bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein complex formation in methionine chain-elongation and leucine biosynthesis
Authors: Chen Li-Qun , Chhajed Shweta , Zhang Tong , Collins Joseph M. , Pang Qiuying , Song Wenyuan , He Yan , Chen Sixue
Published: February 2021

During the past two decades, glucosinolate (GLS) metabolic pathways have been under extensive studies because of the importance of the specialized metabolites in plant defense against herbivores and pathogens. The studies have led to a nearly complete characterization of biosynthetic genes in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Before methionine incorporation into the core structure of aliphatic GLS, it undergoes chain-elongation through an iterative three-step process recruited from leucine biosynthesis. Although enzymes catalyzing each step of the reaction have been characterized, the regulatory mode is largely unknown. In this study, using three independent approaches, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), we uncovered the presence of protein complexes consisting of isopropylmalate isomerase (IPMI) and isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH). In addition, simultaneous decreases in both IPMI and IPMDH activities in a leuc:ipmdh1 double mutants resulted in aggregated changes of GLS profiles compared to either leuc or ipmdh1 single mutants. Although the biological importance of the formation of IPMI and IPMDH protein complexes has not been documented in any organisms, these complexes may represent a new regulatory mechanism of substrate channeling in GLS and/or leucine biosynthesis. Since genes encoding the two enzymes are widely distributed in eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes, such complexes may have universal significance in the regulation of leucine biosynthesis.
Effects of hydrological regime and land use on in-stream Escherichia coli concentration in the Mekong basin, Lao PDR
Authors: Nakhle Paty , Ribolzi Olivier , Boithias Laurie , Rattanavong Sayaphet , Auda Yves , Sayavong Saysongkham , Zimmermann Rosalie , Soulileuth Bounsamay , Pando Anne , Thammahacksa Chanthamousone , Rochelle-Newall Emma J. , Santini William , Martinez Jean-Michel , Gratiot Nicolas , Pierret Alain
Published: February 2021

In the basin of Mekong, over 70 million people rely on unimproved surface water for their domestic requirements. Surface water is often contaminated with fecal matter and yet little information exists on the underlying mechanisms of fecal contamination in tropical conditions at large watershed scales. Our objectives were to (1) investigate the seasonality of fecal contamination usingEscherichia colias fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), and (2) establish links between the fecal contamination in stream water and its controlling factors (hydrology and land use). We present the results of (1) a sampling campaign at the outlet of 19 catchments across Lao PDR, in both the dry and the rainy seasons of 2016, and (2) a 10-day interval monitoring conducted in 2017 and 2018 at three point locations of three rivers (Nam Ou, Nam Suang, and Mekong) in northern Lao PDR. Our results show the presence of fecal contamination at most of the sampled sites, with a seasonality characterized by higher and extremeE. coliconcentrations occurring during the rainy season. The highestE. coliconcentrations, strongly correlated with total suspended sediment concentrations, were measured in catchments dominated by unstocked forest areas, especially in mountainous northern Lao PDR and in Vientiane province.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma is not a biomarker for Huntington’s disease
Authors: Ou Zhen-Yi Andy , Byrne Lauren M. , Rodrigues Filipe B. , Tortelli Rosanna , Johnson Eileanoir B. , Foiani Martha S. , Arridge Marzena , De Vita Enrico , Scahill Rachael I. , Heslegrave Amanda , Zetterberg Henrik , Wild Edward J.
Published: February 2021

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the survival of striatal neurons. BDNF function is reduced in Huntington’s disease (HD), possibly because mutant huntingtin impairs its cortico-striatal transport, contributing to striatal neurodegeneration. The BDNF trophic pathway is a therapeutic target, and blood BDNF has been suggested as a potential biomarker for HD, but BDNF has not been quantified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in HD. We quantified BDNF in CSF and plasma in the HD-CSF cohort (20 pre-manifest and 40 manifest HD mutation carriers and 20 age and gender-matched controls) using conventional ELISAs and an ultra-sensitive immunoassay. BDNF concentration was below the limit of detection of the conventional ELISAs, raising doubt about previous CSF reports in neurodegeneration. Using the ultra-sensitive method, BDNF concentration was quantifiable in all samples but did not differ between controls and HD mutation carriers in CSF or plasma, was not associated with clinical scores or MRI brain volumetric measures, and had poor ability to discriminate controls from HD mutation carriers, and premanifest from manifest HD. We conclude that BDNF in CSF and plasma is unlikely to be a biomarker of HD progression and urge caution in interpreting studies where conventional ELISA was used to quantify CSF BDNF.
A novel canine reference genome resolves genomic architecture and uncovers transcript complexity
Authors: Wang Chao , Wallerman Ola , Arendt Maja-Louise , Sundström Elisabeth , Karlsson Åsa , Nordin Jessika , Mäkeläinen Suvi , Pielberg Gerli Rosengren , Hanson Jeanette , Ohlsson Åsa , Saellström Sara , Rönnberg Henrik , Ljungvall Ingrid , Häggström Jens , Bergström Tomas F. , Hedhammar Åke , Meadows Jennifer R. S. , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin
Published: February 2021

