Development of an agent-based distribution test feeder with smart-grid functionality

This paper reports on the development of an agent-based distribution test feeder with smart-grid functionality. The test feeder is based on an actual distribution feeder with various additional features incorporated, including rooftop photovoltaic generation and price-responsive loads (e.g., plug-in electric vehicles and intelligent air-conditioning systems). This work aims to enable the integrated study of wholesale electric power markets coupled with detailed representations of the retail-side distribution systems

Preparation of amidoxime-based adsorption materials with a multi-amino synergistic effect and their uranium adsorption performance

Uranyl ions in seawater are prone to complexing with organic matter, forming stable compounds that can impact the adsorption performance of uranium adsorption materials. Herein, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomers were introduced onto the surface of the polypropylene/polyethylene nonwoven (PP/PE SNW) substract using radiation-induced graft polymerization (RIGP). Thereafter, three different polyamines, namely, triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), and pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA), were utilized to a ring-opening reaction, introducing the amine group into the substrate. This was followed by an addition reaction with acrylonitrile and an amidoxime reaction to produce the straight-chain-structured AO-based adsorbents, termed P-TETA-AO, P-TEPA-AO, and P-PEHA-AO. Subsequently, structural characterization, adsorption performance investigation, and adsorption mechanism analysis were performed. The experimental results confirm that three different functional polymer chains with varying chain lengths were successfully modified on the substrate surface and that the target amidoxime-based adsorption material was successfully prepared. The adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption isotherm was well described by the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacities of P-TETA-AO, P-TEPA-AO, and P-PEHA-AO for uranium were 66.1 mg/g, 63.22 mg/g, and 65.62 mg/g, respectively, within 24 h and exhibited adequate adsorption performance in the pH range of 5~9. The adsorption-desorption experiments indicated good regenerability, with only a 6% decrease in the uranium adsorption rate after five cycles, and a desorption ratio that was consistently above 95%. In the simulated seawater adsorption experiment, the uranium removal rates for P-TETA-AO, P-TEPA-AO, and P-PEHA-AO were found to be 72.94%, 79.97%, and 87.78%, respectively, indicating that the adsorption performance improved with the growth of the grafting chain in a highly saline, multi-competitive ion environment. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that during uranium adsorption, the amino and amidoxime groups of all three adsorption materials participate in the coordination with uranyl ions, demonstrating a synergistic effect

Development of an agent-based distribution test feeder with smart-grid functionality

This paper reports on the development of an agent-based distribution test feeder with smart-grid functionality. The test feeder is based on an actual distribution feeder with various additional features incorporated, including rooftop photovoltaic generation and price-responsive loads (e.g., plug-in electric vehicles and intelligent air-conditioning systems). This work aims to enable the integrated study of wholesale electric power markets coupled with detailed representations of the retail-side distribution systems.This is an accepted manuscript from Proceedings of the IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 22-26, (2012): 10.1109/PESGM.2012.6345084. Posted with permission.</p

Association between Physical Exercise and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress among Middle-Aged and Elderly Community Residents with Essential Hypertension in China

This study aimed to investigate the role of different types and frequencies of physical exercise in biomarkers of oxidative stress among middle-aged and elderly community residents with essential hypertension in China. A community-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 7 subdistricts. Individuals, 45-79 years old, with essential hypertension (n=402) and without cardiovascular disease (n=1047) were included. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) were determined. Multilevel linear regression was used to estimate the associations between various types of physical exercise and oxidative stress biomarker levels. Participants engaged in high frequency walking/square dancing or taiji/yoga demonstrated decreased systolic blood pressure in both groups; however, diastolic blood pressure decreased only among individuals with hypertension participating in walking/square dancing. In individuals with hypertension, MDA levels decreased in those participating in walking/square dancing, SOD activity increased in those participating in walking/square dancing, and 4-HNE levels decreased in those involved in taiji/yoga. In individuals without cardiovascular disease, MDA levels decreased in those involved in walking/square dancing or taiji/yoga, SOD activity increased in those performing walking/square dancing, and 4-HNE levels decreased in those involved in taiji/yoga. Oxidative stress marker levels also improved in those involved in walking/square dancing or taiji/yoga groups as the exercise frequency increased. Thus, frequent participation in walking/square dancing or taiji/yoga effectively decreases hypertension-related oxidative stress biomarker levels

Effect of Regulation of Chemerin/Chemokine-like Receptor 1/Stimulator of Interferon Genes Pathway on Astrocyte Recruitment to Aβ Plaques

Recruitment and accumulation of reactive astrocytes around senile plaques are common pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with unclear mechanisms. Chemerin, an adipokine implicated in neuroinflammation, acts through its receptor, chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), which also functions as a receptor for amyloid β (Aβ). The impact of the chemerin/CMKLR1 axis on astrocyte migration towards Aβ plaques is unknown. Here we investigated the effect of CMKLR1 on astrocyte migration around Aβ deposition in APP/PS1 mice with Cmklr1 knockout (APP/PS1-Cmklr1−/−). CMKLR1-expressed astrocytes were upregulated in the cortices and hippocampi of 9-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Chemerin mainly co-localized with neurons, and its expression was reduced in the brains of APP/PS1 mice, compared to WT mice. CMKLR1 deficiency decreased astrocyte colocalization with Aβ plaques in APP/PS1-Cmklr1−/− mice, compared to APP/PS1 mice. Activation of the chemerin/CMKLR1 axis promoted the migration of primary cultured astrocytes and U251 cells, and reduced astrocyte clustering induced by Aβ42. Mechanistic studies revealed that chemerin/CMKLR1 activation induced STING phosphorylation. Deletion of STING attenuated the promotion of the chemerin/CMKLR1 axis relative to astrocyte migration and abolished the inhibitory effect of chemerin on Aβ42-induced astrocyte clustering. These findings suggest the involvement of the chemerin/CMKLR1/STING pathway in the regulation of astrocyte migration and recruitment to Aβ plaques/Aβ42

Effects of different fertilization modes on rice yield and quality under a rice-crab culture system.

Rice-crab culture is the characteristic rice ecological breeding model used in the Panjin area of Liaohe River Basin, China, and it can improve the ecological environment and create increased economic benefits. From a food perspective, both rice yield and quality, which are closely related to the fertilization mode, should be considered. However, the effect of different fertilization modes on rice quality has not been comprehensively investigated in this co-culture system. This study investigated the effects of three fertilization modes(FP1, FP2, and OPT) divided according to different fertilization types and methods on rice yield and quality, and set up a non-fertilized control group. In the rice-crab culture system, FP2 used fewer fertilizers and had a lower economic cost, and the yield was only slightly less than that of OPT(highest yield) but there was no statistical difference. FP2 elicited the best appearance quality and better cooking and eating quality among all treatment modes. Compared with CK, three fertilization modes significantly increased the protein content in rice and decreased the amylose content, which would lead to the deterioration of rice eating quality. However FP2 had the least protein increase and the least amylose reduction. There was no significant change in crude fat and starch content. Therefore, the FP2 fertilization mode was the best choice for the rice-crab culture system, as it significantly improved rice yield and increased rice quality at a relatively low cost