A Review on Topology, Operating and Control Methods of HVDC Transmission System for Offshore Wind Farms

High-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems are a promising solution for long distances power transmission offshore wind farms. In order to satisfy the reliability requirements of receiving-end grid and system, the topology, operation and control of HVDC transmission systems for offshore wind farms should be paid more attention. Thus, the aim of this manuscript is to offer a comprehensive summary of existing topology, operation and control methods applied to HVDC transmission system for offshore wind farms. Special attention is provided to the ac grid fault through control methods, droop control methods, power sharing rules and specific requirements of HVDC system planning, model, design and investment. The results are important for understanding the operation of VSC-HVDC in offshore wind farms

The Impact of Beta-blockade on Right Ventricular Function in Mitral Regurgitation

Background Although mitral regurgitation (MR) results in left ventricular (LV) volume overload, right ventricular (RV) function may also be impaired. We investigated the influence of short-term beta-blockade on RV function in patients with moderate-severe MR. Methods Twenty-six patients were randomised in a cross-over design to receive two weeks of beta-blockade or placebo. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and at the end of the treatment periods. Measure- ments included: RV ejection fraction (RVEF) tricuspid annular motion and Tei index. Results No differences in mean RVEF (64.0 ± 6.0 v 67.0 ± 8.0%, p = 0.3), tricuspid annular motion (13.5 ± 3.0 v 14.7 + 2.9 cm/s, p = 0.5), or median Tei index (0.61 (0.54, 0.88) v 0.59 (0.54, 0.74), p = 0.8) were observed between placebo and metoprolol, despite significantly longer cardiac time intervals. Tei index under both conditions was significantly reduced. Conclusions Short-term treatment with a beta-blocker did not influence RV function in these patients. Interestingly, the RV Tei index was high suggesting significant RV dysfunction despite normal RVEF

Artificial Intelligence in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Drug discovery and development affects various aspects of human health and dramatically impacts the pharmaceutical market. However, investments in a new drug often go unrewarded due to the long and complex process of drug research and development (R&D). With the advancement of experimental technology and computer hardware, artificial intelligence (AI) has recently emerged as a leading tool in analyzing abundant and high-dimensional data. Explosive growth in the size of biomedical data provides advantages in applying AI in all stages of drug R&D. Driven by big data in biomedicine, AI has led to a revolution in drug R&D, due to its ability to discover new drugs more efficiently and at lower cost. This review begins with a brief overview of common AI models in the field of drug discovery; then, it summarizes and discusses in depth their specific applications in various stages of drug R&D, such as target discovery, drug discovery and design, preclinical research, automated drug synthesis, and influences in the pharmaceutical market. Finally, the major limitations of AI in drug R&D are fully discussed and possible solutions are proposed

RD26 mediates crosstalk between drought and brassinosteroid signalling pathways

Brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate plant growth and stress responses via the BES1/BZR1 family of transcription factors, which regulate the expression of thousands of downstream genes. BRs are involved in the response to drought, however the mechanistic understanding of interactions between BR signalling and drought response remains to be established. Here we show that transcription factor RD26 mediates crosstalk between drought and BR signalling. When overexpressed, BES1 target gene RD26 can inhibit BR-regulated growth. Global gene expression studies suggest that RD26 can act antagonistically to BR to regulate the expression of a subset of BES1-regulated genes, thereby inhibiting BR function. We show that RD26 can interact with BES1 protein and antagonize BES1 transcriptional activity on BR-regulated genes and that BR signalling can also repress expression of RD26 and its homologues and inhibit drought responses. Our results thus reveal a mechanism coordinating plant growth and drought tolerance