Daily Cycle Research Articles

Feeding ecology of Brevoortia aurea larvae (Clupeidae, Alosinae) from Río de la Plata estuary off Uruguay

This study analyses the feeding ecology of Brevortia aurea (Brazilian menhaden) larvae during a reproductive season in the Río de la Plata estuary (RPE), and explores its changes along larval development. Data were obtained from stomach content analyses of 205 individuals collected with a Bongo net during spring 2001. Larvae were discriminated into preflexion (PF), flexion (F) and post-flexion (PsF) stages. Feeding was described using complementary metrics like Feeding incidence (FI), the Relative Importance of different prey types consumed (IRI), the Degree of prey digestion (E) and Diet overlap (D), which were estimated and compared between stages. Also, larval morphometric relationships (body length, BL vs mouth width, MW) and between MW and maximum prey width (Wmax) were established for the range of observed larval sizes. The overall FI was 46.3% and increased with the development stage: 40.4% PF, 63.3% F, 78.6% PsF. Feeding occurred mainly during sunlit hours but no clear daily cycle could be established. Copepods and in particular Acartia tonsa were well represented among ingested preys, followed by invertebrate eggs and nauplii. Prey diversity and overlap between stages tended to decrease as development progressed. B. aurea exhibited isometric growth of MW in relation to BL. Average Wmax was 222.5 µm ± 100.9 SD, and increased non-linearly with both BL and MW. Gape size alone did not seem to be the limiting factor for prey choice (size), and we hypothesize that factors involved in the feeding mechanism other than mouth gape and linked with capture performance substantially influence the feeding ecology of this species in the RPE.

Temporal Upscaling of MODIS 1-km Instantaneous Land Surface Temperature to Monthly Mean Value: Method Evaluation and Product Generation

The monthly mean land surface temperature (MMLST) reflects more stable intra- and inter-annual temperature variations, and therefore, it has a wider range of applications than instantaneous land surface temperature (LST). This study aimed to generate a high-resolution global MMLST product by temporally upscaling the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 1-km instantaneous LST. First, six current methods were comprehensively evaluated using cross-validation technology. These six methods are the cross combinations of two temporal aggregation schemes: the average by observations (ABO) and by days (ABD), and three conversion models: the diurnal temperature cycle model (DTC), a simple average model for two instantaneous LSTs (TSA), and a weighted average model for multiple instantaneous LSTs (MWA). The analysis with measurements from 235 flux stations worldwide revealed that the choice of conversion model considerably affected the overall retrieval accuracy whereas the influence of the aggregation scheme was minor. From the conversion model standpoint, MWA performed best, followed by DTC, and finally TSA; this order remained the same even if DTC and TSA were improved with mean bias correction. Notably, the errors of ABD <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">MWA</sub> decreased as the number of daily mean LST (NOD) increased, whereas the errors of ABO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">MWA</sub> were not related to NOD. Accordingly, we deduced that the optimal strategy for estimating MMLST is using ABO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">MWA</sub> when NOD is <20 and ABD <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">MWA</sub> when NOD is ≥20. Subsequently, we adopted this combination method to process MODIS instantaneous LSTs and produced a global 1-km MMLST dataset for the years 2003–2020. The validation showed a satisfactory accuracy with a root mean square error of 1.6 K. The intercomparison with MMLSTs from geostationary satellites (containing complete LST daily cycle) presented a good agreement (biases < 0.3 K and STDs < 2 K). Compared with AIRS3STM product which had the same temporal span, the newly generated product exhibited a high consistency in reflecting temporal variations of global temperature. Most importantly, it had a prominently better ability to retrieve spatial details of temperature variations due to its higher resolution. Our new method and product show promising prospects for applications in global change studies where accurate spatially resolved MMLST data are one of the fundamental geophysical variables required.

Circadian rhythms and cancer.

