Current perspectives on lighting simulation for building science

This paper presents developments in lighting simulation during the last twenty years, using a scope related to the main aspects of a program (input, modelling, and output). Existing models use very similar theoretical algorithms and calculation aids. This limits characterization of certain physical phenomena. Current focus is on accurately representing common situations encountered by building designers and researchers. New or untested elements are difficult to develop or prototype. Input quality affects accuracy, while output needs careful expert interpretation. Few tools exist to support the early architectural design process. Well-considered simplification is required when integrating lighting simulation to whole building simulation

Shape coexistence and phase transitions in the platinum isotopes

The matrix coherent-state approach of the interacting boson model with configuration mixing is used to study the geometry of the platinum isotopes. With a parameter set determined in previous studies, it is found that the absolute minimum of the potential for the Pt isotopes evolves from spherical to oblate and finally to prolate shapes when the neutron number decreases from N=126 (semi-magic) to N=104 (mid-shell). Shape coexistence is found in the isotopes 182,184,186,188Pt. A phase diagram is constructed that shows the coexistence region as a function of the number of bosons and the strength of the mixing parameter

A socio-historic overview of social pedagogy and social work in Mexico

In this article, we offer a socio-historic overview of the development of social work and social pedagogy in Mexico. First, we examine the rise of the welfare state in Mexico in the immediate post-revolution period and the way the new secular government assumed control of social intervention. We describe the inception of the School of Social Assistance and the emergence of social work in the country, as well as exploring the role and influence of Cultural Missions and the training of social workers. We discuss the role of Fundamental Education, rural schools and their resemblance to the ideals of social pedagogy. Finally, we describe the founding of the Degree in Educational Intervention, which we consider sows the seeds of socio-pedagogical thought and practice in Mexico. We conclude that, despite the many periods of reorganisation of social intervention by successive governments, different initiatives use education to promote individual and collective development. Though social pedagogy does not exist as a profession in Mexico and social work is an imprecisely defined profession, education has a socialising potential that underpins pedagogical work of an extensive network of areas and agents animated by social ideals and goals

Errors in the measurement systems with the inclusion of single-phase loads at 220V in three-phase distribution networks

[EN] This research analyzes the problems presented by the measurement systems in one Phase three wires electrical distribution networks when single-phase loads are connected to 220V and proposes to replace the equation to eliminate the error that occurs in the energy meter. This case of study was given in Ecuador due to the massive inclusion of induction cookers through the change of the energy matrix promoted by the state since this account with more than 90 of hydroelectric energy to meet their electric demand. It is important to explain that this research does not include in the state of the art the problem and the solutions, because of this novelty was presented promptly in Ecuador due to the technical conditions of the energy distribution system, at the voltage level versus the construction voltage of the single-phase loads that in the case of induction, cookers were imported from countries that handle 220V single-phase voltages. This consequence does not present a choice, it is ethical for those responsible for the measurement systems of the Utility, to present a solution to the inconvenience of how it is developed in this investigation.This work was supported by Universitat Politectica de Valencia in Valencia (Spain), the Smart University 2.0 Research Group of the Universidad Catolica de Cuenca (Ecuador), and the Utility CENTROSUR for the data, equipment and laboratory to perform the tests (Ecuador).Toledo, MA.; Álvarez, C.; Morales, DX.; Arias, C. (2019). Errors in the measurement systems with the inclusion of single-phase loads at 220V in three-phase distribution networks. IEEE. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1109/CHILECON47746.2019.8987564S1

Improved constraints on WIMPs from the International Germanium Experiment IGEX

One IGEX 76Ge double-beta decay detector is currently operating in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in a search for dark matter WIMPs, through the Ge nuclear recoil produced by the WIMP elastic scattering. A new exclusion plot, has been derived for WIMP-nucleon spin-independent interactions. To obtain this result, 40 days of data from the IGEX detector (energy threshold E \~ 4 keV), recently collected, have been analyzed. These data improve the exclusion limits derived from all the other ionization germanium detectors in the mass region from 20 GeV to 200 GeV, where a WIMP supposedly responsible for the annual modulation effect reported by the DAMA experiment would be located. The new IGEX exclusion contour enters, by the first time, the DAMA region by using only raw data, with no background discrimination, and excludes its upper left part. It is also shown that with a moderate improvement of the detector performances, the DAMA region could be fully explored.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Physics Letters B (revised version after referee's comments, some figures added

Present status of IGEX dark matter search at Canfranc Underground Laboratory

One IGEX 76Ge double-beta decay detector is currently operating in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in a search for dark matter WIMPs, through the Ge nuclear recoil produced by the WIMP elastic scattering. A new exclusion plot has been derived for WIMP-nucleon spin-independent interactions. To obtain this result, 40 days of data from the IGEX detector (energy threshold 4 keV), recently collected, have been analyzed. These data improve the exclusion limits derived from all the other ionization germanium detectors in the mass region from 20 GeV to 200 GeV, where a WIMP supposedly responsible for the annual modulation effect reported by the DAMA experiment would be located. The new IGEX exclusion contour enters, by the first time, the DAMA region by using only raw data, with no background discrimination, and excludes its upper left part. It is also shown that with a moderate improvement of the detector performances, the DAMA region could be fully explored.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, talk delivered at the 7th International Workshop on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP 2001), September 2001, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy (to appear in the Conference Proceedings, Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.)

Integrating Visual and Energy Criteria for Optimal Window Design in Temperate Climates

Building codes and certifications require maximal building performance in different aspects. However, focusing on achieving a single purpose can prevent obtaining additional ones. This work aims to help building designers balance energy and visual performance design criteria. The difficulty to achieve many goals resides in high degrees of complexity when many building features must be considered in an infinite number of possible design solutions. Multi-objective optimization techniques start to be applied in building science, but different appropiate assessment criteria applied to a single problem can lead to diverse valid solutions. A brief review was made of commonly used energy consumption and visual comfort and performance criteria. The study was made through whole-building computer simulations of a standardized test room. This provided a solution space with "compromise sizes" satisfying both energy and visual aspect objectives. However, unprotected windows cannot meet all these criteria. This makes the provision of sun-protecting elements necessary. A selection procedure based on design needs is detailed

New constraints on WIMPs from the Canfranc IGEX dark matter search

The IGEX Collaboration enriched 76Ge double-beta decay detectors are currently operating in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory with an overburden of 2450 m.w.e. A recent upgrade has made it possible to use them in a search for WIMPs. A new exclusion plot has been derived for WIMP-nucleon spin-independent interaction. To obtain this result, 30 days of data from one IGEX detector, which has an energy threshold of ~4 keV, have been considered. These data improve the exclusion limits derived from other germanium diode experiments in the ~50 GeV DAMA region, and show that with a moderate improvement of the background below 10 keV, the DAMA region may be tested with an additional 1 kg-year of exposure.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Physics Letter

Pulse Shape Discrimination in the IGEX Experiment

The IGEX experiment has been operating enriched germanium detectors in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (Spain) in a search for the neutrinoless double decay of 76Ge. The implementation of Pulse Shape Discrimination techniques to reduce the radioactive background is described in detail. This analysis has been applied to a fraction of the IGEX data, leading to a rejection of ~60 % of their background, in the region of interest (from 2 to 2.5 MeV), down to ~0.09 c/(keV kg y).Comment: 18 pages, 10 figure