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Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) is a tool to address social impacts from a life cycle perspective. This work presents the first S-LCA of the Portuguese pulp and paper sector. It presents the social risks and the positive social impacts of the sector, which have not been extensively covered in the scientific literature. Two different approaches were used to compile the social life cycle inventory based on input-output analysis. Approach 1 was based on impact analysis of changes in added value. Approach 2 was based on structural path analysis, supporting the disaggregation by production levels (or tiers). The functional unit was the production of 1 United States Dollar in the Portuguese pulp and paper sector. In the social life cycle impact assessment, the social risk assessment was conducted using the Social Hotspots Database. The positive impacts were addressed considering indicators of employment and remuneration, namely total employment, number of employees, labor compensation, and compensation of employees. Based on Approach 1, the results of the social risks showed the Portuguese pulp and paper industry, commerce and forestry sectors, and the Spanish forestry sector as the critical sectors. Based on Approach 2, Portugal and Spain continued to be the countries having the greatest social risks. Other contributions of countries were identified at different production levels, particularly China in tier 3. In both approaches, the stakeholder category 'worker' was the most critical. Regarding the positive social impacts, Approach 1 showed that Portugal and Spain contribute to the highest employment level linked to the pulp and paper, commerce, and forestry sectors. Approach 2 supported the differentiation of employment and remuneration at different production levels. Tier 2 (direct suppliers) presented the highest employment level and persons engaged and the lowest remuneration level. The results showed that Approach 1 provides a faster and more aggregated assessment of social risks and positive social impacts. Furthermore, Approach 2 allowed a more detailed evaluation, providing a better understanding of the social risks and positive social impacts on the supply chain. Thus, Approach 2 is encouraged for different applications since it produces a better understanding of where social risks and positive social impacts occur, providing better guidance for corrective measures and decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish passenger railway market saw the entrance of two competitors in 2022–2023: the full-service operator Iryo and the low-cost operator Ouigo. Using a unique dataset of Spanish ticket price collected throughout an entire year and the Diff-In-Diff method, this paper investigates the impact on incumbent's prices of newcomers' entrance on the less congested corridors Madrid - Alicante and Madrid - Malaga/Sevilla. The Spanish government's strategy seems to be successful: the decision to lead the liberalisation process and the choice of having up to three asymmetric competitors induced a significant decrease in price even on the less attractive corridors, stimulating the demand and addressing the problem of under-utilization of some high-speed infrastructure. The results show that prices decreased by 28%–30% after nine months of competition. The impact has been the same on both the analysed corridors, despite the competition environment has been different in terms of number of competitors, pricing strategy and market share of those. • Spain is the first country with three competitors in the high-speed railway market. • Competition in high-speed rail in Spain reduced prices by 28%–30% in nine months. • The impact on incumbent's first-class and second-class prices was the same. • Both low-cost and full-service competitors similarly affected incumbent pricing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to perform dimensional, morpho-structural, mechanical and chemical characterization of four materials based on paper currently in use in Romania (RO), Italy (IT), Spain (SP) and Slovenia (SLO) designed for the temporarily wrapping of meat. SEM-EDXS, FTIR and DSC showed that RO is laminated on one side with polyethylene, SP is waxed, IT is modified with a multilayered polyethylene film and SLO is coated with hydrophobized starch. RO, IT and SLO comply with the standards of determination of density, roughness, breaking length and bending resistance. The highest content of metals found in the SP explains the highest electrical conductivity and the poor quality of the recycled material used for manufacturing. The highest values of total dissolved solids (TDS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) resulted for SP sample expressed its water solubility and availability of migration into foodstuff. RO, IT and SLO are suitable for food packaging. In contrast, SP do not meet the requirements for safety and mechanical resistance. [Display omitted] • Characterization of four types of materials based on paper. • RO, IT-single-face coated with PE, SP-double-side waxed, SLO-coated with starch. • RO, IT, SLO comply the standards of mechanical resistance and are suitable for food packaging. • SP do not meet the requirements for safety and mechanical resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of depression related to precarious employment (PE) has become a significant public health concern, given the declining trend of the standard employment relationship. Research has focused on the mental health detrimental effects of employment conditions, whereas there is scarce evidence concerning the burden of depression that could be prevented by targeting precariousness. This paper estimates the impact of PE on the risk of depression and the attributable fraction within the active and working salaried population in Spain. Observational cross-sectional on data drawn from the Spanish portion of European Health Survey 2020. After applying selection criteria and descriptives, binary logistic regression models stratified by sex are used to examine the associations between a 9-categories combination of employment precariousness and occupational social class, and depressive symptoms. There is a higher risk of depression among individuals in PE and among those who are unemployed, with a notable gradient based on occupational social class for women. Adjusting by sex, age and foreign-born origin, we estimate that approximately 15.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0%–26.2%) of depression cases among the working population and 33.3% (95% CI: 23.2%-43.2) among the active population can be attributed to PE. These findings highlight the public health impact of PE on mental health, provide evidence to estimate the economic burden linked to employment-related mental health, and underscore the need for policy changes and interventions at the level of labour markets and workplaces to mitigate the detrimental effects of PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for eco-products due to the exigency of friendly and environmental production could affect the employment of the firms. This paper tests whether product and process eco-innovations boost employment in Spain differentiating by the environmental goals (material and energy efficiency and environment responsiveness), by the level of qualification of the workers, and by the dirtiness of the industries. We apply a Green Harrison model, using the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for Spain from 2008 to 2016. Results show a positive relationship between all types of product eco-innovations and employment, while the influence of process eco-innovations on employment depends on the environmental goals, the level of skills, and the industry. Specifically, distinguishing by industry there is a labour-saving effect in clean industries and a labour-friendly effect for low-skilled employment in dirty industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Innovation has been quantified with patents and significant innovations. • Innovation occurred in waves as Schumpeter indicated. • Major innovations were followed by incremental advances. • Process innovation predominated at first, followed by product innovation. • Indigenous innovation favored the absorption of foreign technology. Although Spain was not a leading country in technology, it generated numerous innovations, which must be analyzed in order to understand its particular development trajectory. This paper makes a contribution in this line by quantifying the innovation activity of the country's business elite between c. 1870 and 1970. In addition, we have sought to verify whether some of the well-known debated dynamics of innovation over time are fulfilled in this case. First with a descriptive analysis and then through the VAR technique, it has been found that innovation occurred in waves, as Schumpeter pointed out despite Kuznets; major innovations were followed by incremental advances; process innovations predominated in the early stages of modern development and product innovations gained preponderance later; and that indigenous innovation favored the importation of technology. A structural break test has identified sharp fluctuations in innovation, apparently related to institutional factors and relevant changes in the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Significant reduction (18.44%) in overall Spanish GHG emissions from 2008 to 2018, highlighting some differences depending on the considered phase of the crisis. • The total intensity effect has been noticeable negative, especially in Agriculture, Transport, and Other Services. • The total carbonization effect has contributed to increase GHG emissions by 5.86%, being particularly negative in the case of Industry. • Per capita production effect was strongly negative in Industry and slightly positive in the rest of the economic sectors. • R&D, more eco-friendly technologies, green energies, circular economy and consumer green attitudes: the best strategies to reduce GHG emissions. The reduction of GHG emissions to reverse the greenhouse effect is one of the main challenges in this century. In this paper we pursue two objectives. First, we analyze the evolution of GHG emissions in Spain in 2008–2018, at both the global and sectoral levels, with the variation in emissions decomposed into a set of determining factors. Second, we propose several actions specifically oriented to more tightly controlling the level of emissions. Our results showed a remarkable reduction (18.44%) in GHG emissions, mainly due to the intensity effect, but also to the production-per-capita effect. We detected somewhat different patterns among the various sectors analyzed. While the intensity effect was the most influential one in the agricultural, transport, and others sectors, the production-per-capita effect was predominant in the case of industry. The carbonization effect was revealed as crucial in the commerce sector. The above findings highlight the importance of the energy efficiency measures taken in recent years in the Spanish economy, also pointing to the need to deepen those strategies and to propose new measures that entail greater efficiency in emissions. Additional efforts in areas like innovation, R&D, diffusion of more eco-friendly technologies, and a greater use of greener energies all prove to be essential reduction actions to fight the greenhouse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in circulation has undergone a significant increase in recent years. This trend is foreseen to be stronger in the near future. In correlation with the FCEVs market increase, the hydrogen delivery infrastructure must be developed. With this aim, many countries have announced ambitious projects. For example, Spain has the objective of increasing the number of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) with public access from three units in operation currently to about 150 by 2030. HRSs are complex systems with high variability in terms of layout design, size of components, operational strategy, hydrogen generation method or hydrogen generation location. This paper is focused on on-site HRS with electrolysis-based hydrogen production, which provides interesting advantages when renewable energy is utilized compared to off-site hydrogen production despite their complexity. To optimize HRS design and operation, a simulation model must be implemented. This paper describes a generic on-site HRS with electrolysis-based hydrogen production, a cascaded multi-tank storage system with multiple compressors, renewable energy sources, and multiple types of dispensing formats. A modelling approach of the layout is presented and tested with real-based parameters of an HRS currently under development, which is capable of producing 11.34 kg/h of green H 2 with irradiation at 1000 W/m2. For the operation, an operational strategy is proposed. The modelled system is tested through several simulations. A sensitivity analysis of the effects of hydrogen demand and day-ahead hydrogen production objective on emissions, demand satisfaction and variable costs is performed. Simulation results show how the operational strategy has achieved service up to 310 FCEVs refuelling events of heavy duty and light duty FCEVs, bringing the total H 2 sold up to almost 7200 H2kg in one month of winter. Additionally, considering variable costs of the energy from the utility grid, the model shows a profit in the range of 21–50 k€ for a daily demand of 60 H2kg/day and 100 H2kg/day, respectively. In terms of emissions, a year simulation with 60 H2kg/day of demand shows specific emissions in the production of H 2 in Spain of 6.26 kgCO2eq/H2kg, which represents a greenhouse gas emission intensity of 52.26 gCO2eq/H2MJ. • Modelling approach of hydrogen refuelling station with on-site hydrogen production. • Operational strategy with day-ahead scheduled grid-connected hydrogen production. • Finite-state machine online control of a multi-tank and multi-compressor plant. • Sensitivity analysis of hydrogen demand magnitude and frequency. • A trade-off between demand satisfaction, profits and emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying renewable hydrogen presents a significant challenge in accessing off-takers who are willing to make long-term investments. To address this challenge, current projects focus on large-scale deployment to replace the demand for non-renewable hydrogen, particularly in ammonia synthesis for fertiliser production plants. The traditional process, involving Steam Methane Reformers (SMR) connected to Haber-Bosch synthesis, could potentially transition towards decarbonisation by gradually integrating water electrolysis. However, the coexistence of these processes poses limitations in accommodating the integration of renewable hydrogen, thereby creating operational challenges for industrial hubs. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes an optimal dispatch model for producing green hydrogen and ammonia while considering the coexistence of different processes. Furthermore, the objective is to analyse external factors that could determine the appropriate regulatory and pricing framework to facilitate the phase-out of SMR in favour of renewable hydrogen production. The paper presents a case study based in Spain, utilising data from 2018, 2022 and 2030 perspectives on the country's renewable resources, gas and electricity wholesale markets, pricing ranges, and regulatory constraints to validate the model. The findings indicate that carbon emissions taxation and the availability and pricing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will play crucial roles in this transition - the carbon emission price required for total phasing out SMR with water electrolysis would be around 550 EUR/ton CO 2. • Addressing the co-existence of steam methane reformers and electrolysers. • Novel power dispatch model addressing the flexibility of co-existential pathways. • PPA availability and pricing and ETS taxation as key enablers of renewable hydrogen. • Carbon intensity constraints heavily impact the project's sizing and feasibility. • Techno-environmental study of the carbon intensity of ammonia production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The main aim of this study was to analyse scientific and energy production, funding, collaboration among countries and most cited papers on the renewable energies topic through bibliometric and social network study of articles included in the Web of Science database. 12,167 papers were recovered from 2007 to 2016. Wind power is the energy from which a greater number of articles have been published (n = 3,930), followed by solar energy (n = 2,570) and ocean energy (n = 1,565). The United States leads the world production of articles (n = 2,320), followed by China (n = 1,629), the United Kingdom (n = 1007), Germany (n = 730) and Spain (n = 729). China is the leading country in financed works (80%), followed by South Korea (77%), Spain (61%) and the United States (59%). An important level of international collaboration has been identified, notably popping up the triangle made by United States, China and the European Union. Highlights • Scientific study based in the analysis of the energy production, funding and collaboration among countries. • Wind power is the energy from which a greater number of articles have been published. • The United States leads the world production of articles. • China is the leading country in financed works. • The triangle made by United States, China and the European Union have the most important level of collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electricity production from Renewable Energy (RE) in isolated locations requires long-term energy storage systems. To that end, Hybrid Energy Storage Systems (HESS), through a combination of hydrogen and batteries, can benefit from the different advantages of both technologies. This paper presents a hybrid Power-to-Power (PtP) Optimal Power Dispatch (OPD) model for isolated systems with no electric grid access. Currently, the electricity supply in such cases is usually based on a mix of RE as the primary energy source sustained by a diesel genset acting as a backup generator. In this context, the model delivers the hourly energy flows between renewable production sources, energy storage devices and the electrical load, which minimises costs and Green House Gases (GHG) emissions. For validation purposes, the model was tested through its application to a case study in an isolated area in the Canary Islands, Spain. The results show that the algorithm calculates the hourly OPD successfully for a given plant sizing, considering the defined operational states of the different assets. These operational constraints showed a decrease in the PtP round-trip efficiency of 5.4% and a reduction of the hydrogen production of 9.7%. Finally, the techno-economic analysis of the results proves that the combination of hydrogen and batteries with RE production is a feasible alternative to phasing out fossil fuels for the selected case study – reducing the diesel generator usage down to 1.2% of the yearly energy supply. • Novel multi-state optimal power dispatch model for power-to-power energy systems. • Multi-year techno-economic evaluation of an off-grid case study. • Phasing out fossil fuels with renewable energy-based hybrid energy storage systems. • Hydrogen technology contributes to a lower levelized cost of energy. • High initial investment cost was a significant entry barrier to deploying hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the selection mechanism underlying the association between overweight/obesity and educational aspirations of adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study based on a survey conducted in secondary schools in Spain in 2016. We estimate linear probability models to determine the association between adolescents' body mass index (BMI) and their expectations to obtain a university degree, as well as their school choices representing the most usual path towards higher studies. To address the potential endogeneity of BMI, we use the instrumental variables (IV) method. Additionally, we account for potential unobserved heterogeneity by including school fixed-effects and a wide set of individual and family characteristics in our analysis. Our results indicate that adolescents with a higher BMI have lower expectations to obtain a university degree and are less likely to enrol in high school with the intention to pursue higher education in the future. The estimated effect is quite sizable and statistically significant only for girls. We estimate that a five-unit increase in BMI (e.g., the change between healthy weight and overweight) reduces girls' expectations to complete higher education by 19 percentage points and odds of enrolling in high school (vs. vocational training) by 21 percentage points. We provide empirical evidence supporting the selection hypothesis behind the relationship between BMI and adolescents' educational aspirations. That is, unhealthy weight in adolescence is associated with poorer aspirations for further education. Lower educational aspirations during adolescence can lead to lower academic achievement, which in turn, may result in poorer health, labour market outcomes, and well-being during adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GNSS-PWV time series are computed using 44 GNSS stations in Andalucía and ERA5 temperature and pressure data. • GNSS-PWV and ERA5-PWV are used to compute SPCI time series. • The SPCI generally shows high correlation with the