EFFECTS OF LOUVERS SHADING DEVICES ON VISUAL COMFORT AND ENERGY DEMAND OF AN OFFICE BUILDING. A CASE OF STUDY

This paper evaluates the building energy demand and visual comfort of a real case with a glazed façade office building placed in Málaga (Mediterranean city in the south of Spain). South oriented facades receive such a high solar gain that cooling demand cannot be handled by the current HVAC system. As an environmental friendly solution, a shading control strategy based on vertical and horizontal louvers is proposed. The study consists of a comparison between the actual and the refurbished building with shading devices. Daylighting simulation is done with Daysim (Daysim, 2016). A group of offices with south, east and north oriented facades is chosen for the study. Horizontal louvers in the south façade and vertical louvers in the east facade are modelled and simulated. The simulation changes the angle of the louver: 0º (perpendicular to the glazing), -30º, 30º, -60º, 60º. Visual comfort parameters analyzed are: illuminance, daylight autonomy (DA) and useful daylight index (UDI). With respect to the thermal comfort, not only louvers orientation try to provide solar protection for glazed areas in cooling period but also maximize solar gains in heating period. However, an excessive daylight could affect discomfort glare. Shading control strategy must provide the equilibrium between both aspects. Thermal demand is calculated with Trnsys (TRNSYS, 2016).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Energyplus simulation model of a zoning regulation system intgegrated with an unitary ducted air-to-air heat pump

En los edificios se pueden distinguir una variedad de zonas con diferentes patrones de utilización y perfiles de cargas térmicas. Los sistemas de climatización zonificados permiten adaptarse a las diferentes demandas térmicas de cada espacio y no climatizar aquellos que no estén siendo utilizados. Recientemente, con el aumento de la disponibilidad de velocidades de ventilador de los principales fabricantes de unidades de expansión directa de pequeña y mediana potencia para conductos, se han desarrollado sistemas que se basan en lo que se denomina una “pasarela de comunicación”, que permite una mayor integración del sistema de zonas con el equipo de climatización, controlando aspectos tales como el encendido y apagado, modo de funcionamiento, velocidad del ventilador, temperatura de consigna del equipo, etc. Este trabajo presenta el desarrollo de un nuevo modelo computacional que integra estos sistemas en el programa de simulación energética EnergyPlusUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Impact of zoning heating and air conditioning control systems in users comfort and energy efficiency in residential buildings

Nowadays, in the residential sector, a widely used heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is the ducted direct expansion inverter system based on the on/off control of a single zone, which cannot guarantee the thermal comfort in each room of the building. As a solution, the standard EN 15,232 regulates the use of control systems including thermal zoning as a fundamental condition in the energy efficiency in buildings. The zoning system can adapt the equipment working regime to meet the thermal demand in each zone monitoring the air temperature according to users’ preferences ensuring the thermal comfort in each zone. Framed in this goal, in contrast to complex and costly control systems, this paper presents a new zoned control system based on thermostats and motorized dampers in each zone, a control board and a communication gateway which allows the communication between the unit and the control board to set operational parameters as the speed of the fan or the supply air set point temperature. The practical feasibility of this new control system is presented with a thermo-economic comparison analysis with respect the conventional in the context of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology certification scheme. The model of the zoning system together with implemented control algorithms is developed in TRNSYS17 and the case of study is a residential dwelling in three different Spanish cities. The results show how the thermal zoning control contributes to adapt the thermal energy to each zone in a more efficient way. Moreover, the regulation of the motorized dampers, fan speed and set point temperature of the unit ensures the thermal comfort in all the zones of the building guaranteeing a category B according to the standard regulations. Finally, from the point of view of energy consumption, energy savings from 21 to 42% are obtained, resulting in payback periods of the installation from 3.2 to 4.3 yearsFunding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Attracting complex networks

