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Background: This investigation sought to cross validate the predictors of tongue pressure recovery in elderly patients' post-treatment for head and neck tumors, leveraging advanced machine learning techniques. Methods: By employing logistic regression, support vector regression, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting, the study analyzed an array of variables including patient demographics, surgery types, dental health status, and age, drawn from comprehensive medical records and direct tongue pressure assessments. Results: Among the models, logistic regression emerged as the most effective, demonstrating an accuracy of 0.630 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.370–0.778], F1 score of 0.688 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.435–0.853], precision of 0.611 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.313–0.801], recall of 0.786 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.413–0.938] and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.626 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.409–0.806]. This model distinctly highlighted the significance of glossectomy (p = 0.039), the presence of functional teeth (p = 0.043), and the patient's age (p = 0.044) as pivotal factors influencing tongue pressure, setting the threshold for statistical significance at p < 0.05. Conclusions: The analysis underscored the critical role of glossectomy, the presence of functional natural teeth, and age as determinants of tongue pressure in logistics regression, with the presence of natural teeth and the tumor site located in the tongue consistently emerging as the key predictors across all computational models employed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intelligent substations should be developed to perform multifunction operations, including power flow control, voltage regulation, and cost-effective power quality (PQ) improvement. In this article, an intelligent substation by a distribution transformer integrated with a capacitive-coupling winding tap injection static synchronous compensator (CWTI-DSTATCOM) is proposed for balance and unbalance operations. Compared with the state-of-the-art approaches, CWTI-DSTATCOM can operate at a low dc voltage with a small active inverter rating, which also can provide distributed voltage, reactive, and unbalanced current compensation. The power rating reduction mechanism is mathematically revealed via balance and unbalance compensation analysis, which is further used to determine the optimal inverter power rating of unbalance operation via an optimal LC filter design method. Furthermore, a comprehensive compensation control strategy is developed to coordinate the transformer taps and the active inverter under balanced and unbalanced operations. Simulation and real-time digital simulator hardware-in-the-loop experiments are performed to prove the validity and effectiveness of the proposed topology over inverter rating reduction and PQ enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of enmein-type diterpenoid amino acid ester derivatives (14 – 22) were designed and synthesized according to l -alanine-(14-oridonin) ester trifluoroacetate (clinical candidate HAO472). Their antiproliferative activities were tested against SGC-7901, Bel-7402, HL-60, PC-3, A549 and K562 cancer cell lines and L-02 normal liver cells. The results showed that compound 19 possessed the most potent cytotoxicity with IC 50 s at sub-micromolar level against human hepatoma Bel-7402 and chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells and more potent than l -alanine-(14-oridonin) ester (23). More importantly, 19 displayed 70-fold less cytotoxicity than parent 3 (IC 50 = 25.47 μM) against L-02 cells, which exhibited certain selectivity. Further mechanism study in Bel-7402 cells revealed that 19 could induce apoptosis, G 1 phase cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial dysfunction. Western blot results of caspase-3, Bax and cytochrome c upregulation and pro-caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL downregulation confirmed the intrinsic pathways. Overall, these data collectively demonstrated the high efficiency and selectivity of 19 , l -phenylalanine-enmein-type diterpenoid ester, which inspires further and effective application as a potential antitumor candidate. Image 1 • Enmein-type diterpenoid amino acid ester derivatives were synthesized. • All target derivatives showed antiproliferative activities to some extent. • 19 showed potent activities and good selectivity between normal and tumor cells. • 19 could induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at G 1 phase in Bel-7402 cells. • 19 induced Bel-7402 cells apoptosis via the mitochondria-related pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is an attractive biomass block to develop biorefining industry, however, less emphasis has been placed on elucidating the chemical linkage variations of lignin and LCC between different bamboo cell walls. Here, purified milled wood lignin (MWL p) and lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) were isolated from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) fibers (BF) and parenchyma cells (PC), respectively. The variations of structure features and chemical linkages of lignin and LCC were investigated via FT-IR, 2D HSQC NMR, and 31P NMR techniques. 2D HSQC NMR revealed that β -O-4 alkyl-aryl ether linkages and resinol (β - β) substructure were the main substructures in BF-MWL p and PC-MWL p. β -1 linkages existed in the PC-MWL p (3.18/100 Ar), but not in BF-MWL p. Moreover, tricin, as a flavonoid compound, was only detected in the BF-MWL p. The amount of the syringyl (S) units of PC-MWL p was higher than BF-MWL p. The results indicated that phenyl glycoside (PhGlc) bonds (mainly lignin and xylan) were the predominant chemical linkage type of LCC bonds in BF-LCC and PC-LCC, and the high contents of PhGlc bonds (45.53/100 Ar) were presented in PC. Our finding can provide a reference for the structural variations of lignin and LCC between the different bamboo cell walls. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A cost-efficient centralized topology integrated with distribution system is proposed to compensate the voltage drops. • Mathematical modelling is formulated to reveal the compensation mechanism, required compensation rating, and dc voltage. • A more generalized and practical power loss model based on scaling laws is formulated to analyze the loss reduction mechanism. • A comprehensive control scheme is developed to achieve the voltage quality improvement. Recently, an intelligent substation by the L-coupling static synchronous compensator integrated with a primary tapped transformer (L-STATCOM PTT) has been developed to perform multifunction operations, including stable power supply and desired power quality. While previous works mainly focus on current quality, the cost-effective compensation of voltage quality is still not involved. This paper firstly formulated the mathematical model of voltage compensation to reveal the compensation mechanism, and determine the required inverter rating and reasonable dc voltage for acceptable performance. Then its power rating reduction under different voltage drops has been mathematically revealed compared with conventional STATCOM. Furthermore, by considering the potential differences in IGBT switching time and collector-emitter on-state resistance, a more generalized and practical power loss model based on scaling laws is formulated. The proposed voltage compensation method can reduce compensator rating by 28.1% and power loss by 12.2% at the 10% voltage drop. Simulation and experiments are performed to prove the validity and effectiveness of the proposed topology over cost-effectiveness and load voltage support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Power quality management for 12-pulse rectifier is established to improve its voltage and current adaptability. • Power quality of distribution systems is managed based on the magnetic potential balance. • An energy-based control scheme is proposed to achieve the optimal power quality. • Lower dc-link voltage and better power quality can be achieved. This paper proposes an energy-based control scheme for optimal power quality management in 12-pulse rectifier integrated distribution systems. In this 12-pulse rectifier integrated distribution system, instead of using a step-down transformer for voltage matching, a back-to-back converter is connected to the taps of star and delta windings on 12-pulse rectifier transformer's secondary side via the coupling LC. Using the magnetic potential balance of harmonics and reactive components between the back-to-back converter and the load side of the 12-pulse rectifier, the power quality of distribution systems can be managed. This topology can improve the voltage and current adaptability of the converter, thereby saving the cost of voltage matching transformer and exploiting the filter converter capacity potential. To ensure global power quality performance, an energy-based control scheme is proposed to improve the power quality management performance by accelerating the energy dissipation of the system. Case studies are performed to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed methodology on low dc-link voltage and power quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is a promising high-performance material because of its large planting areas, fast growth, good adaptability, high ultimate strength and stiffness. Hemicelluloses in bamboo have been focused and studied, however, less effort has been dedicated to study on the components, distributions and structures of hemicelluloses in different cells for explaining the mechanism of bamboo growth. Here, we obtained dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-soluble and alkali (NaOH)-soluble hemicelluloses from bamboo fibers (BF) and parenchyma cells (PC), which were separated from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) by their density difference. Molecular weight analysis revealed that the molecular weights of DMSO-soluble and alkali-soluble hemicelluloses isolated from PC were higher than those isolated from BF. Chemical compositions and cell morphology was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC), and confocal Raman microscope (CRM). The results showed that the content of cellulose (36.32 %) was higher in BF with thicker wall, while the content of lignin and hemicelluloses (36.33 % and 19.39 %, respectively) was higher in PC with thinner wall. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique analyses indicated that bamboo hemicelluloses were composed of O -acetyl- α - L -arabino-4- O -methylglucurono- β -(1→4)- D -xylan and β -(1→3) (1→4)-glucan. 1H NMR showed that the acetylation degree of H D -Fiber (0.069) was lower than that of H D -Parenchyma (0.127). Particularly, the hemicelluloses isolated from BF were acetylated only on C3 position, while hemicelluloses isolated from PC were acetylated both on C2 and C3 positions. This work presents a novel understanding about hemicelluloses structures of different cell types in bamboo and holds promises for the high-value added utilization of bamboo in the fields of food-related productions and biorefinery. [Display omitted] • Hemicelluloses isolated from bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells were firstly investigated. • Hemicelluloses from parenchyma cells were acetylated on C2 and C3 position. • Hemicelluloses from bamboo fibers were acetylated only on C3 position. • The major structure of hemicelluloses is O -acetyl- α - L -arabino-4- O -methylglucurono-(1→4)- β - D -xylan. • The second major structure of hemicelluloses is β -(1→3) (1→4)-glucan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A thermodynamic network is formulated to model the electrolytic thermo-electrochemical effects. • Geothermal-solar-wind 100% renewable complementarities are proposed for multi-energy supplies. • A mean-variance portfolio scheme is developed to determine appropriate energy generation, conversion, and storage candidates. • The energy risks of high-renewable portfolio are considered. This paper proposes a high-renewable portfolio model of energy hub. In this model, geothermal-solar-wind multi-energy complementarities are fully explored based on electrolytic thermo-electrochemical effects of geothermal-to-hydrogen (GTH), which are converted, conditioned, and coupled through energy hub. The proposed high-renewable energy hub portfolio is an intractable optimization problem due to their inherent strong energy couplings and conflicted energy cost/risk. The original problem is thus characterized through the mean-variance approach to explicitly express the risk associated with the forecast uncertainties. The formulated mean-variance portfolio problem is subsequently modeled as a two-stage mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) stochastic programming to optimally determine appropriate energy generation, conversion, and storage candidates. Numerical studies on a community microgrid are implemented to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed methodology over conventional wind-solar-battery scheme. Simulations results show that the portfolio cost can be reduced by at most 14.9% with a significantly higher operational flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In high-power applications, different multilevel voltage source converter (VSC) topologies are usually applied. The hybrid parallel multiconverters, which is a combination of multiactive and hybrid VSCs connecting in parallel, can be a promising solution in a high-power grid. In this article, the fusion VSC topology concept is proposed in which fusion VSC takes the advantages of both active (inductive coupling) VSC and hybrid (capacitive coupling) VSC. It corresponds to overcoming the insufficient-capacity problems when active VSCs are employed alone and vice versa. This article proposes fusion active power filter topology by combing active and hybrid power VSC through their equivalent model for power quality compensation. With the proposed VSC's equivalent model, it can reduce the converter rating by 17%–80% compared with the conventional approaches. Additionally, the corresponding control algorithm is proposed for the FAPF for power quality compensation. Finally, the simulation and real-time digital simulator hardware-in-the-loop experimental results of the proposed FAPF topology are given to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness for reducing its capacity and power loss compared with the conventional multi-VSC in power quality compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the leading global cause of cancer‐related death, however, resistance to chemotherapy drugs remains a huge barrier to effective treatment. The elevated recruitment of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to tumour after chemotherapy has been linked to resistance of chemotherapy drugs. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism remains unclear. oxPAPC is a bioactive principal component of minimally modified low‐density lipoproteins and regulates inflammatory response. In this work, we found that cisplatin, oxaliplatin and ADM all increased oxPAPC release in tumour. Treating macrophages with oxPAPC in vitro stimulated the secretion of MCP‐1 and LTB4, which strongly induced monocytes and neutrophils chemotaxis, respectively. Injection of oxPAPC in vivo significantly upregulated the percentage of MDSCs in tumour microenvironment (TME) of wild‐type LL2 tumour‐bearing mice, but not CCL2−/− mice and LTB4R−/− mice. Critically, oxPAPC acted as a pro‐tumor factor in LL2 tumour model. Indeed, cisplatin increased oxPAPC level in tumour tissues of WT mice, CCL2−/− and LTB4R−/− mice, but caused increased infiltration of Ly6Chigh monocytes and neutrophils only in WT LL2‐bearing mice. Collectively, our work demonstrates cisplatin treatment induces an overproduction of oxPAPC and thus recruits MDSCs infiltration to promote the tumour growth through the MCP‐1/CCL2 and LTB4/LTB4R pathways, which may restrict the effect of multiple chemotherapy. This provides evidence for a potential strategy to enhance the efficacy of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of lung cancer by targeting oxPAPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple geographically dispersed data center buildings have been increasingly positioned in renewable-rich areas due to their high energy consumption. This paper proposes an optimal multi-energy portfolio for zero carbon data center buildings in the presence of proactive demand response programs. In the data center buildings, the complementarities of hydro-solar-wind hybrid renewable energy sources (RESs) are fully exploited via multi-energy conversion and storage devices, which are modeled as 100% renewable energy hubs for zero carbon multi-energy supplies. In order to exploit the hub-internal operational dispatchability and flexibility, a comprehensive energy consumption model of data center buildings is