Progress in Microgrid (MG) research has evolved the MG concept from classical, purely MG power networks to more advanced power and communications networks. The communications infrastructure helps ...control and manage the unreliable power outputs that most standard power generation elements of the MG (e.g., wind turbines and photo-voltaic panels) deliver. Although communication technologies do offer certain advantages for sensing and control, they generate other complications due to packet loss and packet latency, among other transmission impairments. In this work, we discuss the impact of communications on MG performance, establishing the requirements of data exchanges and system response in the three levels of a hierarchical control approach: primary, secondary, and tertiary. With a focus on the secondary level - responsible for ensuring the restoration of electrical parameters - we identify standards, networking protocols, and communication technologies relevant for the interoperability of MGs and clusters of MGs, including both modes of operation: isolated and grid-connected. We review theoretical approaches and practical implementations that consider the effects of the communications network on the general performance of the MG. Moreover, we undertake an experimental analysis of the influence of wired and wireless communication networks on MG performance, revealing the importance of designing future smart control solutions more robust to communication degradation, especially if wireless technologies are integrated to provide scalable deployments. Aspects such as resilience, security, and interoperability are also shown to require continuing efforts in research and practical applications.
Abstract
Metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks, with low to no primary porosity, outcrop in the La Moza micro-basin stream (headwater of the Rio de Oro). In this high mountain system, water ...isotopic composition of rainwater, water isotopes and geochemistry of groundwater (springs) and surface water were determined. Groundwater flows are associated to phreatic aquifers in relationship with secondary porosity generated by fracturing, which is increased by dissolution processes in case of carbonate formation producing karstic systems and by the weathering phenomenon mainly affecting granodioritic rocks. Water geochemistry shows low to medium electrical conductivity (EC) depending on the geological formation, but a unique calcium bicarbonate facies. Spring water EC shows limited temporal variations. The isotopic composition of spring indicates a meteoric origin, local infiltration and groundwater flows with low residence time. A conceptual model of the recharge zone is proposed that crosses the surface watershed and covers part of the adjacent Rio Jordán basin, where the Berlin Paramo is located.
Future climatic scenarios combine increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO(2) and rising sea levels. Spartina maritima is a C(4) halophyte that is an important pioneer and ecosystem engineer in ...salt marshes of the Atlantic coast of southern Europe. A glasshouse experiment investigated the combined effects on its growth and photosynthetic apparatus of approximately doubling CO(2) concentration (from 380 to 700 μmol mol(-1)) at a range of salinity (0, 171 and 510 mM NaCl). We measured relative growth rates, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and total ash, Na(+), K(2+), Ca(2+) and N concentrations. Elevated CO(2) stimulated growth of S. maritima by c. 65% at all external salinities; this growth enhancement was associated with greater net photosynthetic rate (A) and improved leaf water relations. A increased despite a drop in stomatal conductance in response to 700 μmol mol(-1) CO(2). CO(2) and salinity had a marked overall effect on the photochemical (PSII) apparatus and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Φ(PSII) values at midday decreased significantly with external salinity in plants grown at 380 μmol mol(-1) CO(2); and F(v)/F(m) and Φ(PSII) values were higher at 700 μmol mol(-1) CO(2) in presence of NaCl. Plant nutrient concentrations declined under elevated CO(2), which can be ascribed to the dilution effect caused by an increase in biomass. The results suggest that the productivity S. maritima and the ecosystem services it provides will increase in likely future climatic scenarios.
