bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twin births in Jordan: incidence, trends, risk factors and implications for under-five mortality: evidence from the 2012 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey
Authors: Islam M. Mazharul , Marium Uzma
Published: July 2019

Research on twinning in developed countries is well documented, but little is known about twinning in less-developed countries due to a lack of data or data limitations. This study examined the level of, trends in and determinants of twin births and their survival under age five in Jordan, using the 2012 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) data. The birth history of 11,352 women included in the JPFHS provided information on 9859 live births that occurred within five years of the survey date, and these constituted the study subjects. Descriptive statistics, and bivariate and multivariate multilevel logistic regression models were used for data analysis. About 3.5% of the total live births were twins, which is one of the highest rates in developing countries. The twinning rate showed an increasing trend in Jordan, increasing by 45% from 2.4% in 1990 to 3.5% in 2012. Higher maternal age at child birth, higher parity, poor and richer economic status, contraceptive use status, secondary and above level of education of mothers and non-consanguinity were found to be associated with a higher rate of twin births in Jordan. Twins were observed to have a higher risk of low birth weight, being smaller in physical size at birth and at more than four times higher risk of neonatal death compared with singletons. To reduce the risk adverse outcomes of twin pregnancies and further improve maternal and child health, antenatal, delivery and postnatal care should be tailored towards the special needs of twin pregnancies and twin births in Jordan Twin pregnancies should be detected at the early stage of pregnancy so that perinatal outcomes can be improved by frequent prenatal visits, health education, counselling and proper management of peripartum complications.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the risk of offspring depression in childhood: Findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
Authors: Dachew Berihun Assefa , Scott James G. , Betts Kim , Mamun Abdullah , Alati Rosa
Published: July 2019

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) may increase the risk of offspring depression in childhood. Low birth weight is also associated with increased risk of mental health problems, including depression. This study sought to investigate (a) whether there is an association between HDP and the risk of depression in childhood and (b) whether low birth weight mediates this association. The current study is based on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a prospective, population-based study that has followed a cohort of offspring since their mothers were pregnant (n = 6,739). Depression at the age of 7 years was diagnosed using parent reports via the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA). Log-binomial regression and mediation analyses were used. Children exposed to HDP were 2.3 times more likely to have a depression diagnosis compared with nonexposed children, adjusted Risk Ratio [RR], 2.31; 95% CI, [1.20, 4.47]. Low birth weight was a weak mediator of this association. Results were adjusted for confounding variables including antenatal depression and anxiety during pregnancy.This study suggests that fetal exposure to maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increased the risk of childhood depression. The study adds to the evidence suggesting that the uterine environment is a critical determinant of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric outcomes.
Monitoring the Environment in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Coppola Laurent , Raimbault Patrick , Mortier Laurent , Testor Pierre
Published: July 2019

The Mediterranean Ocean Observing System for the Environment (MOOSE) network integrates a range of platforms to detect and identify long-term environmental anomalies.
Radiative Forcing and Stratospheric Warming of Pyrocumulonimbus Smoke Aerosols: First Modeling Results With Multisensor (EPIC, CALIPSO, and CATS) Views from Space
Authors: Christian Kenneth , Wang Jun , Ge Cui , Peterson David , Hyer Edward , Yorks John , McGill Matthew
Published: July 2019

Smoke particles can be injected by pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, but their effects on the radiative budget of the planet remain elusive. Here, by focusing on the record‐setting Pacific Northwest pyroCb event of August 2017, we show with satellite‐based estimates of pyroCb emissions and injection heights in a chemical transport model (GEOS‐Chem) that pyroCb smoke particles can result in radiative forcing of ∼0.02 W/m2 at the top of the atmosphere averaged globally in the 2 months following the event and up to 0.9 K/day heating in the Arctic upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The modeled aerosol distributions agree with observations from satellites (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera [EPIC], Cloud‐Aerosol Transport System [CATS], and Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization [CALIOP]), showing the hemispheric transport of pyroCb smoke aerosols with a lifetime of 5 months. Hence, warming by pyroCb aerosols can have similar temporal duration but opposite sign to the well‐documented cooling of volcanic aerosols and be significant for climate prediction.
Ongoing Poleward Migration of Tropical Cyclone Occurrence Over the Western North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Sun Jia , Wang Dingqi , Hu Xiaomin , Ling Zheng , Wang Lu
Published: July 2019

The long‐term change of tropical cyclone (TC) occurrence (TCO) was investigated by combining TC track density function and empirical orthogonal function methods to consider TC duration through a new perspective. Pronounced ongoing poleward migration of TCO was found for 1982–2018. This change has primarily resulted from the modification of TC propagation from westward to northward since 1998. A cyclonic anomaly of the large‐scale environmental steering flow centered on East Asia was found based on a comparison of 1982–1997 and 1998–2018 periods. The cyclonic anomaly encompasses the southerly anomaly south of 20°N, which is the mainspring of the poleward migration of TCO, while the extra warming along the coast of China also favors this long‐term change. This study made it possible to analyze discrete spatiotemporal TC observations continuously and provided helpful techniques for projecting TC changes using numerical methods.
Targeting photodynamic and photothermal therapy to the endoplasmic reticulum enhances immunogenic cancer cell death
Authors: Li Wei , Yang Jie , Luo Lihua , Jiang Mengshi , Qin Bing , Yin Hang , Zhu Chunqi , Yuan Xiaoling , Zhang Junlei , Luo Zhenyu , Du Yongzhong , Li Qingpo , Lou Yan , Qiu Yunqing , You Jian
Published: July 2019

Immunogenic cell death (ICD)-associated immunogenicity can be evoked through reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study, we generate a double ER-targeting strategy to realize photodynamic therapy (PDT) photothermal therapy (PTT) immunotherapy. This nanosystem consists of ER-targeting pardaxin (FAL) peptides modified-, indocyanine green (ICG) conjugated- hollow gold nanospheres (FAL-ICG-HAuNS), together with an oxygen-delivering hemoglobin (Hb) liposome (FAL-Hb lipo), designed to reverse hypoxia. Compared with non-targeting nanosystems, the ER-targeting naosystem induces robust ER stress and calreticulin (CRT) exposure on the cell surface under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. CRT, a marker for ICD, acts as an ‘eat me’ signal to stimulate the antigen presenting function of dendritic cells. As a result, a series of immunological responses are activated, including CD8+ T cell proliferation and cytotoxic cytokine secretion. In conclusion, ER-targeting PDT-PTT promoted ICD-associated immunotherapy through direct ROS-based ER stress and exhibited enhanced anti-tumour efficacy.
Tracking materials science data lineage to manage millions of materials experiments and analyses
Authors: Soedarmadji Edwin , Stein Helge S. , Suram Santosh K. , Guevarra Dan , Gregoire John M.
Published: July 2019

In an era of rapid advancement of algorithms that extract knowledge from data, data and metadata management are increasingly critical to research success. In materials science, there are few examples of experimental databases that contain many different types of information, and compared with other disciplines, the database sizes are relatively small. Underlying these issues are the challenges in managing and linking data across disparate synthesis and characterization experiments, which we address with the development of a lightweight data management framework that is generally applicable for experimental science and beyond. Five years of managing experiments with this system has yielded the Materials Experiment and Analysis Database (MEAD) that contains raw data and metadata from millions of materials synthesis and characterization experiments, as well as the analysis and distillation of that data into property and performance metrics via software in an accompanying open source repository. The unprecedented quantity and diversity of experimental data are searchable by experiment and analysis attributes generated by both researchers and data processing software. The search web interface allows users to visualize their search results and download zipped packages of data with full annotations of their lineage. The enormity of the data provides substantial challenges and opportunities for incorporating data science in the physical sciences, and MEAD’s data and algorithm management framework will foster increased incorporation of automation and autonomous discovery in materials and chemistry research.
In-plane orientation-dependent metal-insulator transition in vanadium dioxide induced by sublattice strain engineering
Authors: Liang Weizheng , Zhuo Zengqing , Ji Yanda , Lu Chang , Gao Min , Yang Hao , Chen Chonglin , Pan Feng , Lin Yuan
Published: July 2019

Selectively modulating the sublattices in 3D transition metal oxides via strains could tailor the electronic configurations with emerging anomalous properties, which provides new platforms for fundamental researches as well as designs of devices. Here, we report tailoring the oxygen octahedral sublattices in vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films by anisotropic in-plane strains, and the observation of in-plane orientation-dependent metal–insulator transition. Through multimodal characterizations based on high-resolution X-ray diffraction, electrical transport measurements, and polarization-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy at different temperatures, we demonstrate that nonequal strains were successfully induced along A and B oxygen octahedral chains in VO2 films via a special design of epitaxial growth on vicinal substrates. The V 3d1 orbital configurations are modulated in the two oxygen octahedral chains, resulting in in-plane orientation-dependent metal–insulator transition behaviors such as reduced hysteresis width and anisotropic phase transition temperature. This work provides new fundamental insights on metal–insulator transitions, and more importantly, opens up new opportunities for material and device developments
GPU-Accelerated GLRLM Algorithm for Feature Extraction of MRI
Authors: Zhang Hanyu , Hung Che-Lun , Min Geyong , Guo Jhih-Peng , Liu Meiyuan , Hu Xiaoye
Published: July 2019

The gray level run length matrix (GLRLM) whose entries are statistics recording distribution and relationship of images pixels is a widely used method for extracting statistical features for medical images, e.g., magnetic resonance (MR) images. Recently these features are usually employed in some artificial neural networks to identify and distinguish texture patterns. But GLRLM construction and features extraction are tedious and computationally intensive while the images are too big with high resolution, or there are too many small or intermediate Regions of Interest (ROI) to process in a single image, which makes the preprocess a time consuming stage. Hence, it is of great importance to accelerate the procedure which is nowadays possible with the rapid development of massively parallel Graphics Processing Unit, i.e. the GPU computing technology. In this article, we propose a new paradigm based on mature parallel primitives for generating GLRLMs and extracting multiple features for many ROIs simultaneously in a single image. Experiments show that such a paradigm is easy to implement and offers an acceleration over 5 fold increase in speed than an optimized serial counterpart.
Stochastic modeling of phenotypic switching and chemoresistance in cancer cell populations
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Cramer Gwendolyn M. , Dahaj Seyed Alireza Zamani , Sundaram Bala , Celli Jonathan P. , Kulkarni Rahul V.
Published: July 2019

Phenotypic heterogeneity in cancer cells is widely observed and is often linked to drug resistance. In several cases, such heterogeneity in drug sensitivity of tumors is driven by stochastic and reversible acquisition of a drug tolerant phenotype by individual cells even in an isogenic population. Accumulating evidence further suggests that cell-fate transitions such as the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) are associated with drug resistance. In this study, we analyze stochastic models of phenotypic switching to provide a framework for analyzing cell-fate transitions such as EMT as a source of phenotypic variability in drug sensitivity. Motivated by our cell-culture based experimental observations connecting phenotypic switching in EMT and drug resistance, we analyze a coarse-grained model of phenotypic switching between two states in the presence of cytotoxic stress from chemotherapy. We derive analytical results for time-dependent probability distributions that provide insights into the rates of phenotypic switching and characterize initial phenotypic heterogeneity of cancer cells. The results obtained can also shed light on fundamental questions relating to adaptation and selection scenarios in tumor response to cytotoxic therapy.
First report of anatoxin-a producing cyanobacteria in Australia illustrates need to regularly up-date monitoring strategies in a shifting global distribution
Authors: John Nijoy , Baker Louise , Ansell Brendan R. E. , Newham Steven , Crosbie Nicholas D. , Jex Aaron R.
Published: July 2019

Routine monitoring of toxic cyanobacteria depends on up-to-date epidemiological information about their distribution. In Australia, anatoxin producing cyanobacteria are not regularly tested for and thought to be rare if not absent from the continent. Our study investigated the presence of anatoxin-a (ATX-a) producing cyanobacteria in surface water samples (n = 226 from 67 sampling locations) collected from 2010 to 2017 across the state of Victoria, Australia. We (1) detected the presence and distribution of anaC (anatoxin-a synthetase C) gene sequences previously associated with various cyanobacteria, including Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, Aphanizomenon sp., D. circinale, Anabaena sp., and Oscillatoria sp., from 31 sampling locations, and (2) determined the concentration of ATX-a in samples tested using ELISA, in two instances detected at >4 µg · L−1. These data present the first confirmation of ATX-a producers in Australia. Our study indicates that ATX-a should be included in regular testing of cyanobacterial blooms in Australia and highlights the importance of regular investigation of the distributions of toxic cyanobacteria worldwide, particularly amid the known expanding distribution of many cyanobacterial taxa in a period of increased eutrophication and rising surface water temperatures.
Sensitivity booster for mass detection enables unambiguous analysis of peptides, proteins, antibodies, and protein bioconjugates
Authors: Singudas Rohith , Reddy Neelesh C. , Rai Vishal
Published: July 2019

A chemical tag enhances peptide detection by multiple orders in mass spectrometry.
sp–sp2 hybrid-conjugated microporous polymer-derived Pd-encapsulated porous carbon materials for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Xu , Niu Shuzhang , Nan Ding , Li Baohua , He Yan-Bing , Kang Feiyu
Published: July 2019

Pd-encapsulated porous carbon materials for high performance Li–S battery were prepared by coupling polymerization of an aryl halide and aryl alkyne under mild conditions.
A three-dimensional DNA walker amplified FRET sensor for detection of telomerase activity based on the MnO2nanosheet-upconversion nanoparticle sensing platform
Authors: Xu Mingdi , Zhuang Junyang , Jiang Xiaoyu , Liu Xinzhong , Tang Dianping
Published: July 2019

We report a fluorescent sensing platform for telomerase activity assay by coupling a 3D DNA walker with the MnO2-UCNPs-based FRET system.
Self-assembly of nickel: from nanoparticles to foils with tunable magnetic properties
Authors: Li Yaoyin , Wang Qiyuan , Zhang Ling , Hu Songbai , Chen Lang , He Peng , Feng Huanhuan , Zhang Jiaheng , Ji Hongjun , Ma Xing , Li Kang , Zhao Weiwei
Published: July 2019

Self-assembly of nickel from nanoparticles to nanowires and foils can be achieved by controlling the concentrations of sodium citrate during the electroless deposition process.
Product detection study of the gas-phase oxidation of methylphenyl radicals using synchrotron photoionisation mass spectrometry
Authors: Prendergast Matthew B. , Kirk Benjamin B. , Savee John D. , Osborn David L. , Taatjes Craig A. , Hemberger Patrick , Blanksby Stephen J. , da Silva Gabriel , Trevitt Adam J.
Published: July 2019

Reactions of ortho and meta-methylphenyl radicals with oxygen form products that depend acutely on the position of the methyl group.
Competition between dispersion interactions and conventional hydrogen bonding: insights from a theoretical study on Z-Arg-OH
Authors: Li Hongbao , Wang Zhiqiang , Jiang Jun , Luo Yi
Published: July 2019

The dispersion interaction was reported to play a critical role in the stabilization of model dipeptide Z-Arg-OH, even greater than the conventional hydrogen bond (HB), which is opposite to the traditional opinion.
Factors for the emission enhancement of dimidium in specific media such as in DNA and on a clay surface
Authors: Nakazato Ryosuke , Sano Keito , Ichihara Hiroyuki , Ishida Tamao , Shimada Tetsuya , Takagi Shinsuke
Published: July 2019

Fluorescence enhancement in DNA and on nanosheets.
Understanding photoelectrochemical kinetics in a model CO2 fixation reaction
Authors: Zhong Bingju , He Da , Chen Ruonan , Gao Tianyue , Wang Yuanxing , Chen Hongyu , Zhang Yanhua , Wang Dunwei
Published: July 2019

The kinetics of photoelectro-catalytic fixation of CO2 has been studied in a model process, which reveals the rate-determining step and reaction order.
Cluster–oxalate frameworks with extra-large channels: solvent-free synthesis, chemical stability, and proton conduction
Authors: Luan Lindong , Zhang Ying , Zeng Hongmei , Zou Guohong , Dai Yong , Zhou Xiaoying , Lin Zhien
Published: July 2019

Two cluster–oxalate frameworks (denoted as SCU-62 and SCU-65) were prepared under solvent-free conditions.
Enhanced catalytic activity of cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated with an N-doped porous carbon shell derived from hollow ZIF-8 for efficient synthesis of nitriles from primary alcohols in water
Authors: Sun Kang-kang , Sun Jia-lin , Lu Guo-Ping , Cai Chun
Published: July 2019

A cobalt catalyst derived from a unique core–shell structure based on hollow ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 is prepared for the synthesis of nitriles from alcohols in water under mild conditions.
A chemical speciation insight into the palladium(ii) uptake and metabolism by Sinapis alba. Exposure to Pd induces the synthesis of a Pd–histidine complex
Authors: Kińska Katarzyna , Bierla Katarzyna , Godin Simon , Preud'homme Hugues , Kowalska Joanna , Krasnodębska-Ostręga Beata , Lobinski Ryszard , Szpunar Joanna
Published: July 2019

Palladium is recognized as a technologically critical element (TCE) because of its massive use in automobile exhaust gas catalytic converters. The release of Pd into the environment in the form of nanoparticles of various size and chemical composition requires an understanding of their metabolism by leaving organisms. We provide here for the first time a chemical speciation insight into the identity of the ligands produced or used by a plant Sinapis alba L. exposed in hydropony to Pd nanoparticles and soluble Pd (nitrate). The analytical method developed was based on the concept of 2D HPLC with parallel inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) and electrospray MS detection. Size exclusion chromatography – ICP MS of the plant extracts showed no difference between the speciation of Pd after the exposure to nanoparticles and after that to Pd2+ which indicated the reactivity and dissolution of Pd nanoparticles. A comparative investigation of the Pd speciation in a control plant extract spiked with Pd2+ and of an extract of a plant having metabolized palladium indicated the response of the Sinapis alba by the formation of a Pd–histidine complex. The complex was identified via Orbitrap MS; the HPLC-MS chromatogram produced two peaks at m/z 415.0341 each corresponding to a Pd–His2 complex. An investigation by ion-mobility MS revealed a difference in their collision cross section indicating that the complexes present varied in terms of spatial conformation. A number of other Pd complexes with different ligands (including nicotianamine) circulating in the plant were detected but these ligands were already observed in a control plant and their concentrations were not affected by the exposure to Pd.
High-throughput chemical and chemoenzymatic approaches to saccharide-coated magnetic nanoparticles for MRI
Authors: Fallows Thomas W. , McGrath Andrew J. , Silva Joana , McAdams Simon G. , Marchesi Andrea , Tuna Floriana , Flitsch Sabine L. , Tilley Richard D. , Webb Simon J.
Published: July 2019

Magnetic nanoparticles coated with a glycan-catechol adduct, selected from a library created through a simple condensation reaction and an enzyme-catalysed reaction, were assessed as MRI contrast agents.
Synthesis of fisetin co-crystals with caffeine and nicotinamide using the cooling crystallization technique: biopharmaceutical studies
Authors: Mohite Rohini , Mehta Piyush , Arulmozhi S. , Kamble Ravindra , Pawar Atmaram , Bothiraja C.
Published: July 2019

A fisetin-caffeine co-crystal prepared by using cooling crystallization technology showed a two- and three-fold improvement in the solubility and oral bioavailability of fisetin.
Visual low-high interchange in a dielectric switch for trimethylchloroethylamine tetrachlorozincate with a large leap symmetry breaking
Authors: Zhang Yu-Wei , Wang Qing , Shi Ping-Ping , Zhang Wan-Ying , Ye Qiong , Fu Da-Wei
Published: July 2019

Phase transition materials are a class of smart materials with special optoelectronic properties.
Force transmission and the order parameter of shear thickening
Authors: Mari Romain , Seto Ryohei
Published: July 2019

Statistical models of force propagation can predict the equation of state of the shear thickening transition of dense suspensions, based on the suspended particle properties. This lays the foundations for a statistical physics of shear thickening.
Inertial effective mass as an effective descriptor for thermoelectrics via data-driven evaluation
Authors: Suwardi Ady , Bash Daniil , Ng Hong Kuan , Gomez Jose Recatala , Repaka D. V. Maheswar , Kumar Pawan , Hippalgaonkar Kedar
Published: July 2019

Data-driven analysis shows that low effective mass is favorable for high band degeneracy and power factor towards new thermoelectric materials.
Intelligent protein-coated bismuth sulfide and manganese oxide nanocomposites obtained by biomineralization for multimodal imaging-guided enhanced tumor therapy
Authors: Zhang Lin , Chen Qian , Zou Xinwei , Chen Jiawen , Hu Lvzhong , Dong Ziliang , Zhou Jinhua , Chen Youguo , Liu Zhuang , Cheng Liang
Published: July 2019

Radiotherapy (RT) has been used clinically to overcome cancer in recent decades.
Hierarchical microspheres with macropores fabricated from chitin as 3D cell culture
Authors: Su Xiaojuan , Tan Mengtian , Duan Bo , Cai Jie , Jiang Wei , Zhang Lina
Published: July 2019

Hierarchical chitin nanofiber microspheres with open macropores was prepared to be used as scaffold for 3D cell culture.
Effect of structural engineering of π-spacers on anti-aggregation of D–A–π–A dyes
Authors: Hua Tao , Zhang Keyi , Huang Zu-Sheng , Wang Lingyun , Tang Hao , Meier Herbert , Cao Derong
Published: July 2019

SPDF and EIMW act as efficient anti-aggregation π-spacers due to the rigid ‘T’ configuration of the former and the large steric hindrance of the latter.
Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) modifies energy metabolism via 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase signalling in malignant cells
Authors: Austin James A. , Jenkins Rosalind E. , Austin Gemma M. , Glenn Mark A. , Dunn Karen , Scott Laura , Lucas Claire M. , Clark Richard E.
Published: July 2019

Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is an adverse biomarker across many malignancies. Using K562 cells engineered to have high or low CIP2A expression, we show that high CIP2A levels significantly bias cellular energy production towards oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) rather than glycolysis. Mass spectrometric analysis of CIP2A interactors and isobaric tagging for relative and absolute protein quantitation (ITRAQ) experiments identified many associated proteins, several of which co-vary with CIP2A level. Many of these CIP2A associating and co-varying proteins are involved in energy metabolism including OXPHOS, or in 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling, and manipulating AMPK activity mimics the effects of low/high CIP2A on OXPHOS. These effects are dependent on the availability of nutrients, driven by metabolic changes caused by CIP2A. CIP2A level did not affect starvation-induced AMPK phosphorylation of Unc-51 autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK-1) at Ser555, but autophagy activity correlated with an increase in AMPK activity, to suggest that some AMPK processes are uncoupled by CIP2A, likely via its inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). The data demonstrate that AMPK mediates this novel CIP2A effect on energy generation in malignant cells.
Microtubules in cell migration
Authors: Garcin Clare , Straube Anne
Published: July 2019

Directed cell migration is critical for embryogenesis and organ development, wound healing and the immune response. Microtubules are dynamic polymers that control directional migration through a number of coordinated processes: microtubules are the tracks for long-distance intracellular transport, crucial for delivery of new membrane components and signalling molecules to the leading edge of a migrating cell and the recycling of adhesion receptors. Microtubules act as force generators and compressive elements to support sustained cell protrusions. The assembly and disassembly of microtubules is coupled to Rho GTPase signalling, thereby controlling actin polymerisation, myosin-driven contractility and the turnover of cellular adhesions locally. Cross-talk of actin and microtubule dynamics is mediated through a number of common binding proteins and regulators. Furthermore, cortical microtubule capture sites are physically linked to focal adhesions, facilitating the delivery of secretory vesicles and efficient cross-talk. Here we summarise the diverse functions of microtubules during cell migration, aiming to show how they contribute to the spatially and temporally coordinated sequence of events that permit efficient, directional and persistent migration.
Variant calling and quality control of large-scale human genome sequencing data
Authors: Jew Brandon , Sul Jae Hoon
Published: July 2019

Next-generation sequencing has allowed genetic studies to collect genome sequencing data from a large number of individuals. However, raw sequencing data are not usually interpretable due to fragmentation of the genome and technical biases; therefore, analysis of these data requires many computational approaches. First, for each sequenced individual, sequencing data are aligned and further processed to account for technical biases. Then, variant calling is performed to obtain information on the positions of genetic variants and their corresponding genotypes. Quality control (QC) is applied to identify individuals and genetic variants with sequencing errors. These procedures are necessary to generate accurate variant calls from sequencing data, and many computational approaches have been developed for these tasks. This review will focus on current widely used approaches for variant calling and QC.
Small‐signal model of vector current‐controlled MMC‐UPFC
Authors: Yang Jian , Song Pengcheng , Xu Zheng , Xiao Huangqing , Cai Hui , Xie Zhenjian
Published: July 2019

Modular multilevel converter based unified power flow controller (MMC‐UPFC) projects are different from earlier UPFC projects in control methods and system structures. Characteristics of these MMC‐UPFC projects have not been fully researched in the existing literature, so it is difficult to effectively analyse the small‐signal stability and low‐frequency oscillation characteristics of power system containing these UPFCs. To solve this problem, the small‐signal model of vector current‐controlled MMC‐UPFC is studied. Firstly, the equivalent model of the general structure UPFC is given in this study. Secondly, the dynamic model and small‐signal model of UPFC are derived. Thirdly, the method of combining the UPFC model and the rest of the system is presented, so that the linearised model of the whole system can be established. At last, the small‐signal model is verified in two test systems by time‐domain simulations and modal analysis. Results show that the method proposed in this study is applicable for both the novel structure UPFC and the traditional structure UPFC, and that the small‐signal model obtained can accurately reflect system characteristics.
Bayesian place recognition based on bag of objects for intelligent vehicle localisation
Authors: Wang Xianglong , Hu Zhaozheng , Tao Qianwen , Huang Gang , Mu Mengchao
Published: July 2019

Place recognition matches a corresponding image from a pre‐built image sequence, and it plays an important role in visual map‐based vehicle localisation. This study proposes a Bayesian place recognition (BPR) algorithm based on a bag of objects (BoO). The proposed BoO is superior to the classic bag of words (BoW), with a faster speed and greater robustness for scene representation. Like BoW, BoO uses object probabilities computed from the pre‐trained AlexNet to construct a histogram‐like vector called the BoO feature. A small portion of objects, named dominant objects, are computed from map data to reduce the storage requirement. The BoO feature is used to describe the scene image similarity. Owing to the excellent recognition performance of AlexNet, the BoO feature is robust to dynamic illumination environments. With BoO, the BPR model is employed to fuse appearance feature and motion clue for place recognition. Moreover, a multi‐scale localisation strategy is developed to improve the place recognition efficiency. The proposed method was tested with the collected data and the KITTI datasets. The method achieved 0.37 frame errors, taking an average of 4.7 ms for place recognition. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms the classic BoW and binary BoW.
New approach for the probabilistic power flow of distribution systems based on data clustering
Authors: Sehsalar Omid Zare , Galvani Sadjad , Farsadi Mortaza
Published: July 2019

The growing popularity of renewable‐based generations along with loads fluctuation and network topology variation has exposed distribution systems to high uncertainties, causing difficulties in operating and planning decisions. In addition, the correlation among various uncertain variables has introduced more complexity to this problem. The probabilistic assessment of power systems with various uncertain variables and with any correlation between them can be efficiently handled by Monte–Carlo simulation (MCS) method, but the calculation burden in this method is heavy and thus it is not appropriate in online applications. Keeping the accuracy of the results, data clustering techniques can be efficiently substituted for this method with much less calculation time and burden. In this study, two methods based on data clustering which can consider the correlation between different variables in a straightforward manner are presented for the probabilistic power flow of distribution systems. In order to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methods, IEEE 37 node test feeder and IEEE 123 node test feeder were selected as the case study. The results obtained by the proposed methods were compared with those of the MCS method in terms of accuracy and calculation time.
Temperature impacts on the performance parameters of grid‐connected PV systems based on field measurements in Palestine
Authors: Omar Moien Ali , Mahmoud Marwan M.
Published: July 2019

This study presents the temperature impacts on the performance parameters of PV systems based on measurements of two grid‐connected PV systems installed at different climatic locations in Palestine. PV system‐1 is installed in the northern West Bank, where the measured maximum module temperature varies during system operation from 30.5°C in winter to 52.5°C in summer, while PV system‐2 is installed in the Jordan Valley, where the maximum module temperature varies from 35.5°C in winter to 62.6°C in summer. Measurements of a complete year obtained from PV system‐1 of 4.2 kWp are analysed to show the negative effect of temperature on the performance parameters of the PV system. At solar radiation of 800 W/m2, the output power varies from 3.0 kW in the cold month of December to 2.7 kW in the hot month of July. The efficiency and the performance ratio dropped from 13.1 to 11.75% and from 93 to 84% between December and July, respectively, due to the higher ambient temperature during the summer months. The measured annual final yield amounts to 1641.1 kWh/kWp and the annual capacity factor amounts to 18.71%. The measured drop in voltage according to module temperature in PV system‐2 amounts to 1.93 mV/°C‐Cell.
Optimal scheduling strategy of O&M task for OWF
Authors: Liu Lujie , Fu Yang , Ma Shiwei , Huang Lingling , Wei Shurong , Pang Liping
Published: July 2019

As the offshore wind farm (OWF) is often difficult to access due to weather restrictions, the scheduling strategy of operation and maintenance (O&M) becomes a highly complex task. This study presents an O&M scheduling strategy model considering the priority of O&M task and practise constraints of O&M scheduling. First, the two‐stage maintenance division method is introduced to consider the priority of O&M task. The initial division of wind turbines to be maintained is obtained by considering operation status. The second‐stage maintenance division considering the available maintenance resources is formed adopting the cluster analysis, which the warning and delayed maintenance wind turbines have become a priority. Then, the practise constraints such as the O&M vessels, technicians, daily working time, maintenance route and others are taken into account in the O&M task scheduling model. The proposed model aims to provide the optimal sequence and routeing of maintenance task such that the maintenance scheduling cost is minimised. Simulation results in the scheduling of O&M task for an OWF confirm the feasibility of the proposed model. Sensitivity analysis is undertaken with respect to daily maintenance time, vessel and technician configuration and weather condition.
Ground clutter suppression method based on FNN for dual‐polarisation weather radar
Authors: Li Hai , Ren Jiawei , Han Jungong , Fan Yi
Published: July 2019

Conventional clutter suppression methods in the field of precipitation detection generally use fixed parameters, resulting in poor clutter suppression in complex weather conditions and regional environments. Here, a ground clutter suppression method for dual‐polarisation weather radar based on fuzzy neural network (FNN) is proposed. In the method, the FNN is trained with the ground clutter data acquired by the dual‐polarisation weather radar in the clear sky mode. The membership function parameters of ground clutter polarisation parameters are adaptively calculated. Then, the ground clutter in the radar echo under the precipitation mode is identified and suppressed by the trained FNN. Experimental results of measured data show that the proposed method can be adapted to the specific clutter environment so that the ground clutter can be effectively suppressed in complex weather conditions.
Inter‐radar interference analysis of FMCW radars with different chirp rates
Authors: Makino Yuya , Nozawa Takuya , Umehira Masahiro , Wang Xiaoyan , Takeda Shigeki , Kuroda Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

Millimetre‐wave frequency‐modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar is expected to be widely deployed for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and self‐driving cars. Considering that automotive radars will be deployed in a huge number of cars in future, inter‐radar interference will be a significant problem since inter‐radar interference can cause miss‐detection and/or false detection of the target. As millimetre‐wave automotive radar is not standardised at this moment, it is required to evaluate inter‐radar interference among FMCW radars with various chirp‐rates and chirp durations. This study describes inter‐radar interference analysis in FMCW radars with different chirp rates and simulation results of inter‐radar interference to confirm the validity of the interference analysis.
Optimisation of sparse array configuration using ambiguity function in automotive radar application
Authors: Le Zou , Wei Wang , Song Song , Xuetian Wang
Published: July 2019

Direction of arrival estimation is one of the key technologies in automotive radar system. The angular resolution is an important indicator for evaluating the radar performance. Here, an optimisation method of linear antenna array configuration used for automotive radar system is presented. The array is composed of three transmitters and four receiver (3T4R). By minimising the strong correlation region of the ambiguity function using genetic algorithm. A desired angular resolution is achieved under several certain constraints. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of proposed method.
Anti‐jamming method for STAP based on a bi‐phase random‐coded signal
Authors: Ye Weijie , Yang Xiaopeng , Sun Yuze , Li Shuai
Published: July 2019

The scattered‐wave sweeping frequency jamming occupies many space‐time adaptive processing (STAP) degrees of freedom, which results in a serious decline in STAP performance. To solve this problem, an anti‐jamming method of STAP based on a bi‐phase random‐coded signal is proposed. This method utilises the phase‐coded signal's ability of waveform agile and anti‐jamming. Also, the phase coding is designed as a random sequence, which distinguishes and suppresses the interference by white noise characteristic. Simulation results show that, compared with the STAP method based on a chirp signal, the proposed method improves beamforming robustness and clutter suppression capability under an interfering background.
HR 10: a main-sequence binary with circumstellar envelopes around both components
Authors: Montesinos B. , Eiroa C. , Lillo-Box J. , Rebollido I. , Djupvik A. A. , Absil O. , Ertel S. , Marion L. , Kajava J. J. E. , Redfield S. , Isaacson H. , Cánovas H. , Meeus G. , Mendigutía I. , Mora A. , Rivière-Marichalar P. , Villaver E. , Maldonado J. , Henning T.
Published: July 2019

Context.This paper is framed within a large project devoted to studying the presence of circumstellar material around main sequence stars, and looking for exocometary events. The work concentrates on HR 10 (A2 IV/V), known for its conspicuous variability in the circumstellar narrow absorption features of Ca IIK and other lines, so far interpreted asβPic-like phenomena, within the falling evaporating body scenario.

Aims.The main goal of this paper is to carry out a thorough study of HR 10 to find the origin of the observed variability, determine the nature of the star, its absolute parameters, and evolutionary status.

Methods.Interferometric near-infrared (NIR) observations, multi-epoch high-resolution optical spectra spanning a time baseline of more than 32 yr, and optical and NIR photometry, together with theoretical modelling, were used to tackle the above objectives.

Results.Our results reveal that HR 10 is a binary. The narrow circumstellar absorption features superimposed on the photospheric Ca IIK lines – and lines of other species – can be decomposed into two or more components, the two deep ones tracing the radial velocity of the individual stars, which implies that their origin cannot be ascribed to transient exocometary events, their variability being fully explained by the binarity of the object. There does not appear to be transient events associated with potential exocomets. Each individual star holds its own circumstellar shell and there are no traces of a circumbinary envelope. Finally, the combined use of the interferometric and radial velocity data leads to a complete spectrometric and orbital solution for the binary, the main parameters being: an orbital period of 747.6 days, eccentricities of the orbits around the centre of mass 0.25 (HR 10-A), 0.21 (HR 10-B) and a mass ratio ofq=MB∕MA= 0.72–0.84. The stars are slightly off the main sequence, the binary being ~530 Myr old.
Dyspnoe aufgrund eines Fremdkörper-Embolisats nach perkutaner Vertebroplastie
Authors: Bauer Marcus , Kröger Ulrike , Lenga Peter
Published: July 2019

Anamnese und klinischer Befund Notfallmäßige Vorstellung eines 66-jährigen Mannes in der interdisziplinären Notaufnahme aufgrund rechtsseitiger und z. T. atemabhängiger Thoraxschmerzen. Die Beschwerden bestanden seit mehreren Tagen und hatten einen progredienten Charakter. Purulenter Auswurf und Fieber wurden verneint. Anamnestisch war eine COPD mit gelegentlichen pulmonalen Exazerbationen bekannt. Mehrere Wochen vor dem aktuellen Ereignis war eine ambulant erworbene Pneumonie antibiotisch therapiert worden. Zudem berichtete der Patient über mehrere operative Eingriffe im Bereich der Wirbelsäule in den letzten Monaten.

Untersuchungen und Diagnose In der transthorakalen Echokardiografie (TTE) Nachweis eines Fremdkörpers (Palacos) im rechten Ventrikel, welcher sich in der ergänzenden CT-Untersuchung des Thorax und der transösophagealen Echokardiografie (TEE) als eine Zahnstocher-ähnliche Struktur bestätigte.

Therapie und Verlauf Extraktion des Fremdkörpers mittels rechtsanteriorer Mini-Thorakotomie. In der Folge Ausbildung eines iatrogenen Pneumothorax mit beidseitiger nosokomialer Pneumonie und Drainagenversorgung. Nach kurzfristiger Rekonvaleszenz erneute Wiedervorstellung mit beidseitigen pulmonalen Infiltraten. Unter invasiver Beatmung erneute Diagnose eines linksseitigen Pneumothorax, welcher mit einer Bülau-Drainage versorgt wurde. Aufgrund des Nachweises von positiven Blutkulturen erneute Durchführung einer TEE-Untersuchung. Erstdiagnose einer Trikuspidalklappenendokarditis. Trotz eines erfolgreichen operativen biologischen Trikuspidalklappenersatzes mit Anlage einer epikardialen Schrittmacherelektrode verstarb der Patient ungefähr ein ¾ Jahr, nachdem er wegen einer Dyspnoe-Symptomatik notfallmäßig vorstellig wurde.

Diskussion Dieser Fall zeigt, dass eine typische klinische Symptomatik, die mit einer vorbekannten chronischen Erkrankung assoziiert ist, immer wieder an andere und seltenere Erkrankungen denken lassen muss. Auch alltägliche diagnostische und therapeutische Verfahren sind mit einem Restrisiko möglicher Komplikationen behaftet.
In Vitro Modulation of Glibenclamide Transport by P-glycoprotein Inhibitory Antidiabetic African Plant Extracts
Authors: Ezuruike Udoamaka F. , Chieli Elisabetta , Prieto Jose M.
Published: July 2019

The rise of diabetes incidence in Nigeria enhances the use of popular remedies that may interact with conventional therapies. The aqueous extracts of 27 popular Nigerian “antidiabetic” plants were tested for their in vitro effects on glutathione levels within HepG2 cells, P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated Rh-123 efflux activity in Caco-2 vincristine-resistant cells, and modulation of glibenclamide transport in Caco-2 monolayers. The extract from Ximenia americana significantly depleted intracellular glutathione at 100 µg/mL similarly to the reference buthionine sulphoximine (p < 0.05). Other 10 extracts raised glutathione levels. Eight extracts inhibiting P-gp efflux in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.01) were selected for further evaluation in a bi-directional transport model across Caco-2 monolayers: Annona senegalensis, Bridellia ferruginea, Cassytha filiformis, Daniellia ogea, Khaya ivorensis, Syzygium guineense, Terminalia avicennioides, and X. americana. When interferences in paracellular transport were discarded, only 3 of them may be modulating the efflux ratio of glibenclamide (efflux ratio: 2.65 ± 0.13) in the same manner the reference drug verapamil (efflux ratio: 1.14 ± 0.25, p < 0.01) does: Syzygium guineense (efflux ratio: 1.70 ± 0.23, p < 0.01), Terminalia avicennioides (efflux ratio: 1.80 ± 0.25, p < 0.05), and X. americana (efflux ratio: 1.66 ± 0.10, p < 0.01). HPLC-UV analyses for P-gp inhibitors in these extracts revealed several phenolic compounds such as rutin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid reported to decrease P-gp expression and/or directly modify its function. In conclusion, some popular herbal medicines used by Nigerian diabetic patients are here shown to potentially affect glibenclamide absorption at concentrations that could be reached in the intestinal tract.
Lung Ultrasound: A New Tool in the Management of Congenital Lung Malformation
Authors: Quercia Michele , Panza Raffaella , Calderoni Grazia , Di Mauro Antonio , Laforgia Nicola
Published: July 2019

Objective This study was aimed to evaluate effectiveness of lung ultrasound (LUS) in the management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation and pulmonary sequestration in NICUs.

Study Design This is a nonconsecutive case series of neonates admitted to the academic NICU of Policlinico of Bari, Italy, from 2010 to 2018, for suspected lung malformations and examined by LUS.

Results Seven neonates were admitted for suspected pulmonary malformations, four neonates were diagnosed with pulmonary sequestration and three with congenital pulmonary airway malformation either type I (two cases) or type II (one case) according to Adzick classification. Prenatal scans had described lung malformations in six patients. Two underwent surgical intervention during the 1st month of life. All were successfully discharged home and their follow-up has been uneventful thereafter. In all the seven neonates, LUS easily detected the lesion showing a significantly high correspondence with computed tomography (CT) scan findings.

Conclusion We described the first case series of neonates affected by complex pulmonary malformations, assessed by LUS. In our experience, LUS was safe and effective for the diagnosis with high degree of consistency with CT scan findings. We suggest that LUS might be an important diagnostic method for lung malformations in newborns and a useful technique for their follow-up and late management, avoiding multiple exposures to radiations.