Reduction of annual operational costs in power systems through the optimal siting and sizing of STATCOMs

The problem of the optimal siting and placement of static compensates (STATCOMs) in power systems is addressed in this paper from an exact mathematical optimization point of view. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model to present the problem was developed with the aim of minimizing the annual operating costs of the power system, which is the sum of the costs of the energy losses and of the installation of the STATCOMs. The optimization model has constraints regarding the active and reactive power balance equations and those associated with the devices’ capabilities, among others. To characterize the electrical behavior of the power system, different load profiles such as residential, industrial, and commercial are considered for a period of 24 h of operation. The solution of the proposed model is reached with the general algebraic modeling system optimization package. The numerical results indicate the positive effect of the dynamic reactive power injections in the power systems on annual operating cost reduction. A Pareto front was built to present the multi-objective behavior of the studied problem when compared to investment and operative costs. The complete numerical validations are made in the IEEE 24-, IEEE 33-, and IEEE 69-bus systems, respectively

Grid Code-Dependent Frequency Control Optimization in Multi-Terminal DC Networks

The increasing deployment of wind power is reducing inertia in power systems. High-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology can help to improve the stability of AC areas in which a frequency response is required. Moreover, multi-terminal DC (MTDC) networks can be optimized to distribute active power to several AC areas by droop control setting schemes that adjust converter control parameters. To this end, in this paper, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to improve the primary frequency response in AC areas considering several grid limitations and constraints. The frequency control uses an optimization process that minimizes the frequency nadir and the settling time in the primary frequency response. Secondly, another layer is proposed for the redistribution of active power among several AC areas, if required, without reserving wind power capacity. This method takes advantage of the MTDC topology and considers the grid code limitations at the same time. Two scenarios are defined to provide grid code-compliant frequency control.Australian Education International, Australian Government TEC2016-80242-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad DPI2016-75294-C2-2-

Selective Implantation of Diamines for Cooperative Catalysis in Isoreticular Heterometallic Titanium-Organic Frameworks

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Selective Implantation of Diamines for Cooperative Catalysis in Isoreticular Heterometallic Titanium-Organic Frameworks, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202100176. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.[EN] We introduce the first example of isoreticular titanium-organic frameworks, MUV-10 and MUV-12, to show how the different affinity of hard Ti(IV) and soft Ca(II) metal sites can be used to direct selective grafting of amines. This enables the combination of Lewis acid titanium centers and available -NH, sites in two sizeable pores for cooperative cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The selective grafting of molecules to heterometallic clusters adds up to the pool of methodologies available for controlling the positioning and distribution of chemical functions in precise positions of the framework required for definitive control of pore chemistry.This work was supported by the EU (ERC Stg Chem-fs-MOF 714122) and Spanish Government (CTQ2017-83486-P, RTI2018-098568-A-I00 & CEX2019-000919-M). E.L.-M. and S.T. thanks the Spanish Government for their Juan de la Cierva Fellowship (FJCI-2017-32956) and Ramon y Cajal contract (RYC-2016-1981), respectively. A.R.G. acknowledges funding from Generalitat Valencia (ACIF/2020/090)and Fondo Social Europeo. N.M.P. thanks the European Union for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Global Fellowship (H2020MSCA-IF-2016-GF-749359-EnanSET) and to the "2020 Postdoctoral Junior Leader-Retaining Fellowship, la Caixa Foundation (ID 100010434 and fellowship code LCF/BQ/PR20/11770014)". F.G.C. acknowledges the support of a fellowship from "la Caixa" Foundation (ID 100010434 and the fellowship code LCF/BQ/PI19/11690011). S.N. thanks financial support by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (RTI 2018-099482-A-I00 project), Fundacion Ramon Areces (XVIII Concurso Nacional para la Adjudicacion de Ayudas a la Investigacion en Ciencias de la Vida y de la Materia, 2016) and Agencia Valenciana de la Innovacion (AVI-GVA, Carboagua project, INNEST/2020/111).López-Maya, E.; Padial, NM.; Castells-Gil, J.; Ganivet, CR.; Rubio-Gaspar, A.; García Cirujano, F.; Almora-Barrios, N.... (2021). Selective Implantation of Diamines for Cooperative Catalysis in Isoreticular Heterometallic Titanium-Organic Frameworks. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 60(21):11868-11873. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.2021001761186811873602

Transparent nanometric organic luminescent films as UV-active components in photonic structures

A new kind of visible-blind organic thin-film material, consisting of a polymeric matrix with a high concentration of embedded 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) dye molecules, that absorbs UV light and emits green light is presented. The thin films can be grown on sensitive substrates, including flexible polymers and paper. Their suitability as photonic active components photonic devices is demonstrated. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Production of Beauveria bassiana Fungal Spores on Rice to Control the Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus hampei, in Colombia

