Escuela de Politécnica Superior

Light profoundly impacts many aspects of human physiology and behaviour, including the synchronization of the circadian clock, the production of melatonin, and cognition. These effects of light, termed the non-visual effects of light, have been primarily investigated in laboratory settings, where light intensity, spectrum and timing can be carefully controlled to draw associations with physiological outcomes of interest. Recently, the increasing availability of wearable light loggers has opened the possibility of studying personal light exposure in free-living conditions where people engage in activities of daily living, yielding findings associating aspects of light exposure and health outcomes, supporting the importance of adequate light exposure at appropriate times for human health. However, comprehensive protocols capturing environmental (e.g., geographical location, season, climate, photoperiod) and individual factors (e.g., culture, personal habits, behaviour, commute type, profession) contributing to the measured light exposure are currently lacking. Here, we present a protocol that combines smartphone-based experience sampling (experience sampling implementing Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, KSS ratings) and high-quality light exposure data collection at three body sites (near-corneal plane between the two eyes mounted on spectacle, neck-worn pendant/badge, and wrist-worn watch-like design) to capture daily factors related to individuals’ light exposure. We will implement the protocol in an international multi-centre study to investigate the environmental and socio-cultural factors influencing light exposure patterns in Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey (minimum n = 15, target n = 30 per site, minimum n = 90, target n = 180 across all sites). With the resulting dataset, lifestyle and context-specific factors that contribute to healthy light exposure will be identified. This information is essential in designing effective public health interventions.

This study delves into the fascinating history of the destruction of the walls of Jericho as describedinthe biblical account in the book of Joshua. Over the last century, prominent archaeologistssuchasCarl Watzinger, John Garstang, Kathleen Kenyon, and Bryant Wood have excavatedthesite,confirming the existence of the ancient city and its fortified walls during the approximate periodoftheevent.The study explores the possibility that the destruction of Jericho's walls could haveascientificexplanation based on natural phenomena. The theory of resonance is proposed, suggestingthat soundwaves generated by the human shouting might have matched the natural frequency of thewalls,weakening their structure and causing their collapse. Resonance calculations indicate that humanshouting (300 Hz) was closer to the wall's natural frequency (121.72 Hz) than the trumpets (1400Hz),implying a higher potential for resonance with the shouting.Despite these plausible explanations, thestudy emphasizes the historical and religious ambiguity surrounding the event. The biblical accountofthe conquest of Jericho has been regarded as a miraculous event, and the exact cause of thewalls'destruction remains unresolved. This event has left a profound impact on Westerncultureandreligion, with interpretations continuing to be subject to debate and contemplation.Thestudyhighlights the significance of dialogue between science and religion. Archaeology and scienceofferanobjective and data-based perspective, while religious beliefs provide spiritual and moral meaningtohistorical events. The coexistence of these approaches enriches our understanding of thepastandcultural heritage.The present work offers a multidisciplinary view that encompasses archaeology,science, and religious beliefs. Although plausible scientific explanations have been proposed, theexactnature of the destruction of Jericho's walls remains a mystery, underscoring the richness of historicaland cultural interpretations surrounding this event.

One of Andrés de Vandelvira's most singular pieces is the sacristy of the Sacred Chapel of El Salvador in Úbeda. It is also notable for its connection with the church. This connection is made through the left chapel, which was originally intended to fulfil these functions, leaving this small chapel. This article analyses the causes and reasons that led the author to place the sacristy door in the corner of the left side chapel. Its plan geometry and the reasons for its three-dimensional geometry are analysed. Some of the reasons are related to the shape of the sacristy, a typical Spanish Renaissance structure. Others are related to the necessary proximity of this space to the volume of the church. Finally, it solved the problem of the lack of contact between the adjoining walls of the sacristy and the left chapel. There is no doubt that the solution proposed by Vandelvira was logical if it is understood from the origin of the project, which does not detract from the great mastery with which he developed this unusual corner passage.

The resilient modulus (MR) of different pavement materials is one of the most important input parameters for the mechanistic-empirical pavement design approach. The dynamic triaxial test is the most often used method for evaluating the MR, although it is expensive, time-consuming, and requires specialized lab facilities. The purpose of this study is to establish a new model based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for predicting the MR of stabilized base materials with various additives during wet-dry cycles (WDC). A laboratory dataset of 704 records has been used using input parameters, including WDC, ratio of calcium oxide to silica, alumina, and ferric oxide compound, Maximum dry density to the optimal moisture content ratio (DMR), deviator stress (σd), and confining stress (σ3). The results demonstrate that the LSTM technique is very accurate, with coefficients of determination of 0.995 and 0.980 for the training and testing datasets, respectively. The LSTM model outperforms other developed models, such as support vector regression and least squares approaches, in the literature. A sensitivity analysis study has determined that the DMR parameter is the most significant factor, while the σd parameter is the least significant factor in predicting the MR of the stabilized base material under WDC. Furthermore, the SHapley Additive exPlanations approach is employed to elucidate the optimal model and examine the impact of its features on the final result.

Traditionally, in the construction sector it has been common to use materials indigenous to the construction site, such as bricks, cork, wood, etc. and this has significantly reduced energy costs and environmental impact. Similarly, there has been an adjustment of building design to local climatic conditions, resulting in improved building quality and thermal comfort for occupants. Currently, the massive use of global materials such as cement, aluminum, concrete, PVC, etc., has led to a significant increase in energy and environmental costs.

