Power System Stabilizer Driven by an Adaptive Fuzzy Set for Better Dynamic Performance

This paper presents a novel application of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) driven by an adaptive fuzzy set (AFS) for a power system stabilizer (PSS).The proposed FLC, driven by AFS, is compared with a classical FLC, driven by a fixed fuzzy set (FFS). Both FLC algorithms use the speed error and its rate of change as input vectors. A single generator equipped with FLC-PSS and connected to an infinite bus bar through double transmission lines is considered. Both FLCs, using AFS and FFS, are simulated and tested when the system is subjected to different step changes in the reference value. The simulation results of the proposed FLC, using the adaptive fuzzy set, give a better dynamic response of the overall system by improving the damping coefficient and decreasing the rise time and settling time compared with classical FLC using FFS. The proposed FLC using AFS also reduces the computational time of the FLC as the number of rules is reduced.

Dynamics of the anatomical variability of Artemisia herba-alba in Algeria

In this work, the anatomical variability in Artemisia herba-alba Asso was studied based on 90 individuals taken from three different bioclimatic zones of Algeria (inferior semi arid, arid and Saharan) as well as the relationships of the dynamics of this variability with the distribution and adaptation of the species. The interpretation of the results of this study through the analysis of variance and the ascending hierarchical classification allowed us to detect a very high intra- and inter-specific anatomical variability, as well as the presence of a parenchyma of water reserves observed in individuals of each studied region. The existence of relationships between environmental conditions and the dynamics of anatomical variability have been established. The broad morphological structural variability thus determined and the genetic variability observed concur well with the results of our two other previous studies. This anatomical polymorphism could help in the selection of the most effective ecotypes to restore this species in degraded steppe ecosystems of Algeria and North Africa. Thus, this choice will allow us to keep their seeds in a bank of grains in order to preserve the species for possible future use

Water Salinity Impacts on Some Soil Properties and Nutrients Uptake by Wheat Plants in Sandy and Calcareous Soil

S and S , respectively. Results concluded that, the lower germination percentage and rate in calcareous soil at any salinity level compared to sandy soil. and also, decreased the mean daily germination in both soils. Soil salinity increased as a result of increasing salinity levels of irrigation water. Easily available 1 4 water were negatively correlated with increasing water salinity from S to S , especially in case of calcareous soil. Same trend was observed in case of soluble cations and anions; especially Na which increased by 121, 285, 610 % and 94, 267, 531 % for S , S and S relative to the control, for sandy and 3 calcareous soils, respectively. The higher N, P uptake were attained in calcareous soil under (S ) while, the lowest were found in sandy soil under higher water salinity levels indicating the resistibility of Sakha 8 as wheat cultivar to salinity level up to 6.60 dSm . Substantial decrease of K:Na ratio of wheat was found grain yield by 23 %, while to 16 % reduction is found in calcareous soil. The yield reduction increases by increasing salinity of irrigation water and reaches its maximum at 8.86 dSm salinity level. Grain yield, -1 was highly significant negative correlated with hardly available water, water salinity and soil EC, while the relations were highly positive with easily available water

Treatment of Yarn Dyeing Wastewater Using Different Coagulants Followed by Activated Carbon Adsorption

Yarn dyeing industry consumes large volumes of water and chemicals for wet processing of yarn. The chemical reagents used are very diverse in chemical composition, ranging from inorganic and organic compounds to polymers. The major environmental problem of colorant manufacturing is the removal of dyes from effluents. In this study, the potential of using different coagulants such as alum, ferric chloride, and magnesium chloride were investigated for the treatment of dying wastewater. Alum, magnesium chloride and ferric chloride were tested. Lime, cationic and anionic polymers were used as a coagulant aid. To achieve better performance post treatment using granule activated carbon (GAC) was applied as an adsorbent. The use of 500 mg/l alum aided with 400 mg/l lime and 0.35 mg/l cationic polymer achieved the highest removal rate followed by magnesium chloride then ferric chloride. The removal rates of COD, TSS, and turbidity were 69.5 %, 70.7 %and 96.9 %, Post treatment using GAC enhanced the color and COD removals. Their removal rates reached 94.6% and 77.5%, respectively

Sustained axon regeneration induced by co-deletion of PTEN and SOCS3

A formidable challenge in neural repair in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is the long distances that regenerating axons often need to travel in order to reconnect with their targets. Thus, a sustained capacity for axon regeneration is critical for achieving functional restoration. Although deletion of either phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), a negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), or suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3), a negative regulator of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, in adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) individually promoted significant optic nerve regeneration, such regrowth tapered off around 2 weeks after the crush injury. Here we show that, remarkably, simultaneous deletion of both PTEN and SOCS3 enables robust and sustained axon regeneration. We further show that PTEN and SOCS3 regulate two independent pathways that act synergistically to promote enhanced axon regeneration. Gene expression analyses suggest that double deletion not only results in the induction of many growth-related genes, but also allows RGCs to maintain the expression of a repertoire of genes at the physiological level after injury. Our results reveal concurrent activation of mTOR and STAT3 pathways as key for sustaining long-distance axon regeneration in adult CNS, a crucial step towards functional recovery

Selectivity control in Pt-catalyzed cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation

Chemoselectivity is a cornerstone of catalysis, permitting the targeted modification of specific functional groups within complex starting materials. Here we elucidate key structural and electronic factors controlling the liquid phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and related benzylic aldehydes over Pt nanoparticles. Mechanistic insight from kinetic mapping reveals cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation is structure-insensitive over metallic platinum, proceeding with a common Turnover Frequency independent of precursor, particle size or support architecture. In contrast, selectivity to the desired cinnamyl alcohol product is highly structure sensitive, with large nanoparticles and high hydrogen pressures favoring C=O over C=C hydrogenation, attributed to molecular surface crowding and suppression of sterically-demanding adsorption modes. In situ vibrational spectroscopies highlight the role of support polarity in enhancing C=O hydrogenation (through cinnamaldehyde reorientation), a general phenomenon extending to alkyl-substituted benzaldehydes. Tuning nanoparticle size and support polarity affords a flexible means to control the chemoselective hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes

Neutrophil depletion reduces edema formation and tissue loss following traumatic brain injury in mice

Background: Brain edema as a result of secondary injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major clinical concern. Neutrophils are known to cause increased vascular permeability leading to edema formation in peripheral tissue, but their role in the pathology following TBI remains unclear. Methods: In this study we used controlled cortical impact (CCI) as a model for TBI and investigated the role of neutrophils in the response to injury. The outcome of mice that were depleted of neutrophils using an anti-Gr-1 antibody was compared to that in mice with intact neutrophil count. The effect of neutrophil depletion on blood-brain barrier function was assessed by Evan's blue dye extravasation, and analysis of brain water content was used as a measurement of brain edema formation (24 and 48 hours after CCI). Lesion volume was measured 7 and 14 days after CCI. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell death, using a marker for cleaved caspase-3 at 24 hours after injury, and microglial/macrophage activation 7 days after CCI. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test for non-parametric data. Results: Neutrophil depletion did not significantly affect Evan's blue extravasation at any time-point after CCI. However, neutrophil-depleted mice exhibited a decreased water content both at 24 and 48 hours after CCI indicating reduced edema formation. Furthermore, brain tissue loss was attenuated in neutropenic mice at 7 and 14 days after injury. Additionally, these mice had a significantly reduced number of activated microglia/macrophages 7 days after CCI, and of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells 24 h after injury. Conclusion: Our results suggest that neutrophils are involved in the edema formation, but not the extravasation of large proteins, as well as contributing to cell death and tissue loss following TBI in mice

Neurogenic inflammation after traumatic brain injury and its potentiation of classical inflammation

Background: The neuroinflammatory response following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to be a key secondary injury factor that can drive ongoing neuronal injury. Despite this, treatments that have targeted aspects of the inflammatory pathway have not shown significant efficacy in clinical trials. Main body: We suggest that this may be because classical inflammation only represents part of the story, with activation of neurogenic inflammation potentially one of the key initiating inflammatory events following TBI. Indeed, evidence suggests that the transient receptor potential cation channels (TRP channels), TRPV1 and TRPA1, are polymodal receptors that are activated by a variety of stimuli associated with TBI, including mechanical shear stress, leading to the release of neuropeptides such as substance P (SP). SP augments many aspects of the classical inflammatory response via activation of microglia and astrocytes, degranulation of mast cells, and promoting leukocyte migration. Furthermore, SP may initiate the earliest changes seen in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, namely the increased transcellular transport of plasma proteins via activation of caveolae. This is in line with reports that alterations in transcellular transport are seen first following TBI, prior to decreases in expression of tight-junction proteins such as claudin-5 and occludin. Indeed, the receptor for SP, the tachykinin NK1 receptor, is found in caveolae and its activation following TBI may allow influx of albumin and other plasma proteins which directly augment the inflammatory response by activating astrocytes and microglia. Conclusions: As such, the neurogenic inflammatory response can exacerbate classical inflammation via a positive feedback loop, with classical inflammatory mediators such as bradykinin and prostaglandins then further stimulating TRP receptors. Accordingly, complete inhibition of neuroinflammation following TBI may require the inhibition of both classical and neurogenic inflammatory pathways.Frances Corrigan, Kimberley A. Mander, Anna V. Leonard and Robert Vin