bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Power Coefficient for extracting the maximum power in Wind power based Doubly fed Induction generator (DFIG) using vector control
Authors: Singh Arunesh kumar , Saxena Abhinav , Prashant  , MdWaris  , Singh Rana Arun
Published: September 2019

This Paper shows behaviour of the Doubly fed Induction generator(DFIG) for extracting the maximum power using vector controlled mechanism. This paper present the controlling of rotor side converter(RSC) and grid side converter(GSC) through conventional method of gate triggering by using d-q theory The paper includes the simulation model of DFIG and further the maximum power extraction from wind is estimated by using power coefficient which is completely dependent on pitch angle, tip to speed ratio(TSR). The novelty in power coefficient has design to harness the maximum power. Firstly the mathematical model of DFIG is developed with incorporated wind turbine as mechanical input and then vector controlled method is used. DFIG is broadly used in wind power applications which are more robust, reliable and very efficient system. The complete system is implemented using MATLAB software tool.
Response of monopolar HVDC system in presence of single double-tuned dc filter
Authors: Deb Soma , Verma H K
Published: September 2019

Study of the response of an HVDC system to various conditions, types and locations of fault on the system is basic to developing suitable protection techniques and algorithms. This paper presents a study of the behaviour of monopolar HVDC system in the presence of a single double-tuned dc filter. CIGRE Benchmark model for monopolar HVDC system has been simulated on PSCAD/EMTDC for the study. Five different fault locations, viz. three dc line faults (two faults near the line ends and the third fault at the middle point of the line) and two ac side faults (one near the rectifier and the other near the inverter), and five different values of fault resistance (ranging from 0 to 2000 ohms) have been considered. It has been observed that incremental current and incremental power in the HVDC line can discriminate only mid-line dc faults from ac fault. Also, incremental current can discriminate between rectifier-side ac fault and inverter-side ac fault for all values of fault resistance, whereas incremental power can do so only for lower values of fault resistance (0 ohm and 10 ohms). Transient energy can discriminate dc line faults at all locations from ac faults with all values of fault resistance. However, transient energy can discriminate rectifier-side ac fault from inverter-side ac fault only for low values of fault resistance (0 ohm and 10 ohms) and not for high values. This study can be very effectively used in developing a protection algorithm/technique. The study can be further extended to analyze the performance of HVDC system in the presence of any type of the dc filter and for any length of the line.
Experimental Profiling of Temperature and Luminosity inside Greenhouse using Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Lata Suman , Verma H. K.
Published: September 2019

Monitoring and control of climatic variables inside a greenhouse (GH) play crucial role in quality production of crops in the green-house (GH). Measurement and monitoring of major GH variables, such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, light intensity and CO2 in atmosphere, has been generally carried out using a central data acquisition system to which all sensors are individually wired. This technique involves huge cabling and lacks flexibility of adding sensors in future. This paper presents a detailed methodology and results of experimental measurement and profiling (both temporal and spatial) of temperature and luminosity inside a laboratory model of GH using a wireless sensor network (WSN). For the experimental work, the GH was divided into two rows, row 1 and row 2, with three zones of equal dimensions in each row. At the centre of each zone one wireless sensor node was placed for measurement and acquisition of temperature and luminosity in that zone. A WSN was created with these six wireless sensor (WS) nodes (or motes) and one network coordinator (NC). Profiling of temperature and luminosity was carried out under uncontrolled as well as controlled environmental conditions. Two controlled conditions were created. In the first case only temperature was controlled by placing a heater at the centre of GH. The second case involves simultaneous control of temperature and luminosity, for which an incandescent lamp was placed in each zone of row 1 while all the zones of row 2 were covered with a tinted plastic sheet. Data was gathered from all the six WS nodes in each controlled case as well as in uncontrolled environment. Surface profiles of both temperature and luminosity were drawn in Lab VIEW on the basis of collaborative processing of the data. The experimental results so obtained are correlated with the expected theoretical profiles. The use of WSN and Lab VIEW for collecting and processing the data, respectively, provides remarkable flexibility in terms of addition and deletion of WS nodes. Moreover, no wiring is needed for power or signals.
Single Stage Isolated Zeta Converter (SS-IZC) Circuit with Improved Power Factor for LED’s Application
Authors: Narayan Deo Rajesh , Shrivastava A. , Chatterjee Kalyan
Published: September 2019

Light emitting diode specifically White LED has gain a lot of attention from both academics and industrial sector due to its high efficiency, environmental friendly, and long lifecycle. This is a feasible alternative for conventional bulbs and tubes in domestic, industrial and commercial lighting. However, implementation of this new source requires various parametric regulation. This proposed single stage isolated zeta converter (SS-IZC), with power factor correction maintains constant output for the load of 36 Watts LED, and follow the IEC61000-3-2 standard. The proposed SS-IZC is operating in DCM and controlled with PWM (Pulse width modulation), for power factor improvement and low THD, and obtain more than 0.9 power factor and THD less than ten percentages.
Speed Control of DC Motor Using Chopper Based on Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Singh Arunesh kumar , Saxena Abhinav , Poon Terang Parveen , Tulsyan Palak , Waris M
Published: September 2019

