Abstract

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the frequency, localizing significance, and intensity characteristics of ictal vocalization in different focal epilepsy syndromes. Methods: Up to four consecutive focal seizures were evaluated in 277 patients with lesional focal epilepsy, excluding isolated auras and subclinical EEG seizure patterns. Vocalization was considered to be present if observed in at least one of the analyzed seizures and not being of speech quality. Intensity features of ictal vocalization were analyzed in a subsample of 17 patients with temporal and 19 with extratemporal epilepsy syndrome. Results: Ictal vocalization was observed in 37% of the patients (102/277) with similar frequency amongst different focal epilepsy syndromes. Localizing significance was found for its co-occurrence with ictal automatisms, which identified patients with temporal seizure onset with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 70%. Quantitative analysis of vocalization intensity allowed to distinguish seizures of frontal from temporal lobe origin based on the intensity range (p = 0.0003), intensity variation (p < 0.0001), as well as the intensity increase rate at the beginning of the vocalization (p = 0.003), which were significantly higher in frontal lobe seizures. No significant difference was found for mean intensity and mean vocalization duration. Conclusions: Although ictal vocalization is similarly common in different focal epilepsies, it shows localizing significance when taken into account the co-occurring seizure semiology. It especially increases the localizing value of automatisms, predicting a temporal seizure onset with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 70%. Quantitative parameters of the intensity dynamic objectively distinguished frontal lobe seizures, establishing an observer independent tool for semiological seizure evaluation.

Abstract
Renewable energy sources are environmentally appealing in electrical power grids. However, distributed energy resources (DER) are typically connected to the grid through converters that do not have the same properties as synchronous generators which have high participation in power generation. Some of these properties like inertial response are important and must not be lost with higher DER penetration. The present paper analyses two converter control algorithms that are capable of emulating inertial response in DER: the Virtual Synchronous Generator control (VSG) and the Synchronverter. Both algorithms are described, implemented and tested in a practical experiment and a comparison of both algorithms is assessed in terms of frequency nadir achieved, settling time and implementation complexity. The findings can give useful insights to help decide which algorithm should be implemented in a future real application.

Abstract
Location data plays an important role in several applications embedded in our digital living. These applications, usually, take advantage of Global Positioning System (GPS). However, GPS is not targeted for indoor location, therefore this paper presents an alternative system, based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons that together with bluetooth-enabled Smartphones, allows the development of low cost and accurate location-aware applications for indoor scenarios. The paper describes the challenges associated with the system deployment and presents algorithms to improve the distance estimation process as the user moves around the smart space. The evaluation performed shows that this approach has good results on noise reduction and movement adaptation allowing a close tracking of the indoor user position. © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018.

Abstract

Abstract