Optimal methodology for distribution systems reconfiguration based on OPF and solved by decomposition technique

This paper presents a new and efficient methodology for distribution network reconfiguration integrated with optimal power flow (OPF) based on a Benders decomposition approach. The objective minimizes power losses, balancing load among feeders and subject to constraints: capacity limit of branches, minimum and maximum power limits of substations or distributed generators, minimum deviation of bus voltages and radial optimal operation of networks. The Generalized Benders decomposition algorithm is applied to solve the problem. The formulation can be embedded under two stages; the first one is the Master problem and is formulated as a mixed integer non-linear programming problem. This stage determines the radial topology of the distribution network. The second stage is the Slave problem and is formulated as a non-linear programming problem. This stage is used to determine the feasibility of the Master problem solution by means of an OPF and provides information to formulate the linear Benders cuts that connect both problems. The model is programmed in GAMS. The effectiveness of the proposal is demonstrated through two examples extracted from the literature

Bisimidazoline arylamides binding to the DNA minor groove: N1-hydroxylation enhances binding affinity and selectivity to AATT sites

Bisimidazoline arylamides and related compounds are high affinity DNA minor groove binders with a preference for AT over GC-rich DNA. However, further selectivity towards different classes of AT-sites (e.g., CGAATTCG, CATATATAT) is not always observed with these series. In this work, we wanted to understand the effect of imidazoline ring N-substitution on binding to DNA AT-sites. The structure¿affinity relationships of a series of structurally related bisimidazoline compounds were studied by UV titrations and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments using fish sperm DNA and different hairpin oligonucleotides. We found that in this series, the presence of N1¿OH groups enhances the binding affinity to dsDNA CGAATTCG oligonucleotide, resulting in a higher selectivity for dsDNA containing AATT over (AT)4 sequences. The docking models showed that the N-hydroxy derivatives bind in a more planar conformation to the CGAATTCG DNA sequence, display more favorable van der Waals interactions, and show additional H-bonds with the bases and the sugar-phosphate backbone.C. R. was a recipient of a PhD fellowship from the govern- ment of Panama (SENACYT grant BIDP-2008-030). The assis- tance of Silvia Soto Alvarez with the SPR experiments and Eden Gebreselassie with the UV experiments is gratefully acknowledged. We thank Dr. N. Jagerovic, Dr. P. Goya, and Dr. Alkorta for logistical collaboration. We acknowledge sup- port of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publica- tion Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)Peer Reviewe

A language for modeling the morphogenesis process of biological system using MAS

The biological systems are Complex Adaptive Systems that can build a complex structure using interaction between cell and its environment. The process is called morphogenesis, it is study by developmental biology and applied by tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Computational models are used by researchers to organize and communicate ideas, test hypotheses and abstractly represent behaviors, etc. Although, Agent Based Models are used in biological systems, it is necessary appropriate domain-oriented language. This work shows the progress made in the definition of a language for modeling and simulation of such systems, in order to hide details of implementation and execution of a simulation. The language concepts are demonstrated using, as study case, the morphogenesis of a heart valve in vitro.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativa (SADIO

A language for modeling the morphogenesis process of biological system using MAS

The biological systems are Complex Adaptive Systems that can build a complex structure using interaction between cell and its environment. The process is called morphogenesis, it is study by developmental biology and applied by tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Computational models are used by researchers to organize and communicate ideas, test hypotheses and abstractly represent behaviors, etc. Although, Agent Based Models are used in biological systems, it is necessary appropriate domain-oriented language. This work shows the progress made in the definition of a language for modeling and simulation of such systems, in order to hide details of implementation and execution of a simulation. The language concepts are demonstrated using, as study case, the morphogenesis of a heart valve in vitro.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativa (SADIO

Improving dissolve spatial operations in a simple feature model

[EN] This paper presents an algorithm to improve the performance of a spatial operation called `dissolve¿ widely used in Geographic Information System (GIS) through spatial database systems. In simple feature models (lacking of persistent topology) executing some common spatial operations requires a high amount of system resources. Such common operations occur for example in the `OpenGIS Simple Features for SQL¿ protocol (SFS), a client-server interoperability standard defined by `The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc.¿ (OGC). The specific spatial operation studied in this paper is called `dissolve¿. It is carried out using the union spatial operator defined by OGC) and consists of removing the boundaries between adjacent polygons. The proposed algorithm improves substantially the performance of this spatial operation and it needs between 100 and 1000 times less amount of resources. This way it enables the database server to carry out this spatial operation on huge datasets containing up to millions of geometries. To check and to validate this algorithm a new open source software package (PGAT) has been developed.This project has been developed in the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) thanks to the Grant awarded by "La Secretaria de Estado de Universidades e Investigacion del Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia" from Spain (Ref. 2006-0264).Martínez Llario, JC.; Weber-Jahnke, JH.; Coll-Aliaga, E. (2009). Improving dissolve spatial operations in a simple feature model. Advances in Engineering Software. 40(3):170-175. doi:10.1016/j.advengsoft.2008.03.014S17017540

Application of genomic and quantitative genetic tools to identify candidate resistance genes for brown rot resistance in peach.

