Switching Scenarios Research Articles

Transmissive terahertz metasurfaces with vanadium dioxide split-rings and grids for switchable asymmetric polarization manipulation

Metasurfaces containing arrays of thermally tunable metal-free (double-)split-ring meta-atoms and metal-free grids made of vanadium dioxide (VO_2), a phase-change material can deliver switching between (1) polarization manipulation in transmission mode as well as related asymmetric transmission and (2) other functionalities in the terahertz regime, especially when operation in the transmission mode is needed to be conserved for both phases of VO_2. As the meta-atom arrays function as arrays of metallic subwavelength resonators for the metallic phase of VO_2, but as transmissive phase screens for the insulator phase of VO_2, numerical simulations of double- and triple-array metasurfaces strongly indicate extreme scenarios of functionality switching also when the resulting structure comprises only VO_2 meta-atoms and VO_2 grids. More switching scenarios are achievable when only one meta-atom array or one grid is made of VO_2 components. They are enabled by the efficient coupling of the geometrically identical resonator arrays/grids that are made of the materials that strongly differ in terms of conductivity, i.e. Cu and VO_2 in the metallic phase.

Switchable photovoltaic window for on-demand shading and electricity generation

A next step in the development of transparent photovoltaic windows would be to introduce a switching mechanism that allows the user to switch the window between a transparent and an opaque state as desired to generate electricity and shade the building interior. In this work, we investigate a switchable photovoltaic window consisting of the combination of a semitransparent germanium solar cell and a gasochromic switchable magnesium mirror in a double glazing. We analyze the average visible transmittance (AVT) and spectral emissivity (ε) of the device in the transparent (AVT = 18%, ε = 0.27) and light harvesting states (AVT = 1%, ε = 0.06). The thermal and electrical performance of the switchable solar cell is studied under varied solar irradiance. The experimental results are used to model the annual electricity generation of a switchable photovoltaic window in different climate regions under different switching scenarios, based on datasets from the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PV-GIS). The model suggests that especially in Mediterranean regions, switchable transparent photovoltaic windows with an efficiency of 2% can be a promising step to combine on-demand shading with electricity generation. Moreover, it shows that to generate more than 20 kWh/m2 of electricity per year with this technology, the switching must be additionally coupled to the occupancy of the indoor spaces. Our model is applicable to other switchable PV technologies for evaluation purposes and to estimate ideal use cases.

Comparing the long-term clinical and economic impact of ofatumumab versus dimethyl fumarate and glatiramer acetate in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A cost-consequence analysis from a societal perspective in Germany.

BackgroundEvidence suggests that early highly efficacious therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis is superior to escalation strategies.ObjectiveA cost-consequence analysis simulated different treatment scenarios with ofatumumab (OMB), dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and glatiramer acetate (GA): immediate OMB initiation as first treatment, early switch to OMB after 1 year on DMF/GA, late switch after 5 years or no switch.MethodsAn EDSS-based Markov model with a 10-year time horizon was applied. Cycle transitions included EDSS progression, improvement or stabilization, treatment discontinuation, relapse or death. Input data were extracted from OMB trials, a network meta-analysis, published literature, and publicly available sources.ResultsThe late switch compared to the immediate OMB scenario resulted in a lower proportion of patients with EDSS 0–3 (Δ − 7.5% DMF; Δ − 10.3% GA), more relapses (Δ + 0.72 DMF; Δ + 1.23 GA) and lower employment rates (Δ − 4.0% DMF; Δ − 5.6% GA). The same applies to late versus early switches. No switch scenarios resulted in worse outcomes. Higher drug acquisition costs in the immediate OMB and early switch scenarios were almost compensated by lower costs for patient care and productivity loss.ConclusionImmediate OMB treatment and an early switch improves clinical and productivity outcomes while remaining almost cost neutral compared to late or no switches.

