Temperature proxies of sediment cores from the Sea of Marmara

Reconstructing ocean temperature values is a major target in paleoceanography and climate research. However, most temperature proxies are organism-based and thus suffer from an "ecological bias". Multiproxy approaches can potentially overcome this bias but typically require more investment in time and resources, while being susceptible to errors induced by sample preparation steps necessary before analysis. Three lipid-based temperature proxies are widely used: UK'37 (based on long chain alkenones from phytoplanktonic haptophytes), TEX86 [based on glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) from pelagic archaea] and LDI (based on long chain diols from phytoplanktonic eustigmatophytes). So far, separate analytical methods, including gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC), have been used to determine these proxies. Here we present a sensitive method for determining all three in a single normal phase high performance LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (NP-HPLC-APCI-MS) analysis. Each of the long chain alkenones and long chain diols was separated and unambiguously identified from the accurate masses and characteristic fragmentation during multiple stage MS analysis (MS2). Comparison of conventional GC and HPLC-MS methods showed similar results for UK'37 and LDI, respectively, using diverse environmental samples and an Emiliania huxleyi culture. Including the three sea surface temperature (SST) proxies; the NP-HPLC-APCI-MS method in fact allows simultaneous determination of nine paleoenvironmental proxies. The extent to which the ecology of the source organisms (ecological bias) influences lipid composition and thereby the reconstructed temperature values was demonstrated by applying the new method to a sediment core from the Sea of Marmara, covering the last 21 kyr BP. Reconstructed SST values differed considerably between the proxies for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the period of Sapropel S1 formation at ca. 10 kyr BP, whereas the trends during the late Holocene were similar. Changes in the composition of alkenone-producing species at the transition from the LGM to the Bølling/Allerød (B/A) were inferred from unreasonably high UK'37-derived SST values (ca. 20 °C) during the LGM. We ascribe discrepancies between the reconstructed temperature records during S1 deposition to habitat change, e.g. a different depth due to changes in nutrient availability.

Geochemistry of dark-light rhythm sediments of the Japan Sea

Ocean Drilling Program Legs 127 and 128 in the Japan Sea have revealed the existence of numerous dark-light rhythms of remarkable consistency in sediments of late Miocene, latest Pliocene, and especially Pleistocene age. Light-colored units within these rhythms are massive or bioturbated, consist of diatomaceous clays, silty clays, or nannofossil-rich clays, and are generally poor in organic matter. Dark-colored units are homogeneous, laminated, or thinly bedded and include substantial amounts of biogenic material such as well-preserved diatoms, planktonic foraminifers, calcareous nannofossils, and organic matter (maximum 7.4 wt%). The dark-light rhythms show a similar geometrical pattern on three different scales: First-order rhythms consist of a cluster dominated by dark-colored units followed by a cluster dominated by light-colored units (3-5 m). Spectral analysis of a gray-value time series suggests that the frequencies of the first-order rhythms in sediments of latest Pliocene and Pleistocene age correlate to the obliquity and the eccentricity cycles. The second-order dark-light rhythms include a light and a dark-colored unit (10-160 cm). They were formed in time spans of several hundred to several ten thousand years, with variance centering around 10,500 yr. This frequency may correspond to half the precessional cycle. Third-order rhythms appear as laminated or thinly bedded dark-light couplets (2-15 mm) within the dark-colored units of the second-order rhythms and may represent annual frequencies. In interpreting the rhythms, we have to take into account that (1) the occurrence of the first- and second-order rhythms is not necessarily restricted to glacial or interglacial periods as is shown by preliminary stable-isotope analysis and comparison with the published d18O record; (2) they appear to be Milankovitch-controlled; and (3) a significant number of the rhythms are sharply bounded. The origin of the dark-light rhythms is probably related to variations in monsoonal activity in the Japan Sea, which show annual frequencies, but also operates in phase with the orbital cycles.

IFMIF suitability for evaluation of fusion functional materials

The International FusionMaterials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is a future neutron source based on the D-Li stripping reaction, planned to test candidate fusionmaterials at relevant fusion irradiation conditions. During the design of IFMIF special attention was paid to the structural materials for the blanket and first wall, because they will be exposed to the most severe irradiation conditions in a fusion reactor. Also the irradiation of candidate materials for solid breeder blankets is planned in the IFMIF reference design. This paper focuses on the assessment of the suitability of IFMIF irradiation conditions for testing functionalmaterials to be used in liquid blankets and diagnostics systems, since they are been also considered within IFMIF objectives. The study has been based on the analysis and comparison of the main expected irradiation parameters in IFMIF and DEMO reactor.

