Demand response program implementation methodology: A Colombian study case

The industrialization and urbanization are responsible for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and could generate energy shortage problems. The application of Demand Response (DR) programs enables the user to be empowered towards a conscious consumption of energy, allowing the reduction or displacement of the demand for electrical energy, contributing to the sustainable development of the sector and the operational efficiency of the electrical system, among others. A reference framework for this type of program is detailed along with a literature survey applied to the Colombian case. The considerations on the design of a methodology to the implementation of the DR pilot, considering if the pilot is in an interconnected system zone or non-interconnected system zone and the application of the design methodology in the modeling of three DR pilots in Colombia is presented. For the modeling of the pilots, the characteristics of the area and the base consumption of the users are considered, and the characteristics and assumptions of the pilot are also defined. Furthermore, the DR pilot in each zone considering four types of users is detailed. The results show the potential for energy reduction and displacement in different time bands for each zone, which allows determining the assessment of the benefits from a technical, financial, and environmental point of view, and the costs of each pilot in monetary terms, it not to compare the pilots with each other, but to illustrate the values that must be taken into account in those analyses. The sensitivity analysis of each pilot was also carried out, considering the variation of the benefit/cost relationship with the energy rate in peak hours vs. off-peak hours and the base energy rate in the area. The sensitivity analysis shows that, when varying the level of energy demand response and the number of pilot participants, the values are presented when the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1. In addition, the paper provides specific recommendations related to the design of a methodology and the implementation in a pilot DR using simulation

Global control of the furuta pendulum using artificial neural networks and feedback of state variables

En este artículo se presenta el modelado matemático para la planta conocida como Péndulo de Furuta mediante funciones de energía, teniendo en cuenta las dinámicas no lineales propias de los sistemas físicos y considerando los acoples existentes entre los dispositivos eléctricos y mecánicos. Se desarrolla un proceso de control basado en Realimentación de Variables de Estado (RVE) para el punto de equilibrio y se abordan dos temáticas para la zona no lineal de la planta. En primera instancia se implementan funciones que representan los estados energéticos de la planta en forma global y se establecen las regiones de operación (zona de ‘’Swing Up’’) y finalmente se emplean Redes Neuronales Artificiales (RNA) para emular el comportamiento de las funciones de energía. Finalmente se presenta la combinación de las técnicas de control, considerando las restricciones propias de los actuadores y sensores utilizados, además se realiza un estudio desde un ambiente simulado de los fenómenos físicos que pueden alterar el comportamiento del sistema y se verifica la capacidad, robustez y sensibilidad del controlador.This paper presents the mathematical modeling of the Furuta Pendu-lum by power functions, taking into account the non linear own dynamics of the physical systems and considering the existing couplings between the electric and mechanic devices. A control process based on feedback of state variables (FSV) for the equilibrium point is developed and two topics for the non linear zone are addressed. First of all, functions are implemented to represent the energetic states of the plant in a global way and the operation regions are established (“Swing up” zone), and later Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are employed to simulate the behavior of the energy functions. Finally, it is presented the combination between the control techniques, considering the own constrains of the actuators and sensors used, besides of this, a study is done in a simulated environment of the physical phenomena that may disturb system behavior, and the capacity, sensitivity and robustness of the controller is verified

Territorios Hidrosociales: una metodología para promover la seguridad hídrica ante el cambio climático a través de la gobernanza, visión y acción participativa

La gobernanza en territorios hidrosociales a partir de la participación ciudadana, el diálogo de saberes, y la confianza entre los actores territoriales es fundamental para garantizar una distribución justa y sostenible del agua. Este artículo presenta un enfoque metodológico para la promoción de la seguridad hídrica fundamentada en el fortalecimiento de la gobernanza del agua que permitan formalizar las aspiraciones de seguridad hídrica en la comunidad, la construcción de una visión y acciones estratégicas colectivas y concertadas. El enfoque integra conceptos pragmáticos y transdisciplinarios considerando sólo aquellos conceptos que proveen una explicación a partir de las perspectivas de actores independientemente de su disciplina, promueve la adaptación al cambio climático y la transformación hacia territorios sostenibles. La implementación de enfoques transdisciplinarios suele carecer de documentación, con este manuscrito se busca sistematizar como una oportunidad para promover la transparencia y la reproducibilidad de este tipo de iniciativas

Age, Successive Waves, Immunization, and Mortality in Elderly COVID-19 Haematological Patients: EPICOVIDEHA Findings

Introduction: elderly patients with haematologic malignancies face the highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The infection impact in different age groups remains unstudied in detail. Methods: We analysed elderly patients (age groups: 65-70, 71-75, 76-80 and >80 years old) with hematologic malignancies included in the EPICOVIDEHA registry between January 2020 and July 2022. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were conducted to identify factors influencing death in COVID-19 patients with haematological malignancy. results: the study included data from 3,603 elderly patients (aged 65 or older) with haematological malignancy, with a majority being male (58.1%) and a significant proportion having comorbidities. The patients were divided into four age groups, and the analysis assessed COVID-19 outcomes, vaccination status, and other variables in relation to age and pandemic waves.tThe 90-day survival rate for patients with COVID-19 was 71.2%, with significant differences between groups. The pandemic waves had varying impacts, with the first wave affecting patients over 80 years old, the second being more severe in 65-70, and the third being the least severe in all age groups. factors contributing to 90-day mortality included age, comorbidities, lymphopenia, active malignancy, acute leukaemia, less than three vaccine doses, severe COVID-19, and using only corticosteroids as treatment. Conclusions: These data underscore the heterogeneity of elderly haematological patients, highlight the different impact of COVID waves and the pivotal importance of vaccination, and may help in planning future healthcare efforts

Correction: Need for ICU and outcome of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and haematological malignancies: results from the EPICOVIDEHA survey

Peer reviewe

Control Global del Péndulo de Furuta Empleando Redes Neuronales Artificiales y Realimentación de Variables de Estado

This paper presents the mathematical modeling of the Furuta Pendu-lum by power functions, taking into account the non linear own dynamics of the physical systems and considering the existing couplings between the electric and mechanic devices. A control process based on feedback of state variables (FSV) for the equilibrium point is developed and two topics for the non linear zone are addressed. First of all, functions are imple-mented to represent the energetic states of the plant in a global way and the operation regions are established (“Swing up” zone), and later Artifi-cial Neural Networks (ANN) are employed to simulate the behavior of the energy functions. Finally, it is presented the combination between the control techniques, considering the own constrains of the actuators and sensors used, besides of this, a study is done in a simulated environment of the physical phenomena that may disturb system behavior, and the capacity, sensitivity and robustness of the controller is verified.En este artículo se presenta el modelado matemático para la planta conocida como Péndulo de Furuta mediante funciones de energía, tenien-do en cuenta las dinámicas no lineales propias de los sistemas físicos y considerando los acoples existentes entre los dispositivos eléctricos y mecánicos. Se desarrolla un proceso de control basado en Realimentación de Variables de Estado (RVE) para el punto de equilibrio y se abordan dos temáticas para la zona no lineal de la planta. En primera instancia se implementan funciones que representan los estados energéticos de la planta en forma global y se establecen las regiones de operación (zona de ‘’Swing Up’’) y finalmente se emplean Redes Neuronales Artificiales (RNA) para emular el comportamiento de las funciones de energía. Fi-nalmente se presenta la combinación de las técnicas de control, conside-rando las restricciones propias de los actuadores y sensores utilizados, además se realiza un estudio desde un ambiente simulado de los fenóme-nos físicos que pueden alterar el comportamiento del sistema y se verifica la capacidad, robustez y sensibilidad del controlador

Epidemiology and geo-referencing of the dengue fever in a hospital of second level in Colombia, 2010–2014

Background: Dengue fever is a priority problem for public health in Colombia. The Department of Tolima and the municipality of El Espinal bring a considerable proportion of the cases to national statistics, becoming a representative area for studying the behavior of this pathology. Objective: Determine the epidemiological behavior and the geographic distribution of dengue fever cases treated in the San Rafael Hospital in the municipality of the El Espinal, from 2010 to 2014. Materials and methods: The following is a retrospective cross-sectional case report study of the population with dengue fever treated in San Rafael Hospital. We analyzed data from the mandatory clinical reports of the SIVIGILA (National public health surveillance system, in Spanish) using Excel, EpiInfo and EpiMap were analyzed. The epidemiological analysis encompassed morbidity, mortality, fatality, endemicity and cartograms of georeferencing, among others. Results: The totality of cases was 3264, with an incidence of 5.84 per 1000 inhabitants, mortality of 0.12 cases per 10,000 inhabitants, and lethality of 0.11 per 100 diagnosed cases. 71.6% of the patients were between 1 and 24 years, 53.8% were male and 46.2% female. The endemic behaviour was bimodal, Max in epidemiological periods 3–4 and 12–13. The distribution geographic of cases spanned the whole of the municipality and is related apparently with the population density in an area defined. Conclusions: The results found are above local, national and international parameters on incidence, mortality, and case-fatality. Through the analysis of endemic behavior and geographic distribution, times and specific areas are provided to optimize public health measures. Keywords: Dengue fever, Endemic diseases, Epidemiology, Map

Assessment of global cardiovascular risk and risk factors in Portugal according to the SCORE® model

Abstract Background/objective Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in European countries. This study aimed at estimating the 10-year risk of fatal CVD in Portuguese adults and to assess the prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors, according to the SCORE® risk prediction system. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 60 community pharmacies (CP) from October 2005 to January 2006 in a sample of CP users (=40 and =65 years). Data were collected by patient interviews using a structured questionnaire applied by a trained pharmacist. Results A total of 1,043 individuals were enrolled in the study (participation rate: 91%). The mean age was 53.7 years (SD: 7.1) with a ratio men/women of 0.68. The average risk in the sample was 1.94 (minimum 0, maximum 28, SD?=2.69). About 20% of the studied adults were at high risk, of which 39.4% were asymptomatic. CV risk was significantly higher in the oldest age group and in men (p?<?0.05). The prevalence of main CV risk factors was: hypertension-54.8%; hypercholesterolemia-63.1%, diabetes-13.4%; smoking-10.4% and obesity–29.0%. About 1/3 of those asked had family history of premature CVD. Mean values of biochemical and clinical parameters were: systolic blood pressure (mmHg): 134.8?±?19.7; diastolic blood pressure (mmHg): 81.0?±?11.4; total cholesterol (mg/dl): 193.8?±?34.6; body mass index (kg/m2): 28.0?±?4.5. Conclusions According to SCORE®, about one-fifth of the individuals was classified as high risk, and 7.7% was asymptomatic. CV risk was significantly higher in the oldest age group (55–65 years old) and in men (p?<?0.05). These results show a high prevalence of some risk factors, particularly hypertension and hypercholesterolemia