Electric Vehicle Charging Load Allocation at Residential Locations Utilizing the Energy Savings Gained by Optimal Network Reconductoring

In this study, a two-stage methodology based on the energy savings gained by optimal network reconductoring was developed for the sizing and allocation of electric vehicle (EV) charging load at the residential locations in urban distribution systems. During the first stage, the Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) was applied to minimize the annual energy losses of the radial distribution system through optimum network reconductoring. A multi-objective function was formulated to minimize investment, peak loss, and annual energy loss costs at different load factors. The results obtained with the flower pollination algorithm were compared with the particle swarm optimization algorithm. In the second stage, a simple heuristic procedure was developed for the sizing and allocation of EV charging load at every node of the distribution system utilizing part of the annual energy savings obtained by optimal network reconductoring. The number of electric cars, electric bikes, and electric scooters that can be charged at every node was computed while maintaining the voltage and branch current constraints. The simulation results were demonstrated on 123 bus and 51 bus radial distribution networks to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology

Repeat cesarean section in a COVID-19 positive mother in the United States.

In our report, we present a case of repeat cesarean section in a 29-year-old Ecuadorian mother who contracted COVID-19 and traveled to the United States during her last trimester of pregnancy. We assembled a multidisciplinary team to safely deliver the mother by cesarean section. She received supportive care for her COVID-19 infection. Infection prevention procedures were based on early available data, and the baby was delivered without complications

Update on Role of Direct Renin Inhibitor in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Abstract Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a critical role in the development of DKD with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) being the mainstay of treatment. Systemic RAAS activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of DKD, but lately interest has shifted to intrarenal RAAS effect. With the discovery of the (pro)renin receptor and ACE independent pathways of angiotensin II production, our understanding of role of renin in end organ damage has improved significantly. Summary: We summarize our current understanding of ACE dependent and independent pathways in the development of DKD and the preclinical models demonstrating renal effects of direct renin inhibitors (DRIs). We then review clinical studies and trials performed so far evaluating the efficacy of aliskiren on renal outcomes and safety in DKD. Key message: At present, there is little evidence for renal benefit of aliskiren in DKD beyond that offered by ACEIs or ARBs. Combining aliskiren with ACEI or ARB in DKD did not significantly improve renal outcomes in comparison with ACEI or ARB monotherapy in clinical trials. Slightly more adverse events including hyperkalemia, acute kidney injury and hypotension were observed in the combination therapy as compared to the monotherapy. Thus, current evidence suggests that aliskiren, because of its antihypertensive and antiproteinuric effects, maybe used as monotherapy in DKD and considered an equivalent alternative to ACEIs or ARBs. Careful monitoring for renal adverse effects would allow safe clinical use of DRI

Light chain cast nephropathy caused by plasmablastic lymphoma of the bladder

INTRODUCTION: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare form of B-cell lymphoma typically seen in patients with underlying immunosuppression such as HIV, autoimmune disease, and organ transplantation. PBL in HIV-positive patients usually originates from the gastrointestinal tract, with a predilection for the oral cavity. Bladder involvement by PBL is exceedingly rare, and cast nephropathy due to κ light chain-secreting PBL has not been reported previously. CASE REPORT: We report a patient who presented with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the setting of HIV, and was found to have a bladder tumor. Bladder pathology revealed a high-grade PBL with κ light chain restriction. Renal biopsy showed κ light chain cast nephropathy, presumably secondary to κ light chain-secreting PBL. CONCLUSION: Although the prognosis of PBL is poor, our patient recovered from AKI, achieved complete hematologic remission with chemotherapy, and underwent successful autologous stem cell transplant

Generation and Properties of Antibacterial Coatings Based on Electrostatic Attachment of Silver Nanoparticles to Protein-Coated Polypropylene Fibers

We present a simple method for attaching silver nanoparticles to polypropylene (PP) fibers in a two-step process to impart antibacterial properties. Specifically, PP fibers are pretreated by the adsorption from an aqueous solution of heat-denatured lysozyme (LYS) followed by LYS cross-linking using glutaraldehyde and sodium borohydride. At neutral pH, the surface of the adsorbed LYS layer is enriched with numerous positive charges. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) capped with trisodium citrate are subsequently deposited onto the protein-coated PP. Nanoparticle binding is mediated by electrostatic interactions between the positively charged LYS layer and the negatively charged AgNPs. The density of AgNPs deposited on PP depends on the amount of protein adsorbed on the surface. UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy are employed to follow all preparation steps and to characterize the resulting functional surfaces. The antibacterial activity of the modified surfaces is tested against gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli (<i>E. coli</i>). Overall, our results show that PP surfaces coated with AgNPs exhibit excellent antibacterial activity with 100% removal efficiency

Abstracts of International Conference on Innovations in Business Management

This book contains abstracts of the various research ideas of the academic community and practitioners of management presented at the International Conference on Innovations in Business Management (ICIBM 2020). The researchers have contributed toward various themes of the conference such as sustainable economy, supply chain, women-empowerment, export-import, microfinance, government policies, etc. We strongly believe that it will open up further scope for in-depth research in various disciplines of business management. Best wishes to the participants to have detailed discussions on the above-said wide range of areas. Conference Title: International Conference on Innovations in Business ManagementConference Acronym: ICIBM 2020Conference Date: 16-17 January 2020Conference Location: ICFAI University, Dehradun, IndiaConference Organizers: ICFAI Business School, ICFAI University, Dehradun, India &amp; University of Derby, United Kingdo