Lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas. El Partido de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre 1990 y 2010

Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento de las lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas y su impronta en la organización futura de las ciudades medias, tendiente al logro de una relación armónica entre la actividad residencial y las otras actividades socioeconómicas que se presentan en dichas áreas, en la presente Tesis doctoral se aborda el estudio del proceso de expansión residencial que se han venido desarrollando en el espacio periurbano del Partido de La Plata desde principios de los años '90 hasta nuestros días. Para tal fin, se profundiza en el estudio de espacios periurbanos, caracterizados por su dinamismo, heterogeneidad y complejidad. En relación a los espacios residenciales que se desarrollan en estas áreas periféricas del Partido, fueron reconocidas tres tendencias diferenciadas: a) el proceso de urbanización cerrada, con tendencias al aislamiento de viviendas y complejos habitacionales, b) la "producción de periferia" relacionada con los sectores de población que no consiguen acceder al mercado formal de la tierra y la vivienda, asociada por lo general a modalidades de asentamiento espontáneo; y c) la ocupación gradual de baldíos urbanos con escasa o nula provisión de servicios y redes de infraestructura. En la presente Tesis se profundizará en las dos primeras de estas modalidades expansivas, indagándose en las lógicas de los distintos actores -sociales, políticos y económicos- que intervienen en el proceso urbano expansivo que hemos denominado "formal cerrado" e "informal abierto", respectivamente. La hipótesis que guía nuestro trabajo plantea que la expansión urbana en el Partido de La Plata trae aparejada una competencia por el territorio entre diferentes usos del suelo y actividades, con el consecuente incremento en los precios de la tierra, abandono de los sectores de bajos ingresos como habitantes originales y disminución del uso de tierra rural. Para dar respuesta a los objetivos e hipótesis planteados en nuestra Tesis, los criterios metodológicos adoptados parten de considerar al territorio como un sistema complejo. En este marco, el abordaje desde una visión sistémica y de la complejidad de nuestro objeto de estudio necesita de un abordaje dialéctico y de la convergencia metodológica para obtener distintos puntos de vista sobre el mismo. En el desarrollo de esta Tesis se han utilizado como herramientas de investigación: el método del estudio de caso, la construcción tipológica, la realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad, la utilización de modelos y la construcción de escenarios urbanos. Finalmente, producto de estos años de investigación en la temática, se arribó a las siguientes conclusiones, que han sido estructuradas en cinco apartados principales en función de su carácter predominantemente teórico, empírico, metodológico y/o propositivo, a saber: 1. el periurbano: ¿espacio de competencia o complementariedad?; 2. la construcción de tipologías como camino explicativo en materia de espacios periurbanos; 3. las lógicas residenciales periféricas: la "privatópolis" y la "precariópolis"; 4. las tendencias residenciales periféricas y los desafíos de la planificación urbana, y 5. nuevos interrogantes y perspectivas surgidos de esta Tesis.

Lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas. El Partido de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre 1990 y 2010

Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento de las lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas y su impronta en la organización futura de las ciudades medias, tendiente al logro de una relación armónica entre la actividad residencial y las otras actividades socioeconómicas que se presentan en dichas áreas, en la presente Tesis doctoral se aborda el estudio del proceso de expansión residencial que se han venido desarrollando en el espacio periurbano del Partido de La Plata desde principios de los años '90 hasta nuestros días. Para tal fin, se profundiza en el estudio de espacios periurbanos, caracterizados por su dinamismo, heterogeneidad y complejidad. En relación a los espacios residenciales que se desarrollan en estas áreas periféricas del Partido, fueron reconocidas tres tendencias diferenciadas: a) el proceso de urbanización cerrada, con tendencias al aislamiento de viviendas y complejos habitacionales, b) la "producción de periferia" relacionada con los sectores de población que no consiguen acceder al mercado formal de la tierra y la vivienda, asociada por lo general a modalidades de asentamiento espontáneo; y c) la ocupación gradual de baldíos urbanos con escasa o nula provisión de servicios y redes de infraestructura. En la presente Tesis se profundizará en las dos primeras de estas modalidades expansivas, indagándose en las lógicas de los distintos actores -sociales, políticos y económicos- que intervienen en el proceso urbano expansivo que hemos denominado "formal cerrado" e "informal abierto", respectivamente. La hipótesis que guía nuestro trabajo plantea que la expansión urbana en el Partido de La Plata trae aparejada una competencia por el territorio entre diferentes usos del suelo y actividades, con el consecuente incremento en los precios de la tierra, abandono de los sectores de bajos ingresos como habitantes originales y disminución del uso de tierra rural. Para dar respuesta a los objetivos e hipótesis planteados en nuestra Tesis, los criterios metodológicos adoptados parten de considerar al territorio como un sistema complejo. En este marco, el abordaje desde una visión sistémica y de la complejidad de nuestro objeto de estudio necesita de un abordaje dialéctico y de la convergencia metodológica para obtener distintos puntos de vista sobre el mismo. En el desarrollo de esta Tesis se han utilizado como herramientas de investigación: el método del estudio de caso, la construcción tipológica, la realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad, la utilización de modelos y la construcción de escenarios urbanos. Finalmente, producto de estos años de investigación en la temática, se arribó a las siguientes conclusiones, que han sido estructuradas en cinco apartados principales en función de su carácter predominantemente teórico, empírico, metodológico y/o propositivo, a saber: 1. el periurbano: ¿espacio de competencia o complementariedad?; 2. la construcción de tipologías como camino explicativo en materia de espacios periurbanos; 3. las lógicas residenciales periféricas: la "privatópolis" y la "precariópolis"; 4. las tendencias residenciales periféricas y los desafíos de la planificación urbana, y 5. nuevos interrogantes y perspectivas surgidos de esta Tesis.

Lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas. El Partido de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre 1990 y 2010

Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento de las lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas y su impronta en la organización futura de las ciudades medias, tendiente al logro de una relación armónica entre la actividad residencial y las otras actividades socioeconómicas que se presentan en dichas áreas, en la presente Tesis doctoral se aborda el estudio del proceso de expansión residencial que se han venido desarrollando en el espacio periurbano del Partido de La Plata desde principios de los años '90 hasta nuestros días. Para tal fin, se profundiza en el estudio de espacios periurbanos, caracterizados por su dinamismo, heterogeneidad y complejidad. En relación a los espacios residenciales que se desarrollan en estas áreas periféricas del Partido, fueron reconocidas tres tendencias diferenciadas: a) el proceso de urbanización cerrada, con tendencias al aislamiento de viviendas y complejos habitacionales, b) la "producción de periferia" relacionada con los sectores de población que no consiguen acceder al mercado formal de la tierra y la vivienda, asociada por lo general a modalidades de asentamiento espontáneo; y c) la ocupación gradual de baldíos urbanos con escasa o nula provisión de servicios y redes de infraestructura. En la presente Tesis se profundizará en las dos primeras de estas modalidades expansivas, indagándose en las lógicas de los distintos actores -sociales, políticos y económicos- que intervienen en el proceso urbano expansivo que hemos denominado "formal cerrado" e "informal abierto", respectivamente. La hipótesis que guía nuestro trabajo plantea que la expansión urbana en el Partido de La Plata trae aparejada una competencia por el territorio entre diferentes usos del suelo y actividades, con el consecuente incremento en los precios de la tierra, abandono de los sectores de bajos ingresos como habitantes originales y disminución del uso de tierra rural. Para dar respuesta a los objetivos e hipótesis planteados en nuestra Tesis, los criterios metodológicos adoptados parten de considerar al territorio como un sistema complejo. En este marco, el abordaje desde una visión sistémica y de la complejidad de nuestro objeto de estudio necesita de un abordaje dialéctico y de la convergencia metodológica para obtener distintos puntos de vista sobre el mismo. En el desarrollo de esta Tesis se han utilizado como herramientas de investigación: el método del estudio de caso, la construcción tipológica, la realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad, la utilización de modelos y la construcción de escenarios urbanos. Finalmente, producto de estos años de investigación en la temática, se arribó a las siguientes conclusiones, que han sido estructuradas en cinco apartados principales en función de su carácter predominantemente teórico, empírico, metodológico y/o propositivo, a saber: 1. el periurbano: ¿espacio de competencia o complementariedad?; 2. la construcción de tipologías como camino explicativo en materia de espacios periurbanos; 3. las lógicas residenciales periféricas: la "privatópolis" y la "precariópolis"; 4. las tendencias residenciales periféricas y los desafíos de la planificación urbana, y 5. nuevos interrogantes y perspectivas surgidos de esta Tesis.

Austria’s thrilling elections will have far-reaching impact on political developments in the EU. EPIN Commentary No. 32, May 2016

After a passionate two-day election, Alexander Van Der Bellen (supported by the Greens) narrowly defeated his far-right wing opponent, Norbert Hofer (Freedom Party of Austria or FPÖ), thereby becoming Austria’s new President (50.3% vs 49.7%). Notably, the ecologist candidate only managed to win thanks to the postal votes counted on the day after the polls closed, whereas anti-EU Hofer was still leading by some 144,000 votes on the previous evening. Such a narrow defeat is likely to have long-term implications for Austrian and European politics.

Innovation and Development in the Age of Climate Change Adaptation: Open or Closed?

Change Adaptation: Open or Closed? Paper read at the Second African International Economic Law Network Conference, 7-8 March 2013, Wits School of Law, Johannesburg, South Africa. In a time of rapid convergence of technologies, goods, services, hardware, software, the traditional classifications that informed past treaties fail to remove legal uncertainty, or advance welfare and innovation. As a result, we turn our attention to the role and needs of the public domain at the interface of existing intellectual property rights and new modes of creation, production and distribution of goods and services. The concept of open culture would have it that knowledge should be spread freely and its growth should come from further developing existing works on the basis of sharing and collaboration without the shackles of intellectual property. Intellectual property clauses find their way into regional, multilateral, bilateral and free trade agreements more often than not, and can cause public discontent and incite unrest. Many of these intellectual property clauses raise the bar on protection beyond the clauses found in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). In this paper we address the question of the protection and development of the public domain in service of open innovation in accord with Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in light of the Objectives (Article 7) and Principles (Article 8) set forth in TRIPS. Once areas of divergence and reinforcement between the intellectual property regime and human rights have been discussed, we will enter into options that allow for innovation and prosperity in the global south. We then conclude by discussing possible policy developments.

Incorporating Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) practices into the planning context:the conceptual case for lot-scale developments

In recent decades, a number of sustainable strategies and polices have been created to protect and preserve our water environments from the impacts of growing communities. The Australian approach, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), defined as the integration of urban planning and design with the urban water cycle management, has made considerable advances on design guidelines since 2000. WSUD stormwater management systems (e.g. wetlands, bioretentions, porous pavement etc), also known as Best Management Practices (BMPs) or Low Impact Development (LID), are slowly gaining popularity across Australia, the USA and Europe. There have also been significant improvements in how to model the performance of the WSUD technologies (e.g. MUSIC software). However, the implementation issues of these WSUD practices are mainly related to ongoing institutional capacity. Some of the key problems are associated with a limited awareness of urban planners and designers; in general, they have very little knowledge of these systems and their benefits to the urban environments. At the same time, hydrological engineers should have a better understanding of building codes and master plans. The land use regulations are equally as important as the physical site conditions for determining opportunities and constraints for implementing WSUD techniques. There is a need for procedures that can make a better linkage between urban planners and WSUD engineering practices. Thus, this paper aims to present the development of a general framework for incorporating WSUD technologies into the site planning process. The study was applied to lot-scale in the Melbourne region, Australia. Results show the potential space available for fitting WSUD elements, according to building requirements and different types of housing densities. © 2011 WIT Press.

Bipolar Disorder: Recent Advances And Future Trends In Bioanalytical Developments For Biomarker Discovery.

In this manuscript we briefly describe bipolar disorder (a depressive and manic mental disease), its classification, its effects on the patient, which sometimes include suicidal tendencies, and the drugs used for treatment. We also address the status quo with regard to diagnosis of bipolar disorder and recent advances in bioanalytical approaches for biomarker discovery. These approaches focus on blood samples (serum and plasma) and proteins as the main biomarker targets, and use various strategies for protein depletion. Strategies include use of commercially available kits or other homemade strategies and use of classical proteomics methods for protein identification based on bottom-up or top-down approaches, which used SELDI, ESI, or MALDI as sources for mass spectrometry, and up-to-date mass analyzers, for example Orbitrap. We also discuss some future objectives for treatment of this disorder and possible directions for the correct diagnosis of this still-unclear mental illness.

Evaluation of recycled tiles and OSB ceiling materials in closed broiler house prototypes

This study aimed at evaluating the thermal performance of a modular ceiling system for poultry houses. The reduced- and distorted-scale prototypes used ceiling modules made of reforested wood and were covered with recycled long-life package tiles. The following parameters were measured for 21 days: tile internal surface temperature (ST), globe temperature and humidity index (WBGT), and radiant heat load (RHL). Measurements were made at times of highest heat load (11:00 am, 13:00 pm, and 03:00 pm). Collected data were analyzed by "R" statistics software. Means were compared by multiple comparison test (Tukey) and linear regression was performed, both at 5% significance level. The results showed that the prototype with the ceiling was more efficient to reduce internal tile surface temperature; however, this was not sufficient to provide a comfortable environment for broilers during the growout. Therefore, other techniques to provide proper cooling are required in addition to the ceiling.

ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURES IN FLORIDA DAIRY HOUSING

Environmental conditions in all air-conditioned barn and in evaporatively cooled sprinkler and fall and tunnel-ventilated barns are compared and recommendations for dairy barn design for hot, humid climates arc, given. Temperature Humidity Indexes (THI) observed in the air-conditioned barn were always below 72. Average THIs ill the evaporatively cooled barns during afternoon hours were seldom less than 75. The environmental conditions observed in these studies are typical for many, areas adjacent to the Gulf Coast of the United States and for tropical regions throughout the world. Providing comfortable environmental conditions for cows housed in area with hot, humid climates is difficult using only evaporative cooling and ventilation. Air-conditioning dairy housing is a possible alternative method, particularly for high value cows.

Coactivation of the shoulder and arm muscles during closed kinetic chain exercises on an unstable surface

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyography index of muscle coactivation of the following muscle pairs: posterior deltoid and pectoralis major (PD/PM); triceps brachii and biceps brachii (TB/BB); and serratus anterior and upper trapezius (SA/UT) during three different closed kinetic chain exercises (wall-press, bench-press and push-up) on an unstable surface at the maximal load. Methods: A total of 20 healthy sedentary men participated in the study. Integral linear values were obtained from three sustained contractions of six seconds each for the three proposed exercises. Mean coactivation index values were compared using the mixed-effects linear model, with a five percent significance level. Results: Electromyography indexes of muscle coactivation showed significant differences for the PD/PM and TB/BB muscle pairs. No differences were found between exercises for the SA/UT muscle pair. Conclusion: Our results seem to differ from those of previous studies, which reported that the similarity in exercises performed is responsible for the comparable muscle activation levels.

Evaluating Patellar Kinematics Through Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Open- and Closed-Kinetic-Chain Exercises

Purpose: To evaluate patellar kinematics of volunteers Without knee pain at rest and during isometric contraction in open- and closed-kinetic-chain exercises. Methods: Twenty individuals took part in this study. All were submitted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during rest and voluntary isometric contraction (VIC) in the open anti closed kinetic chain at 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees of knee flexion. Through MRI and using medical e-film software, the following measurements were evaluated: sulcus angle, patellar-tilt angle, and bisect offset. The mixed-effects linear model was used for comparison between knee positions, between rest and isometric contractions, and between (he exercises. Results: Data analysis revealed that the sulcus angle decreased as knee flexion increased and revealed increases with isometric contractions in both the open and closed kinetic chain for all knee-flexion angles. The patellar-tilt angle decreased with isometric contractions in both the open and closed kinetic chain for every knee position. However, in the closed kinetic chain, patellar tilt increased significantly with the knee flexed at 15 degrees. The bisect offset increased with the knee flexed at 15 degrees during isometric contractions and decreased as knee flexion increased during both exercises. Conclusion: VIC in the last degrees of knee extension may compromise patellar dynamics. On the other hand, it is possible to favor patellar stability by performing muscle contractions with the knee flexed at 30 degrees and 45 degrees in either the open or closed kinetic chain.