The availability of a complete peach genome assembly and three different peach genome sequences created by our group provide new opportunities for application of genomic data and can improve the power of the classical Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) approaches to identify candidate genes for peach disease resistance. Brown rot caused by Monilinia spp., is the most important fungal disease of stone fruits worldwide. Improved levels of peach fruit rot resistance have been identified in some cultivars and advanced selections developed in the UC Davis and USDA breeding programs. Whole genome sequencing of the Pop-DF parents lead to discovery of high-quality SNP markers for QTL genome scanning in this experimental population. Pop-DF created by crossing a brown rot moderately resistant cultivar 'Dr. Davis' and a brown rot resistant introgression line, 'F8,1-42', derived from an initial almond × peach interspecific hybrid, was evaluated for brown rot resistance in fruit of harvest maturity over three seasons. Using the SNP linkage map of Pop-DF and phenotypic data collected with inoculated fruit, a genome scan for QTL identified several SNP markers associated with brown rot resistance. Two of these QTLs were placed on linkage group 1, covering a large (physical) region on chromosome 1. The genome scan for QTL and SNP effects predicted several candidate genes associated with disease resistance responses in other host-pathogen systems. Two potential candidate genes, ppa011763m and ppa026453m, may be the genes primarily responsible for M. fructicola recognition in peach, activating both PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) responses. Our results provide a foundation for further genetic dissection, marker assisted breeding for brown rot resistance, and development of peach cultivars resistant to brown rot

Sustainable Orientation of Management Capability and Innovative Performance: The Mediating Effect of Knowledge Management

The literature suggests that innovation allows organizations to reach a desirable level of sustainability. There is evidence to support the role of knowledge management (KM) as well as management capability (MC) in producing a sustainable approach at organizations. Furthermore, organizations commonly achieve sustainable practices through corporate social responsibility (CSR). In particular, the health sector is increasingly implementing CSR strategies, although with a narrow understanding of the factors to success. Hence, trends lead to asymmetric growth between organizations. This study aims to examine the mediating role of KM in the relationship between MC and innovative performance (IP) in 331 Health Provider Institutions (HPIs). The research reflective model was assessed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the results, MC has a positive effect on IP, MC has a positive effect on KM, and KM has a positive effect on IP. Likewise, KM significantly mediates the relationship between MC and IP. Our findings support the importance of KM in addressing MCs in HPIs as it enables innovative practices to address CSR goals to achieve a sustainable impact. Moreover, this study contributes by expanding KM to contexts that are not usually studied, such as health in a South American country

Piglet innate immune response to Streptococcus suis colonization is modulated by the virulence of the strain

Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen of swine involved in arthritis, polyserositis, and meningitis. Colonization of piglets by S. suis is very common and occurs early in life. The clinical outcome of infection is influenced by the virulence of the S. suis strains and the immunity of the animals. Here, the role of innate immunity was studied in cesarean-derived colostrum-deprived piglets inoculated intranasally with either virulent S. suis strain 10 (S10) or non-virulent S. suis strain T15. Colonization of the inoculated piglets was confirmed at the end of the study by PCR and immunohistochemistry. Fever (≥40.5 °C) was more prevalent in piglets inoculated with S10 compared to T15 at 4 h after inoculation. During the 3 days of monitoring, no other major clinical signs were detected. Accordingly, only small changes in transcription of genes associated with the antibacterial innate immune response were observed at systemic sites, with S10 inducing an earlier response than T15 in blood. Local inflammatory response to the inoculation, evaluated by transcriptional analysis of selected genes in nasal swabs, was more sustained in piglets inoculated with the virulent S10, as demonstrated by transcription of inflammation-related genes, such as IL1B, IL1A, and IRF7. In contrast, most of the gene expression changes in trachea, lungs, and associated lymph nodes were observed in response to the non-virulent T15 strain. Thus, S. suis colonization in the absence of systemic infection induces an innate immune response in piglets that appears to be related to the virulence potential of the colonizing strain