bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Markov Chain-Based Bias Correction Method for Simulating the Temporal Sequence of Daily Precipitation
Authors: Liu Han , Chen Jie , Zhang Xun-Chang , Xu Chong-Yu , Hui Yu
Published: January 2020

Bias correction methods are routinely used to correct climate model outputs for hydrological and agricultural impact studies. Even though superior bias correction methods can correct the distribution of daily precipitation amounts, as well as the wet-day frequency, they usually fail to correct the temporal sequence or structure of precipitation occurrence. To solve this problem, we presented a hybrid bias correction method for simulating the temporal sequence of daily precipitation occurrence. We did this by combining a first-order two-state Markov chain with a quantile-mapping (QM) based bias correction method. Specifically, a QM-based method was used to correct the distributional attributes of daily precipitation amounts and the wet-day frequency simulated by climate models. Then, the sequence of precipitation occurrence was simulated using the first-order two-state Markov chain with its parameters adjusted based on linear relationships between QM-corrected mean monthly precipitation and the transition probabilities of precipitation occurrence. The proposed Markov chain-based bias correction (MCBC) method was compared with the QM-based method with respect to reproducing the temporal structure of precipitation occurrence over 10 meteorological stations across China. The results showed that the QM-based method was unable to correct the temporal sequence, with the cumulative frequency of wet- and dry-spell length being considerably underestimated for most stations. The MCBC method can could reproduce the temporal sequence of precipitation occurrence, with the generated cumulative frequency of wet- and dry-spell lengths fitting that of the observation well. The proposed method also performed reasonably well with respect to reproducing the mean, standard deviation, and the longest length of observed wet- and dry-spells. Overall, the MCBC method can simulate the temporal sequence of precipitation occurrence, along with correcting the distributional attributes of precipitation amounts. This method can be used with crop and hydrological models in climate change impact studies at the field and small watershed scales.
The Development of a Quantitative Precipitation Forecast Correction Technique Based on Machine Learning for Hydrological Applications
Authors: Ko Chul-Min , Jeong Yeong Yun , Lee Young-Mi , Kim Byung-Sik
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to enhance the accuracy of extreme rainfall forecast, using a machine learning technique for forecasting hydrological impact. In this study, machine learning with XGBoost technique was applied for correcting the quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) to develop a hydrological quantitative precipitation forecast (HQPF) for flood inundation modeling. The performance of machine learning techniques for HQPF production was evaluated with a focus on two cases: one for heavy rainfall events in Seoul and the other for heavy rainfall accompanied by Typhoon Kong-rey (1825). This study calculated the well-known statistical metrics to compare the error derived from QPF-based rainfall and HQPF-based rainfall against the observational data from the four sites. For the heavy rainfall case in Seoul, the mean absolute errors (MAE) of the four sites, i.e., Nowon, Jungnang, Dobong, and Gangnam, were 18.6 mm/3 h, 19.4 mm/3 h, 48.7 mm/3 h, and 19.1 mm/3 h for QPF and 13.6 mm/3 h, 14.2 mm/3 h, 33.3 mm/3 h, and 12.0 mm/3 h for HQPF, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the machine learning technique is able to improve the forecasting performance for localized rainfall. In addition, the HQPF-based rainfall shows better performance in capturing the peak rainfall amount and spatial pattern. Therefore, it is considered that the HQPF can be helpful to improve the accuracy of intense rainfall forecast, which is subsequently beneficial for forecasting floods and their hydrological impacts.
Caucasian Infants’ Attentional Orienting to Own- and Other-Race Faces
Authors: Prunty Jonathan E. , Jackson Kelsey C. , Keemink Jolie. R. , Kelly David J.
Published: January 2020

Infants show preferential attention toward faces and detect faces embedded within complex naturalistic scenes. Newborn infants are insensitive to race, but rapidly develop differential processing of own- and other-race faces. In the present study, we investigated the development of attentional orienting toward own- and other-race faces embedded within naturalistic scenes. Infants aged six-, nine- and twelve-months did not show differences in the speed of orienting to own- and other race faces, but other-race faces held infants’ visual attention for longer. We also found a clear developmental progression in attentional capture and holding, with older infants orienting to faces faster and fixating them for longer. Results are interpreted within the context of the two-process model of face processing.
Human Medulloblastoma Cell Lines: Investigating on Cancer Stem Cell-Like Phenotype
Authors: Casciati Arianna , Tanori Mirella , Manczak Rémi , Saada Sofiane , Tanno Barbara , Giardullo Paola , Porcù Elena , Rampazzo Elena , Persano Luca , Viola Giampietro , Dalmay Claire , Lalloué Fabrice , Pothier Arnaud , Merla Caterina , Mancuso Mariateresa
Published: January 2020

