35 research outputs found
Optimization of condition-based asset management using a predictive health model
No full textIn this paper, a model predictive framework is used to optimize the operation and maintenance actions of power system equipment based on the predicted health sate of this equipment. In particular, this framework is used to predict the health state of transformers based on their usage. The health state of a transformer is hereby given by the hot-spot temperature of the paper insulation of the transformer and is predicted using the planned loading of the transformer. The actual loading of the transformer is subsequently optimized using these predictions. If you want to cite this report, please use the following reference instead: G. Bajracharya, T. Koltunowicz, R.R. Negenborn, Z. Papp, D. Djairam, B. De Schutter, J. J. Smit. Optimization of condition-based asset management using a predictive health model. In Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering (ISH 2009), Cape Town, South Africa, August 2009.Electrical Sustainable EnergyElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Multi-Agent Model-Based Optimization for Future Electrical Grids
No full textThe electricity grid is one of the most complex systems created by human beings. It consists of an intricate network of components such as generators, transmission and distribution lines, transformers, breakers, various controllers, and various measurement and monitoring systems. The grid has been going through significant changes in past decades with new technological developments, deregulation, distributed generation, smart grid, and asset management. A synergy of these new developments has contributed to a better grid by improving its reliability and performance. However, the efficient coordination between various components of the grid and various new developments has been a constant challenge. For instance, new components that are introduced in the grid often have state of the art measurement and monitoring systems whereas the aging components have limited measurement and monitoring systems. We need to maintain the balance between these new and old technologies such that the new developments should be exploited to their full extent and the old systems should be reinforced such that their operational life could be extended without affecting their reliability significantly. Due to the complexity of the grid control, a centralized control of every component and every aspect of the grid is practically impossible. A distributed control system provides the ability to simplify the complexity of the grid control problem while solving the complex problem of coordination between its sub-systems. A distributed system is modular in nature and this system could be introduced to the grid in incremental phases within large networks. Multi-agent control can be used in the grid to realize a distributed system. Using agent theory, a concept of an intelligent component is described in this thesis. The intelligent component has the ability to make intelligent decisions based on the state of the component. With developments in measurement and monitoring technologies, we are better informed of the state of the grid components. By using these systems, we have the ability to better predict the health state of the grid components. There has also been significant developments in understanding how the health state of the grid components evolves over their lifetime. A model of the health state coupled with the new measurement and monitoring system allows us to predict the health state of the system. A framework of model-based optimization is included in the intelligent component. This framework consists of a predictive health model. An optimization is performed based on the prediction of the health model and the control decision of the intelligent component is made on the basis of this optimization. In order to solve the whole problem of the electricity grid, the intelligent components need to collaborate within each other. A concept of an intelligent network is also proposed in this thesis. In the intelligent network concept, a hierarchical structure of intelligent components has been developed. In order to optimize their global performance, the intelligent components need to collaborate with each other. The intelligent components within this hierarchical structure coordinate by exchanging their local states and their future plans. Coordination within intelligent network is only possible if all their intelligent components can communicate effectively. For this, an information interface was developed. The interface is particularly of importance in the electricity grid as different control systems used within the grid are often developed by different vendors. Common Information Model (CIM) has been deployed in the grid for network control, data exchange, and energy management systems. This CIM is further developed in this thesis so that it can accommodate the concept of the intelligent component and the intelligent network developed in this thesis. A case study of dynamic loading of transformers is used to illustrate the concept. The example is used throughout the thesis to demonstrate applicability of concepts of the intelligent component, the intelligent networks and the information interface. A dynamic loading scheme of transformer is developed based on the concept of intelligent components. A predictive health model for the top-oil temperature and the hot-spot temperature is developed. The predictive heath model predicts the top-oil temperature and the hot-spot temperature based on the loading of the transformer. An optimization method is developed which gives the dynamic rating of the transformer based on these predictions. The dynamic loading (DL) agent, developed here, could make local decisions on its dynamic rating based on the predicted loading of the transformer. This dynamic loading is applied in a electricity grid to illustrate the concept of intelligent networks. Multiple transformers within the grid have their own dynamic loading agents. An optimal power flow (OPF) agent is developed which controls the grid based on an optimal power flow algorithm. The OPF agent obtains the dynamic ratings from the dynamic loading agents of the transformers. Based on these dynamic ratings, the OPF agent controls the power flow of the grid. The OPF agent also sends predicted loadings of the transformers to its DL agents. These predicted loading is used by the dynamic loading agents which use this information for the next time step. The information interface is also described for this intelligent network implementation. In order to communicate dynamic ratings and predicted loadings of transformers, an extension to the CIM is developed. The workflow of the intelligent agent and its interaction with the extended CIM is also demonstrated. It is concluded that the use of the predictive health model enables the optimization for the future prediction horizon. The intelligent component concept is modular in nature which is useful for the electricity grid. The intelligent network concept effectively combines intelligent components within it. The framework developed in this thesis is also demonstrated with examples of dynamic loading of transformers within an electricity network in which the loading of the transformers are increased by 50 % of its nominal rating. Possible future extension of the predictive health model to include other electrical components models such as cables, circuit breakers, and generators, etc. is also discussed. A suggestion on the implementation phases of the concept developed in this thesis is also presented. It is suggested that the concept would be practical to be implemented in gradual phases to the electricity grid. New developments are also a potential opportunity for the implementation of the concept as the marginal cost is minimal for introducing the concept.High-Voltage Components and Power Systems groupElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Irrigation, gender and poverty: overview of issues and options
No full textIrrigated farmingLaborPovertyFarming systemsWomenFarmersIncomeHouseholdsGender
Sand erosion of Pelton turbine nozzles and buckets: A case study of Chilime Hydropower Plant
No full textInnovation in the context of a developing country: A case of group housing project
No full textThis paper presents a case of group housing project that was new of its kind implemented in the underdeveloped economy of Nepal. The concept of the project as a whole has been taken as a contextual innovation because of its newness and uniqueness in the context of the country at the time of implementation. This study presents a detail account of the project implementation emphasizing the challenges faced by the involved key parties. It provides important insight into the project which eventually proved to be a significant and successful initiating push in triggering a promising new real estate sector in the national economy. Qualitative approach was used for the research in which the main instrument for collecting primary data was face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the key people involved in the project. The findings have been presented in terms of the categories of challenges as the initial perceived constraints, management level challenges, and project level challenges
Master planned communities and the re-formation of cities for health and wellbeing
No full textMaster planned estates are a common feature of modern cities. This paper explores residents’ social practices to reveal connections between spatial and social features, daily routines and health and wellbeing.
AbstractMaster planned communities (MPCs) are designed to give residents a ‘complete living experience’ including access to educational facilities, shopping centres and parks. Although MPCs aspire to be suburban utopias much research focuses on identifying negative outcomes to reinforce notions that dreams of utopian futures are rarely realised. However, as a dynamic form of city re-formation, MPCs create an opportunity to ‘get it right’ by putting into practice lessons learnt from the past and principles of best practice planning. Selandra Rise is an MPC in Melbourne, Australia that has been designed to maximise the health and wellbeing of residents. Key elements incorporate access to nature, open space for physical activity, diverse housing, access to education, public transport, a local town centre and a focus on generating employment.
This paper presents the details of a study designed to measure the role of built, natural, social and economic environments in the health and wellbeing of residents, taking account of the key design features listed. Using a social practice approach rather than taking an individual behavioural stance, the research focuses on households as a unit of study to reveal the connection between spatial and social features, daily routines and health and wellbeing. The paper presents the methods, outlines findings to date, and reflects on potential policy implications for creating neighbourhoods and cities to improve social and physical health.
Presented at the International Making Cities Livable Conference –20-24 May, 2012, Portland, Oregon US
A PROPOSAL FOR TEACHING FARM MANAGEMENT AT THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCE TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY, RAMPUR NEPAL
No full textThis paper is concerned with farm management teaching needs in Nepal. It is intended to assist the author in the preparation of appropriate teaching materials as he assumes teaching and research responsibilities in the area of farm management when he returns to Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science. It was selected as a research topic because of the need to think through the development needs of Nepal and to evaluate those aspects of farm management education traditionally taught for their contribution to agricultural development in Nepal.Farm Management, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,
A PROPOSAL FOR TEACHING FARM MANAGEMENT AT THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCE TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY, RAMPUR NEPAL
No full textThis paper is concerned with farm management teaching needs in Nepal. It is intended to assist the author in the preparation of appropriate teaching materials as he assumes teaching and research responsibilities in the area of farm management when he returns to Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science. It was selected as a research topic because of the need to think through the development needs of Nepal and to evaluate those aspects of farm management education traditionally taught for their contribution to agricultural development in Nepal
CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND VALIDATION OF THE NEPALI VERSION OF THE PROSTHETIC LIMB USERS SURVEY OF MOBILITY SHORT-FORM (PLUS-M™/NEPALI-12SF) IN LOWER LIMB PROSTHESIS USERS
No full textBACKGROUND: Objective mobility measurement of Nepali prosthesis users is lacking.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt, translate and evaluate construct validity of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M™/Nepali-12 Short Form (SF)) instrument in lower limb prosthesis users residing in Nepal.
METHODOLOGY: Two forward translations, review and reconciliation, back translation, expert review, developer review to create the PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF. Psychometric testing for internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity against the Two-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) and Amputee Mobility Predictor with Prosthesis (AMPPRO) were performed on sixty-six lower limb prosthesis users.
FINDINGS: The majority of populations were with transtibial amputation 45 (68%), with transfemoral amputation 15 (23%), with knee disarticulation 5 (7.5%) and with syme’s amputation 1 (1.5%). The most common cause of amputation among the population was trauma and the least was tumor. Chronbach’s alpha for the PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF was 0.90, mean T-Score was 52.90, test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90-0.96). Construct validity with the 2MWT was good (r = 0.62, p< 0.001) and moderately positive with the AMPPRO (r = 0.57, p< 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Our research evidenced that the PLUS-M™/Nepali -12SF had excellent reproducibility. The significance of this work is that it may allow for the measurement of mobility in austere locations of Nepal.
Layman's Abstract
In this research, the authors performed a cross-cultural translation and validation of a Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-MTM). Understanding mobility of lower limb prosthesis user is important for understanding effect of prosthetic limb treatment. One simple and valid way to measure this is to administer a short survey. The PLUS-MTM survey was designed for lower limb prosthesis users whom can walk independently without assistance; however, a Nepali version did not exist. Translation of the PLUS-MTM occurred and Nepali lower limb prosthesis users were provided the survey. Moreover, survey scores were compared with users performances on a walking performance test called the Two-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) and Amputee Mobility Predictor with Prosthesis (AMPPRO). After comparison, it was found that the PLUS-MTM survey was more appropriate with Nepali culture, with good association between of PLUS-MTM with 2MWT, and AMPPRO scores. Meaning, if users scored high on the mobility survey they were also likely to score high on the walking test. The PLUS-MTM can now be confidently used in Nepal to track mobility of independent lower limb prosthesis users who can walk without other person’s assistance.
Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/41310/31816
How To Cite: Bajracharya AR, Seng-iad S, Sasaki K, Guerra G. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Nepali version of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility Short-Form (PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF) in lower limb prosthesis users. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023; Volume 6, Issue 1, No.1. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v6i1.41310
Corresponding Author: Sirirat-Seng-iad,
Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
E-Mail: [email protected]
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7187-359
CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND VALIDATION OF THE NEPALI VERSION OF THE PROSTHETIC LIMB USERS SURVEY OF MOBILITY SHORT-FORM (PLUS-M™/NEPALI-12SF) IN LOWER LIMB PROSTHESIS USERS:
No full textBACKGROUND: Objective mobility measurement of Nepali prosthesis users is lacking.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt, translate and evaluate construct validity of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M™/Nepali-12 Short Form (SF)) instrument in lower limb prosthesis users residing in Nepal.
METHODOLOGY: Two forward translations, review and reconciliation, back translation, expert review, developer review to create the PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF. Psychometric testing for internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity against the Two-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) and Amputee Mobility Predictor with Prosthesis (AMPPRO) were performed on sixty-six lower limb prosthesis users.
FINDINGS: The majority of populations were with transtibial amputation 45 (68%), with transfemoral amputation 15 (23%), with knee disarticulation 5 (7.5%) and with syme’s amputation 1 (1.5%). The most common cause of amputation among the population was trauma and the least was tumor. Chronbach’s alpha for the PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF was 0.90, mean T-Score was 52.90, test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90-0.96). Construct validity with the 2MWT was good (r = 0.62, p< 0.001) and moderately positive with the AMPPRO (r = 0.57, p< 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Our research evidenced that the PLUS-M™/Nepali -12SF had excellent reproducibility. The significance of this work is that it may allow for the measurement of mobility in austere locations of Nepal.
Layman\u27s Abstract
In this research, the authors performed a cross-cultural translation and validation of a Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-MTM). Understanding mobility of lower limb prosthesis user is important for understanding effect of prosthetic limb treatment. One simple and valid way to measure this is to administer a short survey. The PLUS-MTM survey was designed for lower limb prosthesis users whom can walk independently without assistance; however, a Nepali version did not exist. Translation of the PLUS-MTM occurred and Nepali lower limb prosthesis users were provided the survey. Moreover, survey scores were compared with users performances on a walking performance test called the Two-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) and Amputee Mobility Predictor with Prosthesis (AMPPRO). After comparison, it was found that the PLUS-MTM survey was more appropriate with Nepali culture, with good association between of PLUS-MTM with 2MWT, and AMPPRO scores. Meaning, if users scored high on the mobility survey they were also likely to score high on the walking test. The PLUS-MTM can now be confidently used in Nepal to track mobility of independent lower limb prosthesis users who can walk without other person’s assistance.
Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/41310/31816
How To Cite: Bajracharya AR, Seng-iad S, Sasaki K, Guerra G. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Nepali version of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility Short-Form (PLUS-M™/Nepali-12SF) in lower limb prosthesis users. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023; Volume 6, Issue 1, No.1. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v6i1.41310
Corresponding Author: Sirirat-Seng-iad, Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.E-Mail: [email protected] ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7187-359
