Wind Speed Multi-Mode Ensemble Forecasting for Wind Farms Based on Machine Learning

[Introduction] With the extensive construction of wind farms, the combination of researches on different machine learning algorithms and meteorological forecasting modes has received widespread attention. [Method] This paper was based on the spatial distribution characteristics of wind energy resources in Hubei Province, and utilized representative stations in combination with experimental data analysis to conduct in-depth discussions on the results. [Result] The wind farms in operation and under construction in Hubei Province are all located in the "Three Zones and One Area", including the north-south wind zone from Jingmen to Jingzhou in the central part of Hubei Province, the east-west wind zone from Zaoyang to Yingshan in the north of Hubei Province, certain lake islands and zones along the lake, as well as some high mountainous areas in the southwest and southeast of Hubei Province. This research uses four different numerical forecasting products, namely CMA-WSP, CMA-GD, WHMM, and EC, to compare with the measured wind speeds and investigated the applicable range of these four numerical modes. [Conclusion] By analyzing the performance of five ensemble forecasting methods based on machine learning and the mean method, we identified suitable algorithm and forecasting model combinations, providing references for improving the accuracy of ensemble forecasting

Nanoparticle-Delivered Transforming Growth Factor-β siRNA Enhances Vaccination against Advanced Melanoma by Modifying Tumor Microenvironment

Achievement of potent immunoresponses against self/tumor antigens and effective therapeutic outcome against advanced tumors remain major challenges in cancer immunotherapy. The specificity and efficiency of two nanoparticle-based delivery systems, lipid-calcium-phosphate (LCP) nanoparticle (NP) and liposome-protamine-hyaluronic acid (LPH) NP, provide us an opportunity to address both challenges. A mannose-modified LCP NP delivered both tumor antigen (Trp 2 peptide) and adjuvant (CpG oligonucleotide) to the dendritic cells and elicited a potent, systemic immune response regardless of the existence or the stage of tumors in the host. This vaccine was less effective, however, against later stage B16F10 melanoma in a subcutaneous syngeneic model. Mechanistic follow-up studies suggest that elevated levels of immune-suppressive cytokines within the tumor microenvironment, such as TGF-β, might be responsible. We strategically augment the efficacy of LCP vaccine on an advanced tumor by silencing TGF-β in tumor cells. The delivery of siRNA using LPH NP resulted in about 50% knockdown of TGF-β in the late stage tumor microenvironment. TGF-β down-regulation boosted the vaccine efficacy and inhibited tumor growth by 52% compared with vaccine treatment alone, as a result of increased levels of tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells and decreased level of regulatory T cells. Combination of systemic induction of antigen-specific immune response with LCP vaccine and targeted modification of tumor microenvironment with LPH NP offers a flexible and powerful platform for both mechanism study and immunotherapeutic strategy development

Three-dimensional modeling of nitrate-N transport in vadose zone: Roles of soil heterogeneity and groundwater flux

Contamination of groundwater from nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural lands is an important environmental and water quality management issue. It is well recognized that in agriculturally intensive areas, fertilizers and pesticides may leach through the vadose zone and eventually reach groundwater. While numerical models are commonly used to simulate fate and transport of agricultural contaminants, few models have considered a controlled field work to investigate the influence of soil heterogeneity and groundwater flow on nitrate-N distribution in both root zone and deep vadose zone. In this work, a numerical model was developed to simulate nitrate-N transport and transformation beneath a center pivot-irrigated corn field on Nebraska Management System Evaluation area over a three-year period. The model was based on a realistic three-dimensional sediment lithology, as well as carefully controlled irrigation and fertilizer application plans. In parallel, a homogeneous soil domain, containing the major sediment type of the site (i.e. sandy loam), was developed to conduct the same water flow and nitrate-N leaching simulations. Simulated nitrate-N concentrations were compared with the monitored nitrate-N concentrations in 10 multilevel sampling wells over a three-year period. Although soil heterogeneity was mainly observed from top soil to 3m below the surface, heterogeneity controlled the spatial distribution of nitrate-N concentration. Soil heterogeneity, however, has minimal impact on the total mass of nitrate-N in the domain. In the deeper saturated zone, short-term variations of nitrate-N concentration correlated with the groundwater level fluctuations

Advanced 3D morphing transducers by smart hydrogel patterning

This paper demonstrates a unique way of creating heterogeneous layered structures of soft functional materials for advanced transducer applications. Hydrogel droplets with different composites were patterned by a “two-parallel plate” configuration used in microfluidics applications. Resulted heterogeneous layered structures of hydrogel were created, generating reconfigurable 3D (3-dimensional) deformation responding to discrete levels of stimulation inputs

Controlled Cooperative Wetting Enabled Heterogeneous Structured 3D Morphing Transducers

A unique microfluidics approach for functional hydrogel patterning with multilayered heterogeneous structures is presented. Prepolymer solution droplets with differentiated sodium acrylate concentrations are dispensed/printed in a wetting‐controlled “two‐parallel plate” (TPP, like a Hele‐Shaw Cell) system. The gelation within the system enables hydrogel bilayer structures with reconfigurable 3D deformations driven by in‐plane and through‐thickness heterogeneity under stimuli‐responsive mask‐less swelling/deswelling. The cooperation between swelling mismatch of functional groups results in a higher complexity of 3D reconfiguration in responding to discrete levels of stimulation inputs. This facile patterning technology with an in‐built ionic hierarchy can be scaled up/down with advanced transducing functionalities in various fields

Nanoparticle delivery of CDDO-Me remodels the tumor microenvironment and enhances vaccine therapy for melanoma

Lipid-calcium-phosphate nanoparticle (NP) delivery of Trp2 peptide vaccine is one of the most effective vaccine strategies against melanoma. However, due to the immunosuppressive microenvironment in the tumor, the achievement of potent immune responses remains a major challenge. NP delivery systems provide an opportunity to deliver chemotherapy agent to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and improve the vaccine activity. Anti-inflammatory triterpenoid methyl-2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate (CDDO-Me) is a broad spectrum inhibitor of several signaling pathways that are important in both cancer cells and cells in the TME. Intravenous delivery of CDDO-Me using poly-lactic-glycolic-acid NP combination with subcutaneous Trp2 vaccine resulted in an increase of antitumor efficacy and apoptotic tumor tissue than Trp2 vaccine alone in B16F10 melanoma. There was a significant decrease of both Treg cells and MDSCs and a concomitant increase in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration in TEM of the vaccinated animals. Also, CDDO-Me remodeled the tumor associated fibroblasts, collagen and vessel in TME, meanwhile, enhanced the Fas signaling pathway which could sensitize the tumor cells for cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated killing. The combination of systemic induction of antigen-specific immune response using Trp2 nanovaccine and targeted modification of the TME with the NP delivered CDDO-Me offers a powerful combination therapy for melanoma

Lipid–calcium phosphate nanoparticles for delivery to the lymphatic system and SPECT/CT imaging of lymph node metastases

A lipid/calcium/phosphate (LCP) nanoparticle (NP) formulation (particle diameter ~25 nm) with superior siRNA delivery efficiency was developed and reported previously. Here, we describe the successful formulation of 111In into LCP for SPECT/CT imaging. Imaging and biodistribution studies showed that, polyethylene glycol grafted 111In-LCP preferentially accumulated in the lymph nodes at ~70% ID/g in both C57BL/6 and nude mice when the improved surface coating method was used. Both the liver and spleen accumulated only ~25% ID/g. Larger LCP (diameter ~67 nm) was less lymphotropic. These results indicate that 25 nm LCP was able to penetrate into tissues, enter the lymphatic system, and accumulate in the lymph nodes via lymphatic drainage due to 1) small size, 2) a well-PEGylated lipid surface, and 3) a slightly negative surface charge. The capability of intravenously injected 111In-LCP to visualize an enlarged, tumor-loaded sentinel lymph node was demonstrated using a 4T1 breast cancer lymph node metastasis model. Systemic gene delivery to the lymph nodes after IV injection was demonstrated by the expression of red fluorescent protein cDNA. The potential of using LCP for lymphatic drug delivery is discussed

Stimuli-responsive gel impregnated surface with switchable lipophilic/oleophobic properties

In this paper, we developed a novel morphing surface technique consisting of a 3D printed miniature groove structure and injected stimuli-responsive hydrogel pattern, which is capable of switching between lipophilicity and oleophobicity under certain stimuli. Under swelling, the geometrical change of the hydrogel will buckle the surface due to the structural confinement and create a continuous transition of surface topology. Thus, it will yield a change in the surface wetting property from oleophilic to super-oleophobic with a contact angle of oil of 85° to 165°. We quantitatively investigate this structure–property relationship using finite element analysis and analytical modeling, and the simulation results and the modeling are in good agreement with the experimental ones. This morphing surface also holds potential to be developed into an autonomous system for future sub-sea/off-shore engineering applications to separate oil and water

Reconstruction and Analysis of a Genome-Scale Metabolic Model of Ganoderma lucidum for Improved Extracellular Polysaccharide Production

In this study, we reconstructed for the first time a genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) of Ganoderma lucidum strain CGMCC5.26, termed model iZBM1060, containing 1060 genes, 1202 metabolites, and 1404 reactions. Important findings based on model iZBM1060 and its predictions are as follows: (i) The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) biosynthetic pathway was elucidated completely. (ii) A new fermentation strategy is proposed: addition of phenylalanine increased EPS production by 32.80% in simulations and by 38.00% in experiments. (iii) Eight genes for key enzymes were proposed for EPS overproduction. Model iZBM1060 provides a useful platform for regulating EPS production in terms of system metabolic engineering for G. lucidum, as well as a guide for future metabolic pathway construction of other high value-added edible/ medicinal mushroom species