bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Method of Finite Element Modeler and Electromagnetic Solvers for Education and Research in RF MEMS
Authors: Singh Tejinder , El-Medany Wael M. , Rangra Kamal J.
Published: September 2018

Field of electronics engineering is the most captivatingamong students, researchers and academicians now-adays.With the passage of time the requirement of advance toolsfor engineering is increasing. Many institutions and universitiesaround the globe provide quality education to various engineeringdomain. Students although study theory courses but they alsoneed exposure that how theory can be related to actual devices.Simulations play an important role for relating theoretical componentsto the virtual practical environment. Students of RadioFrequency (RF) domain and especially students that are studyingMicroelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) as courses, due to theextreme complexity of these devices, students need multiple toolsto simulate the performance parameters. This paper highlightsthe most prominent tools that are used in the industry to designand implement RF MEMS structures. The role of Electromagnetic(EM) solvers and Finite Element Modeller (FEM) and itsimpact on electronics engineering education is demonstrated.Modeling approach of these tools are also explained. These toolsand due to there huge advantages, electronics graduates shouldstudy these tools in their course curriculum to know how totackle various types of RF problems and through case studies,it is demonstrated that how these tools can aid shift from justtheoretical study to virtual practical environment.
Design of a 1 DOF MEMS motion stage for a parallel plane geometry rheometer
Authors: Kim Yong-Sik , Dagalakis Nicholas G. , Ferraris Chiara , Avramov-Zamurovic Svetlana
Published: September 2018

Rotational rheometers are used to measure paste properties, but the test would take too long to be useful for quality control (QC) on the job site. In this paper, a new type of rheometer is proposed based on a one degree of freedom (DOF) micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based motion stage. Preliminary data will be presented to show the capability of the system to measure the viscoelastic properties of a paste. The parallel plate geometry rheometer consists of two plates, which move relative to each other to apply a strain to the material to be tested. From the stress measured and the strain applied, the rheological characteristics of the material can be calculated. The new device consists of an electrothermal actuator and a motion plate. For the rheological measurements, the device is designed to generate the shear stress up to 60 Pa and maintain its stiffness to less than 44 N/m. With these features, the device uses a square plate of 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm to provide enough area for a few micro-liter level volumes. The motion of the square plate is monitored by a capacitive sensor at the end of the oscillating plate which has a resolution of 1.06 μm. When a reference cementitious paste, Standard Reference Material (SRM)-2492, is placed between the oscillating plate of the presented motion stage and a fixed plate, the reduction in the displacement of the oscillating plate is monitored showing that the presented motion stage is reasonably designed to detect the response of the reference cementitious paste.
Application and Control Method of Electromagnetic Synchronizer for Double Rotor Motor Power Coupling System
Authors: Kejun Jiang , Ren He , Lanchun Zhang
Published: September 2018

On the double rotor motor power coupling system existing now, electromagnetic coupling of the inner motor is the only way to transmit engine power to drive axle. And this leads to the low transmission efficiency when the vehicle is driven by the engine. Aiming at this issue, this paper proposes the improvement measure, which is to add the electromagnetic synchronizer between the input shaft and the output shaft. According to the thinking of this measure, the paper analyzes the operating process of the electromagnetic synchronizer. Then using quadratic optimal control theory, the optimal PID control method is designed to control the duty ratio of the electromagnetic synchronizer driving voltage. In order to test the validity of the method, the paper builds the simulation model in Matlab/Simulink software. The simulation results indicate that the optimal PID control method can effectively control the work process of electromagnetic synchronizer. It can achieve the balance between frictional work and longitudinal jerk, and decrease the impact reasonably when the electromagnetic synchronizer switching its state.
Design of Ternary Content-Addressable Memories with Dynamically Power-gated Storage Cells Using FinFETs
Authors: Chang Meng-Chou , He Kai-Lun , Wang Yu-Chieh
Published: September 2018

An independent-gate FinFET can operate in two modes: SG (shorted-gate) and IG (independent-gate) modes, and thus a FinFET-based circuit offers rich design options for lower power, better performance or reduced transistor count. In this paper, we present two novel dynamically power-gated FinFET TCAM cells, called DPG-17T and DPG-16T, which power-gate the prefix data storage unit when storing a ‘don't care’ value. With the dynamic power-gating mechanism, DPG 17T/DPG-16T achieve lower power dissipation by eliminating the switching power of the comparison FinFETs and suppressing the leakage power of the prefix data storage when storing a ‘don't care’ value. Moreover, the discharge path of the matchline in DPG-17T/DPG-16T can be constructed with only one FinFET instead of two FinFETs, greatly boosting the search speed. Simulation results have shown that a TCAM of 64-word×128-bit using DPG-17T/DPG-16T can reduce the worst-case search delay by 53.0%/53.6% and improve the energy-delay product by 68.5%/70.4% when operating under a search rate of 4.0 GHz.
Design and Implementation of a Novel Directional Coupler for UHF RFID Reader
Authors: Li Jianxiong , Song Shanlin , Chen Xiaoyu , Nian Hua , Shi Weiguang
Published: September 2018

