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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023This paper provides a comprehensive review of the applications of smart meters in the control and optimisation of power grids to support a smooth energy transition... (Review)
Review
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the applications of smart meters in the control and optimisation of power grids to support a smooth energy transition towards the renewable energy future. The smart grids become more complicated due to the presence of small-scale low inertia generators and the implementation of electric vehicles (EVs), which are mainly based on intermittent and variable renewable energy resources. Optimal and reliable operation of this environment using conventional model-based approaches is very difficult. Advancements in measurement and communication technologies have brought the opportunity of collecting temporal or real-time data from prosumers through Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Smart metering brings the potential of applying data-driven algorithms for different power system operations and planning services, such as infrastructure sizing and upgrade and generation forecasting. It can also be used for demand-side management, especially in the presence of new technologies such as EVs, 5G/6G networks and cloud computing. These algorithms face privacy-preserving and cybersecurity challenges that need to be well addressed. This article surveys the state-of-the-art of each of these topics, reviewing applications, challenges and opportunities of using smart meters to address them. It also stipulates the challenges that smart grids present to smart meters and the benefits that smart meters can bring to smart grids. Furthermore, the paper is concluded with some expected future directions and potential research questions for smart meters, smart grids and their interplay.
PubMed: 36850711
DOI: 10.3390/s23042118 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023Chlorophyll meters are portable devices used to assess and improve plants' nitrogen management and to help farmers in the determination of the health condition of plants...
Chlorophyll meters are portable devices used to assess and improve plants' nitrogen management and to help farmers in the determination of the health condition of plants through leaf greenness measurements. These optical electronic instruments can provide an assessment of chlorophyll content by measuring the light passing through a leaf or by measuring the light radiation reflected from its surface. However, independently of the main principle of operation and use (e.g., absorbance vs. reflectance measurements), commercial chlorophyll meters usually cost hundreds or even thousands of euros, making them inaccessible to growers and ordinary citizens who are interested in self-cultivation, farmers, crop researchers, and communities lacking resources in general. A low-cost chlorophyll meter based on light-to-voltage measurements of the remaining light after two LED light emissions through a leaf is designed, constructed, evaluated, and compared against two well-known commercial chlorophyll meters, the SPAD-502 and the atLeaf CHL Plus. Initial tests of the proposed device on lemon tree leaves and on young Brussels sprouts plant leaves revealed promising results compared to the commercial instruments. The coefficient of determination, R2, was estimated to be 0.9767 for the SPAD-502 and 0.9898 for the atLeaf-meter in lemon tree leaves samples compared to the proposed device, while for the Brussels sprouts plant, R2 was estimated to be 0.9506 and 0.9624, respectively. Further tests conducted as a preliminary evaluation of the proposed device are also presented.
Topics: Chlorophyll; Plant Leaves; Nitrogen
PubMed: 36904902
DOI: 10.3390/s23052699 -
Respiratory Care Sep 2005The pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) was introduced to deliver asthma medications in a convenient and reliable multi-dose presentation. The key components of the... (Review)
Review
The pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) was introduced to deliver asthma medications in a convenient and reliable multi-dose presentation. The key components of the pMDI device (propellants, formulation, metering valve, and actuator) all play roles in the formation of the spray, and in determining drug delivery to the lungs. Hence the opportunity exists to design a pMDI product by adjusting the formulation, metering-valve size, and actuator nozzle diameter in order to obtain the required spray characteristics and fine-particle dose. Breath-actuated pMDIs, breath-coordinated pMDIs, spray-velocity modifiers, and spacer devices may be useful for patients who cannot use a conventional press-and-breathe pMDI correctly. Modern pMDI devices, which contain non-ozone-depleting propellants, should allow inhalation therapy via pMDI to extend well into the 21st century for a variety of treatment indications.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Aerosol Propellants; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Equipment Design; Humans; Inhalation Spacers; Metered Dose Inhalers; Respiratory Mechanics
PubMed: 16122401
DOI: No ID Found -
Diabetes Spectrum : a Publication of... Feb 2022To demonstrate the clinical value of OneTouch (OT) Verio Flex glucose meter used in combination with a Spanish-language version of the OT Reveal mobile application (app)...
Use of a Meter With Color-Range Indicators and a Mobile Diabetes Management App Improved Glycemic Control and Patient Satisfaction in an Underserved Hispanic Population: "Tu Salud"-A Randomized Controlled Partial Cross-Over Clinical Study.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the clinical value of OneTouch (OT) Verio Flex glucose meter used in combination with a Spanish-language version of the OT Reveal mobile application (app) to support diabetes care and improve glycemic control in an underserved Hispanic population with type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Test subjects ( = 81) used the meter and app for 12 weeks, while a randomized control group ( = 39) used their own glucose meters without connection to an app. Thereafter, test subjects continued the same regimen for an additional 12 weeks to determine the durability of effect, and control subjects crossed over to use the new meter and app.
