Power Quality Monitoring Integration into Distribution Automation through the Use of AMR

Power-quality events are of increasing concern for the economy because today’s equipment, particularly computers and automated manufacturing devices, is highly sensitive to such imperfections. With volatile energy rates and a need to control costs, regional agencies and utilities are interested in technologies to meter distribution use and manage utility information. Metering technologies and communications systems have advanced to enable the development of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Systems. Power Quality is one area where the AMR system can be very valuable. This paper investigates the challenges in the development of distributed power-quality monitoring system. The approach of this paper is divided into metering, data collection, archiving, analysis, and presentation. It also discusses system architecture, implementation, and provides general guidelines in the tailoring of PQ indexes. This paper describes the challenges and lessons learned from this work.

Caracterización del movimiento fuerte en el emplazamiento de la presa de Itoiz

Se presenta en este trabajo una nueva caracterización del movimiento del suelo en la presa de Itoiz, consistente con la peligrosidad sísmica del emplazamiento. En primer lugar, proponemos una metodología con tres niveles de aproximación al movimiento esperado, que es después aplicada considerando las características particulares de la presa y su emplazamiento. Los cálculos de peligrosidad se realizan siguiendo la línea metodológica conocida como PSHA, con un método probabilista zonificado y formulando un árbol lógico que combina diferentes zonificaciones sísmicas y modelos de movimiento fuerte. La peligrosidad se representa en términos de la aceleración pico PGA y de las aceleraciones espectrales para periodos coincidentes con los de vibración de la presa, considerando dos estados de la misma correspondientes a presa vacía (T=0.1s) y presa con capacidad máxima de llenado (T=0.22 s). Se caracterizan los correspondientes movimientos para dos periodos de retorno, 975 años y 4975 años, asociados al sismo de proyecto y al sismo extremo, respectivamente. El efecto de sitio en el emplazamiento de la presa también fue tenido en cuenta. La metodología propuesta conduce a caracterizar el movimiento con tres niveles de detalle. En una primera etapa se obtienen los espectros de respuesta uniforme (UHS) para los dos niveles de movimiento referidos. Seguidamente se desarrolla un análisis de desagregación para obtener los sismos de control que previsiblemente pueden afectar mas a la presa. Estos se identifican como los que más contribuyen a los movimientos objeto dados por las aceleraciones espectrales de los dos periodos característicos, SA (0,1 s) y SA (0.22 s) y para los dos periodos de retorno de 975 y 4975 años asociados a lo sismos de proyecto y extremo. De ahí se obtienen los espectros de respuesta específicos para las cuatro combinaciones resultantes. Finalmente, se realiza una simulación del movimiento en el dominio del tiempo, obteniendo acelerogramas sintéticos mediante el método de número de onda discreto. Las simulaciones se realizaron considerando fuentes finitas en diferentes posiciones y evaluando el efecto de la directividad en las posibles fuentes consideradas. Se concluye destacando la importancia del efecto de directividad, en la caracterización del emplazamiento de la presa

Dwarf pomegranate (Punica granatum L. var. nana): source of 5-HMF and bioactive compounds with applications in the protection of woody crops

While the properties of edible pomegranate varieties have been widely explored, there is little information on ornamental types. In this study, possible alternatives for the valorization of dwarf pomegranate fruits have been explored. The characterization of their hydromethanolic extract by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry evidenced the presence of high contents of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (a carbon-neutral feedstock for the production of fuels and other chemicals) and β- and γ-sitosterol stereoisomers. The microbicidal activity of the crude extract, both alone and in a conjugate complex with chitosan oligomers (COS), was investigated against three plant pathogenic microorganisms that cause significant losses in woody crops: Erwinia amylovora, E. vitivora, and Diplodia seriata. In in vitro assays, a strong synergistic behavior was found after conjugation of the bioactive constituents of the fruit extract with COS, resulting in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 750 and 375 μg·mL−1 against E. amylovora and E. vitivora, respectively, and an EC90 value of 993 μg·mL−1 against D. seriata. Hence, extracts from the non-edible fruits of this Punicaceae may hold promise as a source of high value-added phytochemicals or as environmentally friendly agrochemicals

Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio measurements in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) area damaged by the 2010 Haiti earthquake

In order to evaluate ground shaking characteristics due to surface soil layers in the urban area of Port-au-Prince, short-period ambient noise observation has been performed approximately in a 500x500m grid. The HVSR method was applied to this set of 36 ambient noise measurement points to determine a distribution map of soil predominant periods. This map reveals a general increasing trend in the period values, from the Miocene conglomerates in the northern and southern parts of the town to the central and western zones formed of Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial deposits respectively, where the shallow geological materials that cover the basement increase in thickness. Shorter predominant periods (less than 0.3 s) were found in mountainous and neighbouring zones, where the thickness of sediments is smaller whereas longer periods (greater than 0.5 s) appear in Holocene alluvial fans, where the thickness of sediments is larger. The shallow shear-wave velocity structure have been estimated by means of inversion of Rayleigh wave dispersion data obtained from vertical-component array records of ambient noise. The measurements were carried out at one open space located in Holocene alluvial deposits, using 3 regular pentagonal arrays with 5, 10 and 20m respectively. Reliable dispersion curves were retrieved for frequencies between 4.0 and 14 Hz, with phase velocity values ranging from 420m/s down to 270 m/s. Finally, the average shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m (VS30) was inverted for characterization of this geological unit

Mapa preliminar de períodos predominantes del suelo en Puerto Príncipe (Haití) a partir de medidas de ruido ambiental.

The 2010 Haiti earthquake, occurred on January 12th at 16:53:09 local time (21:53:09 UTC) with epicentral distance of 15 km from the capital Port au Prince, MW 7.0 and 13 km hypocenter deep, was the strongest event in the area since happened in 1770. The maximum macroseismic intensity was estimated as X (MMI scale). The aim of this research is to obtain a preliminary zonation of Port-au-Prince in terms of predominant resonance periods of ground. A total of 36 short-period ambient noise records have been carried out on a grid of about 500x500m. H/V spectral ratio method (HVSR) has been applied to determine the predominant period at each point. The lowest values ( 0.45s) correspond to the center and western parts, composed of Pleistocene-Holocene alluvial deposits and anthropogenic land reclaimed from the sea. We have determined the ground VS30 structure inside National Palace garden, using simultaneous ambient noise measurements. An array made up of 6 sensors were used, with 5 of them uniformly distributed along a circumference and a sixth one placed in its centre. The records were analyzed by using the spatial autocorrelation method (SPAC). The VS 30 value obtained was 331m/sec, in good agreement with the average values obtained for this area by other authors, using prospecting techniques

Groundwater hydrochemistry of Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, Central India

The spreading of fluorosis diseases in Central India related to high concentrations of fluoride ion (F−) is a cause of major concern. In this work, the hydrochemistry of the aquifers related to Seonath River, in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh state, India, has been studied, focusing on the presence and sources of F−. Hydrochemical parameters were analyzed in the post-monsoon season in 160 wells located in nine tehsils, finding F− concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 18.5 mg L−1. Seasonal variations were also studied in Chhuikhadan tehsil, in which the highest F− values were registered, finding a noticeable enrichment in the pre-monsoon months. In many locations of the district, F− concentrations exceeded the recommended value of 1.5 mg L−1, which have led to the appearance of several health issues. Multidimensional analysis statistical methods were adopted to investigate the sources of F−, and the mineralization of bedrock elements into the groundwater was observed to be the primary source

Potential Role of Aromatase over Estrogen Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Migraine Susceptibility: A Case Control Study from North India

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to find out the role of estrogen pathway related gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to migraine in Northern Indian population. Aromatase, CYP19A1 (rs10046 and rs4646); estrogen receptors, ESR1 (rs2234693, rs1801132, rs2228480 and rs9340799) and ESR2 (rs1271572 and rs1256049) polymorphisms were selected for the present study. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The patients were recruited in two cohorts - primary (207) and replicative (127) along with 200 healthy controls and genotyped for various polymorphisms. Logistic regression analysis was applied for statistical analyses. The results were validated in the replicative cohort and pooled by meta analysis using Fisher's and Mantel-Haenszel test. Furthermore, Benjamini - Hochberg false discovery rate test was used to correct for multiple comparisons. CYP19A1 rs10046 and CYP19A1 rs4646 polymorphisms were found to confer risk and protective effect, respectively. Out of four ESR1 polymorphisms, only rs2234693 variant allele was significantly associated in migraine with aura. No significant associations were observed for ESR2 polymorphisms. Significant haplotypes were identified for CYP19A1 and ESR1 polymorphisms. Gene- gene interactions of genotypes as well as haplotypes were observed for CYP19A1- ESR1 showing both risk and protective combinations. CONCLUSION: We strongly suggest CYP19A1 polymorphisms to be the major contributing factors in migraine susceptibility instead of genetic variants of estrogen receptors

Appropriateness of admission and days of stay in pediatric hospital in Ancona, Italy

Background: In Italy, hospital admission costs account for nearly 42% of total health expenditure; in the Marche region, this share exceeds 50%. High costs of hospitalization, however, can be partly explained by inappropriate use. The aim of this research was to assess the risk factors associated with inappropriate hospital admissions and stay for acute pediatric patients. Methods: Clinical records of children from 30 days to 14 years of age admitted to the wards of orthopedics, pediatrics, pediatric isolation, pediatric surgery and pediatric oncohematology at Salesi Pediatric Hospital of Ancona throughout 2004 were reviewed. The Italian Pediatric Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (PRUO) was used as a tool for assessing inappropriateness of admission and days of stay. Results: Overall 21.7% (95% CI = 16.1%–22.4%) of hospital admissions and 30.3% (95% CI = 26.0%–34.9%) of days of stay were judged to be inappropriate. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that inappropriate admission was significantly associated with type of admission, discharge ward and place of residence. Inappropriateness of stay was significantly higher if admission was to a medical ward and if admission itself was judged inappropriate. Conclusions: In a socioeconomic context in which reducing waste is necessary, ineffective health care interventions are no longer tolerable. As a tool capable of integrating each patient’s specific features with those of the health care process, the pediatric PRUO could be a valid tool in the hands of managers for monitoring the appropriateness of admission and stay

Experience with onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX) in chronic refractory migraine: focus on severe attacks

The objective of this study is to analyse our experience in the treatment of refractory chronic migraine (CM) with onabotulinumtoxinA (BTA) and specifically in its effects over disabling attacks. Patients with CM and inadequate response or intolerance to oral preventatives were treated with pericranial injections of 100 U of TBA every 3 months. The dose was increased up to 200 U in case of no response. The patients kept a headache diary. In addition, we specifically asked on the effect of BTA on the frequency of disabling attacks, consumption of triptans and visits to Emergency for the treatment of severe attacks. This series comprises a total of 35 patients (3 males), aged 24–68 years. All except three met IHS criteria for analgesic overuse. The number of sessions with BTA ranged from 2 to 15 (median 4) and nine (26%) responded (reduction of >50% in headache days). However, the frequency of severe attacks was reduced to an average of 46%. Oral triptan consumption (29 patients) was reduced by 50% (from an average of 22 to 11 tablets/month). Those six patients who used subcutaneous sumatriptan reduced its consumption to a mean of 69% (from 4.5 to 1.5 injections per month). Emergency visits went from an average of 3 to 0.4 per trimester (−83%). Six patients complained of mild adverse events, transient local cervical pain being the most common. Although our data must be taken with caution as this is an open trial, in clinical practice treatment of refractory CM with BTA reduces the frequency of disabling attacks, the consumption of triptans and the need of visits to Emergency, which makes this treatment a profitable option both clinically and pharmacoeconomically