Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization for Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking under Partial Shading Conditions

This paper presents an accelerated particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm to track global maximum power point (MPP) of photovoltaic (PV) generation under partial shading conditions. Conventional PSO-based MPPT algorithms have common weaknesses of a long convergence time to reach the global MPP and oscillations during the searching. The proposed algorithm includes a standard PSO and a perturb-and-observe algorithm as the accelerator. It has been experimentally tested and compared with conventional MPPT algorithms. Experimental results show that the proposed MPPT method is effective in terms of high reliability, fast dynamic response, and high accuracy in tracking the global MPP

Characterization of 250 MeV protons from Varian ProBeam pencil beam scanning system for FLASH radiation therapy

Recently, shoot-through proton FLASH has been proposed where the highest energy is extracted from the cyclotron to maximize the dose rate (DR). Even though our proton pencil beam scanning system can deliver 250 MeV (the highest energy), it is not typical to use 250 MeV protons for routine clinical treatments and as such 250 MeV may not have been characterized in the commissioning. In this study, we aim to characterize 250 MeV protons from Varian ProBeam system for FLASH RT as well as assess the ability of clinical monitoring ionization chamber (MIC) for FLASH-readiness. We measured data needed for beam commissioning: integral depth dose (IDD) curve, spot sigma, and absolute dose calibration. To evaluate MIC, we measured output as a function of beam current. To characterize a 250 MeV FLASH beam, we measured: (1) central axis DR as a function of current and spot spacing and arrangement, (2) for a fixed spot spacing, the maximum field size that still achieves FLASH DR (i.e., > 40 Gy/s), (3) DR reproducibility. All FLASH DR measurements were performed using ion chamber for the absolute dose and irradiation times were obtained from log files. We verified dose measurements using EBT-XD films and irradiation times using a fast, pixelated spectral detector. R90 and R80 from IDD were 37.58 and 37.69 cm, and spot sigma at isocenter were {\sigma}x=3.336 and {\sigma}y=3.332 mm, respectively. The absolute dose output was measured as 0.377 GyE*mm2/MU for the commissioning conditions. Output was stable for beam currents up to 15 nA, and it gradually increased to 12-fold for 115 nA. DR depended on beam current, spot spacing and arrangement and could be reproduced within 4.2% variations. Even though FLASH was achieved and the largest field size that delivers FLASH DR was determined as 35x35 mm2, current MIC has DR dependence and users should measure DR each time for their FLASH applications.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

A switched reluctance motor torque ripple reduction strategy with deadbeat current control

This paper presents a switched reluctance motor (SRM) torque ripple reduction strategy with deadbeat current control. In this method, the SRM torque is indirectly controlled by the phase current. The deadbeat control method can predict the duty cycle of the switching signal for the next control period according to current error, and achieve an accurate current tracking. Thus, SRM torque control error can be reduced significantly. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy have been verified in both simulation and experimental studies

A switched reluctance motor torque ripple reduction strategy with deadbeat current control and active thermal management

This paper presents a switched reluctance motor (SRM) torque ripple reduction strategy with deadbeat current control and active thermal management. In this method, the SRM torque is indirectly controlled by the phase current. A deadbeat current control method is used to improve the SRM phase current control accuracy, so that SRM torque control error can be reduced significantly. According to the online measurement of the power switching device temperature, the switching frequency will be reduced to prevent the SRM power converter from being damaged by over-temperature. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy have been verified in both simulation and experimental studies

Follow-up management service and health outcomes of hypertensive patients in China: A cross-sectional analysis from the national health service survey in Jiangsu province

BackgroundHypertension is a major cause of early mortality worldwide. Health follow-up management services can encourage patients with hypertension to improve their health behavior and outcomes. However, a lack of studies on the relationship between specific factors of follow-up management and both subjective and objective health outcome among hypertensive patients exists. The current study investigated the relationship between service content, frequency, mode, and institutions of follow-up management and health outcomes among Chinese hypertensives.MethodsData were obtained from the sixth National Health Service Survey (NHSS) of Jiangsu Province, which was conducted in 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the sample characteristics and the utilization of follow-up management services. Both multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to estimate the association of follow-up management service and other factors with hypertensives' subjective and objective health outcomes.ResultSome respondents (19.30%) reported hypertension, and 75.36% of these patients obtained follow-up management services. Hypertensive patients' subjective health outcome self-reported health status and objective health outcome blood pressure (BP) control were found to be significantly associated with follow-up management services. The outcomes were both significantly improved by a high frequency of management services, a high level of follow-up providers, the mode of visiting healthcare facilities and/or calling, and receiving instructions on medication use. However, inquiring about patients' symptoms was negatively associated with self-reported health status and BP control. In addition, BP measurement was significantly and positively associated with hypertensive patients' self-reported health status; the patients receiving lifestyle guidance were more likely to have their BP levels under control.ConclusionsHypertension management strategies should further focus on the frequency of healthcare follow-up management via categorization of the follow-up services and appropriate adjustment of service delivery modes to optimize health follow-up management for hypertensives further improve their outcomes. Meanwhile, complementary policies are also needed to address other socioeconomic factors that can promote good health conditions for hypertension patients

Regulation of AChR Clustering by Dishevelled Interacting with MuSK and PAK1

AbstractAn important aspect of synapse development is the clustering of neurotransmitter receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. Although MuSK is required for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We report here that in muscle cells, MuSK interacts with Dishevelled (Dvl), a signaling molecule important for planar cell polarity. Disruption of the MuSK-Dvl interaction inhibits Agrin- and neuron-induced AChR clustering. Expression of dominant-negative Dvl1 in postsynaptic muscle cells reduces the amplitude of spontaneous synaptic currents at the NMJ. Moreover, Dvl1 interacts with downstream kinase PAK1. Agrin activates PAK, and this activation requires Dvl. Inhibition of PAK1 activity attenuates AChR clustering. These results demonstrate important roles of Dvl and PAK in Agrin/MuSK-induced AChR clustering and reveal a novel function of Dvl in synapse development

Protection against SHIV-KB9 Infection by Combining rDNA and rFPV Vaccines Based on HIV Multiepitope and p24 Protein in Chinese Rhesus Macaques

Developing an effective vaccine against HIV infection remains an urgent goal. We used a DNA prime/fowlpox virus boost regimen to immunize Chinese rhesus macaques. The animals were challenged intramuscularly with pathogenic molecularly cloned SHIV-KB9. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of vaccines were investigated by measuring IFN-γ levels, monitoring HIV-specific binding antibodies, examining viral load, and analyzing CD4/CD8 ratio. Results show that, upon challenge, the vaccine group can induce a strong immune response in the body, represented by increased expression of IFN-γ, slow and steady elevated antibody production, reduced peak value of acute viral load, and increase in the average CD4/CD8 ratio. The current research suggests that rapid reaction speed, appropriate response strength, and long-lasting immune response time may be key protection factors for AIDS vaccine. The present study contributes significantly to AIDS vaccine and preclinical research

Cloning and expression characterization of elongation of very long-chain fatty acids protein 6 (elovl6) with dietary fatty acids, ambient salinity and starvation stress in Scylla paramamosain

Introduction: Elongation of very long-chain fatty acids protein 6 (ELOVL6) played crucial roles in regulating energy expenditure and fatty acid metabolism. Many studies have performed to investigate the physiological roles and regulatory mechanisms of elovl6 in fish and animals, while few studies were reported in crustaceans.Methods: Here we reported on the molecular cloning, tissue distribution and expression profiles in response to dietary fatty acids, ambient salinity and starvation stress in Scylla paramamosain by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and quantitative real-time PCR.Results: Three elovl6 isoforms (named elovl6a, elovl6b and elovl6c) were isolated from S. paramamosain in the present study. The complete sequence of elovl6a was 1345 bp, the full-length sequence of elovl6b was 1419 bp, and the obtained elovl6c sequence was 1375 bp in full length. The elovl6a, elovl6b and elovl6c encoded 287, 329 and 301 amino acids respectively, and exhibited the typical structural features of ELOVL protein family members. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the ELOVL6a from S. paramamosain clustered most closely to ELOVL6 from Portunus trituberculatus and Eriocheir sinensis, while the ELOVL6b and ELOVL6c from S. paramamosain gathered alone into a single branch. Quantitative real-time PCR exhibited that the relatively abundant expression of elovl6b was observed in intestine and stomach, and the elovl6a and elovl6c were highly expressed in hepatopancreas. In addition, studies found that replacing fish oil with soybean oil could significantly increase the transcriptional levels of three elovl6 in hepatopancreas of S. paramamosain, and the expression of elovl6a and elovl6c in hepatopancreas were more sensitive to dietary fatty acids than the elovl6b. Compared with the normal sea water group (27‰), the expression of sterol-regulatory element binding protein1c (srebp-1), elovl6a, elovl6b and elovl6c were upregulated in the low salinity groups, particularly in 7‰. On the contrary, the starvation stress suppressed the expression of srebp-1, elovl6a, elovl6b and elovl6c.Discussion: These results may contribute to understand the functions of elovl6 in fatty acid synthesis and regulatory mechanisms in crustaceans

Loss of CADM1/TSLC1 Expression Is Associated with Poor Clinical Outcome in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Aims. We sought to determine the relationship between CADM1/TSLC1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the correlation with survival. Materials and Methods. Two hundred and ninety-three ESCC tissues and paired adjacent normal esophageal tissues were immunohistochemically assessed in this study. The association of CADM1/TSLC1 with clinicopathological parameters, as well as disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), was determined based on the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models. Results. CADM1/TSLC1 was detected in 236 (80.5%) tumor tissues and 19 (8.0%) paired adjacent normal esophageal tissues. Decreased CADM1/TSLC1 expression was correlated with more advanced histological grade. CADM1/TSLC1 negative tumors were more frequently observed in male cases than in female cases. DFS and OS in the CADM1/TSLC1 negative group were significantly shorter than those in the positive group, particularly in male patients with ESCC. Conclusion. Loss or reduction of CADM1/TSLC1 expression is associated with more advanced histological grade and predicts early recurrence and short survival duration. Thus, loss of CADM1/TSLC1 could be a prognostic factor that can be used to assess the risk of recurrence and survival

Impact of cytotoxic T lymphocytes immunotherapy on prognosis of colorectal cancer patients

BackgroundExpansion and activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vitro represents a promising immunotherapeutic strategy, and CTLs can be primed by dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) transformed by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). This study aimed to explore the impact of rAAV-DC-induced CTLs on prognosis of CRC and to explore factors associated with prognosis.MethodsThis prospective observational study included patients operated for CRC at Yan’an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University between 2016 and 2019. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS), secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and adverse events. Totally 49 cases were included, with 29 and 20 administered rAAV-DC-induced CTL and chemotherapy, respectively.ResultsAfter 37-69 months of follow-up (median, 54 months), OS (P=0.0596) and PFS (P=0.0788) were comparable between two groups. Mild fever occurred in 2 (6.9%) patients administered CTL infusion. All the chemotherapy group experienced mild-to-moderate adverse effects, including vasculitis (n=20, 100%), vomiting (n=5, 25%), nausea (n=17, 85%) and fatigue (n=17, 85%).ConclusionsLymphatic metastasis (hazard ratio [HR]=4.498, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.290-15.676; P=0.018) and lower HLA-I expression (HR=0.294, 95%CI: 0.089-0.965; P=0.044) were associated with poor OS in the CTL group. CTLs induced by rAAV-DCs might achieve comparable effectiveness in CRC patients compare to chemotherapy, cases with high tumor-associated HLA-I expression and no lymphatic metastasis were more likely to benefit from CTLs