El estudio geográfico de la población en educación primaria

Cuando un niño o un adolescente quieren conocer la situación de la población de su barrio, de su país o del mundo, desean saber cómo viven las personas en esos lugares. Pero con frecuencia lo que le ofrece el sistema escolar es un conjunto de conceptos (densidad, natalidad, mortalidad, migraciones) y una gran cantidad de datos (tasas, índices, números absolutos) que en más de una ocasión le hacen olvidar cuál es su interés por conocer los hechos humanos. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar cómo se puede trabajar la población y el espacio geográfico en Educación Primaria (6 a 12 años de edad) y ver una alternativa en el proyecto Gea-Clío

Fases termodinámicamente estables en el sistema cerrado CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-CaSO4-H2O a 25 ºC. Aplicación a sistemas cementantes

One of the chief causes of cement and concrete deterioration is the loss of durability prompted by sulphate attack. The existing standards call for long test periods (2- 12 months). Thermodynamic modelling is a particularly appropriate technique for studying systems that only reach equilibrium in the long term. Used in the present study to establish the fields of thermodynamic stability for the phases in the CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-CaSO4-H2O system at 25 ºC. According to the model, gypsum is stable at sulphate ion concentrations of 1.23e-2 mol/kg and over, while ettringite exhibits stability at concentrations ranging from 7.64e-6 to 1.54e-2 mol/kg. Ettringite is compatible with all system phases except SH and gypsum only with ettringite, the C-S-H gels, AH3 and SH. None of the calcium aluminates or silicoaluminates in the system is compatible with gypsum: in its presence, they all decompose to cement deteriorating ettringite. Finally, the model revealed that the maximum sulphate concentration at which C-S-H gel is stable is slightly higher in systems with than without Al2O3.Uno de los principales problemas asociados al deterioro de cementos y hormigones es la pérdida de durabilidad por ataque de sulfatos. La normativa existente requiere largos tiempos de ensayo (2-12 meses). La modelización termodinámica es una técnica particularmente adecuada para el estudio de sistemas que alcanzan el equilibrio en tiempos largos. Aplicando esta metodología se han establecido los campos de estabilidad termodinámica de las fases del sistema CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-CaSO4-H2O a 25 ºC. El yeso es estable a partir de la [SO42-] = 1,23e-2 mol/kg, y la ettringita es estable en un rango de [SO42-] = 7,64e-6 -1,54e-2 mol/kg. La ettringita es compatible con todas las fases del sistema excepto con SH y el yeso sólo con la ettringita, los geles C-S-H, el AH3 y el SH. Ninguno de los aluminatos o silicoaluminatos cálcicos son compatibles con el yeso, en su presencia se descomponen dando etringita. Finalmente, la máxima [SO42-] en la que es estable el gel C-S-H es ligeramente superior en sistemas que contienen Al2O3 con respecto a los que no lo poseen

Biomorphic ceramics from wood-derived precursors

Materials development is driven by microstructural complexity and, in many cases, inspired by biological systems such as bones, shells and wood. In one approach, one selects the main microstructural features responsible for improved properties and design processes to obtain materials with such microstructures (continuous-fibre-reinforced ceramics, porous ceramics, fibrous ceramic monoliths, etc.). In a different approach, it is possible to use natural materials directly as microstructural templates. Biomorphic ceramics are produced from natural and renewable resources (wood or wood-derived products). A wide variety of SiC-based ceramics can be fabricated by infiltration of silicon or silicon alloys into cellulose-derived carbonaceous templates, providing a low-cost route to advanced ceramic materials with near-net shape potential and amenable to rapid prototyping. These materials have tailorable microstructure and properties, and behave like ceramic materials manufactured by advanced ceramic processing approaches. This review aims to be a comprehensive description of the development of bioSiC ceramics: from wood templates and their microstructure to potential applications of bioSiC materials.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MAT2016-76526-R, MAT2013-41233-

Spectropolarimetric multi line analysis of stellar magnetic fields

In this paper we study the feasibility of inferring the magnetic field from polarized multi-line spectra using two methods: The pseudo line approach and The PCA-ZDI approach. We use multi-line techniques, meaning that all the lines of a stellar spectrum contribute to obtain a polarization signature. The use of multiple lines dramatically increases the signal to noise ratio of these polarizations signatures. Using one technique, the pseudo-line approach, we construct the pseudo-line as the mean profile of all the individual lines. The other technique, the PCA-ZDI approach proposed recently by Semel et al. (2006) for the detection of polarized signals, combines Principle Components Analysis (PCA) and the Zeeman Do ppler Imaging technique (ZDI). This new method has a main advantage: the polarized signature is extracted using cross correlations between the stellar spectra nd functions containing the polarization properties of each line. These functions are the principal components of a database of synthetic spectra. The synthesis of the spectra of the database are obtained using the radiative transfer equations in LTE. The profiles built with the PCA-ZDI technique are denominated Multi-Zeeman-Signatures. The construction of the pseudo line as well as the Multi-Zeeman-Signatures is a powerful tool in the study of stellar and solar magnetic fields. The information of the physical parameters that governs the line formation is contained in the final polarized profiles. In particular, using inversion codes, we have shown that the magnetic field vector can be properly inferred with both approaches despite the magnetic field regime.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Redes de transmisión inteligente. Beneficios y riesgos

ResumenActualmente los sistemas eléctricos operan cada vez más cercanos a sus límites de estabilidad, es por ello que se hace necesaria y primordial la transición hacia nuevos sistemas de transmisión que garanticen la eficiente entrega de la energía eléctrica, evitando con ello cortes de energía que generan importantes pérdidas en la economía de cualquier país del mundo. En este documento se realiza un análisis de los elementos necesarios para una sana y eficiente transición de una red de transmisión eléctrica verticalmente, integrada hacia una red de transmisión inteligente. Se presenta un análisis comparativo entre dos de los marcos de referencia más importantes, el de la UE y el de EUA, en el modelo, desarrollo, beneficios y riesgos en la implementación de estos sistemas.AbstractNowadays the Power Systems are working near their stability limits, for this reason it is necessary and essential a transition to new transmission systems that ensure efficient delivery of electrical energy, with the objective to prevent “blackouts” that cause significant losses in the economy of any country in the world. This paper analyzes important elements to consider having a healthy and efficient transition from a power grid vertically integrated into a smart transmission grid. A comparative analysis in the model, development, benefits and risks of the implementation of these systems, between two of the main marc of references of smart grids, the EU and the USA is presented

Sliding wear resistance of biomorphic SiC ceramics

Biomorphic SiC ceramics were fabricated from four different wood precursors and their Knoop hardness and sliding wear resistance when sliding against a Si3N4 ball in air were studied. Tribological experiments were performed using a pin on disk apparatus, under normal loads of 2 and 5 N, at a sliding speed of 100 mm/s. The effects of specimen porosity and microstructure on measured wear were evaluated. A commercial sintered silicon carbide ceramic was also tested for comparison. Small differences in friction coefficient comparable to monolithic SiC ceramics were obtained. Several concurrent wear mechanisms are taking place: microfracture, plastic deformation in the Si phase and oxidation of the Si and/or SiC phase. The presence of an oxide tribolayer was assessed using fluorescence microscopy. Wear rates were found to scale with SiC content and depend on residual porosity in the composite.Peer reviewe

Evolutionary learning using a sensitivity-accuracy approach for classification

Accuracy alone is insufficient to evaluate the performance of a classifier especially when the number of classes increases. This paper proposes an approach to deal with multi-class problems based on Accuracy (C) and Sensitivity (S). We use the differential evolution algorithm and the ELM-algorithm (Extreme Learning Machine) to obtain multi-classifiers with a high classification rate level in the global dataset with an acceptable level of accuracy for each class. This methodology is applied to solve four benchmark classification problems and obtains promising results

Validity of water industry wastes in cement industry

This paper examines the validity of several water industry wastes to be reused in different stages of cement production. The wastes considered are: a drinking water treatment plant sludge (DWTP), a sewage sludge (SS) and a spent activated carbon. Different procedures of drying of wastes using a novel dry spray system or subjected to thermal drying or stabilization and dried with lime are analysed. The spray drying process was successfully used with the DWTP sludge (but not with SS). The material was not found to be suitable as a supplementary material in blended cements. Despite this, the spray dried sludge did show good potential as partial or full substitute for clay as a raw material in cement clinker manufacture. A novel thermally drying process (Turbo-drying RINA-JET) was applied to produce dried sewage sludge. The dry sludge consisted of 56 % organic matter and has a high calorific value (8291 J / g), making it valid as an alternative fuel. The ash (35% of dry SS) contains Ca, Fe, P, Si and Al as main inorganic elements which are incorporated into the clinker phases. The burnability of the raw mixture containing this SS sludge was better than in the control raw mix. Furthermore, the paper describes an industrial process for stabilising sewage sludge (SS) with lime and evaluates the viability of the stabilised product, referred to as “Neutral”, as a raw material in the production of Portland cement clinker for the cement industry. The proposed process for sewage sludge treatment has a number of advantages over traditional treatments. In the Basic plant design, the chemical energy in the reagents generates sufficient thermal energy for the moisture to evaporate. This makes the process more energy-efficient than others. The validity of the “Neutral” product as a starting material in raw mixes for the production of cement clinker by substitution of limestone is demonstrated. Regarding the validity of spent activated carbon as an alternative to pet coke as fuel in Portland cement kilns, the carbon differed substantially from the coke, having lower calorific value (18 % less). However, the qualities of the spent coke were still sufficient for the intended use. The ash fraction of the spent activated carbon was mainly composed of anhydrite and quartz (SO3 = 14.1 %) and it is included into the clinker phases during the burning. The SO3 from the ashes promotes a very large growth in alite crystals in the clinker

Induced systemic resistance against Botrytis cinerea by Micromonospora strains isolated from root nodules

This article is part of the Research Topic: Harnessing useful rhizosphere microorganisms for pathogen and pest biocontrol.-- Edited by: Aurelio Ciancio, Corné M. J. Pieterse and Jesús Mercado-Blanco.Micromonospora is a Gram positive bacterium that can be isolated from nitrogen fixing nodules from healthy leguminous plants, where they could be beneficial to the plant. Their plant growth promoting activity in legume and non-legume plants has been previously demonstrated. The present study explores the ability of Micromonospora strains to control fungal pathogens and to stimulate plant immunity. Micromonospora strains isolated from surface sterilized nodules of alfalfa showed in vitro antifungal activity against several pathogenic fungi. Moreover, root inoculation of tomato plants with these Micromonospora strains effectively reduced leaf infection by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, despite spatial separation between both microorganisms. This induced systemic resistance, confirmed in different tomato cultivars, is long lasting. Gene expression analyses evidenced that Micromonospora stimulates the plant capacity to activate defense mechanisms upon pathogen attack. The defensive response of tomato plants inoculated with Micromonospora spp. differs from that of non-inoculated plants, showing a stronger induction of jasmonate-regulated defenses when the plant is challenged with a pathogen. The hypothesis of jasmonates playing a key role in this defense priming effect was confirmed using defense-impaired tomato mutants, since the JA-deficient line def1 was unable to display a long term induced resistance upon Micromonospora spp. inoculation. In conclusion, nodule isolated Micromonospora strains should be considered excellent candidates as biocontrol agents as they combine both direct antifungal activity against plant pathogens and the ability to prime plant immunity.This work was supported by MICINN Grant AGL2010-17380 and AGL-2012-39923. Fellowship from CSIC JAE-PREPeer reviewe