A Distributed Demand-Side Management Framework for the Smart Grid

This paper proposes a fully distributed Demand-Side Management system for Smart Grid infrastructures, especially tailored to reduce the peak demand of residential users. In particular, we use a dynamic pricing strategy, where energy tariffs are function of the overall power demand of customers. We consider two practical cases: (1) a fully distributed approach, where each appliance decides autonomously its own scheduling, and (2) a hybrid approach, where each user must schedule all his appliances. We analyze numerically these two approaches, showing that they are characterized practically by the same performance level in all the considered grid scenarios. We model the proposed system using a non-cooperative game theoretical approach, and demonstrate that our game is a generalized ordinal potential one under general conditions. Furthermore, we propose a simple yet effective best response strategy that is proved to converge in a few steps to a pure Nash Equilibrium, thus demonstrating the robustness of the power scheduling plan obtained without any central coordination of the operator or the customers. Numerical results, obtained using real load profiles and appliance models, show that the system-wide peak absorption achieved in a completely distributed fashion can be reduced up to 55%, thus decreasing the capital expenditure (CAPEX) necessary to meet the growing energy demand

Whole exome sequencing in an Italian family with isolated maxillary canine agenesis and canine eruption anomalies

Objective: The aim of this study was the clinical and molecular characterization of a family segregating a trait consisting of a phenotype specifically involving the maxillary canines, including agenesis, impaction and ectopic eruption, characterized by incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. Design: Clinical standardized assessment of 14 family members and a whole-exome sequencing (WES) of three affected subjects were performed. WES data analyses (sequence alignment, variant calling, annotation and prioritization) were carried out using an in-house implemented pipeline. Variant filtering retained coding and splice-site high quality private and rare variants. Variant prioritization was performed taking into account both the disruptive impact and the biological relevance of individual variants and genes. Sanger sequencing was performed to validate the variants of interest and to carry out segregation analysis. Results: Prioritization of variants “by function” allowed the identification of multiple variants contributing to the trait, including two concomitant heterozygous variants in EDARADD (c.308C>T, p.Ser103Phe) and COL5A1 (c.1588G>A, p.Gly530Ser), specifically associated with a more severe phenotype (i.e. canine agenesis). Differently, heterozygous variants in genes encoding proteins with a role in the WNT pathway were shared by subjects showing a phenotype of impacted/ectopic erupted canines. Conclusions: This study characterized the genetic contribution underlying a complex trait consisting of isolated canine anomalies in a medium-sized family, highlighting the role of WNT and EDA cell signaling pathways in tooth development

FBR for Polyolefin Production in Gas Phase: Validation of a Two-phase Compartmentalized Model by Comparison with CFD

Two different modeling approaches are applied in this work to the simulation of fluidized bed reactors containing solid particles of Geldart A-B type and operated at conditions typically used for polyolefins production. On one side, a fully detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed, considering a 2D planar geometry and a multi-fluid description with kinetic theory of granular flows. On the other, a conventional three-phase, 1D compartmentalized model (SCM) is also developed, implementing the fluid dynamic description based on popular, semi-empirical relationships available in the literature. Given the huge difference of computational effort associated with the corresponding numerical solutions, our aim is to confirm the reliability of the simplified model by comparison with the results of the detailed CFD model. The comparison is carried out considering the fluidization of a bed of solid particles without reaction and solid injection or withdrawal, thus focusing on the steady-state fluid dynamic behavior of the expanded bed. Three different gas velocities and different monodisperse and polydisperse particle populations are analyzed. The results show that the oversimplified compartmentalized approach is capable to predict the solid mixing features established inside the reactor operated in bubbling fluidization regime with good reliability for non-reactive polyethylene particles. Average solid volume fractions are particularly close to the values predicted by the CFD model when monodisperse particles are considered inside the examined range of gas velocity values. A generally good agreement is also found when solids with broad size distribution are analyzed. Overall, these comparisons provide a meaningful validation of the simplified compartmentalized models: given their negligible computational demand and general versatility (complex kinetic schemes and single particle models are easily accounted for), they still represent an effective tool of industrial process design

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate from skeletal muscle mass. A new equation independent from age, weight, gender, and ethnicity

The most used indicator for the renal function is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Current used predictive GFR equations were calibrated on patients with chronic kidney disease. Thus, they are not very precise in healthy individuals. The estimation of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) allows the prediction of the daily urinary creatinine excretion (24hUCrE). This study proposes an equation for the estimation of GFR based on SMM (eGFRMuscle) and serum creatinine (SCr)

Comparison between detailed (CFD) and simplified models for the prediction of solid particle size distribution in fluidized bed reactors

This work is aimed at developing a simplified model suitable to effectively describe the fluidization behavior within fluidized beds with minimal computational efforts. The simplified model was validated through detailed CFD Euler-Euler simulations showing a good agreement in the case of large particles (about 450 micron) at all the gas velocities considered (20, 40, 61 cm/s). Slightly less accurate outcomes were observed for smaller particles (about 220 micron). This was due to the underestimation of the particle size effect on the fluidization behavior by the simplified approach

Development of Biodegradable PBS/PVOH-based Films and Evaluation of Performance for Food Packaging Applications

The objective of this work deals with the realization of high O2-barrier blown films based on novel biodegradable blends of Polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Poly-vinyl alcohol (PVOH) for food packaging applications. Blends at different PBS/PVOH weight ratios (100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 0/100 wt%) were produced and their processability and miscibility was preliminary assessed by means of dynamic shear rheological tests. Afterwards, blown films were realized and then characterized in terms of chemical properties and oxygen barrier performance. The results revealed that, although immiscible, polymers in the blend show some degree of interaction. Moreover, as the concentration of PVOH in the films increased, a significant decrease in oxygen permeability was obtained with respect to the neat PBS film, up to 42% for the PBS/PVOH 60/40 sample. The findings of this study highlighted the promising perspectives of these films as sustainable packaging for sensitive foods with high O2-barrier requirements

Molecular pathology, oxidative stress, and biomarkers in obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep due to recurrent upper airway obstruction. The derived oxidative stress (OS) leads to complications that do not only concern the sleep-wake rhythm but also systemic dysfunctions. The aim of this narrative literature review is to investigate molecular alterations, diagnostic markers, and potential medical therapies for OSAS. We analyzed the literature and synthesized the evidence collected. IH increases oxygen free radicals (ROS) and reduces antioxidant capacities. OS and metabolic alterations lead OSAS patients to undergo endothelial dysfunction, osteoporosis, systemic inflammation, increased cardiovascular risk, pulmonary remodeling, and neurological alterations. We treated molecular alterations known to date as useful for understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms and for their potential application as diagnostic markers. The most promising pharmacological therapies are those based on N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin C, Leptin, Dronabinol, or Atomoxetine + Oxybutynin, but all require further experimentation. CPAP remains the approved therapy capable of reversing most of the known molecular alterations; future drugs may be useful in treating the remaining dysfunctions

How do the leadership styles impact the performance of professional competences in Brazilian workers? Identifying mechanisms and contextual variables.

The study of the influence of the leadership styles on the behavior of the followers is of great relevance. Leadership is an important function of management which helps to maximize efficiency and to achieve organizational goals. Usually, the performance of followers is influenced by the performance of the leader and his or her behavior acting a job. The aim of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the impact exerted by the leadership style, if oriented by tasks or oriented by relationship/people, on the performance of 168 Brazilian leaders. Two validated and structured questionnaires were applied. All recommended ethical procedures were adopted. Using multiple linear regression, we confirmed that leadership styles influences individual performance. Depending on the way in which the team is characterized, the leadership styles will be less or more influential. In the context of heterogeneous teams, the influence of leaders tends to be predominantly task-based. A limitation of this research was the sample size. The findings have important implications for the organizational studies, leaders and organizations

A detailed CFD analysis of flow patterns and single-phase velocity variations in spiral jet mills affected by caking phenomena

8siIn this work we present a method to investigate the fluid-dynamics of a 3D, real-scale spiral jet mill when caking is occurring. CFD simulations are employed to deeply study the pressure and the velocity fields of the gas phase when the nozzles inlet pressure and the chamber diameter are varied to mimic the condition generated by the aggregates formation during the micronizaton process. The computational model is built replicating the experimental observation consisting in the fact that most of the crusts form on the outer wall of the chamber. Simulations underline that caking causes the deterioration of the classification capabilities of the system if the gas mass flow rate is kept constant at nozzles, allowing larger particles for escaping the system. It is shown that it is possible to mitigate this phenomenon by gradually reducing the gas mass-flow rate to keep constant the nozzles absolute pressure. This keeps unchanged the fluid spin ratio and the classification characteristics when caking is advancing.openopenSabia, Carmine; Frigerio, Giovanni; Casalini, Tommaso; Cornolti, Luca; Martinoli, Luca; Buffo, Antonio; Marchisio, Daniele L.; Barbato, Maurizio C.Sabia, Carmine; Frigerio, Giovanni; Casalini, Tommaso; Cornolti, Luca; Martinoli, Luca; Buffo, Antonio; Marchisio, Daniele L.; Barbato, Maurizio C