Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Strategies Under Quantized Communication

This paper is concerned with distributed Nash equi librium seeking strategies under quantized communication. In the proposed seeking strategy, a projection operator is synthesized with a gradient search method to achieve the optimization o players' objective functions while restricting their actions within required non-empty, convex and compact domains. In addition, a leader-following consensus protocol, in which quantized informa tion flows are utilized, is employed for information sharing among players. More specifically, logarithmic quantizers and uniform quantizers are investigated under both undirected and connected communication graphs and strongly connected digraphs, respec tively. Through Lyapunov stability analysis, it is shown that play ers' actions can be steered to a neighborhood of the Nash equilib rium with logarithmic and uniform quantizers, and the quanti fied convergence error depends on the parameter of the quan tizer for both undirected and directed cases. A numerical exam ple is given to verify the theoretical results.

Multi-Timescale Distributed Approach to Generalized-Nash-Equilibrium Seeking in Noncooperative Nonconvex Games

Dear Editor,The distributed generalized-Nash-equilibrium(GNE)seeking in noncooperative games with nonconvexity is the topic of this letter.Inspired by the sequential quadratic programming(SQP)method,a multi-timescale multi-agent system(MAS)is developed,and its convergence to a critical point of the game is proven.To illustrate the qualities and efficacy of the theoretical findings,a numerical example is elaborated.

Prescribed-Time Nash Equilibrium Seeking for Pursuit-Evasion Game

Dear Editor,This letter is concerned with prescribed-time Nash equilibrium(PTNE)seeking problem in a pursuit-evasion game(PEG)involving agents with second-order dynamics.In order to achieve the prior-given and user-defined convergence time for the PEG,a PTNE seeking algorithm has been developed to facilitate collaboration among multiple pursuers for capturing the evader without the need for any global information.Then,it is theoretically proved that the prescribedtime convergence of the designed algorithm for achieving Nash equilibrium of PEG.Eventually,the effectiveness of the PTNE method was validated by numerical simulation results.A PEG consists of two groups of agents:evaders and pursuers.The pursuers aim to capture the evaders through cooperative efforts,while the evaders strive to evade capture.PEG is a classic noncooperative game.It has attracted plenty of attention due to its wide application scenarios,such as smart grids[1],formation control[2],[3],and spacecraft rendezvous[4].It is noteworthy that most previous research on seeking the Nash equilibrium of the game,where no agent has an incentive to change its actions,has focused on asymptotic and exponential convergence[5]-[7].

Fixed-Time Consensus-Based Nash Equilibrium Seeking

Dear Editor,This letter examines the fixed-time stability of the Nash equilibrium(NE)in non-cooperative games.We propose a consensus-based NE seeking algorithm for situations where players do not have perfect information and communicate via a topology graph.The proposed algorithm can achieve NE in a fixed time that does not depend on initial conditions and can be adjusted in advance.

Prescribed-Time Fully Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Strategy in Networked Games

Dear Editor, This letter is concerned with prescribed-time fully distributed Nash equilibrium seeking for networked games under directed graphs. An adaptive algorithm is proposed to ensure the convergence of all players to the Nash equilibrium without requiring any knowledge of global parameters. Moreover, it is theoretically proved that the convergence time of the proposed seeking strategy can be predefined based on practical requirements. Finally, a numerical example is presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

双波长激光联合生物陶瓷材料iRoot SP辅助磨牙根管治疗效果分析

目的:探讨双波长激光联合生物陶瓷材料iRoot SP辅助磨牙根管治疗的效果。方法:选择2020年1月—2023年6月收治的104例磨牙根管治疗患者,按照随机数字表法分为对照组与试验组,每组52例。对照组采用iRoot SP糊剂进行根管充填,试验组以双波长激光(Nd:YAG和Er:YAG)联合iRoot SP糊剂进行治疗。比较2组总有效率、疼痛程度及并发症,观察治疗前、治疗后6周及12周的血清白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素17(IL-17)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、出血指数(bleeding index,BI)、牙周探诊深度(depth of periodontal probing,PD)和临床附着水平(clinical attachment level,CAL)。采用SPSS 22.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果:试验组总有效率显著高于对照组,根管填充后疼痛程度显著低于对照组(P<0.05);试验组治疗后6、12周的IL-6、IL-17、TNF-α、BI、PD和CAL显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:双波长激光联合生物陶瓷材料iRoot SP辅助磨牙根管治疗效果较为理想,有利于减轻牙周炎症和疼痛程度。

牙体牙髓病根管治疗应用iRoot SP冷侧法的效果

目的探讨牙体牙髓病根管治疗应用iRoot SP冷侧法的效果。方法筛选2018-06至2020-06在解放军总医院京南医疗区就诊的牙体牙髓病患者100例,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组50例,均进行根管治疗,其中对照组充填根管采用热牙胶垂直加压法,试验组采用iRoot SP冷侧法。比较两组根管充填效果、临床总有效率、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及咀嚼功能。结果两组治疗后根管充填效果和临床总有效率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);试验组治疗后1周[(4.13±0.79)vs.(5.11±0.98)]及1个月[(2.45±0.37)vs.(3.11±0.67)]VAS评分低于对照组,治疗后咬合力[(131.25±11.21)lbs vs.(120.34±14.09)lbs]及咀嚼效率[(90.12±4.13)%vs.(78.98±7.45)%]均优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论根管治疗牙体牙髓病中应用iRoot SP冷侧法的充填效果和疗效与热牙胶垂直加压法基本相同,但iRoot SP冷侧法在减轻患者疼痛,改善咀嚼功能方面更具优势。

Remaining original aspirations,seeking innovation,striving for excellence

Prof.Xiaoying Jiang Director of the Chinese Nursing Journals Publishing House As time passes,a new chapter emerges.Looking back at the year 2022,under the leadership and strong support of the China Association for Science and Technology(CAST)and the Chinese Nursing Association,the Chinese Nursing Journals Publishing House,with its original aspirations,has always insisted on serving the overall national construction and development of nursing disciplines.

Comparison of Self-Strength, Seeking Help and Happiness between Pakistani and Chinese Adolescents: A Positive Psychology Inquiry

Adolescents’emotions and preferences are influenced by their childhood experiences.In today’s world,there is a pervasive eagerness for happiness.Happiness has been linked to feelings of self-strength,seeking help,and psy-chological health.The current quantitative research was designed with a positive psychological perspective to compare Pakistani and Chines adolescents’self-strength,seeking help,and happiness.The research design of the study was causal-comparative.The study population consisted of 400 Pakistani and 409 Chinese adolescents studying in the elementary grades of both countries.The sample was selected by using a simple random sampling technique.It consisted of 413 boys(51%)and 396 girls(49%),319(39)of them were from the age group of 13–14 years,386(48%)of them were from the age group of 15–16 years,and 104(12.9%)were from the age group of 17–18 years.Three different scales were developed to collect study data.Independent sample t-test and simple linear regression were used to test study hypotheses.The analysis revealed that Pakistani adolescents have signifi-cantly higher self-strength,seeking help and happiness than their counterparts.It was also found that adolescents’self-strength and seeking help significant affect their happiness.Based on thefindings,it was suggested to inves-tigate the factors contributing to the improved self-strength,seeking help,and happiness of Pakistani adolescents.It was also recommended to investigate the mediating effect of adolescents’self-strength on the relationship between their happiness and seeking help.

Involvement of the ABA-and H_(2)O_(2)-Mediated Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle in the Drought Stress Responses of Wheat Roots

Abscisic acid(ABA),hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) and ascorbate(AsA)–glutathione(GSH)cycle are widely known for their participation in various stresses.However,the relationship between ABA and H_(2)O_(2) levels and the AsA–GSH cycle under drought stress in wheat has not been studied.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted in wheat seedlings subjected to 15%polyethylene glycol(PEG)6000–induced dehydration.Drought stress caused the rapid accumulation of endogenous ABA and H_(2)O_(2) and significantly decreased the number of root tips compared with the control.The application of ABA significantly increased the number of root tips,whereas the application of H_(2)O_(2) markedly reduced the number of root tips,compared with that under 15%PEG-6000.In addition,drought stress markedly increased the DHA,GSH and GSSG levels,but decreased the AsA levels,AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios compared with those in the control.The activities of the four enzymes in the AsA–GSH cycle were also markedly increased under drought stress,including glutathione reductase(GR),ascorbate peroxidase(APX),monodehydroascorbate reductase(MDHAR)and dehydroascorbate reductase(DHAR),compared with those in the control.However,the application of an ABA inhibitor significantly inhibited GR,DHAR and APX activities,whereas the application of an H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly inhibited DHAR and MDHAR activities.Furthermore,the application of ABA inhibitor significantly promoted the increases of H_(2)O_(2) and the application of H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly blocked the increases of ABA,compared with those under 15% PEG-6000.Taken together,the results indicated that ABA and H_(2)O_(2) probably interact under drought stress in wheat;and both of them can mediate drought stress by modulating the enzymes in AsA–GSH cycle,where ABA acts as the main regulator of GR,DHAR,and APX activities,and H_(2)O_(2) acts as the main regulator of DHAR and MDHAR activities.

Exogenous melatonin improves cotton yield under drought stress by enhancing root development and reducing root damage

The exogenous application of melatonin by the root drenching method is an effective way to improve crop drought resistance.However,the optimal concentration of melatonin by root drenching and the physiological mechanisms underlying melatonin-induced drought tolerance in cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)roots remain elusive.This study determined the optimal concentration of melatonin by root drenching and explored the protective effects of melatonin on cotton roots.The results showed that 50μmol L-1 melatonin was optimal and significantly mitigated the inhibitory effect of drought on cotton seedling growth.Exogenous melatonin promoted root development in drought-stressed cotton plants by remarkably increasing the root length,projected area,surface area,volume,diameter,and biomass.Melatonin also mitigated the drought-weakened photosynthetic capacity of cotton and regulated the endogenous hormone contents by regulating the relative expression levels of hormone-synthesis genes under drought stress.Melatonin-treated cotton seedlings maintained optimal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacities,and produced relatively lower levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,thus reducing the drought stress damage to cotton roots(such as mitochondrial damage).Moreover,melatonin alleviated the yield and fiber length declines caused by drought stress.Taken together,these findings show that root drenching with exogenous melatonin increases the cotton yield by enhancing root development and reducing the root damage induced by drought stress.In summary,these results provide a foundation for the application of melatonin in the field by the root drenching method.

Evolution history dominantly regulates fine root lifespan in tree species across the world

Understanding the drivers of variations in fine root lifespan is key to informing nutrient cycling and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems.However,the general patterns and determinants of forest fine root lifespan at the global scale are still limited.We compiled a dataset of 421 fine root lifespan observations from 76 tree species globally to assess phylogenetic signals among species,explored relationships between fine root lifespan and biotic and abiotic factors,and quantified the relative importance of phylogeny,root system structure and functions,climatic and edaphic factors in driving global fine root lifespan variations.Overall,fine root lifespan showed a clear phylogenetic signal,with gymnosperms having a longer fine root lifespan than angiosperms.Fine root lifespan was longer for evergreens than deciduous trees.Ectomycorrhizal(ECM)plants had an extended fine root lifespan than arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)plants.Among different climatic zones,fine root lifespan was the longest in the boreal zone,while it did not vary between the temperate and tropical zone.Fine root lifespan increased with soil depth and root order.Furthermore,the analysis of relative importance indicated that phylogeny was the strongest driver influencing the variation in forest fine root lifespan,followed by soil clay content,root order,mean annual temperature,and soil depth,while other environmental factors and root traits exerted weaker effects.Our results suggest that the global pattern of fine root lifespan in forests is shaped by the interplay of phylogeny,root traits and environmental factors.These findings necessitate accurate representations of tree evolutionary history in earth system models to predict fine root longevity and its responses to global changes.

Broad Hormonal Responses Induced by Aluminum in Roots of Dwarf Transgenics of Solanum lycopersicum L. cv “Micro-Tom”

The spatial pattern distribution of plant hormones in response to aluminum (Al) toxicity in roots remains to be shown. This study was performed to assess the root hormonal accumulation and gene expression in response to Al toxicity in five transgenic miniature dwarf tomatoes cv. Micro-Tom (MT). MT and MT transgenics to acid indole acetic, cytokinin, gibberellin, abscisic acid and ethylene were cultivated in nutrient solutions containing different Al concentrations. Root growth elongation was measured and cellular damage was visualized by staining Evans’s blue. The GUS reporter gene staining technique was used to visualize hormonal changes in MT apex root tissues. Data indicated that the MT is sensitive to Al that induced significant growth inhibition and cellular damage. Al concentration of 27 μM was significantly toxic, inducing root apex darkening and inhibition of root development. The qualitative evaluation of GUS reporter gene expression showed intense crosstalk among all hormones studied, underscoring the complexity of signaling induced by Al in apex roots. Results point out to a major understanding of the hormonal signaling in response to Al toxicity, which may induce a change of root growth and architecture with growth inhibition and cell constraints modulated by all different hormones evaluated.

