Analysis of Two Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthases in Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110

Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 has five polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases (PhaC) annotated in its genome: bll4360 (phaC1), bll6073 (phaC2), blr3732 (phaC3), blr2885 (phaC4), and bll4548 (phaC5). All these proteins possess the catalytic triad and conserved amino acid residues of polyester synthases and are distributed into four different PhaC classes. We obtained mutants in each of these paralogs and analyzed phaC gene expression and PHA production in liquid cultures. Despite the genetic redundancy, only phaC1 and phaC2 were expressed at significant rates, while PHA accumulation in stationary-phase cultures was impaired only in the phaC1 mutant. Meanwhile, the phaC2 mutant produced more PHA than the wild type under this condition, and surprisingly, the phaC3 transcript increased in the phaC2 background. A double mutant, the phaC2 phaC3 mutant, consistently accumulated less PHA than the phaC2 mutant. PHA accumulation in nodule bacteroids followed a pattern similar to that seen in liquid cultures, being prevented in the phaC1 mutant and increased in the phaC2 mutant in relation to the level in the wild type. Therefore, we used these mutants, together with a phaC1 phaC2 double mutant, to study the B. japonicum PHA requirements for survival, competition for nodulation, and plant growth promotion. All mutants, as well as the wild type, survived for 60 days in a carbon-free medium, regardless of their initial PHA contents. When competing for nodulation against the wild type in a 1:1 proportion, the phaC1 and phaC1 phaC2 mutants occupied only 13 to 15% of the nodules, while the phaC2 mutant occupied 81%, suggesting that the PHA polymer is required for successful competitiveness. However, the bacteroid content of PHA did not affect the shoot dry weight accumulation.Fil: Quelas, Juan Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Mongiardini, Elias Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Giménez, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Parisi, Gustavo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lodeiro, Anibal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentin

Sistema de becas y equidad participativa en la universidad

El objetivo del artículo es analizar el impacto del aumento de tasas universitarias del 66% que se implementó en Cataluña en el cuso 2012-13 y el papel de las becas provenientes del gobierno central. Se analizan los datos de los estudiantes de nuevo acceso de dos universidades catalanas, considerando clase social, titulación elegida y solicitud de beca, y se compara el año anterior y posterior al aumento de las tasas. Se constata cómo hay una diferente composición social en las diferentes titulaciones según coste de la matrícula y dificultad de superar los créditos. Así se muestra una estratificación en las universidades analizadas y un aumento de ésta en los cursos analizados, alejando así el sistema universitario de la equidad participativa de los estudiantes

The Effect of Haptic Feedback on Basic Social. Interaction within Shared Virtual Environments

This paper describes an experiment that studies the effect of basic haptic feedback in creating a sense of social interaction within a shared virtual environment (SVE). Although there have been a number of studies investigating the effect of haptic feedback on collaborative task performance, they do not address the effect it has in inducing social presence. The purpose of this experiment is to show that haptic feedback enhances the sense of social presence within a mediated environment. An experiment was carried out using a shared desktop based virtual environment where 20 remotely located couples who did not know one another had to solve a puzzle together. In 10 groups they had shared haptic communication through their hands, and in another group they did not. Hence the haptic feedback was not used for completing the task itself, but rather as a means of social interacting – communicating with the other participant. The results suggest that basic haptic feedback increases the sense of social presence within the shared VE

Cooperative Learning and the use of Blogs in Higher Education. Assessing a Study in the Field of Undergraduate Teachers’ Formation