RESULTS
Test subjects experienced a mean reduction in A1C of 1.0% after 12 weeks ( <0.001), a statistically significant greater reduction than in control subjects ( = 0.045). The improvement in A1C in test subjects was sustained over the next 12 weeks. Crossed-over subjects also demonstrated significant improvements in A1C ( <0.001). Mean blood glucose was reduced significantly without an increase in hypoglycemia, and results in range increased over 12 weeks of meter and mobile app use. Results were independent of subjects' numeracy skills. Subjects using the new meter and app reacted favorably to the tools and expressed improvements in their diabetes treatment satisfaction based on Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire-Change scores.
CONCLUSION
Use of the OT meter and a Spanish-language version of its diabetes management app in an underserved population helped participants achieve a sustained improvement in glycemic control. The tools were well received by the subjects and may have important utility in other low-numeracy, low-literacy populations.
PubMed: 35308153
DOI: 10.2337/ds20-0101 -
Pediatric Research Mar 2021Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a widely used screening method for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Deviation of the transcutaneous bilirubin concentration (TcB) from the...
BACKGROUND
Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a widely used screening method for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Deviation of the transcutaneous bilirubin concentration (TcB) from the total serum bilirubin concentration (TSB) is often ascribed to biological variation between patients, but variations between TcB meters may also have a role. This study aims to provide a systematic evaluation of the inter-device reproducibility of TcB meters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirteen commercially available TcB meters (JM-105 and JM-103) were evaluated in vitro on phantoms that optically mimic neonatal skin. The mimicked TcB was varied within the clinical range (0.5-181.3 μmol/L).
RESULTS
Absolute differences between TcB meter outcomes increased with the measured TcB, from a difference of 5.0 μmol/L (TcB = 0.5 μmol/L phantom) up to 65.0 μmol/L (TcB = 181.3 μmol/L phantom).
CONCLUSION
The inter-device reproducibility of the examined TcB meters is substantial and exceeds the specified accuracy of the device (±25.5 μmol/L), as well as the clinically used TcB safety margins (>50 µmol/L below phototherapy threshold). Healthcare providers should be well aware of this additional uncertainty in the TcB determination, especially when multiple TcB meters are employed in the same clinic. We strongly advise using a single TcB meter per patient to evaluate the TcB over time.
IMPACT
Key message: The inter-device reproducibility of TcB meters is substantial and exceeds the clinically used TcB safety margins. What this study adds to existing literature: The inter-device reproducibility of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) meters has not been reported in the existing literature. This in vitro study systematically evaluates this inter-device reproducibility.
IMPACT
This study aids in a better interpretation of the measured TcB value from a patient and is of particular importance during patient monitoring when using multiple TcB meters within the same clinical department. We strongly advise using a single TcB meter per patient to evaluate the TcB over time.
Topics: Bilirubin; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Equipment Design; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Infant, Premature; Monitoring, Physiologic; Neonatal Screening; Phantoms, Imaging; Reproducibility of Results; Skin Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 32919392
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01118-6 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Sep 2021Portable pH meters are robust and reliable tools for measuring urinary pH bypatients at home. This study evaluated the usability of a prototype smart Lit-Control® pH...
OBJECTIVES
Portable pH meters are robust and reliable tools for measuring urinary pH bypatients at home. This study evaluated the usability of a prototype smart Lit-Control® pH Meter and an associated mobile medical app, with the aim of identifying possible design and functionality issues along with usability problems among non-expert voluntary users.
MATHERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-one individuals of both genders, between 26 and 61 years old, tested the dyad pH meter/app for 14 days (three readings per day). The participants were asked to carry out a sequence of use of the system equivalent to what an intended user would do for urinary pH self-monitoring. At the end of the trial period, each participant filled out study questionnaires regarding the learning times, i.e. the time used by a new user to perform a task with the technology, usability, errors detected, and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 35.4 (range, 26 to 61) years. The readings from the pH meter yielded average values of 5.72 (SD = 0.26), 6.13 (SD= 0.43), and 5.47 (SD = 1.27) for the morning, evening, and night micturitions, respectively. The time of the day with greater adherence was the morning (49.7% of all readings). The learning times were in general short as reported by the participants: 73.7% were able to register in the App, rated as the least easy task, in less than two and a half minutes. The task of uploading the pH readings, both manually and automatically, was mostly performed in less than 35 seconds.
CONCLUSION
This pilot study of real-world usage pattern shows that the dyad smart Lit-Control pH meter/Appwas perceived as fit for purpose by non-expert volunteers and had no relevant functionality or usability issues that would pose a significant barrier to the intended users. New studies are ongoing in order to test the usability by patients with lithiasis history.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Pilot Projects; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34472438
DOI: No ID Found -
Nature Feb 2022The sensing of gravity has emerged as a tool in geophysics applications such as engineering and climate research, including the monitoring of temporal variations in...
