bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diode rectifier‐based hybrid high‐voltage direct current converter for offshore wind farms
Authors: Fang Zixi , Cai Xu , Shi Xianqiang , Lyu Jing , Yang Renxin , Rao Fangquan
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a diode rectifier (DR)‐based hybrid converter topology for high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system with offshore wind farms (OWFs). The hybrid converter consists of a DR and an auxiliary converter. A high conversion ratio ac/dc converter is designed as the auxiliary converter, which can form the offshore grid voltage for OWFs to achieve black‐start. Under steady state, all the active power output from OWFs is delivered through the DR. Meanwhile, the auxiliary converter is able to compensate the reactive power and harmonic currents of the system. Comparing with the conventional modular multilevel converter (MMC), the number of submodules (SM) of the proposed hybrid converter is significantly reduced, which decreases the construction cost and size of the system. The topology and operation principle of the hybrid HVDC converter are introduced. Then the corresponding control strategy is designed to achieve energy balance and power transmission. Based on the mathematic model, a design method for the parameters of the auxiliary converter is proposed. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed hybrid HVDC converter is verified by both the simulation and hardware‐in‐the‐loop experiment results.
Formation of a barred galaxy in a major merger: The role of AGN feedback
Authors: Łokas Ewa L.
Published: November 2022

Among the many processes involved in galaxy evolution, those of bar formation, quenching, and feedback from an active galactic nucleus (AGN) seem to be connected, however, the nature of these relations remains unclear. In this work, we aim to elucidate them by studying the formation of a barred galaxy in a major merger of two disks in the IllustrisTNG simulations. This merger involves a coalescence of two supermassive black holes and a sudden switch to the kinetic mode of AGN feedback implemented in the simulations, which leads to the removal of the gas from the inner part of the galaxy, followed by quenching of star formation and the formation of the bar. This causal relation between AGN feedback and bar formation explains a number of correlations observed in the data, such as the higher frequency of bars among red spirals and the presence of central gas holes in barred galaxies. In such a picture, the bars do not feed the black holes, so their presence does not increase the AGN strength, and they do not cause quenching. However, bars do form in regions characterized by a low gas fraction resulting from AGN feedback. This scenario is probably applicable to many barred galaxies, not only those formed in major mergers.
Six-wheel trolley type landing gear ground load analysis study
Authors: ZHANG Ming , WEI Xiyang , YANG Zimin , SHI Xiazheng
Published: November 2022

为了分析起落架支柱柔性和机身柔性对飞机地面运动载荷的影响, 应用动力学基本原理, 建立了六轮小车式起落架动力学模型及全机模型。对活塞杆与外筒柔性化处理, 并在对称水平着陆、机尾下沉着陆和滚转着陆3种着陆工况下, 分析了小车式起落架的载荷分配情况, 研究了着陆工况及支柱柔度对小车式起落架载荷分配的影响。对机身进行柔性化处理, 分析机身柔性对地面载荷的影响。结果表明: 支柱柔度对起落架航向载荷影响较大, 对垂向载荷影响较小; 考虑机身柔性后, 弹性机身变形吸收能量, 有助于减弱机体振动, 起落架及轮胎上的载荷也明显减小。
High-Resolution Computed Tomography of Nonfibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Marrocchio Cristina , Lynch David A.
Published: November 2022

Nonfibrotic interstitial lung diseases include a heterogeneous group of conditions that can result in various patterns of lung involvement. When approaching the computed tomographic (CT) scan of a patient with a suspected or known interstitial lung disease, the use of the appropriate radiological terms and a systematic, structured approach to the interpretation of the imaging findings are essential to reach a confident diagnosis or to limit the list of differentials to few possibilities. The large number of conditions that cause nonfibrotic interstitial lung diseases prevents a thorough discussion of all these entities. Therefore, this article will focus on the most common chronic lung diseases that can cause these CT findings. A pattern-based approach is used, with a discussion of nodular pattern, consolidation, crazy paving, ground-glass opacities, septal thickening, and calcifications. The different clinical conditions will be described based on their predominant pattern, with particular attention to findings that can help in the differential diagnosis.
Glucose Testing in an Index Pregnancy and Outcomes in a Subsequent Pregnancy: Implications for Screening and a Novel Risk Calculator
Authors: de los Reyes Samantha , Singh Lavisha , Adams Marci , Wang Chi , Hirsch Emmet
Published: November 2022

Objective Our objective was to assess whether variables from an index pregnancy (PG1) can be used to guide testing for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a subsequent pregnancy (PG2) and to create a risk calculator for GDM in PG2.

Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of patients delivering ≥2 singleton gestations at >24 weeks' gestation from June 2009 to December 2018, for whom results of a 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT) were available from PG1. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with GDM in PG2.

Results In total, 4,278 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among patients with a normal 1-hour GCT (<140 mg/dL) in PG1 (n = 3,719), 3.9% were diagnosed with GDM in PG2. In multivariable analysis of this group, GDM in PG2 was associated with higher GCT in PG1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.06), large for gestational age neonate in PG1 (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.24–3.13), and higher BMI (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05–1.11). A novel risk calculator for GDM in PG2 was developed based on these associations. Using a risk cut-off of 15%, the calculator had a positive predictive value of 26% and a negative predictive value of 97%, with 3.2% of patients identified as “at risk”. Among patients with abnormal 1-hour GCT in PG1, 38.3% (n = 214/559) had an abnormal 1-hour GCT in PG2 and 34.5% (n = 74/214) of these patients received a diagnosis of GDM.