We present GSD_1.0, a high-quality domestic dog reference genome with chromosome length scaffolds and contiguity increased 55-fold over CanFam3.1. Annotation with generated and existing long and short read RNA-seq, miRNA-seq and ATAC-seq, revealed that 32.1% of lifted over CanFam3.1 gaps harboured previously hidden functional elements, including promoters, genes and miRNAs in GSD_1.0. A catalogue of canine “dark” regions was made to facilitate mapping rescue. Alignment in these regions is difficult, but we demonstrate that they harbour trait-associated variation. Key genomic regions were completed, including the Dog Leucocyte Antigen (DLA), T Cell Receptor (TCR) and 366 COSMIC cancer genes. 10x linked-read sequencing of 27 dogs (19 breeds) uncovered 22.1 million SNPs, indels and larger structural variants. Subsequent intersection with protein coding genes showed that 1.4% of these could directly influence gene products, and so provide a source of normal or aberrant phenotypic modifications.
CYK4 relaxes the bias in the off-axis motion by MKLP1 kinesin-6
Authors: Maruyama Yohei , Sugawa Mitsuhiro , Yamaguchi Shin , Davies Tim , Osaki Toshihisa , Kobayashi Takuya , Yamagishi Masahiko , Takeuchi Shoji , Mishima Masanori , Yajima Junichiro
Published: February 2021

Centralspindlin, a complex of the MKLP1 kinesin-6 and CYK4 GAP subunits, plays key roles in metazoan cytokinesis. CYK4-binding to the long neck region of MKLP1 restricts the configuration of the two MKLP1 motor domains in the centralspindlin. However, it is unclear how the CYK4-binding modulates the interaction of MKLP1 with a microtubule. Here, we performed three-dimensional nanometry of a microbead coated with multiple MKLP1 molecules on a freely suspended microtubule. We found that beads driven by dimeric MKLP1 exhibited persistently left-handed helical trajectories around the microtubule axis, indicating torque generation. By contrast, centralspindlin, like monomeric MKLP1, showed similarly left-handed but less persistent helical movement with occasional rightward movements. Analysis of the fluctuating helical movement indicated that the MKLP1 stochastically makes off-axis motions biased towards the protofilament on the left. CYK4-binding to the neck domains in MKLP1 enables more flexible off-axis motion of centralspindlin, which would help to avoid obstacles along crowded spindle microtubules.
Inhibition of miR-96-5p in the mouse brain increases glutathione levels by altering NOVA1 expression
Authors: Kinoshita Chisato , Kikuchi-Utsumi Kazue , Aoyama Koji , Suzuki Ryo , Okamoto Yayoi , Matsumura Nobuko , Omata Daiki , Maruyama Kazuo , Nakaki Toshio
Published: February 2021

Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant that plays a critical role in neuroprotection. GSH depletion in neurons induces oxidative stress and thereby promotes neuronal damage, which in turn is regarded as a hallmark of the early stage of neurodegenerative diseases. The neuronal GSH level is mainly regulated by cysteine transporter EAAC1 and its inhibitor, GTRAP3-18. In this study, we found that the GTRAP3-18 level was increased by up-regulation of the microRNA miR-96-5p, which was found to decrease EAAC1 levels in our previous study. Since the 3’-UTR region of GTRAP3-18 lacks the consensus sequence for miR-96-5p, an unidentified protein should be responsible for the intermediate regulation of GTRAP3-18 expression by miR-96-5p. Here, we discovered that RNA-binding protein NOVA1 functions as an intermediate protein for GTRAP3-18 expression via miR-96-5p. Moreover, we show that intra-arterial injection of a miR-96-5p-inhibiting nucleic acid to living mice by a drug delivery system using microbubbles and ultrasound decreased the level of GTRAP3-18 via NOVA1 and increased the levels of EAAC1 and GSH in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. These findings suggest that the delivery of a miR-96-5p inhibitor to the brain would efficiently increase the neuroprotective activity by increasing GSH levels via EAAC1, GTRAP3-18 and NOVA1.
Double-shelled carbon nanocages grafted with carbon nanotubes embedding Co nanoparticles for enhanced hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis
Authors: Song Xue-Zhi , Wang He , Li Zhuoxi , Meng Yu-Lan , Tan Zhenquan , Zhu Min
Published: February 2021

Co@CNTs@DSCNCs with a double-shelled hollow structure exhibit an enhanced HER activity compared to a series of Co@CNTs@PC catalysts.
Theoretical investigation of the relative impacts of water and ammonia on the tropospheric conversion of N2O5 to HNO3
Authors: Sarkar Saptarshi , Bandyopadhyay Biman
Published: February 2021

Catalytic effects of H2O and NH3 on HNO3 formation via hydrolysis and ammonolysis of N2O5 have been studied. Relative rate analysis reveals that ammonolysis has negligible practical atmospheric implication compared to hydrolysis.
Kondo effect and RKKY interaction assisted by magnetic anisotropy in a frustrated magnetic molecular device at zero and finite temperature
Authors: Nan Nan , Li Wei , Wang Peng-Chao , Hu Yong-Jin , Tan Guo-Long , Xiong Yong-Chen
Published: February 2021

We consider a magnetic molecular trimer sandwiched between two metal electrodes, and study the effect of magnetic anisotropy on the charge transport properties, the Kondo effect, and the temperature and inter-monomer hopping robustness.
Magnetization reversal on different time-scales for ErFeO3 and NdFeO3 single crystals
Authors: Mohammed Mohanad H. , Cheng Zhenxiang , Cao Shixun , Horvat Joseph
Published: February 2021

Magnetization reversal occurs over 1 min for NdFeO3 crystals, while it occurs over a fraction of a second for ErFeO3 crystals.
Self-passivation of low-dimensional hybrid halide perovskites guided by structural characteristics and degradation kinetics
Authors: Meng Ke , Wang Xiao , Li Zhimin , Liu Zhou , Qiao Zhi , Wang Chunwu , Hu Youdi , Li Shunde , Cheng Lei , Zhai Yufeng , Chen Gang
Published: February 2021

