Islamic Azad University

About: Islamic Azad University is a education organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 83635 authors who have published 113437 publications receiving 1275049 citations. The organization is also known as: Azad University.

A systematic review and meta-Analysis of SWARA and WASPAS methods: Theory and applications with recent fuzzy developments

Abstract: The Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) utility determining approaches and fuzzy sets are considered to be new development approaches, which have been recently presented, extended, and used by some scholars in area of decision making. There is a lack of research regarding to systematic literature review and classification of study about these approaches. Therefore; in the present study, the attempt is made to present a systematic review of methodologies and applications with recent fuzzy developments of two new MCDM utility determining approaches including Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) and fuzzy extensions which discussed in recent years. Regarding this, some major databases including Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar have been nominated and systematic and meta-analysis method which called “PRISMA” has been proposed. In addition, the selected articles were classified based on authors, the year of publication, journals and conferences names, the technique and method used, research objectives, research gap and problem, solution and modeling, and finally results and findings. The results of this study can assist decision-makers in handling information such as stakeholders’ preferences, interconnected or contradictory criteria and uncertain environments. In addition, findings of this study help to practitioners and academic for adopting the new MCDM utility techniques such as WASPAS and SWARA in different application areas and presenting insight into literature.

Stochastic-based scheduling of the microgrid operation including wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, energy storages and responsive loads

Abstract: Microgrids with different technologies in distributed generations (DGs), different control facilities and power electronic interfaces require proper management and operation strategies. In these strategies, in order to reach the optimum scheduling, the stochastic nature of some decision variables should be considered. Subsequently, it will lead to a decrease in the forced load curtailment and an increase in the economic efficiency from the perspective of both the maingrid and the microgrid owner. In this study, the availability of dispatchable DGs, energy storage, renewable energy sources (RESs) and the maingrid as well as the power generation of RESs and load are studied through their uncertainty natures. For dealing with these uncertainties, stochastic variables computation module is designed which generates several scenarios by Monte Carlo simulation at each hour. The microgrid operation is optimised in uncertainty environment through a linear two-stage stochastic model. The stochastic scheduling model which is solved by mixed-integer linear programming is compared with a deterministic model through three different cases in presence of demand response on a sample microgrid. The results explicitly show benefits of the proposed stochastic model since it provides accuracy in scheduling and decreases the operation cost.

Dust effect on flat surfaces – A review paper

Abstract: Dust accumulation is one of the natural phenomena that adversely affects the performance of solar systems. Since 1942, many efforts have been made to address the severity of deposited particles like dust, water stains, carbon from smoke, pollen in agricultural regions, etc. on the efficiency reduction of solar devices, which results in additional costs either from oversizing the system or from cleaning it. Although various innovative methods have been employed to clean the surface of grimy PVs, a holistic approach needs to show the cleaning mechanism under different climate conditions. This review highlights the findings from several references in three time periods and focusing on their similarities. For scaling up the appropriate mitigation method, four different global zones are explored based on suspended particles in the air. Consequently, the pattern of dust distribution in different parts of the world is assessed and it was found that the Middle East and North Africa have the worst dust accumulation zones in the world. Finally, a set of recommendations and guidelines with regard to the different climatic zones and their characteristics are presented especially for the installers of PV or other solar devices to implement a suitable cleaning system.

Efficacy and Safety of Phytosomal Curcumin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease characterized by excess lipid deposition in the hepatic tissue and subsequent oxidative and inflammatory damage. Curcumin is a dietary polyphenol with lipid-modifying, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of supplementation with phytosomal curcumin in subjects with NAFLD. Patients diagnosed with NAFLD (grades 1–3 according to liver ultrasonography) were randomly assigned to the curcumin (phytosomal form; 1 000 mg/day in 2 divided doses) (n=50) or placebo group (n=52) for a period of 8 weeks. All patients received dietary and lifestyle advises before the start of trial. Anthropometric measurements, hepatic enzymes, and liver ultrasonography were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of follow-up. 87 subjects (n=44 and 43 in the curcumin and control group, respectively) completed the trial. Supplementation with curcumin was associated with a reduction in body mass index (−0.99±1.25 vs. − 0.15±1.31 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; p=0.003) and waist circumference (−1.74±2.58 vs. −0.23±3.49 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; p=0.024). Ultrasonographic findings were improved in 75.0% of subjects in the curcumin group, while the rate of improvement in the control group was 4.7% (p Short-term supplementation with curcumin improves liver fat and transaminase levels in patients with NAFLD.