Conclusion A normal 1-hour GCT in an PG1 is followed by GDM in a subsequent pregnancy in only 3.9% of cases. A novel calculator supports replacing universal screening with targeted testing in subsequent pregnancies in this population. Among patients with an abnormal 1-hour GCT in PG1, nearly 40% have an abnormal 1-hour GCT in a subsequent pregnancy. Direct diagnostic testing can be considered in such patients.

Key Points
2 Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation: Concepts, Classification, and Computing Tools
Authors: Winkler C. K. , Faber K. , Kroutil W.
Published: November 2022

This concept chapter provides an overview of strategies to produce chiral compounds in nonracemic form, using racemates or mixtures of diastereomers as starting materials, via desymmetrization, resolution, and deracemization. Special emphasis is given to dynamic systems, such as dynamic kinetic resolutions (DKR) and dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT). Based on a discussion of the underlying kinetics, user-friendly online tools are introduced that allow analysis and optimization of these asymmetric catalytic transformations. Merits and limitations are highlighted by examples proven on the synthetic scale.
6 Chemoenzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Alcohols
Authors: Kanomata K. , Akai S.
Published: November 2022

Chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution is one of the simplest and most reliable methods to obtain optically pure alcohol derivatives from racemates. For this purpose, hydrolases, especially lipases, have been widely used in the enantioselective esterification processes, and a variety of racemization catalysts with high catalytic efficiency and compatibility with lipases have been developed. This review introduces chemoenzymatic DKR of alcohols based on the category of racemization catalysts. DKR of axially chiral hydroxybiaryls and the use of engineered lipases to obtain opposite enantiomers, as well as the synthetic applications of the DKR products, are also discussed.
11 Dynamic Kinetic Resolution in Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Xie J.-H. , Zhou Q.-L.
Published: November 2022

Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation via dynamic kinetic resolution are atom-economical and powerful tools for the conversion of racemic compounds into optically pure enantiomers. Over the past three decades, considerable efforts have been made in this field and remarkable advances have been achieved. This chapter provides an overview of effective asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of racemic compounds, such as α-substituted ketones and β-keto esters, via dynamic kinetic resolution to form enantioenriched chiral products, such as chiral alcohols and amines.
12 Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation of Atropisomers
Authors: Berreur J. , Collins B. S. L. , Clayden J.
Published: November 2022

Stereoenriched atropisomeric compounds find important applications in various areas of chemistry and their synthesis is therefore a critical research target. This chapter presents a selection of the best methods available to date for the asymmetric preparation of atropisomeric compounds using dynamic stereoselective techniques. For the more common (hetero)biaryls, the selected reactions are classified according to the conformational stability of the substrates, i.e. whether they are freely rotating or are configurationally stable and require a chemically induced, temporary lowering of their rotation barrier before an asymmetric transformation can lock the axial chirality again. Strategies towards the stereoselective synthesis of non-biaryl atropisomers using dynamic resolution techniques are also covered.
Topical and emotional expressions regarding extreme weather disasters on social media: a comparison of posts from official media and the public
Authors: Han Ziqiang , Shen Mengfan , Liu Hongbing , Peng Yifan
Published: November 2022

Understanding media frames and the public resonance during disasters is essential for making inclusive climate change and adaptation policies in the context of increasingly extreme weather events. In this study, we use the extreme weather and flood event that occurred in July 2021 in Zhengzhou, China, as a case study to investigate how official media in China reported this event and how the public responded. Moreover, since one accountability investigation report regarding this disaster was released in January 2022, we also compared these posts between the emergency response period and the post-crisis learning period after the report’s release. Topic modeling using the LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) method and emotion analysis were conducted to analyze the posts from Weibo, China’s primary social media platform. The results demonstrated that the posts from official media and the public comments differed in both topics and emotions, with relatively little coherence. During the emergency response period, the media’s posts focused more on the facts, such as the extreme weather event, the places where it occurred, the impacts, and the search and rescue efforts, while the public comments were more about help appeals from the neglected ones in the rural areas, and emotional expressions such as moral support, condolence or encouragement to the victims and their families. After the accountability investigation in January, the media’s posts primarily covered the investigation process, the punishment, the attribution of disaster consequences, and the lessons learned, while the public’s comments were relatively emotional, praised the good, condoled the victims, and condemned the villains. The dominant emotion from the media’s posts was “like” in July 2021, but it became depression in January 2022. Anger was the prevalent emotion from the public during all the stages. This study provided valuable knowledge to the current understanding of the different patterns and dynamics of official media reports and the public’s resonance in disaster management.
Selective plane illumination optical endomicroscopy with polymer imaging fibers
Authors: Roldán-Varona Pablo , Ross Calum A. , Rodríguez-Cobo Luis , López-Higuera José Miguel , Gaughan Erin , Dhaliwal Kevin , Tanner Michael G. , Thomson Robert R. , Parker Helen E.
Published: November 2022

Imaging fibers are used to perform real-time fluorescence endomicroscopy, in vivo, in situ, with the goal of increasing diagnostic information for a plethora of organ systems and diseases. Widefield fiber endomicroscopy systems are simple, cost-effective, and come with fast image acquisition times. However, alternative approaches such as scanning systems produce higher contrast images with intrinsic optical sectioning, improving the visibility of histological features, albeit at the expense of simplicity, cost, and acquisition rate. We developed a selective plane illumination microscopy endoscopic fiber platform, consisting of an ultrafast laser fabricated end-cap, integrated with a polymer coherent fiber bundle, and an epifluorescence microscope. Polymer fibers are known to fluoresce when pumped with blue light, enhancing the background and noise in images. Our end-cap design circumvents this challenge. We demonstrate a reduction of out-of-focus features, along with improved contrast of in-focus features, in images of a tissue phantom. Moreover, we demonstrate the utility of our platform for endomicroscopy using a whole, ex vivo human lung model.
A review of legume research and extension in New Zealand (1990–2022)
Authors: Moot Derrick J.
Published: November 2022

Legumes have underpinned transformational change on New Zealand sheep and beef farms over the last 30 years. This was through an emphasis on ewe nutrition based on lucerne or red clover dominant pastures, and increased use of subterranean and white clovers on uncultivatable hill country. Pre- and post-weaning lamb growth rates have increased, and enabled earlier slaughter of heavier lambs. The farm systems results include greater numbers of hoggets mated, higher lambing percentages and greater ewe efficiency (kg lamb weaned/kg ewe mated). Extension packages to support legume use have compared growth rates of resident and legume-based pastures, economic analyses of successful farms and management packages for the most appropriate legume in different environments. Over the same period, the dairy industry rapidly expanded in cow numbers and area onto flat irrigated land on the Canterbury Plains. The nitrogen deficiency of perennial ryegrass was overcome by a linear increase in nitrogen fertiliser use. Environmental concerns from this intensification has led to a legislated nitrogen cap of 190 kg/ha.year. This, coupled with a recent trebling in urea price, has returned attention to increasing the white clover content of these pastures. Nitrogen applications can be minimised by using diverse pastures sown with a legume, herb and <8 kg/ha of perennial ryegrass. Work on other legumes, including annuals and those with condensed tannins, has to date failed to increase their use in most pastoral settings, with the exception of the perennial lupin which is adapted to high-aluminium soils in the South Island High Country.
Potential relevance of a motor skill “proficiency barrier” on health‐related fitness in youth
Authors: Abrams T. Cade , Terlizzi Bryan M. , De Meester An , Sacko Ryan S. , Irwin J. Megan , Luz Carlos , Rodrigues Luís Paulo , Cordovil Rita , Lopes Vítor P. , Schneider Kirsten , Stodden David F.
Published: November 2022

This study investigated the potential impact of a motor skill proficiency barrier on measures of cardiorespiratory (CRF) and musculoskeletal (MSF) fitness in youth. A sample of 241 youth (114 girls) aged 10 ‐ 18 years, completed the Motor Competence Assessment battery with composite scores indexed according to age‐ and gender‐adjusted percentile scores. Motor competence (MC) levels were categorized as low (≤ 25%tile – proficiency barrier), moderate (≥ 26%tile to < 75%tile), and high (≥ 75%tile). CRF levels (Health Risk, Needs Improvement, and Healthy) were assessed using the Fitnessgram® 20 m PACER test. Low (≤ 20%tile), moderate (≥ 21%tile to ≤ 80%tile), and high (≥ 80%tile) MSF levels were assessed using grip strength normative data. Two 3 × 3 chi‐square tests were conducted to determine the probability of MC level predicting CRF and MSF levels. Results demonstrated statistically significant models for performance on both the PACER (χ2[4, N = 241] = 22.65, p < .001) and grip strength (χ2[4, N = 241] = 23.95, p < .001). Strong evidence of a proficiency barrier impacting CRF was noted, as no low skilled youth met the “Healthy” fitness zone standards for PACER performance. Evidence supporting a barrier with grip strength was not as strong, as 20.8% of youth exhibiting low MC displayed high grip strength. However, all individuals with high levels of MC demonstrated at least moderate grip strength. Results emphasize the importance of developing MC during childhood as it may provide a protective effect against unhealthy CRF and MSF across youth.
Fabrication of vertically aligned CNT- vanadium oxide hybrid architecture with enhanced compressibility and supercapacitor performance
Authors: Arya Nitika , Verma Divya , Balakrishnan Viswanath
Published: November 2022

The demand for energy storage devices in wearable electronics effectuates a requisition for compressible and flexible supercapacitors with high performance and mechanical reliability. We report the fabrication of vanadium oxide hybrid with VACNT and its electrochemical supercapacitor performance along with the compression response. Compressive modulus of 730 ± 40 kPa is obtained for bare VACNT forest whereas its hybrid with vanadium oxide shows a compressive modulus of 240 ± 60 kPa. Controlled CVD process enabled the formation of porous CNT architecture coated with vanadium oxide particles due to the simultaneous reduction of V2O5 and partial oxidation of CNT forest. Vanadium oxide decorated on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes acts as the active material for supercapacitor applications. A 17 folds increase in areal capacitance and 36 folds increase in volumetric capacitance are observed on depositing vanadium oxide particles on the VACNT forest. High coulombic efficiency of 97.8% is attained even after 10 000 charge-discharge cycles indicating the high stability of the hybrid.
Characterisation of the auxiliary heating power delivered by the 40 keV neutral beam injectors on the COMPASS tokamak
Authors: Bogar K , Varju J , Havlicek J , Stockel J , Podolnik A , Hron M , Panek R
Published: November 2022

Two identical neutral beam injectors (NBIs) have been installed on the COMPASS tokamak. Each of them is capable of producing a deuterium (or hydrogen, helium) neutral beam with nominal power of up to 400 kW at 40 keV. Since the COMPASS tokamak is a compact machine, the design of the neutral beams was carefully optimized to fit the neutral beam through the narrow ports of the tokamak. However, once the neutral beams are operated out of the scope of their optimal parameters, additional power losses occur due to neutral beam scraping. This article investigates the amount of power loss due to neutral beam scraping. The losses are calculated using the neutral beam models and measured neutral beam parameters. The calculated results are compared with the measured power delivered into the plasma. Two different neutral beam models are employed. One describes the neutral beam as a sum of small beamlets, which are Gaussian-like. The second one describes the neutral beam as a single Gaussian beam. The amount of the power lost to scraping is determined by both models and compared. Neutral beam parameters, the input parameters for both models, are derived from the Doppler-shifted spectra emitted by fast neutral atoms. It is shown that when operating NBIs at nominal parameters, the scraping losses are negligible (

<

5% ). If the NBIs are operated too far from the nominal parameters, the scraping losses can reach up to ∼60% of the NBI output power. As the highest fractional losses occur with low power NBI, the beam duct is capable of withstanding the corresponding power loads. The expected auxiliary heating power

P

A
U
X

, the power entering the tokamak chamber carried by fast neutrals, is benchmarked against the additional plasma input power observed in the measured plasma parameters

P

N
B
I

. The additional plasma input power

P

N
B
I

is derived from the plasma power balance. The power balance terms are independent of the neutral beam model used for the auxiliary heating power calculation

P

A
U
X

. The results of the power balance evaluation reveal a difference between two NBIs installed on COMPASS. One of the injectors systematically delivers 17% less power than the other into the plasma given the same beam parameters. It is concluded that the additional losses occur before the beam enters the tokamak chamber.
Conjugate heat transfer analysis of a twin-screw compressor with 4-6 configuration and internal cooling channels
Authors: Saravana A , Liu H , Able N , Collins J , Groll E A , Ziviani D
Published: November 2022

Twin-screw compressor technology is widely employed in commercial and industrial HVAC&R applications as well as in air-compression and gas processing industries. Twin-screw compressors are characterized by relatively high efficiencies at part- and full-loads, and high reliability. However, innovative designs and higher efficiency are needed to further reduce power consumption, improve the compression process, and minimize internal losses. This study focuses on developing a simulation model of a twin-screw compressor with internal cooling channels to achieve a near isothermal compression process. A complex coupling between compression process and heat transfer occurs during the operation of the compressor. To analyze the compressor and the interaction between solid (i.e., rotors) and fluid phases (i.e., air and coolant), a CFD model with conjugate heat transfer has been developed and validated. The CFD model is used to predict compressor performance parameters such as isentropic efficiency, heat transfer rate, work input and pressure forces acting on the rotors. The performance of the twin-screw compressor with internal cooling channels is compared with a conventional twin-screw compressor.
Overview of the 36th International Conference, 36th Eg-MRS 202
Authors: Aly Arafa H.
Published: November 2022

The overview describes the main directions and results of the 36th Eg-MRS International Conference, 36th Eg-MRS-2022 held in Cairo, Egypt, 24-25 September 2022. It gives the details about the participants and the proceedings.

The Volume contains Proceedings of the 36th Eg-MRS International Conference, Eg-MRS-2022:

Modernization, Innovations and Progress” which was held in Cairo, Egypt in September 24-25, 2022.. The Conference held online using Zoom due to COVID-19.

The purpose of the Conference is to share the results and prospects of the achievements in using advanced scientific, innovative and information technologies in materials sciences and its applications.

In fact, this is the third year of publishing a special issue of Eg-MRS international conferences under the umbrella of IOP material sciences and engineering. The first one was in November 2019; Hurghada, Egypt [1]. The second and third was in August 2020 & July 2022 which was online due to COVID-19 [2,3 ]

All conference organizers/editors are required to declare details about their peer review. Therefore, please provide the following information:

• Type of peer review: Single-blind / Double-blind / Triple-blind / Open / Other (please describe) Double-blind

• Conference submission management system: Online: https://cutt.us/mo8G5

• Number of submissions received: 50

• Number of submissions sent for review: 30

• Number of submissions accepted: 11

• Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted / Number of Submissions Received × 100): 22%

• Average number of reviews per paper: 3

• Total number of reviewers involved: 20

• Any additional info on review process: No

• Contact person for queries: Prof Arafa H.Aly; arafaaly@aucegypt.edu

Please submit this form along with the rest of your files on the submission date written in your publishing agreement.

The information you provide will be published as part of your proceedings.
Correlating stimulated emission phase to the gain spectra in semiconductor lasers
Authors: Mikhail Abanoub , Mahmoud Safwat William Zaki
Published: November 2022

In laser physics, the incident electric field and the stimulated field are assumed to have the same frequency, direction of propagation, polarization, and phase —same state. However, no formal proof of the phase identity (zero phase shift) was reported. The existing theories on the phase shift are in conflict with each other and with the phase identity. The phase shift in three semiconductor active media (GaAs, In0.15Ga0.85As, and In0.48Ga0.58As0.9P0.1) has been studied using a semiclassical approach. Contrary to the conventional belief, it has been found that the phase shift is not zero. The phase shift is not even a single value but rather a spectrum corresponding to the gain spectrum. At a carrier concentration of 2.5 × 1024
m
−3, the minima of the phase shift spectra are 1.5597, 1.509, and 1.399 radians for GaAs, In0.15Ga0.85As, and In0.48Ga0.58As0.9P0.1, respectively. Stimulated emission is shown to occur whenever the phase shift is positive and lies in the interval between 0 and π/2. Because of radiation reaction of the radiating source and the finite lifetime of excited states, stimulated emission cannot attain the same phase as the incident field —no zero-phase shift. These results reveal that the conventional picture of phase identity is incorrect, and phase matching between the incident field and stimulated is not a necessary condition for stimulated radiation. Despite the fundamentality of the concept of stimulated emission phase, such outcomes are not reported nor discussed in the literature.
Evaluation of the seismic performance of lightweight concrete multistory buildings
Authors: Gamal Yasser A.S , Elrazek Mostafa Abd
Published: November 2022

In recent years, lightweight concrete has become very popular in the construction industry. And, its usage can lead to reduced costs and time. Therefore, different types of concrete (lightweight (LC), heavyweight (HC), and ordinary concrete (OC)) have been investigated to comprehend their response to earthquake load. Also, the comparison between their responses has been considered for getting the best response for various materials in construction work. The results prove that building models with LC are more resistant to earthquakes than the other types due to the reduction in the weight of buildings. Consequently, it has a role in resisting seismic forces. Furthermore, the combination of different concrete in the structural elements is another important criterion to be considered in thesis. The findings demonstrate that the responses in models for OCC-LCR (ordinary concrete for the column and light concrete for the roof) and LCC-OCR (light concrete column and ordinary concrete roof) have fewer values than the other types.
Investigation of Solar Energy Potential and PV-Outputs in Rural and Desert Areas: Case Study Egypt
Authors: Khamees Ashraf S. , Rahoma U. Ali , Hassan A. H. , Sayad Tarek , Morsy Mostafa
Published: November 2022

This study aims to identify the best strategic sites in Egypt available to build the PV systems needed to support required electricity to the country and the desert areas, in addition to deduce the total monthly, annual electricity budget and their generation costs. Egypt has a high solar energy potential which is crucial for sustainable development, as it receives 3450 hours of solar radiation (SR) throughout the year with a high intensity ranged from 8.5KWh/m2/d in southwest part to 2.1 KWh/m2/d at the north coast. The observed SR at four stations (Asyut, Aswan, Kharga, Cairo) were used to assess the accuracy of the ERA5 reanalysis dataset. Moreover, seven strategic sites were chosen across the country including the Western Desert (El-Golf, Habatta, and Sewa), the Eastern Desert (Saffaga, Shiab-Elbanat), and the Sinai Peninsula (El-Agma and El-Arish) to identify the most suitable stations for the construction of PV systems. Three different types of PV cells with different efficiency (η1=19.1%, η2=22.6% and η3=22.4 %) were utilized to compute the energy that could be generated at the lowest cost at the seven selected sites across Egypt. The results showed that the monthly total cost from η1 was 0.011 $/W during June and exceeded 0.015 $/W in December, while the annual total costs are ranged from 0.0119 $/W in El-Golf and 0.01494 $/W in El-Arish. Also, the result for η2 was ranged from 0.01$/W to 0.026 over El-Golf and Shiab-Elbanat, while the last cell η3 was recorded high cost over all sites but gives more energy. Finally, it is concluded that El-Golf, Shiab-Elbanat, and Saffaga are the best three sites with the lowest coast for building a PV system followed by Habatta and El-Agma, while the energy generation costs at both El-Arish and Sewa were the highest.
Impact of atmospheric extinction coefficient on the solar spectrum at selective wavelengths at Helwan in Egypt
Authors: Zenhom Heba , Ghitas Ahmed , Abdelwahab Mohamed M. , Alnawawy Mohamed S. , Hassan Amir H. , Abulwfa Ahmed
Published: November 2022

Solar irradiance alterations due to the various atmospheric conditions have received great scientific concern. These alternations can be investigated by both monochromatic extinction coefficient and atmospheric transparency. In this work, continuous measurements of solar spectral irradiation using the Spectroradiometer for six selective wavelengths (350, 368, 500, 615, 780, and 870 nm) are carried out at the Helwan station, (NRIAG) in Egypt. Twelve clear-sky days of continuous observations have been monitored under different atmospheric conditions. The results have shown that using Langley method under cloudless sky for the total atmospheric extinction at the selective wavelengths was correlated. The extinction coefficient at the selected wavelengths shows obvious diurnal variations in each season. The perceptible effect of local climate has been obtained from the comparison of seasonal extinctions. The highest value of extinction coefficient was 0.59 km−1 at 615 nm in summer while the lowest one at 350 nm was 0.07 km−1 in winter. Moreover, it has been found that the afternoon values of transparency have a shift toward the longer wavelengths.
Prognostic Importance of Atrial Fibrillation and Anticoagulation in Alcoholic Versus Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Manivannan Alan , Schou Morten , Monahan Kevin M , Helm Robert , Ko Darae , Fosbøl Emil , Køber Lars , Gustafsson Finn , Gislason Gunnar H , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Andersson Charlotte
Published: November 2022

Aims

Limited data exist to describe the prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) and oral anticoagulation on patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) compared with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and were investigated in this study.

Methods

Using Danish nationwide registries, a cohort analysis was conducted to assess the prognostic differences for patients with a first diagnosis of ACM versus DCM with and without AF 1994–2018 (followed until end 2019). Our study also assessed differences in mortality following initiation of anticoagulation in both populations.

Results

Totally, 1237 patients with ACM (33% with AF) and 17,211 individuals with DCM (33% with AF) were included. Those with ACM were more often men (89 versus 71%) and younger than patients with DCM (mean age 56 versus 64 years). Cumulative 5-year mortality was greater among patients with ACM, compared with DCM, regardless of AF (ACM with AF 49% [95% CI: 44–54%], ACM without AF 48% [45–53%], DCM with AF 41% [39–42%], DCM without AF 30% [29–31%], P < 0.0001). The prognosis associated with AF was statistically significantly different in people with ACM and DCM (adjusted hazards ratio 0.85 [95% CI: 0.74–0.98] versus 1.04 [1.00–1.09] in ACM and DCM, P < 0.0001). The mortality associated with oral anticoagulation was similar in ACM and DCM (hazards ratio 0.81 [0.61–1.07] versus 0.87 [0.80–0.94], P = 0.49).

Conclusions

Patients with ACM had a worse prognosis when compared with patients with DCM, but this did not appear to be driven by AF. Patients with ACM were observed to have similar associated risk benefits of oral anticoagulation as DCM.
A toolkit for covalent docking with GOLD: from automated ligand preparation with KNIME to bound protein–ligand complexes
Authors: David Laurianne , Mdahoma Anissa , Singh Natesh , Buchoux Sébastien , Pihan Emilie , Diaz Constantino , Rabal Obdulia
Published: November 2022

Motivation

Current covalent docking tools have limitations that make them difficult to use for performing large-scale structure-based covalent virtual screening (VS). They require time-consuming tasks for the preparation of proteins and compounds (standardization, filtering according to the type of warheads), as well as for setting up covalent reactions. We have developed a toolkit to help accelerate drug discovery projects in the phases of hit identification by VS of ultra-large covalent libraries and hit expansion by exploration of the binding of known covalent compounds. With this application note, we offer the community a toolkit for performing automated covalent docking in a fast and efficient way.

Results

The toolkit comprises a KNIME workflow for ligand preparation and a Python program to perform the covalent docking of ligands with the GOLD docking engine running in a parallelized fashion.

Availability and implementation

The KNIME workflow entitled ‘Evotec_Covalent_Processing_forGOLD.knwf’ for the preparation of the ligands is available in the KNIME Hub https://hub.knime.com/emilie_pihan/spaces.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
GSEApy: a comprehensive package for performing gene set enrichment analysis in Python
Authors: Fang Zhuoqing , Liu Xinyuan , Peltz Gary
Published: November 2022

Motivation

Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) is a commonly used algorithm for characterizing gene expression changes. However, the currently available tools used to perform GSEA have a limited ability to analyze large datasets, which is particularly problematic for the analysis of single-cell data. To overcome this limitation, we developed a GSEA package in Python (GSEApy), which could efficiently analyze large single-cell datasets.

Results

We present a package (GSEApy) that performs GSEA in either the command line or Python environment. GSEApy uses a Rust implementation to enable it to calculate the same enrichment statistic as GSEA for a collection of pathways. The Rust implementation of GSEApy is 3-fold faster than the Numpy version of GSEApy (v0.10.8) and uses >4-fold less memory. GSEApy also provides an interface between Python and Enrichr web services, as well as for BioMart. The Enrichr application programming interface enables GSEApy to perform over-representation analysis for an input gene list. Furthermore, GSEApy consists of several tools, each designed to facilitate a particular type of enrichment analysis.

Availability and implementation

The new GSEApy with Rust extension is deposited in PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/gseapy/. The GSEApy source code is freely available at https://github.com/zqfang/GSEApy. Also, the documentation website is available at https://gseapy.rtfd.io/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Distinguishing imported cases from locally acquired cases within a geographically limited genomic sample of an infectious disease
Authors: Didelot Xavier , Helekal David , Kendall Michelle , Ribeca Paolo
Published: November 2022

Motivation

The ability to distinguish imported cases from locally acquired cases has important consequences for the selection of public health control strategies. Genomic data can be useful for this, for example, using a phylogeographic analysis in which genomic data from multiple locations are compared to determine likely migration events between locations. However, these methods typically require good samples of genomes from all locations, which is rarely available.