Effectiveness and safety of a biosimilar-to-biosimilar switch of the TNF inhibitor etanercept in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Background:Biosimilar disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bsDMARDs) has created a financial incentive to encourage switching to cheaper products.Objectives:We aim to study the effectiveness and safety of a non-medical bsDMARD-to-bsDMARD switch from originator etanercept (ETN) to bsDMARD ETN (SB4) and successive to another bsDMARD ETN (GP2015) in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases in a real-life setting.Methods:Retrospective chart review of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who had been treated with originator ETN and were switched twice to ETN bsDMARD for non-medical reasons thereafter. All patients received ETN 50 mg/week. Disease activity and physical function was assessed every 12 weeks with standardized questionnaires.Results:A total of 100 patients who switched twice [54 RA, 27 axSpA, 19 PsA, mean age 54.3 (15.1), 46% male] were included. Patients with axSpA were younger than RA and PsA patients. Patients with SpA were less likely to receive conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) than RA patients. Duration of treatment with originator ETN before the first switch was 3.3 (2.3) years. Retention rate 6 months after the second ETN bsDMARD switch was 89%. Disease activity and physical function scores remained rather unchanged in patients with RA and axSpA longitudinally, while there was some more fluctuation in PsA patients. Six patients lost efficacy and were switched back to originator ETN in month 6 (n = 4) or to another mode of action (n = 2). There were 14 adverse events (AE) reported in eight patients. One patient re-administered bsDMARD GP2015 successfully 3 months after healing of mucosal erosions.Conclusion:No relevant change in disease activity and physical function were observed in a non-medical bsDMARD-to-bsDMARD switch scenario. The retention rate after switches from originator ETN to two ETN bsDMARD was close to 90%. Multiple switches resulted in a high adherence rate without clinically important efficacy or safety signals.

Individual and Environmental Correlates of Adolescents' Moral Decision-Making in Moral Dilemmas.

While extensive research has been conducted on adults’ judgments in moral sacrificial dilemmas, there is little research on adolescents. The present study aimed at: (1) adding further empirical evidence about adolescents’ moral decisions (deontological vs. utilitarian) in sacrificial moral dilemmas and (2) investigating how these moral decisions relate with gender, school grade, emotional traits (callous-unemotional traits), context-related experiences (perceived parental rejection and community violence exposure), and moral-related factors (moral disengagement and universalism value). A sample of 755 Italian adolescents (54.7% females; Mean age=16.45, SD=1.61) attending the second and the fifth year of secondary school took part in the study. Two sacrificial trolley-type dilemmas (where harmful actions promote the greater good) were presented. In the “switch” scenario (impersonal sacrificial dilemma), the choice is whether to hit a switch to save five people killing only one person. In the “footbridge” scenario (personal sacrificial dilemma), the choice is whether to push a large man off a footbridge saving five persons. For each scenario, participants had to indicate whether the proposed action was “morally acceptable” or not. Data were analyzed performing generalized linear mixed models. Our results showed that: (1) Adolescents were more likely to indicate as admissible to hit the switch rather than to push the large man; (2) male adolescents, compared to females, were more likely to say it was morally acceptable to intervene in the footbridge dilemma, whereas younger adolescents said it was morally acceptable both in the switch and the footbridge situations; and (3) higher levels of callous-unemotional traits, perceived parental rejection, and moral disengagement, on the one hand, and lower levels of universalism, on the other hand, were associated to higher admissibility to intervene in the footbridge scenario. Higher community violence exposure was associated with a lower propensity to intervene in the switch scenario. Overall, the present study expands the research on sacrificial dilemmas involving a sample of adolescents. The findings support previous studies concerning the role of emotions in making moral decisions but, at the same, open new perspectives regarding the role of contextual experiences and moral-related factors.

Ultrathin Solar Cell With Magnesium-Based Optical Switching for Window Applications

Photovoltaic windows that can be switched between transparent and energy harvesting mode can be realized by using ultrathin solar absorbers embedded in an optical nanocavity. In the present work, we use a 5 nm thick amorphous germanium absorber integrated in a magnesium-based thin film optical cavity, which switches from an absorptive to a transparent state due to hydrogen absorption. We analyze the influence of the mirror layer thickness on the light absorption, photocurrent generation, and transmission as well as color neutrality of the device. The optical properties are studied by 1-D transfer-matrix method by changing Mg thickness between 0 and 100 nm, then compared to the experimental results of fabricated devices. When the thickness of Mg increases, the switchable average transparency varies between 25% and 0%, while the power conversion efficiency rises up to 2.3%. The applicability of the device is tested by modeling the annual power generation in realistic scenarios. The influence of the cardinal orientation and the seasons on the switchable photovoltaic window implemented in a building facade with the abovementioned parameters is analyzed for different switching scenarios.

