Aggregation and remuneration in Demand-Response with a blockchain-based framework

This paper describes the possibility to use the blockchain technology for load and generation aggregation in a new distributed Demand Response (DR) service and customers remuneration system. The blockchain technology and the use of smart contracts for DR allow the creation of a distributed system in which customers can communicate directly, in a transparent, secure and traceable way, with the grid operator to provide their flexibility. In this paper, the DR problem formulation takes into account several aspects, which are periodically executed. First, the blockchain records customers’ energy consumption or production, then, the smart contract starts calculating the baseline and the potential support provided by each customer to fulfil the requested load adaptation. Customers’ availability for generation and load profile modulation is also taken into account, as well as their privacy and an updated definition of the roles of grid and market operators in a new Demand-Response scenario supported by the blockchain technology. The blockchain used is Hyperledger Fabric, since it turned to be flexible for smart contracts implementation while supporting multi-tenancy. Results show the possibility to successfully apply the blockchain technology to this particular topic, even considering privacy-preserving issues

Analysing omics data sets with weighted nodes networks (WNNets)

Current trends in biomedical research indicate data integration as a fundamental step towards precision medicine. In this context, network models allow representing and analysing complex biological processes. However, although effective in unveiling network properties, these models fail in considering the individual, biochemical variations occurring at molecular level. As a consequence, the analysis of these models partially loses its predictive power. To overcome these limitations, Weighted Nodes Networks (WNNets) were developed. WNNets allow to easily and effectively weigh nodes using experimental information from multiple conditions. In this study, the characteristics of WNNets were described and a proteomics data set was modelled and analysed. Results suggested that degree, an established centrality index, may offer a novel perspective about the functional role of nodes in WNNets. Indeed, degree allowed retrieving significant differences between experimental conditions, highlighting relevant proteins, and provided a novel interpretation for degree itself, opening new perspectives in experimental data modelling and analysis. Overall, WNNets may be used to model any high-throughput experimental data set requiring weighted nodes. Finally, improving the power of the analysis by using centralities such as betweenness may provide further biological insights and unveil novel, interesting characteristics of WNNets

An Energy Blockchain, a Use Case on Tendermint

The recent advances in distributed energy systems require new models for exchanging energy among prosumers in microgrids. The blockchain technology promises to solve the digital issues related to distributed systems without a trusted authority and to allow quick and secure energy transactions, which are verified and cryptographically protected. Transactions are approved and subsequently recorded on all the machines participating in the blockchain. This work demonstrates how users, which are nodes of the energy and digital networks, exchange energy supported by a customized blockchain based on Tendermint. We focus on the procedures for generating blocks and defining data structures for storing energy transactions

Defensive responses to stressful life events associated with cancer diagnosis

Objectives: Stressful life events (SLEs) are common in patients who developed both physical and psychological syndromes. Research shown the role of psychological defense mechanisms in cancer progression and survival probability. The present study analyzed recent SLEs and defense mechanisms as characteristic of cancer patients and tested their role as potential predisposing factors to cancer development. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 145 participants: 48 recently diagnosed cancer patients (CP), 43 recently diagnosed benignant tumor patients (BT), and 54 healthy subjects (HC). Non-blinded raters assessed participants’ defense mechanisms using the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales Q-sort version (DMRS-Q). Groups were compared on the presence of SLEs and on the maturity of defensive functioning. Associations between SLE and defense mechanisms as statistically associated with cancer diagnosis was explored. Results: Higher overall defensive functioning was associated with good physical conditions. Recent SLEs, higher use of neurotic defenses and lower use of obsessional defenses characterized cancer patients. CP showed higher use of suppression, repression, dissociation, rationalization and passive aggression and lower use of affiliation, sublimation, undoing, and devaluation of self-image as compared to controls. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that recent SLEs and defense mechanisms of suppression, repression, dissociation, displacement and omnipotence were associated with cancer diagnosis. Discussion: Recent SLEs and repressive defensive functioning characterized the CP’s defensive response to stress. Despite the relevance of present findings, this study shows several limitations. Prospective and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these results and to investigate the potential role played by SLEs and defense mechanisms in cancer development

MUDPIT ANALYSIS OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA SECRETOME: CONSEQUENCES OF OXYGEN LIMITATION IN CLINICAL AND LABORATORY STRAINS

This review discusses the efficacy and safety in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) of intravenous immunoglobulin and compares this treatment with plasma exchange and prednisolone. We searched publications from 1985 onwards for randomised controlled studies examining the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with this immune-mediated neuromuscular disorder. Six trials, with 170 patients in total, were judged eligible. A significantly higher proportion of patients improved in disability within a month after the start of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin than with placebo (relative risk 3.17 [95% CI 1.74 to 5.75]). During this period, intravenous immunoglobulin has similar efficacy to plasma exchange and oral prednisolone; therefore which of these treatments should be the first choice is currently uncertain. An algorithm on treatment approaches for CIDP is propose

Clinical care conditions and needs of palliative care patients from five italian regions: Preliminary data of the demetra project

