bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improve the production of d-limonene by regulating the mevalonate pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during alcoholic beverage fermentation
Authors: Hu Zhihui , Li Hongxuan , Weng Yanru , Li Ping , Zhang Cuiying , Xiao Dongguang
Published: November 2020

d-Limonene, a cyclized monoterpene, possesses citrus-like olfactory property and multi-physiological functions, which can be used as a bioactive compound and flavor to improve the overall quality of alcoholic beverages. In our previous study, we established an orthogonal pathway of d-limonene synthesis by introducing neryl diphosphate synthase 1 (tNDPS1) and d-limonene synthase (tLS) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To further increase d-limonene formation, the metabolic flux of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway was enhanced by overexpressing the key genes tHMGR1, ERG12, IDI1, and IDI1  WWW, respectively, or co-overexpressing. The results showed that strengthening the MVA pathway significantly improved d-limonene production, while the best strain yielded 62.31 mg/L d-limonene by co-expressing tHMGR1, ERG12, and IDI1  WWW genes in alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, we also studied the effect of enhancing the MVA pathway on the growth and fermentation of engineered yeasts during alcoholic beverage fermentation. Besides, to further resolve the problem of yeast growth inhibition, we separately investigated transporter proteins of the high-yielding d-limonene yeasts and the parental strain under the stress of different d-limonene concentration, suggesting that the transporters of Aus1p, Pdr18p, Pdr5p, Pdr3p, Pdr11p, Pdr15p, Tpo1p, and Ste6p might play a more critical role in alleviating cytotoxicity and improving the tolerance to d-limonene. Finally, we verified the functions of three transporter proteins, finding that the transporter of Aus1p failed to transport d-limonene, and the others (Pdr5p and Pdr15p) could improve the tolerance of yeast to d-limonene. This study provided a valuable platform for other monoterpenes’ biosynthesis in yeast during alcoholic beverage fermentation.
Use of the new Lake Louise Criteria improves CMR detection of atypical forms of acute myocarditis
Authors: Cundari Giulia , Galea Nicola , De Rubeis Gianluca , Frustaci Andrea , Cilia Francesco , Mancuso Giuseppe , Marchitelli Livia , Catapano Federica , Carbone Iacopo , Catalano Carlo , Francone Marco
Published: November 2020

The purpose of our study was to compare diagnostic performance of old and new Lake Louise Criteria (oLLC and nLLC) among different clinical presentations: infarct-like (IL), cardiomyopathic (CM) and arrhythmic (AR). 102 patients with clinical suspicion of acute myocarditis underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) on a 1.5 T scanner. Protocol included cine-SSFP, T2-weighted STIR, T2 mapping, early and late gadolinium enhancement and T1 mapping acquired before and after gadolinium administration. The degree of agreement has been calculated with Cohen’s K test. 42 patients also underwent endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). IL onset was present in 54/102 patients, CM in 28/102 and AR in 20/102. nLLC were positive in 58.3% of the patients, while oLLC in 37.9%, k = 0.57 (IC: 0.428–0.713). The degree of agreement between nLLC and oLLC was 0.49 (IC: 0.111–0.876) for AR onset (nLLC positive in 35% vs oLLC in 15%), 0.25 (IC: 0.035–0.459) for CM pattern (nLLC positive in 60.7% vs oLLC 17.9%) and 0.73 (IC: 0.543–0.912) for IL presentation (nLLC positive in 66.7% vs oLLC in 57.4%). Diagnostic accuracy was 75% for both nLLC and oLLC among IL onset, and 41.6% for oLLC vs 66.7% for nLLC, as regards CM clinical presentation. nLLC have improved diagnostic performance of CMR for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis, in particular for atypical clinical presentation.
The Stockholm Follow-up Study of Users Diagnosed with Psychosis (SUPP): A 10-year Follow-up 2004–2013
Authors: Bülow Per , Topor Alain , Andersson Gunnel , Denhov Anne , Stefansson Claes-Göran
Published: November 2020

Since the 1970s, psychiatric care in the western world has undergone fundamental changes known as de-institutionalisation. This has changed the living conditions for people with severe mental illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the living conditions and utilisation of care and social services for a group of people in Sweden with diagnosis of psychosis over a 10-year period, 2004–2013. During this period, psychiatric care decreased at the same time as interventions from the social services increased. Half of the persons in the studied group did not have any institutional care, that is, neither been hospitalised nor dwelling in supported housing, during the last 5 years, and just over 20% had no contact with either psychiatry or the municipality's social services during the last 2 years of the investigated period.
Power sharing at the local level: evidence on opting-in for non-citizen voting rights
Authors: Stutzer Alois , Slotwinski Michaela
Published: November 2020

The enfranchisement of foreigners is likely one of the most controversial frontiers of institutional change in developed democracies, which are experiencing an increasing number of non-citizen residents. We study the conditions under which citizens are willing to share power with non-citizens. To this end, we exploit the setting of the Swiss canton of Grisons, where municipalities are free to decide on the introduction of non-citizen voting rights at the local level (a so called opting-in regime). Consistent with the power dilution hypothesis, we find that enfranchisement is less likely when the share of resident foreigners is large. Moreover, municipalities with a large language/cultural minority are less likely to formally involve foreigners. In contrast, municipality mergers seem to act as an institutional catalyst, promoting democratic reforms. A supplementary panel analysis on electoral support for an opting-in regime in the canton of Zurich also backs the power dilution hypothesis, showing that a larger share of foreigners reduces support for an extension of voting rights.
Electrochemical double-layer capacitors with lithium-ion electrolyte and electrode coatings with PEDOT:PSS binder
Authors: Markoulidis Foivos , Dawe Adam , Lekakou Constantina
Published: November 2020

Although typical electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) operate with aqueous or lithium-free organic electrolytes optimized for activated carbon electrodes, there is interest in EDLCs with lithium-ion electrolyte for applications of lithium ion capacitors and hybridized battery-supercapacitor devices. We present an experimental study of symmetric EDLCs with electrolyte 1 M LiPF6 in EC:EMC 50:50 v/v and electrode coatings with 5 wt% SBR or PEDOT:PSS binder at 5 or 10 wt% concentration, where for the PEDOT:PSS containing electrodes pseudocapacitance effects were investigated in the lithium-ion electrolyte. Two different electrode coating fabrication methods were explored, doctor blade coating and spraying. It was found that EDLCs with electrodes with either binder had a stability window of 0–2 V in the lithium-ion electrolyte. EDLCs with electrodes with 10 wt% PEDOT:PSS binder yielded cyclic voltammograms with pseudocapacitance features indicating surface redox pseudocapacitance in the doctor blade coated electrodes, and intercalation and redox phenomena for the sprayed electrodes. The highest energy density in discharge was exhibited by the EDLC with doctor blade-coated electrodes and 10 wt% PEDOT:PSS binder, which combined good capacitive features with surface redox pseudocapacitance. In general, EDLCs with sprayed electrodes reached higher power density than doctor blade coated electrodes.

Graphic abstract
The Effect of Micro-Segregation on the Quantification of Microstructural Parameters in Grade 91 Steel
Authors: Jabar Sharhid , Siefert John A. , Strangwood Martin , West Geoff D.
Published: November 2020

The quantification of key microstructural parameters as a function of aging or creep exposure time is commonplace in the assessment of 9Cr Creep Strength Enhanced Ferritic (CSEF) power-plant steels. In these studies, the sample is either assumed chemically homogenous at the micro-scale or that a material average will be achieved by collecting enough images at random locations. In this paper, the micro-scale chemical homogeneity of two ex-service boiler components, a pipe and a forging, are quantitatively assessed using high sensitivity chemical mapping from µ-XRF. The compositional variation was as expected most pronounced in the larger elements Mo and Nb, where a > 20 pct difference in composition was present between positively and negatively segregated areas. The effect of this micro-segregation on local variations in Laves phase particle characteristics was investigated using SEM images. This showed a factor of two difference in the number of particles and the area coverage between positively and negatively Mo-segregated regions. This result was consistent with the thermodynamic equilibrium predictions of the phase content based on the observed level of segregation.
Microstructure and Texture Evolution in a Post-dynamic Recrystallized Titanium During Annealing, Monotonic and Cyclic Loading
Authors: Zhao P.-C. , Chen B. , Zheng Z.-G. , Guan B. , Zhang X.-C. , Tu S.-T.
Published: November 2020

The post-dynamic recrystallization behavior of ultrafine-grained (UFG: 0.44 μm) cp-Ti under annealing, room temperature (RT) monotonic and cyclic loading was investigated across a range of temperatures and deformation rates wherever appropriate. By characterizing the grain and boundary structures, it was confirmed that recrystallization and grain growth occurred due to annealing (≥ 600 °C) and R = − 1 fatigue at RT. There was a noticeable 30 deg aggregation in misorientation distribution, along with the increased grain size. However, the hypothetical correlation between 30 deg aggregation and Σ13a or the other characteristic coincidence site lattice boundaries was found to be weak. The fatigue-induced grain growth is particularly intriguing for two reasons. First, the large monotonic deformation with low strain rate cannot trigger grain growth. Second, fatigue sharpened the basal intensity around the ND and caused a weaker texture component close to TD (load axis along the LD, perpendicular to the TD–ND plane). By contrast, high-temperature annealing only strengthened the UFG processing induced basal pole but without affecting its location. Novel insights into this fatigue-induced texture evolution in UFG cp-Ti has been provided. The lattice rotation during fatigue can be attributed to the combined effect of activation of prismatic

$$ \langle a\rangle $$

⟨
a
⟩

slip parallel to LD, and basal

$$ \langle a\rangle $$

⟨
a
⟩

slip perpendicular to it. The theoretically calculated stress to activate dislocation slip by assuming a non-equilibrium grain boundary state lent support to the above assertion. Moreover, the TEM observation evidently showed the characteristics of dislocation cross-slip and multiple slip in the grain interior.

Graphical Abstract
Can we take the pulse of environmental governance the way we take the pulse of nature? Applying the Freshwater Health Index in Latin America
Authors: Vollmer Derek , Bezerra Maíra Ometto , Martínez Natalia Acero , Ortiz Octavio Rodríguez , Encomenderos Ivo , Marques Maria Clara , Serrano-Durán Lina , Fauconnier Isabelle , Wang Raymond Yu
Published: November 2020

Quantitative assessments have long been used to evaluate the condition of the natural environment, providing information for standard setting, adaptive management, and monitoring. Similar approaches have been developed to measure environmental governance, however, the end result (e.g., numeric indicators) belies the subjective and normative judgments that are involved in evaluating governance. We demonstrate a framework that makes this information transparent, through an application of the Freshwater Health Index in three different river basins in Latin America. Water Governance is measured on a 0–100 scale, using data derived from perception-based surveys administered to stakeholders. Results suggest that water governance is a primary area of concern in all three places, with low overall scores (Guandu-26, Alto Mayo-38, Bogotá-43). We conclude that this approach to measuring governance at the river basin scale provides valuable information to support monitoring and decision making, and we offer suggestions on how it can be improved.
Synthesis and electrochemical properties of V2C MXene by etching in opened/closed environments
Authors: Wu Meng , He Yan , Wang Libo , Xia Qixun , Zhou Aiguo
Published: November 2020

The effect of etching environment (opened or closed) on the synthesis and electrochemical properties of V2C MXene was studied. V2C MXene samples were synthesized by selectively etching of V2AlC at 90 °C in two different environments: opened environment (OE) in oil bath pans under atmosphere pressure and closed environment (CE) in hydrothermal reaction kettles under higher pressures. In OE, only NaF (sodium fluoride) + HCl (hydrochloric acid) etching solution can be used to synthesize highly pure V2C MXene. However, in CE, both LiF (lithium fluoride) + HCl and NaF+HCl etchant can be used to prepare V2C MXene. Moreover, the V2C MXene samples made in CE had higher purity and better-layered structure than those made in OE. Although the purity of V2C obtained by LiF+HCl is lower than that of V2C obtained using NaF+HCl, it shows better electrochemical performance as anodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Therefore, etching in CE is a better method for preparing highly pure V2C MXene, which provides a reference for expanding the synthesis methods of V2C with better electrochemical properties.
Black phosphorus quantum dots: A new-type of water-based high-efficiency lubricant additive
Authors: Tang Weiwei , Jiang Zhiqiang , Wang Baogang , Li Yufeng
Published: November 2020

Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs), obtained via a typical solution-based top-down method, were used as water-based lubricant additives. BPQDs exhibited remarkable friction reduction and anti-wear properties even at the ultra-low concentration of 0.005 wt%, which reduced the friction coefficient and wear volume of the base liquid by 32.3% and 56.4%, respectively. In addition, the load-supporting capacity of the base liquid increased from 120 N to over 300 N. BPQDs-based additives exhibited a relatively long lifetime at a relatively high load of 80 N. The performance of BPQDs considerably exceeded that of the BP; this may be attributed to their small and uniform particle size, good dispersion stability in water, and high reactivity at the frictional surfaces. The results of the surface wear resistance analysis demonstrated that a robust tribochemical film with a thickness of approximately 90 nm was formed on the rubbing surface lubricated with 0.005 wt% of BPQDs dispersion. Moreover, the film served as a direct evidence of the excellent tribological performance of BPQDs.
High-temperature friction behavior of amorphous carbon coating in glass molding process
Authors: Li Kangsen , Xu Gang , Wen Xiaobin , Zhou Jun , Gong Feng
Published: November 2020

In the glass molding process, the sticking reaction and fatigue wear between the glass and mold hinder the service life and functional application of the mold at the elevated temperature. To improve the chemical inertness and anti-friction properties of the mold, an amorphous carbon coating was synthesized on the tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC–8Co) substrate by magnetron sputtering. The friction behavior between the glass and carbon coating has a significant influence on the functional protection and service life of the mold. Therefore, the glass ring compression tests were conducted to measure the friction coefficient and friction force of the contact interface between the glass and amorphous carbon coating at the high temperature. Meanwhile, the detailed characterization of the amorphous carbon coating was performed to study the microstructure evolution and surface topography of the amorphous carbon coating during glass molding process by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ramon spectroscopy, and atomic force microscope (AFM). The results showed that the amorphous carbon coating exhibited excellent thermal stability, but weak shear friction strength. The friction coefficient between the glass and coating depended on the temperature. Besides, the service life of the coating was governed by the friction force of the contact interface, processing conditions, and composition diffusion. This work provides a better understanding of the application of carbon coatings in the glass molding.
Risk Factors for Surgical Shunting in a Large Cohort with Ischemic Priapism
Authors: Zhao Hanson , Dallas Kai , Masterson John , Lo Eric , Houman Justin , Berdahl Carl , Pevnick Joshua , Anger Jennifer T.
Published: November 2020

Background

Ischemic priapism is treated with a stepwise algorithm, but some patients may benefit from immediate shunt placement.

Aim

To identify risk factors for surgical shunt placement in a large series of patients with ischemic priapism.

Methods

We identified all patients presenting to our institution with ischemic priapism from January 2010 to December 2018. Multivariable was performed to assess risk factors for surgical shunting. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (Youden Index) was used to assess which cutoff time for the duration of priapism was most predictive requiring shunting.

Outcomes

We assess risk factors for surgical shunting and what duration of priapism was most predictive of requiring a shunt.

Results

We identified a total of 169 ischemic priapism encounters from 143 unique patients, of which 26 (15%) encounters resulted in a surgical shunt. Patients treated with a shunt had longer priapism durations than those without (median 36 vs 10 hours, P < .001). Independent predictors of a surgical shunt on multivariate logistic regression were the duration of priapism in hours (odds ratio: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.10; P < .001) and history of prior priapism (odds ratio: 3.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–9.60; P = .045). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using priapism duration to predict the need for shunt generated an area under curve of 0.83. A duration of 24 hours correlated to a sensitivity of 0.77 and specificity of 0.90.

Clinical Implications

These results can be used to counsel future patients and assist in the decision-making process for providers.

Strengths & Limitations

This is one of the largest series of priapism in the literature. Most (74%) of the priapism were due to intracavernosal injections so the results may not be generalizable to populations with different priapism etiologies.

Conclusion

In this study of 169 priapism encounters, we found that the priapism duration and history of prior priapism were independent predictors of surgical shunt placement. These results can aid urologists in the counseling and decision-making process of these challenging cases.
A Review of the Neurosurgical Management of Brain Metastases During Pregnancy
Authors: Proskynitopoulos Phileas J. , Lam Fred C. , Sharma Sunjay , Young Brett C. , Laviv Yosef , Kasper Ekkehard M.
Published: November 2020

Objective:

Patients with pregnancy-associated secondary brain tumors (PASBT) are challenging to manage. Because no guidelines for the management of such patients currently exist, we performed a systematic review of the literature using PRISMA guidelines with a discussion of management from a neurosurgeon’s perspective.

Method:

Systematic review of the literature using PRISMA guidelines from 1999 to 2018.

Results:

We identified 301 studies of which 16 publications (22 patients reporting 25 pregnancies, 20 deliveries, 5 early terminations) were suitable for final analysis. The most frequent primary cancers were breast (8/22, 36.36%), skin (6/22, 27.27%), and lung (5/22, 22.73%). Four patients (18.18%) had neurosurgical procedures during their pregnancies. Five patients (22.73%) received neurosurgical resection after their pregnancies. Nine patients (40.91%) received radiation therapy and seven patients (31.82%) received chemotherapy during pregnancy while seven patients (31.82%) received chemotherapy and radiation after pregnancy. There was 1 fetal death (5%) out of 20 healthy deliveries. Five pregnancies (20%) were terminated in the first trimester due to a need for urgent neurosurgical intervention.

Conclusion:

Management of PASBT remains a challenging issue. Maternal and fetal risks associated with surgical resection and teratogenicity due to adjuvant therapy should be discussed in the context of a multidisciplinary team. Timing of surgery and the use of systemic chemoradiation depends on the gestational age (GA) of the fetus, extent, and control of the mother’s primary and metastatic disease. Guidelines need to be established to help neuro-oncology teams safely and effectively manage this group of patients.
Exponential polynomials with Fatou and non-escaping sets of finite Lebesgue measure
Authors: WOLFF MAREIKE
Published: November 2020

We give conditions ensuring that the Fatou set and the complement of the fast escaping set of an exponential polynomial f both have finite Lebesgue measure. Essentially, these conditions are designed such that

$|f(z)|\ge \exp (|z|^\alpha )$
for some

$\alpha>0$
and all z outside a set of finite Lebesgue measure.
Corruption and the impact of law enforcement: insights from a mixed-methods study in Malawi
Authors: Anders Gerhard , Kanyongolo Fidelis E. , Seim Brigitte
Published: November 2020

The article argues that the impact of law enforcement efforts against corruption deserves more scholarly attention. Drawing on a mixed-methods study from Malawi in southern Africa, where a large-scale law enforcement operation has been investigating and prosecuting those involved in a 2013 corruption scandal known as ‘Cashgate’, the article explores the potential for corruption deterrence from the perspective of government officials in the Malawi civil service. Malawi provides a challenging environment for deterrence due to limited state capacity, weak law enforcement agencies and widespread corruption. Nonetheless, the research findings show that Malawian government officials perceive prosecutions and convictions to deter corruption, both with regards to the law enforcement response to Cashgate specifically and law enforcement efforts in general. The findings from Malawi suggest that law enforcement and criminal justice have the potential to make an important contribution to anti-corruption strategies in Africa and the Global South at large.
Mines in the End Zone: Are there Downsides to Team Performance?
Authors: Mumford Troy V. , Maynard M. Travis
Published: November 2020

Research on teams in organizations tends to focus on understanding the causes of team performance with a focus on how to enjoy the benefits of team success and avoid the negative consequences of team failure. This paper instead asks the question, ‘what are some of the negative consequences of team success?’ A review of the literature on teams is augmented with research from cognitive science, sociology, occupational psychology, and psychology to explore the potential negative long-term consequences of teamwork success. The general topics of groupthink, overconfidence bias, regression to the mean, role overload, and strategy calcification are reviewed while discussing the implications for future research streams and practical team management.
Race, Dehumanization, and the NFL National Anthem Protests
Authors: Utych Stephen M.
Published: November 2020

Dehumanizing language, or language used to describe human beings as non-human entities, is increasingly prevalent in political life. This dehumanization also occurs frequently in the world of sports. Sports and politics intersected notably in 2016, when Colin Kaepernick of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers started protesting the national anthem to raise awareness about police violence against African-Americans. Kaepernick’s protests generated considerable vitriol towards him and other protesters, some of which was dehumanizing. In this study, I examine how dehumanizing language used against anthem protesters of different races influences political attitudes. Using experimental data, I find that, when a Black player protesting the national anthem is dehumanized, White citizens are considerably less supportive of the anthem protests and protesters. This effect does not persist when the dehumanized player is White.
Impact of Historical Channel Deepening on Tidal Hydraulics in the Delaware Estuary
Authors: Pareja‐Roman L. Fernando , Chant Robert J. , Sommerfield Christopher K.
Published: November 2020

Anthropogenic modifications of estuarine morphology such as navigational channels have changed tidal dynamics in many estuaries. The implications of deepening may include shifts in tidal range, sediment transport, pollutant dispersal, and changes in flood risk, among others. Here, we use a numerical model to study how channel deepening has altered tidal elevation, currents, and energy fluxes in the Delaware, a convergent estuary on the east coast of the United States. Historical (1848) and modern (2014) depth soundings were digitized and gridded for a numerical model of the estuary. Numerical experiments indicate a doubling in tidal range, shifts in the arrival time of high water, and changes in elevation‐velocity phase. A historical increase in the upstream conveyance and transmission of energy is consistent with bigger amplitudes, swifter currents, and more progressive wave dynamics in the navigational channel. Changes in local topography were key in the modulation of tidal energy transmission upstream, especially in the tidal river.
A small natural molecule CADPE kills residual colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting key transcription factors and translation initiation factors
Authors: Zheng Guo-Wan , Tang Ming-Min , Shu Chen-Yan , Xin Wen-Xiu , Zhang Yan-Hua , Chi Bin-Bin , Shi Mu-Ran , Guo Xing , Zhang Zhi-Zhen , Lian Xiao-Yuan
Published: November 2020

Residual disease is the major cause for colorectal cancer (CRC) relapse. Herein, we explore whether and how a natural molecule CADPE killed heterogenic populations in a panel of CRC cell lines with KRAS/BRAF mutations that are natively resistant to EGFR- or VEGFR-targeted therapy, without sparing persistent cells, a reservoir of the disease relapse. Results showed that CADPE killed the tumor bulk and residual cells in the panel of CRC cell lines, rapidly inactivated c-Myc, STAT3, and NF-κB, and then decreased the protein levels of key signaling molecules for CRC, such as β-catenin, Notch1, and the nodes of mTOR pathways; eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIF4F); anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-xl, Mcl-1, and survivin); and stemness-supporting molecules (CD133, Bim-1, and VEGF). In terms of mechanism of action, concurrent downregulation of Mcl-1, Bcl-xl, and survivin was necessary for CADPE to kill CRC bulk cells, while additional depletion of CD133 and VEGF proteins was required for killing the residual CRC cells. Moreover, the disabled c-Myc, STAT3, NF-κB, and eIF4F were associated with the broadly decreased levels of anti-apoptosis proteins and pro-stemness proteins. Consistently, CADPE suppressed CRC tumor growth associated with robust apoptosis and depleted levels of c-Myc, STAT3, NF-κB, eIF4F, anti-apoptotic proteins, and pro-stemness proteins. Our findings showed the promise of CADPE for treating CRC and suggested a rational polytherapy that disables c-Myc, STAT3, NF-κB, and eIF4F for killing CRC residual disease.
Unveiling the ups and downs of miR-205 in physiology and cancer: transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms
Authors: Ferrari Elena , Gandellini Paolo
Published: November 2020

miR-205 plays important roles in the physiology of epithelia by regulating a variety of pathways that govern differentiation and morphogenesis. Its aberrant expression is frequently found in human cancers, where it was reported to act either as tumor-suppressor or oncogene depending on the specific tumor context and target genes. miR-205 expression and function in different cell types or processes are the result of the complex balance among transcription, processing and stability of the microRNA. In this review, we summarize the principal mechanisms that regulate miR-205 expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, with particular focus on the transcriptional relationship with its host gene. Elucidating the mechanisms and factors regulating miR-205 expression in different biological contexts represents a fundamental step for a better understanding of the contribution of such pivotal microRNA to epithelial cell function in physiology and disease, and for the development of modulation strategies for future application in cancer therapy.
Cancer cell-targeted nanoprobe for multilayer imaging of diverse biomarkers and precise photodynamic therapy
Authors: Fu Zhuolin , Wu Yingdi , Ren Chunnian , Song Weiling , Zhang Xiaoru , Yue Meie , Li Ying
Published: November 2020

A novel multifunctional nanoprobe was designed for cancer cell targeted multilayer imaging of two cancer biomarkers. And in situ imaging of membrane MUC1 mucin and cytoplasmic microRNA miR-21 coupled with precise photodynamic therapy was achieved.
Design of segmented CRC‐aided spinal codes for IoT applications
Authors: Bian Hongxiu , Liu Rongke , Kaushik Aryan , Hu Yingmeng , Thompson John S.
Published: November 2020

Rateless spinal codes can achieve reliable transmission with high throughput performance, which is required by some power‐constrained applications, such as internet of things (IoT). In this study, the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is divided into segments. We design the segmented CRC‐aided (SCA) spinal codes and propose a novel hybrid decoding algorithm. The decoder can terminate the decoding process earlier when an error decoding is detected in any segment. Moreover, a more targeted symbol transmission strategy after decoding errors occur is provided and we call it as the transmitting redundant symbols for specific segments (RSSS) strategy. The RSSS strategy saves the transmitting symbols by transmitting a variable number of symbols, thus improving the throughput of the system. Furthermore, we design a new tail‐biting structure for SCA‐spinal codes to compensate for the disadvantage of poor error detection ability for short segment CRC bits. The simulation results show that the proposed SCA‐spinal codes can reduce the decoding complexity and improve the throughput of the system. The transmission delay can also be reduced by dividing the information bits and CRC bits into an appropriate number of segments.
Convolutional neural network based blind automatic modulation classification robust to phase and frequency offsets
Authors: Jin Heetae , Jeong Sinjin , Park Dong Chan , Kim Suk Chan
Published: November 2020

In this study, the authors propose robust automatic modulation classifiers using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). CNNs can identify features directly from a received signal when appropriately trained. They trained the classifier by taking the magnitude, phase, real, and imaginary parts of the received signal for CNN‐based automatic modulation classification, which is insensitive to phase and frequency deviation. Also, in order to make the proposed classifier more robust, they generated signal‐to‐noise ratio, phase offset, and frequency offset in the training signal set. They compared the proposed methods with conventional automatic modulation classification methods using higher‐order cumulants, order statistics, and a CNN‐based method. The simulation results show that the proposed methods outperform the conventional methods not only in the additive white Gaussian noise channel but also in the channels having severe phase or frequency offsets.
Spectral–energy efficiency tradeoff in decode‐and‐forward full‐duplex relay system
Authors: Gao Zhongxia , Qiu Runhe , Cai Caixia
Published: November 2020

In this study, the spectral efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) tradeoff in full‐duplex (FD) two‐hop decode‐and‐forward (DF) relaying system is studied by considering the influence of residual self‐interference. In order to increase the SE of the traditional DF relaying system, firstly, an optimal power allocation (OPA) method is proposed, and the SE and EE analyses of the system are obtained. Secondly, by applying an unified SE–EE tradeoff metric, the multi‐object joint SE and EE maximisation problem is formulated as a single‐objective joint maximisation problem for SE and EE. Furthermore, the optimal total transmission power of the single‐objective joint SE and EE maximisation problem is obtained according to the tradeoff factors. Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that the proposed OPA method significantly improve the system's SE and EE. At the same time, it reveals that the tradeoff between the SE and EE can be flexible by setting the tradeoff factors.
Second‐order terminal sliding mode control based on perturbation estimation for nanopositioning stage
Authors: Al‐Ghanimi Ali , Zheng Jinchuan , Aldhalemi Alaa , Khawwaf Jasim , Man Zhihong
Published: November 2020

This study proposes a robust second‐order terminal sliding mode control with perturbation estimation (2OTSMCPE) strategy with application to trajectory tracking control of the flexure‐based nanopositioning system. The proposed controller advantages not only lie on its finite‐time convergence but also can provide a high tracking precision with a chattering alleviation which is attend by employing a second‐order sliding surface with the switching function. The model of the piezo‐driven nanopositioning system is presented first. Second, the sliding variable is designed such as proportional–integral–derivative form to enhance the dynamic response of the control system. Then, a non‐singular terminal sliding function (NTSM) is used to achieve the finite‐time convergence of the linear sliding variable. Next, a perturbation estimation technique is integrated with the control structure for online estimation of the system uncertainties, thus the prior knowledge of the bounds of system uncertainties are not needed in the proposed control design. Afterwards, the theoretical analysis of the 2OTSMCPE with stability proof is investigated herein. Finally, the system performance with the proposed controller is experimentally verified. The results reveal that the 2OTSMCPE has stronger robustness and also has smoother control signals in comparison with both conventional sliding mode control and the NTSM controller.
Impact of distributed generation on the protection systems of distribution networks: analysis and remedies – review paper
Authors: Meskin Matin , Domijan Alexander , Grinberg Ilya
Published: November 2020

Power networks, especially distribution networks, have been undergoing substantial changes since the application of new technologies. Technology development in the early part of the 21st century has opened up new horizons for automated, efficient and reliable power grids. New technologies, while enhancing the capability of the electrical networks and providing opportunities and innovative solutions to the challenges of future networks, can also cause drawbacks that should be investigated and taken into account. Distributed generation (DG) is one of the new technologies that improves the operation of power grids. Despite tangible benefits that integration of DG units brings to electrical grids, their notable impacts on protection systems of power networks raise many challenges and concerns on how a fault should be detected and isolated in active distribution networks. Many attempts have been made to investigate the downside of the interconnection of DG units and methods to mitigate their impacts have been proposed. This study reviews the impact of DG integration on protection systems addressed in other research works and recapitulates suggested methods provided by scholars.
Bristol's smart city agenda: vision, strategy, challenges and implementation
Authors: Lockwood Freyja
Published: November 2020

This case study explores Bristol's goal to create a smart city, anchored by a 30‐year city vision and the vital role digital connectivity and smart city technologies play. It describes Bristol's 2050 One City Plan, where city partners are collaboratively shaping the city through place‐based leadership, community involvement and co‐production, and Bristol City Council's complementary smart city strategy – Connecting Bristol. This digital agenda supports by developing the ‘foundations’ required to become a data‐enabled city with world‐class connectivity and inclusive public services; elements which enable many One City goals. It examines the importance of a challenge‐led, people‐focused approach with responsible innovation practices that ensure digital initiatives align with the One City Plan's equitable goals and values. Implementation strategies, including an ‘innovation ambition’ matrix used to manage a portfolio of smart city initiatives, and challenges are described along with the need for inclusive infrastructure and ethical data practices. The emerging role for local government in shaping a trusted smart city is explored. This study ends by discussing Covid‐19 and economic recovery, in response to which the Council seeks to become a more agile, streamlined organisation, and concludes by highlighting the need to keep people at the heart of ‘smart’ city development.
Distributed‐hierarchical control strategy to coordinate peer‐to‐peer energy transactions and node voltages at low voltage distribution networks
Authors: Fazeli Seyed Mahdi , Li Ran , Li Furong
Published: November 2020

Peer‐to‐peer (P2P) energy market has emerged as a promising way to absorb local generations. However, unregulated P2P transactions are likely to exacerbate voltage violations at distribution networks. The challenge is how to ensure P2P markets to flourish whilst maintaining system voltages within the stator limits. This study proposes a distributed‐hierarchical control structure consisting of a central controller and peer controllers to address the challenge. The central controller computes the optimised P2P transaction levels and the nodal voltage references simultaneously and sends the outcomes to the peers as routing‐update messages at regular intervals. The peer controllers are developed based on individual phase decupled P–Q theory where two individual channels follow the optimised transaction levels and nodal voltage references. The peers, also, apply a current limit strategy to release the network capacity and improve voltage profiles when confronting with short‐term voltage magnitude variations between the two update intervals. A case‐study‐based investigation shows that reactive power contributions improve the power transaction levels up to 30% while the node voltage violations are reduced. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated using simulation and compared with state‐of‐the‐art voltage mitigation methodologies over the IEEE 19‐bus system.
Function of Social Cohesion Element in Participatory Empowerment towards Landless Peasants
Authors: Dumasari Dumasari , Dharmawan Budi , Santosa Imam , Darmawan Wayan , Dewi Aisyah Dinda , Budiningsih Sulistyani
Published: November 2020

Social cohesion is one of the essential elements in participatory empowerment of landless peasants. This study aims to examine the categorization function within elements of social cohesion in empowering landless peasants using a participatory manner. The research location was set intentionally in Baturaden District, Banyumas Regency and Purbalingga Wetan Subdistrict, Purbalingga Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research method is using an intrinsic case study approach. Based on the research result showed that the predominant function within elements of social cohesion at the individual level are enthusiasm, trust, quality and closeness of social relations, solidarity and social values, while some element of social cohesion at the community level has a function towards peasant participatory in the empowerment include motives, mentality, actions, behavior, awareness of self-identity and morality. Lastly, the quality of social relations and collaboration networks is a manifestation of social cohesion which has a dominant function at the institutional level. All elements of social cohesion function are reinforcing energy and driving the activeness of landless peasant in participatory empowerment.
Improved photosystem II and defense enzymes activity in rice (Oryza sativa) by biopriming against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
Authors: Shasmita  , Samal Pankajini , Mohapatra Pradipta K. , Naik Soumendra K. , Mukherjee Arup K.
Published: November 2020

Bacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a major threat to rice production as it accounts for loss up to 50% of annual rice grain yield. Xoo causes leaf tissue necrosis and as a result there is downregulation of the photosynthetic mechanisms of plant. Measurement of chl a fluorescence is an easy, fast, non-invasive and highly sensitive technique that can be used to understand plant health by measuring alterations in PSII activity, in response to different biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present investigation, rice seeds were bio-primed with two bacterial spp. (e.g. Bacillus subtilis and B. megaterium) and one fungal strain (i.e. Trichoderma erinaceum). The induction of defence against BB disease by bio-priming with biotic agents, was studied as response in alteration of PSII and defence enzymes activity. Field experiment was conducted with the best biotic agent; i.e. B. subtilis obtained from all experiments to study whether defence induction by it have any side effect on rice yield and biomass. Net house and field experiments have suggested that among all the biotic agents studied, bio-priming of rice seeds with B. subtilis has protected the photosynthetic machinery of plants from being damaged by BB without having any detrimental effect on rice grain yield.
HAHmiR.DB: a server platform for high-altitude human miRNA–gene coregulatory networks and associated regulatory circuits
Authors: Khurana Pankaj , Gupta Apoorv , Sugadev Ragumani , Sharma Yogendra Kumar , Kumar Bhuvnesh
Published: November 2020

Around 140 million people live in high-altitude (HA) conditions! and even a larger number visit such places for tourism, adventure-seeking or sports training. Rapid ascent to HA can cause severe damage to the body organs and may lead to many fatal disorders. During induction to HA, human body undergoes various physiological, biochemical, hematological and molecular changes to adapt to the extreme environmental conditions. Several literature references hint that gene-expression-regulation and regulatory molecules like miRNAs and transcription factors (TFs) control adaptive responses during HA stress. These biomolecules are known to interact in a complex combinatorial manner to fine-tune the gene expression and help in controlling the molecular responses during this stress and ultimately help in acclimatization. High-Altitude Human miRNA Database (HAHmiR.DB) is a unique, comprehensive and curated collection of miRNAs that have been experimentally validated to be associated with HA stress, their level of expression in different altitudes, fold change, experiment duration, biomarker association, disease and drug association, tissue-specific expression level, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) pathway associations. As a server platform, it also uniquely constructs and analyses interactive miRNA–TF–gene coregulatory networks and extracts regulatory circuits/feed-forward loops (FFLs). These regulatory circuits help to offer mechanistic insights into complex regulatory mechanisms during HA stress. The server can also build these regulatory networks between two and more miRNAs of the database and also identify the regulatory circuits from this network. Hence, HAHmiR.DB is the first-of-its-kind database in HA research, which is a reliable platform to explore, compare, analyse and retrieve miRNAs associated with HA stress, their coregulatory networks and FFL regulatory-circuits. HAHmiR.DB is freely accessible at http://www.hahmirdb.in
Myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation due to iatrogenic right coronary artery occlusion following tricuspid valve annuloplasty: a case report
Authors: Poon Shi Sum , George Joseph , Obaid Daniel , Kumar Pankaj
Published: November 2020

Background

Iatrogenic right coronary artery (RCA) injury is a rare complication of tricuspid valve annuloplasty. Given that surgical intervention is increasingly favoured for tricuspid regurgitation, it is of great importance to recognize potential complications following tricuspid valve surgery.

Case summary

A 72-year-old man underwent surgical mitral and tricuspid valve repair. The early post-operative course was complicated by recurrent ventricular fibrillation episodes. Due to haemodynamic instability, a re-sternotomy and another cardiopulmonary bypass run were required. The patient subsequently underwent coronary angiography study which confirmed RCA occlusion. The occluded posterior left ventricular (PLV) branch was reopened by balloon angioplasty. However, despite multiple attempts it was not possible to pass a coronary guide wire into the posterior descending artery (PDA). An intravascular ultrasound examination revealed that the ostium of the PDA was compressed by external factors leaving a narrow slit-like appearance with no accessible lumen. Subsequently, a drug-eluting stent was placed into the PLV branch. The PDA was not accessible on repeated re-canalization attempts. The patient later successfully recovered from the right ventricular myocardial infarction.

Discussion

Right coronary artery occlusion should be considered as a differential diagnosis for significant rhythm disturbances and haemodynamic instability in the peri- and post-operative period following tricuspid valve annuloplasty. A low threshold for diagnostic angiography is needed to avoid potential delay in life-saving revascularization.
Overcoming Age-Based Stereotypes to Optimize Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Methodology and Existing Evidence
Authors: Parker Giverny J , Ownsworth Tamara , Haslam Catherine , Shum David H K
Published: November 2020

Background and Objectives

Age-based stereotype threat (ABST) poses serious risks for the cognitive screening of older adults. This review aimed to identify and critically appraise the methodology and existing evidence of studies investigating the use of threat-removal (TR) strategies to overcome the effects of ABST on the cognitive performance of older adults. The types of strategies, their effectiveness in optimizing cognitive performance, and factors influencing their effectiveness were examined.

Research Design and Methods

A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from January 1, 1995 to November 6, 2019. Two authors independently assessed article eligibility and appraised methodological quality of eligible articles using an adaptation of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Narrative synthesis was used to summarize results.

Results

Thirty articles, reporting on 36 studies, were eligible and included. Overall, evidence for the effectiveness of TR was mixed and varied according to the explicitness of strategies and comparison conditions used. Studies examining blatant TR strategies, and those using a combination of blatant and subtle TR strategies, provided limited support for their effectiveness in overcoming ABST. However, studies evaluating subtle TR strategies provided preliminary support for their effectiveness in overcoming ABST.

Discussion and Implications

Existing studies provide limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of TR strategies in overcoming ABST due to methodological limitations. Recommendations are made for the design of future studies to differentiate the benefits of TR strategies from the detrimental effects of ABST, thus potentially informing their use in clinical practice.