Desing of an Airport Surface Routing Evaluation Tool

There are many studies related with airport surface routing algorithms, based on different approaches and with different evaluation methods and metrics. So, the need of performing a balanced analysis and comparison using a common framework is evident. This paper presents an implementation of an evaluation tool for airport surface routing algorithms. The routing evaluation tool presented here is based in three basic pillars composed by the airport model, the model and generation of traffic and a comprehensive figure of merit function. The paper includes some example evaluations performed over Barajas Airport with representative traffic samples using several simple routing methods.

EvAAL: Evaluating AAL Systems through Competitive Benchmarking

Owing to the complexity of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems and platforms, the evaluation of AAL solutions is a complex task that will challenge researchers for years to come. However, the analysis and comparison of proposed solutions is paramount to enable us to assess research results in this area. We have thus organized an international contest called EvAAL: Evaluating AAL Systems through Competitive Benchmarking. Its aims are to raise interest within the research and developer communities in the multidisciplinary research fields enabling AAL, and to create benchmarks for the evaluation and comparison of AAL systems.

Metodología de evaluación de la seguridad vial en intersecciones basada en el análisis cuantitativo de conflictos entre vehículos

El modo tradicional de estimar el nivel de seguridad vial es el registro de accidentes de tráfico, sin embargo son altamente variables, aleatorios y necesitan un periodo de registro de al menos 3 años. Existen metodologías preventivas en las cuales no es necesario que ocurra un accidente para determinar el nivel de seguridad de una intersección, como lo es la técnica de los conflictos de tráfico, que introduce las mediciones alternativas de seguridad como cuantificadoras del riesgo de accidente. El objetivo general de la tesis es establecer una metodología que permita clasificar el riesgo en intersecciones interurbanas, en función del análisis de conflictos entre vehículos, realizado mediante las variables alternativas o indirectas de seguridad vial. La metodología para el análisis y evaluación temprana de la seguridad en una intersección, estará basada en dos medidas alternativas de seguridad: el tiempo hasta la colisión y el tiempo posterior a la invasión de la trayectoria. El desarrollo experimental se realizó mediante estudios de campo, para la parte exploratoria de la investigación, se seleccionaron 3 intersecciones interurbanas en forma de T donde se obtuvieron las variables que caracterizan los conflictos entre vehículos; luego mediante técnicas de análisis multivariante, se obtuvo los modelos de clasificación del riesgo cualitativo y cuantitativo. Para la homologación y el estudio final de concordancia entre el índice propuesto y el modelo de clasificación, se desarrollaron nuevos estudios de campo en 6 intersecciones interurbanas en forma de T. El índice de riesgo obtenido resulta una herramienta muy útil para realizar evaluaciones rápidas conducentes a estimar la peligrosidad de una intersección en T, debido a lo simple y económico que resulta obtener los registros de datos en campo, por medio de una rápida capacitación a operarios; la elaboración del informe de resultados debe ser por un especialista. Los índices de riesgo obtenidos muestran que las variables originales más influyentes son las mediciones de tiempo. Se pudo determinar que los valores más altos del índice de riesgo están relacionados a un mayor riesgo de que un conflicto termine en accidente. Dentro de este índice, la única variable cuyo aporte es proporcionalmente directo es la velocidad de aproximación, lo que concuerda con lo que sucede en un conflicto, pues una velocidad excesiva se manifiesta como un claro factor de riesgo ya que potencia todos los fallos humanos en la conducción. Una de las principales aportaciones de esta tesis doctoral a la ingeniería de carreteras, es la posibilidad de aplicación de la metodología por parte de administraciones de carreteras locales, las cuales muchas veces cuentan con recursos de inversión limitados para efectuar estudios preventivos, sobretodo en países en vías de desarrollo. La evaluación del riesgo de una intersección luego de una mejora en cuanto a infraestructura y/o dispositivos de control de tráfico, al igual que un análisis antes – después, pero sin realizar una comparación mediante la ocurrencia de accidentes, sino que por medio de la técnica de conflictos de tráfico, se puede convertir en una aplicación directa y económica. Además, se pudo comprobar que el análisis de componentes principales utilizado en la creación del índice de riesgo de la intersección, es una herramienta útil para resumir todo el conjunto de mediciones que son posibles de obtener con la técnica de conflictos de tráfico y que permiten el diagnóstico del riesgo de accidentalidad en una intersección. En cuanto a la metodología para la homologación de los modelos, se pudo establecer la validez y confiabilidad al conjunto de respuestas entregadas por los observadores en el registro de datos en campo, ya que los resultados de la validación establecen que la medición de concordancia de las respuestas entregadas por los modelos y lo observado, son significativas y sugieren una alta coincidencia entre ellos. ABSTRACT The traditional way of estimating road safety level is the record of occurrence of traffic accidents; however, they are highly variable, random, and require a recording period of at least three years. There are preventive methods which do not need an accident to determine the road safety level of an intersection, such as traffic conflict technique, which introduces surrogate safety measures as parameters for the evaluation of accident risks. The general objective of the thesis is to establish a methodology that will allow the classification of risk at interurban intersections as a function of the analysis of conflicts between vehicles performed by means of surrogate road safety variables. The proposal of a methodology for the analysis and early evaluation of safety at an intersection will be based on two surrogate safety measures: the time to collision and the post encroachment time. On the other hand, the experimental development has taken place by means of field studies in which the exploratory part of the investigation selected three interurban T-intersections where the application of the traffic conflict technique gave variables that characterize the conflicts between vehicles; then, using multivariate analysis techniques, the models for the classification of qualitative and quantitative risk were obtained. With the models new field studies were carried out at six interurban Tintersections with the purpose of developing the homologation and the final study of the agreement between the proposed index and the classification model. The risk index obtained is a very useful tool for making rapid evaluations to estimate the hazard of a T-intersection, as well as for getting simply and economically the field data records after a fast training of the workers and then preparing the report of results by a specialist. The risk indices obtained show that the most influential original variables are the measurements of time. It was determined that the highest risk index values are related with greater risk of a conflict resulting in an accident. Within this index, the only variable whose contribution is proportionally direct is the approach speed, in agreement with what happens in a conflict, because excessive speed appears as a clear risk factor at an intersection because it intensifies all the human driving faults. One of the main contributions of this doctoral thesis to road engineering is the possibility of applying the methodology by local road administrations, which very often have limited investment resources to carry out these kinds of preventive studies, particularly in developing countries. The evaluation of the risk at an intersection after an improvement in terms of infrastructure and/or traffic control devices, the same as a before/after analysis, without comparison of accident occurrence but by means of the traffic conflict technique, can become a direct and economical application. It is also shown that main components analysis used for producing the risk index of the intersection is a useful tool for summarizing the whole set of measurements that can be obtained with the traffic conflict technique and allow diagnosing accident risk at an intersection. As to the methodology for the homologation of the models, the validity and reliability of the set of responses delivered by the observers recording the field data could be established, because the results of the validation show that agreement between the observations and the responses delivered by the models is significant and highly coincident.

