bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coastal Geoindicators and anomalous precipitation patterns associated with variations in the SAM and the ENSO
Authors: Schossler Venisse , Simões Jefferson Cardia , Aquino Francisco Eliseu , Fitzpatrick Catherine
Published: November 2017

TThe interaction between ocean, continent and atmosphere submits the beaches to intense sedimentary dynamics. All processes of transport, erosion and sedimentary deposition are under direct influence of the climate and its variability. This papper expound variations in geoindicators by remote sensing in three different sectors of the Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain during periods of precipitation anomalies (PP) associated with the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO), by the MEI index. Data from the satellite TRMM were used between 1998 and 2013, correlated to the two indexes by classification matrices and t student test. Geoindicators were compared between periods of precipitation above and below average. The results show a negative correlation between PP anomalies on the central and south coast and the SAM, and a positive correlation between PP anomalies on the south coast and the MEI. No similar correlations are found between the north coast and either of the two indexes. The majority of events are PP (78%) and can be simultaneously related to a SAM+ and a MEI- or only MEI+. All PP+ events were concomitant with MEI+. The geoindicators presented observable variations by remote sensing between the below and above average rainfall periods. The greater number of PP events in the areas of the geoindicators studied may represent a lower volume of sediments transported from the backshore to the shoreline changing the sedimentary budget. Wind can transport dry sands from dune fields and fill lakes and lagoons of the study area, unbalancing the ecosystem.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DAS OCORRÊNCIAS DE ACIDENTES COM BANHISTAS NAS PRAIAS OCEÂNICAS URBANIZADAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE VILA VELHA, ES (Preliminary assessment of rescues if beach goers at the urbanized oceanic beaches of Vila Velha municipality, Espírito..)
Authors: Jabor Pablo , Cupertino Wallace , Aleixo Juliana , Anjos Sérgio Rodrigues dos , Muehe Dieter , Albino Jacqueline
Published: November 2017

No presente trabalho é apresentada a distribuição da ocorrência de acidentes de banho ao longo de três praias do Município de Vila Velha e sua relação com a morfologia da praia e as facilidades oferecidas aos usuários. A pesquisa foi conduzida a partir de extração de informações de imagens livres fornecidas pelo Google Earth, banco de dados dos Guardas vidas sobre os acidentes e levantamento da morfologia de perfis de praia em campo. Os resultados indicaram que as facilidades aos banhistas, tais como proximidade de pontos de ônibus, pontos de vendas de bebidas e alimentos (quiosques) podem ser responsáveis pela maior concentração de banhistas. Consequentemente, a concentração de banhistas apresentou correlação positiva com o maior numero de acidentes, enquanto os fatores morfológicos da praia parecem desempenhar um papel subordinado no número de acidentes nas praias estudadas. Não obstante, a maior frequência de ocorrência de cúspides praias e correntes de retorno associadas, na metade meridional, mais exposta, da área de estudo, pode estar relacionado a um maior número de ocorrências de afogamento.   A B S T R A C TIn this paper the distribution of bathroom accidents along three beaches of Vila Velha city and its relation to the morphology of the beach and amenities offered to users is presented. The survey was conducted from information extracted from free images provided by Google Earth, lifeguard database of accidents and field survey of beach geomorphology. The results suggest that facilities to bathers, such as proximity to bus stops and kiosks seem to be responsible for the largest concentration of bathers. Consequently, concentration of beach goers showed positive correlation with the number of accidents. Therefore, beach morphology seems to represent a subordinate role in the number of accidents of the studied beaches. Nevertheless the higher frequency of occurrence of beach cups and associated rip currents, in the more exposed southern half of the study area may be related to a greater number of drowning occurrences.Keywords: beach hazard, bathers risk, beach, Vila Velha, Brazil.
Características de um Rio Cárstico na Bacia do São Francisco (Characteristics of a Cárstico River in the São Francisco Basin)
Authors: Izidoro Apezteguia Martinez José Henrique
Published: November 2017

Este trabalho teve como objeto de estudo o Córrego do Barreado localizado na mesorregião do oeste do estado de Minas Gerais, que tem sua bacia contida na região da bacia do Alto São Francisco sobre relevo cárstico. A Bacia do São Francisco abastece 14,2 milhões de habitantes em 6 estados, sendo assim importante o conhecimento de suas características limnológicas. Para se avaliar as águas do Córrego do Barreado foi efetuado um monitoramento hidrológico mensal de um ano, entre outubro de 2014 e setembro de 2015, os parâmetros avaliados foram: precipitação, vazão, temperatura, condutividade, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez, nitrito, nitrato, ortofosfato e amônia. O acumulado de chuva anual entre outubro de 2014 e setembro de 2015 foi 1464,8 mm, as médias de cada parâmetro para todo o Córrego do Barreado foram respectivamente: oxigênio dissolvido (OD) – 2,83 mg/l, pH – 7,25, turbidez – 53,6, nitrito – 0,03 mg/l de NO2, nitrato – 0,14 mg/l de NO3, ortofosfato – 0,05 mg/l de P, amônia – 0,16 mg/l NH3. Conclui se que a combinação da impropriedade da qualidade das águas, ocupação do solo e alta sensibilidade dos aquíferos cársticos amplificam efeitos poluidores no Córrego do Barreado, que alteram suas características com efeito percebido principalmente nos valores de oxigênio dissolvido.Palavras-chave: água, relevo cárstico, monitoramento hidrológico, usos da água.A B S T R A C TThis study object was the Córrego do Barreado located in the mesoregion of the western state of Minas Gerais, which has its basin inserted in the region of the Upper São Francisco basin on karst relief. The São Francisco River Basin supplies 14.2 million inhabitants in 6 states, so it is important to know its limnological characteristics. The following parameters were evaluated: rainfall, flow, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nitrite, precipitation, precipitation, nitrate, orthophosphate and ammonia. The annual rainfall accumulated between October 2014 and September 2015 was 1464.8 mm, the mean of each parameter for the entire Barreado Stream were: OD - 2.83 mg / l, pH - 7.25, turbidity - 53.6, nitrite – 0.03 mg/l de NO2, nitrate - 0.14 mg/l de NO3, orthophosphate - 0.05 mg/l de P, ammonia - 0.16 0,16 mg/l NH3. It is concluded that the combination of water quality improperness, soil occupation and high sensitivity of the karstic aquifers amplify polluting effects in the Barreado Stream, which alter their characteristics with a perceived effect mainly on the values of dissolved oxygen.Keywords: water, carstic relief, hidrologic monitoring, warer uses.
Análise de Métodos de Krigagem na Estimativa da Precipitação no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (Analysis of Kriging Methods in the Estimation of Rainfall on Rio Grande do Norte State)
Authors: Medeiros Felipe Jeferson , Lucio Paulo Sergio , Silva Helder José Farias
Published: November 2017

O conhecimento da distribuição espacial da precipitação é de suma importância para diversos segmentos econômicos, em especial para o agronegócio e o setor elétrico. No entanto, verifica-se que as distribuições dos postos pluviométricos são escassas e distribuídas de forma heterogênea, dificultando a construção de mapas de isolinhas. Para suprir esse problema, estimadores geoestatísticos podem ser utilizados, dentre os quais, destaca-se a krigagem. Desta forma, o trabalho objetivou avaliar a comparação de dois métodos de krigagem (ordinária e universal) para a precipitação pluvial média acumulada anual no estado do Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Foram utilizadas 61 estações pluviométricas referente ao período de 1992 a 2015. O trabalho não se propõe a explicar os algoritmos matemáticos dos métodos, sim sua aplicação prática. A distribuição espacial da precipitação sobre o estado do RN indicou comportamento similar entre os métodos de estimação de krigagem ordinária e universal, com os maiores/menores acumulados anuais na mesorregião Litoral e Central, respectivamente. No entanto, a krigagem universal apresentou menores erros de predição, sendo, portanto a mais indicada para ser utilizada. O mapa produzido pelo o método da krigagem universal indica quais mesorregiões e localidades necessitam de maiores atenções do setor público, além de servir como uma ferramenta gerencial para setores agroclimáticos e de recursos hídricos. A B S T R A C TKnowledge of the spatial distribution of rainfall is a important parameter for many economic activities, such as agribusiness and the electric sector. However, it is verified that the distributions of the rain gauges are scarce and distributed heterogeneously, making it difficult to construct maps of isolines. In order to overcome this problem, geostatistical estimators, know as kriging can be used. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the comparasion of two kriging methods (ordinary and universal) for annual average rainfall on Rio Grande do Norte State (RN). Sixty-one rain gauges were used in the period from 1992 to 2015. The paper does not propose to explain the mathematical algorithms of the methods, but their practical application. The spatial distribution of rainfall on RN state indicated a similar behavior in both ordinary kriging and universal kriging, with the largest/smallest annual accumulations in the Coastal and Central mesoregion, respectively. However, universal kriging showed smaller prediction errors, being the most suitable to be used. The map produced by the universal kriging method indicates which mesoregions and localities need greater attention from the public sector, besides serving as a management tool for agro-climatic and water resources sectors.Keywords: Geostatistic, Kriging, Rainfall.
ANALISIS KONDISI FISIK PEMAIN TIM FUTSAL UPGRIS
Authors: Royana Ibnu Fatkhu
Published: November 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat tingkat kondisi fisik pemain timfutsal Upgris yang meliputi daya tahan, daya ledak otot tungkai, kekuatan otottungkai, kecepatan dan kelincahan. Metode penelitian ini merupakan penelitiandeskriptif. Penelitian dilaksanakan di lapangan lapangan futsal Gor Upgris padatanggal 16-17 Februari 2017. Penelitian mengambil sampel sebanyak 24 orangpemain tim futsal Upgris. Hasil penelitian menggambarkan bahwa rata-rata tingkatdaya tahan (VO2Max) tim Futsal Upgris adalah 39,71 dengan kategori sedang.Rata-rata tingkat kekuatan otot tungkai pemain tim futsal Upgris adalah 85,96 kgdengan kategori baik. Rata-rata tingkat daya ledak otot tungkai pemain tim futsalUpgris adalah 243,89 cm dengan kategori sedang. Rata-rata tingkat kelincahanpemain tim futsal Upgris adalah 16,18 detik dengan kategori baik. Rata-rata tingkatkecepatan pemain tim futsal Upgris adalah 4,75 detik dengan kategori kurang.
DECISIONES DE COMPRA Y CONSUMO DE BEBIDAS LIGHT NO ALCOHÓLICAS EN EL DISTRITO METROPOLITANO DE QUITO
Authors: Pila Tituaña Alcívar , Freire Muñoz Irina
Published: November 2017

