We propose a variable metric forward-backward splitting algorithm and prove its convergence in real Hilbert spaces. We then use this framework to derive primal-dual splitting algorithms for solving ...various classes of monotone inclusions in duality. Some of these algorithms are new even when specialized to the fixed metric case. Various applications are discussed.
Summary
Cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1) plays a central role in nitrogen (N) metabolism. The importance of GS1 in N remobilization during reproductive growth has been reported in cereal species ...but attempts to improve N utilization efficiency (NUE) by overexpressing GS1 have yielded inconsistent results. Here, we demonstrate that transformation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants using a cisgenic strategy to express an extra copy of native HvGS1‐1 lead to increased HvGS1.1 expression and GS1 enzyme activity. GS1 overexpressing lines exhibited higher grain yields and NUE than wild‐type plants when grown under three different N supplies and two levels of atmospheric CO2. In contrast with the wild‐type, the grain protein concentration in the GS1 overexpressing lines did not decline when plants were exposed to elevated (800–900 μL/L) atmospheric CO2. We conclude that an increase in GS1 activity obtained through cisgenic overexpression of HvGS1‐1 can improve grain yield and NUE in barley. The extra capacity for N assimilation obtained by GS1 overexpression may also provide a means to prevent declining grain protein levels under elevated atmospheric CO2.
Low concentration of zinc (Zn) in the endosperm of cereals is a major factor contributing to Zn deficiency in human populations. We have investigated how combined Zn and nitrogen (N) fertilization ...affects the speciation and localization of Zn in durum wheat (Triticum durum).
Zn-binding proteins were analysed with liquid chromatography ICP-MS and Orbitrap MS2, respectively. Laser ablation ICP-MS with simultaneous Zn, sulphur (S) and phosphorus (P) detection was used for bioimaging of Zn and its potential ligands.
Increasing the Zn and N supply had a major impact on the Zn concentration in the endosperm, reaching concentrations higher than current breeding targets. The S concentration also increased, but S was only partly co-localized with Zn. The mutual Zn and S enrichment was reflected in substantially more Zn bound to small cysteine-rich proteins (apparent size 10–30 kDa), whereas the response of larger proteins (apparent size > 50 kDa) was only modest. Most of the Zn-responsive proteins were associated with redox- and stress-related processes.
This study offers a methodological platform to deepen the understanding of processes behind endosperm Zn enrichment. Novel information is provided on how the localization and speciation of Zn is modified during Zn biofortification of grains.
A system level modelling study of three combined heat and power systems based on biomass gasification is presented. Product gas is converted in a micro gas turbine (MGT) in the first system, in a ...solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in the second system and in a combined SOFC–MGT arrangement in the third system. An electrochemical model of the SOFC has been developed and calibrated against published data from Topsoe Fuel Cells A/S and the Risø National Laboratory. The modelled gasifier is based on an up scaled version (∼500
kW
th) of the demonstrated low tar gasifier, Viking, situated at the Technical University of Denmark. The SOFC converts the syngas more efficiently than the MGT, which is reflected by the energetic electrical efficiency of the gasifier and MGT system in opposition to the gasifier and SOFC configuration –
η
el
=
28.1% versus
η
el
=
36.4%. By combining the SOFC and MGT, the unconverted syngas from the SOFC is utilised in the MGT to produce more power and the SOFC is pressurised, which improves the efficiency to as much as
η
el
=
50.3%. Variation of the different operating conditions reveals an optimum for the chosen pressure ratio with respect to the resulting electrical efficiency. Furthermore, the SOFC operating temperature should be kept high and the cathode temperature gradient maximised.
A hybrid plant producing combined heat and power (CHP) from biomass by use of a two-stage gasification concept, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and a micro gas turbine was considered for optimization. ...The hybrid plant represents a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional decentralized CHP plants. A clean product gas was produced by the demonstrated two-stage gasifier, thus only simple gas conditioning was necessary prior to the SOFC stack. The plant was investigated by thermodynamic modeling combining zero-dimensional component models into complete system-level models. Energy and exergy analyses were applied. Focus in this optimization study was heat management, and the optimization efforts resulted in a substantial gain of approximately 6% in the electrical efficiency of the plant. The optimized hybrid plant produced approximately 290 kW
e at an electrical efficiency of 58.2% based on lower heating value (LHV).
► Combined two-stage gasification, solid oxide fuel cells and gas turbine technology. ► Hybrid plant for efficient decentralized power and heat production from biomass. ► Through modeling, energy and exergy analyses reveal inefficiencies. ► Optimization efforts for increased plant efficiency. ► Electrical efficiency reached 58% (LHV) producing 290 kW electricity.
Background
The Breslow depth is an important parameter to determine the excision margin and prognosis of melanoma. However, it is difficult to accurately determine the actual Breslow depth before ...surgery using the existing ocular micrometer and biopsy technique.
Objectives
To evaluate the use of 3D wide‐field multispectral photoacoustic imaging to non‐invasively measure depth and outline the boundary of melanomas for optimal surgical margin selection.
Methods
Six melanoma patients were examined in vivo using the 3D multispectral photoacoustic imaging system. For five cases of melanomas (one in situ, three nodular, and one acral lentiginous type melanoma), the spectrally unmixed photoacoustic depths were calculated and compared against histopathological depths.
Results
Spectrally unmixed photoacoustic depths and histopathological depths match well within a mean absolute error of 0.36 mm. In particular, the measured minimum and maximum depths in the in situ and nodular type of melanoma were 0.6 and 9.1 mm, respectively. In the 3D photoacoustic image of one metastatic melanoma, feeding vessels were visualized in the melanoma, suggesting the neovascularization around the tumour.
Conclusions
The 3D multispectral photoacoustic imaging not only provides well‐measured depth and sizes of various types of melanomas, it also visualizes the metastatic type of melanoma. Obtaining accurate depth and boundary information of melanoma before surgery would play a useful role in the complete excision of melanoma during surgery.
The pool boiling characteristics of dilute dispersions of alumina, zirconia and silica nanoparticles in water were studied. Consistently with other nanofluid studies, it was found that a significant ...enhancement in critical heat flux (CHF) can be achieved at modest nanoparticle concentrations (<0.1% by volume). Buildup of a porous layer of nanoparticles on the heater surface occurred during nucleate boiling. This layer significantly improves the surface wettability, as shown by a reduction of the static contact angle on the nanofluid-boiled surfaces compared with the pure-water-boiled surfaces. A review of the prevalent CHF theories has established the nexus between CHF enhancement and surface wettability changes caused by nanoparticle deposition. This represents a first important step towards identification of a plausible mechanism for boiling CHF enhancement in nanofluids.
Summary
A total of 25,306 psoriasis participants were matched to 101,224 controls, and the occurrence of osteoporosis was analyzed. Additionally, 79,212 osteoporosis patients were matched to 79,212 ...controls and a previous history of psoriasis was analyzed. Psoriasis increased the risk of osteoporosis among participants aged ≥ 40 years.
Introduction
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between psoriasis and osteoporosis using two different studies.
Methods
Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort of participants aged ≥ 40 years were collected from 2002 to 2013. Psoriasis and osteoporosis were included using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes. In study I (a follow-up study), a total of 25,306 psoriasis participants were matched to 101,224 controls with respect to age, sex, income, and region of residence, and the occurrence of osteoporosis was analyzed. Crude (simple) and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were analyzed using a stratified Cox proportional hazard model. In study II (a nested case–control study), a total of 79,212 osteoporosis patients were matched to 79,212 controls and a previous history of psoriasis was analyzed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed using a conditional logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age group and sex.
Results
The adjusted HR of osteoporosis was 1.09 (95% confidence interval CI = 1.05–1.13,
P
< 0.001) in study I. In the subgroup analysis according to age and sex, the results were consistent except for ≥ 60-year-old women. The adjusted OR of psoriasis was 1.21 (95% CI = 1.16–1.27,
P
< 0.001) in study II. All subgroups demonstrated high adjusted ORs of osteoporosis for psoriasis.
Conclusions
Psoriasis increased the risk of osteoporosis among participants aged ≥ 40 years in Korea.
Symmetry provides a powerful machinery to classify, interpret, and understand quantum-mechanical theories and results. However, most contemporary quantum chemistry packages lack the ability to handle ...degeneracy and symmetry breaking effects, especially in non-Abelian groups, and they are not able to characterize symmetry in the presence of external magnetic or electric fields. In this article, a program written in Rust entitled QSym2 that makes use of group and representation theories to provide symmetry analysis for a wide range of quantum-chemical calculations is introduced. With its ability to generate character tables symbolically on-the-fly and by making use of a generic symmetry-orbit-based representation analysis method formulated in this work, QSym2 is able to address all of these shortcomings. To illustrate these capabilities of QSym2, four sets of case studies are examined in detail in this article: (i) high-symmetry C84H64, C60, and B9– to demonstrate the analysis of degenerate molecular orbitals (MOs); (ii) octahedral Fe(CN)63– to demonstrate the analysis of symmetry-broken determinants and MOs; (iii) linear hydrogen fluoride in a magnetic field to demonstrate the analysis of magnetic symmetry; and (iv) equilateral H3+ to demonstrate the analysis of density symmetries.
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