Non-Iterative Methods for the Extraction of the Single-Diode Model Parameters of Photovoltaic Modules: A Review and Comparative Assessment

The extraction of the photovoltaic (PV) model parameters remains to this day a long-standing and popular research topic. Numerous methods are available in the literature, widely differing in accuracy, complexity, applicability, and their very nature. This paper focuses on the class of non-iterative parameter extraction methods and is limited to the single-diode PV model. These approaches consist of a few straightforward calculation steps that do not involve iterations; they are generally simple and easy to implement but exhibit moderate accuracy. Seventeen such methods are reviewed, implemented, and evaluated on a dataset of more than one million measured I-V curves of six different PV technologies provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL). A comprehensive comparative assessment takes place to evaluate these alternatives in terms of accuracy, robustness, calculation cost, and applicability to different PV technologies. For the first time, the irregularities found in the extracted parameters (negative or complex values) and the execution failures of these methods are recorded and are used as an assessment criterion. This comprehensive and up-to-date literature review will serve as a useful tool for researchers and engineers in selecting the appropriate parameter extraction method for their application.

Impact of scalar mesons on the rare B-decays

In the wake of exploring uncertainty in the full angular distribution of the [Formula: see text] caused by the presence of the intermediate scalar [Formula: see text] meson, we perform the straightforward calculation of the [Formula: see text] (S is a scalar meson) transition form factors in the full kinematical region within the covariant quark model. We restrict ourselves by the scalar mesons below 1 GeV: [Formula: see text]. As an application of the obtained results we calculate the widths of the semileptonic and rare decays [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We compare our results with those obtained in other approaches.

A New Centroids Method for Ranking of Trapezoid Fuzzy Numbers

Ranking fuzzy numbers has become an important process in decision making. Many ranking methods have been proposed thus far and one of the commonly used is centroid of trapezoid. However, there is still no agreement on the method that can always provide a satisfactory solution to every situation. This paper aims to propose a new method of centroid using the circumcenter. The calculation for the circumcenter is derived from the trapezoidal fuzzy numbers and a series of the proposed steps. The proposed method offers a straightforward calculation by considering the centroid in each part of trapezoid to obtain a new centroid which eventually becomes the circumcenter. The Euclidean distance is used to calculate the ranking function from the circumcenter of centroids and the original point. A numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed method. At the end of this paper, a comparison of centroid method between the proposed method and other methods is presented.

Intuitive calculation of the relativistic Rayleigh-Taylor instability linear growth rate

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is a key process in many fields of Physics ranging from astrophysics to inertial confinement fusion. It is usually analyzed deriving the linearized fluid equations, but the physics behind the instability is not always clear. Recent works on this instability allow for an very intuitive understanding of the phenomenon and for a straightforward calculation of the linear growth rate. In this Letter, it is shown that the same reasoning allows for a direct derivation of the relativistic expression of the linear growth rate for an incompressible fluid.

Credible Loss Ratio Claims Reserves: the Benktander, Neuhaus and Mack Methods Revisited

The Benktander (1976) and Neuhaus (1992) credibility claims reserving methods are reconsidered in the framework of a credible loss ratio reserving method. As a main contribution we provide a simple and practical optimal credibility weight for combining the chain-ladder or individual loss ratio reserve (grossed up latest claims experience of an origin period) with the Bornhuetter-Ferguson or collective loss ratio reserve (experience based burning cost estimate of the total ultimate claims of an origin period). The obtained simple optimal credibility weights minimize simultaneously the mean squared error and the variance of the claims reserve. We note also that the standard Chain-Ladder, Cape Cod and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods can be reinterpreted in the credible context and extended to optimal credible standard methods. The new approach is inspired from Mack (2000). Two advantages over the Mack method are worthwhile to be mentioned. First, a pragmatic estimation of the required parameters leads to a straightforward calculation of the optimal credibility weights and mean squared errors of the credible reserves. An advantage of the collective loss ratio claims reserve over the Bornhuetter-Ferguson reserve in Mack (2000) is that different actuaries come always to the same results provided they use the same actuarial premiums.

Asymptotically Optimal Box Packing Theorems

Given a protoset of $d$-dimensional polyominoes, we ask which boxes can be packed by the protoset. In some cases, it may be too difficult to give a complete answer to this question, so we ask the easier question about determining all sufficiently large boxes that can be packed. (We say that a box is "sufficiently large" if all edge lengths are ${} \ge C$ for some large $C$.) We give numerous examples (mostly $2$-dimensional) where we can answer this easier question. The various techniques involved are: checkerboard-type colorings/numberings (tile homology), the boundary word method of Conway and Lagarias (tile homotopy), ad hoc geometric arguments, and a very nice theorem of Barnes. Barnes' Theorem asserts that all necessary conditions for a box to be packable can be given in a certain form, and these conditions are also sufficient for large boxes. Barnes' Theorem has not received the appreciation it deserves. We give a new, purely combinatorial proof of this important result. (Barnes' original proof uses techniques of algebraic geometry.) In the special case that all the prototiles are boxes themselves, we show how to determine all sufficiently large boxes that they pack. We prove a theorem based on Barnes' result that reduces this to a straightforward calculation.

Inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy of amino acids

A combination of infrared, Raman and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopies are used to provide complete vibrational spectra of several amino acids and dipeptides. The amino acids studied were glycine, alanine, glutamine, cysteine, methionine and phenylalanine and the dipeptides studied were Gly–Gln and Gly–Ala. The findings of this study have shown how the complementarity of infrared, Raman and INS spectroscopies can be exploited to provide complete vibrational spectra of amino acids and peptides. In particular, the strengths of INS spectroscopy are highlighted: the absence of selection rules, that hydrogenic motions are emphasised, the ready access to the low energy regime (<400 cm−1) and the straightforward calculation of intensities. In the future, it should be possible to apply this approach to the study of larger peptides as well as proteins.

ON WILSONIAN FLOWS IN GAUGE THEORIES

An Exact Renormalisation Group (ERG) approach to non-Abelian gauge theories is discussed. We focus on the derivation of universal beta-functions and the choice of the initial effective action, the latter being a key input in the approach. To that end we establish the map between Gell-Mann–Low scaling of the full theory and the scaling in an ERG approach. Then this map is used to derive the 2-loop β-function within a simple straightforward calculation. The implications for the choice of the initial effective action are discussed.

The vector-ladder operators for the rotation group O3

The two vector-ladder operators, which step from any state [Formula: see text] in an irreducible multiplet in the space of product states of two commuting angular momenta, are defined and all their nonvanishing matrix elements are given, facilitating direct, straightforward calculation of the six nearby nonsibling states [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text].