A novel joint support vector machine-cubature Kalman filtering method for adaptive state of charge prediction of lithium-ion batteries.

Accurate estimation of SOC of lithium-ion batteries has always been an important work in the battery management system. However, it is often very difficult to accurately estimate the SOC of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, a novel joint support vector machine - cubature Kalman filtering (SVM-CKF) method is proposed in this paper. SVM is used to train the output data of the CKF algorithm to obtain the model. Meanwhile, the output data of the model is used to compensate the original SOC, to obtain a more accurate estimate of SOC. After the SVM-CKF algorithm is introduced, the amount of data needed for prediction is reduced. By using Beijing Bus Dynamic Stress Test (BBDST) and the Dynamic Stress Test (DST) condition to verify the training model, the results show that the SVM-CKF algorithm can significantly improve the estimation accuracy of Lithium-ion battery SOC, and the maximum error of SOC prediction for BBDST condition is 0.800%, which is reduced by 0.500% compared with CKF algorithm. The maximum error of SOC prediction under DST condition is about 0.450%, which is 1.350% less than that of the CKF algorithm. The overall algorithm has a great improvement in generalization ability, which lays a foundation for subsequent research on SOC prediction

Optimization on the container loading sequence based on hybrid dynamic programming

Retrieving export containers from a container yard is an important part of the ship loading process during which arranging the retrieving sequence to enhance port efficiency has become a vital issue. This paper presents a twophase hybrid dynamic algorithm aiming at obtaining an optimized container loading sequence for a crane to retrieve all the containers from the yard to the ship. The optimization goal is to minimize the number of relocation operations which has a direct impact upon container loading operation efficiency. The two phases of the proposed dynamic algorithms are designed as follows: at the first phase, a heuristic algorithm is developed to retrieve the containers subset which needs no relocation and may be loaded directly onto the ship; at the second phase, a dynamic programming with heuristic rules is applied to solve the loading sequence problem for the rest of the containers. Numerical experiments showed the effectiveness and practicability of the model and the algorithm by comparing with the loading proposals from an existing research and actual rules respectively. First published online: 14 Jan 201

A Study of Neural Collapse Phenomenon: Grassmannian Frame, Symmetry, Generalization

In this paper, we extends original Neural Collapse Phenomenon by proving Generalized Neural Collapse hypothesis. We obtain Grassmannian Frame structure from the optimization and generalization of classification. This structure maximally separates features of every two classes on a sphere and does not require a larger feature dimension than the number of classes. Out of curiosity about the symmetry of Grassmannian Frame, we conduct experiments to explore if models with different Grassmannian Frames have different performance. As a result, we discover the Symmetric Generalization phenomenon. We provide a theorem to explain Symmetric Generalization of permutation. However, the question of why different directions of features can lead to such different generalization is still open for future investigation.Comment: 25 pages, 2 figure

Mitochondrial genomes of two Barklice, Psococerastis albimaculata and Longivalvus hyalospilus (Psocoptera: Psocomorpha): contrasting rates in mitochondrial gene rearrangement between major lineages of Psocodea

The superorder Psocodea has ∼10,000 described species in two orders: Psocoptera (barklice and booklice) and Phthiraptera (parasitic lice). One booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila and six species of parasitic lice have been sequenced for complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes; these seven species have the most rearranged mt genomes seen in insects. The mt genome of a barklouse, lepidopsocid sp., has also been sequenced and is much less rearranged than those of the booklouse and the parasitic lice. To further understand mt gene rearrangements in the Psocodea, we sequenced the mt genomes of two barklice, Psococerastis albimaculata and Longivalvus hyalospilus, the first representatives from the suborder Psocomorpha, which is the most species-rich suborder of the Psocodea. We found that these two barklice have the least rearranged mt genomes seen in the Psocodea to date: a protein-coding gene (nad3) and five tRNAs (trnN, trnS1, trnE, trnM and trnC) have translocated. Rearrangements of mt genes in these two barklice can be accounted for by two events of tandem duplication followed by random deletions. Phylogenetic analyses of the mt genome sequences support the view that Psocoptera is paraphyletic whereas Phthiraptera is monophyletic. The booklouse, L. bostrychophila (suborder Troctomorpha) is most closely related to the parasitic lice. The barklice (suborders Trogiomorpha and Psocomorpha) are closely related and form a monophyletic group. We conclude that mt gene rearrangement has been substantially faster in the lineage leading to the booklice and the parasitic lice than in the lineage leading to the barklice. Lifestyle change appears to be associated with the contrasting rates in mt gene rearrangements between the two lineages of the Psocodea

