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The installation of Distributed Generation (DG) units in the Radial Distribution Networks (RDNs) has significant potential to minimize active power losses in distribution networks. However, inaccurate size(s) and location(s) of DG units increase power losses and associated Annual Financial Losses (AFL). A comprehensive review of the literature reveals that existing analytical, metaheuristic and hybrid algorithms employed on DG allocation problems trap in local or global optima resulting in higher power losses. To address these limitations, this article develops a parallel hybrid Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm and Salp Swarm Algorithm (AOASSA) for the optimal sizing and placement of DGs in the RDNs. The proposed parallel hybrid AOASSA enables the mutual benefit of both algorithms, i.e., the exploration capability of the SSA and the exploitation capability of the AOA. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been analyzed against the hybrid Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm Particle Swarm Optimization (AOAPSO), Salp Swarm Algorithm Particle Swarm Optimization (SSAPSO), standard AOA, SSA, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms. The results obtained reveals that the proposed algorithm produces quality solutions and minimum power losses in RDNs. The Power Loss Reduction (PLR) obtained with the proposed algorithm has also been validated against recent analytical, metaheuristic and hybrid optimization algorithms with the help of three cases based on the number of DG units allocated. Using the proposed algorithm, the PLR and associated AFL reduction of the 33-bus and 69-bus RDNs improved to 65.51% and 69.14%, respectively. This study will help the local distribution companies to minimize power losses and associated AFL in the long-term planning paradigm.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264958.].[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264958.].

Using first principle calculations, the effect of Ce with different doping concentrations in the network of Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) is studied. The ZrO2 cell volume linearly increases with the increasing Ce doping concentration. The intrinsic band gap of ZrO2 of 5.70 eV reduces to 4.67 eV with the 2.08% Ce doping. In 4.16% cerium doped ZrO2, the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum come closer to each other, about 1.1 eV, compared to ZrO2. The maximum band gap reduction of ZrO2 is observed at 6.25% Ce doping concentration, having the value of 4.38 eV. No considerable shift in the band structure is found with further increase in the doping level. The photo-response of the ZrO2 is modulated with Ce insertion, and two distinct modifications are observed in the absorption coefficient: an imaginary part of the dielectric function and conductivity. A 2.08% Ce-doped ZrO2 modeled system reduces the intensities of peaks in the optical spectra while keeping the peaks of intrinsic ZrO2. However, the intrinsic peaks related to ZrO2 completely vanish in 4.16%, 6.25%, 8.33%, and 12.5% Ce doped ZrO2, and a new absorption hump is created.

The location and nature of the doped elements strongly affect the structural, electronic and optical properties of TiO2. To tailor the band structure and modify the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2, a pair of dopants is selected. Fe and N atoms are inserted in the TiO2 network at substitutional and interstitial sites with different relative distances. The main objective behind the different locations and sites of the doped elements is to banish the isolated unoccupied states from the forbidden region that normally annihilates the photogenerated carriers. Fe at the Ti site and N at the O site doped in the TiO2 network separated at a distance of 7.805 Å provided a suitable configuration of dopant atoms in terms of geometry and band structure. Moreover, the optical properties showed a notable shift to the visible regime. Individual dopants either introduced isolated unoccupied states in the band gap or disturbed the fermi level and structural properties. Furthermore, the other co-doped configurations showed no remarkable band shift, as well as exhibiting a suitable band structure. Resultantly, comparing the band structure and optical properties, it is argued that Fe (at Ti) and N (at O) doped at a distance of 7.805 Å would strongly improve the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are considered producers of large amounts of rich data. Four types of data-driven models that correspond with various applications are identified as WSNs: query-driven, event-driven, time-driven, and hybrid-driven. The aim of the classification of data-driven models is to get real-time applications of specific data. Many challenges occur during data collection. Therefore, the main objective of these data-driven models is to save the WSN’s energy for processing and functioning during the data collection of any application. In this survey article, the recent advancement of data-driven models and application types for WSNs is presented in detail. Each type of WSN is elaborated with the help of its routing protocols, related applications, and issues. Furthermore, each data model is described in detail according to current studies. The open issues of each data model are highlighted with their challenges in order to encourage and give directions for further recommendation.