Inspired and guided by the structural characteristics and degradation kinetics of a low-dimensional perovskite (LDP) film, an effective self-passivation strategy is proposed to fabricate the high-performance LDP based solar cells.
High transference number enabled by sulfated zirconia superacid for lithium metal batteries with carbonate electrolytes
Authors: Woo Sang-Gil , Hwang Eun-Kyoung , Kang Hee-Kook , Lee Haeun , Lee Je-Nam , Kim Hyun-seung , Jeong Goojin , Yoo Dong-Joo , Lee Jimin , Kim Sungchan , Yu Ji-Sang , Choi Jang Wook
Published: February 2021

Sulfated-zirconia superacid enhances the performance of lithium-metal battery markedly by increasing the lithium-ion transference number and modifying the interfacial composition.
Piezoelectric activation of peroxymonosulfate by MoS2 nanoflowers for the enhanced degradation of aqueous organic pollutants
Authors: Liu Shuhui , Jing Binghua , Nie Chunyang , Ao Zhimin , Duan Xiaoguang , Lai Bo , Shao Youyuan , Wang Shaobin , An Taicheng
Published: February 2021

MoS2 NFs have exhibited abundant active sites in odd-number layers to piezoelectrically activate PMS for producing ˙OH and SO4˙− in order to degrade organic pollutants.
Enhancing the performance of a microbial electrochemical system with carbon-based dynamic membrane as both anode electrode and filtration media
Authors: Liu Fubin , Moustafa Hanan , Hassouna Mohammed Salah El-Din , He Zhen
Published: February 2021

The dynamic membrane can enhance the electricity generation and improve the effluent quality in microbial electrochemical systems.
Curing time: a temporally explicit life cycle CO2 accounting of mineralization, bioenergy, and CCS in the concrete sector
Authors: Tanzer Samantha Eleanor , Blok Kornelis , Ramírez Andrea
Published: February 2021

CO₂-negative concrete is possible via bioenergy and CCS at cement kilns and recarbonation of concrete during and after service life. However, CO₂ uptake by biomass and concrete is gradual and CO2 negativity is reached only well after emissions occur.
Thermal switches between delayed fluorescence and persistent phosphorescence based on a keto-BODIPY electron acceptor
Authors: Liu Hui , Xue Jiaying , Wang Sisi , Wu Fan , Zhao Yue , Shen Zhen
Published: February 2021

A new type of twisted donor–acceptor molecular material 3a and 3b containing carbazole as an electron donor and keto-BODIPY bearing keto-isoindolinyl and pyridyl subunits as an acceptor has been prepared and characterized.
Sensor array for wireless remote monitoring of carbon dioxide and methane near carbon sequestration and oil recovery sites
Authors: Honeycutt Wesley T. , Kim Taehwan , Ley M. Tyler , Materer Nicholas F.
Published: February 2021

Demonstration of a solar-powered sensor array for remote carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery monitoring. An unattended sensor array can collect real-time gas concentrations, allow leak detection, and measure daily concentration cycles.
The selective synthesis of N-arylbenzene-1,2-diamines or 1-arylbenzimidazoles by irradiating 4-methoxy-4′-substituted-azobenzenes in different solvents
Authors: Chen Po-Yi , Hsu Chi-Wei , Ho Tong-Ing , Ho Jinn-Hsuan
Published: February 2021

A solvent-controllable photoreaction involving 4-methoxyazobenzenes has been developed to synthesize 1-aryl-1H-benzimidazoles or N-arylbenzene-1,2-diamines in moderate to good yields.
Safely probing the chemistry of Chernobyl nuclear fuel using micro-focus X-ray analysis
Authors: Ding Hao , Dixon Wilkins Malin C. , Gausse Clémence , Mottram Lucy M. , Sun Shikuan , Stennett Martin C. , Grolimund Daniel , Tappero Ryan , Nicholas Sarah , Hyatt Neil C. , Corkhill Claire L.
Published: February 2021

Multi-modal μ-focus X-ray analysis was applied to Chernobyl simulant nuclear fuel materials and insight into the role of uranium speciation in controlling its incorporation within the phase assemblage, including the amorphous phase, was achieved.
Effect of water frustration on water oxidation catalysis in the nanoconfined interlayers of layered manganese oxides birnessite and buserite
Authors: Bhullar Ravneet K. , Zdilla Michael J. , Klein Michael L. , Remsing Richard C.
Published: February 2021

Reacting out of frustration: unlike buserite, the nanoconfined interlayer of birnessite results in geometric frustration of water molecules, which decreases the Marcus reorganization energy of electron transfer and enhances water oxidation catalysis.
Multifunctional sulfur-mediated strategy enabling fast-charging Sb2S3micro-package anode for lithium-ion storage
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Cheng Yong , Xue Hongjin , Liu Wanqiang , Yi Zheng , Chang Limin , Wang Liming
Published: February 2021

A micro-package anode composed of Sb2S3particles was encapsulated into S-doped expanded graphite (Sb2S3@EG′-S) by a sulfur-mediated route for energy storage applications. The performance at a high current density is superior to most previously reported Sb2S3-based anodes.
An ultralow-temperature aqueous zinc-ion battery
Authors: Sun Tianjiang , Yuan Xuming , Wang Ke , Zheng Shibing , Shi Jinqing , Zhang Qiu , Cai Wensheng , Liang Jing , Tao Zhanliang
Published: February 2021

