Impact of automatic meetering infrastructure on multiutility business models

In the last decade energy utility sector has undergone major changes in terms of liberalization, increased competition, efforts in improving energy efficiency, and in new technological solution such as smart meter and grid operations. There are new information technology solutions (e.g. Advanced Metering Infrastructure /AMI ) on the horizon that will not only introduce new technical and organizational concepts, but have a very strong potential to radically change modus operandi of utility companies. Coordinated, multi-utility programs can help accelerate the development and market success of new high-efficiency technologies. These programs provide opportunities for researchers to develop new high-efficiency equipment for manufacturers to sell this new equipment with utility help, for utilities to increase the amount of energy they save from incentive programs, and for consumers to benefit from lower utility bills and a cleaner environment (as energy is reduced, pollutants produced at power plants decline).

Grouped sparsity algorithm for multichannel intracardiac ECG synchronization

In this paper, a new method is presented to ensure automatic synchronization of intracardiac ECG data, yielding a three-stage algorithm. We first compute a robust estimate of the derivative of the data to remove low-frequency perturbations. Then we provide a grouped-sparse representation of the data, by means of the Group LASSO, to ensure that all the electrical spikes are simultaneously detected. Finally, a post-processing step, based on a variance analysis, is performed to discard false alarms. Preliminary results on real data for sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation show the potential of this approach.

Controlling systems with a single actuator

In this paper the problem of designing a single actuator control for a class of systems is addressed. The existence of such control is studied and several ways for designing such control are provided. The results depend either on the rational canonical form or on the Jordan structure associated with the matrix which characterizes the system dynamics. The constructed control laws can be employed in the design of minimum cost controllers for a large variety of systems.

Diseño de didácticas digitales para la asignatura de sistemas operativos

In this paper the first stage of implementation of digital content is presented through a website, that includes OS issues. Currently students at the Technological University of the Valle of Toluca (UTVT) represents a high degree of learning difficulty in this area. Then academic staff develops this project, in collaboration with the Technological University of the Suroeste of Guanajuato (UTSOE), which aims to improve the teaching-learning and make teaching practices incorporating TIC provide students with a tool to promote their interest. Through the interactivity offered by the web, the student to achieve strengthening further their knowledge and actively participate, which has easy access to information, where distance and time is not a constraint, in addition to have an effective view of the concepts needed to acquire the skills and the ability to self-regulate their learning. For the development of project is used methodologies of the software engineering and technologies web for design.

Novel dual-band single circular polarization antenna feeding network for satellite communications

In this paper a novel dual-band single circular polarization antenna feeding network for satellite communications is presented. The novel antenna feed chain1 is composed of two elements or subsystems, namely a diplexer and a bi-phase polarizer. In comparison with the classic topology based on an orthomode transducer and a dual-band polarizer, the proposed feed chain presents several advantages, such as compactness, modular design of the different components, broadband operation and versatility in the subsystems interconnection. The design procedure of this new antenna feed configuration is explained. Different examples of antenna feeding networks at 20/30 GHz are presented. It is pointed out the excellent results obtained in terms of isolation and axial ratio.

Conditions for perfect focusing multiple point sources with the SMS design method

In this work, we demonstrate how it is possible to sharply image multiple object points. The Simultaneous Multiple Surface (SMS) design method has usually been presented as a method to couple N wave-front pairs with N surfaces, but recent findings show that when using N surfaces, we can obtain M image points when Nin conditions. We present the evolution of SMS method, from its basics, to imaging two object points through one surface, the transition from two to three objet points obtained by increasing the parallelism, and getting to the designs of six surfaces imaging up to eight object points. These designs are limited with the condition that the surfaces cannot be placed at the aperture stop. In the process of maximizing the object points to sharp image, we try to exhaust the degrees of freedom of aspherics and free-forms. We conjecture that maximal SMS designs are very close to a good solution, hence using them as a starting point for the optimization will lead us faster to a final optical system. We suggest here different optimization strategies which combined with the SMS method are proven to give the best solution. Through the example of imaging with the high aspect ratio, we compare the results obtained optimizing the rotational lens and using a combination of SMS method and optimization, showing that the second approach is giving significantly smaller value of overall RMS spot diameter.

Values of the deformation modulus of soil at different ways of determining this amount

In accordance with Russian, Kazakh and European building regulations, the deformation modulus of soil should be determined in the laboratory and also apply in situ soil tests on the stages of engineering geology prospecting. In this paper we present data on the determination and adjustment of the deformation characteristics at different stages of construction

Towards efficient processing of RDF Data Streams

In the last years, there has been an increase in the amount of real-time data generated. Sensors attached to things are transforming how we interact with our environment. Extracting meaningful information from these streams of data is essential for some application areas and requires processing systems that scale to varying conditions in data sources, complex queries, and system failures. This paper describes ongoing research on the development of a scalable RDF streaming engine.

