41,200 research outputs found
Evaluating Distributed Time-Varying Generation Through a Multiobjective Index
In the last decade, distributed generation, with its various technologies, has increased its presence in the energy mix presenting distribution networks with challenges in terms of evaluating the technical impacts that require a wide range of network operational effects to be qualified and quantified. The inherent time-varying behavior of demand and distributed generation (particularly when renewable sources are used), need to be taken into account since considering critical scenarios of loading and generation may mask the impacts. One means of dealing with such complexity is through the use of indices that indicate the benefit or otherwise of connections at a given location and for a given horizon. This paper presents a multiobjective performance index for distribution networks with time-varying distributed generation which consider a number of technical issues. The approach has been applied to a medium voltage distribution network considering hourly demand and wind speeds. Results show that this proposal has a better response to the natural behavior of loads and generation than solely considering a single operation scenario
Evaluating distributed generation impacts with a multiobjective index
Evaluating the technical impacts associated with connecting distributed generation to distribution networks is a complex activity requiring a wide range of network operational and security effects to be qualified and quantified. One means of dealing with such complexity is through the use of indices that indicate the benefit or otherwise of connections at a given location and which could be used to shape the nature of the contract between the utility and distributed generator. This paper presents a multiobjective performance index for distribution networks with distributed generation which considers a wide range of technical issues. Distributed generation is extensively located and sized within the IEEE-34 test feeder, wherein the multiobjective performance index is computed for each configuration. The results are presented and discussed
Flucytosine and cryptococcosis: time to urgently address the worldwide accessibility of a 50-year-old antifungal.
Current, widely accepted guidelines for the management of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) recommend amphotericin B combined with flucytosine (5-FC) for ≥2 weeks as the initial induction treatment of choice. However, access to flucytosine in Africa and Asia, where disease burden is greatest, is inadequate at present. While research into identifying effective and well-tolerated antifungal combinations that do not contain flucytosine continues, an ever-increasing body of evidence from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies points to the benefits of flucytosine in the treatment of CM in both intravenous combinations with amphotericin B and oral combinations with high-dose fluconazole. This article provides an up-to-date review of this evidence, and the current issues and challenges regarding increasing access to this key component of combination antifungal therapy for cryptococcosis
Accommodating repair actions into gas turbine prognostics
Elements of gas turbine degradation, such as compressor
fouling, are recoverable through maintenance actions like
compressor washing. These actions increase the usable engine
life and optimise the performance of the gas turbine.
However, these maintenance actions are performed by a separate
organization to those undertaking fleet management operations,
leading to significant uncertainty in the maintenance
state of the asset. The uncertainty surrounding maintenance
actions impacts prognostic efficacy. In this paper, we adopt
Bayesian on-line change point detection to detect the compressor
washing events. Then, the event detection information
is used as an input to a prognostic algorithm, advising an
update to the estimation of remaining useful life. To illustrate
the capability of the approach, we demonstrated our on-line
Bayesian change detection algorithms on synthetic and real
aircraft engine service data, in order to identify the compressor
washing events for a gas turbine and thus provide demonstrably
improved prognosis
Gamma-Ray Burst Spectral Features: Interpretation as X-ray Emission From A Photoionized Plasma
Numerous reports have been made of features, either in emission or
absorption, in the 10 - 1000 keV spectra of some gamma-ray bursts. Originally
interpreted in the context of Galactic neutron star models as cyclotron line
emission and annihilation features, the recent demonstration that
the majority of GRBs lie at cosmological distances make these explanations
unlikely. In this letter, we adopt a relativistic fireball model for
cosmological GRBs in which dense, metal rich blobs or filaments of plasma are
entrained in the relativistic outflow. In the context of this model, we
investigate the conditions under which broadband features, similar to those
detected, can be observed. We find a limited region of parameter space capable
of reproducing the observed GRB spectra. Finally, we discuss possible
constraints further high-energy spectral observations could place on fireball
model parameters.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters Four pages,
2 figure
Spatial Relationship between Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections
We report on the spatial relationship between solar flares and coronal mass
ejections (CMEs) observed during 1996-2005 inclusive. We identified 496
flare-CME pairs considering limb flares (distance from central meridian > 45
deg) with soft X-ray flare size > C3 level. The CMEs were detected by the Large
Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) on board the Solar and Heliospheric
Observatory (SOHO). We investigated the flare positions with respect to the CME
span for the events with X-class, M-class, and C-class flares separately. It is
found that the most frequent flare site is at the center of the CME span for
all the three classes, but that frequency is different for the different
classes. Many X-class flares often lie at the center of the associated CME,
while C-class flares widely spread to the outside of the CME span. The former
is different from previous studies, which concluded that no preferred flare
site exists. We compared our result with the previous studies and conclude that
the long-term LASCO observation enabled us to obtain the detailed spatial
relation between flares and CMEs. Our finding calls for a closer flare-CME
relationship and supports eruption models typified by the CSHKP magnetic
reconnection model.Comment: 7 pages; 4 figures; Accepted by the Astrophysical Journa
The NuSTAR View of the Seyfert 2 Galaxy NGC 4388
We present analysis of NuSTAR X-ray observations in the 3-79 keV energy band
of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 4388, taken in 2013. The broadband sensitivity of
NuSTAR, covering the Fe K line and Compton reflection hump, enables
tight constraints to be placed on reflection features in AGN X-ray spectra,
thereby providing insight into the geometry of the circumnuclear material. In
this observation, we found the X-ray spectrum of NGC 4388 to be well described
by a moderately absorbed power law with non-relativistic reflection. We fit the
spectrum with phenomenological reflection models and a physical torus model,
and find the source to be absorbed by Compton-thin material (N cm) with a very weak Compton reflection hump
(R 0.09) and an exceptionally large Fe K line (EW eV) for a source with weak or no reflection. Calculations
using a thin-shell approximation for the expected Fe K EW indicate that
an Fe K line originating from Compton-thin material presents a possible
explanation.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
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