Solar potential of roofs : an index for different urban layouts

Volumetric distribution of the built form really affects the capability of an urban environment to integrate renewable energy, with specific regard to active and passive use of solar radiation collected by the building envelope. The solar potential of a generic surface does not directly correspond to the energy received, but is related to the effective possibilities for exploitation. This study deals with defining an index of horizontal solar collection which expresses the amount of direct solar radiation received by roofs compared to the corresponding overall gross floor area of an urban block. This parameter represents a significant tool in assessing the efficiency of different types of buildings with regard to technical use of solar gains. The proportion between height and the plan of a building assumes a crucial role. The comparative analysis presented here seeks to examine the relationship between slenderness and potential of an urban block to match its overall domestic hot water through solar gains. The results allow formulation of early considerations about the most appropriate distribution of horizontal and vertical exposure surfaces and about the combination of active and passive use of solar energy.Postprint (published version

Transient phenomenological modelling of photoelectrochemical cells for water splitting: application to undoped hematite electrodes

A phenomenological model is proposed for a better understanding of the basic mechanismsof photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. The main assumptions of the one-dimensionaltransient phenomenological model are: i) bulk recombination of the conduction bandelectrons with holes in the valence band; ii) the mobile charge transport takes place viadiffusion, which arises from the concentration profiles, and migration, caused bya macroscopic electric field; iii) negligible effects of microscopic electric fields in the celland screening effects, as well as negligible Helmholtz and diffuse layers. For modelingpurposes, the photoanode was assumed to be a homogeneous nanocrystalline hematitestructure, with thickness L, porosity 3p and tortuosity s. The TCO/semiconductor interfacewas modeled as an ideal ohmic contact, while the electrolyte/platinized TCO interface wasdescribed by a ButlereVolmer approach. An alkaline electrolyte solution was used,allowing the transport of the ionic species from the counter-electrode to the photoanode.The continuity and transport governing equations are defined for the mobile speciesinvolved: electrons in the conduction band of the semiconductor, holes in the valence bandand hydroxyl ions in the electrolyte. Simulated IeV characteristics were computed and thecorresponding results compared with the experimental values. The simulated results werein straight agreement with the experimental data

Mejora a las Herramientas de Análisis del Área de Conciliación ARL SEGUROS BOLIVAR

Generar una mejora en el manejo de las herramientas que contienen la información en el área de Recaudo y Conciliaciones en la empresa SEGUROS BOLÍVAR, DIRECCIÓN ADMINISTRATIVA NACIONAL ARLEste trabajo sistematiza la práctica profesional en Administración de empresas y plantea optimizar las herramientas de análisis de recaudo y conciliación del área de ARL de la empresa SEGUROS BOLÍVAR. Para esto se trazaron objetivos orientados en primer lugar a diagnosticar el estado actual de los procesos y características que inciden en el área mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario contentivo de 9 preguntas, las cuales 8 con respuestas tipo abanico, adicional a esto se construyen matrices DOFA y FODA las cuales se evaluaron y analizaron estadísticamente, evidenciando errores e inconsistencias referente a los pagos y/o afiliaciones , por ende debe conciliar y cruzar llevando un análisis detallado de ingresos, retiros, novedades, pagos, diferencias en tasas, para aplicar las correcciones correspondientes. Por consiguiente, se propone una Matriz Plan de mejora a las herramientas y posteriormente se implementa la mejora a la herramienta Estado de cuenta. Una vez implementada dicha mejora, con el fin de medir la eficacia y la experiencia de la misma se aplica una entrevista estructurada a los analistas del área de Recaudo y Conciliación, concluyendo que la herramienta mejorada permite agilizar el proceso de análisis, ya que las alertas que arroja permite enfocarse en los trabajadores que sí requieren una revisión detallada, evita el uso de otros aplicativos pues recopila mayor información en un solo archivo, utilizando menor tiempo de análisisThis work systematizes the professional practice in Business Administration and proposes optimizing the collection analysis and reconciliation tools of the ARL area of the SEGUROS BOLÍVAR company. For this, objectives were drawn up aimed firstly at diagnosing the current state of the processes and characteristics that affect the area through the application of a questionnaire containing 9 questions, of which 8 with fan-type responses, in addition to this, SWOT matrices are constructed. and SWOT which were statistically evaluated and analyzed, showing errors and inconsistencies regarding payments and / or affiliations, therefore, you must reconcile and cross by carrying out a detailed analysis of income, withdrawals, news, payments, differences in rates, to apply the corrections corresponding. Therefore, a Plan Matrix for the improvement of the tools is proposed and subsequently the improvement to the Account Statement tool is implemented. Once this improvement has been implemented, in order to measure its effectiveness and experience, a structured interview is applied to the analysts in the Collection and Reconciliation area, concluding that the improved tool allows to streamline the analysis process, since alerts that it yields allows you to focus on workers who do require a detailed review, it avoids the use of other applications as it collects more information in a single file, using less analysis time

