Age determination and sea surface temperature reconstruction from marine and lake records, Iberian Peninsula

Selected multi-proxy and accurately dated marine and terrestrial records covering the past 2000 years in the Iberian Peninsula (IP) facilitated a comprehensive regional paleoclimate reconstruction for the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA: 900-1300 AD). The sequences enabled an integrated approach to land-sea comparisons and, despite local differences and some minor chronological inconsistencies, presented clear evidence that the MCA was a dry period in the Mediterranean IP. It was a period characterized by decreased lake levels, more xerophytic and heliophytic vegetation, a low frequency of floods, major Saharan eolian fluxes, and less fluvial input to marine basins. In contrast, reconstruction based on sequences from the Atlantic Ocean side of the peninsula indicated increased humidity. The data highlight the unique characteristics of the MCA relative to earlier (the Dark Ages, DA: ca. 500-900 years AD) and subsequent (the Little Ice Age, LIA: 1300-1850 years AD) colder periods. The reconstruction supports the hypothesis of Trouet et al. (2009, doi:10.1126/science.1166349), that a persistent positive mode of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) dominated the MCA.

A new way of teaching different subjects in a foreign language in the Building Engineering Degree at the Universidad Politécnica.

The European Union has been promoting linguistic diversity for many years as one of its main educational goals. This is an element that facilitates student mobility and student exchanges between different universities and countries and enriches the education of young undergraduates. In particular, a higher degree of competence in the English language is becoming essential for engineers, architects and researchers in general, as English has become the lingua franca that opens up horizons to internationalisation and the transfer of knowledge in today’s world. Many experts point to the Integrated Approach to Contents and Foreign Languages System as being an option that has certain benefits over the traditional method of teaching a second language that is exclusively based on specific subjects. This system advocates teaching the different subjects in the syllabus in a language other than one’s mother tongue, without prioritising knowledge of the language over the subject. This was the idea that in the 2009/10 academic year gave rise to the Second Language Integration Programme (SLI Programme) at the Escuela Arquitectura Técnica in the Universidad Politécnica Madrid (EUATM-UPM), just at the beginning of the tuition of the new Building Engineering Degree, which had been adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) model. This programme is an interdisciplinary initiative for the set of subjects taught during the semester and is coordinated through the Assistant Director Office for Educational Innovation. The SLI Programme has a dual goal; to familiarise students with the specific English terminology of the subject being taught, and at the same time improve their communication skills in English. A total of thirty lecturers are taking part in the teaching of eleven first year subjects and twelve in the second year, with around 120 students who have voluntarily enrolled in a special group in each semester. During the 2010/2011 academic year the degree of acceptance and the results of the SLI Programme have been monitored. Tools have been designed to aid interdisciplinary coordination and to analyse satisfaction, such as coordination records and surveys. The results currently available refer to the first and second year and are divided into specific aspects of the different subjects involved and into general aspects of the ongoing experience.

Integration of Timetable Planning and Rolling Stock in Rapid Transit Networks

The aim of this paper is to propose an integrated planning model to adequate the offered capacity and system frequencies to attend the increased passenger demand and traffic congestion around urban and suburban areas. The railway capacity is studied in line planning, however, these planned frequencies were obtained without accounting for rolling stock flows through the rapid transit network. In order to provide the problem more freedom to decide rolling stock flows and therefore better adjusting these flows to passenger demand, a new integrated model is proposed, where frequencies are readjusted. Then, the railway timetable and rolling stock assignment are also calculated, where shunting operations are taken into account. These operations may sometimes malfunction, causing localized incidents that could propagate throughout the entire network due to cascading effects. This type of operations will be penalized with the goal of selectively avoiding them and ameliorating their high malfunction probabilities. Swapping operations will also be ensured using homogeneous rolling stock material and ensuring parkings in strategic stations. We illustrate our model using computational experiments drawn from RENFE (the main Spanish operator of suburban passenger trains) in Madrid, Spain. The results show that through this integrated approach a greater robustness degree can be obtained

Robustness and Recoverability in Transport Logistics

Abstract Transport is the foundation of any economy: it boosts economic growth, creates wealth, enhances trade, geographical accessibility and the mobility of people. Transport is also a key ingredient for a high quality of life, making places accessible and bringing people together. The future prosperity of our world will depend on the ability of all of its regions to remain fully and competitively integrated in the world economy. Efficient transport is vital in making this happen. Operations research can help in efficiently planning the design and operating transport systems. Planning and operational processes are fields that are rich in combinatorial optimization problems. These problems can be analyzed and solved through the application of mathematical models and optimization techniques, which may lead to an improvement in the performance of the transport system, as well as to a reduction in the time required for solving these problems. The latter aspect is important, because it increases the flexibility of the system: the system can adapt in a faster way to changes in the environment (i.e.: weather conditions, crew illness, failures, etc.). These disturbing changes (called disruptions) often enforce the schedule to be adapted. The direct consequences are delays and cancellations, implying many schedule adjustments and huge costs. Consequently, robust schedules and recovery plans must be developed in order to fight against disruptions. This dissertation makes contributions to two different fields: rail and air applications. Robust planning and recovery methods are presented. In the field of railway transport we develop several mathematical models which answer to RENFE’s (the major railway operator in Spain) needs: 1. We study the rolling stock assignment problem: here, we introduce some robust aspects in order to ameliorate some operations which are likely to fail. Once the rolling stock assignment is known, we propose a robust routing model which aims at identifying the train units’ sequences while minimizing the expected delays and human resources needed to perform the sequences. 2. It is widely accepted that the sequential solving approach produces solutions that are not global optima. Therefore, we develop an integrated and robust model to determine the train schedule and rolling stock assignment. We also propose an integrated model to study the rolling stock circulations. Circulations are determined by the rolling stock assignment and routing of the train units. 3. Although our aim is to develop robust plans, disruptions will be likely to occur and recovery methods will be needed. Therefore, we propose a recovery method which aims to recover the train schedule and rolling stock assignment in an integrated fashion all while considering the passenger demand. In the field of air transport we develop several mathematical models which answer to IBERIA’s (the major airline in Spain) needs: 1. We look at the airline-scheduling problem and develop an integrated approach that optimizes schedule design, fleet assignment and passenger use so as to reduce costs and create fewer incompatibilities between decisions. Robust itineraries are created to ameliorate misconnected passengers. 2. Air transport operators are continuously facing competition from other air operators and different modes of transport (e.g., High Speed Rail). Consequently, airline profitability is critically influenced by the airline’s ability to estimate passenger demands and construct profitable flight schedules. We consider multi-modal competition including airline and rail, and develop a new approach that estimates the demand associated with a given schedule; and generates airline schedules and fleet assignments using an integrated schedule design and fleet assignment optimization model that captures the impacts of schedule decisions on passenger demand.

Rehabilitación energética de fachadas: Propuesta metodológica para la evaluación de soluciones innovadoras, basándose en el diagnóstico de viviendas sociales construidas entre 1940 y 1980

Se propone una metodología para la evaluación de soluciones constructivas de fachada para la rehabilitación de viviendas sociales, construidas entre el final de la Guerra Civil y la entrada en vigor de la norma básica NBE-CT-79, sobre condiciones térmicas en edificios. La metodología parte por un lado del análisis del estado actual en las viviendas, y por otro de la caracterización de las soluciones constructivas de rehabilitación, para la evaluación conjunta de las posibles mejoras. Esta evaluación persigue valorar su repercusión en la calidad del ambiente interior, y en la reducción de la demanda energética para acondicionamiento térmico. Se aplica sobre dos viviendas tipo que se han monitorizado en Madrid, utilizando dos soluciones innovadoras para rehabilitación energética, que disponen de documentos de idoneidad DIT y DITE. Una incorpora sobre la fachada tipo un aislamiento por el exterior, y otra incorpora un sistema de fachada ventilada, también sobre esta fachada tipo. El análisis de las viviendas se ha realizado a partir de la toma de datos, ensayos y estudio de detalle, llevados a cabo a lo largo de los años 2014 y 2015. El análisis de los sistemas de fachada se ha realizado a partir de ensayos controlados, comparando los resultados para tres tipos de fachada: una fachada tipo, habitual en la construcción de las viviendas de este periodo, y las dos soluciones innovadoras mencionadas. Una vez realizado el diagnóstico de las viviendas y el análisis de los ensayos de los sistemas constructivos, los resultados obtenidos se utilizan para generar los modelos de simulación sobre los que evaluar las mejoras. El periodo de estudio comprende cuatro décadas que comienzan en 1940, en un momento con escasos medios técnicos para la construcción, y que coincide con el comienzo del crecimiento en las grandes ciudades, y finaliza con la incorporación en la normativa de las exigencias de aislamiento en fachadas, de 1979. En la ciudad de Madrid las viviendas construidas en este periodo, suponen un 45% del total de viviendas censadas en 2011. La rehabilitación energética se ha ido incorporando en los sucesivos planes nacionales de vivienda como actuación protegida, y son muchos y muy diversos los planes de acción desde la administración en materia de vivienda social, tanto a nivel nacional como europeo. La vivienda queda incluida en materia de desarrollo y cohesión urbana, territorial y social, haciendo necesario un enfoque integrado. Los barrios de vivienda social forman parte de un patrimonio construido en los que los criterios de sostenibilidad toman especial interés y relevancia, ya que a través del tiempo se han construido como actores y testigos de su historia social, económica, ambiental y cultural. El diseño de los modelos y actuaciones de futuro se sustenta en la asimilación de esa complejidad y diversidad adquirida. Por otro lado, el actual reto que impone el calentamiento global obliga a plantear escenarios de adaptación y mejora en estos edificios, con una especial atención a la dependencia energética, el consumo de recursos, y emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. La fachada es el elemento más importante de la envolvente en los edificios multifamiliares, siendo el lugar donde se produce el intercambio entre el ambiente interior y exterior. Su rehabilitación puede mejorar las prestaciones de habitabilidad en las viviendas, y disminuir la demanda de energía para alcanzar unas condiciones de confort estándar. El trabajo de investigación que se ha realizado, forma parte de una linea de investigación abierta sobre sistemas constructivos y habitabilidad en edificación. ABSTRACT A methodology for the evaluation of facade’s constructive solutions for social housing refurbishment, built between the end of the Civil War, and the entry into force of the basic standard NBE-CT-79 on thermal conditions in buildings is proposed. This methodology starts both with the analysis of the current status in dwellings, and with the characterization of rehabilitation’s constructive solutions performance, for the integrated assessment of improvements. The evaluation seeks to assess their impact on the indoor environmental quality, and on reducing the energy demand for thermal conditioning. The methodology is applied to two standard dwellings, that have been monitored in Madrid, with two innovative solutions for energy refurbishment, which have DIT and DITE assessment documents. One incorporates an exterior insulation, and the other incorporates a ventilated facade system. The analysis of the dwellings was made from data collection, testing and detailed study, conducted throughout 2014 and 2015. Analysis of the facade systems was made from controlled trials comparing the results for three types of façade: a standard usual facade common in the construction of this period, and the two innovative solutions mentioned. Based on the diagnosis of housing and systems analysis, the results are used to generate simulation models on which assess the improvements. The study period comprises four decades starting in 1940, at a time with limited technical resources for construction, which coincides with the beginning of growth in big cities, and ends with the incorporation in the 1979 legislation of the façade’s insulation requirements. In the city of Madrid the houses built in this period account for 45% of all households surveyed in 2011. As a “protected action” energy rehabilitation has been incorporated in successive national housing plans, and there are many and very different action plans from the Administration in the field of social housing, both at national and European level. An integrated approach is needed, due to the inclusion of housing in development and urban, territorial and social cohesion. Social housing neighborhoods are part of the built heritage. Sustainability criteria therefore are particularely relevant, since over time they have been built as actors and witnesses of their social, economic, environmental and cultural history. The design and performance of future models is based on the assimilation of this complexity and diversity acquired. On the other hand, the current challenge posed by global warming forces to consider scenarios for adaptation and improvement in these buildings, with particular attention to energy dependence, resource consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. The facade is the most important element of the envelope in the multi-family buildings, being the place where the exchange occurs between the indoor and outdoor environments. Its rehabilitation can improve wellbeing in housing performance, and reduce energy demand to achieve standard comfort conditions. This research that has been done, is part of an open research line on construction and living conditions in buildings.

Multilocus analysis of extracellular putative virulence proteins made by group A Streptococcus: Population genetics, human serologic response, and gene transcription

Species of pathogenic microbes are composed of an array of evolutionarily distinct chromosomal genotypes characterized by diversity in gene content and sequence (allelic variation). The occurrence of substantial genetic diversity has hindered progress in developing a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of virulence and new therapeutics such as vaccines. To provide new information that bears on these issues, 11 genes encoding extracellular proteins in the human bacterial pathogen group A Streptococcus identified by analysis of four genomes were studied. Eight of the 11 genes encode proteins with a LPXTG(L) motif that covalently links Gram-positive virulence factors to the bacterial cell surface. Sequence analysis of the 11 genes in 37 geographically and phylogenetically diverse group A Streptococcus strains cultured from patients with different infection types found that recent horizontal gene transfer has contributed substantially to chromosomal diversity. Regions of the inferred proteins likely to interact with the host were identified by molecular population genetic analysis, and Western immunoblot analysis with sera from infected patients confirmed that they were antigenic. Real-time reverse transcriptase–PCR (TaqMan) assays found that transcription of six of the 11 genes was substantially up-regulated in the stationary phase. In addition, transcription of many genes was influenced by the covR and mga trans-acting gene regulatory loci. Multilocus investigation of putative virulence genes by the integrated approach described herein provides an important strategy to aid microbial pathogenesis research and rapidly identify new targets for therapeutics research.

High-resolution physical mapping by combined Alu-hybridization/PCR screening: construction of a yeast artificial chromosome map covering 31 centimorgans in 3p21-p14.

We describe an integrated approach to large-scale physical mapping using an Alu-PCR hybridization screening strategy in conjunction with direct PCR-based screening to construct a continuous yeast artificial chromosome map covering >20 mb in human chromosome 3, bands p14-p21, composed of 205 loci, connected by 480 yeast artificial chromosomes, with average interlocus distance of approximately equal to 100 kb. We observe an inverse distribution of Alu-PCR and (CA)n markers. These results suggest that the two screening methods may be complementary and demonstrate the utility of Alu-PCR hybridization screening in the closure of high-resolution human physical maps.

Intermolecular and Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Functional Molecular Materials

This thesis is devoted to the investigation of inter and intramolecular charge transfer (CT) in molecular functional materials and specifically organic dyes and CT crystals. An integrated approach encompassing quantum-chemical calculations, semiempirical tools, theoretical models and spectroscopic measurements is applied to understand structure-property relationships governing the low-energy physics of these materials. Four main topics were addressed: 1) Spectral properties of organic dyes. Charge-transfer dyes are constituted by electron donor (D) and electron acceptor (A) units linked through bridge(s) to form molecules with different symmetry and dimensionality. Their low-energy physics is governed by the charge resonance between D and A groups and is effectively described by a family of parametric Hamiltonians known as essential-state models. These models account for few electronic states, corresponding to the main resonance structures of the relevant dye, leading to a simple picture that is completed introducing the coupling of the electronic system to molecular vibrations, treated in a non-adiabatic way, and an effective classical coordinate, describing polar solvation. In this work a specific essential-state model was proposed and parametrized for the dye Brilliant Green. The central issue in this work has been the definition of the diabatic states, a not trivial task for a multi-branched chromophore. In a second effort, we have used essential-state models for the description of the early-stage dynamics of excited states after ultrafast excitation. Crucial to this work is the fully non-adiabatic treatment of the coupled electronic and vibrational motion, allowing for a reliable description of the dynamics of systems showing a multistable, broken-symmetry excited state. 2) Mixed-stack CT salts. Mixed-stack (MS) CT crystals are an interesting class of multifunctional molecular materials, where D and A molecules arrange themselves to form stacks, leading to delocalized electrons in one dimension. The interplay between the intermolecular CT, electrostatic interactions, lattice phonons and molecular vibrations leads to intriguing physical properties that include (photoinduced) phase transitions, multistability, antiferromagnetism, ferroelectricity and potential multiferroicity. The standard microscopic model to describe this family of materials is the Modified Hubbard model accounting for electron-phonon coupling (Peierls coupling), electron-molecular vibrations coupling (Holstein coupling) and electrostatic interactions. We adopt and validate a method, based on DFT calculations on dimeric DA structures, to extract relevant model parameters. The approach offers a powerful tool to shed light on the complex physics of MS-CT salts. 3) Charge transfer in organic radical dipolar dyes. In collaboration with the group of Prof. Jaume Veciana (ICMAB- Barcellona), we have studied spectral properties of a special class of CT dyes with D-bridge-A structure where the acceptor group is a stable radical (of the perchlorotriphenylmethyl, PTM, family), leading to an open-shell CT dyes. These materials are of interest since they associate the electronic and optical properties of CT dyes with magnetic properties from the unpaired electron. The first effort was devoted to the parametrization of the relevant essential-state model. Two strategies were adopted, one based on the calculation of the low-energy spectral properties, the other based on the variation of ground state properties with an applied electric field. 4) The spectral properties of organic nanoparticles based on radical species are investigated in collaboration with Dr. I. Ratera (ICMAB- Barcellona). Intriguing spectroscopic behavior was observed pointing to the presence of excimer states. In an attempt to rationalize these findings, extensive calculations (TD-DFT and ZINDO) were performed. The results for the isolated dyes are validated against experimental spectra in solution. To address intermolecular interactions we studied dimeric structures in the gas phase, but the preliminary results obtained do not support excimer formation.

Estudo de práticas adotadas por empresas que utilizam a Produção Enxuta em paralelo ao Seis Sigma no processo de melhoria

As empresas estão utilizando diversos processos de melhoria para adequarem seus negócios às necessidades dos clientes, à maior concorrência, a uma necessidade de flexibilização e de redução dos custos de seus processos de manufatura. O seis sigma e a produção enxuta são dois processos utilizados por empresas no Brasile no mundo. Atualmente a integração destes processos é um desafio para essas empresas, que buscam uma maneira mais eficiente de reduzir seus desperdícios e se adaptarem às necessidades de seus mercados consumidores. Surge, assim, o Lean Sigma aplicado nas empresas de diversas formas. O objetivo deste trabalho é estruturar, por meio de dois estudos de caso, como as empresas estão utilizando o seis Sigma e a Produção Enxuta em seus processos de melhoria. Verificou-se que existem diferentes formas de utilizar os processos em paralelo: na primeira empresa o processo iniciou em conjunto e depois foi separado em dois processos paralelos de melhoria. A segunda empresa foi ao contrário, começando de forma paralela, desagregada, e posteriormente se unindo em um único processo de melhoria, denominado Lean Sigma. O trabalho apresenta uma sistematização do processo de melhoria de duas empresas, dividido em Visão Geral e Objetivos, Estrutura Organizacional e Métodos de Melhoria. Foram verificadas as formas gerais de utilização dos processos de melhoria e que uma abordagem integrada, que contemple as peculiaridades de cada processo, se demonstra como uma melhor opção para um processo de melhoria que utiliza a Produção Enxuta e o Seis Sigma paralelamente. A pesquisa traz, também, como resultado, uma proposta de sistematização do Lean Sigma, considerando o conhecimento adquirido nos estudos de caso e na literatura consultada.

Avoiding Extinction: An Evaluation of Short-Term Recovery Recommendations for the Endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow

The endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus; RGSM) is nearing extinction and requires immediate recovery actions. In a draft report to the Middle Rio Grande Program, a Program Advisory Panel (PAP) recommended 34 short-term recovery measures to be implemented within the next five years, and 21 long-term recovery actions. However, these recommendations need further analysis to determine if and how the actions could be implemented. This project evaluated short-term recommendations provided by the PAP to identify the most effective and rank the relative importance of the actions. These recommendations were divided into 7 recovery categories: population augmentation (5 recommendations); hydrologic regimen (4 recommendations); physical habitat (3 recommendations); biological component of habitat (2 recommendations); population monitoring (6 recommendations); monitoring, analysis, and modeling (12 recommendations); and information and planning (2 recommendations). Each recommendation was evaluated for its potential to produce anticipated recovery progress for the RGSM based on assessments of the degree of feasibility, cost effectiveness, and associated potential consequences if fully implemented. In addition, other alternatives in a range of options were also considered where applicable. In each case, recommendations were evaluated from on-site visits, interviews with researchers and resource managers, and literature review. Based on the research findings, three major groupings of the recovery categories were identified: natural aspects of recovery, program aspects of recovery, and emergency measures. At least one recovery category within each major grouping was considered important by the respondents, which indicates that each grouping is of high importance in relation to the situation at hand. However, actions within each grouping have varying priorities given constraints on available resources, time, and budget. An integrated approach that accounts for the complexity of the river system and the species itself was considered the best approach to avoid extinction while ensuring long-term sustainability. Results of these analyses were provided directly to the PAP for their review, and it is anticipated that project results could advance implementation of the most appropriate immediate recovery actions needed to prevent extinction of the RGSM.

Should the ‘outs’ join the European banking union? Bruegel Policy Contribution Issue 2016/03 February 2016

For political reasons, European Union member states’ opinions on joining banking union range from outright refusal to active consideration. The main stance is to wait and see how the banking union develops. The wait-and-see positions are often motivated by the consideration that joining banking union might imply joining the euro. However, in the long term, banking union’s ultimate rationale is linked to cross-border banking in the single market, which goes beyond the single currency. This Policy Contribution documents the banking linkages between the nine ‘outs’ and 19 ‘ins’ of the banking union. We find that some of the major banks based in Sweden and Denmark have substantial banking claims across the Nordic and Baltic regions. We also find large banking claims from banks based in the banking union on central and eastern Europe. The United Kingdom has a special position, with London as both a global and European financial centre. We find that the out countries could profit from joining banking union, because it would provide a stable arrangement for managing financial stability. Banking union allows for an integrated approach towards supervision (avoiding ring fencing of activities and therefore a higher cost of funding) and resolution (avoiding coordination failure). On the other hand, countries can preserve sovereignty over their banking systems outside the banking union.

Hurt feelings in couple relationships: Towards integrative models of the negative effects of hurtful events

Previous research suggests that hurt feelings can have powerful effects on individual and relational outcomes. This study examined a typology of hurtful events in couple relationships, together with integrative models predicting ongoing effects on victims and relationships. Participants were 224 students from introductory and third-year psychology classes, who completed open-ended and structured measures concerning an event in which a partner had hurt their feelings. By tailoring Leary et al.'s (1998) typology to the context of romantic relationships, five categories of hurtful events were proposed: active disassociation, passive disassociation, criticism, infidelity, and deception. Analyses assessing similarities and differences among the categories confirmed the utility of the typology. Structural equation modeling showed that longer-term effects on the victim were predicted by relationship anxiety and by the victim's immediate reactions to the event (negative emotions and self-perceptions; feelings of rejection and powerlessness). In contrast, ongoing effects on the relationship were predicted by avoidance, the victim's attributions and perceptions of offender remorse, and the victim's own behavior. The results highlight the utility of an integrated approach to hurt, incorporating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses, and dimensions of attachment security.