Optimization of Loss Minimization Using FACTS in Deregulated Power Systems

Losses are an important parameter of consideration for mitigation and thereby enhancing the Available Transfer Capability of Power Systems. Loss mitigation is a two stage process the first stage is the Planning phase and the second stage is the Operational phase. The paper discusses briefly the Planning phase activities. The various methods of mitigating the losses in the Operational phase have been presented in the paper with emphasis on one technique the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System devices. The Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System Devices are the latest power electronics devices by which losses can be reduced and transfer capability enhanced. Thyristor Control Series Compensator is used to reduce losses. The method is tested on IEEE 9 bus, 14 Bus and 30 bus systems and validated. Results have been presented and analyzed in this paper. Keywords: Available Transfer Capability, B- Loss Coefficients, Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems, Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator

Factors affecting delayed and non-receipt of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic for women in rural Maharashtra, India:Evidence from a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Pathways to low healthcare utilisation under the COVID-19 pandemic are not well understood. This study aims to understand women's concerns about the health system's priorities and their increased burden of domestic responsibilities during COVID-19 as predictors of delayed or non-receipt of needed care for themselves or their children. METHODS: We surveyed married women in rural Maharashtra, India (N = 1021) on their health and economic concerns between Feb 1 and March 26, 2021. This study period was when India emerged from the first wave of the pandemic, which had severely impacted the health systems, and before the second—even more devastating wave had started. We captured if women were concerned about access to non-COVID health services due to healthcare being directed solely to COVID-19) (exposure 1) and whether their domestic responsibilities increased during the pandemic (exposure 2). Our outcomes included women's reports on whether they delayed healthcare seeking (secondary outcome and mediator) and whether they received healthcare for themselves or their children when needed (primary outcome). We conducted adjusted regression models on our predictor variables with each outcome and assessed the mediation effects of delayed healthcare seeking for each of the exposure variables. FINDINGS: We found that women who were concerned that healthcare was directed solely towards COVID-19 were more likely not to receive healthcare when needed (Adjusted Risk Ratio [ARR] = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.14, 1.95). We also found that women whose domestic care burden increased under the pandemic were more likely to delay healthcare seeking (ARR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.05, 3.21). Delayed healthcare seeking mediated the associations between each of our exposure variables with our outcome variable, non-receipt of needed healthcare. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggested that women's perceptions of healthcare systems and their domestic labour burdens affected healthcare seeking during the pandemic in India, even before the second wave of COVID-19 incapacitated the health system. Support for women and health systems is needed to ensure healthcare uptake during crises. FUNDING: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, USA (grant numbers: R01HD084453- 01A1 and RO1HD61115); Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (grant #BT/IN/US/01/BD/2010); the EMERGE project (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grants: OPP1163682 and INV018007; PI Anita Raj), and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant number INV-002967

A Prospective Study on Thyroid Dysfunction and Hypertensive Disorder in Pregnant Women

Negative pregnancy outcomes have been linked to hypothyroidism that is not appropriately managed. Pregnancy increases the need for thyroid hormone, and many women with pre-existing hypothyroidism require higher thyroid hormone dosages in the 1st trimester. A primary cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, hypertension affects 5 to 10% of all pregnancies and is more severe when it results into preeclampsia. We have aimed for a comprehensive study of hypothyroidism and hypertension. With objectives like highlighting the most developed disorder, complications and risk factors. Finally focus on management approach.   Keywords: Hypertension, hypothyroidism, complications, risk factors, TSH, FT3, FT4

COVID-19-related financial hardship, job loss, and mental health symptoms:Findings from a cross-sectional study in a rural agrarian community in India

Several countries, including India, imposed mandatory social distancing, quarantine, and lockdowns to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although these measures were effective in curbing the spread of the virus, prolonged social distancing, quarantine, and the resultant economic disruption led to an increase in financial stress and mental health concerns. Prior studies established a link between the first lockdown and an increase in mental health issues. However, few studies investigated the association between post-lockdown financial hardship, job loss, and mental health. In this study, we examined the association between COVID-19-related financial hardship, job loss, and mental health symptoms approximately nine months after the end of the first nationwide lockdown in India. Job loss was associated with higher reporting of mental health symptoms among men (aIRR = 1.16) while financial hardship was associated with poor mental health symptoms among women (aIRR = 1.29). Conversely, social support and government aid were associated with better mental health symptoms among women. Our findings highlight the need for financial assistance and job creation programs to aid families in the recovery process. There is also an urgent need for improving the availability and affordability of mental health services in rural areas

Household sanitation access and risk for non-marital sexual violence among a nationally representative sample of women in India, 2015-16.

