Voltage profile improvement and losses minimization for Hayin Rigasa radial network Kaduna using distributed generation

This research work has presented the application of distributed generation (DG) units in a simultaneous placement approach on IEEE 33 radial test systems for validation of the technique with further implementation on 56-Bus Hayin Rigasa feeder. The genetic algorithm (GA) is employed in obtaining the optimal sizes and load loss sensitivity index for locations of the DGs for entire active and reactive power loss reduction. The voltage profile index is computed for each bus of the networks to ascertain the weakest voltage bus of the network before and after DG and circuit breaker allocation. The simultaneous placement approach of the DGs is tested with the IEEE 33-bus test networks and Hayin Rigasa feeder network and the results obtained are confirmed by comparing with the results gotten from separate DGs allocation on the networks. For IEEE 33-bus system, the simultaneous allocation of DGs and of optimal sizes 750 kW, 800 kW and at locations of buses 2 and 6 respectively, lead to a 66.49 % and 68.64 % drop in active and reactive power loss and 3.02 % improvement in voltage profile. For the 56-bus Hayin Rigasa network in Kaduna distribution network, the simultaneous placement of DGs of sizes 1,470 kW and 1490 kW at locations of bus 16 and 23 respectively, lead to a 79.54 % and 73.98 % drop in active and reactive power loss and 15.94 % improvement in voltage profile. From results comparison, it is evident that the allocation of DGs using the combination GA and load loss sensitivity index, gives an improved performance in relations to power loss reduction and voltage profile improvements of networks when compared to without DGs

Design and comprehensibility of over-the-counter product labels and leaflets: a narrative review

Background Over-the-counter medicines must be supplied with appropriate, user-friendly medicine information to satisfactorily support consumer self-management and safe use. Product labels and written medicine information leaflets are highly accessible over-the-counter medicine information sources for consumers. Factors such as comprehensibility and design underpin the usefulness of over-the-counter labels and leaflets and should be further examined to better inform future optimisation strategies. Aim of the review To undertake an in-depth exploration of studies that have evaluated design and/or comprehensibility of over-the-counter labels and written medicine information leaflets Methods Database searches were performed using Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and PubMed. Studies exploring over-the-counter medicine label and/or leaflet comprehensibility and/or design were identified. Additional author and reference list searches were performed to identify studies which met the inclusion criteria and key terms. Results A total of 35 studies were included in the review, which explored OTC medicine information design and/or comprehensibility via researcher evaluation alone (n = 8) or with consumers (n = 27). Researcher-determined over-the-counter written medicine information leaflet readability (n = 4) has highlighted suboptimal readability, with few studies evaluating over-the-counter leaflet performance using the gold standard method of ‘user testing’ with consumers (n = 2). Variable over-the-counter label comprehensibility was identified in consumer studies, ranging from satisfactory understanding to considerable misunderstanding. The review findings indicate that consumer outcomes were influenced by information design, where implementation of good design principles generally improved over-the-counter label and leaflet performance. Significant diversity existed in study design aspects such as sampling frames, sample sizes and tools used to evaluate over-the-counter medicine information, which hindered the ability to adequately compare various study aspects and findings. Conclusion A wide spectrum of consumer understanding of over-the-counter medicine labels is evident in the literature, with limited studies examining over-the-counter written medicine information leaflet comprehensibility with consumers. The application of good information design principles in over-the-counter labels and leaflets contribute to improved performance. Well-designed consumer studies are needed to ascertain and optimise over-the-counter label and leaflet performance

Governance and Measures for the Prevention of Marine Debris

Marine microplastic pollution is increasingly seen as a transboundary problem that requires priority attention and represents a unique governance challenge, given the associated risks and ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment. Various governance measures to reduce the use of microplastics and to prevent further pollution of the marine environment have been adopted or are under consideration by actors at different levels of governance. This chapter reviews these governance measures and we argue that the primary concern of regulators should be to prevent both primary and secondary microplastic leakage into the marine ecosystems. We proceed with the further assumption that most microplastic enters marine ecosystems from land-based sources, so policies designed to curtail this particular form of plastic pollution are given due emphasis in this chapter. The prevention of microplastic pollution in the oceans is inherently complex, and this chapter examines the governance framework on the global, regional, national, and subnational levels. Both international collaboration and complimentary governance by non-state actors are important in order to effectively prevent microplastic pollution entering the oceans. Evidence from the examples analyzed throughout the chapter confirms that a comprehensive, systems-level approach, including a combination of diverse prevention measures and the involvement of a wide range of actors, is necessary