bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Control Measures on Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Dioxide and Particulate Matter Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Dai Haitao , Ma Dawei , Zhu Renbin , Sun Bowen , He Jun
Published: January 2019

Anhui is one of the highest provincial emitters of air pollutants in China due to its large coal consumption in coal-fired plants. In this study, the total emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) from coal-fired power plants in Anhui were investigated to assess the impact of control measures on the atmospheric emissions based upon continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS). The total NOx, SO2 and PM emissions significantly decreased from 2013 to 2017 and they were estimated at 24.5 kt, 14.8 kt and 3.0 kt in 2017, respectively. The emission reductions of approximately 79.0%, 70.1% and 81.2% were achieved in 2017 compared with a 2013 baseline, respectively, due to the application of high-efficiency emission control measures, including the desulfurization, denitration and dust-removing devices and selective catalytic reduction (SCR). The NOx, SO2 and PM emission intensities were 0.125 g kWh−1, 0.076 g kWh−1 and 0.015 g kWh−1 in 2017, respectively, which were lower than the average of national coal-fired units. The coal-fired units with ≥600 MW generated 80.6% of the total electricity amount while they were estimated to account for 70.5% of total NOx, 70.1% of total SO2 and 71.9% of total PM. Their seasonal emissions showed a significant correlation to the power generation with the maximum correlation found in summer (July and August) and winter (January and December). The major regional contributors are the cities along the Huai River Basin and Yangtze River Basin, such as Huainan, Huaibei, Tongling, Maanshan and Wuhu, and the highest emission occurred in Huainan, accounting for approximately 26–40% of total emission from all the power plants. Our results indicated that the application of desulfurization, denitration and dust-removing devices has played an important role in controlling air pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Characterization of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Isolated by Different Methods: A Comparison Study
Authors: Serrano-Pertierra Esther , Oliveira-Rodríguez Myriam , Rivas Montserrat , Oliva Pedro , Villafani Javier , Navarro Ana , Blanco-López M. Carmen , Cernuda-Morollón Eva
Published: January 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are small membrane structures released by cells that act as potent mediators of intercellular communication. The study of EV biology is important, not only to strengthen our knowledge of their physiological roles, but also to better understand their involvement in several diseases. In the field of biomedicine they have been studied as a novel source of biomarkers and drug delivery vehicles. The most commonly used method for EV enrichment in crude pellet involves serial centrifugation and ultracentrifugation. Recently, different protocols and techniques have been developed to isolate EV that imply less time and greater purification. Here we carry out a comparative analysis of three methods to enrich EV from plasma of healthy controls: ultracentrifugation, ExoQuickTM precipitation solution (System Biosciences), and Total Exosome Isolation kit (Invitrogen). Our results show that commercial precipitation reagents are more efficient and enable higher EV enrichment factors compared with traditional ultracentrifugation, although subsequent imaging analysis is not possible with some of them. We hope that this work will contribute to the current research on isolation techniques to assist the progress of clinical applications with diagnostic or therapeutic objectives.
Suppressing Non-Specific Binding of Proteins onto Electrode Surfaces in the Development of Electrochemical Immunosensors
Authors: Contreras-Naranjo Jesús E. , Aguilar Oscar
Published: January 2019

Electrochemical immunosensors, EIs, are systems that combine the analytical power of electrochemical techniques and the high selectivity and specificity of antibodies in a solid phase immunoassay for target analyte. In EIs, the most used transducer platforms are screen printed electrodes, SPEs. Some characteristics of EIs are their low cost, portability for point of care testing (POCT) applications, high specificity and selectivity to the target molecule, low sample and reagent consumption and easy to use. Despite all these attractive features, still exist one to cover and it is the enhancement of the sensitivity of the EIs. In this review, an approach to understand how this can be achieved is presented. First, it is necessary to comprise thoroughly all the complex phenomena that happen simultaneously in the protein-surface interface when adsorption of the protein occurs. Physicochemical properties of the protein and the surface as well as the adsorption phenomena influence the sensitivity of the EIs. From this point, some strategies to suppress non-specific binding, NSB, of proteins onto electrode surfaces in order to improve the sensitivity of EIs are mentioned.
Varlitinib Downregulates HER/ERK Signaling and Induces Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Chun-Yu , Chu Pei-Yi , Huang Chun-Teng , Chen Ji-Lin , Yang Hsiu-Ping , Wang Wan-Lun , Lau Ka-Yi , Lee Chia-Han , Lan Tien-Yun , Huang Tzu-Ting , Lin Po-Han , Dai Ming-Shen , Tseng Ling-Ming
Published: January 2019