The directional coupler is applied to isolating RX from TX because of low cost and simplicity compared to the circulator in the radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader. Because of unequal phase velocity between odd and even mode, the drawback of the traditional microstrip directional coupler is poor isolation. In this paper, to obtain a good isolation between RX and TX, a novel directional coupler is proposed to be applied to the UHF RFID system with a single antenna. Measurement result shows that the proposed directional coupler possesses a good isolation of -35dB in operating frequency band.
Telescopic Op-Amp Optimization for MDAC Circuit Design
Authors: Dendouga Abdelghani , Oussalah Slimane
Published: September 2018

An 8-bit 40-MS/s low power Multiplying Digital-to-Analog Converter (MDAC) for a pipelined-to-Analog to Digital converter (ADC) is presented. The conventional dedicated operational amplifier (Op-Amp) is performed by using telescopic architecture that features low power and less-area. Further reduction of power and area is achieved by using multifunction 1.5bit/stage MDAC arch itecture. The design of the Op-Amp is performed by the elaboration of a program based on multi objective genetic algorithms to allow automated optimization. The proposed program is used to find the optimal transistors sizes (length and width) in order to obtain the best Op-Amp performances for the MDAC. In th is study, six performances are considered, direct current gain, unity-gain bandwidth, phase margin, power consumption, area, slew rate, thermal noise, and signal to noise ratio. The Matlab optimization toolbox is used to implement the program. Simulations were performed by using Cadence Virtuoso Spectre circuit simulator in standard AMS 0.18μm CMOS technology. A good agreement is observed between the results obtained by the program optimization and simulation, after that the Op-Amp is introduced in the MDAC circuit to extract its performances.
Simulation and performance analysis of Multiple PCS sensors system
Authors: Whig Pawan , Naseem Ahmad Syed , Kumar Surinder
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a novel circuit is presented which overcome a serious limitation found in case of multiple sensors system. In this novel system design only one reference electrode and few active components used that makes the implementation of a low-cost system for the supervision of water quality. Photo Catalytic Sensor (PCS) estimates the parameter BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) which is generally used to estimate quality of water. The system proposed in this paper involves a balanced bridge approach using few electronic components that provides a correlation in the input-output signals of low-cost sensors. The main reason of employing a readout circuit to PCS circuitry, is the fact that the fluctuation of O2 influences the threshold voltage, which is internal parameter of the FET and can manifest itself as a voltage signal at output but as a function of the trans conductance gain. The trans-conductance is a passive parameter and in order to derive voltage or current signal from its fluctuations the sensor has to be attached to readout circuit. This circuit provides high sensitivity to the changes in percentage of O2 in the solution.
A Novel Purely Active Electronically Controllable Configuration for Simulating Resistance in Floating Form
Authors: Srivastava Mayank , Prasad Dinesh
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a new purely active floating resistance simulation circuit employing two voltage differencing trans-conductance amplifiers (VDTAs). The proposed configuration enjoys following advantageous features; (i) purely active realization (ii) electronically tunable resistance (iii) no requirement of any active/passive component matching constraint (iv) good non-ideal behavior and (v) low sensitivity values. The Influence of VDTA terminal parasitics on high frequency behavior of proposed circuit is also investigated. The workability of proposed resistor simulator has been verified by an application example of voltage mode low-pass filter. To validate the theoretical analysis, SPICE simulations with TSMC 0.18μm CMOS process parameters have been performed.
Statistical Analysis of Multiple Access Interference in Chaotic Spreading Sequence Based DS-CDMA Systems
Authors: Litvinenko A. , Bekeris E.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a statistical analysis of multiple access interference (MAI) in Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) communication systems based on different types of chaotic spreading sequences. The probability distribution of the interference in a system with K users causing the MAI is studied using MATLAB simulation. For chaotic spreading sequence generation six different 1-D chaotic maps are used: modified Bernoulli, modified Tent, Gauss, Sine-Circle, Cubic and Pinchers map. A brief statistical analysis of the cross-correlation properties of the chaotic sequences generated by the aforementioned maps is also presented.
High Efficiency Photovoltaic System with Fuzzy Logic Controller
Authors: Blanuša Branko , Ivanović Željko , Dokić Branko
Published: September 2018

In this paper is presented high efficiency photovoltaic system (PV) with fuzzy logic controller. This system consists of PV panel, boost DC/DC converter and 24V DC load. Control module is realized with fuzzy controller. This controller has double function and it gives references for duty factor and switching frequency of the converter control signal. In this way the PV system works with applied maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method and switching frequency is changed on the way so the converter works with maximum efficiency in continuous current mode. Functionality of proposed model is tested through computer simulations in Matlab and on laboratory prototype.
Challenges and Opportunities in Applying Semantics to Improve Access Control in the Field of Internet of Things
Authors: Stojanov Riste , Zdraveski Vladimir , Trajanov Dimitar
Published: September 2018

The increased number of IoT devices results in continuously generated massive amounts of raw data. Parts of this data are private and highly sensitive as they reflect owner’s behavior, obligations, habits, and preferences. In this paper, we point out that flexible and comprehensive access control policies are “a must” in the IoT domain. The Semantic Web technologies can address many of the challenges that the IoT access control is facing with today. Therefore, we analyze the current state of the art in this area and identify the challenges and opportunities for improved access control in a semantically enriched IoT environment. Applying semantics to IoT access control opens a lot of opportunities, such as semantic inference and reasoning, easy data sharing, data trading, new approaches to authentication, security policies based on a natural language and enhances the interoperability using a common ontology.
An Enhanced Incremental Conductance Algorithm for Photovoltaic System
Authors: Ramesh K. , Giri Ganesh R. , Lakshmi Vineela Reddy Sri , Mahalakshmi K. , Suganya S.
Published: September 2018

The energy obtained from the photovoltaic array is dependent on the available solar insolation, the panel tilt angle and the power point tracking algorithm of the system. Some of the Conventional MPPT methods are developed by considering uniform solar irradiance. During partial shading conditions, solar panel may produce multiple Local Maximum Power Points (LMPPs) in its power voltage characteristic curve. A new algorithm has been developed in this paper by using sequential sampling embedded with existing incremental conductance procedure in order to predict the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP). The tracking capability of proposed algorithm is verified with simulation works carried out in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The results of proposed algorithm are likened with the results classical Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance algorithms.
Drift Free Variable Step Size Perturb and Observe MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems Under Rapidly Increasing Insolation
Authors: Pilakkat Deepthi , Kanthalakshmi S.
Published: September 2018

The characteristic of a Photovoltaic (PV) panel is most affected by the incident solar insolation temperature, shading, and array configuration. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms have an important role in harvesting maximum power from the solar PV arrays. Among the various MPPT methods Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm is the simple and efficient one. However, there will be a drift problem in case of increase in insolation. This drift will be more under rapid increase in insolation. To improve the speed of tracking the Maximum Power Point (MPP), a variable step size P&O (VSSPO) is developed. The drift problem will be more in the case of VSSPO as it will have a larger step size for an increase in insolation. In this paper, the maximum output power extraction from Solar PV under rapidly increasing insolation conditions by a drift free P&O (DFP&O) as well as drift free VSSPO (DFVSSPO) method is presented.
A digital mapping method for linking high-resolution remote sensing images to individual tree crowns
Authors: Graves Sarah , Gearhart Justin , Caughlin T Trevor , Bohlman Stephanie
Published: September 2018

Remote sensing data provides unique information about the Earth’s surface that can be used to address ecological questions. Linking high-resolution remote sensing data to field-based ecological data requires methods to identify objects of interest directly on georeferenced remote sensing digital images while in the field. Mapping individual trees with a GPS often has location error and is focused on the position of the tree stem rather than the crown, often creating a mismatch between field data and the pixel information. We describe a mapping process that uses a consumer-grade GPS and tablet computer to spatially match individual trees measured in the field directly to a digital image of their crowns taken from above the canopy. This paper outlines the reasons for using digital field mapping and a summary of the equipment and process, with supplemental material providing a detailed field protocol. As more remote sensing data with a resolution capable of resolving individual trees become available, the opportunities to leverage these data for ecological studies grow. We provide guidelines for those wanting to apply imagery to expand the spatial scale and extent of ecological studies.
Nature rewires in a changing world
Authors: Bartley Timothy J , McCann Kevin S , Bieg Carling , Cazelles Kévin , Granados Monica , Guzzo Matthew M , MacDougall Andrew S , Tunney Tyler D , McMeans Bailey C
Published: September 2018

Climate change is asymmetrically altering environmental conditions in space, from local to global scales, creating novel heterogeneity. Here, we argue that this novel heterogeneity will drive mobile generalist consumer species to rapidly respond through their behavior in ways that broadly and predictably reorganize—or rewire—food webs. We use existing theory and data from diverse ecosystems to show that the rapid behavioral responses of generalists to climate change rewire food webs in two critical ways. Firstly, mobile generalist species are redistributing into systems where they were previously absent and foraging on new prey, resulting in topological rewiring—a change in the patterning of food webs due to the addition or loss of connections. Secondly, mobile generalist species, which navigate between habitats and ecosystems to forage, will shift their relative use of differentially altered habitats and ecosystems, causing interaction strength rewiring—changes rerouting energy and carbon flows through existing food web connections that alter the food web’s interaction strengths. We then show that many species with shared traits can exhibit unified aggregate behavioral responses to climate change, which may allow us to understand the rewiring of whole food webs. We end by arguing that generalists’ responses present a powerful and underutilized approach to understand and predict the consequences of climate change and may serve as much-needed early warning signals for monitoring the looming impacts of global climate change on entire ecosystems.
Genes of the Pig, Sus scrofa, reconstructed with EvidentialGene
Authors: Gilbert Donald G
Published: September 2018

The pig is a well studied model animal of biomedical and agricultural importance. Genes of this species, Sus scrofa, are known from experiments and predictions, and collected at the NCBI Reference Sequence database section. Gene reconstruction from transcribed gene evidence of RNA-seq now can accurately and completely reproduce the biological gene sets of animals and plants. Such a gene set for the pig is reported here, including human orthologs missing from RefSeq and other improvements to the current NCBI pig gene set. Methodology for accurate and complete gene set reconstruction from RNA is used: the automated SRA2Genes pipeline of EvidentialGene project.
Data organization in spreadsheets
Authors: Broman Karl W , Woo Kara H.
Published: September 2018

Spreadsheets are widely used software tools for data entry, storage, analysis, and visualization. Focusing on the data entry and storage aspects, this paper offers practical recommendations for organizing spreadsheet data to reduce errors and ease later analyses. The basic principles are: be consistent, write dates like YYYY-MM-DD, don't leave any cells empty, put just one thing in a cell, organize the data as a single rectangle (with subjects as rows and variables as columns, and with a single header row), create a data dictionary, don't include calculations in the raw data files, don't use font color or highlighting as data, choose good names for things, make backups, use data validation to avoid data entry errors, and save the data in plain text files.
The mathematics of extinction across scales: from populations to the biosphere
Authors: Carlson Colin , Burgio Kevin , Dallas Tad , Getz Wayne
Published: September 2018

The sixth mass extinction poses an unparalleled quantitative challenge to conservation biologists. Mathematicians and ecologists alike face the problem of developing models that can scale predictions of extinction rates from populations to the level of a species, or even to an entire ecosystem. We review some of the most basic stochastic and analytical methods of calculating extinction risk at different scales, including population viability analysis, stochastic metapopulation occupancy models, and the species area relationship. We also consider two major extensions of theory: the possibility of evolutionary rescue from extinction in a changing environment, and the posthumous assignment of an extinction date from sighting records. In the case of the latter, we provide an example using data on Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), the "rarest bird in the world," to demonstrate the challenges associated with extinction date research.
Evaluation Framework for Key Performance Indicators of Railway ITS
Authors: Mlinarić Tomislav Josip , Đorđević Boban , Krmac Evelin
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study is to develop a framework for investigating a comprehensive set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the assessment of railway Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The framework is established through four main steps: (1) development of a comprehensive set of KPIs for railway ITS; (2) validation of developed KPIs and collection of judgments from experts through a Delphi questionnaire; (3) evaluation of KPIs weights for assessing railway ITS with the Group Analytical Hierarchy Process (GAHP); and (4) presentation of a SWOT analysis for the developed KPIs by the authors. The results of the framework are presented as a set of 25 indicators for evaluation of railway ITS and their impacts. The framework could be helpful for selecting KPIs of ITS in another mode of transportation. Monitoring of the contributions of ITS towards sustainable railway can be achieved by a developed set of indicators which are classified in accordance with sustainable dimensions.
Functionally asymmetric motor neurons contribute to coordinating locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Tolstenkov Oleg , Van der Auwera Petrus , Steuer Costa Wagner , Bazhanova Olga , Gemeinhardt Tim M , Bergs Amelie CF , Gottschalk Alexander
Published: September 2018

Locomotion circuits developed in simple animals, and circuit motifs further evolved in higher animals. To understand locomotion circuit motifs, they must be characterized in many models. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans possesses one of the best-studied circuits for undulatory movement. Yet, for 1/6th of the cholinergic motor neurons (MNs), the AS MNs, functional information is unavailable. Ventral nerve cord (VNC) MNs coordinate undulations, in small circuits of complementary neurons innervating opposing muscles. AS MNs differ, as they innervate muscles and other MNs asymmetrically, without complementary partners. We characterized AS MNs by optogenetic, behavioral and imaging analyses. They generate asymmetric muscle activation, enabling navigation, and contribute to coordination of dorso-ventral undulation as well as anterio-posterior bending wave propagation. AS MN activity correlated with forward and backward locomotion, and they functionally connect to premotor interneurons (PINs) for both locomotion regimes. Electrical feedback from AS MNs via gap junctions may affect only backward PINs.
Oligodendrocyte-encoded Kir4.1 function is required for axonal integrity
Authors: Schirmer Lucas , Möbius Wiebke , Zhao Chao , Cruz-Herranz Andrés , Ben Haim Lucile , Cordano Christian , Shiow Lawrence R , Kelley Kevin W , Sadowski Boguslawa , Timmons Garrett , Pröbstel Anne-Katrin , Wright Jackie N , Sin Jung Hyung , Devereux Michael , Morrison Daniel E , Chang Sandra M , Sabeur Khalida , Green Ari J , Nave Klaus-Armin , Franklin Robin JM , Rowitch David H
Published: September 2018