proposed to facilitate the demand response in terms of available serves, while the variable speed pumped storage (VSPS) is modeled to capture its dynamic operational characteristics. The energy‑carbon production, conversion, storage, and consumption are formulated as an energy‑carbon matrix, which are solved via a two-stage method to obtain the optimal portfolio. Case studies on southwest China data center buildings are implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed methodology on cost-effective accommodation of RESs. Simulations results show that the system portfolio cost can be reduced by at most 17.8% with a higher operational flexibility. • A cost-effective data center building is proposed to accommodate zero carbon targets. • Hydro-solar-wind 100% renewables are formulated for multi-energy supplies. • VSPS and data center energy consumption are modeled to exploit inherent flexibility. • The energy-carbon production, conversion, storage, and consumption are optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A two-stage real-time multi-energy demand response framework is proposed for a high-renewable building microgrid. • Transactive pricing mechanism and schedulable flexibility are developed to facilitate real-time multi-energy demand response. • A rolling horizon-based real-time scheduling model is formulated to optimize overall building operating costs. • A rule-based faster-time scale multi-energy allocation is developed to offset the real-time mismatch energy. Proactive demand response is a cost-effective approach to enhance energy flexibility of high-renewable urban energy systems. This paper proposes a two-stage real-time multi-energy demand response framework for a high-renewable building microgrid. In the first stage, a rolling horizon-based on-line scheduling model is formulated to economically optimize the building multi-energy converters and storages via a novel transactive pricing mechanism. In the second stage, the schedulable multi-energy flexibility for response devices is defined and evaluated via comprehensive information. After obtaining the stochastic optimal economical scheduling results in the first stage, the second stage performs a rule-based faster-time scale multi-energy allocation to offset the real-time mismatch energy due to supply–demand uncertainties. Case studies over a building microgrid are performed to validate the effective and superior performances of the proposed method on improvements of multi-energy economy and flexibility. Simulations results show that the system operating cost can be reduced by at most 36.9% with a higher operational flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of 5G base station (5G BS) clusters and edge data services introduces novel digital loads (NDLs) into the distribution system (DS), significantly impacting the interactive coordination of 5G-DS. This paper proposes an expansion planning model of 5G and DS considering source-network-load-storage coordination. Here, renewable energy resources (RESs), 5G BS clusters, edge data centers (EDCs), and DS source-network-load-storage are coordinately planned. The dynamic service access of 5G BS cluster are formulated to capture the coupled nature and inherent flexibility of 5G services. Considering the flexible processing of EDCs, a detailed categorization is conducted based on data service type, leveraging the synergies between cloud and edge computing to achieve flexible data load distribution. The original expansion planning model is reformulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem to facilitate its computational solution. Simulation results from case studies on Portugal 54 node network over individual expansion planning and 5G static-access are performed to validate the effective and superior performances of the proposed method. Simulations results show that the system cost can be reduced by at most 15% with a higher operational flexibility. [Display omitted] • An expansion planning model of 5G and DS considering source-network-load-storage coordination is proposed. • NDLs from 5G BS clusters and EDCs are introduced to accommodate the RESs. • Dynamic access services of 5G BS clusters are formulated to leverage their flexibility. • Synergies of cloud and edge computing in EDCs are captured to facilitate source-network-load- storage coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a geothermal-solar-wind renewable energy hub framework for community multi-energy supplies. In this framework, multi-energy complementarities of geothermal-solar-wind hybrid renewable energy are fully explored based on electrolytic thermo-electrochemical effects of geothermal-to-hydrogen (GTH), which is integrated with the multi-energy conversion and storage devices for multi-energy supplies. In order to exploit the inherent multi-energy operational dispatchability and flexibility of geothermal-solar-wind renewables, a multi-energy coupling matrix is formulated for the modeling of production, conversion, storage, and consumption of hub-internal electricity, hydrogen and heating energy. A multi-energy operation scheme is further developed to dispatch the energy flows of the coupling matrix for cost-effective accommodation of community renewables. Case studies on a community microgrid under grid-connected and grid-disconnected modes are performed to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed methodology. Simulations results show that the solar-wind accommodation can be improved by at most 1.59% with a significantly lower system operating cost. • An electrolytic thermodynamic network is formulated to model the thermo-electrochemical effects. • Geothermal-solar-wind 100% renewables is proposed for multi-energy supplies. • A multi-energy operation scheme is developed to dispatch the electricity, thermal, and hydrogen flows. • The costs during production, conversion, storage, and consumption process are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supplementation of dimethyl alpha-ketoglutarate (DMKG) during the in vitro maturation (IVM) process has been shown to improve the in vitro developmental competences of porcine oocytes. Here, the effects of DMKG supplementation in IVM medium on the development competencies of ovine oocytes were investigated by analyzing the nuclear maturation rate to metaphase II (MII) stage, ATP synthesis, cortical granules (CGs) dynamic, F-actin polymerization, mitochondrial activity, mitochondrial damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, intracellular glutathione (GSH) production, DNA damage, cellular apoptosis, fertilization capacity and blastocyst development potential of ovine oocytes. In addition, the oxidative stress damage model induced by H 2 O 2 treatment was applied to confirm the antioxidative effect of DMKG supplementation on the development of ovine oocytes. The results showed that compared with MII oocytes without DMKG supplementation (Control group), 3 mM DMKG supplementation during IVM significantly (P < 0.05) increased nuclear maturation rate, ATP synthesis, CGs dynamic, F-actin polymerization, mitochondrial activity, GSH production and embryonic developmental competence and decreased ROS production, mitochondrial damage, DNA damage and cellular apoptosis level of ovine MII oocytes. Moreover, the reductions in the developmental competences of ovine MII oocytes caused by H 2 O 2 induced oxidative stress damages were effectively ameliorated by the co-supplementation in IVM of 3 mM DMKG (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate the promising effect of DMKG supplementation on the in vitro developmental competence of ovine oocytes via the reduction of oxidative stress damages and indicates further research into the clinical applications of DMKG and the development of ovine breeding technologies is warranted. • Supplementation of 3 mM DMKG during IVM process improved the in vitro developmental competence of ovine oocytes. • 3 mM DMKG supplementation during IVM process promoted the embryonic developmental competence of ovine oocytes. • The increased development of ovine oocytes after 3 mM DMKG exposure was related to the inhibition of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses and evaluates the feasibility of a harmonic filtering distribution transformer (HFDT) for a harmonic reduction in low‐voltage distribution networks. With this new‐type transformer, power quality of the distribution systems can be improved by preventing the low‐voltage‐side harmonic currents from penetrating the higher voltage side. As the physical size of available space in prefabricated substations is strictly limited, necessary low space occupying filtering techniques are needed. Therefore, an HFDT with integrated filtering inductors (IFIs) capable of being implemented in regular air‐insulated prefabricated substations is proposed. Two sets of passive filters configured by IFIs and external capacitors are employed for harmonic filtering. Two methods for estimating the inductance parameter are provided. One is the dimension‐based method and the other is the reduced‐order inductance matrix method. The relevant harmonic reduction analysis is based on simulations with a field–circuit coupling model, which consists of a three‐dimensional finite‐element electromagnetic model of an HFDT with IFIs and a corresponding electric circuit of a simplified distribution network. These simulations prove that the described HFDT can effectively reduce specific harmonic currents with IFI‐based filters. Finally, the successful suppression of harmonics is demonstrated and discussed based on field‐test measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), standard therapeutic methods (cisplatin and radiotherapy) have been found to be ineffective and severely toxic. Targeted therapy emerges as a promising solution for this dilemma. It has been reported that targeted therapies are applied alone or in combination with standard conventional therapies for the treatment of a variety of cancers. To the best of our knowledge, in patients with ESCC, the combinational methods containing standard therapy and ERK-targeted therapy have yet to be explored. To analyze the prognostic role of p-ERK in ESCC patients, the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model were used. To assess the effects of ERK-targeted therapy (GDC0994) on ESCC cells, in vitro studies including CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and scratch wound healing assay were conducted. In addition, the changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Besides, to assess the efficacy of different therapies in vivo, the xenograft tumor models were established by subcutaneously inoculating tumor cells into the flank/leg of mice. In patients with ESCC, a strong correlation between the high expression level of p-ERK and the poor prognosis (p < 0.01, Log-Rank test) has been identified. By analyzing the results from CCK-8 and scratch wound healing assays, we demonstrated that the ERK inhibitor repressed the viability and migration of ESCC cells. In addition, following the treatment of GDC0994, the volumes of xenograft tumors significantly decreased (p < 0.001, one-way ANOVA). Furthermore, blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of both cisplatin and radiotherapy (p < 0.05). These findings imply the role of p-ERK in the prognosis of ESCC patients and the therapeutic value of ERK inhibitors in ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]