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Volatility is an inherent characteristic of wind power. The normal, Weibull, and other distributions are commonly used to describe the characteristics of wind power. However, many of these single distribution models are not suitable to characterize wind power, particularly those converging from multiple wind farm groups. In this study, the maximum entropy distribution model is utilized as probability density function to fit wind power fluctuations. To evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the model, we compared the probability density function curve and cumulative distribution function curve fitting with the mixed Gaussian, the mixed logistic, and the mixed Weibull distribution models using simulation experiments. We developed four scenarios with different numbers of wind farm groups and calculated the fitting error, determination coefficient, and K–S test value for the four models. The simulation results show that the maximum entropy distribution model has the best fitting effect in all four scenarios. Compared with the other three distribution models, the maximum entropy distribution model has clear advantages and is more suitable to describe the fluctuation characteristics of wind power. The parameter estimation of the maximum entropy distribution model can be transformed into a linear optimization problem to significantly reduce calculation complexity.

The problem of unstable output power in direct-drive wave power generation systems (DDWPGS) caused by violent power variation in one cycle of wave is common. The wave power fluctuates violently in a short time, and the lower the frequency, the higher the amplitude. Energy storage devices are usually applied to smooth the power and stabilize the system. This paper proposed an adaptive segmented control strategy (ASCS). It adaptively divided the system voltage into five symmetrical segments and regulated the reference power based on the VMD decompose results according to the different segments. The impedance analysis method (IAM) is implemented to verify its stability. The simulation results confirmed that it can not only automatically adjust the output of the energy storage device to adapt to the frequency and amplitude of wave power signal, but also ensure the safe operation of the system under the impact of charging load and wave power.

Uveitis is a complex autoimmune inflammatory disease of the eye and defining molecules involved is a priority. Here the authors use scRNA sequencing in mouse experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and show PIM1 promotes the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells, and find elevated PIM-1 in human uveitis disease.

Over the past several years, high-βN experiments have been carried out on HL-2A. The high-βN is realized using double transport barriers (DTBs) with hybrid scenarios. A stationary high-βN (>2) scenario was obtained by pure neutral-beam injection (NBI) heating. Transient high performance was also achieved, corresponding to βN≥3, ne/neG∼0.6, H98∼1.5, fbs∼30%, q95∼4.0, and G∼0.4. The high-βN scenario was successfully modeled using integrated simulation codes, that is, the one modeling framework for integrated tasks (OMFIT). In high-βN plasmas, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities are abundant, including low-frequency global MHD oscillation with n = 1, high-frequency coherent mode (HCM) at the edge, and neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) and Alfvénic modes in the core. In some high-βN discharges, it is observed that the NTMs with m/n=3/2 limit the growth of the plasma energy and decrease βN. The low-n global MHD oscillation is consistent with the coupling of destabilized internal (m/n = 1/1) and external (m/n = 3/1 or 4/1) modes, and plays a crucial role in triggering the onset of ELMs. Achieving high-βN on HL-2A suggests that core-edge interplay is key to the plasma confinement enhancement mechanism. Experiments to enhance βN will contribute to future plasma operation, such as international thermonuclear experimental reactor .

Abstract Metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a series of liver diseases based on liver steatosis and metabolic disorders. Steatosis, as the core factor in MAFLD diagnosis, and fibrosis, as the major determinant of adverse outcomes of MAFLD, need to be assessed simply and accurately. In this study, we explored the significance of mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) in evaluating liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with MAFLD. We included 2397 cases with MAFLD from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) database. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were measured by vibration controlled transient elastography. Anthropometric parameters and demographic and serological data were obtained from the NHANES database. The association between MUAC and liver steatosis and fibrosis were evaluated by a multivariable linear regression model, a weighted generalized additive model, and smooth curve fitting using R. MUAC was positively associated with liver steatosis in every multivariate linear regression model (model 1: β = 3.3513; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7722–3.9304; model 2: β = 3.8492; 95% CI, 3.2441–4.4542; model 3: β = 2.4987; 95% CI, 1.8371–3.1604), and this positive association was consistent in both men and women and among different race groups (Mexican American, other Hispanic, non‐Hispanic White, Black, Asian, and other race). On the other hand, MUAC was positively associated with liver fibrosis in every multivariate linear regression model, and this positive association also was consistent in both men and women and among non‐Hispanic White and Black populations. Increased MUAC was positively associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with MAFLD. This was particularly true for MUAC ≥ 42.0 cm. MUAC might be a simple and convenient evaluation tool for MAFLD.

