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This paper presents a novel approach for reactive power planning of a connected power network. Reactive power planning is nothing but the optimal usage of all reactive power sources i.e., transformer tap setting arrangements, reactive generations of generators and shunt VAR compensators installed at weak nodes. Shunt VAR compensator placement positions are determined by a FVSI (Fast Voltage Stability Index) method. Optimal setting of all reactive power reserves are determined by a GA (genetic algorithm) based optimization method. The effectiveness of the detection of the weak nodes by the FVSI method is validated by comparing the result with two other wellknown methods of weak node detection like Modal analysis and the L-index method. Finally, FVSI based allocation of VAR sources emerges as the most suitable method for reactive power planning.

Background: A considerable link between personality types and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been seen. Autonomic responses in both type A and type B personality individuals were found to be influenced by their personality traits. The study suggests further research on cardiac autonomic functions in larger sample sizes and the use of non-invasive screening techniques like cardiovascular reflex tests to stratify participants' risk of future illness., Objective: This study aimed to assess autonomic stress reactivity tests in type A and type B personalities using cardiovascular reflex tests., Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. The Hunter-Wolf Personality Questionnaire Scale was used to identify 60 adults, 30 of whom were classified to have type A personality and 30 have type B personality, from the psychiatry department. Autonomic function tests, such as the handgrip tests, cold pressor test, deep breathing test (DBT), lying-to-standing test (LST), and Valsalva maneuver, were performed and recorded for each subject. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 21 (released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used for the compilation and analysis of data., Results:  The E:I (expiration-to-inspiration) ratio and delta heart rate of the type A personality patients both significantly decreased (p = 0.000*) as compared to the type B personality patients (1.18 ± 0.03 versus 1.25 ± 0.77 and 1.18 ± 0.03 versus 1.25 ± 0.77). The Valsalva ratio of the type A personality patients decreased (1.38 ± 0.10) as compared to the type B personality patients (1.48 ± 0.18), which was statistically significant (p = 0.001*). The 30:15 ratio in the type A personality patients was significantly decreased (p = 0.03*) compared to the type B personality patients (1.12 ± 0.05 versus 1.15 ± 0.10). The handgrip test and cold pressor test results were statistically insignificant., Conclusion: Compared to the type B personality patients, which exhibited an increase in both parasympathetic and sympathetic reactivity, the type A personality patients exhibited a reduction in resting cardiovascular parameters and resting autonomic tone. Consequently, in order to stratify the participants' risk of future illness, we recommend employing non-invasive procedures, such as cardiovascular reflex tests, as a screening technique., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Bharti et al.)

In this paper, for the first time, we have reported the formation of complex coacervate during interaction between hydrophobic protein, zein, and hydrophilic nanoclay, Laponite, in a 60% v/v ethanol solution at pH 4. Dynamic light scattering and viscosity measurements revealed the formation of zein-Laponite complexes during the interaction between zein at fixed concentration, C Z = 1 mg/mL, and varying concentrations of Laponite, C - 0.25% w/v). Further investigation of the zein-Laponite complexes using turbidity and zeta potential data showed that these complexes could be demarcated in three different regions: Region I, below the charge neutralization region ( L (7.8 × 10 -4 - 0.25% w/v). Further investigation of the zein-Laponite complexes using turbidity and zeta potential data showed that these complexes could be demarcated in three different regions: Region I, below the charge neutralization region ( C Z = 1 mg/mL, C L ≤ 0.00625% w/v) where soluble complexes was formed during interaction between oppositely charged zein and Laponite; Region II, the charge neutralization region ( C Z = 1 mg/mL, 0.00625 < C L ≤ 0.05% w/v) where zein-Laponite complexes form neutral coacervates; and Region III, the interesting overcharged coacervates region ( C Z = 1 mg/mL, C L > 0.05% w/v). Investigation of coacervates using a fluorescence imaging technique showed that the size of neutral coacervates in region II was large (mean size = 1223.7 nm) owing to aggregation as compared to the small size of coacervates (mean size = 464.7 nm) in region III owing to repulsion between overcharged coacervates. Differential scanning calorimeter, DSC, revealed the presence of an ample amount of bound water in region III. The presence of bound water was evident from the presence of an additional peak at 107 °C in region III apart from normal enthalpy of evaporation of water from coacervates., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2020 American Chemical Society.)

Present investigation was aimed to characterize the influence of alkali treatment on physicochemical, pasting, morphological and structural properties of mango kernel starches from three cultivars viz. Safeda, Chausa, Dussheri when treated with 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5% NaOH for 0, 5 and 10 days at 25 °C. Alkali treated starches have shown significant reduction (p < 0.05) in water binding capacity and amylose content whereas significant increase was observed in solubility and swelling power when compared with their native counterparts. Pasting properties of modified starches have shown significant changes from their respective native ones with highest reduction observed in Dussheri. Morphology was slightly affected by alkali treatment reflected as dents and grooves on the surface of starch granules. X-ray diffraction patterns were typically A-type, similar to native starches with decrease in crystallinities. IR spectra remained unaffected even after prolonged treatment. Thus, the time duration and concentration of alkali had played critical role in changing the physicochemical, pasting and morphological properties of mango kernel starches that could be potentially utilized for application in innovative products to enhance their textural and sensory attributes., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Successful infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) depends largely on the ability of this virus to manipulate cellular processes in its favour through specific interactions with several host factors. The knowledge of virus-host interactions is of particular value for understanding the interface through which therapeutic strategies could be applied. In the current study, the authors have employed a computational method to study the protein interactions between CHIKV and both its human host and its mosquito vector. In this structure-based study, 2028 human and 86 mosquito proteins were predicted to interact with those of CHIKV through 3918 and 112 unique interactions, respectively. This approach could predict 40 % of the experimentally confirmed CHIKV-host interactions along with several novel interactions, suggesting the involvement of CHIKV in intracellular cell signaling, programmed cell death, and transcriptional and translational regulation. The data corresponded to those obtained in earlier studies for HIV and dengue viruses using the same methodology. This study provides a conservative set of potential interactions that can be employed for future experimental studies with a view to understanding CHIKV biology.