Circadian rhythms are autonomous oscillators developed by the molecular circadian clock, essential for coordinating internal time with the external environment in a 24-h daily cycle. In mammals, this circadian clock system plays a major role in all physiological processes and severely affects human health. The regulation of the circadian clock extends beyond the clock genes to involve several clock-controlled genes. Hence, the aberrant expression of these clock genes leads to the downregulation of important targets that control the cell cycle and the ability to undergo apoptosis. This may lead to genomic instability and promotes carcinogenesis. Alteration in the clock genes and their modulation is recognized as a new approach for the development of effective treatment against several diseases, including cancer. Until now, there has been a lack of understanding of circadian rhythms and cancer disease. For that, this chapter aims to represent the core components of circadian rhythms and their function in cancer pathogenesis and progression. In addition, the clinical impacts, current clock drugs, and potential therapeutic targets have been discussed.

Neural network pressure observerfor a turbomechanism electromechanical system powered by a wind generator

Ecological and economic production of electrical energy through the use ofalternative energy sources is an urgent direction due to the trend of increasing prices of energy carriers used in the electrical energy production and as a result of significant damage of the energy system of Ukraine in consequence of the war on the country territory.It is worth noting that in some areas it is possible to use only autonomous power generation systems, since the laying of electrical networks in these districts is impractical and unprofitable. Usually, the mentioned systems are basedon a combination of a wind or hydro turbine -drive motor, and an electric generator. Such systems are characterized by high resource, reliability, low cost,and complexity of maintenance. Sometimes people's lives and the possibility of communication withthe outside world depend on the operation of an autonomous electric power generation system, which is especially important in the conditions of martial law. At the same time, the lack of stabilization of the hydraulic networkpressureof the water supply system can lead to the household conditions aggravation, the emergency situations occurrence, and the technological process disruption.In view of the mentioned factors, there is a need to measure the pressure of the hydraulic network, which is possible byusing technological coordinatesobserversbuilt on the basis of the artificial networks theory. In the paper a modern turbomechanism electromechanical control systempowered by an alternative electrical energy source under the conditions of pressure stabilization of thehydraulic network when using atechnological coordinatesobserver, namely a pressure estimator, is proposed. A mathematical description of the main elements of the investigatedsystem is given. A hydraulic network pressure observerbased onthe artificial neural networks theory isbuilt and studied. Features of design and training of technological coordinate estimators based on neural networks with feedback are described. The operation of the sensorless system during thepressure stabilization at a given level when the resistance of the hydraulic network changes within the typical daily cycle of water consumption is considered on a specific example. The results and analysis of the investigationof the developed observerin standard and sensorless control systems are shown.

Codesign of Biobased Cellulose-Filled Filaments and Mesostructures for 4D Printing Humidity Responsive Smart Structures.

Hygromorphic smart structures are advantageous as passively actuated systems for generating movement, with applications ranging from weather-responsive architectural building skins to adaptive wearables and microrobotics. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is a valuable method for multiscale fabrication and physical programming of such structures. However, material limitations in terms of printability, responsiveness, and mechanical properties are major bottlenecks in achieving reliable and repeatable humidity-responsive actuation. We propose a codesign method for 4D printing hygromorphic structures through fused filament fabrication, incorporating parallel development of (1) biobased cellulose-filled filaments with varying stiffness and hygroresponsiveness, and (2) designed mesoscale structuring in printed elements. We first describe the design of a pallet of filaments produced by compounding cellulose powder in mass ratios of 0-30% within two matrix polymers with high and low stiffness. We then present the design, fabrication, and testing of a series of 4D-printed prototypes tuned to change shape, that is, open and close, in response to relative humidity (RH). The structures can fully transform in conditions of 35-90% RH, which corresponds to naturally occurring shifts in RH in daily and seasonal weather cycles. Furthermore, their motion is fast (within the range of minutes), fully reversible, and repeatable in numerous cycles. These results open new opportunities for the utilization of 4D printing and natural resources for the development of functional humidity-responsive smart structures.

Use of multibeam imaging sonar for observation of marine mammals and fish on a marine renewable energy site.

