Energy efficiency in railways: energy storage and electric generation in diesel electric locomotives. Póster

Diesel-electric traction is a well known and established technology for railways operators,but this alternative has a considerable uncerainty for the future because electric traction has a considerable superiority. Besides,diesel-electric engines was teenergy when resistive braking isused This non-regenerative braking decreases the overall efficiency by lO-20%.With these premises it is important to develop new strategies to increase the energy efficiency of diesel-electric haulag. To reach a better efficiency,a locomotive with energy storage(battery,super-capacitors)is theoretically proposed.Besides,the possibility of using alower thermal engine(from other diesel locomotives out of use)with energy storage devices is considered too.This solution reduces diesel consumption and CO2 emissions while being economically viable.It supposes an efficient energy management because the diesel-electric locomotive could acts as a dispersed mobile generation(DMG)unit when working under electric overhead lines,and it can be used as a distributed resource for this specific electric power system

Energy efficiency in railways: energy storage and electric generation in diesel electric locomotives

Diesel-electric traction is a well known and established technology for railways operators,but this alternative has a considerable uncerainty for the future because electric traction has a considerable superiority. Besides,diesel-electric engines was teenergy when resistive braking isused This non-regenerative braking decreases the overall efficiency by lO-20%.With these premises it is important to develop new strategies to increase the energy efficiency of diesel-electric haulag. To reach a better efficiency,a locomotive with energy storage(battery,super-capacitors)is theoretically proposed.Besides,the possibility of using alower thermal engine(from other diesel locomotives out of use)with energy storage devices is considered too.This solution reduces diesel consumption and CO2 emissions while being economically viable.It supposes an efficient energy management because the diesel-electric locomotive could acts as a dispersed mobile generation(DMG)unit when working under electric overhead lines,and it can be used as a distributed resource for this specific electric power system.This work was supported by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion) under Research Project ENE2007-67771-C02-02/CON. The authors are very grateful to the information, data and time tables supplied by ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias, Spanish Railway Network Operator)

POSEIDON Project: Objectives and Preliminary Results

[Abstract] This paper is presenting preliminary results dealing with the ongoing three-year project POSEIDON (imProving underwater cOoperative manipulation by meanS of lEarnIng, augmenteD reality and wIreless cOmmunicatioNs). In fact, this Project is a sub-project inside of a bigger one, COOPERAMOS (COOPErative Resident Robots for Autonomous ManipulatiOn Subsea). The aim and specific objectives of this project are presented, as well as some preliminary results on Simulation, HRI, and communications.[Resumen] Este documento presenta los resultados preliminares relacionados con el proyecto POSEIDON (mejora de la manipulación cooperativa subacuática mediante el aprendizaje, la realidad aumentada y las comunicaciones inalámbricas), que tiene una duración de tres años y está en curso. De hecho, este Proyecto es un subproyecto dentro de uno más grande, COOPERAMOS (COOPerativos Residentes de robots para la Manipulación Autónoma Submarina). Se presentan los objetivos de este proyecto, así como algunos resultados preliminares sobre Simulación, HRI y comunicaciones.Funded by PID2020-115332RBC31 (COOPERAMOS), IDIFEDER/2018/013 (GV), UJI-B2021-30 (AUDAZ) and EU H2020-Peacetolero-NFRP-2019-2020-04 projects.https://doi.org/10.17979/spudc.978849749841

Comparison of the Influence of Oxygen Groups Introduced by Graphene Oxide on the Activity of Carbon Felt in Vanadium and Anthraquinone Flow Batteries

An increasing number of studies focus on organic flow batteries (OFBs) as possible substitutes for the vanadium flow battery (VFB), featuring anthraquinone derivatives, such as anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid (2,7-AQDS). VFBs have been postulated as a promising energy storage technology. However, the fluctuating cost of vanadium minerals and risky supply chains have hampered their implementation, while OFBs could be prepared from renewable raw materials. A critical component of flow batteries is the electrode material, which can determine the power density and energy efficiency. Yet, and in contrast to VFBs, studies on electrodes tailored for OFBs are scarce. Hence, in this work, we propose the modification of commercial carbon felts with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and poly(ethylene glycol) for the 2,7-AQDS redox couple and to preliminarily assess its effects on the efficiency of a 2,7-AQDS/ferrocyanide flow battery. Results are compared to those of a VFB to evaluate if the benefits of the modification are transferable to OFBs. The modification of carbon felts with surface oxygen groups introduced by the presence of rGO enhanced both its hydrophilicity and surface area, favoring the catalytic activity toward VFB and OFB reactions. The results are promising, given the improved behavior of the modified electrodes. Parallels are established between the electrodes of both FB technologies.CSIC, MICINN, and AEI (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), alongside the European Union − NextGenerationEU for funding the PTITRANSENER projectMinisterio de Universidades of the Government of Spain for granting his predoctoral fellowship contract (FPU20/04400)Clausthal University of Technology through a stay at the Research Center for Energy Storage Technologies (EST) in Goslar, GermanyAlexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany) for sponsoring a research fellowship at Clausthal University of Technolog

Phisically based modelling of induction lamps: aplication to the improvement of energy efficiency in the lighting system of a University building. Poster

To manage efforts in energy efficiency, the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) decided in 2003 to develop an ambitious project to reduce energy use intensity and costs during the period 2003-2008. To accomplish this objective in lighting end-use demand -one of the two main electrical uses together with space cooling/heating-, the UPCT joins, in July 2002, the U.E. GreenLight program as a partner. This paper describes the University experience in the second year (2003/04) of partnership in this UE initiative. The objectives were: to manage the demand, to improve the quality of lighting, working and environmental conditions, and reduce significantly energy and O&M expenses. Basically, the work developed in this year is focused in the change of conventional High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting systems in classrooms (2000 m2) through the evaluation of advantages and drawbacks of different alternatives. The most promising one, the change to a new technology -165W induction lamps-, will be analyzed in detail in the paper

Assessment of vapor pressure deficit variability and trends in Spain and possible connections with soil moisture

The Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is one of the most relevant surface meteorological variables; with important implications in ecology, hydrology, and atmosphere. By understanding the processes involved in the variability and trend of the VPD, it is possible to assess the possible impacts and implications related to both physical and human environments, like plant function, water use efficiency, net ecosystem production, atmospheric CO2 growth rate, etc. This study analysed recent temporal variability and trends in VPD in Spain between 1980 and 2020 using a recently developed high-quality dataset. Also, the connection between VPD and soil moisture and other key climate variables (e.g. air temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) was assessed on different time scales varying from weekly to annual. The objective was to determine if changes in land-atmosphere feedbacks connected with soil moisture and evapotranspiration anomalies have been relevant to assess the interannual variability and trends in VPD. Results demonstrate that VPD exhibited a clear seasonality and dominant positive trends on both the seasonal (mainly spring and summer) and annual scales. Rather, trends were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05) during winter and autumn. Spatially, VPD positive trends were more pronounced in southern and eastern of Spain. Also, results suggest that recent trends of VPD shows low contribution of variables that drive land-atmosphere feedbacks (e.g. evapotranspiration, and soil moisture) in comparison to the role of global warming processes. Notably, the variability of VPD seems to be less coupled with soil moisture variability during summertime, while it is better interrelated during winter, indicating that VPD variability would be mostly related to climate variability mechanisms that control temperature and relative humidity than to land-atmosohere feedbacks. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of assessing driving forces and physical mechanisms that control VPD variability using high-quality climate datasets, especially, in semiarid and sub-humid regions of the world

Depredación oportunista sobre Turdus grayi (Passeriformes: Turdidae) por Dasyprocta punctata (Rodentia: Dasyproctidae) en San Vito, Costa Rica

