Model based development of torque control drive for induction motors for micro electric vehicles

Electric vehicles are attaining significant attention recently and the current legislation is forcing the automotive industry to electrify the productions. Regardless of electric energy accumulation technology, drive technology is one of the vital components of EVs. The motor drive technology has been mainly developed based on the application which required position/velocity control. In automotive application, however, torque control is an important aspect since the drivers have already used to drive the vehicle based on torque control approach in traditional powertrain system. In this article, a model-based approach is employed to develop a controller which can guarantee the precise control of the induction motors torque for a micro electric vehicle (EV) application regardless of operating conditions. The implementation of the control drive was conducted in MATLAB/Simulink environment, followed by Model In the Loop simulation and testing at various test conditions to confirm the robustness of the developed drive. Direct Torque Control (DTC) with optimum voltage vector selection method is employed to control the motor torque that requires fewer power electronics to process its operation and hence lowers the cost of implementation. The result shows the practicality of the designed control system and its ability to track reference torque commands. Vitally, the controlled approach shows fair abilities to control IMs to produce torque at both the motoring and regenerative modes which is a highly important requirement in electrical propulsion powertrains. Furthermore, the controller’s response time was within the industrial standard range which confirms its suitability for industrial implementation at low cost

Simulation-based training in Ebola Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare workers: Experience from King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Background: Millions of Muslims from across the world gather annually to perform pilgrimage. This can import unusual communicable diseases such as Ebola. Communicable diseases with a high risk of mortality necessitate special training to master the required competency to avert transmission of infections. The efficacy of simulation-based training (SBT) has been shown in such circumstances. Objective: We sought to develop an SBT program in Ebola Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study at the clinical skills and simulation center at the King Abdulaziz University. An interdisciplinary committee was formed to develop this program in three stages. Pre-intervention: Needs assessment “Diagnostic drill”; we conducted in-situ simulation in the emergency department (ED). High-fidelity simulator (HFS) was used as a suspected Ebola case to assess HCWs’ competency of PPE. We used a checklist that was developed in accordance with the national and international guidelines. We then conducted “Train the Trainer in Ebola PPE” course to develop potential instructors. Intervention: PPE competency SBT courses. This involved focusing on trainees to be skilled in Ebola PPE and becoming trained observers using skill stations and Ebola scenario with HFS, followed by debriefing. All courses gathered participants’ evaluations, pre, and post-tests. Post-intervention: In-situ simulation in the ED two months later that was similar to the diagnostic drill. Results: Pre-intervention: 7 HCWs were involved in the drill, the average score was 37% of the checklist items. For train the trainer, 19 potential PPE instructors attended the program; of them, 65% were female and 35% male, and 6 were physicians and 13 nurses. Average pre and post-tests scores were 72% and 86%, respectively. Intervention: 10 PPE courses that were attended by 179 HCWs; of them, 67% were female and 33% male, and 52 were physicians, 112 nurses, and 15 others. Pre and posttests were 67% (57–75%) and 85% (81–91%), respectively, with a p-value \u3c 0.01. Post-intervention: Post Program drill\u27s average score was 86% of the checklist items (37% in diagnostic drill). Conclusions: Using SBT could be an effective method of developing competent HCWs in Ebola PPE. © 2018 The Author

Embracing sustainable farming: Unleashing the circular economy potential of second-life EV batteries in agricultural applications

Growing Kent and Medway Members Showcase Day

Techno-economic feasibility of retired electric-vehicle batteries repurpose/reuse in second-life applications: A systematic review

In line with the global target in decarbonising the transportation sector and the noticeable increase of new electric vehicles (EV) owners, concerns are raised regarding the expected quantity of Retired EV Batteries (REVB) exposed to the environment when they reach 70–80% of their original capacity. However, there is significant potential for REVB, after deinstallation, to deliver energy for alternative applications such as storing surplus. This systematic review evaluates state-of-art modelling/experimental studies focused on repurposing REVB in second-life applications. Technical and economic viability of REVB repurposing has been confirmed to solve the unreliability of cleaner energy technologies and mitigate the high investment of new storage systems. 40% of included studies considered hybrid systems with PV being a dominant technology where REVB was evaluated to be small-scaled and large storage systems. Additionally, successful attempts were conducted to evaluate REVB performance in providing grid services. It has however, been discovered intensive grid services applications like frequency regulation, was technically challenging due to demanding working requirements. Reviewed studies considered different prices for REVB due to lack of market regulation on REVB resale; similarly, technical parameters, including initial State of Health (SoH) and State of Charge (SoC) constraints were inconsistent due to lack of standardisation

Perception of Stigma among Attendees of Tertiary Care Psychiatric Clinic in Oman

Objectives: To examine the level of perceived stigma experienced by people with mental illnesses and its relation to patient's age, gender, marital status, employment status, psychiatric diagnosis, and education level. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among patients attending Psychiatric Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Perceived stigma was assessed using the modified version of the 42 patients’ stigma scale. Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results: A total of 197 patients participated in the study (49% males and 52% females). Disclosure and discrimination of mental illness subscales were highest factor of self- or perceived stigma compared to the positive aspects. The impact of demographic factors and psychiatric diagnosis on the perception of stigma was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed that attendees of the Psychiatry Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital were less likely to disclose their mental illness and experienced more discrimination of mental illness than the positive aspects

