Impacts of overweight and obesity in older age on the risk of dementia: A systematic literature review and a meta-analysis

Background: It is unclear whether overweight and obesity in older age reduces or increases the risk of incident dementia. Objective: To assess the impacts of overweight and obesity in older age on incident dementia. Methods: We searched cohort studies reporting body weight measured in older age and dementia through PubMed, Embase, Medline, PyschInfo, and Cochrane library until July 2016. Sixteen articles were identified for the review. We pooled data from them and a new unpublished study from China, to calculate relative risk (RR) of incident dementia in relation to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Results: All 16 cohort studies were undertaken in high income countries, with follow-up periods ranging between 3 to 18 years. Thirteen studies showed an inverse association between BMI and dementia, and three studies demonstrated a positive association. Pooled RR of dementia in relation to continuous BMI from 14 studied populations, including the new Chinese data was 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–1.00); in those with followed up <9 years was 0.95 (0.93–0.96) while in ≥9 years follow-up was 1.03 (0.96–1.11). In five studied populations examining categorical BMI, RR of dementia in older people classified as overweight and obese was 0.98 (0.54–1.77) and 1.17 (0.65–2.10) respectively, in comparison with other weights. The pooled WC data showed no association between increased WC and reduced risk of dementia. Conclusion: The current evidence did not support a paradox on beneficial impacts of overweight and obesity in older age on incident dementia. More studies with long term follow up are needed to clarify the association of body weight in older age with dementia risk

Otimização da topologia de circuitos de distribuição de energia elétrica usando algoritmos inspirados no comportamento de formigas

Colônias de formigas podem ser consideradas um sistema multi-agente, em que cada agente (formiga) opera independentemente por regras simples. Algoritmos baseados no comportamento de colônias de formigas têm sido usados para resolver problemas de otimização, pois, na procura por alimento, as formigas tendem a estabelecer a rota mais curta (ótima) entre o formigueiro e a fonte de alimento. Neste trabalho, usam-se algoritmos inspirados em formigas na otimização da topologia de circuitos de distribuição de energia elétrica. O desempenho do algoritmo é investigado em função dos valores dos seus parâmetros. Realizam-se experimentos em sistemas de distribuição hipotéticos e realistas.Ant colonies can be considered a multi-agent system, where each agent (ant) works independently by simple rules. Algorithms based on the behavior of ant colonies have been used to solve optimization problems, because in the search for food ants tend to create the shortest (optimum) path between the nest and the food source. In this work, ant inspired algorithms are used in the optimization of the topology of electric energy distribution networks. The algorithm performance is investigated in function of its parameter values. Experiments in hypothetical and actual distribution systems are performed

Fault detection and location in power distribution systems using intelligent approach based in spectral signal analysis

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a identificação, classificação, localização e setorização de faltas em redes de distribuição radiais, verificar a maneira de aplicar e integrar diversas ferramentas numéricas convencionais, assim como ferramentas de sistemas inteligentes, visando identificar a ocorrência de uma falta, classificar as fases envolvidas com a mesma, e aplicar as diversas ferramentas existentes a fim de localizar em tempo real o eventual local onde houve a ocorrência da falta, permitindo que a mesma possa ser setorizada dentro do sistema da concessionária e informada ao centro de operações, usando uma nova abordagem inteligente baseada em análise espectral de sinais.The aim of this work is study the identification, classification, location and sectorization of a fault in distribution radial networks, check how to implement and integrate various conventional numerical tools, as well as intelligent systems based tools, to identify the occurrence of a fault, classify the phases involved with it, and apply the various tools available to locate the place where a fault was occurred in real time, enabling it to be sectorized into the utility system and informed to operational center using a new intelligent approach based on spectral signals analysis

An Application of Soft Systems Methodology in the Evaluation of Policies and Incentive Actions to Promote Technological Innovations in the Electricity Sector

conference proceedings journal volum

An Application of Soft Systems Methodology in the Evaluation of Policies and Incentive Actions to Promote Technological Innovations in the Electricity Sector

conference proceedings journal volum

A multi-criteria approach to sort and rank policies based on Delphi qualitative assessments and ELECTRE TRI: The case of smart grids in Brazil

This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication in Omega. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. The final version will be available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2017.04.00

Public policies for smart grids in Brazil

This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. The final version will be available at: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.07