230 research outputs found

    Attitude survey of wine sector toward renewables for reducing GHG

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    The objective of this paper is to discover through a survey, the Spanish wine sector’s attitude towards incorporating renewables. To that end, the multivariate statistical technique of factor analysis is applied to the information provided by a sample of 87 wineries stratified by Spanish regions. This resulted in a set of four indicators describing the determinant factors (Cost, Conviction, Motivation and Investment) influencing a winery’s decision to implement renewable energies. Furthermore, a cluster analysis resulted in three groups of completely different wineries. The first contains a 25.3% of the wineries, which are not concerned about environmental issues. The second comprises a 26.7% of the wineries, which are dissuaded from adopting renewables as they perceive a high investment is necessary. The third group involves a 48% of wineries, which are committed to renewables because they are absolutely convinced of their benefits

    A multi-level approach to analyze the effects of renewable energy in the wine sector

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    The objective of this paper is to design a map of the positive effects caused by the implementation, in a winery, of a series of prototypes for substituting non-renewable energies for clean energies. For this aim, we propose the use of a multi-level approach including three analyses: a multi-stakeholder analysis to determine all the interest groups affected by this intervention; a multi-dimensional analysis in order to identify the effects from the triple bottom line of sustainability; and a multi-term analysis to classify the effects depending on when they take place: immediate, intermediate and long-term

    Perceptions of local population on the impacts of substitution of fossil energies by renewables: A case study applied to a Spanish rural area

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    Using the perceptions of a sample of 231 people from a Spanish region as a case study, this paper aims to respond to the increasing demand for measurement of economic, social and environmental performance of renewables implementation. First, from this information, the paper analyzes the willingness to pay of the rural community for the complete replacement of fossil fuels with clean ones throughout the region. Second, it explores this rural community''s perceptions in order to determine the most outstanding outputs, outcomes and impacts for the whole renewable energy penetration

    Diferencias de género en el éxito al dejar de fumar: resultados a corto y largo plazo [Gender differences in success at quitting smoking: Short- and long-term outcomes]

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    Los tratamientos para dejar de fumar son eficaces en hombres y mujeres. Sin embargo, las posibles diferencias encontradas en los resultados del tratamiento aún son objeto de controversia. Este estudio analiza si existen diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en el éxito al dejar de fumar a corto y largo plazo (> 1 año) con un programa de tratamiento que incluye la perspectiva de género. Se realizó una encuesta telefónica en fumadores atendidos en una unidad de tabaquismo. Los pacientes que completaron con éxito el tratamiento (3 meses), fueron encuestados telefónicamente para determinar su abstinencia a largo plazo; se validó la abstinencia mediante cooximetría (CO espirado =10 ppm) en los que se mantenían abstinentes. La probabilidad de permanecer abstinentes a largo plazo se calculó utilizando un análisis de supervivencia de Kaplan-Meier. La tasa de éxito del tratamiento fue de 41, 3% (538/1302), sin diferencias por sexo. El 89% (479/538) fue localizado por teléfono y el 47, 6% (256/479) se mantenía abstinente sin diferencias por sexo (p = , 519); la abstinencia fue validada en 191 de 256 (53, 9% hombres y 46, 1% mujeres). En el análisis de supervivencia, la probabilidad de que los hombres y las mujeres mantuvieran la abstinencia a largo plazo no fue significativa. No hay diferencias por sexo en el resultado del tratamiento para dejar de fumar, que incluyan aspectos de género, a corto y largo plazo (> 1 año). Smoking cessation treatments are effective in men and women. However, possible sex-related differences in the outcome of these treatments remain a controversial topic. This study evaluated whether there were differences between men and women in the success of smoking cessation treatment, including gender-tailored components, in the short and long term (> 1 year). A telephone survey was carried out between September 2008 and June 2009 in smokers attended in a Smoking Cessation Clinic. All patients who have successfully completed treatment (3 months) were surveyed by telephone to determine their long-term abstinence. Those who remained abstinent were requested to attend the Smoking Cessation Clinic for biochemical validation (expired CO =10 ppm). The probability of remaining abstinent in the long-term was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The treatment success rate at 3-months was 41.3% (538/1302) with no differences by sex 89% (479/538) among those located in the telephonic follow-up study and 47.6% (256/479) were abstinent without differences by sex (p =.519); abstinence was validated with CO less than 10 ppm in 191 of the 256 (53.9% men and 46.1% women). In the survival analysis, the probability of men and women remaining abstinent in the long-term was not significant. There are no differences by sex in the outcome of smoking cessation treatment that included gender-tailored components in the short and long term (> 1 year)

    Accurate and efficient arrayed waveguide grating simulations for InP membranes

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    We analyze the Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) response on indium phosphide (InP) membranes on silicon (IMOS) technology. The model is based on an analytical approach [1] that provides a better accuracy than the Gaussian approximation for similar simulation times

    Identification of Homogeneous Groups of Actors in a Local AHP-Multiactor Context with a High Number of Decision-Makers: A Bayesian Stochastic Search

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    The identification of homogeneous groups of actors in a local AHP-multiactor context based on their preferences is an open problem, particularly when the number of decision-makers is high. To solve this problem in the case of using stochastic AHP, this paper proposes a new Bayesian stochastic search methodology for large-scale problems (number of decision-makers greater than 20). The new methodology, based on Bayesian tools for model comparison and selection, takes advantage of the individual preference structures distributions obtained from stochastic AHP to allow the identification of homogeneous groups of actors with a maximum common incompatibility threshold. The methodology offers a heuristic approach with several near-optimal partitions, calculated by the Occam’s window, that capture the uncertainty that is inherent when considering intangible aspects (AHP). This uncertainty is also reflected in the graphs that show the similarities of the decision-maker’s opinions and that can be used to achieve representative collective positions by constructing agreement paths in negotiation processes. If a small number of actors is considered, the proposed algorithm (AHP Bayesian clustering) significantly reduces the computational time of group identification with respect to an exhaustive search method. The methodology is illustrated by a real case of citizen participation based on e-Cognocracy. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

    Spatial hedonic modelling adjusted for preferential sampling

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    Hedonic models are widely used to predict selling prices of properties. Originally, they were proposed as simple spatial regressions, i.e. a spatially referenced response regressed on spatially referenced predictors. Subsequently, spatial random effects were introduced to serve as surrogates for unmeasured or unobservable predictors and were shown to provide better out-of-sample prediction. However, what has been ignored in the literature is the fact that the locations (and times) of the sales are random and, in fact, are an observation of a random point pattern. Here, we first consider whether there is stochastic dependence between the point pattern of locations and the set of responses. If so, a second question is whether incorporating a log-intensity for the point pattern of locations in the hedonic modelling enables improvement in the prediction of selling price. We connect this problem to what is referred to as preferential sampling. Through model comparison we illuminate the role of the point pattern data in the prediction of selling price. Using two different years of property sales from Zaragoza, Spain, we employ both the full database as well as an intentionally biased subset to elaborate this story

    Genetic susceptibility in the development of colorectal adenomas according to family history of colorectal cancer

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    Our study aimed to evaluate the relevance of genetic susceptibility in the development of colorectal adenomas (CRA) and its relationship with the presence of family history of colorectal cancer (CRC). Genomic DNA from 750 cases (first degree relatives of patients with CRC) and 750 controls (subjects with no family history of CRC) was genotyped for 99 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with CRC/CRA risk by GWAS and candidate gene studies by using the MassArray™ (Sequenom) platform. Cases and controls were matched by gender, age and histological lesion. Eight hundred and fifty-eight patients showed no neoplastic lesions, whereas 288 patients showed low-risk adenomas, and 354 patients presented high-risk adenomas. Two SNPs (rs10505477, rs6983267) in the CASC8 gene were associated with a reduced risk of CRA in controls (log-additive models, OR: 0.67, 95%CI:0.54–0.83, and OR:0.66, 95%CI:0.54–0.84, respectively). Stratified analysis by histological lesion revealed the association of rs10505477 and rs6983267 variants with reduced risk of low- and high-risk adenomas in controls, being this effect stronger in low-risk adenomas (log-additive models, OR:0.63, 95%CI:0.47–0.84 and OR:0.64, 95%CI:0.47–0.86, respectively). Moreover, 2 SNPs (rs10795668, rs11255841) in the noncoding LINC00709 gene were significantly associated with a reduced risk of low-risk adenomas in cases (recessive models, OR:0.22, 95%CI:0.06–0.72, and OR:0.08, 95%CI:0.03–0.61) and controls (dominant models, OR:0.50, 95%CI:0.34–0.75, and OR:0.52, 95%CI:0.35–0.78, respectively). In conclusion, some variants associated with CRC risk (rs10505477, rs6983267, rs10795668 and rs11255841) are also involved in the susceptibility to CRA and specific subtypes. These associations are influenced by the presence of family history of CRC

    Movement representation strategies as a tool for educational innovation in physiotherapy students: a randomized single-blind controlled-pilot trial

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    Physiotherapy has a strictly theoretical body of knowledge, but for the most part, the physiotherapist’s learning is practical. The practical part is fundamental to acquire clinical skills that the physiotherapist will later use in professional practice. The main aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of movement representation strategies (MRS) in the improvement of manual skills of physiotherapy students as an educational innovation strategy. We randomly assigned 30 participants to an action observation practice (AOP), motor imagery practice (MIP), or sham observation (SO) group. A high velocity, low amplitude lumbar manipulation technique that is widely used in clinical physiotherapy practice was taught in one session. The primary outcomes were required time and test score. The secondary outcomes were perceived mental fatigue and perceived difficulty for learning. The outcomes were assessed preintervention and immediately after the intervention (postintervention). The main results showed that both AOP and MIP improved the total time required and the test score, as well as entailed less perceived difficulty for learning. However, both strategies showed a higher level of mental fatigue after the intervention, which was higher in the MIP group. Based on the results obtained, it seems that the application of MRS promotes greater learning of manual motor tasks in physiotherapy students and could be used as educational innovation strategies

    Acoustically driven arrayed waveguide grating

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    “© 2015 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited"We demonstrate compact tunable phased-array wavelength-division multiplexers driven by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in the low GHz range. The devices comprise two couplers, which respectively split and combine the optical signal, linked by an array of single-mode waveguides (WGs). Two different layouts are presented, in which multi-mode interference couplers or free propagating regions were separately employed as couplers. The multiplexers operate on five equally distributed wavelength channels, with a spectral separation of 2 nm. A standing SAW modulates the refractive index of the arrayed WGs. Each wavelength component periodically switches paths between the output channel previously asigned by the design and the adjacent channels, at a fixed applied acoustic power. The devices were monolithically fabricated on (Al, Ga) As. A good agreement between theory and experiment is achieved.The authors thank W. Seidel, and S. Rauwerdink for preparation of the devices. This research has been supported by the international campus of excellence VLC/CAMPUS and by the program INNCIDE from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), through the program "Valoritza i Transfereix" from the Vice-Principal of Research and Scientific Policy of the Universitat de Valencia and through the program INNOVA (grant SP20120860) from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. Financial support by the Spanish MINECO Projects TEC2010-21337 and MAT2012-33483 is gratefully acknowledged. A. Crespo-Poveda and B. Gargallo acknowledge financial support through FPI grants BES-2010-036846 and BES-2011-046100, respectively.Crespo-Poveda, A.; Hernandez-Minguez, A.; Gargallo Jaquotot, BA.; Biermann, K.; Tahraoui, A.; Santos, PV.; Munoz, P.... (2015). Acoustically driven arrayed waveguide grating. Optics Express. 23(16):21213-21231. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.021213S21213212312316Dragone, C. (1991). An N*N optical multiplexer using a planar arrangement of two star couplers. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 3(9), 812-815. doi:10.1109/68.84502Talahashi, H., Oda, K., Toba, H., & Inoue, Y. (1995). Transmission characteristics of arrayed waveguide N×N wavelength multiplexer. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 13(3), 447-455. doi:10.1109/50.372441Smit, M. K., & Van Dam, C. (1996). PHASAR-based WDM-devices: Principles, design and applications. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2(2), 236-250. doi:10.1109/2944.577370Munoz, P., Pastor, D., & Capmany, J. (2002). 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