bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of line heating deformation for sheet based on SSA-ELM algorithm
Authors: Qi Shukang , Zhou Hong-gen , Li Lei
Published: March 2023

Line heating is highly susceptible to plastic deformation leading to structural changes, which seriously affects shipbuilding efficiency. It is extremely important to obtain the precise line heating deformation law. There is much research on plate deformation prediction, but there is still no mature, accurate and fast prediction method. Based on this, it is necessary to research the line heating deformation prediction method. ELM has the advantages of fast learning speed, good generalization performance and strong function approximation ability. To address the poor stability of the regression model due to the randomly generated weights and thresholds of ELM, a combined prediction model (SSA-ELM) based on a squirrel search algorithm (SSA) optimized limit learning machine is proposed. The results show that the relative errors of transverse shrinkage and angular deformation of SSA-ELM are improved by 4.7% and 3.9%. The SSA-ELM prediction model has good regression accuracy and generalization ability. It gives more accurate prediction results in terms of line heating deformation prediction.
A Review of Origami-Based Deployable Structures in Aerospace Engineering
Authors: Yue Songlin
Published: March 2023

Origami is a traditional art form of paper folding that originated in east Asia. In recent decades, the concept of origami has been extensively used to design deployable structures. Due to the strict space and load capacity limitations of the aircraft and spacecraft, the equipment they carried must be deployable and light in weight. The origami-based deployable structures provide the possibility for carrying more aerospace equipment. This paper is an overview of current research on origami-based deployable structures and applications in aerospace engineering, which mainly demonstrates the geometric properties, engineering implementations, advantages, and applications of origami-based deployable structures in aerospace engineering. Some of the latest origami-based space instruments are reviewed to have an insight into their basics and applications.
Bending damage of 3D printing T-beam
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Shan Zhongde , Chen Ken , Zhou Dongming , Liang Wei , Wu Xiaochuan
Published: March 2023

3D printing of continuous fiber reinforced resins offers a new approach of designing and manufacturing composite materials. The study applied 3D printing method to fabricate T-beam structures, and investigated the damage process and damage morphology of T-beams under three-point bending loads. Meanwhile acoustic emission was taken advantage of to study the damage process, and principal component analysis and k-means clustering algorithm was used to analyze the signals and classify the damage. The results indicate that the fabrication of continuous fiber-reinforced T-beams can be achieved by 3D printing, and the presence of rib height can significantly improve the bending load capacity by approximately 400% and reduce the maximum deflection by 51%. The analysis of the acoustic emission data indicates that the T-beam bending damage modes includes matrix cracking, interlayer delamination, fiber and resin debonding, fiber cracking and fiber fracture, and the classification results can well explain the bending damage process of the T-beam.
Forecasting method for sources and loads in virtual power plant considering uncertainties of multiple sources and loads
Authors: Chen Chen , Xue Guiyuan , Tan Jian , Niu Wenjuan , Zhu Xiaojun
Published: March 2023

Because of to the lack of primary energy and the deteriorating global environment, the key to getting rid of the existing difficulties is the development of clean and pollution-free new energy. On the one hand, to reduce the use of fossil energy, and on the other hand, to reduce emissions of polluting gases. So with the development of technology, more and more distributed power and load began to access the virtual power plant. This paper introduces PV and EVs(EVs) from the perspective of new energy applications and expounds on the background and significance of load forecasting and output power prediction. This paper introduces a variety of load prediction methods. Finally, Monte Carlo simulation is used to predict the EVs’ charging load, and BP neural network is used to build a photovoltaic power forecasting model. Based on the MATLAB R2017a simulation platform, this paper analyzes the EVs’ travel features in Beijing and takes the historical data and meteorological information of a photovoltaic power plant in Australia as an instance to analyze the influencing factors of PV.
Electric Vehicle Charging Load Demand Forecasting Model based on Spatial and Temporal Characteristics
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Zhang Ke , Jia Xing , Fan Juanjuan
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a method to predict the charging load demand of electric vehicles considering the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of users’ travel. Based on the central limit theorem and travel chain theory, the temporal distribution of the charging load of different functional sites is simulated by the Monte Carlo method and calculated by combining NHTS2017 data to find the total daily charging load of electric private vehicles. The results show that in the case of disorderly charging, the charging loads of different areas have more obvious temporal characteristics, and the charging service can be optimized according to this charging load characteristic.
Research on Harmonic Transfer Characteristics of Capacitive Voltage Transformer and Design of Testing Device
Authors: Li Guoxin , Chen Lingxiao , Zhang Jiarong , Wang Di
Published: March 2023

Capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs), as the main voltage detection devices in the power grid, can accurately measure power frequency voltage, but CVT’s measurement of harmonic voltage will pass errors, resulting in CVT cannot accurately monitor the harmonic voltage in the power grid. Based on the current status of CVT, this paper studies the structure of CVT and the harmonic voltage transfer characteristics of CVT, and analyzes the frequency characteristic curve of CVT by using MATLAB simulation. Based on the study of the CVT frequency characteristic curve, this paper proposes a method of series voltage divider capacitor C3 at the ground terminal of CVT low voltage capacitance to indirectly measure the harmonic voltage on the primary side of CVT and verifies the accuracy of this method. Finally, this paper presents a preliminary design scheme for the series capacitor voltage division method.
Research on Electric Boiler Auxiliary Thermal Power Unit Operation in Isolated Grid
Authors: Si Ruicai , Wang Songhan , Li Xiucheng , Dou Zhongzhou , Sun Bo , Li Jia
Published: March 2023

An electric boiler is widely used in the research and application of thermal power flexibility transformation because of its fast regulation and strong energy storage capacity. However, as an electrical load with high flexibility, the value of isolated operation of auxiliary units in case of grid line failures has not been fully recognized. This paper studies the unit load balance system, unit isolated network operation decision-making, unit load switching, steam turbine control, and boiler control of live boiler operation, so as to realize the control function of an electric boiler assisting the isolated network operation of the thermal power unit, ensure that the unit can stably turn into the isolated network operation state in case of grid failure, and effectively ensure the heating of residents and the rapid restoration of grid power supply.
Research on Improved PSO Algorithm for Multi-peak to Photovoltaic Maximum Power Tracking Control
Authors: Xue Ruonan , Yang Bing , Liu Dejun , Song Chao
Published: March 2023

To ensure the real-time output maximum power of a photovoltaic power producing system and improve the multi-peak MPPT management of a solar array under partial shadow, a maximum power tracking control strategy based on an Improved PSO algorithm is presented. To increase the stability of maximum power tracking and to promote the coordination performance of local development and global search, the adaptive inertia weight and learning factor are developed regarding the basic PSO algorithm. Besides, simulation studies are used to evaluate the MPPT control effects of the method with the fundamental PSO algorithm in various situations. The findings show that the improved PSO algorithm outperforms the traditional PSO technique in terms of tracking effectiveness. It can not only converge to the GMPP quickly in the case of various local shading and light mutations but also has higher power generation efficiency.
A Power Balanced Control Model for Energy Storage Integration with Distribution Network
Authors: Huo Chen , Wang Zhe , Chen Weiwei , Lei Mingyu , Wang Yibo
Published: March 2023

The integration of an Energy Storage System (ESS) is difficult to commercialize within the current Chinese market mainly because of the lacking of supporting policy and breakthrough technologies. However, it is considered an appropriate approach in a certain circumstance, for instance, in a remote rural area. This work presents a power-balanced ESS integration model and its control method. By using a rural distributed network in southern China, the results show that the proposed model is able to improve the three-phase power imbalance issue.
A Novel DC Transmission and Distribution System with 100% New Energy Consumption
Authors: Zhou Jinghua , Meng Xiangfei , Wang Hancheng , Chen Yaai
Published: March 2023

With the continuous development of new energy technology and the continuous improvement of people’s green and low-carbon awareness, distributed photovoltaic, wind power, and other new energy are more and more widely used. On the other hand, the development of new industries, such as electric vehicle charging stations and data centers, has increased the DC load significantly, showing the characteristics of the coexistence of AC and DC user loads. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study how to effectively utilize new energy and realize the direct power supply of AC and DC loads to achieve the dual carbon goal. Combined with the development trend of new energy and DC transmission, this paper proposes a ±10 kV DC transmission and distribution architecture with 100% new energy consumption, which can realize the complete local consumption of new energy and reliable power supply for diversified AC and DC loads, maximizing the reduction of power loss caused by AC-DC conversion. This paper discusses the key devices and key technologies in the above architecture and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages and application scope of various methods in the current research results.
Collaborative decision-making of multi-source heterogeneous sensing data for smart power IoT
Authors: Leng Zhenglong , Zhou Zhaozheng , Li Cui
Published: March 2023

The current multi-source heterogeneous sensing data collaborative decision-making method based on machine learning achieves the fusion of sensing data through data sensing technology, which leads to the poor comprehensive collaborative performance of the model due to the low data processing accuracy. In this regard, multi-source heterogeneous sensing data collaborative decision-making for smart power IoT is proposed. A data reliability analysis framework is established to analyze the unstable factors affecting the fluctuation of sensing data, and the data is slimmed down. And the feature vectors of the sensed data are extracted to establish the data collaborative decision-making model. In the experiments, the comprehensive collaborative performance of the proposed method is verified. The analysis of the experimental results shows that the collaborative decision model of sensing data constructed by the proposed method has a high level of comprehensive evaluation and its collaborative decision performance is high.
Research on the Estimation Method of Energy Consumption and Carbon Emission Based on Key Characteristic Data
Authors: Liu Bailiang , Wang Weiyuan , Liu Yujun , Zhang Weijian , Liu Haixuan
Published: March 2023

Peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality are the two goals that China will adopt the most powerful policies and measures to achieve. Jiangsu, as an important developed economic province, is one of the indispensable parts of carbon neutrality. This paper proposes an estimation method that can be used for forecasting the GDP growth rate, electricity consumption, and carbon emissions. The results show that Jiangsu Province will achieve peak carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2030, which can make outstanding contributions to China’s carbon peaking goal.
An adaptive Distance Protection for Distribution Network With Inverter-Interfaced Distributed Generation
Authors: Zheng Xiaoling , Liu Yifang , Tian Yao , Li Jintao , Yang Qing
Published: March 2023

Inverter-Interfaced Distributed Generation (IIDG) accessed to the high-voltage distribution network may cause protective device tripping missing when using regular distance protection. In case of non-metallic faults, the generation of additional impedance may lead to faulty action of the distance protection, which threatens the safety and stability of the distribution network. Therefore, an adaptive distance protection plan is suggested, which corrects the measured impedance according to the diagram, thus the corrected measured impedance can track the fault impedance. The suggested plan is insensitive to the fault resistance, fault locations and IIDG’s output. The simulation results indicate that the suggested plan can reflect the fault impedance correctly, and accurately identify internal and external faults.
An Improved Slow Coherent Groups Recognition Method for Dynamic Equivalence of Large Power System
Authors: Su Yinsheng , Huang Guanbiao , Zhao Ligang , Yao Haicheng , Xu Yuan , Li Bao , Zhou Tinghui , Gao Qin , Zhen Hongyue
Published: March 2023

The slow coherent groups recognition method is one of the dynamic equivalence techniques, which is based on the singular perturbation principle. Its algorithm performance is widely recognized. In order to reduce the solving difficulty and time consuming, this method ignores the generator stator damping effect. But during a fault, the generator stator damping effect directly affects the oscillation amplitude and frequency of the rotor angular curve. If the damping characteristics of the original system are ignored, when the damping torque coefficients of each generator vary greatly, the coherence between generators will be affected, and the accuracy of the simplified equivalent system will inevitably decrease. This paper proposes a new method based on the traditional slow coherent groups’ recognition method. The new method, which is based on the second-order model of the generator, can consider the generator stator damping effect without increasing the algorithm complexity. The active and reactive power of the system are decoupled. The eigenvalues of the system model and the general solution of the second-order differential equations are obtained through rigorous derivation. It also proposes a two-scale coherent groups recognition criterion. Finally, the effectiveness of the new method is verified based on the IEEE-39-Bus system.
Research on Surge Suppression of Timing Fuze Timing Starting Point Based on NMOSFET Device
Authors: Yang Chang Qing , Ma Shao Jie , Li Fei Yin , Tang Tong , Gui Di , Zhang Ying Zhong
Published: March 2023

When the timing fuze verification equipment simulates the timing fuze starting signal, the transient surge will interfere with the starting signal, resulting in inaccurate timing starting signal detection and time error. Through the Multisim process simulation of the timing starting point signal simulation module in the device, combined with the 'Miller platform' effect of the NMOSFET device, the value of the parallel capacitor CGD’ of the designed transient surge suppression circuit is studied. When CGD’ is 0.2uf, it can effectively suppress the surge, thus ensuring the accuracy of the timing starting point of the timing fuze.
A New Design of the 3D Deployable Space Antenna Structure
Authors: Du Yuwen
Published: March 2023

Communication and energy supply are critical in different sophisticated space missions in the aerospace industry. However, rockets have limited launch space and cannot carry such a massive support system. A space antenna deployable structure based on the scissor element and ring truss structure is proposed to overcome this challenge. This research studies the basic unit and its connection structure separately to investigate the mobility of the deployable structure. The connection structure and the basic units have one degree of freedom. Subsequently, a deployable ring truss system for satellite antennas is demonstrated. The kinematic models of the basic units and common deployment mechanisms have been constructed to demonstrate the mechanism deployment performance. The designed deployable structure can further increase the mechanism’s deployment area by splicing multiple basic ring deployable structures. This newly designed space antenna deployable structure has greater flexibility and can effectively increase the deployment area of the ring truss.
Study on the effect of magnetic needle grinding on the surface integrity and service performance of medical Mg-0.8Ca alloy
Authors: Lv Shenjin , Wei Wei , Qiao Yang
Published: March 2023

Medical magnesium alloys as biodegradable medical materials are regarded as the third generation of biomedical materials with good biocompatibility and degradability. Still, their application is greatly limited due to their excessive corrosion rate and low mechanical strength. This paper investigates the effect of surface integrity, wettability, and corrosion resistance of Mg-0.8Ca alloy milled surfaces and further magnetic needle magnetic grinding treated surfaces. The test results show that the surface roughness increases after grinding due to the change in surface morphology and work hardening. Still, microhardness, residual compressive stress, wettability, and corrosion resistance are all improved, and the surface is more conducive to cell adhesion and growth. Comparative tests have shown that magnetic pin grinding can effectively enhance magnesium alloy’s application strength and serviceability.
An open-source software-defined IF signal simulator for GPS receivers
Authors: Li Yafeng , Yang Rong , Ji Jing
Published: March 2023

