Multi-Step Clustering of Smart Meters Time Series:Application to Demand Flexibility Characterization of SME Customers

Customer segmentation according to load-shape profiles using smart meter data is an increasingly important application to vital the planning and operation of energy systems and to enable citizens’participation in the energy transition.This study proposes an innovative multi-step clustering procedure to segment customers based on load-shape patterns at the daily and intra-daily time horizons.Smart meter data is split between daily and hourly normalized time series to assess monthly,weekly,daily,and hourly seasonality patterns separately.The dimensionality reduction implicit in the splitting allows a direct approach to clustering raw daily energy time series data.The intraday clustering procedure sequentially identifies representative hourly day-unit profiles for each customer and the entire population.For the first time,a step function approach is applied to reduce time series dimensionality.Customer attributes embedded in surveys are employed to build external clustering validation metrics using Cramer’s V correlation factors and to identify statistically significant determinants of load-shape in energy usage.In addition,a time series features engineering approach is used to extract 16 relevant demand flexibility indicators that characterize customers and corresponding clusters along four different axes:available Energy(E),Temporal patterns(T),Consistency(C),and Variability(V).The methodology is implemented on a real-world electricity consumption dataset of 325 Small and Medium-sized Enterprise(SME)customers,identifying 4 daily and 6 hourly easy-to-interpret,well-defined clusters.The application of the methodology includes selecting key parameters via grid search and a thorough comparison of clustering distances and methods to ensure the robustness of the results.Further research can test the scalability of the methodology to larger datasets from various customer segments(households and large commercial)and locations with different weather and socioeconomic conditions.

Demands and influencing factors of digital transition care service in discharged older patients:a cross-sectional study

Objective:To identify the group classification of discharged older adults’digital transition care demands and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From July to August 2022,we used stratified random sampling to recruit older patients who were discharged between July 2021 and July 2022 from tertiary hospitals in Shanghai.We used latent profile analysis to classify the older patients into distinct groups based on their service demands:low,medium,and high.We use multiple logistic regression to explore the factors influencing the different demand levels.Results:The degree of discharged older patients’demand was classified as low(Category 1(C1),34.2%),medium(Category 2(C2),49.5%),high-demand levels(Category 3(C3),16.3%).Compared to those have C2,older adults in C1 are more likely to be male(Odds Ratio(OR)=2.81,P=0.02),have 2 chronic diseases(OR=3.91,P=0.03),and are less likely to be junior high and below(OR=0.09,P=0.00),hospitalized for 1–2 times in the past year(1 times:OR=0.19,P=0.07;2 times:OR=0.14,P=0.02),living with children(OR=0.32,P=0.05),have less insurance(OR=0.48,P=0.03),less understanding of digital transitional care(OR=0.47,P=0.01),have less eHealth literacy(OR=0.80,P=0.00),have less degree of importance attributed by family(OR=0.52,P=0.03);Compared to those have medium demand level,older adults in high demand level are more likely to have self and spouse as primary income(self:OR=26.35,P=0.00;spouse:OR=24.06,P=0.02),walking to the nearest health facility(self:6.74,P=0.03),have higher eHealth literacy(OR=1.88,P=0.00),degree of importance within the family(OR=5.19,P=0.01),higher self’s influence on medical decisions-making(OR=5.69.P=0.01).They are less likely to be in 60–79 years group(OR=0.00–0.37,P=0.00–0.03),Household Annual Income<5,000 CNY(OR=0.05,P=0.02).Conclusion:Digital transitional care demands of discharged older patients can be divided into three categories.Constructing a digital transitional care service system that aligns with the demands of discharged older patients is essential.Communication,care plan development,and follow-up are the most fundamental services.Additionally,it is essential to understand the characteristics of high-demand populations to provide tailored services and identify vulnerable populations from health and social perspectives to offer cost-effective transitional care services.

Research of Informatization Demands of New Countryside in Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone and Related Countermeasures

[Objective] The aim was to survey and analyze informatization demand in new countryside in Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone and to propose counter- measures, [Method] A questionnaire was made among farmers on informatization de- mands in different regions in Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone and the re- sults were analyzed to propose countermeasures promoting informatization. [Result] With strengthening of information awareness, information demands in rural areas in Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone change as follows： Information demand car- rier changes from traditional media to modern media; demand on information content changes from one-way to diversified one; demand of information service changes from one-way transmission to interaction and exchange. However, some problems still exist in informatization process, such as poor infrastructure, dispersed information resources, higher information expense and shortage of information-based talents. Hence, the countermeasures were proposed, as follows： Rational security systems should be established; financing should be as diversified as possible; informatization infrastructure should be reinforced; agricultural economic information and informatiza- tion service system should be established. [Conclusion] The research lays foundation for construction of informatization in new countryside in Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone.

A Scenario-Based Evaluation of COVID-19-Related Essential Clinical Resource Demands in China

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic is a global crisis,and medical systems in many countries are overwhelmed with supply shortages and increasing demands to treat patients due to the surge in cases and severe illnesses.This study aimed to assess COVID-19-related essential clinical resource demands in China,based on different scenarios involving COVID-19 spreads and interventions.We used a susceptible–exposed–infectious–hospitalized/isolated–removed(SEIHR)transmission dynamics model to estimate the number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations with corresponding essential healthcare resources needed.We found that,under strict non-pharmaceutical interventions(NPIs)or mass vaccination of the population,China would be able to contain community transmission and local outbreaks rapidly.However,under scenarios involving a low intensity of implemented NPIs and a small proportion of the population vaccinated,the use of a peacetime–wartime transition model would be needed for medical source stockpiles and preparations to ensure a normal functioning healthcare system.The implementation of COVID-19 vaccines and NPIs in different periods can influence the transmission of COVID-19 and subsequently affect the demand for clinical diagnosis and treatment.An increased proportion of asymptomatic infections in simulations will not reduce the demand for medical resources;however,attention must be paid to the increasing difficulty in containing COVID-19 transmission due to asymptomatic cases.This study provides evidence for emergency preparations and the adjustment of prevention and control strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.It also provides guidance for essential healthcare investment and resource allocation.

Time-variant fragility analysis of the bridge system considering time-varying dependence among typical component seismic demands

This paper presents a copula technique to develop time-variant seismic fragility curves for corroded bridges at the system level and considers the realistic time-varying dependence among component seismic demands. Based on material deterioration mechanisms and incremental dynamic analysis, the time-evolving seismic demands of components were obtained in the form of marginal probability distributions. The time-varying dependences among bridge components were then captured with the best fitting copula function, which was selected from the commonly used copula classes by the empirical distribution based analysis method. The system time-variant fragility curves at different damage states were developed and the effects of time-varying dependences among components on the bridge system fragility were investigated. The results indicate the time-varying dependence among components significantly affects the time-variant fragility of the bridge system. The copula technique captures the nonlinear dependence among component seismic demands accurately and easily by separating the marginal distributions and the dependence among them.

Finite element modeling assumptions impact on seismic response demands of MRF-buildings

Recent seismic events have raised concerns over the safety and vulnerability of reinforced concrete moment resisting frame ＂RC-MRF＂ buildings. The seismic response of such buildings is greatly dependent on the computational tools used and the inherent assumptions in the modelling process. Thus, it is essential to investigate the sensitivity of the response demands to the corresponding modelling assumption. Many parameters and assumptions are justified to generate effective structural finite element（FE） models of buildings to simulate lateral behaviour and evaluate seismic design demands. As such, the present study focuses on the development of reliable FE models with various levels of refinement. The effects of the FE modelling assumptions on the seismic response demands on the design of buildings are investigated. the predictive ability of a FE model is tied to the accuracy of numerical analysis; a numerical analysis is performed for a series of symmetric buildings in active seismic zones. The results of the seismic response demands are presented in a comparative format to confirm drift and strength limits requirements. A proposed model is formulated based on a simplified modeling approach, where the most refined model is used to calibrate the simplified model.

An improved modal pushover analysis procedure for estimating seismic demands of structures

The pushover analysis （POA） procedure is difficult to apply to high-rise buildings, as it cannot account for the contributions of higher modes. To overcome this limitation, a modal pushover analysis （MPA） procedure was proposed by Chopra et al. （2001）. However, invariable lateral force distributions are still adopted in the MPA. In this paper, an improved MPA procedure is presented to estimate the seismic demands of structures, considering the redistribution of inertia forces after the structure yields. This improved procedure is verified with numerical examples of 5-, 9- and 22-story buildings. It is concluded that the improved MPA procedure is more accurate than either the POA procedure or MPA procedure. In addition, the proposed procedure avoids a large computational effort by adopting a two-phase lateral force distribution..