On June 5, 2016 (08h00), we observed a predation event of this rodent on a songbird in the Wilson Botanical Garden of the Las Cruces Biological Station in San Vito, Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica (8,785, -82,95916; 1200 msnm). Initially a male of D. punctata fed on fruits and roots, but suddenly after moving stealthily, he pounced on a yigüirro pigeon or brown blackbird (Turdus grayi). After capturing it with its front legs, the rodent killed it with its incisive teeth, and subsequently moved a few meters to start consuming it (Figure 1). The position that Guatusa used to prey and subsequently consume the bird is the same one it uses to feed on seeds; sitting on its hind legs and manipulating the food with the front legs (Mora & Moreira 1984). After about 15 minutes the rodent had consumed part of the bird including muscles, viscera and even its head. Finally, the rodent fled without leaving remains of the dam on the site when taking part of the carcass in the snoutEl 05 de junio de 2016 (08h00), observamos un evento de depredación de este roedor sobre un ave canora en el Jardín Botánico Wilson de la Estación Biológica Las Cruces en San Vito, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica (8.785, -82.95916;1200 msnm). Inicialmente un macho de D. punctata se alimentaba de frutos y raíces, pero repentinamente tras desplazarse sigilosamente se abalanzó sobre un pichón de yigüirro o mirlo pardo (Turdus grayi). Tras capturarlo con sus patas delanteras, el roedor lo mató con sus dientes incisivos, y posteriormente se desplazó algunos metros hasta empezar a consumirlo (Figura 1). La posiciónque usó la Guatusa para depredar y posteriormente consumir el ave es la misma que usa para alimentarse de semillas; sentándose en sus patas traseras y manipulando el alimento con las delanteras (Mora & Moreira 1984). Tras unos 15 minutos el roedor había consumido parte del ave incluyendo músculos, vísceras e incluso su cabeza. Finalmente, el roedor huyó sin dejar restos de la presa en el sitio al llevarse parte de la carcasa en el hocic

La fauna del pleistoceno inferior de la sierra de Quibas (Abanilla, Murcia)

El yacimiento kárstico cuaternario de la Sierra de Quibas (Abanilla, Murcia) ha proporcionado una amplia lista faunística constituida por 53 especies repartidas entre gasterópodos, miriápodos, anfibios, reptiles, aves y mamíferos. En el conjunto de los gasterópodos destaca Palaeoglandina, un género que se extingue en el resto de Europa durante el Plioceno y que se mantiene como relicto en el Pleistoceno de la Península Ibérica. Dos de las especies de aves determinadas, Gypaetus barbatus y Gerontieus eremita, y una de las serpientes, Elaphe cf. E. sealaris, apenas se hallan representadas en el registro fósil. Hay además varias especies de aves cuya aparición en Quibas supone la primera cita en el Pleistoceno inferior de la Península Ibérica. Entre los mamíferos posee una especial relevancia la presencia del cercopitécido Macaca sylvanus. La asociación de los taxones Arvieola deuealíon, Castillomys rivas rivas, Elíomys intermedius, Equus altidens y Capra sp. aff. C. alba permite la correlación con Plines 1, Orce 3 y Venta Micena, entre otros. El yacimiento de Quibas puede situarse, por tanto, antes del final del Pleistoceno inferior, con una antigüedad entre 1.3 y 1 Ma. Por lo que se refiere a las condiciones paleoclimáticas, podemos inferir a partir de la asociación faunística un régimen xerófilo, muy semejante al actual en el área geográfica, aunque quizás con valores de humedad y temperatura algo superiores. El entorno de la cavidad kárstica estaba formado por roquedo calcáreo con áreas abiertas de matorral, pero en las proximidades se desarrollaron humedales y zonas arboladas, como así lo atestigua la presencia de aves y micromamíferos típicos de estos hábitats.The Quaternary karstic site of Sierra de Quibas (Abanilla, Murcia, Spain) has provided a wide faunallist with 53 species distributed among gastropods, myriapods, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Especially interesting among the gastropods is Palaeoglandina that became extinct in Europe during the Pliocene. It remains as a relict genus in the Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Two of the birds, Gypaetus barbatus and Geronticus eremita, and a snake, Elaphe cf. E. sealaris, are scarcely represented in the fossil record. For several birds, it is the first record in the Lower Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Among the mammals, the presence of the Cercopithecine Macaca sylvanus is especially relevant. The assemblage of the taxa Arvicola deucalion, Castillomys rivas rivas, Eliomys intermedius, Equus altidens and Capra sp. aff. C. alba allows the correlation with Plines 1, Orce 3 and Venta Micena, among other sites. Therefore Quibas can be clated before the end of Lower Pleistocene, between 1.3 and 1 Ma. A dry paleoclimatic regime, very similar to the current climate in the geographical area, though perhaps slightly wetter and warmer, can be inferred from the faunal assemblage. The environment of the karstic cavity was a rocky place with open brushwood areas, but in the proximities there were wetlands and woodlands, as can be inferred from the presence of birds and micromammals characteristic of these [email protected] [email protected]

