Efficiency of a conductive cement-based anodic system for the application of cathodic protection, cathodic prevention and electrochemical chloride extraction to control corrosion in reinforced concrete structures

This article describes the research carried out regarding the application of cathodic protection (CP) and cathodic prevention (CPrev), in some cases with a pre-treatment of electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE), on representative specimens of reinforced concrete structures, using an anodic system consisting of a graphite-cement paste applied as a coating on the surface. The aim of this research is to find out the competence of this anode for the aforementioned electrochemical treatments. The efficiency of this anode has been clearly demonstrated, as well as its capability to apply a combined process of ECE and after CP.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (and formerly by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through projects BIA2010-20548 and MAT2009-10866, and also through the project PROMETEO/2013/035 of Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)

Highly Conductive Carbon Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Icing Prevention and Curing

This paper aims to study the feasibility of highly conductive carbon fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC) as a self-heating material for ice formation prevention and curing in pavements. Tests were carried out in lab ambient conditions at different fixed voltages and then introduced in a freezer at −15 °C. The specimens inside the freezer were exposed to different fixed voltages when reaching +5 °C for prevention of icing and when reaching the temperature inside the freezer, i.e., −15 °C, for curing of icing. Results show that this concrete could act as a heating element in pavements with risk of ice formation, consuming a reasonable amount of energy for both anti-icing (prevention) and deicing (curing), which could turn into an environmentally friendly and cost-effective deicing method.Authors want to acknowledge Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2013/035) for their economic support on this research, including funds for covering the costs to publish in open access

Red metodológica para Ingeniería y Empresa (Grado Ingeniería Civil) basada en técnicas de aprendizaje colaborativo

Después de varios años de trabajo dedicados a perfilar una nueva metodología docente para la impartición de asignaturas en las titulaciones de Ingeniería Civil, los autores han entendido que el siguiente objetivo de su trabajo debe derivar hacia la optimización de procedimientos de aplicación práctica. La línea de acción de este equipo se orientó hacia los criterios de formación en competencias propugnadas por el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, y se entendió que la metodología debía diseñarse mediante una combinación de técnicas de aprendizaje colaborativo y convencional. Una vez elaborado y puesto en práctica en varias asignaturas, se trata de componer un sistema que se conviene en denominar estructura de red metodológica, válido para posibilitar la aplicación del método diseñado mediante la combinación coordinada de la docencia en tres ámbitos diferentes: clases denominadas seminarios teórico-prácticos, clases de prácticas de problemas y clases de prácticas con ordenador, todas ellas de dos horas de duración. Dado que las distintas clases son dirigidas por diferentes profesores y tienen distintas periodicidades, se considera fundamental planificar la impartición de la materia procurando la máxima sinergia posible entre los tres ámbitos de trabajo, y ello compone el objetivo del presente trabajo

Shape Effect of Electrochemical Chloride Extraction in Structural Reinforced Concrete Elements Using a New Cement-Based Anodic System

This article shows the research carried out by the authors focused on how the shape of structural reinforced concrete elements treated with electrochemical chloride extraction can affect the efficiency of this process. Assuming the current use of different anode systems, the present study considers the comparison of results between conventional anodes based on Ti-RuO2 wire mesh and a cement-based anodic system such as a paste of graphite-cement. Reinforced concrete elements of a meter length were molded to serve as laboratory specimens, to closely represent authentic structural supports, with circular and rectangular sections. Results confirm almost equal performances for both types of anode systems when electrochemical chloride extraction is applied to isotropic structural elements. In the case of anisotropic ones, such as rectangular sections with no uniformly distributed rebar, differences in electrical flow density were detected during the treatment. Those differences were more extreme for Ti-RuO2 mesh anode system. This particular shape effect is evidenced by obtaining the efficiencies of electrochemical chloride extraction in different points of specimens.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (and formerly by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through projects BIA2010-20548 and MAT2009-10866, and also through the project PROMETEO/2013/035 of Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)

Severe beak deformity in Melopsittacus undulatus caused by Knemidocoptes pilae

Se describe un brote de sarna Knemidocoptic causada por Knemidocoptes pilae en periquitos australianos enjaulados (Melopsittacus undulatus), del parque público de L'Eliana (Valencia, España). Cinco individuos (5 de 70) muestran una malformación severa del pico, afectados por rhamphotheca, rhinotheca, y gnathotheca y una ligera desviación lateral de la mandíbula, que no impide, sin embargo, la alimentación o el aseo.An outbreak of knemidocoptic mange caused by Knemidocoptes pilae is described in caged Australian budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in a public park in L´Eliana (Valencia, Spain). Five individuals (5 out of 70) displayed severe malformation of the beak, with the rhamphotheca, rhinotheca, and gnathotheca affected and a slight lateral deviation of the jawbone, which did not, however, impede feeding or grooming.peerReviewe

Diseño de metodología docente para las asignaturas de Gestión y Empresa en las titulaciones de Ingeniería Civil, Grado y Máster

Los autores, componentes de la Red 2833 en este curso lectivo 2012-2013, establecieron el año anterior un esquema de metodología docente para dos asignaturas: “Ingeniería y Empresa” (IE), de primer curso del Grado en Ingeniería Civil, y “Gestión de Proyectos y Obras” (GPO), de cuarto curso de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Se trata de un desarrollo coordinado de la materia a impartir mediante la combinación de técnicas convencionales y colaborativas; aprendizaje basado en problemas y en proyectos (ABP), un desempeño docente con incorporación de técnicas de “coaching” y la implementación de la gestión del portafolios de equipo por parte del alumnado. Se presentan las experiencias obtenidas que en general, constatan la eficiencia de la metodología propuesta, a la vez que se propone la introducción de ciertas variantes de mejora y actualización. El resultado es una propuesta de metodología docente que consolida la línea iniciada pero que a la vez continúa su desarrollo en base a la experiencia obtenida de su aplicación

La música navideña y su proyección periodística

Equipo de Investigación de Análisis y Técnica de la Información HUM21

Governmental Context Determines Institutional Value: Independently Certified Performance and Failure in the Spanish Newspaper Industry

Many societies demand that independent professionals (e.g. auditors) certify the performance of firms. The value placed on such certification (i.e. the public perception of reliability/unreliability that may impact on an organization's success/failure) is not uniform, however, but contingent upon changing political contexts. This study presents and analyses data on the entire population of newspapers in Spain from 1966 to 1993, a time of peaceful transition from military dictatorship to capitalist democracy. Our results highlight the contingent nature of institutional life, demonstrating how changes in political contexts are associated with varying understandings of institutions. In particular, our findings support the prediction that, under a dictatorship, independently certified performance is not instrumental in organizational success or failure whereas, in a modern democracy, the certification process has a positive effect on the survival chances of firms.Publicad

Impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients: A nationwide study in Spain

Objective To assess the effect of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients in Spain. Settings The initial flood of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed an unprepared healthcare system. Different measures were taken to deal with this overburden. The effect of these measures on neurosurgical patients, as well as the effect of COVID-19 itself, has not been thoroughly studied. Participants This was a multicentre, nationwide, observational retrospective study of patients who underwent any neurosurgical operation from March to July 2020. Interventions An exploratory factorial analysis was performed to select the most relevant variables of the sample. Primary and secondary outcome measures Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of mortality and postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Sixteen hospitals registered 1677 operated patients. The overall mortality was 6.4%, and 2.9% (44 patients) suffered a perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infections, 24 were diagnosed postoperatively. Age (OR 1.05), perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 4.7), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) (OR 1.006), postoperative neurological worsening (OR 5.9), postoperative need for airway support (OR 5.38), ASA grade =3 (OR 2.5) and preoperative GCS 3-8 (OR 2.82) were independently associated with mortality. For SARS-CoV-2 postoperative infection, screening swab test <72 hours preoperatively (OR 0.76), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) (OR 1.011), preoperative cognitive impairment (OR 2.784), postoperative sepsis (OR 3.807) and an absence of postoperative complications (OR 0.188) were independently associated. Conclusions Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in neurosurgical patients was associated with an increase in mortality by almost fivefold. Community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) was a statistically independent predictor of mortality. Trial registration number CEIM 20/217