Factors affecting energy-efficiency investment in the hotel industry: survey results from Spain

Increasing energy efficiency is a major way of saving energy and thus reducing energy expenses. However, adoption of energy efficiency is generally low, as demonstrated by the energy efficiency gap. To understand that gap, this paper analyses the factors that affect how the energy efficiency attribute is rated in investment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the hotel industry in Spain. A survey conducted on two hundred owners of hotels, hostels and holiday cottages (referred to jointly here for the sake of convenience as the hotel industry ) shows that the value placed on energy efficiency is influenced not just by climate conditions, environmental concern and type of hotel but also by other attributes of the HVAC system such as brand reliability, price and performance. The hotel industry may also be identifying EE as a proxy for quality rather than savings. Designing the right energy-efficiency policy entails accounting for potential responses by agents, and this analysis helps identify those drivers to which they may or may not respond. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature.This study was undertaken as a part of the CONSumer Energy Efficiency Decision making (CONSEED) project, an EU-funded H2020 research project under grant agreement number 723741. This research is also supported by the Spanish State Research Agency through María de Maeztu Excellence Unit accreditation 2018-2022 (Ref. MDM-2017- 0714) and the Basque Government BERC programme. Financial support from the Government of Spain and the European Regional Development Fund through grants RTI2018-093692-B-I00, RTC2019- 007315-3 and RED2018-102794-T is gratefully acknowledged

Consumers’ preferences regarding energy efficiency: a qualitative analysis based on the household and services sectors in Spain

Informational failures frequently lead consumers to make non-optimal energy-efficient purchasing decisions. Energy efficiency labels seek to influence consumer behaviour at the point of sale by reducing informational failures regarding energy efficiency. However, several informational and behavioural factors contribute to the energy efficiency gap and could render label-oriented policies useless. The purchasing decision model of Allcott and Greenstone (The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 26, 3 28, 2012) is used here to explore the different factors that influence purchasing decisions and understand (i) the importance of energy consumption compared to other attributes; (ii) how consumers weight energy savings and (iii) what other benefits and costs influence the purchase of energy-efficient goods. The analysis reported here is based on qualitative research methods and is conducted in the household and service sectors (the accommodation sector and private service companies), for appliances, heating and cooling systems and cars in Spain. Results show that (i) there is still an informational gap regarding energy labels and (ii) bounded rationality and end-user behaviour are important limiting factors for the purchase of energy-efficient goods in Spain. © 2020, The Author(s).This work was undertaken as a part of the CONSumer Energy Efficiency Decision making (CONSEED) project, an EU-funded H2020 research project under grant agreement number 723741. This research is also supported by the Spanish State Research Agency through María de Maeztu Excellence Unit accreditation 2018-2022 (Ref. MDM-2017-0714). Amaia de Ayala would like to thank the financial support of Fundación Ramón Areces under the project entitled “La toma de decisiones de los hogares en eficiencia energética: determinantes y diseño de políticas”

The ecology and vocalisations of Banded Ground-Cuckoo Neomorphus radiolosus

El Cuco-Hormiguero Franjeado Neomorphus radiolosus es un ave rara, con problemas de conservación y cuya información sobre comportamiento y biología es deficiente. Cualquier dato adicional en este aspecto representa un instrumento importante para su conservación. Presentamos nuevos datos sobre su compartamiento en base a individuos observados en la Estación Biológica Jatun Sacha Bilsa, Esmeraldas, Ecuador, y la Reserva El Pangan, Nariño, Colombia

A Survey on the Application of Evolutionary Algorithms for Mobile Multihop Ad Hoc Network Optimization Problems

Evolutionary algorithms are metaheuristic algorithms that provide quasioptimal solutions in a reasonable time. They have been applied to many optimization problems in a high number of scientific areas. In this survey paper, we focus on the application of evolutionary algorithms to solve optimization problems related to a type of complex network likemobilemultihop ad hoc networks. Since its origin, mobile multihop ad hoc network has evolved causing new types of multihop networks to appear such as vehicular ad hoc networks and delay tolerant networks, leading to the solution of new issues and optimization problems. In this survey, we review the main work presented for each type of mobile multihop ad hoc network and we also present some innovative ideas and open challenges to guide further research in this topic

