Preference Elicitation and Reasoning While Smart Shifting of Home Appliances

AbstractA crucial part of the total electricity demand is energy consumption in the residential sector. In parallel to optimizing energy consumption within houses, user comfort is still an essential success criterion for automated solutions used within the house. Choosing the most comfortable appliance schedule is often a challenging task for the members of the house. To bring focus on this challenge, residential customer involvement is enhanced by a trend towards automation of appliances. This trend is reflected by pilot projects such as Linear which uses automated smart appliances at the demand side to attain more flexibility in the electricity system. Moreover, industrial interest from the Telecom, energy and household appliance sector to promote smart schedules for appliances is growing. To meet this trend, this paper describes new ways to model and reason with the user preferences when scheduling appliances in a household under dynamic pricing schemes given different user preferences. These methods have been proven to be efficient in eliciting and computing the user preferences to increase the user comfort in the house

Biochemical composition of three Tunisian silverside (fish) populations caught in open sea, lagoon and island coasts

Fatty acid and amino acid profiles were determined in three silverside populations caught in Tunisian waters Atherina boyeri (open sea), Atherina lagunae (lagoon) and Atherina sp. (island coasts). Saturated fatty acids reached in total lipids 43.54%, 36.96% in marine and 33.64% in insular silverside and A. lagunae, in which eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and linoleic acid were the prominent fatty acids. The n-3/n-6 index showed a significant level indicating a tendency to accumulate n-3 fatty acids in A. boyeri and A. lagunae and n-6 fatty acids in Atherina sp. Total amino acid content ranged from 528 to 588 mg/g crude protein, in which, glutamic acid was the most abundant. Methionine had the lowest essential amino acid score in A. boyeri and Atherina sp. (0.73 and 0.71, respectively)while tryptophan had the lowest in A. lagunae (0.07)

Predictors of oral hygiene practices among primary school children of Alzintan City, Libya

Background: Good oral health is essential for the well-being and development of young children. Preservation of good oral hygiene in children is important for the development of strong, healthy teeth and to decrease the possibility of dental caries. Oral health is maintained by regular eating and drinking, as well as daily mechanical and pharmacological cleaning of the mouth, for example, brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. The aim of the study is to determine oral hygiene practices among public primary school children in Al Zintan City, Libya. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in three public primary schools in Al Zintan City, Libya. A total of 100 school children aged 9-12 years old participated in the study. Random sampling method was used. Result: Response rate was 92%. There was 53.3% of respondents who had correct practices on oral hygiene, and 46.7% of respondents had incorrect practices on oral hygiene. It was observed that statistically significant association was found between oral hygiene practices and different age groups of respondents (P = 0.04). There was no significant association between oral hygiene practices and other socio demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). No statistically significant association regarding oral hygiene practices between children with high and low knowledge, good and bad dietary habits, positive and negative dental history (P > 0.05). Oral hygiene practices are significantly associated with attitude toward oral hygiene among primary school children of Al Zintan City, Libya (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Correct oral hygiene practices is better among school children of older age. In addition, school children whose father had higher education level have correct oral hygiene practices. Attitude towards oral hygiene is one of the important predictors of oral hygiene practices

Efectos de los procesos de ahumado sobre el valor nutricional y la composición de ácidos grasos de la lucioperca (Sander lucioperca)

