Conditional Spectrum Computation Incorporating Multiple Causal Earthquakes and Ground‐Motion Prediction Models

The Conditional Spectrum (CS) is a target spectrum (with conditional mean and conditional standard deviation) that links seismic hazard information with ground motion selection for nonlinear dynamic analysis. Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) estimates the ground motion hazard by incorporating the aleatory uncertainties in all earthquake scenarios and resulting ground motions as well as the epistemic uncertainties in ground motion prediction models (GMPMs) and seismic source models. Typical CS calculations to date are produced for a single earthquake scenario using a single GMPM, but more precise use requires consideration of at least multiple causal earthquakes and multiple GMPMs that are often considered in a PSHA computation. This paper presents the mathematics underlying these more precise CS calculations. Despite requiring more effort to compute than approximate calculations using a single causal earthquake and GMPM, the proposed approach produces an exact output that has a theoretical basis. To demonstrate the results of this approach and compare the exact and approximate calculations, several example calculations are performed for real sites in the western U.S. (WUS). The results also provide some insights regarding the circumstances under which approximate results are likely to closely match more exact results. To facilitate these more precise calculations for real applications, the exact CS calculations can now be performed for real sites in the U.S. using new deaggregation features in the U.S. Geological Survey hazard mapping tools. Details regarding this implementation are discussed in this paper

Development of low-pH cementitious materials for HLRW repositories. Resistance against ground waters aggression

One of the most accepted engineering construction concepts of underground repositories for high radioactive waste considers the use of low-pH cementitious materials. This paper deals with the design of those based on Ordinary Portland Cements with high contents of silica fume and/or fly ashes that modify most of the concrete “standard” properties, the pore fluid composition and the microstructure of the hydrated products. Their resistance to long-term groundwater aggression is also evaluated. The results show that the use of OPC cement binders with high silica content produces low-pH pore waters and the microstructure of these cement pastes is different from the conventional OPC ones, generating C–S–H gels with lower CaO/SiO2 ratios that possibly bind alkali ions. Leaching tests show a good resistance of low-pH concretes against groundwater aggression although an altered front can be observe

Taxonomy of designs and sampling in qualitative research. An attempt of synthesis between theoretical and emerging approaches

El trabajo es una propuesta conceptual basada en textos de metodología en ciencias sociales y psicología, y robustecida con análisis empírico de las categorías usadas por investigadores cualitativos en publicaciones realizadas en revistas de alto impacto entre 2013-2015. Se propone una taxonomía de cuatro diseños cualitativos, de carácter flexible, y tres categorías de muestreo, subdivididas en quince estrategias. Permite al investigador decidir a priori cómo organizar la investigación, cómo proceder para acceder a los participantes, cuánto tiempo requiere el estudio y qué resguardos éticos considerar; reduciendo la incertidumbre del trabajo de terreno, sin limitar la flexibilidad de los métodos cualitativos.The work is a conceptual proposal based on methodology texts in social sciences and psychology, and strengthened with empirical analysis of the categories used by qualitative researchers in publications made in high impact journals between 2013-2015. We propose a taxonomy of four qualitative designs, of a flexible nature, and three sampling categories, subdivided into fifteen strategies. It allows the researcher to decide a priori how to organize the research, how to proceed to access the participants, how long the study requires and what ethical safeguards to consider; reducing the uncertainty of field work, without limiting the flexibility of qualitative methods

The direct boundary element method: 2D site effects assessment on laterally varying layered media (methodology)

The Direct Boundary Element Method (DBEM) is presented to solve the elastodynamic field equations in 2D, and a complete comprehensive implementation is given. The DBEM is a useful approach to obtain reliable numerical estimates of site effects on seismic ground motion due to irregular geological configurations, both of layering and topography. The method is based on the discretization of the classical Somigliana's elastodynamic representation equation which stems from the reciprocity theorem. This equation is given in terms of the Green's function which is the full-space harmonic steady-state fundamental solution. The formulation permits the treatment of viscoelastic media, therefore site models with intrinsic attenuation can be examined. By means of this approach, the calculation of 2D scattering of seismic waves, due to the incidence of P and SV waves on irregular topographical profiles is performed. Sites such as, canyons, mountains and valleys in irregular multilayered media are computed to test the technique. The obtained transfer functions show excellent agreement with already published results

Impacto de la metodología de aprendizaje basado en problemas en la Biblioteca Universitaria de Medicina y de Enfermería de Vall d'Hebron(BUMEVH): adaptación y estrategias de futuro

El proceso de adaptación de las titulaciones universitarias a las directrices de la Declaración de Bolonia con la creación de un Espacio Europeo de Enseñanza Superior (EEES) implica una profunda renovación pedagógica. La estrategia docente cambia, y el estudiante pasa a ser el protagonista principal del proceso de aprendizaje. Se da más importancia a todo el proceso de aprendizaje, que será más activo y participativo y los objetivos de formación están basados tanto en la adquisición de conocimientos como en la capacitación para seguir estudiando, es decir, adquirir tanto competencias profesionales como académicas. En este contexto, las bibliotecas universitarias juegan un papel decisivo, ya que se han de transformar en una herramienta fundamental de soporte para la docencia y el aprendizaje. Dentro de esta renovación de la enseñanza universitaria y a partir del curso académico 2002-03, la Escuela de Enfermería Vall d'Hebron de Barcelona, que imparte los estudios de Enfermería desde 1977, incorpora de forma pionera el Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) a la totalidad de su currículum. Con esta nueva metodología se pretende que el aprendizaje sea autogestionado por el propio el estudiante, que aprenderá de una forma diferente y tendrá un sistema se evaluación también diferente en el que se valorará más su esfuerzo, simultaneará el trabajo individual y en grupo con el estudio y las tutorías. En este contexto es necesario que la biblioteca disponga de las herramientas necesarias para que el estudiante pueda acceder, seleccionar y elaborar la información pertinente, de acuerdo con los objetivos de cada caso o problema

Mentoring health researchers globally: Diverse experiences, programmes, challenges and responses.

Mentoring experiences and programmes are becoming increasingly recognised as important by those engaged in capacity strengthening in global health research. Using a primarily qualitative study design, we studied three experiences of mentorship and eight mentorship programmes for early career global health researchers based in high-income and low- and middle-income countries. For the latter, we drew upon programme materials, existing unpublished data and more formal mixed-method evaluations, supplemented by individual email questionnaire responses. Research team members wrote stories, and the team assembled and analysed them for key themes. Across the diverse experiences and programmes, key emergent themes included: great mentors inspire others in an inter-generational cascade, mentorship is transformative in personal and professional development and involves reciprocity, and finding the right balance in mentoring relationships and programmes includes responding creatively to failure. Among the challenges encountered were: struggling for more level playing fields for new health researchers globally, changing mindsets in institutions that do not have a culture of mentorship and building collaboration not competition. Mentoring networks spanning institutions and countries using multiple virtual and face-to-face methods are a potential avenue for fostering organisational cultures supporting quality mentorship in global health research

Phosphoproteomics Screen Reveals Akt Isoform-Specific Signals Linking RNA Processing to Lung Cancer

The three Akt isoforms are functionally distinct. Here we show that their phosphoproteomes also differ, suggesting that their functional differences are due to differences in target specificity. One of the top cellular functions differentially regulated by Akt isoforms is RNA processing. IWS1, an RNA processing regulator, is phosphorylated by Akt3 and Akt1 at Ser720/Thr721. The latter is required for the recruitment of SETD2 to the RNA Pol II complex. SETD2 trimethylates histone H3 at K36 during transcription, creating a docking site for MRG15 and PTB. H3K36me3-bound MRG15 and PTB regulate FGFR-2 splicing, which controls tumor growth and invasiveness downstream of IWS1 phosphorylation. Twenty-one of the twenty-four non-small-cell-lung carcinomas we analyzed express IWS1. More importantly, the stoichiometry of IWS1 phosphorylation in these tumors correlates with the FGFR-2 splicing pattern and with Akt phosphorylation and Akt3 expression. These data identify an Akt isoform-dependent regulatory mechanism for RNA processing and demonstrate its role in lung cancer

Caracterización de residuos procedentes de los procesos de combustión de biomasa. Viabilidad de uso como materiales de Construcción.

En España, y más específicamente en Andalucía, la producción de energía a partir de la quema de biomasa presenta una actividad creciente, por lo que la caracterización de los residuos procedentes de esta combustión facilitaría su empleo futuro. En el presente trabajo se estudia la viabilidad técnica que presentan ciertos residuos (cenizas volantes y cenizas de fondo) procedentes de dicha combustión, para ser empleados en materiales de construcción, evaluando la composición química y mineralógica de estos residuos. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los residuos analizados poseen propiedades aceptables para ser utilizados en la producción de materiales que tomen como base el cemento, si bien su calidad y tipo de aplicación depende de la procedencia del residu