Simultaneous Placement of Distributed Generation and Reconfiguration in Distribution Networks Using Unified Particle Swarm Optimization

The power distribution feeder reconfiguration and optimum placement of distributed generation are two main methods to minimize the active power loss in radial distribution systems. The robustness of the radial distribution system can be improved by simultaneous manipulation of both optimal DG placement and feeder reconfiguration. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed to minimize the power loss with the simultaneous use of feeder reconfiguration and placement of distributed generation. In general, an electrical power network economics primarily relies on the conductor line losses. Hence in this proposed study, the feeder reconfiguration and finding of desirable bus location and operating power of distributed generation is concurrently modeled as an optimization problem for minimizing the real power loss with subject to all operating equality and inequality constraints. This optimization problem is solved with the guide of unified particle swarm optimization algorithm. The system power loss is handled as the cost function for each particle in a swarm. The proposed method is applied to both IEEE 33-bus and IEEE 69-bus radial distribution systems. The prosperous solutions achieved from the simulation studies manifest that the high level of system loss reduction and desirable bus voltage profile, when analyzed against the system with reconfiguration, and the system with DG

Serious adverse events following immunization after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination in India: a single center experience

Letter to Editor

Biomimetic Coating of Modified Titanium Surfaces with Hydroxyapatite Using Simulated Body Fluid

This study investigated the viability of coating commercially pure titanium (CPTi) surfaces, modified via sandblasting and acid etching, with hydroxyapatite (HA)/tricalcium phosphate coatings using a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. The samples were immersed in SBF from 3 to 7 days. The morphology and the chemistry of the HA/tricalcium phosphate coating were then analysed. Prior to immersion in SBF, the samples were sandblasted and acid etched to mimic the morphology and roughness of commercially available dental implants. The SBF aided in the formation of crystalline HA/tricalcium phosphate coatings on all the samples. The coatings were uniform and had roughness values higher than the underlying substrate. The highest roughness values for the coatings on the surfaces were obtained at 7 days of immersion in SBF with average Sa values of 2.9 ± 0.2 µm. The presence of HA/tricalcium phosphate on the surfaces was confirmed by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) analysis. This study shows that it is possible to obtain an adequate and uniform hydroxyapatite coating on pure titanium substrates in a shorter period of time with characteristics that favour the ultimate goal of implants therapy, that is, osseointegration

Visualizing Nudivirus Assembly and Egress

Enveloped viruses hijack cellular membranes in order to provide the necessary material for virion assembly. In particular, viruses that replicate and assemble inside the nucleus have developed special approaches to modify the nuclear landscape for their advantage. We used electron microscopy to investigate cellular changes occurring during nudivirus infection and we characterized a unique mechanism for assembly, packaging, and transport of new virions across the nuclear membrane and through the cytoplasm. Our three-dimensional reconstructions describe the complex remodeling of the nuclear membrane necessary to release vesicle-associated viruses into the cytoplasm. This is the first report of nuclear morphological reconfigurations that occur during nudiviral infection

Acquired Resistance to BRAF Inhibitors Mediated by a RAF Kinase Switch in Melanoma Can Be Overcome by Cotargeting MEK and IGF-1R/PI3K

SummaryBRAF is an attractive target for melanoma drug development. However, resistance to BRAF inhibitors is a significant clinical challenge. We describe a model of resistance to BRAF inhibitors developed by chronic treatment of BRAFV600E melanoma cells with the BRAF inhibitor SB-590885; these cells are cross-resistant to other BRAF-selective inhibitors. Resistance involves flexible switching among the three RAF isoforms, underscoring the ability of melanoma cells to adapt to pharmacological challenges. IGF-1R/PI3K signaling was enhanced in resistant melanomas, and combined treatment with IGF-1R/PI3K and MEK inhibitors induced death of BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells. Increased IGF-1R and pAKT levels in a post-relapse human tumor sample are consistent with a role for IGF-1R/PI3K-dependent survival in the development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors

Development and optimization of an in vitro process for the production of Oryctes nudivirus in insect cell cultures

The coconut rhinoceros beetle, an economically important pest of coconut and oil palms, is effectively managed by application of its natural pathogen, the Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV), which act as a bioinsecticide. While this approach offers an environment-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, the current method of production in infected larvae suffers from inconsistencies in virus productivity and purity. While the anchorage-dependent DSIR-HA-1179 insect cell line has been identified as a susceptible and permissive host for OrNV and therefore would be suitable for the in vitro mass production of the virus, no attempts have been made toward the mass production of the virus, because of the technological challenges that working with DSIR-HA-1179 cells represent. Thus, the main objective of this research was to develop processes for the in vitro production of OrNV in the DSIR-HA-1179 cell line. Knowledge of the growth kinetics and metabolic properties of the host cell line in a chosen culture medium, as well as the selection of an appropriate infection strategy, form the basis for the rational development of bioreactor-based virus production processes. However, characterization of these properties in the DSIR-HA-1179 cell line has been virtually precluded, due to its strongly adherent growth characteristics and the lack of a reliable method to accurately dissociate and count cells grown in monolayers. Using TrypLE™ Express enzyme, a technique allowing the precise counting of cells was developed. The cell line was adapted to grow in four serum-supplemented culture media: TC-100, IPL-41, Sf-900 II and Sf-900 III, which were then individually screened for cell growth and virus production in 25 cm2 attached T-flask cultures. TC-100 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum was chosen as a suitable culture medium, based on its capacity for achieving a high cell yield and OrNV production. The cell line metabolism was characterized with respect to nutrient consumption and metabolites production in this culture medium. Glucose, along with glutamine were found to be the nutrients that were consumed faster and to a greater extent, while other amino acids were not consumed to a significant degree. The production of metabolites was characterized by non-production of lactate and ammonia, and production of alanine, as a non-toxic alternative to ammonia. The influence of cell density (CD) at time of infection (TOI) and multiplicity of infection (MOI) on OrNV production was evaluated in T-flask cultures that were infected at different CDs at the TOI and a range of MOIs. The CD at TOI was found to significantly influence OrNV yields, while MOI influenced the dynamics of infection. The cell density effect was found to exist for the DSIR-HA-1179/OrNV system with the progressive decline in cell-specific yield beginning at low cell densities. It was found that in order to maximize OrNV volumetric yield, a combination of MOI and CD at TOI should be selected that allows to keep the maximum cell density reached by the infected culture within a range between 5.0 and 7.0 x 105 viable cells/ml. The roller bottle system was evaluated for its potential to scale-up DSIR-HA-1179 cell growth and OrNV production, and culture parameters were optimized for the improvement of cell and virus yields. An inoculum density of 3.3 x 105 cells/ml and culture volume of 60 ml resulted in the highest cell yield of 1.5 x 106 cells/ml, in 490 cm2 roller bottles. It was found that an optimal infection strategy for roller bottle cultures, which represented the most efficient use of viral inoculum, involved infecting cells at a density of 5.0 x 105 cells/ml and at a MOI of 1. The resulting OrNV volumetric yield of 2.5 x108 TCID50/ml, improved significantly the viral yields obtained in attached T-flask cultures infected under similar conditions (6.8 x 107 TCID50/ml). The microcarrier system was also evaluated for culturing DSIR-HA-1179 cells and producing OrNV in spinner flask bioreactors. Three types of microcarriers (Cytodex-1, Cytodex-3 and Cultispher-G microcarriers) were screened for their ability to support DSIR-HA-1179 growth. Cells attached to Cytodex-1 and 3, but failed to attach to Cultispher-G microcarriers. The final cell density reached in microcarrier culture was dependent on bead type and concentration, and the cell to bead ratio. At an optimal bead concentration of 1 mg/ml and cell to bead ratio of 30, cells grew to a maximum density of 1.7 x 106 cells/ml on Cytodex-1, but only to 1.3 x 106 cells/ml on Cytodex-3 microcarriers. Since it supported higher cell yields, Cytodex-1 was chosen to study the kinetics of OrNV production in this system. Microcarrier cultures infected at a cell density of 5.0 x 105 cells/ml and a MOI of 1, produced OrNV at 1.4 x 108 TCID50/ml, which was higher than the yield obtained in T-flask cultures infected under similar conditions. A framework of knowledge on the physiology, metabolism and growth kinetics of the DSIR-HA-1179 insect cell line has been developed in this thesis. In addition, the feasibility of using roller bottles and microcarrier systems for the in vitro production of the virus has been ascertained. It is envisaged that these findings will contribute to the future development of a large-scale industrial process for the production of the OrNV biopesticide

Case Report: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is a rare genetic disorder. We present and discuss the clinical, radiological, and histopathologic findings in a 36-year-old woman who had juvenile cataract, childhood diarrhea, mental retardation, cerebellar ataxia, and bilateral Achilles tendon xanthomas. She was thoroughly investigated radiologically and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of xanthomas

The global science of crab biodiversity from Puducherry coast, south east coast of India

Abstract The marine organisms play an important role in biodiversity research. It is one of the basis of aquaculture and also the foundation of ecosystem services. Marine biodiversity data is urgently required, since the global warming is changing the distribution and diversity of many species. Marine environment provide habitats for a wide variety of organisms, it is also supplies many kinds of habitats that support marine life. Habitat loss, overharvesting has had the greatest effect on biodiversity. Suppose to starting hatchery and culture them in ponds knowledge about diversity is essential. Hence, the present study is aimed to know the biodiversity of crabs from Puducherry coastal environment. Totally 47 individual crab species were recorded belonging to 15 families. Maximum crab species were recorded belonging to the family Portunidae than others families

Production of Oryctes nudivirus in DSIR-HA-1179 insect cell cultures in roller bottle systems

The coconut rhinoceros beetle, an economically important pest of coconut palms, is effectively managed by application of its natural pathogen, the Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV). The traditional method of producing OrNV in infected larvae is labor intensive, and suffers from inconsistencies in virus titer and purity. In vitro production of OrNV in the susceptible and permissive anchorage-dependent DSIR-HA-1179 insect cell line can overcome these disadvantages. While production of OrNV in cell monolayers grown in T-flasks or Cell Factories is possible, the approach would not be cost-effective at industrial level. Roller Bottle Systems (RBS), with larger growth surface areas and capable of holding larger culture volumes in a more dynamic environment, would be a better option for scaling up purposes. DSIR-HA-1179 cells grown in 490 cm2 RBS filled with 60 ml of TC-100 culture medium added with 10% fetal bovine serum yielded a maximum of 1.5 x 106 cells/ml, which was comparable to yields reached in T-flasks under the same culture conditions (1.7 x 106 cells/ml). Infection in RBS of cells in their early exponential growth phase (5 x 105 cells/ml) at multiplicity of infection of 1 TCID50/cell, produced OrNV volumetric and cell-specific yields of 2.1 x 108 TCID50/ml and 250 TCID50/cell respectively, which was an improvement over those produced under identical culture and infection conditions in T-flasks (volumetric and cell-specific yields of 6.8 x 107 TCID50/ml and 102 TCID50/cell, respectively). Thus, the roller bottle system has proven to be a robust alternative for the industrial production of OrNV