74 research outputs found
The Robust Framework for Inventory Handling in Warehouses: Equipment Operations
Abstract- This paper describes and discusses inventory handling within warehouses via equipment and its safe framework for operations. This paper includes a review of common equipment utilized to move inventory received from suppliers or issued to customers, and a review of technical equipment inspection along with preventive maintenance. The paper, also, expands on the common unsafe equipment operating practices and reveals its deficiencies. Finally, the paper showcases the optimal framework and best practices to operate equipment and move inventory safely and efficiently
Quasi-dynamic Load and Battery Sizing and Scheduling for Stand-Alone Solar System Using Mixed-integer Linear Programming
Considering the intermittency of renewable energy systems, a sizing and
scheduling model is proposed for a finite number of static electric loads. The
model objective is to maximize solar energy utilization with and without
storage. For the application of optimal load size selection, the energy
production of a solar photovoltaic is assumed to be consumed by a finite number
of discrete loads in an off-grid system using mixed-integer linear programming.
Additional constraints are battery charge and discharge limitations and minimum
uptime and downtime for each unit. For a certain solar power profile the model
outputs optimal unit size as well as the optimal scheduling for both units and
battery charge and discharge (if applicable). The impact of different solar
power profiles and minimum up and down time constraints on the optimal unit and
battery sizes are studied. The battery size required to achieve full solar
energy utilization decreases with the number of units and with increased
flexibility of the units (shorter on and off-time). A novel formulation is
introduced to model quasi-dynamic units that gradually start and stop and the
quasi-dynamic units increase solar energy utilization. The model can also be
applied to search for the optimal number of units for a given cost function.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted at The IEEE Conference on Control
Applications (CCA
Reliability of Dynamic Load Scheduling with Solar Forecast Scenarios
This paper presents and evaluates the performance of an optimal scheduling
algorithm that selects the on/off combinations and timing of a finite set of
dynamic electric loads on the basis of short term predictions of the power
delivery from a photovoltaic source. In the algorithm for optimal scheduling,
each load is modeled with a dynamic power profile that may be different for on
and off switching. Optimal scheduling is achieved by the evaluation of a
user-specified criterion function with possible power constraints. The
scheduling algorithm exploits the use of a moving finite time horizon and the
resulting finite number of scheduling combinations to achieve real-time
computation of the optimal timing and switching of loads. The moving time
horizon in the proposed optimal scheduling algorithm provides an opportunity to
use short term (time moving) predictions of solar power based on advection of
clouds detected in sky images. Advection, persistence, and perfect forecast
scenarios are used as input to the load scheduling algorithm to elucidate the
effect of forecast errors on mis-scheduling. The advection forecast creates
less events where the load demand is greater than the available solar energy,
as compared to persistence. Increasing the decision horizon leads to increasing
error and decreased efficiency of the system, measured as the amount of power
consumed by the aggregate loads normalized by total solar power. For a
standalone system with a real forecast, energy reserves are necessary to
provide the excess energy required by mis-scheduled loads. A method for battery
sizing is proposed for future work.Comment: 6 pager, 4 figures, Syscon 201
Prevalence of filarial parasites in domestic and stray cats in Selangor State, Malaysia
AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of the filarial parasites,ie.,Brugia malayi, Brugia, Brugia pahangi(B. pahangi), Dirofilaria immitisandDirofilaria repens (D. repens) in domestic and stray cats.MethodsA total of 170 blood sample were collected from domestic and stray cats and examined for filarial worm parasites in two localities, Pulau Carey and Bukit Gasing, Selangor State, Malaysia.ResultsThe overall prevalence of infection was 23.5% (40/170; 95% CI = 17.4–30.6). Of this, 35% (14/40; 95% CI = 22.1–50.5) and 50% (20/40; 95% CI = 35.2–64.8) were positive for single B. pahangi nd D. repens, respectively. The remaining of 15% (6/40; 95% CI = 7.1–29.1) were positive for mixed B. pahangi and D. repens. In addition, 75% of the infected cats were domestic, and 25% were strays. No Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. Eighty-four cats were captured at Pulau Carey, of which 35.7% (30/84) were infected. Among the cats determined to be infected, 93% (28/30; 95% CI = 78.7–98.2) were domestic, and only 6.7% (2/30; 95% CI = 19.0–21.3) were strays. Conversely, the number of infected cats was three times lower in Bukit Gasing than in Pulau Carey, and most of the cats were stray.ConclusionsB. pahangi and D. repens could be the major parasites underlying filariasis in the study area. Adequate prophylactic plans should be administrated in the cat population in study area
Interaction Analysis of MRP1 with Anticancer Drugs Used in Ovarian Cancer: In Silico Approach
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major therapeutic challenges that limits the efficacy of chemotherapeutic response resulting in poor prognosis of ovarian cancer (OC). The multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) is a membrane-bound ABC transporter involved in cross resistance to many structurally and functionally diverse classes of anticancer drugs including doxorubicin, taxane, and platinum. In this study, we utilize homology modelling and molecular docking analysis to determine the binding affinity and the potential interaction sites of MRP1 with Carboplatin, Gemcitabine, Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel, and Topotecan. We used AutoDock Vina scores to compare the binding affinities of the anticancer drugs against MRP1. Our results depicted Carboplatin \u3c Gemcitabine \u3c Topotecan \u3c Doxorubicin \u3c Paclitaxel as the order of binding affinities. Paclitaxel has shown the highest binding affinity whereas Carboplatin displayed the lowest affinity to MRP1. Interestingly, our data showed that Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Topotecan bind specifically to Asn510 residue in the transmembrane domains 1 of the MRP1. Our results suggest that Carboplatin could be an appropriate therapeutic choice against MRP1 in OC as it couples weakly with Carboplatin. Further, our findings also recommend opting Carboplatin with Gemcitabine as a combinatorial chemotherapeutic approach to overcome MDR phenotype associated with recurrent OC. View Full-Tex
Prevalence of filarial parasites in domestic and stray cats in Selangor State, Malaysia
Objective: To determine the prevalence of the filarial parasites,ie.,Brugia malayi, Brugia, Brugia pahangi(B. pahangi), Dirofilaria immitisandDirofilaria repens (D. repens) in domestic and stray cats.
Methods: A total of 170 blood sample were collected from domestic and stray cats and examined for filarial worm parasites in two localities, Pulau Carey and Bukit Gasing,
Selangor State, Malaysia.
Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 23.5% (40/170; 95% CI = 17.4–30.6). Of this, 35% (14/40; 95% CI = 22.1–50.5) and 50% (20/40; 95% CI = 35.2–64.8) were
positive for single B. pahangi nd D. repens, respectively. The remaining of 15% (6/40; 95% CI = 7.1–29.1) were positive for mixed B. pahangi and D. repens. In addition, 75%
of the infected cats were domestic, and 25% were strays. No Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. Eighty-four cats were captured at Pulau Carey, of which
35.7% (30/84) were infected. Among the cats determined to be infected, 93% (28/30; 95% CI = 78.7–98.2) were domestic, and only 6.7% (2/30; 95% CI = 19.0–21.3) were strays. Conversely, the number of infected cats was three times lower in Bukit Gasing than in Pulau Carey, and most of the cats were stray. Conclusions: B. pahangi and D. repens could be the major parasites underlying filariasis in the study area. Adequate prophylactic plans should be administrated in the cat population in study area
Opportunities and obstacles to the elimination of malaria from Peninsular Malaysia: knowledge, attitudes and practices on malaria among aboriginal and rural communities
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite continuous efforts by the government and private sectors, malaria is still a public health problem in rural Peninsular Malaysia. This study investigated household knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding malaria in two malaria endemic communities, forest-aboriginal and rural communities, in the Lipis district of Pahang state, Malaysia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A descriptive cross-sectional study with a semi-structured questionnaire was carried out among 100 and 123 households from forest-aboriginal and rural areas, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Knowledge about malaria and its transmission is significantly higher among the rural participants than the aborigines (86.2% vs 76%, p < 0.01). However, use of medicinal plants and beliefs in witchcraft and sorcery in treating febrile diseases were significantly higher among the aboriginal population (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two communities in terms of the knowledge about malaria symptoms, attitudes towards its severity and practices in preventive measures against malaria by using mosquito bed nets. However, the knowledge and practice of different preventive measures to combat malaria, such as insecticide and the elimination of breeding areas, was significantly higher among the rural population than the aborigines (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both communities were aware of malaria as a disease, but knowledge, attitudes and practices were inadequate. Providing efficient health education to people residing in malaria endemic areas would improve their understanding about malaria prevention in order to bring about the elimination of malaria from the country.</p
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