Food self-sufficiency and GM regulation under conflicting interests : the case of GM maize in South Africa

Food self-sufficiency is an important contributor to food security, and one of the potential solutions to this problem is increased food production productivity through agricultural biotechnology. In this paper, we study the relationship between a country’s genetically modified (GM) food policy and the food self-sufficiency rate (SSR) under conflicting interests, with the example of GM crop regulation and GM maize production in South Africa. We develop a theoretical model of a small open economy and investigate the GM food policy as the outcome of a GM and a non-GM food groups’ lobbying game that follows the model of Grossman and Helpman. The government maximises its payoff by considering the weighted sum of social welfare and contributions from interest groups. Our findings suggest that a lower GM food regulation supports domestic agricultural production, and we offer potential reasons why a country that has a low SSR still has a strict GM food policy regulation. We also find that the food SSR is a biased measure of food availability when both production and consumption change simultaneously.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ragr202021-04-08hj2019Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

Mitochondrial genome organization varies among different groups of the booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila: Poster

The booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila is an important stored pest worldwide. The mt genome of an asexual strain (Beibei, China) of the booklouse, L. bostrychophila, comprises two chromosomes; each chromosome contains approximate half of the 37 genes typically found in animals. The mt genomes of two sexual strains of L. bostrychophila, however, comprise five and seven chromosomes respectively; each chromosome contains one to six genes. To understand mt genome evolution in L. bostrychophila, we sequenced the mt genomes of six strains of asexual L. bostrychophila collected from different locations in China, Croatia and USA. The mt genomes of all of the six asexual strains of L. bostrychophila collected in China, Croatia and USA have two chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of mt genome sequences divided nine strains of L. bostrychophila into four groups. Each group has a distinct mt genome organization and substantial sequence divergence (48.7-87.4%) from other groups. Furthermore, the seven asexual strains of L. bostrychophila including the published Beibei strain are more closely related to two other species of booklice, L. paeta and L. sculptilis, than to the sexual strains of L. bostrychophila. Our results revealed highly divergent mt genomes in the booklouse, L. bostrychophila, and indicated that L. bostrychophila is a cryptic species.The booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila is an important stored pest worldwide. The mt genome of an asexual strain (Beibei, China) of the booklouse, L. bostrychophila, comprises two chromosomes; each chromosome contains approximate half of the 37 genes typically found in animals. The mt genomes of two sexual strains of L. bostrychophila, however, comprise five and seven chromosomes respectively; each chromosome contains one to six genes. To understand mt genome evolution in L. bostrychophila, we sequenced the mt genomes of six strains of asexual L. bostrychophila collected from different locations in China, Croatia and USA. The mt genomes of all of the six asexual strains of L. bostrychophila collected in China, Croatia and USA have two chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of mt genome sequences divided nine strains of L. bostrychophila into four groups. Each group has a distinct mt genome organization and substantial sequence divergence (48.7-87.4%) from other groups. Furthermore, the seven asexual strains of L. bostrychophila including the published Beibei strain are more closely related to two other species of booklice, L. paeta and L. sculptilis, than to the sexual strains of L. bostrychophila. Our results revealed highly divergent mt genomes in the booklouse, L. bostrychophila, and indicated that L. bostrychophila is a cryptic species

Strong Synergism of Palmatine and Fluconazole/Itraconazole Against Planktonic and Biofilm Cells of Candida Species and Efflux-Associated Antifungal Mechanism

Fungal infections caused by Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida [NAC] species are becoming a growing threat in immunodeficient population, people with long-term antibiotic treatment and patients enduring kinds of catheter intervention. The resistance to one or more than one conventional antifungal agents contributes greatly to the widespread propagation of Candida infections. The severity of fungal infection requires the discovery of novel antimycotics and the extensive application of combination strategy. In this study, a group of Candida standard and clinical strains including C. albicans as well as several NAC species were employed to evaluate the antifungal potentials of palmatine (PAL) alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLC)/itraconazole (ITR) by microdilution method, checkerboard assay, gram staining, spot assay, and rhodamine 6G efflux test. Subsequently, the expressions of transporter-related genes, namely CDR1, CDR2, MDR1, and FLU1 for C. albicans, CDR1 and MDR1 for Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis, ABC1 and ABC2 for Candida krusei, CDR1, CDR2, and SNQ2 for Candida glabrata were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The susceptibility test showed that PAL presented strong synergism with FLC and ITR with fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) in a range of 0.0049–0.75 for PAL+FLC and 0.0059–0.3125 for PAL+ITR in planktonic cells, 0.125–0.375 for PAL+FLC and 0.0938–0.3125 for PAL+ITR in biofilms. The susceptibility results were also confirmed by gram staining and spot assay. After combinations, a vast quantity of rhodamine 6G could not be pumped out as considerably intracellular red fluorescence was accumulated. Meanwhile, the expressions of efflux-associated genes were evaluated and presented varying degrees of inhibition. These results indicated that PAL was a decent antifungal synergist to promote the antifungal efficacy of azoles (such as FLC and ITR), and the underlying antifungal mechanism might be linked with the inhibition of efflux pumps and the elevation of intracellular drug content

Extraction of Extracellular Matrix in Static and Dynamic Candida Biofilms Using Cation Exchange Resin and Untargeted Analysis of Matrix Metabolites by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)

Fungal infections caused by Candida albicans poses a great threat to human health. The ability of biofilm formation is believed to be associated with resistance-related Candida infections. Currently, knowledge on extracellular matrix (EM) of C. albicans biofilm is limited. In this study, we introduced ion exchange resin, i.e., cation exchange resin (CER) and anion exchange resin (AER), in EM extraction of C. albicans biofilm as well as several non-albicans Candida (NAC) biofilms under static and dynamic states in combination with vortexing and ultrasonication (VU). The metabolites extracted from the dynamic C. albicans biofilm matrix using the CER-VU and VU were identified with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) via untargeted filtration. Compared with other physical and chemical extraction methods, CER-VU was demonstrated to be an ideal approach with high-yield acquisitions of EM constituents including proteins, triglycerides and carbohydrates and low-level damages on fungal cell viability and integrity. The untargeted MS analysis further showed the high efficacy of CER-VU, as a large quantity of metabolites (217 versus 198) was matched comprising a great number of lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleic acids and their derivatives together with a high involvement of signaling pathways compared with the VU alone. However, combining the results from both the CER-VU and VU methods could generate more metabolites. In summary, the EM analysis of the dynamic C. albicans biofilm expands our understanding upon a comprehensive depiction of matrix components and provides another effective approach for EM extraction

New Insights Into the Response of Metabolome of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Ohmic Heating

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ohmic heating and water bath heating (WB) on the metabolome of Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells at the same inactivation levels. Compared to low voltage long time ohmic heating (5 V/cm, 8.50 min, LVLT) and WB (5.50 min), the high voltage short time ohmic heating (10 V/cm, 1.75 min, HVST) had much shorter heating time. Compared to the samples of control (CT), there were a total of 213 differential metabolites identified, among them, 73, 78, and 62 were presented in HVST, LVLT, and WB samples, revealing a stronger metabolomic response of E. coli cells to HVST and LVLT than WB. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the significantly enriched pathways were biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids (alanine, arginine, aspartate, and glutamate, etc.), followed by aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis among the three treatments. This is the first metabolomic study of E. coli cells in response to ohmic heating and presents an important step toward understanding the mechanism of ohmic heating on microbial inactivation, and can serve as a theoretical basis for better application of ohmic heating in food products

A Promising Future of Ferroptosis in Tumor Therapy

Currently, mechanisms and therapeutic approaches have been thoroughly studied in various prevalent malignant tumors, such as breast and lung cancer. However, there is inevitable tumor progression and drug resistance. Uncovering novel treatment strategies to inhibit tumor development is important. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death associated with iron and lipid peroxidation, has drawn extensive attention. In this paper, we reviewed the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis (i.e., iron, glutathione, and lipid metabolism) and its role in various tumors (i.e., lung cancer, liver carcinoma, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer). Moreover, we summarized ferroptosis-related anti-tumor drugs and emphasized the potential of combined treatment of anti-tumor drugs and radiotherapy in an effort to provide novel anti-tumor treatments