Types of the National Markets of Ancillary Services and Balancing Energy

Modeling of ancillary services market can be described as institutional arrangements for establishing ancillary services management in deregulated electricity market. Models of the national ancillary services markets are market models which offer transmission system operator efficient procurement of ancillary services, reducing the system management risk, more competitive electricity market, better utilization of production facilities and complete deregulation of electricity markets. This paper deals with current mode of ancillary services market and potential market development in Croatia. Described models are used for establishing market of ancillary services which should occur in parallel with the electricity market.     

A molecular dynamics study of lead-bismuth-silicate glasses

We present the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the structure of ternary lead-bismuth-silicate glasses of compositions xPbO(0.3-x)Bi_1.50.7SiO₂, x=0.06, 0.15, 0.24, and their totally reduced forms, i.e. xPb(0.3-x)Bi0.7SiO₂, x=0.06, 0.15, 0.24 systems. The simulations have been performed in the microcanonical (NVE) ensemble, using two-body interaction potentials. The results can be summarized as follows. With increasing PbO content in unreduced xPbO(0.3-x)Bi_1.50.7SiO₂ glasses, the Pb-O and Bi-O first pair distribution function (PDF) peaks become sharper, and the fraction of strained 2 and 3 member Si-O-Si-O- rings decreases significantly. In the case of reduced xPb(0.3-x)Bi0.7SiO₂ glasses, similarly as in reduced binary lead-silicate and bismuth-silicate glasses, a strong tendency to agglomeration of neutral atoms occurs. The metallic phase is composed of Pb-Bi alloy. The agglomeration tendency increases with increasing Pb content     

Gene Mutation Profiles in Primary Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma of Central Nervous System: Next Generation Sequencing Analyses

The existence of a potential primary central nervous system lymphoma-specific genomic signature that differs from the systemic form of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been suggested, but is still controversial. We investigated 19 patients with primary DLBCL of central nervous system (DLBCL CNS) using the TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel (TSACP) for 48 cancer-related genes. Next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses have revealed that over 80% of potentially protein-changing mutations were located in eight genes (CTNNB1, PIK3CA, PTEN, ATM, KRAS, PTPN11, TP53 and JAK3), pointing to the potential role of these genes in lymphomagenesis. TP53 was the only gene harboring mutations in all 19 patients. In addition, the presence of mutated TP53 and ATM genes correlated with a higher total number of mutations in other analyzed genes. Furthermore, the presence of mutated ATM correlated with poorer event-free survival (EFS) (p = 0.036). The presence of the mutated SMO gene correlated with earlier disease relapse (p = 0.023), inferior event-free survival (p = 0.011) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.017), while mutations in the PTEN gene were associated with inferior OS (p = 0.048). Our findings suggest that the TP53 and ATM genes could be involved in the molecular pathophysiology of primary DLBCL CNS, whereas mutations in the PTEN and SMO genes could affect survival regardless of the initial treatment approach.     

Root-surface caries in rats and humans: inhibition by a non-antimicrobial property of tetracyclines

The incidence of root caries has been found to increase as the population ages and as edentulism becomes less prevalent due to improved dental awareness and care, and as exposure of roots due to gingival recession has also increased in the elderly. The mechanism of root caries is thought to be mediated by both bacterial and mammalian proteases produced by plaque and the periodontal tissues, respectively. In the current study, a rat model of periodontal disease was used in which gnotobiotic rats were infected intra-orally with a periodontal pathogen (P. gingivalis). Infecting the rats with P. gingivalis increased the collagenase activity in the gingival tissue in association with severe alveolar bone loss. Treating P. gingivalis-infected rats with doxycycline or CMT-1 prevented the destruction of the periodontium by MMPs, thus preventing exposure of roots to subgingival bacterial plaque and host tissue collagenases and the subsequent development of root caries. In addition, a low-dose doxycycline (LDD, 20 mg bid, non-antimicrobial dose) for 3 months was used in humans predisposed to increased root caries as the result of heavy use of smokeless (chewing) tobacco, causing gingival recession, subgingival plaque accumulation with Gram-negative bacteria, increased gingival crevicular fluid flow (GCF), and elevated GCF collagenase. Daily administration of LDD in smokeless tobacco patients reduced the GCF collagenase and prevented the further development of root caries.     

Advances in hydrogen selective membranes based on palladium ternary alloys

Hydrogen containing a minimum amount of contaminants is required for its application in fuel-cell technology. For this purpose, palladium and palladium binary alloy membranes have been widely studied in the last decades due to their ability to selectively permeate hydrogen. The scope of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis of the research on Pd-based ternary alloys and their application as hydrogen separation membranes with a special focus on the PdAgAu, PdCuAg, and PdCuAu systems. The combination of these particular elements - Cu, Au, Ag - can improve hydrogen permeability and chemical resistance. Correlations between structural, surface and permeation properties of the ternary alloys under pure hydrogen and gas mixtures are extensively discussed. A general correlation between hydrogen permeability and the lattice parameter is proposed. In particular, the surface segregation behavior is analyzed for these ternary alloys even after being exposed to CO, CO₂, and H₂S. Further research is needed to develop membranes with improved long-term stability.     

A classification of eLearning tools based on the applied multimedia

This paper proposes a classification that should help understanding key aspects of multimedia application in eLearning tools. The classification tries to cover important aspects of multimedia application in eLearning tools: communication channels and exchange of different types of contents throughout the channels, understanding in communication, and the ways of object manipulation in the user-tool interaction. Types of contents are classified according to the senses they affect on both sides of communication channels. The paper presents characteristics of 30 representative tools through a uniformly structured text. The presented tools are analyzed according to the proposed classification. A view of the future challenges, based on an analysis of the global trends in the area, is given.     

Electromagnetic Fields and Induced Voltages on Underground Pipeline in the Vicinity of AC Traction System

Various regulations, aimed at the protection of human beings and electrical equipment against possible adverse effects resulting from exposure to electromagnetic fields, have been issued in many countries. Most of them are based on safety guidelines published by international expert groups. In this paper, electric and magnetic fields are calculated in the vicinity of 25 kV traction line supplying railway traction systems. Calculation results are compared to exposure limits specified by safety guidelines and regulations. Possible countermeasures for reduction of electromagnetic fields are proposed. Also, this paper presents a method for calculation of the induced voltages to an underground gas pipeline from a neighbouring 25 kV electric traction overhead line in case of short circuit. Calculations are performed with EMTP-ATP software. Possible countermeasures for reduction of induced voltages are proposed.     

Filaggrin – revisited

Profilaggrin (proFLG) and its processing products are critical to the health and appearance of skin. The recent identification of loss‐of‐function filaggrin (FLG) mutations as a predisposing factor in ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis has lead to a resurgent interest in this enigmatic protein. Here, we review the literature on the structure and many functions of proFLG, from its role as a filament‐aggregating protein and a source of natural moisturizing factor (NMF), to the more recent discoveries of its role in epidermal barrier formation and its more speculative functions as an antimicrobial and sunscreen. Finally, we discuss the relationship of proFLG with dry skin, the influence of moisturizers on NMF generation and speculate on next generation of FLG research.