Strategic behaviour in Schelling dynamics: theory and experimental evidence

In this paper we experimentally test Schelling’s (1971) segregation model and obtain the striking result of full segregation in most of the cases. In addition, we extend Schelling’s model theoretically by adding strategic behaviour and moving costs. We obtain a unique subgame perfect equilibrium in which rational agents facing moving costs may find it optimal not to move (anticipating other participants’ movements). This equilibrium is far from full segregation. We run experiments for this extended Schelling model, and find that the percentage of full segregated societies is notably reduced when the cost of moving is high, but it is not affected when it is low, relative to the baseline with costless moving. We also find that the degree of segregation depends on the distribution of strategic subjects relative of a baseline model where moving is costless

Testing minimum cost strategies of pumping systems with scheduled electric tariffs in a lab scale plant

Ponencia presentada en IFAC Papers Online : Conference Paper ArchiveThis paper describes the development and testing of a lab plant that emulates a water supply pumping system with the objective of testing optimal pumping strategies based on standard solvers. The emulated system consists of two tanks that supply the water to two districts in a town. There are two pumps, that can fill the tanks through a reconfigurable hydraulic system with several valves. The automatic controller determines the valves and pumps that are active at each instant of time in order to minimize the operation cost, taking into account the electric tariff periods. Some aspects on the development of the lab plant are first discussed, including hydraulic aspects and real time control implementation issues. Then, a mathematical model is proposed to be able to formulate, in matrix form, the cost index and the constraints, such that, standard solvers as Mosek or CBC can be used. The full optimization proposal is tested on several experiments, and compare to some simulations, to demostrate the validity of the plant and the optimization approac

Field Efficacy of a Metarhizium anisopliae-Based Attractant Contaminant Device to Control Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

[EN] Biological control of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) using entomopathogenic fungi is being studied as a viable control strategy. The efficacy of a Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae)-based attractant contaminant device (ACD) to control C. capitata was evaluated in a medium-scale (40 ha) 2-yr field trial using a density of 24 ACD per ha. Results showed that this density was adequate to efficiently reduce fruitfly populations and that the inoculation dishes (IDs) needed replacing mid-season to provide protection for the entire season. In this study, fungal treatment was even more effective than conventional chemical treatment. Population dynamics in fungus-treated fields along with the infectivity study of field-aged IDs in the laboratory found that the ACD remained effective for at least 3 mo. The results suggest M. anisopliae-based ACD can be used to control C. capitata in the field. The implications of its use, especially as a tool in an integrated pest management program, are discussed.We thank Hellen Warbunton for editing the manuscript. This work was partially supported by the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias (INIA; Proyect: RTA03-103-C6-4) and the Comision Espanola Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CICYT; Proyect: AGL2006-13346-C02-02).Navarro-Llopis, V.; Ayala Mingol, I.; Sanchis Cabanes, J.; Primo Millo, J.; Moya Sanz, MDP. (2015). Field Efficacy of a Metarhizium anisopliae-Based Attractant Contaminant Device to Control Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 108(4):1570-1578. doi:10.1093/jee/tov157S15701578108

Easy method for the transformation of levulinic acid into gamma-valerolactone using a nickel catalyst derived from nanocasted nickel oxide

Different nickel catalysts have been tested for the transformation of levulinic acid into γ-valerolactone using an easy hydrothermal method, taking advantage of the properties of the high temperature water. A metallic nickel catalyst derived from NiO synthesized by a nanocasting procedure can achieve a productivity to γ-valerolactone, which is two orders of magnitude higher than that obtained by a commercial nickel catalyst. This nanocasted metallic nickel catalyst has shown bifunctionality as it is capable of activating water as the source for hydrogen and undertaking the further hydrogenation step. In contrast with metallic nickel, nickel oxide has shown to be incapable of transforming levulinic acid into γ-valerolactone.Authors from UV thank the University of Valencia (UV-INV-AE16-484416 project) and MINECO(MAT2017-84118-C2-1-R project) for fundingPeer reviewe

Resistencia nasal y tratamiento con presión positiva continua en la vía aérea en el síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación de la resistencia nasal (RN) con la tolerancia y el cumplimiento del tratamiento con presión positiva continua en la vía aérea (CPAP) en pacientes con síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHS). Material y método: Se estudió a 125 pacientes con índice de apneas-hipopneas (IAH) media (desviación típica) de 53 ± 21, en tratamiento con CPAP. La RN fue medida antes de iniciar el tratamiento mediante rinomanometría anterior activa, considerando los valores de flujo (ml/s) a 150 Pa de presión en cada fosa nasal. Se valoró la tolerancia y el cumplimiento de la CPAP a las 2 semanas, a los 6 meses y al año del tratamiento. Resultados: La media de la presión de CPAP prescrita fue de 9 ± 2 cmH2O. En 70 pacientes (56%) se consideró que la rinomanometría era patológica. No observamos correlación entre los flujos nasales y la presión de CPAP establecida (r = 0,018). El cumplimiento objetivo del tratamiento en el primer año fue de 5 ± 1,5 h/día. En este período, los efectos secundarios nasales más frecuentes fueron síntomas funcionales, tales como hidrorrinorrea, picor o estornudos (24%), sequedad oronasal (21%) y obstrucción nasal subjetiva (6%). No hubo diferencias significativas en la tolerancia y el cumplimiento de la CPAP entre los pacientes con rinomanometrías normal y patológica. Conclusiones: En el paciente con SAHS, la RN valorada con rinomanometría anterior no se correlaciona con el nivel de presión óptima de CPAP y no influye en su tolerancia ni en su cumplimiento

Chemosterilant Bait Stations Coupled With Sterile Insect Technique: An Integrated Strategy to Control the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

During 2008 and 2009, the efficacy of the combination of two Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), control techniques, sterile insect technique (SIT) and a chemosterilant bait station system (Adress), was tested in three crops: citrus (Citrus spp.), stone fruit (Prunus spp.), and persimmon (Diospyros spp.). Two thousand sterile males were released per ha each week in the whole trial area (50,000 ha, SIT area). For 3,600 ha, within the whole trial area, 24 Adress traps per ha were hung (SIT + Adress area). Ten SIT + Adress plots and 10 SIT plots in each of three different fruit crops were arranged to assess Mediterranean fruit fly population densities and fruit damage throughout the trial period. To evaluate the efficacy of each treatment, the male and female populations were each monitored from August 2008 to November 2009, and injured fruit was assessed before harvest. Results showed a significant reduction in the C. capitata population in plots treated with both techniques versus plots treated only with the SIT. Likewise, a corresponding reduction in the percentage of injured fruit was observed. These data indicate the compatibility of these techniques and suggest the possibility of using Adress coupled with SIT to reduce C. capitata populations in locations with high population densities, where SIT alone is not sufficiently effective to suppress fruit fly populations to below damaging levels.We thank Cooperativa Agrocola Nuestra Senora del Oreto (CANSO) and Cooperativa Agrocola San Bernardo de Carlet (CASBC) for helpful in the selection of orchards and Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion (GVA) for providing SIT treatment data. We also thank Syngenta Agro S.A. Spain and EPA S.L. for financial support of this project.Navarro-Llopis, V.; Vacas González, S.; Sanchis Cabanes, J.; Primo Millo, J.; Alfaro Cañamás, C. (2011). Chemosterilant Bait Stations Coupled With Sterile Insect Technique: An Integrated Strategy to Control the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 104(5):1647-1655. doi:10.1603/EC10448S16471655104

Ni Supported on Natural Clays as a Catalyst for the Transformation of Levulinic Acid into γ-Valerolactone without the Addition of Molecular Hydrogen

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is a valuable chemical that can be used as a clean additive for automotive fuels. This compound can be produced from biomass-derived compounds. Levulinic acid (LA) is a compound that can be obtained easily from biomass and it can be transformed into GVL by dehydration and hydrogenation using metallic catalysts. In this work, catalysts of Ni (a non-noble metal) supported on a series of natural and low-cost clay-materials have been tested in the transformation of LA into GVL. Catalysts were prepared by a modified wet impregnation method using oxalic acid trying to facilitate a suitable metal dispersion. The supports employed are attapulgite and two sepiolites with different surface areas. Reaction tests have been undertaken using an aqueous medium at moderate reaction temperatures of 120 and 180 ◦C. Three types of experiments were undertaken: (i) without H2 source, (ii) using formic acid (FA) as hydrogen source and (iii) using Zn in order to transform water in hydrogen through the reaction Zn + H2O → ZnO + H2. The best results have been obtained combining Zn (which plays a double role as a reactant for hydrogen formation and as a catalyst) and Ni/attapulgite. Yields to GVL higher than 98% have been obtained at 180 ◦C in the best cases. The best catalytic performance has been related to the presence of tiny Ni particles as nickel crystallites larger than 4 nm were not present in the most efficient catalysts