Characterization of non-intentional emissions from distributed energy resources up to 500 kHz: A case study in Spain

Narrow Band Power Line Communications (NB-PLC) systems are currently used for smart metering and power quality monitoring as a part of the Smart Grid (SG) concept. However, non-intentional emissions generated by the devices connected to the grid may sometimes disturb the communications and isolate metering equipment. Though some research works have been recently developed to characterize these emissions, most of them have been limited to frequencies below 150 kHz and they are mainly focused on in-house electronic appliances and lightning devices. As NB-PLC can also be allocated in higher frequencies up to 500 kHz, there is still a lack of analysis in this frequency range, especially for emissions from Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The identification and characterization of the emissions is essential to develop solutions that avoid a negative impact on the proper performance of NB-PLC. In this work, the non-intentional emissions of different types of DERs composing a representative microgrid have been measured in the 35–500 kHz frequency range and analyzed both in time and frequency domains. Different working conditions and coupling and commutation procedures to mains are considered in the analysis. Results are then compared to the limits recommended by regulatory bodies for spurious emissions from communication systems in this frequency band, as no specific limits for DERs have been established. Field measurements show clear differences in the characteristics of non-intentional emissions for different devices, working conditions and coupling procedures and for frequencies below and above 150 kHz. Results of this study demonstrate that a further characterization of the potential emissions from the different types of DERs connected to the grid is required in order to guarantee current and future applications based on NB-PLC.This work has been financially supported in part by the Basque Government (Elkartek program)

Análisis del comportamiento de los factores sociodemográficos y ambientales en la aparición de la violencia familiar

Universidad de Granada. Máster Problemas Sociales: Dirección y Gestión de Programas Sociale

Parámetros metabólicos, antioxidantes y competencia para el desarrollo embrionario de ovocitos bovinos madurados in vitro con L-Carnitina

The antioxidant and metabolic effect of L-carnitine (LC) was evaluated during the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes on parameters associated with quality: relative amount of lipids, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione levels (GSH), mitochondrial activity and competence for embryonic development after fertilization. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured for 24 h with and without L-C (3.8 mM), and incubated with the specific fluorophore for each parameter, Nile Red (lipids), Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (EROs), Monoclorobimane (GSH), Mitotracker Green (mitochondria). The intensity of the fluorescence was analyzed with the ImageJ software and normalized to the control group of matured oocytes without L-Carnitine. To determine the competence of the oocyte for embryonic development, the matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. In oocytes matured with L-C a decrease of 8.1% of the relative amount of lipids and 41.6% in the generation of EROs was found, while mitochondrial activity increased by 160% with respect to control, plus improved the kinetics and percentage of blastocysts. However, GSH levels were not affected by L-C. The results support the beneficial effect of L-C during the in vitro maturation of the bovine oocyte to improve antioxidant and metabolic parameters that are reflected in the in vitro production of bovine embryos.Se evaluó el efecto antioxidante y metabólico de la L-Carnitina (L-C) durante la maduración in vitro de ovocitos bovinos sobre parámetros asociados a la calidad: cantidad relativa de lípidos, generación de especies reactivas de oxígeno (EROs), niveles de glutatión reducido (GSH), actividad mitocondrial y la competencia para el desarrollo embrionario posterior a la fertilización. Los complejos cúmulo ovocito fueron madurados por 24 h con y sin L-C (3.8 mM), e incubados con el fluoróforo específico para cada parámetro, Rojo Nilo (lípidos), Diclorofluoresceina diacetato (EROs), Monoclorobimane (GSH), Mitotracker Green (mitocondria). La intensidad de la fluorescencia fue analizada con el software ImageJ y normalizada al grupo control de ovocitos madurados sin LCarnitina. Para determinar la competencia del ovocito para el desarrollo embrionario, los ovocitos madurados fueron fertilizados y cultivados por 8 días. En los ovocitos madurados con L-C se encontró una disminución del 8.1% de la cantidad relativa de lípidos y en la generación de EROs del 41.6%; mientras que la actividad mitocondrial aumentó en 160% con respecto al control, y mejoró la cinética y el porcentaje de blastocistos. Sin embargo, los niveles de GSH no se afectaron con la L-C. Los resultados soportan el efecto benéfico de la L-C durante la maduración in vitro del ovocito bovino para mejorar parámetros antioxidantes y metabólicos que se reflejan en la producción in vitro de embriones bovinos

Indicadores de calidad física en suelos del Chaco semiárido bajo distintos sistemas

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar en Molisoles del Chaco semiárido, el impacto del uso del suelo sobre algunos atributos físicos de calidad. Se muestrearon 3 sistemas: un sistema de monte nativo como referencia de alta calidad de suelos (Mon), un sistema silvopastoril de, monte nativo, con una pastura implantada (Sil) y un sistema agrícola bajo siembra directa (SD) con soja como cultivo principal. Se determinaron las siguientes variables: pH, densidad aparente (Da), humedad equivalente (HE), conductividad eléctrica (CE), textura y estabilidad de agregados (EA). Los suelos bajo estudio resultaron de reacción neutra y de textura franco-arcillosa a franco-arcillo-arenosa. El desmonte y posterior uso agrícola bajo SD, provocó cambios desfavorables como densificación, disminución de la capacidad del suelo para retener agua para los cultivos y disminución de la estabilidad de los agregados, impactando negativamente sobre la calidad física. El sistema silvopastoril produjo un impacto menor, ya que, si bien produjo densificación, y disminuyó la capacidad de retención de agua, el efecto sobre los agregados y su estabilidad fue menor, tomando valores medios entre 85 y 80 %, cercanos al Mon (85%), y diferenciándose estadísticamente del sistema agrícola. La EA resultó un buen indicador de calidad, de relativa facilidad y bajo costo de determinación. El orden decreciente de calidad física del suelo en base al índice de estabilidad de agregados fue Mon ≥ Sil > SD

Acceptance of near-natural greenspace management relates to ecological and socio-cultural assigned values among European urbanites

Grasslands are widespread elements of urban greenspace providing recreational, psychological and aesthetic benefits to city residents. Two urban grassland types of contrasting management dominate urban greenspaces: frequently mown, species-poor short-cut lawns and less intensively managed, near-natural tall-grass meadows. The higher conservation value of tall-grass meadows makes management interventions such as converting short-cut lawns into tall-grass meadows a promising tool for urban biodiversity conservation. The societal success of such interventions, however, depends on identifying the values urban residents assign to different types of urban grasslands, and how these values translate to attitudes towards greenspace management. Using 2027 questionnaires across 19 European cities, we identify the assigned values that correlate with people's personal greenspace use and their preferences for different types of urban grasslands to determine how these values relate to the agreement with a scenario of converting 50 of their cities� short-cut lawns into tall-grass meadows. We found that most people assigned nature-related values, such as wildness, to tall-grass meadows and utility-related values, such as recreation, to short-cut lawns. Positive value associations of wildness and species richness with tall-grass meadows, and social and nature-related greenspace activities, positively correlated with agreeing to convert short-cut lawns into tall-grass meadows. Conversely, disapproval of lawn conversion correlated with positive value associations of cleanliness and recreation potential with short-cut lawns. Here, people using greenspaces for nature-related activities were outstandingly positive about lawn conversion. The results show that the plurality of values assigned to different types of urban grasslands should be considered in urban greenspace planning. For example, tall-grass meadows could be managed to also accommodate the values associated with short-cut lawns, such as tidiness and recreation potential, to support their societal acceptance

Sustainable Development, Ecological Complexity, and Environmental Values

Sustainable Development, Ecological Complexity, and Environmental Values contributes to expanding the idea of sustainability by integrating different thematic issues related to sustainable development in its threefold consideration (economic, social, and environmental) with regard to the case of the Basque Country. On the global scale, changes have clearly accelerated; ecological and social sustainability are two facets of the same changing reality. First, social sustainability depends on ecological sustainability. If we continue degrading nature's capacity to produce the ecosystems' services (water filtration, climate stabilization, etc) and resources (food, materials), both individuals and nations will be affected by growing pressures and increasing conflicts, as well as by threats to public health and personal safety. Second, ecological sustainability depends on social sustainability, a socially unjust and unfair system wiht an ever-increasing population that is not able to have its needs met will necessarily lead to environmental collapse. In addition, human behavior and the social dynamic often lie at the heart of social and ecological problems. It must be, therefore, assumed that there will not be sustainable development if sustainable societies do not first exist. A sustainable society has the challenge of developing human capital. In this book, these global questions are treated as they relate to specific place and context, the Basque Country and its modern institutions.This book was published with generous financial support from the Basque Government.Introduction—Ignacio Ayestarán and Miren Onaindia ? 1. An Evaluation of Ecosystem Services as a Base for the Sustainable Management of a Region by Miren Onaindia and Gloria Rodríguez-Loinaz ? 2. An Evaluation of Millennium Ecosystems from the Basque Country by Igone Palacios, Izaskun Casada-Arzuaga, Iosu Madariaga, and Xabier Arana ? 3. Climate Change: Activities of the EOLO Group at the University of the Basque Country by Agustín Ezcurra, Jon Sáenz, and Gabriel Ibarra-Berastegi ? 4. The Environmental Value of the Karstic Landscape of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve: The Asnarre Promontory (Bizkaia) by Arantza Aranburu, Laura Damas-Mollá, Patxi García-Garmilla, Iñaki Yusta, M. Arriolabengoa, Peru Iridoy, and Eneko Iriarte ? 5. Recent Environmental Transformation of the Bilbao Estuary: Natural and Anthropogenic Processes by Alejandro Cearreta, Maria Jesús Irabien, and Eduardo Leorri ? 6. The Landscape of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country: The Evolution of Forest Systems by Lorena Peña and Ibone Amezaga ? 7. Critical Theories of Sustainable Development by Eguzki Urteaga ? 8. Bases for the Transition toward a Sustainable Economy by Roberto Bermejo, David Hoyos, and Eneko Garmendia ? 9. Environmental Values, the Epistemology of Complex Problems, and Postnormal Science in the Face of Global Change by Ignacio Ayestáran ? 10. Science, Gender, and Sustainable Development by Teresa Nuño Angós ? 11. Environmental Education as Training: A Case Study at the University of the Basque Country by Araitz Uskola Ibarluzea ? 12. Social Values and Sustainable Practices among Basque Inshore Fishermen by Pío Pérez Aldasoro ? 13. Sustainable Development and the Values of Well-Being and Globalization by Eduardo Rubio Ardanaz, Juan Antonio Rubio-Ardanaz, and Xiao Fang ? Index ? List of Contributor

Public attitudes toward biodiversity-friendly greenspace management in Europe

Increasing urbanization worldwide calls for more sustainable urban development. Simultaneously, the global biodiversity crisis accentuates the need of fostering biodiversity within cities. Policies supporting urban nature conservation need to understand people's acceptance of biodiversity-friendly greenspace management. We surveyed more than 2,000 people in 19 European cities about their attitudes toward near-natural urban grassland management in public greenspaces, and related their responses to nine sociocultural parameters. Results reveal that people across Europe can support urban biodiversity, yet within the frames of a generally tidy appearance of public greenery. Younger people and those using greenspaces for a greater variety of activities were more likely to favor biodiversity-friendly greenspace management. Additionally, people who were aware of the meaning of biodiversity and those stating responsibility for biodiversity conservation particularly supported biodiversity-friendly greenspace management. Our results point at explicit measures like environmental education to increase public acceptance of policies that facilitate nature conservation within cities

Uncovering Ecosystem Service Bundles through Social Preferences

Ecosystem service assessments have increasingly been used to support environmental management policies, mainly based on biophysical and economic indicators. However, few studies have coped with the social-cultural dimension of ecosystem services, despite being considered a research priority. We examined how ecosystem service bundles and trade-offs emerge from diverging social preferences toward ecosystem services delivered by various types of ecosystems in Spain. We conducted 3,379 direct face-to-face questionnaires in eight different case study sites from 2007 to 2011. Overall, 90.5% of the sampled population recognized the ecosystem’s capacity to deliver services. Formal studies, environmental behavior, and gender variables influenced the probability of people recognizing the ecosystem’s capacity to provide services. The ecosystem services most frequently perceived by people were regulating services; of those, air purification held the greatest importance. However, statistical analysis showed that socio-cultural factors and the conservation management strategy of ecosystems (i.e., National Park, Natural Park, or a non-protected area) have an effect on social preferences toward ecosystem services. Ecosystem service trade-offs and bundles were identified by analyzing social preferences through multivariate analysis (redundancy analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). We found a clear trade-off among provisioning services (and recreational hunting) versus regulating services and almost all cultural services. We identified three ecosystem service bundles associated with the conservation management strategy and the rural-urban gradient. We conclude that socio-cultural preferences toward ecosystem services can serve as a tool to identify relevant services for people, the factors underlying these social preferences, and emerging ecosystem service bundles and trade-offs

Fundulus as the premier teleost model in environmental biology : opportunities for new insights using genomics

Author Posting. © Elsevier B.V., 2007. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics 2 (2007): 257-286, doi:10.1016/j.cbd.2007.09.001.A strong foundation of basic and applied research documents that the estuarine fish Fundulus heteroclitus and related species are unique laboratory and field models for understanding how individuals and populations interact with their environment. In this paper we summarize an extensive body of work examining the adaptive responses of Fundulus species to environmental conditions, and describe how this research has contributed importantly to our understanding of physiology, gene regulation, toxicology, and ecological and evolutionary genetics of teleosts and other vertebrates. These explorations have reached a critical juncture at which advancement is hindered by the lack of genomic resources for these species. We suggest that a more complete genomics toolbox for F. heteroclitus and related species will permit researchers to exploit the power of this model organism to rapidly advance our understanding of fundamental biological and pathological mechanisms among vertebrates, as well as ecological strategies and evolutionary processes common to all living organisms.This material is based on work supported by grants from the National Science Foundation DBI-0420504 (LJB), OCE 0308777 (DLC, RNW, BBR), BES-0553523 (AW), IBN 0236494 (BBR), IOB-0519579 (DHE), IOB-0543860 (DWT), FSML-0533189 (SC); National Institute of Health NIEHS P42-ES007381(GVC, MEH), P42-ES10356 (RTD), ES011588 (MFO); and NCRR P20 RR-016463 (DWT); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery (DLM, TDS, WSM) and Collaborative Research and Development Programs (DLM); NOAA/National Sea Grant NA86RG0052 (LJB), NA16RG2273 (SIK, MEH,GVC, JJS); Environmental Protection Agency U91620701 (WSB), R82902201(SC) and EPA’s Office of Research and Development (DEN)