SPEI, with better results for ERA5-SPCI than GNSS-SPCI. • The SPCI outperforms SPI for a limited geographical region and 24-month timescale. In this paper the Standardized Precipitation Conversion Index (SPCI), a PWV-based drought index, has been computed using GNSS and ERA5 PWV and its performance has been tested with respect to the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in Southern Spain. One of the climatic features of this area is the low correlation level between PWV and precipitation, in contrast with other areas in which SPCI has been previously tested. The GNSS-SPCI has been derived from validated ZTD time series estimated from local GNSS permanent stations' data. All the needed meteorological values were derived from ERA5, excepting precipitation values and SPEI-SPI values which were extracted from a national high-resolution dataset. The resulting SPCI time series have shown high correlation coefficients with respect to the SPEI. The use of longer SPCI time series allowed by ERA5 model has provided the most coherent results, suggesting that the ERA5-PWV data can be interesting to overcome problems caused by the short timespan of GNSS time series in SPCI computation. In general, high correlation coefficients have been obtained compared to global results from previous studies. This shows that, even for regions with low correlation levels between PWV and precipitation, the SPCI can have an interesting potential for drought monitoring. The SPCI was found to perform better on higher timescales (12 and 24 months). The performance of SPCI has also been compared that of the SPI: SPCI is able to outperform SPI for the 24-month timescale for a limited geographical region. This supports that the inclusion of PWV data in drought monitoring indices could be promising and is worth keeping to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mining has a high level of serious accidents compared to all other sectors. The analysis is based on 15,032 accidents. • 12 variables are studied and the influence of each variable on the severity, which is divided into three types (light, serious and fatal). • The results make it possible to design prevention measures for the situations that have led to the most serious accidents. Introduction: The aim of this paper is to understand the causes of occupational accidents in Spain's mining sector in order to propose action plans and improve future accident rates. Method: This research analyzed a pool of data on 15,032 accidents occurring in the mining sector and reported to authorities between 2013 and 2018. Accidents are divided into three levels of severity: light, serious, and fatal. We study the influence of 12 variables on the accident severity rate in our sample. Results: The results show that accident severity is related to age, gender, nationality, length of service, economic activity, company size, accident location, days of injury leave, day of the week, deviation, injury, and specific Spanish region. This sector produces a high rate of serious accidents compared to all other sectors; has a male-dominated, older and experienced workforce; and employs mainly Spanish workers. Its activity is concentrated in larger companies and the work involves the use of heavy machinery and dangerous materials. We offer conclusions and future lines of research to help regulators, companies and workers to improve worker safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis of several factors that may be behind an undue extension of the injured worker's recovery time. • Comprehensive empirical analysis of more than 400,000 non-fatal work accidents in manufacturing industries. • Women, workers with more seniority, higher wages, and those employed in larger companies take longer to return to work after an occupational injury. • The duration of sick leave for immigrant workers is lower than for native-born workers. • Improving working conditions and supervision mechanisms during the recovery process is recommended to increase attendance motivation and reduce moral hazard exposure. Introduction : Despite the significant economic impact of occupational injuries on companies and society, studies focused on analyzing the determinants of workdays lost due to sick leave remain scarce and incomplete. This paper contributes to this issue by (a) analyzing the drivers of sick leave duration, distinguishing factors that explain the health recovery time from those that could lead workers to a voluntary extension of the absence period, and (b) formulating and empirically testing the effect of gender, citizenship, temporary work, job tenure, amount of disability benefit, and size of the injured worker's firm on the number of days the employee is off work after the injury. Method: Hypotheses are tested on a comprehensive dataset that includes all nonfatal occupational injuries causing sick leave that occurred in the manufacturing sector in Spain during 2015–2019, with more than 400,000 injuries. We conduct ordinary least squares and count data regression models in which the number of days off work is regressed on employees and work characteristics while accounting for a set of variables to control the injury's nature and severity. Results: The results show that after considering the intrinsic characteristics of the injury and the severity of the worker's injuries, women, native workers, workers with more seniority, workers with higher salaries, and those working in larger companies have longer periods of sick leave. The results suggest that moral hazard considerations significantly impact the time to return to work after an occupational injury. Practical applications: Based on the findings, several insights for company managers and public decision-makers are discussed. Specifically, interventions aimed at improving the organization of work and the working conditions of workers in manufacturing industries are highlighted, as well as the need to improve control and supervision mechanisms during the recovery process of injured workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MMR vaccine was included in the official vaccination schedule in Spain in 1981. Currently, most women of childbearing age are vaccinated and have not been naturally infected. Several studies have shown that vaccinated women have a lower antibody concentration than that achieved after natural infection, and a shorter duration of transplacentally acquired antibodies in their children. The objective of this study was to determine the antibody titer in mothers and their infants at birth and throughout the first year of life under current epidemiological circumstances. Single-center, observational, descriptive and prospective study conducted between October 2013 and December 2014. One sample of serum and another of a dried blood spot on filter paper were taken from each mother. Dried blood spot samples on filter paper were taken from the children at birth, and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. In all the samples, levels of antibodies to the measles, rubella and mumps viruses were measured using standardized quantitative assays. 146 mother-child pairs were included. 78.4%, 86.9% and 67.1% of mothers had antibodies to measles, rubella and mumps, respectively. A decrease in the antibody titer in children was observed after 3 months, and no antibodies against the three diseases were detected by the age of 6 months. Comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences between the antibody titers of children of mothers born before or after 1981 during the first year of their life. The rapid loss of transplacentally acquired antibodies against measles, rubella and mumps, under current epidemiological conditions, suggests that bringing the MMR vaccination forward to 9 months might be justified. Larger population studies are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreasing greenhouse gas emissions plays a crucial role in the Europe energy transition and the production of hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources (green H 2) contributes significantly to this objective. As the renewable energy production capacity grows, the impact of green H 2 is likely to increase. In the case of the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL), no quantitative studies have so far tested the viability of the H 2 growth plans. This paper fills this gap through a novel mathematical programming model, which integrates H2 generation into the MIBEL. The model reveals a mismatch between the sustainability goals and the expansion plans of renewable and green H 2 for Spain and Portugal. [Display omitted] • Mathematical Programming to analyse green hydrogen production in the MIBEL. • Influence of the electricity market on hydrogen production and prices. • Generating green hydrogen is preferable to hydro pumping. • Green hydrogen integration might entail additional emissions. • MIBEL hydrogen strategy must be revised to achieve sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mechanisms to encourage clean energy in Spain from 2005 to the present are analyzed. • FiT and FiP mechanisms can be effective in promoting new renewable projects. • Experience suggests that excessive support can jeopardize the entire market. • A transitional retribution scheme has proven to be effective if correctly supervised. This research paper delves into the central mechanisms implemented in Spain to foster the adoption of clean energy projects. The study scrutinizes various mechanisms established from 2005 onwards, evaluating their efficacy in achieving the desired outcome of supporting clean energy project implementation. The aim is to comprehensively assess the associated costs, effectiveness, and attainment of renewable energy objectives stemming from implementing diverse support schemes. This paper explores the effectiveness of feed-in tariffs and feed-in premium mechanisms in promoting the integration of new renewable energy generation into the power system. However, the Spanish experience suggests that exhaustive planning control is imperative to prevent excessive support costs that could jeopardize the entire market and cause a significant rise in final energy costs. The research studies the support schemes and associated market distortion and presents the roadmap from regulated tariffs to a "total market" for wind and solar energy. The findings demonstrate that, under proper supervision and planning, a transitional retribution scheme effectively promotes renewable energy plant integration. Finally, the analysis examines the need to regulate the excess benefits that non-emitting power sources receive in a marginal price market, as this can lead to market imbalances and a substantial increase in final costs. These plans serve as a crucial tool in achieving the decarbonization objectives of the European