Water supply and energy in residential buildings: Potential savings and financial profitability

This article examines the suitability of water supply installations in residential buildings for the pressure conditions of the main water network, and evaluates the energy saving possibilities associated with pumping water into homes. It assesses the situation and the options for renovation in a sample of 151 buildings in the city of Zaragoza (Spain), estimating the savings in electric power and the possible financial returns that could be obtained. The results show that in half the buildings, the installations are inadequate and lead to inefficient energy use, which could be avoided by renovation. However, they also show that in many cases, this type of retrofitting would not be profitable for the building owners, meaning that technically viable solutions may not necessarily be financially viable. To mitigate or avoid the energy inefficiency in question, the public sector could step in by informing and financing support for building owners and regulating in the areas of town planning and construction

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) regulates mesenchymal stem cells through let-7f microRNA and Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-independent regulator of growth and apoptosis in various cell types. The receptors and signaling pathways that are involved in the growth factor activities of TIMP-1, however, remain controversial. RNA interference of TIMP-1 has revealed that endogenous TIMP-1 suppresses the proliferation, metabolic activity, and osteogenic differentiation capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The knockdown of TIMP-1 in hMSCs activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as indicated by the increased stability and nuclear localization of β-catenin in TIMP-1–deficient hMSCs. Moreover, TIMP-1 knockdown cells exhibited enhanced β-catenin transcriptional activity, determined by Wnt/β-catenin target gene expression analysis and a luciferase-based β-catenin– activated reporter assay. An analysis of a mutant form of TIMP-1 that cannot inhibit MMP indicated that the effect of TIMP-1 on β-catenin signaling is MMP independent. Furthermore, the binding of CD63 to TIMP-1 on the surface of hMSCs is essential for the TIMP-1–mediated effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. An array analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) and transfection studies with specific miRNA inhibitors and mimics showed that let-7f miRNA is crucial for the regulation of β-catenin activity and osteogenic differentiation by TIMP-1. Let-7f was up-regulated in TIMP-1–depleted hMSCs and demonstrably reduced axin 2, an antagonist of β-catenin stability. Our results demonstrate that TIMP-1 is a direct regulator of hMSC functions and reveal a regulatory network in which let-7f modulates Wnt/β-catenin activity

Tri-axial accelerometry shows differences in energy expenditure and parental effort throughout the breeding season in long-lived raptors

Cutting-edge technologies are extremely useful to develop new workflows in studying ecological data, particularly to understand animal behavior and movement trajectories at the individual level. Although parental care is a well-studied phenomenon, most studies have been focused on direct observational or video recording data, as well as experimental manipulation. Therefore, what happens out of our sight still remains unknown. Using high-frequency GPS/GSM dataloggers and tri-axial accelerometers we monitored 25 Bonelli's eagles Aquila fasciata during the breeding season to understand parental activities from a broader perspective. We used recursive data, measured as number of visits and residence time, to reveal nest attendance patterns of biparental care with role specialization between sexes. Accelerometry data interpreted as the overall dynamic body acceleration, a proxy of energy expenditure, showed strong differences in parental effort throughout the breeding season and between sexes. Thereby, males increased substantially their energetic requirements, due to the increased workload, while females spent most of the time on the nest. Furthermore, during critical phases of the breeding season, a low percentage of suitable hunting spots in eagles' territories led them to increase their ranging behavior in order to find food, with important consequences in energy consumption and mortality risk. Our results highlight the crucial role of males in raptor species exhibiting biparental care. Finally, we exemplify how biologging technologies are an adequate and objective method to study parental care in raptors as well as to get deeper insight into breeding ecology of birds in general

PROSPECCIONES LIQUENOLÓGICAS EN ÁFRICA DEL NORTE. II. LÍQUENES CALCÍCOLAS Y EPÍFITOS DEL LITORAL DE MARRUECOS

Floristic results of our studies in several coastal localities in Morocco devoted to epiphytic and calcicolous lichens. are presented here. 59 taxa are cited; 18 are cited for Morocco for the first time. We remark the following taxa: Arthoniu exilis, Arthoniu cerasi, Buellia erubescens, Opegrapha diaphoroides, Opegrapha durieui, Opegrapha mougeotii, Opegrapha variaeformis, Pertusaria maximiliana, Petractis thelotremella.Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en el estudio de los líquenes calcícolas y epífitos de diversas localidades costeras de Marruecos. Se citan 59 táxones, de los cuales 18 son, según nuestros datos, nuevas citas para Marruecos. En el resumen en inglés ofrecemos una selección de los táxones más interesantes