A low-temperature aqueous zinc-ion battery is developed based on 4 M Zn(BF4)2 electrolyte with a low freezing point of −122 °C. The constructed Zn//TCBQ battery can be operated even at −95 °C and achieves a high discharge capacity of 63.5 mA h g−1.
Nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 crosslinked with QK and BMP-2-derived peptide prevented femur nonunion in rats
Authors: Li Ang , Li Jian , Zhang Zhengye , Li Zecheng , Chi Hui , Song Chengchao , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Yufu , Chen Guanghua , Yan Jinglong
Published: February 2021

A dual-peptide controlled released system based on nHA/PA66 scaffold for enhancing bone regeneration.
Highly stretchable, transparent and conductive double-network ionic hydrogels for strain and pressure sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity
Authors: Yu Jie , Wang Ming , Dang Chao , Zhang Cunzhi , Feng Xiao , Chen Guixian , Huang Zhongyuan , Qi Haisong , Liu Hongchen , Kang Jian
Published: February 2021

Transparent ionic conductive hydrogel sensor is fabricated by one-pot polymerization, which shows high stretchability and reliable sensitivity. Therefore, it can detect subtle human activities, such as pulse, speaking, and facial expressions.
Trap-dominated nitrogen dioxide and ammonia responses of air-stable p-channel conjugated polymers from detailed bias stress analysis
Authors: Mukhopadhyaya Tushita , Katz Howard E.
Published: February 2021

Trap and carrier density modulation via bias stress is a determining factor in OFET responses to analyte vapors. The interplay between vapor exposure and bias stress influences signal strength from polymer-based OFET sensors.
Stereocomplexation of enantiomeric star-shaped poly(lactide)s with a chromophore core
Authors: Praveena N. M. , Nagarajan Selvaraj , Gowd E. Bhoje
Published: February 2021

Herein, we aim to investigate the influence of the cooling rate from the melt on stereocomplex formation of equimolar blends of enantiomeric star-shaped poly(lactide)s with a dipyridamole core.
Polaron-formation revealed by transient XUV imaginary refractive index changes in different iron compounds
Authors: Chen Wenfan , Xiong Wei
Published: February 2021

We report different polaron trap depths in hematite and akageneite measured by transient XUV reflection–absorption spectroscopy.
An integrated techno-sustainability assessment (TSA) framework for emerging technologies
Authors: Van Schoubroeck Sophie , Thomassen Gwenny , Van Passel Steven , Malina Robert , Springael Johan , Lizin Sebastien , Venditti Richard A. , Yao Yuan , Van Dael Miet
Published: February 2021

The integrated techno-sustainability assessment (TSA) deals with the dynamic quantification of application-specific environmental, economic, and social indicators, and flexible decision-making for emerging (biobased) technologies.
Penta-MS2 (M = Mn, Ni, Cu/Ag and Zn/Cd) monolayers with negative Poisson's ratios and tunable bandgaps as water-splitting photocatalysts
Authors: Lv Xiaodong , Yu Linke , Li Fengyu , Gong Jian , He Yong , Chen Zhongfang
Published: February 2021

Seeking novel materials with specific applications is always an attractive theme in developing two-dimensional (2D) materials. Here 10 2D pentagonal transition metal dichalcogenids are identified with high stability and their promising applications.
Clay-based nanocomposite hydrogel with attractive mechanical properties and sustained bioactive ion release for bone defect repair
Authors: Zhai Xinyun , Ruan Changshun , Shen Jie , Zheng Chuping , Zhao Xiaoli , Pan Haobo , Lu William Weijia
Published: February 2021

Using nanoclay as the physical crosslinker, a novel clay-based nanocomposite hydrogel with attractive mechanical properties has be obtained, and the gradual release of intrinsic Mg2+ and Si4+ endows the system with excellent osteogenesis.
High efficiency and long lifetime fluorescent white organic light-emitting diodes by phosphor sensitization to strategically manage singlet and triplet excitons
Authors: Yao Jingwen , Liu Wei , Lin Chengwei , Sun Qian , Dai Yanfeng , Qiao Xianfeng , Yang Dezhi , Chen Jiangshan , Ma Dongge
Published: February 2021

The positions of the phosphor-sensitized yellow EML from the exciton recombination zone were controlled to strategically utilize singlet and triplet excitons for blue and yellow emissions to realize high-performance fluorescent WOLEDs.
Structural basis of catalysis and substrate recognition by the NAD(H)-dependent α-d-glucuronidase from the glycoside hydrolase family 4
Authors: Mohapatra Samar Ballabha , Manoj Narayanan
Published: February 2021

Members of the glycoside hydrolase family 4 (GH4) employ an unusual glycosidic bond cleavage mechanism utilizing NAD(H) and a divalent metal ion, under reducing conditions. These enzymes act upon a diverse range of glycosides, and unlike most other GH families, homologs here are known to accommodate both α- and β-anomeric specificities within the same active site. Here, we report the catalytic properties and the crystal structures of TmAgu4B, an α-d-glucuronidase from the hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima. The structures in three different states include the apo form, the NADH bound holo form, and the ternary complex with NADH and the reaction product d-glucuronic acid, at 2.15, 1.97 and 1.85 Å resolutions, respectively. These structures reveal the step-wise route of conformational changes required in the active site to achieve the catalytically competent state, and illustrate the direct role of residues that determine the reaction mechanism. Furthermore, a structural transition of a helical region in the active site to a turn geometry resulting in the rearrangement of a unique arginine residue governs the exclusive glucopyranosiduronic acid recognition in TmAgu4B. Mutational studies show that modifications of the glycone binding site geometry lead to catalytic failure and indicate overlapping roles of specific residues in catalysis and substrate recognition. The data highlight hitherto unreported molecular features and associated active site dynamics that determine the structure–function relationships within the unique GH4 family.
The Challenge of Rich Vocabulary Instruction for Children With Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: McGregor Karla K. , Van Horne Amanda Owen , Curran Maura , Cook Susan Wagner , Cole Renee
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The aims of the study were to explore responses of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) to rich vocabulary instruction and to identify potential factors that contribute to outcomes.

Method

Children with DLD participated in a language intervention embedded within a science camp. Using parent and clinician reports, standardized tests, probes, notes, and video, we derived descriptions of seven of the campers who received a vocabulary intervention that incorporated principles of rich instruction. We present them here as a case series.

Results

Five cases responded to the intervention with modest gains in Tier 2 science vocabulary and science knowledge. One case demonstrated no response, and another was unable to complete the intervention. The latter two cases presented with triple risks: DLD, executive function deficits, and stressors associated with poverty. In comparison, the best responder also lived in poverty and had DLD, but he had intact executive function, strengths in extant vocabulary, stronger knowledge of science, better engagement in the science and language intervention activities, and was older. Other factors that seemed to contribute to outcomes included the complexity of the word forms and dosage.

Conclusions

Translating research on rich instruction to clinical practice is challenging. This case series motivated hypotheses about the nature of the challenge and what to do about it, the primary one being that the modest success of rich vocabulary instruction for children with DLD is not a limitation of the approach itself but rather a reflection of the difficulty of delivering the intervention while tailoring the targets, approach, and dosage to the needs of individual children with DLD.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13667699
Eliminating rare earth permanent magnets on low‐speed high‐torque machines: A performance and cost comparison of synchronous reluctance machines, ferrite permanent magnet‐synchronous reluctance machines and permanent magnet synchronous machines for a direct‐drive elevator system
Authors: Artetxe Gurutz , Caballero Damian , Prieto Borja , Martinez‐Iturralde Miguel , Elosegui Ibon
Published: February 2021

In the last few years, the reduction of the dependency on rare‐earth magnets has been one of the main concerns for electrical machine manufacturers. Synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs) and ferrite permanent magnet‐assisted synchronous reluctance machines (PMa‐SynRMs) are emerging as alternatives to permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) in several applications. In low‐speed high‐torque applications, PMSMs with large amounts of rare‐earth magnets are commonly employed. Thus, it is of particular interest to replace PMSMs by SynRMs or PMa‐SynRMs. This article studies the feasibility of using SynRMs and ferrite PMa‐SynRMs for a direct‐drive elevator system. The challenge lies in obtaining performance characteristics comparable to those of PMSMs, but without resorting to the use of rare‐earth permanent magnets. The main criteria for designing SynRMs and PMa‐SynRMs for low‐speed high‐torque applications are presented. Afterwards, a SynRM and a ferrite PMa‐SynRM are designed for 160 rpm 200 Nm rated conditions, and a performance and cost comparison between these machines and a commercial PMSM is conducted.
An efficient local stereo matching method based on an adaptive exponentially weighted moving average filter in SLIC space
Authors: Yang Shan , Lei Xinyue , Liu Zhenfeng , Sui Guorong
Published: February 2021

Rapidly obtaining accurate dense disparity maps has been the focus of stereo matching research. At present, approaches that achieve superior disparity maps require a large amount of computation, which is not suitable for practical applications. To address this issue, this paper proposes an efficient local matching method based on an adaptive exponentially weighted moving average filter and simple linear iterative clustering segmentation algorithm. First, an effective matching cost is introduced to adaptively integrate absolute intensity difference with Census transform, which is robust against texture free and luminance variate. Following this, during the cost aggregation, the exponentially weighted moving average filter and the SLIC segmentation are combined to handle the problems of computing consumption and adaptive expansion of the cost aggregation window. Finally, the dense disparity map is obtained by a winner‐takes‐all approach and disparity refinement. To demonstrate its efficiency and validity, the method is quantitatively tested and compared to existing approaches on the Middlebury benchmark. The results show that it has a non‐occlusion accuracy of 90.66% and an average runtime of 7.01 s on the 2014 Middlebury dataset. Compared with existing competitive methods, the proposed method achieves superior matching results with a lower time cost.
Low-frequency monitoring of flare star binary CR Draconis: long-term electron-cyclotron maser emission
Authors: Callingham J. R. , Pope B. J. S. , Feinstein A. D. , Vedantham H. K. , Shimwell T. W. , Zarka P. , Tasse C. , Lamy L. , Veken K. , Toet S. , Sabater J. , Best P. N. , van Weeren R. J. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Ray T. P.
Published: February 2021

