Novel Predictive Fuzzy Logic-Based Energy Management System for Grid-connected and Off-grid Operation of Residential Smart Micro-grids

IEEE In this paper, a novel energy management system with two operating horizons is proposed for a residential micro-grid application. The micro-grid utilises the energies of a photovoltaic (PV), a fuel cell and a battery bank to supply the local loads through a combination of electric and magnetic buses. The proposed micro-grid operates in a large number of grid-connected and off-grid operation modes. The energy management system includes a long-term data prediction unit based on a 2D dynamic programming and a short-term fuzzy controller. The long-term prediction unit is designed to determine the appropriate variation range of the battery state of charge and fuel cell state of hydrogen. The efficiency performance of the micro-grid components, predicted energy generation and demand, energy cost and the system constraints are taken into account. The resultant data then is sent to the short-term fuzzy controller which determines the operation mode of the micro-grid based on the real-time condition of the micro-grid elements. A prototype of the proposed micro-grid including the energy management system is developed, and experimental tests are conducted for three different energy management scenarios. The proposed management technique is validated through energy distribution and cost analysis

Molecular Monitoring of Knockdown Resistance in Head Louse (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) Populations in Iran

Knockdown resistance (kdr) is a common mechanism of insecticide resistance in head lice to the conventionally used pyrethroid pediculosis and can be the result of various amino acid substitutions within the voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC). In this study, 54 sequences from varied specimens were investigated to monitor well-known resistance mutations and probable new mutations. The Pediculus humanus capitis de Geer specimens were collected from 13 provinces in Iran. The specimens were stored in 70 ethanol until DNA extraction and PCR amplification of ~900-bp fragment of VSSC. The sequences were analyzed using different bioinformatics software for the detection of well-known kdr substitutions and additional mutations potentially associated with kdr resistance in head lice. There were six new and an old (haplotype I) kdr haplotypes within the Iranian head louse population. K794E, F815I, and N818D amino acid substitutions were reported for the first time. The P813H mutation was the most prevalent amino acid substitution in eight provinces. Among 53 sequences, 26 (49) were homozygous susceptible, and 27 (51) were heterozygotes. Thus, 51 of the head lice collected in Iran harbored only the P813H allele. The exact test for the Hardy-Weinberg (H-W) equilibrium showed that genotype frequencies differed significantly from the expectation in East-Azerbaijan and Tehran provinces. Moreover, these populations had an inbreeding coefficient (Fis) <0, indicating the excess of heterozygotes. This observation suggests that the populations of head lice from Iran are currently under active selective pressure. For the rest of the populations, H-W equilibrium and the expectations were significantly in harmony. The results of the current study highlight molecular techniques in the accurate detection of resistance genotypes before their establishment within the head louse population. Accurate detection of resistant genotypes seems to be helpful in decision-making on lice control programs and resistance monitoring and management