A penalty ADMM with quantized communication for distributed optimization over multi-agent systems

summary:In this paper, we design a distributed penalty ADMM algorithm with quantized communication to solve distributed convex optimization problems over multi-agent systems. Firstly, we introduce a quantization scheme that reduces the bandwidth limitation of multi-agent systems without requiring an encoder or decoder, unlike existing quantized algorithms. This scheme also minimizes the computation burden. Moreover, with the aid of the quantization design, we propose a quantized penalty ADMM to obtain the suboptimal solution. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm converges to the suboptimal solution with an $O(\frac{1}{k})$ convergence rate for general convex objective functions, and with an R-linear rate for strongly convex objective functions

Optimal integration of a hybrid solar-battery power source into smart home nanogrid with plug-in electric vehicle

Hybrid solar-battery power source is essential in the nexus of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV), renewables, and smart building. This paper devises an optimization framework for efficient energy management and components sizing of a single smart home with home battery, PEV, and potovoltatic (PV) arrays. We seek to maximize the home economy, while satisfying home power demand and PEV driving. Based on the structure and system models of the smart home nanogrid, a convex programming (CP) problem is formulated to rapidly and efficiently optimize both the control decision and parameters of the home battery energy storage system (BESS). Considering different time horizons of optimization, home BESS prices, types and control modes of PEVs, the parameters of home BESS and electric cost are systematically investigated. Based on the developed CP control law in home to vehicle (H2V) mode and vehicle to home (V2H) mode, the home with BESS does not buy electric energy from the grid during the electric price's peak periods

Transcriptional up-regulation of relaxin-3 by Nur77 attenuates β-adrenergic agonist-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes.

The relaxin family peptides have been shown to exert several beneficial effects on the heart, including anti-apoptosis, anti-fibrosis, and anti-hypertrophy activity. Understanding their regulation might provide new opportunities for therapeutic interventions, but the molecular mechanism(s) coordinating relaxin expression in the heart remain largely obscured. Previous work demonstrated a role for the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 in regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We therefore investigated Nur77 in the hopes of identifying novel relaxin regulators. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) data indicated that ectopic expression of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 markedly increased the expression of latexin-3 (RLN3), but not relaxin-1 (RLN1), in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs). Furthermore, we found that the -adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) markedly stimulated RLN3 expression, and this stimulation was significantly attenuated in Nur77 knockdown cardiomyocytes and Nur77 knockout hearts. We showed that Nur77 significantly increased RLN3 promoter activity via specific binding to the RLN3 promoter, as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immuno-precipitation (ChIP) assays. Furthermore, we found that Nur77 overexpression potently inhibited ISO-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, whereas this protective effect was significantly attenuated in RLN3 knockdown cardiomyocytes, suggesting that Nur77-induced RLN3 expression is an important mediator for the suppression of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These findings show that Nur77 regulates RLN3 expression, therefore suppressing apoptosis in the heart, and suggest that activation of Nur77 may represent a useful therapeutic strategy for inhibition of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. © 2018 You et al

Geometric characterization on the solvability of regulator equations

The solvability of the regulator equation for a general nonlinear system is discussed in this paper by using geometric method. The ‘feedback’ part of the regulator equation, that is, the feasible controllers for the regulator equation, is studied thoroughly. The concepts of minimal output zeroing control invariant submanifold and left invertibility are introduced to find all the possible controllers for the regulator equation under the condition of left invertibility. Useful results, such as a necessary condition for the output regulation problem and some properties of friend sets of controlled invariant manifolds, are also obtained

Radiometric dating of late Quaternary loess in the northern piedmont of South Tianshan Mountains: Implications for reliable dating

Reliable chronologies are prerequisites when interpreting proxy records in terrestrial archives of Quaternary climate and environmental change. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating (AMS C-14) are commonly used to date late Quaternary loess deposits in the Chinese Loess Plateau, but the range and reliability of the two methods in Central Asia are still debated. In this study, we investigate both fine-grained quartz OSL and AMS C-14 dating of a late Quaternary loess section located at the northern piedmont of the South Tianshan Mountains in Central Asia and discuss the reliability of the two radiometric dating methods. The results show that the OSL and AMS C-14 ages are generally consistent with the stratigraphic sequence when the ages are younger than 25cal ka BP, which means that both can be used to establish a reliable chronology in the Ili Basin. But beyond this age, the OSL dating method seems to be a more reliable approach. The results also supported previous dates based on medium-grained quartz OSL dating of the Ili loess in the southern piedmont of the North Tianshan Mountains. Radiocarbon ages older than 25cal ka BP should be treated with caution, and attention must be paid to the influence of pedoturbation on OSL signals in the Central Asian loess. Multiple dating approaches for mutual authentication and exploring new dating materials are suggested in further loess chronological research. These findings will be helpful in establishing a reliable timescale and in reconstructing high-resolution environmental change in Central Asia