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a complex disease associated with the aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. TNBC harbors heterogeneous molecular subtypes with no approved specific targeted therapy. It has been reported that HER receptors are overexpressed in breast cancer including TNBC. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of varlitinib, a reversible small molecule pan-HER inhibitor in TNBC. Our results showed that varlitinib reduced cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in most TNBC cell lines but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. MEK and ERK inhibition overcame resistance to varlitinib in MDA-MB-231 cells. Varlitinib inhibited HER signaling which led to inhibition of migration, invasion and mammosphere formation of TNBC cells as well as significant suppression of tumor growth of MDA-MB-468 xenograft mouse model. In summary, these results suggest that HER signaling plays an important role in TNBC progression and that pan-HER inhibition is potentially an effective treatment for TNBC patients.
Connexins and Integrins in Exosomes
Authors: Shimaoka Motomu , Kawamoto Eiji , Gaowa Arong , Okamoto Takayuki , Park Eun
Published: January 2019

Connexins and integrins, the two structurally and functionally distinct families of transmembrane proteins, have been shown to be inter-connected by various modes of cross-talk in cells, such as direct physical coupling via lateral contact, indirect physical coupling via actin and actin-binding proteins, and functional coupling via signaling cascades. This connexin-integrin cross-talk exemplifies a biologically important collaboration between channels and adhesion receptors in cells. Exosomes are biological lipid-bilayer nanoparticles secreted from virtually all cells via endosomal pathways into the extracellular space, thereby mediating intercellular communications across a broad range of health and diseases, including cancer progression and metastasis, infection and inflammation, and metabolic deregulation. Connexins and integrins are embedded in the exosomal membranes and have emerged as critical regulators of intercellular communication. This concise review article will explain and discuss recent progress in better understanding the roles of connexins, integrins, and their cross-talk in cells and exosomes.
A Review on a Deep Learning Perspective in Brain Cancer Classification
Authors: Tandel Gopal S. , Biswas Mainak , Kakde Omprakash G. , Tiwari Ashish , Suri Harman S. , Turk Monica , Laird John , Asare Christopher , Ankrah Annabel A. , Khanna N. N. , Madhusudhan B. K. , Saba Luca , Suri Jasjit S.
Published: January 2019

A World Health Organization (WHO) Feb 2018 report has recently shown that mortality rate due to brain or central nervous system (CNS) cancer is the highest in the Asian continent. It is of critical importance that cancer be detected earlier so that many of these lives can be saved. Cancer grading is an important aspect for targeted therapy. As cancer diagnosis is highly invasive, time consuming and expensive, there is an immediate requirement to develop a non-invasive, cost-effective and efficient tools for brain cancer characterization and grade estimation. Brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), as well as other imaging modalities, are fast and safer methods for tumor detection. In this paper, we tried to summarize the pathophysiology of brain cancer, imaging modalities of brain cancer and automatic computer assisted methods for brain cancer characterization in a machine and deep learning paradigm. Another objective of this paper is to find the current issues in existing engineering methods and also project a future paradigm. Further, we have highlighted the relationship between brain cancer and other brain disorders like stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Wilson’s disease, leukoriaosis, and other neurological disorders in the context of machine learning and the deep learning paradigm.
Synthesis of 1,3-Butadiene and Its 2-Substituted Monomers for Synthetic Rubbers
Authors: Qi Yanlong , Liu Zaizhi , Liu Shijun , Cui Long , Dai Quanquan , He Jianyun , Dong Wei , Bai Chenxi
Published: January 2019

Synthetic rubbers fabricated from 1,3-butadiene (BD) and its substituted monomers have been extensively used in tires, toughened plastics, and many other products owing to the easy polymerization/copolymerization of these monomers and the high stability of the resulting material in manufacturing operations and large-scale productions. The need for synthetic rubbers with increased environmental friendliness or endurance in harsh environments has motivated remarkable progress in the synthesis of BD and its substituted monomers in recent years. We review these developments with an emphasis on the reactive routes, the products, and the synthetic strategies with a scaling potential. We present reagents that are primarily from bio-derivatives, including ethanol, C4 alcohols, unsaturated alcohols, and tetrahydrofuran; the major products of BD and isoprene; and the by-products, activities, and selectivity of the reaction. Different catalyst systems are also compared. Further, substituted monomers with rigid, polar, or sterically repulsive groups, the purpose of which is to enhance thermal, mechanical, and interface properties, are also exhaustively reviewed. The synthetic strategies using BD and its substituted monomers have great potential to satisfy the increasing demand for better-performing synthetic rubbers at the laboratory scale; the laboratory-scale results are promising, but a big gap still exists between current progress and large scalability.
Electrochemical Analysis of Aqueous Benzalkonium Chloride Micellar Solution and Its Mediated Electrocatalytic De-Chlorination Application
Authors: Muthuraman G. , Chandrasekara Pillai K. , Moon Il-Shik
Published: January 2019

The physicochemical properties of biologically important benzalkonium chlorides (BKCs) and the effects of its structure on the de-chlorination of allyl chloride was studied by electrogenerated [Co(I)(bipyridine)3]+ (Co(I)) using an electrochemical technique. The results of [Co(II)(bipyridine)3]2+ (Co(II)) cyclic voltammetry in the presence of BKC demonstrates Co(II)/Co(III) redox couple for physicochemical analysis of BKC and Co(II)/Co(I) redox couple for catalytic application. Cyclic voltammetry over a range of scan rates and BKC concentrations revealed the BKC-bound Co(II)/Co(III) micelles showed that the identification of cmc and association of the probe Co(II) species, associated more in the hydrophobic region. In addition, change in diffusion coefficient value of Co(II)/Co(III) with BKC concentration demonstrates the association of Co(II) in micellar hydrophobic region. The beneficial effects of BKC could be accounted for by considering the benzyl headgroup-Co (II) precatalyst-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (allyl chloride here) substrate interaction. Chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) revealed 100% complete de-chlorination of allyl chloride accompanied by three non-chloro products. This is the first report of benzyl headgroup-induced micellar enhancement by an electrochemical method, showing that it is possible to use hydrophobic benzyl headgroup-substitution to tune the properties of micelles for various applications.
Metallosupramolecular Polymer Precursor Design for Multi-Element Co-Doped Carbon Shells with Improved Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalytic Activity
Authors: Wu Yuzhe , Li Yuntong , Mao Jie , Wu Haiyang , Wu Tong , Li Yaying , Zeng Birong , Xu Yiting , Yuan Conghui , Dai Lizong
Published: January 2019

Heteroatom-doped carbon materials have been extensively studied in the field of electrochemical catalysis to solve the challenges of energy shortage. In particular, there is vigorous research activity in the design of multi-element co-doped carbon materials for the improvement of electrochemical performance. Herein, we developed a supramolecular approach to construct metallosupramolecular polymer hollow spheres, which could be used as precursors for the generation of carbon shells co-doped with B, N, F and Fe elements. The metallosupramolecular polymer hollow spheres were fabricated through a simple route based on the Kirkendall effect. The in situ reaction between the boronate polymer spheres and Fe3+ could easily control the component and shell thickness of the precursors. The as-prepared multi-element co-doped carbon shells showed excellent catalytic activity in an oxygen reduction reaction, with onset potential (Eonset) 0.91 V and half-wave (Ehalf-wave) 0.82 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The fluorine element in the carbon matrix was important for the improvement of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity performance through designing the control experiment. This supramolecular approach may afford a new route to explore good activity and a low-cost catalyst for ORR.
Oxidative Insults and Mitochondrial DNA Mutation Promote Enhanced Autophagy and Mitophagy Compromising Cell Viability in Pluripotent Cell Model of Mitochondrial Disease
Authors: Lin Dar-Shong , Huang Yu-Wen , Ho Che-Sheng , Hung Pi-Lien , Hsu Mei-Hsin , Wang Tuan-Jen , Wu Tsu-Yen , Lee Tsung-Han , Huang Zo-Darr , Chang Po-Chun , Chiang Ming-Fu
Published: January 2019

Dysfunction of mitochondria causes defects in oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggering the activation of the cell death pathway that underlies the pathogenesis of aging and various diseases. The process of autophagy to degrade damaged cytoplasmic components as well as dysfunctional mitochondria is essential for ensuring cell survival. We analyzed the role of autophagy inpatient-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells generated from fibroblasts of patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) with well-characterized mitochondrial DNA mutations and distinct OXPHOS defects. MELAS iPS cells recapitulated the pathogenesis of MELAS syndrome, and showed an increase of autophagy in comparison with its isogenic normal counterpart, whereas mitophagy is very scarce at the basal condition. Our results indicated that the existence of pathogenic mtDNA alone in mitochondrial disease was not sufficient to elicit the degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Nonetheless, oxidative insults induced bulk macroautophagy with the accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes upon marked elevation of ROS, overload of intracellular calcium, and robust depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, while mitochondria respiratory function was impaired and widespread mitophagy compromised cell viability. Collectively, our studies provide insights into the dysfunction of autophagy and activation of mitophagy contributing to the pathological mechanism of mitochondrial disease.
Adhesion Deregulation in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Authors: Gruszka Alicja M. , Valli Debora , Restelli Cecilia , Alcalay Myriam
Published: January 2019

Cell adhesion is a process through which cells interact with and attach to neighboring cells or matrix using specialized surface cell adhesion molecules (AMs). Adhesion plays an important role in normal haematopoiesis and in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). AML blasts express many of the AMs identified on normal haematopoietic precursors. Differential expression of AMs between normal haematopoietic cells and leukaemic blasts has been documented to a variable extent, likely reflecting the heterogeneity of the disease. AMs govern a variety of processes within the bone marrow (BM), such as migration, homing, and quiescence. AML blasts home to the BM, as the AM-mediated interaction with the niche protects them from chemotherapeutic agents. On the contrary, they detach from the niches and move from the BM into the peripheral blood to colonize other sites, i.e., the spleen and liver, possibly in a process that is reminiscent of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition in metastatic solid cancers. The expression of AMs has a prognostic impact and there are ongoing efforts to therapeutically target adhesion in the fight against leukaemia.
Human Lung Cell Pyroptosis Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kerr Nadine A. , de Rivero Vaccari Juan Pablo , Umland Oliver , Bullock M. Ross , Conner Gregory E. , Dietrich W. Dalton , Keane Robert W.
Published: January 2019

