bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diet-related selectivity of macroplastic ingestion in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Duncan Emily M. , Arrowsmith Jessica A. , Bain Charlotte E. , Bowdery Hannah , Broderick Annette C. , Chalmers Tierney , Fuller Wayne J. , Galloway Tamara S. , Lee Jonathon H. , Lindeque Penelope K. , Omeyer Lucy C. M. , Snape Robin T. E. , Godley Brendan J.
Published: August 2019

Understanding the drivers of key interactions between marine vertebrates and plastic pollution is now considered a research priority. Sea turtles are primarily visual predators, with the ability to discriminate according to colour and shape; therefore these factors play a role in feeding choices. Classification methodologies of ingested plastic currently do not record these variables, however here, refined protocols allow us to test the hypothesis that plastic is selectively ingested when it resembles the food items of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Turtles in the eastern Mediterranean displayed strong diet-related selectivity towards certain types (sheet and threadlike), colours (black, clear and green) and shapes (linear items strongly preferred) of plastic when compared to the environmental baseline of plastic beach debris. There was a significant negative relationship between size of turtle (curved carapace length) and number/mass of plastic pieces ingested, which may be explained through naivety and/or ontogenetic shifts in diet. Further investigation in other species and sites are needed to more fully ascertain the role of selectivity in plastic ingestion in this marine vertebrate group.
Construction of a synthetic pathway for the production of 1,3-propanediol from glucose
Authors: Frazão Cláudio J. R. , Trichez Débora , Serrano-Bataille Hélène , Dagkesamanskaia Adilia , Topham Christopher M. , Walther Thomas , François Jean Marie
Published: August 2019

In this work, we describe the construction of a synthetic metabolic pathway enabling direct biosynthesis of 1,3-propanediol (PDO) from glucose via the Krebs cycle intermediate malate. This non-natural pathway extends a previously published synthetic pathway for the synthesis of (L)-2,4-dihydroxybutyrate (L-DHB) from malate by three additional reaction steps catalyzed respectively, by a DHB dehydrogenase, a 2-keto-4-hydroxybutyrate (OHB) dehydrogenase and a PDO oxidoreductase. Screening and structure-guided protein engineering provided a (L)-DHB dehydrogenase from the membrane-associated (L)-lactate dehydrogenase of E. coli and OHB decarboxylase variants derived from the branched-chain keto-acid decarboxylase encoded by kdcA from Lactococcus lactis or pyruvate decarboxylase from Zymomonas mobilis. The simultaneous overexpression of the genes encoding these enzymes together with the endogenous ydhD-encoded aldehyde reductase enabled PDO biosynthesis from (L)-DHB. While the simultaneous expression of the six enzymatic activities in a single engineered E. coli strain resulted in a low production of 0.1 mM PDO from 110 mM glucose, a 40-fold increased PDO titer was obtained by co-cultivation of an E. coli strain expressing the malate-DHB pathway with another strain harboring the DHB-to-PDO pathway.
Extracellular vesicles isolated from porcine seminal plasma exhibit different tetraspanin expression profiles
Authors: Barranco Isabel , Padilla Lorena , Parrilla Inmaculada , Álvarez-Barrientos Alberto , Pérez-Patiño Cristina , Peña Fernando J. , Martínez Emilio A. , Rodriguez-Martínez Heriberto , Roca Jordi
Published: August 2019

Seminal extracellular vesicles (EVs) include exosomes (ø 40–120 nm) and microvesicles (MVs, ø 120–1000 nm), which would be involved in multiple functional reproductive roles. The study aimed to establish which EV subtypes are present in pig semen, using a high-resolution flow cytometer to explore differences in their tetraspanin expression profile. The EVs were isolated from 12 pig ejaculates using serial ultracentrifugation and characterized by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy for size and morphology as well as for tetraspanin expression using flow cytometry with Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and antibodies against CD9, CD63 and CD81. Pig semen contained a heterogeneous EV-population regarding size and morphology. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the proportion of EVs expressing CD63 and CD9 was higher in MVs (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) than in exosomes, while the opposite was true for CD81; higher (P < 0.001) in exosomes than in MVs. In conclusion, (1) the new generation of flow cytometers are able to accurately identify EVs and to gate them in two size-different populations named exosomes and MVs. (2) Tetraspanins CD9, CD63 and CD81 are present in both seminal EVs, albeit with exosomes and MVs differing in expression profiles, suggesting dissimilar cargo and binding affinity.
Inner Nuclear Layer Microcyst Configuration, Distribution, and Visual Prognosis in Patients With Epiretinal Membrane After Vitrectomy and Membrane Peeling
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Hung , Chou Yu-Bai , Huang Yi-Ming , Hwang De-Kuang , Tsai Fang-Yi , Chen Shih-Jen
Published: August 2019

