(2Z)-N-(4-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)-2-(4-meth­oxy­phenyl­imino)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-amine

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C22H19N3O3, inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a zigzag chain parallel to the face diagonal of the ac plane. The meth­oxy phenyl rings make a dihdral angle of 32.38 (7)° and form dihedral angles of 0.66 (8) and 24.17 (7)° with the fused benzooxazine ring system

Photocatalytic Perfomance of ZnO-Graphene Oxide Composites towards the Degradation of Vanillic Acid under Solar Radiation and Visible-LED

Graphene oxide (GO) is used to enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles for the degradation of vanillic acid (VA) under simulated solar light and visible-LED (λ > 430 nm). ZnO-GO composites are prepared by a mixing and sonication process with different GO loadings (i.e., from 1.8 to 6.5 wt.%). The materials are extensively characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), physisorption of N2 , X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), point of zero charge (pHPZC), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRUV). The presence of GO increases the photocatalytic activity of all the prepared composites in comparison with the pristine ZnO. The highest photocatalytic activity is found for the composite containing 5.5 wt.% of GO (i.e., ZnO-GO5.5), reaching a VA degradation of 99% and 35% under solar light and visible-LED, respectively. Higher TOC removal/VA degradation ratios are obtained from the experiments carried out under visible-LED, indicating a more effective process for the mineralization of VA than those observed under simulated solar light. The influence of hole, radical, and non-radical scavengers is studied in order to assess the occurrence of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the photocatalytic mechanism. The study of the photo-stability during three reuse experiments indicates that the presence of GO in the composites reduces the photocorrosion in comparison with pristine ZnO.Spanish Project ref. RTI 2018-099224-B100 funded by ERDF/Ministry of Science, Innovation and UniversitiesState Research Agency and the Nano4Fresh project (ref. PCI2020-112045), as part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Unio

IGDT-Based Robust Operation of Thermal and Electricity Energy-Based Microgrid with Distributed Sources, Storages, and Responsive Loads

In this paper, the optimal operation of microgrids (MGs) with thermal blocks, distributed generations (DGs), storage systems, and responsive loads is presented to achieve optimal scheduling of active, reactive, and thermal power of the mentioned elements in the day-ahead (DA) reactive power and energy market environment. The thermal block has a combined heat and power (CHP) system, a boiler, and thermally responsive loads. This scheme minimizes the difference between the total operating costs of the MG and power sources and the total revenue gained from the sale of energy and reactive power of the mentioned elements in the markets located in the MG. It is constrained by the AC power flow equations, network operation constraints, and the operating model of these elements. Furthermore, this scheme is subject to the uncertainties of energy price, load, and renewable power. In this paper, to access the optimal resistant solution against the maximum prediction error associated with the mentioned uncertainties, a robust model based on information gap decision theory (IGDT) is used. Finally, by implementing the proposed scheme on a 119-bus radial MG, the obtained numerical results confirm the ability of the scheme to simultaneously improve the economic and operational situation of the MG. The proposed scheme succeeded in improving energy cost, energy loss, voltage drop, and power factor of the distribution substation by roughly 101%, 44%, 41%, and 16% compared to power flow studies, even in the worst-case scenario caused by uncertainties

Effect of object location on the density measurement in cone-beam computed tomography versus multislice computed tomography

Background: Bone density measurement in a radiographic view is a valuable method for evaluating the density of bone quality before performing some dental procedures such as, dental implant placements. It seems that Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) can be used as a diagnostic tool for evaluating the density of the bone, prior to any treatment, as the reported radiation dose in this method is minimal. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of object location on the density measurement in CBCT versus Multislice computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, three samples with similar dimensions, but different compositions, different densities (Polyethylene, Polyamide, Polyvinyl Chloride), and three bone pieces of different parts of the mandibular bone were imaged in three different positions by CBCT and Multislice CT sets. The average density value was computed for each sample in each position. Then the data obtained from each CBCT was converted to a Hounsfield unit and evaluated using a single variable T analysis. A P value <0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The density in a Multislice CT is stable in the form of a Hounsfield Number, but this density is variable in the images acquired through CBCT, and the change in the position results in significant changes in the density. In this study, a statistically significant difference (P value = 0.000) has been observed for the position of the sample and its density in CBCT in comparison to Multislice CT. Conclusions: Density values in CBCT are not real because they are affected by the position of the object in the machine

The Relationship of Latent Toxoplasmosis and Cigarette Smoking: Seroprevalence, Risk Factor, and Case-Control Study in Fars Province, Southern Iran

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease with worldwide prevalence. Despite the relatively similar effects of toxoplasmosis and smoking on alteration in neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, little is known about the relation of Toxoplasma gondii infection and addiction to cigarette smoking. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between latent toxoplasmosis and smoking. Through a case-control study, 216 regular cigarette smokers and 324 nonsmoker age- and gender-matched subjects were evaluated for anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). During the sampling, a structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic information of participants and the risk factors of acquired Toxoplasma. The median ages of case and control groups were 51.04 &plusmn; 18.1 (22&ndash;97 years) and 51.03 &plusmn; 16.5 (21&ndash;89 years), respectively (p = 0.99). Anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 44 (20.37%) cases and in 135 (41.67%) controls. There was a statistically significant difference for the positivity rate between the smokers and the control group (OR = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.19&ndash;0.65; and p = 0.001). The overall prevalence was 33.14%. This study indicated the inverse association between seropositivity to Toxoplasma infection and cigarette smoking. This relationship could be due to the changes that latent toxoplasmosis has on the neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, which needs more research

A hierarchical control approach to improve the voltage and frequency stability for hybrid microgrids-based distributed energy resources

This study proposes a multi-layer interactive control scheme to improve the performance of microgrids (MGs) based on distributed energy resources (DERs). This structure ensures the stability of the four system parameters, including voltage/frequency (V/F) and active/reactive (P/Q) power of the MGs, respectively, due to the correct operation of the defined control layers. In the proposed method, in the first layer, an internal voltage and current controller loop combined in the power droop controller (PDC), duties to adjust the unit V/F, in addition, the MG able to quickly respond to load oscillations is possible. Further, the secondary distributed V/F control strategies based on distributed finite-time control (DFTC) are implemented to modify and restore the control system. In this study, one of the novelties of the proposed method is the use of economically distributed modelling (EDM) in the upper layer above the other layers. The simulation results prove the efficiency of the proposed method strategy (hierarchical control) from two points of view, including voltage and frequency control; as the amplitude of fluctuations of voltage and frequency components has decreased for the units by 0.005 pu to 0.08 pu and 0.005 Hz to 0.018 Hz, respectively