Ungulate Activity: Effects of Season, Hunting Pressure, and Plant Type

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremulodies) is considered priority habitat because it supports diverse understory flora and provides critical nesting and foraging habitat for wildlife. Aspen populations in western North America have declined due to fire suppression and browsing. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Washington addressed declining aspen with prescribed burns. However, aspen growth stimulated by burning was offset by browsing, especially by Elk (Cervus elaphus). Increasing elk numbers prompted initiation of a limited hunt to cull and disperse elk off refuge. To address the impact of these management strategies, we used remote video cameras to monitor activity of Elk, deer (Odocoileus virginianus and Odocoileus hemionus), and American Moose (Alces americanus). Cameras were positioned at five locations on the refuge. Video footage from March 2018 to January 2019 was analyzed to examine differences in seasonal activity, activity between hunt and non-hunt units during the hunting season and browsing activity on different plants. Elk were recorded 153, deer 228, and moose 99 times. Although mean activity between seasons was not significantly different, elk activity tended to decrease in winter. Elk are known to move off refuge in the winter. Low sample size limited comparisons of activity in hunt versus non-hunt areas during archery, modern firearm, and muzzleloader periods. Nonetheless, no species exhibited decreased activity in the hunt areas and deer activity was greater in these areas. Elk and deer spent more time browsing on dogwood than on aspen or grass; there is evidence that dogwood has higher nutritional value

Parametric assessment of a building active façade by means of a combined metallic sandwich panel with an unglazed solar collector

The building sector has a poor performance in terms of energy efficiency and is looking for alternatives to reduce the use of fossil fuels on building use stage. Renewables are unlimited and solar thermal energy is a technology with a demonstrated potential. The façade is a key element able to harness renewable energy coming from the sun becoming in an Active Solar Thermal Façade (ASTF). The main purpose of this study is the development of a parametric study using a numerical model to analyze the behavior of an unglazed solar collector. Thus, evaluating different design and meteorological parameters to show their influence on the heat transfer and the efficiency. The study shows that solar irradiation and mass flow are the most influential on thermal difference. However, for the efficiency ambient temperature and inlet temperature both are the most influencing ones. In brief, a set of parameters have a significant influence on the behavior of the ASTF that are fully governed by environmental conditions. Nevertheless, there are some other parameters that can be controlled during the operation. The challenge is to make a continuous configuration of this adaptable values depending on the external situation to achieve a higher performance for the ASTF

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

eWall Inverter Project

The objective of this project is to demonstrate the capabilities of a Raspberry Pi when used as a grid-tied, bi-directional power inverter for renewable energy storage applications. Due to its economical nature, this system would play a large role in the growing solar industry by making solar energy more accessible, affordable, and easier to install. The inverter uses a single-phase H-Bridge to generate a sine wave from a proprietary wall mounted battery. To improve power quality, an enhanced low pass filter is added to provide a better drop off to reduce extraneous harmonics. The system synchronizes this synthetic sine wave output with the incoming grid frequency through a PID that controls a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). However, the Raspberry Pi proved incapable of this task due to being unable to power the drivers to run the switching circuit

Hypoxia and Outcome Prediction in Early-Stage Coma (Project HOPE): an observational prospective cohort study

Background The number of resuscitated cardiac arrest patients suffering from anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is considerable. However, outcome prediction parameters such as somatosensory evoked potentials need revision because they are based on data predating the implementation of mild therapeutical hypothermia and because data from our own laboratory suggest that they may fail to predict prognosis accurately. The present research project “Hypoxia and Outcome Prediction in Early-Stage Coma” is an ongoing observational prospective cohort study that aims to improve outcome prediction in anoxic coma by limiting the effects of falsely pessimistic predictions at the intensive care unit. Methods Our outcome analysis is based on functional and behavioural definitions. This implies the analysis of the positive predictive value of prognostic markers yielding either positive or negative results. We also analyse the effect of covariates adjusted for age and sex such as sociodemographic variables, prognostic variables and treatment factors on functional and behavioural outcomes, with mixed effects regression models (i.e. fixed and random effects). We expect to enrol 172 patients based on the result of previous research. The null hypothesis is that there is a probability of <10 % that a positive outcome will be observed despite the presence of any of the predictors of a poor/negative outcome. We test the null hypothesis against a one-sided alternative using a Simon’s two-stage design to determine whether it is warranted to recruit the full number of patients suggested by a power analysis. The second stage has a design with a Type I error rate of 0.05 and 80 % power if the true response rate is 25 %. Discussion We aim to make a significant contribution to the revision and improvement of current outcome prediction methods in anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy patients. As a result, neurocritical care specialists worldwide will have considerably more accurate methods for prognosticating the outcome of anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy following cardiac arrest. This will facilitate the provision of treatment tailored to individual patients and the attainment of an optimal quality of life. It will also inform the decision to withdraw treatment with a level of accuracy never seen before in the field. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02231060 webcite (registered 29 August 2014