Mitochondrial phylogeography and demographic history of the Vicuña: implications for conservation

The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna; Miller, 1924) is a conservation success story, having recovered from near extinction in the 1960s to current population levels estimated at 275 000. However, lack of information about its demographic history and genetic diversity has limited both our understanding of its recovery and the development of science-based conservation measures. To examine the evolution and recent demographic history of the vicuña across its current range and to assess its genetic variation and population structure, we sequenced mitochondrial DNA from the control region (CR) for 261 individuals from 29 populations across Peru, Chile and Argentina. Our results suggest that populations currently designated as Vicugna vicugna vicugna and Vicugna vicugna mensalis comprise separate mitochondrial lineages. The current population distribution appears to be the result of a recent demographic expansion associated with the last major glacial event of the Pleistocene in the northern (18 to 22°S) dry Andes 14–12 000 years ago and the establishment of an extremely arid belt known as the 'Dry Diagonal' to 29°S. Within the Dry Diagonal, small populations of V. v. vicugna appear to have survived showing the genetic signature of demographic isolation, whereas to the north V. v. mensalis populations underwent a rapid demographic expansion before recent anthropogenic impacts

Homozygous R136S mutation in PRNP gene causes inherited early onset prion disease

Altres ajuts: Fundació la Marató de TV3/201821-31Background: More than 40 pathogenic heterozygous PRNP mutations causing inherited prion diseases have been identified to date. Recessive inherited prion disease has not been described to date. Methods: We describe the clinical and neuropathological data of inherited early-onset prion disease caused by the rare PRNP homozygous mutation R136S. In vitro PrP propagation studies were performed using recombinant-adapted protein misfolding cyclic amplification technique. Brain material from two R136S homozygous patients was intracranially inoculated in TgMet129 and TgVal129 transgenic mice to assess the transmissibility of this rare inherited form of prion disease. Results: The index case presented symptoms of early-onset dementia beginning at the age of 49 and died at the age of 53. Neuropathological evaluation of the proband revealed abundant multicentric PrP plaques and Western blotting revealed a ~ 8 kDa protease-resistant, unglycosylated PrP fragment, consistent with a Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker phenotype. Her youngest sibling suffered from progressive cognitive decline, motor impairment, and myoclonus with onset in her late 30s and died at the age of 48. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of the R136S mutation in homozygosis in the two affected subjects linked to homozygous methionine at codon 129. One sibling carrying the heterozygous R136S mutation, linked to homozygous methionine at codon 129, is still asymptomatic at the age of 74. The inoculation of human brain homogenates from our index case and an independent case from a Portuguese family with the same mutation in transgenic mice expressing human PrP and in vitro propagation of PrP studies failed to show disease transmissibility. Conclusion: In conclusion, biallelic R136S substitution is a rare variant that produces inherited early-onset human prion disease with a Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker neuropathological and molecular signature. Even if the R136S variant is predicted to be "probably damaging", heterozygous carriers are protected, at least from an early onset providing evidence for a potentially recessive pattern of inheritance in human prion diseases