Actualmente existe una problemática evidenciada en el aumento de la mortalidad a causa de enfermedades no transmisibles provocadas por el sobrepeso y la obesidad, por lo que la idea del consumidor de llevar una vida más saludable con alimentación baja en calorías, grasa y azúcares, ha llevado a una respuesta masiva de la industria alimenticia que ofrece productos especialmente diseñados para responder esas expectativas y necesidades concretas de salud y bienestar. El presente estudio se orienta a esclarecer cómo las decisiones de compra y consumo de bebidas light no alcohólicas están relacionadas con el estilo de vida light y la cultura del sentirse y verse bien y cómo se manifiestan estas decisiones en  los consumidores del D.M de Quito. Entre los resultados del estudio se pudo evidenciar que las principales motivaciones que inciden en la decisión de compra y consumo de bebidas light no alcohólicas es la salud y el bienestar físico y estético, aunque desconociendo sobre los verdaderos beneficios o perjuicios de estos productos. La investigación utiliza la técnica de la encuesta y corresponde a un enfoque cuantitativo con un diseño no experimental, temporalidad transeccional y alcance descriptivo y correlacional.
PERFILES DE CARGOS EN SEGURIDAD Y SALUD OCUPACIONAL EN EMPRESAS CONSTRUCTORAS Y METALMECÁNICAS DE QUITO - ECUADOR
Authors: López Paredes Héctor
Published: November 2017

El presente artículo tiene como principal objetivo analizar el entorno de trabajo de personal obrero en empresas constructoras y metalmecánicas de la ciudad de Quito – Ecuador, con el fin de entender los riesgos laborales a los que se encuentran expuestos; y, mediante el diseño de perfiles de cargo prevenir accidentes y enfermedades ocupacionales desde su vinculación al trabajo hasta su retiro, definiendo los requisitos mínimos intelectuales, físicos, de responsabilidad y demás elementos que se presentan en la realización de las actividades propias de la naturaleza de sus cargos. Este estudio presenta las metodologías empleadas en la gestión del talento humano en relación a la descripción y análisis de cargos e incorpora la identificación y evaluación de los riesgos que estas actividades y tareas implican en cada puesto de trabajo de acuerdo a la metodología NTP 330 del INSHT (Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene de Trabajo de España) y los factores de riesgo definidos por el Ministerio del Trabajo de Ecuador.

 

Como resultado de la presente investigación se obtuvieron perfiles de cargos en base a los riesgos propios de cada puesto de trabajo de las dos empresas objeto de estudio.
Daphne du Maurier'sMary Anne: Rewriting the Regency Romance as Feminist History
Authors: Turner Katherine
Published: November 2017

This article rereads Daphne du Maurier's Regency novel Mary Anne (1954) as feminist history, using recent theoretical work on women's historical fiction as well as archival research into the du Maurier papers at Exeter University. The novel is based on the life and writings of du Maurier's own great-great-grandmother, a courtesan whose affair with the Duke of York in the early 1800s had seriously destabilized the British government. Mary Anne reworks the popular genre of Regency romance into an ironic and often witty critique of royalist and patriarchal assumptions – a bold manoeuvre in 1950s Britain. Simultaneously, it rewrites its author's family history as a matrilineal literary romance, enabling du Maurier to reposition herself in relation to her formidably creative father and grandfather. Generally overshadowed by du Maurier's Gothic thrillers, Mary Anne (over fifty years after its initial publication) deserves recognition as one of her most adventurous and feminist works.
Ear Foreign Body: A Study of 148 Cases
Authors: Mazumder Jahangir Alam , Sarker Rafiqul Islam , Delwar AHM , Kamrunnahar -
Published: November 2017