This study aimed to estimate the nutritional quality of Sander lucioperca fillets and alterations in lipid quality following hot and cold smoking processes. Our results revealed that the total fat content of zander fillets was 1.86 g/100g. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were higher than saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in fresh tissue samples. Arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids were the most abundant PUFAs. Differences in the fatty acid compositions of the smoked and fresh fillet were significant, with a decrease in (PUFAs) in the proportion of total fatty acids. The fatty acid profile of the neutral lipids was unchanged after the cold smoking process, whereas PUFAs decreased significantly during both smoking processes, especially the hot smoking process. Our findings showed a partial alteration of polar lipids. Both smoking treatments produced lipoperoxidation and lipid oxidation in the fillets. Other investigational smoking conditions should be tested to reduce such oxidation and hydrolysis in fillets, which could be susceptible to off-flavors and off-odors.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la calidad nutricional de los filetes de lucioperca y las alteraciones en la calidad de los lípidos tras el proceso de ahumado en caliente y en frío. Nuestros resultados revelaron que el contenido total de grasa de los filetes de lucioperca fue de 1.86 g/100 g. Los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (PUFA) fueron más altos que los ácidos grasos saturados y monoinsaturados en muestras de tejido fresco. Los ácidos grasos araquidónico, docosahexaenoico y eicosapentaenoico fueron los PUFA más abundantes. Las diferencias en la composición de ácidos grasos del filete ahumado y fresco fueron significativas, con una disminución de la proporción (PUFA) en los ácidos grasos totales. El perfil de ácidos grasos de los lípidos neutros se mantuvo sin cambios en el proceso de ahumado en frío, mientras que los PUFA disminuyeron significativamente durante ambos procesos de ahumado, especialmente en el proceso de ahumado en caliente. Nuestros resultados mostraron una alteración parcial de los lípidos polares. Ambos tratamientos de ahumado indicaron lipo-peroxidación y oxidación de lípidos en los filetes. Otras condiciones de ahumado se deben probar en investigación para reducir dicha oxidación e hidrólisis en los filetes, que podrían ser responsables de sabores y olores desagradables

Block to granular-like transition in dense bubble flows

We have experimentally investigated 2-dimensional dense bubble flows underneath inclined planes. Velocity profiles and velocity fluctuations have been measured. A broad second-order phase transition between two dynamical regimes is observed as a function of the tilt angle $\theta$. For low $\theta$ values, a block motion is observed. For high $\theta$ values, the velocity profile becomes curved and a shear velocity gradient appears in the flow.Comment: Europhys. Lett. (2003) in pres

Atrésie choanale : A propos de 29 cas

Introduction : L’atrésie choanale est une malformation congénitale rare, dont la fréquence est estimée à 1 cas pour 5000 à 8000 naissances. plusieurs hypothèses embryologiques ont été proposées pour expliquer son origine. Le diagnostic de cette malformation est avant tout clinique.Objectifs : analyser les caractéristiques épidémio-cliniques et  paracliniques des atrésies choanales et discuter les modalités thérapeutiques de cette malformation.Matériel et méthodes : il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective à propos de 29 cas d'atrésie choanale suivis au service d'Otorhinolaryngologie de l'hôpital la Rabta sur une période de 20 ans (1990-2009).Résultats : L'âge moyen de découverte était de 10,6 ans (1 jour - 35 ans). Une prédominance féminine a été notée. L'atrésie était bilatérale dans 8 cas et unilatérale dans 21 cas. Un scanner du massif facial a été réalisé dans 23 cas. L'atrésie était osseuse dans 30,4 % des cas, membraneuse dans 13 % et mixte dans 56,6 %. Concernant le  traitement, on a eu recours à la divulsion dans un cas, la voie  transpalatine dans 15 cas (dont 2 aprés echec divulsion première) etla voie endonasale dans 13 cas.  Le taux de succès obtenu par la voie endoscopique endonasale est évalué à 72,72% et par la voie transpalatine à 71,42%. Le taux de succès passe à 100% après reprise chirurgicale.Conclusion : L’atrésie choanale est une pathologie qui doit être dépistée à la période néonatale. L’endoscopie nasale et le scanner ont complètement révolutionné les approches diagnostiques et thérapeutiques de cette pathologie. La chirurgie endonasale sous guidage endoscopique est actuellement la technique de choix.Mots clés : atrésie ; choane ; chirurgie endoscopiqu

