Optimal location and sizing of PV sources in DC networks for minimizing greenhouse emissions in diesel generators

This paper addresses the problem of the optimal location and sizing of photovoltaic (PV) sources in direct current (DC) electrical networks considering time-varying load and renewable generation curves. To represent this problem, a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is developed. The main idea of including PV sources in the DC grid is minimizing the total greenhouse emissions produced by diesel generators in isolated areas. An artificial neural network is employed for short-term forecasting to deal with uncertainties in the PV power generation. The general algebraic modeling system (GAMS) package is employed to solve the MINLP model by using the CONOPT solver that works with mixed and integer variables. Numerical results demonstrate important reductions of harmful gas emissions to the atmosphere when PV sources are optimally integrated (size and location) to the DC grid

Economic dispatch of renewable generators and BESS in DC microgrids using second-order cone optimization

A convex mathematical model based on second-order cone programming (SOCP) for the optimal operation in direct current microgrids (DCMGs) with high-level penetration of renewable energies and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) is developed in this paper. The SOCP formulation allows converting the non-convex model of economic dispatch into a convex approach that guarantees the global optimum and has an easy implementation in specialized software, i.e., CVX. This conversion is accomplished by performing a mathematical relaxation to ensure the global optimum in DCMG. The SOCP model includes changeable energy purchase prices in the DCMG operation, which makes it in a suitable formulation to be implemented in real-time operation. An energy short-term forecasting model based on a receding horizon control (RHC) plus an artificial neural network (ANN) is used to forecast primary sources of renewable energy for periods of 0.5h. The proposed mathematical approach is compared to the non-convex model and semidefinite programming (SDP) in three simulation scenarios to validate its accuracy and efficienc

Distinctive gastrointestinal motor dysfunction in patients with MNGIE

Intestinal manometry; Intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Small bowel motilityManometria intestinal; Pseudo-obstrucció intestinal; Motilitat de l'intestí primManometría intestinal; Pseudo-obstrucción intestinal; Motilidad del intestino delgadoBackground Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a rare mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in TYMP, encoding thymidine phosphorylase. Clinically it is characterized by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility associated with cachexia and a demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Even though digestive manifestations are progressive and invariably lead to death, the features of gastrointestinal motor dysfunction have not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this study was to describe gastrointestinal motor dysfunction in MNGIE using state-of-the art techniques and to evaluate the relationship between motor abnormalities and symptoms. Methods Prospective study evaluating gastrointestinal motor function and digestive symptoms in all patients with MNGIE attended at a national referral center in Spain between January 2018 and July 2022. Key Results In this period, five patients diagnosed of MNGIE (age range 16–46 years, four men) were evaluated. Esophageal motility by high-resolution manometry was abnormal in four patients (two hypoperistalsis, two aperistalsis). Gastric emptying by scintigraphy was mildly delayed in four and indicative of gastroparesis in one. In all patients, small bowel high-resolution manometry exhibited a common, distinctive dysmotility pattern, characterized by repetitive bursts of spasmodic contractions, without traces of normal fasting and postprandial motility patterns. Interestingly, objective motor dysfunctions were detected in the absence of severe digestive symptoms. Conclusions and Inferences MNGIE patients exhibit a characteristic motor dysfunction, particularly of the small bowel, even in patients with mild digestive symptoms and in the absence of morphological signs of intestinal failure. Since symptoms are not predictive of objective findings, early investigation is indicated.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-financed by the European Union (FEDER/FSE) [PI17/01794]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, PID2021-122295OB-I00); Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. LA was supported by scholarship from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM20/00182)

Evaluation of abdominal gas by plain abdominal radiographs

Our aim was to determine the reliability of plain abdominal radiographs for the evaluation of abdominal gas content in patients with functional digestive symptoms. Abdominal CT scan scout views, mimicking a conventional plain abdominal radiograph, were obtained from 30 patients both during episodes of abdominal distension and basal conditions. Physicians (n = 50) were instructed to rate the estimated volume of gas in the 60 images presented in random sequence using a scale graded from 0 to ≥600 ml. The gas volumes estimated in the scout views differed from those measured by CT by a median of 90 (95% CI 70-102) ml, and the misestimation was not related to the absolute volume in the image. The accuracy of the observers, measured by their mean misestimation, was not related to their specialty or the training status (misestimation by 96 (95% CI 85-104) ml in staff vs 78 (70-106) ml in residents; p = 0.297). The accuracy was independent of the order of presentation of the images. Gas volume measured by CT in the images obtained during episodes of abdominal distension differed by a median of 39 (95% CI 29-66) ml from those during basal conditions, and this difference was misestimated by a median of 107 (95% CI 94-119) ml. The accuracy of these estimations was not related to the absolute gas volumes (R = −0.352; p < 0.001) or the magnitude of the differences. Plain abdominal radiographs have limited value for the evaluation of abdominal gas volume in patients with functional gut disorders. Example of three-dimensional reconstruction of abdominal CT scan showing intestinal gas. Plain AP projection (scout view) of the same scan. Relation between objective values of intestinal gas, measured by a validated CT technique in patients with functional gut disorders, and the subjective estimation of gas volumes on plain AP projection of the same CT scans (scout views) by 48 physicians. Individual estimations of 60 images are shown. CONCLUSION: The volumes of abdominal gas were grossly misestimated in the scout views, indicating that plain abdominal radiographs have no value for the evaluation of intestinal gas volume in patients with functional gut disorders

