The effects of group play therapy on self-concept among 7 to 11 year-old children suffering from thalassemia major

Background: Children suffering from thalassemia have higher levels of depression and lower levels of self-concept. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if group play therapy could significantly increase self-concept among children with thalassemia major ages 7 to 11 years old in teaching hospitals of Golestan province, Iran, in 2012. Patients and Methods: In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 60 children with thalassemia major were randomly assigned to intervention (30 children) and control (30 children) groups. The intervention included eight 45 to 60 minute sessions during four weeks, during which the intervention group received group play therapy. The control group received no interventions. Selfconcept was measured three times using the Piers-Harris children’s self-concept scale: before, immediately after, and a month after the intervention. Results: For the intervention group, results showed that the mean self-concept score was significantly higher at the second point in time compared to the baseline (P 0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that group play therapy improves self-concept in children suffering from thalassemia major. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Dynamic phasors to enable distributed real-time simulation

© 2017 IEEE. Distributed real-time simulation allows the sharing of simulator equipment and components connected in Hardware-In-the-Loop experiments. In this paper, we analyze the challenges of geographically distributed real-time power system simulation and how dynamic phasors could be applied to improve the accuracy of the simulation results for large time steps. The time step is of particular interest since the communication delay between simulators interconnected through wide area network is much larger than the simulation time step typically used in electromagnetic transient real-time simulations. However, commercially available real-time simulators use either the electromagnetic transient or classic complex phasor representation. Results in the dynamic phasor and electromagnetic transient domain are compared to quantify the advantage of dynamic phasor simulations in practice. The test platform for this evaluation is a power system simulator which is currently under development

Design and Accuracy Analysis of Multilevel State Estimation Based on Smart Metering Infrastructure

© 1963-2012 IEEE. While the initial aim of smart meters is to provide energy readings for billing purposes, the availability of these measurements could open new opportunities for the management of future distribution grids. This paper presents a multilevel state estimator that exploits the smart meter measurements for monitoring both low and medium voltage grids. The goal of this paper is to present an architecture that is able to efficiently integrate smart meter measurements and to show the accuracy performance achievable if the use of real-Time smart meter measurements for state estimation purposes was enabled. The design of the state estimator applies the uncertainty propagation theory for the integration of the data at different hierarchical levels. The coordination of the estimation levels is realized through a cloud-based infrastructure, which also provides the interface to auxiliary functions and the access to the estimation results for other distribution grid management applications. A mathematical analysis is performed to characterize the estimation algorithm in terms of accuracy and to show the performance achievable at different levels of the distribution grid when using the smart meter data. Simulations are presented, which validate the analytical results and demonstrate the operation of the multilevel estimator in coordination with the cloud-based platform

A cloud-based smart metering infrastructure for distribution grid services and automation

© 2017 The Authors The evolution of the power systems towards the smart grid paradigm is strictly dependent on the modernization of distribution grids. To achieve this target, new infrastructures, technologies and applications are increasingly required. This paper presents a smart metering infrastructure that unlocks a large set of possible services aimed at the automation and management of distribution grids. The proposed architecture is based on a cloud solution, which allows the communication with the smart meters from one side and provides the needed interfaces to the distribution grid services on the other one. While a large number of applications can be designed on top of the cloud, in this paper the focus will be on a real-time distributed state estimation algorithm that enables the automatic reconfiguration of the grid. The paper will present the key role of the cloud solution for obtaining scalability, interoperability and flexibility, and for enabling the integration of different services for the automation of the distribution system. The distributed state estimation algorithm and the automatic network reconfiguration will be presented as an example of coordinated operation of different distribution grid services through the cloud

A Distributed IoT Infrastructure to Test and Deploy Real-Time Demand Response in Smart Grids

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works. In this paper, we present a novel distributed framework for real-time management and co-simulation of demand response (DR) in smart grids. Our solution provides a (near-) real-time co-simulation platform to validate new DR-policies exploiting Internet-of-Things approach performing software-in-the-loop. Hence, the behavior of real-world power systems can be emulated in a very realistic way and different DR-policies can be easily deployed and/or replaced in a plug-and-play fashion, without affecting the rest of the framework. In addition, our solution integrates real Internet-connected smart devices deployed at customer premises and along the smart grid to retrieve energy information and send actuation commands. Thus, the framework is also ready to manage DR in a real-world smart grid. This is demonstrated on a realistic smart grid with a test case DR-policy

Low voltage system state estimation based on smart metering infrastructure

© 2016 IEEE. The accurate monitoring of distribution grids is essential to enable the intelligent management and control of future Smart Grids. Several challenges prevent an easy development of the state estimation tools needed to assess the operating conditions of distribution networks. The lack of a suitable measurement infrastructure is one of the most challenging aspects to face. However, in last years, several utilities started a massive deployment of smart meters in their networks. The proper use of these measurements is key to enhance the performance of distribution system state estimators. This paper presents a two-level approach conceived to efficiently include smart meter measurements in low voltage grid state estimation. The proposed solution relies on a cloud-based smart metering architecture, which allows scalability and interoperability among different off-the-shelf meters. Moreover, a suitable design of the estimation algorithm, using the uncertainty propagation theory, is proposed in order to maximize the accuracy of the estimation results. Tests performed on a sample low voltage network show the performance and the main features of the proposed state estimation solution

The energy center initiative at politecnico di torino: practical experiences on energy efficiency measures in the municipality of torino

Urban districts should evolve towards a more sustainable infrastructure and greener energy carriers. The utmost challenge is the smart integration and control, within the existing infrastructure, of new information and energy technologies (such as sensors, appliances, electric and thermal power and storage devices) that are able to provide multi-services based on multi-actors and multi and interchangeable energy carriers. In recent years, the Municipality of Torino represents an experimental scenario, in which practical experiences in the below-areas have taken place through a number of projects: 1. energy efficiency in building; 2. smart energy grids management and smart metering; 3. biowaste-to-energy: mixed urban/industrial waste management with enhanced energy recovery from biogas. This work provides an overview and update on the most interesting initiatives of smart energy management in the urban context of Torino, with an analysis and quantification of the advantages gained in terms of energy and environmental efficiency

Dynamic phasors to enable distributed real-time simulation

Distributed real-time simulation allows the sharing of simulator equipment and components connected in Hardware-In-the-Loop experiments. In this paper, we analyze the challenges of geographically distributed real-time power system simulation and how dynamic phasors could be applied to improve the accuracy of the simulation results for large time steps. The time step is of particular interest since the communication delay between simulators interconnected through wide area network is much larger than the simulation time step typically used in electromagnetic transient real-time simulations. However, commercially available real-time simulators use either the electromagnetic transient or classic complex phasor representation. Results in the dynamic phasor and electromagnetic transient domain are compared to quantify the advantage of dynamic phasor simulations in practice. The test platform for this evaluation is a power system simulator which is currently under development

Health Belief Model-based Intervention on Women's Knowledge and Perceived Beliefs about Warning Signs of Cancer

Objective: Early detection of cancers essentially depends on knowledge of the warning signs. This study, therefore, aimed at investigating the effect of Health Belief Model (HBM)-based educational intervention on the knowledge and perceived beliefs of women about the warning signs of cancer. Methods: This experimental study with intervention (n = 80) and control (n = 80) groups was performed at four urban health centers affiliated to the university. Data collection was done in two phases, before and one month after the educational intervention, using three instruments, a demographic-clinical information questionnaire, the awareness questionnaire on cancer warning signs, and the cancer warning signs-HBM questionnaire. Results: The results of the multivariate repeated-measures analyses of variance indicated that the hypothesis of this study was confirmed. It means that 'women's knowledge and their perceived beliefs of cancer warning signs' improved after HBM-based educational intervention in the intervention group, compared to the controls over time. Thus, the 'level of knowledge' and perceived beliefs of the women in the intervention group compared to the controls increased, in terms of perceived 'sensitivity,' 'severity,' 'benefits,' 'barriers,' 'cue to action,' and 'self-efficacy' over time (P < 0.001). Conclusions: It could be hoped that this intervention would be effective for improving the performance of women in health-promoting behaviors of cancer prevention. It is recommended that health-care providers plan for HBM-based educational interventions, based on educational needs of the target groups at different community levels

Survey of Wife Abuse and Influencing Social Factors Incidence of Domestic Violence in Tehranian Families

Background & Aims: Violence against wives has been one of the things that are of interest to researchers, sociologists and psychologists. In all countries, despite the social and economic and cultural differences between them, Domestic violence occurs by husbands. It encompasses any behavior between them in close relationship. It causes physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Therefore this study is aimed to impact of social factors effective in the incidence of domestic violence in the Tehranian families who are referred to the parks. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive - analytical. The data collection tools are questionnaires. The questionnaires consist of 4 parts: Demographic data, physical, Sexual and psychological violence. Then 224 persons of married women referring to Tehran parks were completed these questionnaires, so data were analyzed by SPPS software (version 16) using descriptive, inferential statistics. Results: 33.6% of women participating in the study have experienced physical violence at least one during the last year, also between variables female age, remarried women, Gender of children, who Have adopted children, income, property, A separate bank account, type of married are significant relationship with violence. Conclusion: Economic problem, low education and type of job connected to Domestic violence. To combat of domestic violence as a global challenge, should be promoted the men's knowledge about women's rights and educated couple before marriage about their right and created an environment and support and counseling services and psychotherapy for individuals who are victims of violence