Strategies and good practice for sustainable and liveable cities of tomorrow

This contribution deals with the question, what makes cities sustainable and integrative, and suggests an approach for "liveable cities of tomorrow" designed to sustain mobility. The liveable city of tomorrow needs to meet both ecological and social requirements in an integrative approach. To design urban patterns appropriate or “sustainable mobility” based on a concept of mobility defined as the number of accessible destinations (different to that for “fossil mobility” defined as the ability to cover distances) is a key element of such an approach. Considering the limited reserves of fossil fuels and the long lifetime of the built structure, mobility needs to rely on modes independent of fossil fuels (public transport and pedestrians) to make it sustainable and the urban pattern needs to be developed appropriately for these modes. Crucial for the success of public transport is the location of buildings within the catchment area of stops. An attractive urban environment for pedestrians is characterised by short distances in a compact settlement with appropriate/qualified urban density and mixed land use as well as by attractive public space. This, complemented by an integrative urban development on the quarter level including neighbourhood management with a broad spectrum of activity areas (social infrastructure, integration of diverse social and ethnic groups, health promotion, community living, etc.), results in increased liveability. The role of information technology in this context is to support a sustainable use of the built structures by organisational instruments. Sustainable and liveable communities offer many benefits for health, safety and well-being of their inhabitants.

Comparative study of the pathogenicity of seabed isolates of Fusarium equiseti and the effect of the composition of the mineral salt medium and temperature on mycelia growth

The pathogenicity of seven strains of Fusarium equiseti isolated from seabed soil was evaluated on different host plants showing pre and post emergence damage. Radial growth of 27 strains was measured on culture media previously adjusted to different osmotic potentials with either KCl or NaCl (-1.50 to - 144.54 bars) at 15º, 25º and 35º C. Significant differences and interactive effects were observed in the response of mycelia to osmotic potential and temperature.

Graph based study of allergen cross-reactivity of plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) using microarray in a multicenter study.

The study of cross-reactivity in allergy is key to both understanding. the allergic response of many patients and providing them with a rational treatment In the present study, protein microarrays and a co-sensitization graph approach were used in conjunction with an allergen microarray immunoassay. This enabled us to include a wide number of proteins and a large number of patients, and to study sensitization profiles among members of the LTP family. Fourteen LTPs from the most frequent plant food-induced allergies in the geographical area studied were printed into a microarray specifically designed for this research. 212 patients with fruit allergy and 117 food-tolerant pollen allergic subjects were recruited from seven regions of Spain with different pollen profiles, and their sera were tested with allergen microarray. This approach has proven itself to be a good tool to study cross-reactivity between members of LTP family, and could become a useful strategy to analyze other families of allergens.

New version of a laboratory impact device for firmness sensing of fruits.

Results of previous studies conducted by different researchers have shown that impact techniques can be used to evaluate firmness (Delwiche et al., 1989; Delwiche et al.;1996; Jaren et al., 1992; Ruiz Altisent et al., 1996). To impact the fruit with a small spherical impactor of known mass and radius of curvature and measure the acceleration of the impactor is a technique described by Chen et al. (1985) and used by several researchers for sensing fruit firmness (Jaren et al., 1992; Correa et al.; 1992). The advantages of this method vs. a force sensor that measures the force as a function of time is that the measured impact-acceleration response is independent of the fruit mass and is less sensitive to the variation in the radius of curvature of the fruit (Chen et al., 1996). Ruiz Altisent et al. (1993) developed and used a 50 g impactor with a 19 mm diameter spherical tip, dropping from different height for fruits (apples, pears, avocados, melons, peaches ...). Another impact device for firmness sensing of fruits was developed by Chen and Ruiz Altisent (1996). They designed and fabricated an experimental low-mass impact sensor for high-speed sensing of fruit firmness. The impactor consisted of a semi-spherical impacting tip attached to the end (near the centre of percussion) of a pivoting arm. Impact is done by swinging the impactor to collide with the fruit. It has been implemented for on-line use. In both devices a small accelerometer is mounted behind the impacting tip. Lateral impactor and vertical impactor have been used in laboratory and the results from non-destructive impact tests have contributed to standardise methods to measure fruit firmness: Barreiro (1992) compared impact parameters and results of Magness-Taylor penetration tests for apples, pears, apricots [and peaches; Agulheiro (1994) studied the behaviour of the impact parameters during seven weeks of cold storage of two melon varieties; Ortiz (1998) used low energy impact and NIR procedures to segregate non crispy, non firm and soft peaches. Steinmetz (1996) compared various non-destructive firmness sensors, based on sound, impact and micro-deformation.

La espacialidad del encuentro. Análisis de las comunidades de los conjuntos habitacionales modernos en el caso chileno del Gran Valparaíso

La producción habitacional moderna chilena del siglo xx proporcionó modelos valiosos en los que abundaban espacios proclives al encuentro de la comunidad que, además, han logrado perdurar en el tiempo. Sin embargo, el estado de degradación en que se encuentran algunos de estos conjuntos ha puesto en entredicho sus cualidades efectivas para resolver el problema de la vivienda, tanto por su racionalidad excesiva como por su escasa capacidad para acoger los modos de vida propios de sus habitantes. A día de hoy, ante la masificación indiscriminada del mercado inmobiliario, cabe plantearse una mirada retrospectiva hacia algunos de estos conjuntos que mediaron entre la renovación y la realidad local preexistente, como ocurrió en algunos contextos geográficos complejos como el ‘Gran Valparaíso’. Las ciudades de Valparaíso y Viña del Mar destacan por su peculiar morfología urbana entre planicie y cerros, conformada tanto por construcciones espontáneas como planificadas, generalmente adaptadas a la geografía. La aparición de nuevos modelos en altura en los cerros tuvo consecuencias significativas para la escala del barrio y la ciudad, como la apropiación del patrimonio común de los ciudadanos —la vista hacia el paisaje de la bahía— y un cierto descontrol en las relaciones entre lo construido y su entorno inmediato. Dicha situación se tradujo en la deshumanización de los espacios colectivos y la pérdida del ‘sentido de lo comunitario’, dos situaciones propias del habitar local. Sin embargo, algunos conjuntos modernos dieron importancia a este tipo de espacios, que utilizaron como complemento a los reducidos recintos comunes de la unidad habitacional. Así, mediante la integración de circulaciones, espacios comunitarios y dotaciones, se estimuló la ‘comunidad’ y se favoreció la relación socio-espacial entre la vecindad y el barrio. El hecho de que en su implantación recogiesen cualidades locales —o no— requiere de un estudio más exhaustivo, especialmente en lo que toca a los modos de vida asociados. Esta tesis presenta la trayectoria y el proceso de desarrollo comunitario de siete conjuntos habitacionales modernos construidos en Valparaíso y Viña del Mar. Una evolución que estuvo impulsada por las cualidades formales y funcionales de los espacios comunes, profundamente arraigados al lugar. A través de un análisis retrospectivo de los ámbitos de encuentro y la trayectoria de la vida cotidiana, y construido desde la documentación junto con los recuerdos de los habitantes originarios, este trabajo revisa el estado actual de dichos conjuntos, sus singularidades y los cambios que han experimentado en el tiempo. ABSTRACT The twentieth century’s Chilean modern housing production has provided valuable models in which abounded spaces likely to community encounter, that also have managed to survive over time. However, some modern housing complexes exhibit an evident state of deterioration, that contradicts their characteristics for solving housing problems, both for its excessive rationality as their limited capacity to accommodate the ways of life of its inhabitants. However while the housing market has established a model based on standardization and individuality, an evaluation of the real characteristics of the main modern constructions is required, that mediate between the renewal and the existing local reality especially in cities emplaced in geographic complexes such as the ‘Gran Valparaíso’. The cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are notable for its unique urban morphology between flat land and hills, formed both by spontaneous as planned constructions, generally adapted to the geography. The emergence of these new height models, particularly in the hills, had significant consequences at neighborhood and city. On the one hand has implied ownership of the common heritage of the people —the view of the landscape of the bay— and on the other hand have devalued the relationship between the built and the immediate environment. That situation even involved the dehumanization of collective spaces and loss of ‘sense of community’, both part of the local ways of live. However some modern collective housing gave importance to such spaces as a way to address the lack of common spaces in the dwelling unit. Through the integration of circulations, community spaces and endowments, ‘community’ was stimulated and socio-spatial relationship between vicinity and the neighborhood was favored. The fact that in its implementation to collect local qualities —or not— requires further study, especially in terms of associated lifestyles. This thesis presents the trajectory and community development process of seven modern housing complexes built in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. As will be seen, without a doubt the formal and functional qualities of common spaces prompted the neighborhood’s evolution, deeply rooted in place.. Through a built from the documentation with the memories of the original inhabitants retrospective analysis of the areas of encounter and experience of everyday life, this research reviews the current status of these sets, their singularities and the changes that have experienced over time.

Integración de sistemas fotovoltaicos en edificios de oficinas en bajas latitudes: estudio del balance energético aplicado a Brasil

La hipótesis que inspiró esta tesis sostiene que la integración de componentes fotovoltaicos en los cerramientos opacos y sombreamientos de huecos acristalados de edificios de oficinas en sitios ubicados en bajas latitudes, tomando como el ejemplo el caso concreto de Brasil, podría incrementar su eficiencia energética. Esta posibilidad se basa en el bloqueo de una parte significativa de la irradiación solar incidente en estos edificios, reduciendo así las cargas térmicas para la climatización y a la vez transformándola en energía eléctrica, a tal punto que se amortizan los costes de inversión en plazos aceptables a través de los ahorros en la demanda de energía. Para verificar esta hipótesis de partida se ha propuesto como objetivo general analizar la integración de elementos fotovoltaicos en cubiertas, muros opacos y sombreamiento de huecos acristalados desde la óptica del balance energético térmico y eléctrico. Inicialmente se presenta y analiza el estado del arte en los temas estudiados y la metodología de investigación, de carácter teórico basada en cálculos y simulaciones. A partir de un modelo tipo de edificio de oficinas situado en Brasil, se definen cuatro casos de estudio y una serie de parámetros, los cuales se analizan para siete latitudes ubicadas entre -1,4° y -30°, separadas las unas de las otras por aproximadamente 5°. Se presentan y discuten los resultados de más de 500 simulaciones para los siguientes conceptos: - recurso solar, desde la perspectiva de la disponibilidad de irradiación solar en distintas superficies de captación apropiadas para la integración de sistemas solares fotovoltaicos en edificaciones en bajas latitudes; - análisis de sombras, con objetivo de identificar los ángulos de sombras vertical (AVS) para protección de huecos acristalados en edificios de oficinas; - balance energético térmico, para identificar el efecto térmico del apantallamiento provocado por componentes fotovoltaicos en cubiertas, muros opacos y parasoles en ventanas en las cargas de refrigeración y consecuentemente en las demandas de energía eléctrica; - balance energético eléctrico, contrastando los resultados del balance térmico con la energía potencialmente generada en las envolventes arquitectónicas bajo estudio; - análisis económico, basado en un escenario de precios de la tecnología fotovoltaica de un mercado maduro y en la política de inyección a la red marcada por la actual normativa brasileña. Se han verificado los potenciales de ahorro económico que los sistemas activos fotovoltaicos podrían aportar, y asimismo se calculan diversos indicadores de rentabilidad financiera. En suma, esta investigación ha permitido extraer conclusiones que contribuyen al avance de la investigación y entender las condiciones que propician la viabilidad de la aplicación de componentes fotovoltaicas en las envolventes de edificios en Brasil, y hasta un cierto punto en otros países en latitudes equivalentes. ABSTRACT The hypothesis that inspired this thesis sustains that integration of photovoltaic components in the opaque envelope and shading elements of office buildings placed at low-latitude countries, using the specific case of Brazil, could increase its energy efficiency. This is possible because those components block a significant part of the incident solar irradiation, reducing its heating effect on the building and transforming its energy into electricity in such a way that the extra investments needed can be paid back in acceptable periods given the electricity bill savings they produce. In order to check this hypothesis, the main goal was to analyze the thermal and electrical performance of photovoltaic components integrated into roofs, opaque façades and window shadings. The first step is an introduction and discussion of the state of the art in the studied subjects, as well as the chosen methodology (which is theoretical), based on calculations and simulations. Starting from an office building located in Brazil, four case studies and their parameters are defined, and then analyzed, for seven cities located between latitudes -1.4° and -30°, with an approximate distance of 5° separating each one. Results of more than 500 simulations are presented and discussed for the following concepts: - Solar resource, from the perspective of irradiation availability on different surfaces for the integration of photovoltaic systems in buildings located at low latitudes; - Shading analysis, in order to determine the vertical shading angles (VSA) for protection of the glazed surfaces on office buildings; - Thermal energy balance, to identify the screening effect caused by photovoltaic components on roofs, opaque façades and window shadings on the cooling loads, and hence electricity demands; - Electric energy balance, comparing thermal energy balance with the energy potentially generated using the active skin of the buildings; - Economic analysis, based on a mature-market scenario and the current net metering rules established by the Brazilian government, to identify the potential savings these photovoltaic systems could deliver, as well as several indicators related to the return on the investment. In short, this research has led to conclusions that contribute to the further development of knowledge in this area and understanding of the conditions that favor the application of photovoltaic components in the envelope of office buildings in Brazil and, to a certain extent, in other countries at similar latitudes.

