Two-stage robust planning method for distribution network energy storage based on load forecasting

A two-stage robust planning method for energy storage in distribution networks based on load prediction is proposed to address the uncertainty of active load in energy storage planning. First, considering the uncertainty of active load, a short-term load forecasting model combining the mutual information method and BiLSTM is established based on k-means++ clustering. Second, based on the results of load forecasting, a comprehensive norm-constrained uncertainty set is constructed, and a two-stage robust model for distribution network energy storage planning is established. The first stage aims to minimize the annual investment cost of the energy storage system, while the second stage aims to minimize the daily operating cost of the distribution network. At the same time, a second-order cone relaxation transformation model with non-convex constraints is introduced to ultimately achieve the optimal economy of the distribution network in energy storage planning. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method and model is validated on the IEEE 33-node distribution network model using the MATLAB platform

Parenting and parent–child home practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case in central China

Abstract The current study aims to explore parents’ perceptions of parenting and parent–child activities at home with children aged 3–6 during the pandemic in China. A parenting survey was conducted to investigate parental role, age, educational background, work productivity, and different parenting categories during the lockdown period. We also examined the experiences of young children’s participation in extracurricular activities before and after the stay-at-home policy was implemented as well as their activities with parents during the lockdown period. The results showed that parents’ work productivity affected their perceptions of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children spent less time on extracurricular activities during the lockdown period, but some particular activities increased in frequency, especially academic extracurricular activities

Design of the Mechanical Structure of a Field-Based Crop Phenotyping Platform and Tests of the Platform

The field mobile platform is an important tool for high-throughput phenotype monitoring. To overcome problems in existing field-based crop phenotyping platforms, including limited application scope and low stability, a rolling adjustment method for the wheel tread was proposed. A self-propelled three-wheeled field-based crop phenotyping platform with variable wheel tread and height above ground was developed, which enabled phenotypic information of different dry crops in different development stages. A three-dimensional model of the platform was established using Pro/E; ANSYS and ADAMS were used for static and dynamic performance. Results show that when running on flat ground, the platform has a vibration acceleration lower than 0.5 m/s2. When climbing over an obstacle with a height of 100 mm, the vibration amplitude of the platform is 88.7 mm. The climbing angle is not less than 15°. Field tests imply that the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the ratio vegetation index (RVI) of a canopy measured using crop growth sensors mounted on the above platform show favorable linear correlations with those measured using a handheld analytical spectral device (ASD). Their R2 values are 0.6052 and 0.6093 and root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) are 0.0487 and 0.1521, respectively. The field-based crop phenotyping platform provides a carrier for high-throughput acquisition of crop phenotypic information

Field Phenotyping Monitoring Systems for High-Throughput: A Survey of Enabling Technologies, Equipment, and Research Challenges

High-throughput phenotype monitoring systems for field crops can not only accelerate the breeding process but also provide important data support for precision agricultural monitoring. Traditional phenotype monitoring methods for field crops relying on artificial sampling and measurement have some disadvantages including low efficiency, strong subjectivity, and single characteristics. To solve these problems, the rapid monitoring, acquisition, and analysis of phenotyping information of field crops have become the focus of current research. The research explores the systematic framing of phenotype monitoring systems for field crops. Focusing on four aspects, namely phenotyping sensors, mobile platforms, control systems, and phenotyping data preprocessing algorithms, the application of the sensor technology, structural design technology of mobile carriers, intelligent control technology, and data processing algorithms to phenotype monitoring systems was assessed. The research status of multi-scale phenotype monitoring products was summarized, and the merits and demerits of various phenotype monitoring systems for field crops in application were discussed. In the meantime, development trends related to phenotype monitoring systems for field crops in aspects including sensor integration, platform optimization, standard unification, and algorithm improvement were proposed

Non-Destructive Quality-Detection Techniques for Cereal Grains: A Systematic Review

Grain quality involves the appearance, nutritional, and safety attributes of grains. With the improvement of people’s living standards, problems pertaining to the quality of grains have received greater attention. Modern quality detection techniques feature unique advantages including rapidness, non-destructiveness, accuracy, and efficiency in detecting grain quality. This review summarizes research progress of these techniques in detection of quality indices of grains. Particularly, the review focuses on detection techniques based on physical properties including acoustic, optical, thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, and those simulating sensory analysis such as electronic noses, electronic tongues, and electronic eyes. According to the current technological development and application, the challenges and prospects of these techniques are demonstrated

OTU deubiquitinase 4 is silenced and radiosensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells via inhibiting DNA repair

Abstract Background Radiotherapy is becoming one major therapeutics for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Identifying novel radiosensitizers will greatly increase the efficacy of radiotherapy and benefit more patients. OTU deubiquitinase 4 (OTUD4) has been reported involved in DNA damage repair pathways and could be a potential target for chemotherapy therapy. This study aimed to investigate the roles of OTUD4 in regulation of radiosensitivity of NSCLC via modulating DNA repair. Methods The expression of OTUD4, γ-H2Ax and ATM/CHK2/p53 pathway-related signaling molecules were detected by Western blotting and QRT-PCR. The methylation of OTUD4 promoter was investigated by 5-aza-deoxycytidine treatment, methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite genomic sequencing assays. Radiosensitivity was assessed by the clonogenic formation assay. Cell cycle, cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. DNA damage and repair were determined by comet assay, γ-H2Ax foci staining and flow cytometry. Results OTUD4 is dramatically downregulated in NSCLC and its downregulation significantly correlates with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. Promoter hypermethylation is responsible for the loss of OTUD4 expression in NSCLC cells. Overexpression of OTUD4 increases radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells exhibiting as impaired clonogenic formation ability, enhanced cell cycle arrest and increased cell apoptosis. Moreover, molecular mechanism study reveals that OTUD4 radiosensitizs NSCLC cells via ATM/CHK2/P53 signaling and inhibiting homology-directed repair of DNA double strand breaks induced by ionizing radiation. Conclusions This study uncovers a tumor-suppressing role of OTUD4 and that OTUD4 is a potential radiosensitizer for NSCLC

Improved Crop Biomass Algorithm with Piecewise Function (iCBA-PF) for Maize Using Multi-Source UAV Data

Maize is among the most important grain crops. Aboveground biomass (AGB) is a key agroecological indicator for crop yield prediction and growth status monitoring, etc. In this study, we propose two new methods, improved crop biomass algorithm (iCBA) and iCBA with piecewise function (iCBA-PF), to estimate maize AGB. Multispectral (MS) images, visible-band (RGB) images, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data were collected using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Vegetation indices (VIs) and the VI-weighted canopy volume model (CVMVI) were calculated and used as input variables for AGB estimation. The two proposed methods and three benchmark methods were compared. Results demonstrated that: (1) The performance of MS and RGB data in AGB estimation was similar. (2) AGB was estimated with higher accuracy using CVMVI than using VI, probably because the temporal trends of CVMVI and AGB were similar in the maize growing season. (3) The best estimation method was the iCBA-PF (R2 = 0.90 ± 0.02, RMSE = 190.01 ± 21.55 g/m2), indicating that AGB before and after maize heading should be estimated with different methods. Our method and findings are possibly applicable to other crops with a heading stage

A Two-Electrode, Double-Pulsed Sensor Readout Circuit for Cardiac Troponin I Measurement

This paper presents a pulse-stimulus sensor readout circuit for use in cardiovascular disease examinations. The sensor is based on a gold nanoparticle plate with an antibody post-modification. The proposed system utilizes gated pulses to detect the biomarker Cardiac Troponin I in an ionic solution. The characteristic of the electrostatic double-layer capacitor generated by the analyte is related to the concentration of Cardiac Troponin I in the solvent. After sensing by the transistor, a current-to-frequency converter (I-to-F) and delay-line-based time-to-digital converter (TDC) convert the information into a series of digital codes for further analysis. The design is fabricated in a 0.18-μm standard CMOS process. The chip occupies an area of 0.92 mm 2 and consumes 125 μW. In the measurements, the proposed circuit achieved a 1.77 Hz/pg-mL sensitivity and 72.43 dB dynamic range

MIF Plays a Key Role in Regulating Tissue-Specific Chondro-Osteogenic Differentiation Fate of Human Cartilage Endplate Stem Cells under Hypoxia

Degenerative cartilage endplate (CEP) shows decreased chondrification and increased ossification. Cartilage endplate stem cells (CESCs), with the capacity for chondro-osteogenic differentiation, are responsible for CEP restoration. CEP is avascular and hypoxic, while the physiological hypoxia is disrupted in the degenerated CEP. Hypoxia promoted chondrogenesis but inhibited osteogenesis in CESCs. This tissue-specific differentiation fate of CESCs in response to hypoxia was physiologically significant with regard to CEP maintaining chondrification and refusing ossification. MIF, a downstream target of HIF1A, is involved in cartilage and bone metabolisms, although little is known about its regulatory role in differentiation. In CESCs, MIF was identified as a key point through which HIF1A regulated the chondro-osteogenic differentiation. Unexpectedly, unlike the traditionally recognized mode, increased nuclear-expressed MIF under hypoxia was identified to act as a transcriptional regulator by interacting with the promoter of SOX9 and RUNX2. This mode of HIF1A/MIF function may represent a target for CEP degeneration therapy

Synthesis and Evaluation of the Metabolites of AMG 221, a Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

All eight of the major active metabolites of (<i>S</i>)-2-((1<i>S</i>,2<i>S</i>,4<i>R</i>)-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ylamino)-5-isopropyl-5-methylthiazol-4(5<i>H</i>)-one (AMG 221, compound <b>1</b>), an inhibitor of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 that has entered the clinic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, were synthetically prepared and confirmed by comparison with samples generated in liver microsomes. After further profiling, we determined that metabolite <b>2</b> was equipotent to <b>1</b> on human 11β-HSD1 and had lower in vivo clearance and higher bioavailability in rat and mouse. Compound <b>2</b> was advanced into a pharmacodynamic model in mouse where it inhibited adipose 11β-HSD1 activity