Inner nuclear layer(INL) microcysts at central macula are a common finding in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) after vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Using en face mode of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography, patients with ERM after surgery were retrospectively reviewed to understand the configuration and distribution of microcysts as well as their impact on visual acuity. Forty-six eligible patients were enrolled and their baseline best-corrected visual acuities improved from 20/67 to 20/29 (P < 0.01) after surgery. Twenty-eight (60.9%) patients had microcysts that appeared at a median of 5 months after the surgery and persisted for mean 16 months follow-up. The microcyst appeared as spheroidal shape with length ranged from 20 to 80 μm and widths of 80 μm in average. They tend to group in cluster with a density of 245 microcysts per mm2. The frequency of microcyst distribution was 86%, 54%, 32%, 25% and 18% at the nasal, superior, inferior, temporal quadrants and central 1 mm, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that INL microcysts at central and temporal quadrants were associated with poorer visual acuity (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). The presence of INL microcysts in center subfield and involved wider area is a poor prognostic factor for visual outcomes.
Manipulating the visibility of barriers to improve spatial navigation efficiency and cognitive mapping
Authors: He Qiliang , McNamara Timothy P. , Brown Thackery I.
Published: August 2019

Previous studies from psychology, neuroscience and geography showed that environmental barriers fragment the representation of the environment, reduce spatial navigation efficiency, distort distance estimation and make spatial updating difficult. Despite these negative effects, limited research has examined how to overcome barriers and if individual differences mediate their causes and potential interventions. We hypothesize that the reduced visibility caused by barriers plays a major role in accumulating error in spatial updating and encoding spatial relationships. We tested this using virtual navigation to grant participants ‘X-ray’ vision during environment encoding (i.e., barriers become translucent) and quantifying cognitive mapping benefits of counteracting fragmented visibility. We found that compared to the participants trained with naturalistic environment visibility, participants trained in the translucent environment had better performance in wayfinding and pointing tasks, which are theorized to measure navigation efficiency and cognitive mapping. Interestingly, these benefits were only observed in participants with high self-report sense of direction. Together, our results provide important insight into (1) how perceptual barrier effects manifest, even when physical fragmentation of space is held constant, (2) establish a novel intervention that can improve spatial learning, and (3) provide evidence that individual differences modulate perceptual barrier effects and the efficacy of such interventions.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein to prealbumin ratio measurement as a marker of the prognosis in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Wang Wei , Ren Dong , Wang Chun-Song , Li Tai , Yao Heng-Chen
Published: August 2019

The study aimed to determine whether high sensitivity C-reactive protein to prealbumin (hs-CRP/PAB) ratio could be used to predict in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 659 patients with ACS were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: high hs-CRP/PAB ratio group (hs-CRP/PAB ≥0.010) and low hs-CRP/PAB ratio group (hs-CRP/PAB <0.010). MACE was defined as death, cardiogenic shock, re-infarction and acute heart failure. Logistic regression was performed and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was generated to evaluate the correlation of hs-CRP/PAB ratio and MACE in patients with ACS. The occurrence rate of MACE was significantly higher in high hs-CRP/PAB ratio group when compared with that in low hs-CRP/PAB ratio group (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis determined that hs-CRP/PAB ratio was an independent predictor of MACE (adjusted odds ratio: 1.276, 95% confidence interval: 1.106–1.471, P = 0.001). Moreover, the area under the curve value of hs-CRP/PAB ratio for predicting MACE was higher than hs-CRP and equal to PAB. High hs-CRP/PAB ratio was considered as a prognostic parameter of MACE in ACS patients, with the predictive power equal to PAB but greater than hs-CRP.
Massively parallel single-cell B-cell receptor sequencing enables rapid discovery of diverse antigen-reactive antibodies
Authors: Goldstein Leonard D. , Chen Ying-Jiun J. , Wu Jia , Chaudhuri Subhra , Hsiao Yi-Chun , Schneider Kellen , Hoi Kam Hon , Lin Zhonghua , Guerrero Steve , Jaiswal Bijay S. , Stinson Jeremy , Antony Aju , Pahuja Kanika Bajaj , Seshasayee Dhaya , Modrusan Zora , Hötzel Isidro , Seshagiri Somasekar
Published: August 2019

Obtaining full-length antibody heavy- and light-chain variable regions from individual B cells at scale remains a challenging problem. Here we use high-throughput single-cell B-cell receptor sequencing (scBCR-seq) to obtain accurately paired full-length variable regions in a massively parallel fashion. We sequenced more than 250,000 B cells from rat, mouse and human repertoires to characterize their lineages and expansion. In addition, we immunized rats with chicken ovalbumin and profiled antigen-reactive B cells from lymph nodes of immunized animals. The scBCR-seq data recovered 81% (n = 56/69) of B-cell lineages identified from hybridomas generated from the same set of B cells subjected to scBCR-seq. Importantly, scBCR-seq identified an additional 710 candidate lineages not recovered as hybridomas. We synthesized, expressed and tested 93 clones from the identified lineages and found that 99% (n = 92/93) of the clones were antigen-reactive. Our results establish scBCR-seq as a powerful tool for antibody discovery.
Single-cell landscape in mammary epithelium reveals bipotent-like cells associated with breast cancer risk and outcome
Authors: Chen Weiyan , Morabito Samuel J. , Kessenbrock Kai , Enver Tariq , Meyer Kerstin B. , Teschendorff Andrew E.
Published: August 2019

Adult stem-cells may serve as the cell-of-origin for cancer, yet their unbiased identification in single cell RNA sequencing data is challenging due to the high dropout rate. In the case of breast, the existence of a bipotent stem-like state is also controversial. Here we apply a marker-free algorithm to scRNA-Seq data from the human mammary epithelium, revealing a high-potency cell-state enriched for an independent mammary stem-cell expression module. We validate this stem-like state in independent scRNA-Seq data. Our algorithm further predicts that the stem-like state is bipotent, a prediction we are able to validate using FACS sorted bulk expression data. The bipotent stem-like state correlates with clinical outcome in basal breast cancer and is characterized by overexpression of YBX1 and ENO1, two modulators of basal breast cancer risk. This study illustrates the power of a marker-free computational framework to identify a novel bipotent stem-like state in the mammary epithelium.
Chemoselective and photocleavable cysteine modification of peptides and proteins using isoxazoliniums
Authors: Deng Jie-Ren , Chung Sai-Fung , Leung Alan Siu-Lun , Yip Wai-Ming , Yang Bin , Choi Man-Chung , Cui Jian-Fang , Kung Karen Ka-Yan , Zhang Zhen , Lo Kar-Wai , Leung Yun-Chung , Wong Man-Kin
Published: August 2019

It is of ongoing interest to develop new approaches for efficient and selective modification of cysteine residues on biomolecules. Here we present a comprehensive study on a newly developed isoxazolinium-mediated cysteine modification of peptides and proteins. Using a stoichiometric amount of isoxazolinium reagents generated in situ from a catalytic amount of silver salts, cysteine-containing peptides can be efficiently modified to afford products in nearly complete conversions. With the optimized conditions, free cysteine containing proteins HSA and BSA, as well as a site-directed mutated therapeutic protein (BCArg) can be efficiently and selectively labelled using small amounts of the isoxazolinium reagents. We find that the phenylacyl thioether linkage bearing an alkyne moiety can be rapidly cleaved under irradiation of UV-A light, giving the formation of a thioaldehyde moiety, which can be converted back to cysteine by reduction.
Carbon dot-based inverse opal hydrogels with photoluminescence: dual-mode sensing of solvents and metal ions
Authors: Zhu Yuhua , Wang Jianying , Zhu Xiang , Wang Jun , Zhou Lijie , Li Jinhua , Mei Tao , Qian Jingwen , Wei Lai , Wang Xianbao
Published: August 2019

Carbon dot-based inverse opal hydrogels (CD-IOHs) with photoluminescence are created and dual-mode detection of solvents and metal ions is demonstrated.
Advances in biomolecule inspired polymeric material decorated interfaces for biological applications
Authors: Zhang Dongyue , Xu Xinyuan , Long Xiaoling , Cheng Kai , Li Jianshu
Published: August 2019

In this review, we summarized the recent advances and strategies on fabrication of functional polymeric materials inspired by diverse of biomolecules for decorating biomaterial interface and other biomedical applications.
Biomimetic polymeric superamphiphobic surfaces: their fabrication and applications
Authors: Ai Jixin , Guo Zhiguang
Published: August 2019

In this review, we summarize recent developments in polymeric superamphiphobic surfaces, including their design, fabrication, and potential applications.
A portable dual-mode sensor based on a TiO2 nanotube membrane for the evaluation of telomerase activity
Authors: Dai Zhenqing , Yang Lingling , Li Yahang , Zhao Chenxi , Guo Junli , Gao Zhida , Song Yan-Yan
Published: August 2019

A portable dual-mode sensing platform based on self-standing TiO2 nanotubes is developed for the simultaneous performance of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Intermolecular C–H⋯O and n → π* and short intramolecular σ → π* interactions in the molybdenum(0) tetracarbonyl complex of a very twisted 14-membered tetraazaannulene macrocyclic ligand: structural and computational studies
Authors: Kia Reza , Hosseini Mahsa , Abdolrahimi Amin , Mahmoudi Melika
Published: August 2019

An interesting intermolecular n → π* interaction supported an intermolecular C–H⋯O interaction in a molybdenum tetracarbonyl complex of a substituted dibenzo-tetraazaannulene complex to consolidate the crystal packing in the solid state.
Inertial extended-Lagrangian scheme for solving charge equilibration models
Authors: Leven Itai , Head-Gordon Teresa
Published: August 2019

The inertial EL/SCF method is developed to solve charge equilibration models for molecular dynamics, reducing the number of SCFs by 50–80% at each time step when compared to a conjugate gradient SCF solver and tested on diverse reactive systems.
Plasmon-coupled 3D porous hotspot architecture for super-sensitive quantitative SERS sensing of toxic substances on real sample surfaces
Authors: Zhang Maofeng , Yang Jian , Wang Yaru , Sun Haoran , Zhou Hongyang , Liu Xiaonan , Ye Cheng , Bao Zhiyong , Liu Jiaqin , Wu Yucheng
Published: August 2019

3D porous AgNPs/Cu plasmonic nanostructures allow for fast, sensitive and quantitative SERS detection of toxic residues on real sample surfaces.
Molten alkali halides – temperature dependence of structure, dynamics and thermodynamics
Authors: Walz Marie-Madeleine , van der Spoel David
Published: August 2019