Optimized doped TiO 2 is necessary for efficient visible light harvesting and widening the applications spectrum of TiO 2 -based materials. Titanium dioxide doped with silver and/or vanadium has been synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method without post-calcination. Codoping induced visible light absorption while maintaining the photoactive anatase phase along with good crystallinity. Synthesized products are in nanometer range and possess high specific surface area. Having nearly spherical morphology, the particles are distributed and the particle size estimated from TEM observation is in accordance with the XRD results. Spectroscopic investigations reveal that the doped atoms successfully entered the TiO 2 lattice modifying the band structure. The narrowed band gap allows visible light photons for absorption, and the codoped samples displayed enhanced visible light absorption among the synthesized samples. Photodegradation performance evaluated under visible light irradiations showed that silver- , vanadium-codoped TiO 2 have the best visible light photocatalytic activity attributed to stable configuration, high visible light absorption, coupling between silver and vanadium and their optimal doping concentration.

This research aims to investigate the impact of mobile phones in the lives of youths of mountainous rural areas of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). A total of 272 (133 male and 139 female) respondents of ages between 16 and 25 years participated in this study. To analyze the demographic data such as age, gender, district, the descriptive statistics (mean, SD and percentage) and inferential statistics such as independent sample t-test were used. The regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between independent and dependent variables such as mobile phone features (M = 3.66, SD = 1.15); a mobile phone as a tool for socio-economic impact (M = 3.80, SD = 1.20); as a fashion symbol (M = 1.29, SD = 0.11) and a tool for safety (M = 3.91, SD = 1.06). The findings show that 97% (M = 1.026 SD = 0.159) of youths from GB own a mobile phone (47% male and 48% female). The findings also verify that a mobile phone is beneficial to its users in the fields of economic, education, safety, and security. However, using a mobile phone as status symbol could have a negative impact on the lives of youths. This study recommends that the government should develop effective and efficient policy for mobile phone usage and users should also be aware of the blessings and risks associated with using a mobile phone in their lives.

Nanosized silver (Ag)-doped TiO 2 and undoped TiO 2 are synthesized by a hydrothermal method. With the pure anatase phase, all samples showed good crystallinity and spherical morphology with uniform particle size distribution. Silver doping shifted the absorption edge of TiO 2 toward a visible regime depicting the possible modification in the electronic band structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the existence of Ag in the doped sample. Compared with bare TiO 2 , Ag-doped TiO 2 exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity by the degradation of methylene blue under visible light illumination.

The location and nature of the doped elements strongly affect the structural, electronic and optical properties of TiO₂. To tailor the band structure and modify the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO₂, a pair of dopants is selected. Fe and N atoms are inserted in the TiO₂ network at substitutional and interstitial sites with different relative distances. The main objective behind the different locations and sites of the doped elements is to banish the isolated unoccupied states from the forbidden region that normally annihilates the photogenerated carriers. Fe at the Ti site and N at the O site doped in the TiO₂ network separated at a distance of 7.805 Å provided a suitable configuration of dopant atoms in terms of geometry and band structure. Moreover, the optical properties showed a notable shift to the visible regime. Individual dopants either introduced isolated unoccupied states in the band gap or disturbed the fermi level and structural properties. Furthermore, the other co-doped configurations showed no remarkable band shift, as well as exhibiting a suitable band structure. Resultantly, comparing the band structure and optical properties, it is argued that Fe (at Ti) and N (at O) doped at a distance of 7.805 Å would strongly improve the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO₂.

To improve the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO 2 , an approach of codoping is introduced to simultaneously tailor the band gap and control the life time of photoexcited electron–hole pairs. Molybdenum doping is used to extend the optical absorption of TiO 2 while silver inclusion in the molybdenum-doped TiO 2 network improves the separation between the photogenerated carriers leading to improved photodegradation response. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the existence of dopant atoms in the bulk lattice and the codoped sample exhibits enhanced photodegradation performance compared to monodoped samples. With less structure modifications and stable structure, the silver molybdenum codoped TiO 2 highly improve the wide functionalities of TiO 2 in photoelectrochemical applications.