Real phenomena from different areas of Life Sciences can be described by complex networks, whose structure is usually determining their intrinsic dynamics. On the other hand, Dynamical Systems Theory is a powerful tool for the study of evolution processes in real situations. The concept of global attractor is the central one in this theory. In the last decades there has been an intensive research in the geometrical characterization of global attractors. However, there still exists a weak connection between the asymptotic dynamics of a complex network and the structure of associated global attractors. In this paper we show that, in order to analyze the long-time behavior of the dynamics on a complex network, it is the topological and geometrical structure of the attractor the subject to take into account. In fact, given a complex network, a global attractor can be understood as the new attracting complex network which is really describing and determining the forwards dynamics of the phenomena. We illustrate our discussion with models of differential equations related to mutualistic complex networks in Economy and Ecology

Analysis of a HVAC zoning control system with an air-to-water heat pump and a ducted fan coil unit in residential buildings

This paper presents an analysis of a thermal zoning system integrated in a Heating, Ventilation and Air- Conditioning (HVAC) system based on an air-to-water heat pump with a ducted fan coil. Zoned systems are based on independently controlling the temperature of each of the zones of a building. When a zone is not occupied or not in demand, the control board sends a control signal to the zone’s motorised damper which interrupts the airflow supply to that room. Although this control system is gaining popularity in the residential sector, the results obtained in terms of thermal comfort and energy consumptions are not evident and should be documented. Besides, the control strategy is based on an algorithm that allows acting on the heat pump, setting the set-point temperature, and on the fan-coil, setting the fan speed. Based on this, it is possible to design an algorithm to optimize the performance of the installation ensuring thermal comfort and achieving energy savings. The thermal zoning and the HVAC control system are modelled and simulated in Trnsys17 for the case of study of a residential dwelling, compared with two different configurations: a non-zoned ducted fan coil and individual fan coils. Important benefits are obtained in the evaluation of thermal comfort, with higher values of PPD in all zones. From the point of view of energy consumption, the influence of the thermal zoning on the performance of the heat pump reports important energy savings. Finally, an economic analysis results in payback periods lower than 4.9 years.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Inclusión, diversidad y equidad: diseño y validación de un cuestionario de opinión dirigido al profesorado de orientación educativa (IDEC-O)

The aim of this paper focuses on the results of a Delphi study carried out to design and to validate the content of an “ad hoc” opinion questionnaire. The questionnaire has been developed to know the counselors’ opinion on how the Asturian centers attend to diversity in primary and secondary stages. It was based on an instrument previously carried out, which was submitted to a pilot test in which 51 secondary school counselors participated (N = 51). In order to adapt the validity of the content to the two stages (primary and secondary), a quantitative and qualitative Delphi study was carried out in which 9 experts participated. The study was developed in two rounds and through different tasks in order to submit the blocks in which the questionnaire is structured to expert judgment. These blocks collect information on personal and professional variables and center data, on a Likert scale of 48 items and open questions. A content analysis of the qualitative information was carried out and a descriptive analysis of the mean, standard deviation and percentage of agreement in relation to the criteria adopted to consider an item as valid. The result is a questionnaire composed of five blocks: three of them collect information on identification and classification variables (sociodemographic, professional and center data). The fourth block is a Likert scale of 45 items and five response alternatives (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree).El propósito de este trabajo es presentar el estudio Delphi realizado para diseñar y validar el contenido de un cuestionario de opinión elaborado ad hoc para recoger la opinión de orientadores y orientadoras sobre cómo los centros asturianos responden a la diversidad en educación primaria y secundaria. Se partió de un instrumento elaborado ad hoc del que se realizó una aplicación piloto en la que participaron 51 orientadores y orientadoras de secundaria (N=51). Con objeto de adecuar la validez de contenido a ambas etapas se realizó un estudio Delphi de carácter cuantitativo y cualitativo en la que participaron 9 expertos. El estudio constó de dos rondas y distintas tareas con objeto de someter al criterio de expertos los bloques que componen el cuestionario y que recogen información sobre variables personales, profesionales, datos del centro, en una escala Likert de 48 ítems y preguntas abiertas. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de la información cualitativa y un análisis descriptivo, cálculo de la media, desviación típica y el porcentaje de acuerdo respecto a los criterios adoptados para considerar un ítem como válido. El resultado es un cuestionario de cinco bloques: tres recogen información sobre variables de identificación y clasificación (datos sociodemográficos; datos profesionales; datos referidos al centro). El cuarto es una escala Likert de 45 ítems y cinco alternativas de respuesta (1= muy en desacuerdo hasta 5= muy de acuerdo). El último consta de tres preguntas abiertas sobre barreras, facilitadores y propuestas de mejora

Percepción del profesorado de orientación educativa de la atención a la diversidad en centros de primaria y secundaria en Asturias (España)

ABSTRACT  The aim of this paper is to analyze the school counselors' perspective on how the schools respond to diversity in Primary Education (PE) and Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE) in order to identify differences and analyze strengths and weaknesses according to educational stages. A descriptive study has been conducted through a survey. Different instruments have been applied for data collection: an "ad hoc" questionnaire, which includes aspects related to sociodemographic variables, issues related to the context of the schools, a Likert scale composed of 43 items that aims to evaluate diversity (measures of attention to diversity) in the schools and a set of open questions to know which aspects favor and hinder the real application of the measures of attention to the diversity and the proposals of improvement. The research involved 143 school counselors from the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias. The results show a slight positive average valuation of diversity, although with a wide margin of improvement. The comparison between the stages shows that there are significant differences in the overall assessment and elements related to attitudes, teacher training, organization and contextualization of the schools’ documents to address diversity. These assessments reach higher average scores in the CSE stage and teachers perceive more strenghts at this stage than in Primary Education stage.RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la perspectiva del profesorado de Orientación Educativa respecto a cómo se responde a la diversidad en los centros educativos que imparten las enseñanzas correspondientes a la enseñanza básica, Educación Primaria (EP) y Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO), identificar las diferencias que existen y analizar  fortalezas y debilidades en función de la etapa. Se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo mediante encuesta, aplicando un cuestionario de elaboración propia que incluye aspectos referidos a variables sociodemográficas y al contexto de centro, una escala Likert, compuesta por 43 ítems, que tiene por objeto la evaluación de la atención a la diversidad en los centros y una serie de preguntas abiertas para conocer los aspectos que favorecen y dificultan la atención a la diversidad y propuestas de mejora. En la investigación han participado un total de 143 orientadores de la Comunidad Autónoma del Principado de Asturias. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto una valoración media de la atención a la diversidad ligeramente positiva, aunque con un amplio margen de mejora. La comparación entre las etapas evidencia que existen diferencias significativas en la valoración global y en los elementos referidos a las actitudes, la formación del profesorado, la organización y la contextualización de los documentos del centro para atender a la diversidad. Estas valoraciones alcanzan puntuaciones medias superiores en la ESO y los informantes perciben más fortalezas en esta etapa que en la EP.ABSTRACT  The aim of this paper is to analyze the school counselors' perspective on how the schools respond to diversity in Primary Education (PE) and Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE) in order to identify differences and analyze strengths and weaknesses according to educational stages. A descriptive study has been conducted through a survey. Different instruments have been applied for data collection: an "ad hoc" questionnaire, which includes aspects related to sociodemographic variables, issues related to the context of the schools, a Likert scale composed of 43 items that aims to evaluate diversity (measures of attention to diversity) in the schools and a set of open questions to know which aspects favor and hinder the real application of the measures of attention to the diversity and the proposals of improvement. The research involved 143 school counselors from the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias. The results show a slight positive average valuation of diversity, although with a wide margin of improvement. The comparison between the stages shows that there are significant differences in the overall assessment and elements related to attitudes, teacher training, organization and contextualization of the schools’ documents to address diversity. These assessments reach higher average scores in the CSE stage and teachers perceive more strenghts at this stage than in Primary Education stage

Dios en las tres culturas

Vicerrectorado de Investigación de la Universidad de MálagaConsejería de Innovación y Ciencia de la Junta de Andalucía (convocatoria 1/2010)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España FFI2010-09124-

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group