Ciberfeminismo de investigacción con y entre tecnoartistas y hackers

Investigar la relació dels gèneres i les noves tecnologies de la informació i comunicació pren importància amb el desenvolupament de la societat actual. Des del nostre col·lectiu portem a terme una sèrie d'investigacions orientades cap a la formulació, anàlisi i desenvolupament d'accions des de, amb i per a les relacions de les dones i les TIC. Per les característiques de les experiències, temàtiques i metodologies que tractem hem anat desenvolupant el que anomenem ciberfeminisme de investigacción. Per a aquest article proposem continuar explorant i mostrant els nostres processos de investigacción ciberfeminista. Partim dels inicis de les nostres investigacciones fins al moment actual i incidim en alguns aspectes que es visibilitzen millor a través d'investigacions específiques i de forma comparada. Ens centrarem, per una banda, en la investigació LeLArt sobre les experiències i trajectòries TIC de les tecnoartistes i, de l'altra, en LeLaCoders, sobre les experiències i trajectòries TIC de les dones desenvolupadores de programari lliure i / o hackers.To investigate the relationship of gender and new technologies of information and communication becomes crucial with the development of our current society. We conducted a series of research projects aimed at the formulation, analysis and implementation of actions from with and for women and ICT. Considering the characteristics of the subjects, topics and methodologies that we apply we develop ciberfeminist research processes. In this article, we propose to continue exploring and showing our ciberfeminist research processes. We depart from our first research project to move on to our current ones. In order to better delve into some methodological aspects that become clearer in a comparative and specific manner, we will focus, first, on LeLArt project, about the experiences and ICT trajectories of women technoartists, and then on LelaCoders project, about the experiences and ICT trajectories of women developers of free software and / or hackers.Investigar la relación de los géneros y las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación toma importancia con el desarrollo de la sociedad actual. Desde nuestro colectivo llevamos a cabo una serie de investigaciones orientadas hacia la formulación, análisis y desarrollo de acciones desde, con y para las relaciones de las mujeres y las TIC. Por las características de las experiencias, temáticas y metodologías que tratamos hemos ido desarrollando lo que llamamos ciberfeminismo de investigacción. Para este artículo proponemos continuar explorando y mostrando nuestros procesos de investigacción ciberfeminista. Partimos de los inicios de nuestras investigacciones hasta el momento actual e incidimos en algunos aspectos que se visibilizan mejor a través de investigaciones específicas y de forma comparada. Nos centraremos, por un lado, en la investigación LeLArt sobre las experiencias y trayectorias TIC de las tecnoartistas y, por el otro, en LeLaCoders, sobre las experiencias y trayectorias TIC de las mujeres desarrolladoras de software libre y/o hackers

Fighting against fuel poverty by collaborating with social services through energy advice: An innovative case from Spain

The aim of this article is to describe the efforts against energy poverty of G oiEner, an energy cooperative in Spain, giving energy advice to the social services of two municipalities, Zarautz and Usurbil. Electricity contracts of low-income households were revised and improvements were proposed, according to the specificities of the Spanish electricity market; prioritising the regulated tariff with social bonus, then time-of-use tariff and optimising power capacity. Switching to the regulated tariff can realise savings of around 10%, theoretically up to a 40% if the rest of the optimizations are included. Unexpectedly, some of the household were reluctant to change the conditions of their contracts. Training sessions were organised so that in the future this intervention could be done without the help of GoiEner. Conclusions can be drawn on how GoiEner can capture the possibilities new technologies, such as smart meters, offer.; El objetivo de este artículo es describir los esfuerzos contra la pobreza energética de GoiEner, una cooperativa energética de España, que presta asesoramiento energético a los servicios sociales de dos municipios, Zarautz y Usurbil. Se revisaron los contratos de electricidad de hogares de bajos ingresos y se propusieron mejoras, de acuerdo con las especificidades del mercado eléctrico español; priorizando la tarifa regulada con bono social, luego la tarifa discriminación horaria y la optimización de la potencia contratada. El cambio a la tarifa regulada puede suponer un ahorro de alrededor del 10%, teóricamente hasta un 40% incluyendo el resto de optimizaciones. Sin embargo, algunos hogares se mostraron reacios a cambiar las condiciones de sus contratos. Se organizaron formaciones para que en el futuro esta intervención pudiera hacerse sin ayuda. Se pueden sacar conclusiones sobre cómo GoiEner podría beneficiarse de las posibilidades que ofrecen las nuevas tecnologías, e.g. medidores inteligentes