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This paper presents a stand-alone hybrid energy system that utilizes Wind, Solar, Fuel Cell (FC), Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) and Electrolyzer. A novel control methodology has been created to guarantee that the dc-link voltage stays at its designated value by regulating the converters linked to the FC and electrolyzer. The dc-link reference voltage signal is generated by a constant voltage algorithm of a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for the photovoltaic system (PVS). Consequently, the converters linked to the FC and electrolyzers not only control the dc voltage but also function as an MPPT, removing the necessity for an extra MPPT circuit for the PVS. By properly controlling the dynamics of the FC and electrolyzer, the SMES can charge/discharge instantaneously while the FC/electrolyzer can feed/consume power in a steady state. The proposed control methodology of the dc voltage is simple and requires only a few measurements. Furthermore, a PWM inverter controller was created to uphold voltages at their designated reference level. Extensive simulation results carried out using Simulink on MATLAB platform have demonstrated that the controllers function effectively in both transient and steady state situations.

The deregulation of electricity has led to significant transformations in the market structure and policies governing the industry. The primary responsibility of a power system operator in this market is to establish the Market Clearing Price (MCP). The MCP is established by evaluating the incremental bids submitted by generators in various markets. But the quadratic bid functions have more information about the price structure and are more realistic. The Independent System Operator (ISO) determines the clearing price by analyzing the bids submitted. Conventional methods do not provide an accurate calculation of MCP for the spot market. This may lead to poor allocation of generation. This paper uses the basic Particle Swarm Optimization technique to maximize the generator bid function. By calculating MCP, the optimum generation with least cost is determined. Losses in the system with reactive power constraints are considered while the loads are kept in-elastic. The result of the proposed technique is compared with the classical approach. IEEE 9 bus system is taken to illustrate the proposed model.

Context: Gender-based discrimination is more predominant in India. In spite of various laws, gender inequality is an evil that plagues society even today. This is an important challenge for meeting our Sustainable Development Goals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban field practice area. Study subjects were married women and their husbands in the age-group of 15–49 years along with their under-five children. Gender egalitarianism was assessed for factors like education, employment and media exposure. Factors which were studied for revealing gender egalitarianism among children included sex ratio, immunization status, nutritional status and health care expenditure. Completed family size and preference for the sex of the child were enquired about to assess the inclination towards male gender of the baby. Anthro software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Gender egalitarianism was found with regards to education. However, significant difference was noted in the employment status of men and women. Overall, sex ratio was in favor of girls. Though gender inequality was evident from the results, it was more in favor of girls. There was no evidence of gender bias for immunization of children. It was observed that more boys were stunted than girls and almost equal proportion of boys and girls were wasted. Conclusions: Factors like high literacy, control over income, access to financial resources made women more empowered and such empowered women were less likely to show son preference. Hence, there was no gender inequality among children in the present study.

Introduction: The use of plant extracts in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is one of the simplest, most practical, economical, and ecologically friendly methods for avoiding the use of toxic chemicals.Method: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized, employing a high-efficiency, non- toxic, cost-effective, green, and simple technique that included the use of Salacia oblonga root extract (SOR) as a capping agent compared to synthetic nanoparticles. The use of S. oblonga can be seen in traditional medicines for treating diabetes, obesity, rheumatism, gonorrhea, asthma, and hyperglycemia. The objectives of the current study were to green synthesize S. oblonga root extract silver nanoparticles (SOR-AgNPs), characterize them, and study their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities.Result: The shape of SOR-AgNPs was spherical, at less than 99.8 nm in size, and exhibited a crystalline peak at XRD. The green synthesized SOR-AgNPs showed significant antioxidant properties like DPPH (80.64 μg/mL), reducing power capacity (81.09 ± SEM μg/mL), nitric oxide (96.58 μg/mL), and hydroxyl (58.38 μg/mL) radical scavenging activities. The MIC of SOR-AgNPs was lower in gram-positive bacteria. The SOR-AgNPs have displayed efficient inhibitory activity against α-amylase, with an EC50 of 58.38 μg/mL. Analysis of capping protein around the SOR-AgNPs showed a molecular weight of 30 kDa.Discussion: These SOR-AgNPs could be used as antibacterial and antidiabetic drugs in the future as it is cheap, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Bio-fabricated AgNPs had a significant impact on bacterial strains and could be used as a starting point for future antibacterial drug development.

Ruma Rani,1 Shakti Dahiya,1 Dinesh Dhingra,2 Neeraj Dilbaghi,1 Ajeet Kaushik,3 Ki-Hyun Kim,4 Sandeep Kumar11Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India; 2Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India; 3Center for Personalized Nanomedicine, Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Department of Immunology and Nano-Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL 33199, USA; 4Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South KoreaBackground: The bioactive compounds glycyrrhizin (GL) and thymoquinone (TQ) have been reported for antidiabetic activity in pure and nanoformulation (NF) form. However, the antidiabetic effect of a combined nanoformulation of these two has not been reported in the literature. Here, a combinational nanomedicine approach was investigated to enhance the antidiabetic effects of the two bioactive compounds of GL and TQ (GT), in type 2 diabetic rats in reference to metformin.Methods: Two separately prepared NFs of GL (using polymeric nanoparticles) and TQ (using polymeric nanocapsules) were mixed to obtain a therapeutic cargo of nanomedicine and then characterized with respect to particle size, stability, morphology, chemical interaction, and in vivo behavior. Additionally, NFs were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect on Vero cell lines compared to the pure form. This nanomedicine was administered orally, both independently and in combination (pure form or NF) for 21 successive days to type 2 diabetic rats and the effect assessed in term of body weight, fasting blood-glucose level, and various biochemical parameters (such as lipid-profile parameters and HbA1c).Results: When these nanomedicines were applied in combined rather than individual forms, significant decreases in blood glucose and HbA1c and significant improvements in body weight and lipid profile were observed, despite them containing lower amounts than the pure forms. The treatment of diabetic rats with GL and TQ, when administered independently in either pure or NF forms, did not lead to favorable trends in any studied parameters.Conclusion: The administration of combined GT NFs exhibited significant improvement in studied parameters. Improvements in antidiabetic activity could have been due to a synergistic effect of combined NFs, leading to enhanced absorption of NFs and lesser cytotoxic effects compared to pure bioactive compounds. Therefore, GT NFs demonstrated potential as a new medicinal agent for the management of diabetes.Keywords: glycyrrhizin, thymoquinone, nanoformulation, antidiabetic, lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin

Background: Early endovascular recanalization of occluded vessels in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a major contributor to good clinical outcome. We report the analysis of all AIS patients throughout a 6-year experience following the deployment of a quality initiative aiming at improving care, speed and maintaining quality for AIS treatment.Methods: Using a prospectively collected endovascular database at a comprehensive stroke center between 2012 and 2017, workflow/outcomes were recorded. There were no exclusion criteria. During the first year, a quality program employing “digital-object” technology, staff education, and workflow improvement was implemented to reduce time-to-treatment. Using electronic recording, workflow times were collected for onset (TO), CT (TCT), door (TD), angiography-suite (TA), groin puncture (TG), DSA (TDSA), and recanalization (TR). Recanalization time (TG-TR) and workflow intervals were compared at Year 1 and 6.Results: Analysis of 382 patients (aged 71.3 ± 12.9) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for AIS (206 male and 176 female) was performed. Recanalization time was significantly reduced from 82 min in 2012 to 34 min by 2017 (IQR 52–117 min and 23–49 min), a 59% reduction (P < 0.001). Further, consistent year-over-year reductions in setup time (TA-TG) (44% improvement) and TCT to TA times were observed. During the same period, clinical outcome significantly improved year-over-year as measured with the modified Rankin Scale 0–2 (33, 37, 38, 41, 53, and 58%).Conclusions: Significant improvements were observed following the deployment of a quality initiative enabling iterative evidence-based process improvements, thereby sustaining significant reductions in time-to-treat and improved clinical outcomes for AIS patients.