bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small RNA Profiling of piRNAs in Colorectal Cancer Identifies Consistent Overexpression of piR-24000 That Correlates Clinically with an Aggressive Disease Phenotype
Authors: Iyer Deepak Narayanan , Wan Timothy Ming-Hun , Man Johnny Hon-Wai , Sin Ryan Wai-Yan , Li Xue , Lo Oswens Siu-Hung , Foo Dominic Chi-Chung , Pang Roberta Wen-Chi , Law Wai-Lun , Ng Lui
Published: January 2020

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) represent a novel class of small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that have been shown to have a deregulated expression in several cancers, although their clinical significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. With an aim of delineating the piRNA distribution in CRC, we conducted a systematic discovery and validation of piRNAs within two clinical cohorts. In the discovery phase, we profiled tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 18 CRC patients by deep sequencing and identified a global piRNA downregulation in CRC. Moreover, we identified piR-24000 as an unexplored piRNA that was significantly overexpressed in CRC. Using qPCR, we validated the overexpression of piR-24000 in 87 CRC patients. Additionally, we identified a significant association between a high expression of piR-24000 and an aggressive CRC phenotype including poor differentiation, presence of distant metastases, and a higher stage. Lastly, ROC analysis demonstrated a strong diagnostic power of piR-24000 in discriminating CRC patients from normal subjects. Taken together, this study provides one of the earliest large-scale reports of the global distribution of piRNAs in CRC. In addition, piR-24000 was identified as a likely oncogene in CRC that can serve as a biomarker or a therapeutic target.
In-Vivo Optical Monitoring of the Efficacy of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeted Photodynamic Therapy: The Effect of Fluence Rate
Authors: Peng Wei , de Bruijn Henriette S. , ten Hagen Timo L. M. , Berg Kristian , Roodenburg Jan L. N. , van Dam Go M. , Witjes Max J. H. , Robinson Dominic J.
Published: January 2020

Targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) has the potential to improve the therapeutic effect of PDT due to significantly better tumor responses and less normal tissue damage. Here we investigated if the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted PDT using cetuximab-IRDye700DX is fluence rate dependent. Cell survival after treatment with different fluence rates was investigated in three cell lines. Singlet oxygen formation was investigated using the singlet oxygen quencher sodium azide and singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG). The long-term response (to 90 days) of solid OSC-19-luc2-cGFP tumors in mice was determined after illumination with 20, 50, or 150 mW·cm−2. Reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to monitor therapy. Singlet oxygen was formed during illumination as shown by the increase in SOSG fluorescence and the decreased response in the presence of sodium azide. Significantly more cell death and more cures were observed after reducing the fluence rate from 150 mW·cm−2 to 20 mW·cm−2 both in-vitro and in-vivo. Photobleaching of IRDye700DX increased with lower fluence rates and correlated with efficacy. The response in EGFR targeted PDT is strongly dependent on fluence rate used. The effectiveness of targeted PDT is, like PDT, dependent on the generation of singlet oxygen and thus the availability of intracellular oxygen.
Multiple Myeloma and Thrombosis: Prophylaxis and Risk Prediction Tools
Authors: Fotiou Despina , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Terpos Evangelos
Published: January 2020

Thromboembolism in multiple myeloma (MM) patients remains a common complication that renders the optimization of our thromboprophylaxis practice necessary. This review aims to make clear the need for the development of more accurate risk assessment tools and means of thrombosis prevention. Current clinical practice is guided by available guidelines published by the IMWG in 2014, but the extent to which these are implemented is unclear. Recently, several groups developed clinical scores for thrombosis risk in MM in an attempt to improve risk stratification, but these have not been validated or used in clinical practice so far. Research in this field is increasingly focusing on understanding the unique coagulation profile of the MM patient, and data on potential biomarkers that accurately reflect hypercoagulability is emerging. Finally, promising evidence on the effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the context of thrombosis prevention in MM patients is increasingly becoming available. The critical appraisal of the above research areas will establish the necessity of combining disease-specific clinical risk factors with coagulation biomarkers to allow more effective risk stratification that will eventually lead to the reduction of this significant complication. Results from ongoing clinical trials on the role of DOACs are much anticipated.
Polyphyllin VI Induces Caspase-1-Mediated Pyroptosis via the Induction of ROS/NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD Signal Axis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Teng Jin-Feng , Mei Qi-Bing , Zhou Xiao-Gang , Tang Yong , Xiong Rui , Qiu Wen-Qiao , Pan Rong , Law Betty Yuen-Kwan , Wong Vincent Kam-Wai , Yu Chong-Lin , Long Han-An , Xiao Xiu-Li , Zhang Feng , Wu Jian-Ming , Qin Da-Lian , Wu An-Guo
Published: January 2020

