Power-quality improvement of a stand-alone induction generator using a STATCOM with battery energy storage system

This paper presents a STATCOM with a self-oscillating bidirectional dc-dc converter for interfacing battery energy storage in a stand-alone induction generator system. The self-oscillation mode is based on relay feedback control with hysteresis. To reduce the output current ripple, an LCL filter is connected between the half bridge of this dc-dc converter and the energy storage system. The other side of bidirectional converter is coupled with a voltage-source converter. The proposed control allows that the previous electronic converters, with an additional resistive dump load, compensate all disturbances in a self-excited induction generator due to three-phase four-wire loads and an improvement of system efficiency. The simulated results show good performance of the stand-alone power system under different loading conditions.Postprint (published version

The Framework of a Life Support Simulation Application

AbstractIn this paper we present the framework of a LIfe Support Simulation Application (LISSA) designed to teach and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. DLISSA exploits video game technology to link in a single framework computer-based simulations of CPR emergencies with the functionalities of e-learning platforms. DEmergency situations are presented as problems that the learner has to solve in a game mode. Learner actions are registered in a database. DThis information is used to present new problems to the learner in an adaptive learning mode.DLISSA can be used as a substitute or a complement for traditional CPR classroom-based instruction Dor to refresh and improve CPR skill retention over time

El tall de cua i ullals en garrins nounats

Treball presentat a l'assignatura de Deontologia i Veterinària Legal (21223

Maternal learning and Creep-Feeding: two strategies determining the post-weaning performance of piglets

The early exposure of foetus to certain volatiles may result in a further preference for these compounds later in life and can positively affect the further acceptance of food containing a similar flavour. The study consisted in three trials: 1) determination of the effects on piglet performance of flavour supplementation in sow’s diets (late gestation and lactation) and in weaning diets; 2) creep-feed consumption and preference evaluation by a double choice test (DCHT) comparing the studied flavour and a negative control; 3) identification of the independent role of flavour inclusion in late gestation or lactation throughout DCHT. The inclusion of flavour in sow’s diets improved piglets’ appetite when same flavour was included at weaning. The positive reward associated to the flavour included in sow’s diet was stronger when piglets were offered a non-flavoured creep-feed. Exposure to flavour only at the end of gestation would be enough to condition the piglets

Analysis of Sliding-mode controlled impedance matching circuits for inductive harvesting devices

A sea-wave energy harvesting, articulated device is presented in this work. This hand-made, wooden device is made combining the coil windings of an array of three single transducers. Taking advantage of the sea waves sway, a linear oscillating motion is produced in each transducer generating an electric pulse. Magnetic fundamentals are used to deduce the electrical model of a single transducer, a solenoid-magnet device, and after the model of the whole harvesting array. The energy obtained is stored in a battery and is used to supply a stand-alone system pay-load, for instance a telecom relay or weather station. To maximize the harvested energy, an impedance matching circuit between the generator array and the system battery is required. Two dc-to-dc converters, a buck-boost hybrid cell and a Sepic converter are proposed as impedance adaptors. To achieve this purpose, sliding mode control laws are introduced to impose a loss free resistor behavior to the converters. Although some converters operating at discontinuous conduction mode, like the buck-boost converter, can exhibit also this loss free resistor behavior, they usually require a small input voltage variation range. By means of sliding mode control the loss free resistor behavior can be assured for any range of input voltage variation. After the theoretical analysis, several simulation and experimental results to compare both converters performance are given

Effects of distillers dried grains with solubles on amino acid digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to compare the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA by growing pigs in European distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from wheat, maize, or wheat–maize mixtures and to test the effect of increasing the inclusion levels of wheat DDGS on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs fed diets balanced for NE and SID Lys. In Exp. 1, 12 barrows (initial BW: 23.0 ± 2.2 kg) were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and randomly allotted to a replicated 6 × 6 Latin square design with six diets and six periods. Five sources of European DDGS were used: wheat DDGS from 2011, wheat DDGS from 2012, wheat-80 DDGS (80% wheat and 20% maize), wheat-70 DDGS (70% wheat and 30% maize), and maize DDGS. Each diet contained one source of DDGS as the sole source of AA and an N-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of AA. Results indicated that the SID of CP was greater (P [less than] 0.05) in maize DDGS compared with wheat DDGS from 2011, wheat DDGS from 2012, and wheat-70 DDGS. The SID of all indispensable AA except Trp was also greater (P [less than] 0.05) in maize DDGS compared with all other DDGS sources used in this experiment. For Trp, the SID in wheat-80 DDGS, wheat DDGS from 2011, and wheat DDGS from 2012 were not different from maize DDGS, but were greater (P [less than] 0.05) than in wheat-70 DDGS. The SID for all indispensable AA except Ile and Trp in wheat-70 DDGS were not different from the values calculated for wheat DDGS from 2011 and wheat DDGS from 2012, and no differences between SID values for AA in wheat DDGS from 2011 and wheat DDGS from 2012 were observed. In Exp. 2, 36 growing pigs (initial BW: 38.3 ± 1.97 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments (one pig/pen and nine replicate pigs/treatment) in a 2-phase feeding program (35 to 65, and 35 to 105 kg BW). The four dietary treatments included diets containing 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% wheat DDGS. Results indicated that there was no effect of wheat DDGS on pig growth performance or carcass quality. However, addition of wheat DDGS increased linearly (P [less than] 0.015) the indole concentration in the carcasses of the pigs. In conclusion, the SID of AA in maize DDGS produced in Europe is greater than in European wheat DDGS and DDGS produced from mixtures of wheat and maize, but inclusion of 30% wheat DDGS in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs did not affect growth performance or carcass quality

Management and Feeding Strategies in Early Life to Increase Piglet Performance and Welfare around Weaning : a review

The performance of piglets in nurseries may vary depending on body weight, age at weaning, management, and pathogenic load in the pig facilities. The early events in a pig's life are very important and may have long lasting consequences, since growth lag involves a significant cost to the system due to reduced market weights and increased barn occupancy. The present review evidences that there are several strategies that can be used to improve the performance and welfare of pigs at weaning. A complex set of early management and dietary strategies have been explored in sows and suckling piglets for achieving optimum and efficient growth of piglets after weaning. The management strategies studied to improve development and animal welfare include: (1) improving sow housing during gestation, (2) reducing pain during farrowing, (3) facilitating an early and sufficient colostrum intake, (4) promoting an early social interaction between litters, and (5) providing complementary feed during lactation. Dietary strategies for sows and suckling piglets aim to: (1) enhance fetal growth (arginine, folate, betaine, vitamin B12, carnitine, chromium, and zinc), (2) increase colostrum and milk production (DL-methionine, DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid, arginine, L-carnitine, tryptophan, valine, vitamin E, and phytogenic actives), (3) modulate sows' oxidative and inflammation status (polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, selenium, phytogenic actives, and spray dried plasma), (4) allow early microbial colonization (probiotics), or (5) supply conditionally essential nutrients (nucleotides, glutamate, glutamine, threonine, and tryptophan)