Blue Mountain: A Chamber Opera for Winds and Voices by Justin Dello Joio: A Unique Contribution for Wind Band Literature

Blue Mountain is an opera in one act scored for four voices, and thirty-three instruments, commissioned by Det Norske Blaseensemble. Under the direction of Kenneth Jean, the premiere took place on October 8, 2007, at Kanonhalen in Oslo, Norway, as part of the Edvard Grieg Centennial celebrations and the 2007 Ultima contemporary Music Festival. The opera takes place in Troldhaugen, Norway, during the last days of Edvard Grieg’s life. Suffering from emphysema, Grieg was being treated by his doctor with morphine that created great anxiety, fear, and mental torment. A visit from his friend, Percy Grainger, gave Grieg great pleasure prior to his death. This dissertation analyzes Blue Mountain in all its aspects from the draft of the libretto to the final opera

Neural Correlates of Working Memory function in Euthymic People with Bipolar Disorder Compared to Healthy Controls:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundBipolar disorders (BD) are serious mental health disorders that impacts on cognitive and social functioning. We aimed to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of fMRI correlates of working memory in euthymic people with BD compared to healthy participants.MethodWeb of Science, Embase and PubMed databases were systematically searched to identify studies which examined the fMRI correlates of working memory function in euthymic people with BD and healthy participants. Relevant demographic, behavioral and functional MRI (fMRI) data was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed, and the quality of the included studies evaluated. Comparable studies which used the same working memory task were included in a meta-analysis using Seed-Based D Mapping software (SDM).ResultsTwenty-four studies were included in this systematic review. Consistent brain fMRI activity differences were found in key brain areas of the working memory network in euthymic people with BD compared to healthy participants including the ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. Cognitive performance was not significantly different between the two groups. Six studies were suitable to be included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant overlap in areas of brain activation after family-wise correction for multiple comparisons.LimitationsHeterogeneity of task paradigms, small sample sizes and inherent difficulty in the interpretation of functional brain activity due to variations between studies were all limitations.ConclusionThe differences in working memory related fMRI activity identified by this study between people with BD and healthy participants are consistent with existing literature reporting impaired working memory performance in BD. This was not accompanied by significant differences in cognitive performance in the reviewed studies, likely due to small sample sizes. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between differential brain activity and working memory performance in people with BD

The role of threat level and intolerance of uncertainty in extinction

Recent evidence suggests that individual differences in intolerance of uncertainty (IUS) are associated with disrupted threat extinction. However, it is unknown what maintains the learned threat association in high IUS individuals: is it the experienced uncertainty during extinction or the combination of experienced uncertainty with potential threat during extinction? Here we addressed this question by running two independent experiments with uncertain auditory stimuli that varied in threat level (Experiment 1, aversive human scream (n = 30); Experiment 2, neutral tone (n = 47) and mildly aversive tone (n = 49)). During the experiments, we recorded skin conductance responses and subjective ratings to the learned cues during acquisition and extinction. In experiment 1, high IUS was associated with heightened skin conductance responding to the learned threat vs. safe cue during extinction. In experiment 2, high IUS was associated only with larger skin conductance responding to the learned cues with more threatening properties during extinction i.e. mildly aversive tone. These findings suggest that uncertainty in combination with threat, even when mild, disrupts extinction in high IUS individuals. Such findings help us understand the link between IUS and threat extinction, and its relevance to anxiety disorder pathology

Strategic Approach for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Efficient Mobility along Highways: A Real Case Study in Spain

The Electric Vehicle (EV) market has been growing exponentially in recent years, which is why the distribution network of public charging stations will be subject to expansion and upgrading. In order to improve the public charging infrastructure, this paper aims to develop a model capable of analyzing the current situation of a stretch of highway, identifying the congestion points, created by the formation of queues at the charging points. A specific section of a highway in Spain was selected as a case study to evaluate the performance of the model, allowing for rigorous testing and thorough analysis of its performance in a real-world scenario. The first step is to define and evaluate the effects of factors affecting EV consumption, such as the slope of the road, weather conditions, and driving style. Subsequently, a simulation model is developed using the agent-based simulation software AnyLogic, which simulates the journey of a fleet of electric vehicles, taking into account the battery charging and discharging process. Based on the obtained results, the charging infrastructure is improved to minimize the total travel time of an electric vehicle on a long-distance trip