Projecte: 2018PID-UB/007Objetivo: Presentar los resultados de un proyecto que fomenta el uso de blogs en varios cursos de Sociología de la Educación en un entorno de enseñanza superior en el primer curso de formación de maestros. Estas dinámicas de blogs han sido concebidas como una forma de promover el aprendizaje cooperativo desde el supuesto de que pueden generar un mayor entendimiento social y ético entre los estudiantes. Metodología: Cinco profesores de diferentes cursos de Sociología de la Educación han llevado a cabo la misma iniciativa durante el primer semestre de dos cursos académicos (2018-2019; 2019-2020). En grupos de tres a cinco, los estudiantes han estado publicando artículos pertinentes a los ejercicios propuestos por el profesor, durante un semestre de 14 semanas. Al final del semestre, los estudiantes han respondido a cuestionarios para evaluar su desempeño y para evaluar la iniciativa de los blogs. Análisis de resultados: Las respuestas a la evaluación han sido globalmente positivas, pero han puesto de relieve la necesidad de un mejor apoyo técnico y la petición de mejorar la creación de aptitudes de aprendizaje cooperativo. Conclusiones: Se sugiere que, aparte de los aspectos técnicos de la creación de blogs, una gran parte de las dificultades surgidas por la actividad se relacionaban con la garantía de las estrategias de aprendizaje cooperativo. Se concluye la importancia dar instrucciones claras sobre la manera de promover la responsabilidad individual y la comunicación de grupo a fin de alentar y equilibrar la participación de los alumnos.Projecte RIMDA. El treball col•laboratiu en xarxa –web 2.0, blog- per aconseguir un major aprenentatge i aprofundiment social i ètic. 2018PID-UB/00

Forest Structure of Pinus ayacahuite in Southern Mexico: A Non-Parametric Analysis

Spatial structure refers to the horizontal and vertical arrangement of individual trees, and the most accurate way to describe it within a community is to characterize tree strata in terms of their dimensions. The aim of this study was to determine the horizontal and vertical structure of pure stands of Pinus ayacahuite Ehrenb. ex Schltdl., in forests of southern Mexico. Forest measurement data from 24 sample plots were used. For analysis of the horizontal structure, diameters within a range of 0.20 cm to 77 cm were used, while for the vertical structure, heights were from 0.09 m to 40.9 m. Non-parametric histograms and Kernel density methods were used in the analysis, and Fisher and Marron multimodality tests were performed. The homogeneity of the forest stands was determined by the coefficient of homogeneity, and the vertical and horizontal structures were described using the stratification proposed by Pretzsch. The results indicate that the horizontal structure corresponds to a diameter distribution with a reversed "J" shape in 79.2% of the sample plots, while 91.8% of the sites were classified as irregular with coefficients of homogeneity of 1.0 to 3.0. In the vertical structure, it was observed that the lower stratum predominated in 75% of the plots, while 25% had a higher concentration of individuals in the middle stratum. The upper stratum had accumulation percentages ranging from 1.3% to 33.3% but did not predominate in any of the plots. According to the multimodality tests, 50% of the plots present multimodality in the horizontal structure, while in the vertical structure this condition is present in 38% of the plots. Knowledge of the spatial structure of Pinus ayacahuite forest stands is essential to define silvicultural strategies that ensure the sustainable functioning of the ecosystem in terms of yield continuity and conservation

Light electric vehicle charging strategy for low impact on the grid

[EN] The alarming increase in the average temperature of the planet due to the massive emission of greenhouse gases has stimulated the introduction of electric vehicles (EV), given transport sector is responsible for more than 25% of the total global CO2 emissions. EV penetration will substantially increase electricity demand and, therefore, an optimization of the EV recharging scenario is needed to make full use of the existing electricity generation system without upgrading requirements. In this paper, a methodology based on the use of the temporal valleys in the daily electricity demand is developed for EVrecharge, avoiding the peak demand hours to minimize the impact on the grid. The methodology assumes three different strategies for the recharge activities: home, public buildings, and electrical stations. It has been applied to the case of Spain in the year 2030, assuming three different scenarios for the growth of the total fleet: low, medium, and high. For each of them, three different levels for the EV penetration by the year 2030 are considered: 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively. Only light electric vehicles (LEV), cars and motorcycles, are taken into account given the fact that batteries are not yet able to provide the full autonomy desired by heavy vehicles. Moreover, heavy vehicles have different travel uses that should be separately considered. Results for the fraction of the total recharge to be made in each of the different recharge modes are deduced with indication of the time intervals to be used in each of them. For the higher penetration scenario, 75% of the total park, an almost flat electricity demand curve is obtained. Studies are made for working days and for non-working days.One of the authors was supported by the Generalitat Valenciana under the grant ACIF/2018/106.Bastida-Molina, P.; Hurtado-Perez, E.; Pérez Navarro, Á.; Alfonso-Solar, D. (2021). Light electric vehicle charging strategy for low impact on the grid. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 28(15):18790-18806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08901-2S18790188062815Adnan, N., Nordin S. M., Rahman I., Amini M. H. (2017) A market modeling review study on predicting Malaysian consumer behavior towards widespread adoption of PHEV/EV, Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Springer Verlag, 24(22), pp. 17955–17975. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9153-8AECC. (2018). Available at: http://www.aedecc.com/enlaces-de-interes/informacion-estadistica/ ()Ahmadi L, Croiset E, Elkamel A, Douglas P, Unbangluang W, Entchev E (2012) Impact of PHEVs penetration on Ontario’s electricity grid and environmental considerations. Energies 5(12):5019–5037. https://doi.org/10.3390/en5125019Akitt, J. W. (2018) Some observations on the greenhouse effect at the Earth’s surface, Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. Elsevier, 188, pp. 127–134. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SAA.2017.06.051Al-Alawi BM, Bradley TH (2013) Review of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicle market modeling studies. Renew Sust Energ Rev 21:190–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.12.048Alhazmi YA, Mostafa HA, Salama MMA (2017) Optimal allocation for electric vehicle charging stations using trip success ratio. Int J Electr Power Energy Syst 91:101–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2017.03.009Bagher Sadati, S. M., Moshtagh J., Shafie-khah M., Rastgou A., Catalão J. P.S. (2019) Operational scheduling of a smart distribution system considering electric vehicles parking lot: a bi-level approach, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 105, pp. 159–178. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2018.08.021Baran, R. and Legey, L. F. L. (2013) The introduction of electric vehicles in Brazil: impacts on oil and electricity consumption, Technological Forecasting and Social Change. North-Holland, 80(5), pp. 907–917. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TECHFORE.2012.10.024Bjerkan, K. Y., Nørbech, T. E. and Nordtømme, M. E. (2016) Incentives for promoting battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption in Norway, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. Pergamon, 43, pp. 169–180. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRD.2015.12.002Canals Casals, L., Martinez-Laserna E., Amante García B., Nieto N. (2016) Sustainability analysis of the electric vehicle use in Europe for CO2 emissions reduction, Journal of Cleaner Production. Elsevier, 127, pp. 425–437. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2016.03.120Ceballos Delgado, J. E., Caicedo Bravo, E. and Ospina Arango, S. (2016) A methodological proposal to measure the impact of electric vehicles on the electric grid, Ingeniería. Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, 21(2), pp. 154–175. doi: https://doi.org/10.14483/udistrital.jour.reving.2016.2.a03Clairand J-M, Rodríguez-García J, Álvarez-Bel C (2018) Electric vehicle charging strategy for isolated systems with high penetration of renewable generation. Energies 11(11):3188. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11113188Dang, Q. (2018) Electric vehicle (EV) charging management and relieve impacts in grids, 9th IEEE International Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PEDG.2018.8447802Dang, Q. and Huo, Y. (2018) Modeling EV fleet load in distribution grids: a data-driven approach, in 2018 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC). IEEE, pp 720–724. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ITEC.2018.8450195Danté, A. W., Agbossou K., Kelouwani S., Cardenas A., Bouchard J. (2019) Online modeling and identification of plug-in electric vehicles sharing a residential station, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 108, pp. 162–176. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2018.12.024Deb S et al (2018) Impact of electric vehicle charging station load on distribution network. Energies 11(1):178. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11010178Desai RR, Chen RB, Armington W (2018) A pattern analysis of daily electric vehicle charging profiles: operational efficiency and environmental impacts. J Adv Transp 2018:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6930932DGT (2017) Vehicle fleet historical data base. Available at: http://www.dgt.es/es/seguridad-vial/estadisticas-e-indicadores/parque-vehiculos/series-historicas/ ()DGT (2019) Traffic information. Available at: http://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/ ()Dijk, M., Orsato, R. J. and Kemp, R. (2013) The emergence of an electric mobility trajectory, Energy Policy. Elsevier, 52, pp. 135–145. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2012.04.024Eurostat (2018) Database - Eurostat. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/lfs/data/database (Accessed: 2 August 2019)Galiveeti, H. R., Goswami, A. K. and Dev Choudhury, N. B. (2018) Impact of plug-in electric vehicles and distributed generation on reliability of distribution systems, Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal. Elsevier, 21(1), pp. 50–59. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JESTCH.2018.01.005Gong L et al (2018) Spatial and temporal optimization strategy for plug-in electric vehicle charging to mitigate impacts on distribution network. Energies 11(6):1373. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11061373Hasan, M. A., Frame D. J., Chapman R., Archie K. M. (2019) Emissions from the road transport sector of New Zealand: key drivers and challenges, Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Springer Verlag, 26(23), pp. 23937–23957. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05734-6IDAE (2012) Technological electric mobility map. Available at: http://www.idae.es/uploads/documentos/documentos_Movilidad_Electrica_ACC_c603f868.pdf (Accessed: 7 January 2019)INE (2018) Average distance covered by vehicles fleet. Available at: http://www.ine.es/jaxi/Tabla.htm?path=/t25/p500/2008/p10/l0/&file=10020.px&L=0 (Accessed: 30 December 2018)Limmer, S. and Rodemann, T. (2019) Peak load reduction through dynamic pricing for electric vehicle charging, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 113, pp. 117–128. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2019.05.031Liu Z, Wu Q, Nielsen A, Wang Y (2014) Day-ahead energy planning with 100% electric vehicle penetration in the Nordic Region by 2050. Energies 7(3):1733–1749. https://doi.org/10.3390/en7031733López, M. A., de la Torre S., Martín S., Aguado J.A. (2015) Demand-side management in smart grid operation considering electric vehicles load shifting and vehicle-to-grid support, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 64, pp. 689–698. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2014.07.065Luca de Tena D, Pregger T (2018) Impact of electric vehicles on a future renewable energy-based power system in Europe with a focus on Germany. Int J Energy Res 42(8):2670–2685. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4056Mao, D., Gao, Z. and Wang, J. (2019) An integrated algorithm for evaluating plug-in electric vehicle’s impact on the state of power grid assets, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 105, pp. 793–802. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2018.09.028Martínez-Lao, J. et al. (2017) Electric vehicles in Spain: an overview of charging systems, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Pergamon. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSER.2016.11.239.Morrissey, P., Weldon, P. and O’Mahony, M. (2016) Future standard and fast charging infrastructure planning: an analysis of electric vehicle charging behaviour, Energy Policy. Elsevier, 89, pp. 257–270. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2015.12.001Ortega-Vazquez MA, Bouffard F, Silva V (2013) Electric vehicle aggregator/system operator coordination for charging scheduling and services procurement. IEEE Trans Power Syst 28(2):1806–1815. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRS.2012.2221750PNIEC (2019) Spanish climate change draft law. Available at: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/prensa/ultimas-noticias/el-consejo-de-ministros-da-luz-verde-al-anteproyecto-de-ley-de-cambio-climático-/tcm:30-487294 ()REE (2017a) Electrical demand, energy generation structure and CO2 emissions. Available at: https://demanda.ree.es/visiona/peninsula/demanda/total/2018-10-16 ()REE (2017b) Historical data base. Available at: https://www.ree.es/es/estadisticas-del-sistema-electrico-espanol/series-estadisticas/series-estadisticas-nacionales ()REE (2018) Electric mobility guide for local entities. Available at: https://www.ree.es/sites/default/files/downloadable/Guia_movilidad_electrica_para_entidades_locales.pdf (Accessed: 31 July 2019)Su, J., Lie, T. T. and Zamora, R. (2019) Modelling of large-scale electric vehicles charging demand: a New Zealand case study, Electric Power Systems Research. Elsevier, 167, pp. 171–182. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EPSR.2018.10.030Sundstrom O, Binding C (2012) Flexible charging optimization for electric vehicles considering distribution grid constraints. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid 3(1):26–37. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSG.2011.2168431Teixeira ACR, Sodré JR (2018) Impacts of replacement of engine powered vehicles by electric vehicles on energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. Pergamon 59:375–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRD.2018.01.004Tietge, U., Díaz, S., et al. (2016a) From laboratory to road: a 2016 update of official and “real-world” fuel consumption and CO2 values for passenger cars in Europe, The International Council on Clean Transportation. Available at: https://theicct.org/publications/laboratory-road-2016-updateTietge, U., Mock, P., et al. (2016b) Real-world fuel consumption of popular European passenger car models | International Council on Clean Transportation, The International Council on Clean Transportation. Available at: https://www.theicct.org/publications/real-world-fuel-consumption-popular-european-passenger-car-modelsValsera-Naranjo E, Sumper A, Villafafila-Robles R, Martínez-Vicente D (2012) Probabilistic method to assess the impact of charging of electric vehicles on distribution grids. Energies. Molecular Diversity Preservation International 5(5):1503–1531. https://doi.org/10.3390/en5051503Wang, L. and Chen, B. (2019) Distributed control for large-scale plug-in electric vehicle charging with a consensus algorithm, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 109, pp. 369–383. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2019.02.020Wang Y, Infield D (2018) Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation of electric vehicle use for network integration studies. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier 99:85–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2018.01.008Wang X, Wei X, Dai H (2019) Estimation of state of health of lithium-ion batteries based on charge transfer resistance considering different temperature and state of charge. Journal of Energy Storage. Elsevier Ltd 21:618–631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2018.11.020Zhang, K. et al. (2019) Parameter identification and state of charge estimation of NMC cells based on improved ant lion optimizer, Mathematical Problems in Engineering, pp. 1–18. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4961045Zhao X, Ma J, Wang S, Ye Y, Wu Y, Yu M (2018a) Developing an electric vehicle urban driving cycle to study differences in energy consumption. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Springer Verlag 26(14):13839–13853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3541-6Zhao, X., Yu, Q., et al. (2018b) Development of a representative EV urban driving cycle based on a k-means and SVM hybrid clustering algorithm, Journal of Advanced Transportation, pp. 1–18. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/189075

