Automated Clearing System on Deposit Money Banks’Performance:Experience from the Nigerian Banks

This study majorly examined the effect of automated cheque clearing system on banks.Specifically,this study examined the effect of automated cheque clearing system on total deposits of deposit money banks in Nigeria.Data were extracted from the CBN Statistical Bulletin(2020).Using the ordinary least square method of analysis via E-views 10,the findings of the study revealed that deposit money banks’total deposits increased significantly owing to the decline in the value of cheques cleared,since the adoption of the automated cheque clearing system in Nigeria.Guided by the findings of this study,the researcher recommended that the regulatory authorities and banks should continue to liaise with each other on how to improve the efficiency of automated services so as to improve customer satisfaction and patronage.

Dynamic optimal allocation of energy storage systems integrated within photovoltaic based on a dual timescale dynamics model

Energy storage systems(ESSs)operate as independent market participants and collaborate with photovoltaic(PV)generation units to enhance the flexible power supply capabilities of PV units.However,the dynamic variations in the profitability of ESSs in the electricity market are yet to be fully understood.This study introduces a dual-timescale dynamics model that integrates a spot market clearing(SMC)model into a system dynamics(SD)model to investigate the profit-aware capacity growth of ESSs and compares the profitability of independent energy storage systems(IESSs)with that of an ESS integrated within a PV(PV-ESS).Furthermore,this study aims to ascertain the optimal allocation of the PV-ESS.First,SD and SMC models were set up.Second,the SMC model simulated on an hourly timescale was incorporated into the SD model as a subsystem,a dual-timescale model was constructed.Finally,a development simulation and profitability analysis was conducted from 2022 to 2040 to reveal the dynamic optimal range of PV-ESS allocation.Additionally,negative electricity prices were considered during clearing processes.The simulation results revealed differences in profitability and capacity growth between IESS and PV-ESS,helping grid investors and policymakers to determine the boundaries of ESSs and dynamic optimal allocation of PV-ESSs.

Eureka lemon zinc finger protein ClDOF3.4 interacts with citrus yellow vein clearing virus coat protein to inhibit viral infection

Citrus yellow vein clearing virus(CYVCV)is a new citrus virus that has become an important factor restricting the development of China’s citrus industry,and the CYVCV coat protein(CP)is associated with viral pathogenicity.In this study,the Eureka lemon zinc finger protein(ZFP)ClDOF3.4 was shown to interact with CYVCV CP in vivo and in vitro.Transient expression of ClDOF3.4 in Eureka lemon induced the expression of salicylic acid(SA)-related and hypersensitive response marker genes,and triggered a reactive oxygen species burst,ion leakage necrosis,and the accumulation of free SA.Furthermore,the CYVCV titer in ClDOF3.4 transgenic Eureka lemon plants was approximately 69.4%that in control plants 6 mon after inoculation,with only mild leaf chlorotic spots observed in those transgenic plants.Taken together,the results indicate that ClDOF3.4 not only interacts with CP but also induces an immune response in Eureka lemon by inducing the SA pathways.This is the first report that ZFP is involved in the immune response of a citrus viral disease,which provides a basis for further study of the molecular mechanism of CYVCV infection.

Tissue optical clearing enhances efficacy of vascular targeted photodynamic therapy of mouse dorsal skin

Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy(V-PDT)is an effective treatment for port wine stains(PWS).However,repeated treatment is usually needed to achieve optimal treatment outcomes,possibly due to the limited treatment light penetration depth in the PWS lesion.The optical clearing technique can increase light penetration in depth by reducing light scattering.This study aimed to investigate the V-PDT in combination with an optical clearing agent(OCA)for the therapeutic enhancement of V-PDT in the rodent skinfold window chamber model.Vascular responses were closely monitored with laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI),optical coherence tomography angiography,and stereo microscope before,during,and after the treatment.We further quantitatively demonstrated the effects of V-PDT in combination with OCA on the blood flow and blood vessel size of skin microvasculature.The combination of OCA and V-PDT resulted in significant vascular damage,including vasoconstriction and the reduction of blood flow.Our results indicate the promising potential of OCA for enhancing V-PDT for treating vascular-related diseases,including PWS.

