OpenZmeter: An Efficient Low-Cost Energy Smart Meter and Power Quality Analyzer

Power quality and energy consumption measurements support providers and energy users with solutions for acquiring and reporting information about the energy supply for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. In particular, since the average number of electronic devices in homes increases year by year and their sensitivity is very high, it is not only important to monitor the total energy consumption, but also the quality of the power supplied. However, in practice, end-users do not have information about the energy consumption in real-time nor about the quality of the power they receive, because electric energy meters are too expensive and complex to be handled. In order to overcome these inconveniences, an innovative, open source, low-cost, precise, and reliable power and electric energy meter is presented that can be easily installed and managed by any inexperienced user at their own home in urban or rural areas. The system was validated in a real house over a period of two weeks, showing interesting results and findings which validate our proposal

All-in-one three-phase smart meter and power quality analyzer with extended IoT capabilities

The traditional power grid is evolving into a new smart grid that requires better coordination of supply and demand, making it necessary to establish precise monitoring strategies in order to determine grid status in real-time. With the aim of providing a low-cost device based on open-hardware and open-source software to the technicians, engineers, and scientists around the world, this paper presents the three-phase openZmeter (3Ph-oZm), an all-in-one device that allows measuring and computing electrical data related to energy and power quality features in three-phase power networks. It has been designed to perform advanced computations for voltage, current, frequency, power, and energy. 3Ph-oZm is able to process high order harmonics, and log power quality disturbance events defined according to the recommendations of some international standards organizations. The data and its associated features are processed on-site using custom software specifically designed and programmed for this purpose that relies on advanced signal analysis techniques. This smart meter significantly improves the capabilities of the single-phase version, and overcomes certain shortcomings of other commercial devices, both in terms of versatility and data acquisition and processing capabilities. The system has been calibrated and validated using laboratory testing set-up and real-world applications, such as long-term photovoltaic power plant metering. The capabilities of 3Ph- oZm can also support a variety of other electrical applications, such as three-phase induction motor health monitoring, energy savings, or microgrid state estimation

Analysis of non-active power in non-sinusoidal circuits using geometric algebra

A new approach for the definition of non-active power in electrical systems is presented in this paper. Thanks to the use of geometric algebra, it is possible to define a new term called geometric non-active power that is applicable to both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal systems and to linear and non-linear loads. The classic definitions of distortion and reactive power are compared and discussed with our proposal. We verify how the geometric non-active power can appear in both purely resistive and purely reactive systems. The superiority of geometric algebra is revealed through several examples of electrical circuits previously analysed in specialized literature. In addition, a new geometrical current decomposition is proposed for the first time to provide a greater physical sense to existing geometric power. The results obtained show that classic concepts based on apparent power S are based on the lack of physical meaning, which is why geometric algebra theory should be adopted instead

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers:study protocol for the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) study

BACKGROUND: Preliminary country-specific reports suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the mental health of the healthcare workforce. In this paper, we summarize the protocol of the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) study, an ongoing, global initiative, aimed to describe and track longitudinal trajectories of mental health symptoms and disorders among health care workers at different phases of the pandemic across a wide range of countries in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Middle-East, and Asia. METHODS: Participants from various settings, including primary care clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health facilities, are being enrolled. In 26 countries, we are using a similar study design with harmonized measures to capture data on COVID-19 related exposures and variables of interest during two years of follow-up. Exposures include potential stressors related to working in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as sociodemographic and clinical factors. Primary outcomes of interest include mental health variables such as psychological distress, depressive symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorders. Other domains of interest include potentially mediating or moderating influences such as workplace conditions, trust in the government, and the country’s income level. RESULTS: As of August 2021, ~ 34,000 health workers have been recruited. A general characterization of the recruited samples by sociodemographic and workplace variables is presented. Most participating countries have identified several health facilities where they can identify denominators and attain acceptable response rates. Of the 26 countries, 22 are collecting data and 2 plan to start shortly. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the most extensive global studies on the mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a variety of countries with diverse economic realities and different levels of severity of pandemic and management. Moreover, unlike most previous studies, we included workers (clinical and non-clinical staff) in a wide range of settings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00127-021-02211-9

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

Advanced hardware and software to create smart analysers for power consumption and power quality and internet of things

Tesis doctoral en período de exposición pública8909 Doctorado en Tecnología de Invernaderos e Ingeniería Industrial (RD99/11

Physical Activity Level, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, and Emotional Intelligence as a Function of Family Functioning in Elementary School Students

(1) Background: Family is considered as one of the most important elements for the transmission of healthy habits that improve the lives of students. For this reason, the present study aims to describe the degree of family functionality, emotional intelligence, Mediterranean diet adherence, and extra-curricular physical activity engagement. A further aim is to perform a correlational analysis between these variables. (2) Methods: To this end, an ad hoc questionnaire was used, alongside the APGAR, KIDMED, and Trait Meta Mood Scale (TMMS-24). (3) Results: Finally, the data suggest that a high percentage of students need to improve their diet. Further, students reporting severe family dysfunction showed worse outcomes. Thus, levels of emotional clarity were lower when family functionality was poor. Poor diet quality was also associated with lower emotional attention, with Mediterranean diet adherence being positively related to emotional clarity and repair, as well as normal family functionality. (4) Conclusions: Boys showed higher levels of adherence to the Mediterranean diet adherence, while girls reported higher family functionality. Thus, compliance with the minimum recommendations for physical activity engagement was associated with adequate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The importance of diet for obtaining an optimal physical condition, adequate emotional state, and family functionality is highlighte