Trillium tschonoskii Maxim (TTM), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been demonstrated to have a potent anti-tumor effect. Recently, polyphyllin VI (PPVI), a main saponin isolated from TTM, was reported by us to significantly suppress the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via the induction of apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we further found that the NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in PPVI administrated A549-bearing athymic nude mice. As is known to us, pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of caspase-1-dependent programmed cell death that plays an important role in cancer. By using A549 and H1299 cells, the in vitro effect and action mechanism by which PPVI induces activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in NSCLC were investigated. The anti-proliferative effect of PPVI in A549 and H1299 cells was firstly measured and validated by MTT assay. The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was detected by using Hoechst33324/PI staining, flow cytometry analysis and real-time live cell imaging methods. We found that PPVI significantly increased the percentage of cells with PI signal in A549 and H1299, and the dynamic change in cell morphology and the process of cell death of A549 cells indicated that PPVI induced an apoptosis-to-pyroptosis switch, and, ultimately, lytic cell death. In addition, belnacasan (VX-765), an inhibitor of caspase-1, could remarkably decrease the pyroptotic cell death of PPVI-treated A549 and H1299 cells. Moreover, by detecting the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD in A549 and h1299 cells using Western blotting, immunofluorescence imaging and flow cytometric analysis, measuring the caspase-1 activity using colorimetric assay, and quantifying the cytokines level of IL-1β and IL-18 using ELISA, the NLRP3 inflammasome was found to be activated in a dose manner, while VX-765 and necrosulfonamide (NSA), an inhibitor of GSDMD, could inhibit PPVI-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, the mechanism study found that PPVI could activate the NF-κB signaling pathway via increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in A549 and H1299 cells, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of ROS, remarkably inhibited the cell death, and the activation of NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome in PPVI-treated A549 and H1299 cells. Taken together, these data suggested that PPVI-induced, caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis via the induction of the ROS/NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD signal axis in NSCLC, which further clarified the mechanism of PPVI in the inhibition of NSCLC, and thereby provided a possibility for PPVI to serve as a novel therapeutic agent for NSCLC in the future.
LRP1-Mediated AggLDL Endocytosis Promotes Cholesteryl Ester Accumulation and Impairs Insulin Response in HL-1 Cells
Authors: Actis Dato Virginia , Benitez-Amaro Aleyda , de Gonzalo-Calvo David , Vazquez Maximiliano , Bonacci Gustavo , Llorente-Cortés Vicenta , Chiabrando Gustavo Alberto
Published: January 2020

The cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently developed during metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased levels of aggregation-prone small LDL particles. Aggregated LDL (aggLDL) internalization is mediated by low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) promoting intracellular cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation. Additionally, LRP1 plays a key function in the regulation of insulin receptor (IR) and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) activities. Nevertheless, the link between LRP1, CE accumulation, and insulin response has not been previously studied in cardiomyocytes. We aimed to identify mechanisms through which aggLDL, by its interaction with LRP1, produce CE accumulation and affects the insulin-induced intracellular signaling and GLUT4 trafficking in HL-1 cells. We demonstrated that LRP1 mediates the endocytosis of aggLDL and promotes CE accumulation in these cells. Moreover, aggLDL reduced the molecular association between IR and LRP1 and impaired insulin-induced intracellular signaling activation. Finally, aggLDL affected GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane and the 2-NBDG uptake in insulin-stimulated cells. We conclude that LRP1 is a key regulator of the insulin response, which can be altered by CE accumulation through LRP1-mediated aggLDL endocytosis.
TGF-β1 Increases GDNF Production by Upregulating the Expression of GDNF and Furin in Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells
Authors: Yin Jingwen , Chang Hsun-Ming , Yi Yuyin , Yao Yuanqing , Leung Peter C.K.
Published: January 2020

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is expressed at a high level in the human ovary and GDNF signaling is involved in the direct control of follicular activation and oocyte maturation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays an important role in the regulation of various ovarian functions. Furin is an intracellular serine endopeptidase of the subtilisin family that is closely associated with the activation of multiple protein precursors. Despite the important roles of GDNF and TGF-β1 in the regulation of follicular development, whether TGF-β is able to regulate the expression and production of GDNF in human granulosa cells remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TGF-β1 on the production of GDNF and its underlying mechanisms in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. We used two types of hGL cells (primary hGL cells and an established immortalized hGL cell line, SVOG cells) as study models. Our results show that TGF-β1 significantly induced the expression of GDNF and furin, which, in turn, increased the production of mature GDNF. Using a dual inhibition approach combining RNA interference and kinase inhibitors against cell signaling components, we showed that the TβRII type II receptor and ALK5 type I receptor are the principal receptors that mediated TGF-β1-induced cellular activity in hGL cells. Additionally, Sma- and Mad-related protein (SMAD)3 and SMAD4 are the downstream signaling transducers that mediate the biological response induced by TGF-β1. Furthermore, furin is the main proprotein convertase that induces the production of GDNF. These findings provide additional regulatory mechanisms by which an intrafollicular factor influences the production of another growth factor through a paracrine or autocrine interaction in hGL cells.
Identification of CNS Injury-Related microRNAs as Novel Toll-Like Receptor 7/8 Signaling Activators by Small RNA Sequencing
Authors: Wallach Thomas , Wetzel Max , Dembny Paul , Staszewski Ori , Krüger Christina , Buonfiglioli Alice , Prinz Marco , Lehnardt Seija
Published: January 2020