Demands of experiential training for ICU nurses in Hunan of China

Objective:To assess intensive care unit(ICU)nurses’demands for specialized experiential training and to provide inputs for developing an experiential training program for ICU nurses.Methods:A questionnaire for assessing ICU nurses’demands for experiential specialty training was distributed to 360 ICU nurses,selected through purposive sampling from two secondary hospitals and six tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province,China.Results:Of the survey participants,63.6%had undergone a specialty training program for ICU nurses.Of these individuals,53.0%were satisfied with the training.Certification as a qualified nurse was considered an essential criterion for admission of trainees into the program by 81.8%of respondents,while 77.1%of respondents considered clinical working experience to be a critical requirement for selecting trainers.A total of 48.1%of the respondents preferred part-time training,and 36.1%considered a training cycle of 9 e12 weeks to be reasonable.Moreover,they felt that the training methods should be tailored to different stages of the experiential learning cycle.Demands for experiential training among ICU nurses were quantified,with high demand reflected in an overall score of 4.41±0.48.The“intensive care technology”experiential training module was ranked highest in terms of demand,with the top five sub-modules being specialty operating technology(4.67±0.53),care of critically ill patients(4.66±0.55),critical patient rescue procedures(4.65±0.56),assessing monitoring indexes(4.63±0.56),and the application of relevant instruments(4.61±0.57).Conclusion:Nearly half of the respondents indicated that their experiences of specialty training programs were not satisfactory,and they had high demands for experiential training.Thus,to optimize training outcomes,continuous updating of training methods is essential.Moreover,a systematic,comprehensive,and multilevel experiential training program that targets the specific needs of ICU nurses is essential.

Investigation of Direct Causes of Drug Relapse and Abstainers’ Demands in a Compulsive Detoxification Center in Wuhan City of China

Objective To identify the direct causes of drug relapse and abstainers’ demand, and to develop programs for the prevention of drug relapse. Methods Abstainers in a Compulsive Detoxification Center in Wuhan City, capital of Hubei Province were randomly selected. An investigation on the direct causes of drug relapse and abstainers’ demands was conducted with multiple-choice questionnaires and face to face interviews. Data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0. Results The direct causes leading to drug relapse included： temptation to use drug again by themselves or by their drug mates, seeking pleasure and ecstasy from drug use, relatively well off living, mental stress, irritation, demoralization, family conflicts, unemployment, feeling distrusted by the family, lack of care and love from the family, and discrimination by others. abstainers’ demands after detoxification and returning to the society included： care and support from the family, employment assistance, changing living environment, understanding by others, support from the society, and keeping far away from drugs. Conclusions Environmental factors are the direct causes of drug relapse, and negative irritation is its predisposing causes. Leaving former residence, more care and help given by both the family and the society and raising their overall quality of life are the demands of abstainers.

Probabilistic estimate of rock mass static and dynamic demands for underground excavation stabilisation

Excavation damage under high in situ stress depends largely upon the potential block size associated with any violent ejection.The size and shape of the dynamic instability are largely controlled by the location,orientation and extent of the pre-existing geological discontinuities.A new methodology is presented in which the rock mass demand can be expressed in terms of the mass in tonnes of unstable rock that is ejected per unit area of the excavation surface where failure occurs.A probabilistic approach has been implemented to estimate the potential rock mass instabilities and their associated static and dynamic demands.The new methodology considers that the strain energy released by the rock mass during violent stress-driven failure is largely converted into kinetic energy of ejection for blocks.The estimated dynamic demand has been favourably compared with observations of rock mass damage in a number of underground excavations.

Sensitivity analysis method for increasing the passenger demands of parking and riding

Focused on finding out the relationship between passenger demands of P&R and its influencing factors, a nested-logit mode choice model was developed based on the characteristic of different modes and transfer rules. The utility functions were given respectively according to the characteristic of each alternative. Passenger demands of different modes between O-D pairs were obtained by making use of the binary logit model. Then an equilibrium model for different modes was proposed. Under this condition, the approximate relationship between passenger demands of different modes and their characteristic indexes was modeled by the sensitivity analysis method. Shift volume among different modes was achieved by utilizing this model when their characteristic indexes were changed. A case study indicates that the model and algorithm presented in this paper are effective.

Demands and technical developments of clinical flow cytometry with emphasis in quantitative,spectral,and imaging capabilities

As the gold-standard method for single-cell analysis,flow cytometry enables high-throughput and multiple-parameter characterization of individual biological cells.This review highlights the demands for clinical flow cytometry in laboratory hematology(e.g.,diagnoses of minimal residual disease and various types of leukemia),summarizes state-of-the-art clinical flow cytometers(e.g.,FACSLyricTMby Becton Dickinson,DxFLEX by Beckman Coulter),then considers innovative technical improvements in flow cytometry(including quantitative,spectral,and imaging approaches)to address the limitations of clinical flow cytometry in hematology diagnosis.Finally,driven by these clinical demands,future developments in clinical flow cytometry are suggested.

Modeling water resources under competing demands for sustainable development: A case study of Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Project in Nepal

The challenges posed by climate change require that the quantity and quality of water resources in Nepal be managed with sustainable development practices. The communities around the Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Project in the Myagdi District of Nepal depend on river flow for most of their rural and agricultural needs. Without a sustainable development plan, the growing population of the region, confined in an area with declining water resources, will face serious challenges to economic growth. Meteorological data show increasing annual average rainfall at a slight rate of about 0.284 mm/year, with erratic annual percentage change in rainfall in the area. The mean and minimum temperatures show decreasing trends at the rates of 0.05-C and 0.14-C per year, respectively. An assessment of the impacts on water availability for domestic and irrigation usage in the face of competing demands caused by the hydropower development project in the Kaligandaki Gorge was undertaken. The water demand and supply modeling were conducted using the water evaluation and planning (WEAP) model, based on discharge data from the Kaligandaki River, which were obtained from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal. The available data from 2001 to 2003 were used to estimate the model parameters while the stability of these parameters was tested with a validation period from 2004 to 2007. The performance of the model was assessed through statistical measures of calibration with the root mean square error and coefficient of determination, whose values were 0.046% and 0.79, respectively. Two scenarios were created in addition to the base case scenario: the discharge decrement scenario and new irrigation technology scenario. Analysis showed that a prioritization of demands will be necessary in the area in the near future for the purpose of sustainability of water resources, due to climate change impacts.

The demands of the extra-time period of soccer:A systematic review

Background:Soccer match-play is typically contested over 90 min;however,in some cup and tournament scenarios,when matches are tied,they proceed to an additional 30 min,which is termed "extra-time^(ET).This systematic review sought to appraise the literature available on 120-min of soccer-specific exercise,with a view to identifying practical recommendations and future research opportunities.Methods:The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.Independent researchers performed a systematic search of PubMed,CINAHL,and PsycINFO in May 2019,with the following keywords entered in various combinations:"soccer","football","extra-time","extra time","extratime","120 minutes","120 min","additional 30 minutes",and "additional 30 min".Results:The search yielded an initial 73 articles.Following the screening process,11 articles were accepted for analyses.Articles were subsequently organized into the following 5 categories:movement demands of ET,performance responses to ET,physiological and neuromuscular response during ET,nutritional interventions,and recovery and ET.The results highlighted that during competitive match-play,players cover5%-12% less distance relative to match duration(i.e.,meters per minute) during ET compared to the preceding 90 min.Reductions in technical performance(i.e.,shot speed,number of passes and dribbles) were also observed during ET.Additionally,carbohydrate provision may attenuate and improve dribbling performance during ET.Moreover,objective and subjective measures of recovery may be further compromised following ET when compared to 90 min.Conclusion:Additional investigations are warranted to further substantiate these findings and identify interventions to improve performance during ET.

A strategy for strengthening chaotic mixing of dual shaft eccentric mixers by changing non-Newtonian fluids kinetic energy distribution

Efficiently modulating the velocity distribution and flow pattern of non-Newtonian fluids is a critical challenge in the context of dual shaft eccentric mixers for process intensification,posing a significant barrier for the existing technologies.Accordingly,this work reports a convenient strategy that changes the kinetic energy to controllably regulate the flow patterns from radial flow to axial flow.Results showed that the desired velocity distribution and flow patterns could be effectively obtained by varying the number and structure of baffles to change kinetic energy,and a more uniform velocity distribution,which could not be reached normally in standard baffle dual shaft mixers,was easily obtained.Furthermore,a comparative analysis of velocity and shear rate distributions is employed to elucidate the mechanism behind the generation of flow patterns in various dual-shaft eccentric mixers.Importantly,there is little difference in the power number of the laminar flow at the same Reynolds number,meaning that the baffle type has no effect on the power consumption,while the power number of both unbaffle and U-shaped baffle mixing systems decreases compared with the standard baffle mixing system in the transition flow.Finally,at the same rotational condition,the dimensionless mixing time of the U-shaped baffle mixing system is 15.3%and 7.9%shorter than that of the standard baffle and the unbaffle mixing system,respectively,which shows the advantage of the U-shaped baffle in stirring rate.

Healthcare Demands of Old Aged Women

Population ageing is an inevitable and irreversible demographic reality associated with improvements in health and medical care.While increasing longevity is a matter of celebration;it is linked with multiple morbidities and disabilities.The huge number of suggestions to cope with feasible growth in demand for long-term care in ageing societies can be organized under four headings:(1)improving system enactment;(2)supporting informal caregivers;(3)restructuring of service delivery;and(4)shifting of demographic parameters.Many older women rate their health as poor and experience relatively low mental health status.More than half of all older women indicate signs of mental distress according to measures of subjective wellbeing.They also carry higher burden of both acute and chronic morbidity than their male counterparts due to difference in social status,economic dependency,and cultural barriers.

Demands of New Professional Farmers for Agricultural Leading Industry in Anhui Province

In the context of growing problems of part-time farming,farmers' aging and hollow rural areas,and increasing restrictive factors of new professional farmers,based on current situations of agricultural resources in Anhui Province,this paper studied feasibility of increasing new professional farmers from the perspectives of urbanization level,labor employment,population development trend,agricultural industrial development and talent demands,current situations of farmers' family management,and agricultural socialized service development trend.Based on decisions,planning,and related data issued by Anhui Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government,it analyzed and predicted demands of new professional farmers in Anhui Province by industries and types,in the hope of providing references for relevant researches.

Factors That Affect Consumption Patterns and Market Demands for Honey in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Despite the significant annual consumption of honey in Saudi Arabia, information gaps remain with regard to the marketing and market structure of honey along the value chain. This study analyzed the major factors that influenced the consumption, expenditure patterns, and demand of honey in Saudi Arabia. This study forecasted the near-future expected market demands for honey in Saudi Arabia by collecting and analyzing the primary data using questionnaires. A total of 331 respondents from representative regions and large cities were randomly selected and interviewed. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods as well as appropriate econometric models. Respondents characterized honey quality using organoleptic words, and these characterizations varied based on the relative significance of perception parameters. Taste, aroma, physical state, and color had aggregated average scores of 4.58, 4.44, 3.54, and 3.28, respectively. In addition to the above parameters, honey source, brand name, and confidence in the producers influenced its perceived quality. The major outlets for honey in Saudi Arabia included producers, specialized honey stores, and auction markets in major cities during the harvesting seasons. Medication, food, and sweetening were the major motivations for buying honey in the Saudi market, with aggregate scores of 4.52, 3.71, and 1.52, respectively. Significant honey price variations were observed within and among different honeys and packaging volumes;this finding might be due to factors such as botanical and geographical origins, package volume size economics (i.e., bulk purchases), honey variety blending, brand names, and producer policies. The average price of locally produced honey was approximately $73 per kg, which is 10 times more than the average price of honey in the US and the EU. The estimated consumption/income elasticity was 0.27. These results suggest that honey is a basic commodity in Saudi Arabia. Based on econometric model forecasts, the Saudi market demand for honey is expected to reach approximately 29,784 tons in 2025.

Theoretical Perspective of Job Demands Correlates among Nurses: Systematic Literature Review

Introduction: Nursing is highly demanding and stressful profession. Negative consequences of job demands were widely discussed throughout the literature like;poor quality of care, poor health, burnout, greater intent to leave and lower level of job satisfaction. Job dissatisfaction among nurses also has been discussed exhaustively in the literature in regards to its negative outcomes represented by burnout, absenteeism, turnover, greater intent to leave and finally leaving nursing profession. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine literature discussing job demands in nursing profession and its associated factors among nurses, and to provide direction as to where research needs to continue to explore and develop evidence in this area. Results: Results showed that job demands are the most influential stressor in nursing profession that associated strongly with many negative consequences on the profession in general and on the nurses on particular. Conclusion: The results supported that job demand is unavoidable stressor that leads to many negative consequences and connects directly to job dissatisfaction. Therefore, there is a need to search for alleviating factors that decrease nursing stressor, its consequences and buffer the correlation between job demand and job satisfaction.

Domestic, External Demands：Dual-Engines of China＇s Growti

China＇s economic growth has been driven by the dual-engine of domestic demand and external demand. Among which, domestic demand is the main engine originated from China＇s huge domestic market. Due to the advantage of openness, external demand has a growing contribution to economic growth. For a long term, China will remain in the stage of rapid industrialization, urbanization, marketization and internationalization, therefore China will further expand its domestic consumption and external demand. The undergoing institutional reform will also contribute to the coordinated development of domestic demand and external demand.