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How can local authorities effectively approach the decarbonisation of urban environments? Recent efforts to redirect cities into a less energy-intensive model have been mostly approached from a sectoral perspective, with specific energy policies and plans being issued without deeply considering their ties with other urban aspects. In this sense, well-established urban planning procedures have not been part of those, with the consequence of barriers in the implementation phase of those energy plans. The Cities4ZERO methodology was developed to guide effective integration between urban planning and energy policies, plans, and practices. It provides a holistic approach to strategic municipal processes for urban decarbonisation in the mid-long term, which includes key local stakeholders’ engagement into integrated energy planning processes, as well as tools for effective energy decarbonisation modelling. This paper analyses the application of the Cities4ZERO decarbonisation methodology on its strategic stage in the development of Vitoria-Gasteiz’s Action Plan for an Integrated Energy Transition 2030 (APIET 2030). It suggests that in order to accelerate urban decarbonisation, it is critical to: (a) foster interdepartmental collaboration; (b) allow for flexibility on the land-use planning regulations; (c) back decisions with detailed urban-energy models; and (d) truly engage key local stakeholders in the planning and implementation processes.
Koldo Urrutia-Azcona; Patricia Molina-Costa; Iñigo Muñoz; David Maya-Drysdale; Carolina Garcia-Madruga; Iván Flores-Abascal. Towards an Integrated Approach to Urban Decarbonisation in Practice: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8836 .
AMA StyleKoldo Urrutia-Azcona, Patricia Molina-Costa, Iñigo Muñoz, David Maya-Drysdale, Carolina Garcia-Madruga, Iván Flores-Abascal. Towards an Integrated Approach to Urban Decarbonisation in Practice: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (16):8836.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKoldo Urrutia-Azcona; Patricia Molina-Costa; Iñigo Muñoz; David Maya-Drysdale; Carolina Garcia-Madruga; Iván Flores-Abascal. 2021. "Towards an Integrated Approach to Urban Decarbonisation in Practice: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz." Sustainability 13, no. 16: 8836.
Given the current climate emergency, our planet is suffering. Mitigation measures must be urgently deployed in urban environments, which are responsible for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. In this sense, a deeper integration between energy and urban planning disciplines is a key factor for effective decarbonisation in urban environments. This is addressed in the Cities4ZERO decarbonisation methodology. This method specifically points out the need for technology-based solutions able to support that integration among both disciplines at a local level, enriching decision-making in urban decarbonisation policy-making, diagnosis, planning, and follow-up tasks, incorporating the spatial dimension to the whole process (GIS-based), as well as the possibilities of the digital era. Accordingly, this paper explores the demands of both integrated urban energy planning and European/Basque energy directives, to set the main requisites and functionalities that Decision Support Systems (DSSs) must fulfil to effectively support city managers and the urban decarbonisation process.
Koldo Urrutia-Azcona; Elena Usobiaga-Ferrer; Pablo De Agustín-Camacho; Patricia Molina-Costa; Mauricia Benedito-Bordonau; Iván Flores-Abascal. ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning. Sustainability 2021, 13, 383 .
AMA StyleKoldo Urrutia-Azcona, Elena Usobiaga-Ferrer, Pablo De Agustín-Camacho, Patricia Molina-Costa, Mauricia Benedito-Bordonau, Iván Flores-Abascal. ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (1):383.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKoldo Urrutia-Azcona; Elena Usobiaga-Ferrer; Pablo De Agustín-Camacho; Patricia Molina-Costa; Mauricia Benedito-Bordonau; Iván Flores-Abascal. 2021. "ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning." Sustainability 13, no. 1: 383.
How can local authorities effectively address the decarbonization of urban environments in the long run? How would their interests and expertise be aligned into an integrated approach towards decarbonization? This paper delves into how strategic processes can help to integrate diverse disciplines and stakeholders when facing urban decarbonization and presents Cities4ZERO, a step-by-step methodology for local authorities, able to guide them through the process of developing the most appropriate plans and projects for an effective urban transition; all from an integrated, participatory and cross-cutting planning approach. For the development of the Cities4ZERO methodology, plans, projects, and strategic processes from five European cities that are part of the Smart Cities and Communities European Commission program have been monitored for 4 years, in close collaboration with local authorities, analyzing ad-hoc local strategic approaches to determine key success factors and barriers to be considered from their transitioning experiences. The study indicates that an iterative strategic approach and a project-oriented vision, combined with a stable institutional commitment, are opening a window of opportunity for cities to achieve effective decarbonization.
