Hybrid Signal Processing and Soft Computing approaches to Power System Frequency Estimation

Dynamic variation in power system frequency is required to be estimated for implementing the correcting measures. This paper presents power system frequency estimation by using RLS-Adaline and KF-Adaline algorithms. In the proposed hybrid approaches the weights of the Adaline are updated using RLS/KF algorithms. Frequency of power system signal is estimated from final updated weights of the Adaline. The performances of the proposed algorithms are studied through simulations for several critical cases that often arise in a power system. These studies show that the KF-Adaline algorithm is superior over the RLS-Adaline in estimating power system frequency. Studies made on experimental data also support the superiority

Forecasting Global Solar Insolation Using the Ensemble Kalman Filter Based Clearness Index Model

This paper describes a novel approach in developing a model for forecasting of global insolation on a horizontal plane. In the proposed forecasting model, constraints, such as latitude and whole precipitable water content in vertical column of that location, are used. These parameters can be easily measurable with a global positioning system (GPS). The earlier model was developed by using the above datasets generated from different locations in India. The model has been verified by calculating theoretical global insolation for different sites covering east, west, north, south and the central region with the measured values from the same locations. The model has also been validated on a region, from which data was not used during the development of the model. In the model, clearness index coefficients (KT) are updated using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) algorithm. The forecasting efficacies using the KT model and EnKF algorithm have also been verified by comparing two popular algorithms, namely the recursive least square (RLS) and Kalman filter (KF) algorithms. The minimum mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean square error (MSE) and correlation coefficient (R) value obtained in global solar insolation estimations using EnKF in one of the locations are 2.4%, 0.0285 and 0.9866 respectively

FORMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF IBUPROFEN

Objective: The present study aimed to formulate, develop and optimize orodispersible tablets of ibuprofen.Methods: Orodispersible tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, croscaramelose sodium, sodium carboxy methylcellulose as superdisintegrants at concentrations of 5, 7.5 and 10% w/w and mannitol used as diluent. The prepared powder mixtures are subjected to pre compression parameters including FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and micromeritics. The formulations were evaluated for tablet weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting time, absorption ratio, drug content, in vitro dispersion time, in vitro disintegration time and in vitro drug release studies.Results: The results of micromeritics studies revealed that all formulations were of acceptable to good flowability. Crospovidone at 10% w/w concentration (F3) showed the least in vitro disintegration time 38 seconds with acceptable hardness 3.93 kg/cm3, friability 0.652% and good dissolution profile (D5 min = 95.89%) in comparison with control (D5 min = 18.29%). The optimized formulation showed t90% drug release at 2.6 minutes. The FTIR and DSC studies were done for the optimized formula and showed no interaction between the drug and excipients.Conclusion: It is concluded that crospovidone gives the best results at 10% w/w (F3) for formulation of orodispersible tablets of ibuprofen with better pharmaceutical properties.Keywords: Orodispersible, Ibuprofen, Superdisintegrant, Crosspovidone, Direct compressio

Online Sensorless Solar Power Forecasting for Microgrid Control and Automation

Meteorological conditions such as air density, temperature, solar radiation etc. strongly affect the power generation from solar, and thus, the prediction and estimation process should consider weather conditions as critical inputs. The nature of weather forecast is highly unpredictable, so many applications use meteorological data from in-place on-site sensors to add to the forecast and some use complex networks with complicated mapping. The in-situ sensor approach and dense mapping methods, however, present several drawbacks. First, the use of sensors give rise to extra operational, installation and maintenance cost. Second, it requires significant amount of time to capture and accumulate data for various occasions and scenarios, and in addition, sensor itself can be the cause of error measurements. The complex methods are computational inefficient and may present suboptimal convergence. This paper presents a sensorless solar output power forecasting based on historical weather (publicly available from met office) and PV data. The algorithm uses simple to implement neural networks with few neurons and hidden layers for its training and allows for day a head forecast. The proposed methodology presents a guideline on how to select the relevant data from weather and how it affects the accuracy and training time of neural network. The benefit of developed method is an improvement on the energy management, utilization and reliability of the microgrid

The effects of solar-geomagnetically induced currents on electrical systems in nuclear power stations

This report presents the results of a study to evaluate the potential effects of geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) caused by the solar disturbances on the in-plant electrical distribution system and equipment in nuclear power stations. The plant-specific electrical distribution system for a typical nuclear plant is modeled using the ElectroMagnetic Transient Program (EMTP). The computer model simulates online equipment and loads from the station transformer in the switchyard of the power station to the safety-buses at 120 volts to which all electronic devices are connected for plant monitoring. The analytical model of the plant`s electrical distribution system is studied to identify the transient effects caused by the half-cycle saturation of the station transformers due to GIC. This study provides results of the voltage harmonics levels that have been noted at various electrical buses inside the plant. The emergency circuits appear to be more susceptible to high harmonics due to the normally light load conditions. In addition to steady-state analysis, this model was further analyzed simulating various plant transient conditions (e.g., loss of load or large motor start-up) occurring during GIC events. Detail models of the plant`s protective relaying system employed in bus transfer application were included in this model to study the effects of the harmonic distortion of the voltage input. Potential harmonic effects on the uniterruptable power system (UPS) are qualitatively discussed as well