Gestational Tryptophan Fluctuation Underlying Ontogenetic Origin of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Neuropsychiatry underlies personality development and social functioning. Borderline personality disorder exhibits high trait aggression and is associated with tryptophan hydroxylase polymorphisms. The acute tryptophan depletion reduces plasma and cerebrospinal fluid tryptophan availability and brain serotonin concentrations, leading to alterations in personality and trait-related behaviors. Tryptophan is essential for fatal neurodevelopment and immunomodulation in pregnancy. Gestational tryptophan fluctuation induced by maternal metabolic disorders or drug administrations may account for the maternal-fetal transmission determining neurogenesis and microbial development, consequentially shaping the long-standing patterns of thinking and behavior. However, it is not possible to assess the gestational tryptophan exposure effects on fetal brain and gastrointestinal system in humans for ethical reasons. The maternal–fetal microbe transmission in rodents during gestation, vaginal delivery, and breastfeeding is inevitable. Chicken embryo may be an alternative and evidence from the chicken embryo model reveals that gestational tryptophan fluctuation, i.e., exposed to excessive tryptophan or its metabolite, serotonin, attenuates aggressiveness and affects peer sociometric status. This chapter discusses the gestational tryptophan fluctuation as a risk factor of personality disorders in offspring and the prevention of personality disorders by dietary tryptophan control and medication therapy management during pregnancy

All-trans retinoic acid restores gap junctional intercellular communication between oral cancer cells with upregulation of Cx32 and Cx43 expressions in vitro

Objective: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth by restoration of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) via upregulation of connexin (Cx) expression in some solid tumors. However, the relationship between ATRA and GJIC remains unclear in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ATRA on the GJIC function of OSCC. Study design: We measured the effects of ATRA on the viability and cell cycle distribution of SCC9 and Tca8113 OSCC cells. The GJIC function was observed using the scrape-loading dye transfer technique, and the mRNA and protein levels of Cx32 and Cx43 were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays. Results: ATRA inhibited the growth of OSCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P <0.05) and caused cell cycle arrest. ATRA-treated cells showed a 2.69-fold and 2.06-fold enhancement of GJIC in SCC9 and Tca8113 cells, respectively (P <0.05). Moreover, ATRA induced upregulation of Cx32 and Cx43 at both the mRNA and protein levels in OSCC cells. Conclusion: Our results indicated that restoration of GJIC via enhanced Cx32 and Cx43 expression might serve as a novel mechanism for the anti-tumor effect of ATRA in OSCC

HER2 and APC mutations promote altered crypt-villus morphology and marked hyperplasia in the intestinal epithelium

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project has identified HER2 mutations or amplification in 7% of colon cancers. In addition to HER2 mutations, colon cancer patients also possess co-occurring mutations in genes such as APC. Here, we investigated the role of HER2 and APC mutations on the crypt-villus architecture of the intestinal epithelium, localization of secretory cells, and expression of intestinal stem cell markers. METHODS: We generated a HER2 transgenic mouse (HER2 RESULTS: HER2 CONCLUSIONS: We established an epithelial intrinsic role for HER

Modelling of coal trade process for the logistics enterprise and its optimisation with stochastic predictive control

In the paper, a typical coal trade process is described and modelled, where one logistics enterprise with blending equipments lies in the core and two types of common contracts are elucidated to define constraints. A mixed-integer model is built and featured by addressing contract violation, blending operation, real-time price information and arbitrarily distributed stochastic demands. To deal with the stochastic demands, probabilistic constraints are formed. Accordingly, stochastic model predictive control strategy with both receding horizon and decreasing horizon formulations is developed to handle the probabilistic constraints and exploit the value of newest price information. By solving a series of mixed-integer linear programmes, optimal coal trade decisions for the logistics enterprise can be obtained, including procurement decision, selling decision and operational decision of the blending equipments. Thorough simulation experiments are carried out and compared with three different strategies, which interpret the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.In part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [61304090] and the Department of Education of Liaoning Province, China [L2013132].http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tprs202016-07-30hb201