EXTREMAL CONTROL FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS

In this paper a methodology for extremal control of photovoltaic panels has been designed through the use of an embedded polynomial controller using robust approaches and algorithms. Also, a framework for testing solar trackers in a hard ware in the loop (HIL) configuration has been established. Efficient gradient based optimization methods were put in place in order to determine the parameters of the employed photovoltaic panel, as well as for computing the Maximum Power Point (MPP). Further a numerical RST controller has been computed in order to allow the panel to follow the movement of the sun to obtain a maximum energetic efficiency. A robustness analysis and correction procedure has been done on the RST polynomial algorithm. The hardware in the loop configuration allows for the development of a test and development platform which can be used for bringing improvements to the current design and also test different control approaches. For this, a microcontroller based solution was chosen. The achieved performances of the closed loop photovoltaic panel (PP) system are validated in simulation using the MATLAB / SIMULINK environment and the WinPim & WinReg dedicated software. As it will be seen further in this paper, the extremal control of this design resides in a sequential set of computations used for obtaining the new Maximum Power Point at each change in the system

Operations and maintenance optimisation for a 100 MW wave energy farm in Ireland

Marine operations that are required for the development and service of offshore wave energy farms represent a significant proportion of the total project costs. These operations can be optimised through design and innovation to improve the LCOE of the project. This paper presents an analysis of marine operations in offshore renewable energy projects and ows the importance of early, detailed analysis and optimisation of these activities. The analysis uses general-purpose techno-economic analysis software developed by Wave Venture. The software provides an integrated engineering and financial simulation specifically designed for the needs of offshore renewable energy technology. A 100 MW wave energy farm, made up of 250 CorPower devices, off the west coast of Ireland is defined and analysed to demonstrate the capabilities of the techno-economic analysis incorporating a marine operations logistics model. The results demonstrate the strength of integrated logistics and finance software in the analysis and design of wave farms, and how these simulations can lead to significant improvements in the LCOE of offshore renewable energy projects

Evaluating taxonomic inflation: towards evidence-based species delimitation in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)

International audienceThe designation of taxonomic units has important implications for the understanding and conservation ofbiodiversity. Eurasian vipers are a monophyletic group of viperid snakes (Serpentes, Viperinae), currently comprising fourgenera (Daboia, Macrovipera, Montivipera and Vipera) and up to 40 species. Taxonomic units have been described usinga wide variety of methods and criteria, and consequently, considerable controversy still surrounds the validity of somecurrently listed species. In order to promote a consensus- and evidence-based taxonomy of Eurasian vipers, we analysedpublished mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences for this group to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among currentlyrecognized viper species.We also compiled information on external morphology to assess their morphological distinctiveness.Phylogenetic inference based on mtDNA sequences shows contrasting levels of divergence across genera and species andidentifies several instances of non-monophyly in described species. Nuclear DNA sequences show extremely low levels ofgenetic variation, with a widespread pattern of allele sharing among distant species, and even among genera. Revision ofmorphological data shows that most species designations rely on scalation traits that overlap extensively among species ofthe same genus. Based on our combined assessment, we recognize 15 taxa as valid species, three taxa which likely representspecies complexes, 17 taxa of doubtful validity as species, and five taxa for which species status is maintained but furtherresearch is highly recommended to assess taxonomic arrangements. We stress the need to implement integrative taxonomicapproaches for the recognition of evidence-based taxonomic units in Eurasian viper

Hormones and Reproductive Cycles in Snakes

The study of the hormonal regulation of reproduction in snakes is in its infancy. Studies have disproportionately examined temperate zone viperid and colubrid snakes, especially the red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). Indeed, extensive observational and experimental studies on T. s. parietalis form the basis for our understanding of the hormonal regulation of reproduction in snakes. This review focuses on seasonal hormone concentrations in snakes in relation to events in the reproductive cycle; the limited data available on hypothalamic hormones, gonadotropins (GTHs), hormone receptors, and binding globulins; the neuroendocrinology of reproduction; and the environmental, social, physiological, and embryonic aspects of hormonal regulation of reproduction in snakes. The review ends with suggestions for future research, including studies of a more diverse ecological and taxonomic representation of snakes, experimental studies on the effects of hormones on reproductive tissues and behaviors, and further research into the neuroendocrinology of reproduction in this highly diverse group of animals

Data S3: Morphometric data of the collected adder specimens

As the most widely distributed snake in Eurasia, the adder (Vipera berus) has been extensively investigated in Europe but poorly understood in Asia. The Southern Altay Mountains represent the adder’s southern distribution limit in Central Asia, whereas its population status has never been assessed. We conducted, for the first time, field surveys for the adder at two areas of Southern Altay Mountains using a combination of line transects and random searches. We also described the morphological characteristics of the collected specimens and conducted analyses of external morphology and molecular phylogeny. The results showed that the adder distributed in both survey sites and we recorded a total of 34 sightings. In Kanas river valley, the estimated encounter rate over a total of 137 km transects was 0.15 ± 0.05 sightings/km. The occurrence of melanism was only 17%. The small size was typical for the adders in Southern Altay Mountains in contrast to other geographic populations of the nominate subspecies. A phylogenetic tree obtained by Bayesian Inference based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (1,023 bp) grouped them within the Northern clade of the species but failed to separate them from the subspecies V. b. sachalinensis. Our discovery extends the distribution range of V. berus and provides a basis for further researches. We discuss the hypothesis that the adder expands its distribution border to the southwest along the mountains’ elevation gradient, but the population abundance declines gradually due to a drying climate

The ecological and physiological bases of variation in the phenology of gonad growth in an urban and desert songbird.

AbstractBirds often adjust to urban areas by advancing the timing (phenology) of vernal gonad growth. However, the ecological and physiological bases of this adjustment are unclear. We tested whether the habitat-related disparity in gonad growth phenology of male Abert’s towhees, Melozone aberti, is due to greater food availability in urban areas of Phoenix, Arizona USA or, alternatively, a habitat-related difference in the phenology of key food types. To better understand the physiological mechanism underlying variation in gonad growth phenology, we compared the activity of the reproductive system at all levels of hypothalamo-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. We found no habitat-associated difference in food availability (ground arthropod biomass), but, in contrast to the seasonal growth of leaves on desert trees, the leaf foliage of urban trees was already developed at the beginning of our study. Multiple estimates of energetic status did not significantly differ between the non-urban and urban towhees during three years that differed in the habitat-related disparity in gonad growth and winter precipitation levels. Thus, our results provide no support for the hypothesis that greater food abundance in urban areas of Phoenix drives the habitat-related disparity in gonad growth phenology in Abert’s towhees. By contrast, they suggest that differences in the predictability and magnitude of change in food availability between urban and desert areas of Phoenix contribute to the observed habitat-related disparity in gonad growth. Endocrine responsiveness of the gonads may contribute to this phenomenon as desert – but not urban – towhees had a marked plasma testosterone response to GnRH challenge

Optimization of a digital interface for remote medical monitoring to improve the patient experience

Les services de santé à distance, dans un cadre médical ou de bien-être, sont actuellement en pleine croissance, soulevant de nouveaux challenges. De par l’utilisation d’inter-faces numériques de santé (applications, objets connectés ou sites Internet), ces services s’intègrent de plus en plus dans la vie quoti-dienne des patients, à domicile et sans soutien médical, faisant évoluer l’exercice de consul-tation de leurs données de santé. Ce travail de recherche étudie l’impact émo-tionnel de la consultation de données person-nelles sensibles et vise à améliorer l’expérience-patient dans l’utilisation des interfaces de santé. Une première expérimentation a permis d’éva-luer les réponses émotionnelles à la consultation des données de santé. Les résultats soulèvent des impacts sur le stress perçu, la durée de la consultation et l’activité cardiaque des participants, montrant la nécessité de consi-dérer les émotions dans la conception des outils de santé à distance. Une méthode de conception centrée-patient d’une interface de santé est ensuite proposée. Elle comprend : une comparaison culturelle des outils existants, une enquête sur les expérien-ces et préférences des patients, et une expé-rimentation basée sur un algorithme génétique interactif visant à optimiser le design de l’inter-face pour améliorer la satisfaction-patient. La représentation des données de glycémie sur une application de diabète est utilisée comme un cas d’application. Les résultats soulèvent l’intérêt de l’optimisation des interfaces de santé pour améliorer l’expérience-patient et en-courager des comportements sains. La person-nalisation de ces interfaces pour répondre aux besoins de chacun est aussi suggérée.Remote health services, in a medical or well-being context, are currently growing rapidly, raising new challenges. Through the use of digital health interfaces (apps, connected devices or websites), these services are increa-singly integrated into the daily lives of patients, at home and without medical support, changing the way they consult their health data. This research work investigates the emotional impact of the consultation of sensitive personal data and aims at improving the patient expe-rience in the use of health interfaces. A first experiment assessed emotional res-ponses to the consultation of health data. The results showed the impacts on the perceived stress, the duration of the data consultation and the cardiac activity of the participants, sug-gesting the need to consider emotions in the design of remote health tools. A patient-centered design method of a health interface is then proposed. It includes: a cul-tural comparison of existing tools, a survey on patients' expériences and preferences, and an experiment based on an Interactive Genetic Algorithm optimizing the interface design to im-prove patient satisfaction. The representation of blood sugar data on a diabetes app is used as an application case. The results show the interest of optimizing health interface to im-prove patient experience and encourage heal-thy behaviors. Customization of these interfa-ces to meet individual needs is also suggeste