Ear foreign body is a common ENT emergency and a challenge also to otolaryngologist worldwide. Prompt and appropriate management of it can reduce the morbidity. An observational retrospective study of 148 cases of foreign body in the ear done in Comilla Medical College Hospital and two upazilla health complexes (Nangalkot and Chowddagram) of Bangladesh within the period of January 2014 to December 2014 to evaluate the nature, mode of presentation, technique of removal and outcome of it. Data were collected from hospital records including age, sex of patient and mode and time of presentation, nature of foreign body, management outcome and complication, and the result showed that children o funder 15 year age group were mostly affected (60%), among them highest incidence were in 5-10 year age group (25%) with male to female ratio 1:1.28. The most common foreign body was the seeds of various vegetables (25.67%) followed by plastic beads (18.24%) and cotton bud (15.54%), the right ear affected more (54%). Almost half of them (47.97%) presented with history of insertion of a foreign body and most of them (91.98%) were removed in OPD or emergency department under direct vision and remaining required general anesthesia. Despite a high proportion of cases managed in the office setting, complication rates were within acceptable level. It is inversely proportional to the skill of the personnel, number of attempts &availability of equipment. Key to successful outcome are prompt help by well-trained doctor and otolaryngological equipment set up.Medicine Today 2017 Vol.29(2): 5-8
Comparison between Outcome of Wedge Excision of Perforation Site and Trimming of Perforation Margin Followed by Primary Repair in the Management of Ileal Perforation
Authors: Ullah Md Aziz , Rahman Soma
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study is to compare between the outcome of wedge excision of perforation site and trimming of perforation margin followed by primary repair in the management of ileal perforation in selected patients. This is an observational study with data from department of Surgery, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital during February, 2007 to July, 2010. The study included 108 patients of ileal perforation of 15-67 years of age. All patients were treated by primary repair after either wedge excision of perforation site (Group I) or trimming of perforation margin (Group II). Perforation due to typhoid is common in both groups. Abdominal pain, fever, abdominal distention, constipation and vomiting were more frequent in both groups of patients. Signs of peritonitis were observed almost all the patients. Pneumoperitoneum was found 77.8% in group I and 66.7% in group II in X-ray. In ultrasonography ascitis and distended bowel loop was found 44.4% in group I and 66.7% in group II. Typhoid, tuberculosis, nonspecific ulcer and chronic nonspecific ulcer were found in histopathology. Post-operative complications were more in group II. Anastomotic leakage was found 18.5% in group I and 38.9% in group II. Prolonged ileus was observed 16.7% in group I and 33.3% in group II. Anastomotic leakage and Prolonged ileus difference were statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group II, where the mean(±SD) duration of hospital stay was 14.2±7.2 days in group I and 18.1±8.9 days in group II. Mortality was observed 9.3% only in group II. So Wedge excision followed by primary repair is better in terms of post operative mortality and morbidity in the management of ileal perforation in selected patients.Medicine Today 2017 Vol.29(2): 17-20
Multi-Party Optimal Operation for Distribution Networks Containing DC-Linked Microgrids: Integrated Network Reconfigurations and Energy Sharing
Authors: Liu Nian , Guo Bin
Published: November 2017

With the development of Microgrids (MG) in distribution networks, how to coordinate the reconfiguration of distribution networks with the energy sharing of Direct Current (DC)-linked multi-MG is an unsolved problem. In this paper, a multi-party optimization framework is proposed, the involving parties include the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), the Multi-MG Coalition Operator (MCO), and the MG operator. For the DC-linked MGs, the MCO is obligated to coordinate the energy sharing, a stochastic optimal scheduling model for the MG coalition is formulated, considering the uncertainties of Photovoltaic (PV), Wind Turbines (WT), and load power. Moreover, a billing mechanism is designed to distribute the cost of each MG participated in the energy sharing. For the distribution network, an event triggered dynamic reconfiguration model is proposed. Based on the scheduling results of MCO, the decisions of switch operations are finally co-decided by the expected exchanging power of the MGs and the real-time errors caused by uncertainty factors. Finally, a modified IEEE-33 nodes distribution system are used to test and verify the effectiveness of the method.
Spectrum of Sn5+ in the Region 500–1300 Å
Authors: Ryabtsev Alexander , Kildiyarova Rimma , Kononov Edward
Published: November 2017

The spectrum of tin, excited in a vacuum spark, was recorded in the region 500–1131 Å on a 6.65-m normal incidence spectrograph. The transitions between 4d85s, 4d86s, 4d85p and 4d85d excited configurations in Sn VI were studied. More than 500 lines of the 4d85p–4d85d and 4d85p–4d86s were identified with the aid of the Cowan code calculations. 67 energy levels (out of 70 possible levels of the 4d85d configuration) and all but two 4d86s levels were found. The wavelength of the 4d85s–4d85p transitions in the region 839–1131 Å were re-measured and supplemented by Sn VI lines in the region 1131–1300 Å measured previously by Srivastava et al. (1977) for optimisation of the energy level values. The SnVI line list in the region 500–1300 Å contains now 741 lines with calculated transition probabilities.
On the Structure of Chiral Dirhodium(II) Carboxylate Catalysts: Stereoselectivity Relevance and Insights
Authors: Adly Frady
Published: November 2017

Modern experiments have offered alternative interpretations on the symmetry of chiral dirhodium(II) carboxylate complexes and its relationship to their level of enantioselectivity. So, this contribution is to provide an insight on how the knowledge around the structure of these catalysts has evolved with a particular emphasis on the impact of this knowledge on enantioselectivity prediction and catalyst design.
Colored Gingiva Composite Used for the Rehabilitation of Gingiva Recessions and Non-Carious Cervical Lesions
Authors: Paryag Amit , Lowe Jenai , Rafeek Reisha
Published: November 2017

In this case of extensive gingival recession (Miller’s Class II) and mild physiologic pigmentation, an alternative method for the placement of Amaris Gingiva-Colored Composite was used to produce a non-invasive, aesthetic result acceptable to the patient. In restoring the defects in the entire maxilla of this patient, the opaquers were not mixed, but applied individually, directly to various areas of the teeth. Multiple opaquers were placed in a pattern mimicking the coloring of the patient’s gingiva. These were then covered with the base shade for a more aesthetic result to the patient’s satisfaction. The restorations resulting from the alternative method were highly aesthetic and at an eleven (11) month review showed no signs of failure giving rise to the conclusion that this method proposed for application of Amaris Gingiva-Colored Composite is viable for producing highly-aesthetic restorations in cases of gingival recession.
Inquiry Calculus and the Issue of Negative Higher Order Informations
Authors: Van Erp H. , Linger Ronald , Van Gelder Pieter
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we will give the derivation of an inquiry calculus, or, equivalently, a Bayesian information theory. From simple ordering follow lattices, or, equivalently, algebras. Lattices admit a quantification, or, equivalently, algebras may be extended to calculi. The general rules of quantification are the sum and chain rules. Probability theory follows from a quantification on the specific lattice of statements that has an upper context. Inquiry calculus follows from a quantification on the specific lattice of questions that has a lower context. There will be given here a relevance measure and a product rule for relevances, which, taken together with the sum rule of relevances, will allow us to perform inquiry analyses in an algorithmic manner.
Effects of Cost Factors on National Manufacturing Based on Global Perspectives
Authors: Liu Fangtao , Ding Yong , Gao Jia , Gong Pu
Published: November 2017

Currently, the real economy is the important basis for the development of a country, especially after the global financial crisis in 2008. Given that the manufacturing industry is the main part of the national real economy, many developed and developing countries have paid considerable attention to its significance. This study focused on cost factors given that they influence national manufacturing development. Initially, this study proposed two elements, namely, manufacturing development scale and manufacturing development level, to evaluate national manufacturing development from two aspects: quantity and quality. Subsequently, we extracted a series of cost factors on the bass of the theoretical framework and literature, including labor costs, financing costs, tax and rental costs, energy and raw materials, foreign trade exports and business environments. On the basis of the data of 13 main manufacturing countries around the world from 2000 to 2015, we tested the influence degree of each cost element index on the scale and level of national manufacturing industry development through a two-way fixed effects model and incorporated it with the development of China’s manufacturing industry as a case study. Finally, we deduced the future development trend of the manufacturing industry by specifically analyzing the cost factors affecting the development of this industry and provided policy suggestions. The main innovation and contribution of this study including: to comprehensively evaluate the national manufacturing development from two aspects, namely, “quantity” and “quality”; to identify the impact of national cost of the six elements; to demonstrate and determine the extent of its impact on the development trend of manufacturing sector and carry out pre-judgment through empirical research on each indicator; to provide policy recommendations targeted for each of the indicators.
Factors Influencing the Thermal Efficiency of Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers
Authors: Di Sipio Eloisa , Bertermann David
Published: November 2017

The performance of very shallow geothermal systems (VSGs), interesting the first 2 m of depth from ground level, is strongly correlated to the kind of sediment locally available. These systems are attractive due to their low installation costs, less legal constraints, easy maintenance and possibility for technical improvements. The Improving Thermal Efficiency of horizontal ground heat exchangers Project (ITER) aims to understand how to enhance the heat transfer of the sediments surrounding the pipes and to depict the VSGs behavior in extreme thermal situations. In this regard, five helices were installed horizontally surrounded by five different backfilling materials under the same climatic conditions and tested under different operation modes. The field test monitoring concerned: (a) monthly measurement of thermal conductivity and moisture content on surface; (b) continuous recording of air and ground temperature (inside and outside each helix); (c) continuous climatological and ground volumetric water content (VWC) data acquisition. The interactions between soils, VSGs, environment and climate are presented here, focusing on the differences and similarities between the behavior of the helix and surrounding material, especially when the heat pump is running in heating mode for a very long time, forcing the ground temperature to drop below 0 °C.
A Naive Bayesian Wind Power Interval Prediction Approach Based on Rough Set Attribute Reduction and Weight Optimization
Authors: Yang Xiyun , Fu Guo , Zhang Yanfeng , Kang Ning , Gao Feng
Published: November 2017

Intermittency and uncertainty pose great challenges to the large-scale integration of wind power, so research on the probabilistic interval forecasting of wind power is becoming more and more important for power system planning and operation. In this paper, a Naive Bayesian wind power prediction interval model, combining rough set (RS) theory and particle swarm optimization (PSO), is proposed to further improve wind power prediction performance. First, in the designed prediction interval model, the input variables are identified based on attribute significance using rough set theory. Next, the Naive Bayesian Classifier (NBC) is established to obtain the prediction power class. Finally, the upper and lower output weights of NBC are optimized segmentally by PSO, and are used to calculate the upper and lower bounds of the optimal prediction intervals. The superiority of the proposed approach is demonstrated by comparison with a Naive Bayesian model with fixed output weight, and a rough set-Naive Bayesian model with fixed output weight. It is shown that the proposed rough set-Naive Bayesian-particle swarm optimization method has higher coverage of the probabilistic prediction intervals and a narrower average bandwidth under different confidence levels.
Machine Learning-Based Short-Term Prediction of Air-Conditioning Load through Smart Meter Analytics
Authors: Manivannan Manoj , Najafi Behzad , Rinaldi Fabio
Published: November 2017