Koldo Urrutia-Azcona; Merit Tatar; Patricia Molina-Costa; Iván Flores-Abascal. Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3590 .
AMA StyleKoldo Urrutia-Azcona, Merit Tatar, Patricia Molina-Costa, Iván Flores-Abascal. Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (9):3590.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKoldo Urrutia-Azcona; Merit Tatar; Patricia Molina-Costa; Iván Flores-Abascal. 2020. "Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes." Sustainability 12, no. 9: 3590.
The thermal characterization of building components in dynamic exterior conditions is crucial for understanding their real performance, particularly if they are passive or active solar elements. In this respect, the PASLINK methodology has stood out as an effective technique for outdoor testing due to its level of development and precision. It is based on the use of a calibrated test cell with interior walls covered by heat flow meters. The accurate determination of the heat flow through the envelope of the cell is essential for the subsequent thermal analysis of the passive/active solar component being tested. Although the walls of a PASLINK cell have a high thermal resistance and minimal thermal bridges, a higher heat flux is inevitable near the inner corners because of the edge effects. This variation is partially detected by heat flow meters, requiring correction factors accordingly named ‘edge effect factors’. Additional heat flow meters strategically arranged in some interior corners are used to determine these factors in a calibration test. The factors thus calculated are used as invariable values in subsequent cell tests. However, the skill and knowledge of the staff conducting the calibration test are fundamental, as human errors can affect this process. This proposal outlines a more objective and reliable new methodology to determine edge effect correction factors. It is based on applying correlations of instantaneous readings of heat flow meters. These correlations are obtained in an initial PASLINK calibration test, but are valid for all subsequent tests. The factors calculated in this way depend on instantaneous test readings and, for this reason, they are dynamic values perfectly adapted to each test. The calibration test of the cell called EGUZKI, located in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Northern Spain), is used to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. With the current PASLINK calibration test methodology, the calibrated cell obtains a measurement error of 13%, while the proposed new dynamic methodology reduces this error to 6%. Although this new methodology is determined in the context of a PASLINK test cell, it is an extensive method applicable to the correction of heat flow measurements affected by edge effects in general.
C. García-Gáfaro; C. Escudero-Revilla; Ivan Flores Abascal; Aitor Erkoreka; K. Martín-Escudero. Dynamical edge effect factor determination for building components thermal characterization under outdoor test conditions in a PASLINK test cell: A methodological proposal. Energy and Buildings 2019, 210, 109741 .
AMA StyleC. García-Gáfaro, C. Escudero-Revilla, Ivan Flores Abascal, Aitor Erkoreka, K. Martín-Escudero. Dynamical edge effect factor determination for building components thermal characterization under outdoor test conditions in a PASLINK test cell: A methodological proposal. Energy and Buildings. 2019; 210 ():109741.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. García-Gáfaro; C. Escudero-Revilla; Ivan Flores Abascal; Aitor Erkoreka; K. Martín-Escudero. 2019. "Dynamical edge effect factor determination for building components thermal characterization under outdoor test conditions in a PASLINK test cell: A methodological proposal." Energy and Buildings 210, no. : 109741.
In order to improve the energy efficiency and control of heat pump systems, it is necessary to develop dynamic models that accurately simulate their real performance. In addition, these models will help to carry out future works of research, such as new low carbon refrigerant testing. Physics-based models follow a set of physics laws that characterize the model as the most accurate, versatile and robust to simulate different heat pump systems. Taking into account the fact that the dynamics of the elements that regulate mass flow (compressors and valves) are much faster than the dynamics of the components that regulate heat transfer (heat exchangers), the model complexity usually resides in the latter. This paper provides a detailed explanation of the physics-based dynamic model in Matlab/Simulink using the finite-control volume approach applied to a refrigerant-to-liquid plate heat exchanger. Dynamic experimental tests were developed to validate the model under four possible situations: condenser and evaporator heat exchangers working in both counter- and parallel-flow. In addition, an approximation of the number of finite control volumes required to reach a good accuracy, while maintaining a reasonable simulation time is presented. Simulation results show great accuracy when compared to experimental tests. It was proved by calculating the Normalized Residual Error, which is between 1.1 E-04 and 1.0 E-03 in all cases. It was also concluded that using twenty finite control volumes, there is good agreement between the accuracy of the results and the computational time.
Erik Salazar-Herran; Koldobika Martin-Escudero; Luis A. Del Portillo-Valdes; Ivan Flores-Abascal; Naiara Romero-Anton. Flexible dynamic model of PHEX for transient simulations in Matlab/Simulink using finite control volume method. International Journal of Refrigeration 2019, 110, 83 -94.
AMA StyleErik Salazar-Herran, Koldobika Martin-Escudero, Luis A. Del Portillo-Valdes, Ivan Flores-Abascal, Naiara Romero-Anton. Flexible dynamic model of PHEX for transient simulations in Matlab/Simulink using finite control volume method. International Journal of Refrigeration. 2019; 110 ():83-94.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErik Salazar-Herran; Koldobika Martin-Escudero; Luis A. Del Portillo-Valdes; Ivan Flores-Abascal; Naiara Romero-Anton. 2019. "Flexible dynamic model of PHEX for transient simulations in Matlab/Simulink using finite control volume method." International Journal of Refrigeration 110, no. : 83-94.
Purpose Understanding the dynamic hygrothermal behavior of building elements is very important to ensure the optimal performance of buildings. The Laboratory for Quality Control in Buildings of the Basque Government tested a flat roof designed by a construction company that developed a building to be constructed using prefabricated modules. This is a five to eight floor building with ventilated façade and a flat roof covered by gravel with the possibility of changing it to a green cover. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The interest of this research was threefold. The first objective was to accurately test, under real dynamic weather conditions, the roof design in a PASLINK test cell to obtain the U-value and the thermal capacitance of the different roof layers, and of the roof as a whole, through the precise calibration of resistance-capacitance mathematical models of the roof. Based on the parameters and experimental information of these calibrated models, a second goal was to calibrate and validate a Wufi model of the roof. Findings This second calibrated model was then used to simulate the dynamic hygrothermal behavior of the roof, obtaining the roof’s hourly thermal demand per square meter for a whole year in different locations considered in the Spanish Building Code. These simulations also permitted the authors to study the risk of condensation and mold growth of the tested component under different climatic conditions. Originality/value The successful combination of the PASLINK method to calibrate the Wufi hygrothermal model is the main novelty of this research.
Aitor Erkoreka; Ivan Flores-Abascal; Cesar Escudero; Koldo Martin; Jose Antonio Millan; Jose Maria Sala. Flat roof hygrothermal performance testing and evaluation. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 2019, 38, 148 -175.
AMA StyleAitor Erkoreka, Ivan Flores-Abascal, Cesar Escudero, Koldo Martin, Jose Antonio Millan, Jose Maria Sala. Flat roof hygrothermal performance testing and evaluation. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation. 2019; 38 (1):148-175.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAitor Erkoreka; Ivan Flores-Abascal; Cesar Escudero; Koldo Martin; Jose Antonio Millan; Jose Maria Sala. 2019. "Flat roof hygrothermal performance testing and evaluation." International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 38, no. 1: 148-175.
Miguel Székely; Iván Flores. Educación y desarrollo en México: Una historia de baja capacidad de aprovechamiento del capital humano. Educación y desarrollo en México: Una historia de baja capacidad de aprovechamiento del capital humano 2018, 1 .
AMA StyleMiguel Székely, Iván Flores. Educación y desarrollo en México: Una historia de baja capacidad de aprovechamiento del capital humano. Educación y desarrollo en México: Una historia de baja capacidad de aprovechamiento del capital humano. 2018; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiguel Székely; Iván Flores. 2018. "Educación y desarrollo en México: Una historia de baja capacidad de aprovechamiento del capital humano." Educación y desarrollo en México: Una historia de baja capacidad de aprovechamiento del capital humano , no. : 1.
A study of moisture pathologies in a modern residential multifamily building is presented. The housing block was designed under the regulation NBE-CT of 1979 in northern Spain. After the appearance of some moisture problems in the façades, three complementary studies were conducted to analyze the situation of the envelope and diagnose the best improvement possibilities. First, indoor conditions of temperature and humidity of the apartments with moisture pathologies were monitored. During 40 winter days, the occupancy, heating operation, and natural ventilation were analyzed. Second, the inner and outer surface temperatures of the studied façades were measured. Thermal insulation degree, thermal capacity, and thermal bridge effects were measured to assess the risk of interstitial condensation under the real conditions of use. Third, an infrared thermographic survey was carried out, which allowed the detection of irregularities and the assessment of moisture problems. The wrong interpretations, which would have been made if the complementary studies had not been done, are exposed. The key towards the accurate diagnosis was the combination of tools. Finally, some technical solutions based on ventilation or thermal insulation enhancement are proposed as different ways to reduce the high levels of relative humidity indoors and minimize the risk of condensation in the future.
Juan María Hidalgo-Betanzos; César Escudero-Revilla; Eider Iribar-Solaberrieta; Iván Flores-Abascal; José María Pedro Sala-Lizarraga. Combination of Diagnostic Tools for the Proper Identification of Moisture Pathologies in Modern Residential Buildings. Infrastructures 2018, 3, 37 .
AMA StyleJuan María Hidalgo-Betanzos, César Escudero-Revilla, Eider Iribar-Solaberrieta, Iván Flores-Abascal, José María Pedro Sala-Lizarraga. Combination of Diagnostic Tools for the Proper Identification of Moisture Pathologies in Modern Residential Buildings. Infrastructures. 2018; 3 (3):37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJuan María Hidalgo-Betanzos; César Escudero-Revilla; Eider Iribar-Solaberrieta; Iván Flores-Abascal; José María Pedro Sala-Lizarraga. 2018. "Combination of Diagnostic Tools for the Proper Identification of Moisture Pathologies in Modern Residential Buildings." Infrastructures 3, no. 3: 37.
Ignacio Gómez-Arriaran; Moises Odriozola-Maritorena; Koldobika Martín; Iván Flores-Abascal; Alvaro Campos-Celador. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COOPERATIVE METHODOLOGY FOR LEARNING THERMAL ENGINEERING. EDULEARN18 Proceedings 2018, 4761 -4767.
AMA StyleIgnacio Gómez-Arriaran, Moises Odriozola-Maritorena, Koldobika Martín, Iván Flores-Abascal, Alvaro Campos-Celador. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COOPERATIVE METHODOLOGY FOR LEARNING THERMAL ENGINEERING. EDULEARN18 Proceedings. 2018; ():4761-4767.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIgnacio Gómez-Arriaran; Moises Odriozola-Maritorena; Koldobika Martín; Iván Flores-Abascal; Alvaro Campos-Celador. 2018. "DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COOPERATIVE METHODOLOGY FOR LEARNING THERMAL ENGINEERING." EDULEARN18 Proceedings , no. : 4761-4767.
Luis Alfonso Del Portillo; Jon Terés–Zubiaga; Aitor Erkoreka; Koldobika Martín; Jon Torres Lozano; Ivan Flores Abascal; Xabier Aparicio. Innovaciones en eficiencia energética para la rehabilitación de edificios administrativos. Sustentabilidad y tecnología : herramientas para la gestión segura y eficiente del hábitat (Hábitat Sustentable Contemporáneo) 2018, 145 -172.
AMA StyleLuis Alfonso Del Portillo, Jon Terés–Zubiaga, Aitor Erkoreka, Koldobika Martín, Jon Torres Lozano, Ivan Flores Abascal, Xabier Aparicio. Innovaciones en eficiencia energética para la rehabilitación de edificios administrativos. Sustentabilidad y tecnología : herramientas para la gestión segura y eficiente del hábitat (Hábitat Sustentable Contemporáneo). 2018; ():145-172.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Alfonso Del Portillo; Jon Terés–Zubiaga; Aitor Erkoreka; Koldobika Martín; Jon Torres Lozano; Ivan Flores Abascal; Xabier Aparicio. 2018. "Innovaciones en eficiencia energética para la rehabilitación de edificios administrativos." Sustentabilidad y tecnología : herramientas para la gestión segura y eficiente del hábitat (Hábitat Sustentable Contemporáneo) , no. : 145-172.
Minimum airflow rates are either recommended or required based on the number of occupants, the intended use of the space or the floor plan area. This paper focuses on a new proposal for Spanish Technical Building Code based on limitations of the ventilation using the CO2 concentration as an indicator. The aim of the proposal is to introduce indoor air quality criteria in order to determine the design ventilation rates, and as a result, reduce the ventilation energy losses. Based on this proposal, the perceived indoor air quality in terms of the concentration of CO2 and other contaminants of concern is analysed through simulation. Maximum allowed area-based emission rates are defined for the indoor source contaminants. It was found that the minimum outdoor airflow rates based on maximum allowable CO2 concentrations would reduce heating demand by more than 25% when compared to the reference airflow rates. In addition, the influence of the airtightness of the envelope on the indoor air quality is analysed with regards to defining the corresponding maximum allowed area-based emission rates. As the envelope permeability increases, the maximum allowed area-based emission rates decrease for HCHO and total volatile organic compound, and should be around 27% lower comparing to the design case values.
Moises Odriozola-Maritorena; Koldobika Martin; Iván Flores; Alvaro Campos-Celador; José María Sala. Ventilation requirements based on carbon dioxide concentration criteria: implications on IAQ and energy use. International Journal of Ventilation 2018, 17, 256 -271.
AMA StyleMoises Odriozola-Maritorena, Koldobika Martin, Iván Flores, Alvaro Campos-Celador, José María Sala. Ventilation requirements based on carbon dioxide concentration criteria: implications on IAQ and energy use. International Journal of Ventilation. 2018; 17 (4):256-271.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMoises Odriozola-Maritorena; Koldobika Martin; Iván Flores; Alvaro Campos-Celador; José María Sala. 2018. "Ventilation requirements based on carbon dioxide concentration criteria: implications on IAQ and energy use." International Journal of Ventilation 17, no. 4: 256-271.
The need to reduce CO2 emissions makes it necessary to review most areas of human activity because we are the main source of these emissions. In particular, the building sector is one of its main responsible. Through a State of the Art, several papers published in various scientific journals about nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) studies are reviewed. After carrying out an analysis of said documentation, it is considered that a new way of study can be developed with a multidisciplinary approach. For this, another series of articles are analyzed, where different advances in the field of building construction have been developed and are summarized. It is concluded that the Model Predictive Control (MPC) can also be a useful tool to optimize energy consumption in buildings, especially for public use, in order to achieve the goal of achieving nZEB, through the use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
Jose Maria Santos-Herrero; Jose Manuel Lopez-Guede; Ivan Flores. Analysis of New Strategies to Reach Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs). Proceedings 2018, 2, 1437 .
AMA StyleJose Maria Santos-Herrero, Jose Manuel Lopez-Guede, Ivan Flores. Analysis of New Strategies to Reach Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs). Proceedings. 2018; 2 (23):1437.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJose Maria Santos-Herrero; Jose Manuel Lopez-Guede; Ivan Flores. 2018. "Analysis of New Strategies to Reach Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs)." Proceedings 2, no. 23: 1437.
Jose Maria Santos-Herrero; José Manuel López-Guede; Ivan Flores. A Short review on the use of renewable energies and model predictive control in buildings. Journal of Energy Systems 2017, 1, 112 -119.
AMA StyleJose Maria Santos-Herrero, José Manuel López-Guede, Ivan Flores. A Short review on the use of renewable energies and model predictive control in buildings. Journal of Energy Systems. 2017; 1 (3):112-119.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJose Maria Santos-Herrero; José Manuel López-Guede; Ivan Flores. 2017. "A Short review on the use of renewable energies and model predictive control in buildings." Journal of Energy Systems 1, no. 3: 112-119.
In this article, the results of the hygroscopic characterization of a building material called ‘picón’, consisting of cement mortar and pyroclastic deposits from volcanic eruptions, are presented. The material obtained is used for the manufacture of blocks used in the construction of buildings in the Canary Islands. Picón is a heterogeneous material with uncontrolled particle size, having a pore system of very scattered sizes, what affects the moisture behaviour of the blocks. This heterogeneity results in a pore structure that affects the determination of the moisture properties of the material. In this work, this difficulty is faced, separately studying the pore structure of the cement paste and the aggregates, to come to a better interpretation of the concrete behaviour. The results indicate that the pore structure of the heterogeneous concrete differs from what could be expected from separately obtained porosimetry of each component of the concrete.
I Gomez-Arriaran; S Roels; Ivan Flores Abascal; M Odriozola-Maritorena; K Martín. Pore characterization of heterogeneous building materials: Pyroclastic arid–based concrete. Journal of Building Physics 2017, 41, 25 -40.
AMA StyleI Gomez-Arriaran, S Roels, Ivan Flores Abascal, M Odriozola-Maritorena, K Martín. Pore characterization of heterogeneous building materials: Pyroclastic arid–based concrete. Journal of Building Physics. 2017; 41 (1):25-40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleI Gomez-Arriaran; S Roels; Ivan Flores Abascal; M Odriozola-Maritorena; K Martín. 2017. "Pore characterization of heterogeneous building materials: Pyroclastic arid–based concrete." Journal of Building Physics 41, no. 1: 25-40.
Results emerging from a CASSCF-MRMP2 study are used to explain the products observed under matrix isolation conditions for the interactions M + CH3CN (M=V(4F), Nb(6D), Ta(4F)). A two-reaction scheme is proposed to rationalize the low-spin inserted species detected for the niobium and tantalum interactions, mainly the quadruplet CH3-Nb-NC and the doublet CH2=Ta-(H)NC compounds, respectively. According to this scheme, the radicals CH3 + M-NC are formed in each case from the ground state of the reactants. As these radical fragments remain trapped in the matrix they can recombine themselves in a second reaction, which evolves to the low-spin observed products. The absence of inserted products for the vanadium reaction is also explained in terms of this scheme. The picture attained for the investigated reactions fits better with the available experimental data than previous descriptions based on spin-flip models.
Iván Flores; Ana E. Torres; Fernando Colmenares. Rationalizing the Low-Spin Products Observed for the Reactions M+CH3 CN (M=V, Nb,Ta) Through a Non-Spin Flip Scheme. ChemistrySelect 2017, 2, 3216 -3222.
AMA StyleIván Flores, Ana E. Torres, Fernando Colmenares. Rationalizing the Low-Spin Products Observed for the Reactions M+CH3 CN (M=V, Nb,Ta) Through a Non-Spin Flip Scheme. ChemistrySelect. 2017; 2 (11):3216-3222.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIván Flores; Ana E. Torres; Fernando Colmenares. 2017. "Rationalizing the Low-Spin Products Observed for the Reactions M+CH3 CN (M=V, Nb,Ta) Through a Non-Spin Flip Scheme." ChemistrySelect 2, no. 11: 3216-3222.
Ana Picallo; Cesar Escudero; Iván Flores; José Mª Sala. Symbolic thermoeconomics in building energy supply systems. Energy and Buildings 2016, 127, 561 -570.
AMA StyleAna Picallo, Cesar Escudero, Iván Flores, José Mª Sala. Symbolic thermoeconomics in building energy supply systems. Energy and Buildings. 2016; 127 ():561-570.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Picallo; Cesar Escudero; Iván Flores; José Mª Sala. 2016. "Symbolic thermoeconomics in building energy supply systems." Energy and Buildings 127, no. : 561-570.
Object Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in the world, ranks 108th on the 2013 Human Development Index. With approximately 1 neurosurgeon per 200,000 people, access to neurosurgery in Bolivia is a growing health concern. Furthermore, neurosurgery in nonindustrialized countries has been considered both cost-prohibitive and lacking in outcomes evaluation. A non-governmental organization (NGO) supports spinal procedures in Bolivia (Solidarity Bridge), and the authors sought to determine its impact and cost-effectiveness. Methods In a retrospective review of prospectively collected data, 19 patients were identified prior to spinal instrumentation and followed over 12 months. For inclusion, patients required interviewing prior to surgery and during at least 2 follow-up visits. All causes of spinal pathology were included. Sixteen patients met inclusion criteria and were therefore part of the analysis. Outcomes measured included assessment of activities of daily living, pain, ambulation, return to work/school, and satisfaction. Cost-effectiveness was determined by cost-utility analysis. Utilities were derived using the Health Utilities Index. Complications were incorporated into an expected value decision tree. Results Median (± SD) preoperative satisfaction was 2.0 ± 0.3 (on a scale of 0–10), while 6-month postoperative satisfaction was 7 ± 1.4 (p < 0.0001). Ambulation, pain, and emotional disability data suggested marked improvement (56%, 69%, and 63%, respectively; p = 0.035, 0.003, and 0.006). Total discounted incremental quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain was 0.771. The total discounted cost equaled $9036 (95% CI $8561–$10,740) at 2 years. Computing the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio resulted in a value of $11,720/QALY, ranging from $9220 to $15,473/QALY in a univariate sensitivity analysis. Conclusions This NGO-supported spinal instrumentation program in Bolivia appears to be cost-effective, especially when compared with the conventional $50,000/QALY benchmark and the WHO endorsed country-specific threshold of $16,026/QALY. However, with a gross domestic product per capita in Bolivia equaling $4800 per year and 30.3% of the population living on less than $2 per day, this cost continues to appear unrealistic. Additionally, the study has several significant limitations, namely its limited sample size, follow-up period, the assumption that patients not receiving surgical intervention would not make any clinical improvement, the reliance on the NGO for patient selection and sustainable practices such as follow-up care and ancillary services, and the lack of a randomized prospective design. These limitations, as well as an unclear understanding of Bolivian willingness-to-pay data, affect the generalizability of the study findings and impede widespread economic policy reform. Because cost-effectiveness research may inevitably direct care decisions and prove that an effort such as this can be cost saving, a prospective, properly controlled investigation is now warranted.
Jared D. Ament; Kevin R. Greene; Ivan Flores; Fernando Capobianco; Gueider Salas; Maria Ines Uriona; John P. Weaver; Richard P Moser. Health impact and economic analysis of NGO-supported neurosurgery in Bolivia. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine 2014, 20, 436 -442.
AMA StyleJared D. Ament, Kevin R. Greene, Ivan Flores, Fernando Capobianco, Gueider Salas, Maria Ines Uriona, John P. Weaver, Richard P Moser. Health impact and economic analysis of NGO-supported neurosurgery in Bolivia. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2014; 20 (4):436-442.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJared D. Ament; Kevin R. Greene; Ivan Flores; Fernando Capobianco; Gueider Salas; Maria Ines Uriona; John P. Weaver; Richard P Moser. 2014. "Health impact and economic analysis of NGO-supported neurosurgery in Bolivia." Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine 20, no. 4: 436-442.
In this work we present a real time video processing framework, which can handle high data throughput rates. Contrary to common digital hardware realizations which use several image line long shift register pipelines for direct calculation of 2D neighborhood operations, we suggest an efficient cyclic image line storage structure by using dual port block RAM buffers, which are available in recent FPGAs. Therefore, our approach does not occupy a huge amount of valuable logic resources in the FPGA for shift registers based data storage and achieves a high data throughput by parallel video data processing paths. With this memory structure we realize - already principally proposed in a previous work - a new hardware architecture of the basic morphological image processing operations erosion and dilation as building blocks. With these building blocks, which are hardware occupation and maximum clock frequency efficient, we also implemented the combined morphological operations opening and closing, which are commonly used for image enhancement like noise reduction and object contour smoothing.
Markus Holzer; Frank Schumacher; Ivan Flores; Thomas Greiner; Wolfgang Rosenstiel. A real time video processing framework for hardware realization of neighborhood operations with FPGAs. Proceedings of 21st International Conference Radioelektronika 2011 2011, 1 -4.
AMA StyleMarkus Holzer, Frank Schumacher, Ivan Flores, Thomas Greiner, Wolfgang Rosenstiel. A real time video processing framework for hardware realization of neighborhood operations with FPGAs. Proceedings of 21st International Conference Radioelektronika 2011. 2011; ():1-4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarkus Holzer; Frank Schumacher; Ivan Flores; Thomas Greiner; Wolfgang Rosenstiel. 2011. "A real time video processing framework for hardware realization of neighborhood operations with FPGAs." Proceedings of 21st International Conference Radioelektronika 2011 , no. : 1-4.
Untreated Taenia solium cysticerci obtained from different naturally infected pigs vary notably in their capacity to develop into intestinal tapeworms in prednisolone-treated hamsters, whereas cells derived from Taenia crassiceps cysticerci after 2 mo of infection almost always develop to cysticerci in the peritoneal cavity of susceptible BALB/cAnN mice. Preincubation of whole cysticerci or parasite cells with mice immunoglobulins raised against an 18-mer peptide epitope (GK-1) common to both parasites significantly interferes with both transformations. These crippling effects of antiparasite antibodies suggest new forms of immunological interference with parasite biology other than simple killing. Antibodies that cripple biological functions of the parasite, e.g., their development to reproductive or pathogenic stages, make them important protagonists in taeniasis/cysticercosis disease as classic parasitocidal antibodies. Different serum levels of crippling antibodies in the infected pigs could be responsible for the varied ability of cysticerci to convert to tapeworms. Antigens capable of inducing crippling antibodies, e.g., GK-1, could be useful as a therapeutic vaccine for pigs in order to reduce parasite transmission.
Gemma García; Edda Sciutto; Gladis Fragoso; Carmen Cruz-Revilla; Andrea Toledo; Nelly Villalobos; Iván Flores; Aline Aluja; Marco V. José; Carlos Larralde. Inhibitory Role of Antibodies in the Development ofTaenia soliumandTaenia crassicepsToward Reproductive and Pathogenic Stages. Journal of Parasitology 2001, 87, 582 -586.
AMA StyleGemma García, Edda Sciutto, Gladis Fragoso, Carmen Cruz-Revilla, Andrea Toledo, Nelly Villalobos, Iván Flores, Aline Aluja, Marco V. José, Carlos Larralde. Inhibitory Role of Antibodies in the Development ofTaenia soliumandTaenia crassicepsToward Reproductive and Pathogenic Stages. Journal of Parasitology. 2001; 87 (3):582-586.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGemma García; Edda Sciutto; Gladis Fragoso; Carmen Cruz-Revilla; Andrea Toledo; Nelly Villalobos; Iván Flores; Aline Aluja; Marco V. José; Carlos Larralde. 2001. "Inhibitory Role of Antibodies in the Development ofTaenia soliumandTaenia crassicepsToward Reproductive and Pathogenic Stages." Journal of Parasitology 87, no. 3: 582-586.
Gemma Garcia; Edda Sciutto; Gladis Fragoso; Carmen Cruz-Revilla; Andrea Toledo; Nelly Villalobos; Ivan Flores; Aline Aluja; Marco V. José; Carlos Larralde. Inhibitory Role of Antibodies in the Development of Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps toward Reproductive and Pathogenic Stages. Journal of Parasitology 2001, 87, 582 .
AMA StyleGemma Garcia, Edda Sciutto, Gladis Fragoso, Carmen Cruz-Revilla, Andrea Toledo, Nelly Villalobos, Ivan Flores, Aline Aluja, Marco V. José, Carlos Larralde. Inhibitory Role of Antibodies in the Development of Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps toward Reproductive and Pathogenic Stages. Journal of Parasitology. 2001; 87 (3):582.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGemma Garcia; Edda Sciutto; Gladis Fragoso; Carmen Cruz-Revilla; Andrea Toledo; Nelly Villalobos; Ivan Flores; Aline Aluja; Marco V. José; Carlos Larralde. 2001. "Inhibitory Role of Antibodies in the Development of Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps toward Reproductive and Pathogenic Stages." Journal of Parasitology 87, no. 3: 582.