Middleware architectures for the smart grid: A survey on the state-of-the-art, taxonomy and main open issues

The integration of small-scale renewable energy sources in the smart grid depends on several challenges that must be overcome. One of them is the presence of devices with very different characteristics present in the grid or how they can interact among them in terms of interoperability and data sharing. While this issue is usually solved by implementing a middleware layer among the available pieces of equipment in order to hide any hardware heterogeneity and offer the application layer a collection of homogenous resources to access lower levels, the variety and differences among them make the definition of what is needed in each particular case challenging. This paper offers a description of the most prominent middleware architectures for the smart grid and assesses the functionalities they have, considering the performance and features expected from them in the context of this application domain

Area Littlewood-Paley functions associated with Hermite and Laguerre operators

In this paper we study Lp-boundedness properties for area Littlewood-Paley functions associated with heat semigroups for Hermite and Laguerre operator

Controlled localization of interacting bosons in a disordered optical lattice

We show that tunneling and localization properties of interacting ultracold atoms in an optical lattice can be controlled by adiabatically turning on a fast oscillatory force even in the presence of disorder. Our calculations are based on the exact solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation, using the Floquet formalism. Implications of our findings for larger systems and the possibility of controlling the phase diagram of disordered-interacting bosonic systems are discussed.Comment: 7 pages 7 fig

Challenges Teachers Encounter When Integrating Technology in a Culturally, Linguistically, and Diverse High School

Teachers often encounter challenges when integrating technology into a classroom that has a culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) student population. These challenges have existed as teachers are not adequately trained to integrate technology when working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Additionally, challenges arise when students do not have technological skills. This qualitative study examined how high school teachers with a high CLD student population integrated technology into daily instructions and the challenges they encounter when implementing it. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researcher collected data through eight individual teacher interviews via Zoom. During the data analysis, five general themes emerged: (a) CLD students’ lack of adequate technology background, (b) CLD students’ lack of technology access results in unequal access to education, (c) inadequate professional development and lack of teacher self-efficacy, (d) extrinsic and intrinsic barriers limit implementation of technology instruction, and (e) technology as a hindrance to CLD students’ academic progress. The findings of this study are beneficial in assisting school districts in the United States in identifying the challenges CLD students encounter with technology to make the necessary changes needed for teachers to implement it effectively. An analysis of the data revealed that CLD students’ academic achievement was negatively impacted by technology. Additionally, students had better academic success when teachers had hands-on activities

Covid-19 on Route of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Since 2015 I have been talking about an imminent Global Pedagogical Blackout (GPB) as part of a transitional frame between the Third and Fourth Industrial Revolution (Bonilla-Molina 2016, 2017). The Global Pedagogical Blackout was progressively realized with (a) the de-pedagogization of the reality of education; (b) the construction of an evaluative culture (PISA,Footnote 1 PIAAC,Footnote 2 LLECEFootnote 3-UNESCO tests, TIMMS,Footnote 4 assessments of the national institutes for the assessment of educational quality, among others) justified by notions of quality and relevance; (c) the construction of a paradigm based on the ‘crisis of the education system,’ (d) educational divestment, especially in terms of technological updating (Internet, hardware, software), which was turning public schools and universities into museums of the past; (e) the discursive hegemony of the educational quality of Sustainable Development Goal Number 4Footnote 5 in public policies linked to education, in contrast to (f) an outdated curriculum paired to an updated model of content unable to keep up with the accelerating innovation; and (g) the impetus for a conversion of the teaching profession into curricular administration. Following Covid-19 lockdowns and transitions to online education, the Global Pedagogical Blackout is now more clearly evidenced as a consequence of the transformation of the capitalist mode of production through the acceleration of scientific-technological innovation (Bonilla-Molina 2020a, b, c, d). The preventive quarantine has been used to enhance the construction of hegemony upon a new model of education, virtual education at home (Bonilla-Molina 2020e, f), which is already in proposal by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank, Organization for Economic Development (OECD), and the US Trump administration

A new Variable Curvature concept for Linear Fresnel Reflectors Solar Concentrating Systems

In a Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) solar concentrating system [1] a series of single axis linear reflectors target the sunrays to a longitudinal facedown receiver on top of a fixed structure. The LFR technology offers simplicity and reduced costs when compared with the standard Parabolic Trough technology, but it also suffers from reduced optical performance, especially with large incidence angles. The present preliminary study explores the possibilities of a variable curvature geometrical concept for a LFR that would achieve a more focused solar print over the receptor than in a traditional fixed geometry system.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Sewing threads: Intercultural strategies in an international fashion company to transfer corporate culture and knowledg

This internship report analyzes the intercultural activities carried out at a French fashion company from March to August 2020 in the scope of the internship of the Master’s in Intercultural Studies for Business. The purpose of this internship report is to describe the specific intercultural needs of the Learning & Development Department of MNC France and propose the most suitable communication strategies for the team. The phenomenon studied is the communication challenges faced by the L&D Department in the French headquarters to keep appropriate knowledge transfer with subsidiary partners. The main internship activities focused on translation, including the design of a translation project. Secondary assignments also included remote interpretation at international meetings and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) support for the department. The analysis and data collection were based in participant observation, as we could access to information and daily activities of the company. The intercultural strategies proposed can be stated as plans to reach effective corporate communication and knowledge transfer. Keywords: interculturality, project management, corporate culture, communication, language, translation, training, human resources, CAT tools, ESP, interpretingEste relatório de estágio analisa as actividades interculturais realizadas numa empresa de moda francesa de Março a Agosto de 2020 no âmbito do estágio do Mestrado em Estudos Interculturais para Negócios. O objectivo deste relatório de estágio é descrever as necessidades interculturais específicas do Departamento de Learning & Development do MNC France e propor as estratégias de comunicação mais adequadas para a equipa. O fenómeno estudado são os desafios de comunicação enfrentados pelo Departamento de L&D na sede francesa para manter uma adequada transferência de conhecimentos com parceiros subsidiários. As principais actividades de estágio centraram-se na tradução, incluindo a concepção de um projecto de tradução. As tarefas secundárias incluíram também a interpretação à distância em reuniões internacionais e o apoio ao departamento de Inglês para Fins Específicos (ESP). A análise e a recolha de dados basearam-se na observação dos participantes, uma vez que pudemos aceder à informação e às actividades diárias da empresa. As estratégias interculturais propostas podem ser declaradas como planos para alcançar uma comunicação empresarial eficaz e a transferência de conhecimentos. Palavras-chave: interculturalidade, gestão de projetos, cultura corporativa, comunicação, língua, tradução, formação, recursos humanos, ferramentas de tradução, ESP, interpretaçãoCe rapport de stage analyse les activités interculturelles menées dans une entreprise de mode française de mars à août 2020 dans le cadre du stage inscrit au Master Intercultural Studies for Business. L'objectif de ce rapport de stage est de décrire les besoins interculturels spécifiques du département Learning & Development de MNC France et de proposer les stratégies de communication les plus adaptées à l'équipe. Le phénomène étudié est le défi de communication auquel est confronté le département L&D de la maison-mère française pour maintenir un transfert de connaissances approprié avec les partenaires des filiales. Les principales activités du stage se sont concentrées sur la traduction, y compris la conception d'un projet de traduction. Les missions secondaires comprenaient également l'interprétation à distance lors de réunions internationales et le soutien de l'anglais à des fins spécifiques (ESP) pour le département. L'analyse et la collecte de données ont été basées sur l'observation des participants, car nous avons pu accéder aux informations et aux activités quotidiennes de l'entreprise. Les stratégies interculturelles proposées peuvent être énoncées comme des plans pour parvenir à une communication d'entreprise et à un transfert de connaissances efficaces Mots clés : interculturalité, gestion de projets, culture d'entreprise, communication, langue, traduction, formation, ressources humaines, outils de traduction, ESP, interprétatio