Environmental data is crucial for planning, permitting, execution and post construction monitoring of marine renewable energy projects. In harsh conditions in which marine renewable energy is harvested, integrated monitoring platforms comprising multibeam imaging sonar systems coupled with other sensors can provide multiparametric data of the marine environment surrounding marine renewable energy installations. The aim of this study was to test the possibilities of observing the occurrence of fish and marine mammals using a multibeam imaging sonar system deployed at a wave power test site. The results obtained from a ten-day data set proved the platform as suitable for long time underwater monitoring and also revealed that the occurrence of fish and marine mammals was distributed across characteristic time and space domains. Large fish [>0.4 m] frequently occurred at night-time and near the benthic zone. Small fish [<0.2 m] frequently occurred during daylight and within the pelagic zone. The occurrence of seals was periodically distributed along a daily cycle, with intervals of 1-2 hours between maxima and minima. In conclusion, the use of multibeam imaging sonar can be a reliable technique for the qualitative and quantitative observations of fish and marine mammals in general and at marine renewable energy sites specifically, including protected and economically important species.

Colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome as risk factor for constipation and colorectal cancer

Purpose. To prove that colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome is a precursor and predictor of constipation and colorectal cancer.Materials and methods. Using the non-invasive method of chronoenterography – weekly monitoring of the circadian rhythm of the enteral evacuation function, 2869 people who consider themselves relatively healthy were examined. The test ‘Rhythms and Health’ was used to identify the frequency and acrophase of the rhythm of defecation, as well as to assess the level of quality of life. We compared the occurrence of morning acrophase of the bowel rhythm in individuals with a regular bowel rhythm (at least 7 times a week) and in individuals with irregular (delayed) bowel function (with a stool frequency of 1–2 to 5–6 times a week). Three stages of colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome severity were analyzed: mild, moderate, and severe. The main symptoms of colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome were identified. The risk of colorectal cancer in patients with constipation was analyzed according to known data.The results of the study. It is shown that the earliest stages of enteral evacuation function irregularity (mild – 5–6, and moderate – 3 times a week 4 times a week) occur almost 10 times more often than the severe stage (1–2 times a week) of colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome in the form of constipation. A regular dependence of the regularity of the defecation rhythm on the position of the acrophase of this rhythm in the daily cycle was established: the regular rhythm of defecation (7 times a week) is associated with the presence of morning acrophase of the stool rhythm, and colorectal bradyarrhythmia (1–6 times a week) is associated with the absence of morning acrophase of the defecation rhythm. A natural relationship between a decrease in the frequency of defecation and a decrease in the level of quality of life was revealed. It is proved that the rarer the frequency of stool, the higher the tendency to take laxatives.Conclusions. Colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome occurs in both young people aged about 20 years and adults, and is almost 10 times more common than constipation. Constipation is a proven risk factor for colorectal cancer, as it increases this risk by 2–4 times. A high level of quality of life is characteristic of individuals with a regular stool rhythm, and colorectal bradyarrhythmia syndrome is characterized by a decrease in the level of quality of life in accordance with the aggravation of the stage of this syndrome.

Effect of fasting on short-term visual plasticity in adult humans.

Brain plasticity and function is impaired in conditions of metabolic dysregulation, such as obesity. Less is known on whether brain function is also affected by transient and physiological metabolic changes, such as the alternation between fasting and fed state. Here we asked whether these changes affect the transient shift of ocular dominance that follows short-term monocular deprivation, a form of homeostatic plasticity. We further asked whether variations in three of the main metabolic and hormonal pathways affected in obesity (glucose metabolism, leptin signalling and fatty acid metabolism) correlate with plasticity changes. We measured the effects of 2 h monocular deprivation in three conditions: post-absorptive state (fasting), after ingestion of a standardised meal and during infusion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin physiologically released upon meal ingestion that plays a key role in glucose metabolism. We found that short-term plasticity was less manifest in fasting than in fed state, whereas GLP-1 infusion did not elicit reliable changes compared to fasting. Although we confirmed a positive association between plasticity and supraphysiological GLP-1 levels, achieved by GLP-1 infusion, we found that none of the parameters linked to glucose metabolism could predict the plasticity reduction in the fasting versus fed state. Instead, this was selectively associated with the increase in plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (B-OH) levels during fasting, which suggests a link between neural function and energy substrates alternative to glucose. These results reveal a previously unexplored link between homeostatic brain plasticity and the physiological changes associated with the daily fast-fed cycle.

16 Years (2006–2021) of Surface Ozone Measurements in Córdoba (Southern Spain): Trends and the Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown

Surface ozone concentrations (O3) during the period 2006-2021 are analysed at Córdoba city (southern Iberian Peninsula) in suburban and urban sampling sites. The aims are to present the levels and temporal variations, to explore trends and to quantity the variation in O3 concentrations in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown. The O3 means are higher in the suburban station (62 µg m-3 and 51.3 µg m-3), being the information level threshold only exceeded twice during this period. The daily evolution shows a maximum at about 17:00 UTC, whereas the minimum is reached at about 9:00 UTC, with higher levels in the suburban station. The seasonal evolution of this daily cycle also presents monthly differences in shape and intensity between stations. The trends are analysed by means of daily averages and daily 5th and 95th percentiles, and they show a similar increase in all of these parameters, with special emphasis on the daily P95 concentrations, with 0.27 µg m-3 year-1 and 0.24 µg m-3 year-1. Finally, the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown shows a decline in O3 concentrations over 10%.

Module-level direct coupling in PV-battery power unit under realistic irradiance and load

A photovoltaic (PV) module, battery and consumer or load is usually tied together by a complex power electronics, including maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device for power coupling to maximize output of the PV modules. At the same time, a typical battery itself can play the role of a power coupling element in addition to its main energy storage function. In principle, a properly chosen PV-battery pair can maintain a high degree of internal power coupling even under variable irradiance and load without MPPT electronics. This option is of interest for e.g. module-level integration of PV and battery to cope with natural intermittency of a PV module power output. In this work, we experimentally examine the function of a laboratory scale unit of a 7-cell silicon heterojunction PV module directly connected to a lithium-ion battery and variable load. The unit is the simplest PV-battery module representative for detailed study under a series of emulated realistic profiles of irradiance and power consumption. The directly coupled PV-battery unit shows coupling efficiencies of above 99.8% at high irradiance and approx. 98% on average through the daily cycle – a value that is comparable to modern MPPT devices.

Crescimento, desenvolvimento e qualidade do gladíolo ‘White Goddess’: época de cultivo, tela de sombreamento e cobertura do solo

ABSTRACT To reduce the risks associated with the production of gladiolus flowers in the climatic conditions of southwestern Paraná, Brazil, this study characterized the growth, development, and floral stem quality of plants cultivated under different-colored shade nets and mulching in four growing seasons. The gladiolus cultivar ‘White Goddess’ was grown in beds with and without mulching in the soil. Three shade nets individually stained black, silver and red all with 35% shading, were used in this study, and an additional treatment (control) in which plants were grown in full sun. Growth (LAI and height), development (cycle in days, and degree-days), and flower quality (size and stem damage) were evaluated in eight plants in each treatment. Plants were distributed in a randomized block design in a factorial scheme (season x mulching x shade screen). The cycle ranged from 66 to 89 days and 1732 to 1268°C day. The mean difference of the cycle between treatments was 3 days. Less floral stem damage happened under silver net and was more in full sun. The shading net associated with mulching favored the growth characteristics of the plants, and in autumn, the flowers had the highest quality standard.

PP26 Cost Utility Of Vaccination Against COVID-19 In Brazil

IntroductionThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a single-strand ribonucleic acid virus that was first identified in January 2020 in patients with viral pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The virus has since spread rapidly around the world, leading the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic on 11 March 2020. In Brazil there have been 21.8 million cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 608,500 deaths. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost utility of the Oxford, CoronaVac, and Janssen vaccines from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system.MethodsThree microsimulation models were constructed using individual data. The simulations contained seven transition states related to the natural history of COVID-19. The model with a daily cycle had a time horizon of one year and used data from 289 days of the pandemic. The analysis considered direct medical costs from the Brazilian health system perspective. Outpatient, hospital, and mortality databases were used for the model inputs and patient data were stratified by age. Effective vaccines reduced the likelihood of patients becoming ill. Information on the quality of life of patients receiving treatment in the outpatient or hospital setting and disease sequelae were extracted from the published literature. The main outcome of the analysis was quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).ResultsThe vaccines had incremental cost-utility ratios ranging from USD 4,121 (Oxford) to USD 3,160 per QALY (CoronaVac). The older the population, the lower the incremental cost-utility ratio. Given a willingness-to-pay threshold of BRL 3,129 per QALY, all the vaccines were considered cost effective in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio stratified by age ranged from USD 6,327 per QALY in patients older than 75 years (Janssen) to USD 20,993 per QALY in patients younger than 59 years (CoronaVac).ConclusionsThe results of this analysis, stratified by patient age, can help in the preparation of a vaccination prioritization plan.

Estimating ocean net primary productivity from daily cycles of carbon biomass measured by profiling floats

AbstractThe dependence of net primary productivity (NPP), a central metric in ecology and biogeochemistry, on sunlight drives daily cycles in carbon biomass in the ocean's euphotic zone. In this study, we infer NPP from the daily cycle of biomass. These estimates were extracted from bio‐optical measurements collected by an array of robotic profilers distributed across temperate and polar regions of the southern hemisphere. We estimate NPP in the region south of 30°S as ~11.4 Pg C yr−1, and south of 50°S (the Southern Ocean) as ~4.6 Pg C yr−1. We obtain comparable estimates when complementary daily cycles of oxygen are used instead (11.7 and 3.5 Pg C yr−1). This approach will be valuable for providing the basin‐scale, ground‐truthed information necessary to assess changes in subsurface primary productivity related to climate.

Небесные светила и атмосферные явления в языковой картине мира иранских народов Памиро-Гиндукушского региона

The present article examines the lexical-semantic group of terms encompassing celestial bodies and atmospheric phenomena in the languages of the Pamir-Hindu Kush peoples. It deals with the role of these bodies and phenomena in determining seasonal and daily time cycles in the agricultural calendar, as well as the formation of their names in these traditional societies. The article shows distinctive linguacultural elements in the way these celestial bodies and atmos‑ pheric phenomena are envisioned by the peoples of the region, as well as specific idiomatic expressions that use these astronyms as key elements.

Vertical mixing and oxygen flux caused by daily sea breezes in a shallow stratified lake

Vertical transport caused by mixing is essential for understanding physical processes in lakes. However, mixing processes in shallow lakes are not well understood because of the lack of turbulence measurements. This study presents observations of vertical mixing and oxygen flux in a shallow lake, Lake Kitaura of the Lake Kasumigaura continuous lake system, which is located along the central eastern coast of the Japanese mainland. Mooring and microstructure surveys were conducted in August 2020. The vertical eddy diffusivity was estimated from the Ellison scale using high-frequency sampled temperature data from the mooring location, and the estimations were consistent with those observed from the microstructure profiler. The estimated eddy diffusivity revealed a mixing structure and oxygen flux in the lake during the study period. The daily cycle of stratification and mixing was caused by daily heating due to solar radiation and by winds from daily sea breezes, respectively. The daily stratification maximum occurred around noon, which suppressed vertical mixing. Vertical mixing was intensified due to sea breezes in the afternoon, which led to movement of oxygen from the surface layer to the bottom layer. The maximum vertical mixing was observed at 18:00. The oxygen concentration did not increase during nighttime when the negative surface heat flux was observed; thus, nighttime cooling may not primarily contribute to the vertical oxygen supply.

