Simulation of Blockchain based Power Trading with Solar Power Prediction in Prosumer Consortium Model

Prosumer consortium energy transactive models can be one of the solutions for energy costs, increasing performance and for providing reliable electricity utilizing distributed power generation, to a local group or community, like a university. This research study demonstrates the simulation of blockchain based power trading, supplemented by the solar power prediction using MLFF neural network training in two prosumer nodes. This study can be the initial step in the implementation of a power trading market model based on a decentralized blockchain system, with distributed generations in a university grid system. This system can balance the electricity demand and supply within the institute, enable secure and rapid transactions, and the local market system can be reinforced by forecasting solar generation. The performance of the MLFF training can predict almost 90% accuracy of the model as short term ahead forecasting. Because of it, the prosumer bodies can complete the decision making before trading to their benefit

Who continues to stock oral artemisinin monotherapy? Results of a provider survey in Myanmar.

BackgroundArtemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is a key strategy for global malaria elimination efforts. However, the development of artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites threatens progress and continued usage of oral artemisinin monotherapies (AMT) predisposes the selection of drug resistant strains. This is particularly a problem along the Myanmar/Thailand border. The artemisinin monotherapy replacement programme (AMTR) was established in 2012 to remove oral AMT from stocks in Myanmar, specifically by replacing oral AMT with quality-assured ACT and conducting behavioural change communication activities to the outlets dispensing anti-malarial medications. This study attempts to quantify the characteristics of outlet providers who continue to stock oral AMT despite these concerted efforts.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of all types of private sector outlets that were stocking anti-malarial drugs in 13 townships of Eastern Myanmar was implemented from July to August 2014. A total of 573 outlets were included. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to assess outlet and provider-level characteristics associated with stocking oral AMT.ResultsIn total, 2939 outlets in Eastern Myanmar were screened for presence of any anti-malarial drugs in August 2014. The study found that 573 (19.5 %) had some kind of oral anti-malarial drug in stock at the time of survey and among them, 96 (16.8 %) stocked oral AMT. In bivariate analyses, compared to health care facilities, itinerant drug vendors, retailers and health workers were less likely to stock oral AMT (33.3 vs 12.9, 10.0, 8.1 %, OR = 0.30, 0.22, 0.18, respectively). Providers who cut blister pack or sell partial courses (40.6 vs 11.7 %, OR 5.18, CI 3.18-8.44) and those who based their stock decision on consumer demand (32.8 vs 12.1 %, OR 3.54, CI 2.21-5.63) were more likely to stock oAMT. Multivariate logistic regressions produced similar significant associations.ConclusionPrivate healthcare facilities and drug shops and providers who prioritize consumers' demand instead of recommended practices were more likely to stock oral AMT. Malaria elimination strategies should include targeted interventions to effectively reach those outlets

Finite element modelling of stresses and failure within plasma spray thermal barrier coating systems

Air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coating (APS TBC) systems are usually applied to engine components to reduce the temperature of the substrate and increase the efficiency of engines. However, failure of these coatings leads to oxidation and corrosion of the substrate. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the coating failure is necessary to predict the lifetime of coated components. This project has carried out stress analysis and prediction of subsequent failure of APS TBC systems associated with sintering of the TBC, oxidation of the bond coat (BC), substrate geometry, undulations at the coating interfaces and coating fracture toughness. Stress analysis is crucial for predicting TBC failure as stresses in the vicinity of the coating interfaces cause cracks and subsequent coating delamination. The Finite element (FE) method was used for stress analysis of TBC systems at high temperature stage and at cooling stage after operation. Initially, FE model of an axisymmetric unit cell representing the slice of a coated cylinder was used. Different radii for cylinders were used to investigate the significance of substrate curvature on coating stresses. The effect of asperities at the coating interface on residual stresses was observed using 3D models. The models were built based on the actual geometries of asperities, which were extracted from 3D SEM images of the coating interfaces. An Arrhenius approach was utilised to implement changes in mechanical and physical properties of TBC due to sintering. BC oxidation and related changes in its composition were also implemented. The accuracy of assumptions for FE models was validated by comparing the evaluated stresses against experimental results by project partners. Finally, the effects of stresses and fracture toughness of the coatings and coating interfaces on failure of the TBC system were studied, using cohesive surface modelling and extended finite element modelling (XFEM) methods

Myth and Reality in Irregular Migration from Myanmar

Migration studies is an interdisciplinary study within a broader field of development studies due to its association with debates about development and underdevelopment. Irregular migration is one of the most significant topics in migration studies and its complex nature has attracted many scholars from around the world. Most literature on irregular migration has focused on its illegality and the situation of irregular migrants in the destination country and therefore, much of the previous literature on irregular migration only presents the process as a dangerous and abusive phenomenon for irregular migrants, and depicts brokers and agents as evil and exploitative. Public perception and policy discussions are dominated by myths, rather than facts, about debts and danger. These established myths often overshadow the reality about the impacts of irregular migration as experienced by actual migrants and their local communities. These confused interpretations of irregular migration highlight a need for further research. This thesis examines a case of cross-border irregular migration from Myanmar to Thailand in order to explore the impacts of irregular migration in a wider field. Its main purpose is to investigate the processes and impacts of irregular migration on families left behind in sending areas. This is achieved by employing a qualitative case study approach to gain deeper understanding of the topic in the local context, using two data collection methods: participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The study hypothesizes that irregular migration in the Myanmar context conforms less to the “evil” image, than to the patterns of conventional labour migration described by the “New Economics of Labour Migration” theory. The main research questions posed to achieve these aims were: What are the processes of irregular migration? What are its impacts on families left behind? How are these impacts different from the impacts resulting from legal migration? The study draws two main conclusions. First, human smuggling operations in this study’s context are based on the personal contacts, and therefore irregular migration is often accomplished with the help of friends, relatives or siblings of the migrants themselves and not by hostile, exploitative smugglers. Secondly, departing from the traditional notion that irregular migration is harmful, the findings from this study suggest that the social and economic impacts resulting from irregular migration are surprisingly similar to the impacts of conventional international migration in many respects

Finite element modelling of stresses and failure within plasma spray thermal barrier coating systems

Air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coating (APS TBC) systems are usually applied to engine components to reduce the temperature of the substrate and increase the efficiency of engines. However, failure of these coatings leads to oxidation and corrosion of the substrate. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the coating failure is necessary to predict the lifetime of coated components. This project has carried out stress analysis and prediction of subsequent failure of APS TBC systems associated with sintering of the TBC, oxidation of the bond coat (BC), substrate geometry, undulations at the coating interfaces and coating fracture toughness. Stress analysis is crucial for predicting TBC failure as stresses in the vicinity of the coating interfaces cause cracks and subsequent coating delamination. The Finite element (FE) method was used for stress analysis of TBC systems at high temperature stage and at cooling stage after operation. Initially, FE model of an axisymmetric unit cell representing the slice of a coated cylinder was used. Different radii for cylinders were used to investigate the significance of substrate curvature on coating stresses. The effect of asperities at the coating interface on residual stresses was observed using 3D models. The models were built based on the actual geometries of asperities, which were extracted from 3D SEM images of the coating interfaces. An Arrhenius approach was utilised to implement changes in mechanical and physical properties of TBC due to sintering. BC oxidation and related changes in its composition were also implemented. The accuracy of assumptions for FE models was validated by comparing the evaluated stresses against experimental results by project partners. Finally, the effects of stresses and fracture toughness of the coatings and coating interfaces on failure of the TBC system were studied, using cohesive surface modelling and extended finite element modelling (XFEM) methods

Reliability Improvement of System Reconfiguration by Considering the Time-varying Load with Optimal Scheduling of Distributed Generations

The distributed generation (DG) locations have significant impacts on network configuration and loss. By fixing DGs in suitable optimal locations and by generation power based on the load conditions, the total power loss in the system can be reduced and the system reliability can be improved. Distribution system reliability assessment is able to predict the interruption profile of a distribution system based on system topology and component reliability data. In this paper, Fuzzy algorithm is used to obtain the optimum position and size of DG units in the distribution network in order to reduce network loss at the lowest cost. Also, a time-varying load curve for optimal scheduling of DGs considering active power loss and DG cost is used. The result shows the improvement of bus voltage profile and decrease losses due to install the optimal size of DGs by optimal scheduling of distributed generations. The test system is Yangon 66kv; 45-bus and the results obtained reveal the effectiveness of proposed method

Insights into the availability and distribution of oral artemisinin monotherapy in Myanmar: evidence from a nationally representative outlet survey