FEA-based tracking control of flexible body switching dynamic structure

AbstractIn dynamically switched systems with unknown switching signal, the control system is conventionally designed based on the worst switching scenario to ensure system stability. Such conservative design demands excessive control effort in less critical switching configurations. In the case of continuum mechanics systems, such excessive control inputs result in increased structural deformations and resultant modeling uncertainties. These deformations alter differential equations of motion which cripple the task of control. In this paper, a new approach for tracking control of uncertain continuum mechanics multivariable systems undergoing switching dynamics and unknown time delay has been proposed. Control algorithm is constructed based on the mathematical rigid model of the plant and a Common Lyapunov Function (CLF) is proposed upon sliding hyperplane regarding all switching configurations. Considering the model-based nature of sliding mode control (SMC) and inevitable uncertainties induced from modeling simplifications of continuum system or parameter evaluation errors, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is utilized to approximate total model uncertainties. To obtain robust stability, instead of conventional switching functions in the construction of control law, the control inputs are selected such that system dynamics reside within stability bounds which are calculated based on the Lyapunov asymptotic stability criterion. Therefore, the unwanted chattering issue caused by continuous switching is not observed in control input signals. Eventually, the accuracy of the proposed method has been verified through the student version of ANSYS® mechanical APDL-based simulations and its effectiveness has been demonstrated in multiple operating conditions.

Do All Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors Have the Same Lipid Profile? Review of Randomised Controlled Trials in Naïve and Switch Scenarios in HIV-Infected Patients.

In this study, we aim to explore the effects on lipids of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) in naïve and switch randomised controlled trials, and compare them with protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). We reviewed phase 3/4 randomised clinical trials in the Cochrane and PubMed databases that compare an INSTI with a boosted PI, an NNRTI, or another INSTI plus one or two nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs) in naïve patients and switching strategies in HIV-infected patients. We reported the baseline plasma concentration of total cholesterol (TC), low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c, HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), and the TC/HDL-c ratio, as well as the change at weeks 48 and 96, when available. In naïve HIV-infected patients, raltegravir (RAL) and dolutegravir (DTG) have a more favourable lipid profile compared with NNRTI and boosted PI. Elvitegravir (EVG/c) has a superior lipid profile compared with efavirenz and is similar to that observed with ritonavir-boosted atazanavir except in TG, which increases less with EVG/c. In naïve patients, RAL, DTG, and bictegravir (BIC) produce a similar, slight increase in lipids. In switching trials, the regimen change based on a boosted PI or efavirenz to RAL, DTG, or BIC is associated with clinically significant decreases in lipids that are minor when the change is executed on EVG/c. No changes were observed in lipids by switching trials between INSTIs. In summary, RAL, DTG, and BIC have superior lipid profiles compared with boosted-PI, efavirenz, and EVG/c, in studies conducted in naïve participants, and they are associated with a clinically significant decrease in lipoproteins by switching studies.

Asymmetric Optical Wavelength Switch Based on LCoS-SLM for Edge Node of Optical Access Network

A novel design of optical wavelength switch, based on an asymmetric switching architecture for edge node implementation, is presented in this paper. Compared to previous research for optical core transport network applications, the proposed work has a unique aspect to build dynamic multicasting and spectral equalization, vital functionalities for optical wavelength switch in the edge of optical access networks. An optical wavelength switch was experimentally implemented and evaluated in a 4 × 16 switching architecture to demonstrate the concept. This dynamic multicasting and spectral equalization were achieved by utilizing liquid crystal on a silicon spatial light modulator (LCoS-SLM) device. An optimal design of computer-generated holograms (CGHs) through an improved GS algorithm was used to perform the beam steering and wavelength switching. A variety of wavelength switching scenarios has been experimentally evaluated. The measurement results showed an average insertion loss of around -12.5 dB, and the calculated crosstalks were all less than -28 dB. Its applications in digital data transmissions were evaluated to achieve a transmission speed larger than 2.5 Gbps. The eye diagram measurement results showed that most wavelength switching scenarios have nearly bit-error-free transmission. The scenario includes the multicasting with spectral equalization within the proposed asymmetrical switching architecture.

Biosimilar Interchangeability and Emerging Treatment Strategies for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Commentary

This commentary summarizes a collection of key references published within the last ten years, and identifies pharmacologic research directions to improve treatment access and success through greater biosimilar or “follow-on” biologic utilization combined with other targeted small molecule agents that possess unique pathophysiologic mechanisms for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in adult and pediatric patients. Since they are not identical to the originator or reference biologic agent, all biosimilars are not generically equivalent. However, in the US and other countries, they are considered therapeutically interchangeable if the manufacturer has demonstrated no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product. Comparisons of different clinical initiation and switching scenarios are discussed with reference to interchangeability, immunogenicity, nocebo effect, cost effectiveness, and time courses for discontinuation rates.

Comparing Greenhouse Gas Impacts from Domestic Coal and Imported Natural Gas Electricity Generation in China

In 2019, coal power accounted for 65% of China’s electricity and coal accounted for 71% of its 10.2 GTpa CO2 emissions. To meet its pledge of peak carbon by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, China plans to shift away from coal. Fuel switching to natural gas for electrical generation is an interim solution that is in the portfolio of measures for meeting these goals. However, because of variability in emissions from coal and natural gas supply chains, the potential for benefiting from fuel switching also varies. Here, we use a high-resolution basin-to-power plant analysis for estimating methane and CO2 emissions in natural gas and coal supply chains. We illustrate how the variations in supply chains at the level of the sourcing of natural gas and coal from individual production regions can lead to differences in the effectiveness of fuel switching in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The analyses are applied to four switching scenarios from domestic coal to imported natural gas at representative power plants in China. Life cycle emission factors for the natural gas supply chains evaluated in this study range from 650 to 1000 kg carbon dioxide/MWh of electricity generated and from 2.3 to 13 kg methane/MWh, depending on the allocation choice, power generation technology, and production region. For the coal supply chain, emissions range from 850 to 1100 kg carbon dioxide/MWh and from 0.4 to 4.0 kg methane/MWh, depending on the power generation technology and production region. We show that for these scenarios, in the short term fuel switching can increase radiative forcing by a factor of 3 or decrease it by 70%, depending on the supply chains, generation technology, and, in the case of natural gas, co-product allocation choices in the supply chain. We also quantify consumptive losses of natural gas over long supply chains and show that fuel switching results in differences in radiative forcing that evolve over time due to the influence of methane emissions.

POS0301 NO MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASE WHO UNDERWENT MONO- OR MULTISWITCHING OF BIOSIMILARS IN ROUTINE CARE (PERCEPTION STUDY)

Background:The increasing availability of biosimilars (bsDMARDs) has created a financial incentive to encourage switching to cheaper products (“non-medical switch”) leading to different switching scenarios. While the clinical efficacy and safety of multiswitching seems to be established (1), limited data on patients’ knowledge about bsDMARDs and satisfaction with care are available.Objectives:The aim of our study was to learn more about the outcome of mono- and multiswitching scenarios in routine care with respect to patients’ attitudes towards bsDMARDs in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods:Consecutive patients with CIRD who were planned to switch treatment of one adalimumab biosimilar (ADA-bsDMARD) to another ADA-bsDMARD were recruited. The number of previous ADA-bsDMARD categorized the patients into: monoswitch = 1 and multiswitch = >1. Demographics and standard assessments using validated outcome parameters for disease activity, physical function, and patient satisfaction with care (Leeds Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ) were documented. LSQ contains items on five subscales (provision of information; empathy with the patient; attitude to the patient; access to and continuity with the care giver; and technical competence) and a general satisfaction scale. Knowledge about bsDMARDs was recorded using a structured questionnaire.Results:Out of 90 patients in total, there were 42 with a monoswitch and 48 with a multiswitch scenario (Table 1). Patients were satisfied with care irrespective of the switching scenario. However, the knowledge about bsDMARDs was generally rather low (Figure 1). Less than one third of patients was able to identify correct answers about manufacturing, efficacy/safety issues, approval status and costs of bsDMARDs. However, when comparing the two switch scenarios, no differences in disease characteristics nor in satisfaction with care were found. Also the number of switches had not increased the knowledge about bsDMARDs.Table 1.Patients and disease characteristics stratified by switch scenarioVariables*Monoswitch (n=42)Multiswitch (n=48)P-WertSex, male, n (%)23 (54.7)26 (54.2)Age, years44 (14)51 (11)Rheumatoid Arthritis, n (%)14 (33.3)7 (14.6)Axial Spondyloarthritis, n (%)23 (54.8)31 (64.6)Psoriatic arthritis, n (%)5 (11.9)10 (20.8)Disease duration, years9.2 (2.5)10.6 (6.7)0.48DAS282.2 (1.2)2.9 (0.7)0.13HAQ1.2 (0.6)1.2 (0.5)0.91ASDAS2.1 (1.2)1.6 (1)0.70BASFI4.6 (2.9)3.7 (2.9)0.87Patient satisfactionLSQ-General (1-5) #3.7 (0.7)3.9 (0.6)0.58LSQ-Information (1-5)3.7 (0.6)3.6 (0.4)0.20LSQ-Empathy (1-5)3.6 (0.6)3.5 (0.5)0.57LSQ-Technical (1-5)4.1 (0.5)4.1 (0.5)0.51LSQ-Attitude (1-5)3.8 (0.7)3.9 (0.5)0.62LSQ-Access (1-5)3.7 (0.6)3.8 (0.6)0.70*values in mean (SD)# values of 1 indicate dissatisfactionConclusion:This study shows that multiswitching did not lead to reduced satisfaction with care in patients on treatment with bsDMARDs. Especially, the number of switches did have no negative impact on patients satisfaction. The observation that patients who underwent multiple switches had no more knowledge about bsDMARDs than patients who just had one switch may just be explained by the positive experience most patients had with switching.

Intrinsic switching in Si-doped HfO2: A study of Curie–Weiss law and its implications for negative capacitance field-effect transistor

HfO2-based ferroelectrics are considered a promising class of materials for logic and memory applications due to their CMOS compatibility and ferroelectric figures of merit. A steep-slope field-effect-transistor (FET) switch is a device for logic applications in which a ferroelectric gate stack exploits a stabilized negative capacitance regime capable to differentially amplify the surface potential in a metal–oxide–semiconductor FET structure, resulting in the improvement of the subthreshold swing and overdrive. In a number of relevant studies of negative capacitance, intrinsic (thermodynamic) switching is assumed, since alternative switching scenarios predict undesirable hysteretic responses in logic devices. However, there is little support from the experimental data showing that the polarization reversal in HfO2-based ferroelectrics is really driven by the intrinsic switching mechanism. In this work, polarization hysteresis loops are measured over wide temperature ranges on polycrystalline Si-doped HfO2 (Si:HfO2) capacitors. The analysis herein, which is based on the classic Landau–Ginzburg–Devonshire theory, yields the temperature-dependent dielectric susceptibility values, which fit the Curie–Weiss law. The extrapolated Curie temperature value is in line with the data obtained for other HfO2-based ferroelectrics using different techniques. The work also illustrates a method to evaluate the ferroelectric equivalent negative capacitance value and range of voltages, aiming at study and optimization of a stabilized negative capacitance FET. This study indicates that the intrinsic switching provides an adequate description of the polarization hysteresis in Si:HfO2 films. This confirms the usability of hafnia-based ferroelectrics for negative capacitance logic devices, and the important role that the intrinsic mechanism plays in the dielectric response of these materials.

Dynamic zone selection for busbar protection Using graph theory and path analysis

This paper presents a detailed description of a dynamic zone selection approach for busbar protection using path analysis and graph theory. The main benefit is that the dynamic zone selection logic equations for busbar protection applications are automatically obtained by an offline software-based tool. The method accounts for normal busbar-switching sequences, in-service transfer, bypassed current transformers, breaker substitution, paralleled busbars, and a check zone. The equations can be set up and executed in existing protective relays. The method was tested in a busbar arrangement for different switching scenarios and fault conditions, and the results have proven its effectiveness.

Current Commutation in a Switched Lithium‐Ion Cell used in Cascaded Half‐Bridge Multilevel Inverters

In order to improve the efficiency of battery electric vehicles, the utilization of reconfigurable batteries and multilevel inverters based on low-voltage Si MOSFETs gains growing attention. Focusing on the half-bridge as basic switching unit, this paper examines voltage and current waveforms during switching. It is shown that the current commutation speed depends on various factors such as sign and amplitude of the current as well as the particular switching scenario. For instance, turning off a positive cell current takes 0.21 μs while turning it on takes 0.9 μs. In addition, it is revealed that depending on the switching scenario and current direction, the lithium-ion cell supports or opposes the remagnetization of the parasitic inductances and therefore the switching losses of the MOSFETs. Switching a positive load current of 125 A from active to bypass converts 276 μJ into heat while switching from bypass to active converts merely 32.5 μJ into heat.

Stability phase diagrams and tuning of magnetic skyrmionium and other states

Topological magnetic states such as skyrmions have widely been investigated as a suitable candidate for memory bits in next generation data storage device applications including random access memory (RAM) or race-track memory as well as spin-torque nano-oscillators etc. Energy efficient multistate switching of these states based on electric control of magnetization involves the electric field tuning of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). By using micromagnetic simulation study, we demonstrate the strain-mediated electric manipulation of various topological magnetic states in nanodisc with [Pt/Co/Ta]n trilayer stacks residing on a piezoelectric substrate. A stability phase diagram is derived for the representation of regions of the lowest energy states against the applied strain as a function of disc dimensions. Utilizing this derived phase diagram, various electric field-induced strain-mediated switching scenarios including non-volatile reversible switching of skyrmion into skyrmionium, 3π state and helical stripe domain state, the creation of skyrmionium from uniform single-domain magnetic state and its annihilation and volatile reversible switching between skyrmionium and vortex are achieved. Moreover, an extended phase diagram based on the estimated critical values of the applied strain for different domain structures within the nanodisc is also built and further implemented in designing a multistate sequential switching between various magnetic states triggered by a continuously varying strain pulse. These findings hold a potential for contributing in the development of low-power high-density multistate magneto-electric or magneto-elastic memory and logic device applications involving simple architectural concept applicable to future microelectronic integrated device strategies.

Reconfigurable broadband printed monopole antenna for portable smart IoT applications

SummaryThe proposed work presents a design of a smart printed monopole antenna separated from a Hexagonal Matching Load (HML) with an air gap. The patch is fed by a coplanar waveguide, while the HML is connected to the ground plane through two pin diodes to realize antenna reconfiguration through controlling the surface current motion. The antenna structure is mounted on FR‐4 epoxy substrate with size of 23 mm × 30 mm to fit the portable devices. After running four different switching scenarios, an observable change in the antenna performance is demonstrated. The proposed antenna provides a gain of 3.1 dBi at 2.45 GHz when the two diodes are switched ON. However, the antenna gain is changed to 1.6 dBi when the two diodes are set OFF. It is demonstrated that the proposed technique shows an effective approach to control the antenna performance without the need for DC blocking capacitor for RF choke. Nevertheless, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) effects are evaluated with respect to the human head tissues for all considered scenarios. Finally, the antenna radiation leakages to the human body are also tested numerically and experimentally for validation.

A Novel Current-Source-Based Gate Driver With Active Voltage Balancing Control for Series-Connected GaN HEMTs

The voltage rating of the commercial Gallium Nitride (GaN) power devices are limited to 600/650 V due to the lateral structure. Stacking the low-voltage rating devices is a straightforward approach to block higher dc link voltage. However, the unbalanced voltage sharing can occur due to the discrepancies in the gate driving loops, the device parameter tolerance and the device-to-ground displacement currents for the series-connected devices in the stack. The voltage imbalance may cause the over-voltage breakdown, in particular for GaN devices, which do not have the avalanche breakdown mechanism. In this article, a novel controllable current source gate driver is proposed, which addresses the voltage imbalance issue of series-connected GaN HEMTs for both hard switching and soft switching scenarios. The proposed current source gate driver controls the device switching timing and the dv/dt with fine accuracy by directly regulating the device gate current. Without the employment of the lossy snubber circuit or the external Miller capacitor, the switching energy and the switching speed are almost not compromised for each individual device. Meanwhile, the current mirror circuits are utilized as the discontinuous pulsed current sources, which produce negligible additional gate driving loss. A series-connected GaN-based multiple pulse tester is built to validate the proposed current source gate driver and the voltage balancing strategies. It is demonstrated that the drain-to-source voltage difference of the series-connected GaN devices is below 10% for different load current and different switching speed (dv/dt) conditions. Moreover, it is found that the series-connected GaN solution can save 33.6% switching energy compared with the benchmark SiC solution under the same operating condition.

PDG19 Budget and Health Impacts of Switching Atrial Fibrillation Patients to Dabigatran, Taking INR Control, Unique Dosing-Evidence and Product Lifecycle Outcomes Explicitly into Account

Switching patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) from vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), results in better health outcomes. AF patients on VKAs with regular International Normalized Ratio (INR) control measurements indicating poor control, benefit most from such a switch. The unique well-studied reduced dosing-evidence for dabigatran and the approaching loss of market exclusivity, could lead to cost-savings. This study assessed the health benefits and budget impacts of switching AF-patients to dabigatran in the Netherlands. A health and budget impact model was developed to assess the impact of switching AF-patients on VKA’s (only poor INR control) to dabigatran. Risks for clinical events (e.g. stroke, bleedings) and mortality were derived from clinical trials. Cost estimates were based on recently published data for the Netherlands. Different switch scenarios that included optimised and individualised standard and reduced dosing benefits for dabigatran and loss of exclusivity impact, were analysed. A 5-years’ time-horizon was applied. Extensive sensitivity analysis for costs and risks was performed. Switch of VKA (poor INR control) to dabigatran resulted in a 13.3% (event rate change from 0.41 to 35.6) and 35.2% (mortality rate change from 0.27 to 0.17) reduction in clinical events and mortality over a 5-years period, respectively. The reduction in clinical events was associated with per patient cost-savings for dabigatran treatment of €698. Total per patient cost-savings – including cost differences for treatment and INR control were estimated at €760. A 25% reduction of the dabigatran price would result in per patient cost-savings of €2,412. Health benefits and related cost-savings for patients eligible for the reduced dabigatran dose, were even more favourable. This study provides evidence that different VKA to dabigatran switch scenarios lead to substantial health benefits and cost-savings. Therefore, dabigatran could be considered as the most favourable treatment option on the short- and long-term.

Route manipulation aware Software-Defined Networks for effective routing in SDN controlled MANET by Disney Routing Protocol

• The Proposed scheme helps to find the optimal routing with a secure and intelligent manner • Proposed method achieves a better ratio for packet transmission delay • Route manipulation matrix helps to find the intruder free communication toward the different nodes In MANET network management, the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) plays a vital role in terms of controller plane and data plane. It is always easy to manage the data communication over the MANET because of logically centralized control on the SDN. Since the dynamic route on MANET, are controls the packets and changes the route between the source to destination alternatively. Hence the maintenance of real-time SDN analysis-based application planes is a crucial process. To maintain the effective MANET communication over the Software-Defined Network, it essential to improve the control and data plane process on the SDN controlled MANET based OpenFlow switching procedure. Nevertheless, SDN allows for route interaction against security threads. In this research article, the four stages were suggested to preserve the security measures in packet-based data transmission that are conceived in MANET. In this article, an SDN controlled MANET based OpenFlow switching scenario for effective security threading is proposed. The major part played by an SDN controlled MANET in bringing about a result of being effective without wasting time and energy on routing. The proposed Distinct Network Yarning (DISNEY) routing protocol for SDN controlled MANET overcomes the congestion communication on MANET routing. To decrease performance degradation, efficient routing is maintained by the route matrix manipulation table. This routing scheme helps to find the optimal routing with a secure and intelligent manner. The proposed result was compared to existing approaches. As a result, the proposed illustration to be improved by routing and data transmission. In comparison to the proposed method achieves a better ratio for packet transmission delay, throughput, and data transmission rate.