Demonstration of sustained and useful converter responses during balanced and unbalanced faults in microgrids

In large power grids where converter penetration is presently low and the network impedance is predominantly reactive, the required response from converters during faults is presently specified by phrases such as “maximum reactive output”. However, in marine and aero power systems most faults are unbalanced, the network impedance is resistive, and converter penetration may be high. Therefore a balanced reactive fault current response to an unbalanced fault may lead to over-voltages or over/under frequency events. Instead, this paper presents a method of controlling the converter as a balanced voltage source behind a reactance, thereby emulating the fault response of a synchronous generator (SG) as closely as possible. In this mode there is a risk of converter destruction due to overcurrent. A new way of preventing destruction but still providing fault performance as close to a SG as possible is presented. Demonstrations are presented of simulations and laboratory testing at the 10kVA 400V scale, with balanced and unbalanced faults. Currents can be limited to about 1.5pu while still providing appropriate unbalanced fault response within a resistive network

Shock wave compression of single-crystal forsterite

Hugoniot equation of state measurements have been performed on pure synthetic single-crystal forsterite (Mg_2SiO_4) in the pressure range 70–160 GPa (0.7–1.6 Mbar). These and earlier data for polycrystalline forsterite are compared with theoretical Hugoniots for the assemblages 2MgO (rocksalt) + SiO_2 (stishovite) and MgO (rocksalt) + MgSiO_3 (perovskite). The densities attained by single-crystal forsterite at pressures in excess of 120 GPa are greater than those expected in the event of shock-induced transformation to the isochemical oxide mixture. A similar test of the hypothesis of shock-induced transformation to the perovskite-bearing assemblage is sensitive to the choice of MgSiO_3 (perovskite) bulk modulus. Recent static compression measurements of Yagi et al. (1978) yield a K_(0T) of 286 GPa (for K_(0T)′ = 5), which, along with other elastic and thermodynamic parameters, suggests that shocked forsterite may be more dense than the perovskite-bearing assemblage. Crystalline phases of up to 5% greater zeropressure density or equally dense short-range-order-only phases may well be involved. Alternatively, the use of an isentropic bulk modulus of 250 GPa (estimated by Liebermann et al., 1977) for MgSiO_3 (perovskite) allows consistency between the data and the calculated MgO + MgSiO_3 (perovskite) Hugoniot for a reasonable choice (∼3.8) of K_(0s)′ for the latter phase. The new forsterite data along with high-pressure Hugoniot data for other olivines and olivinitic rocks define a smooth isobaric variation of Hugoniot density with composition. It is shown that an estimated pyrolite (Ringwood, 1975) Hugoniot density of 5.31 g/cm^3 at 120 GPa is ∼2% less dense than inferred from typical lower mantle density profiles

An Improved Algorithm for Generating Database Transactions from Relational Algebra Specifications

Alloy is a lightweight modeling formalism based on relational algebra. In prior work with Fisler, Giannakopoulos, Krishnamurthi, and Yoo, we have presented a tool, Alchemy, that compiles Alloy specifications into implementations that execute against persistent databases. The foundation of Alchemy is an algorithm for rewriting relational algebra formulas into code for database transactions. In this paper we report on recent progress in improving the robustness and efficiency of this transformation

Controllability, Observability, Realizability, and Stability of Dynamic Linear Systems

We develop a linear systems theory that coincides with the existing theories for continuous and discrete dynamical systems, but that also extends to linear systems defined on nonuniform time domains. The approach here is based on generalized Laplace transform methods (e.g. shifts and convolution) from our recent work \cite{DaGrJaMaRa}. We study controllability in terms of the controllability Gramian and various rank conditions (including Kalman's) in both the time invariant and time varying settings and compare the results. We also explore observability in terms of both Gramian and rank conditions as well as realizability results. We conclude by applying this systems theory to connect exponential and BIBO stability problems in this general setting. Numerous examples are included to show the utility of these results.Comment: typos corrected; current form is as accepted in EJD

Optical in-fiber Bragg grating sensor systems for medical applications

Two in-fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensor systems for medical applications are demonstrated: (1) an FBG flow-directed thermodilution catheter based on interferometric detection of wavelength shift that is used for cardiac monitoring; and (2) an FBG sensor system with a tunable Fabry-Perot filter for in vivo temperature profiling in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) machines. Preliminary results show that the FBG sensor is in good agreement with electrical sensors that are widely used in practice. A field test shows that the FBG sensor system is suitable for in situ temperature profiling in NMR machines for medical applications

Palliative care needs in patients hospitalized with heart failure (PCHF) study: rationale and design

Abstract Aims The primary aim of this study is to provide data to inform the design of a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) of a palliative care (PC) intervention in heart failure (HF). We will identify an appropriate study population with a high prevalence of PC needs defined using quantifiable measures. We will also identify which components a specific and targeted PC intervention in HF should include and attempt to define the most relevant trial outcomes. Methods An unselected, prospective, near-consecutive, cohort of patients admitted to hospital with acute decompensated HF will be enrolled over a 2-year period. All potential participants will be screened using B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography, and all those enrolled will be extensively characterized in terms of their HF status, comorbidity, and PC needs. Quantitative assessment of PC needs will include evaluation of general and disease-specific quality of life, mood, symptom burden, caregiver burden, and end of life care. Inpatient assessments will be performed and after discharge outpatient assessments will be carried out every 4 months for up to 2.5 years. Participants will be followed up for a minimum of 1 year for hospital admissions, and place and cause of death. Methods for identifying patients with HF with PC needs will be evaluated, and estimates of healthcare utilisation performed. Conclusion By assessing the prevalence of these needs, describing how these needs change over time, and evaluating how best PC needs can be identified, we will provide the foundation for designing an RCT of a PC intervention in HF

Provisional Permanence

The oceans take up 71 percent of our planet. For the east coast, Barrier Islands are the first line of defense against storms and will become the most affected areas because of sea level rise in the next hundred years. There is no stopping sea level rise and the time and money spent thus far has not been efficient and requires a different approach. The barrier islands may be the first line of defense against storms, but they are more than that. There is a long standing allure to the islands that we’ve come to know as beach culture. For most families, it’s a tradition during the summer to travel east or west and experience their favorite beaches, bars, and boardwalks. In the next decade this island could be devastated and without proper design intelligence the island might not reshape itself. Our approach to this project may seem fatalistic, but in an effort to preserve the beach culture that we’ve both grown up with we cannot stick our heads in the sand and wait for the inevitability of sea level rise. We believe it is possible to preserve this vital part of regional culture through an architecture and landscape strategy that incorporates barges and boardwalks in an effort to mitigate the potential damages brought on by storm surges and sea level rise through site density and framework