Design and implementation of a transistorized bi-controlled based utility-connected battery charger for underdeveloped nations

This paper presents a transistorized bi-controlled based utility-connected battery charger to address the problem of erratic public power supply in underdeveloped nations. In this study, a utility battery charger was built by the integration of grid power supply, line frequency transformer, power electronic switches, alternating current-direct current bridge converter, regulator, and resistor-inductor-capacitor. The excess-voltage protection and battery monitoring were obtained by the bi-controlled technique. In contrast to other charging systems in underdeveloped nations, the proposed system is very simple, rugged, reliable and cheap to maintain due to simplicity and un-programmed nature of the system. The results showed that the proposed system is craggy and robust to resist voltage stress, highly reliable and relatively free from leakage currents due to the presence of a double controlled scheme using a common point of action and a line frequency transformer. In addition, the system can be used to charge batteries ranging from 50μA and above. The system can be utilized in communication companies, electric vehicles, drilling machines

Modeling and Simulation of Five-Phase Induction Motor Fed With Pulse Width Modulated Five-Phase Multilevel Voltage Source Inverter Topologies

This paper presents modelling and simulation of five-phase induction motor fed with pulse width modulated five-phase multilevel voltage source inverter. The conventional and diode clamped multilevel five-phase inverter configurations are reviewed with pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques. A hybrid three-level inverter topology with less number of components count is proposed for five-phase induction motor drive. The dynamic analysis of five-phase voltage equations in d-q axis of the induction motor are stated and modelled usingMatlab/Simulink/Simscape blocks. The simulation results based on conventional and threelevel five-phase inverters are displayed while the hybrid inverter topology showed some better performance based on the following: : at 0.0127secs maximum torque of 34.54Nm occurred, maximum stator current occurred for 0.18secs with a value of 10A, 9.99% total harmonic distortion was obtained and 15KW power rating was obtained

Le phéochromocytome surrénalien bilatéral: à propos d'un cas

Les phéochromocytomes de localisation bilatérale sont rares. Ils s'intègrent le plus souvent dans le cadre d'une maladie familiale. Néanmoins des formes bilatérales sporadiques peuvent être observées. Ainsi, chez tout patient présentant des masses surrénaliennes bilatérales, un phéochromocytome bilatéral doit être suspecté et son caractère familial ou sporadique doit être déterminé devant le risque de récidive tumorale. A ce propos, nous rapportons l'observation d'une patiente âgée de 22 ans qui a été hospitalisée pour exploration d'une hypertension artérielle de découverte récente. L'association à des céphalées, sueurs et palpitations a orienté vers le diagnostic de phéochromocytome. Les taux urinaires des dérivés méthoxylés étaient très élevés. L'échographie et l'IRM abdominales ont noté la présence de deux masses surrénaliennes bilatérales. La scintigraphie au MIBG a montré une hyperfixation au niveau des deux surrénales, sans autres localisations. L'enquête à la recherche d'une néoplasie endocrinienne multiple ou d'une phacomatose était négative. Le traitement a consisté en une surrénalectomie bilatérale par   voie coelioscopique. L'évolution sous traitement substitutif par hydrocortisone était favorable avec une normalisation des chiffres tensionnels

Wind Energy Dynamics of the Separately Excited Induction Generator

This paper covers the analysis, dynamic modelling and control of an isolated self-excited induction generator (SEIG) driven by a wind turbine. The proposed dynamic model consists of induction generator, self-excitation capacitance and load model which are expressed in stationary d-q reference frame. The dynamic performance of SEIG is investigated under no load and on load. To predict the performance of the system, a MATLAB based simulation study using matlab embedded function block was carried out. Simulations from the variations of the speed and load display the dynamic behavior of the generator. A constant capacitor value of 100 micro-farads was used in this work. The simulation results obtained illustrate the changes in the voltage, currents, torque and magnetizing inductance of the generator. The wind velocity increase led to the increase in mechanical input from the wind turbine. This results in the increased rotor speed leading also to increased stator phase voltage. The obtained simulations also show that the output voltage of the induction generator depends greatly on its shaft speed and load; this poses a potential threat as it is capable of causing a significant variation in the power consumption in the load of the machine

Socioeconomic determinants of organic cotton adoption in Benin, West Africa

Organic cotton relies on ecological processes and the use of natural resources to sustain the production system, unlike conventional cotton, mainly characterized by massive utilization of synthesis chemicals. In West Africa, where rural livelihoods are particularly vulnerable, organic cotton is expected to contribute not only to poverty reduction but also to strengthen households’ resilience. The objective of this study was to assess institutional and socioeconomic factors determining farmers’ decisions to adopt organic cotton. For this purpose, we applied a probit model on empirical data collected from producers of the Centre and the Northern parts of Benin. Overall, we found that organic cotton adoption is mainly determined by farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, the physical distance between farm and house, and contact with extension and advisory services. Organic farming is more attractive to women compared to conventional farming. This because such type of cotton farming enables women to hold a separate cotton farm and thus increase their economic independence, whereas with the conventional system they depend mainly on the farm of the (male) head of the household. Older, less educated and low-income farmers who express environmental concern are more likely to adopt organic cotton. Subsequently, organic cotton should be considered as a prospective policy option to reach the poor and strengthen their livelihoods conditions while contributing to preserve the environment and natural resources. Furthermore, farmers who have their farm near home are more likely to adopt organic farming than those who have the farm far from their home. It also came out that organic farmers have more contacts with advisory and extension services. Finally, the study noted that there is still a need to enhance the extension system by: (1) exploring, designing, and upgrading innovative pedagogic tools such as videos and mobile phone technology to foster learning; and (2) strengthening organic farmer’s organizations and the linkage with agricultural research organizations for technology development

Targeted high-throughput sequencing for genetic diagnostics of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rapid-onset, potentially fatal hyperinflammatory syndrome. A prompt molecular diagnosis is crucial for appropriate clinical management. Here, we validated and prospectively evaluated a targeted high-throughput sequencing approach for HLH diagnostics. Methods: A high-throughput sequencing strategy of 12 genes linked to HLH was validated in 13 patients with previously identified HLH-associated mutations and prospectively evaluated in 58 HLH patients. Moreover, 2504 healthy individuals from the 1000 Genomes project were analyzed in silico for variants in the same genes. Results: Analyses revealed a mutation detection sensitivity of 97.3 %, an average coverage per gene of 98.0 %, and adequate coverage over 98.6 % of sites previously reported as mutated in these genes. In the prospective cohort, we achieved a diagnosis in 22 out of 58 patients (38 %). Genetically undiagnosed HLH patients had a later age at onset and manifested higher frequencies of known secondary HLH triggers. Rare, putatively pathogenic monoallelic variants were identified in nine patients. However, such monoallelic variants were not enriched compared with healthy individuals. Conclusions: We have established a comprehensive high-throughput platform for genetic screening of patients with HLH. Almost all cases with reduced natural killer cell function received a diagnosis, but the majority of the prospective cases remain genetically unexplained, highlighting genetic heterogeneity and environmental impact within HLH. Moreover, in silico analyses of the genetic variation affecting HLH-related genes in the general population suggest caution with respect to interpreting causality between monoallelic mutations and HLH. A complete understanding of the genetic susceptibility to HLH thus requires further in-depth investigations, including genome sequencing and detailed immunological characterization.Peer reviewe

Effect of Lactuca sativa supplemented diet on Poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemic albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have primarily contributed to the global disease burden. They represent the leading cause of mortality and healthcare expenditures in developed and third-world nations, responsible for approximately 30% of global deaths and 10% of global diseases annually. This study investigated the effects of a Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) supplemented diet on Poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidemic albino rats. Twenty-four (24) rats were grouped into six groups of treatments, i.e., four rats in each treatment. Treatments applied in this study were: control treatment (feed and water only), a P-407 induced without Atorvastatin, a P-407 induced treated with Atorvastatin, and P-407 induced with 10%, 30%, and 50% L. sativa supplemented diet. P407 was administered intraperitoneally at 1000 mg/kg body weight. Body weight was measured every three days for 14 days. Blood sample collection was carried out for the analysis of lipid profiles (High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), Triacylglycerides (TAG), and Total Cholesterol (TC)) and liver function parameters (ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, TP, ALB and GLB). The liver and brain tissues were analyzed for lipid peroxidation levels. Results showed that induction of P407 resulted in a higher body weight gain (p0.05) compared to the control treatment. The atherogenic risk prediction indices indicated a decreased risk in the treated groups with Atorvastatin or L. sativa-supplemented diet. Furthermore, liver function parameters were better in the treatment groups with Atorvastatin or L. sativa-supplemented diet, including decreased liver function parameters and increased total protein, albumin, and globulin levels. The L. sativa-supplemented diet also exhibited anti-lipid peroxidation activity, as indicated by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In conclusion, the L. sativa-supplemented diet had hypolipidemic effects, anti-lipid peroxidation activity, and hepatoprotective effects, suggesting its potential as an antihyperlipidemic agent

RNA-Seq Identifies SNP Markers for Growth Traits in Rainbow Trout

Fast growth is an important and highly desired trait, which affects the profitability of food animal production, with feed costs accounting for the largest proportion of production costs. Traditional phenotype-based selection is typically used to select for growth traits; however, genetic improvement is slow over generations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) explain 90% of the genetic differences between individuals; therefore, they are most suitable for genetic evaluation and strategies that employ molecular genetics for selective breeding. SNPs found within or near a coding sequence are of particular interest because they are more likely to alter the biological function of a protein. We aimed to use SNPs to identify markers and genes associated with genetic variation in growth. RNA-Seq whole-transcriptome analysis of pooled cDNA samples from a population of rainbow trout selected for improved growth versus unselected genetic cohorts (10 fish from 1 full-sib family each) identified SNP markers associated with growth-rate. The allelic imbalances (the ratio between the allele frequencies of the fast growing sample and that of the slow growing sample) were considered at scores >5.0 as an amplification and <0.2 as loss of heterozygosity. A subset of SNPs (n = 54) were validated and evaluated for association with growth traits in 778 individuals of a three-generation parent/offspring panel representing 40 families. Twenty-two SNP markers and one mitochondrial haplotype were significantly associated with growth traits. Polymorphism of 48 of the markers was confirmed in other commercially important aquaculture stocks. Many markers were clustered into genes of metabolic energy production pathways and are suitable candidates for genetic selection. The study demonstrates that RNA-Seq at low sequence coverage of divergent populations is a fast and effective means of identifying SNPs, with allelic imbalances between phenotypes. This technique is suitable for marker development in non-model species lacking complete and well-annotated genome reference sequences