VEGETACIÓN LIQUÉNICA EPIFITICA DE LA SIERRA DEL CALAR DEL MUNDO: ESBOZO FITOSOCIOLÓGICO

The first results of the research on the epiphytic lichenic vegetation in the Calar del Mundo range mountain is given. A total of eight communities are recognized; Pseudevernierurn furfuraceae, com. of Caliciurn viride and com. of Cladonia sp. pl. on pines: com. of Lecanora sienae, Physcierurn adscendentis, Parrnelierurn acetabulae, Nephrornerurn luevigatae and Rarnalinerurn fasrigiarae on evergreen oaks and oakwoods. Remarks on their ecology and chorology are given.Los autores analizan la vegetación liquénica epifitica de la Sierra del Calar del Mundo. Se reconocen las siguientes comunidades: Pseudovernierurn furfuraceae, Com. de Caliciurn viride y Com. de Cladonia sp. pl., sobre pinos, Com. de Lecanora sienae, Physcierurn ascendenris. Parrnelierurn acerabulae, Nephrornefurn laevigarae y Rarnalineturn fasrigiarae, en encinares y robledales

Age-dependent changes in insulin-like immunoreactivity in rat submandibular salivary glands.

In recent years, a growing interest had arisen in hormonal factors in salivary glands. We have investigated the changes in the content of an insulin-like immunoreactive (ILI) compound in the submandibular salivary glands of Sprague Dawley rats during physiological aging, in the range 15 days-27 months. The amount of ILI in the submandibular glands of young adult rats was found to be doubled in the post-natal period until the age of puberty and was maintained in senescence. No significant correlation was found between age-dependent variations in ILI levels of submandibular salivary glands and circulating insulin concentrations, further supporting previous indications that ILI is being synthesized in situ. It is possible that ILI could exert paracrine effects within the glands, as regards the development of other glandular structures during the first months of life, as well as the preservation of glandular function in senescent animals as well

Testing characteristics of grid forming converters part III : inertial behaviour

On the path towards an energy system powered entirely by Renewable Energy Sources (RES), power electronic converters will have to take over more and more functionalities from synchronous generators to ensure a stable and secure operation of the power grid. Moreover, it is widely recognised that the use of Grid Forming Converters (GFC) is necessary to fully meet these requirements. Over the last years, different concepts have been developed to achieve grid forming characteristics of static power converters. The next essential step is to agree on an exact definition and specification of GFC electrical behaviour as well as to define a suitable conformity assessment procedure. For this purpose, standardised testing guidelines for GFC are needed to assess those functionalities, which are relevant for dynamic grid stability. As a British-German joint work of the two research projects Battery-VSM and VerbundnetzStabil, the first draft of such guidelines is being currently developed. One of the necessary characteristics which makes converter a GFC is its ability to provide inertial response during the dynamic frequency changes in the system. This paper focuses on how to demonstrate and quantify an inertia-equivalent behaviour of a GFC. The response to a transient system event is quantified in terms of a damping factor D as well as an equivalent inertia constant H. A few alternative methods are proposed for empirical estimation of those parameters accompanied by selected laboratory test results and practical considerations

Revisión de las especies de la familia Lichinaceae incluidas en el herbario Werner (BC)

All species of the lichen family Lichinaceae reported from northern Africa in Prof. Werner's works are compiled. A revision on the material collected corresponding to these species and actually included in BC herbarium is made.Recopilamos en este estudio todas las citas de especies de la familia Lichinaceae incluidas en la extensa bibliografía sobre el norte de Africa del Prof. R.G. Werner y revisamos los pliegos correspondientes conservados en el herbario del Instituto Botánico de Barcelona (BC)

Effect of a traditional control method (tree removal) on the spread of sharka in an apricot orchard in Southeastern Spain

The spatial spread of sharka disease (Plum pox virus, PPV) was studied from 1990 to 2002 in a traditional apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) orchard located in Murcia (Southeast of Spain). The occurrence of sharka was determined by the visual observation of symptoms on leaves and fruits during the ripening stage, when symptoms are most visible. To ascertain PPV in doubtful samples, an ELISA-DASI assay was applied to the leaves. All trees infected the previous year were pulled up and were not replanted. Results showed that the virus was introduced to the farm by natural vectors (aphids) from a neighbouring sharka-infected plum orchard. It was then transmitted from these infected trees mainly to nearby trees by the same vectors, although also often to trees standing quite a distance away. The long interval between infection and symptom appearance makes eradication of the disease more difficult. Pulling up infected trees as a control method reduced the percentage of trees ultimately lost, and over the long term could stop the further spread of the disease