This paper present the speed control of DC Motor based on boost converter under the controlling of fuzzy logic. The DC motor has armature and field winding in which armature winding is controlled by using boost converter which is triggered by fuzzy logic controller which consist of 7x7 rule and the input are change in error and rate of change of error and output is firing angle. The fuzzy logic controller gives smooth, reliable, efficient speed controlling of DC motor. Further the compative analysis between fuzzy logy and PID controller is assessed. The complete system is designed with SIMULINK/MATLAB for perfect analysis between two methods mentioned.
Comparative Study of Structural and Sheetmetal Combination Bracket on Elevator Rail System
Authors: Dubey Sumit V. , Rane Santosh B.
Published: September 2019

Context: - Combination brackets are applied for fixing car and counterweight guide rails on the hoistway wall to deliver smooth and safe travel for side counterweight position.

Purpose: - The main intent of this work study is to compare the deflection and stresses value of the structural and sheet metal Combination bracket arises due to effect of forces imposed on the guide rail by the Car guide shoe.

Methodology: - Finite element method was performed for Structural and Sheet metal combination bracket to evaluate stress and deflection using SolidWorks Simulation software. Analytical calculation has been performed to calculate the forces acting on rail considering the case of safety gear operation as per EN 81-1

Research findings: - From this analysis, it has been found that structural combination brackets are stiffer compare to those made up of sheet metal.

Limitations: - Stress and deflection values shall be varied for different car cabin sizes. A case study of Car Size 1100x2000 mm for 13 passenger capacity rated load has been considered.

Originality/value: - This analysis results provides the possibility of selecting most reliable rail bracket for guide rail fixation.
Development and performance analysis of conformal UWB wearable antenna under various bending radii
Authors: Prasad Gupta Narbada , Kumar Mithilesh , Maheshwari Ranjan
Published: September 2019

Antennas for off-body wearable applications needs to be flexible and its electrical characteristics should be stable in different body postures, different bending or stretching environments. Therefore, the designed antenna should be such that, even if the antenna is bent frequently, it should operate properly. In this paper, a conformal UWB antenna is reported which has been optimized to be conformal to any body shape and size. The proposed antenna has been designed on RT Duroid substrate with dielectric constant of 2.2 and loss tangent 0.0009. The thickness of the material is 0.127 mm. Due to low thickness; it can easily be bent and mounted on curved surfaces. The size of the antenna is 35 × 31 mm2. To accomplish the design process, two different bending radii have been considered to bend the proposed antenna. The two bending radii of 25 mm and 50 mm have been chosen; one corresponding to the arm of a healthy child of around 5 years age and another corresponding to a healthy person of age about 35 years with medium built. The simulated radiation efficiency and total antenna efficiency are more than 60% for the bending at 25 mm and 50 mm radii in the UWB frequency range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. The gain of the proposed antenna for both the bending radii is changing from 1.4 dB to 5.3 dB. The return loss of the proposed antenna is obtained for 25 mm and 50 mm bending radii of curvatures and it is below 10 dB in UWB range. A prototype of proposed antenna has been fabricated and tested on Rohde & Schwarz 40 GHz VNA. Measured results are in close agreement with simulation results.
Optimization of Organic Waste Collection for Generation of Bio Gas using IoT Techniques
Authors: Manglorkar S S , Sharma A O , Verma D S , Rane S B
Published: September 2019

India is facing some major challenges in waste collection, segregation, transportation, treatment and disposal. Hence, there is a need to spread awareness about waste disposal and define better waste management techniques in India. The purpose of this paper is to utilize Internet of Things for waste management and optimized collection of wet (biodegradable) waste to produce bio-gas. It focuses on improving the current waste management system by using ultra-sonic sensors, Arduino-UNO and EC-GSM. Collection and segregation of waste in an optimized way is necessary because wet waste can be useful in producing bio-gas which in turn can be used to produce clean electricity and natural gas. Lastly, the paper also gives emphasis on cost analysis of this method to calculate revenue generation.
A Relative Survey on Handover Techniques in Mobility Management
Authors: Pramod Kumar P , Sagar K
Published: September 2019

Innovation is advancing at a speedier pace and necessity for web organizations at whatever point wherever is required. To impact this vision ever to better organizations open to a customer, effective mobility managing procedures must be composed. Two key intends to execute mobility administrations are Handover and area administration. Therefore, we need to have an efficient mobility management system among heterogeneous wireless networks where several wireless networks can interoperate to provide users with good QoS. In this paper, distinctive issues related to mobility administration in the coming period of frameworks are highlighted and besides throws a light on the uncertain zones to ensure proficient mobility management.
Cost benefit modeling of AB2X4 (A=Cd; B=Ga; X=S, Se) solar photovoltaic (PV) materials
Authors: Kumar Pancham , Soni Amit , Sahariya Jagrati
Published: September 2019

Present paper focus towards implementation and commercialization of emerging solar PV technology with cost effective manner. Energy band gap, absorption coefficients and module implementation cost for 1KW solar power plant for ternary AB2X4 (A=Cd; B=Ga; X=S, Se) solar photovoltaic (PV) system is investigated here. All the material related calculations are carried out using density functional theory [1] and cost related calculations by using mathematical expressions. By performing a comparative cost study between proposed materials based solar photovoltaic module and crystalline based solar photovoltaic module we concluded that present material will be cost effectively commercialized as compare to Crystalline Si.
Comparative Study of Different Configuration Techniques to Address the Outcome of Partial Shading Conditions on Solar Photovoltaic System
Authors: Sharma Mona , Pareek Smita , Singh Kulwant
Published: September 2019

As per energy and power productivity of a solar photovoltaic (SPV) system is evaluated, Partial Shading Conditions (PSC) play a significant role. Under PSC, the panels of a SPV modules receive various levels of solar irradiance, as a result power generation of a SPV system diminishes, and these losses in SPV panels may be decrease by changing the configuration of the panels in array/module. The panels may be configure in many different configuration such as Series(S), Parallel (P), Series Parallel (SP), Total Cross Tied (TCT), Bridge Linked (BL), and Honeycomb (HC) to improve the output energy and power efficiency. This work is aimed to present all the configuration that already been presented in literature and result of PSC on SPV systems are referenced and analyzed. There are four configuration 4×4 array of solar photovoltaic panels to be discussed in this paper. Four configuration are Series parallel (SP), total cross tied (TCT), bridge linked (BL), and honey comb (HC). Four simulated models were performed to decide to effect of shadow with 10 shading patterns. The simulated results shows as a power against voltage (PV) curves of 4×4 array of SPV under PSC for above mentioned configuration. The PV curve of the proposed configuration is enhanced the power efficiency and the minute and exact finding of global maximum peak is simpler. The test of the simulated modules and its theoretical results ensure the effective implementation of this techniques in hardware setup also. It is confront that this work will be a reference of useful and important information for researchers in Solar panel area. The work presented in this papers envisages to be a source.
Hybrid human powered power generating unit by using multiple transducers
Authors: Gautam Singh Avanish , Ravi Subrahmanyam B
Published: September 2019

This paper provides concept of capturing the different kinds of energy conversions that can be in form of motion, physical force, heat energy and solar energy and converting all form of energy into useful electrical energy. It can provide endless supply of energy to electronic device also has attracted large number of researchers and has bought a growing amount of attention to energy harvesting. The hybrid human powered power generating unit is an electronic device, purpose of proposed model is to supply electricity for charging devices when the user is out of reach to the charger or charging port. This device basically transforms many different kind of energies to electricity (direct current) example piezoelectric plate produces electrical energy when mechanical force is applied on it and another we have Peltier plate (thermal electric generator) which transforms temperature differences into electrical energy. The proposed model is very much portable, so any individual easily can carry with them. This device does not need any external power supply to charge it, because this device made up of four energy inducing elements or can say transducers and one buck booster which step up the output voltage of the energy produced or induced by the generating elements assembled with a super-capacitor. This device is very useful in the situation where the person doesn’t have power source around and need to charge any electronic device. This device can replace your heavy power bank with this light weighted device. Anyone can easily use this electronic device simply by squeezing it and shaking horizontally, these all physical movements induces electrical energy and got stored in super capacitor and further consume by the charging devices.
Automatic moving floor for smart rooms
Authors: Ravi Subrahmanyam B , Ambikapathy A
Published: September 2019

This paper presents Automatic moving floor of a room for smart homes; invention is provided to solve the problems like moving of heavy furniture in homes, cleaning of floor everyday and to help the old people to roam around the room. The complete invention consists of two disconnected parts namely, CoS (Control System) box and the Tiles. Tiles arranged in the form of an array, having high torque motors internally and set of gears. There will be a false floor just beneath the main designed purposely for several instructions (like cleaning of tiles, moving of tiles, etc.) to work upon. The CoS box is a control system that listen, record, analyze the data given by the user and finds the best suitable solution form the array with given conditions. The CoS box contains a microphone and a touch panel to give instructions, then it provides a suitable way or path for the tiles to move from starting point to desired locations within the room. The instructions to the CoS box can also be given through an android application to have more user-friendly interface.
Simulation and Experimental Studies of MPC for Level Control of Modified Quadruple Tank System
Authors: Varshney Tarun , Gehlaut Shekhar , Kumar Bansal Sanjay
Published: September 2019

Model Predictive Control (MPC) has been a powerful control strategy as it has already been proved with simulation and experimental studies. In this study, MPC has been explored for the level control of a nonlinear benchmark quadruple tank system. MPC has been applied as a real-time control strategy for set point control and disturbance rejection. Rigorous simulations and experiments have been done and fairy compared with those from the use of decentralized PI controller. To validate the results, real-time experimental studies have also been carried out for two possible configurations. The application offers a new look at the performance of the MPC for complex systems control.
Influence of antioxidant on performance of CI engine using waste fried oil methyl ester
Authors: Balasaheb Hirkude Jagannath
Published: September 2019

The future of biodiesel is bright. However, biodiesel is vulnerable to oxidative degradation due to autoxidation. Adding antioxidant is a probable answer to achieve clean burning and improved combustion. This paper addresses experimental study the influence of antioxidant with WFO biodiesel on diesel engine performance. WFOME was produced through transesterification process. BHA and BHT have been used as antioxidants. Increased oxidation stability of B40 (60% diesel + 40% Biodiesel) was observed with accumulation of antioxidants. A 5HP engine was preferred for this study. The outcomes illustrate that antioxidant-treated B40 produced 2.15% to 4.78% higher brake thermal efficiency and BSFC by 2.08% to 4.74% compared to untreated B40. Reduction in nitrogen emissions in tune of 4 ppm to 8 ppm was observed during this research. Increased CO in tune of 8.54 to 17.08% has been pointed out. HC emissions were higher by 7.73 to 14.95%.
Mathematical model development of modified flow dispersion stress tensor in 2-D curvilinear flow domain
Authors: Akhtar M.P. , Sharma Nayan , Ojha C. S. P.
Published: September 2019

For 2-D simulation of curvilinear flow field, use of momentum equations involves flow dispersion stress terms. Dispersion Stress terms take into account the effect of secondary flow variation arisen due to integration of the product of discrepancy between depth averaged velocity and the true velocity distributions. The objective of this paper is to present empirical mathematical functions to evaluate these terms. These terms can be incorporated in the 2D depth averaged flow equations as an additional source/sink term. In this work, the derivation is done to get revised set of empirical relations are later used in development of enhanced 2D numerical model. When compared with earlier investigations, the proposed formulations are simplified and numerically compatible. It is expected that modified formulation for flow dispersion stress tensor will lead to more realistic and improved simulation of flow field in curved flow domain.
An inventory model with variable demand for non-instantaneous deteriorating products under the permissible delay in payments
Authors: Mathur Priya , Malik A K , Kumar Satish
Published: September 2019

In today’s competitive business deal the demand for any product is positively affected by its displayed stock level due to which the suppliers normally gave permission to his/her retailers for the delay in payment. We developed an inventory model to stem the auspicious conditions under which permissible delay in payment and displayed stock levels are beneficial for the manufacturing industry and business markets. In this decision model, for the permissible delay period; the retailer is permitted to postpone his/her payment for the products, which was bought without paying any interest. In particular, we analyze in this study the optimal renewal policy for non-instantaneous decaying products through variable demand. Furthermore, the results reveal that the optimum cost and time using the assistance of a numerical example which demonstrates the model with sensitivity analysis is carried out.
Gain Characteristics of InGaAsN Quantum Well Heterostructures with GaAs and InP Substrates
Authors: Khan M. I. , Sandhya K. , Khan A. M. , Alvi P. A.
Published: September 2019

The present paper reports the effect of substrate on the optical gain characteristics of InGaAsN material based quantum well (QW) heterostructure. To analyze the substrate effect on the optical gain, two substrate, namely, GaAs and InP have been chosen. Taking in to account both of the substrates, the quantum mechanical approach (k.p method) has been adopted to calculate the confinement of the carriers related with quantum well and the optical gain. In addition, for InGaAsN/InP heterostructure, the cladding effect has also been observed. The simulated results exhibit that the substrate has played a very important role in modifying the optical gain characteristics due to the presence of strain which comes into play due to the lattice discrepancy.
On typical representations for depth-zero components of split classical groups
Authors: Nadimpalli Santosh , Mondal Amiya
Published: September 2019

Let

G

\mathbf {G}

be a split classical group over a non-Archimedean local field

F
F

with the cardinality of the residue field

q
F

>
5

q_F>5

. Let

M
M

be the group of

F
F

-points of a Levi factor of a proper

F
F

-parabolic subgroup of

G

\mathbf {G}

. Let

[
M
,

σ
M

]
M

[M, \sigma _M]_M

be an inertial class such that

σ
M

\sigma _M

contains a depth-zero Moy–Prasad type of the form

(

K
M

,

τ
M

)

(K_M, \tau _M)

, where

K
M

K_M

is a hyperspecial maximal compact subgroup of

M
M

. Let

K
K

be a hyperspecial maximal compact subgroup of

G

(
F
)

\mathbf {G}(F)

such that

K
K

contains

K
M

K_M

. In this article, we classify

s

\mathfrak {s}

-typical representations of

K
K

. In particular, we show that the

s

\mathfrak {s}

-typical representations of

K
K

are precisely the irreducible subrepresentations of

ind
J
K

⁡
λ

\operatorname {ind}_J^K\lambda

, where

(
J
,
λ
)

(J, \lambda )

is a level-zero

G
G

-cover of

(
K
∩
M
,

τ
M

)

(K\cap M, \tau _M)

.
Chordomics: a visualization tool for linking function to phylogeny in microbiomes
Authors: McDonnell Kevin , Waters Nicholas , Howley Enda , Abram Florence
Published: September 2019

The overarching aim of microbiome analysis is to uncover the links between microbial phylogeny and function in order to access ecosystem functioning. This can be done using several experimental strategies targeting different biomolecules, including DNA (metagenomics), RNA (metatranscriptomics) and proteins (metaproteomics). Despite the importance of linking microbial function to phylogeny there are currently no visualization tools that effectively integrate this information. Chordomics is a Shiny-based application for linked -omics data analysis, allowing users to visualize microbial function and phylogeny on a single plot and compare datasets across time and environments.

Availability and implementation

Chordomics is available on GitHub: https://github.com/kevinmcdonnell6/chordomics; software is coded in R and JavaScript and a demonstration version is available at https://kmcd.shinyapps.io/ChordomicsDemo/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effects of temperature on reproductive timing and hatching success in a tropical fiddler crab
Authors: Chou Chun-Chia , Head Megan L , Backwell Patricia Ruth Yvonne
Published: September 2019

The timing of reproduction is critical to reproductive success in many animal species. Parents that can perceive and respond to environmental cues and time the hatching/birth of their offspring to optimal environmental conditions show higher reproductive success. Intertidal ectotherms are under particularly strong selection because larval development rates are temperature-dependent, and larvae must hatch during the highest spring tides to avoid high levels of inshore predation. Here we investigate whether female fiddler crabs, Austruca mjoebergi, can mitigate the effects of high temperatures by adjusting the timing of reproductive events and/or by behavioural compensation. We experimentally manipulated incubation temperatures between 30 and 36 °C, based on natural and predicted temperature conditions, and found that hatching success decreased linearly with increasing temperatures. However, temperature had no effect on the timing of fertilization or hatching, suggesting that larval development rate was not temperature-dependent. Across the tested temperatures, females did not adjust egg size, the amount of yolk in each egg, larvae size or clutch size. In conclusion, high temperatures prevented clutches from reaching the hatching stage, but within the range of temperatures that facilitated hatching, there was no evidence of behavioural compensation and no discernible effect of temperature on reproductive timing.
Risk Factors for Kaposi’s Sarcoma–Associated Herpesvirus DNA in Blood and in Saliva in Rural Uganda
Authors: Nalwoga Angela , Nakibuule Marjorie , Marshall Vickie , Miley Wendell , Labo Nazzarena , Cose Stephen , Whitby Denise , Newton Robert
Published: September 2019

Background

Detectable Kaposi’s sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA in blood and increased antibody titres may indicate KSHV reactivation, while the transmission of KSHV occurs via viral shedding in saliva.

Methods

We investigated the risk factors for KSHV DNA detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction in blood and by viral shedding in saliva, in 878 people aged 3 to 89 years of both sexes in a rural Ugandan population cohort. Helminths were detected using microscopy and the presence of malaria parasitaemia was identified using rapid diagnostic tests. Regression modelling was used for a statistical analysis.

Results

The KSHV viral load in blood did not correlate with the viral load in saliva, suggesting separate immunological controls within each compartment. The proportions of individuals with a detectable virus in blood were 23% among children aged 3–5 years and 22% among those 6–12 years, thereafter reducing with increasing age. The proportions of individuals with a detectable virus in saliva increased from 30% in children aged 3–5 years to 45% in those aged 6–12 years, and decreased subsequently with increasing age. Overall, 29% of males shed in saliva, compared to 19% of females (P = .008).

Conclusions

Together, these data suggest that young males may be responsible for much of the onward transmission of KSHV. Individuals with a current malaria infection had higher levels of viral DNA in their blood (P = .031), compared to uninfected individuals. This suggests that malaria may lead to KSHV reactivation, thereby increasing the transmission and pathogenicity of the virus.
Prehistoric avifaunas from the Kingdom of Tonga
Authors: Worthy Trevor H , Burley David V
Published: September 2019

Avifaunas derived from Lapita archaeological sites excavated between 2004 and 2014 from four sites in the Vava'u Group and two on Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga are described, revealing birds encountered by the first human arrivals. A total of 741 identifiable bones revealed 24 avian taxa, among which terrestrial birds, especially rails, pigeons and parrots, were the most abundant. At a minimum, eight taxa, or 50% of the original non-passerine land bird diversity in the sample, are globally extinct. These include two megapodes (Megapodius alimentum and a larger unnamed megapode), three pigeons (a large Caloenas sp. indet., Didunculus placopedetes and Ducula shutleri sp. nov.), two rails (Hypotaenidia vavauensis sp. nov. and an unnamed one) and the parrot Eclectus infectus. The rail H. vavauensis was restricted to Vava'u and was flightless, with reduced wings, and larger than Hypotaenidia woodfordi of the Solomons, the largest congener hitherto found in the Pacific. The pigeon Du. shutleri was volant, but was the largest species in its genus and was widespread in the Kingdom. The evolution of Tongan avifaunas is related to varying ages (Pliocene to Pleistocene) of the island groups, where geological youth apparently precluded true giantism in the fauna.
Ecological Status of Juglans cinerea in New Brunswick
Authors: Williams Martin , Moise Eric R. D. , Forbes Kathleen , Williams Charlene , DeMerchant Ian , Beardmore Tannis
Published: September 2019

Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.), an early successional riparian hardwood species native to Canada and the United States, is under serious threat from a nonnative fungal pathogen, Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum. Since it was first reported in Canada in 1990, this fungal pathogen has spread rapidly and established in New Brunswick in 1997. Apart from the first report in 1997 and another in 2004, no surveys have been conducted to assess the spread of the pathogen in the province. The purpose of this research was to survey butternut throughout its range in New Brunswick, evaluate disease occurrence as well as tree health, and investigate the impact of different topographic and tree health factors on canker incidence. Results showed that the disease has spread throughout the range of butternut in New Brunswick. The disease likely only recently (2007) spread to the northeastern-most populations, given that lower rates of canker occurrence and higher health ratings are found further away from the point of initial occurrence of the disease. Although canker incidence is high throughout the province, tree dieback is minimal, and trees still producing nuts could support opportunities for ex situ conservation. Because of the rate of pathogen spread in the province, implementing a tree improvement strategy might be the only means for maintaining the butternut genome on the landscape.
Identification and Nematicidal Characterization of Proteases Secreted by Endophytic Bacteria Bacillus cereus BCM2
Authors: Hu Haijing , Gao Yang , Li Xia , Chen Shuanglin , Yan Shuzhen , Tian Xinjun
Published: September 2019

The endophytic bacterium Bacillus cereus BCM2 has shown great potential as a biocontrol organism against Meloidogyne incognita, which causes severe root-knot diseases in crops. In our previous study, the metabolite of BCM2 showed high nematicidal activity against the M. incognita second-stage juveniles. However, the mechanism employed by endophytic bacteria to infect and kill nematodes is still unclear. Here, we investigate both the endophytic bacterial extracellular proteins with nematicidal activity and their mechanism of killing nematodes. The first step was detecting the nematicidal activities of crude proteins. The results show that the nematode mortality rate reached 100% within 72 h, and the crude proteins damaged both the cuticle and eggshell, before finally destroying the targets. This suggests possible proteinaceous pathogeny in BCM2. Throughout the process, the fine-detail changes in the nematode cuticle and the intestinal structure were observed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These images show that BCM2 extracellular proteins did not damage the internal organization of the nematode but did severely damage its cuticle, which led to content leakage. From the crude proteins, chitosanase, alkaline serine protease, and neutral protease were purified and identified. The M. incognita–B. cereus BCM2 microenvironment simulation demonstrates that BCM2 adheres to the surface of nematodes and helps the metabolites that were produced by BCM2 to rapidly recognize and kill M. incognita. This relationship between plants, endophytic bacteria, and nematodes offers insight into the biological mechanisms that can be utilized for of nematode management.
Quantum measurements and contextuality
Authors: Griffiths Robert B.
Published: September 2019

In quantum physics, the term ‘contextual’ can be used in more than one way. One usage, here called ‘Bell contextual’ since the idea goes back to Bell, is that if
A
,
B
and
C
are three quantum observables, with
A
compatible (i.e. commuting) with
B
and also with
C
, whereas
B
and
C
are incompatible, a measurement of
A
might yield a different result (indicating that quantum mechanics is contextual) depending upon whether
A
is measured along with
B
(the {
A
, 
B
} context) or with
C
(the {
A
, 
C
} context). An analysis of what projective quantum measurements measure shows that quantum theory is Bell non-contextual: the outcome of a particular
A
measurement when
A
is measured along with
B
would have been exactly the same if
A
had, instead, been measured along with
C
. A different definition, here called ‘globally (non)contextual’ refers to whether or not there is (non-contextual) or is not (contextual) a single joint probability distribution that simultaneously assigns probabilities in a consistent manner to the outcomes of measurements of a certain collection of observables, not all of which are compatible. A simple example shows that such a joint probability distribution can exist even in a situation where the measurement probabilities cannot refer to properties of a quantum system, and hence lack physical significance, even though mathematically well defined. It is noted that the quantum sample space, a projective decomposition of the identity, required for interpreting measurements of incompatible properties in different runs of an experiment using different types of apparatus, has a tensor product structure, a fact sometimes overlooked.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Contextuality and probability in quantum mechanics and beyond’.
Relating causal and probabilistic approaches to contextuality
Authors: Jones Matt
Published: September 2019

A primary goal in recent research on contextuality has been to extend this concept to cases of inconsistent connectedness, where observables have different distributions in different contexts. This article proposes a solution within the framework of probabi- listic causal models, which extend hidden-variables theories, and then demonstrates an equivalence to the contextuality-by-default (CbD) framework. CbD distinguishes contextuality from direct influences of context on observables, defining the latter purely in terms of probability distributions. Here, we take a causal view of direct influences, defining direct influence within any causal model as the probability of all latent states of the system in which a change of context changes the outcome of a measurement. Model-based contextuality (M-contextuality) is then defined as the necessity of stronger direct influences to model a full system than when considered individually. For consistently connected systems, M-contextuality agrees with standard contextuality. For general systems, it is proved that M-contextuality is equivalent to the property that any model of a system must contain ‘hidden influences’, meaning direct influences that go in opposite directions for different latent states, or equivalently signalling between observers that carries no information. This criterion can be taken as formalizing the ‘no-conspiracy’ principle that has been proposed in connection with CbD. M-contextuality is then proved to be equivalent to CbD-contextuality, thus providing a new interpretation of CbD-contextuality as the non-existence of a model for a system without hidden direct influences.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Contextuality and probability in quantum mechanics and beyond’.
The problem of quantum correlations and the totalitarian principle
Authors: Cabello Adán
Published: September 2019

The totalitarian principle establishes that ‘anything not forbidden is compulsory’. The problem of quantum correlations is explaining what selects the set of quantum correlations for a Bell and Kochen–Specker (KS) contextuality scenario. Here, we show that two assumptions and a version of the totalitarian principle lead to the quantum correlations. The assumptions are that there is a non-empty set of correlations for any KS contextuality scenario and a statistically independent realization of any two KS experiments. The version of the totalitarian principle says that any correlation not forbidden by these assumptions can be produced. This paper contains a short version of the proof (presented elsewhere) and explores some implications of the result.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Contextuality and probability in quantum mechanics and beyond’.
Hilbert space multidimensional modelling of continuous measurements
Authors: Busemeyer J. R. , Wang Z.
Published: September 2019

Data fusion problems arise when a researcher needs to analyse results obtained by measuring empirical variables under different measurement contexts. A context is defined by a subset of variables taken from a complete set of variables under investigation. Multiple contexts can be formed from different subsets, which produce a separate distribution of measurements associated with each context. A context effect occurs when the distributions produced by the different contexts cannot be reproduced by marginalizing over a complete joint distribution formed by all the variables. We propose a Hilbert space multidimensional theory that uses a state vector and measurement operators to account for multiple distributions produced by different contexts.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Contextuality and probability in quantum mechanics and beyond’.
Burden of Multiple Sclerosis in Eastern Mediterranean Region (1990-2016): Findings From the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study
Authors: Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Heydarpour Pouria , Moradi-Lakeh Maziar , Eskandarieh Sharareh , Fereshtehnejad Seyed-Mohammad , Vosughi Kia , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa , Farzadfar Farshad , Malekzadeh Reza , Vos Theo , Feigin Valery , Naghavi Mohsen , Mokdad Ali H.
Published: September 2019

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is among the leading causes of disability in Young Adults worldwide. Current estimates of MS burden in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are necessary for planning effective interventions .To estimate Prevalence, incidence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in EMR by country age, and sex from 1990 to 2016.

Methods

We estimated regional and country-specific prevalence, incidence, mortality, DALYs, YLLs, and YLDs for MS. DALYs were computed as the sum of YLDs and YLLs.

Results

Total DALYs in EMR countries was 12,810 in 1990 for males and increased to 36,391 in 2016 and from 18,962 to 53,851 for females. Lowest DALYs in both sexes were observed in Somalia (248) while the highest were in Iran (26,394). YLDs in males increased from 6,511 in 1990 to 19,515 in 2016, and in females from 12,247 to 33,937. The highest age-standardized prevalence, incidence, YLDs and DALYs were in Iran (72.11, 2.49, 18.03, and 32.5, respectively).

Conclusions

Our findings provide valuable information to guide the development and implementation of measures to address the rising burden of MS and it consequences in the EMR countries.
Early vegetation recovery after the 2008-2009 explosive eruption of the Chaitén Volcano
Authors: Moreno-González Ricardo , Díaz Iván A. , Christie Duncan A. , Coopman Rafael E. , Lara Antonio
Published: September 2019

In May 2008, Chaitén volcano entered in eruptive process, one of the world largest eruptions in the last decades. The catastrophic event left different type of disturbance and caused diverse environmental damage distributed heterogeneously in the surrounding areas of the volcano. We went to the field to assess the early vegetation responses a year after the eruption, in September 2009. Particularly, we evaluated the lateral-blast disturbance zone. We distributed a set of plots in three disturbed sites, and one in an undisturbed site. In each of these sites, in a plot of 1000m2 we marked all stand tree, recording whether they were alive, resprouting or dead. Additionally, in each site 80 small-plots (~4m2) we tallied the plants regeneration, its coverage, and the log-volume. We described whether the plant regeneration was growing on mineral or organic substrate. In the blast-zone the eruption created a gradient of disturbance. Close to the crater we found high devastation marked by no surviving species, scarce standing-dead trees and logs, as well as no tree regeneration. On the other extreme of the disturbance gradient, the trees with damaged crown were resprouting, small-plants were regrowing and seedlings were more dispersed. The main regeneration strategy was the resprouting of trunks or buried roots, while few seedlings were observed in the small plots and elsewhere in disturbed areas. However, the assessment was too soon after the eruption and updated monitoring is required to confirm observed patterns. The main findings of this study are: i) a mosaic of pioneering-wind dispersed species, scattered survivors regrowing and spreading from biological legacies, and plant species dispersed by frugivorous birds, likely favored by the biological legacies; (ii) the early succession is influenced by the interaction of the species-specific life history, altitudinal gradient and the different intensity of disturbance.
Measuring stepwise binding of a thermally fluctuating particle to a cell membrane without labeling
Authors: Rohrbach A. , Meyer T. , Kress H.
Published: September 2019

Thermal motions enable a particle to probe the optimal interaction state when binding to a cell membrane. However, especially on the scale of microseconds and nanometers, position and orientation fluctuations are difficult to observe with common measurement technologies. Here we show that it is possible to detect single binding events of IgG-coated polystyrene beads, which are held in an optical trap nearby the cell membrane of a macrophage. Changes in the spatial and temporal thermal fluctuations of the particle were measured interferometrically and no fluorophore labelling was required. We demonstrate both by Brownian dynamic simulations and by experiments that sequential step-wise increases in the force constant of the bond between a bead and a cell of typically 20 pN / µm are clearly detectable. In addition, this technique provides estimates about binding rates and diffusion constants of membrane receptors. The simple approach of thermal noise tracking points out new strategies in understanding interactions between cells and particles, which are relevant for a large variety of processes including phagocytosis, drug delivery or the effects of small microplastics and particulates on cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

Interactions of cells with nearby particles, e.g. bacteria, viruses or synthetic material, is a very fundamental and complex process, often deciding about the cellular fate. The investigation of binding processes between particle and cell is typically investigated by fluorescence techniques, where fluorophores often hinder the molecular interaction of specific binding partners. Therefore, label-free detection or imaging techniques are essential, which are hardly available especially for live cell investigations. Molecular binding is based on thermal position and orientation fluctuations of the binding partners to find the best interaction state. Here, we present a label-free measurement technique that allows us to detect multiple stepwise binding events of molecules on an optically trapped particle close to the cell membrane.
Reproducible and Transparent Research Practices in Published Neurology Research
Authors: Rauh Shelby , Torgerson Trevor , Johnson Austin L. , Pollard Jonathan , Tritz Daniel , Vassar Matt
Published: September 2019

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nature and extent of reproducible and transparent research practices in neurology research.

Methods

The NLM catalog was used to identify MEDLINE-indexed neurology journals. A PubMed search of these journals was conducted to retrieve publications over a 5-year period from 2014 to 2018. A random sample of publications was extracted. Two authors conducted data extraction in a blinded, duplicate fashion using a pilot-tested Google form. This form prompted data extractors to determine whether publications provided access to items such as study materials, raw data, analysis scripts, and protocols. In addition, we determined if the publication was included in a replication study or systematic review, was preregistered, had a conflict of interest declaration, specified funding sources, and was open access.

Results

Our search identified 223,932 publications meeting the inclusion criteria, from which 300 were randomly sampled. Only 290 articles were accessible, yielding 202 publications with empirical data for analysis. Our results indicate that 8.99% provided access to materials, 9.41% provided access to raw data, 0.50% provided access to the analysis scripts, 0.99% linked the protocol, and 3.47% were preregistered. A third of sampled publications lacked funding or conflict of interest statements. No publications from our sample were included in replication studies, but a fifth were cited in a systematic review or meta-analysis.

Conclusions

Current research in the field of neurology does not consistently provide information needed for reproducibility. The implications of poor research reporting can both affect patient care and increase research waste. Collaborative intervention by authors, peer reviewers, journals, and funding sources is needed to mitigate this problem.