Towards FAIRification of sensitive and fragmented rare disease patient data: challenges and solutions in European reference network registries

Introduction: Rare disease patient data are typically sensitive, present in multiple registries controlled by different custodians, and non-interoperable. Making these data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) for humans and machines at source enables federated discovery and analysis across data custodians. This facilitates accurate diagnosis, optimal clinical management, and personalised treatments. In Europe, twenty-four European Reference Networks (ERNs) work on rare disease registries in different clinical domains. The process and the implementation choices for making data FAIR (‘FAIRification’) differ among ERN registries. For example, registries use different software systems and are subject to different legal regulations. To support the ERNs in making informed decisions and to harmonise FAIRification, the FAIRification steward team was established to work as liaisons between ERNs and researchers from the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases. Results: The FAIRification steward team inventoried the FAIRification challenges of the ERN registries and proposed solutions collectively with involved stakeholders to address them. Ninety-eight FAIRification challenges from 24 ERNs’ registries were collected and categorised into “training” (31), “community” (9), “modelling” (12), “implementation” (26), and “legal” (20). After curating and aggregating highly similar challenges, 41 unique FAIRification challenges remained. The two categories with the most challenges were “training” (15) and “implementation” (9), followed by “community” (7), and then “modelling” (5) and “legal” (5). To address all challenges, eleven types of solutions were proposed. Among them, the provision of guidelines and the organisation of training activities resolved the “training” challenges, which ranged from less-technical “coffee-rounds” to technical workshops, from informal FAIR Games to formal hackathons. Obtaining implementation support from technical experts was the solution type for tackling the “implementation” challenges. Conclusion: This work shows that a dedicated team of FAIR data stewards is an asset for harmonising the various processes of making data FAIR in a large organisation with multiple stakeholders. Additionally, multi-levelled training activities are required to accommodate the diverse needs of the ERNs. Finally, the lessons learned from the experience of the FAIRification steward team described in this paper may help to increase FAIR awareness and provide insights into FAIRification challenges and solutions of rare disease registries

Agresión sexual intrafamiliar y extrafamiliar y su asociación con el consumo de alcohol

OBJETIVO: Analizar la prevalencia de las agresiones sexuales intrafamiliares y extrafamiliares en adolescentes del Perú y su asociación con el consumo de alcohol. MÉTODOS: Se utilizó un muestreo probabilístico bietápico y estratificado para seleccionar estudiantes varones y mujeres de educación secundaria de todo el Perú. Los datos de 54,756 estudiantes que incluían información demográfica, sobre consumo de alcohol y drogas, y agresión sexual fueron incluidos en el estudio. En el análisis estadístico se consideró el muestreo complejo y se condujeron dos análisis independientes por el tipo de agresión sexual (intrafamiliar y extrafamiliar), estratificado por el sexo de la víctima. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de vida de las agresiones sexuales intrafamiliares (5.4%, IC95% 5.0–5.8) fue similar al de las agresiones extrafamiliares (6.1%, IC95% 5.6–6.6). El consumo de alcohol en el último año se asoció con las agresiones sexuales intrafamiliares y extrafamiliares que ocurrieron en el mismo periodo después de ajustar por los factores de confusión. El consumo de alcohol en el último año se asoció a las formas no físicas y físicas de agresión sexuales intrafamiliares y extrafamiliares en el análisis desagregado por tipo de agresión. El consumo de alcohol en el último año se asoció con las violaciones sexuales extrafamiliares sólo entre las mujeres (ORa = 2.8; IC95% 1.3–5.9). CONCLUSIONES: La agresión sexual de adolescentes mujeres y varones por miembros familiares es una forma frecuente de victimización que se asocia al consumo de alcohol en el Perú. Es importante indagar por esta forma de victimización en adolescentes, especialmente los que consumen alcohol.OBJECTIVE: Analyze the prevalence of intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual assault in adolescents of Peru and its association with alcohol consumption. METHODS: We used a two-step and stratified probabilistic sampling to select male and female students in secondary education from all over Peru. The study included data from 54,756 students with information on demographics, alcohol and drug use, and sexual assault. The statistical analysis considered the complex sampling and we conducted two independent analyses by type of sexual assault (intrafamilial and extrafamilial), stratified by the sex of the victim. RESULTS: The prevalence of life of intrafamilial sexual assaults (5.4%, 95%CI 5.0–5.8) was similar to that of extrafamilial sexual assaults (6.1%, 95%CI 5.6–6.6). Alcohol consumption in the past year was associated with intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual assaults that occurred in the same period after adjusting for confounders. Alcohol consumption in the past year was associated with non-physical and physical forms of intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual assaults in the disaggregated analysis by type of assault. Alcohol consumption in the past year was associated with extrafamilial rape only among females (ORa = 2.8; 95%CI 1.3–5.9). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual assault against adolescent males and females by family members is a frequent form of victimization that is associated with alcohol consumption in Peru. It is important to examine this form of victimization among adolescents, especially those who consume alcohol