Análisis Integrado de Seguridad de un accidente de SGTR en un reactor nuclear tipo PWR

El accidente de rotura de tubos de un generador de vapor (Steam Generator Tube Rupture, SGTR) en los reactores de agua a presión es uno de los transitorios más exigentes desde el punto de vista de operación. Los transitorios de SGTR son especiales, ya que podría dar lugar a emisiones radiológicas al exterior sin necesidad de daño en el núcleo previo o sin que falle la contención, ya que los SG pueden constituir una vía directa desde el reactor al medio ambiente en este transitorio. En los análisis de seguridad, el SGTR se analiza desde un punto determinista y probabilista, con distintos enfoques con respecto a las acciones del operador y las consecuencias analizadas. Cuando comenzaron los Análisis Deterministas de Seguridad (DSA), la forma de analizar el SGTR fue sin dar crédito a la acción del operador durante los primeros 30 min del transitorio, lo que suponía que el grupo de operación era capaz de detener la fuga por el tubo roto dentro de ese tiempo. Sin embargo, los diferentes casos reales de accidentes de SGTR sucedidos en los EE.UU. y alrededor del mundo demostraron que los operadores pueden emplear más de 30 minutos para detener la fuga en la vida real. Algunas metodologías fueron desarrolladas en los EEUU y en Europa para abordar esa cuestión. En el Análisis Probabilista de Seguridad (PSA), las acciones del operador se tienen en cuenta para diseñar los cabeceros en el árbol de sucesos. Los tiempos disponibles se utilizan para establecer los criterios de éxito para dichos cabeceros. Sin embargo, en una secuencia dinámica como el SGTR, las acciones de un operador son muy dependientes del tiempo disponible por las acciones humanas anteriores. Además, algunas de las secuencias de SGTR puede conducir a la liberación de actividad radiológica al exterior sin daño previo en el núcleo y que no se tienen en cuenta en el APS, ya que desde el punto de vista de la integridad de núcleo son de éxito. Para ello, para analizar todos estos factores, la forma adecuada de analizar este tipo de secuencias pueden ser a través de una metodología que contemple Árboles de Sucesos Dinámicos (Dynamic Event Trees, DET). En esta Tesis Doctoral se compara el impacto en la evolución temporal y la dosis al exterior de la hipótesis más relevantes encontradas en los Análisis Deterministas a nivel mundial. La comparación se realiza con un modelo PWR Westinghouse de tres lazos (CN Almaraz) con el código termohidráulico TRACE, con hipótesis de estimación óptima, pero con hipótesis deterministas como criterio de fallo único o pérdida de energía eléctrica exterior. Las dosis al exterior se calculan con RADTRAD, ya que es uno de los códigos utilizados normalmente para los cálculos de dosis del SGTR. El comportamiento del reactor y las dosis al exterior son muy diversas, según las diferentes hipótesis en cada metodología. Por otra parte, los resultados están bastante lejos de los límites de regulación, pese a los conservadurismos introducidos. En el siguiente paso de la Tesis Doctoral, se ha realizado un análisis de seguridad integrado del SGTR según la metodología ISA, desarrollada por el Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear español (CSN). Para ello, se ha realizado un análisis termo-hidráulico con un modelo de PWR Westinghouse de 3 lazos con el código MAAP. La metodología ISA permite la obtención del árbol de eventos dinámico del SGTR, teniendo en cuenta las incertidumbres en los tiempos de actuación del operador. Las simulaciones se realizaron con SCAIS (sistema de simulación de códigos para la evaluación de la seguridad integrada), que incluye un acoplamiento dinámico con MAAP. Las dosis al exterior se calcularon también con RADTRAD. En los resultados, se han tenido en cuenta, por primera vez en la literatura, las consecuencias de las secuencias en términos no sólo de daños en el núcleo sino de dosis al exterior. Esta tesis doctoral demuestra la necesidad de analizar todas las consecuencias que contribuyen al riesgo en un accidente como el SGTR. Para ello se ha hecho uso de una metodología integrada como ISA-CSN. Con este enfoque, la visión del DSA del SGTR (consecuencias radiológicas) se une con la visión del PSA del SGTR (consecuencias de daño al núcleo) para evaluar el riesgo total del accidente. Abstract Steam Generator Tube Rupture accidents in Pressurized Water Reactors are known to be one of the most demanding transients for the operating crew. SGTR are special transient as they could lead to radiological releases without core damage or containment failure, as they can constitute a direct path to the environment. The SGTR is analyzed from a Deterministic and Probabilistic point of view in the Safety Analysis, although the assumptions of the different approaches regarding the operator actions are quite different. In the beginning of Deterministic Safety Analysis, the way of analyzing the SGTR was not crediting the operator action for the first 30 min of the transient, assuming that the operating crew was able to stop the primary to secondary leakage within that time. However, the different real SGTR accident cases happened in the USA and over the world demonstrated that operators can took more than 30 min to stop the leakage in actual sequences. Some methodologies were raised in the USA and in Europe to cover that issue. In the Probabilistic Safety Analysis, the operator actions are taken into account to set the headers in the event tree. The available times are used to establish the success criteria for the headers. However, in such a dynamic sequence as SGTR, the operator actions are very dependent on the time available left by the other human actions. Moreover, some of the SGTR sequences can lead to offsite doses without previous core damage and they are not taken into account in PSA as from the point of view of core integrity are successful. Therefore, to analyze all this factors, the appropriate way of analyzing that kind of sequences could be through a Dynamic Event Tree methodology. This Thesis compares the impact on transient evolution and the offsite dose of the most relevant hypothesis of the different SGTR analysis included in the Deterministic Safety Analysis. The comparison is done with a PWR Westinghouse three loop model in TRACE code (Almaraz NPP), with best estimate assumptions but including deterministic hypothesis such as single failure criteria or loss of offsite power. The offsite doses are calculated with RADTRAD code, as it is one of the codes normally used for SGTR offsite dose calculations. The behaviour of the reactor and the offsite doses are quite diverse depending on the different assumptions made in each methodology. On the other hand, although the high conservatism, such as the single failure criteria, the results are quite far from the regulatory limits. In the next stage of the Thesis, the Integrated Safety Assessment (ISA) methodology, developed by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), has been applied to a thermohydraulical analysis of a Westinghouse 3-loop PWR plant with the MAAP code. The ISA methodology allows obtaining the SGTR Dynamic Event Tree taking into account the uncertainties on the operator actuation times. Simulations are performed with SCAIS (Simulation Code system for Integrated Safety Assessment), which includes a dynamic coupling with MAAP thermal hydraulic code. The offsite doses are calculated also with RADTRAD. The results shows the consequences of the sequences in terms not only of core damage but of offsite doses. This Thesis shows the need of analyzing all the consequences in an accident such as SGTR. For that, an it has been used an integral methodology like ISA-CSN. With this approach, the DSA vision of the SGTR (radiological consequences) is joined with the PSA vision of the SGTR (core damage consequences) to measure the total risk of the accident.

