Thermo-economic assessment and optimization of a multigeneration system powered by geothermal and solar energy

A novel multigeneration system using dual renewable energy sources (i.e., geothermal and solar) is introduced, analyzed, and optimized. The integration of a geothermal line, a solar tower, a steam Rankine cycle, two organic Rankine cycles, an ejector refrigeration cycle, a thermoelectric generator unit, and a reverse osmosis subsystem forms the entire system. The outputs of this energy-conversion system are heating load, cooling load, electricity, and freshwater. Regarding methodology, the energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic approaches are implemented to assess the system from thermodynamic and economic viewpoints. Moreover, an optimization process based on exergy efficiency and the total unit cost of products is executed to determine the system's optimal decision variables. The results obtained from the optimization process show that the proposed system is able to achieve 25.4% exergy efficiency and 34.1 $/GJ total unit cost of products, exhibiting 48% and 43% improvement compared to a base case study. Furthermore, the methodology is demonstrated on a case study where the system operates at its optimum condition in a specific location. Having monthly average values of direct normal irradiation for this spot, the average hourly performance of the system is evaluated for each month. Based on the obtained results, the minimum and maximum freshwater production rates are 3.06 kg/s and 3.84 kg/s, respectively. It can be estimated that a range of 1224 to 1536 individuals, varying from month to month, can receive the produced freshwater

The epidemiology of skin cancer and its trend in Iran

Background: One of the most common cancers is skin cancer worldwide. Since incidence and cost of treatment of the cancer are increasing, it is necessary to further investigate to prevent and control this disease. This study aimed to determine skin cancer trend and epidemiology in Iran. Methods: This study was done based on existing data. Data used in this study were obtained from a national registry of cancer cases and the Disease Management Center of Ministry of Health in Iran. All cases registered in the country were included during 2004�2008. Incidence rates were reported based on the direct method and standard population of World Health Organization. Results: Based on the results of this study, the incidence of skin cancer is rising in Iran and the sex ratio was more in men than women in all provinces. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of skin cancer was highest in males in Semnan, Isfahan, and Hamedan provinces (34.9, 30.80, and 28.84, respectively). The highest ASRs were seen in females in Semnan, Yazd, and Isfahan provinces (26.7, 24.14, and 18.97, respectively). The lowest ASR in male was observed in Sistan and Baluchestan, and in female in Hormozgan provinces. Conclusions: The incidence of skin cancer is increasing in the country. Therefore, the plan for the control and prevention of this cancer must be a high priority for health policy makers. © 2015 Razi S

Neural network-based surrogate modeling and optimization of a multigeneration system

Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) poses a computational challenge, particularly when applied to physics-based models. As a result, only up to three objectives are typically involved in simulation-based optimization. To go beyond this number, Surrogate Models (SMs) need to replace such high-fidelity models. In this exploratory study, the objectives are to perform comprehensive regression surrogate modeling and to conduct MOO for a Multi-Generation System (MGS). The most suitable SM was chosen among four neural-network models: Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), and an ensemble model developed through brute-force search using the three aforementioned models. The final model was found to be superior to others, achieving R2 values ranging from 0.9830 to 0.9999. Next, an optimization problem with six conflicting objectives was defined and performed at four distinct values of Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI), a time-dependent feature. This aimed to provide multi-criteria decision-making information based on atmospheric transparency. As a result, new understandings were gained: (I) exergy efficiency, production cost, and freshwater production rate were found to be highly influenced by DNI, and (II) the critical range of operation was observed within the DNI interval of 100 to 400 W/m2. Furthermore, we compared the result of the six-objective optimization with that of the bi-objective optimization obtained in our simulation-based study and found that all objectives showed improvements ranging from 1.9% to 12.7%. Finally, based on the findings obtained in the present study, some practical recommendations were put forward for applying the proposed methodology to similar MGSs

Year in review in Intensive Care Medicine 2010: III. ARDS and ALI, mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, weaning, endotracheal intubation, lung ultrasound and paediatrics

SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Post-Tragedy 'Opportunity-bubble' and the Prospect of Citizen Engagement

This article appeared in Homeland Security Affairs (September 2011), v.7 no.2From the journal's abstract for this article: "Fathali Moghaddam and James Breckenridge examine the 'opportunity-bubble' that allows leaders to mobilize the public immediately following a tragic event. 'Although great crisis will inevitably invite consideration of many alternatives, leadership must pay special attention to opportunities to engage the public as capable partners in their country's response to the crisis -- calling upon them as citizens with civic duties, as well as rights.'"Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Homeland Security and Support for Multiculturalism, Assimilation, and Omniculturalism: Policies among Americans

This article appeared in Homeland Security Affairs (September 2010), v.6 no.3This article presents data suggesting that Americans' views of policies toward immigrants are pertinent to matters of homeland security. 'Homeland' is a concept shaped partly by how people psychologically differentiate 'citizen' from 'immigrant.' The differentiation of these categories is critical to individuals' political and social identity. Homeland security scholars are unlikely to be aware, however, of this country's substantial majority preference for an alternative to the traditional, yet deeply divided, incompatible policies of assimilation and accommodation. Moreover, the publics' appraisal of the threat of terrorism, the priority they assign to homeland security institutions, their trust and confidence in homeland security organizations, and their support for counter-terrorism measures are linked to their immigration policy preference even after accounting for their race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Homeland security professionals would do well to consider the potential implications of these preferences.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

The pulsed ultrasound strategy effectively decreases the S. aureus population of chronic rhinosinusitis patients

OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus aureus with the ability of biofilm formation and the drug resistance acquisition is one of the most frequently isolated pathogens from chronic rhinosinusitis patients. Ultrasound as an alternative therapy is effectively able to kill the bacteria by cavitation in or on the bacterial cells and peroxide generation and hence improving antibiotic treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 4 and 6 out of 14 patients by phenotypic and qPCR assays, respectively. Four patients were completely resolved after pulsed ultrasound treatment. However, presence of the S. aureus was confirmed in three healthy controls by bacterial cultivation. Pulsed ultrasound have been quantitatively decreased the S. aureus population in chronic rhinosinusitis patients (p < 0.05). Further studies need to be investigated the effectiveness of pulsed ultrasound as an alternative course of CRS patient's treatment

Performance Style Notes and Comments II Looking Back and Moving Forward in Psychology

Abstract. My point of departure is Mills ’ proposal that we should break with existing research paradigms in psychology. Traditional psychology is deterministic and assumes (efficient) causation; a second, ‘normative’, psychology is evolving with an emphasis on meaning and context. Narrative is a shared focus of normative psychology and literature. Normative psychology facilitates the achievement of predictability, as well as universals, in accounts of thought and action. Key Words: causation, literature, narratives, normative psychology, performance The relationship between psychology and literature can usefully be conceptualized in three broad categories, varying in levels of abstraction: this is the framework for my earlier discussion on psychology and literature (Moghaddam, 2004). At the lowest level of abstraction is ‘psychology in literature’: literature as a source of psychological data, literature as a source of insights for psychology. The second level of abstraction involves literatur