OptiCoord: Advancing directional overcurrent and distance relay coordination with an enhanced equilibrium optimizer.

In this article, an improved optimization technique is used to get a solution to the problem of coordination between directional overcurrent relays (DOCR) and distance relays. An enhanced version of an equilibrium optimization algorithm (EO), referred to as EEO is proposed to solve this problem. The suggested approach optimises the parameter that regulates the balance between exploration and exploitation to identify the potential optimum solution while enhancing the EO algorithm's exploration properties. The main task for the EEO is to get the best settings. Also, the proposed algorithm shall maintain operation in sequence between the main and backup relays. The capability of the suggested EEO algorithm is assessed in 8-bus, IEEE thirty-bus, and IEEE 39-bus systems. The obtained results prove the effectiveness of the EEO technique in solving the coordination problem of the combined directional overcurrent relays and distance relays. Also, the results show the ability of the suggested algorithm to overcome the drawbacks of the traditional EO algorithm and achieve faster protection (the reduction ratio reaches about 12 % compared to the traditional EO.

Comparative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Ascochyta fabae under In Vitro Conditions and Their Phytotoxicity on the Primary Host, Vicia faba, and Related Legume Crops.

Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta fabae, poses a significant threat to faba bean and other legumes worldwide. Necrotic lesions on stems, leaves, and pods characterize the disease. Given the economic impact of this pathogen and the potential involvement of secondary metabolites in symptom development, a study was conducted to investigate the fungus's ability to produce bioactive metabolites that might contribute to its pathogenicity. For this investigation, the fungus was cultured in three substrates (Czapek-Dox, PDB, and rice). The produced metabolites were analyzed by NMR and LC-HRMS methods, resulting in the dereplication of seven metabolites, which varied with the cultural substrates. Ascochlorin, ascofuranol, and (R)-mevalonolactone were isolated from the Czapek-Dox extract; ascosalipyrone, benzoic acid, and tyrosol from the PDB extract; and ascosalitoxin and ascosalipyrone from the rice extract. The phytotoxicity of the pure metabolites was assessed at different concentrations on their primary hosts and related legumes. The fungal exudates displayed varying degrees of phytotoxicity, with the Czapek-Dox medium's exudate exhibiting the highest activity across almost all legumes tested. The species belonging to the genus Vicia spp. were the most susceptible, with faba bean being susceptible to all metabolites, at least at the highest concentration tested, as expected. In particular, ascosalitoxin and benzoic acid were the most phytotoxic in the tested condition and, as a consequence, expected to play an important role on necrosis's appearance.

Uncovering Phytotoxic Compounds Produced by Colletotrichum spp. Involved in Legume Diseases Using an OSMAC-Metabolomics Approach.

Different fungal species belonging to the Colletotrichum genus cause anthracnose disease in a range of major crops, resulting in huge economic losses worldwide. Typical symptoms include dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, or fruits. Colletotrichum spp. have synthesized, in vitro, a number of biologically active and structurally unusual metabolites that are involved in their host's infection process. In this study, we applied a one strain many compounds (OSMAC) approach, integrated with targeted and non-targeted metabolomics profiling, to shed light on the secondary phytotoxic metabolite panels produced by pathogenic isolates of Colletotrichum truncatum and Colletotrichum trifolii. The phytotoxicity of the fungal crude extracts was also assessed on their primary hosts and related legumes, and the results correlated with the metabolite profile that arose from the different cultural conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the OSMAC strategy integrated with metabolomics approaches has been applied to Colletotrichum species involved in legume diseases.

Ecuadorian electrical system: Current status, renewable energy and projections.

In this research, an analysis of the electricity market in Ecuador is carried out, a portfolio of projects by source is presented, which are structured in maps with a view to an energy transition according to the official data provided. State policies are analyzed, as well as the opportunities for development in renewable energies offered by the reform of the Organic Law of the Electric Power Public Service. Additionally, the roadmap is presented, which includes an increase in the levels of renewable energies and a decrease in fossil fuels in consideration of the growing demand for electrical energy with a view to 2050 in accordance with the state approaches defined in recent years. It is considered that the total 100% renewable installed capacity by 2050 is 26,551.18 MW compared to 11,306.26 MW in 2020 between renewable and non-renewable. It is expected that the current legal framework will continue to articulate strategies for a greater penetration of renewable energies, that national purposes be achieved and international agreements celebrated both regionally and globally be fulfilled, so it is important that sufficient resources are allocated to achieve this long-awaited energy transition in Ecuador.

