This paper presents a detailed comparative analysis between synchronous and induction machines for distributed generation applications. The impacts of these generators on the distribution network performance are determined and compared by using computational simulations. The technical factors analyzed are steady-state voltage profile, electrical power losses, voltage stability, transient stability, voltage sags during unbalanced faults, and short-circuit currents. The results showed that the best technical choice depends on the network characteristics, i.e., the main factors that may limit the penetration level of distributed generation.
BackgroundPatients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) are often exposed to prolonged immobilization which, in turn, plays an important role in neuromuscular complications. Exercise with a cycle ergometer is a treatment option that can be used to improve the rehabilitation of patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) in order to minimize the harmful effects of immobility.Methods/DesignA single-blind randomized controlled trial (the MoVe ICU study) will be conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of early rehabilitation using a bedside cycle ergometer with conventional physical therapy on the muscle morphology of the knee extensors and diaphragm in critical ill patients receiving MV. A total of 28 adult patients will be recruited for this study from among those admitted to the intensive care department at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Eligible patients will be treated with MV from a period of 24 to 48 h, will have spent maximum of 1 week in hospital and will not exhibit any characteristics restricting lower extremity mobility. These subjects will be randomized to receive either conventional physiotherapy or conventional physiotherapy with an additional cycle ergometer intervention. The intervention will be administered passively for 20 min, at 20 revolutions per minute (rpm), once per day, 7 days a week, throughout the time the patients remain on MV. Outcomes will be cross-sectional quadriceps thickness, length of fascicle, pennation angle of fascicles, thickness of vastus lateralis muscle, diaphragm thickness and excursion of critical ICU patients on MV measured with ultrasound.DiscussionThe MoVe-ICU study will be the first randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that early rehabilitation with a passive cycle ergometer can preserve the morphology of knee extensors and diaphragm in critical patients on MV in ICUs.Trial registrationNCT02300662 (25 November 2014).
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