Two isolates of fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) were grown on cooked rice using diphasic liquid-solid fermentation in plastic bags to produce and harvest spore powder. The cultures were dried and significant differences were found for isolates and time of harvest. The spores were harvested manually and mechanically and after the cultures were dried for nine days, when moisture content was near 10%. After harvesting, spores were submitted to quality control to assess concentration, germination, purity, moisture content, particle size and pathogenicity to the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Spore productivity on cooked rice was less than 1×1010 spores/g using both manually and mechanically harvesting methodologies. Germination at 24 hours was over 75% and pathogenicity against H. hampei was over 92.5%. This methodology is suitable for laboratory and field studies, but not for industrial production when a high concentration of spores are required for formulation and field applications

Análisis filogenético de cepas de Escherichia coli aisladas de crías de alpacas (Vicugna pacos) con diarrea en la sierra central del Perú

The aim of this study was to determine the phylogenetic groups of Escherichia coli isolated from alpacas with diarrhoea. The presence of E. coli was determined in 150 samples of diarrheal faeces collected from young alpacas from the central highlands of Peru, and the distribution of phylogenetic groups was determined by the Clermont method. E. coli was present in 79.3% (119/150) of animals with diarrhoea. The strains were classified into phylogenetic groups A, B1, B2 and D, which showed a frequency of 13.5% (16/119), 65.5% (78/119), 1.68% (2/119) and 19.33% (11/23), respectively. Moreover, 21% (25/119) of isolated strains of E. coli belonged to phylogenetic groups B2 and D, mainly extraintestinal pathogenic strains, and 79% (94/119) to groups B1 and A, which are mainly commensal strains.El objetivo del presente estudio fue la determinación de grupos filogenéticos de Escherichia coli obtenidos de alpacas con diarrea. Se determinó la presencia de E. coli en 150 muestras de heces diarreicas recolectadas de crías de alpaca de la sierra central del Perú, y se determinó la distribución de los grupos filogenéticos mediante el método de Clermont. E. coli estuvo presente en el 79.3% (119/150) de los animales con diarrea, pudiendo clasificarse en los grupos filogenéticos A, B1, B2 y D, los cuales mostraron una frecuencia de 13.5% (16/119), 65.5% (78/119), 1.68% (2/119) y 19.33% (23/119), respectivamente. El 21% (25/119) de cepas aisladas de E. coli pertenecen a los grupos filogenéticos B2 y D, principalmente cepas patógenas extraintestinales, y el 79% (94/119) a los grupos B1 y A, que son principalmente cepas comensales

Estimating mortality and disability in Peru before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of the Disease Study 2019

"Background: Estimating and analyzing trends and patterns of health loss are essential to promote efficient resource allocation and improve Peru’s healthcare system performance. Methods: Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (2019), we assessed mortality and disability in Peru from 1990 to 2019. We report demographic and epidemiologic trends in terms of population, life expectancy at birth (LE), mortality, incidence, prevalence, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) caused by the major diseases and risk factors in Peru. Finally, we compared Peru with 16 countries in the Latin American (LA) region. Results: The Peruvian population reached 33.9 million inhabitants (49.9% women) in 2019. From 1990 to 2019, LE at birth increased from 69.2 (95% uncertainty interval 67.8–70.3) to 80.3 (77.2–83.2) years. This increase was driven by the decline in under-5 mortality (−80.7%) and mortality from infectious diseases in older age groups (+60 years old). The number of DALYs in 1990 was 9.2 million (8.5–10.1) and reached 7.5 million (6.1–9.0) in 2019. The proportion of DALYs due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increased from 38.2% in 1990 to 67.9% in 2019. The all-ages and age-standardized DALYs rates and YLLs rates decreased, but YLDs rates remained constant. In 2019, the leading causes of DALYs were neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections (LRIs), ischemic heart disease, road injuries, and low back pain. The leading risk factors associated with DALYs in 2019 were undernutrition, high body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and air pollution. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Peru experienced one of the highest LRIs-DALYs rates in the LA region. Conclusion: In the last three decades, Peru experienced significant improvements in LE and child survival and an increase in the burden of NCDs and associated disability. The Peruvian healthcare system must be redesigned to respond to this epidemiological transition. The new design should aim to reduce premature deaths and maintain healthy longevity, focusing on effective coverage and treatment of NCDs and reducing and managing the related disability.

Acyloxylation of Cyclic Enones: Synthesis of Densely Oxygenated Guaianolides

The α′-acyloxylation of cyclic enones with linear carboxylic acids is described. The reaction is promoted by KMnO4 in the presence of a carboxylic acid and its corresponding carboxylic anhydride. The optimization of the reaction has been carried out using the statistical methodology known as design of experiments. The optimized reaction conditions have been evaluated in terms of substrate scope and compatibility with different functional groups. The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of densely oxygenated guaianes and guaianolides

Allylic Oxidation of Alkenes Catalyzed by a Copper−Aluminum Mixed Oxide

A strategy for the allylic oxidation of cyclic alkenes with a copper−aluminum mixed oxide as catalyst is presented. The reaction involves the treatment of an alkene with a carboxylic acid employing tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. In all cases, the corresponding allylic esters are obtained. When L-proline is employed, the allylic alcohol or ketone is obtained. The oxidation of cyclohexene and valencene has been optimized by design of experiments (DoE) statistical methodology