Key drivers for copepod assemblages in a eutrophic coastal brackish lake

The copepod assemblages and abiotic parameters were investigated at 11 stations in a large coastal lake (Lake Manzalah, Nile Delta) from 2009-2010 in order to verify any impacts of eutrophication and salinity on the copepod species composition. The environmental conditions and the copepod assemblages appeared to have changed in comparison with previous studies, possibly because of increasing eutrophication and invasions of non-indigenous species (NIS). The aim of the present study was the identification of species which can be used as ecological indicators of high trophic status. Among the nine copepod species of Lake Manzalah, Acartia tonsa, Mesocyclops ogunnus, and Apocyclops panamensis were reported for the first time. Acartia tonsa, a well-known NIS for the Mediterranean, numerically dominated the copepod assemblages in some portions of the lake. The distribution of Acanthocyclops trajani and Thermocyclops consimilis was insensible to eutrophication because they can stand high levels of nutrients and hypoxia. Compared with previous reports, the copepod assemblage of Lake Manzalah was richer in species. The invasions of NIS, in addition to the heterogeneous progress of eutrophication in the lake, created an environmental mosaic with many species in total, but with single areas suitable for only a small number of them

Les facteurs prédictifs de malignité des nodules thyroïdiens: à propos de 412 cas

Introduction : Les nodules thyroïdiens constituent la pathologie thyroïdienne la plus fréquente. Ils posent surtout le problème de leur prise en charge. La recherche d’une étiologie cancéreuse reste la principale préoccupation. Matériels et méthodes : Nous proposons une étude rétrospective, portant sur 412 patients porteurs de nodules thyroïdiens uniques ou multiples, colligés sur une période de 5 ans (1998-2002). Nous avons réalisé une étude statistique comparant deux groupes de patients : le groupe I comprenant tous les patients porteurs de nodules malins pris en charge au cours de la période d’étude, ils sont au nombre de 103. Et le groupe II est constitué de 309 patients témoins pris au hasard porteurs de nodules bénins également pris en charge entre 1998 et 2002. Résultats : Les facteurs prédictifs de malignité d’un nodule thyroïdien, jugés significatifs au terme de l’étude statistique univariée, étaient : l’âge inférieur à 30 ans, l’adénopathie révélatrice, la consistance dure du nodule, sa fixité, son caractère irrégulier et ses limites floues à la palpation, la présence d’une adénopathie à l’examen, l’association à une anémie. Et à l’échographie, la structure mixte, les limites irrégulières, la présence de microcalcifications et la visualisation d’une vascularisation intranodulaire avec ou sans vascularisation périnodulaire. Seuls 4 facteurs étaient significatifs à l’étude multivariée : l’âge inférieur à 30 ans, l’anémie, l’échostructure mixte et l’hypervascularisation au doppler. Conclusion : Bien que ces facteurs sont fortement prédictifs de malignité, aucun examen clinique ou paraclinique n’est suffisant à lui seul, le clinicien doit alors se baser sur un faisceau d’arguments pour adopter une conduite pratique parfois lourde de conséquences.Mots clés : nodules thyroïdiens, malignité, dépistage, échographi

Les traumatismes externes du larynx

Objective : Laryngeal injuries are rare. They can be isolated or associated with fractures of the facial skeleton. Early diagnosisand proper initial management may sometimes be difficult or delayed.The indication for surgery depends on the extent of the injury.Materials and methods : We report a retrospective review including thirty patients with laryngeal trauma treated over a 25-year periodResults : The mean age was 30 years. Commonest cause of injury was cut throat injuries followed by road traffic accidents. Fibreoptic endoscopy was performed for all the patients. Ct scan was done for 16 patients. All the patients were classified selon la classification de Schaeffer.More then the half (54%) was classified in stage I and II. Surgery was indicated for 16 patients. The treatment was conservative for all the cases. The middle recurrence was 2 years. Three of our patients developped a sous glottic stenosis. Two of them had a laryngoplasty type Rethi.Conclusion : Their symptoms are variable ranging from obvious airway obstruction to minor or almost missing symptoms. A coordinated team approach is necessary for proper management of these injuries.Keywords : Fibreoptic endoscopy, cervical CT-Scan, laryngeal stenosis, voice therapy session