Sobre los aeropuertos verdes: marco para la evaluación ambiental suficiente de una construcción bajo interpretación transversal

En el estudio buscamos caracterizar el análisis de la SOSTENIBILIDAD (Suficiencia) del CICLO DE VIDA de una INFRAESTRUCTURA AEROPORTUARIA centrándonos en la evaluación de los aspectos SOCIALES (de forma Interdisciplinaria o Transversal) que le afectan y considerando todos los AGENTES involucrados (ingenieros/ operadores/ mantenedores/ usuarios/ stakeholders/ etc.). La complejidad de las interacciones entre los edificios y su entorno hace que sea difícil definir y evaluar con precisión la sostenibilidad de un edificio. Las NORMAS AMBIENTALES para la construcción (unas pocas existentes y algunos en fase de desarrollo) se centran en la sostenibilidad ECONÓMICA, SOCIAL Y AMBIENTAL que caracteriza a un edificio, siendo los aspectos socio-económicos difíciles de evaluar. En consecuencia, los métodos existentes para la evaluación de la construcción sostenible (por ejemplo, LEED, BREEAM, SBTool) tienden a superar los aspectos ambientales pues son más fáciles de evaluar de manera cuantitativa. Así desde el punto de vista holístico (global) y utilizando la teoría de sistemas complejos, la sostenibilidad debe ser evaluada, en parte, utilizando los INDICADORES DE SOSTENIBILIDAD SOCIALES Y ECONÓMICOS para cubrir todos los factores de Sostenibilidad. El estudio propone una metodología para valorar la sostenibilidad en la construcción aeroportuaria a través de la evaluación de los indicadores sostenibles de la construcción (SKPIs) sin y superando las carencias presentadas. Para ello hemos implementado una herramienta de evaluación de la sostenibilidad, donde: Puede evaluar, en primer aproximación e independientemente, la sostenibilidad del CICLO DE VIDA de la INFRAESTRUCTURA AEROPORTUARIA Puede COMPLETAR otras herramientas comerciales disponibles (ej. BREEAM, LEED), bajo un enfoque ECONÓMICO-SOCIAL y complementando el enfoque ambiental La evaluación de los KPIs se realiza por medio de TECNOLOGÍAS Y ESTRATEGIAS SOSTENIBLES, cuya aplicación supondría un aumento de la sostenibilidad del edificio La herramienta propuesta considera la complejidad y transdisciplinariedad del problema, fundada en un SISTEMA DE CRÉDITOS fácil de usar. Así el programa diseñado permite el análisis y la comparación del CICLO DE VIDA de la INFRAESTRUCTURA AEROPORTUARIA: Abarcando las etapas de construcción (diseño, operación, mantenimiento, etc.) Incluyendo a todos los agentes de construcción (ocupantes, stakeholders, constructores, etc.) Finalmente, se aporta un ejemplo teórico de una INFRAESTRUCTURA AEROPORTUARIA (Terminal Aeroportuaria) para fijar, demostrar y discutir el estudio presentado Abstract We seek to characterize the sustainability analysis of the life cycle of a building focus us on the evaluation of social aspect. From a holistic point of view and using complex systems theory, sustainability must be evaluated, in part, using social key performance indicator (KPI) to cover all factors of sustainability. The most remarkable of the proposed framework is to provide a methodology to achieve the sustainability in construction through the assessment of social KPIs. Besides we implement a tool to assess sustainability, where this tool could complete other commercial tools available (e.g. BREEAM, LEED). The proposed tool considers the complexity and trans-disciplinary of the problem. The procedure is based on a credit system easy to use. It also allows analysis and comparison of the boundary conditions of the building, embracing construction stages (design, operation), involving all the building agents (occupants, stakeholders, etc.)

Comparative assessment of global irradiation from a satellite estimate model (CM SAF) and on-ground measurements (SIAR): a Spanish case study

An analysis and comparison of daily and yearly solar irradiation from the satellite CM SAF database and a set of 301 stations from the Spanish SIAR network is performed using data of 2010 and 2011. This analysis is completed with the comparison of the estimations of effective irradiation incident on three different tilted planes (fixed, two axis tracking, north-south hori- zontal axis) using irradiation from these two data sources. Finally, a new map of yearly values of irradiation both on the horizontal plane and on inclined planes is produced mixing both sources with geostatistical techniques (kriging with external drift, KED) The Mean Absolute Difference (MAD) between CM SAF and SIAR is approximately 4% for the irradiation on the horizontal plane and is comprised between 5% and 6% for the irradiation incident on the inclined planes. The MAD between KED and SIAR, and KED and CM SAF is approximately 3% for the irradiation on the horizontal plane and is comprised between 3% and 4% for the irradiation incident on the inclined planes. The methods have been implemented using free software, available as supplementary ma- terial, and the data sources are freely available without restrictions.

Comparative assessment of global irradiation from a satellite estimate model (CM SAF) and on-ground measurements (SIAR): a Spanish case study

An analysis and comparison of daily and yearly solar irradiation from the satellite CM SAF database and a set of 301 stations from the Spanish SIAR network is performed using data of 2010 and 2011. This analysis is completed with the comparison of the estimations of effective irradiation incident on three different tilted planes (fixed, two axis tracking, north-south hori- zontal axis) using irradiation from these two data sources. Finally, a new map of yearly values of irradiation both on the horizontal plane and on inclined planes is produced mixing both sources with geostatistical techniques (kriging with external drift, KED) The Mean Absolute Difference (MAD) between CM SAF and SIAR is approximately 4% for the irradiation on the horizontal plane and is comprised between 5% and 6% for the irradiation incident on the inclined planes. The MAD between KED and SIAR, and KED and CM SAF is approximately 3% for the irradiation on the horizontal plane and is comprised between 3% and 4% for the irradiation incident on the inclined planes. The methods have been implemented using free software, available as supplementary ma- terial, and the data sources are freely available without restrictions.

Urban sprawl and city compactness. A proposal for regional sustainability indicators. Case study of the towns of Alcorcon and Majadahonda (Comunidad de Madrid, Spain)

The main contribution of this research paper is to display a range of figures and values which could help urban planners to quantify the urban phenomenon of sprawl. In this way, after a rigorous analysis and comparison between a scattered urban fabric (Majadahonda) and a compact urban fabric (Alcorcón), several possible indexes are established and characterized in order to verify the main hypothesis: in what extent land consumption and exploitation of energy resources are higher in a scattered urban fabric than in a compact one.

Territorial cohesion impacts of high-speed rail under different zoning systems

Large-scale transport infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail (HSR) produce significant effects on the spatial distribution of accessibility. These effects, commonly known as territorial cohesion effects, are receiving increasing attention in the research literature. However, there is little empirical research into the sensitivity of these cohesion results to methodological issues such as the definition of the limits of the study area or the zoning system. In a previous paper (Ortega et al., 2012), we investigated the influence of scale issues, comparing the cohesion results obtained at four different planning levels. This paper makes an additional contribution to our research with the investigation of the influence of zoning issues. We analyze the extent to which changes in the size of the units of analysis influence the measurement of spatial inequalities. The methodology is tested by application to the Galician (north-western) HSR corridor, with a length of nearly 670 km, included in the Spanish PEIT (Strategic Transport and Infrastructure Plan) 2005-2020. We calculated the accessibility indicators for the Galician HSR corridor and assessed their corresponding territorial distribution. We used five alternative zoning systems depending on the method of data representation used (vector or raster), and the level of detail (cartographic accuracy or cell size). Our results suggest that the choice between a vector-based and raster-based system has important implications. The vector system produces a higher mean accessibility value and a more polarized accessibility distribution than raster systems. The increased pixel size of raster-based systems tends to give rise to higher mean accessibility values and a more balanced accessibility distribution. Our findings strongly encourage spatial analysts to acknowledge that the results of their analyses may vary widely according to the definition of the units of analysis.

Flujo laminar: el cementerio de Igualada y los procesos elásticos en la arquitectura de Enric Miralles y Carme Pinós

La tesis Flujo Laminar, El cementerio de Igualada y los procesos elásticos en la arquitectura de Enric Miralles y Carme Pinós analiza la metodología que utilizan y desarrollan los arquitectos Miralles y Pinós en el proyecto del cementerio de Igualada. Enric Miralles y Carme Pinós comienzan a trabajar juntos en 1983, separándose siete años después. La producción arquitectónica que generan durante este periodo ha sido valorada y considerada por la crítica como una de las de mayor calidad en el último cuarto del siglo XX. Respecto a esta etapa de colaboración existen artículos dispersos que analizan de manera aislada algunos aspectos de sus proyectos. Sin embargo, no se han realizado estudios que analicen su metodología proyectual, sus herramientas, sus estrategias y sus diferentes conexiones y referencias. Tampoco se han analizado hasta el momento, cómo son sus procesos proyectuales, sus tiempos y sus objetivos. En este sentido, el proyecto del cementerio de Igualada será clave en la trayectoria del equipo. El tiempo extenso empleado en el proceso y la singularidad de la obra, además de otros factores del propio imaginario de Miralles y Pinós, marcarán a este proyecto como un punto de inflexión en su trabajo. La investigación plantea, en primer lugar, la descripción del contexto en el cual se comienzan a desarrollar los proyectos iniciales de Miralles y Pinós, además de los antecedentes que generarán la propuesta para el cementerio de Igualada. Seguidamente, se describen y analizan los apoyos y las referencias que los arquitectos utilizan en este proyecto, tanto las vinculadas a la cultura local como las atrapadas desde el imaginario universal. Por otro lado, el bloque central de la investigación aporta doce herramientas que construyen la metodología proyectual de Miralles y Pinós. Esta contribución se ha realizado desde el análisis y el cruce de los documentos originales del proyecto de Igualada y los escritos existentes de los arquitectos. Las herramientas aportadas son: deslizar, desplazar, repetir, enterrar, constreñir, oscilar, estirar, desenredar, desviar, rehacer, hendir y fluir. Todas ellas se describen, analizan e interpretan desde setenta y dos documentos esenciales extraídos del proceso de Igualada. Un último capítulo de conclusiones, define lo que se presenta en la investigación como una metodología propia de Enric Miralles y Carme Pinós, denominada procesos elásticos, en el que se describen sus cualidades y sus tiempos, a la vez que se presenta también una táctica empleada en el proyecto de Igualada denominada flujo laminar. ABSTRACT The thesis Laminar Flow, the Igualada cemetery and the elastic processes in the architecture of Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós analyses the methodology that the architects Miralles and Pinós used in the project for the Igualada cemetery park. Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós began to work together in 1983, and went their different ways seven years later. The architectural production they generated during that period has been valued and considered by critics to be among the greatest quality of production in the final quarter of the twentieth century. There is a scattering of articles about this period which give an independent analysis of some features of their products. However, there are no studies which analyse their project design methodology, their tools, their strategies and their different connections and references. Neither has there been analysis to date of the nature of their project design processes, nor of their times and their aims. Within this context, the Igualada cemetery project was key in the path to be trodden by the team. The great length of time used on the process and the singularity of the work, alongside other factors from Miralles and Pinós's personal imaginarium, were to mark this project as a turning point in their work. This research sets out, first of all, to describe the context in which the early projects by Miralles and Pinós began to be developed, as well as the background to the generation of their proposal for the Igualada cemetery. There follows a description and analysis of the resources and of the references that the architects used in this project, both those linked to local culture and those picked from the universal imaginarium. Furthermore, the central block of the research identifies twelve tools which make up Miralles and Pinós's project design methodology. This contribution has been performed on the basis of analysis and comparison of the original Igualada project documents and of writings extant by the architects. The tools identified are: slide, shift, repeat, bury, constrain, oscillate, stretch, untangle, divert, redo, groove and flow. They are all described, analysed and interpreted on the basis of seventy-two essential documents extracted from the Igualada process. A final chapter of conclusions defines what is presented in the research as a methodology which is specific to Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós, denominated elastic processes, describing their qualities and their times, along with the presentation of a tactic used in the Igualada project which is denominated laminar flow.