What is the problem? The obstacles to the electrification of urban mobility in Mediterranean cities. Case study of Valencia, Spain

[EN] The transport sector is answerable for around a quarter of the global CO2 emissions sent into the atmosphere, and 50% of the greenhouse gases in the cities. Considering a staggered introduction of renewable sources in the electricity mix, the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) in the urban transport network arises as a necessary environmental solution. However, their integration is facing a wide range of barriers, many of them only qualitatively known, or uncertain. This paper presents a multicriteria methodology to assess such obstacles to the electrification of urban transport of Mediterranean flat medium cities. This analysis considers context analysis, literature review, and the application of the Multi Criteria Decision Making Method: Analytic Network Process, with the aid of a panel of experts representing quadruple helix involvement (Government, Business, Society and Academia). As a case study, the city of Valencia (Spain) was chosen, which has been in a deep transition of mobility in recent decades. Results revealed that the most influential barriers turned out to be the insufficient subsidies for EVs' development, the battery autonomy power and the CapEx of batteries. Moreover, private passenger transport followed by freight transport ranked as the most affected urban transport alternatives.We really appreciate the help of our ten experts in the field. Without them, we could not have carried out the research. There was no familiarity bias/conflict of interest with them. This work was supported in part by the Spanish Public Administration "Ministerio de Universidades" under the grant Margarita Salas-Universitat Polite`cnica de Vale`ncia (MS/19) , funded by the European Union-Next Generation EU.Bastida-Molina, P.; Ribó-Pérez, DG.; Gómez-Navarro, T.; Hurtado-Perez, E. (2022). What is the problem? The obstacles to the electrification of urban mobility in Mediterranean cities. Case study of Valencia, Spain. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 166:1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.11264911716

