(Construction of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant in Finland. Picture: BBC World Service.)

“Until Fukushima talked openly of a nuclear renaissance, but the accident had a very strong impact on public opinion and created a collective psychosis with profound consequences,” said Alejo Vidal-Quadras, vice president of the European Parliament, during a conference organized this month by the Spanish Nuclear Society (SNE).

The accident that occurred on March 11, 2011 in central Fukushima-Daiichi Japanese not only shocked the world public opinion, also disrupted the plans of the global nuclear industry.In Europe, for example, the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel canceled the plan to extend the life of German nuclear power plants and established in 2022 as the year of closure of all facilities currently in operation.

In Italy, 95% of citizens voted against this energy for the Referendum in June 2011. The Alpine country had four nuclear reactors, but closed the last two after the Chernobyl accident. Yet about 10% of its energy comes from nuclear sources, but all imported.

Meanwhile, in Belgium, also reviewed the plans and the new approach raises start closing reactors from 2015. And in Switzerland, last September, parliament approved the phasing out of nuclear power plants as they run their life.

“Even in France, the temple of nuclear power in the world, socialists and ecologists, favorites for the May presidential, have signed an electoral pact that commits these forces to close 24 of the 58 reactors in operation in 2025,” says Vidal -Quadras. This has happened “despite that 75% of French electricity comes from nuclear power, a fact that ‘not know’ the two candidates during a debate on French television,” he adds.

The European Union freedom of choice left to member states

European Parliament Vice SINC says that since the European Union freedom is left to member states when deciding on the mix of energy. “As for nuclear energy, the European Commission has always been exquisitely neutral and aseptic-thing that has not happened to renewables, energy efficiency or reducing emissions, for example, but what’s done is legislate waste management and safety of plant operation, “says Vidal-Quadras.

One of the means adopted by the EU following the accident at Fukushima is the implementation of the stress-test on the 143 nuclear reactors operating in their territory, to confirm their resistance, not only against anthropogenic risks, as had been done so far-but also extreme natural disasters. The results will be presented this year, although countries like Spain have passed the tests, as confirmed by the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN).

Our country has paralyzed the functioning of nuclear weapons. In fact, the energy of the atom has been the main sources of electricity in 2011, contributing about 20% of the total. Also announced the construction of Centralised Temporary Storage (ATC) in Villar de Cañas (Cuenca) and extending the life of the central Garoña (Burgos), a decision approved by the CSN but widely criticized by environmental groups.

The association Ecologists in Action, for example, claims the Spanish government to establish “a timetable for phased closure of nuclear, starting with the twin Garoña-Fukushima-I should not continue to operate even one more day, and to continue the example of countries like Germany, Belgium, Switzerland or Italy. “

But not all European countries have opted for nuclear abandonment. Finland is already building its fifth reactor and plans two more. In the case of the United Kingdom, retiring most of its 19 reactors by 2023, many located in areas at risk from flooding or coastal erosion, according to a recent report, although it has designed a process to deploy eight new nuclear plants. The first was launched in 2018.

Russia is another country that bet heavily on its nuclear, with production expected to double by 2020, with 10 plants under construction and more than 20 planned. Since the 90 ‘has sought to increase the efficiency of its reactors (about 30) and the export of its technology has become a priority in its economic policy.

Asia launches a nuclear power

The forecasts of the International Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy indicate that the global nuclear production will increase due to the pull of the plants being built in Russia and emerging economies like China, India and South Korea.

“2012 will be an important year for China’s industry. After learning experience Fukushima, our nuclear energy program will restart again “. This is the approach of the Eighth Congress of Nuclear Energy to be held in mid-May in Beijing, China. The Asian giant is firmly committed to nuclear energy, with 15 reactors operating, 27 under construction and another 50 already planned to supply its growing energy demand.

The case of India, with 20 nuclear reactors supply about 3% percent of the country’s energy needs are similar. With an 8% annual GDP energy needs of this country has skyrocketed. The Indian government wants to overcome its dependence on oil imports so has turned to improving the safety of existing plants, the 5 which is under construction and more than 20 planned.

Along with China and India, the South Korean government provides financial support necessary to build new nuclear reactors taxes of citizens. Among the Asian countries that are committed to nuclear energy is South Korea has the most reactors in operation, 23 in particular, plus another dozen underway.

Meanwhile, nuclear power came to be a priority for Japan, which imports 84% ​​of its energy to the tsunami that hit Fukushima. Now, most of its 54 reactors are closed, a blackout that has had important economic consequences Nippon. After the accident the government published a white paper announcing that “Japan’s dependence on nuclear power will be reduced as much as possible in the medium and long term.”

U.S. generates over 30% of the global nuclear energy

However, across the Pacific in the U.S., the Obama administration has decided to approve the construction of two new plants in the country for three decades. Today its 104 reactors generate more than 30% of the global nuclear energy.

“We have enough budget to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our nuclear facilities,” he said on television the President Barak Obama. “And I’ve talked with our regulator to make sure we have learned the lesson of what has happened in Japan and regularly updated, nuclear safety in this country constantly.”

Some experts, such as the specialist in energy and nuclear policy Peter Bradford, of the Vermont Law School (USA) indicate that the main reason that has slowed the construction of new reactors in the U.S. is not security, but the economy, according points in the journal Nature : “The implacable foe of nuclear power in the last 30 years has been the risk to public health but the portfolio of investors. The only nations that is cost effective for this type of energy are those with limited access to natural gas and a large population and economic growth. “ This is the case in emerging Asia, where it appears to be shifting industry and the nuclear debate.

Students of the UNED, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and the Complutense University are building the submarine ‘Isaac Peral y Caballero’. Named after the Spanish inventor, the unit will participate in international competition RoboSub , which will take place on July 16 in San Diego (USA).

They face off with top universities worldwide. “We have universities that are among the top 100 worldwide,” explains Julio Guillen, a student of Computer Systems Engineering, UNED and Software team leader of the project. “We are the first Spanish team to compete,” he adds.

In total, about 40 young students are organized in the non-profit association FuVe-E ( Future Vehicles and Entrepreneurs). And even if they have a lower budget and fewer years of experience in this type of events, go for broke.

“The limitations come from your mind: if you think it’s impossible, of course, is impossible,” said Gabriel Guerrero, also a student of Computer Systems Engineering, UNED and responsible group of sensors and electronics.

Of the volcano El Hierro Costa Concordia

Their knowledge may be tested in the American contest. In RoboSub will arise a series of tests that devices must meet. For example, will have to locate objects underwater, crossing structures and shoot projectiles. But the ‘Isaac Peral and Knight’ will be capable of that and more.

“All the groups incorporate a single computer, but we have decided to buy 3 so our submarine is a supercomputer with 12 processors, graphics acceleration cards 3 and 32 gigs of RAM,” says Guillen. “We are testing us as engineers,” he adds. The submarine also has three-dimensional view (instead of the typical camera to detect colors) and smart torpedoes.

All these devices allow, with minor modifications, the device has specific applications such as shipwrecks located in places where visibility is zero. And thanks to the fusion of sensors, micro-cracks can be analyzed in the hull of a boat without divers.

Because one of the main features of the device is completely autonomous. Thanks to her, could be used in cases such as the Costa Concordia, heeled on the Italian island of Giglio, the review of the nuclear plant in Fukushima (Japan) and inspection of the volcano of Las Calmas Sea on the island of El Hierro.

Reduce costs ten to one

Build a submarine is a major economic effort. So far, FuVe-E has the support of the ETSI of Naval Engineers of the UPM, and companies and SAES Eyeos. Important aids are not enough.

“The problem in Spain is that investors do not want to take risks,” laments Guerrero. In fact, several public and private organizations have offered financial help, but when they have completed construction of the device. Until then, have to continue as they are.

All money received is spent on the components, and research, bear in any way to your pocket, because your time is. Moreover, young people are investing their own money literally, buying some mechanisms.

To reduce costs, they make everything: cameras, torpedoes, sensors and other components. So get a cost reduction of ten to one, but in return, take much longer. “We’re going to bed at four o’clock,” says Guerrero. Weekends for Guillen, have ceased to exist.

Only the first

Despite all difficulties, with much effort, are moving forward. Gone are the days when some students pointed to animated project and soon after left him. There was a time when the situation was so critical that they came to consider whether to continue, but managed to convince Carlos Guillen Matilla, the ‘father’ of the idea and friend, to not give up.

Today the situation has improved and only think about the future. “We have paid or expect to have, because if some money left over here, our idea is to make another submarine for the next contest, and if further superfluous, an airplane,” he adds Guillen. His desire is that students from catching your philosophy and begin to realize “that the thing is not just going through the classes.”

Win or not the competition, what is clear is that all these young people be amazed at San Diego. The organizers were amazed when Guerrero and Guillen sought to increase half inch diameter torpedoes. This could incorporate the mechanisms fins, which included 8 SP processors, capable of mapping the environment.

“When we explained the reason the person responsible for the competition, which has two doctorates, he said,” you’re going to do what? “. All in a torpedito 15 centimeters long, “notes Guillén with a grin. This illusion, knowledge, creativity and effort that have already achieved what at first was a utopia a reality today. And notice to mariners: the underwater journey has only just begun.