Status of Phytotoxins Isolated from Necrotrophic Fungi Causing Diseases on Grain Legumes.

Fungal phytotoxins can be defined as secondary metabolites toxic to host plants and are believed to be involved in the symptoms developed of a number of plant diseases by targeting host cellular machineries or interfering with host immune responses. As any crop, legumes can be affected by a number of fungal diseases, causing severe yield losses worldwide. In this review, we report and discuss the isolation, chemical, and biological characterization of fungal phytotoxins produced by the most important necrotrophic fungi involved in legume diseases. Their possible role in plant-pathogen interaction and structure-toxicity relationship studies have also been reported and discussed. Moreover, multidisciplinary studies on other prominent biological activity conducted on reviewed phytotoxins are described. Finally, we explore the challenges in the identification of new fungal metabolites and their possible applications in future experiments.

Experience with the potassium binder patiromer in hyperkalaemia management in heart failure patients in real life.

AIMS: Hyperkalaemia (HK) is common in heart failure (HF) patients, related to renal dysfunction and medical treatment. It limits medical therapy optimization, which impacts prognosis. New potassium (K) binders help control HK, allowing better medical management of HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective multicentre register included all outpatients with HF and HK (K ≥ 5.1 mEq/L) treated with patiromer according to current recommendations. We evaluated analytic and clinical parameters before starting the treatment and at 7, 30 and 90 days, as well as adverse events related to patiromer and treatment optimization. We included 74 patients (71.6% male) with a mean age of 70.8 years (SD 9.2). Sixty-seven patients (90.5%) presented HK in the previous year. Forty patients (54.1%) underwent down-titration of a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitor (RAASi) or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), and 27 (36.5%) stopped any of them due to HK. Initial K was 5.5 mEq/L (SD 0.6), with a significantly reduction at 7 days (4.9 mEq/L (SD 0.8); P < 0.001), maintained at 90 days (4.9 mEq/L (SD 0.8); P < 0.001). There were no other electrolyte disturbances, with a slight improvement in renal function [glomerular filtration rate 39.6 mL/min (SD 20.4) to 42.7 mL/min (SD 23.2); P = 0.005]. Adverse events were reported in 33.9% of patients, the most common being hypomagnesaemia (16.3%), gastrointestinal disturbances (14.9%) and HK (2.8%). Withdrawal of patiromer was uncommon (12.2%) due to gastrointestinal disturbances in 66.7% of cases. Nine patients (12.2%) started on a RAASi, and 15 patients (20.3%) on an MRA during the follow-up. Forty-five patients (60.8%) increased the dose of RAASi or MRA, increasing to target doses in 5.4 and 10.8% of patients, respectively. At 90 days, NTproBNP values were reduced from 2509.5 pg/mL [IQR 1311-4,249] to 1396.0 pg/mL [IQR 804-4263]; P = 0.003, but the reduction was only observed in those who optimized HF medical treatment [NTproBNP from 1950.5 pg/mL (IQR 1208-3403) to 1349.0 pg/mL (IQR 804-2609); P < 0.01]. NYHA functional class only improved in 7.5% of patients, corresponding with those who optimized HF medical treatment. Compared with the previous 3 months before patiromer treatment, the rate of hospitalization was reduced from 28.4 to 10.9% (P < 0.01), and the emergency room visits from 18.9 to 5.4% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In a real-life cohort of patients with HF, patiromer reduced and maintained K levels during 3 months of follow-up. The most common adverse events were hypomagnesaemia and gastrointestinal disturbances. Patiromer helps optimize medical treatment, increasing the percentage of patients treated with RAASi and MRA at target doses. At the end of follow-up, natriuretic peptides values and hospital visits were reduced, suggesting the benefit of optimizing HF medical treatment.

Impact of fungal and plant metabolites application on early development stages of pea powdery mildew.

BACKGROUND: Pea powdery mildew incited by Erysiphe pisi represents a major constraint for pea crops worldwide. Crop protection is largely based on chemical control, although recently a renewed interest in the discovery of natural products as alternatives to synthetic fungicides application has emerged. Thus, 12 bioactive plant and fungal metabolites belonging to different class of natural compounds were evaluated, together with a commercial fungicide, at different concentrations on detached pea leaves for their potential to inhibit spore germination and subsequent stages of fungal growth. The most effective metabolites were tested at different concentrations in planta under controlled conditions to evaluate the level of control achieved by treatments before, concurrently and after pathogen inoculation. Pathogen development was macroscopically scored on whole plants as percentage of disease severity and area under the disease progress curve. RESULTS: Cavoxin, inuloxin C and sphaeropsidin A strongly inhibited E. pisi germination and haustoria formation and reduced colony size. This effect was dose dependent. These results were further confirmed in whole plants by spraying the metabolites on plant leaves for preventive or curative control, which reduced fungal developmental of E. pisi at levels comparable with those obtained by application of the fungicide. CONCLUSIONS: Cavoxin, inuloxin C and sphaeropsidin A have potential as alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of crop pathogens of economic importance such as powdery mildew. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Real-Time Decentralized Neural Control via Backstepping for a Robotic Arm Powered by Industrial Servomotors.

This paper presents a continuous-time decentralized neural control scheme for trajectory tracking of a two degrees of freedom direct drive vertical robotic arm. A decentralized recurrent high-order neural network (RHONN) structure is proposed to identify online, in a series-parallel configuration and using the filtered error learning law, the dynamics of the plant. Based on the RHONN subsystems, a local neural controller is derived via backstepping approach. The effectiveness of the decentralized neural controller is validated on a robotic arm platform, of our own design and unknown parameters, which uses industrial servomotors to drive the joints.

Clasificación de las resecciones transorales en la orofaringe: propuesta del grupo de trabajo de la Sociedad Catalana de Otorrinolaringología / Transoral oropharyngeal resection classification: Proposal of the SCORL working group

Introducción y objetivos: La cirugía mínimamente invasiva ha presentado una expansión muy importante en la última década. Con el objetivo de aportar un lenguaje común tras cirugía transoral de la orofaringe, se ha creado un sistema de clasificación de las resecciones en esta zona, independientemente de la instrumentalización utilizada. Métodos: Desde el Grupo de Trabajo en Oncología de la Sociedad Catalana de Otorrinolaringología, se presenta una propuesta de clasificación basada en una división topográfica de las diferentes zonas de la orofaringe, así como en la afectación de las estructuras anexas según las vías anatómicas de extensión de estos tumores. Resultados: La clasificación se inicia utilizando la letra D o I según la lateralidad sea derecha (D) o izquierda (I). A continuación se coloca el número del área resecada. Esta numeración define las zonas iniciando a nivel craneal donde el área I sería el paladar blando, el área II lateral en la zona amigdalina, el área III en la base de lengua, el área IV en los repliegues glosoepiglóticos, la epiglotis y repliegues faringoepiglóticos, el área V pared orofaríngea posterior y VI el trígono retromolar. Se añade el sufijo p si la resección afecta profundamente al plano submucoso de la zona comprometida. Las diferentes áreas propuestas tendrían, de una forma teórica, diferentes implicaciones funcionales. Conclusiones: Propuesta de sistema de clasificación por áreas que permite definir diferentes tipos de cirugía transoral de la orofaringe así como compartir los resultados y ayudar en la docencia de este tipo de técnicas (AU)

Introduction and goals: There has been a very significant increase in the use of minimally invasive surgery has in the last decade. In order to provide a common language after transoral surgery of the oropharynx, a system for classifying resections has been created in this area, regardless of the instrumentation used. Methods: From the Oncology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Otorhinolaryngology, a proposal for classification based on a topographical division of the different areas of the oropharynx is presented, as also based on the invasion of the related structures according to the anatomical routes of extension of these tumours. Results: The classification starts using the letter D or I according to laterality either right (D) or left (I). The number of the resected area is then placed. This numbering defines the zones beginning at the cranial level where area I would be the soft palate, lateral area II in the tonsillar area, area III in the tongue base, area IV in the glossoepiglottic folds, epiglottis and pharyngoepiglottic folds, area V posterior oropharyngeal wall and VI the retromolar trigone. The suffix p is added if the resection deeply affects the submucosal plane of the compromised area. The different proposed areas would, in theory, have different functional implications. Conclusions: Proposal for a system of classification by area to define different types of transoral surgery of the oropharynx, and enable as sharing of results and helps in teaching this type of technique (AU)

Transoral oropharyngeal resection classification: Proposal of the SCORL working group. / Clasificación de las resecciones transorales en la orofaringe: propuesta del grupo de trabajo de la Sociedad Catalana de Otorrinolaringología.

INTRODUCTION AND GOALS: There has been a very significant increase in the use of minimally invasive surgery has in the last decade. In order to provide a common language after transoral surgery of the oropharynx, a system for classifying resections has been created in this area, regardless of the instrumentation used. METHODS: From the Oncology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Otorhinolaryngology, a proposal for classification based on a topographical division of the different areas of the oropharynx is presented, as also based on the invasion of the related structures according to the anatomical routes of extension of these tumours. RESULTS: The classification starts using the letter D or I according to laterality either right (D) or left (I). The number of the resected area is then placed. This numbering defines the zones beginning at the cranial level where area I would be the soft palate, lateral area II in the tonsillar area, area III in the tongue base, area IV in the glossoepiglottic folds, epiglottis and pharyngoepiglottic folds, area V posterior oropharyngeal wall and VI the retromolar trigone. The suffix p is added if the resection deeply affects the submucosal plane of the compromised area. The different proposed areas would, in theory, have different functional implications. CONCLUSIONS: Proposal for a system of classification by area to definedifferent types of transoral surgery of the oropharynx, and enable as sharing of results and helps in teaching this type of technique.

Invasive assessment of coronary microvascular dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the index of microvascular resistance.

We present a review of microvascular dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and an interesting case of a symptomatic familial HCM patient with inducible ischemia by single photon emission computed tomography. Coronary angiography revealed normal epicardial arteries. Pressure wire measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microvascular resistance (IMR) demonstrated a significant microcirculatory dysfunction. This is the first such case that documents this abnormality invasively using the IMR. The measurement of IMR, a novel marker of microcirculatory dysfunction, provides novel insights into the pathophysiology of this condition.

[Clinical, radiological and laboratory features of liver hydatidosis of patients from a hospital of national reference, Lima 1997-2010]. / Características clínicas, radiológicas y laboratoriales de pacientes con hidatidosis hepática en un hospital de referencia nacional, Lima 1997-2010.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of patients with hepatic hydatid cyst treated at the department of general surgery of a national referral hospital in Lima (Peru). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed, all patients diagnosed with hepatic hydatid cyst hospitalized between 1997 and 2010 were included. Sociodemographic data (age, sex, origin and usual activity), clinical, laboratory, radiographic and data referrals to treatment were collected. RESULTS: The most common symptom was abdominal pain (93.9%), while the most frequent sign was the increase in liver span (68.7%). 86.4% of patients had a leukocyte formulated within normal ranges, eosinophilia was only present in 25.9% of cases. The right hepatic lobe was the most affected (80%) and in 40.8% of patient's condition one segment was found. In 75.4% of patients the cysts were unique. The most frequent complications were: communication to the bile duct (48.9%), hydatid abscesses (32.6%), cholangitis (4%), hydatid cyst and broken more peritonitis (4%). CONCLUSION: The population more affected was young adults aged 30 to 39 years. The population studied lives mostly in the department of Lima, but come from departments where hepatic hydatid disease has been described as endemic. Although this population is mostly urban, epidemiological characteristics do not vary in relation to that described in previous research.

Características clínicas, radiológicas y laboratoriales de pacientes con hidatidosis hepática en un hospital de referencia nacional, Lima 1997-2010 / Clinical, radiological and laboratory features of liver hydatidosis of patients from a hospital of national reference, Lima 1997-2010

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, laboratoriales y radiológicas de pacientes con quiste hidatídico hepático tratados en el servicio de cirugía general de un hospital de referencia nacional de Lima (Perú). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos, el cual incluyó a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de quiste hidatídico hepático hospitalizados entre 1997 y 2010. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos (edad, sexo, procedencia y actividad habitual), datos clínicos, laboratoriales, radiográficos y referidos al tratamiento. Resultados: El síntoma más frecuente fue el dolor abdominal (93,9%), en tanto que el signo más frecuente fue el incremento del span hepático (68,7%). El 86,4% de los pacientes tenían una formula leucocitaria dentro de rangos normales, la eosinofilia estuvo presente solo en el 25,9% de los casos. El lóbulo hepático derecho fue el más afectado (80%) y en el 40,8% de los pacientes se encontró afección de un solo segmento. En el 75,4% de los pacientes los quistes eran únicos. La complicaciones más frecuentes fueron: la comunicación a la vía biliar (48,9%), los abscesos hidatídicos (32,6%), la colangitis (4%) y el quiste hidatídico roto más peritonitis (4%). Conclusión: La población más afectada fueron adultos jóvenes de entre 30 a 39 años. La población estudiada reside en su mayoría en el departamento de Lima, pero provienen de departamentos en donde la hidatidosis hepática ha sido descrita como endémica. A pesar de que esta población es en su mayoría urbana, las características epidemiológicas no varían en relación a la descrita en investigaciones previas.

Objective: To describe the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of patients with hepatic hydatid cyst treated at the department of general surgery of a national referral hospital in Lima (Peru). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, all patients diagnosed with hepatic hydatid cyst hospitalized between 1997 and 2010 were included. Sociodemographic data (age, sex, origin and usual activity), clinical, laboratory, radiographic and data referrals to treatment were collected. Results: The most common symptom was abdominal pain (93.9%), while the most frequent sign was the increase in liver span (68.7%). 86.4% of patients had a leukocyte formulated within normal ranges, eosinophilia was only present in 25.9% of cases. The right hepatic lobe was the most affected (80%) and in 40.8% of patient’s condition one segment was found. In 75.4% of patients the cysts were unique. The most frequent complications were: communication to the bile duct (48.9%), hydatid abscesses (32.6%), cholangitis (4%), hydatid cyst and broken more peritonitis (4%). Conclusion: The population more affected was young adults aged 30 to 39 years. The population studied lives mostly in the department of Lima, but come from departments where hepatic hydatid disease has been described as endemic. Although this population is mostly urban, epidemiological characteristics do not vary in relation to that described in previous research.

Hemorragia intralaberíntica / Intralabyrinthine haemorrhage

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p120 catenin/αN-catenin are molecular targets in the neuroprotection and neuronal plasticity mediated by atorvastatin after focal cerebral ischemia.

Atorvastatin (ATV), a 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, exerts beneficial effects on stroke through several pleiotropic mechanisms. However, its role following cerebral ischemia is not completely understood yet. We evaluated the effect of ATV treatment on the synaptic adhesion proteins after a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (t-MCAO) model in rats. Ischemic male Wistar rats were treated with 10 mg/kg ATV. The first dose was 6 hr after reperfusion, then every 24 hr for 3days. Our findings showed that ATV treatment produced an increase in pAkt ser473 and a decrease in pMAPK 44/42 protein levels 12 and 24 hr postischemia in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. However, p120 catenin and αN-catenin became drastically increased throughout the temporal course of postischemia treatment (12-72 hr), mainly in the hippocampus. Neurological recovery was observed at 48 and 72 hr, supported by a significant reduction of infarct volume, neuronal loss, and glial hyperreactivity after 72 hr of postischemia treatment with ATV. ATV treatment also up-regulated the association of p120(ctn) , αN-catenin to PSD-95, accompanied by a reduction of RhoA activation and the recovery of MAP2 immunoreactivity, these being significantly affected by the focal cerebral ischemia. Our findings suggested that p120(ctn) and αN-catenin synaptic adhesion proteins are crucial molecular targets in ATV-mediated neuroprotection and neuronal plasticity after focal cerebral ischemia.

Angioedema por inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina / Angioedema caused by ACE inhibitor

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