An open-source software-defined IF signal simulator for GPS receivers is released. The simulator is driven by user-specified trajectory and real ephemeris date. The model, design framework, and implementation of the IF simulator are depicted. The generated IF signals were processed and verified by a widely used software receiver.
The opportunities of economic corridor infrastructure to accelerate SDGS: policy review in D. I. Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia
Authors: Yusliana
Published: March 2023

The D. I. Yogyakarta government’s vision for maritime-based development continues to be carried out by establishing coastal areas as economic corridors. Infrastructure development continues. This is in line with the government’s commitment to realizing the SDGs. This research aims to identify infrastructure in the economic corridor towards the SDGs in D. I. Yogyakarta Province. The method used in this research is literature review and policy review. The study results indicate that infrastructure development is carried out sustainably, but the development has not significantly maximized the Communication and Information Technology infrastructure following the 9th SDGs. It is necessary to increase access to Communication and Information Technology and provide affordable universal access to all developing countries.
Investigation on the effect of moisture induced damage on asphaltic concrete mix incorporating waste concrete aggregates
Authors: Ahmad J , Shaffie E , Ismail N N , Awang H , Mohd Nujid M
Published: March 2023

Recycling waste materials, such as partial replacement of WCA for natural aggregates in hot-mix asphalt, could be an option for addressing problems such as environmental pollution and the increasing demand for natural resources. Due to continual development and renovation in the construction industry, the generation of concrete waste has become one of the major challenges. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to develop an asphalt mix design utilizing waste concrete aggregate (WCA) as a partial substitute for natural aggregates (NA). The ratios of WCA10:NA90 and WCA30:NA70 are utilised to design the asphalt mixtures. In this study, asphalt mixtures containing 10 and 30 percent WCA are referred as WCA10 and WCA30, respectively. The density-voids analysis enables the determination of the optimum asphalt content that satisfies the criteria of the Malaysian Public Works Department (PWD). Results indicates that the criteria and design parameters of both mix conforms to the PWD specifications. The optimum asphalt content determined for both WCA10 and WCA30 asphalt mix is 5.7 and 5.8 percent respectively. The moisture sensitivity test is then performed on both WCA10 and WCA30 asphalt mixtures to determine how susceptible these mixtures are to moisture-induced damage. The tensile strength ratio (TSR) for WCA10 and WCA30 asphalt mixtures is 83.6 and 97.4 percent, respectively, which is greater than the minimal requirement of 80%. This investigation revealed that the use of WCA in hot-mix asphalt satisfies the moisture susceptibility requirements.
Comparison of Solute and Multicomponent Geothermometry: a Study Case of Mount Rajabasa Geothermal Field
Authors: Kusumasari B A , Iqbal M , Herdianita N R
Published: March 2023

Geothermometry has always been a preferred method to estimate reservoir temperature in a relatively quick process at minimum cost. Among several types of geothermometry, solute geothermometry is the most common to be used due to its relatively uncomplicated calculation. However, it often involves high uncertainties thus the estimated temperature is occasionally rather inaccurate. This research aims at applying a new statistical approach to geothermometry to yield a more reliable reservoir temperature estimation. The new approach is called multicomponent geothermometry. This method uses the iGeoT code with a simple automatization for estimating unknown or poorly unknown constrained parameters. This method is applied to the Mount Rajabasa Geothermal Field in Lampung Province, Indonesia, and later validated against reservoir temperature from solute geothermometry. Results indicate both methods yield similar values close to 260°. Despite the similarity, multicomponent geothermometry is believed to offer better quality results since it takes into consideration of full chemical analysis and mineral saturation indices to obtain optimization. The application of multicomponent geothermometry jointly with solute geothermometry in the research area has proved to significantly increase accuracy and reliability in estimating reservoir temperature. The methods presented in this research may be advantageous for easy-to-handle analysis of other geothermal fields with standard geochemical data without the need for a sophisticated analysis yet earning more accurate results.
A General Condition of Structural Distinguisher
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Wenhao , Zeng Guang
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a general construction method for structural distinguishers, based on the recently proposed ‘multiple-of-n property’ of a subspace trail. The multiple-of-n property refers to the fact that by appropriate choices of difference for a number of input pairs, it is possible to make sure that the number of times that the difference of the resulting output pairs lie in a particular subspace is always a multiple of n. We weaken the condition for constructing the structural distinguisher from the exact subspace trail to the general subspace trail and this general condition is applied to the SPN cryptographic algorithm, allowing a six-round structural distinguisher to be obtained for the first time. In this way, the best six-round Midori-64 distinguisher is constructed, with its data complexity being identical to Midori’s five-round structural distinguisher. We also applied this new condition to the SKINNY algorithm, extending its structural distinguisher from five to six rounds.
Significant Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Health Care Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Tandon Parul , Chhibba Tarun , Natt Navneet , Singh Brar Gurmun , Malhi Gurpreet , Nguyen Geoffrey C
Published: March 2023

Background

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising worldwide, though the differences in health care utilization among different races and ethnicities remains uncertain. We aimed to better define this through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We explored the impact of race or ethnicity on the likelihood of needing an IBD-related surgery, hospitalization, and emergency department visit. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with I2 values reporting heterogeneity. Differences in IBD phenotype and treatment between racial and ethnic groups of IBD were reported.

Results

Fifty-eight studies were included. Compared with White patients, Black patients were less likely to undergo a Crohn’s disease (CD; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.95; I2 = 68.0%) or ulcerative colitis (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.83; I2 = 85.0%) surgery, more likely to have an IBD-hospitalization (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.24; I2 = 77.0%), and more likely to visit the emergency department (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.32-2.30; I2 = 0%). There were no significant differences in disease behavior or biologic exposure between Black and White patients. Hispanic patients were less likely to undergo a CD surgery (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.48-0.68; I2 = 0%) but more likely to be hospitalized (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.88; I2 = 37.0%) compared with White patients. There were no differences in health care utilization between White and Asian or South Asian patients with IBD.

Conclusions

There remain significant differences in health care utilization among races and ethnicities in IBD. Future research is required to determine factors behind these differences to achieve equitable care for persons living with IBD.
Emphasis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on US Adult Infectious Disease Fellowship Program Websites in the Era of Virtual Recruitment
Authors: Tischendorf Jessica S , Filipiak Rachel , Zelenski Amy , Osman Fauzia , Siraj Dawd
Published: March 2023

Women and underrepresented-in-medicine applicants value a climate for diversity when selecting graduate medical education training programs. Climate may not be accurately represented during virtual recruitment. Optimizing program websites may help overcome this barrier. We reviewed websites for adult infectious disease fellowships that participated in the 2022 National Resident Matching Program for emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Fewer than half expressed DEI language in their mission statement or had a dedicated DEI statement or webpage. Programs should consider emphasizing their commitment to DEI prominently on their websites, which may help recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds.
The promises and challenges of clinical AI in community paediatric medicine
Authors: Singh Devin , Nagaraj Sujay , Daniel Ryan , Flood Colleen , Kulik Dina , Flook Robert , Goldenberg Anna , Brudno Michael , Stedman Ian
Published: March 2023

The widespread adoption of virtual care technologies has quickly reshaped healthcare operations and delivery, particularly in the context of community medicine. In this paper, we use the virtual care landscape as a point of departure to envision the promises and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Our analysis is directed towards community care practitioners interested in learning more about how AI can change their practice along with the critical considerations required to integrate AI into their practice. We highlight examples of how AI can enable access to new sources of clinical data while augmenting clinical workflows and healthcare delivery. AI can help optimize how and when care is delivered by community practitioners while also improving practice efficiency, accessibility, and the overall quality of care. Unlike virtual care, however, AI is still missing many of the key enablers required to facilitate adoption into the community care landscape and there are challenges we must consider and resolve for AI to successfully improve healthcare delivery. We discuss several critical considerations, including data governance in the clinic setting, healthcare practitioner education, regulation of AI in healthcare, clinician reimbursement, and access to both technology and the internet.
Absence of SICKLE triggers programed cell death by disturbing alternative splicing and decay of mRNAs
Authors: Wu Chengyun , Zhen Weibo , Wang Xingsong , Li Yan , Wang Wei , Hu Zhubing
Published: March 2023

Programed cell death (PCD) plays fundamental roles in plant development and responses to environmental stresses. Here, we report a protein, SICKLE (SIC), which represses PCD. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the loss-of-function mutant of SIC, sic-4, hyperaccumulated lariat intronic RNAs (lariRNAs) and exhibited PCD. The gene encoding an RNA debranching enzyme 1 (DBR1), a rate-limiting enzyme for lariRNAs decay, was overexpressed to reduce the level of lariRNAs in the sic-4 mutant, which led to suppression of PCD. Meanwhile, another lariRNAs hyper-accumulating mutant, dbr1-2, also exhibited PCD, further indicating that sic-4 PCD is caused by hyper-accumulation of lariRNAs. Transcriptional profiling analyses revealed that the sic-4 mutation disturbed alternative splicing and decay of mRNAs associated with salicylic acid (SA) homeostasis, a well-known molecule functioning in PCD regulation. Moreover, SA is dramatically increased in sic-4 and the disruption of SA biosynthesis and signaling suppressed PCD in the mutant, demonstrating that SA functions downstream of sic-4. Taken together, our results demonstrate that SIC is involved in regulating SA-triggered PCD.
The 2020 derecho revealed limited overlap between maize genes associated with root lodging and root system architecture
Authors: Zheng Zihao , Guo Bufei , Dutta Somak , Roy Vivekananda , Liu Huyu , Schnable Patrick S
Published: March 2023

Roots anchor plants in soil, and the failure of anchorage (i.e. root lodging) is a major cause of crop yield loss. Anchorage is often assumed to be driven by root system architecture (RSA). We made use of a natural experiment to measure the overlap between the genetic regulation of RSA and anchorage. After one of the most devastating derechos ever recorded in August 2020, we phenotyped root lodging in a maize (Zea mays) diversity panel consisting of 369 genotypes grown in 6 environments affected by the derecho. Genome-wide and transcriptome-wide association studies identified 118 candidate genes associated with root lodging. Thirty-four percent (40/118) of these were homologs of genes from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that affect traits such as root morphology and lignin content, expected to affect root lodging. Finally, gene ontology enrichment analysis of the candidate genes and their predicted interaction partners at the transcriptional and translational levels revealed the complex regulatory networks of physiological and biochemical pathways underlying root lodging in maize. Limited overlap between genes associated with lodging resistance and RSA in this diversity panel suggests that anchorage depends in part on factors other than the gross characteristics of RSA.
RHO OF PLANT proteins are essential for pollen germination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xiang Xiaojiao , Zhang Shuzhan , Li En , Shi Xue-Lian , Zhi Jing-Yu , Liang Xin , Yin Gui-Min , Qin Zheng , Li Sha , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2023

Pollen germination is a process of polarity establishment, through which a single and unique growth axis is established. Although most of the intracellular activities associated with pollen germination are controlled by RHO OF PLANTs (ROPs) and increased ROP activation accompanies pollen germination, a critical role of ROPs in this process has not yet been demonstrated. Here, by genomic editing of all 4 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ROPs that are preferentially expressed in pollen, we showed that ROPs are essential for polarity establishment during pollen germination. We further identified and characterized 2 ROP effectors in pollen germination (REGs) through genome-wide interactor screening, boundary of ROP domain (BDR) members BDR8 and BDR9, whose functional loss also resulted in no pollen germination. BDR8 and BDR9 were distributed in the cytosol and the vegetative nucleus of mature pollen grains but redistributed to the plasma membrane (PM) of the germination site and to the apical PM of growing pollen tubes. We demonstrated that the PM redistribution of BDR8 and BDR9 during pollen germination relies on ROPs but not vice versa. Furthermore, enhanced expression of BDR8 partially restored germination of rop1 pollen but had no effects on that of the quadruple rop pollen, supporting their genetic epistasis. Results presented here demonstrate an ROP signaling route essential for pollen germination, which supports evolutionarily conserved roles of Rho GTPases in polarity establishment.
EVALUATION OF ACCURACY AND INTRINSIC UNCERTAINTY OF AUTOMATED IMAGE REGISTRATION FOR A 6D KV-CBCT IMAGE GUIDANCE SYSTEM: A CONCURRENT ANALYSIS WITH A MACHINE PERFORMANCE CHECK
Authors: Shinde Prashantkumar , Jadhav Anand , Shankar Vangipuram , Gupta Karan Kumar , Dhoble Sanjay J
Published: March 2023

The accuracy and uncertainty of the automated image registration (AIR) algorithm in a six-dimensional (6D) kilovoltage cone-beam computed tomography (kV-CBCT) image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system were evaluated with a concurrent analysis of machine performance check (MPC). The MPC was performed before (MPCpre) and after (MPCpost) each accuracy and intrinsic uncertainty measurement. The accuracy was evaluated for 25 sets of the known shifts applied to the Catphan-504 phantom through a 6D robotic couch in the head, thorax, and pelvis CBCT acquisition modes. The uncertainty was evaluated for the intensity range, soft tissue, and bone matching filters in the head, thorax and pelvis CBCT acquisition modes. The mean ΔMPC (MPCpost–MPCpre) for all test parameters was within 0.02 ± 0.08 mm and 0.00 ± 0.02°. The overall average accuracy in AIR of 6D kV-CBCT IGRT in all translational and rotational axes was within 0.05 ± 0.76 mm and 0.02 ± 0.07°, respectively, for all CBCT modes. The overall mean population (Mpop), systematic (Σ) and random (σ) errors were within 0.47, 0.53 and 0.24 mm and within 0.03, 0.08 and 0.07° in translational and rotational axes, respectively, for all matching filters in all CBCT modes. The accuracy and intrinsic uncertainty in the AIR of the 6D kV-CBCT IGRT were within acceptable limits for clinical use.
Clitoral adhesions: a review of the literature
Authors: Romanello Jennifer P , Myers Monica C , Nico Elsa , Rubin Rachel S
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Clitoral adhesions occur when the prepuce adheres to the glans. These adhesions have been found in up to 22% of women seeking evaluation for sexual dysfunction. The etiology of clitoral adhesions remains largely unclear. Studies published to date on the presentation and management of clitoral adhesions are relatively recent and raise questions for future research.

