Self-assembled hyaluronan nanocapsules for the intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs

Preparation of sophisticated delivery systems for nanomedicine applications generally involve multi-step procedures using organic solvents. In this study, we have developed a simple self-assembling process to prepare docetaxel-loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) nanocapsules by using a self-emulsification process without the need of organic solvents, heat or high shear forces. These nanocapsules, which comprise an oily core and a shell consisting of an assembly of surfactants and hydrophobically modified HA, have a mean size of 130 nm, a zeta potential of −20 mV, and exhibit high docetaxel encapsulation efficiency. The nanocapsules exhibited an adequate stability in plasma. Furthermore, in vitro studies performed using A549 lung cancer cells, showed effective intracellular delivery of docetaxel. On the other hand, blank nanocapsules showed very low cytotoxicity. Overall, these results highlight the potential of self-emulsifying HA nanocapsules for intracellular drug delivery

Complete Break Up of Ortho Positronium (Ps)- Hydrogenic ion System

The dynamics of the complete breakup process in an Ortho Ps - He+ system including electron loss to the continuum (ELC) is studied where both the projectile and the target get ionized. The process is essentially a four body problem and the present model takes account of the two centre effect on the electron ejected from the Ps atom which is crucial for a proper description of the ELC phenomena. The calculations are performed in the framework of Coulomb Distorted Eikonal Approximation. The exchange effect between the target and the projectile electron is taken into account in a consistent manner. The proper asymptotic 3-body boundary condition for this ionization process is also satisfied in the present model. A distinct broad ELC peak is noted in the fully differential cross sections (5DCS) for the Ps electron corroborating qualitatively the experiment for the Ps - He system. Both the dynamics of the ELC from the Ps and the ejected electron from the target He+ in the FDCS are studied using coplanar geometry. Interesting features are noted in the FDCS for both the electrons belonging to the target and the projectile.Comment: 14 pages,7 figure

Multi-objective economic and emission dispatch problems using hybrid honey bee simulated annealing

In recent years, heightened environmental concerns have brought a renewed focus to the Economic Dispatch (ED) problem. The contemporary objective of ED is to guide power systems towards minimizing both pollution and costs. For electrical power systems, multi-objective generation dispatch strives to harmonize economic and environmental impacts, presenting a dual-goal challenge for optimal solutions. This study aims to identify optimal strategies for power system networks, optimizing parameters like power flow equations and equipment limits to achieve desired outcomes. The core objective of this paper is to strike a balance between economically favorable energy choices and ecologically sound actions.This work addresses the Economic and Emission Dispatch (EED) issue, considering Valve Point Loading and Load Flow Analysis for both a 6-node and IEEE 30-node network. The research leverages Genetic Algorithm (GA), Simulated Annealing algorithm (SA), Honey Bee algorithm (HB), and a Hybrid Honey Bee and Simulated Annealing algorithm (HBSA) to simulate load flow and resolve the joint EED challenge in power systems. These versatile, population-based optimization techniques offer real-world problem-solving potential. The incorporation of these optimization approaches reveals HBSA is superiority in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental impact, establishing its efficacy

Impact of load flow and network reconfiguration for unbalanced distribution systems

This study focuses on mitigating power losses within unbalanced radial distribution networks by employing transformer modeling and network reconfiguration. The process commences with load flow analysis, utilizing a simplified three-phase load flow method tailored for unbalanced radial distribution networks (URDNs) featuring voltage-dependent loads. Using vector data and fundamental electric circuit analysis, the algorithm efficiently resolves voltage magnitude equations, conserving memory resources, and accurately identifies buses and branches downstream from a designated bus. This method circumvents the repetitive identification issues inherent in conventional forward-backward sweep approaches. The proposed methodology demonstrates robust convergence when applied to URDNs with realistic resistance/reactance ratios and has been rigorously tested on 19-bus and 25-bus unbalanced radial distribution networks. Evaluation criteria encompass CPU execution time and iteration benchmarks. Leveraging empirical formulas, this study achieves optimal designs characterized by improved voltage profiles and reduced power losses. An asymmetric power flow program is employed to compare bus voltages and system power losses, facilitating informed switch operation decisions and allowing for the elimination of feeder sectionalizing switch actions. This approach streamlines CPU processing time by eliminating switching procedures and has been successfully validated using 19-bus and 25-bus URDN samples. This work distinguishes itself through its efficiency, necessitating fewer switching operations when compared to existing methodologies

Optimal placement of time-varying distributed generators by using crow search and black widow - Hybrid optimization