Veliparib in Combination With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Multicenter Phase III Study

PURPOSE Squamous non–small-cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) is genetically complex with evidence of DNA damage. This phase III study investigated the efficacy and safety of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor veliparib in combination with conventional chemotherapy for advanced sqNSCLC (NCT02106546). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients age ≥ 18 years with untreated, advanced sqNSCLC were randomly assigned 1:1 to carboplatin and paclitaxel with veliparib 120 mg twice daily (twice a day) or placebo twice a day for up to six cycles. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) in the veliparib arm versus the control arm in current smokers, based on phase II findings. Archival tumor samples were provided for biomarker analysis using a 52-gene expression histology classifier (LP52). RESULTS Overall, 970 patients were randomly assigned to carboplatin and paclitaxel plus either veliparib (n = 486) or placebo (n = 484); 57% were current smokers. There was no significant OS benefit with veliparib in current smokers, with median OS 11.9 versus 11.1 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.905; 95% CI, 0.744 to 1.101; P = .266). In the overall population, OS favored veliparib; median OS was 12.2 versus 11.2 months (HR, 0.853; 95% CI, 0.747 to 0.974), with no difference in progression-free survival (median 5.6 months per arm). In patients with biomarker-evaluable tumor samples (n = 360), OS favored veliparib in the LP52-positive population (median 14.0 v 9.6 months; HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.89), but favored placebo in the LP52-negative population (median 11.0 v 14.4 months; HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.86). No new safety signals were observed in the experimental arm. CONCLUSION In current smokers with advanced sqNSCLC, there was no therapeutic benefit of adding veliparib to first-line chemotherapy. The LP52 signature may identify a subgroup of patients likely to derive benefit from veliparib with chemotherapy

New records of <i>Catamblyrhynchus diadema</i> for Northwestern Argentina

The first record of the Plushcap ( <i>Catamblyrhynchus diadema</i>) for Salta province is given based in a collected specimen. New records for Jujuy province are reported. A immature plumage is described and information about the habits is discussed by means ofthe bibliography and field notes

Prevalence, intensity and extent of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances associated with self-perceived malocclusion in 11-12-year-old children

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence, intensity and extent of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances associated with self-perceived malocclusion among Peruvian schoolchildren. METHODS: Eight hundred and five children aged 11 to 12 years attending 4 of 7 randomly selected schools linked to a Health Centre in Lima, Peru, participated in the study. The Spanish (Peru)Child-OIDP was used to assess the prevalence, intensity and extent of oral impacts on 8 daily performances (eating, speaking, teeth cleaning, sleeping, smiling, studying, emotion and social contact). Self-perceived malocclusion included complaints about position of teeth, spacing of teeth and deformity of mouth or face. The prevalence of oral impacts was compared by covariables using the Chi-square test, whereas the intensity and extent of oral impacts were compared by covariables through the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Only 15.5% of children reported impacts associated with self-perceived malocclusion during the last 3 months. Of them, 18.4% reported impacts of severe or very severe intensity and 76.0% reported impacts on only one daily performance. Psychosocial activities such as smiling, emotion and social contact were the most frequently and severely impacted everyday activities. CONCLUSION: Impacts of self-perceived malocclusion primarily affected psychological and social everyday activities. These findings provide further evidence to support the importance of psychological and social components of oral health on children's lives