Recently detected coherent low-frequency radio emission from M dwarf systems shares phenomenological similarities with emission produced by magnetospheric processes from the gas giant planets of our Solar System. Such beamed electron-cyclotron maser emission can be driven by a star-planet interaction or a breakdown in co-rotation between a rotating plasma disk and a stellar magnetosphere. Both models suggest that the radio emission could be periodic. Here we present the longest low-frequency interferometric monitoring campaign of an M dwarf system, composed of twenty-one ≈8 h epochs taken in two series of observing blocks separated by a year. We achieved a total on-source time of 6.5 days. We show that the M dwarf binary CR Draconis has a low-frequency 3σ detection rate of 90−8+5% when a noise floor of ≈0.1 mJy is reached, with a median flux density of 0.92 mJy, consistent circularly polarised handedness, and a median circularly polarised fraction of 66%. We resolve three bright radio bursts in dynamic spectra, revealing the brightest is elliptically polarised, confined to 4 MHz of bandwidth centred on 170 MHz, and reaches a flux density of 205 mJy. The burst structure is mottled, indicating it consists of unresolved sub-bursts. Such a structure shares a striking resemblance with the low-frequency emission from Jupiter. We suggest the near-constant detection of high brightness temperature, highly-circularly-polarised radiation that has a consistent circular polarisation handedness implies the emission is produced via the electron-cyclotron maser instability. Optical photometric data reveal the system has a rotation period of 1.984 ± 0.003 days. We observe no periodicity in the radio data, but the sampling of our radio observations produces a window function that would hide the near two-day signal.
Extremely deep 150 MHz source counts from the LoTSS Deep Fields
Authors: Mandal S. , Prandoni I. , Hardcastle M. J. , Shimwell T. W. , Intema H. T. , Tasse C. , van Weeren R. J. , Algera H. , Emig K. L. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Schwarz D. J. , Siewert T. M. , Best P. N. , Bonato M. , Bondi M. , Jarvis M. J. , Kondapally R. , Leslie S. K. , Mahatma V. H. , Sabater J. , Retana-Montenegro E. , Williams W. L.
Published: February 2021

With the advent of new generation low-frequency telescopes, such as the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR), and improved calibration techniques, we have now started to unveil the subgigahertz radio sky with unprecedented depth and sensitivity. The LOFAR Two Meter Sky Survey (LoTSS) is an ongoing project in which the whole northern radio sky will be observed at 150 MHz with a sensitivity better than 100 μJy beam−1 at a resolution of 6′′. Additionally, deeper observations are planned to cover smaller areas with higher sensitivity. The Lockman Hole, the Boötes, and the Elais-N1 regions are among the most well known northern extra-galactic fields and the deepest of the LoTSS Deep Fields so far. We exploited these deep observations to derive the deepest radio source counts at 150 MHz to date. Our counts are in broad agreement with those from the literature and show the well known upturn at ≤1 mJy, mainly associated with the emergence of the star-forming galaxy population. More interestingly, our counts show, for the first time a very pronounced drop around S ~ 2 mJy, which results in a prominent “bump” at sub-mJy flux densities. Such a feature was not observed in previous counts’ determinations (neither at 150 MHz nor at a higher frequency). While sample variance can play a role in explaining the observed discrepancies, we believe this is mostly the result of a careful analysis aimed at deblending confused sources and removing spurious sources and artifacts from the radio catalogs. This “drop and bump” feature cannot be reproduced by any of the existing state-of-the-art evolutionary models, and it appears to be associated with a deficiency of active galactic nuclei (AGN) at an intermediate redshift (1 < z < 2) and an excess of low-redshift (z < 1) galaxies and/or AGN.
Use of a 2-layer thermoelectric generator structure for photovoltaics cells cooling and energy recovery
Authors: Wnuk Sławomir , Loumakis George , Ramirez-Iniguez Roberto
Published: February 2021

A 2-layer thermoelectric generator was tested as a solution to increase the output of a PV cell. A number of practical experiments were carried out on both single and two combined thermoelectric generator (TEG) configurations connected in series with photovoltaic (PV) cells and connected to a load independently from each other. Testing was performed using a class AAA solar simulator system Sol3A and under real outdoor weather conditions. The results show a reduction of the maximum cell temperature by 10.3 ° on average and at the same time an increase in the tested photovoltaics-thermo-generators (PV-TEGs) voltage output of the proposed hybrid systems by 28.56-30.54% compared to the plain PV cell. It was experimentally confirmed that the TEGs-PV structure performs better than the bare PV cell during decline of insolation utilising, in addition to the limited at this time solar energy, the heat accumulated by the multilayer structure components. Experiments showed that for the selected period of time (1600s) the energy output increased by 27.6% compared to a plain PV cell. For a constant level of artifical light (1000W/m2) the PV-TEG’s hybrid system showed an increase of energy yield of 3.1% compared to a plain PV system.
A Comparative Feasibility Study of Stand-Alone and Grid-Connected PV System for Residential Load: A Case Study in Iran
Authors: Hadifar Navid , Ayanlou Amirreza
Published: February 2021

With rising the environmental issues regarding the fossil fuels, the renewable energy resources (RES) could be as interesting scheme in supply side for micro grids. The aim of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of photovoltaic (PV) system in Iran both in grid-connected and island mode. The case study is a residential house in the city of Amol. The software of HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) is used for analyzing the data for finding the optimal design among the various solutions which takes in to account electrical and economic assessment factors. In the section of grid-connection mode, two different simulation methods namely HOMER optimizer mode and optimal sizing design mode is used to better understand the grid participation with PV in supplying the power for load demand. Finally, the optimal and affordable design for selected region is grid-connected PV system which alleviate the energy need from grid.
Demand Response Programs Management in an Energy Community with Diversity of Appliances
Authors: Barreto Rúben , Faria Pedro , Vale Zita
Published: February 2021

This paper shows the behaviour of a Demand Response program designed to be implemented in Energy Communities, where they take advantage of photovoltaic production. The primary objective is to manage both photovoltaic overproduction and village consumption efficiently. The DR program focuses on looking for consecutive periods that exceed a target peak set by the aggregator after analysing the consumption of the given energy community. The case study includes three villages, where participants are expected to be members of a community. The results are that participants will see a reduction in costs and electricity consumption.
Recent advances in metamaterial klystrons
Authors: Wang Xin , Tang Xianfeng , Li Shifeng , Ling Junpu , Zhang Xuanming , Duan Zhaoyun
Published: February 2021

