Eco-Layouts in Water Distribution Systems

[EN] To achieve maximum efficiency in water pressurized transport, it is necessary to perform a global analysis, whenever possible starting from the system's conception. The first stage of the process is the network layout, the main topic of this paper. The optimum topology from an energy point of view (or eco-layout) is the one that, insofar as is feasible, allows equalizing the network's pressure to the set pressure standards. Eco-layouts can be easily designed in new systems but are difficult to implement, mainly in the short term, in operating networks. Nevertheless, because no system is eternal, the required actions can be gradually implemented. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to identify and discuss these guidelines and actions, some of which are apparently contradictory to current design criteria, whereas others endorse modern management trends. These strategies can be summarized in two points: (1)providing lower pressure to consumers saves energy, and (2)setting up smaller pressure zones in terms of the elevation steps between zones will enable water companies to supply water at lower pressure in hilly areas. In the end, networks with more-efficient layouts can achieve important energy savings. (C) 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.The authors acknowledge the valuable contributions made by the reviewers of this paper, because their comments and suggestions helped to significantly improve the contents. Additionally, the authors thank Omnium Iberico/Aguas de Valencia for partially funding this research, and particularly its Energy Efficiency Department for providing some real case studies which inspired some of the examples included in this paper.Cabrera Marcet, E.; Gomez Selles, E.; Soriano Olivares, J.; Del Teso-March, R. (2019). Eco-Layouts in Water Distribution Systems. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 145(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452-0001024111145

Design of an Orthopedic Product by Using Additive Manufacturing Technology: The Arm Splint

[EN]The traditional fabrication process of custom-made splints has hardly undergone any progress since the beginning of its use at the end of the eighteenth century. New manufacturing techniques and the new materials can help to modernize this treatment method of fractures. The use of Additive Manufacturing has been proposed in recent years as an alternative process for the manufacture of splints and there has been an increase in public awareness and exploration. For this reason, in this study a splint model printed in 3D, that replaces the deficiencies of the cast maintaining its virtues, has been proposed. The proposed methodology is based on three-dimensional digitalization techniques and 3D modeling with reverse engineering software. The work integrates different scientific disciplines to achieve its main goal: to improve life quality of the patient. In addition, the splint has been designed based on the principles of sustainable development. The design of splint is made of Polycarbonate by technique of Additive Manufacturing with fused deposition manufacturing, and conceived with organic shapes, customizing openings and closing buttons with rubber. In this preliminary study the final result is a prototype of the 3D printed arm splint in a reduced scale by using PLA as material

Filament Advance Detection Sensor for Fused Deposition Modelling 3D Printers

The main purpose of this paper is to present a system to detect extrusion failures in fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printers by sensing that the filament is moving forward properly. After several years using these kind of machines, authors detected that there is not any system to detect the main problem in FDM machines. Authors thought in different sensors and used the weighted objectives method, one of the most common evaluation methods, for comparing design concepts based on an overall value per design concept. Taking into account the obtained scores of each specification, the best choice for this work is the optical encoder. Once the sensor is chosen, it is necessary to design de part where it will be installed without interfering with the normal function of the machine. To do it, photogrammetry scanning methodology was employed. The developed device perfectly detects the advance of the filament without affecting the normal operation of the machine. Also, it is achieved the primary objective of the system, avoiding loss of material, energy, and mechanical wear, keeping the premise of making a low-cost product that does not significantly increase the cost of the machine. This development has made it possible to use the printer with remains of coil filaments, which were not spent because they were not sufficient to complete an impression. Also, printing models in two colours with only one extruder has been enabled by this development

Behavior under Load of A Human Shoulder: Finite Element Simulation and Analysis

[EN]Most musculoskeletal injuries occur during the work routines in different areas, due to repetitive and sustained movements, they are often located in the shoulder. For workers in the building sector, the repetitive movements and displacements occur under load and unnatural postures of the shoulder joint. For this reason, this study aims to model in 3D the biological components which form the shoulder joint for the later finite element analysis. Three cases with different loads have been considered for this study. Due to a linear and isotropic joint approach it has been possible to evaluate the tensions in the main components of the shoulders: muscles, tendons and ligaments

Labeling water transport efficiencies

[EN] Pressurized Water Transport Systems (PWTSs) are responsible for a large percentage of the electricity consumption around the world, and current trends suggest that this proportion will continue to increase in the future. Controlling PWTS is therefore fundamental, including improving efficiency when necessary or compulsory. To achieve this, metrics to objectively assess the efficiency of the different losses and of the whole system are needed. These metrics, based on economic criteria, will be stricter if environmental costs are added to current water and energy costs. To assess different improvement strategies, some relative metrics, applied to both operational and structural losses, are considered. At the end, taking into account their relevance, these metrics are combined in a global energy score (IS), this being the main contribution of this paper. Finally, to focus on the concepts and methodology, a simple case study is presented.Gomez Selles, E.; Del Teso-March, R.; Cabrera Marcet, E.; Cabrera Rochera, E.; Soriano Olivares, J. (2018). Labeling water transport efficiencies. Water. 10(7):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10070935S11310

Design and Multiphysics Analysis of Direct and Cross-Coupled SIW Combline Filters Using Electric and Magnetic Couplings

In this paper, combline substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filters using electric and magnetic couplings are thoroughly studied. Thus, a negative coupling scheme consisting on an open-ended coplanar probe is proposed and analyzed in detail. Several in-line 3-pole filters at C-band are designed, manufactured and measured showing how the presented approach can be used for implementing direct couplings while enabling an important size reduction and improved spurious-free band compared to conventional magnetic irises. A fully-packaged quasi-elliptic 4-pole filter is also designed at 5.75 GHz showing how the negative coupling structure can be used for introducing transmission zeros by means of cross-couplings between non-adjacent resonators. Finally, average and peak power handling capabilities of these filters have been also analyzed from a multiphysics point of view. Measured results validate the theoretical predictions confirming that combline SIW filters can handle significant levels of continuous and peak power, providing at the same time easy integration, compact size and advanced filtering responses.This work was supported in part by MINECO (Spanish Government) under projects TEC2013-47037-C5-1-R and TEC2013-48036-C3-3-R. This paper is an expanded version from the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, USA, May 17-22, 2015.Sirci, S.; Sánchez Soriano, MÁ.; Martínez Pérez, JD.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Gentili, F.; Boesch, W.; Sorrentino, R. (2015). Design and Multiphysics Analysis of Direct and Cross-Coupled SIW Combline Filters Using Electric and Magnetic Couplings. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 63(12):4341-4354. doi:10.1109/TMTT.2015.2495287S43414354631

Equilibrium, Kinetic, and Computational Studies on the Formation of Cu2+ and Zn2+ Complexes with an Indazole-Containing Azamacrocyclic Scorpiand: Evidence for Metal-Induced Tautomerism

Cu2+ and Zn2+ coordination chemistry of a new member of the family of scorpiand-like macrocyclic ligands derived from tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) is reported. The new ligand (L1) contains in its pendant arm not only the amine group derived from tren but also a 6-indazole ring. Potentiometric studies allow the determination of four protonation constants. UV−vis and fluorescence data support that the last protonation step occurs on the indazole group. Equilibrium measurements in the presence of Cu2+ and Zn2+ reveal the formation of stable [ML1]2+, [MHL1]3+, and [ML1(OH)]+ complexes. Kinetic studies on the acid-promoted decomposition of the metal complexes were carried out using both absorbance and fluorescence detection. For Zn2+, both types of detection led to the same results. The experiments suggest that [ZnL1]2+ protonates upon addition of an acid excess to form [ZnHL1]3+ within the mixing time of the stopped-flow instrument, which then decomposes with a first-order dependence on the acid concentration. The kinetic behavior is more complex in the case of Cu2+. Both [CuL1]2+ and [CuHL1]3+ show similar absorption spectra and convert within the mixing time to a new intermediate species with a band at 750 nm, the process being reverted by addition of base. The intermediate then decomposes with a secondorder dependence on the acid concentration. However, kinetic experiments with fluorescence detection showed the existence of an additional faster step. With the help of DFT calculations, an interpretation is proposed in which protonation of [CuL1]2+ to form [CuHL1]3+ would involve dissociation of the tren-based NH group in the pendant arm and coordination of a 2H-indazole group. Further protonation would lead to dissociation of coordinated indazole, which then will convert to the more stable 1H tautomer in a process signaled by fluorescence changes that would not be affecting to the d−d spectrum of the complex

Enhancement of SOD activity in boehmite supported nanoreceptors

The binuclear Cu2+ complex of a pyridinophane polyamine ligand ranking amongst the fastest SOD mimetics so far reported displays a remarkable SOD activity enhancement when grafted to the surface of boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)) nanoparticles (BNPs)

Tenosinovitis subclínica detectada por ecografía en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea en remisión clínica sostenida

El objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia de tenosinovitis detectada por ecografía-doppler en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea (AR) en remisión clínica sostenida, determinar su asociación con las características de la enfermedad y determinar si la presencia de tenosinovitis ecográfica podría agregar información a la sinovitis para definir remisión ecográfica

Specific interaction of citrate with bis(fluorophoric) bibrachial lariat aza-crown in comparison with the other components of the Krebs cycle

Clares Garcia, M. Paz, [email protected] ; Garcia-España Monsonis, Enrique, [email protected] ; Soriano Soto, Concepcion, [email protected] ; Tejero Toquero, Roberto, [email protected]