, with younger women generally facing higher risks vs men but exhibiting a slower rise in incidence with age.
The A-P-C analysis confirmed a pronounced cohort effect, indicating a higher risk for melanoma among earlier birth cohorts. Among younger generations, there is evidence of stabilization or even a decline in incidence rates.
Conclusion: Melanoma rates are rising in Southern Europe, especially among men. While younger populations show promising declines, likely due to sun protection efforts, older generations continue to be affected. Addressing regional disparities and sustaining these positive trends requires ongoing efforts and comprehensive prevention strategies.Objetivo: Analizar las tendencias en la incidencia del melanoma dentre 1990 a 2021 en los países del sur de Europa (Portugal, España, Italia, Grecia) y los patrones regionales y de Edad-período-cohorte (A-P-C).
Métodos: Se utilizaron datos del “Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 “para calcular las tasas de incidencia estandarizadas por edad (ASIR). Se aplicaron modelos de regresión de cambio de tendencia y de A-P-C para identificar tendencias y patrones.
Resultados: Se observó un aumento sustancial de las ASIR de melanoma en todos los países del sur de Europa entre 1990 a 2021. El análisis de tendencia reveló un posible punto de inflexión en la década de 2010, con una estabilización o disminución de las ASIR en los grupos de edad más jóvenes en todos los países. Las tasas entre las mujeres más jóvenes en Italia, Portugal y España han mostrado signos de estabilización o disminución, mientras que las mujeres griegas experimentaron un aumento continuo pero más lento. Los hombres mostraron una tendencia similar, excepto en Grecia, donde la tasa de aumento persistió, aunque a un ritmo más lento. Las diferencias de género fueron evidentes: las mujeres más jóvenes generalmente presentan un riesgo mayor en comparación con los hombres, pero muestran un aumento más lento en la incidencia con la edad.
El análisis A-P-C confirmó un efecto de cohorte pronunciado, lo que indica un mayor riesgo de melanoma entre las cohortes de nacimiento anteriores. Entre las generaciones más jóvenes, hay evidencia de estabilización o incluso una disminución en las tasas de incidencia.
Conclusión: Las tasas de melanoma están aumentando en el sur de Europa, especialmente entre los hombres. Si bien las poblaciones más jóvenes muestran disminuciones prometedoras, probablemente debido a los esfuerzos de protección solar, las generaciones mayores continúan viéndose afectadas. Abordar las disparidades regionales y mantener estas tendencias positivas requiere esfuerzos continuos y estrategias de prevención integrales
Key effects contributing to changes in energy imports in the EU-27 between 2000 and 2020: A decomposition analysis based on the Sankey diagram
No full textThe aim of this paper is to analyse the key effects contributing to changes in energy imports in the European Union (EU-27) in the period 2000–2020. Using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI), the analysis examines the effect of changes in six factors—energy structure, energy dependence, energy transformation efficiency, energy yield after transformation, energy efficiency and activity—on imports of oil, natural gas and other sources of energy. The results of the analysis reveal that the decarbonisation process has fostered the abandonment of the most polluting fossil fuel sources; however, there has been an increase in energy dependence on less polluting sources that are not produced domestically. In contrast, there has been an opportunity for change through improved energy efficiency, which has made it possible to reduce energy requirements per unit produced. In short, in order to achieve a sustainable and secure energy future, it is crucial to implement policies and actions that promote both the diversification of the energy mix—particularly renewable energies—and efficiency in consumption. Doing so will enable countries to move towards true decarbonisation and minimise vulnerability in their energy supply
Randomness suppress backward bifurcation in an epidemic model with limited medical resources
No full textThis paper delves into the dynamic features of a stochastic SIR epidemic model featuring a perturbed transmission rate influenced by white noise. Our primary aim is to unravel the intricate interplay between restricted medical resources, their supply efficiency, and environmental stochasticity, shedding light on their collective impact on the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Our findings bring to light a notable distinction from the deterministic counterpart of the model. Specifically, under varying scenarios of medical resource availability and supply efficiency, the stochastic model exhibits a departure from bifurcation phenomena. This stands in contrast to the deterministic model, which is characterized by the presence of both backward bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation phenomena. To complement and validate our theoretical findings, numerical simulations are employed, providing concrete illustrations of the dynamical phenomena discussed in the paper. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between stochastic environmental factors, medical resource constraints, and disease transmission dynamics, offering valuable insights for public health management and epidemic control strategies
Esclavas, horras y libres. Historias de mujeres en los mundos ibéricos, siglos XVI-XIX
