Distributed Stochastic Model Predictive Control for Scheduling Deterministic Peer-to-Peer Energy Transactions Among Networked Microgrids With Hybrid Energy Storage Systems

The current tendency toward increases in energy prices makes it necessary to discover newways in which to provide electricity to end consumers. Cooperation among the various self-consumption facilities that form energy communities based on networked microgrids could be a more efficient means of managing the renewable resources that are available. However, the complexity of the associated control problem is leading to unresolved challenges from the point of view of its formulation. The optimization of energy exchanges among microgrids in the day-ahead electricity market requires the generation of an optimal profile for the purchase of energy from and sale of energy to the main grid, in addition to enabling the community to be charged for any deviation from the schedule proposed in the regulation service market. Microgrids based on renewable generation are systems that are subject to inherited uncertainties in their energy forecast whose interconnection generates a distributed control problem of stochastic systems. Microgrids are systems of subsystems that can integrate various components, such as hybrid energy storage systems (ESS), generating multiple terms to be included in the associated cost function for their optimization. In this work, the problem of solving complex distributed stochastic systems in the Mixed Logic Dynamic (MLD) framework is addressed, as is the generate of a tractable formulation with which to generate deterministic values for both exchange and output variables in interconnected systems subject to uncertainties using hybrid, stochastic and distributed Model Predictive Control (MPC) techniques

Procedimiento para modular las propiedades eléctricas de óxidos con estructura tipo perovskita derivados del niobato de sodio mediante la creación de vacantes catiónicas

Procedimiento para modular las propiedades eléctricas de óxidos con estructura tipo perovskita derivados del niobato de sodio mediante la creación de vacantes catiónicas. La presente invención se refiere a un procedimiento para modificar controladamente las propiedades eléctricas del óxido NaNbO3 mediante la creación de vacantes catiónicas en la subred A de la estructura tipo perovskita. La introducción progresiva de vacantes en la subred A al dopar con un ión alcalinotérreo como por ejemplo Sr2+ o con un ión de tierra rara como por ejemplo La3+ permite la estabilización de un material ferroeléctrico, y el cambio continuo de comportamiento ferroeléctrico a ferroeléctrico-relaxor característico de las disoluciones sólidas tipo perovskita sin plomo. La presente invención incluye el procedimiento para la obtención de los óxidos que, en función de sus propiedades, pueden ser usados en dispositivos electrónicos como materiales piezoeléctricos y piroeléctricos en sensores y actuadores.Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España)A1 Solicitud de patentes con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

ASIC-based tachometer without mechanical transducer for induction machines

A classical method for angular position and speed estimation in adjustable speed drives uses an incremental shaft encoder and an electronic circuit. This paper presents SLESS, a tachometer without mechanical transducer implemented on an ASIC using sensorless speed estimation technique. The ASIC is intended to serve as part of an integrated solution developed for fuzzy speed regulation and vector control of induction motors

Toward reliable population estimates of wolves by combining spatial capture-recapture models and non-invasive DNA monitoring

Decision-makers in wildlife policy require reliable population size estimates to justify interventions, to build acceptance and support in their decisions and, ultimately, to build trust in managing authorities. Traditional capture-recapture approaches present two main shortcomings, namely, the uncertainty in defining the effective sampling area, and the spatially-induced heterogeneity in encounter probabilities. These limitations are overcome using spatially explicit capture-recapture approaches (SCR). Using wolves as case study, and non-invasive DNA monitoring (faeces), we implemented a SCR with a Poisson observation model in a single survey to estimate wolf density and population size, and identify the locations of individual activity centres, in NW Iberia over 4,378 km. During the breeding period, posterior mean wolf density was 2.55 wolves/100 km (95%BCI = 1.87-3.51), and the posterior mean population size was 111.6 ± 18.8 wolves (95%BCI = 81.8-153.6). From simulation studies, addressing different scenarios of non-independence and spatial aggregation of individuals, we only found a slight underestimation in population size estimates, supporting the reliability of SCR for social species. The strategy used here (DNA monitoring combined with SCR) may be a cost-effective way to generate reliable population estimates for large carnivores at regional scales, especially for endangered species or populations under game management.J.V.L.B. was supported by a Ramon & Cajal research contract (RYC-2015-18932) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. R.G. was supported by research contract (IF/00564/2012) from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Tis work was partially supported by the project PTDC/BIA-EVF/2460/2014 (FCT).Peer Reviewe

IMU-based monitoring of discharged patients with COVID-19 for the assessment of in-home recovering

No abstract available.publishe

Criterion-Related Validity of Field-Based Fitness Tests in Adults: A Systematic Review

We comprehensively assessed the criterion-related validity of existing field-based fitness tests used to indicate adult health (19-64 years, with no known pathologies). The medical electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Web of Science (all databases) were screened for studies published up to July 2020. Each original study's methodological quality was classified as high, low and very low, according to the number of participants, the description of the study population, statistical analysis and systematic reviews which were appraised via the AMSTAR rating scale. Three evidence levels were constructed (strong, moderate and limited evidence) according to the number of studies and the consistency of the findings. We identified 101 original studies (50 of high quality) and five systematic reviews examining the criterion-related validity of field-based fitness tests in adults. Strong evidence indicated that the 20 m shuttle run, 1.5-mile, 12 min run/walk, YMCA step, 2 km walk and 6 min walk test are valid for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness; the handgrip strength test is valid for assessing hand maximal isometric strength; and the Biering-Sorensen test to evaluate the endurance strength of hip and back muscles; however, the sit-and reach test, and its different versions, and the toe-to-touch test are not valid for assessing hamstring and lower back flexibility. We found moderate evidence supporting that the 20 m square shuttle run test is a valid test for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness. Other field-based fitness tests presented limited evidence, mainly due to few studies. We developed an evidence-based proposal of the most valid field-based fitness tests in healthy adults aged 19-64 years old.This project was supported by Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness in the 2017 call for R&D Projects of the State Program for Research, Development and Innovation Oriented to the Challenges of the Company; National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation 2017-2020 (DEP2017-88043-R); and the Regional Government of Andalusia and University of Cadiz: Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT-FPI19)

Cooperativas vecinales. Una aproximación a la gestión colaborativa en rehabilitación y conservación de barriadas

The economic and administrative model of cooperative housing -established for the creation of housing developments with advantageous conditions for their futureowners- has been adopted as a successful model in numerous countries. However, most of cooperative promotions are extinguished once the goal of obtaining housinghas been achieved, so that the potential of the collaborative model is not extended in time beyond this milestone.The cohousing experiences mean an important step in the concept of cooperative activity, extending it to the functioning of the groups that inhabit them. Thus, theinhabitants of a cohousing community may provide benefits such as obtaining services with advantageous prices and conditions, and the provision of recreational areas withlow acquisition and maintenance costs. In other words, the cohousing model attempts to transfer the collaborative aspects of the cooperative model onto the neighbors’activity, introducing a lifestyle able to exploit the potential of group versus individual.There are many historical references of these ideas, from the proposals of utopian socialism (Fourier, Godin) to well-known Le Corbusier’s Unités d'Habitation, butperhaps the novelty of contemporary experiences of cohousing is the fact that these are initiatives bottom-up, where the starting point is the community. Therefore, one ofthe determining factors for the success of cohousing is the existence of strong social cohesion of the collective and a sense of belonging to the group. This causes oftentend to think that cohousing is linked to certain ideological sectors, but the reality is that this is a model that transcends these topics and has proven to be a very suitablealternative for certain social groups..El modelo económico y administrativo de la cooperativa de viviendas, desarrollado para la promoción de viviendas con condiciones ventajosas para sus propietarios, haconstituido un modelo de éxito en numerosas experiencias, un sistema capaz de eludir algunos problemas típicos de la promoción convencional. Sin embargo, la mayor partede las cooperativas de promoción se extinguen una vez conseguido el objetivo de la obtención de las viviendas, por lo que el potencial del modelo colaborativo no seprolonga más allá de este hito.Frente a esto, los modelos residenciales basados en el llamado co-housing (covivienda) suponen un paso más en el concepto de cooperativa, extendiendo suactividad al funcionamiento de los colectivos que los habitan. Así, los habitantes de una comunidad co-housing podrán disponer de beneficios como la obtención deservicios con precios y condiciones ventajosas, o la disposición de espacios de esparcimiento o actividad con bajos costes de adquisición y mantenimiento. En otraspalabras, el modelo de co-housing intenta trasladar los aspectos colaborativos del modelo cooperativo al entorno y a la actividad de una comunidad de vecinos,implantando un modo de vida capaz de aprovechar el potencial del grupo frente al individuo.Existen multitud de referentes históricos de estas ideas, desde las propuestas del socialismo utópico (Fourier, Godin) a las conocidas Unités d’habitation de LeCorbusier. Lo novedoso de las iniciativas contemporáneas de co-housing es su carácter bottom-up: modelos en los que el punto de partida es la comunidad, y desdeella surge la necesidad y la idea de la vida colaborativa. Por tanto, uno de los factores determinantes para el éxito de un co-housing es una fuerte cohesión social de grupo yun sentimiento de pertenencia al colectivo. Esto hace pensar, a menudo, que el cohousing está vinculado a determinados sectores ideológicos; en realidad, se trata deun modelo que trasciende esos tópicos y se ha mostrado como una alternativa muy apropiada para determinados grupos sociales.El proyecto I+D+i Cooperativas vecinales. Modelo de gestión colaborativa en rehabilitación y conservación de barriadas intenta, entre otros objetivos, indagar en lasposibilidades del cooperativismo y el co-housing como medio para la recuperación, rehabilitación y conservación de edificios y entornos urbanos

Agronomic treatments to avoid seed presence in `Nadorcott¿ mandarin I. Effect on in vivo pollen tube growth

[EN] Fresh market demands high quality fruit and, therefore, citrus growers and researchers are constantly looking for solutions to avoid seed presence. Current horticultural techniques have low effectiveness or high cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the inhibition effect of seven products on the in vivo pollen tube growth in Nadorcott mandarin, which is a high-value seedy variety. To achieve this main objective, three inorganic fer­ tilizers (ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sulfur), and four saccharides (saccharose, methyl cellulose, cal­ lose, chitosan) were applied to Nadorcott stigmas 24 h before and after hand pollination. Pollen tubes were counted 1, 3, and 5 days after treatment in longitudinal blue violet autofluorescence-stained sections. Of the seven evaluated products, only sulfur had a strong inhibitory effect. Elemental sulfur (S 8 ) inhibited pollen tube growth by 94-100%. This strong effect was observed regardless of sulfur being applied 24 h before or after pollination, and on fixed flowers 1, 3 or 5 days after applications. Saccharose treatment seemed to have the opposite effect: stimulated pollen tube growth, but the difference with the positive control was small and non- significant. The sulfur effect could be useful for designing agronomic applications capable of preventing seed presence in Nadorcott mandarin.This research was supported by the Asociación Club de Variedades Vegetales Protegidas as part of a project undertaken with the Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain, UPV 20170087), of which H. Merle was the principal researcher. There was no additional external funding received for this study.Garmendia, A.; García-Breijo, F.; Reig, J.; Raigón Jiménez, MD.; Beltrán, R.; Zornoza, C.; Cebrián, N.... (2022). Agronomic treatments to avoid seed presence in `Nadorcott¿ mandarin I. Effect on in vivo pollen tube growth. Scientia Horticulturae. 294:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.11076011029