The Ryan Institute (Conference Papers)

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  • Publication
    Towards an eDNA assay for decapodiform cephalopods
    (Pensoft, 2021-03-04) Sanchez, Gustavo; Fernández-Álvarez, Fernando Ángel
    Assessing the distribution and diversity of cephalopods using traditional approaches(standard fishing, market collection, and DNA barcoding) is time-consuming. EnvironmentalDNA (eDNA) assays are non-invasive, fast, and can capture the diversity of the species of interest using a specific primer-set. For Cephalopods, standardization of such primers hasbeen challenging because of a poor database of several markers, and the absence of complete mitochondrial genomes for its design. In this fast-talk, I will briefly talk about our new 87 complete mitochondrial genomes from specimens correctly identify and withmuseum vouchers, and how these mitogenomes promise toresolve the database limitationfor eDNA assays in decapodiform cephalopods.
  • Publication
    Is cryptic biodiversity a common phenomenon among Atlantic oceanic squids?
    (MDPI, 2021-03-13) Fernández-Álvarez, Fernando Ángel; Villanueva, Roger; Allcock, Louise
    Historically, marine oceanic open environments have been considered without barriers to dispersal, and the subsequent speciation of lineages from distant areas. As a consequence, many marine pelagic marine invertebrates are considered as monotypic cosmopolitan taxa, sometimes even including divergent geographic morphotypes. However, this view has been consistently challenged in the last decades by the discovery of many cryptic species complexes among pelagic marine cosmopolitan invertebrates. Despite their vast ecological importance, oceanic squids of the order Oegopsida Orbigny, 1845 and the superfamily Bathyteuthoidea Vecchione, Young and Sweeney, 2004 are seldomly molecularly tested for cryptic biodiversity covering wide areas. Here, we barcoded specimens belonging to 12 oceanic squid species sampled during several Atlantic oceanic cruises covering Atlantic waters from Brazil to Iceland, and the Mediterranean Sea. For assessing the presence of cryptic lineages, we studied the uncorrected p-distances at the intra- and interclade level and performed molecular species delimitation methods, such as the Poisson Tree Processes and the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent approach. Within Atlantic waters, we found cryptic biodiversity in five species: Abraliopsis morisii (Verany, 1839), Ancistrocheirus lessueuri (Orbigny 1842), Chtenopteryx sicula (Verany 1851), Galiteuthis armata Joubin, 1898 and Helicocranchia pfefferi Massy 1907. Atlantic individuals of Pterygioteuthis gemmata Chun, 1908 represent a divergent lineage of those from New Zealand. The divergence values among cryptic lineages of individuals of the same nominal species range from 2.2 to 17%, likely representing different stages of divergence since each putative speciation phenomena. In total, 50% of the tested species revealed cryptic lineages, which indicates that oceanic squid biodiversity is underestimated and it is necessary to develop more studies to assess the diversity of these animals at a global scale.
  • Publication
    Simulation to support ISO 50001 energy management systems and fault detection and diagnosis: Case study of Malpensa airport
    (International Building Performance Simulation Association,, 2013-08-26) Blanes, Luis M.; Costa, Andrea; Keane, Marcus M.; Seventh Framework Programme
    This paper describes the use of building performance simulation into a wider implementation of an energy management system (EnMS) based on ISO 50001requirements. The CASCADE project, funded by the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) call ICT for Energy Efficient Buildings aims to test different modelling strategies supporting Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD). Some of the main challenges includes the integration of new and legacy IT systems, the adoption of a robust calibration methodology, and the systematic verification of energysavings. This paper gives an overview of the CASCADE project and then proposes an approach that defines the use of calibrated whole building performance simulation (WPBS) as a supporting tool for improved building operation. Coupling of WBPS within the CASCADE methodology will increase the functional support offered to energy managers. A case study based on Milan Malpensa Airport that shows the initial model development is also described. Finally a definition of the future steps that will be followed by this research work is described.
  • Publication
    EDVE: An Energy Diagnosis Visualization Environment
    (National University of Ireland Galway, 2014-04-03) Blanes, Luis M.; Foncubierta, Juan L.; Costa, Andrea; Keane, Marcus M.
    In this paper we describe the motivations, development and results of EDVE: the Energy Diagnosis Visualization Environment that helps to quickly visualize faults and anomalies in energy consumption at the whole building level. EDVE relies in visual comparisons against predicted benchmarks using calibrated building models plus a set of predefined performance metrics. In this paper EDVEs development process is explained and a framework to evaluate web technologies prior its adoption is proposed. The underlying methodology of the tool is also described alongside an example of use. In this example, a data set generated by a modelling software where different faults have been forced is visualized. The effectiveness of different benchmark metrics to assist on fault analysis and diagnosis tasks is discussed. Finally, potential shortcomings and challenges ahead are outlined.
  • Publication
    Application of building simulation to support ISO 50001 energy management: Case study of Fiumicino airport
    (Bozen-Bolzano University Press, 2015-02-04) Blanes, Luis M.; Costa, Andrea; Keane, Marcus M.; Bozen-Bolzano University Press; Seventh Framework Programme
    In this paper we describe how simulation is used to support HVAC operational strategies within the context of the CASCADE project: a comprehensive platform that integrates Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD) techniques into an Energy Management System (EMS) that follows ISO-50001 guidelines. The CASCADE solution is conceived as an on-line application that combines a number of data intensive services using the internet as a data exchange medium. Among these services are an ontology-driven database, FDD engines, front-end visualization software and energy management tools. The project constantly monitors HVAC data and executes FDD routines that translate to specific actions rendered by the EMS software. The project is currently being implemented in two main EU airports: Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP). The ultimate intent of this research is to explore Whole Building Performance Simulation (WBPS) as a potential service to be integrated within the overall CASCADE solution. From a facility management perspective, models are commonly used as a test-bed to assess energy conservation measures before their implementation, to provide a fault free reference for recommissioning and a baseline for measurement and verification purposes. This theoretical perspective is confronted in this paper with the practical experience and lessons learned from one of the project s demonstrator buildings. We describe the development of a WBPS model of the Terminal 1 of FCO airport. Large open space building types such as airport terminals pose some difficulties to be reflected as building models. Additionally the CASCADE data acquisition platform providesan uncommonly fine grained and highly detailed data set of the HVAC equipment representing a challenge to be used during the calibration process. The issues encountered during the simulation and calibration stages are reported. Furthermore, old buildings such as airport terminals can actually suffer from substantial interventions that make them perform very differently from their design intent, as is the case in this demonstrator. In these circumstances, modelling strategies need to be reformulated to account for modifications and to reflect diverse operative conditions and major changeovers. In this sense, the model is also formulated as a tool to indicate a pathway for recommissioning of inefficient HVAC systems.