Multilevel optimization of economic dispatching in active distribution network based on ADMM

With the continuous improvement of the penetration rate of renewable energy and the continuous integration of advanced network control technology and measurement equipment, the traditional distribution network is developing into an active distribution network (ADN) with the characteristics of flexible scheduling control, high user interaction, and high energy utilization. This article fully considers the economy of the overall operation of the distribution network, and proposes a hierarchical optimization economic dispatch method for active distribution networks based on the alternating direction multiplier method (ADMM). Firstly, a hierarchical optimization scheduling model of active distribution network is established with the goal of minimizing the overall operating cost of the distribution network. The alternating direction multiplier method algorithm is decomposed into upper and lower layers to solve. The upper layer is optimized with the goal of minimizing the overall operating cost of the distribution network, and the lower layer considers the distribution network. The distributed photovoltaic and energy storage units connected to the internal nodes of the network are optimized with the goal of minimizing the local energy storage operation cost and power purchase cost. The upper and lower layers, through the exchange of limited boundary information, iterate each other until the convergence conditions are met, and the optimal solution is obtained. Finally, a design example is tested to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed scheduling method

Yanghe Decoction Suppresses the Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Rats by Improving NLRP3 Inflammasome and Immune Dysregulation

Inflammation is an important contributor to autoimmune thyroiditis. Yanghe decoction (YH) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation which has various anti-inflammatory effects. It has been used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of YH on autoimmune thyroiditis in a rat model and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) model was established by thyroglobulin (pTG) injections and excessive iodine intake. Thyroid lesions were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining and serum TgAb, TPOAb, TSH, T3, and T4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay IL-35 levels were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Th17/Treg balance in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Changes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling were evaluated using Western blot. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot were employed to examine NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the thyroid. YH minimized thyroid follicle injury and decreased concentrations of serum TgAb, TPOAb, TSH, T3, and T4 in EAT model. The mRNA of IL-35 was increased after YH treatment. YH also increased the percentage of Treg cells, and decreased Th17 proportion as well as Th17/Treg ratio in PBMCs. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of Th17 related cytokines (RORγt, IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22) were suppressed and Treg related cytokines (FoxP3, TGF-β, and IL-10) were promoted in PBMCs. Additionally, the protein expressions of Wnt-1 and β-catenin were unregulated after YH treatment. NLRP3 immunostaining signal and protein levels of IL-17, p-NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-Caspase-1, cleaved-IL-1β, and IL-18 were downregulated in the thyroid after YH intervention. Overall, the present study demonstrated that YH alleviated autoimmune thyroiditis in rats by improving NLRP3 inflammasome and immune dysregulation

The KLF4–p62 axis prevents vascular endothelial cell injury via the mTOR/S6K pathway and autophagy in diabetic kidney disease

Introduction: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a complication of systemic diabetic microangiopathy, which has a high risk of developing into end-stage renal disease and death. This study explored the mechanism underlying autophagy in DKD vascular endothelial cell injury. Material and methods: DKD and vascular endothelial cell injury models were established using Sprague Dawley rats and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs overexpressing Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) were constructed by transient transfection of plasmids. Biochemical determination of urinary protein and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and creatinine (Scr) levels was performed. Renal pathology was observed by periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), and immunocytochemistry (ICC) were used to analyse the growth and apoptosis of HUVECs. Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression was observed by immunofluorescence (IF). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using flow cytometry. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), KLF4, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of KLF4, p62 protein, and LC3 was analysed using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). S6 kinase (S6K), p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p-S6K), Beclin1, ATG5, LC3, p62, Caspase-3, mammalian target of rapamycine (mTOR), and phsophorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) expressions were detected by western blotting. Results: PAS-positive substances (polysaccharide and glycogen) and S6K protein levels increased, and LC3 protein expression decreased in DKD rats. The levels of urinary protein, BUN, and Scr increased, and KLF4 decreased in DKD rats. High glucose (HG) levels decreased the proliferation and increased the apoptosis rate of HUVECs. The expression of ROS, TNF-α, MCP-1, and p62 increased, while the expression of SOD, KLF4, Beclin1, ATG5, and LC3 decreased in HG-induced HUVECs. KLF4 overexpression significantly increased Beclin1, ATG5, and LC3 protein expression and decreased p62 protein expression compared to the oe-NC group in HG-induced HUVECs. KLF4 overexpression inhibits the expression of Caspase-3, p-mTOR, and p-S6K in HG-induced HUVECs. Conclusions: KLF4–p62 axis improved vascular endothelial cell injury by regulating inflammation and the mTOR/S6K pathway in DKD

Exogenous spermidine improved drought tolerance in Ilex verticillata seedlings

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata (L.) A. Gray) is a recently introduced ornamental tree species in China that has not been closely investigated for its drought resistance. In this study, we used two-year-old cuttings from I. verticillata (L.) A. Gray and two representative varieties derived from it, I. verticillata ‘Oosterwijk’ and I. verticillata ‘Jim Dandy’, as materials to investigate how this plant responds to drought stress and whether exogenous spermidine (SPD) can alleviate the negative effects caused by drought stress. The results showed that as the degree of drought stress increased, the leaves of winterberry seedlings became chlorotic, and their edges became dry. Similarly, the relative water content, specific leaf weight, chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were significantly reduced, whereas the content of malondialdehyde continuously increased with the degree of drought stress. The activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase increased under moderate drought stress and then decreased under severe drought stress. The levels of soluble sugar and abscisic acid continued to increase, while those of auxin and gibberellic acid decreased. When compared with individual drought stress, an increase in the amount of external SPD clearly alleviated the effect of drought stress on winterberry seedlings. The combined phenotypes and physiological indices of the winterberry leaves under drought stress conditions revealed that the drought resistance of the native species was significantly higher than its two varieties. This finding serves as an important theoretical foundation for the popularization and application of I. verticillata (L.) A. Gray and the two varieties

Thermoelectric properties of In-substituted Ge-based clathrates prepared by HPHT

Bulk materials Ba8Ga16InxGe30-x (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5) were prepared by High-Pressure and High-Temperature (HPHT) method and the crystal structure has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and cell refinement. The actual In composition was much lower than the starting composition, and lattice constants increased with the increase of substitution. As the temperature increased, the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity increased first and then decreased, while the thermal conductivity was the opposite, which leads to significant enhancement on thermoelectric properties of the clathrates. The substitution of indium elements decreased the seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity, and also changed the microstructure of the compounds. A minimum thermal conductivity of 0.84 Wm−1K−1 was obtained, and a good ZT value of 0.52 was achieved. The grain boundaries and lattice defects generated by high pressure can effectively scatter phonons of different frequencies, which reduce the lattice thermal conductivity

A study on the characteristics of diatoms and ecological environment pollution in the main water of Tianjin, China

Twenty lake bottom surface layers mud and water samples in the Qilihai Wetland and the Beidagang Reservoir in Tianjin were taken to do diatoms analysis. More than 6000 diatoms were identified and divided into 117 species and 28 genera. Based on the calculation of DAIpo(Diatom Assemblage to organic water pollution), the water pollution level of the Beidagang Reservoir can be divided into: Xenosaprobic, β -oligosaprobic, α -oligosaprobic, β -mesosaprobic, from clear to slightly cloudy water. The water pollution level of Qilihai wetland can be divided into: extremely oligarchy dirt belt, β oligarchy dirt belt, α oligarchy dirt belt, β Medium dirt belt, that is, the water quality is clear to slightly turbid. The water quality of the Beidagang Reservoir is clearer than that of the Qilihai Wetland. The physical and chemical indexes such as EC, pH, TN, TP and CODMn were determined for the water samples, and the correlation between DAIpo and these measured values was analyzed. The results showed that the degree of water pollution detected was consistent with the conclusion obtained by diatom analysis. The results show that the water quality of the Beidagang Reservoir and the Qilihai Wetland was mildly polluted in the spring and summer of 2019, but the eutrophication is more serious