The Role of Large and Small Scale Hydropower for Energy and Water Security in the Spanish Duero Basin

Hydropower has been increasingly seen as a two-fold solution to the provision of renewable energy and water storage. However, the massive deployment of both large and small scale hydropower projects has been reported to cause important environmental impacts at the basin scale. This study assesses the differential contributions to regional energy and water security of large (LHP) and small (SHP) scale hydropower deployment in the Spanish Duero basin, as well as associated cumulative environmental impacts. This is performed through a selection of indicators measured in absolute and relative terms. The results suggest that LHP deployment contributes more to energy and water security, performing better in 10 of the 12 indicators. It also shows higher absolute environmental impacts on flow regime and habitat loss. Meanwhile, when analyzed in relative terms, SHP shows greater impacts in all categories as a result of cumulative effects cascading along the rivers system. These findings suggest that optimizing the use of existing hydropower infrastructure would be beneficial for energy, water and environmental security. This could be implemented by substantially reducing the number of low capacity plants with almost no impact on final energy generation, while enhancing the pumping and storage potential of higher capacity plants

Disentangling the metallicity and star formation history of HII galaxies through tailor-made models

We present a self-consistent study of the stellar populations and the ionized gas in a sample of 10 HII galaxies with, at least, four measured electron temperatures and a precise determination of ionic abundances following the "direct method". We fitted the spectral energy distribution of the galaxies using the program STARLIGHT in order to quantify the contribution of the underlying stellar population to EW(Hbeta), which amounts to about 10% for most of the objects. We then studied the Wolf-Rayet stellar populations detected in seven of the galaxies. The presence of these populations and the corrected EW(Hbeta) values indicate that the ionizing stellar populations were created following a continuous star formation episode of 10 Myr duration, hence WR stars may be present in all of objects even if they are not detected in some of them. The derived stellar features, the number of ionizing photons and the relative intensities of the strongest emission lines were used as input parameters to compute tailored models with the photoionization code CLOUDY. Our models are able to y reproduce their thermal and ionization structure as deduced from their collisionally excited emission lines and, hence, no abundance discrepancy factors are implied for this kind of objects. Only the electron temperature of S+ is overestimated by the models, pointing to the possible presence of outer shells of diffuse gas in these objects. This kind of geometrical effects can affect the determination of the equivalent effective temperature of the ionizing cluster using calibrators which depend on low-excitation emission lines.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, MNRAS (in press

Adsorption and dissociation of molecular hydrogen on orthorhombic β- Mo2C and cubic δ-MoC (001) surfaces

Molybdenum carbides are increasingly used in heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation reactions, which imply the adsorption and dissociation of molecular hydrogen. Here a systematic density functional theory based study, including or excluding dispersion terms, concerning the interaction and stability of H2 with cubic δ-MoC(001) and orthorhombic β-Mo2C(001) surfaces is presented. In the latter case the two possible C or Mo terminations are considered. In addition, different situations for the H covered surfaces are examined. Computational results including dispersive forces predict as essentially spontaneous dissociation of H2 on β-Mo2C(001) independently of the surface termination, whereas on δ-MoC(001) molecular hydrogen dissociation implies a small but noticeable energy barrier. Furthermore, the ab initio thermodynamics formalism has been used to compare the stability of different H coverages. Finally, core level binding energies and vibrational frequencies are presented with the aim to assist the interpretation of yet unavailable data from X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopies

Precision abundance analysis of bright HII galaxies

We present high signal-to-noise spectrophotometric observations of seven luminous HII galaxies. The observations have been made with the use of a double-arm spectrograph which provides spectra with a wide wavelength coverage, from 3400 to 10400\AA free of second order effects, of exactly the same region of a given galaxy. These observations are analysed applying a methodology designed to obtain accurate elemental abundances of oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen, neon, argon and iron in the ionized gas. Four electron temperatures and one electron density are derived from the observed forbidden line ratios using the five-level atom approximation. For our best objects errors of 1% in t_e([OIII]), 3% in t_e([OII]) and 5% in t_e([SIII]) are achieved with a resulting accuracy of 7% in total oxygen abundances, O/H. The ionisation structure of the nebulae can be mapped by the theoretical oxygen and sulphur ionic ratios, on the one side, and the corresponding observed emission line ratios, on the other -- the \eta and \eta' plots --. The combination of both is shown to provide a means to test photo-ionisation model sequences currently applied to derive elemental abundances in HII galaxies.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, accepted by MNRA

High resolution spectroscopy of the BCD galaxy Haro 15: II. Chemodynamics

We present a detailed study of the physical properties of the nebular material in four star-forming knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. Using long-slit and echelle spectroscopy obtained at Las Campanas Observatory, we study the physical conditions (electron density and temperatures), ionic and total chemical abundances of several atoms, reddening and ionization structure, for the global flux and for the different kinematical components. The latter was derived by comparing the oxygen and sulphur ionic ratios to their corresponding observed emission line ratios (the $\eta$ and $\eta$' plots) in different regions of the galaxy. Applying the direct method or empirical relationships for abundance determination, we perform a comparative analysis between these regions. The similarities found in the ionization structure of the different kinematical components implies that the effective temperatures of the ionizing radiation fields are very similar in spite of some small differences in the ionization state of the different elements. Therefore the different gaseous kinematical components identified in each star forming knot are probably ionized by the same star cluster. However, the difference in the ionizing structure of the two knots with knot A showing a lower effective temperature than knot B, suggests a different evolutionary stage for them consistent with the presence of an older and more evolved stellar population in the first.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures, 8 tables, accepted by MNRA

Viabilitat i disseny d'una idea de negoci : "Difusió i Visibilització del Món dels Arxius"

El treball busca desenvolupar una línia de negoci centrada en la visibilitat dels arxius. La investigació té dos fases. Una primera anàlisi teòrica, basada en un estudi clàssic de mercat (anàlisis financer, DAFO, públic objectiu) i la creació final del producte. Els resultats, optimistes sobre el paper, no es van materialitzar a la pràctica. Posteriorment es va aplicar el mètode "Lean Startup" que defensa la creació d'un producte mínim viable que contempla el feedback amb el client, aportant així dades reals i validables. Des d'aquesta nova visió s'han dissenyat activitats, tallers i productes i s'ha establert una aliança amb professionals d'altres sectors.El trabajo persigue desarrollar una línia de negocio centrada en la visibilidad de los archivos. La investigación tiene dos fases. Un primer análisis teórico, basado en un estudio clásico de mercado (análisis financiero, DAFO, público objetivo) y la creación final del producto. Los resultados, optimistas sobre el papel, no se materializaron en la práctica. Posteriormente se aplicó el método "Lean Startup" que difiende la creación de un producto mínimo viable que contempla el feedback con el cliente, aportando así, datos reales y validables. Desde esta nueva visión se han diseñado actividades, talleres y productos y se ha establecido una alianza con profesionales de otros sectores.This paper seeks to develop a business line based on the archive visibility. There are two phases on its investigation. A first theoretical analysis, based on a classic market study (financial analysis, DAFO, potential targets) and the final creation of a product. The results, optimistic at the first time, did not get to be fulfilled. Then the "Lean Startup" method was applied, this method advocates the creation a minimal viable product, contemplating the feedback with the client, providing real and evaluable data. From this new vision have been designed activities, workshops, and products, and a new alliance have been stablished between professionals from other sectors

Influence of the AlN interlayer thickness on the photovoltaic properties of In-rich AlInN on Si heterojunctions deposited by RF sputtering

We report the influence of the AlN interlayer thickness (0-15 nm) on the photovoltaic properties of Al0.37In0.63N on Si heterojunction solar cells deposited by radio frequency sputtering. The poor junction band alignment and the presence of a 2-3 nm thick amorphous layer at the interface mitigates the response in devices fabricated by direct deposition of n-AlInN on p-Si(111). Adding a 4-nm-thick AlN buffer layer improves the AlInN crystalline quality and the interface alignment leading to devices with a conversion efficiency of 1.5% under 1-sun AM1.5G illumination. For thicker buffers the performance lessens due to inefficient tunnel transport through the AlN. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using In-rich AlInN alloys deposited by radio frequency sputtering as novel electron-selective contacts to Si-heterojunction solar cells

Hospital Virtual: Sistema de información clínica y telecuidado de pacientes VIH/SIDA basado en tecnologías Web 2.0

Este artículo describe el desarrollo de un nuevo sistema de información clínica y telecuidado de pacientes VIH/SIDA que se encuentra implantado en rutina clínica dentro del Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. El proyecto surge ante la necesidad de unificar el sistema de información departamental del servicio y un sistema de telemedicina instalado en el hospital en 2004. Para ello se han diseñado e implementado nuevas bases de datos y dos sistemas específicos para uso de profesionales y pacientes. Además, se ha realizado una integración con el Sistema de Información del Hospital (HIS) permitiendo el acceso a todos los datos requeridos de los pacientes desde una única aplicación. Este nuevo sistema está al servicio de más de 70 profesionales sanitarios que realizan una media de 150 consultas al día disponiendo de información clínica de más de 8000 pacientes

Sensitivity to anti-Fas is independent of increased cathepsin D activity and adrenodoxin reductase expression occurring in NOS-3 overexpressing HepG2 cells

Stable overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS-3) in HepG2 cells (4TO-NOS) leads to increased nitro-oxidative stress and upregulation of the cell death mediators p53 and Fas. Thus, NOS-3 overexpression has been suggested as a useful antiproliferative mechanism in hepatocarcinoma cells. We aimed to identify the underlying mechanism of cell death induced by NOS-3 overexpression at basal conditions and with anti-Fas treatment. The intracellular localization of NOS-3, the nitro-oxidative stress and the mitochondrial activity were analysed. In addition, the protein expression profile in 4TO-NOS was screened for differentially expressed proteins potentially involved in the induction of apoptosis. NOS-3 localization in the mitochondrial outer membrane was not associated with changes in the respiratory cellular capacity, but was related to the mitochondrial biogenesis increase and with a higher protein expression of mitochondrial complex IV. Nitro-oxidative stress and cell death in NOS-3 overexpressing cells occurred with the expression increase of pro-apoptotic genes and a higher expression/activity of the enzymes adrenodoxin reductase mitochondrial (AR) and cathepsin D (CatD). CatD overexpression in 4TO-NOS was related to the apoptosis induction independently of its catalytic activity. In addition, CatD activity inhibition by pepstatin A was not effective in blocking apoptosis induced by anti-Fas. In summary, NOS-3 overexpression resulted in an increased sensitivity to anti-Fas induced cell death, independently of AR expression and CatD activityThis study was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS 09/00185). G. Ferrín was supported by the Networked Biomedical Research Center Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD

Socio-demographic patterning of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviours in eight Latin American countries: findings from the ELANS study

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) are two independent risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, there is a lack of objectively measured information on PA and SB in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to use objective data to characterise socio-demographic patterns of PA and SB in eight Latin American countries. 2,732 participants (aged 15-65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS) were included. PA and SB data were collected using accelerometers. Overall and country-specific average levels of time spent in PA and SB were compared by sex, age, socioeconomic and education level. Overall, the mean time spent in SB was 571.6 min/day, ranging from 553.8 min/day in Chile to 596.7 min/day in Peru. Average levels of light, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total PA were 311.1 min/day (95% CI: 307.7; 314.5), 34.9 min/day (95% CI: 34.0; 35.9) and 7531.2 MET-min/week (95% CI: 7450.4; 7611.9), respectively. MVPA and total PA were higher in men than women. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 40.6%, ranging from 26.9% (Chile) to 47% (Costa Rica and Venezuela). Women were more physically inactive than men (47.7% versus 33.0%). SB levels were highest among those with higher education; PA graded positively with socioeconomic level. Our findings can inform the planning of health policies and programmes designed to reduce levels of physical inactivity, as well as inform the local and cultural adaptation of these policies and programmes for implementation in Latin America