This paper focuses on the optimal reorganization of radial distribution system (RDS) and the superlative location of time-varying power generation distributed generators, considering time-varying loads. The electric generators, utilizing non-conventional energy sources, are directly connected to the distribution grids with lower ratings compared to conventional source-driven generators. In this study, a combination of optimization techniques, such as the black widow and crow search techniques, is employed to enhance performance in terms of optimal reorganization and superlative location of distribution generation. The reorganization problem is examined and analyzed by considering various scenarios in a standard 69-bus grid, as well as in larger-scale 119-bus and 135-bus systems, with and without the presence of distributed generation resources. The analysis of the proposed optimization techniques with the obtained results is well discussed in this paper

Optimizing solar energy utilization and energy efficiency through thermal energy storage with phase change materials in a solar water heating system

Solar energy (SE) is non-polluting and sustainable. However, the strength of the sun’s rays shifts as the seasons change, the weather shifts, and the day and night cycles. It is possible to store energy as heat, which can then be used for a variety of applications in the future. The primary objective of this research was to extend the time that high water temperature (HWT) was maintained by using phase change materials (PCM) to reduce energy consumption. To test the efficacy of an FPSWHS using 18 % (63 kg) of PCM condensed paraffin wax of type RT42, an experimental rig was constructed. To further expand PCM surface area and speed up charging and discharging, 18 aluminium cylinders were employed. Given the varying weather patterns in the India, this research was also useful in settling on a suitable PCM for SWHS. At 60°C input temperature of water (Tin) and 0.11 kg.s-1 flow rate of mass in water (mw), including RT42 into a water-PCM storage tank reduced power consumption by as much as 5.75 kWh, for a total system energy consumption of 31.4 kWh. The results showed a 27 % drop in daily average carbon footprint and a 27 % increase in overall system efficiency

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Not AvailableNet ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) measurement was carried out in tropical lowland paddy at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India, in 2015 using eddy covariance technique with the objective to assess the variation of NEE of CO2 in lowland paddy and to find out the most suitable model for better partitioning of net ecosystem exchange of CO2 in tropical lowland paddy. Paddy is grown twice (dry and wet season) a year in this region in the lowland, and the field is kept fallow during the remainder of the year. Two different flux partitioning models (FPMs)—the rectangular hyperbola (RH) and the Q10, were evaluated to assess NEE of CO2, and its partitioning components—gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (RE), and the resulting flux estimates were compared. The RH method assessed the effects of photosynthetically active radiation on the NEE, whereas the Q10 method utilized the relationship between ecosystem respiration and temperature in lowland paddy. The average NEE during the dry season and wet season was - 1.62 and - 1.83 g C m-2 d-1, respectively, whereas it varied from - 5.71 to 2.29 g C m-2 d-1 during the observation period covering both the cropping seasons and the fallow period. The mean difference between modeled GPP and RE from two FPMs was found significant in both the seasons. The maximum correlation for GPP estimation was found between two FPMs at the panicle initiation stage during both the dry season (R2 = 0.767) and wet season (R2 = 0.321). It was evident from the study that the Q10 method reliably produced the most realistic carbon flux estimates over the RH method, for the lowland paddy. The Q10 model which used nighttime flux and temperature data to estimate RE produced estimates that had lower prediction error (RMSE) as compared to the RH model. It can be concluded that in lowland paddy, the Q10 predicted better estimates of RE and GPP values than the RH method, suggesting that the Q10 model can be used for partitioning of NEE in tropical lowland paddy.ICA

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Not AvailableA two-year (2015 and 2016) field experiment was carried out to study the surface energy budget and energy balance closure (EBC) in a tropical lowland rice paddy in Cuttack, India. Maintenance of a standing water layer in lowland irrigated rice ecosystem makes it unique and this strongly influences the surface energy balance which may alter the surface runoff, ground water storage, water cycle, surface energy budget, and possibly microclimate of the region. To study this, an experiment was conducted using eddy covariance system to measure the surface energy balance components during two cropping seasons (dry season, DS and wet season, WS) and two consecutive fallow periods (dry fallow, DF and wet fallow, WF). The rice was grown in puddled wet lands in DS and WS and the ground was left fallow (DF and WF) during the rest of the year. Results displayed that daily average latent heat flux at surface (LE) and at canopy height (LEc) dominated over sensible heat flux at surface (H) and canopy height (Hc), respectively due to the presence of water source coming from the standing water in the rice field. The EBC was evaluated by ordinary least square (OLS), energy balance ratio (EBR) and residual heat flux (RHF). In OLS, the slope ranged 0.38-0.89 (2015) and 0.28-0.99 (2016) during the study period. Average RHF was 10.3-12.0% higher in WS as compared to DS. It was concluded that the EBC estimated using RHF is the most suitable way to calculate closure for lowland rice paddy since it can distinguish different seasons distinctively, followed by OLS. Much variation was not observed in EBR after inclusion of storage terms (water, soil, photosynthesis, canopy) to the classical EBR.ICA