RDSZ: an approach for lossless RDF stream compression

In many applications (like social or sensor networks) the in- formation generated can be represented as a continuous stream of RDF items, where each item describes an application event (social network post, sensor measurement, etc). In this paper we focus on compressing RDF streams. In particular, we propose an approach for lossless RDF stream compression, named RDSZ (RDF Differential Stream compressor based on Zlib). This approach takes advantage of the structural similarities among items in a stream by combining a differential item encoding mechanism with the general purpose stream compressor Zlib. Empirical evaluation using several RDF stream datasets shows that this combi- nation produces gains in compression ratios with respect to using Zlib alone.

Crowdsourcing based subjective quality assessment of adaptive video streaming

In order to cater for user's quality of experience (QoE) requirements, HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS) based solutions of video services have become popular recently. User QoE feedback can be instrumental in improving the capabilities of such services. Perceptual quality experiments that involve humans are considered to be the most valid method of the assessment of QoE. Besides lab-based subjective experiments, crowdsourcing based subjective assessment of video quality is gaining popularity as an alternative method. This paper presents insights into a study that investigates perceptual preferences of various adaptive video streaming scenarios through crowdsourcing based subjective quality assessment.

Social companies as an innovative and sustainable way of solving social problems. A case study from Spain.

In the current context of economic crisis, there is an increasing need for new approaches for solving social problems without relying upon public resources. With this regard, social entrepreneurship has been arising as an important solution to develop social innovations and address social needs. Social entrepreneurs found new ventures that aim at solving social problems. The main purpose of this research is to identify the general profile of the social entrepreneurs and the main features of social companies, such as geographic scope, profit or non-profit approach, collaborative networks, decision making structure, and typologies of customers that benefit from their social actions.

How varies optimal welfare pricing with income distribution? The case of the untolled alternative

In some countries, such as Spain, it is very common that in the same corridor there are two roads with the same origin and destination but with some differences. The most important contrast is that one is a toll highway which offers a better quality than the parallel road in exchange of a price. The users decide if the price of the toll is worth paying for the advantages offered. This problem is known as the untolled alternative and it has been largely studied in the academic literature, particularly related to economic efficiency and the optimal welfare toll. However, there is a gap in the academic literature regarding how income distribution affects the optimal toll. The main objective of the paper is to fill this gap. In this paper a theoretical model is developed in order to obtain the optimal welfare price in a toll highway that competes with a conventional road for capturing the traffic. This model is done for non-usual users who decide over the expectation of free flow conditions. This model is finally applied to the variables we want to focus on: average value of travel time (VTT) which is strongly related with income, dispersion of this VTT and traffic levels, from free flow to congestion. Derived from the results, we conclude that the higher the average VTT the higher the optimal price, the higher the dispersion of this VTT the lower the optimal price and finally, the more the traffic the higher the optimal toll

Propuesta de un marco conceptual para el análisis comparativo de las redes de distribución de dos supermercados online = Proposal of a conceptual framework for the comparative analysis of the distribution networks of two online supermarkets

In this article the network configuration for fulfillment and distribution of online orders of two British retailers is analyzed and compared. For this purpose, it is proposed a conceptual framework that consists of the key following aspects: network configuration, transportation management and location of demand. As a result is not obvious to determine the ideal centralization degree in each case. Finally, it is suggested the future development of an analytic tool that helps to choose the most appropriate model.

Differences brick facade design to horizontal loads between the Spanish and European standards

Brick facades are a construction type, strongly linked to local construction characteristics and methods. In Spain, particularly in Castilla, the facades have been built since the '80s with Castilian half foot (11.5 cm), resting on the edge of slabs. The design of these facades, to horizontal loads from wind, depending on the codes used, can lead to completely different valid solutions. Applying same loads, the facades studied with current European standard (Eurocode 6), have a maximum length of 7.1 m between supports, while the Spanish code, Technical Building Code - Structural Safety Masonry, (CTE SE-F), 8.4 m can be achieved. This represents an increase of flexural strength, depending on the calculation model used, which can reach until 8 times. This is due to the difference of the calculation method and the structural model in one and another standard, depending on if this facade is analyzed as a vertical or horizontal beam or by formation of a vertical or horizontal archh. This paper analyzes the constructive solution of the brick facades that results from applying Spanish or European standards and how it affects the model applied in the safety of the resulting facade.

An asymptotic solution for the main problem

In this paper, an analytical solution of the main problem, a satellite only perturbed by the J2 harmonic, is derived with the aid of perturbation theory and by using DROMO variables. The solution, which is valid for circular and elliptic orbits with generic eccentricity and inclination, describes the instantaneous time variation of all orbital elements, that is, the actual values of the osculating elements