LoRa Enabled Smart Inverters for Microgrid Scenarios with Widespread Elements

The introduction of low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) has changed the image of smart systems, due to their wide coverage and low-power characteristics. This category of communication technologies is the perfect candidate to be integrated into smart inverter control architectures for remote microgrid (MG) applications. LoRaWAN is one of the leading LPWAN technologies, with some appealing features such as ease of implementation and the possibility of creating private networks. This study is devoted to analyze and evaluate the aforementioned integration. Initially, the characteristics of different LPWAN technologies are introduced, followed by an in-depth analysis of LoRa and LoRaWAN. Next, the role of communication in MGs with widespread elements is explained. A point-by-point LoRa architecture is proposed to be implemented in the grid-feeding control structure of smart inverters. This architecture is experimentally evaluated in terms of latency analysis and externally generated power setpoint, following smart inverters in different LoRa settings. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LoRa architecture, while the settings are optimally configured. Finally, a hybrid communication system is proposed that can be effectively implemented for remote residential MG management

Heterocyclic monoazo dyes derived from 2-(p-aminophenyl)oxazolo-[4,5-b]pyridine and 7-(p-aminophenyl)-4H-[1,3,4]thiadiazolo-[2,3-c][1,2,4]triazin-4-one

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Prophylactic DNA vaccine targeting Foxp3 + regulatory T cells depletes myeloid-derived suppressor cells and improves anti-melanoma immune responses in a murine model

Regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are the two important and interactive immunosuppressive components of the tumor microenvironment that hamper anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, targeting these two populations together might be beneficial for overcoming immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. We have recently shown that prophylactic Foxp3 DNA/recombinant protein vaccine (Foxp3 vaccine) promotes immunity against Treg in tumor-free conditions. In the present study, we investigated the immune modulatory effects of a prophylactic regimen of the redesigned Foxp3 vaccine in the B16F10 melanoma model. Our results indicate that Foxp3 vaccination continuously reduces Treg population in both the tumor site and the spleen. Surprisingly, Treg reduction was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of MDSC, both in the spleen and in the tumor environment. Furthermore, Foxp3 vaccination resulted in a significant reduction of arginase-1(Arg-1)-induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed MDSC activity. Moreover, this concurrent depletion restored production of inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ and enhanced tumor-specific CTL response, which subsequently resulted in the reduction of tumor growth and the improved survival rate of vaccinated mice. In conclusion, our results revealed that Foxp3 vaccine promotes an immune response against tumor by targeting both Treg and MDSC, which could be exploited as a potential immunotherapy approach.. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Prophylactic DNA vaccine targeting Foxp3+regulatory T cells depletes myeloid-derived suppressor cells and improves anti-melanoma immune responses in a murine model

Abstract Regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are the two important and interactive immunosuppressive components of the tumor microenvironment that hamper anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, targeting these two populations together might be beneficial for overcoming immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. We have recently shown that prophylactic Foxp3 DNA/recombinant protein vaccine (Foxp3 vaccine) promotes immunity against Treg in tumor-free conditions. In the present study, we investigated the immune modulatory effects of a prophylactic regimen of the redesigned Foxp3 vaccine in the B16F10 melanoma model. Our results indicate that Foxp3 vaccination continuously reduces Treg population in both the tumor site and the spleen. Surprisingly, Treg reduction was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of MDSC, both in the spleen and in the tumor environment. Furthermore, Foxp3 vaccination resulted in a significant reduction of arginase-1(Arg-1)-induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed MDSC activity. Moreover, this concurrent depletion restored production of inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ and enhanced tumor-specific CTL response, which subsequently resulted in the reduction of tumor growth and the improved survival rate of vaccinated mice. In conclusion, our results revealed that Foxp3 vaccine promotes an immune response against tumor by targeting both Treg and MDSC, which could be exploited as a potential immunotherapy approach. Keywords Regulatory T cells Myeloid-derived suppressor cells Foxp3 Melanom

The Importance of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in Foodborn Infection

Abstract: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157: H7 is one of the most important causes of bloody diarrhea. This bacterium is able to make bloody diarrhea or Hemorrhagic Colitis (HC) through verotoxin or shigatoxin production, and in acute forms it may lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpurea (TTP). Contamination with E. coli O157:H7 usually happens after consumption of animal products especially undercooked meats. The most important reservoir of this bacterium is beef and consumption of undercooked ground beef, especially in children younger than 10 years old, is the most common reason of food infection by this bacterium. Two important biochemical characteristics for detection of E. coli O157: H7 are lack of sorbitol fermentation and absence of glucuronidase. In order to control food infection with this bacterium, foods must be cooked thoroughly until reaching the temperature of at least 68.3°C, in the center. Keywords: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Food contamination, Hemorrhogic Colitis, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpure

Diverse Sclerozoan Assemblages Encrusting Large Bivalve Shells from the Callovian (Middle Jurassic) of Southern Poland

A diverse sclerozoan assemblages consisting of both encrusting and boring biota are described from the large limid bivalves Ctenostreon from the Callovian hardground setting of Zalas in southern Poland. At least 27 encrusting and seven bioerosion taxa are reported here, which makes this assemblage not only one of the most diverse in the Middle Jurassic, but the richest in encrusting taxa from the Callovian. The encrusters consist of cryptic biota of which sedentary polychaetes and cyclostome bryozoans dominate with respect to both species number and abundance. The bioerosion traces are dominated by tiny pits referred to the ichnogenus Oichnus, probably made by some soft-bodied biota in the present case, followed by the borings of acrothoracican barnacles (Rogerella). The first colonizers of the bivalve shells probably were borers as they only occur in the host shells. The encrusting pioneers presumably were oysters and oyster-like bivalves, followed by opportunistic serpulid/sabellid polychaetes and cyclostome bryozoans. The last colonizers were calcisponges and thecideide brachiopods. In comparison to the only known Late Callovian shallow and reef-associated, tropical sclerozoans of Israel, the assemblage from the open-marine, deeper setting of Poland is much richer in encrusting taxa. Such a surprising high encruster diversity in the marine northern paleo-latitude may have resulted from the deeper and calmer environment with a both reduced sedimentation rate and algal cover, and without any significant salinity changes, the factors that are thought to have impacted the tropical and shallow-marine sclerozoans from Israel. © 2011 Elsevier B.V

Development of a novel liposomal nanoparticle formulation of cisplatin to breast cancer therapy

Cisplatin is one of the conventional drugs used in chemotherapy which has a potent antitumor function. However, due to the dangerous side effects, including the damage to DNA of the normal cells, its clinical use is limited. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize nanoliposome containing cisplatin. We optimized liposome formulations through the modification of the proportion of SPC80 (soybeanphospholipids with 75 phosphatidylcholine) and cholesterol content. Then, novel PEGylated liposomal formulations containing SPC80: cholesterol: DSPE-mPEG (at ratios of 85:10:5) were designed and developed to serve as a therapy to achieve more improved pharmaceutical efficiency. Zeta Sizer showed that PEGylated nanoliposomes had a mean diameter of 119.7 ± 2.1 nm, a zeta potential of �26.03 ± 1.34 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 96.65 ± 3. The optimum formulations represented sustained, thermo-sensitive release, and augmented cellular uptake. The cytotoxic effect of the liposomal drug was higher than the free medication drug that confirmed the efficiency of cellular uptake. This study suggests that nanoliposome-loaded cisplatin plays a vital role in improving drug efficacy and the reduction of dosage. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc