Model to Evaluate the Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems using Matlab/Simulink

This article describes a mathematical model implemented in Matlab/Simulink to evaluate the performance of building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPVS). The proposed methodology allows to model independently the solar panel, the photovoltaic (pv) generator, inverter and the grid to integrate them into a single model in Simulink in order to evaluate the performance of the complete system. The validation of the model was made on a BIPV system of 6 kWp installed in a building at the Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Bogota, Colombia. The results indicate that there is a correlation greater than 0.9 between DC and AC power generated by the BIPV system and calculated by the model proposed for any weather condition

Apache Calcite: A Foundational Framework for Optimized Query Processing Over Heterogeneous Data Sources

Apache Calcite is a foundational software framework that provides query processing, optimization, and query language support to many popular open-source data processing systems such as Apache Hive, Apache Storm, Apache Flink, Druid, and MapD. Calcite's architecture consists of a modular and extensible query optimizer with hundreds of built-in optimization rules, a query processor capable of processing a variety of query languages, an adapter architecture designed for extensibility, and support for heterogeneous data models and stores (relational, semi-structured, streaming, and geospatial). This flexible, embeddable, and extensible architecture is what makes Calcite an attractive choice for adoption in big-data frameworks. It is an active project that continues to introduce support for the new types of data sources, query languages, and approaches to query processing and optimization.Comment: SIGMOD'1

Compilación de Normas Medioambientales que Regulan la Logística Verde en las Empresas Productoras de Bioetanol Colombianas

El incremento en la producción de bioetanol se debe a las bondades que brinda su uso y su estrecha relación en pro a mejorar el medio ambiente. Sin embargo, esa misma producción en crecimiento ha generado que como cualquier otro tipo de industria necesite ser regulada ya que de uno u otro modo sus procesos logísticos afectan directa o indirectamente al medio ambiente. Por tanto, se establece una oportunidad de aprendizaje en este trabajo donde se encuentra como eje principal los principios de logística verde y alrededor de estos se hallan las normativas que regulan los procesos logísticos en la elaboración del etanol. Para reseñar la normatividad que está regulada bajo principios de logística verde, se analiza y muestra evidencia de los puntos críticos de 3 procesos logísticos (Aprovisionamiento, producción y distribución física), de acuerdo con los insumos directos más importantes para elaborar el etanol y que pueden generar salidas que impactan al medio ambiente. Los resultados del estudio son de los puntos críticos encontrados que afecten al medio ambiente, de acuerdo con esto se busca la normatividad que regule bajo principios de logística verde.The increase in bioethanol production is due to the benefits provided by its use and its close relationship in favor of improving the environment. However, that same growing production has generated that, like any other type of industry, it needs to be regulated since in one way or another its logistics processes directly or indirectly affect the environment. Therefore, a learning opportunity is established in this work where the principles of green logistics are found as the main axis and around these are the regulations that regulate the logistics processes in the production of ethanol. In order to review the regulations that are regulated under green logistics principles, evidence of the critical points of 3 logistics processes (Supply, production and physical distribution) is analyzed and shown, according to the most important direct inputs to produce ethanol and that can generate outputs that impact the environment. The results of the study are of the critical points found that affect the environment, according to this, the regulations that regulate under the principles of green logistics are sought

Caracterización de radionucleidos presentes en el suelo de la provincia de Chimborazo.

