Anti-islanding and Distributed Generation System

This paper proposes an anti-islanding control for a grid connected distributed generation system. The proposed control is based on d-q frame. The scheme using current command reference as positive feedback is utilized to drift the PCC voltage beyond the threshold limits to detect islanding within 2 seconds as prescribed by IEEE 1547. The test system configuration and parameters for anti-islanding study is prepared on IEEE 929 standards. The effectiveness of proposed anti-islanding scheme is validated by simulation done in MATLAB platform

FLUORIDE INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY: APOPTOSIS, ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES AND RENAL TUBULAR INJURY IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Fluorosis is endemic in many countries across the globe. Most of the Indian states are endemic for fluorosis. Fluoride is known to cause many types of health complications and affects skeletal & soft tissues. The kidneys are one of the highly exposed organs for all the ingested toxins including fluoride. Therefore fluoride exposed subjects are highly vulnerable to fluoride induced nephrotoxicity. In recent years it has been demonstrated that the prevalence of renal impairment is remarkably high in different fluorosis endemic areas. Higher prevalence of CKD observed in central dry zone of Sri Lanka, a fluorosis endemic region. The prevalence of renal tubular dysfunctions is significantly high in residents of El Quel, which is also an endemic fluorosis area in Southern Algeria. On the basis of previous research reports it may be concluded that fluoride induces renal impairments and renal tubular injuries, cellular and sub-cellular ultrastructural changes. But all the research reports available are confined to animal models only. The data available on fluoride associated renal impairment in human is scant and limited to case reports and epidemiological studies. Due to the variation in types of animal models used in the studies, variations in quantity of fluoride administered and variations in route of fluoride administration, the generated insight cannot be translated to clinic. Therefore there is need to adopt a direct holistic approach to evaluate the adverse effects of fluoride on kidney structure and function in human subjects.

INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND USAGE OF FOLK BIO-MEDICINES AMONG RONGMEI TRIBE OF TAMENGLONG DISTRICT OF MANIPUR, INDIA

Background: Rongmei tribe (Kooki), are inhabitant of the Charoi Chagotlong village, Tupul, Tamenglong district of Manipur have the traditional knowledge of folk bio-medicine based on diverse plant species for the prevention and cure of certain chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to document and preserve the indigenous knowledge of the Rongmei tribe on folk medicines. Material and methods: The present work was based on methodical field survey conducted between 2010, to 2013. Local people of within 30-70 age groups of both sexes were interviewed and a group discussion (using a structured interview schedule), was held to know about the type of plant parts used in folk bio-medicines, and their mode of use. The interviewers were drawn from a wide array of disciplines (Vendors, Farmers club, NGO’s, scientific societies, etc.), to obtain maximum information in relation to folk bio-medicine. Results: A total of 60 species belonging to 36 different families (ranging from gymnosperm to angiosperm with medicinal benefits), were discussed briefly with significant emphasis on their local name, scientific name, family, parts used; they claimed to cure various ailments from these plants in this mode of folk bio-medicine. The different plant parts used were leaves, fruits, bulbs, bark, roots, seeds, tuber, trunk, flower, shoot, whole plant, rhizome, stem, wood and berries. Based on a life form of the reported plants comprise herbs, shrubs, trees, grasses, bulb, vine, climber, tuber and succulent. Conclusion: Efforts should be made to promote the use of traditional biomedicines within rural communities to preserve the traditional knowledge

Documenting the agriculture based indigenous traditional knowledge in Manipur State of North Eastern India

The North East Indian Himalayan Region (NEIHR) is bestowed with unique ethnicity and highly diversified biodiversity (flora and fauna) that are inherent to this region and inquisitive traditional practices. The region is a conservatory of indigenous knowledge and practices.  NE agriculture has its own merit, demerit, diversity and complex system which distinguishes it from the mainland agriculture of the country. Indigenous knowledge used in agriculture in various parts of Manipur is still less explored. Keeping this as the foremost point, survey was undertaken for collecting information on traditional knowledge in 8 districts of 15 villages of Manipur for identifying the different indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) used in agriculture. Each district was surveyed and from each selected locality and interviewed through questionnaires for collecting relevant information on ITKs used in agriculture. Initially the detail information was collected from respondent farmers and further validated by triangulation method. 15 number of ITK has been documented and validated by triangulation method. There is a strong requisite to document and validate ITK before it gets lost with time. So, indigenous and modern approach may be combined as the so called “technology blending” for the evolution of new technology

Potential Therapeutic Implications of Caffeic Acid in Cancer Signaling: Past, Present, and Future

Caffeic acid (CA) has been present in many herbs, vegetables, and fruits. CA is a bioactive compound and exhibits various health advantages that are linked with its anti-oxidant functions and implicated in the therapy and prevention of disease progression of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The anti-tumor action of CA is attributed to its prooxidant and anti-oxidant properties. CA’s mechanism of action involves preventing reactive oxygen species formation, diminishing the angiogenesis of cancer cells, enhancing the tumor cells’ DNA oxidation, and repressing MMP-2 and MMP-9. CA and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties against many cancer types. CA has indicated low intestinal absorption, low oral bioavailability in rats, and pitiable permeability across Caco-2 cells. In the present review, we have illustrated CA’s therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics, and characteristics. The pharmacological effects of CA, the emphasis on in vitro and in vivo studies, and the existing challenges and prospects of CA for cancer treatment and prevention are discussed in this review

A Diamond Shaped Multilevel Inverter With Dual Mode of Operation

This study presents a novel multilevel inverter structure that can operate in both switched capacitor and asymmetric DC source modes. In the first mode, it can produce seven-level output voltage employing two switched capacitors and one single DC supply. The five-level output voltage is produced while operating the second mode. The voltage ratio between the input and output voltage for the capacitor mode is 1:3 (triple voltage gain). During the first mode, the capacitor of the inverter is self -balanced whereas the inverter can produce higher voltage output in the DC source mode. The proposed inverter reduces the total standing voltage in both modes of operations as it can generate the output voltage without requiring any additional H-bridge circuit. The feasibility and predominate features of the proposed inverter have been established by comparing with existing topologies in terms of power components count. Results obtained from this study are validated using simulation employing sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM). A hardware prototype has also been developed for further validation