Assessment of heat and entropy balance of an OWC wave energy converter

This paper deals with the thermodynamic processes governing an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) device, focusing on the entropy variation and the energy and heat budgets over the expansion–compression cycles. The influence of the thermodynamic performance on the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and the carbon footprint is analysed. The research deals with an experimental research on a simple OWC off-shore model for the purpose, with the open gas system inside the chamber formulated by a real gas model, and conceptually represented by an equivalent closed one in order to apply the First Principle of Thermodynamics appropriately. Analysed results show that the compression process is an active process, while the expansion process is a passive one. In addition, the observed non-adiabatic performance of the complete cycle implies a efficiency reduction, with consequences on the LCOE. Furthermore, an approach to emergy (embodied energy) analysis is considered, providing with concluding remarks on OWC renewability and possible impacts on the biosphere and GHG emissions. An utter approach on OWC energy and emergy assessment will be develop on future researches.Grant TED2021-131717B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033ERDF A way of making EuropeEuropean UnionEuropean Union NextGenerationEU/PRTRProjects P18-RT-3595 and B-RNM-346-UGR18 funded by Andalusian Regional Governmen

Exergy assessment and sustainability of a simple off-shore oscillating water column device

This work was funded by Andalusian Regional Government, Spain, projects P18-RT-3595 and B-RNM-346-UGR18. Research to be continued under grant TED2021-131717B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and, as appropriate, by ERDF A way of making Europe, by he European Union and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR.This paper present a research on the performance efficiency and sustainability of an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) simple off-shore device, accounting for the influence of governing thermodynamic variables (moisture, temperature, pressure) in the compression/expansion polytropic process. The work proposes a simple off-shore OWC experimental set up as the basis of the study. The analysis takes into consideration both gas subsystems inside and outside the OWC, to achieve a better understanding of the conservative nature of entropy system variable, the net exchange balance, the effects on efficiency and exergy destruction, and the interpretation of the OWC as a thermodynamic engine. Results show that, within the context of the set up, moderate wave climate conditions contribute to a better efficiency of the device in terms of output power, providing with a low impact on exergy destruction and high sustainability in terms of renewability index.Andalusian Regional Government, Spain, projects P18-RT-3595 and B-RNM-346-UGR18Grant TED2021-131717B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033ERDF A way of making Europe, by he European Union and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRT

Evaluación del Servicio de Ayuda a Domicilio: estudio de caso en un área rural

En el ámbito de los Servicios Sociales Generales existe un profundo déficit de investigaciones evaluativas que permitan valorar algunos criterios relevantes. Así mismo, resulta necesario mejorar la evaluación que retroalimente la toma de decisiones en el marco de las políticas sociales. El artículo expone los resultados de una evaluación del Servicio de Ayuda a Domicilio en el medio rural aragonés, cuyo objetivo es estimar la eficacia, la eficiencia, la cobertura y la satisfacción con la prestación. La investigación utiliza un método descriptivo-explicativo que combina técnicas cuantitativas (explotación estadística de sistemas de información de Servicios Sociales y de encuestas propias) y técnicas cualitativas (entrevistas a expertos/ as y profesionales). Las variables de las técnicas incluyen la eficacia del programa, su pertinencia, su eficiencia, la satisfacción de los usuarios, su intensidad y la focalización de usuarios según su grado de dependencia. El estudio destaca la elevada satisfacción de los usuarios, la mejora de su situación sociosanitaria y el reconocimiento por la labor de las auxiliares de Ayuda a Domicilio. Para potenciar el Servicio de Ayuda a Domicilio en contextos rurales con déficit de cuidados y con altos niveles de sobreenvejecimiento de la población se hace imprescindible mejorar su evaluación

Evaluación del Servicio de Ayuda a Domicilio. Una aproximación multimétodo en un contexto dinámico

El reto del perfeccionamiento de los Servicios Sociales Comunitarios ha motivado esta investigación basada en un estudio de campo por parte de un trabajador social con experiencia en el terreno. Desde la puesta en marcha del Plan Concertado de Prestaciones Sociales Básicas han pasado más de treinta años sin que se conozca de unmodo adecuado qué impacto provocan los Servicios Sociales Comunitarios sobre el bienestar de la ciudadanía, pese a que se atiende un importante volumen de población anualmente: más de cinco millones de personas. Uno de los programas más relevantes de estos servicios es el de Ayuda a Domicilio, servicio diseñado para afrontar los retos del envejecimiento poblacional, que en España atiende anualmente a 450.000 personas. Cuidar personas mayores en lugares como la provincia de Teruel supone una actividad particularmente importante dado el envejecimiento de sus pobladores. 9 de cada 10 euros que se invierten en Servicios Sociales Comunitarios en la provincia de Teruel se destinan al programa de Ayuda a Domicilio, lo cual justifica que los esfuerzos investigadores se dirijan al mismo. La contribución planteada propone un modelo de evaluación de este servicio mediante una evaluación exploratoria. Tras el diseño del modelo, se aplicó una evaluación en el Programa de Ayuda a Domicilio de la Comarca de Andorra-Sierra de Arcos (Teruel). Además de posibilitar la validación de ese modelo se aportaron evidencias para satisfacer las necesidades informativas de los responsables del programa investigado. Se empleó una metodología multimétodo debido a la complejidad del objeto de estudio. Tras el estudio realizado se cuenta con una herramienta que puede facilitar aproximaciones evaluativas de mayor alcance. <br /

Spot the Difference-Development of a Syndrome Based Protein Microarray for Specific Serological Detection of Multiple Flavivirus Infections in Travelers

Background The family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, holds many of the world’s most prevalent arboviral diseases that are also considered the most important travel related arboviral infections. In most cases, flavivirus diagnosis in travelers is primarily based on serology as viremia is often low and typically has already been reduced to undetectable levels when symptoms set in and patients seek medical attention. Serological differentiation between flaviviruses and the false-positive results caused by vaccination and cross-reactivity among the different species, are problematic for surveillance and diagnostics of flaviviruses. Their partially overlapping geographic distribution and symptoms, combined with increase in travel, and preexisting antibodies due to flavivirus vaccinations, expand the need for rapid and reliable multiplex diagnostic tests to supplement currently used methods. Goal We describe the development of a multiplex serological protein microarray using recombinant NS1 proteins for detection of medically important viruses within the genus Flavivirus. Sera from clinical flavivirus patients were used for primary development of the protein microarray. Results Results show a high IgG and IgM sensitivity and specificity for individual NS1 antigens, and limited cross reactivity, even within serocomplexes. In addition, the serology based on this array allows for discrimination between infection and vaccination response for JEV vaccine, and no cross-reactivity with TBEV and YFV vaccine induced antibodies when testing for antibodies to other flaviviruses. Conclusion Based on these data, multiplex NS1-based protein microarray is a promising tool for surveillance and diagnosis of flaviviruses.

Spot the Difference—Development of a Syndrome Based Protein Microarray for Specific Serological Detection of Multiple Flavivirus Infections in Travelers

The family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, holds many of the world’s most prevalent arboviral diseases that are also considered the most important travel related arboviral infections. In most cases, flavivirus diagnosis in travelers is primarily based on serology as viremia is often low and typically has already been reduced to undetectable levels when symptoms set in and patients seek medical attention. Serological differentiation between flaviviruses and the false-positive results caused by vaccination and cross-reactivity among the different species, are problematic for surveillance and diagnostics of flaviviruses. Their partially overlapping geographic distribution and symptoms, combined with increase in travel, and preexisting antibodies due to flavivirus vaccinations, expand the need for rapid and reliable multiplex diagnostic tests to supplement currently used methods. We describe the development of a multiplex serological protein microarray using recombinant NS1 proteins for detection of medically important viruses within the genus Flavivirus. Sera from clinical flavivirus patients were used for primary development of the protein microarray. Results show a high IgG and IgM sensitivity and specificity for individual NS1 antigens, and limited cross reactivity, even within serocomplexes. In addition, the serology based on this array allows for discrimination between infection and vaccination response for JEV vaccine, and no cross-reactivity with TBEV and YFV vaccine induced antibodies when testing for antibodies to other flaviviruses Based on these data, multiplex NS1-based protein microarray is a promising tool for surveillance and diagnosis of flaviviruses

Silencing of genes involved in Anaplasma marginale-tick interactions affects the pathogen developmental cycle in Dermacentor variabilis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cattle pathogen, <it>Anaplasma marginale</it>, undergoes a developmental cycle in ticks that begins in gut cells. Transmission to cattle occurs from salivary glands during a second tick feeding. At each site of development two forms of <it>A. marginale </it>(reticulated and dense) occur within a parasitophorous vacuole in the host cell cytoplasm. However, the role of tick genes in pathogen development is unknown. Four genes, found in previous studies to be differentially expressed in <it>Dermacentor variabilis </it>ticks in response to infection with <it>A. marginale</it>, were silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) to determine the effect of silencing on the <it>A. marginale </it>developmental cycle. These four genes encoded for putative glutathione S-transferase (GST), salivary selenoprotein M (SelM), H+ transporting lysosomal vacuolar proton pump (vATPase) and subolesin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The impact of gene knockdown on <it>A. marginale </it>tick infections, both after acquiring infection and after a second transmission feeding, was determined and studied by light microscopy. Silencing of these genes had a different impact on <it>A. marginale </it>development in different tick tissues by affecting infection levels, the densities of colonies containing reticulated or dense forms and tissue morphology. Salivary gland infections were not seen in any of the gene-silenced ticks, raising the question of whether these ticks were able to transmit the pathogen.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this RNAi and light microscopic analyses of tick tissues infected with <it>A. marginale </it>after the silencing of genes functionally important for pathogen development suggest a role for these molecules during pathogen life cycle in ticks.</p