Multi-Agent-Based CBR Recommender System for Intelligent Energy Management in Buildings

[EN] This paper proposes a novel case-based reasoning (CBR) recommender system for intelligent energy management in buildings. The proposed approach recommends the amount of energy reduction that should be applied in a building in each moment, by learning from previous similar cases. The k-nearest neighbor clustering algorithm is applied to identify the most similar past cases, and an approach based on support vector machines is used to optimize the weight of different parameters that characterize each case. An expert system composed by a set of ad hoc rules guarantees that the solution is adequate and applicable to the new case scenario. The proposed CBR methodology is modeled through a dedicated software agent, thus enabling its integration in a multi-agent systems society for the study of energy systems. Results show that the proposed approach is able to provide suitable recommendations on energy reduction, by comparing its results with a previous approach based on particle swarm optimization and with the real reduction in past cases. The applicability of the proposed approach in real scenarios is also assessed through the application of the results provided by the proposed approach on a house energy resources management system

Urinary estrogen metabolites and self-reported infertility in women infected with Schistosoma haematobium

Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in 76 countries, that afflicts more than 240 million people. The impact of schistosomiasis on infertility may be underestimated according to recent literature. Extracts of Schistosoma haematobium include estrogen-like metabolites termed catechol-estrogens that down regulate estrogen receptors alpha and beta in estrogen responsive cells. In addition, schistosome derived catechol-estrogens induce genotoxicity that result in estrogen-DNA adducts. These catechol estrogens and the catechol-estrogen-DNA adducts can be isolated from sera of people infected with S. haematobium. The aim of this study was to study infertility in females infected with S. haematobium and its association with the presence of schistosome-derived catechol-estrogens. Methodology/Principal Findings A cross-sectional study was undertaken of female residents of a region in Bengo province, Angola, endemic for schistosomiasis haematobia. Ninety-three women and girls, aged from two (parents interviewed) to 94 years were interviewed on present and previous urinary, urogenital and gynecological symptoms and complaints. Urine was collected from the participants for egg-based parasitological assessment of schistosome infection, and for liquid chromatography diode array detection electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MSn) to investigate estrogen metabolites in the urine. Novel estrogen-like metabolites, potentially of schistosome origin, were detected in the urine of participants who were positive for eggs of S. haematobium, but not detected in urines negative for S. haematobium eggs. The catechol-estrogens/ DNA adducts were significantly associated with schistosomiasis (OR 3.35; 95% CI 2.32–4.84; P≤0.001). In addition, presence of these metabolites was positively associated with infertility (OR 4.33; 95% CI 1.13–16.70; P≤0.05). Conclusions/Significance Estrogen metabolites occur widely in diverse metabolic pathways. In view of the statistically significant association between catechol-estrogens/ DNA adducts and self-reported infertility, we propose that an estrogen-DNA adduct mediated pathway in S. haematobium-induced ovarian hormonal deregulation could be involved. In addition, the catechol-estrogens/ DNA adducts described here represent potential biomarkers for schistosomiasis haematobia

Cuaderno de prácticas de la asignatura de 1º del Grado en Ingeniería Agrícola de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ambientales

[ES]Cuaderno de prácticas de Cartografía y Topografía con el programa Civil 3D de Autocad. Realización de explanaciones y movimientos de obra de proyectos de ingeniería agrícola

Micromorphological Study of Site Formation Processes at El Sidrón Cave (Asturias, Northern Spain): Encrustations over Neanderthal Bones

El Sidrón Cave is an archaeological and anthropological reference site of the Neanderthal world. It shows singular activity related to cannibalisation, and all existing processes are relevant to explain the specific behaviour of the concerned individuals. This paper presents geoarchaeological data, primarily based on mineralogical and petrographic techniques, from an investigation of the nature of the encrustations or hard coatings that affect a large part of the Neanderthal bone remains and their relationship with the depositional and post-depositional processes at the archaeological site. Crusts and patina were found to be numerous and diverse, mainly composed of calcite and siliciclastic grains, with different proportions and textures. The analysis indicated different origins and scenarios from their initial post-mortem accumulation to the final deposit recovered during the archaeological work. The presence of micromorphological features, such as clotted-peloidal micrite, needle-fibre calcite (NFC) aggregates, clay coatings, iron–manganese impregnation, and/or adhered aeolian dust may indicate that a significant proportion of the remains were affected by subaerial conditions in a relatively short period of time in a shelter, cave entrance, or shallower level of the karstic system, prior to their accumulation in the Ossuary Gallery.This work has been supported since 1999 through different research contracts between the Government of the Principality of Asturias, the University of Oviedo, the University of Alicante, the National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC, Madrid), and the University of Salamanca

Geoarchaeological study of the Sidrón cave (Piloña, Asturias)

El relleno sedimentario que alberga el registro arqueológico y antropológico de la Galería del Osario (cueva de El Sidrón) presenta una alta complejidad, tanto en los tipos de sedimentos como en su distribución espacial en la cavidad. Los principales factores que rigen esta complejidad son la naturaleza episódica y altamente energética de gran parte de las unidades litoestratigráficas reconocidas y la irregular geometría del propio conducto, que compartimenta significativamente las áreas de deposición. A modo de resumen puede indicarse que en la Galería del Osario quedan representados todos los tipos de materiales detríticos típicos de depósitos alóctonos en ambiente kárstico; desde materiales bien seleccionados de granulometría fina representativos de facies de encharcamiento (arcillas de la unidad O) o de desbordamiento (Unidad IV), a depósitos groseros mal seleccionados correspondientes a coladas de barro y detritos en masa (Unidad II y base de unidad III), pasando por típicas facies fluvio-kársticas o de canal compuestas por materiales arenosos con laminaciones y estructuras de flujo (unidades I y II). Los restos óseos se concentran en la unidad III. El área fuente se sitúa en cotas superiores a la Galería del Osario, es decir, en los niveles intermedio o superior del sistema kárstico, y el depósito o entrada de material óseo a la Galería del Osario se activaría en episodios de alta energía relacionado con eventos de inundación y/o tormenta.The sedimentary infill bearing the archaeological and anthropological record of the Ossuary Gallery (the Sidrón cave) shows high complexity in both sediment types and their spatial distribution in the cavity. The main factors that govern this complexity are the episodic and highly energetic nature of the recorded sedimentary infill units and the irregular geometry of the gallery itself, which significantly compartmentalized areas of deposition. Briefly, all types of typical allochthonous detrital material deposits in karst environments are represented in the Ossuary Gallery; from well-sorted fine-grained sediment facies representative of backswamp (clays of the unit O) or slackwater (Unit IV), to poorly-sorted coarse-grained deposits corresponding to mudflows and debris flows (Unit II and Unit III base), and typical channel facies composed of laminated sands and silts (units I and II). The bone and lithic remains are concentrated in unit III. The source area is above the Ossuary Gallery, at the intermediate or higher karst levels. The input of archeological material to the Ossuary Gallery was triggered in high energy episodes in association to flood events and / or storms.Este trabajo se ha financiado desde 1999 mediante diferentes contratos de investigación realizados entre el Gobierno del Principado de Asturias, la Universidad de Oviedo, la Universidad de Alicante, el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC, Madrid) y la Universidad de Salamanca

Evolución clínica de pacientes en hemodiálisis en tratamiento con oxihidróxido sucroférrico

Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is a common complication of CKD and progressively worsens as renal function decreases. Currently we have several pharmaceutical molecules for its treatment. Among them, there are chelators that contain iron, as is the case of sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Its use has been extended mainly among those on hemodialysis, replacing other chelators. Objective: Describe the tolerability, the appearance of side effects, therapeutic adherence and serum phosphorus levels in patients undergoing treatment with sucroferric oxyhydroxide in our center. Materials and methods: Five patients were analyzed from the hemodialysis unit of the Nephrology Service of the University Hospital of Burgos, from January 2017 to May 2018, all of them under treatment with sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Plasma concentrations of phosphorus, calcium and parathyroid hormone were evaluated during treatment with sucroferric oxyhydroxide, in addition to side effects and causes of abandonment. For the analysis of the data, they were processed using the IBM SPSS 22 statistical software with a confidence interval of 95%. Possible differences were evaluated with the t-Student analysis. Results: There was an average reduction of 12.27% in hyperphosphataemia and a reduction in the number of daily tablets of 15.79%, with good tolerance of the drug in all cases. There was no statistically significant reduction in plasma levels of calcium or parathyroid hormone (PTH). Conclusions: Sucroferric oxyhydroxide is a well-tolerated drug, which generated a decrease in serum phosphorus levels in the population studied. However, given the low number of cases analyzed, it is not possible to recommend the therapeutic use of this drug as the first line of treatment for hyperphosphatemia.Introducción: la hiperfosfatemia es una complicación común de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) y empeora progresivamente a medida que disminuye la función renal. Actualmente disponemos de diversas moléculas farmacéuticas para su tratamiento. Dentro de ellas, existen quelantes que contienen hierro, como es el caso del oxihidróxido sucroférrico. Su uso se ha extendido fundamental- mente entre pacientes en hemodiálisis, en sustitución de otros quelantes. Objetivo: describir la tolerabilidad, la aparición de efectos secundarios, la adherencia terapéutica y las cifras de fósforo sérico en pacientes en tratamiento con oxihidróxido sucroférrico en nuestro centro. Materiales y métodos: se analizaron 5 pacientes de la unidad de hemodiálisis del Servicio de Nefrología del Hospital Universitario de Burgos, España, en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2017 a mayo de 2018, todos ellos en tratamiento con oxihidróxido sucroférrico. Se evaluaron las concentraciones plasmáticas de fósforo, calcio y hormona paratiroidea durante el tratamiento con oxihidróxido sucroférrico, además de los efectos secundarios y las causas de abandono. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante el software estadístico IBM SPSS 22 con un intervalo de confianza del 95 %. Se evaluaron las posibles diferencias con el análisis de la t-Student. Resultados: se evidenció una reducción media del 12,27 % de la hiperfosforemia y una reducción en el número de comprimidos diarios del 15,79 %, con buena tolerancia del fármaco en todos los casos. No se evidenció reducción estadísticamente significativa en los niveles plasmáticos de calcio, ni de hormona paratiroidea (PTH). Conclusiones: el oxihidróxido sucroférrico es un fármaco bien tolerado, que generó una disminución de los niveles séricos de fósforo en la población estudiada. Sin embargo, dado el bajo número de casos analizados, no es posible recomendar el uso terapéutico de este fármaco como primera línea de tratamiento de la hiperfosforemia

Overview sobre a estrutura legal e administrativa do reúso no Brasil

A crescente demanda de consumo de água gera estresse sobre os recursos hídricos disponíveis, sendo necessária a busca por soluções que auxiliem no equilíbrio entre a oferta e demanda de água. Assim, uma das principais possibilidades para mitigar a escassez hídrica e promover a gestão sustentável dos recursos hídricos é a recuperação e reutilização de águas residuárias. No Brasil, apesar de haver várias aplicações de reúso, ainda há condições consideradas limitantes para o avanço dessas práticas. Nesse contexto, esta revisão identifica o arcabouço legal, a aceitação social e os incentivos econômicos como os principais obstáculos relacionados ao reúso de efluentes tratados no Brasil e apresenta as possíveis soluções para contornar esses fatores. Por fim, são apresentadas perspectivas e recomendações que visam à expansão dos sistemas de reúso no país

Abrigo de La Viña (La Manzaneda, Oviedo, Asturias). Estudio de sus grabados parietales

We present in this paper the Paleolithic engravings of La Viña rock shelter (La Manzaneda, Oviedo, Asturias). Using the photogrammetry made by J. Fortea at the end of the 1990´s, we document the rock engravings conserved along the rock front that protects the settlement. Two cultural horizons are included: the first one, Aurignacian, is non-figurative and aniconic; the second one, Gravettian-Solutrean, includes animal figures, mostly female deer. This parietal group conforms, almost without exception, to the general graphic conventions repeated along the Nalón river basin.Se presentan en este trabajo los grabados paleolíticos del abrigo de La Viña (La Manzaneda, Oviedo, Asturias). A partir de la fotogrametría realizada por J. Fortea a finales de la d.cada de 1990, se documentan los grabados exteriores de surco profundo conservados en el gran frente parietal que protege el asentamiento. Se incluyen los dos horizontes gráficos: uno, auriñaciense, no figurativo y anicónico; el otro, graveto-solutrense, que incorpora la figura animal, con un dominio mayoritario de la cierva. Este dispositivo parietal se adapta a las convenciones técnicas, formales y temáticas repetidas a lo largo de la cuenca media del río Nalón, con apenas excepciones