Development of a compact and low-cost weather station for renewable energy applications

This paper describes the development of a weather station integrating several sensors which allows the measurement and data storage of the following environmental parameters: solar irradiance, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. The collected data is later transferred to a mobile device, where it is stored in a database and processed in order to be visualized and analyzed by the user. For such purpose, a dedicated mobile app was developed and presented along the paper. The weather station also integrates small solar photovoltaic modules of three different technologies: polycrystalline, monocrystalline and amorphous silicon. Based on that, the weather station also collects information that may be employed to help the user in determining the most suitable solar photovoltaic technology for installation in a particular location. The developed system uses a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless network to transfer the data to the mobile device when the user approaches the weather station. The system operation was validated through experimental tests that encompass all the main developed features, from the data acquisition in the weather station, to the visualization in the mobile device.- (undefined

Discerning combining ability loci for divergent environments using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) in pearl millet

Pearl millet is an important crop for arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Genomic regions associated with combining ability for yield-related traits under irrigated and drought conditions are useful in heterosis breeding programs. Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are excellent genetic resources for precise QTL mapping and identifying naturally occurring favorable alleles. In the present study, testcross hybrid populations of 85 CSSLs were evaluated for 15 grain and stover yield-related traits for summer and wet seasons under irrigated control (CN) and moisture stress (MS) conditions. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects of all these traits were estimated and significant marker loci linked to GCA and SCA of the traits were identified. Heritability of the traits ranged from 53–94% in CN and 63–94% in MS. A total of 40 significant GCA loci and 36 significant SCA loci were identified for 14 different traits. Five QTLs (flowering time, panicle number and panicle yield linked to Xpsmp716 on LG4, flowering time and grain number per panicle with Xpsmp2076 on LG4) simultaneously controlled both GCA and SCA, demonstrating their unique genetic basis and usefulness for hybrid breeding programs. This study for the first time demonstrated the potential of a set of CSSLs for trait mapping in pearl millet. The novel combining ability loci linked with GCA and SCA values of the traits identified in this study may be useful in pearl millet hybrid and population improvement programs using marker-assisted selection (MAS)

Retention of foreign body in the gut can be a sign of congenital obstructive anomaly: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Small smooth objects that enter the gut nearly always pass uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract. Retention of foreign objects may occur due to congenital obstructive anomaly of the gut.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report here a child who presented with features of small gut obstruction which were attributed to a foreign body impacted in the intestine. At surgery, an annular pancreas was detected and the foreign body was found to be lodged in the distended proximal duodenum.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The reported case highlights the fact that an impacted radio-opaque foreign body in a child should warn the pediatrician to the possibility of an obstructive congenital anomaly.</p

Resumption of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy after immune-mediated colitis

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy often is suspended because of immune-mediated diarrhea and colitis (IMDC). We examined the rate of and risk factors for IMDC recurrence after ICI resumption. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study examined patients who resumed ICI therapy after improvement of IMDC between January 2010 and November 2018. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed the association of clinical covariates and IMDC recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 167 patients in our analysis, 32 resumed an anti-cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte-4 (CTLA-4) agent, and 135 an anti-programmed cell death 1 or ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) agent. The median age was 60 years (interquartile range [IQR], 50-69 years). The median duration from IMDC to restart of ICI treatment was 49 days (IQR, 23-136 days). IMDC recurred in 57 patients (34%) overall (44% of those receiving an anti-CTLA-4 and 32% of those receiving an anti-PD-1/L1); 47 of these patients (82%) required immunosuppressive therapy for recurrent IMDC, and all required permanent discontinuation of ICI therapy. The median duration from ICI resumption to IMDC recurrence was 53 days (IQR, 22-138 days). On multivariable logistic regression, patients who received anti-PD-1/L1 therapy at initial IMDC had a higher risk of IMDC recurrence (odds ratio [OR], 3.45; 95% CI, 1.59 to 7.69; P = .002). Risk of IMDC recurrence was higher for patients who required immunosuppression for initial IMDC (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.08 to 9.62; P = .019) or had a longer duration of IMDC symptoms in the initial episode (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.03; P = .031). Risk of IMDC recurrence was lower after resumption of anti-PD-1/L1 therapy than after resumption of anti-CTLA-4 therapy (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.81; P = .019). CONCLUSION: One third of patients who resumed ICI treatment after IMDC experienced recurrent IMDC. Recurrence of IMDC was less frequent after resumption of anti-PD-1/L1 than after resumption of anti-CTLA-4