http://hdl.handle.net/2117/3589 Mon, 20 May 2013 21:26:02 GMT 2013-05-20T21:26:02Z webmaster.bupc@upc.edu Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Servei de Biblioteques i Documentació no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/19232 Title: A practical tool for sizing optimal shading devices Authors: Jorge Sánchez, Juan; Puigdomènech Franquesa, Joan; Cusidó Fàbregas, Joan Antoni Abstract: A nomogram is presented for use in regions with a Mediterranean climate. Architects can use this tool as an easy way to optimize the design of shading devices. The nomogram allows the performance of a proposed external fixed shading device to be evaluated. The input variables required are (i) the location of the building, (ii) the orientation of the facade and (iii) two adimensional characteristics corresponding to the opening-shading device system. The accuracy reaches its minimum value during intermediate seasons but the margin of error is less than 10%. Wed, 15 May 2013 09:04:50 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/19232 2013-05-15T09:04:50Z Jorge Sánchez, Juan; Puigdomènech Franquesa, Joan; Cusidó Fàbregas, Joan Antoni no A nomogram is presented for use in regions with a Mediterranean climate. Architects can use this tool as an easy way to optimize the design of shading devices. The nomogram allows the performance of a proposed external fixed shading device to be evaluated. The input variables required are (i) the location of the building, (ii) the orientation of the facade and (iii) two adimensional characteristics corresponding to the opening-shading device system. The accuracy reaches its minimum value during intermediate seasons but the margin of error is less than 10%. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/19231 Title: A daylight criterion on solar controls for comparing sky radiance models Authors: Jorge Sánchez, Juan; Puigdomènech Franquesa, Joan Abstract: The obstruction of solar radiation by solar controls must be balanced with the required daylight contribution. Solar controls are characterized by the percentage of non-obstructed external radiance. The estimation of this radiance, particularly its diffuse component, depends on the sky radiance distribution used. In this work, we have compared three models (isotropic, CIE clear sky and Perez) before deciding which one is the most suitable for calculating natural light without forgetting the aspect of energy. The incident energy on an aperture where solar control is installed and its daily factor (DF) are the two parameters that have been adopted to analyze the three models. The energy allows us to compare the models and the DF allows us to discuss the weight of each part of the sky dome for each model. It is deduced that the isotropic model is not suitable for calculating the natural light available in the presence of solar control. The small differences observed between the results obtained with the other two models justify the advantage of using Perez's model in calculations of natural illumination due to its simple formulation. Wed, 15 May 2013 08:56:22 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/19231 2013-05-15T08:56:22Z Jorge Sánchez, Juan; Puigdomènech Franquesa, Joan no The obstruction of solar radiation by solar controls must be balanced with the required daylight contribution. Solar controls are characterized by the percentage of non-obstructed external radiance. The estimation of this radiance, particularly its diffuse component, depends on the sky radiance distribution used. In this work, we have compared three models (isotropic, CIE clear sky and Perez) before deciding which one is the most suitable for calculating natural light without forgetting the aspect of energy. The incident energy on an aperture where solar control is installed and its daily factor (DF) are the two parameters that have been adopted to analyze the three models. The energy allows us to compare the models and the DF allows us to discuss the weight of each part of the sky dome for each model. It is deduced that the isotropic model is not suitable for calculating the natural light available in the presence of solar control. The small differences observed between the results obtained with the other two models justify the advantage of using Perez's model in calculations of natural illumination due to its simple formulation. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18593 Title: Variación anual e internacional del manto nivoso en el Port del Compte-Serra del Cadí a partir de imágenes MODIS. Authors: Herms, I.; Jorge Sánchez, Juan Abstract: El estudio de la dinámica espacial y temporal de la cubierta de nieve permi e comprender el funcionamiento del sistema hidrológico y plantear tendencias climáticasque afectan al balance hídrico. Mediante imágenes de satélite de diferente resolución ya se han llevado a cabo estimaciones de dicha cubierta en el pirineo catalán por diversos autores comprobándose su aplicabilidad..En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de la aplicación de una metodología basada en los productos MOD10A2, derivados del procesamiento de las imágenes del sensor MODIS (accesibles en la web del NSIDC de la NASA), para la obtención de la cubierta nivosa en un sector del Pirineo oriental catalán, a diferentes cotas de altitud y a lo largo del período 2002-2007. Los resultados, aunque se disponga de pocos años de análisis, muestran una tendencia climática hacia la disminución progresiva en la extensión de la cubierta de nieve, especialmente a partir de la cota 2000 msnm; se mantiene la duración de suelo cubierto por nieve entre los meses de octubre y mayo, con un 50% de la superficie cubierta por encima de la cota 1000 y produciéndose en todas las temporadas,el inicio de las grandes nevadas entre la segunda y la tercera semana de noviembre. Cabe resaltar que se ha procurado trabajar siempre con software libre (sobretodo con gvSIG). Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:22:25 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18593 2013-04-04T07:22:25Z Herms, I.; Jorge Sánchez, Juan no El estudio de la dinámica espacial y temporal de la cubierta de nieve permi e comprender el funcionamiento del sistema hidrológico y plantear tendencias climáticasque afectan al balance hídrico. Mediante imágenes de satélite de diferente resolución ya se han llevado a cabo estimaciones de dicha cubierta en el pirineo catalán por diversos autores comprobándose su aplicabilidad..En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de la aplicación de una metodología basada en los productos MOD10A2, derivados del procesamiento de las imágenes del sensor MODIS (accesibles en la web del NSIDC de la NASA), para la obtención de la cubierta nivosa en un sector del Pirineo oriental catalán, a diferentes cotas de altitud y a lo largo del período 2002-2007. Los resultados, aunque se disponga de pocos años de análisis, muestran una tendencia climática hacia la disminución progresiva en la extensión de la cubierta de nieve, especialmente a partir de la cota 2000 msnm; se mantiene la duración de suelo cubierto por nieve entre los meses de octubre y mayo, con un 50% de la superficie cubierta por encima de la cota 1000 y produciéndose en todas las temporadas,el inicio de las grandes nevadas entre la segunda y la tercera semana de noviembre. Cabe resaltar que se ha procurado trabajar siempre con software libre (sobretodo con gvSIG). http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18548 Title: Evaluation of the CALIOPE air quality forecasting system for epidemiological research: the example of NO2 in the province of Girona (Spain) Authors: Aguilera, Inmaculada; Basagaña, Xavier; Pay Pérez, M. Teresa; Agis, David; Bouso, Laura; Foraster, María; Rivera, Marcel; Baldasano Recio, José María; Künzli, Nino Abstract: Background Air quality models are being increasingly used to estimate long-term individual exposures to air pollution in epidemiological studies. Most of them have been evaluated against measurements from a limited number of monitoring stations, which may not properly reflect the exposure characteristics of the study population. Methods We evaluated the performance of the high-resolution CALIOPE air quality forecasting system over a large sample of passive measurements of NO2 conducted at 635 home outdoor locations of the Girona province (Spain) during several 4-week sampling campaigns over one year (July 2007–June 2008). Sampling sites were superposed over the 4 km × 4 km CALIOPE grid, and average NO2 modeled concentrations were derived for all measurements conducted during the same sampling campaign at all the sampling sites located within the same grid cell. In addition, the ratio between measured and modeled concentrations for the whole study period at one fixed monitoring station was used to post-process the modeled values at the home outdoor locations. Results The correlation between measured and modeled concentrations for the entire study area (which includes urban settings, middle-size towns, and rural areas) was 0.78. Modeled concentrations were underestimated in the whole study area. After correcting the modeled concentrations by the measured to modeled ratio at the fixed station (r = 0.25), they were very similar to the measured concentrations (27.7 μg m−3 and 29.3 μg m−3, respectively). However, the performance of the modeling system depends on the type of subarea and is affected by the sub-grid emission sources. Conclusions The evaluation over the heterogenous Girona province showed that CALIOPE is able to reproduce the spatial variability of 4-week NO2 concentrations at the small regional level. CALIOPE output data is a valuable tool to complement study-specific air pollution measurements by incorporating regional spatial variability as well as short- and long-term temporal variability of background pollution in epidemiological research. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:50:49 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18548 2013-04-02T16:50:49Z Aguilera, Inmaculada; Basagaña, Xavier; Pay Pérez, M. Teresa; Agis, David; Bouso, Laura; Foraster, María; Rivera, Marcel; Baldasano Recio, José María; Künzli, Nino no Background Air quality models are being increasingly used to estimate long-term individual exposures to air pollution in epidemiological studies. Most of them have been evaluated against measurements from a limited number of monitoring stations, which may not properly reflect the exposure characteristics of the study population. Methods We evaluated the performance of the high-resolution CALIOPE air quality forecasting system over a large sample of passive measurements of NO2 conducted at 635 home outdoor locations of the Girona province (Spain) during several 4-week sampling campaigns over one year (July 2007–June 2008). Sampling sites were superposed over the 4 km × 4 km CALIOPE grid, and average NO2 modeled concentrations were derived for all measurements conducted during the same sampling campaign at all the sampling sites located within the same grid cell. In addition, the ratio between measured and modeled concentrations for the whole study period at one fixed monitoring station was used to post-process the modeled values at the home outdoor locations. Results The correlation between measured and modeled concentrations for the entire study area (which includes urban settings, middle-size towns, and rural areas) was 0.78. Modeled concentrations were underestimated in the whole study area. After correcting the modeled concentrations by the measured to modeled ratio at the fixed station (r = 0.25), they were very similar to the measured concentrations (27.7 μg m−3 and 29.3 μg m−3, respectively). However, the performance of the modeling system depends on the type of subarea and is affected by the sub-grid emission sources. Conclusions The evaluation over the heterogenous Girona province showed that CALIOPE is able to reproduce the spatial variability of 4-week NO2 concentrations at the small regional level. CALIOPE output data is a valuable tool to complement study-specific air pollution measurements by incorporating regional spatial variability as well as short- and long-term temporal variability of background pollution in epidemiological research. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18113 Title: Evaluation of the CMAQ5.0 in the framework of the CALIOPE air quality forecasting system over Europe Authors: Pay Pérez, M. Teresa; Gassó Domingo, Santiago; Baldasano Recio, José María Abstract: CALIOPE is a high-resolution air quality system which provides forecast for 24 and 48h since October 2006 for Europe (12 km x 12 km, 1h) and Spain (4 km x 4 km, 1h). The meteorological model is the WRF-ARW model (version 3.2.1) initialized by the FNL/NCEP data. The emissions are estimated by means a top-down approach implemented in the High-Elective Resolution Modeling Emission System (HERMES version 2.0) based on the EMEP inventory for the year 2008. The Chemical Transport Model (CTM) is the CMAQ (version 4.5) using the CB-IV chemical mechanism and AERO4 mode for aerosols. Several evaluation studies and near-real time evaluation (NRT) against air quality measurements on an hourly basis support the confidence on the system. The present contribution evaluates the CALIOPE system over Europe using CMAQ CTM version 5.0 (CB05 and AERO5) which is working in forecast mode since 9 April 2012. The comparison between both CMAQ versions is done in terms of gaseous and aerosol concentrations (O3, NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5) at the lowest level. Forecast concentrations are compared against observations on an hourly basis from the European air quality database (Airbase) which classifies stations as background rural/suburban. Results indicate that CMAQv5.0 improves O3 forecast daily cycle, especially at nighttime over suburban stations, where O3 biases are reduced between 20 and 40 µgm-3. The CMAQv5.0 improves the forecast of NO2 peaks at suburban stations reducing biases ~10-20 µgm-3. PM10 forecast also improves with the new CMAQ version. Episodes of secondary aerosol formation are now reproduced (i.e. 7-14 may 2012), where bias are reduce in ~10-20 µgm-3. Furthermore, PM10 hourly peaks in suburban stations are better reproduced reducing hourly biases ~5-10 µgm-3. The contribution also evaluates the effect of using the Kalman filter post-process to reduce systematic bias in both CMAQ versions. Results show that the bias-adjustment technique is more effective over CMAQv5.0. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:58:09 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18113 2013-03-06T16:58:09Z Pay Pérez, M. Teresa; Gassó Domingo, Santiago; Baldasano Recio, José María no CALIOPE is a high-resolution air quality system which provides forecast for 24 and 48h since October 2006 for Europe (12 km x 12 km, 1h) and Spain (4 km x 4 km, 1h). The meteorological model is the WRF-ARW model (version 3.2.1) initialized by the FNL/NCEP data. The emissions are estimated by means a top-down approach implemented in the High-Elective Resolution Modeling Emission System (HERMES version 2.0) based on the EMEP inventory for the year 2008. The Chemical Transport Model (CTM) is the CMAQ (version 4.5) using the CB-IV chemical mechanism and AERO4 mode for aerosols. Several evaluation studies and near-real time evaluation (NRT) against air quality measurements on an hourly basis support the confidence on the system. The present contribution evaluates the CALIOPE system over Europe using CMAQ CTM version 5.0 (CB05 and AERO5) which is working in forecast mode since 9 April 2012. The comparison between both CMAQ versions is done in terms of gaseous and aerosol concentrations (O3, NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5) at the lowest level. Forecast concentrations are compared against observations on an hourly basis from the European air quality database (Airbase) which classifies stations as background rural/suburban. Results indicate that CMAQv5.0 improves O3 forecast daily cycle, especially at nighttime over suburban stations, where O3 biases are reduced between 20 and 40 µgm-3. The CMAQv5.0 improves the forecast of NO2 peaks at suburban stations reducing biases ~10-20 µgm-3. PM10 forecast also improves with the new CMAQ version. Episodes of secondary aerosol formation are now reproduced (i.e. 7-14 may 2012), where bias are reduce in ~10-20 µgm-3. Furthermore, PM10 hourly peaks in suburban stations are better reproduced reducing hourly biases ~5-10 µgm-3. The contribution also evaluates the effect of using the Kalman filter post-process to reduce systematic bias in both CMAQ versions. Results show that the bias-adjustment technique is more effective over CMAQv5.0. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17951 Title: Solar thermal vitrification of mining contaminated soils Authors: Navarro Flores, Andrés Francisco; Cardellach, Esteve; Cañadas, Inmaculada; Rodríguez, José Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:32:09 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17951 2013-02-22T16:32:09Z Navarro Flores, Andrés Francisco; Cardellach, Esteve; Cañadas, Inmaculada; Rodríguez, José no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17692 Title: Distribución espacial y temporal de polvo mineral atmosférico en el norte de África y Oriente medio estimada a partir de la visibilidad horizontal Authors: Terradellas, E.; Camino, Carlos; Alonso-Pérez, S; Basart, Sara; Baldasano Recio, José María; Cuevas, Emilio Abstract: El polvo mineral atmosférico desempeña un papel muy importante en la atmósfera por su interacción con el balance radiativo y con la microfísica de nubes. África Septentrional es la mayor fuente de polvo mineral en el mundo. Sin embargo, carece de sistemas de observación desde tierra adecuados y la información desde satélite es muy limitada debido a la alta reflectividad del suelo. Por ello, se valora la posibilidad de usar la visibilidad horizontal observada en las estaciones meteorológicas como una forma indirecta de estimar el contenido de polvo en la atmósfera al nivel de la superficie. En este trabajo se utilizan observaciones de visibilidad para analizar la distribución geográfica de polvo mineral en África Septentrional y Oriente Medio, así como su variabilidad estacional. Posteriormente, se estudia la relación entre visibilidad y la concentración de partículas y se halla una relación empírica entre ambas magnitudes que es comparada con otras relaciones similares deducidas por otros autores. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:29:11 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17692 2013-02-12T18:29:11Z Terradellas, E.; Camino, Carlos; Alonso-Pérez, S; Basart, Sara; Baldasano Recio, José María; Cuevas, Emilio no El polvo mineral atmosférico desempeña un papel muy importante en la atmósfera por su interacción con el balance radiativo y con la microfísica de nubes. África Septentrional es la mayor fuente de polvo mineral en el mundo. Sin embargo, carece de sistemas de observación desde tierra adecuados y la información desde satélite es muy limitada debido a la alta reflectividad del suelo. Por ello, se valora la posibilidad de usar la visibilidad horizontal observada en las estaciones meteorológicas como una forma indirecta de estimar el contenido de polvo en la atmósfera al nivel de la superficie. En este trabajo se utilizan observaciones de visibilidad para analizar la distribución geográfica de polvo mineral en África Septentrional y Oriente Medio, así como su variabilidad estacional. Posteriormente, se estudia la relación entre visibilidad y la concentración de partículas y se halla una relación empírica entre ambas magnitudes que es comparada con otras relaciones similares deducidas por otros autores. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17645 Title: Sistema de evaluación y aviso de tormentas de polvo y arena (WMO SDS-WAS) Authors: Terradellas, E.; Baldasano Recio, José María; Cuevas, Emilio; Benincasa, F. Abstract: Cuando el viento es moderado o fuerte, puede levantar grandes masas de polvo y arena procedentes de suelos secos y desnudos e incorporarlas a la circulación atmosférica. Las partículas de menor tamaño pueden viajar durante varios días hasta distancias de centenares o millares de kilómetros antes de ser depositadas nuevamente sobre el suelo. Para países situados en zonas áridas o a sotavento de las mismas, el polvo atmosférico supone una grave amenaza para el medio ambiente, la salud humana y la economía. Además, la interacción del polvo con procesos atmosféricos como la radiación o la microfísica de nubes hace imprescindible su incorporación tanto a los modelos climáticos como a los de predicción numérica del tiempo. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:34:21 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17645 2013-02-11T19:34:21Z Terradellas, E.; Baldasano Recio, José María; Cuevas, Emilio; Benincasa, F. no Cuando el viento es moderado o fuerte, puede levantar grandes masas de polvo y arena procedentes de suelos secos y desnudos e incorporarlas a la circulación atmosférica. Las partículas de menor tamaño pueden viajar durante varios días hasta distancias de centenares o millares de kilómetros antes de ser depositadas nuevamente sobre el suelo. Para países situados en zonas áridas o a sotavento de las mismas, el polvo atmosférico supone una grave amenaza para el medio ambiente, la salud humana y la economía. Además, la interacción del polvo con procesos atmosféricos como la radiación o la microfísica de nubes hace imprescindible su incorporación tanto a los modelos climáticos como a los de predicción numérica del tiempo. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17641 Title: Caliope: sistema de pronóstico operacional de calidad del aire para Europa y España Authors: Baldasano Recio, José María; Jorba Casellas, Oriol; Gassó Domingo, Santiago; Pay Pérez, M. Teresa; Arevalo Roa, Gustavo Abstract: En las últimas décadas Europa ha presentado un claro progreso en la reducción de las emisiones antropogénicas. Sin embargo, la contaminación atmosférica continúa siendo un problema para la salud, especialmente en ambientes urbanos. El material particulado (PM), el dióxido de nitrógeno (NO2) y el ozono troposférico (O3) son los principales contaminantes con problemas en Europa y España. La directiva europea 2008/50/EC establece la posibilidad de usar técnicas de modelización que permitan incrementen el conocimiento sobre el transporte y la dinámica de contaminantes en la atmósfera para asegurar el cumplimiento de la legislación e informar a la población acerca de sus niveles. En este sentido, el sistema de pronóstico de la calidad del aire CALIOPE lleva trabajando en modo operacional ofreciendo pronósticos de la dinámica de la contaminación atmosférica en Europa y España desde octubre de 2006. CALIOPE incorpora el estado actual de conocimiento sobre la modelización de la física y química de la atmosfera, así como un modelo de emisiones específicamente desarrollado para España (HERMES). En este trabajo se describen las principales características actuales del sistema de pronóstico de calidad del aire CALIOPE en cuanto a su configuración, utilidad y funcionamiento como herramienta de pronóstico Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:40:42 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17641 2013-02-11T18:40:42Z Baldasano Recio, José María; Jorba Casellas, Oriol; Gassó Domingo, Santiago; Pay Pérez, M. Teresa; Arevalo Roa, Gustavo no En las últimas décadas Europa ha presentado un claro progreso en la reducción de las emisiones antropogénicas. Sin embargo, la contaminación atmosférica continúa siendo un problema para la salud, especialmente en ambientes urbanos. El material particulado (PM), el dióxido de nitrógeno (NO2) y el ozono troposférico (O3) son los principales contaminantes con problemas en Europa y España. La directiva europea 2008/50/EC establece la posibilidad de usar técnicas de modelización que permitan incrementen el conocimiento sobre el transporte y la dinámica de contaminantes en la atmósfera para asegurar el cumplimiento de la legislación e informar a la población acerca de sus niveles. En este sentido, el sistema de pronóstico de la calidad del aire CALIOPE lleva trabajando en modo operacional ofreciendo pronósticos de la dinámica de la contaminación atmosférica en Europa y España desde octubre de 2006. CALIOPE incorpora el estado actual de conocimiento sobre la modelización de la física y química de la atmosfera, así como un modelo de emisiones específicamente desarrollado para España (HERMES). En este trabajo se describen las principales características actuales del sistema de pronóstico de calidad del aire CALIOPE en cuanto a su configuración, utilidad y funcionamiento como herramienta de pronóstico http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17405 Title: Effect of sludge amendment on remediation of metal contaminated soils Authors: Navarro Flores, Andrés Francisco Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:02:54 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17405 2013-01-17T16:02:54Z Navarro Flores, Andrés Francisco no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17360 Title: Atmospheric dust modeling from meso to global scales with the online NMMB/BSC-Dust model – Part 1: model description, annual simulations and evaluation Authors: Pérez García-Pando, Carlos; Haustein, Karsten; Jorba Casellas, Oriol; Janjic, Z.; Huneeus, N.; Baldasano Recio, José María; Black, T.; Basart, Sara; Nickovic, S.; Miller, R.L.; Perlwitz, J.P.; Schulz, M.; Thomson, M. Abstract: Abstract. We describe and evaluate the NMMB/BSC-Dust, a new dust aerosol cycle model embedded online within the NCEP Non-hydrostatic Multiscale Model (NMMB). NMMB is a further evolution of the operational Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model (WRF-NMM), which together with other upgrades has been extended from meso to global scales. Its unified non-hydrostatic dynamical core is prepared for regional and global simulation domains. The new NMMB/BSC-Dust is intended to provide short to mediumrange weather and dust forecasts from regional to global scales and represents a first step towards the development of a unified chemical-weather model. This paper describes the parameterizations used in the model to simulate the dust cycle including sources, transport, deposition and interaction with radiation. We evaluate monthly and annual means of the global configuration of the model against the AEROCOM dust benchmark dataset for year 2000 including surface concentration, deposition and aerosol optical depth (AOD), and we evaluate the daily AOD variability in a regional domain at high resolution covering Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe against AERONET AOD for year 2006. The NMMB/BSC-Dust provides a good description of the horizontal distribution and temporal variability of the dust. Daily AOD correlations at the regional scale are around 0.6–0.7 on average without dust data assimilation. At the global scale the model lies within the top range of AEROCOM dust models in terms of performance statistics for surface concentration, deposition and AOD. This paper discusses the current strengths and limitations of the modeling system and points towards future improvements Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:05:39 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17360 2013-01-14T19:05:39Z Pérez García-Pando, Carlos; Haustein, Karsten; Jorba Casellas, Oriol; Janjic, Z.; Huneeus, N.; Baldasano Recio, José María; Black, T.; Basart, Sara; Nickovic, S.; Miller, R.L.; Perlwitz, J.P.; Schulz, M.; Thomson, M. no Abstract. We describe and evaluate the NMMB/BSC-Dust, a new dust aerosol cycle model embedded online within the NCEP Non-hydrostatic Multiscale Model (NMMB). NMMB is a further evolution of the operational Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model (WRF-NMM), which together with other upgrades has been extended from meso to global scales. Its unified non-hydrostatic dynamical core is prepared for regional and global simulation domains. The new NMMB/BSC-Dust is intended to provide short to mediumrange weather and dust forecasts from regional to global scales and represents a first step towards the development of a unified chemical-weather model. This paper describes the parameterizations used in the model to simulate the dust cycle including sources, transport, deposition and interaction with radiation. We evaluate monthly and annual means of the global configuration of the model against the AEROCOM dust benchmark dataset for year 2000 including surface concentration, deposition and aerosol optical depth (AOD), and we evaluate the daily AOD variability in a regional domain at high resolution covering Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe against AERONET AOD for year 2006. The NMMB/BSC-Dust provides a good description of the horizontal distribution and temporal variability of the dust. Daily AOD correlations at the regional scale are around 0.6–0.7 on average without dust data assimilation. At the global scale the model lies within the top range of AEROCOM dust models in terms of performance statistics for surface concentration, deposition and AOD. This paper discusses the current strengths and limitations of the modeling system and points towards future improvements http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17244 Title: Estimation of future emission scenarios for analysing the impact of traffic mobility on a large Mediterranean conurbation in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (Spain) Authors: Soret, Albert; Jiménez Guerrero, Pedro; Andrés, David; Cárdenas, Francisco; Rueda, Salvador; Baldasano Recio, José María Abstract: Emission modelling permits us to quantitatively assess the effects of emission abatement strategies. In urban areas, such strategies are designed mainly to reduce the emissions from the on–road traffic sector. This work analyses the impact of several mobility strategies on urban emissions in the coastal city of Barcelona, Spain, when the High Elective Resolution Modelling Emission System (HERMES) is applied at a very high resolution (1 km × 1 km and 1 h). The analysis was conducted by projecting the emissions data obtained from a base case scenario in 2004 onto three future scenarios set in 2015, where each future scenario represented a set of traffic mobility management measures. Specific developments were considered per emission sector, including power generation, industrial activities, domestic– commercial, solvents, on–road traffic, biogenic emissions, ports and airports, to best compare the present base case scenario with the future mobility scenarios generated for 2015. These emission scenarios for 2015 take into account the population projections and the variations in port and airport activities among other factors, while the main focus is on the on–road traffic sector, the types of vehicles used, such as technologically improved buses and hybrid vehicles, as well as the types of fuels used, including natural gas and biofuels. The results of the emission model indicate that the mobility management strategies, the technological improvements and the use of alternative fuels reduce the emissions from on–road traffic by approximately 75% (in terms of nitrogen oxides emission reductions in the city centre of Barcelona). This decrease leads to a 35% reduction in overall nitrogen oxides emissions, even if some sectors individually experience increases based on their specific projections. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:03:54 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17244 2013-01-09T18:03:54Z Soret, Albert; Jiménez Guerrero, Pedro; Andrés, David; Cárdenas, Francisco; Rueda, Salvador; Baldasano Recio, José María no Emission modelling permits us to quantitatively assess the effects of emission abatement strategies. In urban areas, such strategies are designed mainly to reduce the emissions from the on–road traffic sector. This work analyses the impact of several mobility strategies on urban emissions in the coastal city of Barcelona, Spain, when the High Elective Resolution Modelling Emission System (HERMES) is applied at a very high resolution (1 km × 1 km and 1 h). The analysis was conducted by projecting the emissions data obtained from a base case scenario in 2004 onto three future scenarios set in 2015, where each future scenario represented a set of traffic mobility management measures. Specific developments were considered per emission sector, including power generation, industrial activities, domestic– commercial, solvents, on–road traffic, biogenic emissions, ports and airports, to best compare the present base case scenario with the future mobility scenarios generated for 2015. These emission scenarios for 2015 take into account the population projections and the variations in port and airport activities among other factors, while the main focus is on the on–road traffic sector, the types of vehicles used, such as technologically improved buses and hybrid vehicles, as well as the types of fuels used, including natural gas and biofuels. The results of the emission model indicate that the mobility management strategies, the technological improvements and the use of alternative fuels reduce the emissions from on–road traffic by approximately 75% (in terms of nitrogen oxides emission reductions in the city centre of Barcelona). This decrease leads to a 35% reduction in overall nitrogen oxides emissions, even if some sectors individually experience increases based on their specific projections. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17239 Title: Practical implementation of social media strategy design for SMEs: SMEs case study implementation Authors: Rodríguez Donaire, Silvia; García-Almiñana, Daniel Abstract: This research draws attention to the fact that the new generation of Internet, Web2.0, is creating new ways of doing business that fosters collaboration and a flexible exchange of information between users. Particularly, Web2.0 allow businesses to adopt a new structure regarding communication and interaction and new content referring to new forms of meeting the needs of consumers. This book aims to inform managers about the power of the social media in the business field; to assist managers in designing, implementing and developing their social media strategy as an alternative channel of communication for the company; and to show managers some potential changes in their businesses through the adoption of social media. To show the social media strategy design and implementation, the book conducts a multiple case study research. In general, the results from our case studies show an initial shift in business activity in terms of economical transactions (e.g. reducing advertisement cost) and social transactions (e.g. increasing customer brand awareness). Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:40:12 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17239 2013-01-09T16:40:12Z Rodríguez Donaire, Silvia; García-Almiñana, Daniel no This research draws attention to the fact that the new generation of Internet, Web2.0, is creating new ways of doing business that fosters collaboration and a flexible exchange of information between users. Particularly, Web2.0 allow businesses to adopt a new structure regarding communication and interaction and new content referring to new forms of meeting the needs of consumers. This book aims to inform managers about the power of the social media in the business field; to assist managers in designing, implementing and developing their social media strategy as an alternative channel of communication for the company; and to show managers some potential changes in their businesses through the adoption of social media. To show the social media strategy design and implementation, the book conducts a multiple case study research. In general, the results from our case studies show an initial shift in business activity in terms of economical transactions (e.g. reducing advertisement cost) and social transactions (e.g. increasing customer brand awareness). http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17238 Title: Monitoring and forecasting dust storms : a GMES contribution to health hazard warning and cooperation with Africa Authors: Cuevas, Emilio; Boucher, O.; Baldasano Recio, José María; Schulz, M.; Terradellas, E.; Morcrette, J.J. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:08:45 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17238 2013-01-09T15:08:45Z Cuevas, Emilio; Boucher, O.; Baldasano Recio, José María; Schulz, M.; Terradellas, E.; Morcrette, J.J. no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16759 Title: The combination of web-based communication mechanisms and wiki environment enable superior performance achievements Authors: Rodríguez Donaire, Silvia; García-Almiñana, Daniel; Barodzich, Irina Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:58:22 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16759 2012-10-19T10:58:22Z Rodríguez Donaire, Silvia; García-Almiñana, Daniel; Barodzich, Irina no