Intelligent energy management based on SCADA system in a real Microgrid for smart building applications

Energy management is one of the main challenges in Microgrids (MGs) applied to Smart Buildings (SBs). Hence, more studies are indispensable to consider both modeling and operating aspects to utilize the upcoming results of the system for the different applications. This paper presents a novel energy management architecture model based on complete Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system duties in an educational building with an MG Laboratory (Lab) testbed, which is named LAMBDA at the Electrical and Energy Engineering Department of the Sapienza University of Rome. The LAMBDA MG Lab simulates in a small scale a SB and is connected with the DIAEE electrical network. LAMBDA MG is composed of a Photovoltaic generator (PV), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a smart switchboard (SW), and different classified loads (critical, essential, and normal) some of which are manageable and controllable (lighting, air conditioning, smart plugs operating into the LAB). The aim of the LAMBDA implementation is making the DIAEE smart for energy saving purposes. In the LAMBDA Lab, the communication architecture consists in a complex of master/slave units and actuators carried out by two main international standards, Modbus (industrial serial standard for electrical and technical monitoring systems) and Konnex (an open standard for commercial and domestic building automation). Making the electrical department smart causes to reduce the required power from the main grid. Hence, to achieve the aims, results have been investigated in two modes. Initially, the real-time mode based on the SCADA system, which reveals real daily power consumption and production of different sources and loads. Next, the simulation part is assigned to shows the behavior of the main grid, loads and BESS charging and discharging based on energy management system. Finally, the proposed model has been examined in different scenarios and evaluated from the economic aspect

Intelligent energy management based on SCADA system in a real Microgrid for smart building applications

Energy management is one of the main challenges in Microgrids (MGs) applied to Smart Buildings (SBs). Hence, more studies are indispensable to consider both modeling and operating aspects to utilize the upcoming results of the system for the different applications. This paper presents a novel energy management architecture model based on complete Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system duties in an educational building with an MG Laboratory (Lab) testbed, which is named LAMBDA at the Electrical and Energy Engineering Department of the Sapienza University of Rome. The LAMBDA MG Lab simulates in a small scale a SB and is connected with the DIAEE electrical network. LAMBDA MG is composed of a Photovoltaic generator (PV), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a smart switchboard (SW), and different classified loads (critical, essential, and normal) some of which are manageable and controllable (lighting, air conditioning, smart plugs operating into the LAB). The aim of the LAMBDA implementation is making the DIAEE smart for energy saving purposes. In the LAMBDA Lab, the communication architecture consists in a complex of master/slave units and actuators carried out by two main international standards, Modbus (industrial serial standard for electrical and technical monitoring systems) and Konnex (an open standard for commercial and domestic building automation). Making the electrical department smart causes to reduce the required power from the main grid. Hence, to achieve the aims, results have been investigated in two modes. Initially, the real-time mode based on the SCADA system, which reveals real daily power consumption and production of different sources and loads. Next, the simulation part is assigned to shows the behavior of the main grid, loads and BESS charging and discharging based on energy management system. Finally, the proposed model has been examined in different scenarios and evaluated from the economic aspect

Results from the translation and adaptation of the Iranian Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (I-SF-MPQ): preliminary evidence of its reliability, construct validity and sensitivity in an Iranian pain population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess pain. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the questionnaire for Farsi (the official language of Iran) speakers in order to test its reliability and sensitivity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We followed Guillemin's guidelines for cross-cultural adaption of health-related measures, which include forward-backward translations, expert committee meetings, and face validity testing in a pilot group. Subsequently, the questionnaire was administered to a sample of 100 diverse chronic pain patients attending a tertiary pain and rehabilitation clinic. In order to evaluate test-retest reliability, patients completed the questionnaire in the morning and early evening of their first visit. Finally, patients were asked to complete the questionnaire for the third time after completing a standardized treatment protocol three weeks later. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate reliability. We used principle component analysis to assess construct validity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ninety-two subjects completed the questionnaire both in the morning and in the evening of the first visit (test-retest reliability), and after three weeks (sensitivity to change). Eight patients who did not finish treatment protocol were excluded from the study. Internal consistency was found by Cronbach's alpha to be 0.951, 0.832 and 0.840 for sensory, affective and total scores respectively. ICC resulted in 0.906 for sensory, 0.712 for affective and 0.912 for total pain score. Item to subscale score correlations supported the convergent validity of each item to its hypothesized subscale. Correlations were observed to range from r²= 0.202 to r²= 0.739. Sensitivity or responsiveness was evaluated by pair t-test, which exhibited a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment scores (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study indicate that the Iranian version of the SF-MPQ is a reliable questionnaire and responsive to changes in the subscale and total pain scores in Persian chronic pain patients over time.</p

Assessment of operating room nurses’ exposure to biological hazards: development and psychometric evaluation of a scale

Abstract Background Biological hazards are one of the most common threats that operating room personnel face. The present study was conducted to develop and test the psychometric properties of a scale for measuring operating room nurses’ exposure to biological hazards. Methods This study is a methodological research that was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, a pool of items was developed after an extensive literature review. In the second stage, the scale’s validity and reliability were tested. The validity of the scale was assessed in terms of face validity, content validity, and construct validity. To determine the scale’s reliability, the researchers evaluated internal consistency and stability. Results The initial version of the exposure to biological hazards scale consisted of 75 items. After assessing face validity, 16 items were eliminated, and one item was added following an evaluation of content validity. In evaluation the construct validity of the scale, three factors were identified that accounted for 66.61% of the variance. The internal consistency of the scale was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88. Additionally, the split-half correlation coefficient was found to be 0.92, and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.96 confirmed the stability of the scale. Conclusion The results of the study show that the developed scale has satisfactory reliability and validity. Nursing managers can use it to assess operating room nurses’ exposure to biological hazards in the workplace

The effect of combined training program on clinical competence and professional commitment of perioperative nursing students in laparoscopic surgery: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract Background With rapid advancements in medical sciences, minimally invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy have replaced traditional open surgeries. Enhancing the clinical competence and professional commitment of operating room nurses can empower nurses and directly impact surgical outcomes and patient safety. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test control group design was employed. Ninety-four students were selected through convenience sampling and randomly allocated to two groups: an intervention group (n = 47) and a control group (n = 47). The intervention group received five sessions for training on laparoscopic surgical principles using E-learning, video demonstrations, and participatory methods. The control group received training using lectures and PowerPoint presentation. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire, perceived perioperative competence scale- revised (PPCS-R), and the nursing professional commitment scale (NPCS), before and two weeks after the intervention. Results There was no significant difference in the mean scores of clinical competence and professional commitment between the two groups at baseline (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the mean score of clinical competence in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.005). However, there was no significant difference in the mean score of professional commitment between the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.261). Conclusion Using a combined learning approach in laparoscopic surgery led to a significant increase in the clinical skills of nursing students, resulting in improved performance in the clinical setting. However, to further generalize the results, similar studies with larger sample sizes and in different educational settings are recommended