As a kind of artificially structured media, electromagnetic metamaterials (MTMs) have exotic electromagnetic properties that are not found or difficult to achieve in natural materials. This class of metal/dielectric-structured artificial media has attracted great attention during the past two decades and made important breakthroughs. A variety of passive and active devices based on MTMs have been developed rapidly. Especially MTM klystrons, which show very remarkable advantages, including miniaturization, high gain, and high efficiency in the microwave band. MTM extended interaction klystrons creatively combine the advantages of MTMs, extended interaction technology, and klystrons. It provides a new design idea for the development of brand-new klystrons with high performance. In this review paper, we report the recent advances in MTM klystrons including MTM extended interaction oscillator and MTM extended interaction klystron amplifier. Furthermore, the prospects and challenges of MTM klystrons are discussed. Finally, the development trend is concluded.
Comments on “Optimality conditions for nonsmooth interval-valued and multiobjective semi-infinite programming”
Authors: Gadhi Nazih Abderrazzak , Ichatouhane Aissam
Published: February 2021

Necessary optimality conditions for a nonsmooth semi-infinite interval-valued vec- tor programming problem are given in the paper by Jennane et al. (RAIRO:OR (2020). DOI: 10.1051/ro/2020066). Having noticed inconsistencies in their paper, Gadhi and Ichatouhane (RAIRO:OR (2020). DOI: 10.1051/ro/2020107) made the necessary corrections and proposed what they considered a more pertinent formulation of their main Theorem. Recently, Jennane et al. (RAIRO:OR (2020). DOI: 10.1051/ro/2020134) have criticised our work. This note is a critical response to this criticism.
Atypical Presentation of Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency with Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Marchese Francesca , Faedo Elena , Vari Maria Stella , Bergonzini Patrizia , Iacomino Michele , Guerra Azzurra , Franceschetti Laura , Baroni Alessandra , Scudieri Paolo , Minetti Carlo , Striano Pasquale
Published: February 2021

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder resulting from disease-causing pathogenic variants of the dopa decarboxylase (DDC) gene. The neurological features of AADC deficiency include early-onset hypotonia, oculogyric crises, ptosis, dystonia, hypokinesia, impaired development, and autonomic dysfunction. In this article, we reported a patient with genetically confirmed AADC deficiency presenting with developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Our patient was a boy with severe intractable epileptic spasms and DEE. The patient was evaluated for cognitive and neurologic impairment. Exome sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation (NM_000790.4:c.121C > A; p.Leu41Met) in the DDC gene. This case expands the clinical spectrum of AADC deficiency and strengthens the association between dopa decarboxylase deficiency and epilepsy. Additional studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms linking dopa decarboxylase dysfunction to DEE.
A Study of Clearance of Infection in HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis after Amphotericin-Based Induction and Fluconazole-Based Consolidation Therapy
Authors: Devi Sorokhaibam Bhagyabati , Navi Raghavendra Ashok , Suraj Thangjam , Reema Ningthoukhongjam , Singh Thangjam Gautam , Kuotsu Medo M. , Konyak Nyamnyei
Published: February 2021

Introduction India has third largest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) population in the world. Average HIV prevalence was 0.22% (range, 0.16–0.30%) in 2017, and Manipur is one of the five states with the highest prevalence of HIV. Cryptococcal meningitis being one of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illnesses is the second most common cause of opportunistic neuro-infection and usually occurs in advanced HIV disease when the cluster of differentiation 4 glycoprotein (CD4+) count is usually less than 100 cells/µL. Treatment includes amphotericin-B induction therapy for 2 weeks followed by fluconazole consolidation therapy for 8 weeks as per National AIDS Control Organisation guidelines. There is not much data on how much infection is cleared off after induction and consolidation treatment. So, this study was conducted to know the clearance of Cryptococci in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after induction and consolidation treatment in people living with HIV (PLHIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis.

Objective This work aimed to study the persistence of cryptococcal meningitis after amphotericin-based 2 weeks of induction therapy and 8 weeks of consolidation therapy with fluconazole and to evaluate the association between CD4 count and clearance rate of cryptococcal infection.

Materials and Methods The study was conducted in Department of Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, from 2016 to 2018. Fifty-one patients above 18 years of age diagnosed as cryptococcal meningitis with HIV were included and treated with amphotericin for 2 weeks and fluconazole for 10 weeks. CSF analysis was done at 2nd and 10th weeks to study the clearance of infection.

Results At 2nd week of induction therapy, out of 51 patients, 28 (54.9%) got cleared of infection, 18 (35.3%) had persistent infection, and 5 (9.2%) patients had either died or discontinued treatment. At 10th week of consolidation therapy, 36 (70.5%) patients got cleared of cryptococcal infection, 2 (4%) patients were having persistent infection, and 5 (9.8%) patients died, while 8 (15.7%) patients were lost in follow-up. However, after excluding mortality and lost in follow-up cases, from analysis in final outcome, 94% (34 out of 36) patients showed response to this regimen.