Objectives

We sought to provide a background of existing knowledge on the prevalence, presentation, etiology, associated conditions, and management of clitoral adhesions and to identify areas for future research.

Methods

A review of literature was performed for studies that investigate clitoral adhesions.

Results

Conditions associated with chronic clitoral scarring appear to have a role in the development of clitoral adhesions. Symptoms include clitoral pain (clitorodynia), discomfort, hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity, difficulty with arousal, and muted or absent orgasm. Complications include inflammation, infection, and the development of keratin pearls and smegmatic pseudocysts. There are surgical and nonsurgical interventions to manage clitoral adhesions. Additionally, topical agents can be included in conservative and/or postprocedural management. Although many studies on clitoral adhesions are limited to patients with lichen sclerosus (LS), clitoral adhesions are not confined to this population.

Conclusion

Areas for future research include etiologies of clitoral adhesion; such knowledge is imperative to improve prevention and management. Also, in previous studies, patients were instructed to apply various topical agents and manually retract the prepuce for conservative management or postlysis care. However, the efficacy of these interventions has not been investigated. Surgical and nonsurgical lysis procedures have been described for the management of pain and difficulties with arousal and orgasm that are causes of the sexual dysfunction associated with clitoral adhesion. Although previous studies have assessed efficacy and patient satisfaction, many of these studies were limited to small sample sizes and focused solely on patients with LS. Future studies are needed to inform a standard of care for the management of clitoral adhesions.
Analysis of Cell Death Induction by the Barley NLR Immune Receptor PBR1
Authors: Jaiswal Namrata , Myers Ariana , Weese Terri L. , Carter Morgan E. , Scofield Steven R. , Helm Matthew
Published: March 2023

The barley ( Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare) disease-resistance protein AvrPphB Response 1 (PBR1) mediates recognition of the Pseudomonas syringae effector, AvrPphB. PBR1 belongs to the coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat family. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that lead to PBR1-dependent cell death (hypersensitive reaction; HR) in response to AvrPphB. Here, we investigated PBR1 immune signaling after Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. The N-terminal tagging of PBR1 with super yellow fluorescent protein abolished PBR1-mediated cell death, demonstrating that an N-terminal epitope tag disrupts PBR1-mediated immune signaling. Furthermore, none of the individual protein domains (CC, NB-ARC, and LRR) or truncations (CC—NB-ARC and NB-ARC—LRR) of PBR1 induced a HR-like cell death response as strong as full-length PBR1 when coexpressed with AvrPphB, indicating that the individual domains and fragments of PBR1 are insufficient to trigger HR. Intriguingly, introducing the typically autoactivating D496V mutation within NB-ARC-containing fragments of PBR1 does not activate immune signaling, revealing that PBR1-mediated immune signaling requires the cooperation of all domains in cis. Using coimmunoprecipitation and split-luciferase assays, we also show full-length PBR1 self-associates in the absence of AvrPphB, and such self-association is not dependent on a functional P-loop/Walker A motif. Collectively, these findings provide valuable insights into PBR1-mediated disease resistance and extend our understanding of NLR-mediated immune signaling.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Rent-a-MEDEX
Authors: Pedersen Donald , Hooker Roderick S.
Published: March 2023

In the 1970s, busy physicians knew little about the capabilities of a new member of the healthcare team—the physician associate/assistant (PA). Internal studies by the University of Utah and University of Washington educational programs demonstrated that the MEDEX/PA could increase access to care by providing quality, cost-effective care in rural primary care practices. Marketing this concept was essential, and in the early 1970s, the Utah program devised an innovative plan, partially funded through a grant from the federal Bureau of Health Resources Development, called Rent-a-MEDEX. Physicians in the Intermountain West were introduced to graduate MEDEX/PAs in order to gain firsthand experience about how these new clinicians could benefit a busy primary care practice.
Salvage therapies of autoimmune hepatitis limit proinflammatory immune cells while sparing regulatory T cells
Authors: Derben Finn C. , Ytting Henriette , Hartleben Björn , Bantel Heike , Wedemeyer Heiner , Willemoe Gro L. , Jaeckel Elmar , Taubert Richard
Published: March 2023

Background:

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) can be clinically controlled by first-line immunosuppressive therapy in the majority of patients. However, a selective decrease in intrahepatic regulatory T cells (Treg) was observed with immunosuppressive therapy, which was even more pronounced in patients with incomplete responses than in patients who achieved biochemical remission. The effects of salvage therapies on the number of intrahepatic T and B cells, including Treg, are unclear. The hypothesis was that calcineurin inhibitors would further decrease intrahepatic Treg numbers, and the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors would increase intrahepatic Treg numbers.

Methods:

In this retrospective study at 2 centers, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+FOXP3+ T cells, and CD79a+ B cells were quantified in surveillance biopsies under non–standard-of-care treatment [non-SOC: calcineurin inhibitor (n=10), second-line antimetabolites (n=9), mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (n=4)] compared with patients under the standard-of-care treatment (SOC).

Results:

Intrahepatic T-cell and B-cell counts were not significantly different between patients with biochemical remission under SOC and non-SOC. However, patients with incomplete response under non-SOC had significantly lower liver infiltration with T and B cells, whereas Treg were not reduced compared with SOC. This resulted in an even higher ratio of Treg to T and B cells in non-SOC compared with SOC when biochemical remission was not achieved. The different non-SOC regimens showed no significant difference in liver infiltration with T cells, including Treg and B cells.

Conclusions:

Non-SOC in AIH partially controls intrahepatic inflammation by limiting the hepatic infiltration of total T and B cells as the main drivers of inflammation without further decreasing intrahepatic Treg. A negative effect of calcineurin inhibitor and a positive effect of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors on the number of intrahepatic Treg was not observed.
Long-Term Outcome of Clozapine in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
Authors: Lee Myung A. , Cola Philip , Jayathilake Karu , Meltzer Herbert Y.
Published: March 2023

Purpose/Background

The favorable effect of clozapine on psychotic symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant (TR) schizophrenia (SCZ) in short-term studies is well established. However, prospective studies of the long-term outcome of clozapine treatment on psychopathology, cognition, quality of life, and functional outcome in TR-SCZ are limited.

Methods/Procedures

Here, we have examined the long-term (mean duration of follow-up 14 years) effects of clozapine on those outcomes in a prospective, open label study in 54 TR-SCZ patients. Assessments were performed at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and at the last follow-up.

Findings/Results

Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total, positive symptoms, and anxiety/depression at the last follow-up improved significantly from baseline, as well as from the 6-month evaluation (P< 0.0001), with a 70.5% responder rate (≥20% improvement at the last follow-up from baseline). Quality of Life Scale (QLS) total improved by 72% at the last follow-up, with 24% of patients rated as having “good” functioning compared with 0% at baseline. Suicidal thoughts/behavior was significantly reduced at the last follow-up from the baseline. No significant change in negative symptoms was found at the last follow-up in the total sample. Short-term memory function declined at the last follow-up from baseline, but there was no significant change in processing speed. The QLS total showed a significant negative correlation with BPRS positive symptoms but not with cognitive measures, or negative symptoms, at the last follow-up.

Implications/Conclusions

For patients with TR-SCZ, improving psychotic symptoms with clozapine seems to have a more significant impact than negative symptoms or cognition on improving psychosocial function.
Return to Ballet Progression for Dancers After Hip Arthroscopy for Instability or Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Curley Andrew J. , Stack Mary Jean , Ruh Ethan , Gibson Brittany , Anderson Kelley A. , Vyas Dharmesh
Published: March 2023

Ballet dancers may be predisposed to hip injuries because of the unique demands placed on the hips during dance training and performance. Hip arthroscopy can be used to address several of these symptomatic disorders, including hip instability and femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). After hip arthroscopy, ballet dancers undergo a rehabilitation program to allow for healing, range of motion restoration, and progressive strengthening. Once patients complete the standard postoperative therapy program, a paucity of information is available to guide dancers back to the advanced hip movements involved in ballet. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary is to present a stepwise rehabilitation protocol with return to ballet progression for dancers undergoing hip arthroscopy for instability or FAIS. Particular emphasis is placed on movement-specific exercises for ballet performers, and objective clinical metrics, to guide return to dance progression.
Update on ladder plates for mandibular angle fractures
Authors: Soliman Luke , King Victor , Yeoh Melvyn S. , Woo Albert S.
Published: March 2023

Purpose of review

Fractures of the mandibular angle are surgically challenging with high rates of postoperative complications. Among established fixation techniques for these injuries, Champy's tension band approach with miniplate fixation has held prominence. Rigid fixation, using two plates, also remains commonly used. More recently, geometric ladder plates, which confer greater three-dimensional stability have been developed to overcome the shortcomings of conventional fixation approaches. Herein, we aim to summarize the recent evidence surrounding the use of ladder plates and offer our own opinion for optimal treatment of these fractures.

Recent findings

In high-powered studies, the rates of hardware failure, malocclusion, and malunion are lower among cohorts managed with ladder plates relative to miniplate groups. Rates of infection and paresthesia remain similar. Ladder plates have also been shown to decrease operative time in preliminary study.

Ladder plates show superiority to miniplate approaches across several outcomes. However, the relatively larger strut plate constructs may not be necessary for minor, uncomplicated fractures. It is our belief that reasonable outcomes may be achieved with either approach depending on surgeon experience and comfort with the given fixation technique.