THE MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS OF POWER QUALITY IN POWER DISTRIBUTION GRIDS BY USING PQVIEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM

Nowadays the power quality is considered one of the most important aspect regarding the performance of a power grid operator, concerning equally all the consumers categories, too. Since a low level of the power quality has negative consequences on the technical-economic indices of the power networks’operation, there are perfectly justified the permanent efforts of the power grids operators in finding the best methods and tools able to assist them in managing and analyzing a huge volume of power quality data. The paper presents the capabilities of an intelligent system for the management and analysis of power quality data, PQView. This system is used by power grid operators in their operational activity, as well as within Smart Grid Laboratory of University of Craiova’s INCESA for research and testing purposes. This software system was used for an extensive power quality analysis of real operation a PV power plant interconnected to MV power distribution grid

Long-Term Implications of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

Background: Scientific guidelines consider atrial fibrillation (AF) complicating degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) a debated indication for surgery. Objectives: This study analyzed the prognostic/therapeutic implications of AF at DMR diagnosis and long-term. Methods: Patients were enrolled in the MIDA (Mitral Regurgitation International Database) registry, which reported the consecutive, multicenter, international experience with DMR due to flail leaflets echocardiographically diagnosed. Results: Among 2,425 patients (age 67 \ub1 13 years; 71% male, 67% asymptomatic, ejection fraction 64 \ub1 10%), 1,646 presented at diagnosis with sinus rhythm (SR), 317 with paroxysmal AD, and 462 with persistent AF. Underlying clinical/instrumental characteristics progressively worsened from SR to paroxysmal to persistent AF. During follow-up, paroxysmal and persistent AF were associated with excess mortality (10-year survival in SR and in paroxysmal and persistent AF was 74 \ub1 1%, 59 \ub1 3%, and 46 \ub1 2%, respectively; p < 0.0001), that persisted 20 years post-diagnosis and independently of all baseline characteristics (p values <0.0001). Surgery (n = 1,889, repair 88%) was associated with better survival versus medical management, regardless of all baseline characteristics and rhythm (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.23 to 0.30; p < 0.0001) but post-surgical outcome remained affected by AF (10-year post-surgical survival in SR and in paroxysmal and persistent AF was 82 \ub1 1%, 70 \ub1 4%, and 57 \ub1 3%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: AF is a frequent occurrence at DMR diagnosis. Although AF is associated with older age and more severe presentation of DMR, it is independently associated with excess mortality long-term after diagnosis. Surgery is followed by improved survival in each cardiac rhythm subset, but persistence of excess risk is observed for each type of AF. Our study indicates that detection of AF, even paroxysmal, should trigger prompt consideration for surgery