MACS-W:A modified optical clearing agent for imaging 3D cell cultures

Three-dimensional(3D)cell cultures have contributed to a variety of biological research fields by filling the gap between monolayers and animal models.The modern optical sectioning microscopic methods make it possible to probe the complexity of 3D cell cultures but are limited by the inherent opaqueness.While tissue optical clearing methods have emerged as powerful tools for investigating whole-mount tissues in 3D,they often have limitations,such as being too harsh for fragile 3D cell cultures,requiring complex handling protocols,or inducing tissue deformation with shrinkage or expansion.To address this issue,we proposed a modified optical clearing method for 3D cell cultures,called MACS-W,which is simple,highly efficient,and morphology-preserving.In our evaluation of MACS-W,we found that it exhibits excellent clearing capability in just 10 min,with minimal deformation,and helps drug evaluation on tumor spheroids.In summary,MACS-W is a fast,minimally-deformative and fluorescence compatible clearing method that has the potential to be widely used in the studies of 3D cell cultures.

Use of a tissue clearing technique combined with retrograde trans-synaptic viral tracing to evaluate changes in mouse retinorecipient brain regions following optic nerve crush

Successful establishment of reconnection between retinal ganglion cells and retinorecipient regions in the brain is critical to optic nerve regeneration.However,morphological assessments of retinorecipient regions are limited by the opacity of brain tissue.In this study,we used an innovative tissue cleaning technique combined with retrograde trans-synaptic viral tracing to observe changes in retinorecipient regions connected to retinal ganglion cells in mice after optic nerve injury.Specifically,we performed light-sheet imaging of whole brain tissue after a clearing process.We found that pseudorabies virus 724(PRV724)mostly infected retinal ganglion cells,and that we could use it to retrogradely trace the retinorecipient regions in whole tissue-cleared brains.Unexpectedly,PRV724-traced neurons were more widely distributed compared with data from previous studies.We found that optic nerve injury could selectively modify projections from retinal ganglion cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus,intergeniculate leaflet,ventral lateral geniculate nucleus,central amygdala,basolateral amygdala,Edinger-Westphal nucleus,and oculomotor nucleus,but not the superior vestibular nucleus,red nucleus,locus coeruleus,gigantocellular reticular nucleus,or facial nerve nucleus.Our findings demonstrate that the tissue clearing technique,combined with retrograde trans-synaptic viral tracing,can be used to objectively and comprehensively evaluate changes in mouse retinorecipient regions that receive projections from retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury.Thus,our approach may be useful for future estimations of optic nerve injury and regeneration.

Research Progress on Anti-tumor Mechanism of Clearing Heat-Toxin Intervention of Apoptosis-related Proteins

Apoptosis is a spontaneous programmed cell death process,which is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors.Inducing apoptosis of tumor cells has become an important way of anti-tumor therapy.Studies have found that clearing heat-toxin Chinese medicine has a significant effect on inducing apoptosis,which may be the key mechanism of anti-tumor of Chinese medicine.By reviewing the theoretical origin of anti-tumor TCM of clearing heat-toxin Chinese herbs and the pharmacological research progress of intervening apoptosis-related proteins to promote apoptosis of tumor cells,this paper provides a basis for TCM to induce apoptosis of tumor cells to prevent and treat malignant tumors.

Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas:A rare case report

BACKGROUND Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma.The most common metastatic sites for CCS are the lungs,bones and brain.CCS is highly invasive and mainly metastasizes to the lung,followed by the bone and brain;however,pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare.CASE SUMMARY We report on a rare case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old man.The patient had a relevant medical history 3 years ago,with abdominal pain as the main clinical manifestation.No abnormalities were observed on physical examination and the tumor was found on abdominal computed tomography.Based on the medical history and postoperative pathology,the patient was diagnosed with CCS with pancreatic metastasis.The patient was successfully treated with surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and sple-nectomy.CONCLUSION This report summarizes the available treatment modalities for CCS and the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for patients with CCS.

Neural stem cell-derived exosomes promote mitochondrial biogenesis and restore abnormal protein distribution in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.We previously showed that neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles improved mitochondrial function in the cortex of AP P/PS1 mice.Because Alzheimer’s disease affects the entire brain,further research is needed to elucidate alterations in mitochondrial metabolism in the brain as a whole.Here,we investigated the expression of several important mitochondrial biogenesis-related cytokines in multiple brain regions after treatment with neural stem cell-derived exosomes and used a combination of whole brain clearing,immunostaining,and lightsheet imaging to clarify their spatial distribution.Additionally,to clarify whether the sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-related pathway plays a regulatory role in neural stem cell-de rived exosomes interfering with mitochondrial functional changes,we generated a novel nervous system-SIRT1 conditional knoc kout AP P/PS1mouse model.Our findings demonstrate that neural stem cell-de rived exosomes significantly increase SIRT1 levels,enhance the production of mitochondrial biogenesis-related fa ctors,and inhibit astrocyte activation,but do not suppress amyloid-βproduction.Thus,neural stem cell-derived exosomes may be a useful therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease that activates the SIRT1-PGC1αsignaling pathway and increases NRF1 and COXIV synthesis to improve mitochondrial biogenesis.In addition,we showed that the spatial distribution of mitochondrial biogenesis-related factors is disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease,and that neural stem cell-derived exosome treatment can reverse this effect,indicating that neural stem cell-derived exosomes promote mitochondrial biogenesis.

A New Technique for Whole Clearing

[Objective] The research aimed to study a new whole clearing and preparation technology.[Method] After young seeds of Stephania sp.preserved in the alcohol solution,as well as the fresh pistil and nucellus of Sorghum bicolor were separated,they were soaked and cleared in the solution of 84 disinfectant.And the plant materials could be mounted by using three methods.[Result] The globular embryos and heart-shaped embryos at different stages of Stephania sp.as well as the pistil,nucellus,embryo sac,hypostase o...

Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas:A sporadic cancer

Primary or secondary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is an exceedingly rare and aggressive disease.In addition to pathology,molecular analysis is pivotal in differential diagnosis,especially with malignant melanoma.A key aspect in identifying clear cell sarcoma is specific genetic alterations,notably the translocation of t(12;22)(q13;q13),a diagnostic hallmark of this sarcoma subtype,which is absent in malignant melanoma.Treatment of primary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is the same as that for adenocarcinoma.

60kV联合深度学习重建算法在主动脉CT血管造影中的可行性研究

目的:探讨60 kV联合基于深度学习的ClearInfinity(CI)重建算法在主动脉CT血管造影中的可行性。方法:收集2023年7—9月因主动脉疾病在郑州大学第一附属医院拟行主动脉CT血管造影(CTA)的受检者73例,按照随机数字表法分为A组(n=36)和B组(n=37)。A组受检者采用100 kV行常规扫描和重建;B组受检者采用60 kV行CT扫描,再依据重建算法不同分为B1、B2、B3亚组,分别采用30%~90%(间隔30%)CI算法重建,比较各组受检者辐射剂量以及图像质量。结果:除A组和B1组的信噪比(SNR)值在降主动脉、髂总动脉外,其余各组间SNR值比较,差异有统计学意义(均P <0.05)。除A组和B1组在降主动脉层面外,其余各组间对比噪声比(CNR)值比较,差异有统计学意义(均P <0.05)。图像主观评分A组与B2组比较,差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05),A组、B1组和B3组主观评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。结论:对体重指数(BMI)<26 kg/m~2的正常体型受检者,采用60 kV行主动脉CTA能大幅降低辐射剂量,联合深度学习CI重建算法能显著降低图像噪声,改善图像质量以达到诊断需求。

Study on Microsatellite Distribution in Complete Genomes of Tobacco Vein Clearing Virus

MATLAB software and optimal complete subgraph algorithm were used to extract and reveal the microsatellite distribution features in the complete genomes of the tobacco vein clearing virus （NC-003 378.1） from the NCBI database.The results showed that the repetitions number and their location of the N-base group has been extracted and displayed.The largest repetitions of N-base group in the complete genomes of the tobacco vein clearing virus was decreased as the exponential function with the increasing of N.The method used in this study could be applied to the extraction and revealing of the microsatellite distribution features in the complete genomes of other viruses,thereby provided a basis for the research of the structure and the law of function,inheritance and variation by the using of the microsatellite distribution features.

A"messenger zone hypothesis"based on the visual three-dimensional spatial distribution of motoneurons innervating deep limb muscles

Coordinated contraction of skeletal muscles relies on selective connections between the muscles and multiple classes of the spinal motoneuro ns.Howeve r,current research on the spatial location of the spinal motoneurons innervating differe nt muscles is limited.In this study,we investigated the spatial distribution and relative position of different motoneurons that control the deep muscles of the mouse hindlimbs,which were innervated by the obturator nerve,femoral nerve,inferior gluteal nerve,deep pe roneal nerve,and tibial nerve.Locations were visualized by combining a multiplex retrograde tracking technique compatible with three-dimensional imaging of solvent-cleared o rgans(3DISCO)and 3-D imaging technology based on lightsheet fluorescence microscopy(LSFM).Additionally,we propose the hypothesis that"messenger zones"exist as interlaced areas between the motoneuron pools that dominate the synergistic or antagonist muscle groups.We hypothesize that these interlaced neurons may participate in muscle coordination as messenger neurons.Analysis revealed the precise mutual positional relationships among the many motoneurons that innervate different deep muscles of the mouse.Not only do these findings update and supplement our knowledge regarding the overall spatial layout of spinal motoneurons that control mouse limb muscles,but they also provide insights into the mechanisms through which muscle activity is coordinated and the architecture of motor circuits.

Measuring Financial Systemic Risk:Net Liability Clearing Mechanism and Contagion Effect

Following the framework of E-N model(Eisenberg and Noe,2001),the authors consider a new clearing mechanism based on net liabilities among financial institutions since the liabilities between the counterparties should be deducted accordingly when clearing in practice.As the basis for systemic risk measurement,similar to the original E-N model,the authors first establish some good properties for the clearing payment vector according to a more general model.Then,the authors investigate how risk spreads among institutions through the liability network forming the risk contagion channel.Finally,the authors illustrate with a specific example that the original E-N clearing mechanism may misidentify the systemic important institutions,and theoretically show that it may also overestimate the risk compared with the netting clearing mechanism.

Estimating Critical Clearing Time of Grid Faults Using DA of State-Reduction Model of Power Systems

This paper proposes a critical clearing time (CCT) estimation method by the domain of attraction (DA) of a state-reduction model of power systems using sum of squares (SOS) programming. By exploiting the property of the Jacobian matrix and the structure of the boundary of the DA, it is found the DA of the state-reduction model and that of the full model of a power system are topological isomorphism. There are one-to-one correspondence relationships between the number of equilibrium points, the type of equilibrium points, and solutions of the two system models. Based on these findings, an expanding interior algorithm is proposed with SOS programming to estimate the DA of the state-reduction model. State trajectories of the full model can be transformed to those of the state-reduction model by orthogonal or equiradius projection. In this way, CCT of a grid fault is estimated with the DA of the state-reduction model. The calculational burden of SOS programming in the DA estimation using the state-reduction model is rather small compared with using the full model. Simulation results show the proposed expanding interior algorithm is able to provide a tight estimation of DA of power systems with higher accuracy and lower time costs.

Rehabilitation of Semi-Arid Grasslands through the Perennialization of Lots by Implementing Perennial Forage Exotic Grass

Argentina is the country with the highest proportion of arid and semi-arid ecosystems in Latin America.In the rangelands of Southwestern Buenos Aires(Patagones Department),there is a clear advancement of the agricultural frontier to the detriment of the native forest in this region.Due to rainfall variation and seed acquisition,Thinopyrum ponticum is cultivated as a forage perennial crop in this region.Our objective was to evaluate the performance of T.ponticum as a facilitating crop for the medium-term rehabilitation of natural grasslands in semi-arid areas.The working hypotheses were that:1)native perennial grass cover increases over the years and 2)diversity and specific richness of the vegetation are enhanced by the duration of Tall Wheatgrass implantation.Data were collected from commercial plots where T.ponticum was shown:recent implantation(5–8 years,RI);medium implantation(13–15 years,MI);and old implantation(20–22 years,OI).Thirty-four species were identified and classified into seven functional groups:Annual grasses,annual herbs,perennial herbs,exotic perennial herbs,perennial forage grasses,exotic perennial forage grasses,perennial forage exotic grasses,and nonforage perennial grasses.Thinopyrum ponticum’s total cover was between RI and OI.Total cover,species richness,and Shannon-Weaver diversity index showed no differences among treatments.Perennial forage grasses exhibited higher cover values in sites with greater implantation age and annual grasses showed the opposite response.Our results indicated that T.ponticum does not invade the sampled plots and enhances the colonization of the planted plots by perennial forage native species.However,even though the herbaceous cover had been recovered,the woody layer which could provide environmental services and specific values for conservation was not.

Sacrificial piles as a countermeasure against local scour around underwater pipelines

Local scour around pipelines crossing rivers or in marine environments is a significant concern.It can lead to failure of the pipelines resulting in environmental side effects and economic losses.This study developed an experimental method to reduce local scour around pipelines with a steady flow of clear water by installing cylindrical and cubical sacrificial piles.Three sizes of sacrificial piles were examined in a linear arrangement.Sacrificial piles were installed on the upstream side of the pipeline at three distances.Maximum scour depth reduction rates below the pipeline were computed.The results showed that sacrificial piles could protect a pipeline from local scour.A portion of scoured sediment around the sacrificial piles was deposited beneath the pipeline.This sediment accumulation reduced the scour depth beneath the pipeline.Analysis of the experimental results demonstrated that the size of piles(d),the spacing between piles,and the distance between the pipe and piles(Xp)were the variables that reduced the maximum scour beneath the pipeline with a diameter of D.For the piles with d=0.40D and 0.64D,X_(p)=4OD was the optimal distance to install a group of piles,and cubical piles could mitigate scour more effectively than cylindrical piles under similar conditions.For the piles with d=D,the greatest reduction in scour depth was achieved at X_(p)=50D with any desired spacings between piles,and cylindrical piles in this dimension could protect the pipeline against scour more effectively than cubical piles.

Transforming Adolescent Smiles:Correcting Skeletal Mandibular Retrusion and Bimaxillary Protrusion with Clear Aligners

Maxillary protrusion combined with mandibular retraction is a highly prevalent but extremely complex maxillofacial deformity that can have a serious negative impact on patients’facial aesthetics and mental health.The traditional orthodontic treatment strategy often involves extracting 4 first premolars and conventional fixed techniques,combined with mini-implant screws,to retract the anterior teeth and improve facial protrusion.In recent years,an invisible orthodontic technique,without brackets,has become increasingly popular.However,while an invisible aligner has been used in some cases with reasonable results,there remain significant challenges in achieving a perfect outcome.This case report presents an adolescent patient with bimaxillary protrusion and mandibular retrognathia.Based on the characteristics of the invisible aligners and the growth characteristics of the adolescent’s teeth and jawbone,we designed precise three-dimensional tooth movement and corresponding resistance/over-correction for each tooth,while utilizing the patient’s jawbone growth potential to promote rapid development of the mandible,accurately and efficiently correcting bimaxillary protrusion and skeletal mandibular retrognathia.The patient’s facial aesthetics,especially the lateral morphology,have been greatly improved,and various aesthetic indicators have also shown significant changes,and to the patient’s great benefit,invasive mini-implant screws were not used during the treatment.This case highlights the advantages of using invisible aligners in adolescent maxillary protrusion combined with mandibular retraction patients.Furthermore,comprehensive and accurate design combined with good application of growth potential can also enable invisible orthodontic technology to achieve perfect treatment effects in tooth extractions,providing clinical guidance for orthodontists.

Essential role of postoperative follow-up in the management of clear cell sarcoma

Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare melanocytic soft tissue sarcoma known for itspropensity to metastasize to the lymph nodes and typically has an unfavorableprognosis.Currently,surgical resection is the primary treatment for localizedCCS,while radiotherapy and chemotherapy are preferred for metastatic cases.The roles of adjuvant chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and lymph node dissection arecontroversial.Although immunotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue inCCS treatment research,there are no established clinical standards for postoperativefollow-up.This editorial discusses a recent article by Liu et al,with afocus on current diagnostic modalities,treatment approaches,and the challengingprognosis associated with CCS.Our aim is to underscore the importance of longtermpatient follow-up in CCS management.