Nearly room-temperature type-II quantum-well lasers at 3–4 μm

We report optically pumped four-constituent InAs/InGaSb/InAs/AlSb type-II quantum-well lasers emitting at 3.2–4.1 μm. Lasing was observed up to 350K under pulsed operation, with a characteristic temperature T₀ up to 68K at temperatures above ambient.     

Thermal characterization of diamond-pressure-bond heat sinking foroptically pumped mid-infrared lasers

The heat-sinking properties of optically pumped semiconductor lasers mounted by the diamond-pressure-bonding (DPB) technique have been evaluated quantitatively. This method combines epi-side-down mounting with minimal processing and top optical access via pumping through the diamond. By correlating the pump-intensity variation of the emission wavelength with its temperature variation, specific thermal resistances have been determined for DPB-mounted type-II “W” lasers operating in the mid-infrared. Values <2.0 K·cm²/kW were obtained for all temperatures in the range 140-220 K     

A novel approach for identifying the surface atoms of macromolecules

A significant number of atoms lie buried beneath the "molecular surface" of proteins and other biologic macromolecules. Interactions between ligands and these macromolecules are dominated by interactions with the "surface atoms". Although interactions with the "buried" or interior atoms of the macromolecule certainly contribute to the total intermolecular interaction energy, many computer-assisted drug design (CADD) strategies can benefit from the identification of those atoms "on the surface" of proteins and other macromolecules. We have developed a simple, yet novel method to distinguish the surface atoms of macromolecules from the interior atoms which is based on computing the atomic contributions to the solvent-accessible surface (SAS) area. This report describes that method and demonstrates that it compares very favorably with four alternative methods.     

基于非线性互补问题函数的半光滑牛顿最优潮流算法

提出了一种新的基于非线性互补问题(NCP)函数的半光滑牛顿方法，以用于求解最优潮流(OPF)问题。通过引入NCP函数，将OPF模型KKT条件的互补松弛约束转化为等式约束，并采用非光滑牛顿法求解。算法的突出优势在于能够有效地处理OPF模型中的不等式约束，从而完全避免了OPF计算中起作用的不等式约束的识别问题。同时，文中利用电力系统的弱耦合特性，构造了牛顿分解算法。IEEE多个算例的数值试验表明：提出的算法具有很好的收敛特性和计算效果，有很好的实际应用前景。     

多时间尺度电力系统的模型降阶及稳定性分析(一)基本理论

在双时间尺度系统中，慢流形的存在性及其基本特征的研究为研究时间尺度分解及系统降阶提供了理论基础，但对于多时间尺度的电力系统模型降阶问题而言，还必须研究快流形的存在性及其基本特征，以给出固定系统慢动态的降价条件。文中研究了慢流形的基本理论及略去快动态的条件，提出了系统快流形这一不变流形的存在性定理，并在系统初值落在快流形的条件下，实现系统的精确降阶，文中所得到的结果不仅为电力系统降阶奠定了理论基础，而且可以对电力系统的短期失稳与中、长期失稳做出合理的解释。     

实时电力市场阻塞管理算法研究

作者提出了一种新的优化类算法用于解决实时电力市场的阻塞管理问题。基于市场成员的调整报价,实时阻塞管理问题被描述为调整成本最小的优化问题。通过将优化问题转化为等价的非线性方程组,避免了起作用约束的识别问题,提高了计算效率;方程组的求解利用了半光滑牛顿类算法,从而具有较快的收敛速度;步长搜索策略的使用确保了算法的全局收敛性,从而使算法具有较强的鲁棒性。算例分析以及与传统算法的比较证明,本文的算法是一种有效的阻塞消除算法。     

输电系统固定成本分摊问题

在电力市场环境下，输电固定成本需要公平、合理地分摊给所有电网使用者。合理的分摊方法可以引导对现有输电设备的有效和合理的使用，并为将来的发电规划和负荷选址提供经济信号。文中对现有的输电固定成本分摊方法进行了全面而系统的综述，按照所分摊的成本、承担成本的主体、所基于的系统状态、冗余容量成本的分摊、对反向潮流的收费、对无功功率的处理、分摊的原则与方法等方面，对现有的输电成本分摊方法进行了详细的分析，论述了每一种方法的特点，并对各种方法进行了比较和讨论。     

The FKBP51 Inhibitor SAFit2 Restores the Pain-Relieving C16 Dihydroceramide after Nerve Injury

Neuropathic pain is a pathological pain state with a broad symptom scope that affects patients after nerve injuries, but it can also arise after infections or exposure to toxic substances. Current treatment possibilities are still limited because of the low efficacy and severe adverse effects of available therapeutics, highlighting an emerging need for novel analgesics and for a detailed understanding of the pathophysiological alterations in the onset and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Here, we show that the novel and highly specific FKBP51 inhibitor SAFit2 restores lipid signaling and metabolism in nervous tissue after nerve injury. More specifically, we identify that SAFit2 restores the levels of the C16 dihydroceramide, which significantly reduces the sensitization of the pain-mediating TRPV1 channel and subsequently the secretion of the pro-inflammatory neuropeptide CGRP in primary sensory neurons. Furthermore, we show that the C16 dihydroceramide is capable of reducing acute thermal hypersensitivity in a capsaicin mouse model. In conclusion, we report for the first time the C16 dihydroceramide as a novel and crucial lipid mediator in the context of neuropathic pain as it has analgesic properties, contributing to the pain-relieving properties of SAFit2.     

Characterization of the Human Papillomavirus 16 Oncogenes in K14HPV16 Mice: Sublineage A1 Drives Multi-Organ Carcinogenesis

The study of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced carcinogenesis uses multiple in vivo mouse models, one of which relies on the cytokeratin 14 gene promoter to drive the expression of all HPV early oncogenes. This study aimed to determine the HPV16 variant and sublineage present in the K14HPV16 mouse model. This information can be considered of great importance to further enhance this K14HPV16 model as an essential research tool and optimize its use for basic and translational studies. Our study evaluated HPV DNA from 17 samples isolated from 4 animals, both wild-type (n = 2) and HPV16-transgenic mice (n = 2). Total DNA was extracted from tissues and the detection of HPV16 was performed using a qPCR multiplex. HPV16-positive samples were subsequently whole-genome sequenced by next-generation sequencing techniques. The phylogenetic positioning clearly shows K14HPV16 samples clustering together in the sub-lineage A1 (NC001526.4). A comparative genome analysis of K14HPV16 samples revealed three mutations to the human papillomaviruses type 16 sublineage A1 representative strain. Knowledge of the HPV 16 variant is fundamental, and these findings will allow the rational use of this animal model to explore the role of the A1 sublineage in HPV-driven cancer.     

Effects of Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Stimulation on the Temporal Dynamics of Irradiated Bone Tissue Healing: A Histomorphometric Study in Rabbits

The present study evaluated the influence of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) on the regeneration processes of non-critical-size bone defects in irradiated and non-irradiated rabbit tibias. Bone defects were surgically created on both tibiae of six rabbits. The control group had no additional treatment. In one intervention group, one tibia was irradiated with 15 Gy in a single dose. A second group was treated with LIPUS, and a third with a combination of both treatments. The control samples showed 83.10% ± 17.79% of bone repair after 9 weeks, while the irradiated bone had regenerated significantly less during the same period (66.42% ± 29.36%). The LIPUS treatment on irradiated bones performed a 79.21% ± 21.07% bone fill and could not significantly improve the response compared to the non-treated irradiated specimens. However, LIPUS treatment on non-irradiated bone showed bone formations beyond the size defect (115.91% ± 33.69%), which was a highly significant increase when compared to the control group or any irradiated group. The application of ultrasound to healthy bone produced highly significant and enhanced bone formations with 36.70% more regenerated bone when compared to the same application on irradiated bone. LIPUS vibration stimuli may be considered as a promising complementary treatment approach in non-irradiated bone regeneration procedures to shorten the treatment and enhance bone healing. In irradiated bones, the effect of ultrasound application is less clear, and further studies are needed to refine the dynamics of the present results.