Measurement of light penetration through a simulated merino fleece

The degree of light penetration along the length of the fibre of a simulated Merino fleece was measured using a fibre optic probe to investigate the relationship between light exposure and photodamage to the wool fibre. The percentage of the total direct sunlight that reached the base of the 100-mm long, simulated, closed Merino fleece was ~1% and the section of the fibre from the root to 60 mm from the root was protected from exposure. The light intensity at the base of the fibre was increased to 2% when the density of the simulated fleece was halved. Wool was scoured and the yellowness and intensity of methylene blue staining was measured to estimate the extent of damage to wool staples.

Identification and characterization of a new class of cognitive enhancers based on inhibition of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase

Approximately one-quarter of people over the age of 65 are estimated to suffer some form of cognitive impairment, underscoring the need for effective cognitive-enhancing agents. Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is potentially an innovative target for the development of cognitive enhancers, as its peptide inhibitors exhibit memory-enhancing effects in both normal and memory-impaired rodents. Using a homology model of the catalytic domain of IRAP and virtual screening, we have identified a class of nonpeptide, small-molecule inhibitors of IRAP. Structure-based computational development of an initial "hit" resulted in the identification of two divergent families of compounds. Subsequent medicinal chemistry performed on the highest affinity compound produced inhibitors with nanomolar affinities (Ki 20–700 nM) for IRAP. In vivo efficacy of one of these inhibitors was demonstrated in rats with an acute dose (1 nmol in 1 µl) administered into the lateral ventricles, improving performance in both spatial working and recognition memory paradigms. We have identified a family of specific IRAP inhibitors that is biologically active which will be useful both in understanding the physiological role of IRAP and potentially in the development of clinically useful cognitive enhancers. Notably, this study also provides unequivocal proof of principal that inhibition of IRAP results in memory enhancement.

Impacts of DG penetration in the Bamaga and Gununa isolated distribution networks

Isolated distribution systems are dispersed throughout regional Queensland to supply small isolated communities that are distant from the main supply grid. The costs of maintaining the electricity supply to these areas is costly; mainly due to the cost of diesel fuel. Furthermore, there is a community focus on climate change, and Ergon Energy aims to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels whilst optimising cost efficiencies and greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of this study is to examine the impacts of renewable energy sources in isolated power systems. For the locations studied, viable renewable energy sources have been integrated into these networks. Anticipated challenges and issues with the integration of the intermittent renewable energy sources were addressed, using mitigation techniques, including energy storage solutions. The investigation and findings demonstrated that network improvements can be achieved by an ideal level of renewable penetration, which has been the main focus of the project. The project involved the development and simulation of MATLAB Simulink and SINCAL models of the two isolated networks at Gununa and Bamaga. The subsequent analysis of these systems has shown a modest penetration level of renewables can be combined with energy storage solutions, which reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at these locations.

Impact of high wind penetration on the voltage profile of distribution systems

In this paper, simulation results showing the effect of lower and higher penetration of distributed wind generation on the voltage profile in distribution systems have been presented. The analysis is carried out over two distribution test systems. The detailed mathematical modeling of the system is also presented. It also investigates the small-signal stability of distribution systems using eigenvalue approach. The analyses show that voltage variation problems occur in different nodes of the distribution networks with an increase of penetration level. However, proper selection of dispersion level can improve the voltage profile of the distribution systems

Impact of high PV penetration into distribution networks under contingencies

This paper analyzes the static voltage stability of distribution networks with photovoltaic (PV) generators under contingencies. The analysis is carried out on a widely used 16-bus test system. The paper treats the Q-V characteristics of the distribution grid for various PV penetration levels. Simulation results show that a higher penetration of PV increases the static coltage stability of the system. However, the tripping of multiple PV generators due to external disturbances, overloading and loss of distribution lines reduces the voltage stability margin of the system.

Superior performance of aptamer in tumor penetration over antibody : implication of aptamer-based theranostics in solid tumors

Insufficient penetration of therapeutic agents into tumor tissues results in inadequate drug distribution and lower intracellular concentration of drugs, leading to the increase of drug resistance and resultant failure of cancer treatment. Targeted drug delivery to solid tumors followed by complete drug penetration and durable retention will significantly improve clinical outcomes of cancer therapy. Monoclonal antibodies have been commonly used in clinic for cancer treatment, but their limitation of penetrating into tumor tissues still remains because of their large size. Aptamers, as "chemical antibodies", are 15-20 times smaller than antibodies. To explore whether aptamers are superior to antibodies in terms of tumor penetration, we carried out the first comprehensive study to compare the performance of an EpCAM aptamer with an EpCAM antibody in theranostic applications. Penetration and retention were studied in in vitro three-dimensional tumorspheres, in vivo live animal imaging and mouse colorectal cancer xenograft model. We found that the EpCAM aptamer can not only effectively penetrate into the tumorsphere cores but can also be retained by tumor sphere cells for at least 24 h, while limited tumor penetration by EpCAM antibody was observed after 4 h incubation. As observed from in vivo live animal imaging, EpCAM aptamers displayed a maximum tumor uptake at around 10 min followed by a rapid clearance after 80 min, while the signal of peak uptake and disappearance of antibody appeared at 3 h and 6 h after intravenous injection, respectively. The signal of PEGylated EpCAM aptamers in xenograft tumors was sustained for 26 h, which was 4.3-fold longer than that of the EpCAM antibody. Consistently, there were 1.67-fold and 6.6-fold higher accumulation of PEGylated aptamer in xenograft tumors than that of antibody, at 3 h and 24 h after intravenous administration, respectively. In addition, the aptamer achieved at least a 4-time better tumor penetration in xenograft tumors than that of the antibody at a 200 μm distances from the blood vessels 3 h after intravenous injection. Taken together, these data indicate that aptmers are superior to antibodies in cancer theranostics due to their better tumor penetration, more homogeneous distribution and longer retention in tumor sites. Thus, aptamers are promising agents for targeted tumor therapeutics and molecular imaging.

Optimal coordination of G2V and V2G to support power grids with high penetration of renewable energy

Electric vehicles (EVs) have recently gained much popularity as a green alternative to fossil-fuel cars and a feasible solution to reduce air pollution in big cities. The use of EVs can also be extended as a demand response tool to support high penetration of renewable energy (RE) sources in future smart grid. Based on the certainty equivalent adaptive control (CECA) principle and a customer participation program, this paper presents a novel control strategy using optimization technique to coordinate not only the charging but also the discharging of EV batteries to deal with the intermittency in RE production. In addition, customer charging requirements and schedules are incorporated into the optimization algorithm to ensure customer satisfaction, and further improve the control performance. The merits of this scheme are its simplicity, efficiency, robustness and readiness for practical applications. The effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm is demonstrated by computer simulations of a power system with high level of wind energy integration.