Showing papers by "University of Tabriz published in 2017"
TL;DR: The potentials of energy hub concept, as a comprehensive model of sustainable energy systems in the future are discussed in this paper, by identifying these challenges and introducing new options for use in energy hub models.
Abstract: In the past, different energy systems were planned and managed independently. But nowadays the development of technologies such as efficient multi-generation system, lead to realizing the benefits of integrated energy infrastructure such as electricity, natural gas, and district heating (DH) networks, and thus a rapid movement toward multi-energy systems (MES). In such systems, different energy carriers and systems interact together in a synergistic way. However, consideration of such a concept requires a suitable tool for integrated management of the system components. Energy hub (EH) that can be defined as the place where the production, conversion, storage and consumption of different energy carriers takes place, is a promising option for integrated management of MES. This paper reviews the different concepts and models used in the literature for EH. The dominant structures used for energy hub models are studied and weaknesses, strengths, and challenges identified and discussed. This article, by identifying these challenges and introducing new options for use in energy hub models, discusses the potentials of energy hub concept, as a comprehensive model of sustainable energy systems in the future.
320 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the performance of a solar still equipped with a heat exchanger using nanofluids has been studied both experimentally and theoretically through three key parameters, i.e., freshwater yield, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency.
313 citations
TL;DR: Overall, light-activated nanomedicines and DDSs are expected to provide more effective therapies against serious diseases such as cancers, inflammation, infections, and cardiovascular disease with reduced side effects and will open new doors toward the treatment of patients worldwide.
Abstract: Nanotechnology has begun to play a remarkable role in various fields of science and technology. In biomedical applications, nanoparticles have opened new horizons, especially for biosensing, targeted delivery of therapeutics, and so forth. Among drug delivery systems (DDSs), smart nanocarriers that respond to specific stimuli in their environment represent a growing field. Nanoplatforms that can be activated by an external application of light can be used for a wide variety of photoactivated therapies, especially light-triggered DDSs, relying on photoisomerization, photo-cross-linking/un-cross-linking, photoreduction, and so forth. In addition, light activation has potential in photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, radiotherapy, protected delivery of bioactive moieties, anticancer drug delivery systems, and theranostics (i.e., real-time monitoring and tracking combined with a therapeutic action to different diseases sites and organs). Combinations of these approaches can lead to enhanced and synergi...
303 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive review on the optimal allocation of distributed generators was carried out for different objectives, constraints, and algorithms, highlighting how the methods and algorithms for optimal distributed generation allocation play an important role in improving the accuracy and efficiency of the results.
Abstract: Distributed generation, with respect to its ability in utilizing the alternative resources of energy, provides a promising future for power generation in electric networks. Distributed generators contribution to power systems include improvement in energy efficiency and power quality to reliability and security. These benefits are only achievable with optimal allocation of distributed resources that considers the objective function, constraints, and employs suitable optimization algorithm. In this paper, a comprehensive review on the optimal allocation of distributed generators was carried out for different objectives, constraints, and algorithms. Current review highlights how the methods and algorithms for optimal distributed generation allocation play an important role in improving the accuracy and efficiency of the results.
262 citations
TL;DR: In this research, emotional states in arousal/valence dimensions have been classified using minimum number of channels and frequency bands of EEG signal and using the high-frequency bands yields higher accuracy compared to using low- frequencies.
Abstract: In this research, emotional states in arousal/valence dimensions have been classified using minimum number of channels and frequency bands of EEG signal. Using the discrete wavelet transforms, EEG signals have been decomposed to corresponding frequency bands and then several features have been extracted. The support vector machine and K-nearest neighbor classifiers have been used to detect the emotional states from the extracted features. For the recorded 10-channel EEG signal, results illustrate the classification accuracy of 86.75 % for arousal level and 84.05 % for valence level. Moreover, using the high-frequency bands, specifically gamma band, yields higher accuracy compared to using low-frequency bands of EEG signal. All of these support to the development of a real-time emotion classification system.
255 citations
TL;DR: The π-π stacking interaction between DOX and GO resulted in higher loading capacity and controlled release of the DOX loaded from CMC/GO nanocomposites hydrogel, and interaction between GO and DOX with H-bonding could be unstable under acidic conditions which resulted in faster drug release rate in pH 6.8.
236 citations
TL;DR: This review paper focuses on LCC strategies including co-delivery of: two chemotherapeutic drugs, chemtherapeutic agent with anti-cancer metals, and chemotherapedic agent with gene agents and ligand-targeted liposome for co-Delivery of chemotherAPEutic agents.
229 citations
TL;DR: A review of recent investigations involving heavy metal accumulation by medicinal plants and its effects on elicitation of secondary metabolites, toxicity and detoxification pathways, international standards regarding in plants and plant-based products, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil-medicinal plants systems is presented in this article.
224 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that adding new source of heat energy for providing demand of consumers with market mechanism changes the optimal operation point of multi carrier energy system.
218 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a probabilistic framework based on a scenario method, which is considered for load demand and price signals, is employed to overcome the uncertainties in the optimal energy management of the MG.
211 citations
TL;DR: The presented results supported the view that biochar can contribute to protect common bean seedlings against NaCl stress by alleviating the oxidative stress.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of cinnamon and ginger oils on some biological, physical and physico-chemical properties of chitosan-carboxymethyl cellulose films emulsified with oleic acid was investigated.
TL;DR: This study highlights the main endocytosis mechanisms responsible for the cellular uptake of polysaccharide nanoparticles containing drug/gene.
Abstract: Nanoparticulate drug/gene carriers have gained much attention in the past decades because of their versatile and tunable properties. However, efficacy of the therapeutic agents can be further enhanced using naturally occurring materials-based nanoparticles. Polysaccharides are an emerging class of biopolymers; therefore, they are generally considered to be safe, non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Considering that the target of nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies is localization of biomedical agents in subcellular compartments, a detailed understanding of the cellular mechanism involved in the uptake of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles is essential for safe and efficient therapeutic applications. Uptake of the nanoparticles by the cellular systems occurs with a process known as endocytosis and is influenced by the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles such as size, shape and surface chemistry as well as the employed experimental conditions. In this study, we highlight the main endocytosis mechanisms responsible for the cellular uptake of polysaccharide nanoparticles containing drug/gene.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors aimed at assessing electricity generation potentials from municipal solid waste (MSW) using an integrated solid waste management system (including three different technologies of anaerobic digestion (AD), incineration, and pyrolysis-gasification) while the consequent GHG emission reduction potentials as a result of their implementation were also explored.
Abstract: The increasing trend in the consumption of various materials has also led to a huge increase in the final waste streams especially in the form of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the consequent environmental pollutions in particular greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions These have made MSW management a significant environmental issue for governments and policy-makers To address these challenges, developed countries have implemented sustainable material management (SMM) strategies which have been comprehensively reviewed herein Moreover, waste generation statistics reported for most of the developed and developing countries as well as the existing gaps in MSW management among these countries have been fully discussed The present paper was also aimed at comprehensively assessing electricity generation potentials from MSW using an integrated solid waste management system (including three different technologies of anaerobic digestion (AD), incineration, and pyrolysis-gasification) while the consequent GHG emission reduction potentials as a result of their implementation were also explored To facilitate the understanding of the potential impacts of these treatment strategies, Iran's data were used as a case study More specifically, the theoretical and technical potentials of electricity generation were calculated and the GHG emission reduction potentials were estimated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach Overall, it was found that 50054–55458 GW h of electricity could be generated from MSW in Iran annually which could lead to approximately 3561–4844 thousand tons of avoided CO2eq Such GHG reductions would be translated into approximately 05% of Iran's annual GHG emissions and would be considered a promising achievement given Iran's international GHGs reduction commitment, ie, 4% reduction of anthropogenic GHGs emissions by 2030 below the business as usual scenario Such findings could also be modeled for the other developing countries around the world where efficient MSW management is yet to be implemented
TL;DR: Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of barrier dysfunction in COPD are discussed, as well as the molecular mechanisms that underlie the impaired repair response of the injured epithelium and its inability to redifferentiate into a functionally intact epithelia.
Abstract: The epithelial lining of the airway forms the first barrier against environmental insults, such as inhaled cigarette smoke, which is the primary risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The barrier is formed by airway epithelial junctions, which are interconnected structures that restrict permeability to inhaled pathogens and environmental stressors. Destruction of the epithelial barrier not only exposes subepithelial layers to hazardous agents in the inspired air, but also alters the normal function of epithelial cells, which may eventually contribute to the development of COPD. Of note, disruption of epithelial junctions may lead to modulation of signaling pathways involved in differentiation, repair, and proinflammatory responses. Epithelial barrier dysfunction may be particularly relevant in COPD, where repeated injury by cigarette smoke exposure, pathogens, inflammatory mediators, and impaired epithelial regeneration may compromise the barrier function. In the current review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of barrier dysfunction in COPD, as well as the molecular mechanisms that underlie the impaired repair response of the injured epithelium in COPD and its inability to redifferentiate into a functionally intact epithelium.
TL;DR: In this article, a novel cogeneration system including a gas turbine, a heat recovery steam generator, a supercritical carbon dioxide recompression Brayton cycle and an organic Rankine cycle is reported.
TL;DR: A new cascade switch-ladder multilevel inverter topology is presented which can generate a large number of output voltage levels and requires fewer numbers of components than other structures.
Abstract: In this paper, a new cascade switch-ladder multilevel inverter topology is presented which can generate a large number of output voltage levels. First, a fundamental switch-ladder multilevel inverter structure is described. Then, the structure of recommended cascade topology based on series connection of fundamental switch-ladder topologies is presented. To generate maximum number of levels with minimum number of switching elements, dc sources, and voltage on switches, the proposed cascade topology is optimized. Comparison results prove that the presented cascade topology requires fewer numbers of components. Also, the value of voltage rating on switches is less than other structures. Experimental results for two topologies are analyzed to verify the performance of the proposed topology.
TL;DR: An overview of the progress made on the graphene oxide nanocomposites as a new generation of antimicrobial agents is given.
TL;DR: The prepared CMC nanocomposite hydrogel containing ZnO impregnated MCM-41, could serve as a kind of promising wound dressing with sustained drug delivery properties with improved tensile strength, swelling, erosion, and gas permeability properties.
TL;DR: In this article, the performance of seven state-of-the-art machine learning models (SVM with four kernel types, BP-ANN, RF, and BRT) to model the occurrence of gully erosion in the Kashkan-Poldokhtar Watershed, Iran was compared.
TL;DR: The main degradation by-products were recognized by GC-MS method to propose the possible sonocatalytic mechanism for the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and the stability of the nanocomposite was studied.
TL;DR: A taxonomy for application prediction models is presented that investigates main characteristics and challenges of the different models and discusses open research issues and future trends of the application prediction.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new nanocomposite film and coating based on chitosan-carboxymethyl cellulose-oleic acid (CMC-CH-OL) incorporated with different concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2%) of zinc oxide nano particles (ZnO NPs) have been suggested as a packaging material to increase the shelf life (microbial and staling) of sliced wheat bread.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of operating parameters on energy and exergy efficiencies as well as total annual cost rate are studied for the proposed power plants using geothermal fluid energy as low-grade heat source and cold energy of LNG as thermal sink.
TL;DR: A new single-phase transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverter for grid-tied PV systems derived from the concept of a charge pump circuit in order to eliminate the leakage current.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new single-phase transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverter for grid-tied PV systems. The topology is derived from the concept of a charge pump circuit in order to eliminate the leakage current. It is composed of four power switches, two diodes, two capacitors, and an LCL output filter. The neutral of the grid is directly connected to the negative polarity of the PV panel that creates a constant common mode voltage and zero leakage current. The charge pump circuit generates the negative output voltage of the proposed inverter during the negative cycle. A proportional resonant control strategy is used to control the injected current. The main benefits of the proposed inverter are: 1) the neutral of the grid is directly connected to the negative terminal of the PV panel, so the leakage current is eliminated; 2) its compact size; 3) low cost; 4) the used dc voltage of the proposed inverter is the same as the full-bridge inverter (unlike neutral point clamped (NPC), active NPC, and half-bridge inverters); 5) flexible grounding configuration; 6) capability of reactive power flow; and 7) high efficiency. A complete description of the operating principle and analysis of the proposed inverter are presented. Experimental results are presented to confirm both the theoretical analysis and the concept of the proposed inverter. The obtained results clearly validate the performance of the proposed inverter and its practical application in grid-tied PV systems.
TL;DR: In this article, the problem of optimal scheduling problem of plug-in electric vehicle aggregators in electricity market considering the uncertainties of market prices, availability of vehicles and status of being called by the ISO in the reserve market is investigated.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of wall material formula and spray drying conditions on physicochemical properties of walnut oil microcapsules were investigated, where three different wall materials including skim milk powder (SMP), SMP+Tween 80, and SMP−maltodextrin were used for emulsion preparation.
Abstract: In this study, the effects of wall material formula and spray drying conditions on physicochemical properties of walnut oil microcapsules were investigated. Three different wall materials including skim milk powder (SMP), SMP + Tween 80, and SMP + maltodextrin were used for emulsion preparation. The prepared emulsions were analyzed for droplet size and stability. The emulsions were then dried in a pilot-scale spray dryer equipped with a two-fluid nozzle at different inlet drying air temperatures and feed atomization pressures in order to determine the optimal drying conditions for maximizing the microencapsulation efficiency. The microencapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, sphericity, moisture content, bulk density, and morphology of produced microcapsules were also measured experimentally. In addition, the microcapsules with the highest microencapsulation efficiency obtained from each wall material were subjected to surface coverage of oil test using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) after 60 days of storage at room temperature. The emulsion prepared using SMP and Tween 80 combination as wall material resulted in the highest microencapsulation efficiency (91.01%) at drying air temperature of 180 °C and feed atomization pressure of 3 bar. The lowest surface coverage of oil was also observed for microcapsules covered by SMP and Tween 80 combination. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed almost no cracks or fissures on the surface of microcapsules produced using SMP and Tween 80 combination at the optimal drying condition. Industrial relevance Walnut oil contains highly valuable constituents such as essential fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. However, a direct application of this functional oil in processed foods is problematic due to its low solubility and susceptibility to oxidation. These issues could be greatly overcome by using microencapsulation technology. Nowadays, this technology has received an increasing attention in food and pharmaceutical industries due to its unique features in protecting the functionality of ingredients. Spray drying technology is one of the most frequently used techniques for this aim. However, comprehensive studies need to be carried out in order to determine suitable operational conditions of spray drying system for improving physicochemical properties of finished powder.
TL;DR: This study presents a stochastic approach to design a wind integrated energy hub with multiple energy systems that would optimally determine appropriate number and size of system components that satisfy electricity and thermal demand and system constraints.
Abstract: This study presents a stochastic approach to design a wind integrated energy hub with multiple energy systems. Energy hub system offers significant advantages to energy services by providing the flexibility to cope with the challenging effects of intermittent renewable energy sources penetration. To this end, the wind integrated energy hub design problem would optimally determine appropriate number and size of system components that satisfy electricity and thermal demand and system constraints. To secure operation, the reliability indices such as the loss-of-load expectation and the expected energy not supplied are considered. The wind power generation and load forecasting uncertainties as well as the random outages of components are modeled as a scenario using proper scenario generation methods. The scenario reduction technique is also introduced to reduce the computational burden of the scenario-based design model. Finally, the proposed model is applied to a test case to illustrate effectiveness of the proposed approach.
TL;DR: In this paper, a geothermal based multi-generation energy system, including organic Rankine cycle, domestic water heater, absorption refrigeration cycle and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, is developed to generate electricity, heating, cooling and hydrogen.
TL;DR: Superabsorbent nanocomposite exhibited good pH-dependent swelling reversibility and high water retention capability, making it more efficient water-saving material for agricultural and horticultural applications.