Influence of Sodium Alginate and Genipin on Stability of Chitosome Containing Perilla Oil in Model and Real Drink

The impacts of sodium alginate (SA) and genipin (GP) on low‐pH and thermal stability of chitosan‐coated liposome (chitosome), as a carrier of perilla oil, are investigated in a model drink. Oxidative stability, as well as quality parameters and sensory evaluation, are analyzed during 60 days of storage at 25 °C as well as in orange drink fortified with non‐coated and coated nanoliposome. The investigation of model drink shows that low‐pH and heating stability of nanoliposome are influenced by the type of coating biopolymer and can be improved by chitosan (CS) and GP. The coating by different biopolymers has fewer changes in quality parameters (°Brix and pH value, total acidity, and color difference), and shows higher oxidative stability than emulsified perilla seed oil and bare nanoliposome after storage at 25 °C for 60 days. The results indicate that the type of biopolymer and cross‐linkers plays a key role in the liposomal membrane structure stability. Practical applications: The present study is anticipated to promote a better understanding of the advantages of combining nanoliposomes (NLs) with the primary and secondary coatings as well as cross‐linkers to overcome the low oxidative stability of perilla oil (as a source of plant rich in n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs]) and semi‐permeability of NL membrane in like and real foods. It could also reduce the adverse effects of n‐3 PUFAs on sensory properties of orange drink and pave the way for making liposomes applicable to foods and drinks.     

Preparation and investigation of silicon rubber containing imide-siloxane copolymers

A study has been carried out on the preparation of some modified imide-siloxane copolymers. This has been accomplished by means of addition of α,ω-dihydropoly(di-methylsiloxane)s to N,N'-diallyldiimides by hydrosilylation reaction. The copolymers were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy methods. Molar mass, molar mass distribution, thermal and mechanical properties of copolymers were determined. These copolymers are used as additives, mixing them in different ratios with a silicone polymer and filler to obtain imide-silicone rubbers of high temperature vulcanizing (HTV) type. Mechanical properties of the vulcanized rubbers were evaluated.     

Dynamic model for power systems with multiple FACTS controllers

Computer simulation and analysis of power systems are necessary for both planning and operation. This requires an appropriate mathematical model of the system that includes many inter-related linear/nonlinear differential and algebraic equations. Such mathematical model is also needed for the design of globally coordinated controllers to improve power system dynamic performance and stability. This paper presents a procedure for finding comprehensive dynamic models of power systems fitted with shunt and/or series connected FACTS controllers such as STATCOM, SSSC, and UPFC. In this procedure, individual components of a power system are modeled using appropriate frame of references. Then all related equations are transformed to a common network frame of reference and tied to each other through the Y-matrix of the transmission network. The procedure is tested on the Western System Coordinating Council (WSCC) test system including FACTS controllers by performing computer simulations of the system for three-phase short circuit faults. MATLAB/Simulink software package is used for the simulations.     

A new approach for estimating voltage collapse point based on quadratic approximation of PV-curves

The MW-distance to voltage collapse is a good indicator of voltage stability at a given operating condition in power systems. This indicator is determined using PV-curves obtained through continuation power flow (CPF) program. The CPF method performs several power flow runs requiring a large amount of computing time. This method is reliable for off-line voltage stability studies, but not very much suitable for real-time operation of today's stressed power systems. Given that, it is essential for system operators to have quick information about voltage stability, a new method is needed for a fast estimation of voltage collapse point. This is the main thrust of the presented paper. It is well known that PV-curves are approximately quadratic functions and become exactly quadratic in close neighborhood of the collapse point. Some authors used this fact and suggested methods that use two to three power flow solutions for a relatively quick, but approximate, calculation of the collapse point. The present paper, also based on quadratic approach, proposes a new method for the determination of voltage collapse that uses only one power flow solution and gives more accurate estimate of the collapse point when compared with other existing methods. Another advantage of the presented method is that the estimation becomes more accurate for stressed power systems. In addition, application of the presented method for performing the top/stable portion of the PV-curves provides an effective step-size that reduces the number of power flow runs. The method is tested using the New England 39-bus and the IEEE 300-bus test systems. The results confirm the effectiveness of the presented method.     

Modeling and control of distributed generation systems including PEM fuel cell and gas turbine

This paper concentrates on the modeling and control of distributed generation systems including fuel cell and gas turbine. The fuel cell is connected to the power system through a dc/ac converter, which is equipped with both voltage- and power-control loops. The gas turbine is also assumed to be equipped with both voltage-control and generation (or frequency)-control loops. Moreover the gas turbine is modeled using the d–q frame of reference. The interfacing of the gas turbine with the power system is achieved by transforming its equations from the d–q frame of reference to power system frame of reference. A multivariable supplementary fuzzy logic controller is proposed for improving the dynamics of the combined fuel cell and gas turbine system. This fuzzy logic controller is designed using the Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox A distribution test system including a load, a fuel cell and a gas turbine, connected to a power grid is simulated using Matlab/Simulink software package. The dynamics of the combined distributed generation plant are analyzed for the cases of with and without controller. The accuracy of the presented model and the effectiveness of the proposed multivariable supplementary fuzzy controller are deduced from the simulation results.     

Fluorine‐Containing 6,7‐Dialkoxybiaryl‐Based Inhibitors for Phosphodiesterase 10 A: Synthesis and in vitro Evaluation of Inhibitory Potency,Selectivity, and Metabolism

Based on the potent phosphodiesterase 10 A (PDE10A) inhibitor PQ‐10, we synthesized 32 derivatives to determine relationships between their molecular structure and binding properties. Their roles as potential positron emission tomography (PET) ligands were evaluated, as well as their inhibitory potency toward PDE10A and other PDEs, and their metabolic stability was determined in vitro. According to our findings, halo‐alkyl substituents at position 2 of the quinazoline moiety and/or halo‐alkyloxy substituents at positions 6 or 7 affect not only the compounds′ affinity, but also their selectivity toward PDE10A. As a result of substituting the methoxy group for a monofluoroethoxy or difluoroethoxy group at position 6 of the quinazoline ring, the selectivity for PDE10A over PDE3A increased. The same result was obtained by 6,7‐difluoride substitution on the quinoxaline moiety. Finally, fluorinated compounds (R)‐7‐(fluoromethoxy)‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(3‐(quinoxaline‐2‐yloxy)pyrrolidine‐1‐yl)quinazoline ( 16 a ), 19 a – d , (R)‐tert‐butyl‐3‐(6‐fluoroquinoxalin‐2‐yloxy)pyrrolidine‐1‐carboxylate ( 29 ), and 35 (IC₅₀ PDE10A 11–65 nM ) showed the highest inhibitory potential. Further, fluoroethoxy substitution at position 7 of the quinazoline ring improved metabolic stability over that of the lead structure PQ‐10.     

Determination of Cr ions in biological and environmental samples by a chromium(III) membrane sensor based on 5-amino-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

A highly Cr³⁺-selective ionophore, based on 5-amino-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (APC) as a carrier, was synthesized in order to obtain a Cr³⁺ ion-selective electrode. The demonstrated characteristics of the sensor included a linear dynamic range between 1.0 × 10^− 6 and 1.0 × 10^− 1 M with a near Nernstian slope of 19.6 ± 0.4 mV per decade, a detection limit of 5.3 × 10^− 7 M, a very good selectivity for Cr³⁺ over other cations in a wide pH range (3.2-6.3). Furthermore, the newly-designed electrode presented a fast response time of 10 s with a lifetime of at least 2 months indicating no considerable potential divergence. The sensor accuracy was investigated by the potentiometric titration of a Cr(III) solution with EDTA as well as the monitoring of Cr(III) in mixtures of three and five different ions. As a result, the developed sensor provided satisfactory results after its application in the Cr³⁺ determination in biological samples (urine and synthetic plasma) and also in wastewater of chromium electroplating industries.     

Optimization of Rhamnolipid Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. aeruginosa</Emphasis> Isolate P6

Rhamnolipids are interesting microbial surfactants having great industrial importance. However, the main obstacles towards an economic production of rhamnolipids are low productivity and high raw-material costs. Therefore, this study aimed at optimization of the culture media as well as culture conditions using response surface methodology for maximum rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate P6, a promising rhamnolipid-producing isolate. The optimum medium for maximum rhamnolipid production was found to be a mineral salts medium with glycerol 2 % v/v as the carbon source. The optimum cultivation conditions using response surface methodology were found to be an incubation temperature of 30 °C, an agitation rate of 250 rpm, an inoculum size of 5 % v/v and unlike most studies, an initial pH of 7.5. The resulting model predicted data points that corresponded well to the experimental values. Optimization resulted in a threefold increase in rhamnolipid production reaching 7.54 g/L. The data are potentially useful for further industrial exploitation of rhamnolipid production by the studied isolate.     

Power flow model/calculation for power systems with multiple FACTS controllers

This paper presents a new procedure for steady state power flow calculation of power systems with multiple flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) controllers. The focus of this paper is to show how the conventional power flow calculation method can systematically be modified to include multiple FACTS controllers. Newton–Raphson method of iterative solution is used for power flow equations in polar coordinate. The impacts of FACTS controllers on power flow is accommodated by adding new entries and modifying some existing entries in the linearized Jacobian equation of the same system with no FACTS controllers. Three major FACTS controllers (STATic synchronous COMpensator (STATCOM), static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), and unified power flow controller (UPFC)) are studied in this paper. STATCOM is modeled in voltage control mode. SSSC controls the active power of the link to which it is connected. The UPFC controls the active and the reactive power flow of the link while maintaining a constant voltage at one of the buses. The modeling approach presented in this paper is tested on the 9-bus western system coordinating council (WSCC) power system and implemented using MATLAB software package. The numerical results show the robust convergence of the presented procedure.