Power System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pioneer Spain: first country to include in grid code the synthetic inertia capability. • Synthetic inertial response of a PV inverter studied based on the Spanish grid code. • Analyzed the role of power plant controller in the dynamic response of the facility. • PV system able to contribute to frequency control providing an inertial response. As the large-scale integration of renewable energy grows, inertia in power systems is reduced, which causes the rate of change of frequency to increase and worsens the frequency nadir during disturbances. There is, therefore, an urgent need to accelerate the development of international standards and regulations that require solar PV systems and other renewable installations to also contribute to stability in the network by emulating inertia. Spain is a pioneer in this field: it is currently the only country that includes the synthetic inertia technical requirement in its grid code. In this context, the present paper analyzes the synthetic inertial response of a PV system model that forms part of an actual PV power plant in Spain under two scenarios, according to its grid code: i) when measurements are conducted at the power conversion PV system level and hence only its control algorithms are executed; and ii) when measurements are conducted at the power plant level and the power plant controller also influences the response of the entire installation. Among its aims, this paper seeks to thoroughly assess the response of an actual PV power conversion system that has the capability of actively contributing to frequency regulation in a network and to critically analyze the suitability of having a power plant controller when the PV facility contributes to power-frequency control by means of an inertial response. The results reveal, at the power conversion PV system level, that the inertia emulation module significantly reduces the response times of the installation to changes in frequency -by more than 68% in the worst case under frequency increases, and by 73% under frequency decreases, thus contributing to more rapid power-frequency regulation in the network. However, at the power plant level, the power plant controller disturbs the PV power conversion system's behavior and causes the opposite effect: response times increase -up to more than 7% in the most unfavorable case when the inertia module is enabled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates Spanish drivers' perceptions of the main barriers existing in Spain to the purchase of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Following a comprehensive literature review in this field, this paper quantifies, by means of a survey conducted in Spain of 1474 Spanish drivers, the drivers' desired levels for each barrier to consider ZEVs in their next purchase decision to replace their current usually-used car. The analysis of these reported levels with latent class cluster models revealed the existence, in the sample, of groups of consumers with homogeneous preferences regarding the barriers. These groups differ in terms of individuals' characteristics, the car to be replaced, and journeys made with it. The most flexible groups comprise individuals with a significant knowledge of ZEVs, which underscores the importance of educational policies for the promotion of the use of ZEVs. The desired levels of the barriers for each group are confronted with the current status of the barriers for certain ZEVs. This comparison reveals that Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) would have great potential if they received government support, because their only barriers are economic (purchase price and fuel availability). This paper also quantifies the effects that purchase incentives and infrastructure investment policies could have in terms of higher FCEV penetration rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alternation between cloudy and clear skies alters the photovoltaic production. This makes it necessary to anticipate these disturbances hours in advance for the correct operation of the electricity distribution plants and networks. In this paper, two short-term forecasting models (3 h) are developed to forecast the photovoltaic production in an integrated plant in the CIESOL building of the University of Almería. The methodology used is based on sky camera images and Artificial Intelligence techniques. Two models have been developed and compared applying artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) techniques. The global irradiance predicted using sky camera images is used as an input variable in both models. In addition, the operational status of the plants has been included as an input parameter through the performance ratio. The results have shown that the errors made by ANN and SVM are very similar. For all sky conditions, the uncertainty of the production forecast differs by less than 2% from the uncertainty of the solar resource, which is the main source of error in the production models developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar cells lose efficiency as the operating temperature increases under normal operating conditions, resulting in a very significant power output reduction. This issue is most relevant in areas with the highest photovoltaic energy harvesting potential, where irradiance and ambient temperature are particularly high. A novel cooling system for commercial photovoltaic modules based on low-enthalpy geothermal cooling is proposed in this paper. Excess heat is evacuated from the solar module in a clean and efficient manner by a single-phase and close-loop cooling circuit that uses the underground as a natural heatsink. In addition, a thermoelectrical theoretical model is presented, that allows the optimization of the flowrate and the maximization of the extra power generation of the cooled module. A prototype was manufactured and tested in outdoor conditions in September 2021 in Spain. Test results are in good agreement with the theoretical model, which has been used for prediction of the performance of the system for a typical meteorological year in the region. A peak efficiency improvement of 10.7% is calculated for the month of July, with an optimal flowrate of 1.8 l/min per square meter of solar module. A yearly weighted average power gain of up to 4.9% is also calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared electric kick scooters (SEKS) have become widespread in many cities worldwide with great expectations from both users and municipalities. Most cities have not yet passed specific legislation to regulate this new phenomenon, thereby increasing uncertainties across different players such as users, operators, etc. This research provides guidelines for regulating SEKS in urban areas for their successful implementation, taking advantage of a collaborative approach with expert stakeholders that look at the regulation problem from different perspectives. The study focuses on the case of Spain where SEKS have been booming over the last few years. The methodology applied follows a three-step process consisting of the identification of crucial issues and key expert stakeholders, a general survey to them, and a final focus group intended to reach consensus. The paper provides regulatory recommendations in four main areas: market access, technical requirements, traffic and safety, and supervision. It finds large agreement on key aspects such as promoting a homogeneous regulation across the municipalities within the same metropolitan area; establishing fixed bases for parking in the city centre while allowing free floating in low density areas located in the outskirts; and promoting an integration with the public transportation system. • Identification of key regulatory aspects for shared electric kick scooters services. • Collaborative approach with key expert stakeholders: survey and focus group. • Regulatory recommendations for shared electric kick scooters in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes impoliteness-related language in response to a season's greeting posted by the Prime Ministers of Spain and the UK on December 2022 to wish Twitter users a Felices Fiestas/Merry Christmas. A corpus made up of the first 500 tweet events mentioning Sánchez and Johnson with the @ feature was analyzed through the combination of qualitative and quantitative tools and an impoliteness2 approach to compare the most commonly deployed impoliteness strategies in response to what is felt as an offense by respondents from the two cultures. Previous impoliteness taxonomies inform the analysis (Culpeper, 1996 , 2011). Findings reveal a preference for on-record strategies vs. off-record ones in both corpora. Whereas the English respondents oriented themselves towards attacking the negative face of the Prime Minister and that of other participants with sarcasm and implicated impoliteness, the Spanish group deployed impoliteness-related language to disparage the Prime Minister's positive face through insults and the rectification of his words. The hostile acts and explicit metalanguage about emotional states in the replies to the expressive speech act corroborate the perceived breach of some aspects of the moral order on the part of the Twitter users in the out-group, hence aiding the already observed polarization of political discussions. • Impoliteness is analyzed in replies to the season's greetings of Pedro Sánchez and Boris Johnson on Twitter. • Findings indicate that on-record impoliteness strategies are more frequent than off-record ones in both groups. • English respondents use negative-face attacking strategies, sarcasm, and implicated impoliteness in their replies. • Spanish respondents deploy insults and attacks on the positive public face of the Prime Minister as favored strategies. • Impoliteness-related discourse is multifunctional and aims to restore the moral order that is perceived as altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism has become a very active ecosystem to deploy solutions based on Information and Communication Technologies. Indeed, it is now possible to analyse the mobility behaviour of tourists in great detail. However, current solutions aimed at anticipating tourist flows usually follow a limited approach based on the local (e.g., to predict the next landmark to visit) or regional (e.g., to predict the incoming number of tourists in a city) level. This paper states a novel approach to solve the problem of tourist inflow forecasting on a broader nationwide scale by defining it as an edge prediction task. To do so, we model the tourist mobility of a country as a graph which fuses heterogeneous tourism data obtained from multiple sources related to the country's mobility and infrastructure features. Then, as a major contribution, an ensemble of Graph Neural Networks are fed with the graph models to provide the final prediction. The proposed solution has been tested in Spain showing a F1 score higher than 0.7. • A mechanism to anticipate the flows of tourists in Spain is proposed. • The prediction is solved as an edge prediction between Spanish regions. • A Graph Neural Network has been used as underlying model. • The model is fed with touristic infrastructure data of Spain. • The human mobility is extracted from Call Detail Records and geo-tagged Twitter posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new approach based on the combination of machine learning techniques, in particular, sentiment analysis using lexicons, and multivariate statistical methods to assess the evolution of social mood through the COVID-19 vaccination process in Spain. Analysing 41,669 Spanish tweets posted between 27 February 2020 and 31 December 2021, different sentiments were assessed using a list of Spanish words and their associations with eight basic emotions (anger, fear, anticipation, trust, surprise, sadness, joy and disgust) and three valences (neutral, negative and positive). How the different subjective emotions were distributed across the tweets was determined using several descriptive statistics; a trajectory plot representing the emotional valence vs narrative time was also included. The results achieved are highly illustrative of the social mood of citizens, registering the different emerging opinion clusters, gauging public states of mind via the collective valence, and detecting the prevalence of different emotions in the successive phases of the vaccination process. The present combination in formal models of objective and subjective information would therefore provide a more accurate vision of social reality, in this case regarding the COVID-19 vaccination process in Spain, which will enable a more effective resolution of problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper contributes to the literature that looks at decentralisation as an institutional solution to curb instability and secessionist pressures.· The ability of decentralisation to deter secessionism depends on the institutional form it can take. • A bottom-up reform may be more successful in avoiding a secessionist conflict than a more standard top-down decentralisation. • The theoretical framework of this paper can shed light on the decentralisation reforms recently adopted by different countries. This paper looks at decentralisation as an institutional solution for curbing secessionist pressures by making potentially seceding regions strictly better off by staying in the union. We show that a bottom-up decentralisation reform, where single regions that can opt to assume or not stronger fiscal responsibilities on the basis of bilateral negotiations with the central government, may be more successful in avoiding instability and a secessionist conflict than more standard top-down decentralisation, where the central government assigns identical fiscal powers to all regions. The example of the decentralisation process in Spain over the last 40 years illustrates the relevance of the institutional pattern we analyse in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analizar el papel de enfermería en el abordaje de la espondiloartritis axial (EspAax) y plantear propuestas que permitan incluir el rol de las consultas de enfermería en reumatología (CER) en la certificación de calidad de las unidades especializadas. Revisión sistemática del rol de enfermería en los sistemas de certificación de calidad en el abordaje de la EspAax, seguida de conferencia de consenso con participación de 3 enfermeras especializadas en reumatología para determinar elementos que considerar en futuras revisiones de las normas de certificación. La revisión sistemática arrojó 5 documentos relevantes. Ninguna de las publicaciones revisadas proponía estándares aplicables a la labor asistencial de enfermería en el manejo de pacientes con EspAax, aunque contemplaban actividades propias de este colectivo. Las propuestas consensuadas para incorporar el rol de las CER en las normas de certificación de las unidades monográficas de EspAax incluyeron: equipamientos y recursos básicos, organización, administración de tratamientos farmacológicos y promoción de la adherencia, programas estandarizados para EspAax, consulta telemática para control del paciente estable y promoción de la continuidad asistencial y registro de medidas de resultados informados por los pacientes. La literatura sobre estándares de calidad y normas de certificación de las unidades monográficas de EspAax es escasa y apenas refleja el papel de las CER en la provisión de una atención de calidad. Las propuestas consensuadas en este trabajo incorporarían las CER en las normas de certificación de calidad. En el futuro, la mayor presencia de CER en España debiera ir acompañada de la actualización de los estándares. To analyse the role of nursing in the approach to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and to make proposals to include the role of rheumatology nursing consultations (RECs) in the quality certification of these specialized units. A systematic review of the nursing role in quality certification systems in the management of axSpA was conducted. Subsequently a consensus conference was held with the participation of 3 rheumatology nurses to determine elements that should be considered in future revisions of certification standards. The systematic review yielded 5 papers as relevant. None of the publications reviewed explicitly proposed standards applicable to nursing care in the management of patients with axSpA, although they contemplated the activities of this professional group. The proposals agreed upon to incorporate the role of RECs in the certification standards for axSpA monographic units included the following: basic equipment and resources, organization, administration of pharmacological treatments and promotion of adherence, standardized programmes for axSpA, telematic consultation (e-consultation) for monitoring the stable patient and promoting continuity of care and registry of patient-reported outcome measures. The literature on quality standards and certification standards for axSpA monographic units is scarce and hardly reflects the role of RECs in providing quality care. The consensus proposals in this study would incorporate RECs into quality certification standards. In the future, the increased presence of RECs in Spain should be accompanied by a review of the indicators regarding their role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluctuations of the incoming solar irradiance impact the power generation from photovoltaic and concentrating solar thermal power plants. Accurate solar nowcasting becomes necessary to detect these sudden changes of generated power and to provide the desired information for optimal exploitation of solar systems. In the framework of the International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems Program Task 16, a benchmarking exercise has been conducted relying on a bouquet of solar nowcasting methodologies by all-sky imagers (ASI). In this paper, four ASI systems nowcast the Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) with a time forecast ranging from 1 to 20 min during 28 days with variable cloud conditions spanning from September to November 2019 in southern Spain. All ASIs demonstrated their ability to accurately nowcast GHI, with RMSE ranging from 6.9% to 18.1%. Under cloudy conditions, all ASIs' nowcasts outperform the persistence models. Under clear skies, three ASIs are better than persistence. Discrepancies in the observed nowcasting performance become larger at increasing forecast horizons. The findings of this study highlight the feasibility of ASIs to reliably nowcast GHI at different sky conditions, time intervals and horizons. Such nowcasts can be used either to estimate solar power at distant times or detect sudden GHI fluctuations. • ASI-based GHI nowcasts outperform persistence model under cloudy conditions. • Under clear skies, three ASIs reveal more accurate nowcasts than persistence. • ASIs forecasts are more accurate from persistence at increasing forecast horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptation of port infrastructures to climate change and sea level rise effects is highlighted as a key field among transportation systems' lines of action for adaptation, given their highly exposed location in coastal areas and position as critical nodes in logistic chains and local, regional and national economies. The present work proposes an adaptation assessment framework that, based on a high-resolution compound climate risk assessment, identifies the main threats that climate change may pose to port performance, defines a set of optimized adaptation measures and characterizes constraints for implementation, and finally evaluates the applicability and effectiveness of these measures under diverse climate scenarios and different time frames. The framework is applied in a study case located in the northern coast of Spain. It is shown that the proposed methodology enables port managers and planners to develop tailor-fitted adaptation plans, providing tools to make them coherent with actual and future uncertain climate conditions. • The paper develops a novel framework to prepare climate change adaptation plans for port and coastal infrastructures. • It identifies the main needs and limitations for adaptation of port infrastructures based on a compound CC risk assessment. • It identifies and optimizes a set of adaptation measures, considering measure combinations, based on risk-reduction criteria. • It assesses the adaptation options' effectiveness in reducing climate risk for different scenarios and time horizons. • The framework has been applied and validated for a case study located on the Atlantic coast in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We test for Granger causality in mean and quantiles between wage share and capacity utilization in developed countries. • We employ confidence intervals generated by bootstrap and the Wald test for joint significance. • Capacity utilization positively Granger causes the wage share in eight countries at the center, lower and upper tails. • The positive Granger causal effect of capacity utilization is strong, heterogeneous, and larger for extreme quantiles. • The wage share negatively Granger causes capacity utilization in all quantiles in Spain and above the median in Italy. This paper tests for Granger causality in quantiles between the wage share and capacity utilization in twelve developed countries using annual data ranging from 1960 to 2019. Instead of focusing only on the conditional mean, we test for Granger causality in the entire conditional distribution of the variables of interest. This method detects Granger causal dynamic relations in both the mean and the whole conditional distribution using bootstrap confidence intervals and the Wald test. Our results indicate that capacity utilization positively affects the wage share in eight out of the twelve sample countries. This Granger causal effect is strong and heterogeneous across quantiles, being larger for more extreme quantiles. Capacity utilization positively Granger causes the wage share in all conditional quantiles in the U.S., Sweden, and Italy. Meanwhile, the wage share negatively Granger causes capacity utilization in all conditional quantiles in Spain and in some quantiles above the median in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sponsoring culture is a long-term profit-generating investment that public policy makers can achieve by means of Pigouvian subsidy or tax schemes. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of the three VAT reforms implemented between 2012 and 2018 (one tax raise reform and two tax cut reforms) in the cultural sector in Spain. We first provide visual evidence and empirical estimates of the tax shifting and the distribution of the VAT burden between consumers and producers. We then use a regression discontinuity design to assess the causal effects of these VAT reforms on performing acts and cinema consumption (both in the extensive and the intensive margin). Several interesting findings arise from our results. First, we find that producers only passed through 45% of the VAT cut to consumer prices. Second, the effect of the 2017 VAT reduction on performing arts slightly increased the number of households consuming these cultural services, whereas the 2018 tax cut on cinema had no significant effect in the number of moviegoers (extensive margin). Third, the cultural spending per household conditional on participation (intensive margin) increased after the two VAT rate reductions. Finally, we test for asymmetries in pass-through with respect to the 2012 tax raise and we find (i) no evidence of prices responding more strongly to increases than to decreases in VAT, (ii) a symmetric response of the number of households consuming these cultural services, and (iii) an asymmetric response of the average cultural spending conditional on participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spain is one of the front runners of the development of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) projects. In recent years, however, the CSP industry in Spain has faced significant financial challenges due to a dramatic withdrawal of the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) in 2013. The primary aim of this paper is to assess when, and under what conditions, CSP projects, in particular, Parabolic Trough Collectors can potentially reach grid parity in the absence of any subsidies. This paper also goes further to investigate whether and how Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) projects can be financially viable in the post-subsidy period, using the System Advisor Model as a simulation tool to conduct techno-economic analyses. The simulation results indicated that a 50MWe PTC project with TES of 4 hrs and a PPA price of €0.20 per kWh is the most viable model for developing CSP projects in Spain under post-subsidy condition. This paper concludes that, under current retail electricity prices and post-subsidy conditions, PTC projects can reach grid parity and become viable without direct incentives. Even though direct incentives will not be required, the CSP industry in Spain is still far from becoming fully self-sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edward Jenner's discovery of the smallpox vaccine spread rapidly across Europe. In Spain, vaccinations first took place in December 1800 and the practice flourished upon the private initiative of doctors, surgeons, state officials and members of the nobility in different parts of the country. Ignacio María Ruiz de Luzuriaga, secretary of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Madrid, is considered in medical historiography as a key figure of the introduction of the smallpox vaccine in Spain. Ruiz de Luzuriaga had a major role as a disseminator of the Jennerian technique and as a distributor of the vaccine fluid. Given his prestige as a doctor and his position in the Royal Academy, he was commissioned to establish a scientific and academic corpus on preventive measures to foster their understanding, uptake and good practice among Spanish vaccinators. He also attempted to create a Central Vaccine Committee, such as that existing in other European countries. The Royal Academy kept records of his activity which have been filed and catalogued in a documentary set entitled 'Papeles sobre la vacuna' [Vaccine Papers]. This archive has not been studied in depth to date. These documents allow identifying a network of correspondents set up by Ruiz de Luzuriaga. He provided these correspondents with the vaccine and asked them to report back on the vaccination progress made in their municipalities. This correspondence provides an account of how the first immunisations in Spain unravelled, as well as of the initial concerns that accompanied the introduction of the vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lockdown of March and April 2020 declared by Spanish authorities in the Valencian Region to bending the Covid-19 curve, caused a drastic reduction of the economic activity and a severe limitation of mobility. People were asked to stay at home as much as possible. Education and administrative centers, as well as restaurants, theaters, sport arenas, etc., were closed. Work at conventional workplaces was prohibited for people who could tele-work, and students were compelled to attend classes on-line. Such limitation of mobility and spending so many time at home, could affect the wellbeing of people. The objective of the present paper is to present a study on the differences on wellbeing according to the mobility of respondents during the lockdown. Information from 1,827 individuals regarding the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs (Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness) and Positive and Negative affect were collected through and web-survey during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with mobility data and sociodemographic characteristics. Mann-Whitney U tests, Confirmatory Factor Analyses and Structural Equation models are used to find out differences in the wellbeing of people according to their mobility characteristics during the first lockdown, and how these mobility characteristics are associated to the psychological variables studied. Mobility of people during the first lockdown reduced drastically, especially the youngest ones, and the main travel mode was walking. In general, the youngest participants in this research and females present lower values of the psychological wellbeing variables during the lockdown. A very low or very high degree of mobility is also associated to discomfort, although the more time spent traveling the better people feel. Those who walked more are related to lower values of wellbeing. Some lessons are learned to improve transport and mobility planning during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the first application of a split-range control technique on a concentrating solar collector to improve an absorption plant production. Solar absorption plants have solar power availability in phase with cooling demand under design conditions. Thus, it is a powerful cooling technology in the context of renewable energy and energy efficiency. These plants need control systems to cope with solar irradiance intermittency, reject irradiation disturbances, manage fossil fuels backup systems and dump closed-loop thermal-hydraulic oscillations. In this work, control techniques are proposed and simulated in an absorption plant in Spain. The plant consists of a concentrating Fresnel solar collector connected to an absorption chiller. The objectives are to operate with 100% renewable solar energy and avoid safety defocus events while reducing temperature oscillations and control actuators effort. Firstly, the current available plant controllers are defined, then two modifications are proposed. The first modification is a split-range controller capable of manipulating both flow and defocus of the Fresnel collector, the second modification is a PI controller to substitute the original chiller on-off controller. The results compare, through validated models, the different control systems and indicate that using both proposed controllers reduces 94% of the sum of actuators effort and 43% of the integral of absolute set-point tracking error compared to the plant's factory pre-set controllers. The suggested controllers increase 66% of energy production and 63% of exergy production. Besides, the split-range technique can be extended to any concentrating solar collector control. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Changes in productivity of small and large firms of automotive industry are analyzed. • The 2008-09 crisis impacted on productivity by reducing technological progress. • The consequences of the crisis were more severe for SMEs. • Suitable policies may be based on environmental regulation, incentive schemes and support to R&D investments. This paper analyzes the changes in productivity of small and large firms operating in the automotive industry in France, Italy and Spain, occurred during the pre-crisis (2001-2008) and post-crisis (2009-2014) periods. To this aim, the Malmquist index as a measure of total factor productivity (TFP) variation is computed, by using the non-parametric technique DEA, integrated by a bootstrap technique proposed by Simar and Wilson (1999). The analysis allows distinguishing among different possible sources of TFP changes, i.e. pure technical efficiency change, scale efficiency change and technological change. The latter comes up to be the main channel through which the global crisis negatively impacted on productivity, presumably by hampering the primary engines of technological change, i.e. research, innovation and investment through reduced availability of financial resources for SMEs, worsened perspectives for firm growth and greater concentration in selected geographical areas of investments by parent companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article reviews the Spanish history of the art therapy profession and research. In addition, a contemporary view of current art therapy research is described through a bibliometric analysis of 160 art therapy articles published in the Spanish Journal of Art Therapy. Papers on Art Therapy and art Education for Social Inclusion from 2011 to 2021. The following research indicators were analyzed: authorship, participants, population, artistic discipline, theoretical models of art therapy intervention, nature of the studies, and assessments. Outcomes revealed that Spanish art therapy researchers are mostly women who usually publish on their own. Additionally, many ages, populations and topics are treated. Visual art is the discipline most used in the analyzed research. Gestalt, community-based art programs, and the eclectic approach are the most selected theoretical models. Most of the studies are qualitative and theory building with no assessment. However, when assessment is included, the type most used is the tools made by the researcher. Implications, limitations, and further lines of research are discussed. • Art therapy research in Spain is a young discipline conducted in the last ten years. • The profile of Spanish researchers on art-therapy corresponds to dedicated females. • The use of art therapy in Spain has extended to vulnerable and minority groups. • There is a shift from psychoanalysis to other theoretical models for intervention. • Most of the studies published in Spain are qualitative or theory building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environmental attitudes are positively associated with the 3Rs of waste management. • Perceived effectiveness of one's own behavior is positively associated with the 3Rs. • These links are higher for recycling behaviors (separate glass, plastic and paper). • The 3Rs are also related to socio-demographics (gender, age and education level). • Women exhibit greater reducing and reusing (but not recycling) behaviors than men. This study explores how an individual's reported waste-related behaviors are affected by environmental attitudes and perceived effectiveness when facing a descriptive norm conflict (i.e., when the individual is the only person behaving pro-environmentally). The influence of the sociodemographic characteristics of gender, age, and education level is also examined. The reported behaviors relate to the 3Rs of waste management: reducing (buying minimally packaged products), reusing (buying products with reusable packaging), and recycling behaviors (separating glass, plastic, and paper). Based on a nationally representative sample of Spanish residents aged over 17 years (n = 2487), this study uses logistic regression analysis to assess the relationships between variables. The results show a positive relationship between environmental attitudes and the five reported waste-related behaviors. There is also a positive association between perceived effectiveness of one's own behavior (when nobody else acts pro-environmentally) and the five waste-related behaviors. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, the results suggest that women, older individuals, and highly educated people engage more in these 3R behaviors. Building on these findings, policy and managerial implications are provided. For example, campaigns to promote environmental attitudes and the effectiveness of pro-environmental behaviors could focus on reducing and reusing behaviors, which entail the purchase of green products. Finally, some directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Basilica of St. Juan de Dios in Granada was built between 1734 and 1757; it is considered to be one of the great works of the Baroque architecture in Spain. This paper presents an architectural and constructive analysis of the dome over the transept; it was built according to the faux vault model divulged by Fray Lorenzo de San Nicolás (encamonada dome). We present an accurate geometric modeling of the dome and its constructive system, obtained from an on-site data collection campaign. This paper presents various hypotheses regarding the structural behavior of the filling in the extrados of the timbrel vault, according to its morphological characterization. The study of historical construction is presented through the application and contrast of different structural analysis methodologies: the experimental Guastavino's formulation, the analysis of stability by applying the slicing technique within the frame of Limit Analysis, and a new methodology based on funicular and projective geometry to determine efforts combinations in equilibrium. Finally, it presents conclusions about the combined use of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Validation of the photovoltaic estimation model SoL using data from real facilities. • The results for SoL are compared to other state-of-the-art PV estimators. • SoL presents more accurate results, despite being a simple and more efficient model. • A self-shading model is proposed for SoL as a new enhancement feature. • The self-shading feature is validated against real data and proved useful. The estimation of electrical power generation in photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected systems based on meteorological data is a nontrivial, highly useful task, for instance to achieve accurate energy assessment. Widely used PV generation simulators are PV Systems (PVsyst), System Advisor Model (SAM) and PVLib. These simulators are characterized by presenting numerous features and providing complete results, however the PV estimation model SoL is an example of a new approach to PV generation estimation. SoL is characterized by its simplicity and computational efficiency. The objective of this paper is validating the recently published SoL model using real data from two PV locations for several years and facilities and comparing the results with those of three other PV simulators, namely PVsyst (in Spain), SAM (in Denver) and PVLib (both). It has been found that SoL estimates power production accurately for both locations and its estimations are more precise than those given by PVsyst, SAM and PVLib. It proves to be more computationally efficient than PVsyst, it can work with higher resolutions than SAM and PVsyst and requires fewer inputs than PVLib, SAM or PVsyst. Finally, a self-shading model is proposed as an enhancement for the SoL model. The number of inputs required is minimal, and it is an approximate yet efficient model. The estimation when using the self-shading enhancement is even more accurate than the previous estimation for SoL in locations where self-shading is evident. SoL proves to be an appropriate model for power estimation, and its results are enhanced when using the self-shading model proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird remains are rare on archaeological sites yet often crucial to address a multitude of questions, both cultural and biological. In this paper we argue that oribatid mites living on bird feathers, scales and nests may prove useful to infer not only bird presence but occasionally their breeding at a given site in the absence of their remains. Although oribatids are for all purposes stationary, a good number of species practice non-parasitic phoresis on birds that allows the mites to disperse over large distances. The specificity of the interrelationship, thus the quality of the bioindicator signal, is probably time-dependent, so that the longer the more specific the link between the vertebrate and the arthropod becomes. Oribatids are useful bioindicators because of the intensive sclerotization of their exoskeleton that insures their preservation in archaeological deposits. In this paper inferences about the bird assemblage retrieved at the Early Medieval site of Tabacalera (Gijón, Spain) are explored from the standpoint of the phoretic oribatids recovered in the deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the capacity credits (CCs) of renewable photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and wind technologies in the Spanish power system. This system has steadily increased the share of renewables, reaching a penetration level of over 30%. The predictions made by ENTSO-e suggest that this level will increase to 50% by 2030. Therefore, different scenarios are studied in this paper to investigate the evolution of renewable integration and assess the corresponding contributions to reliability. The assessment is performed using a sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) method considering the seasonality of renewable generation and the uncertainties related to renewable sources, failure issues and the maintenance of thermal-based units. The baseline for SMC is provided by historical annual time series of irradiance and wind power data from the Spanish system. In the solar case, these time series are transformed into power time series with models of CSP and PV generation. The former includes different thermal storage strategies. For wind generation, a moving block bootstrap (MBB) technique is used to generate new wind power time series. The CC is assessed based on the equivalent firm capacity (EFC) using standard reliability metrics, namely, the loss of load expectation (LOLE). The results highlight the low contribution of renewables to power system adequacy when the Spanish power system has a high share of renewable generation. In addition, the results are compared with those of similar studies. • The contribution of renewables to reliability in future scenarios is low. • Conventional generation has a key role to ensure reliability in future power systems. • Different storage strategies in CSP plants have a slight effect on reliability. • Hydro power in Spain contributes to increase the capacity credit of solar technologies. • Definitions of Capacity credit and Capacity value yield very different results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Occupational safety and health (OSH) technicians work in Spain as advisers in OSH matters. • This paper suggests an integration of OSH professional advice into business strategy. • Spanish firms seem to be driven by the market towards hiring prevention services. • A survey collected data on the role of OSH professionals in Spanish firms. • The survey results suggest improvements for OSH professional praxis in Spain. In the last few years, occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems in Spain have been implemented in firms by professional technicians who are gaining importance as advisers to guarantee minimum occupational accidents and to monitor occupational safety and health. This paper analyses the current situation of this profession in Spain, in terms of (1) individual criteria, referring, among other factors, to their training, qualifications, duties, and responsibilities; (2) collective criteria, referring to the situation of their professional group (prevention services entities, employers, market); and (3) environmental criteria, referring to their external perception as individual professionals and members of a professional group and their relationships with other agents. Along with the description of the Spanish situation we analyse the results of a survey carried out on Spanish OSH professionals (FSSOSHP) in which we collected primary data for each criteria category (individual, collective, environmental) in order to suggest improvements for their professional praxis. Finally, we discuss the results of our survey and emphasize the need to make improvements in individual, collective and environmental areas for OSH professionals and OSH management systems to progress in terms of further integration and increased efficacy of OSH activities in Spanish firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to carry out an integrated Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the environmental performance of retrofitting an existing first-generation ethanol plant for sustainable aviation fuel production. Two scenarios are defined, considering: (i) the incorporation of an alcohol-to-jet conversion pathway into a current bioethanol plant in Spain to produce synthetic paraffinic kerosene with aromatics biofuel, and (ii) the operation of two different plants, namely, an existing bioethanol production facility and a new-build ATJ plant. Results indicate that the global warming impact associated with the retrofitting of the bioethanol facility is 44.15 gCO 2eq per MJ of final fuels produced. The main GHG impact is associated with the operation of both the cogeneration system (∼42 %) and the natural gas boilers (∼25 %) to cover the heat and power requirements of the bioethanol facility. Findings concerning the climate change impact of the new-build ATJ plant exhibit analogous behavior; the GHG impact is estimated at 44.53 gCO 2eq /MJ fuels. Future electricity supply mixes with high shares of renewables could lead to substantially lower GHG emissions (up to 61 %) in aviation fuel production, as compared to conventional jet fuels. The replacement of natural gas with sustainable alternatives could further decrease the global warming impact up to 97 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing volatility in natural gas markets and the need for residential heat, research for alternative thermal systems based on green hydrogen-based fuels is necessary. Massive implementation of hydrogen in the current fleet presents a challenge for the decarbonisation of conventional thermal processes. This paper presents the integration of green methanol from a seasonal thermochemical energy storage system (TCES) coupled with district heating networks (DHN). It allows for a solar-based storage and low-temperature heat generation from the exothermic discharge reaction. The system uses concentrated solar thermal energy to decompose methanol into syngas at moderate temperatures (<315 °C), reducing GHG emissions from combustion to meet residential heat. Its potential is assessed through an analysis of 458 rural municipalities in Spain, achieving a substitution of 3.1 % of the natural gas demand. The system allows the production of green fuels from syngas using an open-loop approach, offering new market pathways in primary sector. In a closed-loop configuration, roundtrip efficiencies exceeding 60 % and chemical conversion efficiencies exceeding 70 % are reached, resulting in a global efficiency of 12 % for the DHN and methanol-TCES. The results show a levelized cost of stored energy highly competitive with other storage systems (<200€/MWh), given its simplicity. • A novel district heating network integration with methanol TCES is proposed. • Round-trip above 65 % and an overall efficiency of 11.6 % were achieved. • Analysis of presented DH-TCES in 499 rural municipalities in Spain. • Competitive levelized storage price values of €150/MWh was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectively utilizing low-grade thermal energy is a promising approach to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while reducing the burden on centralized power grids. Current thermoacoustic heat pumps and power generators face challenges such as high onset temperature differentials and low performance. This paper addresses these challenges by introducing a gas-liquid resonator into a thermoacoustic combined heat and power systems to recover low-grade thermal energy in residential buildings. Through Sage modeling and calculations, the internal characteristics of the proposed system and its output performance under different operating conditions are explored. At a heating temperature of 350 °C, the system can generate 6.4 kW of output thermal power, 0.9 kW of electricity, and overall exergy efficiency is 79.3 %. Combining neural network models with case studies conducted in Spain and Finland, the system can annually save 5.6 MWh and 20.7 MWh in fuel energy, reduce emissions of 1374 kg and 5180 kg of carbon dioxide, and save a total cost of €611 and €2324, respectively. Furthermore, comparisons with other emerging micro-CHP systems highlight the efficiency of the proposed system. These results indicate the high potential of thermoacoustic combined heat and power systems in recovering low-grade thermal energy and achieving energy savings and emission reductions. • Introducing an innovative thermoacoustic micro-CHP system. • Achieving an exergy efficiency of 79.3 % under standard operating conditions. • One system can annually reduce household CO 2 emissions by 5180 kg. • Ideal for households, balancing lower output levels for both heat and electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of an extensive experimental campaign related to the use of Coal Mining Waste Geomaterials (CMWGs) as recycled constituents (fine and coarse aggregates) in Ordinary Portland Cement mortars and concretes. To this purpose, a reference mix and other mixes with different percentages of replacement of natural aggregates by CMWGs, up to 40% by volume, were investigated. CMWGs came from different providers: Central Mining Institute (GIG), POLTEGOR, both in Poland, and SUBTERRA in Spain and tests were performed at two different laboratories working on similar, but not identical, compositions. This represents a novelty in the literature, generally focusing on one single-source waste and single-lab results. The physical and mechanical properties of all the mixes were evaluated and correlated with respect to the percentage of replacement of natural aggregates by CMWGs. While the presence of CMWGs, likely because of their grain size distribution, reduced the porosity of mortars (decrease of 9.5 and 20.4% for 10 and 20% of replacement respectively) and concretes (70% reduction for concretes with 10% of fines and 30% of coarse aggregates replaced by CMWGs), the mechanical properties decreased when natural aggregates were replaced with CMWGs, likely because of the reduced strength of the CMWGs aggregates. This decrease was found to be roughly proportional to the percentage of replacement of aggregates (for instance, a 12–23% reduction of flexural strength in mortars with 25% replacement of sand and, a decrease of 25% in concretes for a 25% replacement of fine and coarse aggregates); nonetheless the concrete performance remained in the range of applicability for several civil engineering applications without affecting their functionality. In conclusion, the replacement of natural aggregates by CMWGs has resulted an interesting option for real applications providing an added value to the implementation of circular economy concepts in the management and up-cycling of coal mine tailings and CMWGs. • Recycling Coal Mine Waste Geomaterials as partial replacement of fine and coarse aggregates in concrete is feasible.. • Complementarity and coherence of results from two different labs with aggregates from three sources validate the methodology. • Thin section analysis provides insight into microstructural reasons of macroscopic properties highlighting the interaction of CMWGs with cement paste. • Reduction in compressive strength induced by weaker CMWG aggregates does not jeopardize the possibility of producing concrete still retaining values of compressive strength fit for several structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heating up of photovoltaic modules during operation results in a significant power output reduction. This effect is especially relevant in regions with the highest photovoltaic potential, where irradiance and ambient temperature are particularly high. In this paper, a novel low enthalpy geothermal cooling system that improves the efficiency of a commercial solar module is described and experimentally validated. Two heat exchangers, one attached to the backside of the module, and another introduced inside a 15 m deep borehole, are connected in a closed circuit. A water-based coolant is pumped through the system, evacuating the excess heat from the module, and dissipating it underground in a clean and efficient manner, without additional water consumption after filling the system. The performance of the cooling system was experimentally tested by implementing it, for the first time, in a single-axis solar tracking isolated photovoltaic facility. Extensive tests were carried out in Spain, between September 2021 and August 2022 under a wide variety of environmental conditions. The efficiency improvement system has demonstrated its technical feasibility over a one-year period, showing a peak net efficiency improvement up to 13.4 %. Moreover, a positive net efficiency improvement has been demonstrated all year long, even during the winter months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar PV technologies have been expanding rapidly, and the installed power has increased, especially in the last decade. Their inclusion in university buildings arises as a key factor for sustainable transition in cities, since they have an important potential as case studies for urban experimentation positive effects on students and other stakeholders. This paper proposes a method to determine the availability for installing solar PV in universities' rooftops, considering simulation and cartography data, together with a final experimental validation stage. Unavailable areas for each rooftop are determined, including obstacles, the inner use of the rooftop and shadowed areas. Finally, the method verifies the technical suitability for all the proposed scenarios and applies an economic-environmental multicriteria evaluation to select the most suitable one. The methodology is validated in the Universitat Politècnica de València Vera-Campus. In total, 88913 m2 of the rooftops are suitable for solar PV incorporation, representing 48 % of the total surface. 52 % of the solar PV installable capacity takes place in surfaces which can incorporate more than 100 kW, 20.6 % between 50 and 100 kW and 27.4 % less than 50 kW. Finally, the multicriteria evaluation proved that the scenario with all the possible installations is the most suitable one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]