Solución descentralizada del problema de planeamiento óptimo de reactivos en sistemas de potencia multi-areas

Este artículo describe un método de solución para el problema de flujo de potencia óptimo reactivo ORPF (por su acrónimo en inglés) en sistemas de potencia interconectados. El modelo del ORPF se resuelve usando una estrategia descentralizada por regiones ó áreas, donde el operador del sistema de transmisión en cada área opera su sistema independientemente de las otras áreas, obteniendo una solución óptima coordinada pero descentralizada. El esquema propuesto se basa en el método del Lagrangeano aumentado y utiliza el principio del problema auxiliar APP (por su acrónimo en inglés). Adicionalmente, se describe la implementación de un método de puntos interiores que permite resolver el problema desacoplado en cada área.This paper describes a method for the decentralized solution of the optimal reactive power flow (ORPF) problem in interconnected power systems. The ORPF model is solved in a decentralized framework, consisting of regions, where the transmission system operator in each area operates its system independently of the other areas, obtaining an optimal coordinated but decentralized solution. The proposed scheme is based on an augmented Lagrangian approach using the auxiliary problem principle (APP). An implementation of an interior point method is described to solve the decoupled problem in each area

The use of Moringa oleifera seeds for treatment of surface water

This research had as its main purpose the evaluation of the use of natural coagulate, obtained from Moringa oleifera seeds and their efficiency in the slow direct filtration and sedimentation processes for the treatment of highly turbid water. In developing countries such as Brazil, technologies for water treatment must provide the possibility of water purification in an easy, self-maintainable and low cost process, for people who live in regions characterized by shortage of drinking water. Studies so far suggest that there is a potential application of Moringa oleifera in the water treatment with slow direct filtration. A flocker composed of a PET bottle and three filters composed of similar bottles with non-woven synthetic blanket were used in the slow filtration, with a discharge of affluent water to the filters of approximately 4 m³ m-2 d-1. In the water treatment process evaluation of the sedimentation efficiency, a flocker composed of PET bottles and a sedimentation tank was used. The water used for these experiments was the synthetic water obtained by bentonite, which presents adequate qualitative characteristics for the analysis.Visou-se, no presente trabalho, estudar o uso de sementes de Moringa oleifera para tratamento de água superficiais por filtração lenta direta em mantas sintéticas não tecidas e por sedimentação simples. Nos países em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil, as tecnologias para tratamento de água devem proporcionar às pessoas que habitam em regiões carentes de água potável, a possibilidade de sua clarificação, de maneira fácil, auto-sustentável e a baixo custo. Os estudos referidos no presente trabalho sugerem haver potencial de aplicação da Moringa oleifera. Utilizaram-se, no tratamento da água com Filtração Lenta Direta, um floculador constituído de garrafa Pet e três filtros, do mesmo material, com mantas sintéticas não tecidas, empregadas na filtração lenta, com vazão de água afluente aos filtros de aproximadamente 4 m³ m-2 d-1. No processo de tratamento de água em que se avaliou a eficiência da operação de sedimentação, o floculador era de garrafas pet e um tanque de sedimentação. A água bruta empregada na realização dos experimentos foi a água sintética obtida por Bentonita, a qual apresenta características qualitativas adequadas aos ensaios.76577

Uncovering Suitable Reference Proteins for Expression Studies in Human Adipose Tissue with Relevance to Obesity

Protein expression studies based on the two major intra-abdominal human fat depots, the subcutaneous and the omental fat, can shed light into the mechanisms involved in obesity and its co-morbidities. Here we address, for the first time, the identification and validation of reference proteins for data standardization, which are essential for accurate comparison of protein levels in expression studies based on fat from obese and non-obese individuals.To uncover adipose tissue proteins equally expressed either in omental and subcutaneous fat depots (study 1) or in omental fat from non-obese and obese individuals (study 2), we have reanalyzed our previously published data based on two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four proteins (12 in study 1 and 12 in study 2) with similar expression levels in all conditions tested were selected and identified by mass spectrometry. Immunoblotting analysis was used to confirm in adipose tissue the expression pattern of the potential reference proteins and three proteins were validated: PARK7, ENOA and FAA. Western Blot analysis was also used to test customary loading control proteins. ENOA, PARK7 and the customary loading control protein Beta-actin showed steady expression profiles in fat from non-obese and obese individuals, whilst FAA maintained steady expression levels across paired omental and subcutaneous fat samples.ENOA, PARK7 and Beta-actin are proper reference standards in obesity studies based on omental fat, whilst FAA is the best loading control for the comparative analysis of omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues either in obese and non-obese subjects. Neither customary loading control proteins GAPDH and TBB5 nor CALX are adequate standards in differential expression studies on adipose tissue. The use of the proposed reference proteins will facilitate the adequate analysis of proteins differentially expressed in the context of obesity, an aim difficult to achieve before this study

Germinated millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) flour improved the gut function and its microbiota composition in rats fed with high-fat high-fructose diet.