Temperature-induced structural, dynamical and thermodynamic changes reveal novel insights into the mechanism and dynamics of ion transport in molten salts.
PLP-dependent enzymes as important biocatalysts for the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries: a structural and mechanistic perspective
Authors: Rocha Juliana F. , Pina André F. , Sousa Sérgio F. , Cerqueira Nuno M. F. S. A.
Published: August 2019

PLP-dependent enzymes described on this review are attractive targets for enzyme engineering towards their application in an industrial biotechnology framework.
Leachate emissions of short- and long-chain per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) from various Norwegian landfills
Authors: Knutsen Heidi , Mæhlum Trond , Haarstad Ketil , Slinde Gøril Aasen , Arp Hans Peter H.
Published: August 2019

Restrictions on the use of long-chain per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) has led to substitutions with short-chain PFASs.
A carbon-14 radiotracer-based study on the phototransformation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water versus in air
Authors: Tian Lili , Chen Qianqian , Jiang Wei , Wang Lianhong , Xie Huixiang , Kalogerakis Nicolas , Ma Yini , Ji Rong
Published: August 2019

A carbon-14 radiotracer-based study revealed that water promoted mineralization and photo-oxidation of polystyrene nanoplastics with significant amounts of carbon leached out.
Gymnemic acid alleviates inflammation and insulin resistance via PPARδ- and NFκB-mediated pathways in db/db mice
Authors: Li Yumeng , Xiao Yao , Gao Wenge , Pan Jiahui , Zhao Qi , Zhang Zesheng
Published: August 2019

GA ameliorates obesity-induced inflammation and IR via PPARδ- and NFκB-mediated signaling in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of db/db mice.
Engineering proteinosomes with renewable predatory behaviour towards living organisms
Authors: Zhao Chunyu , Zhu Mei , Fang Ye , Liu Xiaoman , Wang Lei , Chen Dafa , Huang Xin
Published: August 2019

A bio-inspired proteinosome-based material showed programmed mutual interaction with E. coli by controlling the temperature and ionic strength.
Assessment of coupled Zn concentration and natural stable isotope analyses of urine as a novel probe of Zn status
Authors: Moore Rebekah E T , Rehkämper Mark , Maret Wolfgang , Larner Fiona
Published: August 2019

Zinc is a common trace metal in the human body, present in about 10% of proteins. Despite numerous roles of Zn in health and disease, there is still a need for a robust biomarker of Zn status. Many parameters have been proposed, with varying levels of success, with plasma Zn often favoured. This study investigates if Zn status can be assessed from the natural stable Zn isotope composition of urine. To this end, 60 urine samples were analysed from ten healthy participants. Remarkably, samples with lower Zn concentrations are systematically enriched in heavy Zn isotopes. Most of the low-Zn urine originated from individuals who omitted dairy, meat or both from their diets. When data for blood serum from age-matched, healthy individuals are compared with the urine results, the former plot at the extension of the urine trend at higher Zn concentrations and lighter isotope compositions. The observed co-variation of Zn isotope compositions with concentrations is indicative of an isotope fractionation system where both properties are controlled by the same processes. It is interpreted as arising from filtration and/or reabsorption processes within the kidney, which are associated with absorbed dietary Zn. The data suggest that the Zn in blood serum that is bound to low molecular weight molecules has an isotope composition distinct from total serum, due to the different affinities of molecular Zn-binding residues to heavy and light Zn isotopes. This technique provides additional information into an individual’s Zn status compared to urine or plasma Zn levels alone.
An easy-to-synthesize multi-photoresponse smart sensor for rapidly detecting Zn2+ and quantifying Fe3+ based on the enol/keto binding mode
Authors: Zhang Jingzhe , Zhao Zheng , Shang Hong , Liu Qingsong , Liu Fei
Published: August 2019

A readily available salicylaldazine-modified fluorene Schiff base (EASA-F) exhibits fast fluorescent OFF–ON response to Zn2+ and OFF–ON–OFF behavior to Fe3+ synchronously accompanied the diverse absorption-ratiometric and colorimetric changes.
Large-scale rapid detection of circulating microRNAs in plasma for diagnosis and screening of specific diseases
Authors: Ding Han , An Yi , Zhao Tao , Liu Bing , Wang Yin , Zhang Lei , Wang Yu , Zhang Yuan , Wang Man , Dong Yanhan , Hu Longgang , Zhao Bu-Chang , Li Peifeng
Published: August 2019

miRNAs may serve as new biomarkers that can be used for disease diagnosis. This study will contribute to the development of a universal, large-scale technology for direct in situ detection of miRNAs in patients with heart diseases.
Chalcogenide–gold dual-layers coupled to gold nanoparticles for reconfigurable perfect absorption
Authors: Cao Tun , Liu Kuan , Lu Li , Chui Hsiang-Chen , Simpson Robert E.
Published: August 2019

We demonstrate Au nanoparticles coupled to a gold/chalcogenide dual-layer absorber, exhibiting angle and polarisation-independent high absorptance.
Interaction of carbohydrate binding module 20 with starch substrates
Authors: Ngo Son Tung , Tran-Le Phuong Duy , Ho Giap T. , Le Loan Q. , Bui Le Minh , Vu Bao Khanh , Thu Phung Huong Thi , Nguyen Hoang-Dung , Vo Thanh-Sang , Vu Van V.
Published: August 2019

CBM20 quickly disrupts small helical amylose substrates and exhibits optimal binding affinity when the substrate has three or more parallel double helices.
Energy-saving electrolytic γ-MnO2 generation: non-noble metal electrocatalyst gas diffusion electrode as cathode in acid solution
Authors: Tang Jing , Meng Hui Min , Ji Mei Yang
Published: August 2019

Co3O4/FLG was used as a nanocatalyst to catalyze the ORR in the electrodeposition of MnO2. The proposed Co3O4/FLG nanocomposite GDE exhibited a high activity of 0.9 V at a current density of 100 A m−2.
The removal mechanism and performance of tetrabromobisphenol A with a novel multi-group activated carbon from recycling long-root Eichhornia crassipes plants
Authors: Liu Lili , Chen Xin , Wang Zhiping , Wang Xixi , Lin Sen
Published: August 2019

MGAC showed excellent adsorption performance for TBBPA and provide an ecologically friendly way to deal with eutrophic plants.
Highly efficient biodegradation of reactive blue 19 under the activation of tea residue by a newly screened mixed bacterial flora DDMY2
Authors: Xie Xuehui , Zheng Xiulin , Yu Chengzhi , Zhang Qingyun , Wang Yiqin , Cong Junhao , Liu Na , He Zhenjiang , Yang Bo , Liu Jianshe
Published: August 2019

Tea residue promoted the decolorization of RB19 by activating flora DDMY2, revealing corresponding degradation pathways and functional genera in DDMY2.
Improving the size uniformity of dendritic fibrous nano-silica by a facile one-pot rotating hydrothermal approach
Authors: Wang Yabin , Hu Keke , He Juan , Zhang Yantu
Published: August 2019

This article provides a facile, low-cost, and reproducible one-pot rotating hydrothermal approach to synthesize dendritic fibrous nano-silica with outstanding uniformity.
Photoefficient 2nd generation molecular motors responsive to visible light
Authors: Pfeifer Lukas , Scherübl Maximilian , Fellert Maximilian , Danowski Wojciech , Cheng Jinling , Pol Jasper , Feringa Ben L.
Published: August 2019

A new series of visible light-driven artificial rotary molecular motors is presented including the most red-shifted example to date.
Efficient occlusion of oil droplets within calcite crystals
Authors: Ning Yin , Meldrum Fiona C. , Armes Steven P.
Published: August 2019

Remarkably efficient occlusion of 250–500 nm oil droplets within single calcite crystals is achieved using anionic amphiphilic diblock copolymer emulsifiers.
The distinctive phase stability and defect physics in CsPbI2Br perovskite
Authors: Chen Yuxuan , Shi Tingting , Liu Pengyi , Xie Weiguang , Chen Ke , Xu Xin , Shui Lingling , Shang Chaoqun , Chen Zhihong , Yip Hin-Lap , Zhou Guofu , Wang Xin
Published: August 2019

The optoelectronic and defect properties of mixed-halide CsPbI2Br were explored, both α-phase and β-phase CsPbI2Br possess better thermal and phase stability than CsPbI3 due to the mixture of halide elements.
Homogeneous Li deposition through the control of carbon dot-assisted Li-dendrite morphology for high-performance Li-metal batteries
Authors: Hong Dongki , Choi Yuri , Ryu Jaegeon , Mun Jinhong , Choi Wooyeong , Park Minju , Lee Yongwon , Choi Nam-Soon , Lee Geunsik , Kim Byeong-Su , Park Soojin
Published: August 2019

The synergistic interplay between surface negative charges and functional groups in the carbon dot establish a strong Li-ion affinity, resulting in homogeneous Li deposition.
NIR fluorescent probes with good water-solubility for detection of amyloid beta aggregates in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Xu Mengyin , Li Ruohan , Li Xiang , Lv Guanglei , Li Siping , Sun Anyang , Zhou Yifeng , Yi Tao
Published: August 2019

Quinoline-malononitrile-based NIR fluorescent probes with good water-solubility were developed for detecting and imaging of Aβ aggregates in Alzheimer's disease.
Eye Tracking Measures Reveal How Changes in the Design of Displays for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Influence Visual Search in Individuals With Down Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Wilkinson Krista M. , Madel Marissa
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This research note reports on how small changes to the organization of a simulated display for augmentative and alternative communication influence the visual search patterns of individuals with Down syndrome or autism, as measured through eye tracking technologies. Prior research had demonstrated that clustering symbols by their internal color facilitates search and reduces attention to distracters, in children with typical development. This research systematically replicated the procedures with individuals with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder.

Method

Participants engaged in a visual search task on a monitor with embedded automated eye tracking technology. Patterns of gaze during search were measured via this technology.

Results

Participants were significantly faster to fixate on the target and to select it with the mouse when the like-colored symbols were clustered together. In addition, participants were significantly less likely to fixate on distracters in the clustered condition. No group differences were found.

Conclusions

Small changes to the organization of the simulated augmentative and alternative communication display resulted in substantial differences in eye gaze and speed to find a target. Of greatest clinical import is the finding that clustering symbols reduced attention to distracters, given that individuals with disabilities may be prone to distraction.
Efficient hybrid side‐channel/machine learning attack on XOR PUFs
Authors: Yu Weize , Wen Yiming
Published: August 2019

A novel hybrid side‐channel (SC)/machine learning attack is explored in this Letter to leak the confidential information of non‐linear physical unclonable functions (PUFs): XOR arbiter PUFs. In the proposed hybrid attack, SC analyses are utilised to pre‐process the input challenge of XOR arbiter PUFs to add high correlation among all the input challenge bits. Subsequently, a convolutional neural network (CNN) attack is performed on the correlated input challenge bits to extract the critical feature among the neighbour data to significantly improve its training/testing accuracy. As shown in the results, after applying the SC analyses to add correlation for the input challenge of an XOR arbiter PUF, the training/testing accuracy of the hybrid attack can be boosted over 0.98. In contrast, the training/testing accuracy of a regular CNN attack on the XOR arbiter PUF is around 0.64 due to the lack of the corresponding correlation.
Recursive parameter and state estimation methods for observability canonical state‐space models exploiting the hierarchical identification principle
Authors: Cui Ting , Ding Feng , Alsaedi Ahmed , Hayat Tasawar
Published: August 2019

This study presents two recursive parameter and state estimation algorithms for state‐space systems, considering the process noises and observation noises. Based on the Kalman filter and hierarchical identification principle, the authors propose a Kalman filtering‐based hierarchical generalised stochastic gradient algorithm to jointly estimate the parameters and states of observability canonical state‐space systems. With the aim of achieving more accurate parameter estimation, they present a Kalman filtering‐based hierarchical multi‐innovation generalised stochastic gradient algorithm by utilising a range of available data and more information at each recursion. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is validated through a numerical simulation example.
Locating multiple license plates using scale, rotation, and colour‐independent clustering and filtering techniques
Authors: Bhargav Rohit , Deshpande Parag
Published: August 2019

A license plate (LP) can help identify a motor vehicle. However, no common standard for LP exists across countries, and even within a country, significant LP variations are observed. In addition, environmental factors cause uncontrolled plate and character variations. It is, therefore, a challenge to design a robust and universal license plate recognition (LPR) system which works for multiple countries, for different types of vehicles, and for different styles of LPs. This study presents a novel approach for locating LP based on the use of multiple clustering and filtering techniques applied to the geometrical properties of LP characters. The proposed approach is independent of the size, rotation, and colour of the LP and can be used to locate single or multiple LP of different styles of different vehicles and of different countries. The approach has been validated using the standard Media‐lab and application‐oriented license plate (AOLP) datasets as well as on datasets of vehicles from other countries. The approach achieved an average success ratio of 93.42% for locating LPs from both the Media‐lab and the AOLP dataset and is higher than the results of previously published methods which evaluated their performance over the same datasets.
Unified multi‐scale method for fast leaf classification and retrieval using geometric information
Authors: Xu Guoqing , Li Chen , Wang Qi
Published: August 2019

Leaf image identification is a significant and challenging research work. Here, a unified multi‐scale method is proposed to capture leaf geometric information for plant leaf classification and image retrieval. For each point on the leaf contour, the unified multi‐scale method utilises a simple yet effective three‐step strategy to locate corresponding neighbour points. The descriptor extracted using these neighbour points can provide a coarse‐to‐fine description of leaf contours and is of multi‐scale characteristic intrinsically. More importantly, there is no scale parameter to be adjusted in the method, and hence no optimisation procedure is required. The proposed method is applied to three well‐known contour features to capture geometric information of leaves, including angle, arch‐height, and triangle‐area representation. FFT is applied on the features in unified multi‐scale method for convenient and fast leaf matching. Leaf classification and image retrieval experiments are conducted on four challenging leaf datasets to test the proposed method and evaluated using three standard performance evaluation metrics. The experimental results and comparisons with the state‐of‐art methods indicate that the unified multi‐scale method has remarkable performance.
Single‐feed microstrip antenna for wide angle circular polarisation with six metal columns
Authors: Zhao Chengwei , Li Xiaoping , Sun Chao , Huang He
Published: August 2019

A circularly polarised microstrip antenna with a wide beamwidth and wide axial ratio (AR) beamwidth is presented. The antenna is mainly composed of a dielectric substrate, a single‐feed patch, a reduced ground, and six metal columns. The reduced ground and six metal columns are primarily used to broaden the radiation beamwidth and improve the AR performance of the wide angle. According to the measured results, the antenna achieves a bandwidth of 3.78% from 7.78 to 8.08 GHz with an AR <3 dB, and an impedance bandwidth of 10.3% from 7.65 to 8.43 GHz with a return loss (RL) >10 dB. In addition, half‐power beamwidth of 211° × 209° and 3 dB AR beamwidth of 222° × 239° at 8.0 GHz are observed. The antenna is a single‐feed type with a simple structure and no additional feed network, which can be extended to some wide beamwidth and wide AR beamwidth applications in the X‐band, even higher than the Ku‐band.
Loop antenna over a conducting cone with a spherical cap
Authors: Halder Prasanta , Ghosh Bratin , Haque S.K. Moinul , Sarabandi Kamal
Published: August 2019

A composite antenna structure consisting of a conducting cone loaded with a spherical cap is designed and analysed, considering all eigenmodes in the antenna structure. The configuration is used to enhance the impedance match to a loop antenna located above the cone tip. Matching characteristics to the loop are examined over a wide range of loop radius and loop location. It is found that the matching to the loop can be significantly enhanced over a wide range of parameter values, yielding a greater flexibility in design than the loop‐around‐the‐cone structure presented earlier with the conducting cone body inside the loop. The structure also enables placement of the loop at a greater height than the loop‐around‐the‐cone configuration, potentially improving the efficiency of signal transmission/reception or reducing scattering from the vehicular body. The mutual coupling effect of a parasitic loop placed adjacent to the primary loop is also analysed. The radiation characteristics are also evaluated.
Proposed controller and stability analysis for DFIG to suppress stator flux oscillations during autonomous operation
Authors: Ghanem Abdelhady , Rashed Mohamed , Abulanwar Sayed , Rizk Mohammad E.M.
Published: August 2019

Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) driven wind turbines experience poorly damped stator flux oscillations at frequencies around the fundamental, limited low voltage ride through capability and output power fluctuation. In this study, a proposed controller to mitigate stator flux oscillations of DFIG is proposed during autonomous operation mode. In addition, super‐capacitors based energy storage is integrated to manipulate wind speed vagaries and contribute to load demand. A 53rd‐order small‐signal analytical model and eigenvalues study is carried out to optimally determine control system parameters and pinpoint latent system dynamics and stability margins under various operation conditions. Also, a detailed non‐linear system is modelled and simulated in Matlab/Simulink environment to assure small‐signal model results. The results obtained confirm the accuracy of the analytical model and explore the significance of the proposed damping controller to mitigate stator flux oscillations even during contingencies.
Impact of photovoltaic and biogas power plant on harmonics in distribution network
Authors: Klaić Zvonimir , Knežević Goran , Primorac Mario , Topić Danijel
Published: August 2019

Here, the impacts of biogas power plants and photovoltaic (PV) power plants on the power quality in the distribution network are presented and analysed. The biogas power plant's influence on the current harmonics is explored, as a synchronous generator powers the biogas power plant, and the PV plants are connected to the distribution network via the inverter. All the analyses are based on actual measurements that are performed in the last 10 years. Results of the analysis of these numerous measurements were a challenge for investigation how large share of PV systems in distribution network with non‐linear loads influence on THD from one side and how biogas power plant with a synchronous generator can improve THD from the other side. In order to investigate interaction of the biomass power plant and PV power plants on the power quality in distribution network, computer model was developed in DIgSILENT Power Factory where PV power plant and household were modelled as a source of current harmonic injections and biomass power plant was modelled as synchronous machine, as a source of voltage harmonics. Analysis of harmonic behaviour in different scenarios is examined through the performed simulations.
Symbiotic organisms search algorithm‐based optimal control strategy for efficient operation of variable‐speed wind generators
Authors: Soliman Mahmoud A. , Hasanien Hany M. , Alghuwainem Saad , Al‐Durra Ahmed
Published: August 2019

The penetration rate of grid‐tied wind turbine generator systems (WTGSs) into the existing electricity networks is rapidly increasing worldwide. Huge efforts are exerted for improving the characteristics of variable‐speed wind energy conversion systems. This study exhibits a novel symbiotic organisms search algorithm (SOSA)‐based optimal control strategy for achieving efficient operation of a grid‐connected WTGS. The optimal control strategy relies on proportional–integral (PI) controllers, which are properly fine‐tuned using the SOSA. The simulation‐based optimisation method is considered in the optimisation process, where the integration of the square error criterion is selected as a fitness function. To obtain realistic performances, practical wind speed data extracted from the Zaafarana power plant in Egypt are used in the analyses. The efficacy of the SOSA‐based optimal PI control strategy is compared with that realized using the grey wolf optimiser algorithm (GWOA)‐based PI control scheme, considering network disturbances. The feasibility of the proposed control strategy is validated using the simulation studies, which are implemented using MATLAB/Simulink software. Notably, the proposed SOSA‐based optimal control strategy is considered to be a precise means of improving the behaviour of grid‐tied WTGSs.
Optimization of parameters of the bearing structures of deep excavations with minimization of environmental impacts
Authors: Morozovskiy Pavel , Babanina Anna , Ziiaeva Kristina , Shulzhenko Sergey
Published: August 2019

The aim of the project is optimizing the parameters of deep foundation pits in order to improve their technical efficiency and economic feasibility, and development of an optimization algorithm. The analysis is carried out using the program complex PLAXIS 2D 2011. The article considers a model of the foundation pits to a depth of 5-20 m with various settings of attachment. To study the work of the soil body, the Mohr- Coulomb model is used as the simplest and strengthening soil with a small strain as the most reliable.
Design and calculation of energy efficient windows of high-rise building
Authors: Konstantinov Aleksandr , Borisova Margarita , Lambias Ratnayake Maya , Arсibasova Tatyana
Published: August 2019

The paper identifies the key issues concerning design and calculation of energy efficient windows of high-rise buildings that should be considered at the initial stages of a building design. The analysis of the functional and technical requirements which must be met by window structures in high-rise buildings was performed. The features of wind loads on the high-rise building windows were considered. The specificity of providing air- and water permeability of high-rise building windows under the action of high wind loads was considered. The conducted scientific research review on specific design and calculation issues of high-rise building windows was made. It is established that they are mainly aimed at finding optimal design solutions of the high-rise building windows in terms of energy efficiency. A similar situation is observed in the design of windows, when the issues of ensuring the strength and reliability of these structures are given less attention. It is established that at present, the strength calculation methods of fasteners and protective fences of windows are not developed; the excess stock is laid in the method of profile elements strength calculation, which is confirmed by the results of laboratory tests. The prospective scheme for calculating and appointing design solutions of high-rise buildings windows was presented, which provides an opportunity to ensure reliability, durability, and operational safety of high-rise building windows during all their life cycle. The paper specifies areas for further research of the matter under consideration.
Reclaimed artificial coastal territories for the development of urban areas
Authors: Shilin Mikhail , Ershova Alexandra , Matveev Yuri , Popov Nikolay , Mandryka Olga , Chusov Alexander
Published: August 2019

The article discusses the possibility and perspectives of using the reclaimed artificial areas in the coastal zone of marine estuaries for the sustainable development of urban infrastructure and creation of modern architectural ensembles with the background of green economy using the example of Lakhta-Center on the northern coast of the Neva Bay (St. Petersburg, Russia). The geo-ecological stability of underwater and coastal landscapes of the coastal zone of the Neva Bay is analyzed using side scan sonar. The environmental sensitivity of coastal ecosystems is estimated. The received data can be used on practice for planning the construction work and for the development of the infrastructure of urbanized coastal zone of the Neva Bay. The general geo-ecological situation in the observed area is rather stable. The coastal zone has good perspectives for the development of a sustainable urban infrastructure against the backdrop of the green economy. The special attention should be paid to migration of birds and fish, who are using the North Lakhta coast as a temporary refugium during Spring and Autumn migrations. An effective solution from both environmental and economic points of view could be the organization of the Nature Conservation Reserve, which is spatially associated with the Lakhta Center zone. Such type of the complex using of the coastal zone could be a good example of the spatial planning in the environmentally sensitive area.
Sustainable environmental development of Karelia and its municipalities
Authors: Druzhinin Pavel , Shkiperova Galina , Potasheva Olga
Published: August 2019

The paper deals with the problems of environmental economics and discusses the impact of economic development on the environment in the Republic of Karelia and its municipalities using the example of point-source pollutant emissions. The models are built, the calculations are carried out to explain the improvement of an ecological situation with a growth of economy. It is shown that environmental performance in the Republic of Karelia and its municipalities is continuously improving, although the level of pollution per unit of output in municipalities varies greatly. The factors that determine the dynamics of pollution almost coincide, but the extent of their influence is different. The study made it possible to explain the improvement of ecological indicators with economic growth, to identify the factors leading to the improvement of the environment. Structural changes of economic development are important for Petrozavodsk, and investments in environmental protection are important for industrial centres. The growth of investments in active modernization of economy was the most important for all municipalities.
Experimental analysis of the dynamic responses of bridging objects with alternative non-contact method
Authors: Kovačič Boštjan , Motoh Tomaž , Lubej Samo
Published: August 2019

Structure objects are exposed to different natural influences resulting in long-term and catastrophic outcomes. In order to avoid them, regular monitoring is needed. Various approaches to control condition of a structure can be considered, one of them is the measurement by means of monitoring which can be performed in different ways, depending on responses – static or dynamic, or both simultaneously. Specifically, technological development has enabled to monitor not only static but also dynamic responses by non-contact geodetic methods. Due to their simplicity and reliability of results, geodetic methods are more and more useful in this area. Moreover, state-of-art instruments and additional programme equipment allows up to 100 readings per second with an almost constant frequency of sampling, which is a condition for calculation of a dynamic response according to Fourier’s transformation. The article presents non-contact geodetic method of RTS on a bridging object.
Improving the technology of operating electric locomotives using electric power storage device
Authors: Domanov Kirill , Shatohin Andrei , Nezevak Vladislav , Cheremisin Vasily
Published: August 2019

The article discussed the questions of the railway transportation organization along the transport corridors passing through the territory of Russia using the innovative locomotives of new generation with the polygon’s structure of the transportation process’ organization. There was carried out an analysis of the railway car standing at the docking stations of the single-phase alternating and direct current. The results of simulation modeling of the transportation process on the railway sections, which have a docking station, are given. There are shown the positive effects of the perfection of the polygon’s exploitation technology of the locomotive fleet due to introduction of the double feed electric locomotives to the transport corridors, manifesting in the cargo delivery’s time reduction due to reduction of the ready train’s standing time at docking stations twice, in comparison with the time during exploitation of the only single-system electric locomotives, and also in increasing of the area’s speed of trains in the all polygon of the heavy trains’ turnover. The usage of the double feed electric locomotives in areas, which contains different kinds of the current, allows increasing the quality parameters of the traction electric rolling stock’s exploitation. There were considered the ways to increase the energy efficiency of the double feed electric locomotives, particularly by applying the electric energy storage unit for connection to the DC link of the electric locomotive’s power circuit. The economic assessment of exploitation of the two-systems electric locomotives was carried out.