Logical Representation of a Conceptual Model for Spatial Data Warehouses

The MultiDimER model is a conceptual model used for representing a multidimensional view of data for Data Warehouse (DW) and On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) applications. This model includes a spatial extension allowing spatiality in levels, hierarchies, fact relationships, and measures. In this way decision-making users can represent in an abstract manner their analysis needs without considering complex implementation issues and spatial OLAP tools developers can have a common vision for representing spatial data in a multidimensional model. In this paper we propose the transformation of a conceptual schema based on the MultiDimER constructs to an object-relational schema. We based our mapping on the SQL:2003 and SQL/MM standards giving examples of commercial implementation using Oracle 10g with its spatial extension. Further we use spatial integrity constraints to ensure the semantic equivalence of the conceptual and logical schemas. We also show some examples of Oracle spatial functions, including aggregation functions required for the manipulation of spatial data. The described mappings to the object-relational model along with the examples using a commercial system show the feasibility of implementing spatial DWs in current commercial DBMSs. Further, using integrated architectures, where spatial and thematic data is defined within the same DBMS, facilitates the system management simplifying data definition and manipulation.

Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Differences in Molecular Mechanism of Atherosclerosis Related and Non-Related to Chronic Kidney Disease

The major cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is atherosclerosis related to traditional and non-traditional risk factors. However, the understanding of the molecular specificity that distinguishes the risk factors for classical cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CKD-related atherosclerosis (CKD-A) is far from complete. In this study we investigated the disease-related differences in the proteomes of patients with atherosclerosis related and non-related to CKD. Plasma collected from patients in various stages of CKD, CVD patients without symptoms of kidney dysfunction, and healthy volunteers (HVs), were analyzed by a coupled label-free and mass spectrometry approach. Dysregulated proteins were confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All proteomic data were correlated with kidney disease development and were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. One hundred sixty-two differentially expressed proteins were identified. By directly comparing the plasma proteomes from HVs, CKD, and CVD patients in one study, we demonstrated that proteins involved in inflammation, blood coagulation, oxidative stress, vascular damage, and calcification process exhibited greater alterations in patients with atherosclerosis related with CKD. These data indicate that the above nontraditional risk factors are strongly specific for CKD-A and appear to be less essential for the development of “classical” CVD.     

Soluble polymer-supported organic synthesis

Soluble polymers have been used as supports for reagent/catalyst immobilization and synthesis. Two polymers are commonly used in this context, linear polystyrene and poly(ethylene glycol). The complementary solubility properties of these polymers allow access to a wide range of chemistries. Parallel and combinatorial libraries of small molecules have been prepared using these polymers, and reagents/catalysts that are easily recovered and recycled have been immobilized on them. To develop soluble polymers with novel properties, bifunctional polymerization initiators have been used in a parallel combinatorial methodology to prepare block copolymers that exhibit unique solubility profiles.     

Carbon materials modified by plasma treatment as electrodes for supercapacitors

The carbon material was modified by RF plasma with various reactive gases: O₂, Ar and CO₂. Physicochemical properties of the final carbon products were characterized using different techniques such as gas adsorption method and XPS. Plasma modified materials enriched in oxygen functionalities were investigated as electrodes for supercapacitors in acidic medium. The electrochemical measurements have been carried out using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical measurements have confirmed that capacity characteristics are closely connected with a type of plasma exposition. Modification processes have an influence on the kind and amount of surface functional groups in the carbon matrix. The moderate increase of capacity of carbon materials modified by plasma has been observed using symmetric two-electrode systems. Whereas investigations made in three-electrode system proved that the suitable selection of plasma modification parameters allows to obtain promising negative and positive electrode materials for supercapacitor application.     

Telling tales: using stories to remake energy policy

To benefit and protect the populace, government policies often promise aspirational changes to current practice. Different kinds of narratives are important in the framing, explanation, motivation, and understanding of policies and strategies. For example, the UK government's 2008 Climate Change Act proclaimed that all new homes will be zero carbon by 2016. This ‘hero story’, where society is ‘saved’ by clever technologies, is inspiring, positive and familiar. An alternative is the ‘learning story’, where things are not quite as simple as they first seemed. In a learning story, protagonists are normal people who need to overcome a challenge. In energy policy, the learning story could address the gap between the technical potential and what is achieved in practice. Three real-world examples from retrofit and new-build projects are used to show how implicit narratives can create conflict when the tellers (e.g. researchers) have to tell one kind of story but have data for the other. Recommendations are provided for a balanced approach to the deployment of different kinds of tales by policy-makers, researchers, implementers and users. Harnessing the learning story and developing a ‘caring story’ could motivate policy-makers and the public to invest effort in building performance.     

Comparative study of hydrogen,argon, and xenon uptake into a propane hydrate

The rate of absorption of hydrogen, argon, and xenon into a Type II propane clathrate hydrate has been studied. The propane hydrate is synthesized from 250‐μm ice grains, is estimated to have a porosity of 65% and has roughly the consistency of chalk. Hydrogen is rapidly absorbed by the hydrate sample and approaches the equilibrium vapor pressure in an hour before a very slow residual absorption process ensues. For an initial hydrogen pressure of 1.5 MPa, about 4.5% of the available 5¹² cages are occupied by hydrogen after 1 h, and 4.9% after 18 h. In contrast, for both argon and xenon significantly more gas is absorbed by the hydrate but at a much slower rate: about 5% as fast for xenon and 1% as fast for argon. We conclude that hydrogen readily diffuses through the propane hydrate microcrystal structure, while argon and xenon are probably absorbed by growing new double hydrate while consuming the propane hydrate. Although considerably higher pressures would be required to store significant quantities of hydrogen in propane hydrate, it appears that the crystal can be loaded and emptied in relatively short times. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010