Improving the delivered power quality from WECS to the grid based on PMSG control model

Renewable energy has become one of the most energy resources nowadays, especially, wind energy. It is important to implement more analysis and develop new control algorithms due to the rapid changes in the wind generators size and the power electronics development in wind energy applications. This paper proposes a grid-connected wind energy conversion system (WECS) control scheme using permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The model works to improve the delivered power quality and maximize its value. The system contained one controller on the grid side converter (GSC) and two simulation packages used to simulate this model, which were PSIM software package for simulating power circuit and power electronics converters, and MATLAB software package for simulating the controller on Simulink. It employed a meta-heuristic technique to fulfil this target effectively. Mine-blast algorithm (MBA) and harmony search optimization technique (HSO) were applied to the proposed method to get the best controller coefficient to ensure maximum power to the grid and minimize the overshoot and the steady state error for the different control signals. The comparison between the results of the MBA and the HSO showed that the MBA gave better results with the proposed system

Cuckoo search algorithm based for tunning both PI and FOPID controllers for the DFIG-Wind energy conversion system

Wind Energy has received great attention in this century. It influences the new power systems, adding new challenges to the power system expansion problem. Nowadays, double feed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines are used majorly in wind farms, due to their advantages over other types. Therefore, the analysis of the system using this type has become very important. In this paper, a wind turbine modelling was introduced with suggested controllers, in order to enhance the system response, with respect to both pitch control and maximum output power. Cuckoo search algorithm (CSA), a meta-heuristic optimization technique, was implemented to determine the gains of a proportional-integral (PI) controller and fractional order proportional-integral-derivative (FOPID) controller to optimize the system, which considered three control loops: pitch, rotor-side converter, and grid-side converter control loop. Simulation results were determined using MATLAB/Simulink. The comparative analysis of the results showed that the PI Controller gave the simplest and the best response in case of the pitch and rotor-side control loops while the FOPID was the best when applied to the grid-side control loop. Based on the results and discussion, a suggestion of using a compination of each controller was introduced

Microbial Leaching of Uranium from Low Grade Ore and Waste Sample of Northern Part of Gabal Gatter, Egypt Using Penicillium Purpurogenium and Pseudomonas fluorescens SHA 281

Uranium (U) is one of the strategic elements and essential for many applications as a fuel in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Microbiological leaching has been used as an alternative approach to conventional hydrometallurgical methods of uranium's recovery from low grade ores and waste samples Penicillium purpurogenium and Pseudomonas fluorescens SHA 281 were exhibited a good potential in generating varieties of organic acids effective for bioleaching uranium. Efficiency of bioleaching was studied by varying parameters like pulp density and incubation period. Indeed, it was observed that the highest percentages of bioleached uranium from the tested samples directly by Penicillium purpurogenium were found to be 72.49, 55.60 % at a pulp density 300 gm/L after 9 days of incubation at 30 oC and 57.47, 60.06 % by P. fluorescens SHA 281 after 8 days of incubation at 35 o C using shaking incubator at 175 rpm from (T-2)80 and waste sample (W1), respectively

Switched capacitor based multi-level boost inverter for smart grid applications

To link DC power sources to an AC grid, converters are needed. Inverters are the power electronic devices, which are used for this purpose. Conventional inverters employ harmonic filters and transformers that are lossy and expensive. Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are an alternative to conventional ones, proposing reduced total harmonic distortion (THD), increased range of control, and inductor-less design. They generate a stepped waveform, with close similarity to a sine wave. Many distributed sources may be employed in a smart grid. If those sources have minimal THD, the filtering process could be reduced at the point of common coupling. This paper presents two switched capacitor based MLIs, proposing boost capability and low THD. Inverters have inherent charge balancing capability, which eliminates the need for auxiliary circuits and voltage sensors. Inverters switches are modulated using phase opposition disposition pulse-width modulation (PODPWM) method that ease the balancing of the voltage and decrease the losses of switching. Designs were verified by simulation and the output waveforms were introduced

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Extraction of some strategic elements from thorium–uranium concentrate using bioproducts of Aspergillus ficuum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The activity of the bioproducts from Aspergillus ficuum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for extraction of thorium (Th4+), uranium (UO22+) and rare earth elements (REEs) from thorium–uranium concentrate was studied. P. aeruginosa produce element-specific ligand (siderophore) that is able to change pH and enhance chelation of Th4+ and UO22+. The produced siderophore at pH 5.3 has the ability to bioleach and is complexed with 68.00% of uranium and 65.00% of thorium. Also, A. ficuum produced different kinds of organic acids which leached 30.00% of uranium and 29.12% of thorium in addition to 20.00% of lanthanum, 33.00% of cerium and 2.51% of yttrium as rare earth elements at pH 3.0. Oxalic acid was efficient for Th4+, UO22+and REEs precipitation. The binocular stereo-microscope (BSM), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the percentages of extracted metals. Exogenous polysaccharides (EPSs) seem to play an important role in bioleaching and removal of these elements. It was found that EPSs produced by A. ficuum adsorbed Th4+, UO22+ and REEs while that produced by P. aeruginosa adsorbed REEs only

Parameter Identification of Switched Reluctance Motor SRM Using Exponential Swept-Sine Signal

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) received major interest in several domains, e.g., in electric vehicles. This interest is due to the many advantages of SRMs, including operation at a wide range of speeds, high performances, low cost, robustness to run under degraded conditions, and controllability. One of the major aspects in the design and implementation of controllers for SRMs is the estimation of the motor parameters. An accurate estimate of these parameters is a challenge due to the highly nonlinear behavior of SRMs in addition to their magnetic saturated operating mode to maximize the energy transfer. This paper aims at estimating the parameters of SRM by developing a new SRM model using an analytical technique. The proposed technique is based on a parallel connection of several Hammerstein models that have polynomial nonlinearity. The model is driven by a swept-sine signal, and then finite element method analysis is performed to estimate the SRM parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed method is highlighted by numerical simulation. All these simulations were performed using MATLAB/SIMULINK

DataSheet_1_Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with Mugil cephalus in retail fish markets concerning methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Aeromonas hydrophila.docx

IntroductionAeromonas hydrophila and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are potent bacterial pathogens posing major hazards to human health via consuming fish harboring these pathogens or by cross-contamination beyond the contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to determine risk variables associated with the presence of certain pathogenic bacteria from Mugil cephalus fish in retail markets in Egypt. The virulence genes of A. hydrophila and S. aureus were also studied. Furthermore, the antibiotic sensitivity and multidrug resistance of the microorganisms were evaluated.MethodsIn a cross-sectional investigation, 370 samples were collected from mullet skin and muscle samples, washing water, fish handlers, knives, and chopping boards. Furthermore, fish handlers’ public health implications were assessed via their response to a descriptive questionnaire.ResultsS. aureus and Aeromonas species dominated the investigated samples with percentages of 26.76% and 30.81%, respectively. Furthermore, A. hydrophila and MRSA were the predominant recovered bacterial pathogens among washing water and knives (53.85% and 46.66%, respectively). The virulence markers aerA and hlyA were found in 90.7% and 46.5% of A. hydrophila isolates, respectively. Moreover, the virulence genes nuc and mec were prevalent in 80% and 60% of S. aureus isolates, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility results revealed that all A. hydrophila isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and all MRSA isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin. Remarkably, multiple drug resistance (MDR) patterns were detected in high proportions in A. hydrophila (88.37%) and MRSA (100%) isolates. The prevalence of Aeromonas spp. and S. aureus had a positive significant correlation with the frequency of handwashing and use of sanitizer in cleaning of instruments. MRSA showed the highest significant prevalence rate in the oldest age category.ConclusionThe pathogenic bacteria recovered in this study were virulent and had a significant correlation with risk factors associated with improper fish handling. Furthermore, a high frequency of MDR was detected in these pathogenic bacteria, posing a significant risk to food safety and public health.</p