Approximately 30% of traumatic brain injured patients suffer from acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our previous work revealed that extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated inflammasome signaling plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced lung injury. Here, serum-derived EVs from severe TBI patients were analyzed for particle size, concentration, origin, and levels of the inflammasome component, an apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruiting domain (ASC). Serum ASC levels were analyzed from EV obtained from patients that presented lung injury after TBI and compared them to EV obtained from patients that did not show any signs of lung injury. EVs were co-cultured with lung human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) to evaluate inflammasome activation and endothelial cell pyroptosis. TBI patients had a significant increase in the number of serum-derived EVs and levels of ASC. Severe TBI patients with lung injury had a significantly higher level of ASC in serum and serum-derived EVs compared to individuals without lung injury. Only EVs isolated from head trauma patients with gunshot wounds were of neural origin. Delivery of serum-derived EVs to HMVEC-L activated the inflammasome and resulted in endothelial cell pyroptosis. Thus, serum-derived EVs and inflammasome proteins play a critical role in the pathogenesis of TBI-induced lung injury, supporting activation of an EV-mediated neural-respiratory inflammasome axis in TBI-induced lung injury.
Prohibitins: A Critical Role in Mitochondrial Functions and Implication in Diseases
Authors: Signorile Anna , Sgaramella Giuseppe , Bellomo Francesco , De Rasmo Domenico
Published: January 2019

Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) and prohibitin 2 (PHB2) are proteins that are ubiquitously expressed, and are present in the nucleus, cytosol, and mitochondria. Depending on the cellular localization, PHB1 and PHB2 have distinctive functions, but more evidence suggests a critical role within mitochondria. In fact, PHB proteins are highly expressed in cells that heavily depend on mitochondrial function. In mitochondria, these two proteins assemble at the inner membrane to form a supra-macromolecular structure, which works as a scaffold for proteins and lipids regulating mitochondrial metabolism, including bioenergetics, biogenesis, and dynamics in order to determine the cell fate, death, or life. PHB alterations have been found in aging and cancer, as well as neurodegenerative, cardiac, and kidney diseases, in which significant mitochondrial impairments have been observed. The molecular mechanisms by which prohibitins regulate mitochondrial function and their role in pathology are reviewed and discussed herein.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Pseudocubic Rutile-Type Titania Particles
Authors: Kobayashi Makoto , Kato Hideki , Miyazaki Takamichi , Kakihana Masato
Published: January 2019

The functional properties of materials depend strongly on their morphologies. Here, the hydrothermal synthesis of rutile-type titania crystals with pseudocubic shapes using a water-soluble titanium complex is reported. This approach does not require extra additives or doping. Transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction analysis revealed that they exposed high-index facets, such as {121}, and high-energy facets, such as {001}, which do not usually appear in rutile crystal. In terms of the formation of steps and kinks on pseudocubic rutile and coexisting anatase and brookite nanoparticles, the adsorption of nanoparticles might inhibit crystal growth, resulting in the formation of crystals with uncommon shapes exposing high-index and high-energy facets.
How to Seize the Opportunities of New Technologies in Life Cycle Analysis Data Collection: A Case Study of the Dutch Dairy Farming Sector
Authors: Mieras Eric , Gaasbeek Anne , Kan Daniël
Published: January 2019

Technologies such as blockchain, big data, and the Internet of Things provide new opportunities for improving and scaling up the collection of life cycle inventory (LCI) data. Unfortunately, not all new technologies are adopted, which means that their potential is not fully exploited. The objective of this case study is to show how technological innovations can contribute to the collection of data and the calculation of carbon footprints at a mass scale, but also that technology alone is not sufficient. Social innovation is needed in order to seize the opportunities that these new technologies can provide. The result of the case study is real-life, large-scale data collected from the entire Dutch dairy sector and the calculation of each individual farm’s carbon footprint. To achieve this, it was important to (1) identify how members of a community can contribute, (2) link their activities to the value it brings them, and (3) consider how to balance effort and result. The case study brought forward two key success factors in order to achieve this: (1) make it easy to integrate data collection in farmers’ daily work, and (2) show the benefits so that farmers are motivated to participate. The pragmatic approach described in the case study can also be applied to other situations in order to accelerate the adoption of new technologies, with the goal to improve data collection at scale and the availability of high-quality data.
Corrosion Behavior Evaluation of Coated Steel Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors
Authors: Deng Fodan , Huang Ying , Azarmi Fardad
Published: January 2019

Coatings, either soft or hard, are commonly used to protect steel against corrosion for longer service life. With coatings, assessing the corrosion behavior and status of the substrate is challenging without destructive analysis. In this paper, fiber Bragg (FBG) grating sensors were proposed to nondestructively evaluate the corrosion behavior of steel coated with two popular coatings, including the polymeric and wire arc sprayed Al-Zn coating. Laboratory accelerated corrosion tests demonstrated that the embedded FBG sensors inside both the soft and hard coatings can effectively quantify the corrosion rate, monitor the corrosion progress, and detect the coating damages and crack propagation of coated steel in real time. The laboratory electrochemical corrosion test on the wire arc sprayed Al-Zn coating validated the proposed embedded FBG sensor method with a good agreement in comparison. The proposed sensing platform provides an alternative nondestructive real-time corrosion assessment approach for coated steel in the field.
Experimental Analysis of the Influence of Factors Acting on the Layer Thickness Formed by Anodic Oxidation of Aluminium
Authors: Gombár Miroslav , Vagaská Alena , Harničárová Marta , Valíček Jan , Kušnerová Milena , Czán Andrej , Kmec Ján
Published: January 2019

The current practice in the field of anodic oxidation of aluminium and its alloys is based mainly on a set of partial empirical experiences of technologists obtained during surface treatment. The aim of the presented paper is deeper and more complex identification of the influence of chemical and technological factors acting during the anodic oxidation process especially on the thickness of the formed surface layer by the electrolysis method in a sulfuric acid solution. The current density was selected as the basic criterion for verification evaluation and analysis of experimentally obtained data, in accordance with Faraday’s laws. For current densities of 1 to 5 A·dm−2, the synergy of significant influence factors was identified, and mathematical and statistical models were then developed to predict the thickness of the surface layer with a relative accuracy of up to 10%. The presented paper does not only focus on the observation of the thickness of the surface layer desired by the customer, but also on the monitoring of this thickness in relation to the overall layer thickness of the coating.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Coatings in 2018
Authors:   Coatings Editorial Office
Published: January 2019

Rigorous peer-review is the cornerstone of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Simple and Efficient Spherical Crystallization of Clopidogrel Bisulfate Form-I via Anti-Solvent Crystallization Method
Authors: An Ji-Hun , Kiyonga Alice Nguvoko , Lee Eun Hee , Jung Kiwon
Published: January 2019

Clopidogrel bisulfate (CLP) form-I crystals are irregular, rectangular-shaped crystals. Because of their poor compressibility, flowability and their strong surface tension, manufacturers apply spherical crystallization methods to produce CLP form-I spherical agglomerates with a uniform particle size distribution. Consequently, manufacturers primarily synthesize CLP form-I crystal salts utilizing very complex methods, which produces form-I spherical agglomerates by means of spherical crystallization. In this study, spherical crystals of CLP Form-I were directly prepared from CLP Form-II, the most stable polymorph at room temperature, by using ethanol as solvent and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (IPA)/n-Hexane (Hex) as an anti-solvent. To provide systematic inputs for the development of spherical agglomerates of optimal morphology, size, particle size distribution (PSD), and polymorphic form, processing parameters such as anti-solvent type, a mixture of IPA/Hex, pure Hex, or pure acetone; stirring speeds of 500, 600, 700, or 800 rpm; and temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 °C were explored. The effects of these parameters on spherical crystallization and polymorphic form were studied in terms of supersaturation, a driving force for polymorphic transformation, and the crystallization solution. Notably, our method does not require a large volume of anti-solvent which is the main complication of conventional anti-solvent crystallization methods.
Influence of Landscape Factors on Amphibian Roadkills at the National Level
Authors: Sillero Neftalí , Poboljšaj Katja , Lešnik Aleksandra , Šalamun Ali
Published: January 2019

Roads exert multiple effects on wildlife, from animal mortality, habitat and population fragmentation, to modification of animal reproductive behaviour. Amphibians are the most frequently road-killed animal group. Many studies have attempted to analyse the factors driving amphibian casualties on roads, but these factors are limited to the roads themselves (e.g., traffic, type of roads, roads crossing water bodies) or to structures along them (e.g., ditches, walls). Sometimes, roadkills are related to land use along the roads. We analysed the influence of landscape factors on roadkill hotspots at the national level (Slovenia). Specifically, we aimed at: (1) identifying hotspots of roadkills, (2) analysing whether records of amphibian presence on roads are related to the distribution of water bodies and (3) analysing which factors (proximity to water bodies or human factors) explain the distribution of hotspots. Hotspots were identified by Malo’s method. Roadkills were modelled with Maxent for the first time in Slovenia. The relationships between amphibian presence and hotspots with factors were analysed with GLM. A total of 237 road sections were identified as hotspots, corresponding to 8% of road sections and containing 90% of road-killed individuals. Proximity to forests, meadows and agricultural land were the most important variables in Maxent models. The number of roadkills depended on the proximity to agricultural land, forests, water bodies and wetland areas, while the number of hotspots additionally depended on the proximity to urban settlements.
Diversity and Structure of Parrotfish Assemblages across the Northern Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Johnson Garrett B. , Taylor Brett M. , Robbins William D. , Franklin Erik C. , Toonen Rob , Bowen Brian , Choat J. Howard
Published: January 2019

The structure and dynamics of coral reef environments vary across a range of spatial scales, with patterns of associated faunal assemblages often reflecting this variability. However, delineating drivers of biological variability in such complex environments has proved challenging. Here, we investigated the assemblage structure and diversity of parrotfishes—a common and ecologically important group—across 6° of latitude on the Northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Parrotfish abundance and biomass were determined from stereo-video surveys across 82 sites spanning 31 reefs and assessed against geographic, biophysical, and management-related factors in a multivariate framework to determine major drivers and associated scales of assemblage structure. Large cross-shelf variation in parrotfish assemblages pervaded along the entire Northern GBR, with distinct assemblages associated with sheltered and exposed reefs. Species abundances and diversity generally decreased with decreasing latitude. The gradient of explicit predator biomass associated with management zoning had no effect on parrotfish assemblage structure, but was positively correlated with parrotfish diversity. Our results highlight the ubiquitous presence of cross-shelf variation, where the greatest differences in parrotfish community composition existed between sheltered (inner and mid shelf) and exposed (outer shelf) reef systems. Prior attempts to explain linkages between parrotfishes and fine-scale biophysical factors have demonstrated parrotfishes as habitat generalists, but recent developments in nutritional ecology suggest that their cross-shelf variation on the GBR is likely reflective of benthic resource distribution and species-specific feeding modes.
Partial Discharge Fault Diagnosis Based on Multi-Scale Dispersion Entropy and a Hypersphere Multiclass Support Vector Machine
Authors: Shang Haikun , Li Feng , Wu Yingjie
Published: January 2019

Partial discharge (PD) fault analysis is an important tool for insulation condition diagnosis of electrical equipment. In order to conquer the limitations of traditional PD fault diagnosis, a novel feature extraction approach based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) and multi-scale dispersion entropy (MDE) is proposed. Besides, a hypersphere multiclass support vector machine (HMSVM) is used for PD pattern recognition with extracted PD features. Firstly, the original PD signal is decomposed with VMD to obtain intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Secondly proper IMFs are selected according to central frequency observation and MDE values in each IMF are calculated. And then principal component analysis (PCA) is introduced to extract effective principle components in MDE. Finally, the extracted principle factors are used as PD features and sent to HMSVM classifier. Experiment results demonstrate that, PD feature extraction method based on VMD-MDE can extract effective characteristic parameters that representing dominant PD features. Recognition results verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed PD fault diagnosis method.
Poincaré and Log–Sobolev Inequalities for Mixtures
Authors: Schlichting André
Published: January 2019

This work studies mixtures of probability measures on R n and gives bounds on the Poincaré and the log–Sobolev constants of two-component mixtures provided that each component satisfies the functional inequality, and both components are close in the χ 2 -distance. The estimation of those constants for a mixture can be far more subtle than it is for its parts. Even mixing Gaussian measures may produce a measure with a Hamiltonian potential possessing multiple wells leading to metastability and large constants in Sobolev type inequalities. In particular, the Poincaré constant stays bounded in the mixture parameter, whereas the log–Sobolev may blow up as the mixture ratio goes to 0 or 1. This observation generalizes the one by Chafaï and Malrieu to the multidimensional case. The behavior is shown for a class of examples to be not only a mere artifact of the method.
Research on an Auto-Optimized Capacitor Voltage Balancing Control Strategy of MMC SM for Renewable Energy HVDC Transmission System
Authors: Zhao Jianfei , Kong Changjiu , Liu Tingzhang , Li Ruihua
Published: January 2019

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is one of the most attractive converter topologies in the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission field. The latest widely used sorting method has a low algorithm complexity. It can effectively balance the sub-module (SM) capacitor voltages, but it would cause relatively high switching frequency and power loss. Aiming at the problem that the sub-module (SM) capacitor voltage sorting algorithm has a large switching loss due to the high switching frequency of the device, this paper proposes an auto-optimized capacitor voltage balancing control strategy. Firstly, the topology and operation principle of MMC are analyzed. Secondly, a SM capacitor voltage control method based on the dynamic deviation threshold is proposed. Considering the switch switching state of the SM and the difference between the voltages of each SM, the algorithm can obtain the dynamic deviation valve using the closed-loop control. The method can avoid the unnecessary repeated switching of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) under the premise of ensuring that the capacitance voltages of the SMs are basically the same, which effectively result in reducing the switching frequency of the MMC SM and reducing the switching loss, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the system. Finally aiming at the proposed control strategy, the simulation and experimental verification are carried out which shows that the proposed algorithm can better control the system voltage deviation, reduce the switching loss of the system and improve the stability of the system.
Energy-Efficient Gabor Kernels in Neural Networks with Genetic Algorithm Training Method
Authors: Meng Fanjie , Wang Xinqing , Shao Faming , Wang Dong , Hua Xia
Published: January 2019

Deep-learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have proven to be successful in various cognitive applications with a multilayer structure. The high computational energy and time requirements hinder the practical application of CNNs; hence, the realization of a highly energy-efficient and fast-learning neural network has aroused interest. In this work, we address the computing-resource-saving problem by developing a deep model, termed the Gabor convolutional neural network (Gabor CNN), which incorporates highly expression-efficient Gabor kernels into CNNs. In order to effectively imitate the structural characteristics of traditional weight kernels, we improve upon the traditional Gabor filters, having stronger frequency and orientation representations. In addition, we propose a procedure to train Gabor CNNs, termed the fast training method (FTM). In FTM, we design a new training method based on the multipopulation genetic algorithm (MPGA) and evaluation structure to optimize improved Gabor kernels, but train the rest of the Gabor CNN parameters with back-propagation. The training of improved Gabor kernels with MPGA is much more energy-efficient with less samples and iterations. Simple tasks, like character recognition on the Mixed National Institute of Standards and Technology database (MNIST), traffic sign recognition on the German Traffic Sign Recognition Benchmark (GTSRB), and face detection on the Olivetti Research Laboratory database (ORL), are implemented using LeNet architecture. The experimental result of the Gabor CNN and MPGA training method shows a 17–19% reduction in computational energy and time and an 18–21% reduction in storage requirements with a less than 1% accuracy decrease. We eliminated a significant fraction of the computation-hungry components in the training process by incorporating highly expression-efficient Gabor kernels into CNNs.
Drift-Diffusion Simulation of High-Speed Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Pisarenko Ivan , Ryndin Eugeny
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we address the problem of research and development of the advanced optoelectronic devices designed for on-chip optical interconnections in integrated circuits. The development of the models, techniques, and applied software for the numerical simulation of carrier transport and accumulation in high-speed AIIIBV (A and B refer to group III and V semiconductors, respectively) optoelectronic devices is the purpose of the paper. We propose the model based on the standard drift-diffusion equations, rate equation for photons in an injection laser, and complex analytical models of carrier mobility, generation, and recombination. To solve the basic equations of the model, we developed the explicit and implicit techniques of drift-diffusion numerical simulation and applied software. These aids are suitable for the stationary and time-domain simulation of injection lasers and photodetectors with various electrophysical, constructive, and technological parameters at different control actions. We applied the model for the simulation of the lasers with functionally integrated amplitude and frequency modulators and uni-travelling-carrier photodetectors. According to the results of non-stationary simulation, it is reasonable to optimize the parameters of the lasers-modulators and develop new construction methods aimed at the improvement of photodetectors’ response time.
Longitudinal Attitude Control Decoupling Algorithm Based on the Fuzzy Sliding Mode of a Coaxial-Rotor UAV
Authors: Li Kewei , Wei Yiran , Wang Chao , Deng Hongbin
Published: January 2019

A longitudinal attitude decoupling algorithm based on the fuzzy sliding mode control for a small coaxial rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is presented in this paper. The attitude system of a small coaxial rotor UAV is characterized by nonlinearity, strong coupling and uncertainty, which causes difficulties pertaining to its flight control. According to its six-degree-of-freedom model and structural characteristics, the dynamic model was established, and a longitudinal attitude decoupling algorithm was proposed. A fuzzy sliding mode control was used to design the controller to adapt to the underactuated system. Compared with the uncoupled fuzzy sliding mode control, simulation results indicated that the proposed method could improve the stability of the system, presented with a better adapting ability, and could effectively suppress the modeling error and external interference of the coaxial rotor aircraft attitude system. The proposed method also has the advantages of high accuracy, good stability, and the ease of implementation.
A Variation-Aware Design Methodology for Distributed Arithmetic
Authors: Lu Yue , Duan Shengyu , Halak Basel , Kazmierski Tom
Published: January 2019

Distributed arithmetic (DA) brings area and power benefits to digital designs relevant to the Internet-of-Things. Therefore, new error resilient techniques for DA computation are urgently required to improve robustness against the process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. This paper proposes a new in-situ timing error prevention technique to mitigate the impact of variations in DA circuits by providing a guardband for significant (most significant bit) computations. This guardband is initially achieved by modifying the sign extension block and carefully gate-sizing. Therefore, least significant bit (LSB) computation can correspond to the critical path, and timing error can be tolerated at the cost of acceptable accuracy loss. Our approach is demonstrated on a 16-tap finite impulse respons (FIR) filter using the 65 nm CMOS process and the simulation results show that this design can still maintain high-accuracy performance without worst case timing margin, and achieve up to

32
%

power savings by voltage scaling when the worst case margin is considered with only

9
%

area overhead.
Optimal Scheduling of Combined Heat and Power Generation Units Using the Thermal Inertia of the Connected District Heating Grid as Energy Storage
Authors: Merkert Lennart , Haime Ashvar Abdoul , Hohmann Sören
Published: January 2019

A better integration across sectors is an essential element of 4th generation district heating and smart energy systems allowing to react to volatile renewable energy generation. This sector coupling enables to use more cost-efficient storage as storage prices differ for different forms of energy. Thermal energy for example can be stored in comparably cheap storage tanks. Besides such dedicated storage, the thermal inertia of a heating grid can be used as thermal storage as well. In this paper, a classic unit commitment optimization for scheduling of combined heat and power units not considering grid dynamics is extended to cover thermal dynamics of heating grids. First an outer approximation of the grid storage capabilities is developed. Second, a very efficient formulation for the storage dynamics of a heating grid is introduced and its capabilities are shown in a motivating case study. In this study additional savings of several thousand Euros per day are achieved using the thermal inertia of a heating grid as storage.
Liquid-Phase Hydrogenation of Maleic Acid over Pd/Al2O3 Catalysts Prepared via Deposition–Precipitation Method
Authors: Byun Mi Yeon , Kim Ji Sun , Baek Jae Ho , Park Dae-Won , Lee Man Sig
Published: January 2019

Succinic acid (SA) is a valuable raw material obtained by hydrogenation of maleic acid (MA). The product selectivity of this reaction is highly dependent on the reaction conditions. This study therefore investigated the effect of the reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure, and reaction time on the liquid-phase hydrogenation of MA by a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. Complete conversion of MA and 100% selectivity for SA were achieved at a temperature of 90 °C, H2 pressure of 5 bar, and reaction time of 90 min. Fumaric acid (FA) was formed as an intermediate material by hydrogenation of MA under nonoptimal conditions. The impact of the percentage of Pd dispersion and phase of the Al2O3 support (γ, θ + α, and α) was also examined. The Pd/Al2O3 catalyst with 29.8% dispersion of Pd and γ phase of Al2O3 exhibited the best catalytic performance. Thus, catalytic activity depends not only on the amount of Pd dispersion but also on the physicochemical properties of Al2O3.
Addendum: Abubakar, U.; Mekhilef, S.; Mokhlis, H.; Seyedmahmoudian, M.; Horan, B.; Stojcevski, A.; Bassi, H.; Rawa, M.J.H. Transient Faults in Wind Energy Conversion Systems: Analysis, Modelling Methodologies and Remedies. Energies 2018, 11, 2249
Authors: Abubakar Ukashatu , Mekhilef Saad , Mokhlis Hazlie , Seyedmahmoudian Mehdi , Horan Ben , Stojcevski Alex , Bassi Hussain , Jamal Hosin Rawa Muhyaddin
Published: January 2019

The authors would like to make the following addition to their paper [...]
Virtual Oscillator Control of Equivalent Voltage-Sourced and Current-Controlled Power Converters
Authors: Opila Daniel F. , Kintzley Keith , Shabshab Spencer , Phillips Stephen
Published: January 2019

The dynamics of a general class of weakly nonlinear oscillators can be used to control power converters to create a self-forming AC network of distributed generators. Many control stability results for these “virtual” oscillators consider the interaction of voltage-source converters, but most practical converters use a nested current loop. This paper develops a general method to extend voltage-source stability results to current-controlled converters using a virtual admittance. A fast current control loop allows a singular perturbations analysis to demonstrate the equivalence of the two. This virtual admittance can also manipulate load sharing between converters without changing the core nonlinear dynamics. In addition, Virtual Oscillator Control is experimentally demonstrated with three-phase voltage-sourced and current-controlled inverters. This validates the equivalence of the two formulations, and extends previous single phase testing into three phases. The extension to current-controlled converters enhances safety and increases the breadth of applications for existing control methods.
Uncovering Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs) in a Salt-Tolerant Rice Variety under Stress: One Step towards New Regulatory Regions for Enhanced Salt Tolerance
Authors: Ferreira Liliana J. , Donoghue Mark T. A. , Barros Pedro , Saibo Nelson J. , Santos Ana Paula , Oliveira M. Margarida
Published: January 2019

Chromatin structure, DNA methylation, and histone modifications act in a concerted manner to influence gene expression and therefore plant phenotypes. Environmental stresses are often associated with extensive chromatin rearrangements and modifications of epigenetic levels and patterns. Stress-tolerant plants can be a good tool to unveil potential connections between specific epigenetic modifications and stress tolerance capacity. We analyzed genome wide DNA methylation of a salt-tolerant rice variety under salinity and identified a set of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between control and stress samples using high-throughput sequencing of DNA immunoprecipitated with the 5-methylcytosine antibody (MeDIP-Seq). The examination of DNA methylation pattern at DMRs regions revealed a general tendency for demethylation events in stress samples as compared to control. In addition, DMRs appear to influence the expression of genes located in their vicinity. We hypothesize that short regions as DMRs can shape the chromatin landscape of specific genomic regions and, therefore, may modulate the function of several genes. In this sense, the identification of DMRs represents one step towards to uncover new players in the regulation of stress-responsive genes and new target genes with potential application in enhancement of plant salinity-tolerance.
An Explorative Model to Assess Individuals’ Phubbing Risk
Authors: Guazzini Andrea , Duradoni Mirko , Capelli Ambra , Meringolo Patrizia
Published: January 2019

Phubbing could be defined as a new form of addiction; however, checking the phone and ignoring the speaker could also be linked to the increased availability of virtual social environments. We developed a multidimensional model for phubbing considering psychological dimensions and information and communication technology related habits. We collected data through online questionnaires and surveys. The best model obtained from our data was constituted by Information and Communication Technologies’ (ICTs) usage behaviours, Trait Anxiety, Virtual Sense of Community and Neuroticism. Finally, our study confirmed a strong connection between phubbing and online addiction behaviours.