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) belong to pattern recognition receptors, which respond to danger signals such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns or damage-associated molecular patterns. Upon TLR activation in microglia, the major immune cells in the brain, distinct signaling cascades trigger the production of inflammatory molecules, being a critical feature in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative processes. Recently, individual microRNAs (miRNAs) were shown to act as endogenous TLR ligands. Here, we conducted systematic screening for miRNAs as potential TLR7/8 ligands by small RNA sequencing of apoptotic neurons and their corresponding supernatants. Several miRNA species were identified in both supernatants and injured neurons, and 83.3% of the media-enriched miRNAs activated murine and/or human TLR7/8 expressed in HEK293-derived TLR reporter cells. Among the detected extracellular miRNAs, distinct miRNAs such as miR-340-3p and miR-132-5p induced cytokine and chemokine release from microglia and triggered neurotoxicity in vitro. Taken together, our systematic study establishes miRNAs released from injured neurons as new TLR7/8 activators, which contribute to inflammatory and neurodegenerative responses in the central nervous system (CNS).
Spectral Characterization of Stem Cell-Derived Myelination within the Injured Adult PNS Using the Solvatochromic Dye Nile Red
Authors: Grochmal Joey , Teo Wulin , Gambhir Hardeep , Kumar Ranjan , Stratton Jo Anne , Dhaliwal Raveena , Brideau Craig , Biernaskie Jeff , Stys Peter , Midha Rajiv
Published: January 2020

Background: Myelin is an essential component of the peripheral and central nervous system, enabling fast axonal conduction and supporting axonal integrity; limited tools exist for analysis of myelin composition in-vivo. Objective: To demonstrate that the photophysical properties of myelin-incorporated solvatochromic dyes can be exploited to probe the biochemical composition of living peripheral nerve myelin at high spatial resolution. Methods: Using the myelin-incorporated fluorescent dye Nile Red we sequentially analyzed the spectral characteristics of remyelinating myelin membranes both in-vitro and in-vivo, including in living rats. Results: We demonstrated a consistent bi-phasic evolution of emission spectra during early remyelination, and visually report the reliable biochemical flux of myelin membrane composition in-vitro and in-vivo. Conclusions: Solvatochromic spectroscopy enables the analysis of myelin membrane maturity during remyelination, and can be performed in-vivo. As the formation of myelin during early-to-late remyelination likely incorporates fluctuating fractions of lipophilic components and changes in lateral membrane mobility, we propose that our spectrochemical data reflects the observation of these biochemical processes.
Cholangiocyte-Derived Exosomal lncRNA H19 Promotes Macrophage Activation and Hepatic Inflammation under Cholestatic Conditions
Authors: Li Xiaojiaoyang , Liu Runping , Wang Yanyan , Zhu Weiwei , Zhao Derrick , Wang Xuan , Yang Hang , Gurley Emily C. , Chen Weidong , Hylemon Phillip B. , Zhou Huiping
Published: January 2020

Activation of hepatic macrophages represents the critical driving force to promote cholestatic liver injury. Exosomes, as important small extracellular vesicles released by almost all types of cells, contribute to intercellular communication. We previously reported that cholangiocyte-derived exosomal long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 plays a vital role in disrupting bile acid homeostasis in hepatocytes and promoting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Exosomal H19 derived from cholangiocytes was rapidly taken up by Kupffer cells. However, the mechanistic links between exosomal lncRNA H19 and macrophage-driven inflammation in cholestasis remain unclear. Here, we reported that the hepatic H19 level was closely correlated with macrophage activation and hepatic fibrosis in both Mdr2-/- and bile duct ligation (BDL) cholestatic mouse models, as well as in human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients. Exosomal H19 significantly induced the expression and secretion of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL-2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in Kupffer cells. H19-enriched exosomes enhanced the activation M1 polarization of Kupffer cells and promoted the recruitment and differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages, which were inhibited by a CCL-2 pharmacological inhibitor. In conclusion, Cholangiocyte-derived exosomal H19 played a critical role in macrophage activation, differentiation, and chemotaxis through CCL-2/CCR-2 signaling pathways, which represent a therapeutic target for cholestatic liver diseases.
Visfatin Induces Senescence of Human Dental Pulp Cells
Authors: Ok Chang Youp , Park Sera , Jang Hye-Ock , Takata Takashi , Bae Moon-Kyoung , Kim Yong-Deok , Ryu Mi Heon , Bae Soo-Kyung
Published: January 2020

Dental pulp plays an important role in the health of teeth. The aging of teeth is strongly related to the senescence of dental pulp cells. A novel adipokine, visfatin, is closely associated with cellular senescence. However, little is known about the effect of visfatin on the senescence of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Here, it was found that in vivo visfatin levels in human dental pulp tissues increase with age and are upregulated in vitro in hDPCs during premature senescence activated by H2O2, suggesting a correlation between visfatin and senescence. In addition, visfatin knockdown by small interfering RNA led to the reduction in hDPC senescence; however, treatment with exogenous visfatin protein induced the senescence of hDPCs along with increased NADPH consumption, which was reversed by FK866, a chemical inhibitor of visfatin. Furthermore, visfatin-induced senescence was associated with both the induction of telomere damage and the upregulation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors as well as NF-κB activation, which were all inhibited by FK866. Taken together, these results demonstrate, for the first time, that visfatin plays a pivotal role in hDPC senescence in association with telomere dysfunction and the induction of SASP factors.
Economic Evaluation of Drying of Soot Sludge and Sawdust Mixture at Low Temperatures Using the Characteristic Drying Curve Method
Authors: Myllymaa Tiina , Holmberg Henrik , Ahtila Pekka
Published: January 2020

Soot sludge is a waste stream formed in the fuel oil gasification of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide production. The soot sludge has a high moisture content (95%) and is presently combusted with heavy fuel oil in order to dispose of the sludge. Experimental tests earlier conducted by the authors have shown that the sludge can be convectively dried with sawdust in a fixed bed. By upgrading the sludge from waste to fuel, the utilization of oil can be decreased. In this study, characteristic drying curves (CDC) are determined for the sludge and sawdust mixture. The CDCs are further used to evaluate the economy of the mixture drying in a belt dryer by using the payback period method. Results show that the linear CDCs of the mixture can be used to extrapolate drying data from specific drying conditions to another when the bed height is 200 or 300 mm, and the inlet air temperature 40–100 °C. The economic analysis shows that drying is economical for all inlet air temperatures if the oil price is ≥350 €/t-oil. Sensitivity analyses reveal that the heat, sawdust and emission prices have no remarkable influence on the economy of drying if the oil price does not fall below c. 300 €/t-oil.
Preparation of Cross-Linkable Waterborne Polyurethane-Acrylate Coating Films with Multifunctional Properties
Authors: Chen Xin , Ye Xiaomin , Lu Lulu , Qian Yudan , Wang Lingnan , Bi Yicheng , Wang Zefeng , Cai Zaisheng
Published: January 2020

Self-migration or unstable phase inversion occurs when the application conditions are varied, which limits the application of polyurethane-acrylate (PUA) composite films. In this paper, cross-linked polyurethane/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-borneol acrylate) shell microspheres were prepared by using the seeded emulsion polymerization method. The core-shell structure of these samples was identified by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). Moreover, HR-TEM images indicated that the core-shell structure of the microsphere does not undergo complete phase inversion. In addition, with increasing content of borneol acrylate in the shell, the water resistance and antibacterial adhesion of films were improved. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), water contact angle (CA) measurements, antibacterial and anti-adhesion tests demonstrate that the C/N ratios of films from the inside to the upper surface had an obvious gradient in growth, indicating the shell component (polyborneol acrylate) was predominantly present at the surface of films after coalescence in cross-linked core-shell PUA. It was found that a suitable degree of cross-linking contributes to the segregation of the hydrophobic component (borneol groups) on the film surface. As a consequence, the excellent water resistance, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial properties endowed this series of polymer materials with promising application potential in the biomedical field.
Micro-Patterning of Magnetron Sputtered Titanium Dioxide Coatings and Their Efficiency for Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Ratova Marina , Sawtell David , Kelly Peter J.
Published: January 2020

Titanium dioxide thin films were deposited onto sola-lime glass substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering. Fine stainless steel mesh sheets with different aperture sizes were applied as masks over glass substrates to allow the deposition of the coatings with micro-patterned structures and, therefore, enhanced surface area. Non-patterned titania films were deposited for comparison purposes. The titanium dioxide films were post-deposition annealed at 873 K for crystallinity development and then extensively analysed by a number of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), optical and stylus profilometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of non-patterned and micro-patterned titania films was assessed under UV light irradiation by three different methods; namely methylene blue, stearic acid, and oleic acid degradation. The results revealed that the micro-patterned coatings significantly outperformed non-patterned titania in all types of photocatalytic tests, due to their higher values of surface area. Increasing the aperture of the stainless steel mesh resulted in lower photocatalytic activity and lower surface area values, compared to the coatings deposited through a smaller aperture mesh.
Clustering versus Incremental Learning Multi-Codebook Fuzzy Neural Network for Multi-Modal Data Classification
Authors: Ma’sum Muhammad Anwar , Sanabila Hadaiq Rolis , Mursanto Petrus , Jatmiko Wisnu
Published: January 2020