Comprehensive Methodology for Sustainable Power Supply in Emerging Countries

[EN] Electricity has become one of the main driving forces for development, especially in remote areas where the lack of energy is linked to poverty. Traditionally, in these areas power is supplied by grid extension projects, which are expensive, or stand-alone systems based on fossil fuels. An actual alternative to these solutions is community micro-grid projects based on distributed renewable energy sources. However, these solutions need to introduce a holistic approach in order to be successfully implemented in real cases. The main purpose of this research work is the definition and development of a comprehensive methodology to encourage the use of decentralized renewable power systems to provide power supply to non-electrified areas. The methodology follows a top-down approach. Its main novelty is that it interlinks a macro and micro analysis dimension, considering not only the energy context of the country where the area under study is located and its development towards a sustainable scenario; but also the potential of renewable power generation, the demand side management opportunities and the socio-economic aspects involved in the final decision on what renewable energy solution would be the most appropriate for the considered location. The implementation of this methodology provides isolated areas a tool for sustainable energy development based on an environmentally friendly and socially participatory approach. Results of implementing the methodology in a case study showed the importance of introducing a holistic approach in supplying power energy to isolated areas, stating the need for involving all the different stakeholders in the decision-making process. Despite final raking on sustainable power supply solutions may vary from one area to another, the implementation of the methodology follows the same procedure, which makes it an inestimable tool for governments, private investors and local communities.This research was funded by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and Generalitat Valenciana, grant references SP20180248 and GV/2017/023, respectively.Peñalvo-López, E.; Pérez-Navarro, Á.; Hurtado-Perez, E.; Cárcel Carrasco, FJ. (2019). Comprehensive Methodology for Sustainable Power Supply in Emerging Countries. Sustainability. 11(19):1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195398S1221119LOKEN, E. (2007). Use of multicriteria decision analysis methods for energy planning problems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(7), 1584-1595. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2005.11.005Cherni, J. A., Dyner, I., Henao, F., Jaramillo, P., Smith, R., & Font, R. O. (2007). Energy supply for sustainable rural livelihoods. A multi-criteria decision-support system. Energy Policy, 35(3), 1493-1504. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2006.03.026Gabaldón-Estevan, D., Peñalvo-López, E., & Alfonso Solar, D. (2018). The Spanish Turn against Renewable Energy Development. Sustainability, 10(4), 1208. doi:10.3390/su10041208Ouyang, W., Cheng, H., Zhang, X., & Yao, L. (2010). Distribution network planning method considering distributed generation for peak cutting. Energy Conversion and Management, 51(12), 2394-2401. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2010.05.003Chaurey, A., Ranganathan, M., & Mohanty, P. (2004). Electricity access for geographically disadvantaged rural communities—technology and policy insights. Energy Policy, 32(15), 1693-1705. doi:10.1016/s0301-4215(03)00160-5CARCEL CARRASCO, F. J., PEÑALVO LOPEZ, E., & DE MURGA, G. (2018). OFICINAS AUTO-SOSTENIBLES PARA LAS AGENCIAS DE AYUDA INTERNACIONAL EN ZONAS GEOGRÁFICAS REMOTAS. DYNA INGENIERIA E INDUSTRIA, 94(1), 272-277. doi:10.6036/8507Erdinc, O., & Uzunoglu, M. (2012). Optimum design of hybrid renewable energy systems: Overview of different approaches. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(3), 1412-1425. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2011.11.011Al-falahi Monaaf D.A., Jayasinghe, S. D. G., & Enshaei, H. (2017). A review on recent size optimization methodologies for standalone solar and wind hybrid renewable energy system. Energy Conversion and Management, 143, 252-274. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.04.019Bajpai, P., & Dash, V. (2012). Hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation in stand-alone applications: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(5), 2926-2939. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2012.02.009Pérez-Navarro, A., Alfonso, D., Ariza, H. E., Cárcel, J., Correcher, A., Escrivá-Escrivá, G., … Vargas, C. (2016). Experimental verification of hybrid renewable systems as feasible energy sources. Renewable Energy, 86, 384-391. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.030Al-Alawi, A., & Islam, S. . (2004). Demand side management for remote area power supply systems incorporating solar irradiance model. Renewable Energy, 29(13), 2027-2036. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2004.03.006Ardakani, F. J., & Ardehali, M. M. (2014). Novel effects of demand side management data on accuracy of electrical energy consumption modeling and long-term forecasting. Energy Conversion and Management, 78, 745-752. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.019Kavrakoǧlu, I., & Kiziltan, G. (1983). Multiobjective strategies in power systems planning. European Journal of Operational Research, 12(2), 159-170. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(83)90219-9Pohekar, S. D., & Ramachandran, M. (2004). Application of multi-criteria decision making to sustainable energy planning—A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 8(4), 365-381. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2003.12.007Kabak, M., & Dağdeviren, M. (2014). Prioritization of renewable energy sources for Turkey by using a hybrid MCDM methodology. Energy Conversion and Management, 79, 25-33. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.036Peñalvo-López, E., Cárcel-Carrasco, F., Devece, C., & Morcillo, A. (2017). A Methodology for Analysing Sustainability in Energy Scenarios. Sustainability, 9(9), 1590. doi:10.3390/su9091590HOMER Pro® Microgrid Software, the Micro-Power Optimization Model; HOMER Pro 3.13, HOMER Energyhttps://www.homerenergy.com/products/pro/index.htmlSuper Decisions Softwarehttps://www.superdecisions.com/ENRGYPLAN Advanced Energy System Analysishttp://www.energyplan.eu/LEAP Code Energy Analysishttps://www.energycommunity.org/default.asp?action=introductionRodríguez-García, Ribó-Pérez, Álvarez-Bel, & Peñalvo-López. (2019). Novel Conceptual Architecture for the Next-Generation Electricity Markets to Enhance a Large Penetration of Renewable Energy. Energies, 12(13), 2605. doi:10.3390/en12132605Huld, T., Müller, R., & Gambardella, A. (2012). A new solar radiation database for estimating PV performance in Europe and Africa. Solar Energy, 86(6), 1803-1815. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2012.03.006Fischer, G., & Schrattenholzer, L. (2001). Global bioenergy potentials through 2050. Biomass and Bioenergy, 20(3), 151-159. doi:10.1016/s0961-9534(00)00074-xHurtado, E., Peñalvo-López, E., Pérez-Navarro, Á., Vargas, C., & Alfonso, D. (2015). Optimization of a hybrid renewable system for high feasibility application in non-connected zones. Applied Energy, 155, 308-314. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.09

Effect of Extra Dimensions on Gauge Coupling Unification

The effects of extra dimensions on gauge coupling unification is studied. We start with a comparison between power law running of the gauge couplings in models with extra dimensions and logarithmic running that happens in many realistic cases. We then discuss the effect of extra dimensions on various classes of unification models. We identify products of evolution coefficients that dictate the profile of unification in different models. We use them to study under what conditions unification of couplings can occur in both one and two step unification models. We find that Kaluza-Klein modes can help generate interesting intermediate scale models with gauge coupling unification such as the minimal left-right models with the seesaw mechanism with a $M_{W_R}\sim 10^{13}$ GeV intermediate scale, useful in understanding neutrino oscillations. We also obtain several examples where the presence of noncanonical normalization of couplings enables us to obtain unification scales around $10^{11}$ GeV. This fits very well into a class of models proposed recently where the string scale is advocated to be at this value from physical arguments.Comment: LaTeX file, uses epsf style, 29 pages, five PS figures. Minor changes. Some scenarios removed (version to appear in Nucl Phys B