Resource management in IP-based radio access networks

IP is being considered to be used in the Radio Access Network (RAN) of UMTS. It is of paramount importance to be able to provide good QoS guarantees to real time services in such an IP-based RAN. QoS in IP networks is most efficiently provided with Differentiated services (Diffserv). However, currently Diffserv mainly specifies Per Hop Behaviors (PHB). Proper mechanisms for admission control and resource reservation have not yet been defined. A new resource management concept in the IP-based RAN is needed to offer QoS guarantees to real time services. We investigate the current Diffserv mechanisms and contribute to development of a new resource management protocol. We focus on the load control algorithm [9], which is an attempt to solve the problem of admission control and resource reservation in IP-based networks. In this document we present some load control issues and propose to enhance the load control protocol with the Measurement Based Admission Control (MBAC) concept. With this enhancement the traffic load in the IP-based RAN can be estimated, since the ingress router in the network path can be notified by marking packets with the resource state information. With this knowledge, the ingress router can perform admission control to keep the IP-based RAN stable with a high utilization even in overload situations

A simple maximum power point tracking based control strategy applied to a variable speed squirrel cage induction generator

This paper presents a comprehensive modelling and control study of a variable speed wind energy conversion system based on a squirrel-cage induction generator (SCIG). The mathematical model of the SCIG is derived in Park frame along with the indirect field oriented control (IFOC) scheme based on a proportional and integral speed controller. A simple maximum power point tracking strategy is used to determine the optimal speed under variable wind speed conditions which is then used as the reference in the IFOC scheme. Power flow between the supply and the inverter is regulated via simultaneous control of the active and reactive currents of the grid and the DC link voltage. The simulation results show that the proposed control technique is able to maximise the energy extracted from the wind during the simulation scenarios considered. The results also demonstrate good transient response characteristics in the decoupled real and reactive powers.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Techno-economic Analysis of a Wind-Diesel Hybrid Power System in the South Algeria

The electrical energy is often produced with the help of diesel generators in isolated areas in the Saharan region. While the latter requiring relatively little investment because is generally expensive to exploit due to the transportation to remote areas adds extra cost, significant fuel consumption and relatively high maintenance cost, etc. Moreover, the electricity production by the diesel is ineffective, presents significant environmental risks. But these isolated areas have significant wind energy potential; which is good position for the exploitation of clean and sustainable wind energy. The use of wind-diesel power system is widely recommended especially to reduce fuel consumption and in this way to reduce system operating costs and environmental impact. The subject of this paper is to present the techno-economic analysis of a wind-diesel hybrid power system. In this context, the contribution envisaged with this research is to collaborate on the optimal design of a hybrid power system including a wind turbine generator, a diesel generator and an energy storage system for powering a continuous way an isolated site in the South Algerian installed power of 120 kW.This system has a high control strategy for the management of different power sources (wind, diesel, battery) that depending to weather conditions, especially wind speed values and the power demanded by the consumer load

The 6th international conference on envenomation by snakebites and scorpion stings in Africa : a crucial step for the management of envenomation

During the 6th International Conference on Envenomation by Snakebites and Scorpion Stings in Africa held in Abidjan, from 1 to 5 June 2015, the measures for the management of envenomation were discussed and new recommendations were adopted by the participants. The high incidence and severity of this affliction were confirmed by several studies conducted in African countries. The poor availability of antivenom, particularly because of the cost, was also highlighted. Some experiences have been reported, mainly those regarding the financial support of antivenom in Burkina Faso (more than 90 %) and Togo (up to 60 %) or the mandatory reporting of cases in Cameroon. Key recommendations concerned: improvement of epidemiological information based on case collection; training of health workers in the management of envenomation; policy to promote the use of effective and safe antivenom; and antivenom funding by sharing its costs with stakeholders in order to improve antivenom accessibility for low-income patients

Control of the power quality for a DFIG powered by multilevel inverters

This paper treats the modeling, and the control of a wind power system based on a doubly fed induction generator DFIG, the stator is directly connected to the grid, while the rotor is powered by multilevel inverters. In order to get a decoupled system of controlfor an independently transits of active and reactive power, a vector control method based on stator flux orientation SFOC is considered: Direct vector control based on PI controllers. Cascaded H-bridge CHBI multilevel inverters are used in the rotor circuit to study its effect on supply power quality. All simulation models are built in MATLAB/Simulink software. Results and waveforms clearly show the effectiveness of vector control strategy. Finally, performances of the system will tested and compared for each levels of inverter

Multivariable control of a grid-connected wind energy conversion system with power quality enhancement

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Kaddour Fouad, Houari Merabet Boulouiha, Ahmed Allali, Ali Taibi, and Mouloud Denai, ‘Multivariable control of a grid-connected wind energy conversion system with power quality enhancement’, Energy Systems, Vol. 9 (1): 25-57, February 2018. The final publication is available at Springer via: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12667-016-0223-7This paper proposes the design of a multivariable robust control strategy for a variable-speed WECS based on a SCIG. Optimal speed control of the SCIG is achieved by a conventional PI controller combined with a MPPT strategy. DTC-SVM technique based on a simple Clarke transformation is used to control the generator-side three-level converter in the variable speed WECS. The flow of real and reactive power between the inverter and the grid is controlled via the grid real and reactive currents and the DC link voltage using multivariable H∞ control. The overall WECS and control scheme are developed in Matlab/Simulink and the performance of the proposed control strategy is evaluated via a set of simulation scenarios replicating various operating conditions of the WECS such as variable wind speed and asymmetric single grid faults. The power quality of the WECS system under H∞ control control approach is assessed and the results show a significant improvement in the total harmonic distorsion as compared to that achieved with a classical PI control.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Osteoblastoma of scaphoid of the carpus: a case report

Osteoblastoma is a rather uncommon tumor, especially when located in the wrist (and hand). Its diagnosis therefore appears to be problematic. We describe a case of osteoblastoma of the scaphoid bone and its management. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of osteoblatoma of the carpus reported in the literature. Proximal row carpectomy was chosen because of the aggressive nature of the tumor. A tendon transfer was performed in the same session for wrist stabilization. Other authors have opted for a more conservative approach (tumor curettage with bone grafting).Key words: Osteoblastoma, scaphoid, hand, proximal row carpectomy, Morocc

Chemical analysis of the essential oils of three cistus species growing in North-West of Algeria

The study reports for the first time the chemical composition and the antibacterial activity of the essential oil hydrodistilled from three Cistaceae growing in Algeria: Cistus ladaniferus L., C. albidus L. and C. monspeliensis L. The oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The major components of C. ladaniferus were 5-epi-7-epi-α-eudesmol (13.6%) and borneol (12.5%) whereas for C. albidus the main constituents were epi-α-bisabolol (11.4%) and β-bourbonene (8.7%). Epi-13-manoyl oxide (28.6%), kaur-16-ene (8.1%) and nonanal (5.4%) were the principal ones for C. monspeliensis. In vitro, antimicrobial activity of the oils was investigated against nine microorganisms by disk diffusion and agar dilution assays. The Gram-positive bacteria resulted sensitive to the three oils, especially Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The volatiles of C. monspeliensis showed the best activity compared with other oils, comparable to or better than Gentamicin, a conventional antibiotic used as positive control in this study. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the oil was 0.25μg/L

High Performance Multicell Series Inverter-Fed Induction Motor Drive

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: M. Khodja, D. Rahiel, M. B. Benabdallah, H. Merabet Boulouiha, A. Allali, A. Chaker, and M. Denai, ‘High-performance multicell series inverter-fed induction motor drive’, Electrical Engineering, Vol. 99 (3): 1121-1137, September 2017. The final publication is available at Springer via DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-016-0472-4.The multilevel voltage-source inverter (VSI) topology of the series multicell converter developed in recent years has led to improved converter performance in terms of power density and efficiency. This converter reduces the voltage constraints between all cells, which results in a lower transmission losses, high switching frequencies and the improvement of the output voltage waveforms. This paper proposes an improved topology of the series multicell inverter which minimizes harmonics, reduces torque ripples and losses in a variable-speed induction motor drive. The flying capacitor multilevel inverter topology based on the classical and modified phase shift pulse width modulation (PSPWM, MPSPWM) techniques are applied in this paper to minimize harmonic distortion at the inverter output. Simulation results are presented for a 2-kW induction motor drive and the results obtained demonstrate reduced harmonics, improved transient responses and reference tracking performance of the voltage in the induction motor and consequently reduced torque ripplesPeer reviewe

Autoantibodies to Osteoprotegerin are Associated with Low Hip Bone Mineral Density and History of Fractures in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Osteoporosis is a recognised complication of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and is thought to be due to functional impairment and the osteoclast-activating effects of proinflammatory cytokines. The development of autoantibodies to OPG (OPG-Ab) has been associated with severe osteoporosis and increased bone resorption in rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we screened for the presence of OPG-Ab in axSpA and reviewed their clinical significance. We studied 134 patients, recruited from two centres in the United Kingdom. Their mean age was 47.5 years and 75% were male. Concentrations of OPG-Ab were related to bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture history using linear and logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, disease duration and activity, body mass index and bisphosphonate use. We detected OPG-Ab in 11/134 patients (8.2%). Femoral neck and total hip BMD were significantly reduced in OPG-Ab positive patients (0.827 vs. 0.967 g/cm2, p = 0.008 and 0.868 vs. 1.028 g/cm2, p = 0.002, respectively). Regression analysis showed that the presence of OPG-Ab was independently associated with total hip osteopenia (ORadj 24.2; 95% CI 2.57, 228) and history of fractures (ORadj 10.5; 95% CI 2.07, 53.3). OPG-Ab concentration was associated with total hip BMD in g/cm2 (ß = −1.15; 95% CI −0.25, −0.04). There were no associations between OPG-Ab concentration and bone turnover markers, but free sRANKL concentrations were lower in OPG-Ab-positive patients (median 0.04 vs. 0.11 pmol/L, p = 0.050). We conclude that OPG-Ab are associated with hip BMD and fractures in axSpA suggesting that they may contribute to the pathogenesis of bone loss in some patients with this condition