(One of the largest concentrations of hematite found in Site C at a place called the Belvedere, in Maastricht (Netherlands), contrasts with the background of stream sediment silt deposited by the Meuse to the Paleolithic.)

Red spots in the silt and the history of intelligence could be changed: discoveries in Maastricht, the Netherlands, these spots suggest that early Neanderthals engaged in symbolic activities long before modern man, Homo sapiens .

Conceptual thought leaves no archaeological traces. To apprehend, prehistorians … use the concept of “symbolic thinking”, that is to say, thought by symbols. A symbol is an object, word, sign, etc.. that represents something. For prehistorians, symbols play somewhat the role of concepts as children. And material symbols – the first head body ornaments – can leave archaeological traces. This explains why the dress is considered by prehistorians as a marker of symbolic thought, and hence, the emergence of modern thought.

The track of symbolic thought dated back so far in South Africa during the Middle Paleolithic (there are between 200,000 years and 30,000 years in Africa) and especially the site of Blombos Cave, where blocks of ocher striped lines, drilled shells impregnated with ocher and foliate bifacial retouched by pressure point to the existence of elaborate technical and artistic activities, so symbolic, since 75 000 years for Homo sapiens. Moreover, other shells and ocher dating drilled 82 500 years were also found in the Cave of Pigeons near the Moroccan village of Taforalt. Hence the idea that symbolic thought emerged from Homo sapiens while he was still living in the cradle of humanity, that is to say, in Africa.

But Wil Roebroeks, of Leiden University, and colleagues come to scrutinize a curious discovery made by the excavators of the sites C and F of the Belvedere in Maastricht. On Site C, it is a series of 15 tiny red spots on the edge clearly silty sediment deposited by the Meuse, there are about 250 000 years (nearly 20,000 years, according to dating by thermoluminescence and other techniques). A similar discovery, although more discreet, was made on the F site, some 300 meters from the site C. On the one hand, the analysis conducted by researchers proves that this is a material rich reddish hematite (iron oxide), writ of ocher, which could not be brought up on that for a remote site (the closest deposits are about 40 kilometers). On the other hand, the reconstructions suggest that it is upon payment of a certain amount of liquid that stains red ocher entered the sediment.Observations of other materials reddish had been made elsewhere in Europe (Spain Ambrona, Terra Amata in France or Becov Czech Republic) on ancient sites, but it is not possible to certify their origin or their human ages. C on the site of the Belvedere, however, it is clear that there are about 2,500 centuries, a Neanderthal paid above the silty sediment liquid ocher, prepared with a mineral brought from afar. On what? Maybe on itself, given the droplets splashing the sediment.

So can anyone think that this Neanderthal was going to decorate his body with a symbolic red pigment? Are we faced with the oldest evidence of symbolic thought? It is tempting to think, but nothing proves it. One thing at any rate is certain: the premiere book of modern thought to Homo sapiens amounts to prejudging!

(Sperm beetle presents a variety of shapes and structures. Image: Dawn Higginson / University of Arizona)

American researchers have studied the sperm and female morphology of 42 species of beetles. These data have identified large variations in the structure of sperm-related developmental changes in the genitalia of females.

“Both sperm morphology and female reproductive tracts have experienced many diversifications in aquatic beetles,” explains to SINC Dawn Higginson, author of the study and researcher at the University of Arizona (USA).

“The dimensions of the sperm and the presence of conjugates (clusters formed in the male sperm that are transferred in copulation) are correlated significantly with the dimensions of the attributes of females,” says Higginson.

In some species found thousands of spermatozoa bound in clusters as a feather badminton, or forming a fairly rigid rod-like worm that moves inside the female. In other species, the sperm heads were connected with a kind of glue.

The authors wanted to investigate what evolutionary forces had led to this diversity. “We found that when female morphology undergoes evolutionary change, the sperm is compensated,” says Higginson. “We can not say that males are following the evolution of the female, but seems to be an arms race.”

As explained by Scott Pitnick of Syracuse University, New York (USA), “to observe the intricate morphology of the reproductive tracts is inevitable that sperm need a swiss army knife to penetrate them. Females make him very difficult. “

The study challenges the paradigm that the development of sexual characteristics will be determined by competition between males, and instead places the change in the variations of the female. 

“Evolution is crazy”

 According to the authors, the sperm does not vary much in species where the female leaves the eggs before fertilizing, as in many of the fish. “But when there is internal fertilization, something happens and evolution is crazy,” says Scott Pitnick of Syracuse University, New York (USA). “In almost all animals found there is internal fertilization, sperm has been transformed in many different ways. “

To analyze these many evolutionary changes, the researchers measured parameters such as total length, the heads and tails of spermatozoa, the shape of the head, the length of the female ducts and the presence of clusters of sperm.

Then they used statistical tools to analyze the evolutionary relationships between different traits. “We use statistical models for sequence evolution and find changes in the dimensions of the feminine attributes that would lead to changes in sperm morphology,” says Higginson.

Coevolutionary process

In most cases of sexual selection, there is a coevolution caused by female preference for a male trait, such as striking tails of peacocks. “Females prefer individuals with colorful tails and males therefore want to have them as well, so there is a coevolutionary circle.”

“We can not ensure that this is exactly what happens here, but it is possible that the diversity we observe in the semen is the equivalent of gaudy feathers of peacocks, and female reproductive tracts have been developed that favor one or the other “analyzes Higginson.

According to the researcher, it could be something else that influenced this evolutionary change of females. “You may need to be large enough to handle the egg properly, or something. But the point is that female sexual drive the evolution. Sperm only keeping up, “he concludes.

“It is surprising that the grain size of pigment found in some paintings of the cave of Tito Bustillo is similar to that used today,” says Antonio Hernanz, researcher at the Department of Science and Technology, UNED Physicochemical and author of the study.

Science, UNED, University of Castilla la Mancha and University of Alcala de Henares have analyzed the composition of different localized Paleolithic cave paintings in the caves of Tito Bustillo in Asturias and the Buxu.

The main component have found that hematite is the mineral, with three granular size: less than one micron to 10 microns and 30 microns. “They’re very small sizes, and the finer the grain, the greater the power of paint to cover a surface,” says Hernanz.

The study, published in Journal of Raman Spectroscopyreveals that the oldest representations (belonging to the Aurignacian culture, with an estimated age of 30,000 years) have a smaller grain than the rest, less than one micron. This size suggests that “the oldest paintings we have used a technique developed to prepare the pigment,” adds the researcher.

Spectrum of the sample

The study was made possible by the use of different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. This results, images of the microparticles which are the pictorial material, sets of signals (spectra) to identify chemical and mineralogical composition.

With these tools, experts have been able to confirm that the red color of the paintings was produced with hematite, a mineral consisting of one form of iron oxide. They also found hydroxyapatite, another mineral that makes up bones, suggesting that the paint is added small amounts of charred bones, associated perhaps with some kind of ritual.

The darker motives were achieved by adding pigments to the paint as the mineral wüstita (another iron oxide), charcoal and manganese compounds. As fillers (complementary), Palaeolithic artists used calcite, quartz and clay minerals. We also found anatase (a titanium oxide) in two of the pictographs.

It so happens that in the cave of Tito Bustillo there is a deposit of ocher, a clay material rich in hematite. However, the study, this was not used ocher for paints. “They had to use other veins or deposits of red pigment than those that arise in the cave itself,” the investigator at the UNED.

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Surface of the foil shield, thickness approx. 0.27 mm, rotates 360 °, continuously adjustable height, luminance factor of approx. 1.1.

Arch support in the head to tilt the screen approx. 10 ° forward, to offset the effect Keystone.

Tensioning mechanism so that the screen is smooth.
Painted metal tube test bumps and scratches. Transportation lock.

Technical data

Stable anodized aluminum frame in silver, with gray plastic corner. Areas of high quality steel with a baked enamel coating approx. 800 ° C, ensuring a long life. The matte white surface with little generation of hotspots provides optimal image quality and contrast, without annoying reflections. Also suitable for interactive work with projectors and ultra-short distance.
The work surface is magnetic and can be labeled with occasional dry erase markers.

Comes with bar for markers and mounting hardware (fixing the back).

Product Benefits

• The projection solution that saves space, simply attaches to the wall

Technical data

Stable steel construction, silver gray.

Technical data

Screen size polyester tear-proof. Matte white surface, diffuse reflection. Luminance factor Approx. 1.1. Spring mechanism to wind and unwind quickly and easily screen for optimal tension.

White aluminum frame.

1:1 standard format for rear projection.
Shooting black 30 mm width at the sides.

Technical data

Hinged doors are available in single door model or double. Easy and flexible. With the expansion set of doors are supplied directly described the two poles of support needed.

Important information for the order
When ordering one of the expansion sets of doors must also be responsible to both the wall for door modules required and appropriate closures.

Product Benefits

• “E-Guard” protection fences modular machines, facilities, warehouses and logistics: safety distance to the source of danger 200 mm
• Meet the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
• Malla, according to the standard 30 x 50 mm to prevent the hand can be introduced
• Powder coating of high quality
• Quick and easy
• You can expand at any time

Technical data