The present paper is focused on short-term prediction of air-conditioning (AC) load of residential buildings using the data obtained from a conventional smart meter. The AC load, at each time step, is separated from smart meter’s aggregate consumption through energy disaggregation methodology. The obtained air-conditioning load and the corresponding historical weather data are then employed as input features for the prediction procedure. In the prediction step, different machine learning algorithms, including Artificial Neural Networks, Support Vector Machines, and Random Forests, are used in order to conduct hour-ahead and day-ahead predictions. The predictions obtained using Random Forests have been demonstrated to be the most accurate ones leading to hour-ahead and day-ahead prediction with R2 scores of 87.3% and 83.2%, respectively. The main advantage of the present methodology is separating the AC consumption from the consumptions of other residential appliances, which can then be predicted employing short-term weather forecasts. The other devices’ consumptions are largely dependent upon the occupant’s behaviour and are thus more difficult to predict. Therefore, the harsh alterations in the consumption of AC equipment, due to variations in the weather conditions, can be predicted with a higher accuracy; which in turn enhances the overall load prediction accuracy.
An Optimal Power and Energy Management by Hybrid Energy Storage Systems in Microgrids
Authors: Serpi Alessandro , Porru Mario , Damiano Alfonso
Published: November 2017

A novel optimal power and energy management (OPEM) for centralized hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) in microgrids is presented in this paper. The proposed OPEM aims at providing multiple grid services by suitably exploiting the different power/energy features of electrochemical batteries (B) and supercapacitors (S). The first part of the paper focuses on the design and analysis of the proposed OPEM, by highlighting the advantages of employing hand-designed solutions based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle rather than resorting to pre-defined optimization tools. Particularly, the B power profile is synthesized optimally over a given time horizon in order to provide both peak shaving and reduced grid energy buffering, while S is employed in order to compensate for short-term forecasting errors and to prevent B from handling sudden and high-frequency power fluctuations. Both the B and S power profiles are computed in real-time in order to benefit from more accurate forecasting, as well as to support each other. Then, the effectiveness of the proposed OPEM is tested through numerical simulations, which have been carried out based on real data from the German island of Borkum. Particularly, an extensive and detailed performance analysis is performed by comparing OPEM with a frequency-based management strategy (FBM) in order to highlight the superior performance achievable by the proposed OPEM in terms of both power and energy management and HESS exploitation.
Ground-Fault Characteristic Analysis of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Stations with Neutral Grounding Resistance
Authors: Li Zheng , Lu Jiping , Zhu Ya , Jiang Wang
Published: November 2017

A centralized grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) station is a widely adopted method of neutral grounding using resistance, which can potentially make pre-existing protection systems invalid and threaten the safety of power grids. Therefore, studying the fault characteristics of grid-connected PV systems and their impact on power-grid protection is of great importance. Based on an analysis of the grid structure of a grid-connected PV system and of the low-voltage ride-through control characteristics of a photovoltaic power supply, this paper proposes a short-circuit calculation model and a fault-calculation method for this kind of system. With respect to the change of system parameters, particularly the resistance connected to the neutral point, and the possible impact on protective actions, this paper achieves the general rule of short-circuit current characteristics through a simulation, which provides a reference for devising protection configurations.
Optimum Thermal Processing for Extended Shelf-Life (ESL) Milk
Authors: Deeth Hilton
Published: November 2017

Extended shelf-life (ESL) or ultra-pasteurized milk is produced by thermal processing using conditions between those used for traditional high-temperature, short-time (HTST) pasteurization and those used for ultra-high-temperature (UHT) sterilization. It should have a refrigerated shelf-life of more than 30 days. To achieve this, the thermal processing has to be quite intense. The challenge is to produce a product that has high bacteriological quality and safety but also very good organoleptic characteristics. Hence the two major aims in producing ESL milk are to inactivate all vegetative bacteria and spores of psychrotrophic bacteria, and to cause minimal chemical change that can result in cooked flavor development. The first aim is focused on inactivation of spores of psychrotrophic bacteria, especially Bacillus cereus because some strains of this organism are pathogenic, some can grow at ≤7 °C and cause spoilage of milk, and the spores of some strains are very heat-resistant. The second aim is minimizing denaturation of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) as the extent of denaturation is strongly correlated with the production of volatile sulfur compounds that cause cooked flavor. It is proposed that the heating should have a bactericidal effect, B* (inactivation of thermophilic spores), of >0.3 and cause ≤50% denaturation of β-Lg. This can be best achieved by heating at high temperature for a short holding time using direct heating, and aseptically packaging the product.
Circular Polarization in Turbulent Blazar Jets
Authors: MacDonald Nicholas
Published: November 2017

Circular polarization (CP) provides an invaluable probe into the underlying plasma content of relativistic jets. CP can be generated within the jet through a physical process known as linear birefringence. This is a physical mechanism through which initially linearly polarized emission produced in one region of the jet is attenuated by Faraday rotation as it passes through other regions of the jet with distinct magnetic field orientations. Marscher developed the turbulent extreme multi-zone (TEMZ) model of blazar emission which mimics these types of magnetic geometries with collections of thousands of plasma cells passing through a standing conical shock. I have recently developed a radiative transfer algorithm to generate synthetic images of the time-dependent circularly polarized intensity emanating from the TEMZ model at different radio frequencies. In this study, we produce synthetic multi-epoch observations that highlight the temporal variability in the circular polarization produced by the TEMZ model. We also explore the effect that different plasma compositions within the jet have on the resultant levels of CP.
Indoor Temperatures in Low Cost Housing in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Naicker Nisha , Teare June , Balakrishna Yusentha , Wright Caradee , Mathee Angela
Published: November 2017

Ambient and indoor temperature affects thermal comfort and human health. In a changing climate with a predicted change in temperature extremes, understanding indoor temperatures, both hot and cold, of different housing types is important. This study aimed to assess the hourly, daily and monthly variation in indoor temperatures in different housing types, namely formal houses, informal houses, flats, government-built low-cost houses and old, apartheid era low-cost housing, in five impoverished urban communities in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the cross-sectional survey of the Health, Environment and Development study data loggers were installed in 100 homes (20 per suburb) from February to May 2014. Indoor temperature and relative humidity were recorded on an hourly basis. Ambient outdoor temperatures were obtained from the nearest weather station. Indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity levels were compared; and an inter-comparison between the different housing types were also made. Apparent temperature was calculated to assess indoor thermal comfort. Data from 59 retrieved loggers showed a significant difference in monthly mean indoor temperature between the five different housing types (p < 0.0001). Low cost government-built houses and informal settlement houses had the greatest variation in temperature and experienced temperatures between 4 and 5 °C warmer than outdoor temperatures. Housing types occupied by poor communities experienced indoor temperature fluctuations often greater than that observed for ambient temperatures. Families living in government-built low-cost and informally-constructed homes are the most at risk for indoor temperature extremes. These types of housing should be prioritised for interventions aimed at assisting families to cope with extreme temperatures, gaining optimal thermal comfort and preventing temperature-related health effects.
Is All Urban Green Space the Same? A Comparison of the Health Benefits of Trees and Grass in New York City
Authors: Reid Colleen , Clougherty Jane , Shmool Jessie , Kubzansky Laura
Published: November 2017

Living near vegetation, often called “green space” or “greenness”, has been associated with numerous health benefits. We hypothesized that the two key components of urban vegetation, trees and grass, may differentially affect health. We estimated the association between near-residence trees, grass, and total vegetation (from the 2010 High Resolution Land Cover dataset for New York City (NYC)) with self-reported health from a survey of NYC adults (n = 1281). We found higher reporting of “very good” or “excellent” health for respondents with the highest, compared to the lowest, quartiles of tree (RR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.06–1.44) but not grass density (relative risk (RR) = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.86–1.17) within 1000 m buffers, adjusting for pertinent confounders. Significant positive associations between trees and self-reported health remained after adjustment for grass, whereas associations with grass remained non-significant. Adjustment for air pollutants increased beneficial associations between trees and self-reported health; adjustment for parks only partially attenuated these effects. Results were null or negative using a 300 m buffer. Findings imply that higher exposure to vegetation, particularly trees outside of parks, may be associated with better health. If replicated, this may suggest that urban street tree planting may improve population health.
OMI and Ground-Based In-Situ Tropospheric Nitrogen Dioxide Observations over Several Important European Cities during 2005–2014
Authors: Paraschiv Spiru , Constantin Daniel-Eduard , Paraschiv Simona-Lizica , Voiculescu Mirela
Published: November 2017

In this work we present the evolution of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) content over several important European cities during 2005–2014 using space observations and ground-based in-situ measurements. The NO2 content was derived using the daily observations provided by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), while the NO2 volume mixing ratio measurements were obtained from the European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality monitoring stations database. The European cities selected are: Athens (37.98° N, 23.72° E), Berlin (52.51° N, 13.41° E), Bucharest (44.43° N, 26.10° E), Madrid (40.38° N, 3.71° W), Lisbon (38.71° N, 9.13° W), Paris (48.85° N, 2.35° E), Rome (41.9° N, 12.50° E), and Rotterdam (51.91° N, 4.46° E). We show that OMI NO2 tropospheric column data can be used to assess the evolution of NO2 over important European cities. According to the statistical analysis, using the seasonal variation, we found good correlations (R > 0.50) between OMI and ground-based in-situ observations for all of the cities presented in this work. Highest correlation coefficients (R > 0.80) between ground-based monitoring stations and OMI observations were calculated for the cities of Berlin, Madrid, and Rome. Both types of observations, in-situ and remote sensing, show an NO2 negative trend for all of locations presented in this study.
CDX2 Stimulates the Proliferation of Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells by Activating the mTORC1 and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways
Authors: Fan Hong-Bo , Zhai Zhen-Ya , Li Xiang-Guang , Gao Chun-Qi , Yan Hui-Chao , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Wang Xiu-Qi
Published: November 2017

Caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2) is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells and plays a role in gut development and homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation. However, whether CDX2 cooperates with the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways to stimulate cell proliferation remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of CDX2 on the proliferation of porcine jejunum epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) and the correlation between CDX2, the mTORC1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. CDX2 overexpression and knockdown cell culture models were established to explore the regulation of CDX2 on both pathways. Pathway-specific antagonists were used to verify the effects. The results showed that CDX2 overexpression increased IPEC-J2 cell proliferation and activated both the mTORC1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and that CDX2 knockdown decreased cell proliferation and inhibited both pathways. Furthermore, the mTORC1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-specific antagonist rapamycin and XAV939 (3,5,7,8-tetrahydro-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)]-4H –thiopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one) both suppressed the proliferation of IPEC-J2 cells overexpressing CDX2, and that the combination of rapamycin and XAV939 had an additive effect. Regardless of whether the cells were treated with rapamycin or XAV939 alone or in combination, both mTORC1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were down-regulated, accompanied by a decrease in CDX2 expression. Taken together, our data indicate that CDX2 stimulates porcine intestinal epithelial cell proliferation by activating the mTORC1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.
The Invasive Region of Glioblastoma Defined by 5ALA Guided Surgery Has an Altered Cancer Stem Cell Marker Profile Compared to Central Tumour
Authors: Smith Stuart , Diksin Mohammed , Chhaya Saachi , Sairam Shwetha , Estevez-Cebrero Maria , Rahman Ruman
Published: November 2017

Glioblastoma, a WHO grade IV astrocytoma, is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous tumour that infiltrates deeply into surrounding brain parenchyma, making complete surgical resection impossible. Despite chemo-radiotherapy, the residual cell population within brain parenchyma post-surgery causes inevitable recurrence. Previously, the tumour core has been the focus of research and the basis for targeted therapeutic regimes, which have failed to improve survival in clinical trials. Here, we focus on the invasive margin as defined by the region with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5ALA) (GliolanTM) fluorescence at surgery beyond the T1 enhancing region on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This area is hypothesized to constitute unique microenvironmental pressures, and consequently be molecularly distinct to tumour core and enhancing rim regions. We conducted hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), array real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry staining on various intra-tumour regions of glioblastoma to determine molecular heterogeneity between regions. We analyzed 73 tumour samples from 21 patients and compared cellular density, cell proliferation, and the degree of vascularity. There is a statistically significant difference between the core, invasive margin and other regions for cell density (p < 0.001), cell proliferation (p = 0.029), and vascularity (p = 0.007). Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and Nestin immunohistochemistry were used as a measure of stem-like properties, showing significantly decreased Nestin expression (p < 0.0001) in the invasive margin. Array PCR of the core, rim, and invasive regions showed significantly increased fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and ALDH1 expression in the invasive zone, with elevated hypoxia inducing factor 1-alpha (HIF1α) in the rim region, adjacent to the hypoxic core. The influence of varying microenvironments in the intra-tumour regions is a major key to understanding intra-tumour heterogeneity. This study confirms the distinct molecular composition of the heterogeneous invasive margin and cautions against purported therapy strategies that target candidate glioblastoma stem-like genes that are predominantly expressed in the tumour core. Full characterization of tumour cells in the invasive margin is critical, as these cells may more closely resemble the residual cell population responsible for tumour recurrence. Their unique nature should be considered when developing targeted agents for residual glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Infectious Agents in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases through Oxidative Stress
Authors: Di Pietro Marisa , Filardo Simone , Falasca Francesca , Turriziani Ombretta , Sessa Rosa
Published: November 2017

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that vascular oxidative stress is a critical feature of atherosclerotic process, potentially triggered by several infectious agents that are considered as risk co-factors for the atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). C. pneumoniae has been shown to upregulate multiple enzymatic systems capable of producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as NADPH oxidase (NOX) and cyclooxygenase in vascular endothelial cells, NOX and cytochrome c oxidase in macrophages as well as nitric oxide synthase and lipoxygenase in platelets contributing to both early and late stages of atherosclerosis. P. gingivalis seems to be markedly involved in the atherosclerotic process as compared to A. actinomycetemcomitans contributing to LDL oxidation and foam cell formation. Particularly interesting is the evidence describing the NLRP3 inflammasome activation as a new molecular mechanism underlying P. gingivalis-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Amongst viral agents, immunodeficiency virus-1 and hepatitis C virus seem to have a major role in promoting ROS production, contributing, hence, to the early stages of atherosclerosis including endothelial dysfunction and LDL oxidation. In conclusion, oxidative mechanisms activated by several infectious agents during the atherosclerotic process underlying CVDs are very complex and not well-known, remaining, thus, an attractive target for future research.