Sharif Digital Repository

This paper presents a long-term dynamic multi-objective model for distributed generation investment. The proposed model optimizes three objectives, namely active losses, costs and environmental emissions and determines the optimal schemes of sizing, sitting of DG units and specially the dynamics of investment over the planning period. The Pareto optimal solutions of the problem are found using a GA algorithm and finally a fuzzy satisfying method is applied to select the optimal solution considering the desires of the planner. The solutions of Pareto optimal front are analyzed to extract general useful information for planners about the appropriate DG technologies and placement schemes. The... 

Abutments of concrete arch dams are usually crossed by several joints, which may create some rock wedges. Abutment stability analysis and controlling the probable wedge movements is one of the main concerns in the design procedure of arch dams that should be investigated. For decades, the quasi-static method, due to its simple approach, has been used by most of dam designers. In this study, the dynamic method is presented and the obtained time history of sliding safety factors is compared with the quasi-static results. For this purpose, all three components of Kobe (1979) and Imperial Valley (1940) earthquakes are applied to the wedge, simultaneously, and the magnitude and direction of wedge... 

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between microRNAs and viral and immunological markers in HIV-1 infection. Materials & methods: The expression level of miRNAs was evaluated in 60 HIV-1 patients and 20 healthy controls using real-time PCR assays. Results: The results showed that among all miRNAs, miR-29 and miR-150 were significantly downregulated in HIV-1 patients compared with healthy controls, while miR-155 and miR-223 were significantly upregulated compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusion: The mentioned miRNAs seem to influence the clinical progression of HIV-1 infection in naive patients. Moreover, determining the profiles of... 

This paper presents a framework for expansion planning studies of distributed energy storage systems (DESSs) in high wind penetrated power systems. The main objective is to find optimal location and capacity of DESSs in the viewpoint of independent system operator (ISO) while ensuring the maximum usage of wind farms output generation. Three different criteria are introduced for expansion planning studies. Minimizing wind curtailment cost together with transmission congestion cost are considered to properly deal with the issues associated with the curtailment of wind energy and constraints of transmission network. Furthermore, the minimum normalized profit for all DESSs' owners needs to be... 

In this paper, a simpler implementation of the well-known droop method for the control of parallel Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems is presented. In this method, in the power-sharing control scheme, the output current is calculated by software without the need for a current sensor, resulting in a simpler and cheaper structure. By doing so, the number of feedback sensors is reduced from three to two. The paralleling strategy uses the droop method in which the control strategy is based on the drop in the inverter output frequency and amplitude. The application of Proportional-Resonant (PR) controllers is also extended to parallel inverter and its superior performance over the... 

Applying nonlinear statistical analysis methods in estimating the performance of structures in earthquakes is strongly considered these days. This is due to the methods' simplicity, timely lower cost and reliable estimation in seismic responses in comparison with time-history nonlinear dynamic analysis. Among nonlinear methods, simplified to be incorporated in the future guidelines, Modal Pushover Analysis, known by the abbreviated name of MPA, simply models nonlinear behavior of structures; and presents a very proper estimation of nonlinear dynamic analysis using lateral load pattern appropriate to the mass. Mostly, two kinds of connecting joints, 'hinge' and 'rigid', are carried out in... 

Background: Activities involving axial trunk rotations/moments are common and are considered as risk factors for low back disorders. Previous biomechanical models have failed to accurately estimate the trunk maximal axial torque exertion. Moreover, the trunk stability under maximal torque exertions has not been investigated. Methods: A nonlinear thoracolumbar finite element model along with the Kinematics-driven approach is used to study biomechanics of maximal axial torque generation during upright standing posture. Detailed anatomy of trunk muscles with six distinct fascicles for each abdominal oblique muscle on each side is considered. While simulating an in vivo study of maximal axial... 

Passive control of vibration of beams subjected to moving loads is studied in which, an optimal tuned mass damper (TMD) system is utilized to suppress the undesirable beam vibration. Timoshenko beam theory is applied to the beam model having three types of boundary conditions, namely, hinged-hinged, hinged-clamped, and the clamped-clamped ends, and the governing equations of motion are solved using the Galerkin method. For every set of boundary conditions, a minimax problem is solved using the sequential quadratic programming method and the optimum values of the frequency and damping ratios for the TMD system are obtained. To show the effectiveness of the designed TMD system, simulations of... 

This paper presents a method for nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of Human Powered Aircraft (HPA) wings. In this type of aircraft there is a long, highly flexible wing. Wing flexibility, coupled with long wing span can lead to large deflections during normal flight operation; therefore, a wing in vertical and torsional motion using the second-order form of nonlinear general flexible Euler-Bernoulli beam equations is used for structural modeling. Unsteady linear aerodynamic theory based on Wagner function is used for determination of aerodynamic loading on the wing. Combining these two types of formulations yields the nonlinear integro-differentials aeroelastic equations. Using the Galerkin's... 

Distributed Generation (DG) can help in reducing the cost of electricity to the customer, relieve network congestion, provide environmentally friendly energy close to load centers as well as promote system technical characteristics such as loss reduction, voltage profile enhancement, reserve mitigation and many other factors. Furthermore, its capacity is also scalable and it can provide voltage support at distribution level. The planning studies include penetration level and placement evaluation which are influenced directly by DG type. Most of the previous publications in this field chose one or two preferred parameter as basic objective and implement the optimizations in systems. But due... 

Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also called COVID-19, is one of the most contagious viruses resulting in a progressive pandemic. Since specific antiviral treatments have not been developed yet and its fatal rate is almost high, early and fast detection is critical for controlling the outbreak. In this study, a piezoelectric microcantilever biosensor has been designed for detecting COVID-19 samples directly without requiring preparation steps. The biosensor acts as a transducer and is coated with the related antibody. When the SARS-CoV-2 antigens adsorbed on the microcantilever top surface through their spike proteins, a surface stress due to the mass change would be... 

This work focused on the design of new pH-responsive nanoparticles for controlled delivery of anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox). Nanoparticles of poly(methacrylic acid)-polysorbate 80-grafted starch (PMAA-PS 80-g-St) were synthesized by using a one-pot method that enabled simultaneous grafting of PMAA and PS 80 onto starch and nanoparticle formation in an aqueous medium. The particles were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, TEM, DLS, and potentiometric titration. Dox loading and in vitro release from the nanoparticles were investigated. The FTIR and 1H NMR confirmed the chemical composition of the graft terpolymer. The nanoparticles were relatively spherical with narrow size distribution and... 

Muscle force partitioning methods and musculoskeletal system simplifications are key modeling issues that can alter outcomes, and thus change conclusions and recommendations addressed to health and safety professionals. A critical modeling concern is the use of single-joint equilibrium to estimate muscle forces and joint loads in a multi-joint system, an unjustified simplification made by most lumbar spine biomechanical models. In the context of common occupational tasks, an EMG-assisted optimization method (EMGAO) is modified in this study to simultaneously account for the equilibrium at all lumbar joints (M-EMGAO). The results of this improved approach were compared to those of its... 

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the cross-coupled responses of a coupled rotor-fuselage flight dynamic simulation model, including a finite-state inflow aerodynamics and a coupled flap-lag and torsion flexible blade structure. Design/methodology/approach - The methodology is laid out based on model development for an articulated main rotor, using the theories of aeroelastisity, finite element and finite-state inflow formulation. The finite-state inflow formulation is based on a 3D unsteady Euler-based concepts presented in the time domain. The most advantages of the model are the capability of modeling dynamic wake effects, tip losses and skewed wake aerodynamics. This is,... 

Maximal strength measurements of the trunk have been used to evaluate the maximum functional capacity of muscles and the potential mechanical overload or overuse of the lumbar spine tissues in order to estimate the risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries. A new triaxial isometric trunk strength measurement system was designed and developed in the present study, and its reliability and performance was investigated. The system consisted of three main revolute joints, equipped with torque sensors, which intersect at L5-S1 and adjustment facilities to fit the body anthropometry and to accommodate both symmetric and asymmetric postures in both seated and standing positions. The dynamics of... 

Background: Human amniotic membrane grafting could be potentially useful in ocular surface complications due to tissue similarity and the presence of factors that reduce inflammation, vascu-larization, and scarring. However, considerations like donor-derived infectious risk and the requirement of an invasive surgery limit the clinical application of such treatments. Moreover, the quick depletion of bioactive factors after grafting reduces the efficacy of treatments. Therefore, in the current study, the possibility of nano delivery of the bioactive factors extracted from the human amniotic membrane to the ocular surface was investigated. Materials and Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared...