Estimating adaptive setpoint temperatures using weather stations

Reducing both the energy consumption and CO 2 emissions of buildings is nowadays one of the main objectives of society. The use of heating and cooling equipment is among the main causes of energy consumption. Therefore, reducing their consumption guarantees such a goal. In this context, the use of adaptive setpoint temperatures allows such energy consumption to be significantly decreased. However, having reliable data from an external temperature probe is not always possible due to various factors. This research studies the estimation of such temperatures without using external temperature probes. For this purpose, a methodology which consists of collecting data from 10 weather stations of Galicia is carried out, and prediction models (multivariable linear regression (MLR) and multilayer perceptron (MLP)) are applied based on two approaches: (1) using both the setpoint temperature and the mean daily external temperature from the previous day; and (2) using the mean daily external temperature from the previous 7 days. Both prediction models provide adequate performances for approach 1, obtaining accurate results between 1 month (MLR) and 5 months (MLP). However, for approach 2, only the MLP obtained accurate results from the 6th month. This research ensures the continuity of using adaptive setpoint temperatures even in case of possible measurement errors or failures of the external temperature probes.Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities 00064742/ITC-20133094Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness BIA 2017-85657-

Optimizing the evaluation of thermal transmittance with the thermometric method using multilayer perceptrons

The characterization of building thermal behaviour is crucial to achieve the low-carbon objectives of the European Union by 2050. In this way, the knowledge of the thermal transmittance is being developed as a significant factor of the thermophysical properties of the envelope. In the existing building, the theoretical calculation has several limitations with non-destructive techniques typical of the deterioration of the elements. Many experimental methods obtain therefore more representative results. The experimental method developed in ISO 9869–1 is the most standardized, although it presents limitations in the heat flux measurement. However, the thermometric method obtains the thermal transmittance with the surface temperature. This research is focused on the evaluation of the thermal transmittance based on ISO 9869–1 (average method and average method with correction for storage effects), but using variables measured with the thermometric method. For this purpose, multilayer perceptrons were used as post-processing techniques. The models were trained by using a dataset of 22,820 simulated tests of representative walls of the building stock in Spain. The determination coefficient was greater than 98% in both analysis approaches. Individual models were also generated for each building period because they significantly influenced the input variables. The results showed that thermal transmittance values can be obtained without measuring the heat flux, and the error associated with the use of tabulated values for the total internal heat transfer can be removed. This research would guarantee a high assessment tax of buildings establishing adequate energy conservation measures to improve their energy performance

Las estelas de Robledo de la Guzpeña (León)

Robledo de la Guzpeña is a tiny mountain hamlet located in the province of León (Spain). Three funerary Roman tablets have been found hitherto in this district. This three tablets, along with two funerary texts originating from the nearby municipality of Renedo de Valtuejar, composes an archaeological assemblage of five funerary texts. One of these epigraphic finds seems related to the princeps cantabrorum stele.Robledo de la Guzpeña es un pequeño municipio de la montaña oriental leonesa cuya demarcación viene proporcionando desde 1997 algunas lápidas romanas de interés. El primero de los textos funerarios es un referente obligado en el estudio de la primera organización romana entre los pueblos del noroeste hispano, nos referimos a la famosa inscripción de Doviderus, el prínceps cantabrorum. El segundo texto guarda alguna relación con el anterior y lo damos a conocer en esta ocasión. La tercera inscripción aunque publicada recientemente, precisa una revisión. La existencia de otros dos textos funerarios hallados en 1928 en la vecina localidad de Renedo de Valdetuejar conforman ahora un pequeño conjunto epigráfico

Estimating Adaptive Setpoint Temperatures Using Weather Stations

[Abstract] Reducing both the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of buildings is nowadays one of the main objectives of society. The use of heating and cooling equipment is among the main causes of energy consumption. Therefore, reducing their consumption guarantees such a goal. In this context, the use of adaptive setpoint temperatures allows such energy consumption to be significantly decreased. However, having reliable data from an external temperature probe is not always possible due to various factors. This research studies the estimation of such temperatures without using external temperature probes. For this purpose, a methodology which consists of collecting data from 10 weather stations of Galicia is carried out, and prediction models (multivariable linear regression (MLR) and multilayer perceptron (MLP)) are applied based on two approaches: (1) using both the setpoint temperature and the mean daily external temperature from the previous day; and (2) using the mean daily external temperature from the previous 7 days. Both prediction models provide adequate performances for approach 1, obtaining accurate results between 1 month (MLR) and 5 months (MLP). However, for approach 2, only the MLP obtained accurate results from the 6th month. This research ensures the continuity of using adaptive setpoint temperatures even in case of possible measurement errors or failures of the external temperature probe

Automation and optimization of in-situ assessment of wall thermal transmittance using a Random Forest algorithm

Reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions is among the main challenges of building sector. It is therefore crucial to know the characteristics of envelopes. There are experimental methods to determine thermal transmittance, but limitations are presented. By using techniques of artificial intelligence, this article solves the limitations of current methods by predicting correctly the thermal transmittance value of ISO 6946 and the building period of a wall with monitored data. The methodology used is extrapolated to any country: 163 real monitorings and 140 different typologies of walls have been combined to generate the dataset (22,820 items). The results show the optimal operation of the Random Forest algorithm because both the thermal transmittance of ISO 6946 and the building period are determined by using the most common methods: the heat flow meter method and the thermometric method. This study makes progress towards more automatized processes to characterize thermal transmittance

Evaluating the potential of adaptive comfort approach using historic data to reduce energy consumption in buildings in southern Spain

The application of adaptive comfort models is among the determinant factors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. This research studies the region of Andalusia (south of Spain). A cluster analysis is applied to 786 Andalusian municipalities, and 4 groups are established according to the potential of adaptive strategies. A town is chosen from each group, and an hourly specific study is conducted for the last 20 years, as well as a daily study of the old time series by using an artificial neural network based on the existing climate data. The possibility of application of the EN 16798-1:2019 standard during the days of the year is analysed, as well as the possibilities of using natural ventilation and the possibility of using adaptive setpoint temperatures in comparison with both 3 fixed heating temperatures and 3 fixed cooling temperatures by considering the energy saving. The results to apply the standard ranged 69.0 and 100% of the days of each year. The possibilities of natural ventilation considered were greater than 10% of the hours of the year in all the assumptions. The energy saving of cooling degrees reveals a greater potential in the area studied than that of heating degrees; this tendency is supported by the study of old temporary series which are part of the climate variation predicted throughout the 21st century.European Union (EU): US 125546info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Renal Function Impact in the Prognostic Value of Galectin-3 in Acute Heart Failure

[Abstract] Introduction: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an inflammatory marker associated with the development and progression of heart failure (HF). A close relationship between Gal-3 levels and renal function has been observed, but data on their interaction in patients with acute HF (AHF) are scarce. We aim to assess the prognostic relationship between renal function and Gal-3 during an AHF episode. Materials and methods: This is an observational, prospective, multicenter registry of patients hospitalized for AHF. Patients were divided into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): preserved renal function (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and renal dysfunction (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between Gal-3 and 12-month mortality. Results: We included 1,201 patients in whom Gal-3 values were assessed at admission. The median value of Gal-3 in our population was 23.2 ng/mL (17.3-32.1). Gal-3 showed a negative correlation with eGFR (rho = -0.51; p < 0.001). Gal-3 concentrations were associated with higher mortality risk in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for eGFR and other prognostic variables [HR = 1.010 (95%-CI: 1.001-1.018); p = 0.038]. However, the prognostic value of Gal-3 was restricted to patients with renal dysfunction [HR = 1.010 (95%-CI: 1.001-1.019), p = 0.033] with optimal cutoff point of 31.5 ng/mL, with no prognostic value in the group with preserved renal function [HR = 0.990 (95%-CI: 0.964-1.017); p = 0.472]. Conclusions: Gal-3 is a marker of high mortality in patients with acute HF and renal dysfunction. Renal function influences the prognostic value of Gal-3 levels, which should be adjusted by eGFR for a correct interpretation.Grant No. RD06-0003-0000 Grant No. RD12/0042/000

Impaired Antioxidant Defence Status Is Associated With Metabolic-Inflammatory Risk Factors in Preterm Children With Extrauterine Growth Restriction: The BIORICA Cohort Study

Introduction: An impaired antioxidant status has been described during foetal growth restriction (FGR). Similarly, the antioxidant defence system can be compromised in preterm children with extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the antioxidant status in prepubertal children with a history of prematurity without FGR, with and without EUGR, compared to a healthy group. Methods: In total, 211 children were recruited and classified into three groups: 38 with a history of prematurity and EUGR; 50 with a history of prematurity and adequate extrauterine growth (AEUG); and 123 control children born at term. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were assessed in lysed erythrocytes with spectrophotometric methods. Plasma levels of the antioxidants α-tocopherol, retinol and β-carotene were determined through solvent extraction and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results: Children with the antecedent of EUGR and prematurity had lower CAT activity than the other two groups and lower GPx activity than the control children. Lower SOD, GPx and GR activities were observed in the AEUG group compared to the controls. However, higher concentrations of α-tocopherol and β-carotene were found in the EUGR group compared to the other groups; retinol levels were also higher in EUGR than in AEUG children. In EUGR and AEUG children, enzymatic antioxidant activities and plasma antioxidants were associated with metabolic syndrome components and pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Conclusions: This study reveals, for the first time, that the EUGR condition and prematurity appear to be linked to an impairment of the antioxidant defence status, which might condition an increased risk of adverse metabolic outcomes later in life.This study was funded by the Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (Iþ DþI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria Project No. PI13/01245 from the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs and co-financed by the Consejería de Innovación y Ciencia, Junta de Andalucía, PI-0480-2012, Spain. ÁG was funded by the Research Plan of the Vice-Rectorate of Research and Transfer of the University of Granada, Spain. This paper will be included in MO-D's doctorate under the Biomedicine Program at the University of Córdoba, Spain. The funding bodies did not partake in the design, collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data or in writing the manuscript. Maternal-Infant and Developmental Health Network (SAMID), RETICS Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain (Red SAMID RD12/0026/0015).Ye

CRISPR/Cas9-generated models uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities of del(11q) CLL cells to dual BCR and PARP inhibition

[EN]The deletion of 11q (del(11q)) invariably comprises ATM gene in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Concomitant mutations in this gene in the remaining allele have been identified in 1/3 of CLL cases harboring del(11q), being the biallelic loss of ATM associated with adverse prognosis. Although the introduction of targeted BCR inhibition has significantly favored the outcomes of del(11q) patients, responses of patients harboring ATM functional loss through biallelic inactivation are unexplored, and the development of resistances to targeted therapies have been increasingly reported, urging the need to explore novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we generated isogenic CLL cell lines harboring del(11q) and ATM mutations through CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing. With these models, we uncovered a novel therapeutic vulnerability of del(11q)/ATM-mutated cells to dual BCR and PARP inhibition. Ex vivo studies in the presence of stromal stimulation on 38 CLL primary samples confirmed a synergistic action of the combination of olaparib and ibrutinib in del(11q)/ATM-mutated CLL patients. In addition, we showed that ibrutinib produced a homologous recombination repair impairment through RAD51 dysregulation, finding a synergistic link of both drugs in the DNA damage repair pathway. Our data provide a preclinical rationale for the use of this combination in CLL patients with this high-risk cytogenetic abnormality