Hot Exoplanet Atmospheres Resolved with Transit Spectroscopy (HEARTS)

Context. High-resolution transmission spectroscopy has allowed for in-depth information on the composition and structure of exoplanetary atmospheres to be garnered in the last few years, especially in the visible and in the near-infrared. Many atomic and molecular species have been detected thanks to data gathered from state-of-the-art spectrographs installed on large ground-based telescopes. Nevertheless, the Earth daily cycle has been limiting observations to exoplanets with the shortest transits. Aims. The inflated sub-Saturn KELT-11 b has a hot atmosphere and orbits a bright evolved subgiant star, making it a prime choice for atmospheric characterization. The challenge lies in its transit duration – of more than 7 h – which can only be covered partially or without enough out-of-transit baselines when observed from the ground. Methods. To overcome this constraint, we observed KELT-11 b with the HARPS spectrograph in series of three consecutive nights, each focusing on a different phase of the planetary orbit: before, during, and after the transit. This allowed us to gather plenty of out-of-transit baseline spectra, which was critical to build a spectrum of the unocculted star with sufficient precision. Telluric absorption lines were corrected using the atmospheric transmission code MOLECFIT. Individual high-resolution transmission spectra were merged to obtain a high signal-to-noise transmission spectrum to search for sodium in KELT-11 b’s atmosphere through the ~5900 Å doublet. Results. Our results highlight the potential for independent observations of a long-transiting planet over consecutive nights. Our study reveals a sodium excess absorption of 0.28 ± 0.05% and 0.50 ± 0.06% in the Na D1 and D2 lines, respectively. This corresponds to 1.44 and 1.69 times the white-light planet radius in the line cores. Wind pattern modeling tends to prefer day-to-night side winds with no vertical winds, which is surprising considering the planet bloatedness. The modeling of the Rossiter-Mclaughlin effect yields a significantly misaligned orbit, with a projected spin-orbit angle of λ = −77.86−2.26+2.36∘. Conclusions. Belonging to the under-studied group of inflated sub-Saturns, the characteristics of KELT-11 b – notably its extreme scale height and long transit – make it an ideal and unique target for next-generation telescopes. Our results as well as recent findings from HST, TESS, and CHEOPS observations could make KELT-11 b a benchmark exoplanet in atmospheric characterization.

ГІБРИДНА ФОТОЕЛЕКТРИЧНА СИСТЕМА З АКУМУЛЯТОРНОЮ БАТАРЕЮ ДЛЯ ЛОКАЛЬНОГО ОБ’ЄКТУ З ЗАВДАННЯМ ПОТУЖНОСТІ, ЩО СПОЖИВАЄТЬСЯ З МЕРЕЖІ

The issues of increasing the efficiency of a hybrid photovoltaic system with a storage battery used to meet the own needs of a local object are considered. This is achieved in the case of a setting according to the forecast of power consumption from the grid, which ensures the formation of the necessary graph of the degree of charge of the battery. A technique for determining the parameters is substantiated when achieving the maximum reduction in the cost of electricity consumed from the grid for the accepted load schedule for the average monthly generation of a photovoltaic battery in summer. Implementation scenarios are proposed in accordance with the accepted billing of payment for electricity. The possibility of leveling the graph of power consumed from the network and reducing consumption during peak hours is shown. The invariance of control is confirmed under the conditions of load changes over time within a certain energy value at intervals in the daytime and in the evening. The possibilities of implementing the proposed control scenarios are confirmed by modeling energy processes in the daily cycle. At the same time, archival data on the generation of a photovoltaic battery from open web resources were used. The solutions obtained are the basis for the design of software control complexes for photovoltaic systems with batteries with improved energy efficiency.

Optimal operating scheme of neighborhood energy storage communities to improve power grid performance in smart cities

In Smart Cities (SC), the efficient management of services such as health, transport, public safety, and especially the electricity ensures the welfare of citizens. In recent years, the insertion of renewable sources (RSs) (e.g., solar and wind) in the power grid (PG) of SCs has contributed to meeting the electricity needs of the various consumer units. However, the large-scale integration of these RSs can fatigue the assets, leading to their premature aging and, consequently, compromising the quality of electricity supply. To overcome these challenges, the implementation of Neighboring Energy Storage Communities (NESCs) employing demand response (DR) strategies along with efficient coordination of storage batteries (SBs) could be a promising alternative. In this sense, the present work proposes a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to efficiently manage SBs and the set of household appliances, including charging electric vehicles (EVs), in an NESC provided solely by PG. The proposed model aims to minimize: the total costs related to energy consumption, the peak rebound effect on the total consumption profile, energy wastage through load factor (LF) improvement, and the deep discharges in the SBs during their daily operational cycle. Operational constraints related to the home appliances, such as average usage time, the number of times that the appliance is used daily, etc., are taking into account. The EV state-of-charge (SOC), EV charging rate limits, and initial and final SOC of the SBs, are also considered. A Monte Carlo Algorithm (MCA) is used to simulate the habitual consumption patterns of each customer. The proposed model was implemented in AMPL and solved using CPLEX. The performance of this proposed model is evaluated considering two NESCs differentiated by the number of consumer communities. A first NESC (small-scale) is analyzed considering only two consumer communities. In this NESC, two case studies (Case 1 and 2) are discussed. Next, the second NESC (large-scale) that considers 14 consumer communities is analyzed for the most complete case study (Case 2). Within each NESC, consumer communities are differentiated by the household income and the types of SBs (individual and shared) that support each community. The results corroborate the applicability of the MILP model to real case studies on a diverse scale, guaranteeing the efficient use of PG at the same time that each SB seeks the most optimized operation.

Daytime fluctuations of endurance performance in young soccer players: a randomized cross-over trial

ObjectivesFluctuations of physical performance and biological responses during a repetitive daily 24-h cycle are known as circadian rhythms. These circadian rhythms can influence the optimal time of day for endurance performance and related parameters which can be crucial in a variety of sports disciplines. The current study aimed to evaluate the daytime variations in endurance running performance in a 3.000-m field run and endurance running performance, blood lactate levels, and heart rate in an incremental treadmill test in adolescent soccer players.ResultsIn this study, 15 adolescent male soccer players (age: 18.0 ± 0.6 years) performed a 3.000-m run and an incremental treadmill test at 7:00–8:00 a.m. and 7:00–8:00 p.m. in a randomized cross-over manner. No significant variations after a Bonferroni correction were evident in endurance running performance, perceived exertion, blood lactate levels, and heart rates between the morning and the evening. Here, the largest effect size was observed for maximal blood lactate concentration (9.15 ± 2.18 mmol/l vs. 10.64 ± 2.30 mmol/l, p = .110, ES = 0.67). Therefore, endurance running performance and physiological responses during a field-based 3.000-m run and a laboratory-based test in young male soccer players indicated no evidence for daytime variations.

Freezing and Thawing Processes of Highways in Kazakhstan

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of freezing and thawing patterns of highways in Kazakhstan. Special sensors measure temperature and moisture change every hour in automatic mode. The purpose of this work is to develop a methodology for determining the depth of freezing of subgrade soils of roads of Kazakhstan, and the task is to establish the pattern of cold temperature change (temperature “0 °C”) through certain points (sensors) at any time. In the upper part of the pavement (up to 30–40 cm), the temperature changes in annual and daily cycles. As the depth increases, the daily temperature fluctuations disappear, leaving only the annual fluctuation. At a depth of 180 cm and below, temperature fluctuations occur only in the annual cycle. The freezing rate varied from 14 cm/day to 0.33 cm/day. The maximum freezing depth was 227 cm. The descending branch of thawing occurs almost uniformly, with an average rate of 6.25 cm/day to a depth of 220 cm; the average rate of the ascending branch of thawing is 0.9 cm/day. Asphalt–concrete layers of the pavement and the upper part of the subgrade were in a frozen state for 151 and 166 days, respectively. In the subgrade at the beginning and end of the cold period, there are abrupt changes in moisture, which are explained by phase transitions of the second order: the transition from the liquid state to the solid (ice) at the beginning of the cold period and the transition of moisture from the solid state to liquid at the end of the cold period.