Abstract Background The containment of artemisinin resistance in Myanmar, historically an important probable origin and route of anti-malarial resistance to the India sub-continent and beyond, is crucial to global malaria control and elimination. This paper describes what is currently known about the sale and distribution of oral artemisinin monotherapy (AMT) across Myanmar, where this medicine is commonly found. Methods A nationally representative 2015 outlet survey was conducted in the private sector, and among community health workers across four geographical domains. A national sample of outlets was screened for availability of malaria testing and treatment, and an audit was completed for all anti-malarials. Results A total of 3859 outlets across Myanmar had an anti-malarial in stock on the day of survey. Of the 3859 anti-malarial stocking outlets, 988 outlets stocked oral AMT. Availability of oral AMT was highest among outlets in the Western border (36.8%) versus other domains (Eastern, 15.0%; Central, 19.3% Coastal, 10.7%). Over 90% of the oral AMT service delivery points were private sector outlets: general retailers (49.4%), pharmacies (23.5%), and itinerant drug vendors (14.2%). Eleven unique oral AMT products were audited. The most common product audited was Artesunate®, manufactured by Mediplantex in Vietnam, which accounted for 79.9% of the oral AMT market share. Other oral AMT products were manufactured in China and in Myanmar. Over 60% of oral AMT products had a shelf life at purchase of greater than 2 years and only 14.7% were expired. The median number of oral AMT tablets typically dispensed to treat malaria was two tablets, approximately one tenth of a full adult course. The median price of a 50 mg tablet was $0.16. Conclusions Given the high availability and distribution of oral AMT, it is possible that Myanmar has become the last remaining viable market for any oral AMT in the region for manufacturers. National and international organizations need to act quickly and effectively to stop the production and distribution to both improve malaria control within Myanmar and reduce risk of artemisinin resistance spreading to India and Africa

Risk Factors for Poor Outcomes in Children Hospitalized With Virus-associated Acute Lower Respiratory Infections:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) caused by respiratory viruses is among the most common causes of hospitalization and mortality in children. We aimed to identify risk factors for poor outcomes in children &lt;5 years old hospitalized with ALRI caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).METHODS: We searched Embase, Medline and Global Health databases and included observational studies reporting risk factors for poor outcomes (defined as use of supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, prolonged hospital stay and mortality) published between January 2011 and January 2023. Two authors independently extracted data on study characteristics, outcomes and risk factors. Due to limited data, meta-analyses were only conducted for RSV-ALRI poor outcome risk factors using random effects model when there were at least 3 studies.RESULTS: We included 30 studies. For RSV-related ALRI, significant risk factors based on meta-analysis were: neurological disease [odds ratio (OR): 6.14; 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 2.39-15.77], Down's syndrome (5.43; 3.02-9.76), chronic lung disease (3.64; 1.31-10.09), immunocompromised status (3.41; 1.85-6.29), prematurity (2.98; 1.93-4.59), congenital heart disease (2.80; 1.84-4.24), underlying disease (2.45; 1.94-3.09), age &lt;2 months (2.29; 1.78-2.94), age &lt;6 months (2.08; 1.81-2.39), viral coinfection (2.01; 1.27-3.19), low birth weight (1.88; 1.19-2.95) and being underweight (1.80; 1.38-2.35). For influenza-related ALRI, chronic conditions and age 6-24 months were identified as risk factors for poor outcomes. Cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure were reported as risk factors for mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 associated ALRI.CONCLUSIONS: These findings might contribute to the development of guidelines for prophylaxis and management of ALRI caused by RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2.</p

Exploiting secure performance of full-duplex decode and forward in optimal relay selection networks

In the presence of an illegitimate user, we investigate the secrecy outage probability (SOP) of the optimal relay selection (ORS) networks by applying decode-and-forward (DnF) based full-duplex (FD) relaying mode. The closed-form expressions for the allocations of the end-to-end signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) in each wireless network are derived as well as the closed-form expression for the exact SOP of the proposed ORS system is presented under Rayleigh fading schemes. As an important achievement, SOP is also compared between orthogonal multiple access (OMA) and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) schemes. Our results reveal that the SOP of the suggested scheme can be considerably influenced by several parameters involved, including the number of relays, the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of eavesdropper links, transmit power and the average residual self-interference (SI) enforced on the FD relays.Web of Science244767