Battery Electric Storage Systems: Advances, Challenges, and Market Trends

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) and the growing demand for sustainable power solutions have necessitated the widespread deployment of energy storage systems. Among these systems, battery energy storage systems (BESSs) have emerged as a promising technology due to their flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the diffusion and deployment of BESSs across various applications, analyzing their impact on grid stability, renewable energy integration, and the overall energy transition. The paper examines the key drivers and challenges associated with BESS adoption, as well as market trends influencing their proliferation. Through an analysis of empirical data, this study aims to shed light on the current state of BESS diffusion. Finally, this research contributes to the knowledge base surrounding battery storage technology and provides insights into its role in achieving a sustainable and reliable energy future

El Poder Judicial y el discurso

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene la intención de analizar cómo se da el proceso de recepción del discurso judicial, y qué sentidos se construyen a partir de este en las personas que atravesaron procesos penales en la justicia de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Para esto se trabaja con el análisis lingüístico de las sentencias escritas, usos del lenguaje y prácticas no verbales que tienen lugar en el marco de un juicio dentro del fuero penal.Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia

Enhanced PEMS Performance and Regulatory Compliance through Machine Learning

Modeling technologies can provide strong support to existing emission management systems, by means of what is known as a Predictive Emission Monitoring System (PEMS). These systems do not measure emissions through any hardware device, but use computer models to predict emission concentrations on the ground of process data (e.g., fuel flow, load) and ambient parameters (e.g., air temperature, relative humidity). They actually represent a relevant application arena for the so-called Inferential Sensor technology which has quickly proved to be invaluable in modern process automation and optimization strategies (Qin et al., 1997; Kadlec et al., 2009). While lots of applications demonstrate that software systems provide accuracy comparable to that of hardware-based Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS), virtual analyzers are able to offer additional features and capabilities which are often not properly considered by end-users. Depending on local regulations and constraints, PEMS can be exploited either as primary source of emission monitoring or as a back-up of hardware-based CEMS able to validate analyzers’ readings and extend their service factor. PEMS consistency (and therefore its acceptance from environmental authorities) is directly linked to the accuracy and reliability of each parameter used as input of the models. While environmental authorities are steadily opening to PEMS, it is easy to foresee that major recognition and acceptance will be driven by extending PEMS robustness in front of possible sensor failures. Providing reliable instrument fail-over procedures is the main objective of Sensor Validation (SV) strategies. In this work, the capabilities of a class of machine learning algorithms will be presented, showing the results based on tests performed actual field data gathered at a fluid catalytic cracking unit

Collective water transport electrification: Venetian ferry boat case study

This paper studies and analyzes the energy transition of ferry boats used in Venice as a means of public transportation. Thus, the goal is to reduce their environmental impact by replacing the current installed thermal propulsion with an equivalent low-emission electric type. A study was conducted aimed at sizing the most suitable electric motor and battery pack to be installed, as well as the most suitable charging system for the vehicle and the area involved in this case study. The shift to electric traction will bring new challenges for the service, but also the possibility to decarbonize the water transport in Venice, preserving air quality and the monuments of the UNESCO site. Therefore, it is noted how these changes may impact service delivery

La conformación de la universidad su origen regional y la transformación social de Formosa

En el presente trabajo de investigación se tratara de analizar los hechos históricos y los procesos de transformación geográfica, y su alcance e impacto en la sociedad Formoseña. Reconoceremos el origen regional y social de la Universidad, siendo esta receptora de una gran masa de estudiantes provenientes del interior de la provincia y de países vecinos los cuales ven una potencia académica a dicha universidad. Valoraremos su construcción como parte de la historia local regional trasmitida a las nuevas generaciones. Dicho proceso histórico revolucionario que marcó un antes y un después para la educación universitaria en Formosa. El proceso transformador del paisaje producto de la intervención del hombre para la construcción de los edificios y posterior instalación de barrios que cubrirán las necesidades de los estudiantes. Identificar el papel transformador de la Universidad Nacional de Formosa en el espacio geográfico de los barrios aledaños y la aparición de una gran infraestructura edilicia e institucional.Evento realizado junto con el VII Congreso Nacional de Geografía de Universidades PúblicasFacultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació