Adaptive Real-Time Optimal Dispatch of Privately Owned Energy Storage Systems

In this thesis, a real-time optimal dispatching (RTOD) algorithm is developed by formulating a mixed integer linear programming problem to determine charging and discharging power set-points of a privately owned energy storage system (ESS) in a competitive electricity market. The objective of the optimization problem is to generate revenue by exploiting price volatility in the day-ahead/week-ahead market. Moreover, this thesis aims to evaluate and improve the usefulness of publicly available electricity market prices for RTOD of a privately owned ESS in a competitive electricity market by developing a new adaptive technique. The pre-dispatch and the corresponding ex-post hourly Ontario energy prices are employed as the forecasted and actual prices. A compressed air ESS unit is optimally sized and modeled for evaluations. The conventional RTOD algorithm is developed, and its sensitivity to price forecast inaccuracy is evaluated. It is demonstrated that the forecast inaccuracy of publicly available market prices significantly reduces the ESS revenue. Then, a new adaptive algorithm is proposed and evaluated which adapts the objective function of the optimization problem online based on historical market prices. The outcomes reveal that the proposed adaptive RTOD can significantly reduce the adverse impact of the price forecast inaccuracy on the ESS revenue by online calibration of the 24-h-ahead market prices using 24-h-behind market prices. Moreover, the concept of optimal weekly usage of cryogenic energy storage (CES) is introduced and compared with the common daily usage. The results reveal significant benefits of weekly usage of the CES as compared to the daily usage

Optimal Scheduling of Energy Storage for Energy Shifting and Ancillary Services to the Grid

This thesis is mainly focused on developing optimization-based models for scheduling of energy storage units. At first, a real-time optimal scheduling algorithm is developed seeking to maximize the storage revenue by exploiting arbitrage opportunities available due to the inter-temporal variation of electricity prices. The electricity price modulation is proposed as an approach to competitively offer incentive by the utility regulator to storage to fill the gap between current and a stable rate of return. Subsequently, the application of large-scale storage for congestion relief in transmission systems as an ancillary service to the grid is investigated. An algorithm is proposed for the following objectives: (i) to generate revenue primarily by exploiting electricity price arbitrage opportunities and (ii) to optimally prepare the storage to maximize its contribution to transmission congestion relief. In addition, an algorithm is proposed to enable independently operated, locally controlled storage to accept dispatch instructions issued by Independent System Operators (ISOs). While the operation of locally controlled storage is optimally scheduled at the owner’s end, using the proposed algorithm, storage is fully dispatchable at the ISO’s end. Finally, a model is proposed and analyzed to aggregate storage benefits for a large-scale load. The complete model for optimal operation of storage-based electrical loads considering both the capital and operating expenditures of storage is developed. The applications of the proposed algorithms and models are examined using real-world market data adopted from Ontario’s electricity market and actual load information from a large-scale institutional electricity consumer in Ontario

The Expression Level of CCDC26 and FOXCUT Genes in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background and Aim: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease of lymphoid progenitor cells affecting both children and adults. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are one kind of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), reported modulating the initiation or progression of diverse cancers. However, the role of CCDC26 and FOXCUT long non-coding RNAs in ALL has been unknown. In this study, we explored the expression of FOXCUT and CCDC26 lncRNAs in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. Methods: Acute T lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines, RPMI 8402, Jurkat, B lymphoblastic leukemia, Daudi, and Ramos cell lines were used. After culturing the cells, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. The real-time PCR technique was then used to study the expression of CCDC26, FOXCUT, C-kit, and FOXC1 genes. Result: We found a significant increase of CCDC26 expression in RPMI 8402 (p <0.0001) and Ramos (p <0.05) cell lines compared to the control, while decreased expression of these genes was observed in Jurkat and Daudi cell lines. Furthermore, FOXCUT gene had a significant increase in expression in all cell lines compared to the control (p <0.01 in Daudi and RPMI 8402 cell lines) (p <0.001 in Jurkat and Ramos cell lines). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that CCDC26 and FOXCUT genes can play a regulatory role in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. *Corresponding Author: Seyed Hadi Mousavi, Email: [email protected]; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4686-5232 Please cite this article as: Barati S, Mousavi SH, Motallebzadeh-Khanmiri J, Khani-Eshratabdi M. The Expression Level of CCDC26 and FOXCUT Genes in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2021;7:1-9 (e16). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v7.3329

Design, manufacture and evaluation of the new Instrument to Measure the ‎Friction Coefficient of Soil

