Voltage Stability Analysis of Grid Connected Embedded Generators

The increasing costs and stringent environmental regulations are making the construction of large power stations to meet rising energy demands economically unfeasible. Hence, Embedded Generation (EG) is predicted to play a prominent role in the electric power systems of the future. The term 'embedded generation' refers to electricity generation connected at distribution level rather than transmission level. The insertion of EGs presents a new set of conditions to distribution networks. The aim of this paper is to conduct a voltage stability analysis using an iterative power system simulation package, PowerWorld (TM) Simulator, to evaluate the impact of strategically placed EG on distribution systems with respect to the critical voltage variations and collapse margins. This paper concludes with the discussion of EG's excellent options for system reactive power compensation and voltage stability

Fabrication and hemocompatibility assessment of novel polyurethane-based bio-nanofibrous dressing loaded with honey and Carica papaya extract for the management of burn injuries

Management of burn injury is an onerous clinical task since it requires continuous monitoring and extensive usage of specialized facilities. Despite rapid improvizations and investments in burn management, >30% of victims hospitalized each year face severe morbidity and mortality. Excessive loss of body fluids, accumulation of exudate, and the development of septic shock are reported to be the main reasons for morbidity in burn victims. To assist burn wound management, a novel polyurethane (PU)-based bio-nanofibrous dressing loaded with honey (HN) and Carica papaya (PA) fruit extract was fabricated using a one-step electrospinning technique. The developed dressing material had a mean fiber diameter of 190±19.93 nm with pore sizes of 4-50 µm to support effective infiltration of nutrients and gas exchange. The successful blending of HN- and PA-based active biomolecules in PU was inferred through changes in surface chemistry. The blend subsequently increased the wettability (14%) and surface energy (24%) of the novel dressing. Ultimately, the presence of hydrophilic biomolecules and high porosity enhanced the water absorption ability of the PU-HN-PA nanofiber samples to 761.67% from 285.13% in PU. Furthermore, the ability of the bio-nanofibrous dressing to support specific protein adsorption (45%), delay thrombus formation, and reduce hemolysis demonstrated its nontoxic and compatible nature with the host tissues. In summary, the excellent physicochemical and hemocompatible properties of the developed PU-HN-PA dressing exhibit its potential in reducing the clinical complications associated with the treatment of burn injuries

A q-deformed nonlinear map

A scheme of q-deformation of nonlinear maps is introduced. As a specific example, a q-deformation procedure related to the Tsallis q-exponential function is applied to the logistic map. Compared to the canonical logistic map, the resulting family of q-logistic maps is shown to have a wider spectrum of interesting behaviours, including the co-existence of attractors -- a phenomenon rare in one dimensional maps.Comment: 17 pages, 19 figure

Surface, thermal and hemocompatible properties of novel single stage electrospun nanocomposites comprising polyurethane blended with bio oil™

In this work, the physicochemical and blood compatibility properties of prepared PU/Bio oil nanocomposites were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies revealed the reduction of mean fiber diameter (709 ± 211 nm) compared to the pristine PU (969 nm ± 217 nm). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis exposed the characteristic peaks of pristine PU. Composite peak intensities were decreased insinuating the interaction of the bio oil™ with the PU. Contact angle analysis portrayed the hydrophobic nature of the fabricated patch compared to pristine PU. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) depicted the better thermal stability of the novel nanocomposite patch and its different thermal behavior in contrast with the pristine PU. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed the increase in the surface roughness of the composite patch. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) signified the novel nanocomposite patch ability in reducing the thrombogenicity and promoting the anticoagulant nature. Finally the hemolytic percentage of the fabricated composite was in the acceptable range revealing its safety and compatibility with the red blood cells. To reinstate, the fabricated patch renders promising physicochemical and blood compatible nature making it a new putative candidate for wound healing application

Prioritization of candidate genes in "QTL-hotspot" region for drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A combination of two approaches, namely QTL analysis and gene enrichment analysis were used to identify candidate genes in the "QTL-hotspot" region for drought tolerance present on the Ca4 pseudomolecule in chickpea. In the first approach, a high-density bin map was developed using 53,223 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in the recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of ICC 4958 (drought tolerant) and ICC 1882 (drought sensitive) cross. QTL analysis using recombination bins as markers along with the phenotyping data for 17 drought tolerance related traits obtained over 1-5 seasons and 1-5 locations split the "QTL-hotspot" region into two subregions namely "QTL-hotspot_a" (15 genes) and "QTL-hotspot_b" (11 genes). In the second approach, gene enrichment analysis using significant marker trait associations based on SNPs from the Ca4 pseudomolecule with the above mentioned phenotyping data, and the candidate genes from the refined "QTL-hotspot" region showed enrichment for 23 genes. Twelve genes were found common in both approaches. Functional validation using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) indicated four promising candidate genes having functional implications on the effect of "QTL-hotspot" for drought tolerance in chickpea.Sandip M Kale, Deepa Jaganathan, Pradeep Ruperao, Charles Chen, Ramu Punna, Himabindu Kudapa, Mahendar Thudi, Manish Roorkiwal, Mohan AVSK Katta, Dadakhalandar Doddamani, Vanika Garg, P B Kavi Kishor, Pooran M Gaur, Henry T Nguyen, Jacqueline Batley, David Edwards, Tim Sutton and Rajeev K Varshne

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN APPROACH TO FABRICATE AND OPTIMIZE FLOATING TABLETS OF LEVOFLOXACIN FOR HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION

Objective: To improve the treatment of H. pylori infection, by achieving the required bactericidal concentrations of antibiotics in the stomach, by delivering the antibiotics to the mucus layer and release the drug at the site of infection for a prolonged period would be significantly more effective than conventional dosage forms. Methods: The experimental method of the research was designed to prepare Levofloxacin floating by using Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC K4M), Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC K100M) and Xanthan gum by Three-level Box–Behnken design optimization method. The prepared tablets were evaluated for Thickness, Hardness, Friability, Weight variation, Swelling index (SI), Floating lag time (FLT) and Time required to release 90% of the drug from the tablet (T90%). Results: It was found that the Thickness-3.12±0.11 mm to 3.28±0.10 mm, Hardness-4.52±0.36 kg/cm2 to 4.81±0.24 kg/cm2, Friability-0.81±0.02g to 0.86±0.12g, Weight variation-480±1.90 mg to 523±0.89 mg, Swelling index (SI)-61.9±0.624% to 99.95±0.226%, Floating lag time (FLT)-81.12±0.63 s to 119.7±0.567 s and Time required to release 90% of the drug from the tablet (T90%)-7.0±0.55 h to 10.33±0.289 h. HPMC K100M and Xanthan gum showed good swelling as compared to HPMC K4M. The study revealed that HPMC K100M grade had a significant effect on drug release. Conclusion: The developed gastro-floating tablets can extend levofloxacin duration in the stomach and produce a prolonged release effect. The prepared levofloxacin floating tablet oral drug delivery system appears to be a promising choice for the efficient eradication of H. pylor