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Despite the progress of new treatments, the risk of recurrence, morbidity, and death remains significant and the long-term adverse effects in survivors are substantial. The fraction of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) because of their self-renewal ability and multi-lineage differentiation potential is critical for tumor initiation, growth, and resistance to therapies. For the development of new CSC-targeted therapies, further in-depth studies are needed using enriched and stable MB-CSCs populations. This work, aimed at identifying the amount of CSCs in three available human cell lines (DAOY, D341, and D283), describes different approaches based on the expression of stemness markers. First, we explored potential differences in gene and protein expression patterns of specific stem cell markers. Then, in order to identify and discriminate undifferentiated from differentiated cells, MB cells were characterized using a physical characterization method based on a high-frequency dielectrophoresis approach. Finally, we compared their tumorigenic potential in vivo, through engrafting in nude mice. Concordantly, our findings identified the D283 human cell line as an ideal model of CSCs, providing important evidence on the use of a commercial human MB cell line for the development of new strategic CSC-targeting therapies.
Cold Plasma-Treated Ringer’s Saline: A Weapon to Target Osteosarcoma
Authors: Mateu-Sanz Miguel , Tornín Juan , Brulin Bénédicte , Khlyustova Anna , Ginebra Maria-Pau , Layrolle Pierre , Canal Cristina
Published: January 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the main primary bone cancer, presenting poor prognosis and difficult treatment. An innovative therapy may be found in cold plasmas, which show anti-cancer effects related to the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in liquids. In vitro models are based on the effects of plasma-treated culture media on cell cultures. However, effects of plasma-activated saline solutions with clinical application have not yet been explored in OS. The aim of this study is to obtain mechanistic insights on the action of plasma-activated Ringer’s saline (PAR) for OS therapy in cell and organotypic cultures. To that aim, cold atmospheric plasma jets were used to obtain PAR, which produced cytotoxic effects in human OS cells (SaOS-2, MG-63, and U2-OS), related to the increasing concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated. Proof of selectivity was found in the sustained viability of hBM-MSCs with the same treatments. Organotypic cultures of murine OS confirmed the time-dependent cytotoxicity observed in 2D. Histological analysis showed a decrease in proliferating cells (lower Ki-67 expression). It is shown that the selectivity of PAR is highly dependent on the concentrations of reactive species, being the differential intracellular reactive oxygen species increase and DNA damage between OS cells and hBM-MSCs key mediators for cell apoptosis.
Heterogeneous EGFR, CDK4, MDM4, and PDGFRA Gene Expression Profiles in Primary GBM: No Association with Patient Survival
Authors: González-Tablas María , Arandia Daniel , Jara-Acevedo María , Otero Álvaro , Vital Ana-Luisa , Prieto Carlos , González-Garcia Nerea , Nieto-Librero Ana Belén , Tao Herminio , Pascual Daniel , Ruiz Laura , Sousa Pablo , Galindo-Villardón Purificación , Orfao Alberto , Tabernero María Dolores
Published: January 2020

Background: The prognostic impact of the expression profile of genes recurrently amplified in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains controversial. Methods: We investigated the RNA gene expression profile of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), murine doble minute 4 (MDM4), and platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) in 83 primary GBM tumors vs. 42 normal brain tissue samples. Interphase FISH (iFISH) analysis for the four genes, together with analysis of intragenic deletions in EGFR and PDGFRA, were evaluated in parallel at the DNA level. As validation cohort, publicly available RNA gene expression data on 293 samples from 10 different GBM patient series were also studied. Results: At the RNA level, CDK4 was the most frequently overexpressed gene (90%) followed by EGFR (58%) and PDGFRA (58%). Chromosome 7 copy number alterations, i.e., trisomy (49%) and polysomy (44%), showed no clear association with EGFR gene expression levels. In turn, intragenic EGFR deletions were found in 39 patients (47%), including EGFRvIII (46%) in association with EGFRvIVa (4%), EGFRvII (2%) or other EGFR deletions (3%) and PDGFRA deletion of exons 8–9 was found in only two tumors (2%). Conclusions: Overall, none of the gene expression profiles and/or intragenic EGFR deletions showed a significant impact on overall survival of GBM supporting the notion that other still unraveled features of the disease might play a more relevant prognostic role in GBM.
Elevated Expression of Lumican in Lung Cancer Cells Promotes Bone Metastasis through an Autocrine Regulatory Mechanism
Authors: Hsiao Kuan-Chung , Chu Pei-Yi , Chang Gee-Chen , Liu Ko-Jiunn
Published: January 2020

Background: The microarray analysis of whole-genome expression indicated that the gene encoding the protein lumican, which is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction, was highly expressed in osteotropic lung cancer cell lines with an enhanced capacity of bone metastasis. Methods: The expression of lumican in the osteotropic lung cancer cells was downregulated, and the in vitro migration, invasion, and adhesion of cancer cells to ECM components, and the in vivo bone metastasis capacity of these cells were examined. Exogenous lumican was provided to study the autocrine regulation mechanism of lumican in the bone metastasis of lung cancer cells. Results: Transfection with lumican-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in the osteotropic lung cancer cells reduced the establishment of in vivo bone metastasis, but not lung metastasis. Reduction in the expression of lumican also decreased the attachment of lung osteotropic cancer cells to several components of the ECM and suppressed cell migration and invasion in vitro. Exogenous lumican restored these reduced capacities of lumican knockdown cells and promoted the seeding of lung cancer cells in the bone microenvironment. Conclusions: These results suggested that lumican promotes the metastasis of lung cancer cells to the bones via an autocrine regulatory mechanism, and blocking this interaction may provide a new therapeutic approach to reduce bone metastasis in cases of lung cancer.
Maturing iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Tang Bor Luen
Published: January 2020

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide [...]
Mitochondrial Quality Control: Role in Cardiac Models of Lethal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Kulek Andrew R. , Anzell Anthony , Wider Joseph M. , Sanderson Thomas H. , Przyklenk Karin
Published: January 2020

The current standard of care for acute myocardial infarction or ‘heart attack’ is timely restoration of blood flow to the ischemic region of the heart. While reperfusion is essential for the salvage of ischemic myocardium, re-introduction of blood flow paradoxically kills (rather than rescues) a population of previously ischemic cardiomyocytes—a phenomenon referred to as ‘lethal myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury’. There is long-standing and exhaustive evidence that mitochondria are at the nexus of lethal IR injury. However, during the past decade, the paradigm of mitochondria as mediators of IR-induced cardiomyocyte death has been expanded to include the highly orchestrated process of mitochondrial quality control. Our aims in this review are to: (1) briefly summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of IR injury, and (2) incorporating landmark data from a broad spectrum of models (including immortalized cells, primary cardiomyocytes and intact hearts), provide a critical discussion of the emerging concept that mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy (the components of mitochondrial quality control) may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiomyocyte death in the setting of ischemia-reperfusion.
KRAS and BRAF Mutations as Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers for Standard Chemotherapy Response in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Single Institutional Study
Authors: Garcia-Carbonero Nuria , Martinez-Useros Javier , Li Weiyao , Orta Alberto , Perez Nuria , Carames Cristina , Hernandez Tatiana , Moreno Irene , Serrano Gloria , Garcia-Foncillas Jesus
Published: January 2020

KRAS mutation is a confirmed predictive biomarker for anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody therapy response for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, its prognosis impact and the predictive potential for first-line standard chemotherapy remains unclear. On the other hand, V600E mutation is the most frequent and studied mutation in the BRAF gene, and it has been associated with a poor outcome of patients and a low response to anti-EGFR treatment. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the role of KRAS and BRAF mutations as prognosis factors and predictive biomarkers for 1st line standard chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer. KRAS mutations and BRAF V600E mutations exhibited a poor outcome (p = 0.021 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Cox multivariate analysis showed that the presence of liver metastasis (HR = 1.595; 95% CI: 1.086–2.343; p = 0.017), KRAS mutation (HR = 1.643; 95% CI: 1.110–2.431; p = 0.013) and BRAF V600E mutation (HR = 5.861; 95% CI: 2.531–13.570; p < 0.0001) were statistically significant co-variables for progression-free survival. Interestingly, patients with KRAS mutations were associated with a poor response to first line standard chemotherapy (p = 0.008). In contrast, the BRAF V600E mutation did not have any impact on the first line standard chemotherapy response (p = 0.540). Therefore, in the present study, we provide new insight on the role of KRAS and BRAF, not only as prognosis biomarkers, but also as first line standard chemotherapy response biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Crosstalk between Mitochondria and Cytoskeleton in Cardiac Cells
Authors: Kuznetsov Andrey V. , Javadov Sabzali , Grimm Michael , Margreiter Raimund , Ausserlechner Michael J. , Hagenbuchner Judith
Published: January 2020

Elucidation of the mitochondrial regulatory mechanisms for the understanding of muscle bioenergetics and the role of mitochondria is a fundamental problem in cellular physiology and pathophysiology. The cytoskeleton (microtubules, intermediate filaments, microfilaments) plays a central role in the maintenance of mitochondrial shape, location, and motility. In addition, numerous interactions between cytoskeletal proteins and mitochondria can actively participate in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. In cardiac and skeletal muscles, mitochondrial positions are tightly fixed, providing their regular arrangement and numerous interactions with other cellular structures such as sarcoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton. This can involve association of cytoskeletal proteins with voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), thereby, governing the permeability of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) to metabolites, and regulating cell energy metabolism. Cardiomyocytes and myocardial fibers demonstrate regular arrangement of tubulin beta-II isoform entirely co-localized with mitochondria, in contrast to other isoforms of tubulin. This observation suggests the participation of tubulin beta-II in the regulation of OMM permeability through interaction with VDAC. The OMM permeability is also regulated by the specific isoform of cytolinker protein plectin. This review summarizes and discusses previous studies on the role of cytoskeletal proteins in the regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondrial function, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and energy transfer.
Roles of CD38 in the Immune Response to Infection
Authors: Glaría Estibaliz , Valledor Annabel F.
Published: January 2020

