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Distribution network reconfiguration is a very complex and large-scale combinatorial optimization problem. In network reconfiguration, whether an effective solution can be obtained is a key issue. Aiming at the problems in network reconstruction by traditional algorithm, such as long time required, more times of power flow calculation and high network loss, a network optimization design algorithm based on improved ant colony algorithm for high voltage power distribution network is proposed. After analyzing the operating characteristics of the high voltage power distribution network, the network topology of the high voltage power distribution network is described by constructing a hierarchical variable-structure distribution network model. A mathematical model of distribution network reconstruction considering the opportunity constraint with the minimum network loss as the objective function is established. The power flow distribution is calculated by using the pre-push back-generation method combined with the hierarchical structure of the distribution network. The maximum and minimum ant colony algorithm is introduced to improve the pheromone updating method of the traditional ant colony algorithm, and the search range is expanded, so that the algorithm can jump out of the local optimization trap to realize the accurate solution of the power distribution network reconstruction model. The experimental results show that compared with the current network reconstruction algorithm, the proposed algorithm requires less time for convergence, less power flow calculation, and lower network loss.

Tagged Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technique for examining myocardial function and deformation. Tagged MRI can also be used in quasistatic MR elastography to acquire strain maps of other biological soft tissues. Harmonic phase (HARP) provides automatic and rapid analysis of tagged MR images for the quantification and visualization of myocardial strain. We propose a new artifact reduction method in strain maps. Image intensity of the DC component is estimated and subtracted from spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) tagged MR images. DC peak interference in harmonic phase extraction is greatly reduced after DC component subtraction. The proposed method is validated using both simulated and MR acquired tagged images. Strain maps are obtained with better accuracy and smoothness after DC component subtraction.

To use food-specific IgG antibody detection to explore its application in the allergy dermatoses. 181 patients were included from January 2014 to September 2014. Fourteen food-specific IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA. The positive rates of IgG antibody of the patient group and the healthy group were significantly different. The positive rates of IgG antibody of egg, milk, shrimp and crab took a large proportion in three groups of patients with three kinds of allergy dermatoses of urticaria, eczema and allergic dermatitis, the proportion of which was respectively 70.2%, 77.8% and 71.7%. There was mild and moderate intolerance of food in the allergic dermatitis group while there was no distribution difference of food intolerance in urticaria group and eczema group. Among urticaria and allergic dermatitis patients with positive antibody, the positive rate of children was significantly higher than that of adults while there was no significant difference between children and adults among eczema patients with positive antibody. Allergy dermatoses are closely related to food-specific IgG antibody and the allergy dermatoses patients have a high incidence rate of food intolerance; detecting IgG antibody in patients is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of allergy dermatoses.

A series of 2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) was prepared by the reaction of chitosan with glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. Structure of HACC was characterized by FT IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies, and it was proved that substitution reaction mainly occurs on the N element. Antimicrobial activities of HACC was examined against S. aureus, E. coli, and A. niger. Results indicatd that the inhibitory effects of HACC solutions were varied with HACC concentration, quaternization degrees, pH values, metal ions, and heat treatment. The antimicrobial properties of handsheets prepared from HACC were studied by the inhibition zone method, and the sheets had good antimicrobial properties against S. aureus and E. coli, and low inhibition rate against A. niger.

To observe a therapeutic effect of macrolide antibiotics in children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Fifty-four cases of children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia were randomly divided into an observation group (n=30) and a control group (n=24). The observation group was treated with macrolide antibiotics and cefoperazone/sulbactam. The control group was treated with cefoperazone/ sulbactam during a course of 10-14 days. The total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group, and 58.3% in the control group, and results in the observation group were superior to the control group notably (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in bacterial clearance rate, adverse reaction rate between two groups (P>0.05). The combined application of cefoperazone/sulbactam with macrolide antibiotics to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in children would be a more effective clinical method.

The application of food-specific IgG antibody detection in allergy dermatoses was explored. 181 patients with allergy dermatoses were diagnosed from January to September 2014 and 20 healthy subjects were selected. Fourteen kinds of food-specific IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA method among all the subjects. The positive rates of IgG antibody of the patient group and the healthy group were respectively 65.2% and 5.0%. The positive rates of IgG antibody of egg, milk, shrimp and crab took a large proportion in three groups of patients with three kinds of allergy dermatoses of urticaria, eczema and allergic dermatitis, the proportion of which was respectively 70.2%, 77.8% and 71.7%. Among urticaria and allergic dermatitis patients with positive antibody, the positive rate of children was significantly higher than that of adults (p0.05). Allergy dermatoses are closely related to food-specific IgG antibodies, and the allergy dermatoses patients have a high incidence rate of food intolerance; detecting IgG antibody in the serum of patients is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of allergy dermatoses.

Heterogenization of organic and metallic catalysts with a solid support is an attractive and useful strategy to solve the separation and recovery problems of catalysts. During the last decade, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in general ferrite nanoparticles (MFe2O4 NPs) have emerged as a highly efficient support for catalysis, due to their simple fabrication, modification, and large surface area ratio. In this paper, we provide an overview of the utilization of organic and metallic molecules immobilized on magnetic ferrite nanoparticles (MFe2O4 NPs) as attractive and efficient catalytic systems in wide variety of in organic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wastewater containing heavy metals, produced at various stages of operation in textile, printing, plastic, and paper-making industries, pose major hazards to the environment and the public health. Therefore, it is necessary that the pollutants should be treated before discharge by using highly efficient adsorbents. Zeolite is a potential material and can conveniently be processed as adsorbents for the removal of environmental pollutants. A wide range of commercial zeolite has been marketed but due to high cost it is of limited use. The present research offers a green approach for the application of zeolite synthesized by using marble powder waste as a precursor. The significance rests on the conversion of waste into a useful adsorbent marble zeolite (MZ). Zeolite is an environmental friendly, novel, and cost-effective adsorbent. In the current study, remediation of heavy metals in industrial wastewater is done using zeolite. The marble waste contains metals like Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Cu in it and this waste itself also used as an adsorbent for removal of metals and its efficiency is ≥85%. The batch method has been employed for metal removal using different standard solutions at concentrations of 50–200 mg/L of individual metals (Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Cu). The optimum removal efficiency is determined at 50 mg/L and the results depicted the performance of MZ (1 mg/kg) in removing inorganic pollutants upon adsorbate–adsorbent contact for 30 min, at lower dose of MZ. It was also found that the higher the induced concentration, the lesser the removal efficiency. It may be due to the limiting factor of adsorbent dose. The adsorbent was also applied on industrial effluents taken from textile and plastic factories at optimum studied conditions. The removal mechanism of metal ions followed adsorption and ion exchange processes. These results show that the MZ holds a great potential to remove heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The study recommends the reutilization of MZ as a potential adsorbent, which can greatly enhance the sustainability of useful resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With respect to the current vulnerable climatic condition, water quality has become a matter of the highest worldwide concern. Rainwater harvesting is the most acceptable solution for overcoming this problem. Among various rainwater harvesting systems, green roof rainwater harvesting is a significant tool for improving the standard of living for rapidly growing populations in the whole world, in terms of both water demand and protecting the environment from pollution. This paper assesses the water quality parameter (dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity, and temperature) of rainwater harvesting from green roofs in humid tropic center under tropical climate conditions. It shows that the values of electric conductivity are always within Class I according to Interim National Water Quality Standards (INWQS) and Water Quality Index (WQI). Depletions of DO and pH values were observed for the green roof runoff, and the runoff quality ranged between Class I and III under INWQS and WQI. Lower value of pH indicates that harvested rainwater from green roofs is more acidic than the standard neutral value. Harvested water must be processed through general water treatment methods like filtration, disinfection, and through reverse osmosis storage tank. The indoor temperatures are always within an acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The potential carcinogenicity and mutagenicity has placed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on top priority calling for immediate management strategies. The present study draws its rationale that industries should opt for sustainable and economically viable solutions. The powdered activated carbon (PAC) is applied as adsorbent for removal of anthracene and pyrene under ambient conditions. Aliquot of batch run on GC–MS demonstrated progressively increasing percentage removal of anthracene and pyrene with increase in time. Further, pyrene shows a slower but regular increase in adsorption with distinct equilibrium at 100 min. However, anthracene depicts simultaneous adsorption–desorption pattern with multiple equilibriums. This suggests that pyrene is more stable due to its higher molecular weight and boiling point resisting its diffusion into adsorbent. The maximum removal of >99% is achieved after contact of 4 h between adsorbate and adsorbent. The fitness of pseudo-first-order kinetics suggests the linear and direct relationship of pyrene with time. Furthermore, the agreement of experimental data to Elovich model proposes chemisorption as the preferred mode of action for removal of PAHs on the surface of PAC. The study concludes that activated carbon is a successful alternate for efficient removal of PAHs from wastewater. Therefore, it can be adapted by industries as a sustainable remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]