Conclusion The present study showed that cryptococcal meningitis in PLHIV responded to amphotericin-based induction therapy with 60% clearance of infection followed by fluconazole-based consolidation therapy with 94% of clearance of infection. However, there is still need for good antifungal regimen that could clear infection in induction phase with less side effects.
Weiterbildung für Techniker: Im Krankenhaus müssen Profis ran!
Authors: Thalmayr Maria
Published: February 2021

Um Facharbeiter und Techniker bestmöglich auf das anspruchsvolle Einsatzgebiet Krankenhaus vorzubereiten, bietet der Österreichische Verband der KrankenhaustechnikerInnen (ÖVKT) zusammen mit dem Medizintechnik-Cluster Linz die Seminarreihen TechnikerInnen in die Medizintechnik und FacharbeiterInnen in die Gesundheitstechnik an.
Microencapsulated paraffin as a phase change material with polyurea/polyurethane/poly(lauryl methacrylate) hybrid shells for thermal energy storage applications
Authors: Qiu Xiaolin , Lu Lixin
Published: February 2021

Microencapsulated phase change materials (MicroPCMs) can be incorporated into a traditional thermal insulation material, such as a foam, to form a new temperature-adaptable material. Polyurea/polyurethane (PU) as the encapsulating shell makes the MicroPCMs more compatible with the polyurethane foam matrix. This study focuses on increasing the thermal storage abilities and reliabilities of the PU-based MicroPCMs as well as improving the temperature-regulating properties of PU foams treated with these materials by incorporating lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and polyols into the MicroPCM particles. Paraffin was successfully microencapsulated by a PU/PLMA hybrid shell via staged polymerization of jointly using interfacial and suspension-like polymerization. PU foams integrating the as-prepared MicroPCMs were produced. The thermal storage abilities as well as working reliabilities of the MicroPCMs were improved when PLMA was introduced in the shells and were further enhanced when they were modified by polyols. The PU foams containing MicroPCMs with polyol-modified hybrid shells have better mechanical properties and temperature-regulating properties than do the foams containing MicroPCMs with unmodified shells. In conclusion, MicroPCMs with polyol-modified PU/PLMA hybrid shells possess promising application prospects for energy efficient buildings and advanced cold-chain logistics systems.
Room temperature laser power standard using a microfabricated, electrical substitution bolometer
Authors: Stephens M. , Yung C. S. , Tomlin N. A. , Vaskuri A. , Ryger I. , Spidell M. , White M. G. , Jenkins T. , Landry J. , Sereke T. , Lehman J. H.
Published: February 2021

The design and performance of a room temperature electrical substitution radiometer for use as an absolute standard for measuring continuous-wave laser power over a wide range of wavelengths, beam diameters, and powers are described. The standard achieves an accuracy of 0.46% (k = 2) for powers from 10 mW to 100 mW and 0.83% (k = 2) for powers from 1 mW to 10 mW and can accommodate laser beam diameters (1/e2) up to 11 mm and wavelengths from 300 nm to 2 μm. At low power levels, the uncertainty is dominated by sensitivity to fluctuations in the thermal environment. The core of the instrument is a planar, silicon microfabricated bolometer with vertically aligned carbon nanotube absorbers, commercial surface mount thermistors, and an integrated heater. Where possible, commercial electronics and components were used. The performance was validated by comparing it to a National Institute of Standards and Technology primary standard through a transfer standard silicon trap detector and by comparing it to the legacy “C-series” standards in operation at the U.S. Air Force Metrology and Calibration Division (AFMETCAL).
Interface creation on a mixed-terminated perovskite surface
Authors: Li Yan , Wrobel Friederike , Yan Xi , Bhattacharya Anand , Sun Jirong , Hong Hawoong , Zhou Hua , Wang Huanhua , Fong Dillon D.
Published: February 2021

In the field of complex oxide heterostructures, understanding of the initial substrate surface can be critical to fundamental studies regarding the development of emergent properties at the film–substrate interface. For this reason, a considerable amount of effort has gone into the development of techniques to achieve surfaces with single termination for a variety of perovskite single crystals. However, a decisive understanding of how an interface is created when epitaxial growth occurs on a mixed terminated surface remains lacking. Employing in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering during thin film growth by molecular beam epitaxy, we investigate the initial stages of growth on (LaAlO3)(Sr2AlTaO6) (001) substrates with mixed termination. Using LaNiO3 as a model system, we find that the surface layers of the substrate restructure during deposition such that while a NiO2 monolayer is weakly bound, a LaO monolayer bonds strongly, effectively incorporating with (Al, Ta)O2 from the surface and forming a La(Al, Ta)O3 ultrathin film.
Two-color differential dynamic microscopy for capturing fast dynamics
Authors: You Ruilin , McGorty Ryan
Published: February 2021

Differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) is increasingly used in the fields of soft matter physics and biophysics to extract the dynamics of microscopic objects across a range of wavevectors by optical microscopy. Standard DDM is limited to detecting dynamics no faster than the camera frame rate. We report on an extension to DDM where we sequentially illuminate the sample with spectrally distinct light and image with a color camera. By pulsing blue and then red light separated by a lag time much smaller than the camera’s exposure time, we are able to use this two-color DDM method to measure dynamics occurring much faster than the camera frame rate.
Synthesis of nickel and cobalt oxide nanoparticles by pulsed underwater spark discharges
Authors: Merciris Thomas , Valensi Flavien , Hamdan Ahmad
Published: February 2021

Electrical discharges in liquids are considered an efficient and ecological technique of nanoparticle synthesis via controlled erosion of electrodes. Herein, we use spark discharges between Co–Co, Ni–Ni, Co–Ni, or Ni–Co electrodes immersed in distilled water to synthesize Co and/or Ni nanoparticles, as well as their oxides. When mixed electrodes are used (Co–Ni or Ni–Co), both Co and Ni nanoparticles are produced, and the major species is dictated by the nature of the anode pin. The characteristics of nanoparticles synthesized under varying conditions of pulse width (100 and 500 ns) and voltage amplitude (5 and 20 kV) are analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Within the investigated discharge conditions, it is not possible to produce Co–Ni nanoalloys; however, core–shell nanoparticles are observed among the Ni and Co nanoparticles. Finally, the direct optical bandgaps of the nanomaterials are determined using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy.