bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermoelectric Generator for the Recovery of Energy from the Low-Grade Heat Sources in Sugar Industry
Authors: Punin Weera , Maneewan Somchai , Punlek Chantana
Published: January 2019

In the current work, a thermoelectric power generation system was designed for an assessment of opportunities in terms of electricity production through the utilization of waste heat from sugarcane industries. In this study, the thermoelectric cooling of TEC1-12708T200 was appropriate for use in electric power generation from low-grade heat sources. The experiments used ten thermoelectric modules and an aluminum water block installed on the exterior surface area of a sugar boiler to achieve the same water flow as a traditional system. The results revealed that the power generation system could generate about 30 W (25.7 V, 1.17 A) at a matched load of approximately 36.8 Ω. The thermoelectric power generation system could convert 12.5% of heat energy into electrical energy. Therefore, the thermoelectric power generation system designed in this study could be an effective alternative for waste heat recovery in sugarcane industries.
Controller Design of UPQC for Enhancing Power Quality in Distribution System
Authors: Somsai Kittaya
Published: January 2019

This paper presents the procedure of PI controller design of Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) for improving power quality in the distribution system. A mathematical model of the distribution system with the UPQC is thoroughly explained in this paper. The mathematical model that is founded has been used for designing the PI controller. In order to investigate the dynamic performance and design the controller, linear approximation technique is used. Linearization of the systems that is around the operating point provides a set of linear equations, and then multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transfer functions of the systems are obtained. Two controller design techniques are presented and compared. One is the sequential loop closure controller design with parameter tuning through the Bode diagram (SLC-BD). The other one is the controller optimization design with the genetic algorithms (CO-GA). The performances of these techniques are verified and compared by using MATLAB program. Simulation results reveal that the power quality in the distribution system can be enhanced by using UPQC with the proposed controller design.
Implementation Optimal Location and Sizing of UPFC on Iraqi Power System Grid (132 kV) Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Abdullah Salman Ghassan , Hasan Ali Mohammed , Najim Abdullah Ali
Published: January 2019

Electric power systems required efficient processors and intelligent methods for sustainability therefore, in this paper used Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device specifically Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) because of its useful properties on series and shunt devices and used Genetic Algorithm (GA) to determine the optimal location and values of UPFC to achieve the following objectives: improve voltages profile, reduce power losses, treatment of power flow in overloaded transmission lines and reduce power generation. Consequently, all of these goals led to a reduction in the total cost of the power system. GA was applied to an Iraqi local power grid system (Diyala 132 kV) to find the optimal values and locations of UPFC for the purpose of achieving the objectives mentioned above using the MATLAB program. The simulation results showed the effectiveness of GA to calculate the optimum values and locations of UPFC and promising results were obtained for the Diyala power network (132 kV) with regard to the desired objectives.
The Optimization of Hybrid Air Ventilation System Combined with Silica Gel and Thermoelectric Using Monitoring Control
Authors: Chaisan Jirod , Maneewan Somchai , Punlek Chantana
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the experimental is evaluated temperature, humidity and air pollution from CO2 by monitoring control of hybrid air ventilation for producing fresh air. The experimental divided into 2 conditions: hybrid air ventilation on-off, recovery silica gel unit. That research consider of a voltage of thermoelectric devices relative with air cooling under thermal comfort zone Thailand climate conditions. In the experimental was designed by the DOAS system (dedicate outdoor air system) concept. Whereas, the hybrid air ventilation was improved by old air ventilation which the hybrid air ventilation combined with silica gel unit and thermoelectric device. Monitoring control is written by Arduino program that is open source for control performance of processes such as sensors, electric current and fan unit. That working is specified temperature and humidity Thailand thermal comfort range. In the part of CO2 was released rate approximately 900 ppm corresponded with indoor air quality standard (IAQs). The results of experimental suggested that in case of hybrid air ventilation system explained thermal, humidity and CO2 distribution due to the system was adapted significantly in the comfort zone temperature and humidity about 28 and 58% respectively. However, the CO2 released into the hybrid air ventilation although control during 900 – 1,000 ppm. High CO2 concentration in comfort zone used the hybrid air ventilation that decreased CO2 inlet under ASHRAE 62.2. Therefore, the experimental is an evaluation of monitoring control hybrid air ventilation for management comfort zone. Finally this research concept of the optimization of the hybrid air ventilation combination with thermoelectric devices and silica gel unit.
Voltage Tracking Control of DC- DC Boost Converter Using Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Hameed Waleed Ishaq , Sawadi Baha Aldeen , Muayed Ali
Published: January 2019

This paper deals with voltage tracking control of DC- DC boost converter based on Fuzzy neural network. Maintaining the output voltage of the boost converter in some applications are very important, especially for sudden change in the load or disturbance in the input voltage. Traditional control methods usually have some disadvantages in eliminating these disturbances, as the speed of response to these changes is slow and thus affect the regularity of the output voltage of the converter. The strategy is to sense the output voltage across the load and compare it with the reference voltage to ensure that it follows the required reference voltages. In this research, fuzzy neural was introduced to achieve the purpose of voltage tracking by training the parameter of controller based on previous data. These data sets are the sensing input voltage of the converter and the value of the output load changes. To establish the performance of proposed method, MATLAB/SIMULINK environments are presented, simulation results shows that proposed method works more precisely, faster in response and elimination the disturbances
Min Max Model Predictive Control for Polysolenoid Linear Motor
Authors: Hong Quang Nguyen , Phung Quang Nguyen , Nhu Hien Nguyen , Thanh Binh Nguyen
Published: January 2019

The Polysolenoid Linear Motor (PLM) have been playing a crucial role in many industrial aspects because it provides a straight motion directly without mediate mechanical actuators. Some control methods for PLM based on Rotational Motor are applied to obtain several good performances, but position and velocity constraints which are important in real systems are ignored. In this paper, we analysis control problem of tracking position in PLM under state-independent disturbances via min-max model predictive control. The proposed controller brings tracking position error converge to zero and satisfies state including position and velocity and input constraints. The simulation results validity a good efficiency of the proposed controller.
Single Phase Power Generation System from Fuel Cell
Authors: Kudithi Nageswara Rao , Somkun Sakda
Published: January 2019

Power conditioning circuits are required for the fuel cell systems due to its nature in energetic state. This paper proposed the small signal average modelling of a duel active bridge (DAB) DC-DC converter with LC filter, to generate the single phase AC power by using the H1000 fuel cell system. The controller is designed for the stable operation of the system. Implemented the controller, which gives the constant output voltage to DC-bus from the DAB DC-DC converter, this DC-bus voltage fed to the inverter, which inverts the DC-bus voltage to single Phase AC power with the LC-filter. The proposed system simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink.
Cost Effective Solution for a Shunt Hybrid Filter Using Enhanced Current Controller
Authors: Kameswari Y. Lalitha , Chandra Sekhar O.
Published: January 2019

The increasing demand of energy and development of distributed generation systems have led to great progress in medium voltage high-power inverters. On the other side, due to more intransigent regulations in the area of power quality and appearance of new grid codes, which limit the harmonics’ amounts in ac grids, special attention has to be made to restrict the harmonics. The recently proposed selective harmonic mitigation pulse width modulation method reduces the values of specific harmonics to meet the grid codes, instead of making them zero. In this way, there are much more solutions for mitigating the same harmonics which in the Selective Harmonic Eliminated Pulse-Width Modulation (SHEPWM), are completely eliminated. The SHMPWM was first introduced in, where a waveform  having 750 Hz switching frequency was employed to mitigate harmonics up to 49th to satisfy the grid codes EN 50160 and CIGRE WG 36-05 without using any filtering system. In this contribution a solution to the parallel resonance problem that can be present in practical applications of shunt Active Power Filter (APF) compensation is proposed. The proposed solution involves turning the shunt APF scheme of compensation into a Shunt Hybrid Filter (SHF) configuration. A Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR)-based switching controller was specifically designed for this hybrid scheme of compensation, maintaining stringent performance requirements on the tracking of filtering currents and the draining of the harmonic ripple currents.
Comparison of Z-Source EZ-Source and TZ-Source Inverter Systems for Wind Energy Conversion
Authors: Kumar S. Bala , Kefale Samuel , M Azath
Published: January 2019

In this paper, three different impedance source inverters: Z-source inverter, EZ- source inverter, TZ-Source for wind energy conversion system (WECS) were investigated. Total output power and THD of each of these systems are calculated. The proposed system can boost the output voltage effectively when the low output voltage of the generator is available at low wind speed. This system has higher performance, less components, increased efficiency and reduced cost. These features make the proposed TZSI based system suitable for the wind conversion systems. MATLAB simulink model for wind generator system is developed and simulation studies are successfully performed. The simulation is done using MATLAB and the simulation results are presented. This comparison shows that the TZ-source inverter is very promising for wind energy conversion system.
A Single Switch Parallel Quasi Resonant Converter Topology for Induction Heating Application
Authors: Geetha V. , Sivachidambaranathan V.
Published: January 2019

In this paper 32 KHZ Single phase Single switch Parallel Resonant converter topology (SSPR) using power MOSFET is simulated using MATLAB simulink for the different duty cycle and the THD, Power with respect to change in duty cycle is compared . The workingcoil is the combination of R, L in parallel with C which produces the output power of 1.7KW to 3KW with variation in duty cycle at higher value in duty cycle we get less THD and more power. The operating frequency is selected nearer to the resonant frequency for the improvement performance. The experimental set up of this SSPR Inverter in the induction heating application for the domestic purpose is implemented is depicted and this validates the implementation of quasi resonant using IGBT for domestic applications.
Green Energy Based Coupled Inductor Interleaved Converter with MPPT Technique for BLDC Application
Authors: Senthil Nayagam V. , Premalatha L.
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a high step-up converter with combination of battery and solar energy source application. The proposed green energy source boosted by using coupled inductor interleaved converter. The coupled inductor and voltage double circuit can reach the high voltage gain without more stress on the converter circuit as well as muchchanges in duty cycle. The photo voltaic system maximum output is 12volts it can be varied by changes of irradiation level .The maximum output voltage is tracking by using MPPT and supplies to the coupled inductor interleaved boost converter. The MPPT working based on the P & O algorithm .The output level of the photo voltaic is high then the battery is charging as well as BLDC motor also being driven efficiently.Whenever the irradiation level will be low the output level of the photo voltaic is less than the battery will be charging and then the motor will running by battery power.
Efficiency Performances of Two MPPT Algorithms for PV System With Different Solar Panels Irradiancess
Authors: Abdulrazzaq Ali Abdulwahhab , Hussein Ali Adnan
Published: January 2019

A main source of current renewable energy is solar energy. This source of renewable energy can be converted to electrical energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) earns for maximum energy extractor from PV panels by different irradiance levels. In this paper, overall efficiency of most two popular MPPT techniques utilized in PV applications are analyzed, these  algorithms are Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance (INC). An analysis of the results for the algorithms based on MATLAB simulation for various changes in solar irradiance is performed. Results showed that the efficiency of P&O algorithm was higher than that of the INC, but to obtain the same performance for both, more concentrated calculations should be used for INC. In measuring the output power, current and voltage responses, the use of a solar array having constant and variable irradiations was employed as input for the algorithms. The output waveforms which were derived from a simulation run for the purpose of obtaining the algorithms response to changes in solar array irradiations were compared. In general, the consequences of the P&O algorithm are quiet good and adequate. However, there is a need to improve the algorithm so as to satisfy the requirements of face confident timing in addition to its rapid response so as to make its performance better than that of InCond algorithms.
Modeling and Simulation of 127 Level Optimal Multilevel Inverter with Lower Number of Switches and Minimum THD
Authors: Madhusudana Reddy Bolla , Siva Reddy Y. V. , Vijaya Kumar M.
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes a new optimal high level multilevel inverter with minimum number of components. This multi level inverter (MLI) is designed with series combination of basic units which can generate positive levels at output. DC source values applied for each basic unit is different with another. An H bridge is connected across proposed MLI for generating negative levels along with positive levels at output and that inverter considered as proposed high level optimal multilevel inverter. Single unit is responsible producing 21 levels. Therefore six units are connected in cascaded form to increase number of levels as 127 at output. Decrease in the number of power switches, driver circuits, and dc voltage sources are the improvement of the proposed MLI. Sinusoidal multiple pulse width modulation (SPWM) technique is implemented to produce pulses for turning ON switches according requirement. Low total harmonic distortion at output voltage or current production is major advantage of proposed module. The validations of proposed MLI results are verified through MATLAB/SIMULINK.
Improvement Potential and Exergy Analyses of Photovoltaic Thermal with and without ∇-absorber Collector
Authors: Hadisaputra Saprizal , Zohri Muhammad , Hardani Hardani , Fudholi Ahmad
Published: January 2019

The combination of a solar thermal and photovoltaic system is called photovoltaic thermal system (PVT). The PVT system with and without -absorber has been intended to harvest both hot air and electricity. The hot air that is produced is used in the cooling process of the photovoltaic panel and then to improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic panel. The experimental investigation was conducted at the mass flow rate from 0.0069 kg/s to 0.0491 kg/s and solar radiation of 522 W/m2 and 820 W/m2 in the National University of Malaysia. The using -absorber collector increases exergy and exergy efficiency of PVT system. The improvement potential comparatively upsurges with cumulative the mass flow rate.
Wind Turbine Mounted on A Motorcycle for Portable Charger
Authors: Subhashini G. , Abdulla Raed , Raj R Mohan Thinaga
Published: January 2019

This paper aims to develop a wind energy harvesting system to charger an electronic device of 5V during traveling period from a place to another. Upon the situation faced by the two wheeler depending on the conventional power socket, this system was constructed to overcome the dependencies of power since the natural energy can be harvested to produce an electrical energy. The power storage unit system was done by integrating supercapacitor to storage the electrical energy hence an arduino microcontroller was been integrated with supercapacitor which able to display the percentage and voltage stored in the supercapacitor. The maximum speed of the geared DC generator is 1297 rpm and based on the testing carried out, it was observed that the maximum voltage produce at 1297 rpm able to produce 17V which sufficient to power up the entire system as it required 5.3V for operating. Besides, the system was converted into acrylic board since the system are to be implemented on two wheeler hence the acrylic board was design based on the conform ability of the user. In a nut shell, the functionality of the entire system was successfully achieved based on the objectives and overcoming the drawback from past research work.
A Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic based MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Pumping System
Authors: Assahout Salwa , Elaissaoui Hayat , El Ougli Abdelghani , Tidhaf Belkassem , Zrouri Hafida
Published: January 2019

The use of solar energy had gained a great attention last decades, as it is pollution-free. It is used in isolated areas for lighting, pumping, etc. However, the extraction of the maximum power generated by a PVG at any moment of the day is a big deal because the characteristic of a PVG in non-linear which makes the location of the Maximum Power Point (MPP) difficult. Therefore, a Maximum Power Point Tracking technique (MPPT) is required to maximize the output power. In this paper, a photovoltaic water pumping system has been studied. This system consists of three main parts: PVG, a DC-DC boost converter and a DC motor coupled with a centrifugal water pump. We have proposed a new MPPT algorithm based on Fuzzy logic and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to improve the system performances. The ANN is used to predict the optimal voltage of the PVG, under different environmental conditions (temperature and solar irradiance) and the fuzzy controller is used to command the DC-DC boost converter. The proposed method is compared to P&O technic, by simulation under Matlab/Simulink, to verify its effectiveness. 
Modeling Solar Modules Performance Under Temperature and Solar Radiation of Western Iraq
Authors: Hussein Ali Zaid , Khalid Ahmed Abdullah , Tayes Saeed Amer
Published: January 2019

This paper demonstrates a mathematical representation of Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and hence panels performance. One-diode solar cell model is implemented to simulate the cell and extract the performance indications. The tested PV modules are BP Solar (60 Watt) and Synthesis Power (50 Watts), which are operating in a PV generation system in the University of Anbar - Iraq, College of Applied Sciences. The math model demonstrates Power versus Voltage (P-V) characteristic curves to depict and study various parameters with affecting variations in the PV array performance. The parameters include ambient and cell temperature degrees and solar irradiance (G) level which are the main elements to dictate the productivity of a solar system. G is represented by sun unit (1 sun=1 kW/m2). The outcomes of the simulation model characteristics curves have been compared with curves provided by the tested modules data sheets. MATLAB software has been used to simulate the model and extract the results. This paper also investigated photovoltaic simulation with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converter to evaluate hence predict the behaviors of the whole photovoltaic DC current generation using PSIM Power Electronics program. The model focuses on the basic components in PV systems; The panel and the DC-DC converter. The modeling outcome data will be used as a reference verifying the performance of the tested modules during the year seasons under the dominating dusty hot weather in western Iraq.
Optimum Renewable Fraction for Grid-connected Photovoltaic in Office Building Energy Systems in Indonesia
Authors: Hiendro Ayong , Yusuf Ismail , Pontia Wigyarianto F. Trias , Hie Khwee Kho , Junaidi Junaidi
Published: January 2019

This paper analyzes influences of renewable fraction on grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) for office building energy systems. The fraction of renewable energy has important contributions on sizing the grid-connected PV systems and selling and buying electricity, and hence reducing net present cost (NPC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. An optimum result with the lowest total NPC for serving an office building is achieved by employing the renewable fraction of 58%, in which 58% of electricity is supplied from the PV and the remaining 42% of electricity is purchased from the grid. The results have shown that the optimum grid-connected PV system with an appropriate renewable fraction value could greatly reduce the total NPC and CO2 emission.
Improved Performance of DFIG-generators for Wind Turbines Variable-speed
Authors: Yasmine Ihedrane , Bekkali Chakib El , Badre Bossoufi
Published: January 2019

The following article presents the control of the power generated by the Doubly Fed Induction Generator, integrated into the wind system, whose rotor is linked to the power converters (Rotor Side Convert (RSC) and Grid Side Converter (GSC)) interfaced by the DC-BUS and connected to the grid via a filter (Rf, Lf) in order to obtain an optimal power to the grid and to ensure system stability. The objective of this study is to understand and to make the comparison between Sliding mode Control technique and the Flux Oriented Control in order to control the Doubly Fed Induction Generator powers exchanged with the grid, it also aims at maintaining the DC-BUS voltage constant and a unit power factor at the grid connection point.The results of simulation show the performance of the Sliding mode Control in terms of monitoring, and robustness with regard to the parametric variations, compared to the Flux Oriented Control. The performance of the systems was tested and compared with the use of MATLAB/Simulink software.
Overview of Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) Water Collector
Authors: Fudholi Ahmad , Farhana Mohd Razali Nur , Ridwan Abrar , Yendra Rado , Hartono Hartono , Pani Desvina Ari , Khan Bin Majahar Ali Majid , Sopian Kamaruzzaman
Published: January 2019

The popular solar technology is the integration of solar thermal technology and photovoltaic (PV), called photovoltaic thermal (PVT) technology. This technology converts solar energy to electrical and thermal energy. The efficiency of solar energy conversion via PVT is higher than photovoltaic and solar systems. PV cell efficiency decreases if system operating temperature is higher. Therefore, solar systems attached to PV cells act to cool PV cells and increase the overall efficiency of the PVT system. PVT construction that saves space, is suitable for domestic consumption, and long-term saving costs makes PVT current research by researchers in the latest energy technology. This review presents descriptions and previous works conducted on performances analysis of PVT water collector. Results on the performances of PVT water collectors are summarized. The energy and exergy efficiency of PVT water collector ranges from 28.5% to 85% and 6.8% to 14%, respectively.
Overview of Bifluid-based Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) Systems
Authors: Shahirah Binti Rukman Nurul , Fudholi Ahmad , H. Zaidi Saleem , Sopian Kamaruzzaman
Published: January 2019

This review presents various research and development, as well as design and performances of bifluid-based PVT systems. Moreover, the development of PVT system is a very promising area of research. PVT systems using in various applications, such as solar drying, solar cooling, water heating, desalination, and pool heating. With the recognition of the potentials and contributions of PV system, considerable research has been conducted to attain the most advancement which may produce reliable and sustainable PVT system. The cooling system’s design refers to the absorber design which mostly focuses on water and air-based PVT systems. An air-based system has been developed through different absorber configurations, air flow modes and single- or double-pass design. Bifluid-based PVT system is used to remove heat accumulated in a PV panel and reuses the waste heat (hot air and water) in an appropriate way. PV, thermal and PVT efficiencies of bifluid PVT systems were 6.6%-18.6%, 31%–90% and 60%-83%, respectively. 
Outdoor Performance Evaluation of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal (BIPVT) Solar Collector with Spiral Flow Absorber Configurations
Authors: Ibrahim Adnan , Mat Sohif , Fazlizan Abdullah Ahmad , Fudholi Ahmad , Sopian Kamaruzzaman
Published: January 2019

Building Integrated Photovoltaic thermal solar collector (BIPVT) with Spiral flow absorber design is a collector not only used to generate electricity and thermal energy simultaneously but also can be integrated with the roof. Due to it characteristic as a roof, the collector is exposed to the direct sunlight resulting from a higher temperature on it surfaces. The temperature increased will simultaneously decrease it efficiency. An experiment has been conducted outdoor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to examine and evaluate the efficiency of the collector. Data for the experiment has been collected and gathered from 08:00 to 17:00 respectively. Results from the experiment recorded the best total efficiency of 65.10% (53.64% thermal efficiency and 11.46% electrical efficiency from the PV panel) at mass flow rate of 0.041kg/s and solar radiation of 1148W/m2. The effect of mass flow rates on open circuit voltage (Voc) and the modules short circuit current (Isc) are also presented.
Selective Harmonic Elimination of an Eleven Level Inverter Using Whale Optimization Technique
Authors: Kumar Dash Srikanta , Nayak Byamakesh , Ballav Sahu Jiban
Published: January 2019

Reduction of total harmonic distortion in multilevel inverters is a difficult optimization problem that includes nonlinear transcendent equations having more than one local minima.This paper deals with the harmonic elimination of cascaded multilevel inverter with equal D.C. sources using a new optimization technique. The objective of this paper is to find the best combination of switching angles to minimize the lower order harmonics and the total harmonic distortion is reduced. For this purpose, a new optimization techniques i.e. whale optimization technique is considered.This algorithm is applied to an 11-level cascaded H-bridge inverter.Results shows that WOA gives better results and effectively minimizes the THD and lower order harmonics
Brushless DC Motor Speed Control Using Single Input Fuzzy PI Controller
Authors: Baharudin N. N. , Ayob S. M.
Published: January 2019

Brushless DC (BLDC) motor is more reliable than classic DC motor with higher efficiency. Commonly used conventional linear controller such as PI, PID and PD controller. FLC is considered a replacement to conventional controller due to advantages on non-linear system. Hybrid controller e.g Fuzzy PI controller is developed to cope with drawback of both controller. Simplification of FLC in previous study is the pioneer of the idea of proposed method. Single-Input Fuzzy PI Controller (SIFPIC) is a hybrid controller that combines advantages of linear PI controller and fuzzy controller in one control structure. Since it is a single input based fuzzy controller, it yields simpler design and tuning process.  Simulation is done using MATLAB/Simulink and the performance is observed through speed response under several conditions namely constant speed, changing seed and changing load torque. The performance of SIFPIC is compared with conventional PI and fuzzy PI controller. SIFPIC is as expected produced a response similar with the conventional fuzzy PI controller with both fuzzy based controller produce response with better dynamic.
Overview of Soft-Switching DC-DC Converters
Authors: Mohammed Dobi Abdul-Hakeem , Sahid Mohd Rodhi , Sutikno Tole
Published: January 2019

Application of soft switching in DC-DC converter has achieved a remarkable success in power electronics technology in terms of reduction in switching losses, improve in power density, minimization of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and reduction in the volume of DC-DC converters. Quite a number of soft switching techniques had been reported in the past four decades. This paper aims at providing a review of various soft switching techniques, based on topology, the location of the resonant network, performance characteristics, and principles of operation. In addition, converters area of application, advantages as well as limitations are also highlighted.
Population status and floral biology of Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus Burkill ex K. Narayanan (Dioscoreaceae), an important ethnomedicinal plant of the southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: Sasikala Nambi , Ramasubbu R.
Published: January 2019

Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus is locally known in Tamil Nadu as Arogyapachai, meaning a plant that provides good health and vitality.  The unripe fruits of the plant are highly rejuvenating and are used by the Kani Tribe to ameliorate fatigue.  This subspecies is also known for its pharmacological and medicinal utility and possesses choleretic, aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective, mast cell stabilizing, adaptogenic, and cardioprotective properties.  A study was attempted to understand the population status and floral biology of T. zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus in its natural habitat.  The population of this herb was found to be severely fragmented and settled in shaded banks of streams and rivulets in Agasthyamalai Hills.  Being a rhizomatous herb, its flowers are concealed by its broad leaves, thus preventing exposure to pollinators.  The number of pollinating agents in the flowers was reported as meager.  The fruits are capsules with two to six seeds, each having a hard seed coat with a projected endosperm.  Therefore, the conventional propagation of the subspecies is not so successful due to its poor seed set and prolonged maturation time.  In addition, the fruits are damaged by rodents, livestock, and collection for medicinal usage, which severely affect the population status of the plant.  Sustainable use of this wonder herb is important for its conservation in its natural habitat.
Redescription of Leposternon octostegum (Duméril, 1851), with an identification key for Brazilian Leposternon species, remarks on meristic methodology, and a proposal for pholidosis nomenclature (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae)
Authors: Barros-Filho José Duarte de , Freitas Marco Antonio de , Silva Thais Figueiredo Santos , Loguercio Mariana Fiuza de Castro , Valverde Maria Celeste Costa
Published: January 2019

The amphisbaenian Leposternon octostegum (Duméril, 1851) is redescribed based on newly collected material from the state of Bahia, Brazil.  Species validity was confirmed, and comparisons made to other Leposternon species and to the scarce literature available on Leposternon octostegum taxonomy.  Aspects of meristic annuli methodology are reviewed, and nomenclatural adjustments for some scales are proposed.  To place this information in its taxonomic context, a species identification key for the Brazilian species of the genus Leposternon is provided.  The present redescription contributes to a better understanding of Amphisbaenia taxonomy, thus also enabling the design of more adequate conservation and management strategies for the species belonging to this group.
Additional record of the poorly known Argus Paralasa nepalica (Paulus, 1983) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Nepal
Authors: Suwal Sanej Prasad , Hengaju Krishna Dev , Kusi Naresh
Published: January 2019

The Nepal Argus Paralasa nepalica is poorly known in Nepal.  There are only three records of the species so far, near the Nepal-China border.  This photographic record, obtained about 166km north-west from Dolpa and 68.7km north-east from Chya lekh, Darchula, provides the fourth record and also extends the national distribution of the species further north-west towards Humla District.  The photograph, presented herein, is probably the first of this species in its natural habitat.  Our observation of the species from a wide valley calls for further research to better understand the habitat and ecology of the species.
Marine snakes of Indian coasts: historical resume, systematic checklist, toxinology, status, and identification key
Authors: Ganesh S.R. , Nandhini T. , Samuel V. Deepak , Sreeraj C. R. , Abhilash K. R. , Purvaja R. , Ramesh R.
Published: January 2019

We compile an up-to-date checklist of 26 species of marine snakes known from the Indian coastlines. We furnish information on the original orthography, authorship, date of publication, current binominal representation, synonymy and chresonymy lists for each recognized taxon.  In addition, we provide details of name-bearing types, repository and type locality (both original and subsequent restrictions where applicable) of the prevailing nomen for all recognized species.  We summarise the history of research on Indian marine snakes from Linnaeus to the present day, including taxonomic and regional treatises, and highlight the taxonomic flux.  We also provide a revised key for this group to facilitate easier identification and support effective conservation.
First report of the catfish Nilgiri Mystus Hemibagrus punctatus (Jerdon, 1849) (Bagridae) from Stanley Reservoir, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Jayasimhan Praveenraj , Nallathambi Moulitharan , Goutham-Bharathi M. P.
Published: January 2019

The Nilgiri Mystus Hemibagrus punctatus (Jerdon, 1849), a Critically Endangered catfish endemic to the Western Ghats of India, is recorded for the first time from Stanley Reservoir in Tamil Nadu, India.  An account of the morphometrics of this species, along with notes on its habitat and threats, is provided.
Distribution of the threatened Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) population in Nepal
Authors: Khanal Laxman , Chalise Mukesh Kumar , Jiang Xuelong
Published: January 2019

Sustainable conservation and management of a species require detailed knowledge of its population status and distribution pattern.  The population of the Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis in Nepal, probably a new subspecies endemic to the country, is yet to be studied for documenting its spatial distribution and size.  We did extensive surveys across three major river systems of Nepal (Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali river systems) by modified line transect method covering almost the entire distribution range of the species within the Nepal territory.  We counted a total of 829 individuals in 43 groups that accounted for the average group size of 19.29 (±10.40) individuals.  The elevation distribution of the species ranged between 130m and 2650m.  Further, we assessed the potential distribution areas of the species by ecological niche modeling employing maximum entropy algorithm.  The census and ecological niche modeling congruently revealed the mid-hills of eastern and central Nepal outside the protected areas as the major habitats of this nationally endangered and protected primate.  Conservation attempts, therefore, should focus on this area.
The easternmost distribution and highest elevation record of the rare Desert Cat Snake Telescopus rhinopoma (Reptilia: Colubridae) in Pakistan
Authors: Jablonski Daniel , Masroor Rafaqat
Published: January 2019

NA.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Patel Krishna K. , Shah Shailee Y. , Arrigain Susana , Jolly Stacey , Schold Jesse D. , Navaneethan Sankar D. , Griffin Brian P. , Nally Joseph V. , Desai Milind Y.
Published: January 2019

Background

We sought to study longer term survival in patients with aortic stenosis (
AS
) and nondialysis chronic kidney disease (
CKD
).

Methods and Results

We studied 839 patients (aged 78±9 years and 51% male) with
CKD
and
AS
on echocardiogram from 2005 to 2012. Longer term all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality was compared with a
CKD
group without
AS
, propensity matched for age, sex, race, left ventricular ejection fraction and
CKD
stage. Cox models were used to evaluate all‐cause mortality and competing‐risks regression models censored at time of aortic valve replacement to evaluate cardiac mortality in patients with
AS
and
CKD
. Overall, 511 (61%), 252 (30%), and 76 (9%) patients had
CKD
stages 3a, 3b, and 4, respectively; 93% had hypertension, 28% had diabetes mellitus, and 37% had coronary artery disease. In total, 185 (22%) had mild AS, 355 (42%) had moderate AS, and 299 (36%) had severe
AS
(66 symptomatic). Patients with
CKD
and
AS
had higher cardiac and all‐cause mortality compared with controls with
CKD
and no
AS
(
P
<0.001). Among patients with
AS
and
CKD
, there were 156 (19%) aortic valve replacements and 454 (54%) deaths (203 cardiac deaths) at 4.0±2.3 years of follow‐up. Lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio per 10 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
: 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08–1.29) was associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality but not cardiac mortality (hazard ratio: 1.12; 95% CI, 0.97–1.30;
P
=0.13). Of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, 61% had improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate within 1 year (median percentage change=+2.8% per month).

Conclusions

Among patients with nondialysis
CKD
,
AS
is associated with significantly higher cardiac and all‐cause mortality; lower estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with increased mortality, and aortic valve replacement was associated with improved survival.
Periprocedural Changes of NT‐proBNP Are Associated With Survival After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Seoudy Hatim , Frank Johanne , Neu Markus , Güßefeld Nathalie , Klaus Yannic , Freitag‐Wolf Sandra , Lambers Moritz , Lutter Georg , Dempfle Astrid , Rangrez Ashraf Yusuf , Kuhn Christian , Frey Norbert , Frank Derk
Published: January 2019

Background

Cardiovascular biomarkers constitute promising tools for improved risk stratification and prediction of outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We examined the association of periprocedural changes of NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro–B‐type natriuretic peptide) with survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Methods and Results

NT‐proBNP levels were measured in 704 patients before transcatheter aortic valve implantation and at discharge. Patients were grouped as
responders
and
nonresponders
depending on an NT‐proBNP–based ratio (postprocedural NT‐proBNP at discharge/preprocedural NT‐proBNP). Overall, 376 of 704 patients showed a postprocedural decrease in NT‐proBNP levels (NT‐proBNP ratio <1). Responders and nonresponders differed significantly regarding median preprocedural (2822 versus 1187 pg/mL,
P
<0.001) and postprocedural (1258 versus 3009 pg/mL,
P
<0.001) NT‐proBNP levels. Patients in the nonresponder group showed higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (47.0% versus 39.4%,
P
=0.042), arterial hypertension (94.2% versus 87.5%,
P
=0.002), renal impairment (77.4% versus 69.1%,
P
=0.013), and peripheral artery disease (24.4% versus 14.6%,
P
=0.001). In contrast, patients in the responder group had higher prevalence of moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (17.3% versus 11.0%,
P
=0.017), lower calculated aortic valve area (0.7 versus 0.8 cm
2
,
P
<0.001), and higher mean pressure gradient (41 versus 35 mm Hg,
P
<0.001). Median follow‐up was 22.6 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a highly significant survival benefit for the responder group compared with the nonresponder group (log‐rank test,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

A ratio based on periprocedural changes of NT‐proBNP is a simple tool for better risk stratification and is associated with survival in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
Govenia polychroma, a new species of Orchidaceae from Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: SALAZAR GERARDO A. , FERNÁNDEZ-DÍAZ ADRIÁN , HUERTA-ALVÍZAR CARLOS RENÉ , JIMÉNEZ-MACHORRO ROLANDO , CABRERA LIDIA I. , JIMENO-SEVILLA H. DAVID
Published: January 2019

Govenia polychroma, a new orchid species from central Veracruz, Mexico is described and illustrated. It is similar to G. matudae, G. praecox and G. rubellilabia in the relatively small flowers, two leaves and globose corms, but differs from all previously described species in the purplish-magenta petals with yellow apices and the strongly conduplicate, narrowly channeled column foot. Due to its small geographical range (less than 1 km2) and the small number of both populations (two) and individuals (14), the new species is considered as endangered.
Measuring Vulnerability and Deferring Responsibility: Quantifying the Anthropocene
Authors: Schwartz Scott W.
Published: January 2019

This article addresses the manner in which neoliberal society measures vulnerability. It is not uncommon today to come across quantitative metrics assessing the vulnerability of populations, ecosystems, or investments. The concern within is what exactly such figures represent. The following elucidates frequently overlooked temporal aspects of vulnerability and responsibility among populations that practice the perpetual growth of wealth. To investigate this concern, this article offers an examination of three contemporary conceptions of vulnerability: ecological, humanitarian, and fiscal. A brief overview of the origins of the relationship between quantification and capital is offered, along with a history of modern conceptions of vulnerability. Specifically, I am concerned with how the optics of capital displace vulnerability into a perpetually hypothetical future. In analyzing the case studies of ecosystem resilience, climate refugees, and commercial insurance, my aim is to show that dominant methods of measuring vulnerability derive from and reinforce a historically situated neoliberal method of knowledge production, resulting in a paralysis of responsibility.
The cruelty of hope: Emotional cultures of precarity in neoliberal Cairo
Authors: Pettit Harry
Published: January 2019

Contemporary labour markets around the world are pushing more and more people into cycles of un/underemployment, or what has been labelled precarious life. This paper adds to work on precarity’s lived experience, first, by highlighting the production of a precarious lower-middle class group in the global South – young educated underemployed men in Egypt. It then uses five months of ethnography to trace the emotional endurance of precarity with rural migrants in Cairo who work in call centres. Departing from recent emphasis on political forms of resistance or creative survival arising from precarious lives, the paper extends both culturally specific accounts of hope and Lauren Berlant’s notion of cruel optimism to a post-revolutionary Egyptian context, showing how, despite lingering anger regarding structural explanations for precarity, my interlocutors repeatedly coped with a sense of suspension through engaging in forms of consumption which distracted their minds, and hanging on to a globalised meritocratic terrain through self-help, Hollywood movies, and religious narratives, which offered ‘cruel hope’, promising success to those who work hard.
Comparison of TOF-MRA and silent scan-MRA in depicting cerebral arteries in patients with Moyamoya disease
Authors: Tomura Noriaki , Kokubun Mika , Horiuchi Kazuomi , Watanabe Zenichiro
Published: January 2019

Background

Silent scan magnetic resonance angiography (silent-MRA) as an arterial spin labeling technique offering sound reduction is insensitive to saturation effect. Time-of-flight (TOF)-MRA has limitations in terms of fine or slow-flow blood vessels due to sensitive saturation effects.

Purpose

Silent-MRA was compared with TOF-MRA for visualizing cerebral arteries in patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD).

Material and Methods

Forty-one patients with MMD were scanned with both silent-MRA and TOF-MRA. Silent-MRA was compared with TOF-MRA both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured. Qualitatively, steno-occlusive severity of the main cerebral arteries and grading of Moyamoya vessels (MMVs) were evaluated. The grading for MMVs was classified into one of five categories (1 = absolutely negative; 5 = absolutely positive).

Results

Both SNR and CNR were significantly higher in TOF-MRA (SNR = 155.2 ± 90.8; CNR = 116.6 ± 72.0) than in silent-MRA (SNR = 45.8 ± 10.1; CNR = 38.6 ± 10.1) ( P < 0.001). No significant difference in steno-occlusive severity of the main cerebral arteries in either right or left cerebral hemispheres was observed between silent-MRA and TOF-MRA. In grading MMVs, the silent-MRA score (mean ± SD = 4.6 ± 0.5) was significantly higher than that of TOF-MRA (3.2 ± 1.6) ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Silent-MRA appears to better visualize MMVs than TOF-MRA and it can equally depict steno-occlusive lesions of the cerebral arteries.
Market analysis beyond market fetishism
Authors: Cahill Damien
Published: January 2019

This article responds to Peck’s call for a heterodox economic analysis of markets that is sensitive to their sociality and spatiality with Polanyi’s work as a starting point. It is argued that while Polanyi’s concept of the socially embedded economy offers a useful heuristic for apprehending the social foundations of economic activity, his analysis exhibits ‘market fetishism’ – a tendency to treat markets as things in and of themselves, without a proper appreciation of their inherently social foundations – and that this is reflected in broader scholarly discourses with respect to markets. Thus, it is argued, we need to augment Polanyi’s framework with other heterodox economic insights. The article outlines a four-step approach to ‘de-fetishizing’ markets. First, the article foregrounds the specifically capitalist nature of the global economy, and the ‘unique system of market dependence’ to which capitalist social relations give rise. Second, it is argued that de-fetishizing markets requires that an agent-centred approach be adopted. Rather than viewing markets as ‘things’ it is argued that they are most usefully understood as the interactions between agents, the most significant of which, within the contemporary global economy, is the large capitalist firm. Third, the interaction between such agents is structured by pervasive frameworks of rules. Fourth, it is argued that markets are inherently spatial phenomena. They are spatially constituted and contribute to the production of space.