Abstract Background and Aim Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in the United States and China. We compared prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, and quantity and quality of body fat between American versus Chinese patients with NAFLD. Methods NAFLD patients were prospectively recruited from the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) in the United States and Peking University Health Sciences Center (PUHSC) in China. All patients had baseline computed tomography (CT), laboratory tests and Fibroscan® controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Comparisons were made for overall cohorts and matched cohorts (matched for sex, age, and body mass index [BMI] category). Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of moderate and severe steatosis and lack of advanced fibrosis. Results One‐hundred and one American and One‐hundred and sixty Chinese patients were included. UMHS patients were older, with higher prevalence of MS, had higher LSM and CAP scores, and more fat in liver, visceral, subcutaneous, and muscle compartments than PUHSC patients. Differences in LSM, visceral fat Hounsfield unit, and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) persisted in the matched cohort. NAFLD patients with MS had significantly higher LSM, and more fat in liver, visceral, subcutaneous and muscle compartments than those without. Moderate or severe steatosis was independently associated with MS, visceral fat quality, and SFA, while the absence of advanced fibrosis was associated with Asian race and not having MS. Conclusion American patients with NAFLD had more liver fibrosis than Chinese patients despite having better quality visceral fat and after matching for age, sex, and BMI category.

Abstract Introduction People who both smoke cigarettes and vape are often considered as a homogenous group even though multiple subgroups may exist. We examined biomarkers of exposure (BOE) and biomarkers of potential harm (BOPH) to differentiate between subgroups of people who smoke and vape based on PATH Study Wave 1 (2013–2014) data. Methods We compared people who only smoke cigarettes everyday (Group A, n = 2442) and people who only vape everyday (Group C, n = 169) against people who smoke and vape segmented into subgroups of people who frequently smoke and vape (Group B1, n = 169), frequently smoke and infrequently vape (Group B2, n = 678), frequently vape and infrequently smoke (Group B3, n = 57), and infrequently smoke and vape (Group B4, n = 66). Eighteen BOEs (representing exposure to TSNAs, nicotine, heavy metals, PAHs, and volatile organic compounds) and four BOPHs (representing inflammation and oxidative stress) were compared within the subgroups. Results Levels of many BOEs/BOPHs were higher among Group B2 relative to Groups B1, B3, and B4. Compared to Group A, many BOEs were significantly lower in Groups B3 (15/18) and B4 (17/18), and some BOEs were higher among B2 (4/18). Compared to Group C, significantly lower BOEs were observed for Group B4 (2/18). Conclusions Overall, the levels of BOEs and BOPHs in people who smoke and vape are associated with frequency of cigarette smoking. Our findings indicate that not all people who smoke and vape are the same, and tobacco product use frequency should be considered when categorizing people who smoke and vape.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, accounting for 90% of primary liver cancer) was the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer death in 2020. The number of new HCC patients in China accounted for nearly half of that in the world. HCC was of occult and complex onset, with poor prognosis. Clinically, at least 15% of patients with HCC had strong side effects of interventional therapy (IT) and have poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a multi-target adjuvant therapy, had been shown to play an active anti-tumor role in many previous studies. This review systematically summarized the role of TCM combined with clinically commonly used drugs for the treatment of HCC (including mitomycin C, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, sorafenib, etc.) in the past basic research, and summarized the efficacy of TCM combined with surgery, IT and conventional therapy (CT) in clinical research. It was found that TCM, as an adjuvant treatment, played many roles in the treatment of HCC, including enhancing the tumor inhibition, reducing toxic and side effects, improving chemosensitivity and prolonging survival time of patients. This review summarized the advantages of integrated traditional Chinese and modern medicine in the treatment of HCC and provides a theoretical basis for clinical research.

Background: The expression of miR-141-3p in many malignant tumors has been verified. Nevertheless, the relationship between ovarian cancer and miR-141-3p remains undetermined. Therefore, further exploration is required. Results: According to data from 100 samples, the final results of RT-qPCR showed that miR-141-3p was highly expressed in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, miR-141-3p was able to distinguish ovarian cancer cells from ovary tissues. The most significant Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, was regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes in ovarian cancer. The expression of PIK3R1 was negatively correlated with miR-141- 3p. PIK3R1 has a combing site with miR-141-3p. Conclusions: This study examined the expression levels and mechanism of miR-141-3p in ovarian cancer for the first time. The results suggested that miR-141-3p may promote the occurrence of ovarian cancer by down-regulating PIK3R1.How to cite: Shi L, Sun H-J, Zeng J-J, et al. Evaluation of miR-141-3p over-expression in ovarian cancer. Electron J Biotechnol 2022;58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2022.04.006

Abstract Background Depression is a recurrent and devastating mental disease that is highly prevalent worldwide. Prolonged exposure to stressful events or a stressful environment is detrimental to mental health. In recent years, an inflammatory hypothesis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of stress-induced depression. However, less attention has been given to the initial phases, when a series of stress reactions and immune responses are initiated. Peripheral CD4+ T cells have been reported as the major contributors to the occurrence of mental disorders. Chronic stress exposure-evoked release of cytokines can promote the differentiation of peripheral CD4+ cells into various phenotypes. Among them, Th17 cells have attracted much attention due to their high pathogenic potential in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Thus, we intended to determine the crucial role of CD4+ Th17 cells in the development of specific subtypes of depression and unravel the underpinnings of their pathogenetic effect. Methods In the present research, a daily 6-h restraint stress paradigm was employed in rats for 28 successive days to mimic the repeated mild and predictable, but inevitable environmental stress in our daily lives. Then, depressive-like symptoms, brain–blood barrier (BBB) permeability, neuroinflammation, and the differentiation and functional changes of CD4+ cells were investigated. Results We noticed that restrained rats showed significant depressive-like symptoms, concomitant BBB disruption and neuroinflammation in the dorsal striatum (DS). We further observed a time-dependent increase in thymus- and spleen-derived naïve CD4+ T cells, as well as the aggregation of inflammatory Th17 cells in the DS during the period of chronic restraint stress (CRS) exposure. Moreover, increased Th17-derived cytokines in the brain can further impair the BBB integrity, thus allowing more immune cells and cytokines to gain easy access to the CNS. Our findings suggested that, through a complex cascade of events, peripheral immune responses were propagated to the CNS, and gradually exacerbated depressive-like symptoms. Furthermore, inhibiting the differentiation and function of CD4+ T cells with SR1001 in the early stages of CRS exposure ameliorated CRS-induced depressive-like behaviour and the inflammatory response. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that inflammatory Th17 cells were pivotal in accelerating the onset and exacerbation of depressive symptoms in CRS-exposed rats. This subtype of CD4+ T cells may be a promising therapeutic target for the early treatment of stress-induced depression.

Background The continuous development of the rural-oriented tuition-free medical education program has greatly contributed to the increasingly expanding of team of general practitioners in primary care. And the service status of targeted admission medical graduates has become a focus of current concern. Objective To explore the barriers faced by targeted admission medical graduates during the contracted period of providing primary care, and to propose corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. Methods From January to March 2021, 73 targeted admission medical graduates (admitted in 2010 & 2011) who were working in primary hospitals in Guizhou were selected to attend a semi-structured interview with an outline involving brief introduction of the development of their hospitals, job duties, job progression, main problems existing in work, capability areas for improvement, current situation of continuing education, current living conditions, level of targeted admission medical graduates valued by hospitals, future work plan, and so on. The interview results were analyzed in accordance with the procedures of grounded theory. Results One hundred and twenty-seven concepts, 21 categories, 7 main categories (work environment, policy guarantee, family factors, future planning, psychology and perception, person-job fit and career development needs) were identified by an analysis, forming four axes: working practice (primary medical conditions, environment, management and other factors restrict the development of targeted admission medical graduates, and they hope to get more organizational support and suitable job arrangements) , family factors (part of targeted admission medical graduates affected by factors such as family distance and economic pressure during the service period, it is difficult to take into account the responsibility of family care) , internal demand (targeted admission medical graduates are prone to psychological and cognitive gaps, think that their personal abilities and development are limited, and hope for better career development prospects) , policy driving (policy factors run through all aspects of primary care for targeted admission medical graduates, and the implementation and promotion of some policies are insufficient and need to be further strengthened) . Conclusion The targeted admission medical graduates in Guizhou mainly faced difficulties in career development, ability improvement, caring for families, economic treatment and other aspects during the contracted period of providing primary care. To improve the situation, retain them in primary care as well as promote their career development, it is suggested to establish a mechanism for receiving their feedback, providing long-term trainings and guidance for them, allocate targeted admission medical graduates from other places, speed up the construction of regional medical consortiums, set up special subsidy funds, and clarify the arrangements after the expiration.

Abstract Epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) photonics, which exhibit extraordinary capabilities in terms of controlling light–matter interactions, have been attracting increased interest in recent years. However, several challenges still lie ahead, such as large optical loss and the rarity of ENZ candidates, especially in the visible range. Here, by first‐principles calculations, this work proposes dozens of MXenes with promising plasmonic properties that could be potential ENZ candidates with very low loss in the visible range by band structure engineering. Because of the special electronic structures of these MXenes, they all possess quite large screened plasmonic frequencies: ωp/ε∞, but less than the interband transition onsets, which cause the ENZ properties in these MXenes to appear in the visible range with very low loss (ε2 less than 0.2) by eliminating the interband transition loss at the ENZ frequencies. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that the ENZ properties in MXenes, including the ENZ frequency and loss, can be effectively tuned upon surface modifications, such as −Cl and −OH. These outstanding ENZ properties, including tunablity and low‐loss, make these MXenes great for potential applications in ENZ photonics, especially in the visible‐light range.

In this paper, the research status of three types of wheel-rail interaction force measuring approaches, that is, IWS, ground measurement method and indirect measurement method, are summarized systematically. According to the measuring locations, the IWS can be determined by measuring the bending strain of the axle, as well as the strain of the wheel web. The measuring principle, bridge assembly method, calibration test and sensing technology of IWS are introduced respectively. This paper introduces the ground measurement method of measuring·wheel-rail force by arranging sensors on the rail and other track components to test their response, and the indirect methods for wheel-rail forces measurement are reviewed, which is derived from inertial force and suspension force of wheelset according to the force states of the wheelset. The advantages and disadvantages of the IWS, the ground measurement method and the indirect measurement method are analyzed. The investigation results show that the measuring principle of the IWS is relatively mature, and its measurement accuracy mainly depends on the manufacturing technology, bench calibration and signal acquisition. Future development of the IWS tend to realize the non-destructive, wireless, continuous and accurate measurement of the wheel-rail forces and contact points locations.

BackgroundThe disease burden caused by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still heavy, and the current treatment scheme has not achieved a complete cure. Changes in natural and adaptive immunity usually accompany chronic HBV infection. As a marker expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), whether lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 3 (LAMP3) participates in chronic HBV infection deserves further analysis.MethodsWe retrieved chronic HBV infection transcriptional information from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The LAMP3 expression in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was analyzed in three GEO datasets and confirmed in our validation cohort (27 patients with CHB). Differentially expressed genes were obtained from one CHB cohort by comparing LAMP3high and LAMP3low expression subgroups. These genes underwent Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to decipher the influence of LAMP3 on the biological process and immunity changes in HBV infection. Furthermore, we investigated the potential relationship between LAMP3 levels, the abundance of infiltrating immune cells, and liver dysfunction.ResultsCompared to healthy controls, LAMP3 expression was upregulated in the transcriptional profiles of the liver in patients with CHB. The high LAMP3 expression was related to T cell activation and the chemokine signaling pathway. The LAMP3 gene was positively linked to marker sets of infiltrating activated regulatory T cells (Treg), T cell exhaustion, monocytes, and DCs. Moreover, CHB patients with high LAMP3 expression had unfavorable liver dysfunction.ConclusionsLAMP3 is a gene related to HBV infection, which might be involved in HBV infection by regulating T cell activation and adaptive immune response.