Nonlinear optimization approach for UPFC power flow control and voltage security: Sufficient system constraints for optimality

This dissertation provides a nonlinear optimization algorithm for the long term control of Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) to remove overloads and voltage violations by optimized control of power flows and voltages in the power network. It provides a control strategy for finding the long term control settings of one or more UPFCs by considering all the possible settings and all the (N-1) topologies of a power network. Also, a simple evolutionary algorithm (EA) has been proposed for the placement of more than one UPFC in large power systems --Abstract, page iv

Role of the Yeast Ste20 Protein Kinase Ortholog Map4k4 in Adipose Tissue Function: A Dissertation

Obesity has increased globally in epidemic proportions and as have the associated disorders. Insulin resistance that could further lead to type 2 diabetes is a major obesity associated dysfunction. Studies using insulin resistant mouse models and observations from human subjects exhibiting insulin resistance provide evidence for ectopic lipid deposition in organs like liver, muscle and heart as one of the major risk factors for developing insulin resistance. These observations suggest that deregulated adipose function to sequester and store excess energy as fat, could lead to insulin resistance. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated adipose tissue dysfunction leading to inflammation and related syndromes. Interestingly, a mouse model with transgenic expression of glucose transporter in the adipose tissue exhibited improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin sensitivity despite development of obesity, upon high fat feeding. Thus mechanisms that improve adipose function could alleviate insulin resistance and associated diseases. Mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) was identified in our laboratory as a negative regulator of adipocyte function. Interestingly, siRNA mediated knockdown of MAP4K4 promoted PPARγ protein expression. Additionally, silencing of MAP4K4 increased adipocyte triglyceride content. Because MAP4K4 is a negative regulator of PPARγ expression and adipocyte function, understanding the mechanism by which MAP4K4 regulates PPARγ expression is of interest. Thus, for the first part of this thesis, I characterized the signaling pathways utilized by MAP4K4 to regulate PPARγ expression in cultured adipocytes. Here I show that MAP4K4 regulates PPARγ expression through regulation of its protein translation. siRNA mediated MAP4K4 gene silencing stimulated PPARγ protein synthesis without changing its mRNA transcription or its protein degradation. This increase in PPARγ protein translation was due to an increase in the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The increase in PPARγ protein expression mediated by mTOR activation was a specific effect of the 4E-BP1 phosphorylation that leads to its inactivation and was not a general increase in mTOR activity towards all of its substrates. Finally, adenovirus mediated over expression of MAP4K4 inhibited mTOR activation, and suppressed PPARγ protein translation. For the second part of this thesis, I assessed the role of MAP4K4 in adipocytes in vivo. To accomplish this, a lentivirus mediated shRNA construct was generated to attenuate MAP4K4 expression selectively in the mouse adipose tissue. First we demonstrate that the MAP4K4 shRNA construct is able to efficiently silence the expression of MAP4K4 in vitro when co-expressed with Cre recombinase. Furthermore, we show that following modification of the lentiviral conditional vector that was introduced into a mouse embryo at one cell stage, and crossing the resulting founders with aP2-Cre mice, adipose tissue specific MAP4K4 gene silencing was achieved. Moreover, shRNA mediated gene silencing is a faster and an inexpensive means of achieving tissue specific gene knockdown relative to the available traditional gene knockout approaches. Utilizing these adipose specific MAP4K4 gene knockdown mice, I reveal that MAP4K4 silencing enhanced fat mass as well as PPARγ expression significantly. This is accompanied by improved whole body insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, when challenged with high fat diet, adipose-specific MAP4K4 silenced mice exhibit enhanced adiposity with decreased lean mass. Moreover, adipocyte cell size and triglyceride content are significantly increased. Interestingly, despite increased adiposity, hepatic insulin sensitivity is significantly improved leading to decreased glucose output. Thus MAP4K4 is an important regulator of adipocyte function that mediates whole body glucose homeostasis, through a mechanism that is yet to be identified

NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE (CASHEW APPLE FRUIT) AGAINST ALUMINUM TOXICITY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION AND BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: To study the protective role of fruit extract of Anacardium occidentale (cashew apple) in aluminum-induced cognitive dysfunction andoxidative damage in albino rat, and to explore the neuroprotective effect of A. occidentale represented by behavior and memory tests.Methods: Male Wistar rats (30) were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received normal saline. Group II was administered orally withaluminum chloride (100 mg/kg). Group III received rivastigmine 0.3 mg/kg body orally. Groups IV and V were administered with A. occidentale200 and 400 mg/kg along with aluminum chloride of 100 mg/kg orally after 1 hr interval. The study was carried out for 42 days (6 weeks). Thebehavioral assessment was performed using Rota-rod apparatus and Elevated plus maze and Biochemical parameters from brain homogenate such asacetylcholinesterase activity, total protein, lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione reductase (GR)were estimated. All the data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test.Results: The % reduction of acetylcholinesterase, GR observed in A.O (400 mg/kg) dose as compared with that of standard drug was found to be87.5% and 89%, respectively, whereas % reduction of catalase and SOD observed in A.O (400 mg/kg) dose as compared with that of standard drugwas found to be 97% and 99%, respectively.Conclusion: This study demonstrates A. occidentale fruit has a neuroprotective effect against aluminum-induced behavioral changes.Keywords: Occidentale, Neuroprotective, Alzheimer's disease, Aluminum

The Effect of the Internet on the Out-of-print Book Market: Implications for Libraries

This study presents the results of an analysis of the offers by out-of-print dealers to buy and to sell items in AB Bookman’s Weekly during two periods (1982 and 1992) compared with availability and prices in 2004 in Used.addall.com, a metasearch site for out-of-print materials. After searching 786 items with 690 valid cases, the authors discovered a high availability of items in all four samples (95%) and a significant decline in prices in inflation-adjusted dollars (-48.7% for 1982 sell ads and -46.62% for 1992 sell adds). The items in the sample were most heavily concentrated in history, arts, and literature; but would be of interest to many libraries. The more important implications for libraries include: 1. the distinction between in-print and out-of-print in regards to availability has disappeared; 2. materials in the out-of-print market are often less expensive than when published; 3. retrospective buying projects are feasible; and 4. for monographs, purchase may be a reasonable substitute for interlibrary loan. The authors attribute these changes to the increased efficiency of the Internet and sophisticated databases in allowing out-of-print dealers to market their stock to potential customers

Tribological Properties of Polymer Composites Using Non Traditional Optimization Technique: a review

Specific wear rate of composite materials plays a significant role in industry. The processes to measure it are both time and cost consuming. It is essential to suggest a modeling method to predict and analyze the effectiveness of parameters of specific wear rate. Nowadays, computational methods such as Grey Relational Analysis (GRA), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) are mainly considered as applicable tools from modeling point of view. The objective of using ANN, ANFIS is also to apply this tool for systematic parameter studies in the optimum design of composite materials for specific applications. In the present review, various principles of the neural network approach for predicting certain properties of polymer composite materials are discussed. The aim of this review is to promote more consideration of using GRA, ANN and ANFIS in the field of polymer composite property prediction and design

Two Separate Continually Online-Trained Neurocontrollers for a Unified Power Flow Controller

The crucial factor affecting the modern power systems today is load flow control. The Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) provides an effective means for controlling the power flow and improving the transient stability in a power network. The UPFC has fast complex dynamics and its conventional control is based on a linearized model of the power system. This paper presents the design of neurocontrollers to provide better damping during transient and dynamic control. Two separate neurocontrollers are used for controlling the UPFC, one neurocontroller for the shunt inverter and the other for the series inverter. Simulation studies carried out in the PSCAD/EMTDC environment is described and results show the successful control of the UPFC and the power system with two neurocontrollers. Performances of the neurocontrollers are compared with the conventional proportional plus integral controllers for system oscillation damping under different operating conditions for large disturbances

Tronukleonski nabojski faktor oblika s uključenjem mezonske sile izmjene i sile tri tijela

We investigate the effect of meson exchange current (MEC) contribution to the charge form-factor (CFF) of 3He and 3H by hyper-spherical harmonics expansion method with the inclusion of three-body force (3BF). Results indicate that the combined effects of 3BF and MEC are substantial and modify the CFF of trinucleon in the right direction at high momentum transfer.Istražili smo učinak doprinosa stanja izmjene mezona nabojskom faktoru oblika (formfaktoru) 3He i 3H, primjenom metode razvoja po hipersferičnim harmonicima, uz uključenje tročestične sile. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da je zajednički učinak tročestične sile i mezonskih izmjena važan i da bitno mijenja nabojski faktor oblika prema rezultatima mjerenja