Influencia del feedback positivo y negativo en alumnos de secundaria sobre el clima ego-tarea percibido, la valoración de la ef y la preferencia en la complejidad de las tareas de clase

The present article studies the effect that positive affective feedback (FAP) or negative affective feedback (FAN), received from a Physical Education (PE) teacher, have on the attitude that a student shows in class. This study evaluates their level of difficulty preferences in class tasks and the ego-task climate according to the performance of the professor. The study was done with 21 subjects in three groups: two groups were experimental with FAP and FAN applied respectively to each group; the third group was a control group. The results show a significant incidence in the perception of the climate that implicates the ego, the perception of the climate that implicates to the task and the valuation of the PE classes. In addition, the subjects that have received FAN, presented higher and more significant levels of perception of the climate that implicates to the ego than those subjects which received FAP. With respect to the perception of a climate that implicates to the task, those subjects who receive a FAP tend to perceive greater levels of climate that implicates to the task when comparing them with which they receive FAP and feedback control. On the valuation of the PE, the subjects that receive FAP value more positively the PE classes than those that receive FANEl presente artículo trata la incidencia que el feedback afectivo positivo (FAP) o negativo (FAN), aportado por el profesor de Educación Física (EF), tiene sobre la valoración que el alumno muestra sobre la EF, sobre sus preferencias hacia el nivel de dificultad de las tareas de clase y sobre el clima ego-tarea según la actuación del profesor. El estudio se realizó con 21 sujetos en tres grupos: dos experimentales a los que se aplicó un FAP y FAN respectivamente, y un tercer grupo control. Los resultados muestran una incidencia significativa en la percepción del clima implicante al ego, la percepción del clima implicante a la tarea y la valoración de las clases de EF. Además los sujetos que han recibido un FAN presentan niveles de percepción de un clima implicante al ego mayores y significativos que aquellos sujetos que habían recibido un FAP. Respecto a la percepción de un clima implicante a la tarea, aquellos sujetos que reciben un FAP tienden a percibir mayores niveles de clima implicante a la tarea al compararlos con los que reciben FAP y feedback control. Sobre la valoración de la EF, los sujetos que reciben FAP valoran más positivamente las clases de EF que los que reciben FA

Influencia del feedback positivo y negativo en alumnos de secundaria sobre el clima ego-tarea percibido, la valoración de la ef y la preferencia en la complejidad de las tareas de clase

The present article studies the effect that positive affective feedback (FAP) or negative affective feedback (FAN), received from a Physical Education (PE) teacher, have on the attitude that a student shows in class. This study evaluates their level of difficulty preferences in class tasks and the ego-task climate according to the performance of the professor. The study was done with 21 subjects in three groups: two groups were experimental with FAP and FAN applied respectively to each group; the third group was a control group. The results show a significant incidence in the perception of the climate that implicates the ego, the perception of the climate that implicates to the task and the valuation of the PE classes. In addition, the subjects that have received FAN, presented higher and more significant levels of perception of the climate that implicates to the ego than those subjects which received FAP. With respect to the perception of a climate that implicates to the task, those subjects who receive a FAP tend to perceive greater levels of climate that implicates to the task when comparing them with which they receive FAP and feedback control. On the valuation of the PE, the subjects that receive FAP value more positively the PE classes than those that receive FANEl presente artículo trata la incidencia que el feedback afectivo positivo (FAP) o negativo (FAN), aportado por el profesor de Educación Física (EF), tiene sobre la valoración que el alumno muestra sobre la EF, sobre sus preferencias hacia el nivel de dificultad de las tareas de clase y sobre el clima ego-tarea según la actuación del profesor. El estudio se realizó con 21 sujetos en tres grupos: dos experimentales a los que se aplicó un FAP y FAN respectivamente, y un tercer grupo control. Los resultados muestran una incidencia significativa en la percepción del clima implicante al ego, la percepción del clima implicante a la tarea y la valoración de las clases de EF. Además los sujetos que han recibido un FAN presentan niveles de percepción de un clima implicante al ego mayores y significativos que aquellos sujetos que habían recibido un FAP. Respecto a la percepción de un clima implicante a la tarea, aquellos sujetos que reciben un FAP tienden a percibir mayores niveles de clima implicante a la tarea al compararlos con los que reciben FAP y feedback control. Sobre la valoración de la EF, los sujetos que reciben FAP valoran más positivamente las clases de EF que los que reciben FA

An Open Hardware Design for Internet of Things Power Quality and Energy Saving Solutions

An important challenge for our society is the transformation of traditional power systems to a decentralized model based on renewable energy sources. In this new scenario, advanced devices are needed for real-time monitoring and control of the energy flow and power quality (PQ). Ideally, the data collected by Internet of Thing (IoT) sensors should be shared to central cloud systems for online and off-line analysis. In this paper openZmeter (oZm) is presented as an advanced low-cost and open-source hardware device for high-precision energy and power quality measurement in low-voltage power systems. An analog front end (AFE) stage is designed and developed for the acquisition, conditioning, and processing of power signals. This AFE can be stacked on available quadcore embedded ARM boards. The proposed hardware is capable of adapting voltage signals up to 800 V AC/DC and currents up to thousands of amperes using different probes. The oZm device is described as a fully autonomous open-source system for the computation and visualization of PQ events and consumed/generated energy, along with full details of its hardware implementation. It also has the ability to send data to central cloud management systems. Given the small size of the hardware design and considering that it allows measurements under a wide range of operating conditions, oZm can be used both as bulk metering or as metering/submetering device for individual appliances. The design is released as open hardware and therefore is presented to the community as a powerful tool for general usage