The Coupled Aerosol and Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) - Part 1: Model description and evaluation

We introduce the Coupled Aerosol and Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS). CATT-BRAMS is an on-line transport model fully consistent with the simulated atmospheric dynamics. Emission sources from biomass burning and urban-industrial-vehicular activities for trace gases and from biomass burning aerosol particles are obtained from several published datasets and remote sensing information. The tracer and aerosol mass concentration prognostics include the effects of sub-grid scale turbulence in the planetary boundary layer, convective transport by shallow and deep moist convection, wet and dry deposition, and plume rise associated with vegetation fires in addition to the grid scale transport. The radiation parameterization takes into account the interaction between the simulated biomass burning aerosol particles and short and long wave radiation. The atmospheric model BRAMS is based on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), with several improvements associated with cumulus convection representation, soil moisture initialization and surface scheme tuned for the tropics, among others. In this paper the CATT-BRAMS model is used to simulate carbon monoxide and particulate material (PM(2.5)) surface fluxes and atmospheric transport during the 2002 LBA field campaigns, conducted during the transition from the dry to wet season in the southwest Amazon Basin. Model evaluation is addressed with comparisons between model results and near surface, radiosondes and airborne measurements performed during the field campaign, as well as remote sensing derived products. We show the matching of emissions strengths to observed carbon monoxide in the LBA campaign. A relatively good comparison to the MOPITT data, in spite of the fact that MOPITT a priori assumptions imply several difficulties, is also obtained.

The Coupled Aerosol and Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) - Part 2: Model sensitivity to the biomass burning

We describe an estimation technique for biomass burning emissions in South America based on a combination of remote-sensing fire products and field observations, the Brazilian Biomass Burning Emission Model (3BEM). For each fire pixel detected by remote sensing, the mass of the emitted tracer is calculated based on field observations of fire properties related to the type of vegetation burning. The burnt area is estimated from the instantaneous fire size retrieved by remote sensing, when available, or from statistical properties of the burn scars. The sources are then spatially and temporally distributed and assimilated daily by the Coupled Aerosol and Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) in order to perform the prognosis of related tracer concentrations. Three other biomass burning inventories, including GFEDv2 and EDGAR, are simultaneously used to compare the emission strength in terms of the resultant tracer distribution. We also assess the effect of using the daily time resolution of fire emissions by including runs with monthly-averaged emissions. We evaluate the performance of the model using the different emission estimation techniques by comparing the model results with direct measurements of carbon monoxide both near-surface and airborne, as well as remote sensing derived products. The model results obtained using the 3BEM methodology of estimation introduced in this paper show relatively good agreement with the direct measurements and MOPITT data product, suggesting the reliability of the model at local to regional scales.

Valve friction and nonlinear process model closed-loop identification

Among several process variability sources, valve friction and inadequate controller tuning are supposed to be two of the most prevalent. Friction quantification methods can be applied to the development of model-based compensators or to diagnose valves that need repair, whereas accurate process models can be used in controller retuning. This paper extends existing methods that jointly estimate the friction and process parameters, so that a nonlinear structure is adopted to represent the process model. The developed estimation algorithm is tested with three different data sources: a simulated first order plus dead time process, a hybrid setup (composed of a real valve and a simulated pH neutralization process) and from three industrial datasets corresponding to real control loops. The results demonstrate that the friction is accurately quantified, as well as ""good"" process models are estimated in several situations. Furthermore, when a nonlinear process model is considered, the proposed extension presents significant advantages: (i) greater accuracy for friction quantification and (ii) reasonable estimates of the nonlinear steady-state characteristics of the process. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Single Axis Controlled Hybrid Magnetic Bearing for Left Ventricular Assist Device: Hybrid Core and Closed Magnetic Circuit

In previous studies, we presented main strategies for suspending the rotor of a mixed-flow type (centrifugal and axial) ventricular assist device (VAD), originally presented by the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology (IDPC), Brazil. Magnetic suspension is achieved by the use of a magnetic bearing architecture in which the active control is executed in only one degree of freedom, in the axial direction of the rotor. Remaining degrees of freedom, excepting the rotation, are restricted only by the attraction force between pairs of permanent magnets. This study is part of a joint project in development by IDPC and Escola Politecnica of Sao Paulo University, Brazil. This article shows advances in that project, presenting two promising solutions for magnetic bearings. One solution uses hybrid cores as electromagnetic actuators, that is, cores that combine iron and permanent magnets. The other solution uses actuators, also of hybrid type, but with the magnetic circuit closed by an iron core. After preliminary analysis, a pump prototype has been developed for each solution and has been tested. For each prototype, a brushless DC motor has been developed as the rotor driver. Each solution was evaluated by in vitro experiments and guidelines are extracted for future improvements. Tests have shown good results and demonstrated that one solution is not isolated from the other. One complements the other for the development of a single-axis-controlled, hybrid-type magnetic bearing for a mixed-flow type VAD.