The sensing of gravity has emerged as a tool in geophysics applications such as engineering and climate research, including the monitoring of temporal variations in aquifers and geodesy. However, it is impractical to use gravity cartography to resolve metre-scale underground features because of the long measurement times needed for the removal of vibrational noise. Here we overcome this limitation by realizing a practical quantum gravity gradient sensor. Our design suppresses the effects of micro-seismic and laser noise, thermal and magnetic field variations, and instrument tilt. The instrument achieves a statistical uncertainty of 20 E (1 E = 10 s) and is used to perform a 0.5-metre-spatial-resolution survey across an 8.5-metre-long line, detecting a 2-metre tunnel with a signal-to-noise ratio of 8. Using a Bayesian inference method, we determine the centre to ±0.19 metres horizontally and the centre depth as (1.89 -0.59/+2.3) metres. The removal of vibrational noise enables improvements in instrument performance to directly translate into reduced measurement time in mapping. The sensor parameters are compatible with applications in mapping aquifers and evaluating impacts on the water table, archaeology, determination of soil properties and water content, and reducing the risk of unforeseen ground conditions in the construction of critical energy, transport and utilities infrastructure, providing a new window into the underground.
PubMed: 35197616
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04315-3 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022Many tasks that require a large workforce are automated. In many areas of the world, the consumption of utilities, such as electricity, gas and water, is monitored by...
Many tasks that require a large workforce are automated. In many areas of the world, the consumption of utilities, such as electricity, gas and water, is monitored by meters that need to be read by humans. The reading of such meters requires the presence of an employee or a representative of the utility provider. Automatic meter reading is crucial in the implementation of smart grids. For this reason, with the aim to boost the implementation of the smart grid paradigm, in this paper, we propose a method aimed to automatically read digits from a dial meter. In detail, the proposed method aims to localise the dial meter from an image, to detect the digits and to classify the digits. Deep learning is exploited, and, in particular, the YOLOv5s model is considered for the localisation of digits and for their recognition. An experimental real-world case study is presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for automatic digit localisation recognition from dial meters.
Topics: Humans; Computer Systems; Electricity
PubMed: 36616673
DOI: 10.3390/s23010075 -
PloS One 2022Past work has suggested that perception of object distances in natural scenes depends on the environmental surroundings, even when the physical object distance remains...
Past work has suggested that perception of object distances in natural scenes depends on the environmental surroundings, even when the physical object distance remains constant. The cue bases for such effects remain unclear and are difficult to study systematically in real-world settings, given the challenges in manipulating large environmental features reliably and efficiently. Here, we used rendered scenes and crowdsourced data collection to address these challenges. In 4 experiments involving 452 participants, we investigated the effect of room width and depth on egocentric distance judgments. Targets were placed at distances of 2-37 meters in rendered rooms that varied in width (1.5-40 meters) and depth (6-40 meters). We found large and reliable effects of room width: Average judgments for the farthest targets in a 40-meter-wide room were between 16-33% larger than for the same target distances seen in a 1.5-meter-wide hallway. Egocentric distance cues and focal length were constant across room widths, highlighting the role of environmental context in judging distances in natural scenes. Obscuring the fine-grained ground texture, per se, is not primarily responsible for the width effect, nor does linear perspective play a strong role. However, distance judgments tended to decrease when doors and/or walls obscured more distant regions of the scene. We discuss how environmental features may be used to calibrate relative distance cues for egocentric distance judgments.
Topics: Cues; Distance Perception; Environment; Female; Humans; Judgment; Male
PubMed: 35143537
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263497 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases May 2022Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in more than 200 countries. Thousands of health workers have been infected, and outbreaks have occurred... (Review)
Review
Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in more than 200 countries. Thousands of health workers have been infected, and outbreaks have occurred in hospitals, aged care facilities, and prisons. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for contact and droplet precautions for healthcare workers caring for suspected COVID-19 patients, whereas the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has initially recommended airborne precautions. The 1- to 2-meter (≈3-6 feet) rule of spatial separation is central to droplet precautions and assumes that large droplets do not travel further than 2 meters (≈6 feet). We aimed to review the evidence for horizontal distance traveled by droplets and the guidelines issued by the WHO, CDC, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on respiratory protection for COVID-19. We found that the evidence base for current guidelines is sparse, and the available data do not support the 1- to 2-meter (≈3-6 feet) rule of spatial separation. Of 10 studies on horizontal droplet distance, 8 showed droplets travel more than 2 meters (≈6 feet), in some cases up to 8 meters (≈26 feet). Several studies of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) support aerosol transmission, and 1 study documented virus at a distance of 4 meters (≈13 feet) from the patient. Moreover, evidence suggests that infections cannot neatly be separated into the dichotomy of droplet versus airborne transmission routes. Available studies also show that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the air, and remain viable 3 hours after aerosolization. The weight of combined evidence supports airborne precautions for the occupational health and safety of health workers treating patients with COVID-19.
Topics: Aerosols; Aged; COVID-19; Health Personnel; Humans; Infection Control; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32301491
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa189