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This paper presents a new approach for solving the Combined Heat and Economic Dispatch (CHPED) problem using an integrated algorithm based on artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) and Simulated Annealing (SA). Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (ABC) is inspired by the foraging behavior of honey bee swarm, is a biological inspired optimization. It shows more effective than the other optimization algorithms. However, ABC is good at exploration but poor at exploitation, and its convergence speed is also slow in some cases. To overcome this deficiency, this paper proposes an improved ABC algorithm called ABC-SA algorithm. In this algorithm ABC is acting as a base level search to direct the search towards the optima region and local searches synergistically combined with simulated Annealing (SA). The performance of the proposed algorithm (ABC-SA) is validated by illustration with test system. The results of the proposed algorithm are compared with those of Practical Swarm Optimization (PSO), ABC, Real -Coded Genetic Algorithm (RCGA), Bee Colony Optimization (BCO), SA and Evolutionary Programming techniques (EP). From numerical results, it is seen that the proposed algorithm is able to provide a better solution at a lesser computational effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new approach to solving the short-term unit commitment problem using an evolutionary programming-based tabu search (TS) method. The objective of this paper is to find the generation scheduling such that the total operating cost can be minimized, when subjected to a variety of constraints. This also means that it is desirable to find the optimal generating unit commitment in the power system for the next H hours. Evolutionary programming, which happens to be a global optimization technique for solving unit commitment problem, operates on a system, which is designed to encode each unit's operating schedule with regard to its minimum up/down time. In this, the unit commitment schedule is coded as a string of symbols. An initial population of parent solutions is generated at random. Here, each schedule is formed by committing all of the units according to their initial status ("flat start"). Here, the parents are obtained from a predefined set of solutions (i.e., each and every solution is adjusted to meet the requirements). Then, a random decommitment is carried out with respect to the unit's minimum downtimes, and TS improves the status by avoiding entrapment in local minima. The best population is selected by evolutionary strategy. The Neyveli Thermal Power Station (NTPS) Unit-II in India demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach; extensive studies have also been performed for different power systems consisting of 10, 26, and 34 generating units. Numerical results are shown comparing the cost solutions and computation time obtained by using the evolutionary programming method and other conventional methods like dynamic programming, Lagrangian relaxation, and simulated annealing and tabu search in reaching proper unit commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D supramolecular metal organic framework of dysprosium has been fabricated through a facile hydrothermal procedure with the ligand, 2,6-naphthalene disulphonic acid and the co-ligand, 4,4'-bipyridine. The MOF has been characterized as [C 60 H 81 DyN 8 O 30 S 4 ] by routine analytical procedures. SXRD studies of the MOF show the existence of a hydrogen-bonded 3D supramolecular structure with high porosity. It crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2 1 /n with unit cell parameters, a = 16.5424(6) Å, b = 37.0052(14) Å, c = 24.4361(9) Å, β = 100.7410°, α = γ = 90°. The Dy-MOF has eight coordinated water molecules around the metal centre and exhibits square anti-prismatic geometry. The band gap is 3.11 eV. The degradation experiments under visible light confirmed that Dy-MOF can act as a photocatalyst. Addition of hydrogen peroxide remarkably increases the degradation efficiency of the MOF through an advanced oxidation process. The newly synthesized MOF produced sharp emission peaks characteristic of dysprosium ion., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound syndrome, characterized by the core belief of loss of semen accompanied by symptoms of general weakness, lack of energy and concentration, impaired sexual functions, and vague somatic troubles, often associated with an anxious or dysphoric mood state. Although many studies have described the clinical picture of Dhat syndrome, there is lack of availability of an instrument which can comprehensively assess patients presenting with Dhat syndrome., Aim: The aim of this article is to develop a questionnaire that can comprehensively assess Dhat syndrome and guide the clinicians in managing such patients., Methods: Initially, an extensive literature review was done to prepare a comprehensive list of clinical features, beliefs associated with the passage of "Dhat," and attribution of the symptoms by the patients. These items were converted into a questionnaire for investigational interview. The questionnaire thus developed was administered to 54 patients and was also sent to eight subject experts for their opinion on the questionnaire., Main Outcome Measure: To develop and evaluate the content validity of the Comprehensive Questionnaire for Assessment of Dhat Syndrome., Results: As per the opinion of experts, the questionnaire had good content validity and was useful for not only clinicians dealing with patients of Dhat syndrome but was also considered useful for the patients presenting with Dhat syndrome. All the experts found the questionnaire to be comprehensive, and two-third of the experts regarded the length to be adequate. Although none of them suggested any deletion of items, yet some additions were suggested. The language of the questionnaire was rated from simple to very simple. Results of administration of the questionnaire on 54 patients of Dhat syndrome established that the questionnaire was helpful in providing comprehensive clinical picture of Dhat syndrome., Conclusion: The questionnaire designed for the purposes of this study is a useful instrument for comprehensive assessment of the clinical picture of Dhat syndrome., (© 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)