Influence of allelic prolamin variation and localities on durum wheat quality

Thirty-seven varieties of a Mediterranean durum wheat collection grown in Tunisia and Spain were analysed for their allelic composition in prolamins, as well as their protein concentration, sodium dodecyl sulphate sedimentation (SDSS) test and mixograph parameters. Genotype was a greater source of variation in all measurements than locality. Uncommon high and low molecular glutenin subunits (HMW-GS and LMW-GS) were found (V and 2? subunits at Glu-A1, 13 þ 16 at Glu-B1, 5* subunit and ax allele at Glu-A3). The rare combinations 2 þ 4þ14 þ 18 and 8 þ 9þ13 þ 16þ18 subunits at the Glu-B3 locus were found. Glu-A3ax had a positive influence on SDSS and mixograph parameters. Of all the prolamins, those that have the B-LMW-GS composition aaa (for Glu-A3, Glu-B3 and Glu-B2 loci, respectively), when associated with the Glu-A1c and Glu-B1d gave the best semolina quality. By contrast, semolina quality is poor when this same composition is associated with the Glu-A1c and Glu-B1e and even poorer when associated with the Glu-A1c and Glu-B1f. In addition, the cultivars with B-LMW-GS allelic composition aab (for Glu-A3, Glu-B3 and Glu-B2 loci, respectively), when associated with the Glu- A1c and Glu-B1d, gave high quality, whereas when associated with the Glu-A1c and Glu-B1e or with Glu- A1o and Glu-B1f, the quality was very poor.

Identification of novel drought-tolerant-associated SNPs in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a leguminous in high demand for human nutrition and a very important agricultural product. Production of common bean is constrained by environmental stresses such as drought. Although conventional plant selection has been used to increase production yield and stress tolerance, drought tolerance selection based on phenotype is complicated by associated physiological, anatomical, cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes. These changes are modulated by differential gene expression. A common method to identify genes associated with phenotypes of interest is the characterization of Single Nucleotide Polymorphims (SNPs) to link them to specific functions. In this work, we selected two drought-tolerant parental lines from Mesoamerica, Pinto Villa, and Pinto Saltillo. The parental lines were used to generate a population of 282 families (F3:5) and characterized by 169 SNPs. We associated the segregation of the molecular markers in our population with phenotypes including flowering time, physiological maturity, reproductive period, plant, seed and total biomass, reuse index, seed yield, weight of 100 seeds, and harvest index in three cultivation cycles. We observed 83 SNPs with significant association (p < 0.0003 after Bonferroni correction) with our quantified phenotypes. Phenotypes most associated were days to flowering and seed biomass with 58 and 44 associated SNPs, respectively. Thirty-seven out of the 83 SNPs were annotated to a gene with a potential function related to drought tolerance or relevant molecular/biochemical functions. Some SNPs such as SNP28 and SNP128 are related to starch biosynthesis, a common osmotic protector; and SNP18 is related to proline biosynthesis, another well-known osmotic protector.