In order to plan the right palliative care for patients and their families, it is essential to have detailed information about patients’ needs. To gain insight into these needs, we analyzed five Italian local palliative care networks and assessed the clinical care conditions of patients facing the complexities of advanced and chronic disease. A longitudinal, observational, noninterventional study was carried out in five Italian regions from May 2017 to November 2018. Patients who accessed the palliative care networks were monitored for 12 months. Sociodemographic, clinical, and symptom information was collected with several tools, including the Necesidades Paliativas CCOMS-ICO (NECPAL) tool, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and interRAI Palliative Care (interRAI-PC). There were 1013 patients in the study. The majority (51.7%) were recruited at home palliative care units. Cancer was the most frequent diagnosis (85.4%), and most patients had at least one comorbidity (58.8%). Cancer patients reported emotional stress with severe symptoms (38.7% vs. 24.3% in noncancer patients; p = 0.001) and were less likely to have clinical frailty (13.3% vs. 43.9%; p < 0.001). Our study confirms that many patients face the last few months of life with comorbidities or extreme frailty. This study contributes to increasing the general knowledge on palliative care needs in a high-income country

A methodology for assessing the impact of salinity gradient power generation in urban contexts

The paper proposes a methodology to assess the potential impact of salinity gradient power technology in urban contexts. The idea to employ such energy source in urban contexts derives from the observation that, among the energy districts outputs, low-salinity treated wastewater can be used to produce electricity if a suitable source of high salinity feed (seawater of a salt-works) is also available. The methodology uses the HOMER software for assessing the district’s electric energy production, consumption and exchange with the main grid. Then, starting from the total gross surface and the number of inhabitants of the district, some possible realistic scenarios characterized by different wastewater flow rate are defined. Finally, for each scenario the size and the yearly energy production of the salinity gradient power system are calculated thanks to a simulator carried out by the same authors. An application example, considering three different scenarios, shows that urban density plays a crucial role in the process and that the most promising realistic scenarios are those including treated wastewater and brine and unlimited seawater and brine. The economic feasibility of the salinity gradient power technology is evaluated by a comparison with classical renewable technologies such as photovoltaic and wind systems

The Effect of Endurance Training on Pulmonary V˙O2 Kinetics in Solid Organs Transplanted Recipients

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of single (SL-ET) and double leg (DL-ET) high-intensity interval training on O2 deficit (O2Def) and mean response time (MRT) during square-wave moderate-intensity exercise (DL-MOD), and on the amplitude of V˙O2p slow component (SCamp), during heavy intensity exercise (DL-HVY), on 33 patients (heart transplant = 13, kidney transplanted = 11 and liver transplanted = 9). METHODS: Patients performed DL incremental step exercise to exhaustion, two DL-MOD tests, and a DL-HVY trial before and after 24 sessions of SL-ET (n = 17) or DL-ET (n = 16). RESULTS: After SL-ET, O2Def, MRT and SCamp decreased by 16.4% ± 13.7 (p = 0.008), by 15.6% ± 13.7 (p = 0.004) and by 35% ± 31 (p = 0.002), respectively. After DL-ET, they dropped by 24.9% ± 16.2 (p &lt; 0.0001), by 25.9% ± 13.6 (p &lt; 0.0001) and by 38% ± 52 (p = 0.0003), respectively. The magnitude of improvement of O2Def, MRT, and SCamp was not significantly different between SL-ET and DL-ET after training. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that SL-ET is as effective as DL-ET if we aim to improve V˙O2p kinetics in transplanted patients and suggest that the slower, V˙O2p kinetics is mainly caused by the impairment of peripherals exchanges likely due to the immunosuppressive medications and disuse

Shotgun Proteomics of Isolated Urinary Extracellular Vesicles for Investigating Respiratory Impedance in Healthy Preschoolers

Urine proteomic applications in children suggested their potential in discriminating between healthy subjects from those with respiratory diseases. The aim of the current study was to combine protein fractionation, by urinary extracellular vesicle isolation, and proteomics analysis in order to establish whether different patterns of respiratory impedance in healthy preschoolers can be characterized from a protein fingerprint. Twenty-one 3-5-yr-old healthy children, representative of 66 recruited subjects, were selected: 12 late preterm (LP) and 9 full-term (T) born. Children underwent measurement of respiratory impedance through Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) and no significant differences between LP and T were found. Unbiased clustering, based on proteomic signatures, stratified three groups of children (A, B, C) with significantly different patterns of respiratory impedance, which was slightly worse in group A than in groups B and C. Six proteins (Tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP1), Cubilin (CUBN), SerpinA4, SerpinF1, Thy-1 membrane glycoprotein (THY1) and Angiopoietin-related protein 2 (ANGPTL2)) were identified in order to type the membership of subjects to the three groups. The differential levels of the six proteins in groups A, B and C suggest that proteomic-based profiles of urinary fractionated exosomes could represent a link between respiratory impedance and underlying biological profiles in healthy preschool children