Mejora a las Herramientas de Análisis del Área de Conciliación ARL SEGUROS BOLIVAR

Generar una mejora en el manejo de las herramientas que contienen la información en el área de Recaudo y Conciliaciones en la empresa SEGUROS BOLÍVAR, DIRECCIÓN ADMINISTRATIVA NACIONAL ARLEste trabajo sistematiza la práctica profesional en Administración de empresas y plantea optimizar las herramientas de análisis de recaudo y conciliación del área de ARL de la empresa SEGUROS BOLÍVAR. Para esto se trazaron objetivos orientados en primer lugar a diagnosticar el estado actual de los procesos y características que inciden en el área mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario contentivo de 9 preguntas, las cuales 8 con respuestas tipo abanico, adicional a esto se construyen matrices DOFA y FODA las cuales se evaluaron y analizaron estadísticamente, evidenciando errores e inconsistencias referente a los pagos y/o afiliaciones , por ende debe conciliar y cruzar llevando un análisis detallado de ingresos, retiros, novedades, pagos, diferencias en tasas, para aplicar las correcciones correspondientes. Por consiguiente, se propone una Matriz Plan de mejora a las herramientas y posteriormente se implementa la mejora a la herramienta Estado de cuenta. Una vez implementada dicha mejora, con el fin de medir la eficacia y la experiencia de la misma se aplica una entrevista estructurada a los analistas del área de Recaudo y Conciliación, concluyendo que la herramienta mejorada permite agilizar el proceso de análisis, ya que las alertas que arroja permite enfocarse en los trabajadores que sí requieren una revisión detallada, evita el uso de otros aplicativos pues recopila mayor información en un solo archivo, utilizando menor tiempo de análisisThis work systematizes the professional practice in Business Administration and proposes optimizing the collection analysis and reconciliation tools of the ARL area of the SEGUROS BOLÍVAR company. For this, objectives were drawn up aimed firstly at diagnosing the current state of the processes and characteristics that affect the area through the application of a questionnaire containing 9 questions, of which 8 with fan-type responses, in addition to this, SWOT matrices are constructed. and SWOT which were statistically evaluated and analyzed, showing errors and inconsistencies regarding payments and / or affiliations, therefore, you must reconcile and cross by carrying out a detailed analysis of income, withdrawals, news, payments, differences in rates, to apply the corrections corresponding. Therefore, a Plan Matrix for the improvement of the tools is proposed and subsequently the improvement to the Account Statement tool is implemented. Once this improvement has been implemented, in order to measure its effectiveness and experience, a structured interview is applied to the analysts in the Collection and Reconciliation area, concluding that the improved tool allows to streamline the analysis process, since alerts that it yields allows you to focus on workers who do require a detailed review, it avoids the use of other applications as it collects more information in a single file, using less analysis time

Comportamento do Consumidor de Música

O presente trabalho, tal como o título indica, visa compreender o comportamento do consumidor de música de forma a ajudar os artistas a chegarem mais facilmente ao seu público. Iniciou-se o trabalho com uma breve contextualização focando em temas como a indústria musical e o comportamento do consumidor de música. Através de questionários online foi possível concluir que o mercado está cada vez mais a caminhar para o consumo de música digital, quer seja através de downloads ou utilizando plataformas de streaming. Relativamente à pesquisa de informação e acompanhamento de artistas, as redes sociais são a ferramenta de comunicação dominante, visto que permite uma maior interação entre o público e o artista. Os serviços de streaming mais procurados são os gratuitos; não obstante, os consumidores estão dispostos a gastar em média 5€ por mês para terem acesso à música.This work, as the title indicates, seeks to understand the music consumer behaviour in order to help the artists to get more easily to their audience. The work began with a brief contextualisation focusing on topics such as the music industry and the music consumer behaviour of music. After collecting online questionnaires, the results returned that the population is increasingly moving towards the consumption of digital music through downloads or using streaming platforms. With regard to reporting and monitoring research of artists, social networks are the tools that get the highest preference, as they allow greater interaction between the audience and the artist. The most popular streaming services are the free, but even so, consumers are willing to spend on average €5 per month to have access to music

The Q223R polymorphism of the leptin receptor gene as a predictor of weight gain in childhood obesity and the identification of possible factors involved

Childhood rapid weight gain during development has been postulated as a predictor of obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the annual weight gain and height growth, as well as identifying possible lifestyle factors involved. (2) Methods: As part of the GENYAL study, 221 children (6–8 years old) of Madrid (Spain) were enrolled. A total of 11 SNPs associated with high childhood body mass indexes (BMIs) were assessed. Anthropometric measurements, dietary and physical activity data, were collected in 2017 and 2018. Bonferroni-corrected linear models were used to fit the data. (3) Results: A significant association between the Q223R LEPR and the weight growth was found, showing a different behavior between GA and GG genotypes (p = 0.001). Regarding lifestyle factors, an interaction between Q223R genotypes and total active weekly hours/week to predict the weight growth (kg/year) was observed (p = 0.023). In all the genotypes, a beneficial effect against rapid weight growth was observed, but the effect size of the interaction was much more significant in homozygous (GG) minor homozygous (β = −0.61 (−0.95, −0.26) versus heterozygous (AG) and wild-type homozygous (AA) genotypes (β = −0.07 (−0.24, 0.09) and β = −0.12 (−0.32, 0.08), respectively). (4) Conclusions: These results may contribute to more personalized recommendations to prevent childhood obesit

Potential for energy saving in transitional spaces in commercial buildings

As it is known, the energy consumption of buildings is directly linked to their energy demand.Therefore, the most direct strategy to reduce the energy consumption of a building is to minimise its energy demand. This can be done in two ways. On the one hand, the energy demand can be reduced by minimising the size of some energy consuming spaces in the building. It can also be reduced by minimising the requirements of their comfort conditions. This second strategy is especially effective in transitional spaces, where the comfort requirements have wider limits than in normally occupied zones so energy savings are possible by allowing for a modest relaxation of the comfort standards. This paper reports on an analytical study into the energy-saving potential associated with modifications in thermal comfort limits in transitional spaces in commercial buildings. Such transitional spaces may not require the same high level and close control as more fully indoor or fully occupied areas, and thus a wider variation in conditions and interpretation of thermal comfort may be permitted. They also take up a significant fraction of the total volume of these kinds of buildings and give rise to significant energy use to provide comfort by means of heating or cooling systems. Initial trial calculations have been conducted using standardised commercial building layouts in order to determine the potential for energy savings. Commercial buildings have been chosen not only due to the extensive presence of this kind of building in almost all cities, but also because of the considerable percentage of transitional spaces that these buildings have in a standard floor plan. The relationship between these transition al spaces and the indoor areas will also be considered in this study. Estimates are made of the energy-saving potential based on different commercial buildings located in the climate of the Barcelona area in Spain.Postprint (published version

Solar radiation and architectural design in Barcelona

The principles of the passive solar house were defined in the 1970s. Since that time, strategies have been conceptualized and tested with different examples built in the USA and in Europe. Models directly related to the Mediterranean climate are rare in this context. They will be the subject of the present study. In these cases, the main issue is to reconcile solar gain in winter and solar shading protection in summer. In addition, summer heat can be lost through natural ventilation. The research will focus on aspects of architectural design to implement alternatives for optimizing control of radiation. The Heliodon 2TM computer software will be used to establish evaluation methods for certifying the energy efficiency of the solutions under study.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Propuesta de educación del carácter centrada en la resiliencia y las inteligencias intrapersonal e interpersonal Colegio Howard Gardner

120 páginasComo sociedad nos hemos venido enfrentando a crisis que nos hacen replantear los esfuerzos y objetivos en los que se tienen enfocadas las metas institucionales. Los educadores, directivos docentes y la sociedad en general deben replantear su forma de percibir la calidad educativa, si bien es cierto que los contenidos académicos son fundamentales para la adquisición de conocimientos y puede que garantice el éxito laboral, más no personal, en ese orden de ideas es pertinente preguntarse ¿se ofrecen en las instituciones educativas los espacios necesarios que requiere el desarrollo de la persona humana? ¿Están preparados los estudiantes para enfrentar momentos de existencia favorables y adversos? La respuesta en la mayoría de las interrogantes no es positiva; es por esta razón, que se hace necesario estudiar la forma de involucrar en el currículo la educación del carácter centrado en la resiliencia, lo que a su vez permitirá apropiarse de las competencias personales que serán facilitadoras para promover la sana convivencia, la autonomía, y ecuanimidad durante el desarrollo de su proyecto de vida. El análisis particular al que se refiere este proyecto es determinar el nivel de los factores de resiliencia de los estudiantes del colegio Howard Gardner y a su vez proponer a través del currículo formas de pensar, el desarrollo integral del individuo, su deseo permanente por seguir aprendiendo y la aceptación de cambios; de esta forma, poder procurar mayor posibilidad de vivir una vida responsable y exitosa al llegar a su adultez.As a society we have been facing a crisis that make us rethink the efforts and objectives which the institutional goals are focused in; teachers, head teachers and society in general must rethink the way they perceive the quality of education, while it is true that the academic content are fundamental to the acquisition of knowledge and it may guarantee work success, but no personal success; in that order of ideas, it is pertinent to ask: is it offered in the institutions the necessary spaces that requires the development of the human person?, are students prepared to deal with adverse and favorable moments of existence? The answer to most of the questions is not positive; it is for this reason that it is necessary to study how to involve the resilience-oriented formation of character in the curriculum, which in turn will allow to appropriate personal skills that will be facilitators to promote healthy living, autonomy, and equanimity during the development of their life project.Maestría en Dirección y Gestión de Instituciones EducativasMagister en Dirección y Gestión de Instituciones Educativa