Monitorización de emisiones de CO2 en análogos naturales de almacenamientos geológicos a través de la vegetación mediante técnicas de teledetección multiespectral

Uno de los problemas más importantes a los que se enfrenta nuestra sociedad es el de la degradación del medioambiente por la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero. La captura de CO2 en los puntos de emisión y su enterramiento mediante inyección en reservorios geológicos profundos se plantea como una solución hasta que a medio o largo plazo pueda ser mitigada la actual dependencia de la quema de combustibles fósiles. Pero la estabilidad de esos reservorios debe ser monitorizada adecuadamente. En esta tesis se ha estudiado el problema de la detección de fugas de CO2 en un análogo natural de un emplazamiento de almacenamiento profundo a través del análisis de imágenes de satélite multiespectrales. El análogo utilizado ha sido la zona de Campo de Calatrava (Ciudad Real, España), donde, por efecto de la actividad volcánica remanente, aún se pueden encontrar numerosos puntos de emisión de CO2. Se han caracterizado los puntos de emisión de CO2 identificándose dos tipologías con características y manifestaciones claramente diferenciadas: puntos de emisión húmeda o hervideros, y puntos de emisión seca o fumarolas. Para el estudio se han utilizado índices de vegetación y su relación de éstos con los contenidos atmosféricos de CO2. Se han utilizado imágenes multiespectrales de los satélites QuickBird y WorldView‐2. Se ha realizado una preselección de doce índices de vegetación especialmente adecuados para la detección de puntos de emisión de CO2. Mediante análisis y comparación de imágenes de índices de vegetación sobre puntos de emisión conocidos se ha seleccionado los cinco índices con mayor sensibilidad frente al fenómeno. Atendiendo a los principales factores condicionantes de la aparición de nuevos puntos de emisión de CO2 se ha realizado sobre las imágenes de índices de vegetación una predicción de nuevos puntos de emisión. Entre los puntos candidato se han encontrado tres nuevos puntos de emisión de CO2 no descritos previamente en la bibliografía. ABSTRACT One of the most important issues facing our society is the degradation of the environment caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. Capturing CO2 emissions, injection and burial in deep geological reservoirs is presented as a solution until the medium or long term, when the problem of the current dependence on fossil fuels burning can be mitigated. But the stability of these reservoirs should be properly monitored. In this work we study the problem of detecting CO2 leakage in a natural analogue of a deep storage site through analysis of multispectral satellite imagery. The analogue used is in the Campo de Calatrava (Ciudad Real, Spain) where, due to the remaining volcanic activity, it can still be found numerous CO2 emission points. CO2 emission points have been characterized identifying two types having distinct characteristics and effects: wet emission points or hotbeds, and dry emission points or fumaroles. For this study it has been used vegetation indices and its relationship with atmospheric CO2 contents. It has been used multispectral images from QuickBird and WorldView‐2 satellites. It has been done a preselection of twelve vegetation indices especially suitable for the detection of CO2 emission points. Using analysis and comparison of vegetation index images on real emission points it has been selected the five indexes with greater sensitivity to this phenomenon. Based upon the main factors of the emergence of new CO2 emission points it has been made a prediction of new emission points over the vegetation index images. Among the candidate points it has been found three new CO2 emission points not previously described in the literature.

Evidence for clonal propagation in natural isolates of Plasmodium falciparum from Venezuela

We have analyzed 75 isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, collected in Venezuela during both the dry (November) and rainy (May–July) seasons, with a range of genetic markers including antigen genes and 14 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Thirteen P. falciparum stocks from Kenya and four other Plasmodium species are included in the analysis for comparison. Cross-hybridization shows that the 14 RAPD primers reveal 14 separate regions of the parasite's genome. The P. falciparum isolates are a monophyletic clade, significantly different from the other Plasmodium species. We identify three RAPD characters that could be useful as “tags” for rapid species identification. The Venezuelan genotypes fall into two discrete genetic subdivisions associated with either the dry or the rainy season; the isolates collected in the rainy season exhibit greater genetic diversity. There is significant linkage disequilibrium in each seasonal subsample and in the full sample. In contrast, no linkage disequilibrium is detected in the African sample. These results support the hypothesis that the population structure of P. falciparum in Venezuela, but not in Africa, is predominantly clonal. However, the impact of genetic recombination on Venezuelan P. falciparum seems higher than in parasitic species with long-term clonal evolution like Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease. The genetic structure of the Venezuelan samples is similar to that of Escherichia coli, a bacterium that propagates clonally, with occasional genetic recombination.