Neutral conductor current in three-phase networks with compact fluorescent lamps

In this paper, expressions of the neutral conductor current in three-phase networks with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are obtained from a CFL “black-box” model proposed in the literature. These expressions allow studying and performing a sensitivity analysis of the impact of CFLs on neutral current. The influence of CFL model parameters, as well as supply voltage unbalance, number of CFLs per phase and different types of CFLs per phase, on the neutral current is also investigated. The obtained results are validated with measurements and PSCAD/EMTDC simulationsPeer ReviewedPreprin

An experimental and modelling exploration of the host-sanction hypothesis in legume-rhizobia mutualism

Despite the importance of mutualism as a key ecological process, its persistence in nature is difficult to explain since the existence of exploitative, 'cheating' partners that could erode the interaction is common. By analogy with the proposed policing strategy stabilizing intraspecific cooperation, host sanctions against non N2 fixing, cheating symbionts have been proposed as a force stabilizing mutualism in legume-Rhizobium symbiosis. Following this proposal, penalizations would include decreased nodular rhizobial viability and/or early nodule senescence in nodules occupied by cheating rhizobia. In this work, we analyze the stability of Rhizobium-legume symbiosis when "cheating" strains are present, using an experimental and modelling approach. We used split-root experiments with soybean plants inoculated with two rhizobial strains, a cooperative, normal N2 fixing strain and an isogenic non-fixing, “perfect” cheating mutant derivative that lacks nitrogenase activity but has the same nodulation abilities inoculated to split-root plants. We found no experimental evidence of functioning plant host sanctions to cheater rhizobia based on nodular rhizobia viability and nodule senescence and maturity molecular markers. Based on these experiments, we developed a population dynamic model with and without the inclusion of plant host sanctions. We show that plant populations persist in spite of the presence of cheating rhizobia without the need of incorporating any sanction against the cheater populations in the model, under the realistic assumption that plants can at least get some amount of fixed N2 from the effectively mutualistic rhizobia occupying some nodules. Inclusion of plant sanctions merely reduces the time needed for reaching plant population equilibrium and leads to the unrealistic effect of ultimate extinction of cheater strains in soil. Our simulation results are in agreement with increasing experimental evidence and theoretical work showing that mutualisms can persist or even improve in presence of cheating partners

A pleiotropic variant in DNAJB4 is associated with multiple myeloma risk

This study was partially supported by intramural funds of University of Pisa and DKFZ. Open Access Funding provided by Universita degli Studi di Pisa within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.Pleiotropy, which consists of a single gene or allelic variant affecting multiple unrelated traits, is common across cancers, with evidence for genome-wide significant loci shared across cancer and noncancer traits. This feature is particularly relevant in multiple myeloma (MM) because several susceptibility loci that have been identified to date are pleiotropic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify novel pleiotropic variants involved in MM risk using 28 684 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from GWAS Catalog that reached a significant association (P < 5 x 10(-8)) with their respective trait. The selected SNPs were analyzed in 2434 MM cases and 3446 controls from the International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium (InterLymph). The 10 SNPs showing the strongest associations with MM risk in InterLymph were selected for replication in an independent set of 1955 MM cases and 1549 controls from the International Multiple Myeloma rESEarch (IMMEnSE) consortium and 418 MM cases and 147 282 controls from the FinnGen project. The combined analysis of the three studies identified an association between DNAJB4-rs34517439-A and an increased risk of developing MM (OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.13-1.32, P = 4.81 x 10(-7)). rs34517439-A is associated with a modified expression of the FUBP1 gene, which encodes a multifunctional DNA and RNA-binding protein that it was observed to influence the regulation of various genes involved in cell cycle regulation, among which various oncogenes and oncosuppressors. In conclusion, with a pleiotropic scan approach we identified DNAJB4-rs34517439 as a potentially novel MM risk locus.University of PisaDKFZUniversita degli Studi di Pisa within the CRUI-CARE Agreemen

El factor perceptivo motriz del equilibrio en educación física. Diseño de una unidad didáctica para segundo curso de primaria

Este trabajo de fin de grado ofrece un recurso educativo dedicado a la enseñanza de una habilidad motriz como es el equilibrio, dentro del ámbito escolar. Este proyecto aborda principalmente el tema las habilidades motrices, y más en concreto, el factor perceptivo motriz del equilibrio. En este sentido, se pone en práctica el diseño de una unidad didáctica para segundo curso de Educación Primaria, la cual trata de ofrecer respuesta a todos los interrogantes y factores necesarios que debemos tener en cuenta como futuros docentes en el área de Educación Física a la hora de abordar este tipo de contenidos con nuestros alumnos.Grado en Educación Primari

An improved harmonic load flow formulation

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Electric power components and systems. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15325008.2019.1689450The paper contributes an improved harmonic load flow formulation with fewer convergence problems but the same accurate results as traditional formulations. The proposed formulation approaches the harmonic load flow problem as a single nonlinear equation system where the harmonic bus voltage influence on nonlinear load behavior is considered and harmonic bus voltages at linear buses are not included as unknowns. This formulation allows any sort of nonlinear load to be considered and uses the Newton-Raphson method with true Jacobian matrix to reduce the inherent increase in the number of iterations caused by the presence of highly distorted bus voltages. The numerical results obtained when solving a three-bus network operating under highly distorted bus voltages using traditional harmonic load flow formulations and the improved formulation are comparatively discussed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

State-Space Model of Quasi-Z-Source Inverter-PV Systems for Transient Dynamics Studies and Network Stability Assessment

Photovoltaic (PV) power systems are increasingly being used as renewable power generation sources. Quasi-Z-source inverters (qZSI) are a recent, high-potential technology that can be used to integrate PV power systems into AC networks. Simultaneously, concerns regarding the stability of PV power systems are increasing. Converters reduce the damping of grid-connected converter systems, leading to instability. Several studies have analyzed the stability and dynamics of qZSI, although the characterization of qZSI-PV system dynamics in order to study transient interactions and stability has not yet been properly completed. This paper contributes a small-signal, state-space-averaged model of qZSI-PV systems in order to study these issues. The model is also applied to investigate the stability of PV power systems by analyzing the influence of system parameters. Moreover, solutions to mitigate the instabilities are proposed and the stability is verified using PSCAD time domain simulations