La investigación tuvo como objetivo la caracterización de radionucleidos de emisión gamma presentes en el suelo de la provincia de Chimborazo, se identificó los radionucleidos en las unidades geológicas de la superficie provincial, además se determinó las actividades específicas y exposición externa por radiación terrestre natural. La investigación abarcó la superficie provincial de 6569 km2, la provincia cuenta con 21 unidades geológicas, y una variación de altitud desde los 300 msnm hasta 6310 msnm. Se tomaron 120 muestras de suelo considerando la vialidad de la provincia de acuerdo a un muestreo aleatorio estratificado, además. La toma de muestras superficial se las realizó a 5 cm de profundidad del suelo. Se efectuó un pretratamiento a las muestras en el Laboratorio de Operaciones Unitarias de la Escuela de Ingeniería Química, El análisis de las muestras es realizado mediante un espectrómetro Gamma de Ge Hiperpuro (HPGe) del laboratorio de la Subsecretaria de Control y Aplicaciones Nucleares (SCAN) del Ministerio de Electricidad y Energías Renovables (MEER). Se encontró en el suelo tres radionucleidos principales 226Ra, 232Th y 40K y sus descendientes. Los resultados obtenidos a nivel provincial son: la tasa de dosis absorbida debido a emisores gamma 33,55 ± 0,9567 nGy/h y la tasa de dosis efectiva anual gamma total 0,2716 ± 7,7x10 -3 mSv/año con aproximadamente un 43,14% y 43,42% debajo del promedio mundial respectivamente, por lo que la Provincia de Chimborazo no sobrepasan el promedio mundial. Sin embargo, existen geologías que sobrepasan la concentración radioactiva los cuales se encuentran en las siguientes unidades geológicas: Unidad Guasuntos el 40K sobrepasa en 6,550%, Unidad Peltetec (el 232Th sobrepasa en 25,17% y el 40K sobrepasa en 29,35%, lo cual se les atribuye la radioactividad a rocas pizarras y basaltos. Se recomienda realizar más estudios en estas zonas que presentan mayor actividad.The research objective was the characterization of gamma-emitting radionuclides present in the ground of Chimborazo province, radionuclides were identified in the geologic units of the provincial surface. In addition, specific activities and external exposure by natural terrestrial radiation. This research covered the provincial surface of 6569 km2, Chimborazo province has 21 geologic units and a latitude variation from 300 MASL to 6310 MASL. A hundred twenty soil samples were taken considering the viability of the province through a stratified random sample. Surface sampling was conducted to a depth of 5 centimeters. A pre-treatment was carried out on the samples in the Unitary Operations Lab of the School of Chemical Engineering. The analysis of the samples is carried out using a gamma spectrum of hyperpure Ge (HPGe) of the Subsecretariat Lab of Control and nuclear applications (SCAN) of the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy (MEER). Three main radionuclides were found in the ground 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K and its descendants. The results at a provincial level are the absorbed dose rate due to gamma emitters 33,55 ± 0,9567 nGy/h and the and the total annual gamma effective dose rate 0,2716 ± 7,7x10-3 mSv/year with approximately 43,14% and 43,42% below the worldwide average respectively, thus the Chimborazo province does not exceed the global average level. However, there are points that exceed the average which are in the following geological units: Guasuntos unit (40K exceeds in 6,550%) and Peltetec unit (232Th exceeds in 25,17% and 40K exceeds in 29,35%) this radioactivity is attributed to blackboards and basalt rocks. It is recommended carried out more studies in these zones which present the highest activity

Topical Atropine in the Control of Myopia

Atropine has been used for more than a century to arrest myopia progression. Compelling evidence of its protective effect has been reported in well-designed clinical studies, mainly performed during the last two decades. However, its exact mechanism of action has not been determined. Experimental findings have shown that the mechanism is not related to accommodation, as was thought for decades. A review of the published literature revealed a significant amount of evidence supporting its safety and efficacy at a concentration of 1.0%, and at lower concentrations (as low as 0.01%)

Cosecha de Alcances: Valoración de las transformaciones producidas por las Mesas Técnicas Agroclimáticas (MTA) en Latinoamérica

Durante el 2019 se realizó un proceso de análisis de las transformaciones que han generado las Mesas Técnicas Agroclimáticas (MTA), en los territorios en que han sido establecidas durante los últimos 6 años. El estudio se enfoca en los cambios observables de comunidades, organizaciones o instituciones que han modificado sus acciones, relaciones, políticas y prácticas en cuatro países de Latinoamérica. Cinco áreas de transformación han sido identificadas i) mayor confianza en la calidad de información climática y agroclimática en el nivel local; ii) información agroclimática más conocida, comprensible y conectada; iii) democratización de conocimiento climático; iv) transformaciones en las prácticas agrícolas, y v) incidencia política y transformación institucional. Se verifican más de 140 alcances o cambios sobre dichas áreas. Se evidencia que las MTA analizadas han promovido un mayor acercamiento de las Instituciones Meteorológicas Nacionales a las necesidades de los territorios, lo que, a su vez, ha propiciado la creación de comunidades de práctica locales sobre la aplicación de conocimientos de clima en la toma de decisiones. En efecto, se tiene evidencia que los agricultores adaptan sus prácticas productivas tomando decisiones basadas en información de variabilidad climática local, reduciendo pérdidas y aumentando rentabilidad. Se demuestra, además, que el desarrollo de alianzas inter-institucionales derivadas de las MTA en los países, ayudan a la construcción y fortalecimiento de políticas públicas locales y nacionales para la adaptación al cambio y la variabilidad climática en la agricultura. Finalmente, se identifican diversas oportunidades y desafíos relacionados con liderazgo y la sostenibilidad del proceso de establecimiento de las MTA en Latinoamérica.During 2019 a process of analysis of the effects or transformations that the Local Agro climatic Technical Committees (MTA) have been carried out, in the territories in which they have been established during the last 5 years. The study focuses on the observable changes of individuals, communities, organizations or institutions that have modified their actions, relationships, policies and practices in five Latin American countries. Five areas of transformation have been identified as outcomes of the MTAs, among which are analyzed: i) greater confidence in the quality of climate and agro climatic information at the local level; ii) best-known, understandable and connected agro climatic information; iii) democratization of climate knowledge; iv) transformations in agricultural practices, and v) political influence and institutional transformation. More than 140 scopes or changes over these areas are verified. There is evidence that the MTAs have promoted a closer approach of the national meteorological institutions to the need of the territories farmers, which in turn has led to the creation of local communities of practice on the application of climate knowledge in decision making agricultural. Indeed, evidence shows that farmers adapt their productive practices by making decisions based on information on local climate variability, reducing losses and increasing profitability. It is also demonstrated that the development of inter-institutional alliances derived from MTAs in the countries, helps to build and strengthen local and national public policies for adaptation to climate change and variability in agriculture. Finally, various opportunities and challenges related to leadership and the sustainability of the MTA establishment process in Latin America are identified

Theoretical and experimental characterization of emission and transmission spectra of Cerenkov radiation generated by 177Lu in tissue

Cerenkov radiation (CR) is the emission of UV-vis light generated by the de-excitation of the molecules in the medium, after being polarized by an excited particle traveling faster than the speed of light. When β particles travel through tissue with energies greater than 219 keV, CR occurs. Tissues possess a spectral optical window of 600 to 1100 nm. The CR within this range can be useful for quantitative preclinical studies using optical imaging and for the in-vivo evaluation of 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals (β-particle emitters). The objective of our research was to determine the experimental emission light spectrum of 177Lu-CR and evaluate its transmission properties in tissue as well as the feasibility to applying CR imaging in the preclinical studies of 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals. The theoretical and experimental characterizations of the emission and transmission spectra of 177Lu-CR in tissue, in the vis-NIR region (350 to 900 nm), were performed using Monte Carlo simulation and UV-vis spectroscopy. Mice 177Lu-CR images were acquired using a charge-coupled detector camera and were quantitatively analyzed. The results demonstrated good agreement between the theoretical and the experimental 177Lu-CR emission spectra. Preclinical CR imaging demonstrated that the biokinetics of 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals in the main organs of mice can be acquiredThis study was supported by the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) through the CATEDRAS-CONACYT-ININ-337 and CONACYT-SEP-CB- 2016-286753 projects. It was carried out as part of the activities of the “Laboratorio Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo de Radiofármacos, CONACyT (LANIDER-CONACYT)” and the Red-Biofotónica, CONACYT. The financial support of the SIEA-UAEMex through the Grant No 4348/2017/CI is also acknowledged

Effect of edaphic silicon on the quality and postharvest of ‘Dorado’ peach (Prunus persica) fruits

In recent years, Colombia has seen an increase in the demand for peach fruits, but despite having adequate areas for peach production, neither production nor quality has increased because these fruits have a short post-harvest life and low firmness, which makes them susceptible to manipulation. The nutritional element Silicon affects the quality of these fruits when applied in fertilization, increasing firmness values, improving color, and favoring the concentration of metabolites. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the edaphic application of different doses of silicon in the postharvest behavior of 'Dorado' peach fruits to maintain quality during storage for a longer time. A completely randomized block design with two blocks (stratum 1 and stratum 2) and five treatments (0, 300, 600, 900, or 120 kg ha-1 of silicon) was evaluated. The fruits from plants fertilized with 1200 kg ha-1 of Si showed more firmness and total soluble solids (TSS); however, the application of Si did not affect the other parameters. Fruits from stratum 1 had higher firmness and TSS than those from stratum 2, while the total carotenoids were not affected by stratum. The total titratable acidity and luminosity of the fruits decreased during postharvest, while the TSS only showed a slight increase. The respiratory rate presented the highest value ​​at 11 days of storage

Identification and distribution of Brachyspira species in feces from finishing pigs in Argentina

Brachyspira are Gram-negative, aerotolerant spirochetes that colonize the large intestine of various species of domestic animals and humans. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and distribution of different species of Brachyspira presents in feces from finishing pigs in Argentina.Materials and Methods: Fecal samples (n=1550) were collected from finishing pigs in 53 farms of the most important swine production areas of Argentina, and Brachyspiras species were identified by bacteriological and molecular methods.Results: The regional prevalence of Brachyspira spp. was at the level of 75.5% (confidence interval 95%, 62.9-87.9), and it was lower among those farms with >1001 sows. One hundred and twenty-eight isolates of Brachyspira were properly identified and the species found were: Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Brachyspira pilosicoli, Brachyspira innocens, and Brachyspira murdochii. B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli had low prevalence (1.9% and 7.5%, respectively), B. innocens was isolated from 34% of the farms and B. murdochii was found in 39.6%.Conclusion: The present study provides epidemiological data about herd prevalence of the different Brachyspira species in Argentina, showing that the prevalence figure seems to be higher than that reported in other countries.Fil: Carranza, Alicia Estela. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Parada, Julian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Tamiozzo, Pablo Jesus. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Flores León, Malena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Camacho Ortega, Pablo Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Di Cola, Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Corona-Barrera, Enrique. Autonomous University Of Tamaulipas; MéxicoFil: Ambrogi, Arnaldo. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Zielinski, Gustavo Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentin