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To explore the influence of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) matching reference point selection on target accuracy in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for breast cancer and aimed to provide a reference for clinical application. We conducted a retrospective analysis on breast cancer patients who underwent postoperative radiotherapy between January 2020 and October 2020. CBCT images for image-guided radiotherapy, different matching reference points, and the location of computed tomography (CT) image registration were used to divide patients into the sternum (control group 1), thoracic (control group 2), and sternum-thoracic + target (team) groups. CBCT alignment was confirmed by three different registration methods. After matching, the matching error and spatial displacement of the metal clip at the boundary of the operative cavity in CBCT and target CT were measured and recorded. A total of 528 sets of matching errors and spatial displacement data of metal clips in the target area were obtained for 22 enrolled patients. Independent sample nonparametric tests were used to analyze the significant differences in the three groups of data, and the distance of metal clips in the three groups was calculated. The matching errors of the sternum and study groups were statistically significant, except for the rotation error in the direction of the X-axis (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the matching error between the thoracic vertebra and the study groups (p>0.05). After the sternum group was matched with the study group, the displacements of the metal clips in the target area of CBCT and CT in the X, Y, and Z directions were as follows: (1.59±1.61) mm and (1.23±1.19) mm (p=0.045), (1.65±1.44) mm and (1.89±1.52) mm (p=0.006), and (1.13±1.18) mm and (1.37±1.31) mm (p=0.999), respectively. The thoracic vertebra group was matched with the study group, and the displacements of the metal clips in the target area of CBCT and CT in the X, Y, and Z directions were as follows: (1.51±1.83) mm and (1.23±1.19) mm (p=0.002), (1.69±1.84) mm and (1.89±1.52) mm (p

Decision-making for collision avoidance in complex maritime environments is a critical technology in the field of autonomous ship navigation. However, existing collision avoidance decision algorithms still suffer from unstable strategy exploration and poor compliance with regulations. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel autonomous ship collision avoidance algorithm, the dynamically adjusted entropy proximal policy optimization (DAE-PPO). Firstly, a reward system suitable for complex maritime encounter scenarios is established, integrating the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) with collision risk assessment. Secondly, the exploration mechanism is optimized using a quadratically decreasing entropy method to effectively avoid local optima and enhance strategic performance. Finally, a simulation testing environment based on Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) was developed to conduct experiments and validate the proposed algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate that the DAE-PPO algorithm exhibits significant improvements in efficiency, success rate, and stability in collision avoidance tests. Specifically, it shows a 45% improvement in success rate per hundred collision avoidance attempts compared to the classic PPO algorithm and a reduction of 0.35 in the maximum collision risk (CR) value during individual collision avoidance tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimodal sensors are often employed by USVs (unmanned surface vehicles) to enhance situational awareness, and the fusion of LiDAR and monocular vision is widely used in near-field perception scenarios. However, this strategy of fusing data from LiDAR and monocular vision may lead to the incorrect matching of image targets and LiDAR point cloud targets when targets occlude one another. To address this issue, a target matching network with an attention module was developed to process occlusion information. Additionally, an image target occlusion detection branch was incorporated into YOLOv9 to extract the occlusion relationships of the image targets. The introduction of the attention module and the occlusion detection branch allows for the consideration of occlusion information in matching point cloud and image targets, thereby achieving more accurate target matching. Based on the target matching network, a method for water surface target detection and multi-target tracking was proposed. This method fuses LiDAR point cloud and image data while considering occlusion information. Its effectiveness was confirmed through experimental verification. The experimental results show that the proposed method improved the correct matching rate in complex scenarios by 13.83% compared to IoU-based target matching methods, with an MOTA metric of 0.879 and an average frame rate of 21.98. The results demonstrate that the method effectively reduces the mismatch rate between point cloud and image targets. The method's frame rate meets real-time requirements, and the method itself offers a promising solution for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to perform water surface target detection and multi-target tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been significant interest in the research field of ship automatic navigation, particularly in the area of autonomous berthing. To address the key challenges of path planning and control during ship berthing, we propose an enhanced Linear−Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control approach, reinforced by the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA−ES), along with an adaptive berthing strategy decision model. This integrated framework encompasses ship motion control, path planning, and berthing strategy selection to facilitate adaptive and autonomous ship berthing. Initially, a dynamic mathematical model of ship motion is established, taking into account wind and current interference effects. Subsequently, an adaptive environment−aware berthing strategy model is introduced to enable automatic selection of berthing strategies based on spatial relationships between environmental factors and the berth. By utilizing the refined LQR method, autonomous motion control for ship berthing is achieved. To validate the effectiveness of our controller, comprehensive simulation analyses are conducted under varying operating conditions to encompass crucial factors such as large drift angle characteristics of ships, shallow water effects, and bank effects across seven diverse working conditions. The simulation results underscore the robustness of our proposed method in responding to environmental interference while demonstrating its capability to select appropriate berthing strategies based on varying operational scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous berthing technology is a crucial engineering control problem within the ship intelligence system, encompassing a series of complex operations and technologies. Firstly, this paper analyses the research on autonomous berthing technology from a bibliometric point of view in order to obtain an overview of its past and present development and to outline the importance of this technology. Secondly, a literature review is conducted on each of the four aspects of autonomous berthing technology, namely sensing technology, berthing type, control method, and evaluation method, which can help to quickly understand the main aspects of this technology. Thirdly, the ship-assisting technologies needed to achieve autonomous berthing are discussed and analysed from six aspects: dynamic collision avoidance, path planning, path tracking, heading control, tug assistance, and shore-based systems. Finally, the challenges faced by the ship autonomous berthing technology on the way of development are summarised, and future development is projected. This paper aims to provide a more comprehensive perspective for analysing and researching ship autonomous berthing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For peanut, the lack of stable cytological markers is a barrier to tracking specific chromosomes, elucidating the genetic relationships between genomes and identifying chromosomal variations. Chromosome mapping using single-copy oligonucleotide (oligo) probe libraries has unique advantages for identifying homologous chromosomes and chromosomal rearrangements. In this study, we developed two whole-chromosome single-copy oligo probe libraries, LS-7A and LS-8A, based on the reference genome sequences of chromosomes 7A and 8A of Arachis duranensis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed that the libraries could specifically paint chromosomes 7 and 8. In addition, sequential FISH and electronic localization of LS-7A and LS-8A in A. duranensis (AA) and A. ipaensis (BB) showed that chromosomes 7A and 8A contained translocations and inversions relative to chromosomes 7B and 8B. Analysis of the chromosomes of wild Arachis species using LS-8A confirmed that this library could accurately and effectively identify A genome species. Finally, LS-7A and LS-8A were used to paint the chromosomes of interspecific hybrids and their progenies, which verified the authenticity of the interspecific hybrids and identified a disomic addition line. This study provides a model for developing specific oligo probes to identify the structural variations of other chromosomes in Arachis and demonstrates the practical utility of LS-7A and LS-8A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research on auto-berthing of ships has mainly focused on the design and implementation of controllers for automatic berthing. For the real automatic docking processes, not only do external environmental perturbations need to be taken into account but also motion paths, docking strategies and ship mechanical constraints, which are important influential factors to measure autonomous docking methods. Through a literature review of ship path planning and motion control for automatic berthing, it is found that many studies ignore the interference of the actual navigational environment, especially for ships sailing at slow speed when berthing, or do not consider the physical constraints of the steering gear and the main engine. In this paper, we propose a hybrid approach for autonomous berthing control systems based on a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES), which systematically addresses the problems involved in the berthing process, such as path planning, optimal control, adaptive berthing strategies, dynamic environmental perturbations and physically enforced structural constraints. The berthing control system based on the LQR and modified LQR-CMA-ES have been validated by simulation work. The simulation results show that the proposed method is able to achieve the automatic docking of the ship well and the system is robust and well adapted to environmental disturbances at slow speed when docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene plays a pivotal role in plant stress resistance and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) is the rate-limiting enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis. Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the most important natural fiber crop, but the function of ACS in response to abiotic stress has rarely been reported in this plant. We identified 18 GaACS, 18 GrACS, and 35 GhACS genes in Gossypiumarboreum, Gossypium raimondii and Gossypiumhirsutum, respectively, that were classified as types I, II, III, or IV. Collinearity analysis showed that the GhACS genes were expanded from diploid cotton by the whole-genome-duplication. Multiple alignments showed that the C-terminals of the GhACS proteins were conserved, whereas the N-terminals of GhACS10 and GhACS12 were different from the N-terminals of AtACS10 and AtACS12, probably diverging during evolution. Most type II ACS genes were hardly expressed, whereas GhACS10/GhACS12 were expressed in many tissues and in response to abiotic stress; for example, they were highly and hardly expressed at the early stages of cold and heat exposure, respectively. The GhACS genes showed different expression profiles in response to cold, heat, drought, and salt stress by quantitative PCR analysis, which indicate the potential roles of them when encountering the various adverse conditions, and provide insights into GhACS functions in cotton's adaptation to abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the phase transition of vanadium dioxide(VO2), an ultra-broadband tunable terahertz metamaterial absorber is proposed. The absorber consists of bilayer VO2 square ring arrays with different sizes, which are completely wrapped in Topas and placed on gold substrate. The simulation results show that the absorption greater than 90% has frequencies ranging from 1.63 THz to 12.39 THz, which provides an absorption frequency bandwidth of 10.76 THz, and a relative bandwidth of 153.5%. By changing the electrical conductivity of VO2, the absorption intensity can be dynamically adjusted between 4.4% and 99.9%. The physical mechanism of complete absorption is elucidated by the impedance matching theory and field distribution. The proposed absorber has demonstrated its properties of polarization insensitivity and wide-angle absorption, and therefore has a variety of application prospects in the terahertz range, such as stealth, modulation, and sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multimodel computational framework for optimal control of aeroacoustic noise is presented using a nearfield compressible Navier-Stokes solver coupled with a far-field linearized Euler solver, both based on a discontinuous Galerkin formulation. In this approach, the coupling of near- and far-field domains is achieved by weakly enforcing continuity of normal fluxes across a coupling surface that encloses all nonlinearities and noise sources. For optimal control, gradient information is obtained by the solution of an appropriate adjoint problem that involves the propagation of adjoint information from the far field to the near field. This computational framework is applied to study optimal boundary control of blade-vortex interaction, which is a significant noise source for helicopters on approach to landing. In the prototype problem presented here, the noise propagated toward the ground is reduced by 12 dB, demonstrating the potential of an optimization-based approach to blade-vortexinteraction noise control.

This study investigates the sampled-data admissibility problem for a singular system. The objective of this paper is to design a sampled-data controller to ensure the admissibility of a singular system and to construct an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) to get less conservative results for the sampled-data singular system. To accomplish these objectives, the system is converted into a time-delay system by the input delay approach firstly, and both lower and upper bounds of the delay are considered. Secondly, by introducing a suitable LKF, the admissibility criteria are obtained. Then, when estimating the derivative of the LKF, a relaxation variable is introduced by the method of reciprocally convex inequality, and it is proved that the conservatism is reduced. Finally, two numerical examples are given to prove that the designed sampled-data controller can ensure the states of the systems under the influence of external interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassinosteroids (BRs), an efficient plant endogenous hormone, significantly promotes plant nutrient growth adapting to biological and abiotic adversities. BRs mainly promote plant cell elongation by regulating gene expression patterns. EXORDIUM (EXO) genes have been characterized as the indicators of BR response genes. Cotton, an ancient crop, is of great economic value and its fibers can be made into all kinds of fabrics. However, EXO gene family genes have not been full identified in cotton. 175 EXO genes were identified in nine plant species, of which 39 GhEXO genes in Gossypium hirsutum in our study. A phylogenetic analysis grouped all of the proteins encoded by the EXO genes into five major clades. Sequence identification of conserved amino acid residues among monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species showed a high level of conservation across the N and C terminal regions. Only 25% the GhEXO genes contain introns besides conserved gene structure and protein motifs distribution. The 39 GhEXO genes were unevenly distributed on the 18 At and Dt sub-genome chromosomes. Most of the GhEXO genes were derived from gene duplication events, while only three genes showed evidence of tandem duplication. Homologous locus relationships showed that 15 GhEXO genes are located on collinear blocks and that all orthologous/paralogous gene pairs had Ka > Ks values, indicating purifying selection pressure. The GhEXO genes showed ubiquitous expression in all eight tested cotton tissues and following exposure to three phytohormones, IAA, GA, and BL. Furthermore, GhEXO7_At was mainly expressed in response to BL treatment, and was predominantly expressed in the fibers. GhEXO7_At was found to be a plasma membrane protein, and its ectopic expression in Arabidopsis mediated BR-regulated plant growth and development with altered expression of DWF4 , CPD , KCS1 , and EXP5. Additionally, the functions of GhEXO7_At were confirmed by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cotton. This study will provide important genetic resources for future cotton breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The APETALA2 (AP2)/ethylene response factor plays vital functions in response to environmental stimulus. The ethylene response factor (ERF) subfamily B3 group belongs to the AP2/ERF superfamily and contains a single AP2/ERF domain. Phylogenetic analysis of the ERF subfamily B3 group genes from Arabdiposis thaliana, Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium hirsutum , and Gossypium raimondii made it possible to divide them into three groups and showed that the ERF subfamily B3 group genes are conserved in cotton. Collinearity analysis identified172 orthologous/paralogous gene pairs between G. arboreum and G. hirsutum ; 178 between G. hirsutum and G. raimondii ; and 1,392 in G. hirsutum. The GhERF subfamily B3 group gene family experienced massive gene family expansion through either segmental or whole genome duplication events, with most genes showing signature compatible with the action of purifying selection during evolution. Most G. hirsutum ERF subfamily B3 group genes are responsive to salt stress. GhERF13.12 transgenic Arabidopsis showed enhanced salt stress tolerance and exhibited regulation of related biochemical parameters and enhanced expression of genes participating in ABA signaling, proline biosynthesis, and ROS scavenging. In addition, the silencing of the GhERF13.12 gene leads to increased sensitivity to salt stress in cotton. These results indicate that the ERF subfamily B3 group had remained conserved during evolution and that GhERF13.12 induces salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizational learning model, from the study of Chinese cultural classics like 'Great Learning' on management thoughts, is proposed.

This article distinguishes between two types of employee identification developed in organizational workgroups: (1) relational identification, which arises from connections and role relationships with other members in a workgroup, and (2) collective identification, which arises from the shared characteristics of a workgroup as a whole. Using three independent field samples, the authors generated new, context-specific measurements for relational and collective identification using an inductive, multistage approach; established their construct validity; and provided evidence for their differential antecedents and consequences in organizational workgroups. Results indicate that relational and collective identification are distinct constructs and that they are embedded in separate nomological networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: TCP transcription factors (TF) are indispensable for the normal functioning of plant growth and development. This study identified and performed phylogenetic analysis on 218 TCP genes in four cotton species. We also observed conserved exon-intron structures and protein motif distribution patterns in GhTCP genes. GhTCP62 was enriched in the axillary bud, indicating that it plays a role in branching. GhTCP62 is a nuclear-localized TF, the overexpression of which decreases the number of cauline-leaf branches and rosette-leaf branches in Arabidopsis. Additionally, the expression levels of HB21 and HB40 genes increased in plants with GhTCP62 overexpression, demonstrating that GhTCP62 could regulate branching by regulating HB21 and HB40. Collectively, the GhTCP62 TF located in the nucleus was highly enriched in the axillary buds, and GhTCP62 overexpression lines demonstrated fewer rosette-leaf branches and cauline-leaf branches, indicating that GhTCP62 regulates branching in Arabidopsis. TEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors play an essential role in regulating various physiological and biochemical functions during plant growth. However, the function of TCP transcription factors in G. hirsutum has not yet been studied. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification and correlation analysis of the TCP transcription factor family in G. hirsutum. We identified 72 non-redundant GhTCP genes and divided them into seven subfamilies, based on phylogenetic analysis. Most GhTCP genes in the same subfamily displayed similar exon and intron structures and featured highly conserved motif structures in their subfamily. Additionally, the pattern of chromosomal distribution demonstrated that GhTCP genes were unevenly distributed on 24 out of 26 chromosomes, and that fragment replication was the main replication event of GhTCP genes. In TB1 sub-family genes, GhTCP62 was highly expressed in the axillary buds, suggesting that GhTCP62 significantly affected cotton branching. Additionally, subcellular localization results indicated that GhTCP62 is located in the nucleus and possesses typical transcription factor characteristics. The overexpression of GhTCP62 in Arabidopsis resulted in fewer rosette-leaf branches and cauline-leaf branches. Furthermore, the increased expression of HB21 and HB40 genes in Arabidopsis plants overexpressing GhTCP62 suggests that GhTCP62 may regulate branching by positively regulating HB21 and HB40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses countries in the South China Sea Region (SCSR) as examples to study the level of regional cooperation in the marine plastic waste cleanup initiative. We designed a cooperation model to investigate the "cleanup system" from the Ocean Cleanup initiative to reduce marine plastic pollution. The non-cooperative game theory was applied to regional cooperation. The simulation results indicate that the plastic waste cleanup cooperation in the SCSR is related to the plastic trade network structure, the influence parameters of the Experience-Weighted Attraction learning model, and the economic effects. The results suggest that regional cooperation in the cleanup system in the SCSR is feasible, and it could create a significantly larger investment in the cleanup project than the current project attracts. Therefore, countries in the SCSR should adjust their laws and policies to make a good cooperative environment and to maximize the contribution to the marine plastic waste cleanup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we reported a theoretical study of a novel Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor composed of BK7 prism, gold (Au)/silver (Ag) bimetallic layer, silicon and two-dimensional (2D) materials. The bimetallic layer combines the advantages of Au and Ag and the high refractive index silicon layer enhances the electric field on the surface of the sensor, so that the sensor has a better overall performance in terms of sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM). Compared with ordinary dielectrics, 2D materials have excellent photoelectric properties, such as larger specific surface area, higher carrier density and stronger adsorption capacity, which improve the detection ability of the sensor. The sensitivity of the optimized sensor achieves 297.2°/RIU, 274°/RIU and 246°/RIU when the silicon layer is covered with graphene, MXene (Ti3T2Cx) and MoS2, respectively. Compared with the traditional SPR sensor, the sensitivity of the structure has been significantly improved, and its excellent performance has broad application prospects in biosensing and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]