An overview of reliability models and methods for distribution systems with renewable energy distributed generation

This paper presents a review of reliability models and methods for estimating renewable energy resources influence on electrical generation availability. These models and methods may be used to evaluate the impacts on the distribution systems reliability of distributed generation integration, especially when they are based on renewable energy sources. For such, the paper presents the main characteristics of renewable resources models that have been developed for wind, small hydro, solar and biomass, and presents the main methods for reliability evaluation of distribution systems with such resources integrated. These evaluation methods may be based on analytical techniques, Monte Carlo simulation or hybrid approaches. The impact of distributed generation on the reliability of electric distribution systems depends mainly on the operational mode and the energy source in which it is based. The most uncertain case is related to generation based on renewable energy of intermittent nature where the generation availability depends on the availability of the energy source and the availability of the generating unit.     

A convective multi-flash drying process for producing dehydrated crispy fruits

The aim of this work was to evaluate the application of a convective multi-flash drying process (CMFD) to producing dehydrated and crisp fruits. To accomplish this process, samples of banana (Musa sapientum L.) or mango (Mangifera indica L.) were heated to 60 °C by hot air, and a vacuum pulse was applied, which resulted in dehydration by a combination of convective drying and flash evaporation. Banana processed by CMFD had a moisture content of 0.293 g/g (dry basis) and a_w = 0.272 after 3 h of processing. Mango had a moisture content of 0.09 g/g and a_w = 0.359 after 4 h of processing. Puncture tests on fruits dehydrated by CMFD and on commercial freeze-dried fruits showed strain-force curves with many peaks (jagged curves). For CMFD much smaller global shrinkage was observed. These results indicate that the CMFD process can be applied for producing crispy fruits and is an alternative to the freeze-drying process.     

A design methodology for integrated inductor-based DC–DC converters

A design methodology for monolithic integration of inductor based DC–DC converters is proposed in this paper. A power loss model of the power stage, including the drive circuits, is defined in order to optimize efficiency. Based on this model and taking as reference a 0.35 μm CMOS process, a buck converter was designed and fabricated. For a given set of operating conditions the defined power loss model allows to optimize the design parameters for the power stage, including the gate-driver tapering factor and the width of the power MOSFETs. Experimental results obtained from a buck converter at 100 MHz switching frequency are presented to validate the proposed methodology.     

Revisiting the Proposition of Binding Pockets and Bioactive Poses for GSK-3β Allosteric Modulators Addressed to Neurodegenerative Diseases

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) is an enzyme pertinently linked to neurodegenerative diseases since it is associated with the regulation of key neuropathological features in the central nervous system. Among the different kinds of inhibitors of this kinase, the allosteric ones stand out due to their selective and subtle modulation, lowering the chance of producing side effects. The mechanism of GSK-3β allosteric modulators may be considered still vague in terms of elucidating a well-defined binding pocket and a bioactive pose for them. In this context, we propose to reinvestigate and reinforce such knowledge by the application of an extensive set of in silico methodologies, such as cavity detection, ligand 3D shape analysis and docking (with robust validation of corresponding protocols), and molecular dynamics. The results here obtained were consensually consistent in furnishing new structural data, in particular by providing a solid bioactive pose of one of the most representative GSK-3β allosteric modulators. We further applied this to the prospect for new compounds by ligand-based virtual screening and analyzed the potential of the two obtained virtual hits by quantum chemical calculations. All potential hits achieved will be subsequently tested by in vitro assays in order to validate our approaches as well as to unveil novel chemical entities as GSK-3β allosteric modulators.     

Energy efficiency of double skin façades: an approach to Brazilian climates

The heat gains and daylight transmitted through windows directly influence the building's energy demand. High performance façades, when correctly specified, produce a great potential of energy savings by using daylight efficiently and controlling heat gains and/or losses. In Brazil, the lack of natural ventilation associated with large glass areas in office buildings exhibits substandard results concerning energy efficiency. This article demonstrates an approach to highly ventilated double skin façades in Brazil, investigating the potential of natural ventilation in accordance with the local climate. Applying the Light Design and Ideal Window Area methodologies, window areas as a function of different types of high performance glass are thermally simulated in the program EnergyPlus. The simulations are run for 10 cities in Brazil, in one of those cities, Curitiba (–25° 25′ 40′′), the annual results of hourly simulations demonstrate the building energy demand as a function of window area, glass type, room ratio and size. The results concerning the energy efficiency perspective only illustrated that double skin façades could be applied for southern regions in Brazil and under certain criteria. Energieeffizienz von doppelschaligen Fassaden: eine Annäherung an brasilianische Klimabedingungen. Die ansteigende Temperatur und das Tageslicht, das ungehindert durch die Fenster tritt, beeinflussen den Energiehaushalt eines Gebäudes. Moderne Hochleistungsfassaden bieten bei korrekter Auslegung ein großes Potential zur Energieeinsparung, indem sie Tageslichtnutzung zulassen und solare Gewinne kontrollieren. Das Fehlen von natürlichen Belüftungsmöglichkeiten und der hohe Anteil großflächiger Glasfassaden in Bürogebäuden führen in Brasilien zu unterdurchschnittlicher Energieeffizienz. Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit belüfteten doppelschaligen Fassaden in Brasilien, indem das Potential von natürlicher Belüftung unter den lokalen Klimabedingungen geprüft wird. In Anlehnung an Regeln der Kunstlichtplanung und zur Ermittlung der idealen Fensterfläche werden unterschiedliche Fensterflächenanteile unter Variation der Glasqualitäten in dem Programm EnergyPlus thermisch simuliert. Die Simulationen wurden für 10 brasilianische Städte durchgeführt. Die Jahresergebnisse der stündlichen Simulationen für Curitiba (–25° 25′ 40′′) zeigen, dass der Energiebedarf des Gebäudes von der Größe der Fensterflächen, der Art der Glasscheiben sowie der Raumproportion und ‐größe abhängt. Die Ergebnisse bezüglich der Einschätzung der Energieeffizienz weisen ferner darauf hin, dass doppelschalige Fassaden in südlichen Regionen von Brasilien und vergleichbaren Klimaten unter bestimmten Bedingungen angewendet werden können.     

Electrospun hydroxyapatite fibers from a simple sol-gel system

This work reports the production of hydroxyapatite (HA) sub-micron fibers by combining electrospinning and a non-alkoxide sol-gel system, using cheap precursors. Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O) were used as precursors of phosphorus and calcium, respectively. The fibers were electrospun from a mixture of the gel formed from the system Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O/P₂O₅ with polymeric solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in water and ethanol/water mixtures. The fibers were analyzed for their morphology (Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM), chemical composition (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, FTIR) and structure (X-ray diffraction, XRD). The fibers obtained were composed mainly of type B carbonated HA with traces of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). SEM analysis revealed that increasing the concentration of water in the solvent system, used in the preparation of electrospinning solutions, led to fibers with smaller diameters and narrower diameter distribution.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol) films crosslinked by glutaraldehyde under mild conditions

The use of mild conditions to perform the entrapment of biomolecules in polymeric matrices is a crucial step in a broad range of applications as biosensors, biocarrier‐mediated facilitated transport membranes, and drug‐controlled release devices. In this study, we investigated the crosslinking of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by glutaraldehyde in the absence of an acid catalyst and organic solvents to improve the water resistance of the hydrophilic biocompatible polymer. Glutaraldehyde was chosen as the crosslinking agent because it favors the intermolecular reaction with PVA and is able to bind nonspecifically to proteins. The effects of the temperature and glutaraldehyde content on the thermal and structural properties of the PVA films were examined. Membranes prepared at 40°C showed a maximum crosslinking density for low glutaraldehyde content namely, 0.04 wt % in the spreading solution. Higher amounts of the crosslinker led to the branching of PVA. The increase in membrane thermal properties and reduction in crystallinity were ascribed to the crosslinking treatment, which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The oxygen permeability of the films was reduced up to 2.7 times, which indicated that the crosslinking of the polymer was successfully accomplished. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Transient effects in single heterostructure GaAs lasers

We apply our theory on long delays in GaAs junction lasers to describe the transient phenomena of SH GaAs lasers. This is done at the beginning of the exciting pulse and at the instant of lasing either with a long delay or withQ-switching. The abrupt reduction of spontaneous emission at the instance of lasing with a long delay is shown to occur as a consequence of a reduction in the carrier density that takes place during the transient period. It is also shown thatH-pulsing can occur only in a very special case.     

The face of Job

PURPOSE: To describe the microcirculation architecture of metastatic choroidal and ciliary body melanoma. METHOD: Histologic sections of 35 metastases from 19 primary melanomas were stained to demonstrate microcirculation. RESULT: The appearance of microcirculatory networks in metastases is independent of the target organ but associated with the size of the metastatic deposit (estimated coefficient = 0.5959; SE = 0.3024; P = .0488). CONCLUSION: The microcirculatory patterns of primary uveal melanomas that are associated with metastatic behavior appear in foci of metastasis, regardless of the site of dissemination.