No abstract

Smart Grid constitutes the next generation of electricity delivery systems that intend to enhance reliability, efficiency, and security of the power grid. A fundamental component of this intelligent network is the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which provides a two-way communication network between Utilities and a collection of smart meters located at the customers side. The interconnected meters form Neighborhood Area Networks that provide a platform for the deployment of customized AMI applications. In this paper, we study the operation of AMI in Colombia. While several Utilities are implementing first approximations to AMI that mostly focus on automated consumption readings, there is no certainty that traffic of different natures, corresponding to future AMI applications, can be supported by these initial deployments. As there is a lack of study of these issues, we carry out an extensive performance evaluation through simulations of current technologies delivering traffic from future AMI applications. Our simulations are based on an extensive review of the communication technologies that are currently employed for AMI in Colombia, and on a characterization of the future AMI applications. With our study we pursuit a better understanding of the primary challenges that will have to be faced for the development and enhancement of AMI networks in the country.

These results and current reports on applications in the literature show that femtosecond laser-based non-linear microscopy is an emerging imaging modality which provides dye-free imaging of the corneal ECM and therefore complements scattering imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography and confocal laser scanning microscopy in the reflective mode.

No abstract

Cross-linking of the cornea with application of Ribovlavin and UV-A light is an evolving clinical treatment of the eye disease keratoconus. Despite the positive clinical track record of corneal cross-linking, the complex wound healing process after the treatment is still under investigation. In this study an animal model was used to clarify the state of wound healing 5 weeks after treatment. Cross-linked rabbit corneae were imaged with reflective confocal laser scanning and nonlinear microscopy, namely second harmonic imaging microscopy (SHIM) and two-photon excited autofluorescence. First results show that the NAD(P)H-autofluorescence of the corneal keratocytes and their scattering signal still show a signature of the treatment five weeks after the cross-linking procedure. The SHIM signals show the structural morphology of the fibrous collagen sheets in the stroma of the cornea. SHIM detected in the forward direction differs substantially from backward SHIM, but no signature of treatment was found in both detection channels of the SHIM signal.