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Summary: Due to the increase in global warming and environmental pollution, heavy penalties have been imposed on pollution producers such as electrical energy networks. Hence, the role of renewable resources expansion in power systems is unavoidable. However, their high penetration increases the uncertainties and decreases the reliability. This paper investigates the expansion of renewable resources in distribution systems based on the zero energy concept. In this regard, different scenarios are designed to determine the optimal location and sizing of wind turbines and photovoltaics as the most matured technologies. To achieve such a goal, a multiobjective linear programming consisting of investment cost and environmental pollution is suggested, which is solved by the augmented epsilon constraint method. Moreover, an incentive‐based demand response program is implemented using shiftable and curtailable responsive loads. Eventually, the uncertainties of renewable resources are modeled by a scenario generation and reduction approach to simulate realistic conditions. The results show that the system that includes only wind turbines or only photovoltaics cannot completely overcome the pollution problem due to the uncertainties. By contrast, a zero energy structure is achievable by their combination, where the investment cost is increased by 73.17% and 48.13% compared to the separate expansion of photovoltaics and wind turbines, respectively. The participation of responsive loads decreases the investment cost by 49.29% as well. Furthermore, the uncertainties of renewable resources increase the total cost by only about 5.95% in the presence of responsive loads; however, the system will be robust against at least 6% of wind turbines and photovoltaics fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The median survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is approximately 1 year. Following surgical removal, systemic therapies are limited by the blood-brain barrier. To circumvent this, we developed a method to modify neurons with the genetic sequence for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies using adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vectors, directing persistent, local expression in the tumor milieu. The human U87MG GBM cell line or patient-derived early passage GBM cells were administered to the striatum of NOD/SCID immunodeficient mice. AAVrh.10BevMab, an AAVrh.10-based vector coding for bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, was delivered to the area of the GBM xenograft. Localized expression of bevacizumab was demonstrated by quantitative PCR, ELISA and western blotting. Immunohistochemistry showed that bevacizumab was expressed in neurons. Concurrent administration of AAVrh.10BevMab with the U87MG tumor reduced tumor blood vessel density and tumor volume, and increased survival. Administration of AAVrh.10BevMab 1 week after U87MG xenograft reduced growth and increased survival. Studies with patient-derived early passage GBM primary cells showed a reduction in primary tumor burden with an increased survival. These data support the strategy of AAV-mediated central nervous system gene therapy to treat GBM, overcoming the blood-brain barrier through local, persistent delivery of an anti-angiogenesis monoclonal antibody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]