Summary
Several observational studies have assessed the association between psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with inconclusive results. We set out to investigate the ...association between psoriasis, PsA and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Observational studies assessing the relationship between psoriasis or PsA and type 2 diabetes mellitus up to December 2012 were identified by electronic and hand searches in Medline, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Google Scholar. For each study we collected the first author's last name, publication year, country of origin, study design, characteristics of participants (sample size, age and sex), the variables incorporated into the multivariable analyses, and the odds ratios (ORs) of psoriasis associated with diabetes along with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). From the data provided in each article, the crude OR was also calculated. Forty‐four observational studies (in 37 articles) were identified for the final analysis. The pooled OR from random‐effects analysis was determined to be 1·76 (95% CI 1·59–1·96). The highest risk was for patients suffering from PsA (OR 2·18, 95% CI 1·36–3·50). We also observed a dose effect in the risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus, as patients considered as having severe psoriasis had higher risk (OR 2·10, 95% CI 1·73–2·55) than the pooled OR. We perform meta‐regression and sensitivity analyses to explore sources of heterogeneity among the studies and to determine how they would influence the estimates, and found no significant influence in the results of the meta‐analyses. The findings support the association between psoriasis, PsA and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Some caution must be taken in the interpretation of these results because there may be heterogeneity between studies.
What's already known about this topic?
Several observational studies have assessed the association between psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with inconclusive results.
What does this study add?
A systematic review and meta‐analysis including all observational studies up to December 2012.
Investigation of the influence of psoriatic arthritis and the severity of the disease on the risk of diabetes.
Abstract
Sediment samples were taken during a short-term study of the distribution of meiofauna from a coastal lagoon in Sinaloa (northwestern Mexico). Several species of harpacticoids (Copepoda: ...Harpacticoida) were observed among the taxa recovered. Some of these species are new to science, whereas some others are new records for Mexican brackish systems. Three species of Apodopsyllus (Harpacticoida: Paramesochridae) are described herein. One of them, A. alejandrovillalobosi sp. nov. proved to be closely related to its northern congener A. vermiculiformis known from California and British Columbia. Apodopsyllus samuelgomezi sp. nov. and A. pseudocubensis sp. nov. constitute new records of the neotropical arcuatus-chilensis-cubensis lineage. Apodopsyllus samuelgomezi sp. nov. is unique within this clade in the male P6 with two long inner setae. Apodopsyllus pseudocubensis sp. nov. was found to be allied to its Cuban relative A. cubensis. These two species share the general shape of female P5 and male P6.
Purpose
The outcomes of five fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (hfSRT) following brain metastasectomy were evaluated and compared with published series.
Methods
30 Gy in 5 fractions HfSRT prescribed ...to the surgical cavity was reduced to 25 Gy if the volume of ‘brain−GTV’ receiving 20 Gy exceeded 20 cm
3
. Endpoints were local recurrence, nodular leptomeningeal recurrence, new brain metastases and radionecrosis. The literature was searched for reports of clinical and dosimetric outcomes following postoperative hfSRT in 3–5 fractions.
Results
39 patients with 40 surgical cavities were analyzed. Cavity local control rate at 1 year was 33/40 (82.5%). 3 local failures followed 30 Gy/5 fractions and 4 with 25 Gy/5 fractions. The incidence of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) was 7/40 (17.5%). No grade 3–4 toxicities, particularly no radionecrosis, were reported. The incidence of distant brain metastases was 15/40 (37.5%). The median overall survival was 15 months. Across 13 published series, the weighted mean local control was 83.1% (adjusted for sample size), the mean incidence of LMD was 14.9% (7–34%) and the mean rate of radionecrosis was 10.3% (0–20.6%).
Conclusion
Postoperative hfSRT can be delivered with 25–30 Gy in 5 fractions with efficacy in excess of 82% and no significant toxicity when the dose to ‘brain−GTV’ does not exceed 20 cm
3
.
