关税措施对农业能源使用和碳排放的影响——以中美贸易摩擦为例

关税措施会对农业能源使用及其碳排放带来怎样的影响,有待科学而系统的评估。构建农产品贸易、能源使用及其碳排放系统模型,并以2018年中美贸易摩擦事件为例,设置不同关税情景,模拟分析关税措施对我国农作物生产、能源使用及其碳排放多方面的影响。结果显示,加征美国大豆进口关税将会减少我国大豆进口总量,促使国内大豆种植面积和产量增加,小麦种植面积将被挤占,玉米种植面积略微增加。关税措施对国内农产品种植能源使用和碳排放总量没有显著影响,但是对不同农产品的影响具有异质性。加征关税使得大豆种植能源使用及碳排放明显增加,小麦种植能源使用及碳排放相应增加,而玉米种植能源使用及碳排放轻微下降。因而,要关注关税变化对农业生产、能源使用及其碳排放带来的系统性影响,协调农产品贸易与碳排放管理政策,基于作物用能特征和贸易条件分类制定适应性节能减排策略,缓解关税措施带来的系统性影响。

手机依赖高风险人群筛查量表的编制及性能测试

目的:编制中文简短手机依赖问卷(SPDQ),为手机依赖的群体筛查和公共卫生人群监测提供工具。方法:采用同组研究设计获得221名大学生4次测量数据。内部一致性信度(Cronbach′α)和重测信度(ICC)系数分析问卷信度,探索性和验证性因子分析确定问卷效度,ROC分析确定判断手机依赖的临界值。结果:SPDQ由7个条目构成,具有较高的内部一致性、重测信度与良好的结构效度和效标效度。问卷包含两因子模型,包括认知/心理依赖和行为依赖。验证性因子分析设定所有题目为依赖表现,4次测量χ^(2)值分别为15.23,11.54,13.60和14.11,P均大于0.05。以简短智能手机依赖指数量表(SPAI-SF)为金标准,确定4/5为SPDQ筛查分界值。结论:本研究编制的SPDQ符合心理测量学标准,可作为手机依赖潜在风险人群的筛查工具。

护理专业国际学生短期访学教育项目的设计与实施

目的旨在描述制定及评估一项短期留学生研究和教育项目。方法研究分为项目制定与实施及评价2部分。根据1名国际学生的短期访学需求,护理学院的全球护理项目协调员和首席导师共同确定项目基本内容和团队成员。该项目学习活动考虑了该国际学生对老年人和居家临终关怀的兴趣,包括4项内容:.开展研究工作,参与教学活动,参与临床实践活动,以及特殊活动和专业发展培训课程。在为期6个月的访学结束时,对参与此次教学活动的教师、研究生及留学生进行访谈和简短问卷调查。结果通过访谈了解到3个方面的内容:通过参与该项目中获得的经验(增强了教育和研究的多样性,获得了新的全球医疗保健知识,对文化意识的自我反思和促进);项目实施的障碍和挑战(签证申请过程,英语语言障碍,缺乏公共交通设施,时间安排冲突);克服这些障碍和挑战的策略(在课程中增加文化多样性信息;与其他同学一起学习英语;使用不同的沟通技巧;在签证申请过程中与大学全球事务办公室持续合作;提供互动体验)。所有项目参与者都对该项目表示非常满意(4.67±0.50),认为对他们在科研、教学和临床实践方面的护理技能有很大影响(4.67±0.50)。结论此次项目的参与者均获得了相关经验,可用于今后的教学指导活动。国际护理专业学生需要得到帮助才能更好地适应访学环境,教师必须具有文化敏感性,了解学生的学习需求,并倡导营造适合学生学习的环境。

Implementation of Fuzzy Logic Control into an Equivalent Minimization Strategy for Adaptive Energy Management of A Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle

As government agencies continue to tighten emissions regulations due to the continued increase in greenhouse gas production, automotive industries are seeking to produce increasingly efficient vehicle technology. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been introduced to mitigate problems while improving fuel economy. HEVs have led to the demand of creating more advanced controls software to consider multiple components for propulsive power in a vehicle. A large section in the software development process is the implementation of an optimal energy management strategy meant to improve the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Optimal strategies can be implemented when driving conditions are known a prior. The Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS) is an optimal control strategy that uses an equivalence factor to equate electrical to mechanical power when performing torque split determination between the internal combustion engine and electric motor for propulsive and regenerative torque. This equivalence factor is determined from offline vehicle simulations using a sensitivity analysis to provide optimal fuel economy results while maintaining predetermined high voltage battery state of charge (SOC) constraints. When the control hierarchy is modified or different driving styles are applied, the analysis must be redone to update the equivalence factor. The goal of this work is to implement a fuzzy logic controller that dynamically updates the equivalence factor to improve fuel economy, maintain a strict charge sustaining window of operation for the high voltage battery, and reduce computational time required during algorithm development. The adaptive algorithm is validated against global optimum fuel economy and charge sustaining results from a sensitivity analysis performed for multiple drive cycles. Results show a maximum fuel economy improvement of 9.82% when using a mild driving style and a 95% success rate when maintaining an ending SOC within 5% of the desired SOC regardless of starting SOC.

Condition indices for rigid pavements: A comparative analysis of state DOTs using Michigan PMS data

Pavement infrastructure is vital in providing services and links between various sectors of society. Therefore, thepreservation and maintenance of these roads are critical to attaining a pavement network in good conditionthroughout its service life. Various performance indicators like the international roughness index (IRI), pavementcondition index (PCI), and present serviceability rating (PSR) have been used by the state department of transportation (DOT) and highway agencies for evaluating pavement surface conditions and planning future maintenance strategies. Limited data availability, multiple distresses depending on region, lack of correlation of thesecondition indices to maintenance strategies, and data collection limitations pose a challenge for applying theseindices to local conditions. This paper compares condition indices of different states for rigid pavements. Further,using a specific condition index for local conditions is also highlighted. For this purpose, five states and theircorresponding condition indices were evaluated and compared to the Michigan DOT distress index (DI). Thesestates include Virginia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Oregon. The corresponding distresses of eachcondition index were converted to make them compatible with the MDOT DI. This study used the MDOT'spavement management system (PMS) database to evaluate each condition index for 433 rigid pavement sections.Each distress index was plotted against MDOT DI and compared using a paired t-test. Results show that thecondition indices of Virginia and Minnesota are comparable to DI in terms of the Spearman correlation value. Thet-test results show that except for Virgina, condition indices from other states statistically differ from DI.Therefore, one can't use those directly for local conditions in Michigan. This paper presents the evaluation anddata requirements for each condition index and its impact on selecting a maintenance treatment.

Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome Secondary to Iatrogenic Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Report

Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome (STLS) is a rare oncologic condition caused by the breakdown of neoplastic tissue in the absence of traditional anti-tumor therapy. It is postulated that cancers with rapidly dividing cells lead to increased cell turnover which exceeds the kidneys’ ability to adequately filtrate by-products of cellular breakdown (i.e., phosphate, potassium, anduric acid), leading to end organ damage. It has been reported in the past that kidney failure is a sequelae of Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS), but there have been no reports that demonstrate acute kidney injury (AKI) preceding TLS. The case presented here demonstrates TLS in a patient with no formal cancer diagnosis, who had received no chemotherapy or radiation that was precipitated by an iatrogenic AKI with chlorthalidone and ibuprofen. This unusual pattern of AKI preceding STLS may provide insight into the pathophysiology of the condition and could possibly lead to greater understanding of this phenomenon.

Elucidating regulatory processes of intense physical activity by multi-omics analysis

Background:Physiological and biochemical processes across tissues of the body are regulated in response to the high demands of intense physical activity in several occupations,such as firefighting,law enforcement,military,and sports.A better understanding of such processes can ultimately help improve human performance and prevent illnesses in the work environment.Methods:To study regulatory processes in intense physical activity simulating real-life conditions,we performed a multi-omics analysis of 3 biofluids(blood plasma,urine,and saliva)collected from 11 wildland firefighters before and after a 45 min,intense exercise regimen.Omics profiles post-vs.pre-exercise were compared by Student’s t-test followed by pathway analysis and comparison between the different omics modalities.Results:Our multi-omics analysis identified and quantified 3835 proteins,730 lipids and 182 metabolites combining the 3 different types of samples.The blood plasma analysis revealed signatures of tissue damage and acute repair response accompanied by enhanced carbon metabolism to meet energy demands.The urine analysis showed a strong,concomitant regulation of 6 out of 8 identified proteins from the renin-angiotensin system supporting increased excretion of catabolites,reabsorption of nutrients and maintenance of fluid balance.In saliva,we observed a decrease in 3 pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in 8 antimicrobial peptides.A systematic literature review identified 6 papers that support an altered susceptibility to respiratory infection.Conclusions:This study shows simultaneous regulatory signatures in biofluids indicative of homeostatic maintenance during intense physical activity with possible effects on increased infection susceptibility,suggesting that caution against respiratory diseases could benefit workers on highly physical demanding jobs.

Impact of index admission cholecystectomy vs interval cholecystectomy on readmission rate in acute cholangitis: National Readmission Database survey

BACKGROUND Elective cholecystectomy(CCY)is recommended for patients with gallstone-related acute cholangitis(AC)following endoscopic decompression to prevent recurrent biliary events.However,the optimal timing and implications of CCY remain unclear.AIM To examine the impact of same-admission CCY compared to interval CCY on patients with gallstone-related AC using the National Readmission Database(NRD).METHODS We queried the NRD to identify all gallstone-related AC hospitalizations in adult patients with and without the same admission CCY between 2016 and 2020.Our primary outcome was all-cause 30-d readmission rates,and secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality,length of stay(LOS),and hospitalization cost.RESULTS Among the 124964 gallstone-related AC hospitalizations,only 14.67%underwent the same admission CCY.The all-cause 30-d readmissions in the same admission CCY group were almost half that of the non-CCY group(5.56%vs 11.50%).Patients in the same admission CCY group had a longer mean LOS and higher hospitalization costs attrib-utable to surgery.Although the most common reason for readmission was sepsis in both groups,the second most common reason was AC in the interval CCY group.CONCLUSION Our study suggests that patients with gallstone-related AC who do not undergo the same admission CCY have twice the risk of readmission compared to those who undergo CCY during the same admission.These readmis-sions can potentially be prevented by performing same-admission CCY in appropriate patients,which may reduce subsequent hospitalization costs secondary to readmissions.

Impact of frailty on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcomes in nonagenarians:A United States national experience

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is an essential therapeutic tool for biliary and pancreatic diseases.Frail and elderly patients,especially those aged≥90 years are generally considered a higher-risk population for ERCP-related complications.AIM To investigate outcomes of ERCP in the Non-agenarian population(≥90 years)concerning Frailty.METHODS This is a cohort study using the 2018-2020 National Readmission Database.Patients aged≥90 were identified who underwent ERCP,using the international classification of diseases-10 code with clinical modification.Johns Hopkins’s adjusted clinical groups frailty indicator was used to classify patients as frail and non-frail.The primary outcome was mortality,and the secondary outcomes were morbidity and the 30 d readmission rate related to ERCP.We used univariate and multivariate regression models for analysis.RESULTS A total of 9448 patients were admitted for any indications of ERCP.Frail and non-frail patients were 3445(36.46%)and 6003(63.53%)respectively.Indications for ERCP were Choledocholithiasis(74.84%),Biliary pancreatitis(9.19%),Pancreatico-biliary cancer(7.6%),Biliary stricture(4.84%),and Cholangitis(1.51%).Mortality rates were higher in frail group[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=1.68,P=0.02].The Intra-procedural complications were insigni-ficant between the two groups which included bleeding(aOR=0.72,P=0.67),accidental punctures/lacerations(aOR=0.77,P=0.5),and mechanical ventilation rates(aOR=1.19,P=0.6).Post-ERCP complication rate was similar for bleeding(aOR=0.72,P=0.41)and post-ERCP pancreatitis(aOR=1.4,P=0.44).Frail patients had a longer length of stay(6.7 d vs 5.5 d)and higher mean total charges of hospitalization($78807 vs$71392)compared to controls(P<0.001).The 30 d all-cause readmission rates between frail and non-frail patients were similar(P=0.96).CONCLUSION There was a significantly higher mortality risk and healthcare burden amongst nonagenarian frail patients undergoing ERCP compared to non-frail.Larger studies are warranted to investigate and mitigate modifiable risk factors.

中部矿粮复合区采煤沉陷及耕地损毁研究现状与展望

河南作为中原地区产煤和产粮大省,煤炭安全高效开采与耕地保护、粮食增产的矛盾较为突出。如何修复因开采煤炭导致损毁的耕地、保护矿区未损毁的耕地,同时稳定煤炭产能,是中部矿粮复合区目前面临的重大难题之一。在分析了中部矿粮复合区典型特征与其面临的瓶颈问题基础上,从采动覆岩与含(隔)水层破坏、采动地表沉陷规律与土壤退化、矿区耕地损毁及农作物长势、源头减沉控损与土地损毁修复技术等4个方面分析了采煤沉陷及耕地损毁问题的研究发展历程,包括采动覆岩含(隔)水层破坏及结构失稳、采动覆岩破坏充分采动定义及判据、采动地表沉陷与覆岩破坏整体响应行为、地表沉陷对土壤退化与耕地损毁影响、沉陷区耕地损毁识别与农作物长势监测、煤矿开采损毁土地修复技术等;在现有成果分析的基础上,展望了中部矿粮复合区采煤沉陷及耕地损毁的4个发展方向:采动覆岩结构失稳与含(隔)水层破坏传导机理、采动地表沉陷规律与土地损毁作用机理、矿区耕地损毁及农作物长势时空演变规律与源头减沉控损与耕地损毁高效协同修复技术,以便揭示“覆岩破坏—地表沉陷—耕地损毁—作物响应”传导驱动机制,形成中部矿粮复合区源头减沉控损与耕地损毁高效协同修复的综合技术体系,为煤矿绿色开采与保障粮食安全提供理论和技术支撑。

长壁开采覆岩内水平定向长钻孔位置特征与卸压瓦斯抽采机理

长壁采空区卸压瓦斯抽采是煤矿绿色开采技术体系中煤与瓦斯共采的重要组成部分,在覆岩内布置水平定向长钻孔抽采卸压瓦斯近年来应用较多;与高抽巷、普通高位钻孔不同,其在采动覆岩内布置抽采时,对覆岩破坏及瓦斯运移的响应与敏感性具有显著的特殊性。通过理论分析、数值模拟与工程实例验证等方法研究了采动覆岩内水平定向长钻孔的位置特征与卸压瓦斯抽采机理。阐述了水平定向长钻孔抽采卸压瓦斯的技术原理,结合室内试验、数值模拟分析了水平定向长钻孔的3个位置特征:①钻孔布置位置区域瓦斯积聚程度高,为钻孔抽采瓦斯提供浓度条件;②钻孔布置位置区域裂隙较为发育,为钻孔抽采提供瓦斯源保障;③钻孔布置位置区域岩层受采动影响较小,为钻孔提供稳定性条件。在此基础上,从采动裂隙内瓦斯积聚程度、采动岩层渗透率和采动钻孔稳定性3个方面揭示了水平定向长钻孔布置抽采机理,提出了水平定向长钻孔的位置判据,给出了确定钻孔抽采位置的方法流程,并通过数值模拟、工程实例进行了合理性验证。研究结果表明:依据钻孔位置判据进行钻孔布置抽采的最大瓦斯抽采纯量达2.59 m^(3)/min,为其他对比钻孔的2.56倍;在定向长钻孔抽采作用下,回风巷最大瓦斯体积分数为0.11%~0.72%,风排瓦斯量为0.69~2.79 m^(3)/min,验证了按照钻孔位置确定方法进行钻孔布置抽采的合理性。研究成果可对矿井布置水平定向长钻孔抽采采空区卸压瓦斯提供技术依据,进而提高矿井卸压瓦斯抽采率、促进煤矿绿色开采技术发展。

高耸构筑物采动损害与保护技术研究现状与展望

我国一些矿区面临着高耸构筑物下压煤技术难题。矿区高耸构筑物具有高度大、横断面小、重心高、支撑基础底面积小等特点,作为一种特殊的构筑物,其对地下开采引起的地表移动变形较敏感。在分析了高耸构筑物自身特性及其采动变形特征基础上,从采动变形理论、数值模拟、变形监测技术、保护技术等4个方面总结分析了高耸构筑物采动损害与保护技术的研究发展历程,包括高耸构筑物与地基、基础协同变形理论、工作面开采对高耸构筑物变形影响数值(物理)模拟分析、实时高效精准监测技术、地基精准注浆加固技术、基础抗变形改造技术、高耸构筑物动态调斜技术、源头减损技术等;并展望了高耸构筑物采动损害与保护技术的4个发展方向:地表移动变形多指标作用下高耸构筑物采动变形规律,采动地表沉陷规律与高耸构筑物变形传导机理,高耸构筑物实时高效精准变形监测技术,高耸构筑物精准保护技术,以便形成地表高耸构筑物“变形小-监测精-保护准”的综合理论与技术体系,为高耸构筑物下安全高效采煤提供理论和技术支撑。

新型冠状病毒肺炎患者和医务人员的心理社会危机干预

目的:方舱医院是一种能够为新型冠状病毒肺炎轻症患者提供大规模医疗隔离和治疗的可选择方式。由于各种原因,收治入方舱医院的患者反映出较高的心理困扰,医务人员也是如此。本研究旨在介绍一种在武汉武昌方舱医院实施的多方面的心理社会危机干预模型。方法:对武汉武昌方舱医院内200名患者和240名医务人员提供心理社会危机干预模型,包括患者志愿者和有组织的同伴支持、以当事人为中心的文化敏感性支持护理、及时提供有关新型冠状病毒肺炎及其并发症的科学信息、非精神卫生医务人员的心理健康知识获取、团体活动、咨询和教育、心理干预的虚拟化、咨询和联络。使用7项广泛性焦虑障碍量表、2项患者健康问卷、基于精神疾病诊断与统计手册的创伤后应激障碍初级筛查问卷对方舱医院内38名患者和49名医务人员进行干预前评估。48名医务人员完成干预后反馈。结果:心理社会危机干预模型由10名精神卫生专业人员实施,得到方舱医院的患者和医护人员的广泛认可。在干预前,38名患者中焦虑占15.8%,应激占55.3%,抑郁占15.8%;49名医务人员中焦虑占16.3%,应激占26.5%,抑郁占22.4%。48名医务人员完成干预后反馈,认为比较实用占62.5%,非常实用占37.5%;对于缓解自身焦虑与失眠比较有帮助占37.5%,非常有帮助占27.1%;对于识别患者的焦虑与失眠比较有帮助占37.5%,非常有帮助占29.2%;对于处理患者的焦虑与失眠比较有帮助占35.4%,非常有帮助占37.5%。结论:该干预模型是可行且可接受的,并有积极的效果。未来该模式可应用于更大人群和不同环境中。

K_(n)□K_(m,s)的r-hued染色

考虑完全图K_(n)和完全二部图K_(m,s)的笛卡尔乘积图的r-hued色数.首先,根据正整数r的不同值进行分类,并结合K_(n)□K_(m,s)的性质,刻画该图r-hued色数的下界;其次,找到K_(n)□K_(m,s)的一个具体的(k,r)-染色,并以此刻画该图r-hued色数的一个上界;最后,确定了K_(n)□K_(m,s)的r-hued色数.

Correlations between mineral composition and mechanical properties of granite using digital image processing and discrete element method

This study investigated the correlations between mechanical properties and mineralogy of granite using the digital image processing(DIP) and discrete element method(DEM). The results showed that the X-ray diffraction(XRD)-based DIP method effectively analyzed the mineral composition contents and spatial distributions of granite. During the particle flow code(PFC2D) model calibration phase, the numerical simulation exhibited that the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS) value, elastic modulus(E), and failure pattern of the granite specimen in the UCS test were comparable to the experiment. By establishing 351 sets of numerical models and exploring the impacts of mineral composition on the mechanical properties of granite, it indicated that there was no negative correlation between quartz and feldspar for UCS, tensile strength(σ_(t)), and E. In contrast, mica had a significant negative correlation for UCS, σ_(t), and E. The presence of quartz increased the brittleness of granite, whereas the presence of mica and feldspar increased its ductility in UCS and direct tensile strength(DTS) tests. Varying contents of major mineral compositions in granite showed minor influence on the number of cracks in both UCS and DTS tests.

Analysis of sex pheromone production and field trapping of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée)in Xinjiang,China

Identifying the sex pheromone systems of local pest populations facilitates their management,especially for moth species that show significant geographic variation in sex pheromone communication.We investigated the pheromone production and behavioral responses of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée;ACB)in Xinjiang,China.The ACB produces three compounds:(Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(Z12-14:Ac)and(E)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(E12-14:Ac)which are two sex pheromone compounds,and n-tetradecyl acetate(14:Ac)which has variable roles in mediating behavioral responses.The ratios of these three compounds produced in female gland are geographically distinct among different populations.Quantitative analysis of pheromone production showed that the proportions of Z12-14:Ac in the E/Z isomers(i.e.,Z and E12-14:Ac)and the proportions of 14:Ac in the ternary blend respectively averaged 60.46%(SD=5.26)and 25.00%(SD=7.37),with their probabilities normally or near-normally distributed.Trapping experiments in a cornfield indicated that deploying the E/Z isomers and the three compounds in rubber septa close to their gland ratios yielded the most captured males,while other ratios that deviated from the gland ratios showed reduced field captures.The ternary blend was significantly more attractive to males than the E/Z isomers in the field,indicating a functional role of 14:Ac as the third pheromone component used by the local population.Additionally,the dose-response test demonstrated that the application of the three compounds at dosages between 200 and 350μg attracted significantly more males compared to other dosages.Therefore,the characterization of this local ACB pheromone system provides additional information about its geographic variation and serves as a basis for optimizing the pheromone-mediated control of this pest in Xinjiang.

Analysis of Emissions Profiles of Hydraulic Fracturing Engine Technologies

Today, the oil and gas industry, and in particular hydraulic fracturing operations, have come under increasing pressure from regulators and the public to reduce emissions. As the industry evolves, oil and gas producers are in the position of evaluating alternative technologies which will support their objectives of reducing their overall emissions profile and carbon footprint. As a response, the deployment of technology and solutions to reduce emissions related to hydraulic fracturing applications has recently accelerated, creating various options to address these industry challenges. BJ Energy Solutions and West Virginia University have been working on the application and emissions characterization of various hydraulic fracturing technologies. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency and resultant emissions from various technologies, including natural gas reciprocating engines, diesel-natural gas dual-fuel engines, large (>24 MW) gas turbines, and direct drive turbines. The study involved the development of an emissions model with the purpose of estimating total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and exhaust methane (CH4) slip, all Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), and converted to tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per day of operation. The model inputs are the required Hydraulic Horsepower (HHP) based on pumping rate and pressure for various shale play scenarios. The model calculates emissions from the TITAN, which is a direct-drive turbine model fielded by BJ, using data collected following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing protocols. The model also calculates and compares other hydraulic fracturing technologies utilizing published Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) data. Relevant EPA-regulated criteria emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM) are also reported. Modeling results demonstrated that in most cases, the TITAN gas turbine system has lower total GHG emissions than conventional diesel and other next-generation technologies, and also has lower criteria emissions. The benefits of the TITAN gas turbine system compared to the other technologies stems from significantly lower methane slip, and the high-power transfer efficiency resulting from directly connecting a turbine to a reciprocating pump, despite the comparatively lower thermal efficiency.

Determination of Effectiveness of Energy Management System in Buildings

Building Energy Management Systems(BEMS)are computer-based systems that aid in managing,controlling,and monitoring the building technical services and energy consumption by equipment used in the building.The effectiveness of BEMS is dependent upon numerous factors,among which the operational characteristics of the building and the BEMS control parameters also play an essential role.This research develops a user-driven simulation tool where users can input the building parameters and BEMS controls to determine the effectiveness of their BEMS.The simulation tool gives the user the flexibility to understand the potential energy savings by employing specific BEMS control and help in making intelligent decisions.The simulation is developed using Visual Basic Application(VBA)in Microsoft Excel,based on discrete-event Monte Carlo Simulation(MCS).The simulation works by initially calculating the energy required for space cooling and heating based on current building parameters input by the user in the model.Further,during the second simulation,the user selects all the BEMS controls and improved building envelope to determine the energy required for space cooling and heating during that case.The model compares the energy consumption from the first simulation and the second simulation.Then the simulation model will provide the rating of the effectiveness of BEMS on a continuous scale of 1 to 5(1 being poor effectiveness and 5 being excellent effectiveness of BEMS).This work is intended to facilitate building owner/energy managers to analyze the building energy performance concerning the efficacy of their energy management system.

Evaluation of Process and Economic Feasibility of Implementing a Topping Cycle Cogeneration

Industrial applications that require steam for their end-use generally utilize steam boilers that are typically oversized,citing operations flexibility.Similarly,gas turbine-based power plants corroborate a gas turbine system that may eventually relieve the usable exhaust into the atmosphere.This study explores the economic and technical feasibility of a topping cycle combined heat and power(CHP)system.It does so by leveraging a partially loaded boiler or gas turbine by increasing its unused load to generate steam and heat for subsequent usage.To this end,a decision support tool(COGENTEC)was developed,which emulates a given facility’s boiler or gas-turbine system,and its operational parameters with the application of steam turbines.The tool provides necessary insights into the most appropriate parameters that enable a CHP system to be technically and economically advantageous.Based on input variables such as boiler-rated capacity,steam pressure,steam temperature,and existing boiler load,among others,COGENTEC designs a topping cycle CHP system to inform a user whether this system is feasible in their facility or not.If applicable,the tool assists the user to realize the point of break-even(fuel cost incurred and cost savings)at the desired steam flow rate.It also conducts sensitivity analyses between energy usage,cost savings,and payback on the investment of the operating parameters to understand the relationship between relevant variables.By utilizing parameters from a pulp and paper manufacturing facility,the research determines that the fuel cost,electricity cost,and steam flow rate are the most important parameters for the feasibility of the system with a desirable payback on the investment.

Risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals with celiac disease in the United States:A population-based matched cohort study

BACKGROUND Celiac disease(CD)has been associated with gastrointestinal malignancies.However,the magnitude of the risk of pancreatic cancer(PC)associated with CD is much less clear,and risks have not been estimated from large populations.AIM To assess the risk of PC in CD patients.METHODS We conducted a population-based,multicenter,propensity score-matched cohort study with consecutive patients diagnosed with CD using the TriNeTx research network platform.We examined the incidence of PC in patients with CD compared with a matched cohort of patients without CD(non-CD,controls).Each patient in the main group(CD)was matched to a patient in the control group using 1:1 propensity score matching to reduce confounding effects.The incidence of PC was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model with a hazard ratio(HR)and 95%confidence interval(CI).RESULTS A total of 389980 patients were included in this study.Among them,155877 patients had a diagnosis of CD,and the remaining 234103 individuals without CD were considered a control cohort.The mean duration of follow-up for patients in the CD and control cohorts was 5.8±1.8 and 5.9±1.1 years,respectively.During the follow-up,309 patients with CD developed PC,whereas 240 patients developed PC in the control group(HR=1.29;95%CI:1.09-1.53).In the secondary analyses in the first year after diagnosis of CD,patients with CD were at a significant increase in risk for PC;151 patients with CD had an incidence of PC compared with 96 incidences of PC among the patients in the non-CD control group(HR=1.56;95%CI:1.20-2.01)and sensitivity analysis showed similar magnitude to the one generated in the primary and secondary analysis.CONCLUSION Patients with CD are at increased risk of PC.Risk elevation persists beyond the first year after diagnosis to reference individuals without CD from the general population.