Glial support is critical for normal axon function and can become dysregulated in white matter (WM) disease. In humans, loss-of-function mutations of KCNJ10, which encodes the inward-rectifying potassium channel KIR4.1, causes seizures and progressive neurological decline. We investigated Kir4.1 functions in oligodendrocytes (OLs) during development, adulthood and after WM injury. We observed that Kir4.1 channels localized to perinodal areas and the inner myelin tongue, suggesting roles in juxta-axonal K+ removal. Conditional knockout (cKO) of OL-Kcnj10 resulted in late onset mitochondrial damage and axonal degeneration. This was accompanied by neuronal loss and neuro-axonal dysfunction in adult OL-Kcnj10 cKO mice as shown by delayed visual evoked potentials, inner retinal thinning and progressive motor deficits. Axon pathologies in OL-Kcnj10 cKO were exacerbated after WM injury in the spinal cord. Our findings point towards a critical role of OL-Kir4.1 for long-term maintenance of axonal function and integrity during adulthood and after WM injury.
A comparison of perceptions of nuts between the general public, dietitians, general practitioners, and nurses
Authors: Brown Rachel Clare , Gray Andrew Robert , Yong Lee Ching , Chisholm Alex , Leong Sook Ling , Tey Siew Ling
Published: September 2018

Background

Nut consumption at the population level remains low despite the well-documented benefits of their consumption, including their cardioprotective effects. Studies have suggested that advice from health professionals may be a means to increase nut consumption levels. Understanding how nuts are perceived by the public and health professionals, along with understanding the public’s perceptions of motivators of and deterrents to consuming nuts, may inform the development of initiatives to improve on these low levels of consumption. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare perceptions of nuts among three groups of health professionals (dietitians, general practioners, and practice nurses) and the general public in New Zealand (NZ), along with motivators of and deterrents to consuming nuts amongst the general public and their experiences of receiving advice around nut consumption.

Methods

The NZ electoral roll was used to identify dietitians, general practitioners (GPs), and practice nurses, based on their free-text occupation descriptions, who were then invited to complete a questionnaire with 318, 292, and 149 respondents respectively. 1,600 members of the general public were randomly selected from the roll with 710 respondents. Analyses were performed using chi-squared tests to look at differences in categorical variables and linear regression for differences in other variables between the four survey groups.

Results

Although there were significant differences between the four groups regarding the perceptions of nuts, in general there was agreement that nuts are healthy, high in protein and fat, are filling, and some nuts are high in selenium. We noted frequent agreement that the general public participants would consume more if nuts: improved health (67%), were more affordable (60%), or improved the nutrient content (59%) and balance of fats (58%) within their diets. Over half the respondents reported they would eat more nuts if they were advised to do so by a dietitian or doctor, despite less than 4% reporting they had received such advice. The most frequently selected deterrents to increasing nut consumption were: cost (67%), potential weight gain (66%), and leading to eating too much fat (63%).

Discussion

It is concerning that so few among the general public report receiving advice to consume more nuts from health professionals, especially given their apparent responsiveness to such advice. Health professionals could exploit the motivators of nut consumption, while also addressing the deterrents, to promote nut intake. These factors should also be addressed in public health messages to encourage regular nut consumption among the public. Educational initiatives could also be used to improve the nutritional knowledge of GPs and practice nurses with regard to nuts, although even dietitians were unsure of their knowledge in some cases.
DNA mismatch repair and CD133-marked cancer stem cells in colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Cheah Phaik-Leng , Li Jing , Looi Lai-Meng , Teoh Kean-Hooi , Ong Diana Bee-Lan , Arends Mark J.
Published: September 2018

Background

Except for a few studies with contradictory observations, information is lacking on the possibility of association between DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status and the presence of cancer stem cells in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), two important aspects in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Methods

Eighty (40 right-sided and 40 left-sided) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary CRC were immunohistochemically studied for CD133, a putative CRC stem cell marker, and MMR proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. CD133 expression was semi-quantitated for proportion of tumor immunopositivity on a scale of 0–5 and staining intensity on a scale of 0–3 with a final score (units) being the product of proportion and intensity of tumor staining. The tumor was considered immunopositive only when the tumor demonstrated moderate to strong intensity of CD133 staining (a decision made after analysis of CD133 expression in normal colon). Deficient MMR (dMMR) was interpreted as unequivocal loss of tumor nuclear staining for any MMR protein despite immunoreactivity in the internal positive controls.

Results

CD133 was expressed in 36 (90.0%) left-sided and 28 (70.0%) right-sided tumors (p < 0.05) and CD133 score was significantly higher in left- (mean ± SD = 9.6 ± 5.3 units) compared with right-sided tumors (mean ± SD = 6.8 ± 5.6 units) p < 0.05). dMMR was noted in 14 (35%) right-sided and no (0%) left-sided CRC. When stratified according to MMR status, dMMR cases showed a lower frequency of CD133 expression (42.9%) and CD133 score (mean ± SD = 2.5 ± 3.6 units) compared with pMMR tumors on the right (frequency = 84.6%; mean score ± SD = 9.2 ± 5.0 units) as well as pMMR tumors on the left (frequency = 90.0%; mean score ± SD = 9.6 ± 5.3 units) (p < 0.05). Interestingly, frequencies of CD133 immunoreactivity and CD133 scores did not differ between pMMR CRC on the right versus the left (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Proficient MMR correlated with high levels of CD133-marked putative cancer stem cells in both right- and left-sided tumors, whereas significantly lower levels of CD133-marked putative cancer stem cells were associated with deficient MMR status in colorectal carcinomas found on the right.
Tibia functionality and Division II female and male collegiate athletes from multiple sports
Authors: Yingling Vanessa R. , Ferrari-Church Benjamin , Strickland Ariana
Published: September 2018

Background

Bone strength is developed through a combination of the size and shape (architecture) of a bone as well as the bone’s material properties; and therefore, no one outcome variable can measure a positive or negative adaptation in bone. Skeletal robusticity (total area/ bone length) a measure of bones external size varies within the population and is independent of body size, but robusticity has been associated with bone strength. Athletes may have similar variability in robusticity values as the general population and thus have a wide range of bone strengths based on the robustness of their bones. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if an athlete’s bone strength and cortical area relative to body size was dependent on robusticity. The second aim was to determine if anthropometry or muscle function measurements were associated with bone robusticity.

Methods

Bone variables contributing to bone strength were measured in collegiate athletes and a reference group using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the 50% tibial site. Bone functionality was assessed by plotting bone strength and cortical area vs body size (body weight x tibial length) and robustness (total area/length) vs body size. Bone strength was measured using the polar strength-strain index (SSIp). Based on the residuals from the regression, an athlete’s individual functionality was determined, and two groups were formed “weaker for size” (WS) and “stronger for size” (SS). Grip strength, leg extensor strength and lower body power were also measured.

Results

Division II athletes exhibited a natural variation in (SSIp) relative to robusticity consistent with previous studies. Bone strength (SSIp) was dependent on the robusticity of the tibia. The bone traits that comprise bone strength (SSIp) were significantly different between the SS and WS groups, yet there were minimal differences in the anthropometric data and muscle function measures between groups. A lower percentage of athletes from ball sports were “weaker for size” (WS group) and a higher percentage of swimmers were in the WS group.

Discussion

A range of strength values based on robusticity occurs in athletes similar to general populations. Bones with lower robusticity (slender) were constructed with less bone tissue and had less strength. The athletes with slender bones were from all sports including track and field and ball sports but the majority were swimmers.

Conclusions

Athletes, even after optimal training for their sport, may have weaker bones based on robusticity. Slender bones may therefore be at a higher risk for fracture under extreme loading events but also yield benefits to some athletes (swimmers) due to their lower bone mass.
Complete paternally inherited mitogenomes of two freshwater mussels Unio pictorum and Sinanodonta woodiana (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
Authors: Burzyński Artur , Soroka Marianna
Published: September 2018

Freshwater bivalves from the family Unionidae usually have two very divergent mitogenomes, inherited according to the doubly uniparental model. The early divergence of these two mitogenomic lineages gives a unique opportunity to use two mitogenomic data sets in a single phylogenetic context. However, the number of complete sequences of the maternally inherited mitogenomes of these animals available in GenBank greatly exceeds that of the paternally inherited mitogenomes. This is a problem for phylogenetic reconstruction because it limits the use of both mitogenomic data sets. Moreover, since long branch attraction phenomenon can bias reconstructions if only a few but highly divergent taxa are considered, the shortage of the faster evolving paternally inherited mitogenome sequences is a real problem. Here we provide, for the first time, complete sequences of the M mitogenomes sampled from Polish populations of two species: native Unio pictorum and invasive Sinanodonta woodiana. It increases the available set of mitogenomic pairs to 18 species per family, and allows unambiguous reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships among them. The reconstructions based on M and F mitogenomes which were separated for many millions of years, and subject to differing evolutionary dynamics, are fully congruent.
A Comparative Analysis and Scoping Review of Soft–Rigid and Industrial Parallel Rigid Grippers
Authors: Li Lutong , Crosby Damian , Shuttleworth Matthew , Argin Omer Faruk , Chen Anthony Siming , Herrmann Guido , Kay Robert , Weightman Andrew
Published: November 2024

In this research, it is aimed to present a comparative analysis of soft–rigid industrial parallel rigid grippers to compare their technical capabilities and assess the potential for soft–rigid grippers to address the challenge of grasping fragile objects with various shapes and sizes. In this research, 24 soft–rigid grippers are first identified through a scoping review using the Web of Science database, capturing their technical features and performance. Providing a variable stiffness grasp (n = 9, 37.5%) and a limited grasp capability (n = 8, 33.3%) is the most common advantage and challenge, respectively, of soft–rigid grippers. Pneumatic actuators (n = 12, 50.0%), followed by tendon‐driven electric rotary actuators (n = 9, 37.5%), are the predominant actuators used for soft–rigid grippers. Soft–rigid grippers are found to have a lower output force‐to‐weight ratio (n = 9, median , standard deviation (σ) = 15.17) in comparison to industrial parallel rigid grippers (n = 63, , ), but can provide a larger range of motion (n = 20, , ). This is the first quantitative comparative analysis between industrial parallel rigid and soft–rigid grippers, enhancing the understanding of their status and prospects in industrial applications. Herein, a common approach is proposed to standardize reporting to facilitate benchmarking between research‐based and industrial grippers and highlight controlling soft–rigid grippers is an underexplored area that can enhance the technology's performance.
Virtual Roaming of Cultural Heritage Based on Image Processing
Authors: Chen Junzhe , She Xing , Fan Yuanxin , Shao Wenwen
Published: November 2024

With the digital protection and development of cultural heritage as a focus, an analysis of the trends in cultural heritage digitization reveals the importance of digital technology in this field, as demonstrated by the application of virtual reality (VR) to the protection and development of the Lingjiatan site. The implementation of the Lingjiatan roaming system involves sequential steps, including image acquisition, image splicing, and roaming system production. A user test was conducted to evaluate the usability and user experience of the system. The results show that the system operates normally, with smooth interactive functions that allow users to tour the Lingjiatan site virtually. Users can learn about Lingjiatan's culture from this virtual environment. This study further explores the system's potential for site preservation and development, and its role in the integration of cultural heritage and tourism.
Phytochemicals and Their Nanoformulations for Targeting Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Exploring Potential and Targeting Strategies
Authors: Rab Safia Obaidur , Roopashree R. , Altalbawy Farag M. A. , Kumar M. Ravi , Chahar Mamata , Singh Manmeet , Kubaev Aziz , Alamir Hassan Thoulfikar A. , Mohammed Faraj , Kadhim Abed J. , Alhadrawi Merwa
Published: November 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to pose a global health concern, necessitating the exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches. In the recent decade, targeting tumor stroma consisting of extracellular matrix (ECM), immune cells, vascular system, hypoxia, and also suppressive mechanisms in HCC has attracted interest in repressing tumor growth and metastasis. Phytochemicals have attained considerable attention because of their manifold biological effects and high capacity for anticancer activities. These chemical agents have shown the capability to modulate different cells and secretions within the stroma of malignancies. In recent years, the development of nanoformulations has further enhanced the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals by improving their solubility, bioavailability, and targeted delivery to tumor tissues. This review aims to provide an encyclopedic overview of the potential of phytochemicals and their nanoformulations as promising therapeutic strategies for targeting HCC. The review initially highlights the broad array of phytochemicals exhibiting potent anticancer properties, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, among others. Then, the nanoformulations and modification of these agents will be reviewed. Finally, we will review the latest experiments that have examined the modulation of HCC using adjuvant phytochemicals and their nanoformulations.
Risk stratification in the clinical application of minimal residual disease assessment in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhang Congxiao , Gu Runxia , Wang Huijun , Zhou Chunlin , Li Yan , Liu Yuntao , Wei Shuning , Lin Dong , Liu Kaiqi , Fang Qiuyun , Gong Xiaoyuan , Gong Benfa , Qiu Shaowei , Zhang Guangji , Liu Bingcheng , Wang Ying , Mi Yingchang , Wei Hui , Wang Jianxiang
Published: November 2024

Background

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), further investigation is warranted to integrate measurable residual disease (MRD) with genetic characteristics for formulating a dynamic prognostic system for predicting response and selecting appropriate postremission therapeutic strategies.

Methods

The authors incorporated MRD with genetic risk classification and assessed its impact on transplantation decision making within different risk cohorts, comprising 769 patients with newly diagnosed AML across three clinical trials. Only patients who achieved complete remission (CR) within two courses of chemotherapy were selected.

Results

In the favorable‐risk and intermediate‐risk groups, patients who underwent transplantation according to the protocol experienced significant 3‐year overall survival (OS) benefits compared with those who did not (favorable‐risk group: hazard ratio [HR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20–0.73l p = .004; intermediate‐risk group: HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33–0.85; p = .008). In the intermediate‐risk group, early detection of MRD positivity, even after the initial course of chemotherapy, was associated with a significantly elevated cumulative incidence of relapse (47.2% vs. 36.0%; p = .009) and a notable extension of OS with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28–0.79; p = .004). Conversely, patients who achieved MRD negativity at either of the two time points had comparable OS in the favorable‐risk and intermediate‐risk groups, regardless of whether they underwent transplant or not. In the adverse‐risk group, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation led to improvements in OS irrespective of MRD status (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38–0.69; p < .001).

Conclusions

Early clearance of MRD demonstrated significant prognostic value, particularly for patients in the favorable‐risk and intermediate‐risk groups. Positive MRD status after two courses of intensive chemotherapy were associated with a higher relapse rate and inferior OS, necessitating allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Traction Drive Motor for Small EVs Using Mass Producible Amorphous Laminated Cores
Authors: Kano Yoshiaki , Kanekiyo Hirokazu , Suzuki Yohei
Published: November 2024

This study presents the development of a small electric vehicle (EV) traction drive motor using Fe‐based amorphous laminated cores that can be mass produced. The following innovative technologies are developed to realize the amorphous laminated core: (1) production technology for thicker amorphous alloy foils to reduce the number of machining operations and (2) punching press technology for amorphous alloy foils that improves the usability of the tool life and maintains quality. The interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) using the amorphous laminated core is designed to be compatible with a 4.5‐kW‐class small EV traction drive with high efficiency while satisfying the required torque characteristics. A prototype of the designed IPMSM was manufactured and evaluated. The test machine achieves a maximum efficiency of 98.7% and a wide range of efficiencies exceeding 97%. Additionally, the prototype motor exhibit improved efficiency in all operating points compared with a prototype manufactured using an electrical steel sheet.
Field‐based estimation of cation exchange capacity using induced polarization methods
Authors: McLachlan Paul , Karloukovski Vassil , Binley Andrew
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the potential of field‐based induced polarization (IP) methods to provide in‐situ estimates of soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). CEC influences the fate of nutrients and pollutants in the subsurface. However, estimates of CEC require sampling and laboratory analysis, which can be costly, especially at large scales. Induced polarization (IP) methods offer an alternative approach for CEC estimation. The sensitivity of IP measurements to the surface properties of geological materials ought to make them more appropriate than DC resistivity and electromagnetic induction methods, that are sensitive to bulk electrical properties. Such abilities of IP are well demonstrated in the laboratory; however, applications are lacking at field scales. In this work, the ability of field‐based IP to characterize the CEC of floodplain soils is assessed by implementing a methodology that allows for direct comparison between IP and soil parameters. In one field, soil polarization and CEC exhibited the expected positive correlation; but multi‐frequency measurements showed no clear advantage over single‐frequency measurements. In another field, coarser soils (with low CEC) exhibited a high polarization. These coarser soils were characterized by anomalous magnetic susceptibility values, and hence the polarization was attributed to the presence of magnetic minerals. Although better than order‐of‐magnitude estimates of CEC were possible in soils without substantial magnetic minerals, better characterization of porosity, saturation, cementation and saturation exponents, and pore fluid conductivity would improve predictions. However, the measurement of these parameters would require similar efforts as direct CEC measurements. This study contributes to bridging the gap between laboratory‐derived relationships and their applicability in field applications. Overall, this work provides valuable insight for future studies seeking to understand polarization mechanisms in soils at the field scale.
Half‐Heusler Alloy CoMnZ (Z = Sb/Sn): Electrode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Matth Sadhana , Pal Raghavendra , Pandey Himanshu
Published: November 2024

Heusler alloys (HAs) are a well‐known family of compounds generating promising interest due to their robust structure, ease of tailoring their unique properties, and potential applications. The investigations in the direction of the electrochemical performance of these materials as electrodes for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been established theoretically and experimentally. Alloying of alkali metal ions into half‐HAs unit cells can be another route to improve LIBs performance. This work presents our investigations on thermodynamically stable half‐HAs CoMnZ (Z: Sb/Sn) as electrode materials for rechargeable LIBs using the first‐principle calculations based on the density functional theory. The negative formation energies validate the thermodynamic stability of the alloys considered in this study. With increasing Li doping, a structural change from cubic to tetragonal and orthorhombic phase is observed in the host structure, and upon full lithiation (LiMnZ), a cubic structure is attained. The band structure calculations of the host structure and its lithiated phase indicate a metallic nature in these alloys. The calculations are also performed to investigate the structural stability of parent alloys and corresponding lithiated phases. We calculated a storage capacity of around 14.5 Ah/kg for 0.125 atomic fraction of Li atoms, which is increased by nearly 10 times upon full lithiation. A maximum open circuit voltage of around 9.8 V is calculated for Li0.125Co0.875MnSb and CoLi0.125Mn0.875Sb. Thus, all these remarkable results suggest that these intermetallic compounds have a strong potential as the cathode material for LIBs with a robust life and a large capacity.
Numerische Untersuchungen zur Definition von Kastenfangedämmen
Authors: Hadjiloo Elnaz , Cerek Kacper , Vogel Paul , Grabe Jürgen
Published: November 2024

Fangedämme in Zell‐ und Kastenform dienen als temporäre Konstruktion zur Umschließung von großräumigen Baugruben oder als dauerhafte Bauwerke für Ufereinfassungen und Molen. Kastenfangedämme bestehen aus zwei gegenseitig verankerten und parallel angeordneten Spundwänden, zwischen denen sich Füllboden befindet. Häufig sind Kastenfangedämme einseitig belastet und dienen dazu, große Horizontalbelastungen wie Wasserüberdrücke, Stoß‐ oder Erddrucklasten aufzunehmen. In den Empfehlungen des Arbeitsausschusses Ufereinfassungen [1] sind Angaben zur Bemessung von Fangedämmen zu finden, wobei diese primär auf den Untersuchungen von [2] beruhen. Beim Standsicherheitsnachweis der Kastenfangedämme wird gemäß [1] von einem kompakten Bodenblock zwischen den gegenüberliegenden Fangedammwänden ausgegangen. Wann zwei gegenüberliegende Wände jedoch als Kastenfangedammkonstruktion zu verstehen sind, wird in [1] nicht explizit definiert. Um Geltungsbereiche für Kastenfangedämme zu definieren, wurden für den vorliegenden Artikel umfangreiche numerische Untersuchungen im Gebrauchstauglichkeitszustand durchgeführt.