The osteoclastic activity in apical distal region of molar mesial roots affects orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption in rats

The utilization of optimal orthodontic force is crucial to prevent undesirable side effects and ensure efficient tooth movement during orthodontic treatment.However,the sensitivity of existing detection techniques is not sufficient,and the criteria for evaluating optimal force have not been yet established.Here,by employing 3D finite element analysis methodology,we found that the apical distal region(A-D region)of mesial roots is particularly sensitive to orthodontic force in rats.Tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase(TRAP)-positive osteoclasts began accumulating in the A-D region under the force of 40 grams(g),leading to alveolar bone resorption and tooth movement.When the force reached 80 g,TRAP-positive osteoclasts started appearing on the root surface in the A-D region.Additionally,micro-computed tomography revealed a significant root resorption at 80 g.Notably,the A-D region was identified as a major contributor to whole root resorption.It was determined that 40 g is the minimum effective force for tooth movement with minimal side effects according to the analysis of tooth movement,inclination,and hyalinization.These findings suggest that the A-D region with its changes on the root surface is an important consideration and sensitive indicator when evaluating orthodontic forces for a rat model.Collectively,our investigations into this region would aid in offering valuable implications for preventing and minimizing root resorption during patients’orthodontic treatment.

Shear resistance characteristics and influencing factors of root-soil composite on an alpine metal mine dump slope with different recovery periods

Artificial vegetation restoration is the main measure for vegetation restoration and soil and water conservation in alpine mine dumps on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China.However,there are few reports on the dynamic changes and the influencing factors of the soil reinforcement effect of plant species after artificial vegetation restoration under different recovery periods.We selected dump areas of the Delni Copper Mine in Qinghai Province,China to study the relationship between the shear strength and the peak displacement of the root-soil composite on the slope during the recovery period,and the influence of the root traits and soil physical properties on the shear resistance characteristics of the root-soil composite via in situ direct shear tests.The results indicate that the shear strength and peak displacement of the rooted soil initially decreased and then increased with the increase of the recovery period.The shear strength of the rooted soil and the recovery period exhibited a quadratic function relationship.There is no significant function relationship between the peak displacement and the recovery period.Significant positive correlations(P<0.05)exists between the shear strength of the root-soil composite and the root biomass density,root volume density,and root area ratio,and they show significant linear correlations(P<0.05).There are no significant correlations(P>0.05)between the shear strength of the root-soil composite and the root length density,and the root volume ratio of the coarse roots to the fine roots.A significant negative linear correlation(P<0.05)exists between the peak displacement of the rooted soil and the coarse-grain content,but no significant correlations(P>0.05)with the root traits,other soil physical property indices(the moisture content and dry density of the soil),and slope gradient.The coarse-grain content is the main factor controlling the peak displacement of the rooted soil.

Increasing root-lower characteristics improves drought tolerance in cotton cultivars at the seedling stage

Drought is an important abiotic stress factor in cotton production.The root system architecture(RSA)of cotton shows high plasticity which can alleviate drought-related stress under drought stress(DS)conditions;however,this alleviation is cultivar dependent.Therefore,this study estimated the genetic variability of RSA in cotton under DS.Using the paper-based growth system,we assessed the RSA variability in 80 cotton cultivars at the seedling stage,with 0 and10%polyethylene glycol 6000(PEG6000)as the control(CK)and DS treatment,respectively.An analysis of 23 aboveground and root traits in the 80 cotton cultivars revealed different responses to DS.On the 10th day after DS treatment,the degree of variation in the RSA traits under DS(5–55%)was greater than that of CK(5–49%).The 80 cultivars were divided into drought-tolerant cultivars(group 1),intermediate drought-tolerant cultivars(group 2),and drought-sensitive cultivars(group 3)based on their comprehensive evaluation values of drought resistance.Under DS,the root lengthlower,root area-lower,root volume-lower,and root length density-lower were significantly reduced by 63,71,76,and 4%in the drought-sensitive cultivars compared to CK.Notably,the drought-tolerant cultivars maintained their root lengthlower,root area-lower,root volume-lower,and root length density–lower attributes.Compared to CK,the root diameter(0–2 mm)-lower increased by 21%in group 1 but decreased by 3 and 64%in groups 2 and 3,respectively,under DS.Additionally,the drought-tolerant cultivars displayed a plastic response under DS that was characterized by an increase in the root-lower characteristics.Drought resistance was positively correlated with the root area-lower and root length density-lower.Overall,the RSA of the different cotton cultivars varied greatly under DS.Therefore,important root traits,such as the root-lower traits,provide great insights for exploring whether drought-tolerant cotton cultivars can effectively withstand adverse environments.

Overexpression of the peroxidase gene ZmPRX1 increases maize seedling drought tolerance by promoting root development and lignification

Drought is a main abiotic stress factor hindering plant growth,development,and crop productivity.Therefore,it is crucial to understand the mechanisms by which plants cope with drought stress.Here,the function of the maize peroxidase gene ZmPRX1 in drought stress tolerance was investigated by measurement of its expression in response to drought treatment both in a ZmPRX1 overexpression line and a mutant line.The higher root lignin accumulation and seedling survival rate of the overexpression line than that of the wild type or mutant support a role for ZmPRX1 in maize drought tolerance by regulating root development and lignification.Additionally,yeast one-hybrid,Dule luciferase and ChIP-qPCR assays showed that ZmPRX1 is negatively regulated by a nuclear-localized ZmWRKY86 transcription factor.The gene could potentially be used for breeding of drought-tolerant cultivars.

The MtRGF6 Peptide Differentially Regulates Root Development and Symbiotic Nodulation of Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus

Rhizobia induces nitrogen-fixing nodules in legumes used in agricultural production,providing a direct source of combined nitrogen to leguminous crops.Small peptides,such as CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION peptides(CLE),are known to regulate the formation and development of nitrogen-fixing nodules in legumes.Root meristem growth factor(RGF)peptides from Medicago truncatula not only regulate root develop-ment but also modulate nodulation symbiosis with Sinorhizobium meliloti.However,the impact of RGF peptides from one leguminous species on the others remains unclear.In this study,we investigate the effects of the RGF family peptide MtRGF6p from M.truncatula on nodulation symbiosis and root development in Lotus japonicus.The MtRGF6 gene is predominantly expressed in the root nodules of M.truncatula and shows low identity with RGF homologous genes from L.japonicus.The gene promoter is active in the primordia of root nodules and lat-eral roots,as well as in young nodules and roots,and the meristem,infection,and nitrogen-fixing regions of the mature nodule.Chemically synthesized MtRGF6p promoted primary root growth in M.truncatula but sup-pressed the growth of L.japonicus primary roots.The peptide negatively affected the initiation of nodule primor-dia,the formation of infection threads,and nodulation in both legumes,with a low dosage showing effects on L.japonicus compared to M.truncatula.These results suggest that the MtRGF6 peptide from M.truncatula may serve as an inter-species signal affecting the root organ development of L.japonicus.

Development of a rapid and efficient system for CR genes identification based on hairy root transformation in Brassicaceae

Many economically important crops and vegetables belonging to the cruciferous family are heavily endangered by clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae infection.Breeding of clubroot resistant cultivars based on mapping and cloning of resistant genes is commonly regarded as the most cost-effective and efficient way to fight against this disease.The traditional way of R gene functional validation requires stable transformation that is both time-and labor-consuming.In this study,a rapid and efficient hairy-root transgenic protocol mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes was developed.The transformation positive rate was over 80%in Brassica napus showed by GUS reporter gene and this transformation only took 1/6 of the time compared with stable transformation.The system was applicable to different B.napus varieties and other cruciferous crops including Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea.In particular,two known CR genes,CRA3.7.1 and CRA8.2.4 were used respectively,as example to show that the system works well for CR gene study combined with subsequent P.brassicae infection in B.napus.Most importantly,it works both in over-expression that led to disease resistance,as well as in RNAi which led to disease susceptible phenotype.Therefore,this system can be used in batch-wise identification of CR genes,and also offered the possibility of manipulating key genes within the P.brassicae genome that could improve our knowledge on host-pathogen interaction.

N-th root slant stack for enhancing weak seismic signals

Seismic imaging of complicated underground structures with severe surface undulation(i.e.,double complex areas)is challenging owing to the difficulty of collecting the very weak reflected signal.Enhancing the weak signal is difficult even with state-of-the-art multi-domain and multidimensional prestack denoising techniques.This paper presents a time–space dip analysis of offset vector tile(OVT)domain data based on theτ-p transform.The proposed N-th root slant stack method enhances the signal in a three-dimensionalτ-p domain by establishing a zero-offset time-dip seismic attribute trace and calculating the coherence values of a given data sub-volume(i.e.,inline,crossline,time),which are then used to recalculate the data.After sorting,the new data provide a solid foundation for obtaining the optimal N value of the N-th root slant stack,which is used to enhance a weak signal.The proposed method was applied to denoising low signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)data from Western China.The optimal N value was determined for improving the SNR in deep strata,and the weak seismic signal was enhanced.The results showed that the proposed method effectively suppressed noise in low-SNR data.