One of the challenges in machine learning is a classification in multi-modal data. The problem needs a customized method as the data has a feature that spreads in several areas. This study proposed a multi-codebook fuzzy neural network classifiers using clustering and incremental learning approaches to deal with multi-modal data classification. The clustering methods used are K-Means and GMM clustering. Experiment result, on a synthetic dataset, the proposed method achieved the highest performance with 84.76% accuracy. Whereas on the benchmark dataset, the proposed method has the highest performance with 79.94% accuracy. The proposed method has 24.9% and 4.7% improvements in synthetic and benchmark datasets respectively compared to the original version. The proposed classifier has better accuracy compared to a popular neural network with 10% and 4.7% margin in synthetic and benchmark dataset respectively.
On the Nitrogen Doping in Erbium and Nitrogen Codoped Magnesium Zinc Oxide Diode by Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Chen Chun-An , Hsu Yu-Ting , Lan Wen-How , Huang Kai-Feng , Chang Kuo-Jen , Wang Mu-Chun , Huang Chien-Jung
Published: January 2020

Diodes with an erbium and nitrogen codoped magnesium zinc oxide (MgZnO:Er,N) active layer were fabricated by spray pyrolysis on Si substrate with aqueous solutions including magnesium nitrate, zinc acetate, erbium acetate, ammonium acetate, and indium nitrate precursors. Diodes with different nitrogen content in their precursor were prepared and their properties were investigated. With scanning electron microscopy, film surface with mixed hexagonal flakes and tiny blocks was characterized for all samples. Certain morphologies varied for samples with different N contents. In the photoluminescence analyses, the intensity of the oxygen-related defects peak increased with the increasing of nitrogen content. The diodes were fabricated with an Au and In deposition on the top and backside. The diode current–voltage as well as capacitance–voltage characteristics were examined. An ununiformed n-type concentration distribution with high concentration near the interface in the MgZnO:Er,N layer was characterized for all samples. Diodes with high nitrogen content exhibit reduced breakdown voltage and higher interface concentration characteristics. Under reversed bias conditions with an injection current of 50 mA, a light spectrum with two distinct green emissions around wavelengths 532 and 553 nm was observed. A small spectrum variation was characterized for diodes prepared from different nitrogen content. The diode luminescence characteristics were examined and the diode prepared from N/Zn=1 in the precursor showed an optimal injection current-to-luminescence property. The current and luminescence properties of the diode were characterized and discussed.
Diversity of a Large Collection of Natural Populations of Mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) Revealed by Agro-Morphological and Quality Traits
Authors: Zhang Cuixian , Xie Dehong , Bai Tianqi , Luo Xinping , Zhang Faming , Ni Zhangguang , Chen Yufu
Published: January 2020

Collection, characterization and utilization of genetic resources are crucial for developing varieties to meet current and future needs. Although mango is an economically important fruit tree, its genetic resources are still undocumented and are threatened in their natural habits. In this study, the variability of 452 mango accessions from three regions in China (Nujiang, Lancang river and Honghe) was assessed using 41 descriptors including qualitative and quantitative traits, with the aim to identify mango accessions with excellent agronomic and quality traits. To this end, descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. Based on Shannon–Weaver diversity index, qualitative traits including pericarp color, fruit aroma, flesh color, and fruit flavor recorded the highest variability in the germplasm. Fruit related traits including pulp weight, peel weight, and fruit weight were the most diverse traits in the germplasm with a high coefficient of variation (CV > 40%). Significant differences (MANOVA test, p < 0.000) were observed among the three regions for most of the quantitative traits. Biologically significant and positive correlations were found among agronomically important traits such as fruit weight and pulp weight, fruit weight and edible rate. The hierarchical cluster analysis revealed tree clusters, indicating a low diversity in the germplasm. The majority of the descriptors contributed to the differentiation of the accessions. Accessions with good fruits quality (high fruit weight, pulp weight, and edible rate) were found in Cluster 2. Accessions in this cluster could be used for fruit quality improvement in mango breeding programs. Our study sheds light on the diversity of a large collection of natural mango population in China and provides relevant information for efficient conservation and harnessing of mango genetic resources.
On Unitary t-Designs from Relaxed Seeds
Authors: Mezher Rawad , Ghalbouni Joe , Dgheim Joseph , Markham Damian
Published: January 2020

The capacity to randomly pick a unitary across the whole unitary group is a powerful tool across physics and quantum information. A unitary t-design is designed to tackle this challenge in an efficient way, yet constructions to date rely on heavy constraints. In particular, they are composed of ensembles of unitaries which, for technical reasons, must contain inverses and whose entries are algebraic. In this work, we reduce the requirements for generating an ε -approximate unitary t-design. To do so, we first construct a specific n-qubit random quantum circuit composed of a sequence of randomly chosen 2-qubit gates, chosen from a set of unitaries which is approximately universal on U ( 4 ) , yet need not contain unitaries and their inverses nor are in general composed of unitaries whose entries are algebraic; dubbed r e l a x e d seed. We then show that this relaxed seed, when used as a basis for our construction, gives rise to an ε -approximate unitary t-design efficiently, where the depth of our random circuit scales as p o l y ( n , t , l o g ( 1 / ε ) ) , thereby overcoming the two requirements which limited previous constructions. We suspect the result found here is not optimal and can be improved; particularly because the number of gates in the relaxed seeds introduced here grows with n and t. We conjecture that constant sized seeds such as those which are usually present in the literature are sufficient.
Spectrum Sensing Method Based on Information Geometry and Deep Neural Network
Authors: Du Kaixuan , Wan Pin , Wang Yonghua , Ai Xiongzhi , Chen Huang
Published: January 2020

Due to the scarcity of radio spectrum resources and the growing demand, the use of spectrum sensing technology to improve the utilization of spectrum resources has become a hot research topic. In order to improve the utilization of spectrum resources, this paper proposes a spectrum sensing method that combines information geometry and deep learning. Firstly, the covariance matrix of the sensing signal is projected onto the statistical manifold. Each sensing signal can be regarded as a point on the manifold. Then, the geodesic distance between the signals is perceived as its statistical characteristics. Finally, deep neural network is used to classify the dataset composed of the geodesic distance. Simulation experiments show that the proposed spectrum sensing method based on deep neural network and information geometry has better performance in terms of sensing precision.
BBR-ACD: BBR with Advanced Congestion Detection
Authors: Mahmud Imtiaz , Kim Geon-Hwan , Lubna Tabassum , Cho You-Ze
Published: January 2020

With the aim of improved throughput with reduced delay, Google proposed the bottleneck bandwidth and round-trip time (BBR) congestion control algorithm in 2016. Contrasting with the traditional loss-based congestion control algorithms, it operates without bottleneck queue formation and packet losses. However, we find unexpected behaviour in BBR during testbed experiments and network simulator 3 (NS-3) simulations. We observe huge packet losses, retransmissions, and large queue formation in the bottleneck in a congested network scenario. We believe this is because of BBR’s nature of sending extra data during the bandwidth probing without considering the network conditions, and the lack of a proper recovery mechanism. In a congested network, the sent extra data creates a large queue in the bottleneck, which is sustained due to insufficient drain time. BBR lacks a proper mechanism to detect such large bottleneck queues, cannot comply with the critical congestion situation properly, and results in excessive retransmission problems. Based on these observations, we propose a derivative of BBR, called “BBR with advanced congestion detection (BBR-ACD)”, that reduces the excessive retransmissions without losing the merits. We propose a novel method to determine an actual congestion situation by considering the packet loss and delay-gradient of round-trip time, and implement a proper recovery mechanism to handle such a congestion situation. Through extensive test and NS-3 simulations, we confirmed that the proposed BBR-ACD could reduce the retransmissions by about 50% while improving the total goodput of the network.
Modeling of High-Resolution Data Converter: Two-Step Pipelined-SAR ADC based on ISDM
Authors: Gao Bo , Li Xin , Sun Jie , Wu Jianhui
Published: January 2020

The features of high-resolution and high-bandwidth are in an increasing demand considering to the wide range application fields based on high performance data converters. In this paper, a modeling of high-resolution hybrid analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is proposed to meet those requirements, and a 16-bit two-step pipelined successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with first-order continuous-time incremental sigma-delta modulator (ISDM) assisted is presented to verify this modeling. The combination of high-bandwidth two-step pipelined-SAR ADC with low noise ISDM and background comparator offset calibration can achieve higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) without sacrificing the speed and plenty of hardware. The usage of a sub-ranging scheme consists of a coarse SAR ADC followed by an fine ISDM, can not only provide better suppression of the noise added in 2nd stage during conversion but also alleviate the demands of comparator’s resolution in both stages for a given power budget, compared with a conventional Pipelined-SAR ADC. At 1.2 V/1.8 V supply, 33.3 MS/s and 16 MHz input sinusoidal signal in the 40 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, the post-layout simulation results show that the proposed hybrid ADC achieves a signal-to-noise distortion ratio (SNDR) and a spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of 86.3 dB and 102.5 dBc respectively with a total power consumption of 19.2 mW.
CoRL: Collaborative Reinforcement Learning-Based MAC Protocol for IoT Networks
Authors: Lee Taegyeom , Jo Ohyun , Shin Kyungseop
Published: January 2020

Devices used in Internet of Things (IoT) networks continue to perform sensing, gathering, modifying, and forwarding data. Since IoT networks have a lot of participants, mitigating and reducing collisions among the participants becomes an essential requirement for the Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols to increase system performance. A collision occurs in wireless channel when two or more nodes try to access the channel at the same time. In this paper, a reinforcement learning-based MAC protocol was proposed to provide high throughput and alleviate the collision problem. A collaboratively predicted Q-value was proposed for nodes to update their value functions by using communications trial information of other nodes. Our proposed protocol was confirmed by intensive system level simulations that it can reduce convergence time in 34.1% compared to the conventional Q-learning-based MAC protocol.
DSFTL: An Efficient FTL for Flash Memory Based Storage Systems
Authors: Chae Suk-Joo , Mativenga Ronnie , Paik Joon-Young , Attique Muhammad , Chung Tae-Sun
Published: January 2020

Flash memory is widely used in solid state drives (SSD), smartphones and so on because of their non-volatility, low power consumption, rapid access speed, and resistance to shocks. Due to the hardware features of flash memory that differ from hard disk drives (HDD), a software called FTL (Flash Translation Layer) was presented. The function of FTL is to make flash memory device appear as a block device to its host. However, due to the erase before write features of flash memory, flash blocks need to be constantly availed through the garbage collection (GC) of invalid pages, which incurs high-priced overhead. In the previous hybrid mapping schemes, there are three problems that cause GC overhead. First, operation of partial merge causes more page copies than operation of switch merge. However, many authors just concentrate on reducing operation of full merge. Second, the availability between a data block and a log block makes the space availability of the log block lower, and it also generates a very high-priced operation of full merge. Third, the space availability of the data block is low because the data block, which has many free pages, is merged. Therefore, we propose a new FTL named DSFTL (Dynamic Setting for FTL). In this FTL, we use many SW (sequential write) log blocks to increase operation of switch merge and to decrease operation of partial merge. In addition, DSFTL dynamically handles the data blocks and log blocks to reduce the operations of erase and the high-priced operation of full merge. Additionally, our scheme prevents the data block with many free pages from being merged to increase the space availability of the data block. Our extensive experimental results prove that our proposed approach (DSFTL) reduces the count of erase and increases the operation of switch merge. As a result, DSFTL decreases the garbage collection overhead.
Research on the Fault Characteristic of Wind Turbine Generator System Considering the Spatiotemporal Distribution of the Actual Wind Speed
Authors: Sheng Xiaoling , Wan Shuting , Cheng Kanru , Wang Xuan
Published: January 2020

A reliable fault monitoring system is one of the conditions that must be considered in the design of large wind farms today. The most important factor for the fault monitoring should be the accurate diagnosis criteria with sensitive fault characteristics. Most of the current fault diagnosis criteria are obtained based on the average wind speed at the center of the hub which is not in accord with the actual wind condition in nature. So, this paper utilizes an equivalent wind speed (EWS), which can describe the actual wind speed spatiotemporal distribution on the rotor disk area considering the effects of wind shear and tower shadow, to analyze the common mechanical and electrical faults again. Firstly, the EWS model applicable to the 3-blade wind turbines is introduced; then the new fault characteristics of the wind turbine rotor aerodynamic imbalance and the stator winding asymmetry are theoretically analyzed based on the EWS model; finally, the simulation platform is built in Matlab/Simulink for comparison and the simulation result is well consistent with the theory analysis. The aim of this research is to find more accurate fault characteristics and help promoting the healthy development of wind power industry.
Development and Application of an Intelligent Test System for the Model Test on Deep Underground Rock Caverns
Authors: Liu Chuancheng , Zhang Qiangyong , Duan Kang , Xiang Wen , Jiao Yuyong
Published: January 2020

The safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is a major issue to ensure environmental protection and the sustainable development of the nuclear energy industry; it is also an equally important issue regarding nuclear safety. Deep-buried geological disposal is recognized worldwide as the safest and most feasible way to protect human beings and the environment. To satisfy the research functions, most underground research laboratories (URLs) for geological repositories are buried deeply, and their layout is quite complex. To research nonlinear deformation characteristics and failure mechanism of deep underground caverns in the process of construction, we developed an intelligent true triaxial non-uniform loading/unloading model test system. The system has the advantages of a large rated output, starting from zero pressure, cyclic loading and unloading, high loading accuracy and displacement test accuracy, and arbitrary adjustment of device size. We carried out a true three-dimensional physical model test, taking the URL for the deep-buried geological disposal of HLW in Beishan area, Gansu Province as the prototype. The nonlinear deformation characteristics and the law of displacement change of the underground laboratory caverns are reproduced. We observed the whole process, from the appearance of micro cracks to the expansion of the cracks and the collapse of the cavern group. This provides an important experimental basis for optimizing the design and construction of URL for the deep-buried geological disposal of HLW. The value and slope of displacement calculated by the numerical simulation are mainly the same as the experimental results of the geological model test, which validates the accuracy and reliability of the model test system in this study.
Room Classification Based on EMC Conditions in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Grganić Hrvoje , Grgić Davor , Šadek Siniša
Published: January 2020

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in nuclear power plants today mostly relies on the qualification tests of the new equipment and adhering to some good installation practices. Diversity of the electromagnetic environment and different susceptibility of the plant equipment calls for a systematic classification of the EMC zones in a nuclear power plant. The paper proposes a methodology that uses a combination of the qualification tests, in situ and bench immunity tests, site survey measurements, operational experience, and numerical calculations to divide a nuclear power plant into a reasonable number of EMC zones. This would primarily help to have a better overview of the current EMC level in the plant and to unify emission and susceptibility requirements for the new equipment. In this paper, special attention is given to the preparation and performance of the in situ tests, which present the most challenging step of the methodology. In addition, the paper proposes some of the possible applications of the numerical calculations and addresses their challenges and limitations. The novel classification methodology, inspired by the equipment qualification program, is illustrated with examples from Krško Nuclear Power Plant, which recently performed a comprehensive EMC assessment.
Husk Energy Supply Systems for Sunflower Oil Mills
Authors: Havrysh Valerii , Kalinichenko Antonina , Mentel Grzegorz , Mentel Urszula , Vasbieva Dinara G.
Published: January 2020

Together with solar, wind, and hydro renewable energy sources (RES), biomass constitutes an integral part of the high-renewables electricity systems. Considerable feedstocks for electricity generation are process-based residues. Ukraine is the world leader in sunflower seed production, therefore, husk (a by-product of oil production) is a promising biofuel for combustion- based power plants. The plants consume primarily electricity and fossil fuels (natural gas or fuel oil) for steam production. Their usage affects the edible oil production cost and impacts on climate change. The above facts force us to look for alternatives. By-product (husk) utilization can reduce exhaustible energy consumption (fossil fuels and grid electricity) and mitigate climate change. The aim of the study is to make an energy and ecological assessment of biomass energy supply systems. Specifically, the electricity and heat consumption of Ukrainian sunflower oil mills is investigated. Different options of cogeneration systems are analyzed. The preferable mode of combustion-based husk combined heat and power plants is to meet their own heat demand and to sell surplus electricity. Relative gross income and carbon dioxide emission reductions are calculated. Our results show that husk utilization can meet electricity and heat requirements of edible plants. The surplus electricity may be sold to the grid. Husk combined heat and power plants may result in reduction of carbon dioxide by 200–300% and an increase of total income by 24.7–65.7% (compared to conventional energy supply systems).
Effect of Non-Condensable Gasses on the Performance of a Vacuum Thermochemical Reactor
Authors: Donkers Pim , Gao Kun , Houben Jelle , Huinink Henk , Erich Bart , Adan Olaf
Published: January 2020

A promising heat storage technique is based on thermochemical materials (TCM). Such materials are often used in closed systems under vacuum conditions, which is demonstrated in several projects in the European H2020 R&D programs. In this type of systems, non-condensable gasses (NCG) may have a significant effect on the reactor performance. This paper considers the potential effects of NCG on vacuum TCM reactor performance in detail. Water is used as working material to study NCG. Both experiments and numerical simulations show that the effect of NCG cannot be neglected. A small amount of NCG in a vacuum setup will significantly reduce the evaporation/condensation rate. It will transform the transport process from convection-based into diffusion-based in case the pressure of NCG at the condenser surface is equal to the pressure difference between the evaporator/condenser. Designing a stable vacuum storage system, puts high demands on leak tightness of the reactors but also on avoiding NCG release originating from TCM and any used material in the reactor (like coatings and glue). Additional free volume in the reactor will help to reach the demands of stable performance over longer working periods but decreases system energy density, being a crucial KPI. With help of our model, the performance of a system can be determined.
Back Analysis of the Initial Geo-Stress Field of Rock Masses in High Geo-Temperature and High Geo-Stress
Authors: Meng Wei , He Chuan
Published: January 2020

In a high geo-temperature environment, it is rarely reported that geo-temperature has been considered during a back analysis. This may cause the initial geo-stress field that is obtained by a back analysis to be wrong. In this study, according to the theory of elasticity, the theoretical solution of the hydraulic fracturing equation is obtained in a high geo-temperature environment. Since the vertical stress that is obtained by the hydraulic fracturing method is calculated using the density of overlying strata, this vertical stress lacks the thermal stress that is caused by geothermal gradients. Therefore, in a high geo-temperature environment, inverting the initial geo-stress field of rock masses directly using the stress that is measured by the hydraulic fracturing method can cause serious errors. We propose that the regression coefficient of a gravitational stress field should be set to one during a back analysis if stresses are measured by the hydraulic fracturing method, and this regression coefficient should not be equal to one if stresses are measured by overcoring methods. We also propose a workflow for the back analysis of the initial geo-stress field of rock masses that considers geo-temperature, and this workflow is applied to the Sangzhuling tunnel in China.