The growth of Sn and Pt–Sn clusters on TiO2(110) has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy ion scattering (LEIS), and density functional ...theory (DFT). At low Sn coverages (0.02 ML), single-layer high clusters of SnO x are formed with a narrow size distribution and uniform spatial distribution. XPS experiments indicate that these clusters consist of oxidized Sn, and the corresponding reduction in the TiO2 substrate is observed. At higher Sn coverages, the surface is still dominated by two-dimensional clusters of SnO x , but larger three-dimensional clusters of metallic Sn also appear. As the Sn coverage is increased, the number of three-dimensional clusters increases, and the ratio of Sn/SnO x increases, suggesting that SnO x and reduced TiO x form at the cluster–support interface. When Pt is deposited on top of the Sn/SnO x clusters, the relatively mobile Pt atoms diffuse across the TiO2 surface and become incorporated into existing Sn/SnO x clusters. Furthermore, the addition of Pt to the Sn/SnO x clusters causes the reduction of SnO x to metallic Sn and the oxidation of Ti3+ to Ti4+; this behavior is attributed to the formation of Pt–Sn alloy clusters, which results in the diffusion of Sn away from the interface with the TiO2 support. In contrast, when Sn is deposited on an equal coverage of Pt clusters, new Sn/SnO x clusters are formed that coexist with Pt–Sn clusters. However, the surfaces of both Pt on Sn and Sn on Pt clusters are Sn-rich due to the lower surface free energy of Sn compared to Pt. DFT calculations demonstrate that M–TiO2 bonding is favored over M–M bonding for M = Sn, unlike for transition metals such as M = Pt, Au, Ni, and Co. Furthermore, the substantial charge transfer from Sn to TiO2 leads to dipole–dipole repulsion of Sn atoms that prevents agglomeration into the larger clusters that are observed for the mid-late transition metals. DFT studies also confirm that the addition of Pt to a Sn cluster results in strong Pt–Sn bond formation and diminished Sn–O interactions.
Purpose Doxorubicin, a potent anticancer drug associated with cardiotoxicity and low oral bioavailability, was loaded into nanoparticles with a view to improve its performance. Methods Doxorubicin ...loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsion method. The pH dependent stability of nanoparticles in simulated fluids was evaluated. DSC and XRD studies were carried out in order to ascertain the nature of doxorubicin in formulations in conjunction with accelerated stability studies. The in vitro release was investigated in phosphate buffer. The pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies were conducted in rats. Results Nanoparticles had an average size of 185 nm, with 49% entrapment at 10% w/w of polymer. The particles displayed good pH dependent stability in the pH range 1.1-7.4. DSC and XRD studies revealed the amorphous nature of doxorubicin in nanoparticles and the accelerated stability studies revealed the integrity of formulations. Initial biphasic release (20%) followed by a sustained release (80%) for 24 days was observed under in vitro conditions. The doxorubicin loaded nanoparticles demonstrated superior performance in vivo as evident by enhanced bioavailability and lower toxicity. Conclusions Together, the data indicates the potential of doxorubicin loaded nanoparticles for oral chemotherapy. Further, these formulations could be explored for new indications like leishmaniasis.
Using the GAMBIT global fitting framework, we constrain the MSSM with an eV-scale gravitino as the lightest supersymmetric particle, and the six electroweakinos (neutralinos and charginos) as the ...only other light new states. We combine 15 ATLAS and 12 CMS searches at 13 TeV, along with a large collection of ATLAS and CMS measurements of Standard Model signatures. This model, which we refer to as the
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-EWMSSM, exhibits quite varied collider phenomenology due to its many permitted electroweakino production processes and decay modes. Characteristic
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-EWMSSM signal events have two or more Standard Model bosons and missing energy due to the escaping gravitinos. While much of the
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-EWMSSM parameter space is excluded, we find several viable parameter regions that predict phenomenologically rich scenarios with multiple neutralinos and charginos within the kinematic reach of the LHC during Run 3, or the High Luminosity LHC. In particular, we identify scenarios with Higgsino-dominated electroweakinos as light as 140 GeV that are consistent with our combined set of collider searches and measurements. The full set of
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-EWMSSM parameter samples and GAMBIT input files generated for this work is available via Zenodo.
This paper introduces a dynamic power reserve control methodology called reserve power point tracking (RPPT) for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) plants. The proposed RPPT methodology is employed to ...ensure availability of the required power reserve to support the grid and accordingly facilitate high penetration of PV generation in the grid. Implementing this control methodology does not require any extra hardware. The proposed methodology regulates the average PV power dynamically by periodically operating on and off the maximum power point (MPP) in order to inject a constant desired power into the grid. Tracking a desired power reference implies that the proposed methodology, is a form of flexible power point tracking (FPPT). However, unlike a traditional FPPT, the proposed methodology also provides updated information of the available maximum PV power. Hence, the RPPT fulfills both FPPT and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) functionalities simultaneously. The proposed methodology extracts the MPP information and uses this information to calculate and regulate the amount of PV reserve power. One of the main advantages of the proposed algorithm is its applicability under partial shading conditions. Its effectiveness is demonstrated by experimental results under changing solar irradiance, grid frequency deviation and partial shading conditions.
This article proposes a closed-loop analytic filtering scheme for the low-frequency capacitor voltage ripple in cascaded H-bridge converters. Although this technique can be applied to a number of ...cascaded converter applications, this article focuses particularly on the low-capacitance cascaded H-bridge static compensator. Filtering of capacitor voltage signals is particularly important in this application, due to the presence of large low-frequency harmonic voltage ripple. The main novelty of the proposed algorithm in this article is the estimation of the capacitance value of each H-bridge. The closed-loop capacitance estimation method reduces steady-state error in estimated voltage ripple magnitude and phase, which is otherwise present in the available open-loop filters in the literature. Furthermore, fast dynamic response is achieved compared to filtering schemes based on low-pass and bandstop filters. Therefore, the proposed solution optimizes the tradeoff between filtering accuracy and transient response. It also mitigates parametric uncertainties, time delays, and harmonic contamination in the outer voltage control loop. Furthermore, the estimated capacitance is also useful to track the state of health of the dc-link capacitors. Experimental results on a seven-level 1-kVA cascaded H-bridge prototype are presented to demonstrate the comparative performance of the proposed filtering scheme and traditional approaches.
This article presents a dual-mode modulation technique that aims to control the average current flow into the neutral point (NP) of the NP-clamped (NPC) converter without the need for any additional ...hardware. The two modes of operation are normal mode and compensating mode. In the normal operation mode, all the three phases switch between two consecutive voltage levels (between the positive or negative dc-rail and the NP) in a switching period. In the COM, at least one of the phases switches between the positive and negative dc-rails in a switching period. An analytical solution is developed to determine the duration of these two operation modes within each fundamental cycle based on the converter's operating condition. An advantage of this solution is that it can be generalized for balancing the capacitor voltages in all applications employing NPC converters. The proposed solution also determines the maximum average NP current injection capacity of the NPC converter under dual-mode modulation technique, which indicates the stable operating range of the converter. The performance of the proposed modulation technique is validated experimentally for various loading conditions.
Follicular ovarian cysts (FOCs) are characterized by follicles in the ovaries that are >20 mm in diameter and persist for >10 days without the corpus luteum, leading to anovulation, dysregulation of ...folliculogenesis and subfertility in humans and livestock species. Despite their clinical significance, the precise impact of FOCs on oocyte reserve, maturation, and quality still needs to be explored. While FOCs are observed in both human and livestock populations, they are notably prevalent in livestock species. Consequently, livestock species serve as valuable models for investigating the molecular intricacies of FOCs. Thus, in this study, using goat FOCs, we performed integrated proteomic, metabolomic and functional analyses to demonstrate that oocyte maturation is hampered due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in FOCs follicular fluid (FF) via downregulation of glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), a critical antioxidant seleno enzyme required to negate oxidative stress. Notably, GPX1 reduction was positively correlated with the FF's decline of free selenium and selenocysteine metabolic enzymes, O-phosphoryl-tRNA (Sec) selenium transferase (SEPSECS) and selenocysteine lyase (SCLY) levels. Adding GPX1, selenocysteine, or selenium to the culture media rescued the oocyte maturation abnormalities caused by FOCs FF by down-regulating the ROS. Additionally, we demonstrate that substituting GPX1 regulator, Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) in the in vitro maturation media improved the oocyte maturation in the cystic FF by down-regulating the ROS activity via suppressing Non-sense-mediated decay (NMD) of GPX1. In contrast, inhibition of IGF-1R and the target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) hampered the oocyte maturation via NMD up-regulation. These findings imply that the GPX1 regulation via selenocysteine metabolism and the IGF-1-mediated NMD may be critical for the redox homeostasis of FF. We propose that GPX1 enhancers hold promise as therapeutics for enhancing the competence of FOCs oocytes. However, further in vivo studies are necessary to validate these findings observed in vitro.
•Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the follicular ovarian cystic microenvironment (FOC) lead to oocyte death.•In the FOC follicular fluid, there is a notable reduction in the GPX1 antioxidant enzyme levels, linked to diminished selenium metabolism.•Supplementing culture media with recombinant GPX1, selenocysteine, or selenium enhanced FOC oocyte maturation by lowering ROS levels.•We propose that GPX1 enhancers exhibit potential as therapeutic agents for improving the competency of FOCs oocytes.
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