Performance Assessment of a Real PV System Connected to a Low-Voltage Grid

The generation of photovoltaic(PV)solar energy is increasing continuously because it is renewable,unlimited,and clean energy.In the past,generation systems depended on non-renewable sources such as oil,coal,and gas.Therefore,this paper assesses the performance of a 51 kW PV solar power plant connected to a low-voltage grid to feed an administrative building in the 6th of October City,Egypt.The performance analysis of the considered grid-connected PV system is carried out using power system simulator for Engineering(PSS/E)software.Where the PSS/E program,monitors and uses the power analyzer that displays the parameters and measures some parameters such as current,voltage,total power,power factor,frequency,and current and voltage harmonics,the used inverter from the type of grid inverter for the considered system.The results conclude that when the maximum solar radiation is reached,the maximum current can be obtained from the solar panels,thus obtaining the maximum power and power factor.Decreasing total voltage harmonic distortion,a current harmonic distortion within permissible limits using active harmonic distortion because this type is fast in processing up to 300 microseconds.The connection between solar stations and the national grid makes the system more efficient.

Hybrid treatment of varied orthodontic appliances for a patient with skeletal class II and temporomandibular joint disorders:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND The relation between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders(TMDs)is under debate;the management of TMD during orthodontic treatment has always been a challenge.If TMD symptoms occur during orthodontic treatment,an immediate pause of orthodontic adjustments is recommended;the treatment can resume when the symptoms are managed and stabilized.CASE SUMMARY This case report presents a patient(26-year-old,female)with angle class I,skeletal class II and TMDs.The treatment was a hybrid of clear aligners,fixed appliances and temporary anchorage devices(TADs).After 3 mo resting and treatment on her TMD,the patient’s TMD symptom alleviated,but her anterior occlusion displayed deep overbite.Therefore,the fixed appliances with TAD were used to correct the anterior deep-bite and level maxillary and mandibular deep curves.After the levelling,the patient showed dual bite with centric relation and maximum intercuspation discrepancy on her occlusion.After careful examination of temporomandibular joints(TMJ)position,the stable bite splint and Invisible Mandibular Advancement appliance were used to reconstruct her occlusion.Eventually,the improved facial appearance and relatively stable occlusion were achieved.The 1-year follow-up records showed there was no obvious change in TMJ morphology,and her occlusion was stable.CONCLUSION TMD screening and monitoring is of great clinical importance in the TMD susceptible patients.Hybrid treatment with clear aligners and fixed appliances and TADs is an effective treatment modality for the complex cases.

Novel Fractal-Based Features for Low-Power Appliances in Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring

Non-intrusive load monitoring is a method that disaggregates the overall energy consumption of a building to estimate the electric power usage and operating status of each appliance individually.Prior studies have mostly concentrated on the identification of high-power appliances like HVAC systems while overlooking the existence of low-power appliances.Low-power consumer appliances have comparable power consumption patterns,which can complicate the detection task and can be mistaken as noise.This research tackles the problem of classification of low-power appliances and uses turn-on current transients to extract novel features and develop unique appliance signatures.A hybrid feature extraction method based on mono-fractal and multi-fractal analysis is proposed for identifying low-power appliances.Fractal dimension,Hurst exponent,multifractal spectrum and the Hölder exponents of switching current transient signals are extracted to develop various‘turn-on’appliance signatures for classification.Four classifiers,i.e.,deep neural network,support vector machine,decision trees,and K-nearest neighbours have been optimized using Bayesian optimization and trained using the extracted features.The simulated results showed that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art feature extraction methods across all optimized classifiers,achieving an accuracy of up to 96%in classifying low-power appliances.

Review and prospects on the low-voltage Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Due to its low cost and natural abundance of sodium,Na-ion batteries(NIBs)are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems.The development of ultralow voltage anode materials is of great significance in improving the energy density of NIBs.Low-voltage anode materials,however,are severely lacking in NIBs.Of all the reported insertion oxides anodes,the Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) has the lowest operating voltage(an average potential of 0.3 V vs.Na^(+)/Na)and is less likely to deposit sodium,which has excellent potential for achieving NIBs with high energy densities and high safety.Although significant progress has been made,achieving Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) electrodes with excellent performance remains a severe challenge.This paper systematically summarizes and discusses the physicochemical properties and synthesis methods of Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7).Then,the sodium storage mechanisms,key issues and challenges,and the optimization strategies for the electrochemical performance of Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) are classified and further elaborated.Finally,remaining challenges and future research directions on the Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) anode are highlighted.This review offers insights into the design of high-energy and high-safety NIBs.

Coordinated planning for flexible interconnection and energy storage system in low-voltage distribution networks to improve the accommodation capacity of photovoltaic

The increasing proportion of distributed photovoltaics(DPVs)and electric vehicle charging stations in low-voltage distribution networks(LVDNs)has resulted in challenges such as distribution transformer overloads and voltage violations.To address these problems,we propose a coordinated planning method for flexible interconnections and energy storage systems(ESSs)to improve the accommodation capacity of DPVs.First,the power-transfer characteristics of flexible interconnection and ESSs are analyzed.The equipment costs of the voltage source converters(VSCs)and ESSs are also analyzed comprehensively,considering the differences in installation and maintenance costs for different installation locations.Second,a bilevel programming model is established to minimize the annual comprehensive cost and yearly total PV curtailment capacity.Within this framework,the upper-level model optimizes the installation locations and capacities of the VSCs and ESSs,whereas the lower-level model optimizes the operating power of the VSCs and ESSs.The proposed model is solved using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm with an elite strategy(NSGA-II).The effectiveness of the proposed planning method is validated through an actual LVDN scenario,which demonstrates its advantages in enhancing PV accommodation capacity.In addition,the economic benefits of various planning schemes with different flexible interconnection topologies and different PV grid-connected forms are quantitatively analyzed,demonstrating the adaptability of the proposed coordinated planning method.

Effects and Predictions of Oral Appliances in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Since April 2004, the Asahi University Medical and Dental Center (hereinafter referred to as our center) has been providing oral appliances (hereinafter referred to as OA) to treat patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. The effects of using the OA and progress of 71 patients who received treatment at our center by wearing OA from March 2005 to the end of March 2016 were examined through questionnaires sent by physical mail. In 21 of 24 patients who underwent polysomnography after wearing OA, the apnea-hypopnea index (hereinafter referred to as AHI) significantly decreased after wearing OA (9.44 ± 10.37) compared to that before wearing OA (24.02 ± 13.57) (p = 8.7 × 10-8). The results showed that for patients who continuously use OA, it is necessary to have sound sleep/sleep soundly;further, the patients experienced a decrease in snoring when wearing OA, with only a few side effects on the temporomandibular joints and teeth. In addition, the closer the distance from the plane of the lower margin of the mandible to the hyoid bone after wearing OA, the more likely it was for the AHI to decrease, which suggests that wearing OA contributes to the prediction of therapeutic effects.

Enhancement of holding voltage by a modified low-voltage trigger silicon-controlled rectifier structure for electrostatic discharge protection

A novel structure of low-voltage trigger silicon-controlled rectifiers(LVTSCRs) with low trigger voltage and high holding voltage is proposed for electrostatic discharge(ESD) protection. The proposed ESD protection device possesses an ESD implant and a floating structure. This improvement enhances the current discharge capability of the gate-grounded NMOS and weakens the current gain of the silicon-controlled rectifier current path. According to the simulation results, the proposed device retains a low trigger voltage characteristic of LVTSCRs and simultaneously increases the holding voltage to 5.53 V, providing an effective way to meet the ESD protection requirement of the 5 V CMOS process.

Investigation of electrostriction appliance and its applicationfor bionics flapping aircraft

A novel design for an electrostriction appliance derived from the theory and application of electromagnetics is presented. The working principle, that is the application of gravitation and elasticity together to realize the ＂shrinking＂ and ＂extending＂ effect from the distortion and transforming power into mechanical energy, is briefly explained. The characteristic parameter relationships are established and the experimental research is performed. Experimental results show that this sort of electrostriction appliance can perform well as regards driving force and beeline displacement, and furthermore, its self-weight is smaller. This makes it suitable for beeline drivers with a high application value, especially for the driver of the bionic appliance. In the application of the electrostriction appliance to a bionics-flapping aircraft, the wings can work with a flapping angle in the range of a certain value by controlling the ＂shrinking＂ and ＂extending＂ of the electrostriction appliance. It can reduce the startup power and the impact load of the driver. The flapping extent of the wings will change when the voltage which is put into the electrostriction appliance varies. This makes it more flexible as the bionics-flapping aircraft realizes different actions of flying.

A Novel Sampling Switch Suitable for Low-Voltage Analog-to-Digital Converters

A novel, highly linear sampling switch suitable for low-voltage operation is proposed. This switch not only eliminates the nonlinearity introduced by gate-source voltage variation, but also reduces the nonlinearity resuiting from threshold voltage variation, which has not been accomplished in earlier low-voltage sampling switches. This is achieved by adopting a replica transistor with the same threshold voltage as the sampling transistor. The effectiveness of this technique is demonstrated by a prototype design of a sampling switch in 0. 35μm. The proposed sampling switch achieves a spurious free dynamic range of 111dB for a 0. 2MHz, 1.2Vp-p input signal, sampled at a rate of 2MS/s,about 18dB over the Bootstrapped switch. Also, the on-resistance variation is reduced by 90%. This method is especially useful for low-voltage, high resolution ADCs, which is a hot topic today.

Design of Low-Voltage Low Noise Amplifiers with High Linearity

A CMOS radio frequency low noise amplifier with high linearity and low operation voltage of less than 1.0V is presented.In this circuit,an auxiliary MOSFET in the triode region is used to boost the linearity.Simulation shows that this method can boost the input-referred 3rd-order intercept point with much less power dissipation than that of traditional power/linearity tradeoff solution which pays at least 1dB power for 1dB linearity improvement.It is also shown that the size of the common-gate PMOS transistor needs to be optimized to reduce its loaded input impedance so as not to degrade the linearity due to high voltage gain at its source terminal.The simulation is carried out with TSMC 0.18μm RF CMOS technology and SpectreRF.

基于Archiver Appliance的束线数据管理系统

上海光源是高性能的中能第三代同步辐射光源,采用实验物理和工业控制系统(Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System,EPICS),是我国目前投入运行的最大的用户科学实验平台。为了能够掌握已运行16条线站上各个设备的状况,有一千余个传感器安装在各条线站上,用于设备的运行参量的记录。原有的运行数据通过EPICS自带的工具Channel Archiver来采集、存储和检索,但Channel Archiver在使用中表现出诸多不便。为了保证上海光源的运行数据能稳定、可靠地存储和方便地查询,本文采用了基于Archiver Appliance的新存档系统;同时,利用其提供的JSON(JavaScript Object Notation)接口,开发了基于Web网页的数据查询和分析系统,可对运行数据进行分类管理和查询,以及完成必要的运行数据的分析报表。该系统使用简便、操作可靠。

ApplianceBricks: A Scalable Network Appliance Architecture for Network Functions Virtualization

Network Functions Virtualization(NFV) is an attempt to help operators more effectively manage their networks by implementing traditional network functions embedded in specialized hardware platforms in term of virtualized software instances. But, existing novel network appliances designed for NFV infrastructure are always architected on a general-purpose x86 server, which makes the performance of network functions limited by the hosted single server. To address this challenge, we propose ApplianceB ricks, a novel NFV-enable network appliance architecture that is used to explore the way of consolidating multiple physical network functions into a clustered network appliance, which is able to improve the processing capability of NFV-enabled network appliances.

Clinical Effect of Tip-Edge plus Appliance in Children with Angle Ⅱ1 Malocclusion

The effects of Tip-Edge plus appliance in the treatment of Angle Ⅱ1 malocclusion and the mechanism were investigated. Fifty-two Angle Ⅱ1 children, aged from 12.3-14.2 years, with mandibu- lar retrusion in permanent dentition were selected and treated with Tip-Edge plus appliance. Lateral cephalometric films taken before and after treatment were analyzed. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation were calculated for each variable. Paired t-test was performed to evaluate the significant treatment change. Results showed that the average treatment time was 16 months. Normal overjet and overbite were established with retroclination of upper incisors and proclination of lower incisors. U1-NA was decreased by 15.4° （P〈0.01）. ANB and Y axial angle were decreased significantly （P〈0.05） Soft tissue measurements showed that FCA and UL-E were decreased dramatically （P〈0.05）, and LL-E was increased significantly （P〈0.05）. Remarkable soft tissue change was noted after the treatment and convex facial profile changed to the straight profile. In conclusion, Tip-Edge plus technique can quickly and efficiently correct anterior bite and lateral outlook.

Experimental determination and research on combustion characteristics domain of gas appliance

This manuscript developed an adjustability test system of gas appliances,and proposed determination methods of adjustability domain and technical approach of performance testing of gas appliance,in order to develop experimental determination,quantify the product performance,design quality and combustion characteristics of gas appliances,and provide test foundation and platform for product design,performance test,quality assessment and technology upgrading for gas appliance industry aiming to multi-gas resources in China.The flexible range of gas appliances to different gases and the interchangeability domain of city gases were determined experimentally,together with the equation of combustion characteristics limit curves of gas appliances.The results showed that the second gas appliance has the biggest capability for the change of gas quality,which permits an 11.2% fluctuation in the Wobbe Index of gas;while the third gas appliance has the least capability for the change of gas quality,which only permits a 1.9% fluctuation in the Wobbe Index of gas.The paper also provides the common adjustability domain of the three gas appliances.

Low-Voltage Analysis of Distribution Network Software Design and Application

With the rapid development of urban economy, distribution network construction of city is lagging behind the increment of load, and low-voltage problem has become the main complaints of the power users. Based on Python [1] scripting language, this paper develops a piece of software which can provide a friendly human-machine experience for the user, calculate the voltage of the power distribution area and propose corresponding control measures, then the paper takes the actual power distribution area to verify its effectiveness.

Low-voltage Electromagnetic Compaction of Metal and Ceramic Powders

Low-voltage electromagnetic compaction （EMC） was used to compact metal powders （Cu） and ceramic powders （TiO2） in the indirect way. It was found that the density of the metal powder parts compacted by low-voltage EMC varied linearly with the discharging voltage in the range investigated. But for ceramic powders, the discharging voltage has an optimal value. Under the value, the density increases as discharging voltage rises, but beyond the value the trend is reverse. The experimental results show that the density of the metal parts decreases gradually along press direction. And the density of the ceramic parts decreases with the advancement of the aspect ratio h/d （height/diameter）. In addition, repetitive compaction can improve the density of both metal and ceramic parts and reduce the effects of aspect ratio on the density.

A low-voltage and energy-efficient full adder cell based on carbon nanotube technology

Scaling problems and limitations of conventional silicon transistors have led the designers to exploit novel nano-technologies. One of the most promising and feasible nano-technologies is CNT(Carbon Nanotube) based transistors. In this paper, a high-speed and energy-efficient CNFET(Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor) based Full Adder cell is proposed for nanotechnology. This design is simulated in various supply voltages, frequencies and load capacitors using HSPICE circuit simulator. Significant improvement is achieved in terms of speed and PDP(Power-Delay-Product) in comparison with other classical and state-of-the-art CMOS and CNFET-based designs, existing in the literature. The proposed Full Adder can also drive large load capacitance and works properly in low supply voltages.

Prognostic predictors on the efficacy of oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify independent prognostic predictors of the efficacy of oral appliance (OA) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Materials and methods: The subjects consisted of 89 patients (77 males and 12 females) in whom OSAS had been treated with an OA. The mean age of the subjects was 52.4 years (range: 20 to 78 years) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.9 kg/m2 (range: 17.3 to 32.2 kg/m2). Lateral cephalograms were taken and 15 angle, 15 distance and 5 area measurements were calculated by means of a computerized program. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) was performed before treatment and several months after titration of OA therapy. OA therapy was considered effective if the apnea-hypopnea index several months after titration was under 15 events/h and was reduced to at least 50% of that before treatment. The examined data such as patient age, sex, BMI, data from cephalometric analyses, Epworth sleepiness scale, and data for pretreatment PSG were analyzed statistically, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify predictive variables for treatment outcome. Results: LFH (OR = 0.350;p = 0.035) and McN-A (OR = 0.276;p = 0.057) were selected as independent predictors from the explanatory variables. The predictive accuracy of the calculated logistic regression model was 74.2%. Conclusion: This results show that OA therapy for OSAS is more effective in patients with large anteroposterior diameter of the maxilla and large lower facial height.

Comparison of skeletal, dental and soft tissue changes in young adults with Class II malocclusion, treated either by camouflage, fixed functional appliance or orthognathic surgery—A prospective study on Indian subjects

Introduction: Borderline Class II malocclusion due to deficient mandible can be treated either by orthodontic camouflage, fixed functional appliances or by orthodontics followed by surgical mandibular advancement. Methodology: A prospective study was designed on young adults with Class II malocclusion on account of a deficient mandible. A total of 45 subjects were divided into three groups of 15 individuals each. The patients were treated either by camouflage, fixed functional appliances or by orthognathic surgery. Pre and post treatment cephalograms were used to assess the skeletal, dental and soft tissue changes. Pre and post treatment profile photographs were assessed on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) by orthodontists, oral surgeons and laypersons. Results: Each group achieved a reduction in facial convexity, but the results obtained from the surgical group were more pronounced than the camouflage and the fixed functional group. Conclusion: The reduction in convexity in the camouflage group was by retracting the upper anteriors, which increases the nasolabial angle. In the fixed functional appliance a combination of skeletal and dentoalveolar changes can be observed. However the most appropriate reduction in profile convexity can be obtained by combined orthodontic and surgical treatment of malocclusion.

Numerical Analysis of the Arc Plasma in a Simplified Low-voltage Circuit Breaker Chamber with Ferromagnetic Materials

This paper is devoted to the simulation of the arc plasma in a simplified low-voltage circuit breaker chamber. Based on a group of coupled governing equations, a three-dimensional （3-D） arc plasma model is built and solved by a modified commercial code. Firstly, this paper presents a solution of the stationary state of the arc plasma and discusses the distribution of some parameters throughout the chamber. Secondly, with the ferromagnetic materials included, the balance of the stationary state is broken and a transient course is calculated. In light of the simulation results, the temperature distribution sequence, the arc motion and the plasma jet are then described and analyzed in detail.