Germinated millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a source of phenolic compounds that has potential prebiotic action. This study aims at evaluating the action of germinated pearl millet on gut function and its microbiota composition in Wistar rats fed with a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. In the first stage, lasting eight weeks, the experiment consisted of two groups: AIN93M (n = 10) and HFHF group (n = 20). In the second stage, which lasted ten weeks, the animals of the AIN-93M group (n = 10) were kept, while the HFHF group was dismembered into HFHF (HFHF diet, n = 10) and HFHF + millet (HFHF added 28.6% of germinated millet flour, n = 10) groups. After the 18th week, the urine of the animals was collected for the analysis of lactulose and mannitol intestinal permeability by urinary excretion. The histomorphometry was analyzed on the proximal colon and the fecal pH, concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and sequencing of microbiota were performed in cecum content. The Mothur v.1.44.3 software was used for data analysis of sequencing. Alpha diversity was estimated by Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indexes. Beta diversity was assessed by PCoA (Principal Coordinate Analysis). The functional predictive analysis was performed with PICRUSt2 software (version 2.1.2?b). Functional traits attributed to normalized OTU abundance were determined by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). In the results, germinated millet flour reduced Oscillibacter genus and Desulfobacterota phylum, while increasing the Eggerthellaceae family. Furthermore, germinated millet flour: increased beta diversity, cecum weight, and cecum/body weight ratio; improved gut histological parameters by increasing the depth and thickness of the crypt and the goblet cell count (p < 0.05); reduced (p < 0.05) the fecal pH and mannitol urinary excretion; increased (p < 0.05) the propionate short-chain fatty acid concentration. Thus, germinated millet has the potential to improve the composition of gut microbiota and the intestinal function of rats fed with an HFHF diet

Attending to warning signs of primary immunodeficiencies disease across the range of clinical practices

Purpose: Patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) may present with recurrent infections affecting different organs, organ-specific inflammation/autoimmunity, and also increased cancer risk, particularly hematopoietic malignancies. The diversity of PIDD and the wide age range over which these clinical occurrences become apparent often make the identification of patients difficult for physicians other than immunologists. The aim of this report is to develop a tool for educative programs targeted to specialists and applied by clinical immunologists. Methods: Considering the data from national surveys and clinical reports of experiences with specific PIDD patients, an evidence-based list of symptoms, signs, and corresponding laboratory tests were elaborated to help physicians other than immunologists look for PIDD. Results: Tables including main clinical manifestations, restricted immunological evaluation, and possible related diagnosis were organized for general practitioners and 5 specialties. Tables include information on specific warning signs of PIDD for pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, hematologists, and infectious disease specialists. Conclusions: This report provides clinical immunologists with an instrument they can use to introduce specialists in other areas of medicine to the warning signs of PIDD and increase early diagnosis. Educational programs should be developed attending the needs of each specialty.Fil: Costa Carvalho, Beatriz Tavares. Universidade Federal de São Paulo; BrasilFil: Sevciovic Grumach, Anete. Fundação ABC. Faculdade de Medicina; BrasilFil: Franco, José Luis. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Espinosa Rosales, Francisco Javier. Instituto Nacional de Pediatría. Unidad de Investigación en Inmunodeficiencias; MéxicoFil: Leiva, Lily E.. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: King, Alejandra. Hospital de Niños Doctor Luis Calvo Mackenna. Unidad de Inmunología; ChileFil: Porras, Oscar. Hospital Nacional de Niños “Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera”; Costa RicaFil: Bezrodnik, Liliana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños "Ricardo Gutiérrez"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oleastro, Mathias. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Sorensen, Ricardo U.. State University of Louisiana; Estados Unidos. Universidad de La Frontera. Facultad de Medicina; MéxicoFil: Condino Neto, Antonio. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi