bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of genetic variants in clinical outcome of a cohort of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: de Carvalho Ana Carolina , Perdomo Sandra , dos Santos Wellington , Fernandes Gabriela Carvalho , de Jesus Lais Machado , Carvalho Raiany Santos , Scapulatempo-Neto Cristovam , de Almeida Gisele Caravina , Sorroche Bruna Pereira , Arantes Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista , Melendez Matias Eliseo , De Marchi Pedro , Hayes Neil , Reis Rui Manuel , Carvalho André Lopes
Published: June 2020

Tobacco- or human papillomavirus- driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OpSCC) represent distinct clinical, biological and epidemiological entities. The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants based on somatic alterations in OpSCC samples from an admixed population, and to test for association with clinical features. The entire coding region of 15 OpSCC driver genes was sequenced by next-generation sequencing in 51 OpSCC FFPE samples. Thirty-five percent of the patients (18/51) were HPV-positive and current or past tobacco consumption was reported in 86.3% (44/51). The mutation profile identified an average of 2.67 variants per sample. Sixty-three percent of patients (32/51; 62.7%) were mutated for at least one of the genes tested and TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene. The presence of mutation in NOTCH1 and PTEN, significantly decreased patient’s recurrence-free survival, but only NOTCH1 mutation remained significant after stepwise selection, with a risk of recurrence of 4.5 (HR 95% CI = 1.11–14.57; Cox Regression p = 0.034). These results show that Brazilian OpSCC patients exhibit a similar clinical and genetic profile in comparison to other populations. Molecular characterization is a promising tool for the definition of clinical subgroups, aiding in a more precise tailoring of treatment and prognostication.
Development of adaptive resistance to electric pulsed field treatment in CHO cell line in vitro
Authors: Polajžer Tamara , Miklavčič Damijan
Published: June 2020

Pulsed electric field treatment has increased over the last few decades with successful translation from in vitro studies into different medical treatments like electrochemotherapy, irreversible electroporation for tumor and cardiac tissue ablation and gene electrotransfer for gene therapy and DNA vaccination. Pulsed electric field treatments are efficient but localized often requiring repeated applications to obtain results due to partial response and recurrence of disease. While these treatment times are several orders of magnitude lower than conventional biochemical treatment, it has been recently suggested that cells may become resistant to electroporation in repetitive treatments. In our study, we evaluate this possibility of developing adaptive resistance in cells exposed to pulsed electric field treatment over successive lifetimes. Mammalian cells were exposed to electroporation pulses for 30 generations. Every 5th generation was analyzed by determining permeabilization and survival curve. No statistical difference between cells in control and cells exposed to pulsed electric field treatment was observed. We offer evidence that electroporation does not affect cells in a way that they would become less susceptible to pulsed electric field treatment. Our findings indicate pulsed electric field treatment can be used in repeated treatments with each treatment having equal efficiency to the initial treatment.
The power of children’s sleep - Improved declarative memory consolidation in children compared with adults
Authors: Peiffer Anna , Brichet Maud , De Tiège Xavier , Peigneux Philippe , Urbain Charline
Published: June 2020

Post-learning slow wave sleep (SWS) is known to support declarative memory consolidation. As SWS is more abundant in young population, we suggested that sleep-dependent memory consolidation processes could occur at a faster pace in school-aged children. After learning new associations between non-objects and their functions, retrieval performance was tested in 30 children (7–12 years) and 34 adults (20–30 years) during an immediate (IR) and a delayed retrieval (DR) session separated by either a Sleep or a Wake condition. Sleep led to stabilized memory retrieval performance only in children, not in adults, whereas no age-related difference was observed after a similar period of wakefulness. Hence, our results suggest more efficient sleep-dependent declarative memory consolidation processes in children compared with adults, an effect potentially ascribed to more abundant and deeper SWS during childhood.
Capsaicin Functions as Drosophila Ovipositional Repellent and Causes Intestinal Dysplasia
Authors: Li Yaoxing , Bai Peng , Wei Longsheng , Kang Ruxue , Chen Lirong , Zhang Mingliang , Tan Eng King , Liu Wei
Published: June 2020

Plants generate a plethora of secondary compounds (toxins) that potently influence the breadth of the breeding niches of animals, including Drosophila. Capsaicin is an alkaloid irritant from hot chili peppers, and can act as a deterrent to affect animal behaviors, such as egg laying choice. However, the mechanism underlying this ovipositional avoidance remains unknown. Here, we report that Drosophila females exhibit a robust ovipositional aversion to capsaicin. First, we found that females were robustly repelled from laying eggs on capsaicin-containing sites. Second, genetic manipulations show that the ovipositional aversion to capsaicin is mediated by activation of nociceptive neurons expressing the painless gene. Finally, we found that capsaicin compromised the health and lifespan of flies through intestinal dysplasia and oxidative innate immunity. Overall, our study suggests that egg-laying sensation converts capsaicin into an aversive behavior for female Drosophila, mirroring an adaptation to facilitate the survival and fitness of both parents and offspring.
Selective, high-contrast detection of syngeneic glioblastoma in vivo
Authors: Banati Richard B. , Wilcox Paul , Xu Ran , Yin Grace , Si Emily , Son Eric Taeyoung , Shimizu Mauricio , Holsinger R. M. Damian , Parmar Arvind , Zahra David , Arthur Andrew , Middleton Ryan J. , Liu Guo-Jun , Charil Arnaud , Graeber Manuel B.
Published: June 2020

Glioblastoma is a highly malignant, largely therapy-resistant brain tumour. Deep infiltration of brain tissue by neoplastic cells represents the key problem of diffuse glioma. Much current research focuses on the molecular makeup of the visible tumour mass rather than the cellular interactions in the surrounding brain tissue infiltrated by the invasive glioma cells that cause the tumour’s ultimately lethal outcome. Diagnostic neuroimaging that enables the direct in vivo observation of the tumour infiltration zone and the local host tissue responses at a preclinical stage are important for the development of more effective glioma treatments. Here, we report an animal model that allows high-contrast imaging of wild-type glioma cells by positron emission tomography (PET) using [18 F]PBR111, a selective radioligand for the mitochondrial 18 kDa Translocator Protein (TSPO), in the Tspo−/− mouse strain (C57BL/6-Tspotm1GuMu(GuwiyangWurra)). The high selectivity of [18 F]PBR111 for the TSPO combined with the exclusive expression of TSPO in glioma cells infiltrating into null-background host tissue free of any TSPO expression, makes it possible, for the first time, to unequivocally and with uniquely high biological contrast identify peri-tumoral glioma cell invasion at preclinical stages in vivo. Comparison of the in vivo imaging signal from wild-type glioma cells in a null background with the signal in a wild-type host tissue, where the tumour induces the expected TSPO expression in the host’s glial cells, illustrates the substantial extent of the peritumoral host response to the growing tumour. The syngeneic tumour (TSPO+/+) in null background (TSPO−/−) model is thus well suited to study the interaction of the tumour front with the peri-tumoral tissue, and the experimental evaluation of new therapeutic approaches targeting the invasive behaviour of glioblastoma.
Automatic extraction, prioritization and analysis of gut microbial metabolites from biomedical literature
Authors: Wang QuanQiu , Xu Rong
Published: June 2020

Many diseases are driven by gene-environment interactions. One important environmental factor is the metabolic output of human gut microbiota. A comprehensive catalog of human metabolites originated in microbes is critical for data-driven approaches to understand how microbial metabolism contributes to human health and diseases. Here we present a novel integrated approach to automatically extract and analyze microbial metabolites from 28 million published biomedical records. First, we classified 28,851,232 MEDLINE records into microbial metabolism-related or not. Second, candidate microbial metabolites were extracted from the classified texts. Third, we developed signal prioritization algorithms to further differentiate microbial metabolites from metabolites originated from other resources. Finally, we systematically analyzed the interactions between extracted microbial metabolites and human genes. A total of 11,846 metabolites were extracted from 28 million MEDLINE articles. The combined text classification and signal prioritization significantly enriched true positives among top: manual curation of top 100 metabolites showed a true precision of 0.55, representing a significant 38.3-fold enrichment as compared to the precision of 0.014 for baseline extraction. More importantly, 29% extracted microbial metabolites have not been captured by existing databases. We performed data-driven analysis of the interactions between the extracted microbial metabolite and human genetics. This study represents the first effort towards automatically extracting and prioritizing microbial metabolites from published biomedical literature, which can set a foundation for future tasks of microbial metabolite relationship extraction from literature and facilitate data-driven studies of how microbial metabolism contributes to human diseases.
Multi-colour extrusion fused deposition modelling: a low-cost 3D printing method for anatomical prostate cancer models
Authors: Chen Michael Y. , Skewes Jacob , Woodruff Maria A , Dasgupta Prokar , Rukin Nicholas J
Published: June 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) printed prostate cancer models are an emerging adjunct for urological surgical planning and patient education, however published methods are costly which limits their translation into clinical practice. Multi-colour extrusion fused deposition modelling (FDM) can be used to create 3D prostate cancer models of a quality comparable to more expensive techniques at a fraction of the cost. Three different 3D printing methods were used to create the same 3D prostate model: FDM, colour jet printing (CJP) and material jetting (MJ), with a calculated cost per model of USD 20, USD 200 and USD 250 respectively. When taking into account the cost, the FDM prostate models are the most preferred 3D printing method by surgeons. This method could be used to manufacture low-cost 3D printed models across other medical disciplines.
Soil nitrogen concentration mediates the relationship between leguminous trees and neighbor diversity in tropical forests
Authors: Xu Han , Detto Matteo , Fang Suqin , Chazdon Robin L. , Li Yide , Hau Billy C. H. , Fischer Gunter A. , Weiblen George D. , Hogan J. Aaron , Zimmerman Jess K. , Uriarte Maria , Thompson Jill , Lian Juyu , Cao Ke , Kenfack David , Alonso Alfonso , Bissiengou Pulchérie , Memiaghe Hervé Roland , Valencia Renato , Yap Sandra L. , Davies Stuart J. , Mi Xiangcheng , Yao Tze Leong
Published: June 2020

Legumes provide an essential service to ecosystems by capturing nitrogen from the atmosphere and delivering it to the soil, where it may then be available to other plants. However, this facilitation by legumes has not been widely studied in global tropical forests. Demographic data from 11 large forest plots (16–60 ha) ranging from 5.25° S to 29.25° N latitude show that within forests, leguminous trees have a larger effect on neighbor diversity than non-legumes. Where soil nitrogen is high, most legume species have higher neighbor diversity than non-legumes. Where soil nitrogen is low, most legumes have lower neighbor diversity than non-legumes. No facilitation effect on neighbor basal area was observed in either high or low soil N conditions. The legume–soil nitrogen positive feedback that promotes tree diversity has both theoretical implications for understanding species coexistence in diverse forests, and practical implications for the utilization of legumes in forest restoration.
An investigation into the effect of ribosomal protein S15 phosphorylation on its intermolecular interactions by using phosphomimetic mutant
Authors: Correddu Danilo , Sharma Nabangshu , Kaur Simranjeet , Varnava Kyriakos G. , Mbenza Naasson M. , Sarojini Vijayalekshmi , Leung Ivanhoe K. H.
Published: June 2020

An investigation using recombinant ribosomal proteins and synthetic peptide models was conducted to uncover the effect of the introduction of a negative charge at the C-terminal tail of ribosomal protein S15.
Dissolution of noble metals in highly concentrated acidic salt solutions
Authors: Forte Federica , Riaño Sofia , Binnemans Koen
Published: June 2020

Highly concentrated solutions of AlCl3·6H2O and Al(NO3)3·9H2O are safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to aqua regia for the dissolution of gold and platinum group metals (Pd, Pt, Rh).
Measuring and modelling mechanochemical reaction kinetics
Authors: Boscoboinik Alejandro , Olson Dustin , Adams Heather , Hopper Nicholas , Tysoe Wilfred T.
Published: June 2020

Quasi-static quantum calculations of the mechanochemical decomposition rate of methyl thiolate species on Cu(100) accurately reproduce the experimental kinetics measured in ultrahigh vacuum by an atomic force microscopy tip.
Synthesis and characterization of low-nuclearity lantern-type porous coordination cages
Authors: Taggart Garrett A. , Lorzing Gregory R. , Dworzak Michael R. , Yap Glenn P. A. , Bloch Eric D.
Published: June 2020

This work presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of small lanterns with BET surface areas in excess of 200 m2 g−1. These cages represent the lower size limit for permanently microporous coordination cages.
Is preservation of symmetry necessary for coarse-graining?
Authors: Chakraborty Maghesree , Xu Jinyu , White Andrew D.
Published: June 2020

This work investigates if preserving the symmetry of the underlying molecular graph of a given molecule when choosing a coarse-grained (CG) mapping significantly affects the CG model accuracy.
Effects of catalyst surfaces on adsorption revealed by atomic force microscope force spectroscopy: photocatalytic degradation of diuron over zinc oxide
Authors: Dokmai Vipada , Kundhikanjana Worasom , Chanlek Narong , Sinthiptharakoon Kitiphat , Sae-Ueng Udom , Phuthong Witchukorn , Pavarajarn Varong
Published: June 2020

AFM force spectroscopy detected trends of interaction strengths, between different chemical groups and different ZnO facets, which reflect various interaction modes of adsorbed species on the catalyst that result in different reaction intermediates.
Shape and size effects on photocatalytic hydrogen production via Pd/C3N4 photocatalysts under visible light
Authors: Gao Guoliang , Niu Xingxing , Xu Beibei , Wang Xue Lu , Yao Ye-Feng
Published: June 2020

Through a combination of operando NMR and GC, the effects of Pd nanoparticles with different crystal planes and sizes on the reduction and oxidation reaction parts of the photocatalytic reaction were studied in detail.
Highly efficient alloyed NiCu/Nb2O5 catalyst for the hydrodeoxygenation of biofuel precursors into liquid alkanes
Authors: Wang Peiying , Jing Yaxuan , Guo Yong , Cui Yan , Dai Sheng , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Yanqin
Published: June 2020

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is a crucial process for the synthesis of biofuels from renewable biomass.
Facile construction of ultrastable alumina anchored palladium catalystsviaa designed one pot strategy for enhanced methane oxidation
Authors: Lin Jia , Chen Xiaohua , Zheng Yong , Huang Fei , Xiao Yihong , Zheng Ying , Jiang Lilong
Published: June 2020

A highly stable Pd–Al2O3catalyst with anchored palladium species was facilely prepared through a one pot strategy for efficient methane oxidation.
A novel two-step Fe–Au type spin-crossover behavior in a Hofmann-type coordination complex {Fe(4-methylpyrimidine)2[Au(CN)2]2}
Authors: Kitase Kosuke , Kitazawa Takafumi
Published: June 2020

A Hofmann-type two-step spin-crossover (SCO) complex with a pyrimidine derivative ligand was synthesized.
Correction: Synthesis, characterization and anticancer mechanism studies of fluorinated cyclometalated ruthenium(ii) complexes
Authors: Wen Ya , Ouyang Cheng , Li Quanwen , Rees Thomas W. , Qiu Kangqiang , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Synthesis, characterization and anticancer mechanism studies of fluorinated cyclometalated ruthenium(ii) complexes’ by Ya Wen et al., Dalton Trans., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01412e.
The effects of carbon dots produced by the Maillard reaction on the HepG2 cell substance and energy metabolism
Authors: Li Dongmei , Na Xiaokang , Wang Haitao , Wang Congcong , Yuan Zihan , Zhu Bei-Wei , Tan Mingqian
Published: June 2020

Carbon dots derived from the Maillard reaction affected cell mitochondrial function and energy metabolism and inhibited the activities of key enzymes, thereby blocking glycolysis.
Copper-catalyzed aerobic asymmetric cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp3)–H bonds driven by visible light
Authors: Zhou Kexu , Yu Ying , Lin Yu-Mei , Li Yanjun , Gong Lei
Published: June 2020

An effective and green approach to aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction between two C(sp3)–H precursors has been achieved by copper-based asymmetric photocatalysis.
Coordinative chain transfer polymerization of 1-decene in the presence of a Ti-based diamine bis(phenolate) catalyst: a sustainable approach to produce low viscosity PAOs
Authors: Hanifpour Ahad , Bahri-Laleh Naeimeh , Nekoomanesh-Haghighi Mehdi , Poater Albert
Published: June 2020

A Ti-based diamine bis(phenolate) catalyst, [Ti{2,2′-(OC6H2-4,6-tBu2)2NHMePhMeNH}Cl2], was synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy.
Efficient and selective catalytic hydrogenation of furanic aldehydes using well defined Ru and Ir pincer complexes
Authors: Padilla Rosa , Koranchalil Sakhitha , Nielsen Martin
Published: June 2020

Homogeneous catalyzed hydrogenation of furanic aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols using PNP complexes.
Depth profiling by pulsed glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry with a combined hollow cathode cell
Authors: Gubal Anna , Chuchina Victoria , Lyalkin Yegor , Mikhailovskii Vladimir , Yakobson Viktor , Solovyev Nikolay , Ganeev Alexander
Published: June 2020

A combined hollow cathode microsecond direct current pulsed glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry system has proved its efficiency for quantification; however, it has not been properly tested for the purpose of depth analysis.
Computational study on NHC catalyzed [4+2] annulation between γ-chloroenals and pyrazolinones: mechanism and stereoselectivity
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: June 2020

Mechanisms and origins of stereoselectivity of NHC-catalyzed reaction between γ-chloroenal and α-arylidene pyrazolinone.
TLR2 agonists and their structure–activity relationships
Authors: Lu Benjamin L. , Williams Geoffrey M. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: June 2020

We review the structure–activity relationships and synthetic studies of TLR2 agonists – important chemical targets in immunotherapy.
A mussel-inspired catecholic ABA triblock copolymer exhibits better antifouling properties compared to a diblock copolymer
Authors: Zhai Yadan , Chen Xueqian , Yuan Zhaobin , Han Xia , Liu Honglai
Published: June 2020

The scheme of the chemical architecture, aggregation, assembly and antifouling properties of two copolymers.
Connexin 43 prevents the progression of diabetic renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by regulating the SIRT1-HIF-1α signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Xiaohong , Huang Kaipeng , Haiming Xiao , Lin Zeyuan , Yang Yan , Zhang Meng , Liu Peiqing , Huang Heqing
Published: June 2020

Hyperglycemia-induced renal epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key pathological factor in diabetic renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (RIF). Our previous studies have shown that connexin 43 (Cx43) activation attenuated the development of diabetic renal fibrosis. However, whether Cx43 regulates the EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and the pathological process of RIF under the diabetic conditions remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we identified that Cx43 protein expression was down-regulated in the kidney tissues of db/db mice as well as in high glucose (HG)-induced NRK-52E cells. Overexpression of Cx43 improved renal function in db/db spontaneous diabetic model mice, increased SIRT1 levels, decreased hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression, and reduced production of EMT markers and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Additionally, Cx43 overexpression inhibited the EMT process and reduced the expression of ECM components such as fibronectin (FN), Collagen I, and Collagen IV in HG-induced NRK-52E cells, whereas Cx43 deficiency had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, Cx43 in a carboxyl-terminal signal transduction-dependent manner could up-regulate SIRT1 expression and enhance SIRT1-dependent deacetylation of HIF-1α to reduce HIF-1α activity, which eventually ameliorated renal EMT and diabetic RIF. Our study indicates the essential role of Cx43 in regulating renal EMT and diabetic RIF via regulating the SIRT1-HIF-1α signaling pathway and provides an experimental basis for Cx43 as a potential target for diabetic nephropathy (DN).
Graph colour‐based resource allocation for relay‐assisted D2D underlay communications
Authors: Liu Miaomiao , Zhang Li
Published: June 2020

Relay‐assisted device‐to‐device (D2D) communications have been proposed as a supplement for direct D2D communications to enhance traffic offloading capacity. In this study, the authors propose a joint mode selection, relay selection and resource allocation for relay‐assisted D2D communications. They aim at maximising the overall system throughput while guaranteeing the power limitation and signal‐to‐noise‐and‐interference ratios of all cellular and active D2D links. Since this optimisation is NP‐hard, they then propose a graph colour‐based resource allocation algorithm to effectively solve it. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can produce close‐to‐optimal performance with acceptable computational complexity.
Multi‐exposure image fusion via a pyramidal integration of the phase congruency of input images with the intensity‐based maps
Authors: Asadi Alireza , Ezoji Mehdi
Published: June 2020

The most important part of the common algorithms for multi‐exposure image fusion (MEF) is the selection of features and metrics that are appropriate for weight map extraction. This study presents a structure‐based multi‐exposure image fusion by employing the phase congruency (PC) of the input image. The main idea behind PC‐based analysis is that the locations of image key attributes are at points where frequency components are maximally in phase. PC detects the details of an image invariant to its contrast and also emphasises on the texture‐ or structure‐based features. In this work, alongside intensity‐based maps, the extracted PC‐based map is utilised for MEF in a pyramidal manner. Several experiments conducted on the benchmark dataset including a variety of natural multi‐exposed image sequences to evaluate the proposed algorithm. Quantitative evaluations in terms of MEF structural similarity index and visual quality assessments show that the proposed method achieves better performance and produces comparable fused images in comparison to other approaches.
Video summarisation with visual and semantic cues
Authors: Xu Binwei , Liang Haoran , Liang Ronghua
Published: June 2020

Video summarisation greatly improves the efficiency of people browsing videos and saves storage space. A good video summary should satisfy human visual interestingness and preserve the theme of the original video at the semantic level. Unlike many existing methods that consider only visual features to generate video summaries, this study proposes a method that combines visual and semantic cues to extract important information for dynamic video summarisation. The authors propose visual‐verbal saliency consistency to add semantic information and propose a novel attention motion, along with other visual features to fully represent visual interestingness. Based on the importance score of each frame calculated by combining these features, they select an optimal subset of segments to generate an important and interesting summary. They evaluate their method using the SumMe and TVSum datasets and experimental results show that their method generates high‐quality video summaries.
Linear network model for integrated power and gas distribution systems with bidirectional energy conversion
Authors: Zhou Bo , Fang Jiakun , Ai Xiaomeng , Zhang Menglin , Yao Wei , Chen Zhe , Wen Jinyu
Published: June 2020

With the advancement of emerging power‐to‐gas (P2G) technologies, the integrated power and gas distribution system (IPGDS) with bidirectional energy conversion is becoming a promising measure to promote the integration of renewable‐based distributed generation. This study proposes the linear network model for the IPGDS and takes the reactive power consumption of P2G into account. The linear model considering the network constraints of the IPGDS is implemented combining the Wendroff difference for gas network equations and the pyramidal approximation for power network equations. With the proposed linear network model, the economic dispatch of the IPGDS is studied considering distribution network reconfiguration. Both the overall positive role of P2G and the negative effect of P2G's reactive power consumption are analysed. The former helps to mitigate the voltage violations and to improve economic efficiency, while the latter reduces these benefits. Case studies in the integrated 33‐bus power and 12‐node gas distribution system validate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed linear network model of the IPGDS and the necessity of considering P2G's reactive power consumption.
Reducing the active power curtailment of distributed generation based on soft open points in unbalanced distribution networks
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhou Niancheng , Ran Yunhao , Wang Qianggang
Published: June 2020

Voltage profiles may exceed the upper limit in a distribution network with a high penetration of distributed generation (DG). Voltage can be effectively regulated by curtailing the active power of DG and adjusting the reactive power. Soft open points (SOPs) have flexible active power transfer and reactive power regulation capabilities that can help reduce the active power curtailment of DG. Asymmetric network parameters, single‐phase loads, and DGs cause voltage unbalance in distribution networks. This study proposes an optimal power control model of SOPs and DG converters in unbalanced distribution networks (UDNs). First, the individual phase power control characteristics of SOPs and DG converters in UDNs are modelled. Second, an optimisation model is constructed with the minimum active power curtailment of DG and the total power loss and voltage unbalance of UDNs as the objective function and with consideration of the networks and SOP operation constraints. The original optimisation model with non‐convex and non‐linear characteristics is transformed using power flow linearisation and linear relaxation into a linear programming model that can be efficiently solved. Finally, the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed model are verified using an IEEE 33‐node system.
Underdetermined wideband DOA estimation for off‐grid targets: a computationally efficient sparse Bayesian learning approach
Authors: Jiang Ying , He Ming‐Hao , Liu Wei‐Jian , Han Jun , Feng Ming‐Yue
Published: June 2020

Underdetermined wideband direction of arrival (DOA) estimation based on the sparse array is studied here and a novel algorithm is developed to improve the estimation performance of off‐grid targets in the framework of sparse Bayesian learning. First, the narrowband off‐grid model is extended to a wideband case and the sparse Bayesian model containing off‐grid biases is deduced. Then, a sequential solution is proposed to obtain the estimation, where the fast sparse Bayesian learning strategy is employed to improve the computational efficiency. The estimation accuracy is improved significantly through off‐grid compensation and the computational complexity is reduced remarkably. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Designing adaptive time resource management cost function for cognitive radar
Authors: Ghadian Mohammad , Fatemi Mofrad Reza , Abbasi Arand Bijan
Published: June 2020

Cognitive radars have the capability of adapting the transmitted waveform with the dynamic state of target and environment, to enhance the radar performance. In this study, a cost function is proposed for designing the waveform parameters in cognitive radars, along managing the radar time resources. The proposed cost function has the capability of adapting to any radar measurement vector. The purpose of the proposed cost function is to design the waveform parameters adaptively, so that a compromise between the different radar measurement errors is made. This compromise between the different radar measurement errors depends on the prior and posterior target state estimations. Both simulated target data and real target data are used for evaluating the proposed cost function. Also the performance of the proposed cost function is compared to the previously presented cost function. Simulation results indicate that by exploiting the proposed cost function, a great saving on time resources is achieved, while tracking error is kept stable. This time resource‐saving lies within the range of 10% up to 50% depending on the target manoeuvre scenario. Also, in a non‐time resource management case, an improvement in tracking error is achieved.
Robust low‐range‐sidelobe target synthesis for airborne FDMA–MIMO STAP radar
Authors: Zhao Yang , Wu Jianxin , Suo Zhiyong , Liu Xiaoyu , Liang Yi
Published: June 2020

With the multi‐function need for airborne space‐time adaptive processing (STAP) radar, range synthesis is usually necessary for the follow‐up function of target recognition. Utilising the excellent performance on orthogonality and bandwidth synthesis of the frequency division multiple access (FDMA) waveform and the longer accumulation time of multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar, a robust low‐sidelobe target synthesis method for airborne FDMA–MIMO STAP radar is developed. The spectra characteristics of target and clutter are first analysed. Then, the keystone transform is employed to mitigate velocity migration. To avoid gain fluctuation induced by multiple independent adaptive weight vectors, the robust STAP beamformer is developed. Finally, to decouple the range–angle coupling relationship resulted from the FDMA waveform, angle compensation is added in the robust STAP beamformer. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method.
Improved constraints on reionisation from CMB observations: A parameterisation of the kSZ effect
Authors: Gorce A. , Ilić S. , Douspis M. , Aubert D. , Langer M.
Published: June 2020

We show that, in the context of patchy reionisation, an accurate description of the angular power spectrum of the kinetic Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (kSZ) effect is not possible with simple scaling relations between the amplitude of the spectrum and global parameters, such as the reionisation midpoint and its duration. We introduce a new parameterisation of this spectrum, based on a novel description of the power spectrum of the free electrons density contrast Pee(k, z) in terms of the reionisation global history and morphology. We directly relate features of the spectrum to the typical ionised bubble size at different stages in the process and, subsequently, to the angular scale at which the patchy kSZ power spectrum reaches its maximum. We successfully calibrated our results on a custom set of advanced radiative hydrodynamical simulations and later found our parameterisation to be a valid description of a wide range of other simulations and, therefore, reionisation physics. In the end, and as long as the global reionisation history is known, two parameters are sufficient to derive the angular power spectrum. Such an innovative framework applied to cosmic microwave background data and combined with 21 cm intensity mapping will allow a first consistent detection of the amplitude and shape of the patchy kSZ signal, giving in turn access to the physics of early light sources.
Energy dependent morphology of the pulsar wind nebula HESS J1825-137 withFermi-LAT
Authors: Principe G. , Mitchell A. M. W. , Caroff S. , Hinton J. A. , Parsons R. D. , Funk S.
Published: June 2020

Aims.Taking advantage of more than 11 years ofFermi-LAT data, we perform a new and deep analysis of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) HESS J1825-137. Combining this analysis with recent H.E.S.S. results we investigate and constrain the particle transport mechanisms at work inside the source as well as the system evolution.

Methods.The PWN is studied using 11.6 years ofFermi-LAT data between 1 GeV and 1 TeV. In particular, we present the results of the spectral analysis and the first energy-resolved morphological study of the PWN HESS J1825-137 at GeV energies, which provide new insights into theγ-ray characteristics of the nebula.

Results.An optimised analysis of the source returns an extended emission region larger than 2°, corresponding to an intrinsic size of about 150 pc, making HESS J1825-137 the most extendedγ-ray PWN currently known. The nebula presents a strong energy dependent morphology within the GeV range, moving from a radius of ∼1.4° below 10 GeV to a radius of ∼0.8° above 100 GeV, with a shift in the centroid location.

Conclusions.Thanks to the large extension and peculiar energy-dependent morphology, it is possible to constrain the particle transport mechanisms inside the PWN HESS J1825-137. Using the variation of the source extension and position, as well as the constraints on the particle transport mechanisms, we present a scheme for the possible evolution of the system. Finally, we provide an estimate of the electron energy density and we discuss its nature in the PWN and TeV halo-like scenario.
The Large Magellanic Cloud stellar content with SMASH
Authors: Ruiz-Lara T. , Gallart C. , Monelli M. , Nidever D. , Dorta A. , Choi Y. , Olsen K. , Besla G. , Bernard E. J. , Cassisi S. , Massana P. , Noël N. E. D. , Pérez I. , Rusakov V. , Cioni M.-R. L. , Majewski S. R. , van der Marel R. P. , Martínez-Delgado D. , Monachesi A. , Monteagudo L. , Muñoz R. R. , Stringfellow G. S. , Surot F. , Vivas A. K. , Walker A. R. , Zaritsky D.
Published: June 2020

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the closest and most studied example of an irregular galaxy. Among its principal defining morphological features, its off-centred bar and single spiral arm stand out, defining a whole family of galaxies known as the Magellanic spirals (Sm). These structures are thought to be triggered by tidal interactions and possibly maintained via gas accretion. However, it is still unknown whether they are long-lived stable structures. In this work, by combining photometry that reaches down to the oldest main sequence turn-off in the colour-magnitude diagrams (CMD, up to a distance of ∼4.4 kpc from the LMC centre) from the SMASH survey and CMD fitting techniques, we find compelling evidence supporting the long-term stability of the LMC spiral arm, dating the origin of this structure to more than 2 Gyr ago. The evidence suggests that the close encounter between the LMC and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) that produced the gaseous Magellanic Stream and its Leading Arm also triggered the formation of the LMC’s spiral arm. Given the mass difference between the Clouds and the notable consequences of this interaction, we can speculate that this should have been one of their closest encounters. These results set important constraints on the timing of LMC-SMC collisions, as well as on the physics behind star formation induced by tidal encounters.
Hospitalization Duration Following Uncomplicated Cesarean Delivery: Predictors, Facility Variation, and Outcomes
Authors: Federspiel Jerome J. , Suresh Sunitha C. , Darwin Kristin C. , Szymanski Linda M.
Published: June 2020

Objectives This study was designed to: (1) characterize stay duration following cesarean delivery, (2) ascertain whether facility variation exists, and (3) determine whether shorter stays are associated with rates of readmission or costs.

Study Design The 2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to identify uncomplicated cesarean deliveries. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess for facility variation in percentage of patients discharged within 2 days. Similar models were used to assess for associations between probability of readmission within 30 days and facility-level rates of discharge within 2 days.

Results In total, 456,312 patients from 1,535 hospitals were included. The median facility discharged 46.8% of patients within 2 days, with the 25th percentile of hospitals 23.7% and the 75th percentile 71.2%. In adjusted regression, there was significant facility heterogeneity (p < 0.0001). The overall readmission rate was 1.7%, and proportion of patients discharged within 2 days of cesarean delivery was not associated with readmission probability (adjusted relative risk: 1.02, confidence interval: 0.90–1.16), but was associated with lower inpatient costs (adjusted incremental cost: $111, confidence interval: −181 to −41).

Conclusion Unexplained facility variation in percentage of patients discharged within 2 days of cesarean delivery was not associated with differences in readmissions.

Key Points
Risk Factors for Mortality in Acute Aortic Dissection Type A: A Centre Experience Over 15 Years
Authors: Salem Mohamed , Friedrich Christine , Thiem Alexander , Huenges Katharina , Puehler Thomas , Cremer Jochen , Haneya Assad
Published: June 2020

Introduction Acute aortic dissection Type A (AADA) is still associated with a high mortality rate and frequent postoperative complications. This study was designed to evaluate the risk factors for mortality in AADA patients.

Patients and Methods This retrospective analysis included 344 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for AADA in moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (20–24°C nasopharyngeal) between 2001 and 2016.

Results The 30-day mortality rate was 18%. Nonsurvivors were significantly older (65.7 ± 12.0 years vs. 62.0 ± 12.5 years; p = 0.034) with significantly higher Euro-score II [15.4% (6.6; 23.0) vs. 4.63% (2.78; 9.88); p < 0.001)]. Intraoperatively, survivors had statistically shorter cardiopulmonary bypass times [163 (134; 206) vs. 198 min (150; 245); p = 0.001]. However, the hypothermic circulatory arrest time was similar between both groups. Postoperatively, the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) (55.9 vs. 15.2%; p < 0.001), stroke (27.9 vs. 12.1%; p = 0.002) and sepsis (18.0 vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher among nonsurvivors. The multi-variable logistic regression confirmed that older age, previous cardiac surgery, preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), blood transfusion and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) were independent risk factors for mortality.

Conclusion Our analysis suggested that the reason for mortality was multifactorial, especially age, previous cardiac surgery, CPR, transfusion, as well as postoperative AKI were considered risk factors for mortality.
What Is the Best Method to Achieve Safe and Precise Stent-Graft Deployment in Patients Undergoing TEVAR?
Authors: Gottardi Roman , Berger Tim , Voetsch Andreas , Winkler Andreas , Krombholz-Reindl Philipp , Farkouh Andre , Kondov Stoyan , Rylski Bartosz , Sodian Ralf , Czerny Martin
Published: June 2020

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic pathologies requires sufficient landing zone of ideally more than 25 mm for safe anchoring of the stent-graft and prevention of endoleaks. In the aortic arch and at the thoracoabdominal transition, landing zone length is usually limited by the offspring of the major aortic side-branches. Exact deployment of the stent-graft to effectively use the whole length of the landing zone and to prevent occlusion of one of the side-branches is key to successful TEVAR. There are numerous techniques described to lower blood pressure and to reduce or eliminate aortic impulse to facilitate exact deployment of stent-grafts including pharmacologic blood pressure lowering, adenosine-induced asystole, inflow occlusion, and rapid pacing. Aim of this review was to assess the current literature to identify which of the techniques is best suited to prevent displacement and allow for precise placement of the stent-graft and safe balloon-molding.
Implementation of Perioperative Point-of-Care Platelet Function Analyses Reduces Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Lihui , Valencia Oswaldo , Phillips Simon , Sharma Vivek
Published: June 2020

Background Platelet dysfunction is a common cause of bleeding, perioperative blood transfusion, and surgical re-exploration in cardiac surgical patients. We evaluated the effect of incorporating a platelet function analyzer utilizing impedance aggregometry (Multiplate, Roche, Munich, Germany) into our local transfusion algorithm on the rate of platelet transfusion and postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Methods Data were collected on patients undergoing CABG surgery from January 2015 to April 2017. Patients who underwent surgery before and after introduction of this algorithm were classified into prealgorithm and postalgorithm groups, respectively. The primary outcome was the rate of platelet transfusion before and after implementation of the Multiplate-based transfusion algorithm. Secondary outcomes included transfusion rate of packed red blood cells, postoperative blood loss at 12 and 24 hours, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and the hospital and mortality.

Results A total of 726 patients were included in this analysis with 360 and 366 patients in the pre- and postalgorithm groups, respectively. Transfusion rates of platelets (p = 0.01) and packed red blood cells (p = 0.0004) were significantly lower following introduction of the algorithm in patients (n = 257) who had insufficient time to withhold antiplatelet agents. Receiver operating characteristic curves defined optimal cutoff points of arachidonic acid and adenosine diphosphate assays on the Multiplate to predict future platelet transfusion were 23AU and 43AU, respectively.

Conclusions The introduction of a Multiplate-based platelet transfusion algorithm showed a statistically significant reduction in the administration of platelets to patients undergoing urgent CABG surgery.
Cementless Tritanium Baseplate Total Knee Arthroplasty: Survivorship and Outcomes at 5-Year Minimum Follow-Up
Authors: Tarazi John M. , Salem Hytham S. , Ehiorobo Joseph O. , Sodhi Nipun , Mont Michael A. , Harwin Steven F.
Published: June 2020

Background Newer generation cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs have provided stronger osteointegration between the implant and bone. Despite excellent survivorship and outcomes with cemented TKAs, areas of concern within the bone–cement interface remain a concern and necessitate studies on alternative constructs. This study assesses: (1) implant survivorship; (2) clinical outcomes; and (3) complications with radiographic outcomes at a 5-year minimum follow-up of cementless highly porous titanium-coated baseplates in TKAs.

Methods Part of this study has been reported. We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected database at a single high-volume institution between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 for patients who underwent a primary TKA using cementless highly porous titanium-coated baseplate implants. Patients were evaluated clinically at postoperative follow-up visits at a minimum of 5 years. To calculate the survivorship, Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to determine all-cause, aseptic, and septic implant survivorship at each final follow-up for all patients.

Results A total of 228 TKAs were performed and followed for a minimum of 5 years (range, 5–6 years). As of the latest follow-up, one case of septic loosening of the patellar button and one case of patellar dislodgment secondary to physical manipulation were recorded and revised. Overall, the cohort displayed implant survivorship of 99.5% at 5-year minimum follow-up. Improvements were seen in both Knee Society pain and function scores and were 37 points (range, 17–60 points) and 28 points (range, 15–47 points), respectively. The mean improvement in flexion was 17.8 (range, –20 to 40 degrees) and mean improvement in extension was –5.5 (range, –30 to 5 degrees).

Discussion Cementless TKAs serve as strong alternative choice to cemented TKAs. Although cemented fixation is commonly known as the gold standard, results of this study confirm the findings of previous investigations on the survivorship of cementless TKA implants. Therefore, patients who undergo primary TKA with a cementless tritanium baseplate can expect excellent clinical outcomes at a 5-year minimum follow-up.
Successful Management of an Infant with Atypical Presentation of Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia with Misalignment of the Pulmonary Veins
Authors: Neuhäuser Christoph Armin , Kreymborg Karsten Grosse , Müller Carsten , Khalil Markus , Jux Christian , Galambos Csaba , Schranz Dietmar
Published: June 2020

A newborn infant patient presented with persistent pulmonary hypertension. For right ventricular decompression, the ductus arteriosus was kept open by prostaglandin E1 infusion and was stented at the age of 4 weeks during heart catheterization. The child was weaned from mechanical ventilation, since pulmonary functions were adequate. A small atrial septal defect was identified and closed in cardiac catheterization laboratory to decrease preductal hypoxemia. Diagnostic workup led to the diagnosis of alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of the pulmonary veins. Suprasystemic pulmonary arterial hypertension with persisting nitric oxide dependency remained the leading symptoms. The child underwent bilateral lung transplantation at the age of 28 months. He is well at the age of 44 months.