Clinical significance of small bowel manometry patterns suggestive of intestinal obstruction

Minute rhythm and prolonged simultaneous contractions are patterns of postprandial small bowel contractile activity that historically have been considered as suggestive of mechanical intestinal obstruction; however, these patterns have been also encountered in patients with motility-like symptoms in the absence of bowel obstruction. The objective of this study was to determine the current diagnostic outcome of patients with these intestinal manometry patterns. Retrospective study of patients with chronic digestive symptoms evaluated by intestinal manometry at our center between 2010 and 2018. The minute rhythm (MRP) or prolonged simultaneous contractions (PSC) postprandial patterns were detected in 61 of 488 patients (55 MRP and 6 PSC). Clinical work-up detected a previously non-diagnosed partial mechanical obstruction of the distal intestine in 10 (16%) and a systemic disorder causing intestinal neuropathy in 32 (53%). In the remaining 19 patients (31%, all with MRP), the origin of the contractile pattern was undetermined, but in 16, substantial fecal retention was detected within 7 days of the manometric procedure by abdominal imaging, and in 6 of them colonic cleansing completely normalized intestinal motility on a second manometry performed within 39 ± 30 days. Currently, the most frequent origin of MRP and PSC encountered on small bowel manometry is intestinal neuropathy, while a previously undetected mechanical obstruction is rare. Still, in a substantial proportion of patients, no underlying disease can be identified, and in them, colonic fecal retention might play a role, because in a subgroup of these patients, manometry normalized after colonic cleansing. Hence, colonic preparation may be considered prior to intestinal manometry. Minute rhythm (or clustered contractions) in postprandial small bowel manometry can be produced by intestinal neuropathy or mechanical occlusion, but in some patients, the minute rhythm pattern is associated with colonic fecal retention, and resolves after colonic cleansing. Hence, colonic preparation may be considered prior to intestinal manometry

Evaluation of the mechanism of action of paracetamol, drotaverine, and peppermint oil and their effects in combination with hyoscine butylbromide on colonic motility: Human ex-vivo study

Introduction: Drotaverine, paracetamol, and peppermint oil are often prescribed for the treatment of gastrointestinal spasm and pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these drugs alone and combined with the well-known antispasmodic hyoscine butylbromide on the human colon.Methods: Colon samples were obtained from macroscopically normal regions of 68 patients undergoing surgery and studied in muscle bath. Drotaverine, paracetamol, and peppermint oil were tested alone and in combination with hyoscine butylbromide on (1) spontaneous contractility induced by isometric stretch (in the presence of 1 µM tetrodotoxin) and (2) contractility induced by 10–5 M carbachol and after (3) electrical field stimulation-induced selective stimulation of excitatory (in the presence of 1 mM Nω-nitro-L-arginine and 10 µM MRS2179) and (4) inhibitory (under non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic conditions) pathways. (5) Drotaverine alone was also tested on cAMP-dependent pathway activated by forskolin.Results: Compared with the vehicle, drotaverine and paracetamol (10−9–10−5 M) did not modify spontaneous contractions, carbachol-induced contractions, and responses attributed to selective activation of excitatory pathways. The addition of hyoscine butylbromide (10−7–10−5 M), concentration-dependently reduced myogenic contractions and carbachol- and electrical field stimulation-induced contractile responses. The association of paracetamol (10−4 M) and hyoscine butylbromide (10−7–10−5 M) was not different from hyoscine butylbromide alone (10−7–10−5 M). At higher concentrations (10−3M–3*10−3 M), paracetamol decreased myogenic and carbachol-induced contractions. The adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, concentration-dependently reduced contractility, leading to smooth muscle relaxation. The effect of forskolin 10–7 M was concentration-dependently enhanced by drotaverine (10−6M–10−5M).Discussion: Peppermint oil reduced myogenic activity and carbachol- and electrical field stimulation-induced contractions. The association of hyoscine butylbromide and peppermint oil was synergistic since the interaction index measured with the isobologram was lower than 1. No effect was seen on the neural-mediated inhibitory responses with any of the drugs studied although peppermint oil reduced the subsequent off-contraction. Drotaverine and hyoscine butylbromide have a complementary effect on human colon motility as one stimulates the cAMP inhibitory pathway and the other inhibits the excitatory pathway. Peppermint oil is synergic with hyoscine butylbromide suggesting that a combination therapy may be more effective in treating patients. In contrast, at therapeutic concentrations, paracetamol does not modify colonic contractility, suggesting that the association of paracetamol and hyoscine butylbromide has independent analgesic and antispasmodic properties

Distinctive gastrointestinal motor dysfunction in patients with MNGIE

This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-financed by the European Union (FEDER/FSE) [PI17/01794]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, PID2021-122295OB-I00); Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. LA was supported by scholarship from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM20/00182).Background: Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a rare mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in TYMP, encoding thymidine phosphorylase. Clinically it is characterized by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility associated with cachexia and a demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Even though digestive manifestations are progressive and invariably lead to death, the features of gastrointestinal motor dysfunction have not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this study was to describe gastrointestinal motor dysfunction in MNGIE using state-of-the art techniques and to evaluate the relationship between motor abnormalities and symptoms. Methods: Prospective study evaluating gastrointestinal motor function and digestive symptoms in all patients with MNGIE attended at a national referral center in Spain between January 2018 and July 2022. Key Results: In this period, five patients diagnosed of MNGIE (age range 16-46 years, four men) were evaluated. Esophageal motility by high-resolution manometry was abnormal in four patients (two hypoperistalsis, two aperistalsis). Gastric emptying by scintigraphy was mildly delayed in four and indicative of gastroparesis in one. In all patients, small bowel high-resolution manometry exhibited a common, distinctive dysmotility pattern, characterized by repetitive bursts of spasmodic contractions, without traces of normal fasting and postprandial motility patterns. Interestingly, objective motor dysfunctions were detected in the absence of severe digestive symptoms. Conclusions and Inferences: MNGIE patients exhibit a characteristic motor dysfunction, particularly of the small bowel, even in patients with mild digestive symptoms and in the absence of morphological signs of intestinal failure. Since symptoms are not predictive of objective findings, early investigation is indicated

New insights into the characterization of the mechanism of action of hyoscine butylbromide in the human colon ex vivo

Introduction: Hyoscine butylbromide (HBB) is one of the most used antispasmodics in clinical practice. Recent translational consensus has demonstrated a similarity between human colonic motor patterns studied ex vivo and in vivo, suggesting ex vivo can predict in vivo results. It is unclear whether the mechanism of action of antispasmodics can predict different use in clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to bridge this gap dissecting HBB's role in excitatory and inhibitory neural pathways. Methods: 309 colon samples from 48 patients were studied in muscle bath experiments. HBB was tested on: 1-spontaneous phasic contractions (SPCs); 2-carbachol-induced contractility; electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced selective stimulation of 3-excitatory and 4-inhibitory pathways and 5- SPCs and EFS-induced contractions enhanced by neostigmine. Atropine, AF-DX116 (M2 blocker) and DAU-5884 (M3 blocker) were used as comparators. Results: In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), HBB and atropine 1µM reduced SPCs. HBB and atropine concentration-dependently reduced carbachol- and EFS-induced contractions. Inhibitory effects of DAU-5884 on EFS-induced contractions were more potent than of AF-DX116. HBB did not affect the off-response associated to neural inhibitory responses. Neostigmine enhanced both SPCs and EFS-induced contractions. In the presence of TTX and ω-conotoxin (GVIA), neostigmine still enhanced SPCs. Addition of HBB and atropine reduced these responses. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that HBB inhibits neural cholinergic contractions associated to muscarinic (mainly M3) receptors. HBB has a potential role in reducing colonic spasm induced by the release of acetylcholine from enteric motor neurons and from an atypical source including a potential non-neuronal origin

«CiTiEs (Cities: Time + Space)»: Didactic transfer of historical objects and subjects of Madrid's cultural heritage

Memoria del Proyecto de innovación docente de la UCM para el curso 2022-23: «CiTiEs (Ciudades: Tiempo + Espacio)». Transferencia didáctica de objetos y sujetos históricos del patrimonio cultural madrileño (nº 390, Ciencias Sociales).Siguiendo con la línea general del proyecto CiTiEs (Ciudades: Tiempo + Espacio), desarrollado ininterrumpidamente desde 2019, se diseñarán e implementarán materiales didácticos para la Educación patrimonial en Madrid. En esta ocasión el enfoque se realizará a través de ciertos objetos del patrimonio cultural madrileño y su relación con las personas que los crearon, encargaron, utilizaron o disfrutaron a través del tiempo.Universidad Complutense de MadridDepto. de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales , Sociales y MatemáticasDepto. de Historia del ArteFac. de EducaciónFac. de Geografía e HistoriaFALSEsubmitte

Anales de Edafología y Agrobiología Tomo 47 Número 9-10

l. Suelos. La evaporación y evapotranspiración en el campo de Cartagena y vega media del Segura. Primeros resultados. Por, M. I . Sánchez-Toribio, F. López-Bermudez, F. del Amor y A . Torrecillas.-- Estudio mediante un simulador de lluvia del comportamiento de suelos de Valencia (España) frente a los procesos de erosión por escorrentía y salpicadura. Por, P. Sanroque, J. L. Rubio y L. Izquierdo.-- Química Adsorción de clorprofan (CIPC) por suelos. Por, G. Dios Cancela, J. A . Guillén Alfaro y S. González García.-- Relations betweeri B (total available) and severa! constituents of cultivated soils. Por, A. Ruiz-Nieto, E. Barahona, S. Jaime y A. Aguilar.-- Aplicación de disolución no tamponadas para la extracción de aluminio "activo" ligado a la materia orgánica en suelos ácidos de Galicia. Por, M. Urrutia Mera, E. García-Rodeja Gayoso y F. Macías Vázquez.-- Caracterización química y mineralógica de las formas de hierro en suelos sobre sustrato calizo de Galicia (NW de España). Por, M. T. Barral Silva, M. T. Taboada Castro y F. Guitián Ojea.—Biología. Estructura y variabilidad de las nematocenosis en relación con diversos factores bióticos y abióticos del medio en una vaguada adehesada del Oeste español. Por, J. J. Ibáñez, A. Blanco, A. Bello y J. L. Revuelta.-- Génesis, Clasificación y Cartografía. Suelos de la Isla de Gomera (l. Canarias). III. Meseta central. Ecología, características morfológicas, físico-químicas, mineralógicas, micromorfológicas, clasificación e interpretación. Po r, A . Rodríguez Rodríguez, M. L. Tejedor Salguero y C. Jiménez Mendoza.-- Mosaicos heterocrónicos, heterogénicos y heterolíticos en el macizo de Ayllón (Sistema Central). Repercusiones sobre la tipología de los suelos. Por, J. J. Ibáñez, A. López Lafuente, A. García Alvarez y R. García Giménez.-- Fraccionamiento y distribución de óxidos de hierro en superficies de tipo Raña y altas terrazas al sur del macizo de Ayllón y Somosierra (Sistema Central). Por, R. Jiménez Ballesta, J. J. Ibáñez, F. Monturiol, L. Alcalá y M. L. Palomar.-- Fertilidad. Dinámica de la fracción ligera de la materia orgánica en relación a la producción de nitratos a campo. Por, P. Hashimoto, J. Sierra y L. Barberis.-- II. Biología Vegetal.-Nutrición.-- Absorción del nitrógeno contenido en el agua residual depurada y su influencia en el rendimiento. Por, V. Pérez García, D. González de Chavez Rojo y E. Iglesias Gimenez.-- La nutrición N -NH4 durante el estado vegetativo de Nicotiana Rústica L.: Su efecto sobre el crecimiento. Por, M. D. Saco y M. S. Martín.-- Influencia de nutrientes y polifenoles en la descomposición de la hojarasca de especies autóctonas e introducidas en el sureste español. Por, M. T. Domínguez de Juan, E. González Esparcia y F. Penalva Rodríguez.-- Fisiología Fitotoxicidad por zinc : efectos sobre el crecimiento y contencido de pigmentos fotosintéticos en Phaseolus vulgar1s L. a Jo largo del ciclo de desarrollo . Por, A. Ruano, J. Barceló y Ch. Poschenrieder.-- Efectos del pH ácido y del aluminio sobre Pueraria phaseoloides en simbiosis con Bradyrhizobium SP. Por, C. R. Morales, M. J. Delgado y E. J. BedmarPeer reviewe