Centralized Microgrid Control System in Compliance with IEEE 2030.7 Standard Based on an Advanced Field Unit

The necessity for the utilization of microgrids emerges from the integration of distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and battery storage systems into the conventional grid structure. In order to achieve a proper operation of the microgrid, the presence of a microgrid control system is crucial. The IEEE 2030.7 standard defines the microgrid control system as a key element of the microgrid that regulates every aspect of it at the point-of-interconnection with the distribution system, and autonomously manages operations such as the transitions of operating modes. In this paper, a microgrid control system is developed to achieve real-time monitoring and control through a centralized approach. The controller consists of a centralized server and advanced field units that are also developed during this work. The control functions of the centralized server ensure the proper operation during grid-connected and island modes, using the real-time data received via the advanced field unit. The developed server and the field unit constitute a complete system solution. The server is composed of control function and communication, database, and user interface modules. The microgrid control functions comprise dispatch and transition core-level functions. A rule-based core-level dispatch function guarantees the security of supply to critical loads during the islanded mode. The core-level transition function accomplishes a successful transition between the operation modes. Moreover, a communication framework and a graphical user interface are implemented. The presented system is tested through thecases based on the IEEE 2030.8 standard

Perinatal and neonatal outcomes of adolescent pregnancies over a 10-year period

Objectives: Poor overall neonatal outcomes, small neonatal head circumference, neonatal hypoglycemia, need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and late-onset neonatal sepsis are more common in adolescents. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the outcomes of adolescent pregnancies. Material and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in adolescent singleton pregnancies with maternal age < 15 years (n = 20, group 1), 16–19 years (n = 1929, group 2), and 20 years (n = 866, group 3). Age, gravidity, parity, and body mass index (BMI) measurements of mothers; mode of delivery, maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated and compared. Results: The rate of preterm birth, postpartum hemorrhage, asymmetrical intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR, as 3% percentile), macrosomia, and height of newborn of Group 3 was significantly higher. The rate of asymmetrical IUGR (as 10% percentile) was significantly lower in Group 3. The rate of severe preeclampsia and cesarean section was significantly higher in Group 3. The rate of Small for Gestational Age newborn, neonatal hypoglycemia, and late-onset neonatal sepsis was significantly higher in Group 1. Conclusions: Neonatal problems with poor obstetric outcomes are common in adolescent pregnant women, so that a family planning and baby care social trainings are important in achieving good long-term maternal and neonatal outcomes

Unilateral Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion and Moderate Hypothermia: Assessing Safety With Novel Biomarkers

Background Antegrade cerebral perfusion in aortic surgery is a well-established brain protection method. Open distal anastomosis during aortic surgery has some well-known advantages. Antegrade cerebral perfusion allows repair to some extent of the aortic arch, even in isolated ascending aortic aneurysm. The present study aims to investigate the adequacy of contralateral perfusion with novel oxidative stress parameters during unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion

Does Moderate Coronary Stenosis Affect the Fate of the Left Internal Thoracic Artery Graft?

Abstract Introduction: In this study we try to observe the fate of the left internal thoracic artery grafts that were bypassed to left anterior descending artery with moderate stenosis identified with fractional flow reserve (FFR) technique. Doppler ultrasonography was chosen as a noninvasive screening method. Methods: A total of 30 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting depending on results of the fractional flow reserve between January 2007 and January 2012, were subjected to transthoracic color Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation irrespective of the presence of symptoms, and the presence of a systolic-diastolic flow pattern was investigated using the supraclavicular approach. Results: The left internal thoracic artery graft was found to be functional in 63.3% of patients within a mean period of 35.1±19.7 months between coronary bypass and color Doppler ultrasonography. This period was found to be 29.4±19.6 months in the functional graft group, and 44.7±16.6 months in the dysfunctional graft group (P=0.046). Preoperative complaints of angina were reported to fall from 88.9% to 16.7% in the functional graft group, when compared to the postoperative period (P<0.001), but fell from 90.9% to 36.4% in the dysfunctional graft group (P=0.034). Conclusion: Functional left internal thoracic artery graft rates of the study population were found to be lower than the studies reported in the literature

The Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Caustic Esophagus Injury: An Experimental Study

Introduction. Ingestion of corrosive substances may lead to stricture formation in esophagus as a late complication. Full thickness injury seems to exterminate tissue stem cells of esophagus. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into specific cell lineages and have the capacity of homing in sites of injury. Aim and Methods. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of MSC transplantation, on prevention of esophageal damage and stricture formation after caustic esophagus injury in rats. 54 rats were allocated into four groups; 4 rats were sacrificed for MSC production. Group 1, untreated controls (n: 10). Group 2, membrane labeled MSCs-treated rats (n: 20). Group 3, biodistribution of fluorodeoxyglucose labeled MSCs via positron emission tomography (PET) imaging (n: 10). Group 4, sham operated (n: 10). Standard caustic esophageal burns were created and MSCs were transplanted 24 hours after. All rats were sacrificed at the 21st days. Results. PET scan images revealed the homing behavior of MSCs to the injury site. The histopathology damage score was not significantly different from controls. However, we demonstrated Dil labeled epithelial and muscle cells which were originating from transplanted MSCs. Conclusion. MSC transplantation after caustic esophageal injury may be a helpful treatment modality; however, probably repeated infusions are needed

Central Nervous System Fungal Infections in Children With Leukemia and Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Background: Central nervous system fungal infections (CNSFI) are seen in patients with hematologic malignancies and have high morbidity and mortality. Because of their rarity, there is limited data on CNSFI in children with no established treatment protocols or guidelines