During the endosymbiosis formed between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, the root cortical cells are colonized by branched hyphae called arbuscules, which function in nutrient exchange ...with the plant 1. Despite their positive function, arbuscules are ephemeral structures, and their development is followed by a degeneration phase, in which the arbuscule and surrounding periarbuscular membrane and matrix gradually disappear from the root cell 2, 3. Currently, the root cell’s role in this process and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here, by using a Medicago truncatula pt4 mutant in which arbuscules degenerate prematurely 4, we identified arbuscule degeneration-associated genes, of which 38% are predicted to encode secreted hydrolases, suggesting a role in disassembly of the arbuscule and interface. Through RNAi and analysis of an insertion mutant, we identified a symbiosis-specific MYB-like transcription factor (MYB1) that suppresses arbuscule degeneration in mtpt4. In myb1, expression of several degeneration-associated genes is reduced. Conversely, in roots constitutively overexpressing MYB1, expression of degeneration-associated genes is increased and subsequent development of symbiosis is impaired. MYB1-regulated gene expression is enhanced by DELLA proteins and is dependent on NSP1 5, but not NSP2 6. Furthermore, MYB1 interacts with DELLA and NSP1. Our data identify a transcriptional program for arbuscule degeneration and reveal that its regulators include MYB1 in association with two transcriptional regulators, NSP1 and DELLA, both of which function in preceding phases of the symbiosis. We propose that the combinatorial use of transcription factors enables the sequential expression of transcriptional programs for arbuscule development and degeneration.
Display omitted
•A transcriptional program associated with arbuscule degeneration during AM symbiosis•Arbuscule degeneration-associated genes encoding hydrolases are regulated by MYB1•della double and triple mutants reveal that DELLAs influence arbuscule degeneration•MYB1-regulated gene expression requires NSP1 and is enhanced by DELLAs
During AM symbiosis, the root cortical cells construct and later disassemble a membrane and matrix around the fungal symbiont. Floss et al. identify a transcriptional program associated with arbuscule degeneration and reveal that expression of degeneration-associated hydrolase genes is regulated by MYB1 in association with NSP1 and DELLAs.
The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is by far the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) worldwide in infants and children younger than 2 years. The overwhelming ...number of hospitalizations due to hRSV-induced ALRTI each year is due, at least in part, to the lack of licensed vaccines against this virus. Thus, hRSV infection is considered a major public health problem and economic burden in most countries. The lung pathology developed in hRSV-infected individuals is characterized by an exacerbated proinflammatory and unbalanced Th2-type immune response. In addition to the adverse effects in airway tissues, hRSV infection can also cause neurologic manifestations in the host, such as seizures and encephalopathy. Although the origins of these extrapulmonary symptoms remain unclear, studies with patients suffering from neurological alterations suggest an involvement of the inflammatory response against hRSV. Furthermore, hRSV has evolved numerous mechanisms to modulate and evade the immune response in the host. Several studies have focused on elucidating the interactions between hRSV virulence factors and the host immune system, to rationally design new vaccines and therapies against this virus. Here, we discuss about the infection, pathology, and immune response triggered by hRSV in the host.
Abstract Purpose To study the types of acquired restrictive strabismus treated in a tertiary hospital and the outcome of treatment with botulinum toxin. Methods We performed a 10-year retrospective ...study of patients with restrictive strabismus aged ≥18 years who were treated with botulinum toxin. Treatment was considered successful if the final vertical deviation was ≤5 PD, horizontal deviation ≤10 PD, with no head turn or diplopia. Results We included 27 cases (mean age, 61.9 years). Horizontal strabismus was diagnosed in 11.1%, vertical in 51.9%, and mixed in 37%. Strabismus was secondary to cataract surgery in 6 cases, high myopia in 6, orbital fractures in 5, retinal surgery in 5, Graves ophthalmopathy in 4, and repair of conjunctival injury in 1 case. Diplopia was diagnosed in all patients, head turn in 33.3%. The initial deviation was 14 PD (range, 2–40), the mean number of injections per patient was 1.6 (range, 1–3), and the mean dose was 9.5 IU (range, 2.5–22.5). At the end of follow-up, diplopia was recorded in 59.3%, head turn in 18.5%, surgical treatment in 51.9%, and need for prism glasses in 14.8%. Outcome was successful in 37% of patients (4 high myopia, 3 orbital fractures, 2 post-surgical retinal detachment, and 1 post-cataract surgery). Mean follow-up was 3 ± 1.8 years. Conclusion Vertical deviation was observed in half of the sample. The most frequent deviation was secondary to cataract surgery and high myopia. Treatment with botulinum toxin was successful in one-third of the patients at the end of follow-up.
PDF
