Optimized Sensor Nodes Deployment in Wireless Sensor Network Using Bat Algorithm

Wireless Personal Communications - For the optimal performance of wireless sensor networks in different areas of applications needs to maximize the coverage area of sensor nodes. The coverage of...     

Impact of the penetration of distributed generation on optimal reactive power dispatch

Optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) is a complex and non-linear problem, and is one of the sub-problems of optimal power flow (OPF) in a power system. ORPD is formulated as a single-objective problem to minimize the active power loss in a transmission system. In this work, power from distributed generation (DG) is integrated into a conventional power system and the ORPD problem is solved to minimize transmission line power loss. It proves that the application of DG not only contributes to power loss minimization and improvement of system stability but also reduces energy consumption from the conventional sources. A recently proposed meta-heuristic algorithm known as the JAYA algorithm is applied to the standard IEEE 14, 30, 57 and 118 bus systems to solve the newly developed ORPD problem with the incorporation of DG. The simulation results prove the superiority of the JAYA algorithm over others. The respective optimal values of DG power that should be injected into the four IEEE test systems to obtain the minimum transmission line power losses are also provided.     

Nonlinear state feedback controller design for underactuated mechanical system: A modified block backstepping approach

This paper presents the formulation of a novel block-backstepping based control algorithm to address the stabilization problem for a generalized nonlinear underactuated mechanical system. For the convenience of compact design, first, the state model of the underactuated system has been converted into the block-strict feedback form. Next, we have incorporated backstepping control action to derive the expression of the control input for the generic nonlinear underactuated system. The proposed block backstepping technique has further been enriched by incorporating an integral action additionally for enhancing the steady state performance of the overall system. Asymptotic stability of the overall system has been analyzed using Lyapunov stability criteria. Subsequently, the stability of the zero dynamics has also been analyzed to ensure the global asymptotic stability of the entire nonlinear system at its desired equilibrium point. The proposed control algorithm has been applied for the stabilization of a benchmarked underactuated mechanical system to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control law in real-time environment.     

Effect of semicrystalline copolymers in solid dispersions of pioglitazone hydrochloride: in vitro-in vivo correlation

Objective: The study was aimed to improve the dissolution and bioavailability of developed stable amorphous solid dispersions (SDs) of pioglitazone hydrochloride (PGH), a poorly water-soluble drug.

Significance: Poor aqueous solubility of PGH was overcome by the design of SDs. Level A correlation demonstrated between in vitro release and bioavailability of PGH, suggest its biowaiver potential.

Methods: The effects of semicrystalline copolymers (poloxamer 407 and gelucire 50/13) and methods of preparations on dissolution behavior, in vivo performance, and stability of PGH SDs were investigated. All the SDs were characterized by FTIR, TGA, DSC, XRD, and SEM.

Results: FTIR and TGA showed the compatibility with the polymers. The significant change in melting pattern of the PGH observed in the DSC thermograms supported by XRD patterns & SEM indicated a change from a crystalline to an amorphous state. Gelucire 50/13 was observed to have greater ability to form SDs than poloxamer 407 in solvent evaporation method (SM). Prevention of recrystallization during storage suggested stability of the formulation. Gelucire 50/13 based SD, prepared by SM remarkably increased the dissolution within 15?min (87.27?±?2.25%) and was supported by dissolution parameters (Q₁₅, IDR, RDR, % DE, f₁, f₂). These SDs showed pH-dependent solubility. In vivo test showed significantly (p?<?.05) higher AUC_0–t and C_max, which were about 3.17 and 4.34 times that of the pure drug respectively.

Conclusion: Gelucire 50/13 was found to be a suitable carrier for SM for preparation of SDs of PGH as evident from increased dissolution and bioavailability.     

Insights into the Interaction of LVV-Hemorphin-7 with Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor

Hemorphins are known for their role in the control of blood pressure. Recently, we revealed the positive modulation of the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT1R) by LVV-hemorphin-7 (LVV-H7) in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. Here, we examined the molecular binding behavior of LVV-H7 on AT1R and its effect on AngII binding using a nanoluciferase-based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (NanoBRET) assay in HEK293FT cells, as well as molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) studies. Saturation and real-time kinetics supported the positive effect of LVV-H7 on the binding of AngII. While the competitive antagonist olmesartan competed with AngII binding, LVV-H7 slightly, but significantly, decreased AngII’s k_D by 2.6 fold with no effect on its B_max. Molecular docking and MD simulations indicated that the binding of LVV-H7 in the intracellular region of AT1R allosterically potentiates AngII binding. LVV-H7 targets residues on intracellular loops 2 and 3 of AT1R, which are known binding sites of allosteric modulators in other GPCRs. Our data demonstrate the allosteric effect of LVV-H7 on AngII binding, which is consistent with the positive modulation of AT1R activity and signaling previously reported. This further supports the pharmacological targeting of AT1R by hemorphins, with implications in vascular and renal physiology.     

Lanthanide oxide-doped titanium dioxide: Effective photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants

A series of lanthanide oxide-doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts Ln₂O₃/TiO₂ (Ln³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Pr³⁺, Yb³⁺) were prepared. The photocatalysts reveal a substantially enhanced activity for the degradation of organic pollutants, as compared to undoped TiO₂. The photodegradation processes of p-nitrobenzoic acid, (1), p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, (2), aniline, (3), salicylic acid, (4), and trans-cinnamic acid, (5), with the different photocatalysts was examined. The photodegradation of (1)–(5) is significantly faster with Ln₂O₃/TiO₂ photocatalysts and leads to complete mineralization of the organic compounds. The high activity of the Ln₂O₃/TiO₂ photocatalysts is attributed to the enhanced association of the functionalized organic pollutants to lanthanide-ion surface sites.     

Phthalocyanine- and Calixarene-Templating Effect on the Catalytic Performance of Solid Supported Vanadates

Abstract  

Catalytic performance of solid supported monovanadate catalysts toward oxidation of propane is significantly affected by the templating effect of: (1) pretreatment of the solid support with calixarene derivatives before deposition of ammonium vanadate, (2) direct deposition of vanadyl phthalocyanine as the vanadate precursor. This effect is believed to be linked to the accessibility of the active sites, and was studied in comparison with a reference mesoporous support.     

Nusselt number and friction factor correlations for solar air heater duct having artificially roughened absorber plate

An experimental investigation has been carried out for a range of system and operating parameters in order to analyse effect of artificial roughness on heat transfer and friction in solar air heater duct having protrusions as roughness geometry. An increase in heat transfer and friction loss has been observed for duct having roughened absorber plate. Experimental data have been used to develop Nusselt number and friction factor correlations as function of system and operating parameters for predicting performance of the system having investigated type of roughness geometry.     

Sweet carbon: An analysis of sugar industry carbon market opportunities under the clean development mechanism

Bagasse power generation projects provide a useful framework for evaluating several key aspects of the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. On the positive side, our analysis, which draws in part from a data set of 204 bagasse electricity generation projects at sugar mills, indicates that these projects provide Annex I country investors with a cost-effective means to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Our analysis also confirms that the marketplace for Clean Development Mechanism-derived offsets is robust and competitive. Moreover, bagasse projects appear to provide a positive example in a “new wave” of clean energy investment that has replaced the earlier industrial gas projects. At the same time, we also identify two aspects of the CDM that demand improvement. First, the additionality standard needs to be tightened and made more transparent and consistent. Financial additionality should be required for all projects; however, any financial additionality test applied by the Clean Development Mechanism's Executive Board must be informed by the significant barriers faced by many projects. Second, the administrative processes for registration and verification of offsets need to be streamlined in order to prevent long registration time lags from chilling clean energy investment.     

Pixelated structures as a compositional medium

This paper illustrates the use of pixelated structures as a compositional medium. In this medium, compositions are constructed from parts that are very simple. Methods to generate a design vocabulary from these parts, and establish relationships between parts to construct compositions are brought together in the framework of formal languages. Finally, examples of compositions developed in this medium are presented.