Accurate determination of soil parameters such as the coefficient of internal friction, soil adhesion and soil-metal friction is essential for designing agricultural machinery, calculating the draft force and investigating the performance and wear of them. Tillage as the main operation is causing soil displacement and skidding on tillage equipment. Soil friction parameter against the tools that have wide contact surface with soil, increases the operating draft force and consequently energy consumption would be increased. This paper describes the design, fabrication and using a system for measuring the coefficient of soil external friction. The result showed that the changes of draft force versus normal load were linear and increasing the moisture increased soil external friction. Also, the results showed that the test system can discriminate between different soil textures and different contact surfaces tested. In general, according to the results the performance of the soil friction coefficient measuring device was acceptable

Potential Use of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Improving Patients with COVID-19: A Review

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a member of the coronavirus family that caused the COVID-19 respiratory disease epidemic in China before the global pandemic of the disease in late 2019. The virus's genome is of 79% similarity to that of the SARS-CoV virus, using the ACE2 receptor to enter its target cells. The most common symptoms of this disease include fever, cough, pulmonary involvement, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. A decline in both the number and function of lymphocytes and a severe increase in leukocyte inflammatory activity are among the most obvious immunological complications of this disease. If the immune system response to the virus is inadequate, the disease can become acute. Immune cells activity leads to a sharp increase in the number of blood cytokines, causing "cytokine storm," which in turn can cause systematic damages to the heart, lungs, and kidneys, and ultimately may lead to death. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy offers a promising approach to reducing the destructive impacts of infection in patients with COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells can secrete immune-modulating factors that suppress cytokine storms. Furthermore, the role of mesenchymal stem cells in preventing cell death and inhibiting tissue fibrosis has been well demonstrated. This review shows available clinical trials that have tapped into the therapeutic potential of the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with COVID-19. *Corresponding Author: Seyed Hadi Mousavi; Email: [email protected]; ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0163-5839 Please cite this article as: Motallebzadeh Khanmiri J, Khani-Eshratabadi M, Nasirzadeh A, Nematzade M, Talebpour M, Mousavi H. Potential Use of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Improving Patients with COVID-19. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2021;7:1-12 (e20). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v7.3537

The frequencies of peripheral blood CD5⁺CD19⁺ B cells, CD3⁻CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK, and CD3⁺CD56⁺ NKT cells and serum interleukin-10 in patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica syndrome disease (NMOSD) are inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis and treatments for these two conditions are very different. Natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells are immune cells with an important role in shaping the immune response. B cells are involved in antigen presentation as well as antibody and cytokine production. There is conflicting evidence of the roles of NK, NKT, and B cells in the two conditions. We aimed to compare the frequency of CD3−CD16+CD56+NK, CD3+ CD56+ NKT, and CD5+CD19+ B cells in the peripheral blood and serum Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in patients with MS and NMOSD. Methods: CD19+CD5+ B, CD3− CD16+CD56+ NK, and CD3+CD56+ NKT cells were quantitated by flow cytometry in 15 individuals with Interferon-Beta (IFN-β) treated relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), 15 untreated RRMS, and 15 NMOSD patients as well as 30 healthy controls (HC). Serum IL-10 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The percentage of CD3−CD56+CD16+ NK cells in the peripheral blood of IFN-treated MS (1.81 ± 0.87) was significantly lower than for untreated RRMS (4.74 ± 1.80), NMOSD (4.64 ± 1.26) and HC (5.83 ± 2.19) (p < 0.0001). There were also differences for the percentage of CD3−CD16+ and CD3−CD56+ cells (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0007; respectively). IFN-treated RRMS (2.89 ± 1.51) had the lowest proportion of CD3+CD56+ among the study groups (p < 0.002). Untreated RRMS (5.56 ± 3.04) and NMOSD (5.47 ± 1.24) had higher levels of CD3+CD56+ than the HC (3.16 ± 1.98). The mean percentage of CD19+CD5+ B cells in the peripheral blood of untreated RRMS patients (1.32 ± 0.67) was higher compared to the patients with NMOSD (0.30 ± 0.20), HC (0.5 ± 0.22) and IFN-treated RRMS (0.81 ± 0.17) (p < 0.0001). Serum interleukin-10 was significantly higher in the IFN-treated RRMS (8.06 ± 5.39) and in HC (8.38 ± 2.84) compared to untreated RRMS (5.07 ± 1.44) and the patients with NMOSD (5.33 ± 2.56) (p < 0.003). Conclusions: The lower proportion of CD3−CD56+ CD16+ NK and CD3+CD56+ cells in peripheral blood of IFN-treated RRMS compared to other groups suggests the importance of immunomodulation in patients with RRMS disorder. Based on the differences in CD19+CD5+ B cells and serum IL-10 between patients and HC, supplementary assessments could be of value in clarifying their roles in autoimmunity

Prevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis C Infection among Male Injection Drug Users in Detention, Tehran, Iran

For the benefit of planning for the future care and treatment of people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to help guide prevention and control programs, data are needed on HCV seroprevalence and associated risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional sero-behavioral survey of injection drug users (IDU) detained for mandatory rehabilitation during a police sweep of Tehran, Iran, in early 2006. During the study period, a consecutive sample comprising 454 of 499 (91.0%) men arrested and determined to be IDU by urine test and physical examination consented to a face-to-face interview and blood collection for HCV antibody testing. Overall, HCV prevalence was 80.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 76.2–83.6). Factors independently associated with HCV infection included history of incarceration (adjusted OR 4.35, 95% CI 1.88–10.08), age of first injection ≤25 years (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.09–6.82), and history of tattooing (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.05–5.17). HCV prevalence in this population of IDU upon intake to jail was extremely high and possibly approaching saturation. Findings support that incarceration is contributing to the increased spread of HCV infection in Iran and calls for urgent increased availability of HCV treatment, long-term preparation for the care of complications of chronic infection, and rapid scale-up of programs for the primary prevention of parenterally transmitted infections among drug users

Nanostructured Materials for Energy Storage and pH Ultramicroelectrodes

This dissertation presents the synthesis and characterization of new types of nanostructured materials for use in high-performance aqueous rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. In the first chapter, nanostructured nickel cobalt sulfide (Ni4.5Co4.5S8) was prepared through pulse-electrodeposition method. In addition, iron oxide nanosheets were prepared from graphite-coated iron carbide/α-Fe in a two-step annealing/electrochemical cycling process. A full-cell battery with supercapacitor-like power behavior was assembled with Ni4.5Co4.5S8 and iron oxide nanosheets as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The full-cell device delivers a specific energy of 89 Wh kg−1 at 1.1 kW kg−1 with a rate performance of 61 Wh kg−1 at a very high specific power of 38.5 kW kg−1. In the second chapter, we propose a route towards developing asymmetric supercapacitor devices having high volumetric energy densities though the modification of commercially available current collectors (CCs): nickel foam (NF) and carbon fiber cloth (CFC). A soft templating/solvothermal treatment route was employed to generate NiO/NiOOH nanosheets on NF current collectors (as positive electrode). CFCs were also modified via an electrochemical oxidation/reduction route to generate an exfoliated core-shell structure followed by electropolymerization of pyrrole into the shell structure (as negative electrode). Combining the individual materials resulted in a full-device asymmetric supercapacitor that delivers volumetric energy densities in the range of 1.67-2.65 mWh cm−3 with corresponding power densities in the range of 5.9-273.6 mW cm−3. Such performance is comparable to lithium thin film (0.3-10 mWh cm−3) and better than some commercial supercapacitors (\u3c 1 mWh cm−3). In the third chapter, we established a simple, precise, and reproducible method to construct carbon fiber ultramicroelectrodes (CF-UMEs) with tip radius r \u3c 1 μm. CF-UMEs were successfully used as SECM-tips to examine the “crystal structure orientation-OER electrocatalytic activity” relationship of iridium/iridium oxide catalysts. In addition, CF-UMEs were used as a substrate electrode for the electrodeposition of pH-sensitive iridium oxide. The pH response of these micrometer-sized pH electrodes has a rapid response (\u3c 5 s) over the pH range of 2-12 with a super-Nernstian slope of 65.3 mV/pH. The prepared pH-UMEs were successfully employed as a potentiometric SECM-tip to image the pH changes at different substrates

An Explanation of the Nature of civilization Based on Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism

Distinguishing civilization from other forms of human social entities on the basis of Islamic philosophy and mysticism is what is done in an expert manner in this article. It is concluded that civilization as a social unit is indeed, in the existential sense of the word, not arbitrary but an authentic one. This is because there exists an inseparable link between civilization's cultural background and its various social interactions in the sense that this latter signifies the emergence of the society's deep cultural possibilities, which dismisses any notion of arbitrariness as compared to other forms of human entities. To prove this, we have first offered an argument to explain the existential necessity of a particular kind of society, using Mulla Sadra's principle of subject-object identity and existential universal. Furthermore, to complete the argumentation by resolving a surrounding doubt, we have explained the status of social arbitrariness with a mystical and new basis in which human nature is used in an Islamic mystical manner. In the end, based on the explanation given about the nature of civilization, we have offered an ontological argument to prove the ultimate supremacy of the Islamic civilization centered upon velayat

Political Economy of Energy Pipelines in Central Asia and Caucasus

Central Asia and Caucasus has been a core of concentration for great powers for a long time. In Soviet Union era, due to the Russia’s domination on the region foreign access was limited. After the collapse of Soviet Union and independence of Central Asia and Caucasian countries, the gap provided opportunity for other powers. Oil and gas has always been a reason for the presence of other countries in this region. Dire security situation of the region and limited access to the open sees raise a question about rationality of involvement in energy sector of the region. The hypothesis of this paper argues that political measures overwhelmed economic and security concerns for foreign energy investors in this region