No full textDe la invisibilidad al protagonismo histórico, de la presunta inferioridad a la condición de agentes de la globalización; estos son los ejes rectores a partir de los cuales han sido escritos los capítulos de este libro. Historias de mujeres esclavas, horras y libres pensadas desde sus aspectos más profundos y cotidianos, en su vivir, en sus experiencias personales y en sus relaciones sociales, desarrolladas en los mundos ibéricos y en los cuatro continentes desde el siglo XVI hasta el XIX. Los autores invitan a los lectores a conocer dimensiones importantísimas de la historia de la esclavitud moderna, con frecuencia ausentes tanto en las grandes síntesis sobre el tema como en los libros de divulgación. Así, y gracias a los esfuerzos de investigación de más de una veintena de especialistas procedentes de Brasil, España, Italia, Portugal, Inglaterra y Estados Unidos, se presenta una historia muy alejada del paradigma de la sumisión femenina, de su pasividad y de su excesiva victimización, buscando subrayar sus poderes, autonomías y centralidades. El reto de este libro es intentar comprender todo esto en su complejidad original, partiendo de la actuación femenina cotidiana y de los testimonios documentales que nos han llegado, muchos de los cuales fueron dictados por ellas mismas, como sus testamentos o sus declaraciones en procesos judiciales civiles y eclesiásticos, para evitar caer en la tentación de construir fórmulas simplificadoras y anacrónicas, y poder, de este modo, amoldar convenientemente el pasado a nuestro presente
Advancing sensible heat storage: A novel transient heat transfer model for concrete-based TES modules for CSP applications
No full textThis is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).Concentrating solar power (CSP) plays a crucial role in renewable energy systems, offering high-temperature heat for electricity generation and industrial processes while supporting the transition to sustainable energy. Thermal energy storage (TES) improves the reliability and dispatchability of CSP systems. Among the sensible heat storage options, concrete emerges as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative that warrants further investigation. This study introduces a comprehensive mathematical model for simulating the transient thermal behaviour of concrete-based TES modules. The model accommodates diverse geometries, supports a wide range of heat transfer fluids (HTFs) in all flow regimes, and accounts for heat losses to the environment, factors that are often overlooked in prior research. The mathematical framework was incorporated into a software platform called OpenModelica and will later be included in a tool developed by the authors to evaluate the performance of CSP plants. Before this integration takes place, the model undergoes validation, which is the primary focus of this study. The model was validated through two case studies, one theoretical and the other experimental, each involving different operational conditions, geometries, HTFs, and materials. The theoretical case confirmed that the model could capture the key physical phenomena governing transient heat transfer in the storage module. A comparison between the simulation results and experimental data revealed a strong agreement in temperature, heat flow, and total energy transmitted, with temperature errors within the IEC 60751 standard and total energy transfer errors ranging from −6.15 % to +5.69 %. These findings highlight the potential of concrete-based TES to enhance the performance of CSP systems, contributing to reliable and sustainable energy solutions
Hausdorff Dimension of Random Attractors for a Stochastic Delayed Parabolic Equation in Banach Spaces
No full textThe main purpose of this paper is to give an upper bound of Hausdorff dimension of random attractors for a stochastic delayed parabolic equation in Banach spaces. The estimation of dimensions of random attractors are obtained by combining the squeezing property and a covering lemma of finite subspace of Banach spaces, which generalizes the method established in Hilbert spaces. Due to the lack of smooth inner product geometry structure, we adopt the state decomposition of phase space based on the exponential dichotomy of the linear deterministic part of the studied equations instead of orthogonal projectors with finite ranks used for stochastic partial differential equations. The obtained dimension of the random attractors depends only on the inner characteristics of the studied equation, such as spectrum of the linear part and the random Lipschitz constant of the nonlinear term, while not relating to the compact embedding of the phase space to another Banach space as the existing works did
A simple method for the evaluation of the uncertainty in the predictions of a Lagrangian marine radionuclide transport model
No full textA method is proposed to assign an error bar to the concentrations predicted in water and seabed sediments by a Lagrangian radionuclide transport model for the marine environment. The method is based upon an analogy with radioactive counting statistics in a radiation detector, due to the stochastic nature of radioactive decay and turbulent mixing. However, it cannot be used to assess deterministic errors of the models, as those related to model parameters for instance. The method has been illustrated with a transport model of the northern Atlantic Ocean, previously tested by comparing model outputs with radionuclide measurements, released from European nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, in water and sediments at different locations and times. Time-series of calculated radionuclide concentrations in water and sediments at several locations, with the corresponding error bars, are provided as examples of the application of the method. In addition, some spatial distributions of errors are also shown. The methodology is simple, seems to be robust and can also be used to evaluate the number of particles required in a Lagrangian simulation to have a given precision level in the results