BackgroundLack of household sanitation, specifically toilet facilities, can adversely affect the safety of women and girls by requiring them to leave their households to defecate alone and at night, leaving them more vulnerable to non-marital sexual violence. This study analyzes the association between household sanitation access and past year victimization from non-marital sexual violence (NMSV) in India.MethodsWe analyzed 74,698 women age 15-49 from whom information on NMSV was collected in India's National Family Health Survey 2015-16 (NFHS-4). We used multivariable logistic regression to test the relationship between women's household sanitation access and recent NMSV experience, controlling for socioeconomics (SES;e.g., age, marital status, caste, wealth, employment), for the total sample and stratified by rural/urban, given lower access to sanitation and lower NMSV in rural contexts.ResultsWe found that 46.2% of households in our sample lacked their own private sanitation facilities (58.0% rural; 24.5% urban) and were forced to openly defecate (37.3%) or walk to a shared sanitation facility (8.9%), and 0.45% of women report NMSV in the last 12 months (0.33% rural; 0.68% urban). Our multivariable model indicated no significant association between having private household sanitation facilities and NMSV for the total sample, but stratified analyses indicate a significant association for rural but not urban women. In rural India, those who lack private household sanitation, compared to those with a household toilet, have significantly greater odds of NMSV (AOR = 2.45; p < 0.05). These findings persist after accounting for demographics including age and marital status, socio-economic factors related to marginalization (e.g., caste, wealth), women's employment, and the overall climate of the state.ConclusionFindings from this study support prior research suggesting that poor access to sanitation is associated with women's risk for NMSV in rural India. This may be via increased exposure, and/or as a marker for greater vulnerability to NMSV beyond what is explained by other SES indicators. Solutions can include increased access to private household sanitation and more targeted NMSV prevention in rural India

Efficacy of curcumin in the management of oral submucous fibrosis - An intervention study

Background and Objective: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a chronic, inflammatory, and potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity, has been linked to the chewing of arecanuts. Antioxidants and quitting habits ought to both be incorporated into OSMF therapeutic interventions regimens. Current study aimed to determine curcumin's efficacy as an antioxidant in the management of OSMF. Materials and Methods: In this intervention study, 42 participants with OSMF were allocated into three groups. Group A received curcumin; group B received intralesional steroid injections; and group C received neither treatment (placebo group). For three months, groups A and B received twice-daily doses of 400 mg of curcumin each, while group C received twice-daily doses of placebo capsules. Group B also received biweekly intralesional steroid injections of 4 mg/ml of betamethasone. Data were analyzed using statistical tests. Results: After receiving interventions, group B patients showed clinically significant improvements in mouth opening. Both Group A and B reported a burning sensation reduction that was statistically significant. Statistically, greater improvement in mouth opening and a decrease in burning sensation were reported in group A. Conclusion: When employed as a combination therapy in the initial management of people with OSMF, curcumin can help patients with their clinical symptoms. Future research is recommended to use larger samples and longer treatment follow-up periods

Comparison of Root Canal Cleaning Ability of ProTaper and Liberator Rotary NiTi Instrument Systems-A SEM Study

 Effective cleaning and shaping of the root canal system is essential for achieving the biological and mechanical objectives of root canal treatment.  The objective of this study was to compare the root canal cleaning effectiveness of two different rotary Nickel-Titanium instruments using scanning electron microscopy. In Group 1-cleaning and shaping was done using ProTaper to size 30 (F3) and in Group 2- cleaning and shaping was done using Liberator to size 30 (6%). Two uninstrumented teeth in each group were taken as control group. Instrumentation was done according to manufacturer’s instructions. The intracanal irrigant used after each file was 2 ml of 3.0% sodium hypochlorite. All samples were decoronated, split buccolingually for evaluation under SEM to determine canal cleanliness. All teeth were analyzed with the SEM at 20.0 kV and 500 magnifications in the middle third of the canal.  Result showed the amount of debris present after root canal instrumentation with Liberator and ProTaper were statistically insignificant

Additional file 1: of Experiences with and expectations of maternity waiting homes in Luapula Province, Zambia: a mixed–methods, cross-sectional study with women, community groups and stakeholders

Field Guide: Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews – documents used by interviewers to guide the different focus group discussions and key informant interviews. (DOCX 64 kb