Energy Performance Certification of Faculty Buildings in Spain: The gap between estimated and real energy consumption

A systematic method has been established to perform and analyse in detail the Energy Performance Certification of 21 Faculty Buildings located at the University of Zaragoza (Spain), according to the transposition of Directive 2010/31/EU. First of all, the problem background and a review of the state-of-the-art of the energy certification in buildings is outlined, regarding both the actual state of the Government regulations and the studies undertaken in several countries to assess the energy performance of different types of buildings, residential and non-residential. A summary of the causes found in other studies for the discrepancies between the estimated (by simulation) and actual energy consumption is shown which is afterwards tested and compared with the results found in the present study. Thereafter, the method followed to undertake the buildings’ Energy Performance Certification is explained, and the main results found together with the discussion are detailed, comparing actual vs. estimated energy consumption in the different case studies and proposing reasons for these deviations. The energy consumption breakdown by uses for several buildings is also analysed, and potential improvements for the simulation software are assessed

Differences in Architects and Nonarchitects' Perception of Urban Design: An Application of Kansei Engineering Techniques

We analyse architects and nonarchitects' emotional assessments of different districts in their own city (Valencia, Spain) by applying Kansei engineering techniques. A field study was carried out on a sample of 140 subjects (70 architects and 70 nonarchitects) who were asked to express their opinions on different areas in the city. The set of emotional impressions used by architects and non-architects to describe their sensations was obtained using differential semantics. The semantic space was described by 9 independent axis which explained 62% of the variability. Then, for each collective the set of impressions which influence the final residential or investment area decision was analysed. This relationship was obtained applying linear regression models. The results showed no significant differences between both groups so that the emotional attributes determining the choice of area were very similar for architects and non-architects. Greater discrepancies were found when the purpose of the choice was investment and not residential. Finally a neighbourhood was semantically profiled to represent and compare both collectives' perceptions.Llinares Millán, MDC.; Montañana I Aviñó, A.; Navarro Astor, E. (2011). Differences in Architects and Nonarchitects' Perception of Urban Design: An Application of Kansei Engineering Techniques. Urban Studies Research. 2011:1-13. doi:10.1155/2011/736307S1132011Groat, L. (1982). Meaning in post-modern architecture: An examination using the multiple sorting task. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2(1), 3-22. doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(82)80002-9Duffy, M., Bailey, S., Beck, B., & Barker, D. G. (1986). Preferences in Nursing Home Design. Environment and Behavior, 18(2), 246-257. doi:10.1177/0013916586182006Devlin, K., & Nasar, J. L. (1989). The beauty and the beast: Some preliminary comparisons of ‘high’ versus ‘popular’ residential architecture and public versus architect judgments of same. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 9(4), 333-344. doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(89)80013-1Stamps, A. E. (1991). Public Preferences for High Rise Buildings: Stylistic and Demographic Effects. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 72(3), 839-844. doi:10.2466/pms.1991.72.3.839Gifford, R., Hine, D. W., Muller-Clemm, W., Reynolds, D. J., & Shaw, K. T. (2000). Decoding Modern Architecture. Environment and Behavior, 32(2), 163-187. doi:10.1177/00139160021972487Akalin, A., Yildirim, K., Wilson, C., & Kilicoglu, O. (2009). Architecture and engineering students’ evaluations of house façades: Preference, complexity and impressiveness. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(1), 124-132. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.05.005Purcell, A. T. (1986). Environmental Perception and Affect. Environment and Behavior, 18(1), 3-30. doi:10.1177/0013916586181001Purcell, A. T. (1987). The relationship between buildings and behaviour. Building and Environment, 22(3), 215-232. doi:10.1016/0360-1323(87)90010-2Purcell, A. T., & Nasar, J. L. (1992). Experiencing other people’s houses: a model of similarities and differences in environmental experience. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 12(3), 199-211. doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(05)80135-5Lewicki, P., Hill, T., & Bizot, E. (1988). Acquisition of procedural knowledge about a pattern of stimuli that cannot be articulated. Cognitive Psychology, 20(1), 24-37. doi:10.1016/0010-0285(88)90023-0Mulder, C. H. (1996). Housing choice: Assumptions and approaches. Netherlands Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 11(3), 209-232. doi:10.1007/bf02496589Ellen, I. G., & Turner, M. A. (1997). Does neighborhood matter? Assessing recent evidence. Housing Policy Debate, 8(4), 833-866. doi:10.1080/10511482.1997.9521280Nagamachi, M. (1995). Kansei Engineering: A new ergonomic consumer-oriented technology for product development. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 15(1), 3-11. doi:10.1016/0169-8141(94)00052-5Jindo, T., Hirasago, K., & Nagamachi, M. (1995). Development of a design support system for office chairs using 3-D graphics. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 15(1), 49-62. doi:10.1016/0169-8141(94)00056-9Matsubara, Y., & Nagamachi, M. (1997). Hybrid Kansei engineering system and design support. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 19(2), 81-92. doi:10.1016/s0169-8141(96)00005-4Llinares, C., & Page, A. (2007). Application of product differential semantics to quantify purchaser perceptions in housing assessment. Building and Environment, 42(7), 2488-2497. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.06.012Streiner, D. L. (2003). Starting at the Beginning: An Introduction to Coefficient Alpha and Internal Consistency. Journal of Personality Assessment, 80(1), 99-103. doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa8001_18Llinares, C., & Page, A. F. (2008). Differential semantics as a Kansei Engineering tool for analysing the emotional impressions which determine the choice of neighbourhood: The case of Valencia, Spain. Landscape and Urban Planning, 87(4), 247-257. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.06.006Herzog, T. R. (1992). A cognitive analysis of preference for urban spaces. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 12(3), 237-248. doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(05)80138-0Nasar, J. L. (1990). The Evaluative Image of the City. Journal of the American Planning Association, 56(1), 41-53. doi:10.1080/01944369008975742Jindo, T., & Hirasago, K. (1997). Application studies to car interior of Kansei engineering. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 19(2), 105-114. doi:10.1016/s0169-8141(96)00007-8Ishihara, S., Ishihara, K., Nagamachi, M., & Matsubara, Y. (1997). An analysis of Kansei structure on shoes using self-organizing neural networks. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 19(2), 93-104. doi:10.1016/s0169-8141(96)00006-6Shimizu, Y., & Jindo, T. (1995). A fuzzy logic analysis method for evaluating human sensitivities. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 15(1), 39-47. doi:10.1016/0169-8141(95)91249-

Heterometallic Titanium-Organic Frameworks as Dual Metal Catalysts for Synergistic Non-Buffered Hydrolysis of Nerve Agent Simulants

Heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can offer important advantages over their homometallic counterparts to enable targeted modification of their adsorption, structural response, electronic structure, or chemical reactivity. However, controlling metal distribution in these solids still remains a challenge. The family of mesoporous titanium-organic frameworks, MUV-101(M), displays heterometallic TiM2 nodes assembled from direct reaction of Ti(IV) and M(II) salts. We use the degradation of nerve agent simulants to demonstrate that only TiFe2 nodes are capable of catalytic degradation in non-buffered conditions. By using an integrative experimental-computational approach, we rationalize how the two metals influence each other, in this case, for a synergistic mechanism reminiscent of bimetallic enzymes. Our results highlight the importance of controlling metal distribution at an atomic level to span the interest of heterometallic MOFs to a broad scope of cascade or tandem reactions. Summary Mixed-metal or heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are gaining importance as a route to produce materials with increasing chemical and functional complexities. We report a family of heterometallic titanium frameworks, MUV-101(M), and use them to exemplify the advantages of controlling metal distribution across the framework in heterogeneous catalysis by exploring their activity toward the degradation of a nerve agent simulant of Sarin gas. MUV-101(Fe) is the only pristine MOF capable of catalytic degradation of diisopropyl-fluorophosphate (DIFP) in non-buffered aqueous media. This activity cannot be explained only by the association of two metals, but to their synergistic cooperation, to create a whole that is more efficient than the simple sum of its parts. Our simulations suggest a dual-metal mechanism reminiscent of bimetallic enzymes, where the combination of Ti(IV) Lewis acid and Fe(III)–OH Brönsted base sites leads to a lower energy barrier for more efficient degradation of DIFP in absence of a base.Financial support for this work was provided by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowships (749359-EnanSET, N.M.P) within the European Union research and innovation framework programme (2014-2020

Effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors in clinical practice: Hepatitis C virus patients with advanced fibrosis

AIM: To evaluates the effectiveness and safety of the first generation, NS3/4A protease inhibitors (PIs) in clinical practice against chronic C virus, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis. METHODS: Prospective study and non-experimental analysis of a multicentre cohort of 38 Spanish hospitals that includes patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, treatment-nai¨ve (TN) or treatment-experienced (TE), who underwent triple therapy with the first generation NS3/4A protease inhibitors, boceprevir (BOC) and telaprevir (TVR), in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The patients were treatment in routine practice settings. Data on the study population and on adverse clinical and virologic effects were compiled during the treatment period and during follow up. RESULTS: One thousand and fifty seven patients were included, 405 (38%) were treated with BOC and 652 (62%) with TVR. Of this total, 30% (n = 319) were TN and the remaining were TE: 28% (n = 298) relapsers, 12% (n = 123) partial responders (PR), 25% (n = 260) null-responders (NR) and for 5% (n = 57) with prior response unknown. The rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) by intention-to-treatment (ITT) was greater in those treated with TVR (65%) than in those treated with BOC (52%) (P < 0.0001), whereas by modified intention-to-treatment (mITT) no were found significant differences. By degree of fibrosis, 56% of patients were F4 and the highest SVR rates were recorded in the non-F4 patients, both TN and TE. In the analysis by groups, the TN patients treated with TVR by ITT showed a higher SVR (P = 0.005). However, by mITT there were no significant differences between BOC and TVR. In the multivariate analysis by mITT, the significant SVR factors were relapsers, IL28B CC and non-F4; the type of treatment (BOC or TVR) was not significant. The lowest SVR values were presented by the F4-NR patients, treated with BOC (46%) or with TVR (45%). 28% of the patients interrupted the treatment, mainly by non-viral response (51%): this outcome was more frequent in the TE than in the TN patients (57% vs 40%, P = 0.01). With respect to severe haematological disorders, neutropaenia was more likely to affect the patients treated with BOC (33% vs 20%, P = 0.0001), and thrombocytopaenia and anaemia, the F4 patients (P = 0.000, P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: In a real clinical practice setting with a high proportion of patients with advanced fibrosis, effectiveness of first-generation PIs was high except for NR patients, with similar SVR rates being achieved by BOC and TVR

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Forty years of carabid beetle research in Europe - from taxonomy, biology, ecology and population studies to bioindication, habitat assessment and conservation

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