Modified Flower Pollination Algorithm for Energy Forecasting and Demand Management Coupled with Improved Battery Life for Smart Building Micro-Grid

This paper presents the Modified Flower Pollination Algorithm-based Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network (MFPA-MLPNN) as an optimization technique for efficient power flow management in a Smart Building Microgrid (SBMG) integrated with solar and wind generation, and Electric Vehicle Batteries (EVBs) within grid connected structure while concurrently reducing optimization processing time. To achieve both technical and economic superiority, two optimization objectives are addressed. Firstly, a Demand Response (DR) framework is harnessed to accommodate the stochastic behavior and forecasting errors associated with intermittent sources. Secondly, the degradation of EVBs is considered, ensuring an economically viable power flow proposed strategy for both EV owners and microgrid (MG) authorities. Power generation of Variable Renewable Energy Sources (VRES) has been forecasted using MLPNN. Battery degradation and system stability under the action of the proposed topology have been evaluated using a simulation-based environment. Results show a significant decrease in battery degradation and processing time using the proposed MFPA-MLPNN optimization architectur

Investigating the microstructural and mechanical properties of novel ternary reinforced AA7075 hybrid metal matrix composite

This study investigates the comparison of the microstructural and mechanical properties of a novel ternary reinforced AA7075 hybrid metal matrix composite. Four samples, including AA7075 (base alloy), AA7075-5wt % SiC (MMC), AA7075-5wt %SiC-3wt % RHA (s-HMMC), and AA7075-5wt % SiC-3wt % RHA-1wt % CES (n-HMMC) were developed using the stir casting liquid metallurgy route, followed by the heat treatment. The experimental densities corresponded with the theoretical values, confirming the successful fabrication of the samples. A minimum density of 2714 kg/m3 was recorded for the n-HMMC. In addition, the highest porosity of 3.11 % was found for n-HMMC. Furthermore, an increase of 24.4% in ultimate tensile strength and 32.8 % in hardness of the n-HMMC was recorded compared to the base alloy. However, its ductility and impact strength was compromised with the lower values of 5.98 % and 1.5 J, respectively. This was confirmed by microstructural analysis, which reveals that n-HMMC has mixing issues and forms agglomerates in the matrix, which served as the potential sites of stress concentration leading to low impact strength and ductility. Nevertheless, the hybrid composites showed superior mechanical properties over the MMC and its base alloy

Role of radiosurgery In arteriovenous malformations

Background: Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) consist of an abnormal nidus of blood vessels that shunt blood directly from an artery to a vein and thereby bypass an intervening capillary bed. AVMs may be found as an incidental finding. They may be associated with intracranial haemorrhage, seizures, headaches or neurological deficits. There are different treatment options for AVM. These include observation, microsurgery, Stereotactic radio surgery (SRS), endovascular embolization and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Methods: Data was collected using searching engines like Pubmed, Google scholar, Embase, Cinahl and Medline. MeSH and Non-MeSH terms were used like Arterio-venous malformations, microsurgery, endovascular embolization.Results: Multiple interventional radiosurgical techniques have been introduced in recent years. The most effective and least risk-associated methods are Stereotactic radiosurgery, Microsurgery, Embolization and Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). However, the outcome of such treatment modalities depends upon Site of malformation, grade of AVM, patient\u27s age/gender, dose and volume of radiosurgery. Digital substraction angiography (DSA) and MR angiography (MRA) are most suitable methods for the follow-up of AVMs.Conclusions: Stereotactic radiosurgery is the most suitable technique for AVMs considering the good prognosis and the risks associated with this procedure. However, large AVMs require multidisciplinary approach for better results

A Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based detection of foot and mouth disease in District Faisalabad, Pakistan during the Year 2016

Foot and mouth disease is an economically devastating disease of livestock that mainly effect cloven-hoofed animals i.e. sheep, goat, cattle, pig, buffalo, deer etc. The aim of this study was to determine the serotypes circulating in the region during 2016. Sampling was done from different outbreaks initially on the basis of clinical signs and later reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed for the confirmation of FMDV genome. Out of total 72 samples, 65 were found positive which were then serotyped into type O (n=30), Asia1 (n=19) and A (n=5). Some samples (n=5) were found positive for more than one serotype that were subjected to reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (RT-LAMP) for serotype determination

Biological and genotypic characterization of the Newcastle disease virus isolated from disease outbreaks in commercial poultry farms in northern Punjab, Pakistan

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious disease of many avian species and is particularly responsible for devastating disease outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks in Pakistan that incur huge economic losses to the national poultry industry annually. Despite implementation of an extensive vaccination program for poultry birds, the disease appears in an endemic form in commercial broiler and layer poultry farms. This study was conducted to identify the prevalent velogenic NDV strain responsible for disease outbreaks in commercial poultry farms in Punjab, Pakistan. The NDV strains isolated from pathological specimens through inoculation in embryonated chicken eggs were characterized biologically through the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), and genetically on the basis of the fusion (F) protein cleavage site. Among these, six NDV isolates showed an F protein cleavage site motif (112RRQKRF117) and an ICPI value ranging between 1.5 and 1.88, both are characteristics for velogenic strains of NDV. In addition, phylogenetic analysis based on a partial sequence of the F protein gene clustered these isolates within class II, genotype VII and specifically within genotype VII-e. This is the first report that demonstrated the presence of such NDV strains in commercial poultry farms in northern Punjab of Pakistan

A Review of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Technique to Analyze the Stability and Degradation Mechanism of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathode Materials

Nondestructive characterization of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) materials has drawn attention owing to the advances in instrumentation that enable in situ characterization during high-temperature cell operation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is widely used to investigate the surface of SOFC cathode materials because of its excellent chemical specificity and surface sensitivity. The XPS can be used to analyze the elemental composition and oxidation state of cathode layers from the surface to a depth of approximately 5–10 nm. Any change in the chemical state of the SOFC cathode at the surface affects the migration of oxygen ions to the cathode/electrolyte interface via the cathode layer and causes performance degradation. The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the adoption of XPS for the characterization of SOFC cathode materials to understand its degradation mechanism in absolute terms. The use of XPS to confirm the chemical stability at the interface and the enrichment of cations on the surface is reviewed. Finally, the strategies adopted to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance of the LSCF cathode are also discussed

Synthesis of Ash Derived Co/Zeolite Catalyst for Hydrogen Rich Syngas Production via Partial Oxidation of Methane

The objective of this study was to analyze the catalytic performance of series of cobalt-modified Zeolite-4A supported catalysts for the syngas (CO and H2) production at 800 °C via the partial oxidation of methane (POM). The Co/Zeolite-4A catalyst was synthesized using a two-step hydrothermal method from coal fly ash. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The catalyst shows a crystalline structure with stability up to 900 °C. The catalytic performance analysis shows the CH4 conversion increases from 29 to 68% for 0 and 10 wt% Co over Zeolite-4A, respectively. The H2 selectivity was improved from 28–56% while CO selectivity increased from 24–52 % making H2/CO ratio > 1. The stability analysis shows the 10% Co/Zeolite-4A withstand for 24 h a time on stream (TOS). Finally, the spent catalyst analysis was carried out to check the carbon formation along with its structural analysis. The minimal carbon formation is analyzed in 24 h TOS for POM reaction. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)