Attitude of Medical Students at Sultan Qaboos University toward Psychiatry

Objectives: To examine the attitude of medical students at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) toward Psychiatry and the impact of factors such as age, gender, curriculum, clinical level, Psychiatry training, and experience of mental illness in self or family. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted among medical students at the college of Medicine at Sultan Qaboos University, muscat, Oman. All students from the Pre–clerkship, junior–clerkship and 7th year students were invited to participate in this study. The 30 items Attitude toward Psychiatry survey (ATP–30) was used. Data was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results: A total of 269 students participated in the study (37% males and 63% females). The Attitude towards Psychiatry (ATP) was moderately positive and the positivity increased among the students who completed psychiatry rotation. The impact of demographic factors on the attitude was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed that medical students at Sultan Qaboos University have a positive attitude toward psychiatry

The Shakespearean Poetic Rosary: The ‘Sacred Numbers’ in Shakespeare’s Sonnets

In human culture there are certain numbers of special importance. They are mostly used in old and modern writings as “sacred numbers” of religious and literary significance. They are present in the Greek myths, in Egyptian Pharaonic culture, in ancient Persian, in the Indian culture, and in Arab traditions; then (Islamic) culture as well as in the Biblical Western culture. These numbers are of two kinds: even and uneven or odd. The odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7and 9 play a far more important part than the even numbers. One is Deity, three the Trinity, five the chief division, seven is the sacred number, and nine is three times three. These numbers have good function and been looked at as ‘Sacred’ or ‘Perfect’ numbers either of good omen or evil. There is another forth number, which is “10”, it comes mainly in Jewish and Islamic education in very few cases having similar religious suggestion. Shakespeare has used the number Ten in Sonnet 6 Then let not winter's ragged hand deface. “Sacred Numbers” have become a part of religion and even of modern belief, and mostly represented in the popular rituals. Shakespeare has used the “Sacred Numbers” in his works either prose or poetry, and this article is restricted to deal only with three Shakespearean sonnets where I imagine Shakespeare reciting his Latin Rosary in a poetic religious tone and drawing the cross sign on his chest and on the forehead of his sonnets in order to invoke divine protection. It seems that Shakespeare’s date of birth and death (1564 -1616) carries a certain secret of his fondness for sacred numbers; thus: The sum of the date of his birth (1564=16) is doubled in the date of his death (1616)

Lactation Ketoacidosis: A case series

Lactation ketoacidosis is an extremely rare type of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. We report two lactating women who were diagnosed with lactation ketoacidosis. The first patient presented to the Emergency Department at Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia, in 2018 with lethargy, nausea and abdominal pain after she commenced a new diet regimen based on three meals of protein per day and free of glucose, gluten and dairy products. The second patient presented to the Emergency Department at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2018 with headache, severe malaise, epigastric pain and worsening of gastroesophageal symptoms. Blood investigation results showed that both patients had high anion gap metabolic acidosis, ketosis and hypoglycaemia. The patients responded well to intravenous dextrose and resumption of a balanced diet. Both patients were able to continue breastfeeding and remained well on follow-up.Keywords: Breastfeeding; Starvation; Hypoglycemia; Ketosis; Acid-Base Imbalance; Metabolic Diseases; Ketone Bodies; Fasting; Case Series; Australia; Oman

The Psychological Impact of Referral for Mammography Screening for Breast Cancer Among Women in Muscat Governorate: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Breast cancer constitutes the majority of diagnosed cancers in Oman’s females, accounting for 19.2%, which prompted the introduction of a breast cancer screening programme into the Omani healthcare system. There are rising international concerns about the effectiveness of mammography as a screening tool and its psychological impact. The current study aimed to determine the social, emotional and physical dysfunction caused by the waiting time from the day of scheduling the appointment until the day of screening and explore associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and December 2017 at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman, using a two-part self-administered questionnaire. Part one of the questionnaire collected clinical and demographic data. Part two consisted of the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire (PCQ) and focused on psychological consequences, measuring the effect of mammographic screening on emotional, physical and social functions. Results: A total of 300 women aged ≥40 years old participated in this study (response rate: 100%). Results revealed that there was a minimal negative psychological impact from screening using mammograms. All PCQ domains were significantly impacted for participants who reported a family history of cancer (P = 0.007). The social score was significantly higher among women between 40–50 years old (P = 0.008). Scores of emotional and social functions were significantly affected by participants’ employment status; employed women were more affected than those who were not (P = 0.043 and 0.012, respectively). However, women’s levels of literacy did not affect any of the domains. Conclusion: The psychosocial impact of the waiting period between scheduling and undergoing mammography screening was minimal in the current sample. Future research should evaluate the psychosocial impact on patients at different recall times.Keywords: Breast Cancer; Mammography; Psychological Factors; Depression; Anxiety; Oman

Planning, operation, and design of market-based virtual power plant considering uncertainty

The power systems of today seem inseparable from clean energy sources such as wind turbines (WTs) and photovoltaics (PVs). However, due to their uncertain nature, operational challenges are expected when WT and PV energy is added to the electricity network. It is necessary to introduce new technologies to compensate for the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources (RESs). Therefore, rationally implementing a demand response (DR) program with energy storage systems (ESSs) in a virtual power plant (VPP) environment is recommended as a way forward to minimize the volatile nature of RESs and improve power system reliability. Our proposed approach aims to maximize social welfare (SW) (i.e., maximization of consumer benefits while minimizing energy costs). Our method assesses the impact of the DR program on SW maximization. Two scenarios are examined, one with and one without a DR program. Stochastic programming theory is used to address the optimization problem. The uncertain behavior of WTs, PVs, and load demand is modeled using a scenario-based approach. The correctness of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a 16-bus UK generic distribution system. Our results show that SW and active power dispatch capacity of WT, PV, and ESS are fairly increased using the proposed approach. View Full-Tex