Short-Term Energy Demand Forecast in Hotels Using Hybrid Intelligent Modeling

This paper is the extension of the conference paper: Casteleiro-Roca, J.-L.; Gómez-González, J.F.; Calvo-Rolle, J.L.; Jove, E.; Quintián, H.; Acosta Martín, J.F.; Gonzalez Perez, S.; Gonzalez Diaz, B.; Calero-Garcia, F. and Méndez-Perez, J.A. Prediction of the Energy Demand of a Hotel Using an Artificial Intelligence-Based Model. In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference, Hybrid Artificial Intelligent Systems (HAIS), Oviedo, Spain, 20–22 June 2018.[Abstract] The hotel industry is an important energy consumer that needs efficient energy management methods to guarantee its performance and sustainability. The new role of hotels as prosumers increases the difficulty in the design of these methods. Also, the scenery is more complex as renewable energy systems are present in the hotel energy mix. The performance of energy management systems greatly depends on the use of reliable predictions for energy load. This paper presents a new methodology to predict energy load in a hotel based on intelligent techniques. The model proposed is based on a hybrid intelligent topology implemented with a combination of clustering techniques and intelligent regression methods (Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Regression). The model includes its own energy demand information, occupancy rate, and temperature as inputs. The validation was done using real hotel data and compared with time-series models. Forecasts obtained were satisfactory, showing a promising potential for its use in energy management systems in hotel resortsFundación CajaCanarias; grant number PR70575

Assignment Problems in Wildfire Suppression: Models for Optimization of Aerial Resource Logistics

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Forest Science following peer review. The version of record Rodríguez-Veiga, J., Gómez-Costa, I., Ginzo-Villamayor, M., Casas-Méndez, B., & Sáiz-Díaz, J. (2018). Assignment Problems in Wildfire Suppression: Models for Optimization of Aerial Resource Logistics. Forest Science, 64(5), 504-514 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxy012Wildfire containment activities involve a combination of important decisions that affect the evolution of the fire and effective resource deployment. When aerial resources (in particular aircraft and helicopters) are used, two tasks are assigned to the aerial coordinator: the allocation of aerial resources to flight routes (circular paths that aerial resources follow such that they have common loading and discharge points) and refueling points. In this paper, we introduce two models of linear integer programming to execute these tasks. The models are written using AMPL and the Gurobi solver engine and illustrated through examples. The objective of these models is to provide automatic and rapid support for the coordination of the abovementioned tasks. In order to enhance the robustness of the models, the scheduling times and the characteristics of the aerial resources are also considered. These models aim at minimizing both the containment time of the fire and the total flight hours. The models will reduce the risk of aerial collision of resources by taking into account the maximum number of aerial resources that can simultaneously load water at the same point. Moreover, management of refueling points is also achievedThis research received financial support from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain through grant MTM2014-53395-C3-2-P, MTM2016-76969-P, MTM2017-87197-C3-3-P, and from ITMATI, Technological Institute of Industrial Mathematics, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, through the Enjambre projectS

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and toxicity of the orchids Prosthechea cochleata and Prosthechea livida-A preliminary study

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and toxic effects of two orchid (Prosthechea cochleata and Prosthechea livida) were examined in their different hexane and dichloromethane/methanol extracts of leaves, pseudobulbs, rhizome and roots.  Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and terpenes except for anthracene derivatives in P. livida and tannins in both species. Results showed exhibited significant toxicity against brine shrimp with an LC50 values ranged from 3 to 54 µg/ml in 24 h.  Finally, the results of the antioxidant test in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) showed that CH2Cl2:MeOH extract of P. cochleata root extract presented the most efficient protective antioxidant percentage (%PA), with 20 µg/mL, displaying a cell viability of 68.58%. In P. livida case, rhizome extract presented the most efficient %PA, with 1000 µg/mL, with a cell viability of 65.82%.  The results evidenced the toxicity of  Prosthechea cochleata and Prosthechea livida and reveals potential antioxidative of extracts

Wind pumps for irrigating greenhouse crops: Comparison in different socio-economical frameworks

A methodology is applied for economic evaluation of water pumping technologies. Different socioeconomic frameworks are considered for Spain, Cuba and Pakistan. The levelised cost of energy is used to determine the best technology. Wind speed, distance to grid, water storage size and elevation are considered. The water elevation has greater influence on wind pumps than on solar PV pumping

Report of a floral visitor of Cypripedium irapeanum (Orchidaceae) in Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico

The process and participating actors of pollination have fascinated many scholars since the time of Darwin. Nevertheless, for many species of orchids, the identity of the pollinator or the purpose of floral visits remains unknown. Cypripedium (Orchidaceae) is a genus of worldwide distribution that presents a broad range of colors and sizes. Three species are reported in Mexico: C. dickinsonianum, C. irapeanum and C. molle. However, there is very little information regarding the ecological interactions of these species. Firstly, a preliminary bibliographic review was conducted in order to compile information pertaining to the pollinators and floral visitors of the genus Cypripedium. Secondly, a population of C. irapeanum was monitored in a pine-oak forest at 1680 m.a.s.l. in the municipality of Tepoztlán, in Morelos, Mexico. The municipality of Tepoztlán in Morelos, Mexico, hosts a population of approximately 250 individuals of the species C. irapeanum. During a visit to this site in July 2015, two specimens of bees, belonging to the genus Lasioglossum subgenus Eickwortia, were found exiting from the apertures of the rear part of the C. irapeanum labellum. This event was photographed and one bee specimen was collected and identified to species, thus contributing to the first record of a floral visitor to this species of orchid. Lasioglossum nyctere is a floral visitor and possibly a pollinator of C. irapeanum. Future studies should confirm whether or not this bee is indeed a pollinator of the orchid

Granulomatous hypophysitis by Mycobacterium gordonae in a non HIV-infected patient

Lymphocytic or granulomatous hypophysitis is a rare entity with a difficult diagnosis. Our objective was to report a patient with non-tuberculous granulomatous hypophysitis. An HIV-negative 45-year old man with confusional state, subacute ophthalmoplegia, and clinical and laboratory findings of panhypopituitarism was seen in the emergency unit. A cranial MRI showed a sellar mass suggestive of hypophysitis. After an unsuccessful attempt with steroids and antituberculous drugs the patient died. Post-mortem histopathology revealed granulomatous lesions and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium gordonae’s DNA. In conclusion, we should consider granulomatous hypophysitis in the differential diagnosis of non-secreting hypophyseal tumors. The etiology of a pituitary granuloma by a non-tuberculous mycobacteria is best reached by histopathological techniques and molecular assays. The optimal therapy is yet to be established

Antibody prevalence to mumps in children and adolescents at two years of the introduction of the MMR vaccine

Objective. To assess the prevalence of mumps antibodies in children and adolescents of Mexico, two years after the introduction of the mumps-containing vaccine MMR. Ma­terials and methods. Evaluation of IgG antibodies with a commercial kit of indirect ELISA. Results. 2 111 children (1-9 years) and 2 484 adolescents (10-19 years) were studied. The overall antibody seroprevalence was 70.6% (95% CI 69.3- 71.9), being higher in adolescents (83.0%, 95%CI 81.5-84.5) than in children (56.0%, 95%CI: 53.9-58.11) (OR 3.83, 95%CI 3.34-4.39, p=0.0000000). Children 1 to 2 and 6 to 9 years who were part of the target group of mumps vaccination since 1998, they had higher seroprevalence than the group of 3 to 5 years unvaccinated. Conclusions. Seropositivity in children aged 1 to 2 and 6 to 9 years was probably at­tributable to vaccination during 1998-2000 and in other age groups to natural exposure related to time elapsed in each birth cohort until the study recruitment

Seven psychosocial principles to explain terrorism

Este artículo describe las bases para una aproximación psicosocial al análisis de los fenómenos terroristas. Más concretamente, se exponen siete principios explicativos del terrorismo que sean congruentes con los supuestos metateóricos y el cuerpo de conocimientos propios de la Psicología social. Desde esta óptica el terrorismo se concibe como una estrategia de influencia sociopolítica. Los atributos psicológicos de los terroristas son analizados por su relación con diversos procesos de influencia social. También se destaca la importancia de los factores ideológicos. Por último, se presta una atención muy especial a las semejanzas entre las organizaciones terroristas y los movimientos sociales ordinarios y a la estructura y dinámicas grupales propias de aquellas organizacionesResearch approaches leading to the understanding of the terrorist phenomenon are suggested. Seven principles explaining terrorism are analysed from a psychosocial approach: They could complete the explanations of terrorism focused in socio-structural and psychological variables, the latter being insufficient and often erroneous. Thus, terrorism is presented as a strategy of political influence, and the psychological attributes of terrorists are explained as the result of several influential social processes. We considered that terrorist attacks and campaigns correspond to strategic reasons, but we also assume that the rationality of the terrorists perspective is limited. As far as the organisational parameters are concerned, we propose an analogy with ordinary social movements, especially relating to their ideological frameworks of legitimisation and resource mobilization processesS

Development and Characterization of a Tacrolimus/Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Eye Drop

Uveitis is a vision inflammatory disorder with a high prevalence in developing countries. Currently, marketed treatments remain limited and reformulation is usually performed to obtain a tacrolimus eye drop as a therapeutic alternative in corticosteroid-refractory eye disease. The aim of this work was to develop a mucoadhesive, non-toxic and stable topical ophthalmic formulation that can be safely prepared in hospital pharmacy departments. Four different ophthalmic formulations were prepared based on the tacrolimus/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) inclusion complexes’ formation. Phase solubility diagrams, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and molecular modeling studies showed the formation of 1:1 and 1:2 tacrolimus/HPβCD inclusion complexes, being possible to obtain a 0.02% (w/v) tacrolimus concentration by using 40% (w/v) HPβCD aqueous solutions. Formulations also showed good ophthalmic properties in terms of pH, osmolality and safety. Stability studies proved these formulations to be stable for at least 3 months in refrigeration. Ex vivo bioadhesion and in vivo ocular permanence showed good mucoadhesive properties with higher ocular permanence compared to the reference pharmacy compounding used in clinical settings (t1/2 of 86.2 min for the eyedrop elaborated with 40% (w/v) HPβCD and Liquifilm® versus 46.3 min for the reference formulation). Thus, these novel eye drops present high potential as a safe alternative for uveitis treatment, as well as a versatile composition to include new drugs intended for topical ophthalmic administrationThis research was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (RTI2018-099597-B-100), the ISCIII (PI17/00940, RETICS Oftared, RD16/0008/0003 and RD12/0034/0017) and by Xunta de Galicia, grant numbers GPC2013/015 and GRC2017/015S