Adopting Scenario-Based approach to solve optimal reactive power Dispatch problem with integration of wind and solar energy using improved Marine predator algorithm

The penetration of renewable energy resources into electric power networks has been increased considerably to reduce the dependence of conventional energy resources, reducing the generation cost and greenhouse emissions. The wind and photovoltaic (PV) based systems are the most applied technologies in electrical systems compared to other technologies of renewable energy resources. However, there are some complications and challenges to incorporating these resources due to their stochastic nature, intermittency, and variability of output powers. Therefore, solving the optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem with considering the uncertainties of renewable energy resources is a challenging task. Application of the Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA) for solving complex multimodal and non-linear problems such as ORPD under system uncertainties may cause entrapment into local optima and suffer from stagnation. The aim of this paper is to solve the ORPD problem under deterministic and probabilistic states of the system using an improved marine predator algorithm (IMPA). The IMPA is based on enhancing the exploitation phase of the conventional MPA. The proposed enhancement is based on updating the locations of the populations in spiral orientation around the sorted populations in the first iteration process, while in the final stage, the locations of the populations are updated their locations in adaptive steps closed to the best population only. The scenario-based approach is utilized for uncertainties representation where a set of scenarios are generated with the combination of uncertainties the load demands and power of the renewable resources. The proposed algorithm is validated and tested on the IEEE 30-bus system as well as the captured results are compared with those outcomes from the state-of-the-art algorithms. A computational study shows the superiority of the proposed algorithm over the other reported algorithms

de Sitter inflationary expansion from a noncompact KK theory: a nonperturbative quantum (scalar) field formalism

We develop a nonperturbative quantum scalar field formalism from a noncompact Kaluza-Klein (KK) theory using the induced-matter theory of gravity during inflation. We study the particular case of a de Sitter expansion for the universe.Comment: final version, to appear in Phys. Lett.

The Psychometric Properties of the Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) among Iranians Methamphetamine Abusers

Introduction: Drug-craving as a multidimensional subjective experience recently has beenaccepted as an addiction hallmark. Desire for Drug Questionnaire or DDQ is a well-knownquestionnaire for measurement of drug craving severity. This study aimed to investigate thepsychometric properties of the DDQ among Iranian methamphetamine abusers.Method: DDQ was translated from English into Farsi by language experts. The questionnaire wasthen used for evaluation of craving among 50 male methamphetamine abusers. Then, DDQquestionnaire' scores was subjected to an exploratory principal components factor analysis. Toassess construct validity of DDQ, the model was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis.Internal consistency was examined by calculating cronbach’s alpha.Results: Finally, the Persian version of DDQ was verified with 13 items and three factors. Threefactors with high eigenvalues were identified by (PCA) that accounted for 70.63% of the totalvariance. Given the relative fit of the confirmatory factor model, the construct validity of the DDQwas verified. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the total score of the questionnaire was 0.86.Conclusion: The Farsi-translated version of DDQ questionnaires had good psychometric properties.The questionnaire could be considered as a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of drugcraving level in Iranian methamphetamine abusers

Investigating Organizational Excellence of Mahab Gas Company based on Peters and Waterman Model

The aim of this study was to evaluate organizational excellence based on Peters and Waterman model at MahabGas Company. In this model, eight variables were evaluated: prejudice to the operation, attention to customer needs, independence and employee entrepreneurship, productivity increase through staff, attention to common values, adhere to the original work, using simple structures and flexibility. This is an applied and descriptive survey study, due to the small population, all employees of MahabGas Company were chosen as statistical population. Statistical methods and different tests were used for statistical analysis using SPSS(version 22) and in a manner that is mentioned:  Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for surveying data normality, to check the validity and reliability of questionnaire, confirmatory factor analysis using LISREL8.54software and one sample Student's t-test and Friedman test were used for investigating study hypotheses. The results indicate that the observed t about eight variables of Peters and Waterman organizational excellence model in the company are not in desirable level and therefore the company based on the Peters and Waterman organizational excellence model is not a supreme organization

Gauge-invariant metric fluctuations from NKK theory of gravity: de Sitter expansion

In this paper we study gauge-invariant metric fluctuations from a Noncompact Kaluza-Klein (NKK) theory of gravity in a de Sitter expansion. We recover the well known result $\delta\rho/\rho \simeq 2\Phi$, obtained from the standard 4D semiclassical approach to inflation. The spectrum for these fluctuations should be dependent of the fifth (spatial-like) coordinate.Comment: version accepted in Phys. Lett.

Inflationary cosmology from STM theory of gravity

I study the power-law and de Sitter expansions for the universe during inflation from the STM theory of gravity. In a de Sitter expansion the additional dimension is related to the cosmological constant. I find from experimental data that the mass of the inflaton field is $m^2=2/(3\Psi^2)$. In power-law expansion, the fifth coordinate appears to be a dimensionless constant. The interesting here is that the $\Psi$-value depends on the initial conditions. I find the 5D line element for this inflationary expansion, which is a function of the classical component of the inflaton.Comment: final versio

Metallurgical Characterization of Penetration Shape Change in Workpiece Vibration-Assisted Tandem-Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding

Tandem-pulsed gas metal arc welding (TP-GMAW) simultaneously uses two wire-electrodes to enhance the material deposition rate, leading to the generation of a finger-shaped penetration as one of the arcs penetrates deeper than the other. On the other hand, workpiece vibration is one of the techniques used to control the microstructure of weld metal and a heat-affected zone. It is incidentally found that a specific vibration condition changes the finger-shaped penetration into pan-bottom shaped penetration in the TP-GMAWeven though the vibration energy is much lower than the arc energy. Microstructure observation and elemental analysis are carried out for the welds fabricated without vibration and with three kinds of vibration modes, namely sine, random, and shock. The specific sine-mode vibration exhibits pan-bottom. The other modes of vibration in the same welding conditions exhibited invariable finger-shaped penetration. The Si atoms as a tracer distribute uniformly in the sine-mode. However, Si atoms segregate at the bottom of the finger-shaped weld metal with the random-mode and shock-mode workpiece vibrations. The weld pool shape change is prominent at a specific frequency. A resonance phenomenon between the droplet flow pattern and the molten material flow in the weld pool is likely to play a vital role in the change. © 2020 by the authors

Case report: A novel de novo loss of function variant in the DNA-binding domain of TBX2 causes severe osteochondrodysplasia

Background: T-box family members are transcription factors characterized by highly conserved residues corresponding to the DNA-binding domain known as the T-box. TBX2 has been implicated in several developmental processes, such as coordinating cell fate, patterning, and morphogenesis of a wide range of tissues and organs, including lungs, limbs, heart, kidneys, craniofacial structures, and mammary glands.Methods: In the present study, we have clinically and genetically characterized a proband showing a severe form of chondrodysplasia with developmental delay. Whole-exome sequencing (WES), Sanger sequencing, and 3D protein modeling were performed in the present investigation.Results: Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel nonsense variant (c.529A>T; p.Lys177*; NM_005994.4) in TBX2. 3D-TBX2 protein modeling revealed a substantial reduction of the mutated protein, which might lead to a loss of function (LOF) or nonsense-mediated decay (NMD).Conclusion: This study has not only expanded the mutation spectrum in the gene TBX2 but also facilitated the diagnosis and genetic counseling of related features in affected families