Results

Here, we propose an alternative approach that only uses genomic data from a location of interest. By comparing each new case with previous cases from the same location, we are able to detect imported cases, as they have a different genealogical distribution than that of locally acquired cases. We show that, when variations in the size of the local population are accounted for, our method has good sensitivity and excellent specificity for the detection of imports. We applied our method to data simulated under the structured coalescent model and demonstrate relatively good performance even when the local population has the same size as the external population. Finally, we applied our method to several recent genomic datasets from both bacterial and viral pathogens, and show that it can, in a matter of seconds or minutes, deliver important insights on the number of imports to a geographically limited sample of a pathogen population.

Availability and implementation

The R package DetectImports is freely available from https://github.com/xavierdidelot/DetectImports.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Metabolic patterns in brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET relate to aetiology in paediatric dystonia
Authors: Tsagkaris Stavros , Yau Eric K C , McClelland Verity , Papandreou Apostolos , Siddiqui Ata , Lumsden Daniel E , Kaminska Margaret , Guedj Eric , Hammers Alexander , Lin Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2022

There is a lack of imaging markers revealing the functional characteristics of different brain regions in paediatric dystonia. In this observational study, we assessed the utility of [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET in understanding dystonia pathophysiology by revealing specific resting awake brain glucose metabolism patterns in different childhood dystonia subgroups. PET scans from 267 children with dystonia being evaluated for possible deep brain stimulation surgery between September 2007 and February 2018 at Evelina London Children’s Hospital (ELCH), UK, were examined. Scans without gross anatomical abnormality (e.g. large cysts, significant ventriculomegaly; n = 240) were analysed with Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM12). Glucose metabolism patterns were examined in the 144/240 (60%) cases with the 10 commonest childhood-onset dystonias, focusing on nine anatomical regions. A group of 39 adult controls was used for comparisons. The genetic dystonias were associated with the following genes: TOR1A, THAP1, SGCE, KMT2B, HPRT1 (Lesch Nyhan disease), PANK2 and GCDH (Glutaric Aciduria type 1). The acquired cerebral palsy (CP) cases were divided into those related to prematurity (CP-Preterm), neonatal jaundice/kernicterus (CP-Kernicterus) and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (CP-Term). Each dystonia subgroup had distinct patterns of altered FDG-PET uptake. Focal glucose hypometabolism of the pallidi, putamina or both, was the commonest finding, except in PANK2, where basal ganglia metabolism appeared normal. HPRT1 uniquely showed glucose hypometabolism across all nine cerebral regions. Temporal lobe glucose hypometabolism was found in KMT2B, HPRT1 and CP-Kernicterus. Frontal lobe hypometabolism was found in SGCE, HPRT1 and PANK2. Thalamic and brainstem hypometabolism were seen only in HPRT1, CP-Preterm and CP-term dystonia cases. The combination of frontal and parietal lobe hypermetabolism was uniquely found in CP-term cases. PANK2 cases showed a distinct combination of parietal hypermetabolism with cerebellar hypometabolism but intact putaminal-pallidal glucose metabolism. HPRT1, PANK2, CP-kernicterus and CP-preterm cases had cerebellar and insula glucose hypometabolism as well as parietal glucose hypermetabolism. The study findings offer insights into the pathophysiology of dystonia and support the network theory for dystonia pathogenesis. ‘Signature’ patterns for each dystonia subgroup could be a useful biomarker to guide differential diagnosis and inform personalized management strategies.
Ependyma: a new target for autoantibodies in neuromyelitis optica?
Authors: Bigotte Maxime , Gimenez Marie , Gavoille Antoine , Deligiannopoulou Adamantia , El Hajj Aseel , Croze Severine , Goumaidi Abdelghafar , Malleret Gael , Salin Paul , Giraudon Pascale , Ruiz Anne , Marignier Romain
Published: November 2022

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system characterized by the presence of autoantibodies (called NMO-IgG) targeting aquaporin-4. Aquaporin-4 is expressed at the perivascular foot processes of astrocytes, in the glia limitans, but also at the ependyma. Most studies have focused on studying the pathogenicity of NMO-IgG on astrocytes, and NMO is now considered an astrocytopathy. However, periependymal lesions are observed in NMO suggesting that ependymal cells could also be targeted by NMO-IgG. Ependymal cells regulate CSF-parenchyma molecular exchanges and CSF flow, and are a niche for sub-ventricular neural stem cells. Our aim was to examine the effect of antibodies from NMO patients on ependymal cells. We exposed two models, i.e. primary cultures of rat ependymal cells and explant cultures of rat lateral ventricular wall whole mounts, to purified IgG of NMO patients (NMO-IgG) for 24 hours. We then evaluated the treatment effect using immunolabelling, functional assays, ependymal flow analysis and bulk RNA sequencing. For each experiment, the effects were compared with those of purified IgG from a healthy donors and non-treated cells. We found that: (i) NMO-IgG induced aquaporin-4 agglomeration at the surface of ependymal cells and induced cell enlargement in comparison to controls. In parallel, it induced an increase in gap junction connexin-43 plaque size; (ii) NMO-IgG altered the orientation of ciliary basal bodies and functionally impaired cilia motility; (iii) NMO-IgG activated the proliferation of sub-ventricular neural stem cells; (iv) treatment with NMO-IgG up-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the transcriptomic analysis. Our study showed that NMO-IgG can trigger an early and specific reactive phenotype in ependymal cells, with functional alterations of intercellular communication and cilia, activation of sub-ventricular stem cell proliferation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest a key role for ependymal cells in the early phase of NMO lesion formation.
Trajectories of De Ritis ratio with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related mortality following direct-acting antivirals for HCV: a retrospective longitudinal study up to 10 years
Authors: Jia Linna , Yue Ming , Wang Yidi , Ye Xiangyu , Zou Yanzheng , Zhang Amei , Feng Yue , Xia Xueshan , Yang Sheng , Yu Rongbin , Huang Peng
Published: November 2022

The De Ritis ratio has good diagnostic accuracy in patients with chronic viral liver disease. However, its prognostic utility has remained controversial. This study was to identify different trajectories of De Ritis ratio in those hepatitis C patients cured and analyze the relationship between trajectory groups and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with liver-related mortality by the retrospective cohort study. This retrospective longitudinal cohort included 1241 patients with hepatitis C who underwent antiviral therapy since follow-up in 2012. De Ritis ratio trajectories were identified by the latent class growth mixed model. Patients were grouped into subgroups by De Ritis ratio according to longitudinal trajectories. The endpoints were HCC and liver-related mortality. Three distinct trajectory groups were characterized for serum De Ritis ratio: low-stable, middle-stable and high-rising. Fifty-one HCC and 11 liver-related mortality were recorded and tracked. Compared to the low-stable group, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) associated with HCC and liver-related mortality were 2.02 (1.12 to 3.63), 9.36 (3.61 to 24.29), for the middle-stable, and high-rising group, respectively. Notably, the high-rising trajectory group still had prognostic significance after adjusting for preoperative levels. Likewise, for the high-rising trajectory group of sustained virological response, the HRs (95% CI) were 2.85 (1.03 to 10.75) for HCC and liver-related mortality, and in patients with cirrhosis, the HRs (95% CI) were 3.44 (1.64 to 7.19) and 4.35 (1.27 to 14.84) in the middle-stable trajectory group and the high-rising trajectory group, respectively. The dynamic measurements of De Ritis ratio are recommended to monitor the prognosis of Hepatitis C patients.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in young adults
Authors: Martínez Víctor , Furlano Mónica , Sans Laia , Pulido Lissett , García Rebeca , Pérez-Gómez María Vanessa , Sánchez-Rodríguez Jinny , Blasco Miquel , Castro-Alonso Cristina , Fernández-Fresnedo Gema , Robles Nicolás Roberto , Valenzuela María Pau , Naranjo Javier , Martín Nadia , Pilco Melissa , Agraz-Pamplona Irene , González-Rodríguez Juan David , Panizo Nayara , Fraga Gloria , Fernández Loreto , López María Teresa , Dall'Anese Cecilia , Ortiz Alberto , Torra Roser ,   participants in the REPQRAD, Marcas Luis , Rius Asunción , Tomás Patricia , García Leonor , Luna Enrique , Adoración Martín María , Íñigo Pablo , Martins Judith , Ramos Fernanda , García Rosa , del Río García Laura , del Carmen Merino María , Fernández-Reyes M José , Madariaga Leire , Canal Cristina , Martínez Ana María , Echarri Rocío , Bouarich Hanane , Cabezas Antonio
Published: November 2022

Background

The clinical manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) usually appear in adulthood, however pediatric series report a high morbidity. The objective of the study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of ADPKD in young adults.

Methods

Family history, hypertension, albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and imaging tests were examined in 346 young adults (18–30 years old) out of 2521 patients in the Spanish ADPKD registry (REPQRAD). A literature review searched for reports on hypertension in series with more than 50 young (age <30 years) ADPKD patients.

Results

The mean age of this young adult cohort was 25.24 (SD 3.72) years. The mean age at diagnosis of hypertension was 21.15 (SD 4.62) years, while in the overall REPQRAD population was aged 37.6 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 28.03% and increased with age (18–24 years, 16.8%; 25–30 years, 36.8%). Although prevalence was lower in women than in men, the age at onset of hypertension (21 years) was similar in both sexes. Mean eGFR was 108 (SD 21) mL/min/1.73 m2, 38.0% had liver cysts and 3.45% of those studied had intracranial aneurysms. In multivariate analyses, hematuria episodes and kidney length were independent predictors of hypertension (area under the curve 0.75). The prevalence of hypertension in 22 pediatric cohorts was 20%–40%, but no literature reports on hypertension in young ADPKD adults were found.

Conclusions

Young adults present non-negligible ADPKD-related morbidity. This supports the need for a thorough assessment of young adults at risk of ADPKD that allows early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.