A partir de un modelo estructural básico, definido por nervios cuatripartitos de curvatura esquifada y bastidor horizontal de base, se realizan diferentes simulaciones numéricas por discretización de puntos, considerando el factor de forma de su geometría, variable. El método aplicado sirve para confirmar que el coeficiente de seguridad resultante de la comparación realizada a los modelos, se optimiza al reducir progresivamente la relación entre la superficie de la envolvente y el volumen encerrado por la estructura espacial. El modelo es sometido a la acción de cargas permanentes y acciones de viento con efecto prolongado en su aplicación cuasiestática. Se realiza un análisis del comportamiento sobre la estructura portante tanto de manera aislada como considerando las cargas totales, determinando por cada configuración de forma las zonas más desfavorables solicitadas y la evaluación de cargas dominantes. Asimismo se consideran en la modelización, los casos materiales para la estructura de acero al carbono en la parte inferior horizontal de la base, adoptando la solución tanto con aleación metálica de aluminio como de fibra de vidrio en la parte superior de los nervios cuatripartitos.

Partiendo de una estructura autoportante, se pretende mostrar las consideraciones y modificaciones de diseño llevadas a cabo para desarrollar la optimización de un suelo rígido acero-bambú para dicha estructura. Se justifica la elección de los materiales a través de sus propiedades mecánicas y coste, mostrando las ventajas del empleo del bambú como material de construcción. Con el propósito de lograr el mejor resultado en la optimización del modelo, se emplea como metodología de trabajo la simulación numérica por medio de elementos finitos utilizando el software comercial Abaqus. Se llevan a cabo distintas configuraciones dentro de la estructura autoportante (empleando elementos de refuerzo) y en la propia configuración geométrica de los paneles de bambú y de su soporte de acero, generando tres modelos diferentes (A, B y C), de tal forma que sea posible, en las tres opciones, elaborar un análisis que relacione tanto los esfuerzos generados como el desplazamiento y la deformación que sufre la base sometida a estudio. Finalmente se realiza una comparación de los resultados obtenidos por medio de las simulaciones, para concluir cuál de ellos consigue la optimización más adecuada del modelo, observándose cambios significativos en la flecha y ciertas variaciones en los esfuerzos internos.

According to the need of emergency houses all around the world, thedevelopment of a prototype (low cost and high strength structure) whichcould be placed anywhere becomes essential. This placement could be insusceptible areas to earthquakes, floods or armed conflicts. It has been studiedthe behaviour of a steel-bamboo hybrid structure compared with a steel-aluminiumhybrid one(in termsof strength).Finite elementssoftware hasbeenused to simulate both models. It has been obtained the maximum quantity ofbamboo which can be placed in the prototype achieving the optimum design.As far as strength is concerned, steel-aluminium is better than steel-bamboo;even though, it exists minimum difference (9.16%), which is despicableconsidering the advantages of bamboo. When using bamboo as alternativematerial, displacement varies because of the density of the elements. Thestructuralmodel becomeslighter and,according to that,it supposesan increasein the displacement (about 0.4 mm).

The use of supplementary cementitious materials has been widely accepted due to increasing global carbon emissions resulting from demand and the consequent production of Portland cement. Moreover, researchers are also working on complementing the strength deficiencies of concrete; fiber reinforcement is one of those techniques. This study aims to assess the influence of recycling wheat straw ash (WSA) as cement replacement material and coir/coconut fibers (CF) as reinforcement ingredients together on the mechanical properties, permeability and embodied carbon of concrete. A total of 255 concrete samples were prepared with 1:1.5:3 mix proportions at 0.52 water-cement ratio and these all-concrete specimens were cured for 28 days. It was revealed that the addition of 10 % WSA and 2 % CF in concrete were recorded the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths by 33 MPa, 3.55 MPa and 5.16 MPa which is greater than control mix concrete at 28 days respectively. Moreover, it was also observed that the permeability of concrete incorporating 4 % of coir fiber and 20 % of WSA was reduced by 63.40 % than that of the control mix after 28 days which can prevent the propagation of major and minor cracks. In addition, the embodied carbon of concrete is getting reduced when the replacement level of cement with WSA along with CF increases in concrete. Furthermore, based on the results obtained, the optimum amount of WSA was suggested to be 10 % and that of coir fiber reinforcement was suggested to be 2 % for improved results.

Researchers are investigating eco-friendly binders like coconut shell ash (CSA), metakaolin (MK), and calcined clay (CC) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) in high-strength concrete (HSC). Abundantly available as industrial or agricultural waste, these materials, when combined with Portland cement (PC), offer synergistic benefits. This not only improves concrete performance but also addresses waste disposal issues, presenting a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for long-term use in HSC production. However, this study performed on fresh and mechanical characteristics of HSC blended with CSA, MK, and CCA alone and together as SCM after 28 days of curing. A total of 504 samples of standard concrete were cast and the cubical samples were tested to achieve the targeted compressive strength about 80 MPa after 28 days. The experimental results indicated that the rise in tensile, flexural and compressive strengths of 9.62%, 8.27%, and 10.71% at 9% of CSA, MK, and CC as SCM after 28 days of curing. As SCM content increases, the density, porosity and water absorption of concrete decrease. Moreover, the workability of fresh concrete is getting reduced when the concentration of SCMs increases in HSC. In addition, the concrete’s sustainability assessment revealed that employing 18% MK, CC, and CSA as SCM reduced carbon emissions by approximately 11.78%. It is suggested that using 9% CC, MK and CSA together in HSC yields the best results for practical applications in civil engineering.