Short-term hydrothermal scheduling (STHTS) is a highly non-linear, multi-model, nonconvex, and multi-dimensional optimization problem that has been worked upon for about 5 decades. Many research articles have been published in solving different test cases of STHTS problem, while establishing the superiority of one type of optimization algorithm over the type, in finding the near global best solution of these complex problems. This paper presents the implementation of an improved version of a variant of the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO), known as Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO) on three benchmark test cases of STHTS problems. The adaptive and variable nature of the local and global search coefficients for the proposed APSO significantly improve its performance in obtaining the optimal solution for the STHTS test cases. Two of these cases are non-cascaded cases of STHTS problem (NCSTHTS) and one case is cascaded case of STHTS problem (CSTHTS). The results are compared with the results of the previous implementations of the other algorithms as presented in the literature. Due to the stochastic nature of the meta-heuristic algorithms, the parametric and non-parametric statistical tests have been implemented to establish the superiority of results of one type of algorithm over the results of the other type of algorithms. INDEX TERMSShort Term Hydro Thermal Scheduling (STHTS), Non-Cascaded Short Term Hydro Thermal Scheduling (NCSTHTS), Cascaded Short-Term Hydro-Thermal Scheduling (CSTHTS), Parametric tests, Non-Parametric Tests, Improved APSO

Short term hydrothermal scheduling (STHTS) is a non-linear, multi-modal and very complex constrained optimization problem which has been solved using several conventional and modern metaheuristic optimization algorithms. A number of research articles have been published addressing STHTS using different techniques. This article presents a comprehensive review of research published for solving the STHTS problem in the last four decades.INDEX TERMS Short term hydrothermal scheduling, conventional algorithms, meta-heuristic algorithms, no free lunch theorem

Curd is the most widespread traditional fermented milk product used by a large population and is a good source of vitamin B, protein, and calcium. In this study, the isolation of exopolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus from curd samples was carried out. Identification of EPS‐producing strains was done by Gram staining, catalase activity, sugar fermentation test, API 50 CHL, and PCR analysis. These EPS‐producing strains were subjected for the estimation of technological properties such as titratable acidity, curdling time, acidification rate, and texture. The strains best in their technological properties were selected for the production of yogurt in combination with EPS‐ or non‐EPS‐producing strains of Streptococcus thermophilus. The EPS concentration range was from 41 to 268 mg/L in the yogurt. The highest value of EPS concentration was detected in S. thermophilus and non‐EPS‐producing Lb. bulgaricus after 14 days of storage.

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