Diseño energéticamente eficiente de un módulo portátil para emergencias médicas

La escasez de infraestructuras médicas en los lugares donde se producen catástrofes humanas hacen que sea necesaria la disponibilidad de equipos móviles para intervenir en situaciones de emergencia sanitaria. De aquí surge la idea del diseño de un módulo portátil para emergencias, con la finalidad ofrecer asistencia sanitaria y agua potable a la población afectada por estas catástrofes y conflictos. El módulo se ha diseñado buscando la sostenibilidad, aprovechando el recurso solar para el funcionamiento de sus sistemas de potabilización y equipos sanitarios y utilizando contenedores marítimos reciclados para su diseño. Para el desarrollo del proyecto se ha realizado un estudio de los distintos sistemas de atención sanitaria extrahospitalaria existentes en el mercado. Además, se han realizado entrevistas a la directora de un Centro de Salud y a un oficial militar. Basándonos en las conclusiones obtenidas en el análisis previo, se han desarrollado los distintos bloques de los que consta el módulo. Seguidamente se han dimensionado las instalaciones que proporcionarán energía al Módulo.Por un lado la instalación fotovoltaica y por otro lado el grupo electrógeno de apoyo. Debido a que el Módulo Sostenible de Emergencias puede ser utilizado en cualquier localización del planeta en función de las necesidades se ha realizado un análisis de las posibilidades de utilización de las cargas en función de las diferentes latitudes. También se ha diseñado un sistema de potabilización de agua, mediante el cual se cubrirán las necesidades básicas que puedan darse en cualquiera de los escenarios para los que el Módulo está diseñado. En definitiva se pretende ofrecer una herramienta a las distintas ONGs, gobiernos y entidades para afrontar de forma más eficaz y sostenible situaciones críticas como catástrofes naturales y conflictos bélicos

Identificación de oportunidades de negocio en el mercado eléctrico mexicano

El documento presenta la identificación de oportunidades de negocio que el mercado eléctrico mexicano brinda a los inversores, en los distintos sectores económicos, ahora más que nunca con la aprobación de la reforma energética que se está llevando a cabo en el país. Para ello se ha realizado un exhaustivo estudio del sector eléctrico identificando los Organismo, Instituciones y Entidades que participan en la planificación del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional. A continuación, se ha realizado una descripción del funcionamiento del Mercado desde una perspectiva legal, identificando la legislación eléctrica en vigor. Se han estudiado los procedimientos de conexión de instalaciones de generación con energías renovables y sistemas de cogeneración, analizando las diferentes opciones de generación así como el marco regulatorio vigente dónde están contemplados los mecanismos de contraprestación por la energía eléctrica generada a partir de fuentes renovables de energía y cogeneración. Por otro lado, se estudiarán todas las modalidades de tarifas eléctricas existentes para usuarios y se describirá cada una de ellas. Finalmente, se muestra un caso práctico de realización de un diagnóstico energético que le permite a las empresas reducir sus costes energéticos mediante la optimización de contratación de suministros energéticos, así como conocer la caracterización del reparto de consumos energéticos en las empresas. Para la realización de dicho diagnóstico es necesario el estudio realizado sobre el sector

Assessing the criticality of interdependent power and gas systems using complex networks and load flow techniques

Gas and electricity transmission systems are increasingly interconnected, and an attack on certain assets can cause serious energy supply disruptions, as stated in recommendation (EU) 2019/553 on cybersecurity in the energy sector, recently approved by the European Commission. This study aims to assess the vulnerability of coupled natural gas and electricity infrastructures and proposes a method based on graph theory that incorporates the effects of interdependencies between networks. This study is built in a joint framework, where two different attack strategies are applied to the integrated systems: (1) disruptions to facilities with most links and (2) disruptions to the most important facilities in terms of flow. The vulnerability is measured after each network attack by quantifying the unmet load (UL) through a power flow analysis and calculating the topological damage of the systems with the geodesic vulnerability (v) index. The proposed simulation framework is applied to a case study that consists of the IEEE 118-bus test system and a 25-node high-pressure natural gas network, where both are coupled through seven gas-fired power plants (GFPPs) and three electric compressors (ECs). The methodology is useful for estimating vulnerability in both systems in a coupled manner, studying the propagation of interdependencies in the two networks and showing the applicability of the v index as a substitute for the UL index

Quartzite procurement in conglomerates and deposits:Geoarchaeological characterization of potential catchmentareas in the central part of the Cantabrian Region, Spain

Raw material characterization in Paleolithic archaeology has widened our knowledge of Middle Paleolithic societies. Procurement of raw material, specifically flint, has allowed the tracing of the mobility of both stones and people, as well as selective processes to obtain specific types or even extraction activities. The analysis of quartzite has also developed in recent years, providing an opportunity to better understand prehistoric societies. This study characterizes the procurement strategies implemented by Middle Paleolithic people in the mountainous region of the Picos de Europa. To this end, we present a comprehensive characterization of potential catchment areas: massive outcrops, conglomerates, and river deposits. The exploitation of quartzite at the sites of El Habario and El Arteu allows us to understand the territorial management of this mountainous area through the combination of selective processes and mobility mechanisms in lower and middle altitudes. These perspectives enable us to view the mountainous region not as a barrier but as an environmental mosaic managed by Middle Paleolithic groups. This study shows strategies that bring together direct and embedded procurement based on both intensive and extensive searches. These discourses are more closely related to the daily life of people than those only considering the mobility of people and objects.Education Department of the Government of the Basque Country, Grant/Award Number: POS_2018_1_002; The Spanish Ministry of Science Project, Grant/Award Number: HAR2017-82493-C3-1-P; The Consolidated Research Group in Prehistory of the Basque Country University, Grant/Award Number: IT-1223-1

Peer mentoring at the university level: the importance of organization

Peer Mentoring Programs implemented in University of Zaragoza faculties during the 2012-2013 academic year have been received favorably by university management teams and have achieved outstanding student mentor involvement in support of new students. This was achieved through the application of a convenient organizational model and an objective and transparent assessment activity method developed by mentors based on online records

Effect of olive oil consumption on cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Some large prospective studies on olive oil consumption and risk of chronic disease sug- gested protective effects. Objective: We conducted an outcome-wide systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the association between olive oil consumption and the primary risk of 4 different outcomes: cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, type 2 diabetes (T2D) or all-cause mortality through January 2022. Methods: Thirty-six studies were included in the systematic review and twenty-seven studies (24 pro- spective cohorts and 3 different reports from one RCT) were assessed in 4 quantitative random-effects meta-analyses. They included a total of 806,203 participants with 49,223 CVD events; 1,285,064 par- ticipants with 58,892 incident cases of cancer; 680,239 participants with 13,389 incident cases of T2D; and 733,420 participants with 174,081 deaths. Olive oil consumption was most frequently measured with validated food frequency questionnaires. Studies follow-up ranged between 3.7 and 28 years. Results: A 16% reduced risk of CVD (relative risk [RR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76 to 0.94), standardized for every additional olive oil consumption of 25 g/d was found. No significant association with cancer risk was observed (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.03, per 25 g/d). Olive oil consumption was associated with a 22% lower relative risk of T2D (RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.87, per 25 g/d) without evidence of heterogeneity. Similarly, it was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.93, per 25 g/d). Only the results for T2D were homogeneous. Specific sources of hetero- geneity for the other 3 outcomes were not always apparent. Conclusions: Prospective studies supported a beneficial association of olive oil consumption with CVD, T2D and all-cause mortality, but they did not show any association with cancer risk

Sugar Content in Processed Foods in Spain and a Comparison of Mandatory Nutrition Labelling and Laboratory Values

To reduce the sugar content of processed foods through reformulation, the first step is to determine the content of the largest sources of sugars in each country’s diet. The aim of this work was to describe the sugar content in the most commonly consumed processed foods in Spain and to compare that sugar’s labelling and laboratory analysis values (LVs and AVs, respectively) to confirm its adequacy. A sample of the 1173 most commonly consumed processed foods in Spain (28 groups; 77 subcategories) was collected. For each product, the total sugar content was compared according to its AV and LV. The median (25th –75th percentiles, interquartile range) sugar content by group was calculated for the total sample, and the groups were classified as “high sugar content” when this value was above 22.5 g/100g of product. The adequacy of the LV, according to the European Union (EU) tolerance requirements, was then evaluated, and each subcategory median was compared with the AV to determine its appropriateness via a median test for independent samples (p < 0.05). In total, 10 out of 28 groups presented high sugar content. Moreover, 98.4% of the products met the EU tolerance ranges. Finally, only one subcategory (“cured ham”) presented significant differences between the AV and LV median values (0.4 g vs. 0.1 g sugar/100g, p < 0.05). The groups of food products whose sugar content reduction could have the greatest impact on public health were identified. In addition, our study showed the high adequacy of LV with the EU labeling tolerance requirements, as well as the LV’s appropriateness as a tool to implement actions aimed at reducing sugar consumption

Group intervention to promote healthy habits in the workplace: IPHASAL Program

Artículo original[ES] Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyen un grave problema de salud pública. El ámbito la boral es óptimo para intervenir sobre los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. El objetivo es evaluar una intervención grupal de promoción de hábitos saludables (programa IPHASAL) mediante apoyo entre iguales en el ámbito laboral. Método: En el programa participaron 325 trabajadores de 13 empresas con factores de riesgo cardiovascular (hiper tensión, tabaquismo, exceso de peso, inactividad física). Antes y después del programa se midió peso y altura, ten sión arterial y se pasó un cuestionario sobre hábitos de salud. El programa consistía en asistir a talleres formativos y sesiones grupales en las que los participantes compartían experiencias, conocimientos y progresos sobre hábitos saludables. El resultado se midió con el Índice Fuster BEWAT (IFB), calculado con la puntuación de 5 variables: ten sión arterial, ejercicio, peso, alimentación y tabaco.Resultados: Los participantes sin criterios de exclusión en el proyecto fueron 273. El 79% asistió a 3 o más talleres y el 73,9% acudió a 3 o más sesiones. Todos los parámetros del IFB mejoraron significativamente tras el programa, siendo el mayor incremento en la actividad física y el menor en el tabaquismo. El IFB total aumentó un 17,4% (1,5 puntos), siendo superior el aumento en mujeres (19,6%) que en hombres (14,0%) y en el grupo más joven (21,6%). Conclusiones: La intervención grupal IPHASAL es aplicable al ámbito laboral y contribuye a mejorar el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular, ayudando a los trabajadores a potenciar el cambio hacia estilos de vida.[EN] Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a major public health problem. The workplace is an optimal setting to intervene on cardiovascular risk factors. The aim is to evaluate a group intervention to promote healthy habits (IPHASAL program) through peer support in the workplace.Method: The program involved 325 workers in 13 companies with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, overweight, physical inactivity). Before and after the program, weight and height, blood pressure were measured and a questionnaire on health habits was administered. The program consisted of training workshops and group sessions in which participants shared experiences, knowledge and progress on healthy habits. The outcome was measured with the Fuster BEWAT Index (FBI), calculated with the score of 5 variables under study: blood pressure, exercise, weight, diet and smoking. Results: Participants without exclusion criteria in the project were 273. 79% attended 3 or more workshops and 73.9% attended 3 or more sessions. All FBI parameters improved significantly after the program, with the largest increase in physical activity and the smallest increase in smoking. Total FBI increased by 17.4% (1.5 points), with a higher increase in women (19.6%) than in men (14.0%) and in the youngest group (21.6%). Conclusions: The IPHASAL group program is applicable to the workplace and contributes to improving the cardiovascular risk profile, helping workers to promote change towards healthy lifestyles.N

The supply chain of violence

Every year, more people are killed defending the environment than are soldiers from the United Kingdom and Australia on overseas deployments in war zones combined. During the last 15 years, the number of both deaths of environmental defenders, and the countries where they occur, have increased. Recorded deaths have increased from two per week to four per week over this period. These deaths are primarily related to conflict over natural resources, across a range of sectors. Of 683 total deaths, >230 were related to mining and agribusiness between 2014 and 2017. We find that rule of law and corruption indices are closely linked to patterns of killings. Using spatial data, we investigate the drivers of these conflicts and violence and seek to identify who may be most at risk and why. We argue that businesses, investors and national governments at both ends of the chain of violence need to be more accountable