CD38 is a multifunctional protein widely expressed in cells from the immune system and as a soluble form in biological fluids. CD38 expression is up-regulated by an array of inflammatory mediators, and it is frequently used as a cell activation marker. Studies in animal models indicate that CD38 functional expression confers protection against infection by several bacterial and parasitic pathogens. In addition, infectious complications are associated with anti-CD38 immunotherapy. Although CD38 displays receptor and enzymatic activities that contribute to the establishment of an effective immune response, recent work raises the possibility that CD38 might also enhance the immunosuppressive potential of regulatory leukocytes. This review integrates the current knowledge on the diversity of functions mediated by CD38 in the host defense to infection.
RhoA-GTPase Modulates Neurite Outgrowth by Regulating the Expression of Spastin and p60-Katanin
Authors: Tan Dandan , Zhang Haowen , Deng Junyao , Liu Jingmin , Wen Jinkun , Li Lixia , Wang Xianghai , Pan Mengjie , Hu Xiaofang , Guo Jiasong
Published: January 2020

RhoA-GTPase (RhoA) is widely regarded as a key molecular switch to inhibit neurite outgrowth by rigidifying the actin cytoskeleton. However, during neurite outgrowth, whether and how microtubule dynamics are regulated by RhoA remains to be elucidated. Herein, CT04 and Y27632 were used to inactivate RhoA and its downstream effector Rho-associated coiled coil-forming kinase (ROCK), while the RhoAQ63L lentiviral vector was utilized to overexpress the constitutively activated RhoA in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons or neuronal differentiated PC12 cells. The current data illustrate that the RhoA signaling pathway negatively modulates neurite outgrowth and elevates the expression of Glu-tubulin (a marker for a stabilized microtubule). Meanwhile, the microtubule-severing proteins spastin and p60-katanin were downregulated by the RhoA signaling pathway. When spastin and p60-katanin were knocked down, the effects of RhoA inhibition on neurite outgrowth were significantly reversed. Taken together, this study demonstrates that the RhoA pathway-mediated inhibition of neurite outgrowth is not only related to the modulation of microfilament dynamics but is also attributable to the regulation of the expression of spastin and p60-katanin and thus influences microtubule dynamics.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Condensed Matter in 2019
Authors: Condensed Matter Editorial Office
Published: January 2020

The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not[...]
Beyond Endocasts: Using Predicted Brain-Structure Volumes of Extinct Birds to Assess Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Inferences
Authors: Early Catherine M. , Ridgely Ryan C. , Witmer Lawrence M.
Published: January 2020

The shape of the brain influences skull morphology in birds, and both traits are driven by phylogenetic and functional constraints. Studies on avian cranial and neuroanatomical evolution are strengthened by data on extinct birds, but complete, 3D-preserved vertebrate brains are not known from the fossil record, so brain endocasts often serve as proxies. Recent work on extant birds shows that the Wulst and optic lobe faithfully represent the size of their underlying brain structures, both of which are involved in avian visual pathways. The endocasts of seven extinct birds were generated from microCT scans of their skulls to add to an existing sample of endocasts of extant birds, and the surface areas of their Wulsts and optic lobes were measured. A phylogenetic prediction method based on Bayesian inference was used to calculate the volumes of the brain structures of these extinct birds based on the surface areas of their overlying endocast structures. This analysis resulted in hyperpallium volumes of five of these extinct birds and optic tectum volumes of all seven extinct birds. Phylogenetic ANCOVA (phyANCOVA) were performed on regressions of the brain-structure volumes and endocast structure surface areas on various brain size metrics to determine if the relative sizes of these structures in any extinct birds were significantly different from those of the extant birds in the sample. Phylogenetic ANCOVA indicated that no extinct birds studied had relative hyperpallial volumes that were significantly different from the extant sample, nor were any of their optic tecta relatively hypertrophied. The optic tectum of Dinornis robustus was significantly smaller relative to brain size than any of the extant birds in our sample. This study provides an analytical framework for testing the hypotheses of potential functional behavioral capabilities of other extinct birds based on their endocasts.
A Geometric Interpretation of Stochastic Gradient Descent Using Diffusion Metrics
Authors: Fioresi Rita , Chaudhari Pratik , Soatto Stefano
Published: January 2020

This paper is a step towards developing a geometric understanding of a popular algorithm for training deep neural networks named stochastic gradient descent (SGD). We built upon a recent result which observed that the noise in SGD while training typical networks is highly non-isotropic. That motivated a deterministic model in which the trajectories of our dynamical systems are described via geodesics of a family of metrics arising from a certain diffusion matrix; namely, the covariance of the stochastic gradients in SGD. Our model is analogous to models in general relativity: the role of the electromagnetic field in the latter is played by the gradient of the loss function of a deep network in the former.
Statistical Complexity Analysis of Turing Machine tapes with Fixed Algorithmic Complexity Using the Best-Order Markov Model
Authors: Silva Jorge M. , Pinho Eduardo , Matos Sérgio , Pratas Diogo
Published: January 2020

Sources that generate symbolic sequences with algorithmic nature may differ in statistical complexity because they create structures that follow algorithmic schemes, rather than generating symbols from a probabilistic function assuming independence. In the case of Turing machines, this means that machines with the same algorithmic complexity can create tapes with different statistical complexity. In this paper, we use a compression-based approach to measure global and local statistical complexity of specific Turing machine tapes with the same number of states and alphabet. Both measures are estimated using the best-order Markov model. For the global measure, we use the Normalized Compression (NC), while, for the local measures, we define and use normal and dynamic complexity profiles to quantify and localize lower and higher regions of statistical complexity. We assessed the validity of our methodology on synthetic and real genomic data showing that it is tolerant to increasing rates of editions and block permutations. Regarding the analysis of the tapes, we localize patterns of higher statistical complexity in two regions, for a different number of machine states. We show that these patterns are generated by a decrease of the tape’s amplitude, given the setting of small rule cycles. Additionally, we performed a comparison with a measure that uses both algorithmic and statistical approaches (BDM) for analysis of the tapes. Naturally, BDM is efficient given the algorithmic nature of the tapes. However, for a higher number of states, BDM is progressively approximated by our methodology. Finally, we provide a simple algorithm to increase the statistical complexity of a Turing machine tape while retaining the same algorithmic complexity. We supply a publicly available implementation of the algorithm in C++ language under the GPLv3 license. All results can be reproduced in full with scripts provided at the repository.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution Analysis of Drought Based on Cloud Transformation Algorithm over Northern Anhui Province
Authors: Bai Xia , Wang Yimin , Jin Juliang , Ning Shaowei , Wang Yanfang , Wu Chengguo
Published: January 2020

Drought is one of the most typical and serious natural disasters, which occurs frequently in most of mainland China, and it is crucial to explore the evolution characteristics of drought for developing effective schemes and strategies of drought disaster risk management. Based on the application of Cloud theory in the drought evolution research field, the cloud transformation algorithm, and the conception zooming coupling model was proposed to re-fit the distribution pattern of SPI instead of the Pearson-III distribution. Then the spatio-temporal evolution features of drought were further summarized utilizing the cloud characteristics, average, entropy, and hyper-entropy. Lastly, the application results in Northern Anhui province revealed that the drought condition was the most serious during the period from 1957 to 1970 with the SPI12 index in 49 months being less than −0.5 and 12 months with an extreme drought level. The overall drought intensity varied with the highest certainty level but lowest stability level in winter, but this was opposite in the summer. Moreover, drought hazard would be more significantly intensified along the elevation of latitude in Northern Anhui province. The overall drought hazard in Suzhou and Huaibei were the most serious, which is followed by Bozhou, Bengbu, and Fuyang. Drought intensity in Huainan was the lightest. The exploration results of drought evolution analysis were reasonable and reliable, which would supply an effective decision-making basis for establishing drought risk management strategies.
On the Composability of Statistically Secure Random Oblivious Transfer
Authors: Dowsley Rafael , Müller-Quade Jörn , Nascimento Anderson C. A.
Published: January 2020

We show that random oblivious transfer protocols that are statistically secure according to a definition based on a list of information-theoretical properties are also statistically universally composable. That is, they are simulatable secure with an unlimited adversary, an unlimited simulator, and an unlimited environment machine. Our result implies that several previous oblivious transfer protocols in the literature that were proven secure under weaker, non-composable definitions of security can actually be used in arbitrary statistically secure applications without lowering the security.
A Design of Hybrid Appliance Local Network (HALN) Communication Architecture
Authors: Park Hyoung-Jun , Lee Dongik
Published: January 2020

Recently, appliance networks have been widely adopted in many home applications. Usually, an appliance network requires a server. However, as the number of network users increases, there is not only the problem of costs due to extension of the server and the increase in power consumption, but also the problem that the functions of appliances are restricted when the connection to a server is unavailable. This paper presents a hybrid appliance local network (HALN) communication architecture to tackle the problems with server-based appliance networks. The HALN architecture is designed to remove and/or minimize the utilization of servers by offering the capability of communicating directly with other appliance products. The proposed architecture can also be integrated with existing server-based communication architectures. The HALN architecture is based on the simple service discovery protocol (SSDP) and HTTP protocol (RESTful HTTP server/client architecture) technologies. The effectiveness of HALN is experimentally demonstrated using a smartphone and a set of Linux-based Wi-Fi modems on which the functions that can be provided by typical appliances are implemented. Using the proposed architecture, the communication reliability is also improved by 1.6% as compared with that of an existing server-based communication architecture.
Wireless Power Hanger Pad for Portable Wireless Audio Device Power Charger Application
Authors: Luo Win-Jet , Kuncoro C. Bambang Dwi , Kuan Yean-Der
Published: January 2020

Since the portability feature has been introduced in headphone development, this device now uses a battery as the main built-in power. However, the battery has limited power capacity and a short lifetime. Battery substitution and a conventional battery charger method is an ineffective, inflexible inconvenience for enhancing the user experience. This paper presents an innovative portable audio device battery built-in charger method based on wireless power technology. The developed charging device is composed of a headphone hanger pad for the wireless headphone and a charging pad for the portable wireless audio device battery charging. Circular flat spiral air-core coil was designed and evaluated using a numerical method to obtain optimal vertical magnetic field distribution based on the proposed evaluation criteria. A coil has inner coil diameter of 25 mm, outer coil diameter of 47.8 mm, wire diameter of 0.643 mm, the pitch of 0.03 mm and a number of turns of 17 was chosen to be implemented on the transmitter coil. A magnetic induction technique was adopted in the proposed wireless power transmission module which was implemented using commercial off-the-shelf components. For experimental and validation purposes, a developed receiver module applied to the commercial wireless headphone and portable audio speaker have a built-in battery capacity at 3.7 V 300 mAh. The experimental results show that the wireless power hanger pad prototype can transfer a 5 V induction voltage at a maximum current of 1000 mA, and the power transfer efficiency is around 70%. It works at 110 kHz of operation frequency with a maximum transmission distance of about 10 mm and takes 1 h to charge fully one 3.7 V 300 mAh polymer lithium battery.
Direct Shape Optimization and Parametric Analysis of a Vertical Inline Pump via Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Gan Xingcheng , Wang Wenjie , Pei Ji , Yuan Shouqi , Tang Yajing , Osman Majeed Koranteng
Published: January 2020

The vertical inline pump is a single-suction single-stage centrifugal pump with a curved inlet pipe before the impeller, which usually causes a significant increase of hydraulic losses in the inline pump. Considering the matching relationship between the inlet pipe and impeller, a multi-objective direct optimization based on the MOPSO of the inlet pipe and impeller was carried out to broaden the efficient operating area of the vertical inline pump. Bezier curves were adopted to control the profiles of the inlet pipe and impeller and 39 coordinates of the control points and the blade number were selected as the optimization variables. The efficiencies of the inline pump at the part-load and nominal conditions were chosen as the objective functions, which were obtained by the automatic simulation program. A dramatic improvement in pump performance was found after optimization. In the set of Pareto solutions, the maximum increases of efficiency at part-load and nominal conditions were 8.06% and 7.33% respectively. It also reported that the inlet pipe with longer horizontal length and lower bend curvature could reduce the hydraulic losses of the inlet pipe and increase the pump performance.
Energy Control Strategy of Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle Based on Working Conditions Identification by Least Square Support Vector Machine
Authors: Zheng Yongliang , He Feng , Shen Xinze , Jiang Xuesheng
Published: January 2020

Aimed at the limitation of traditional fuzzy control strategy in distributing power and improving the economy of a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle (FCHEV), an energy management strategy combined with working conditions identification is proposed. Feature parameters extraction and sample divisions were carried out for typical working conditions, and working conditions were identified by the least square support vector machine (LSSVM) optimized by grid search and cross validation (CV). The corresponding fuzzy control strategies were formulated under different typical working conditions, in addition, the fuzzy control strategy was optimized with total equivalent energy consumption as the goal by particle swarm optimization (PSO). The adaptive switching of fuzzy control strategies under different working conditions were realized through the identification of driving conditions. Results showed that the fuzzy control strategy with the function of driving conditions identification had a more efficient power distribution and better economy.
Numerical Investigation of Pipelines Modeling in Small-Scale Concentrated Solar Combined Heat and Power Plants
Authors: Tascioni Roberto , Cioccolanti Luca , Del Zotto Luca , Habib Emanuele
Published: January 2020

In this paper four different detailed models of pipelines are proposed and compared to assess the thermal losses in small-scale concentrated solar combined heat and power plants. Indeed, previous numerical analyses carried out by some of the authors have revealed the high impact of pipelines on the performance of these plants because of their thermal inertia. Hence, in this work the proposed models are firstly compared to each other for varying temperature increase and mass flow rate. Such comparison shows that the one-dimensional (1D) longitudinal model is in good agreement with the results of the more detailed two-dimensional (2D) model at any temperature gradient for heat transfer fluid velocities higher than 0.1 m/s whilst the lumped model agrees only at velocities higher than 1 m/s. Then, the 1D longitudinal model is implemented in a quasi-steady-state Simulink model of an innovative microscale concentrated solar combined heat and power plant and its performances evaluated. Compared to the results obtained using the Simscape library model of the tube, the performances of the plant show appreciable discrepancies during the winter season. Indeed, whenever the longitudinal thermal gradient of the fluid inside the pipeline is high (as at part-load conditions in winter season), the lumped model becomes inaccurate with more than 20% of deviation of the thermal losses and 30% of the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) electric energy output with respect to the 1D longitudinal model. Therefore, the analysis proves that an hybrid model able to switch from a 1D longitudinal model to a zero-dimensional (0D) model with delay based on the fluid flow rate is recommended to obtain results accurate enough whilst limiting the computational efforts.
An Analytical Approach for Design of a Cross-Connected Fibonacci Switched Capacitor Converter
Authors: Do Wanglok , Bevrani Hassan , Shafiee Qobad , Eguchi Kei
Published: January 2020

Switched capacitor converters (SCCs) are used for low-power applications because they are designed without magnetic components. Among various types of SCCs, the Fibonacci SCC (FSCC) features a small size and high voltage gain. However, the FSCC performance can be more improved, which leads to suggest a cross-connected FSCC (CCFSCC). However, in the considered four-terminal equivalent circuit model for analyzing the CCFSCC, some circuit parameters, such as the operation frequency and capacitor capacitance of the SCC are neglected. In this paper, we propose an analytical approach to optimize the CCFSCC circuit parameters by deriving its voltage gain function. The validity of the addressed methodology is confirmed by comparing the outcomes with the results of simulations and experiments. It is shown that the average errors between the calculated and experimental voltage gains are 9%, and the average absolute errors between the calculated and simulated ones are under 0.1.
Sustainable Residential Energy Supply: A Literature Review-Based Morphological Analysis
Authors: Arens Stefan , Schlüters Sunke , Hanke Benedikt , Maydell Karsten von , Agert Carsten
Published: January 2020

The decarbonization of the energy system will bring substantial changes, from supranational regions to residential sites. This review investigates sustainable energy supply, applying a multi-sectoral approach from a residential site perspective, especially with focus on identifying crucial, plausible factors and their influence on the operation of the system. The traditionally separated mobility, heat, and electricity sectors are examined in more detail with regard to their decarbonization approaches. For every sector, available technologies, demand, and future perspectives are described. Furthermore, the benefits of cross-sectoral integration and technology coupling are examined, besides challenges to the electricity grid due to upcoming technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. Measures such as transport mode shift and improving building insulation can reduce the demand in their respective sector, although their impact remains uncertain. Moreover, flexibility measures such as Power to X or vehicle to grid couple the electricity sector to other sectors such as the mobility and heat sectors. Based on these findings, a morphological analysis is conducted. A morphological box is presented to summarize the major characteristics of the future residential energy system and investigate mutually incompatible pairs of factors. Lastly, the scenario space is further analyzed in terms of annual energy demand for a district.
A Topology Synthetization Method for Single-Phase, Full-Bridge, Transformerless Inverter with Leakage Current Suppression Part I
Authors: Yue Xiumei , Wang Hongliang , Zhu Xiaonan , Wei Xinwei , Liu Yan-Fei
Published: January 2020

Single-phase full-bridge transformerless topologies, such as the H5, H6, or the highly efficient and reliable inverter concept (HERIC) topologies, are commonly used for leakage current suppression for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The main derivation methodology of full-bridge topologies has been used based on both a DC-based decoupling model and an AC-based decoupling model. However, this methodology is not suited to the search for all possible topologies, and cannot verify whether they are inclusive. Part I of this paper will propose a new topology derivation methodology based on unipolar sinusoidal pulse width modulation (USPWM) to search all possible full-bridge topologies for leakage current suppression. First of all, a unified circuit model is proposed, instead of the DC- and AC-based models. Secondly, a mathematic method called the MN principle is then proposed to search for all possible topologies, and a derivation procedure is provided. It was verified that all existing topologies could be found using the proposed method; furthermore, seven new topologies were derived. The proposed topology derivation methodology is extended to search topologies under Double-Frequency USPWM (DFUSPWM). Twenty topologies under USPWM and four topologies under DFUSPWM have been derived.
Coordination between Demand Response Programming and Learning-Based FOPID Controller for Alleviation of Frequency Excursion of Hybrid Microgrid
Authors: Babaei Masoud , Abazari Ahmadreza , Muyeen S. M.
Published: January 2020

In recent years, residential rate consumptions have increased due to modern appliances which require a high level of electricity demands. Although mentioned appliances can improve the quality of consumers’ lives to a certain extent, they suffer from various shortcomings including raising the electricity bill as well as serious technical issues such as lack of balance between electricity generation and load disturbances. This imbalance can generally lead to the frequency excursion which is a significant concern, especially for low-inertia microgrids with unpredictable parameters. This research proposes an intelligent combination of two approaches in order to alleviate challenges related to the frequency control mechanism. Firstly, a learning-based fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative (FOPID) controller is trained by recurrent adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference (RANFIS) in the generation side during various operational conditions and climatic changes. In the following, a decentralized demand response (DR) programming in the load side is introduced to minimize consumption rate through controllable appliances and energy storage systems (ESSs). Furthermore, parameters uncertainties and time delay, which are generally known as two main concerns of isolated microgrids, are regarded in the frequency plan of a low-inertia microgrid including renewable energy sources (RESs), and energy storage systems (ESSs). Simulation results are illustrated in three different case studies in order to compare the performance of the proposed two methods during various operational conditions. It is obvious that the frequency deviation of microgrid can be improved by taking advantage of intelligent combination of both DR program and modern control mechanism.
Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity Generation from an Array of Subsea Tidal Kite Prototypes
Authors: Kaddoura Mohamad , Tivander Johan , Molander Sverker
Published: January 2020

Tidal current technologies have the potential to provide highly predictable energy, since tides are driven by lunar cycles. However, before implementing such technologies on a large scale, their environmental performance should be assessed. In this study, a prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed on a 12 MW tidal energy converter array of Minesto Deep Green 500 (DG500) prototypes, closely following the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) standards, but including scenarios to cover various design possibilities. The global warming potential (GWP) of the prototype array was in the range of 18.4–26.3 gCO2-eq/kWhe. This is comparable with other renewable energy systems, such as wind power. Material production processes have the largest impact, but are largely offset by recycling at the end of life. Operation and maintenance processes, including the production of replacement parts, also provide major contributions to environmental impacts. Comparisons with other technologies are limited by the lack of a standardized way of performing LCA on offshore power generation technologies.
Design of a DC–DC Converter Customized for Ultra-Low Voltage Operating IoT Platforms
Authors: Hwang Wonjune , Yoo Kitae , Thai Dang Van , Lee Woojoo , Baek Kwang-Hyun
Published: January 2020

With remarkable advances in IoT, big data, and AI, the fourth industrial revolution is upon us. Low power design methodologies and techniques have been greatly contributing to these advancements by addressing the critical issue of how to increase the device service life under a fixed and limited energy source. In particular, ultra-low power (ULP) technology, which exploits ultra-low voltage (ULV) operating circuit, has recently emerged as a cutting-edge technology for realizing ULP devices. Although a number of studies on ULV circuits have been made so far, and the results have been very successful, research on DC–DC converters optimized for the ULV operation must be carried out in order to use them ultimately in ULP devices. In this paper, a DC–DC converter with low power, small area, and high-resolution digital pulse width modulator (DPWM) for ultra-low voltage (ULV) operating IoT platforms is presented. The proposed DPWM design uses a much smaller number of D flip-flops than conventional ones, achieving significant power saving and area reduction while showing excellent resolution of power conversion. In addition, by utilizing the proposed DPWM, the DC–DC converters can take full advantage of the dynamic switch width modulation technology without overhead, greatly improving the power conversion efficiency under ultra light load conditions. A prototype DC–DC converter with the proposed DPWM is fabricated in Samsung 65nm technology, and the experimental work with this converter and a target ULV operating platform demonstrates that this converter is best suited for the target platform.
Statistical Analysis of Nutrient Loads from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) to the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Okwan Phyllis , Zhen Yi , Feng Huan , Yoo Shinjae , Kambhampati Murty S. , Walker Abreione , Boykin Shayne , Omojola Joe , Blackburn Noel
Published: January 2020

This study investigated the annual and seasonal variations in nutrient loads (NO2− + NO3− and orthophosphate) delivered to the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) and examined the water quality variations. The results indicate that (1) annually, the mean NO2− + NO3− and orthophosphate loads showed a steady increase during 1996–1999, a persistent level during 2000–2007, and a moderate increase during 2008–2016; (2) seasonally, NO2− + NO3− and orthophosphate in MARB in spring and summer were higher than those in autumn and winter. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified highly significant differences among seasonal loads; and (3) the median value of NO2− + NO3− in normal weather conditions were higher than that during and right after the hurricanes, while the median value of orthophosphate loads in normal weather conditions was higher than that during the hurricanes, but higher than that right after hurricanes. The two-sample t-test indicates a significant difference (p < 0.046) in orthophosphate loads before and after Hurricane Katrina. Moreover, it is found that there is a significant (p < 0.01) increase in nutrient loads during normal weather conditions. The results indicate that hurricane seasons can significantly influence the nutrient loads from the MARB to the Gulf of Mexico.