A novel smart energy management as a service over a cloud computing platform for nanogrid appliances

There will be a dearth of electrical energy in the world in the future due to exponential increase in electrical energy demand of rapidly growing world population. With the development of Internet of Things (IoT), more smart appliances will be integrated into homes in smart cities that actively participate in the electricity market by demand response programs to efficiently manage energy in order to meet this increasing energy demand. Thus, with this incitement, the energy management strategy using a price-based demand response program is developed for IoT-enabled residential buildings. We propose a new EMS for smart homes for IoT-enabled residential building smart devices by scheduling to minimize cost of electricity, alleviate peak-to-average ratio, correct power factor, automatic protective appliances, and maximize user comfort. In this method, every home appliance is interfaced with an IoT entity (a data acquisition module) with a specific IP address, which results in a wide wireless system of devices. There are two components of the proposed system: software and hardware. The hardware is composed of a base station unit (BSU) and many terminal units (TUs). The software comprises Wi-Fi network programming as well as system protocol. In this study, a message queue telemetry transportation (MQTT) broker was installed on the boards of BSU and TU. In this paper, we present a low-cost platform for the monitoring and helping decision making about different areas in a neighboring community for efficient management and maintenance, using information and communication technologies. The findings of the experiments demonstrated the feasibility and viability of the proposed method for energy management in various modes. The proposed method increases effective energy utilization, which in turn increases the sustainability of IoT-enabled homes in smart cities. The proposed strategy automatically responds to power factor correction, to protective home appliances, and to price-based demand response programs to combat the major problem of the demand response programs, which is the limitation of consumer’s knowledge to respond upon receiving demand response signals. The schedule controller proposed in this paper achieved an energy saving of 6.347 kWh real power per day, this paper achieved saving 7.282 kWh apparent power per day, and the proposed algorithm in our paper saved $2.3228388 per day

Comparison of existing equations for the design of crown walls: Application to the case study of ericeira breakwater (Portugal)

Funding Information: Funding: This research was partially funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the project BSAFE4SEA-Breakwaters Safety Control through a Forecast and Decision Support System Analysis (PTDC/ECI-EGC/31090/2017).The correct calculation of forces and moments caused by wave action over crown wall structures is critical for their design. There are several existing equations for this, some of which are sanctioned in practice as it is the case for Jensen (1984) and Bradbury et al. (1998), Günback and Gökce (1984), Martin et al. (1999), Berenguer and Baonza (2006), and Pedersen (1996) and Nørgaard et al. (2013). These equations are the main tool for the design of breakwater crown walls and their accuracy is crucial to ensure the stability of the crown wall, especially when considering the sea level rise due to climate change and the possible damage of the armor, since both aspects are not usually considered in most original design studies. In a scenario of climate change, it is very important to estimate the possible changes in security factors due to both these aspects, comparing the results with the original design ones. This paper has as main objective to analyze it for the case study of Ericeira rubble mound breakwater in Portugal. For this, a comparison of the results using those equations and different scenarios including the current, considering sea level rise and armor damage, were performed to extract some conclusions: the increase in the sea level in the case study was not significant and therefore its incidence is very small; and the damage to the main armor by losing pieces at the berm is much more important in this case study, so it is essential to carry out the proper maintenance of the design section. On the other hand, horizontal forces are more conservative using Pedersen and Nørgaard equations, obtaining the lowest value with Martin. Regarding uplift pressures, Martin gives the lowest value, while the most conservative values are given by Günbak and Gökce’s for two scenarios, and Pedersen and Nørgaard for the other two scenarios. Furthermore, the sliding safety coefficient is more conditioning than overturning the safety coefficient in all the scenarios.publishersversionpublishe

Urban Coastal Flooding and Climate Change

Dentro del marco del Proyecto Europeo Smartest se presenta la publicación de las inundaciones en ciudades próximas a la costa y la influencia del cambio climático en la interface fluvio - marina con las condiciones ambientales que afectan al comportamiento evolutivo de la ciuda

Field campaign on pressure on the crown wall at the outer port of Punta Langosteira breakwater

[Abstract:] Punta Langosteira port, located in A Coruña (Spain), was monitored during the winters of 2017 and 2018, measuring wave pressure in the crown wall structure. Furthermore, the metocean variables were measured on a buoy located very close to the breakwater. This paper presents the real pressures measured at the crown wall of the breakwater during different storm events. These values are compared with the results of the application of state-of-the-art equations for the calculation of pressures on crown walls. The results obtained show the behaviour of the pressures with a crown wall fully protected by the armour, as is the case of Langosteira breakwater. Finally, several conclusions are made on the methodology for measuring the pressures using physical models and the relevance of the armour roughness.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); PTDC/ECI-EGC/31090/201

Economic Burden of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Spain: A Prospective Real-World Data Study (OASIS Study)

Carga económica; Fibrosis pulmonar idiopática; EspañaCàrrega econòmica; Fibrosi pulmonar idiopàtica; EspanyaEconomic burden; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; SpainBackground Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease associated with dyspnoea, cough and impaired quality of life affecting around 7500 patients in Spain. Objective Our aim was to estimate the economic impact of IPF according to forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted level in adult patients. Methods We conducted a prospective, observational, multicentric study of patients with confirmed IPF in Spain. Total annual IPF-related costs were estimated per patient, and categorised according to the FVC% predicted value (FVC 80%) and total sample. Incurred direct health- and non-health-related costs and indirect costs were calculated considering the IPF-related healthcare resource use and the corresponding unitarian costs. Results were updated to 2023 euros. Results Two hundred and four consecutive patients with IPF were included: 77% male, average age (standard deviation) 70.8 (7.6) years. At baseline, FVC% was 80% of predicted value in 10.8%, 74.5% and 14.7% of patients, respectively. The final cost-evaluable population included 180 subjects. The mean (standard deviation) total annual IPF-related cost was €26,997 (17,555), with statistically significant differences (p = 0.0002) between groups: €44,412 (33,389) for the FVC 80%. Annual direct health costs had the greatest weight and included pharmacological treatments [€22,324 (13,773)] and hospitalisation days [€1659 (7362)]. 14 patients had ≥ 1 acute exacerbation of IPF during the study; mean total cost of an acute exacerbation of IPF was €10,372. According to the multivariate analysis, an impaired lung function (FVC < 50%) and use of antifibrotic treatment were determinants of cost (p < 0.0001 both). Conclusions We observed a significantly higher annual IPF-related cost at a lower level of predicted FVC%, the direct cost having the greatest weight to the total costs. Maintaining patients at early disease stages by slowing IPF progression is relevant to reduce the economic impact of IPF

Student's perceptions of flipped classroom approach: results from an educational innovation project

The Flipped Classroom model is well known and recognized, and its popularity seems to keep increasing. In this pedagogical model, the transmission of conceptual knowledge is left to individual tasks outside the classroom while the contact hours, inside the classroom, are completely opened to problem solving, active and peer-assisted learning. The purpose of this work is to describe an educational innovative experience that began in the academic year 2015-2016 with the University of Malaga's Educational Innovation Project PIE15/174 (UMA), based on Flipped Classroom and gamification in a collaborative system among its students. This project has been renewed and extended over the years, with the integration of more teachers and subjects from both the UMA and the Polytechnic University of Porto, up until the current PIE19/156. Further, the aim is to examine the degree of student satisfaction with the strategies and methodologies applied in class, paying special attention to the general aspects and the level of extension of the pedagogical model in each subject. Some statistical analysis of students' satisfaction with the pedagogical model's application are presented. The results are promising and gratifying for all teachers involved, since these show a high degree of satisfaction with the teaching model and the strategy implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Food Web of Potter Cove (Antarctica): complexity, structure and function

Knowledge of the food web structure and complexity are central to better understand ecosystem functioning. A food-web approach includes both species and energy flows among them, providing a natural framework for characterizing species’ ecological roles and the mechanisms through which biodiversity influences ecosystem dynamics. Here we present for the first time a high-resolution food web for a marine ecosystem at Potter Cove (northern Antarctic Peninsula). Eleven food web properties were analyzed in order to document network complexity, structure and topology. We found a low linkage density (3.4), connectance (0.04) and omnivory percentage (45), as well as a short path length (1.8) and a low clustering coefficient (0.08). Furthermore, relating the structure of the food web to its dynamics, an exponential degree distribution (in- and out-links) was found. This suggests that the Potter Cove food web may be vulnerable if the most connected species became locally extinct. For two of the three more connected functional groups, competition overlap graphs imply high trophic interaction between demersal fish and niche specialization according to feeding strategies in amphipods. On the other hand, the prey overlap graph shows also that multiple energy pathways of carbon flux exist across benthic and pelagic habitats in the Potter Cove ecosystem. Although alternative food sources might add robustness to the web, network properties (low linkage density, connectance and omnivory) suggest fragility and potential trophic cascade effects.Fil: Marina, Tomas Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Salinas, Vanesa Anabella. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cordone, Georgina Florencia. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Campana, Gabriela Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentina. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Moreira, María Eugenia. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Deregibus, Dolores. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Torre, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Sahade, Ricardo Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Tatian, Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Barrera Oro, Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: De Troch, Marleen. University College Ghent; BélgicaFil: Doyle, Santiago Raúl. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Quartino, Maria Liliana. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Saravia, Leonardo Ariel. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Momo, Fernando Roberto. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentin

Diseño de estrategias conjuntas UA-centros de secundaria para el fomento del conocimiento de disciplinas científico-técnicas

Continuando con la línea emprendida por el Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Procesos Químicos, para desarrollar actividades de fomento del conocimiento de disciplinas de ciencia y tecnología, se ha convocado el “VI Certamen de Proyectos Educativos de Ingeniería Química” durante el curso 2013-2014. Con dicha actividad se pretende promover el interés por estudios relacionados con las disciplinas científico-técnicas, entre los alumnos de ESO, con una mejor conceptualización, comprensión y caracterización de los temas. Para ello, se diseñan, planifican y desarrollan acciones entre profesorado de la UA y centros de secundaria, sobre el papel de la Química en la industria para mejorar la calidad de vida. En la presente edición del certamen se han inscrito 13 centros, que han presentado un total de 20 proyectos, relacionados con los siguientes temas: la Ingeniería Química y el medio ambiente, la Ingeniería Química y la industria alimentaria, la Ingeniería Química y el mundo de los plásticos, la Ingeniería Química y la energía y la Ingeniería Química «Verde» sostenible

An imported case of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, Spain in the context of the ongoing polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern, September 2021

The monthly retrospective search for unreported acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases conducted as a complementary component of the Spanish AFP surveillance system identified a case of AFP in a child admitted in Spain from Senegal during August 2021. Vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 was identified in the stool in September 2021. We present public health implications and response undertaken within the framework of the National Action Plan for Polio Eradication and the Public Health Emergency of International Concern.S