bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greening Fmoc/tBu solid-phase peptide synthesis
Authors: Al Musaimi Othman , de la Torre Beatriz G. , Albericio Fernando
Published: January 2020

Introducing the green chemistry concept in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS).
Site-selective 1,3-double functionalization of arenes using para-quinol, C–N, and C–C/C–P three-component coupling
Authors: Husen Saddam , Chauhan Anil , Kumar Ravindra
Published: January 2020

A catalytic and site-selective approach has been demonstrated for dual functionalization of arenes via cross-coupling reactions of p-quinols with amines and isocyanides/phosphites.
Quaternized polymer-based nanostructures confer antimicrobial efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria
Authors: Zhao Mu-Han , Zhen Jian-Bin , Yang Ke-Wu , Liu Ya , Li Jia-Qi , Shi Su-Qing
Published: January 2020

Illustration of the antibacterial mechanism of the NPs.
Selective C–H dithiocarbamation of arenes and antifungal activity evaluation
Authors: Huang Zhuo-Bin , Xia Xiong-Jian , Huang Zi-Hao , Xu Li , Zhang Xiao-Yong , Tang Ri-Yuan
Published: January 2020

Environmentally benign synthesis of N-heterocyclic dithiocarbamates.
Anharmonic kinetics of the cyclopentane reaction with hydroxyl radical
Authors: Wu Junjun , Gao Lu Gem , Ren Wei , Truhlar Donald G.
Published: January 2020

Quadratic–quartic bend anharmonicity and torsional anharmonicities play important roles in the kinetics of a cyclic hydrocarbon.
The main factor to improve the performance of CoSe2 for photocatalytic CO2 reduction: element doping or phase transformation
Authors: Xu Yong , Mo Jiang , Xie Guanqun , Wang Xiaoxia , Ding Shujiang
Published: January 2020

A nitrogen doping-induced phase change material of cobalt diselenide was first utilized for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. The doping of N can enhance the electron density of cobalt active sites, thus improving the bonding ability of Co and COOH*.
FeNi intermetallic compound nanoparticles wrapped with N-doped graphitized carbon: a novel cocatalyst for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chen Sibo , Zhou Xunfu , Liao Jihai , Yang Siyuan , Zhou Xiaosong , Gao Qiongzhi , Zhang Shanqing , Fang Yueping , Zhong Xinhua , Zhang Shengsen
Published: January 2020

FeNi intermetallic compound nanoparticles wrapped by N-doped graphitized carbon is used as a novel cocatalyst for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance of g-C3N4.
Construction of an iron and oxygen co-doped nickel phosphide based on MOF derivatives for highly efficient and long-enduring water splitting
Authors: Lin Can , Wang Dingqian , Jin Huihui , Wang Pengyan , Chen Ding , Liu Bingshuai , Mu Shichun
Published: January 2020

(Fe0.1Ni0.9)2P(O)/NF is one of the excellent water-splitting electrocatalysts among non-precious metal electrocatalysts.
A novel upconversion core–multishell nanoplatform for a highly efficient photoswitch
Authors: Lin Hao , Cheng Zhiyuan , Xu Dekang , Li Yongjin , Xu Liqin , Ma Ying , Yang Shenghong , Zhang Yueli
Published: January 2020

Red upconversion emission is significantly increased on the premise of ensuring optimal UV-blue upconversion emission.
Short channels and mobility control of GAA multi stacked nanosheets through the perfect removal of SiGe and post treatment
Authors: Bae D.‐I. , Choi B.‐D.
Published: January 2020

As the most feasible alternative to FinFETs, gate‐all‐around (GAA) multi‐stacked nanosheets known as multi bridge channel FETs were recently introduced. To enjoy improved short channel control with high mobility and GAA characteristics, two critical processing challenges on channels should be overcome: the epitaxial growth of silicon/silicon germanium (Si/SiGe) multi stacks and the clean removal of SiGe. Si surface engineering after SiGe removal is a particularly crucial process. Various methods for removing the sacrificial SiGe layer to form nanosheets were tested in this Letter. Through the measurement of Dit and a flat band voltage (Vfb) shift, a remaining sacrificial SiGe layer was detected. After clean removal of the sacrificial SiGe layer and post cleaning, a Dit of 5 × 1011 cm−2 was achieved, which was similar to that achieved without the removal of SiGe.
Detection and classification of ECG noises using decomposition on mixed codebook for quality analysis
Authors: Kumar Pramendra , Sharma Vijay Kumar
Published: January 2020

In this Letter, a robust technique is presented to detect and classify different electrocardiogram (ECG) noises including baseline wander (BW), muscle artefact (MA), power line interference (PLI) and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) based on signal decomposition on mixed codebooks. These codebooks employ temporal and spectral‐bound waveforms which provide sparse representation of ECG signals and can extract ECG local waves as well as ECG noises including BW, PLI, MA and AWGN simultaneously. Further, different statistical approaches and temporal features are applied on decomposed signals for detecting the presence of the above mentioned noises. The accuracy and robustness of the proposed technique are evaluated using a large set of noise‐free and noisy ECG signals taken from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology‐Boston's Beth Israel Hospital (MIT‐BIH) arrhythmia database, MIT‐BIH polysmnographic database and Fantasia database. It is shown from the results that the proposed technique achieves an average detection accuracy of above 99% in detecting all kinds of ECG noises. Furthermore, average results show that the technique can achieve an average sensitivity of 98.55%, positive productivity of 98.6% and classification accuracy of 97.19% for ECG signals taken from all three databases.
Interruption limits of mechanical circuit breakers and circuit upgrades for current injection in HVDC circuit breakers
Authors: Schultz Tim , Herzog Patrik , Franck Christian Michael
Published: January 2020

Current injection circuit breakers consist of a mechanical interrupter (MI) with a current injection and an energy dissipation branch in parallel. The performance of the complete device is largely determined by mechanical operation time and interruption performance of the MI. In the standard configuration, current injection is realised using a pre‐charged inductor–capacitor circuit. A higher interruption performance of the MI makes it possible to scale down the resonant injection circuit, and thus have a more economical design. Additionally, the implementation of more complex injection circuits that quickly create zero crossings, while maintaining favourable conditions for interruption, can lead to economic benefits. In this study, the interruption performance of a model gas interrupter as part of a current injection topology is investigated. The results are used to verify a corresponding simulation model and two‐dimensional upgrade circuits that influence the injection current to increase the range of interruptible fault currents. On the basis of experimental results, the simulation model is used to investigate the performance of upgrade circuits for the use in high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. The results indicate that using improved injection circuits can considerably increase the economic advantage of current injection circuit breakers compared with other topologies.
Partial discharge characteristics of an air gap defect in the epoxy resin of a saturable reactor under an exponential decay pulse voltage
Authors: Gui Lu , Mi Yan , Deng Shengchu , Liu Lulu , Ge Xin , Ouyang Wenmin
Published: January 2020

Saturable reactor insulation is currently stressed by an exponential decay pulse voltage under normal operating conditions. The partial discharge (PD) characteristics of epoxy resin under an exponential decay pulse voltage were studied here and were compared at 25 and 110°C. In addition, this study compares these PD characteristics with those under a sinusoidal voltage to better measure the insulation design margin of the saturable reactor under an exponential decay pulse voltage. Finally, this study explains the PD mechanism based on the three‐capacitor circuit model and space charge accumulation. Compared with the sinusoidal voltage, a higher amplitude, a higher inception voltage and fewer PDs are obtained under the pulse voltage. The reason may be related to the accumulation of space charge. Due to the duality of the space charge effect, the promotion effect of space charge accumulation on the PD under the pulse voltage is dominant, and an increase in temperature will weaken the promotion effect. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of space charge accumulation on the PD under the sinusoidal voltage is dominant. The experimental results can provide a basis for the optimal design of saturable reactor insulation under an exponential decay pulse voltage.
Influence regularity of O2 on dielectric and decomposition properties of C4F7N–CO2–O2 gas mixture for medium‐voltage equipment
Authors: Li Yi , Zhang Xiaoxing , Ye Fanchao , Chen Dachang , Tian Shuangshuang , Cui Zhaolun
Published: January 2020

Fluorinated nitrile (C4F7N) gas mixture has been introduced as the mostpromising candidate to replace sulfur hexafluoride using in gas‐insulatedequipment. In this study, the authors explored the influence of oxygen on thedielectric and decomposition properties of C4F7N–CO2–O2 gas mixture. Theauthors found that the dielectric strength of the C4F7N–CO2–O2 gas mixture with 2,4, 6, 8 and 10% O2 was increased by 4.85%, 6.49%, 7.70%, 3.21% and2.74% compared with C4F7N–CO2. The addition of2–6% O2 to the C4F7N–CO2 gas mixturecould effectively reduce the content of most of the decomposition by‐productssuch as CF4, CO, C2F6,C3F6, C3F8, CF3CN,C2F5CN, (CN)2. While high content of oxygen(>6%) results in higher decomposition of C4F7N, whichhas a negative effect on the stability of C4F7N gasmixture. Generally, it is recommended to add 2–6% O2 in the C4F7N–CO2 gas mixture to improve itsinsulation properties as well as inhibit the decomposition of C4F7N in the discharge for medium‐voltage engineeringapplication.
Surface charge accumulation and pre‐flashover characteristics induced by metal particles on the insulator surfaces of 1100 kV GILs under AC voltage
Authors: Xing Li , Weidong Liu , Yuan Xu , Weijiang Chen , Jiangang Bi
Published: January 2020

With the increase in the voltage and capacitance of gas‐insulated transmission lines (GILs), the insulation failure of GIL has attracted more and more attention. Further understanding of the partial discharge (PD) and flashover characteristics of metal particles on the insulator surface, as well as the flashover mechanism, is necessary to reduce the failure rate and improve the reliability of the equipment. In this study, an ultra‐high voltage (UHV) AC insulator PD test and measurement system based on the cross‐reference pulse current (PC) and ultra‐high frequency (UHF) methods were established. The PD development and flashover characteristics of 5 mm‐long metal particles at different positions on the surface of a UHV AC insulator, as well as the surface charge accumulation, were studied. The results show that the discharge of millimetre‐scale metal particles on the insulator surface under PD test conditions is relatively low (generally lower than 2PC), and it is difficult to be detected by the conventional PC and UHF methods due to their insufficient sensitivity. Moreover, it is found that the weak PDs of the millimetre‐scale metal particles will result in a charge accumulation on the insulator surface under AC voltage, which eventually will lead to the insulator flashover. The PDs of the UHV AC insulator before flashover are generally small, which will make it difficult for online monitoring systems to give an effective alarm before flashover.
Breakdown process on rod–rod air gap under oscillating lightning impulse voltage
Authors: Gürlek Akif
Published: January 2020

This study presents the discharge process on rod–rod electrodes under oscillating lightning impulse voltage. For this purpose, a measurement system has been developed to record the discharge currents at both rod electrodes simultaneously and to photograph the spatial propagation of the discharges. The measurement results of the discharge process are shown for an air gap of and for a superimposed frequency of . Like the standardised lightning impulse voltage, three consecutive phases of discharge have been identified before a breakdown occurs. These are streamer discharge phase, channel transition phase and channel formation phase. The three phases are described, interpreted and their correlation is shown. On the basis of the oscillations, the discharge processes recur periodically if the momentary voltage is higher than the mean curve of the oscillating lightning impulse voltage. The streamer discharge emerges foremost at the positive rod electrode and propagates toward the grounded rod electrode. Its propagation depends on the voltage crest value. Arriving at the grounded rod electrode, the channel transition phase begins. There the discharge moves back to the positive rod electrode due to recombination and generation. Then the discharge constricts to the positive rod electrode, which forms a channel. Simultaneously, at the grounded rod electrode, a channel is also emerging. In each period, the channel will build up stepwise. The channel leads to the main discharge of the oscillating lightning impulse voltage.
Electrical stress mapping in a Type II machine supplied by inverters using Si and SiC‐based components
Authors: Acheen Robin , Abadie Cédric , Lebey Thierry , Duchesne Stéphane
Published: January 2020

The introduction of Silicon Carbide (SiC) based components in the electromechanical chain presents numerous advantages but has consequences on the reliability of the insulation systems in the machine. It is, therefore, necessary to determine whether, under normal operating conditions, phenomena that did not previously exist or were not completely apprehended will appear with the transition to SiC‐based inverters. One of these phenomena is partial discharge (PD) and its development in machines, and more precisely in the turn‐to‐turn, turn‐to‐ground, and phase‐to‐phase insulation systems. The present study reports the investigations carried out on a high voltage machine fed by inverters using Silicon (Si) and SiC‐based components. It forms part of a general study in which the primary objective is to determine the electrical stress to which the machine is subject, in order to systematically determine the conditions of occurrence of PDs and their consequences on the insulation system lifetime. The following work, which is the first part of the investigation, seeks to perform a thorough electrical stress mapping depending on both geometric and electrical parameters. An analysis of the results will also be presented, as well as thoughts concerning future work, especially regarding the link between electrical constraints and PD activity.
Investigation of simultaneous effect of demand response and load uncertainty on distribution feeder reconfiguration
Authors: Abbasi Ali Reza
Published: January 2020

Distribution feeder reconfiguration (DFR) and demand response (DR) are the common energy consumption management methods to enhance the operation quality of distribution networks (DNs). Moreover, DFR and DR may lead to system improvement through different aspects such as reliability, total cost, and power quality. Nevertheless, the high complexity of the new smart grids has caused a lot of uncertainty in the reconfiguration problem. Given that, the use of an adequate probabilistic framework is necessary to deal with such issues. Hence, the current study investigates the effect of DR on the DFR strategy in a stochastic environment as a single‐period and multiple‐objective model at peak load. A parametric probabilistic analysis is administrated based on unscented transform (UT) method to capture the load and generation uncertainties. High‐precision results and low computational burden are the outstanding features of the UT method. Furthermore, an improved version of Cuckoo search Algorithm (CSA) as an optimizing tool is proposed. The effectiveness of the suggested method is tested on the modified IEEE 32‐ and 69‐bus systems. Moreover, PDF and CDF functions of random output variables are plotted and compared to verify the proposed stochastic method. The results confirm the efficient operation of the proposed algorithms.
Intelligent energy management in microgrid using prediction errors from uncertain renewable power generation
Authors: Majumder Irani , Dhar Snehamoy , Dash Pradipta Kishore , Mishra Sthita Prajna
Published: January 2020

This study proposes an efficient local energy management system (LEMS) based on the generalised power prediction model for the uncertain operation of renewable distributed generations (DGs)‐based microgrid. Photovoltaic with battery energy storage, and wind power generation are considered as primary DGs to compensate intermittency. Conventional direct power prediction models are limited to specific DG applications, where the plant data acquisition system is a necessity. Solar irradiance and wind speed are considered here as prediction targets to cope with such additional expenditure for a microgrid. To ensure a robust reduction in prediction error (ep), a short‐term prediction model is developed by virtue of the proposed robust regularised random vector functional link network. A maximum‐likelihood estimator using Huber's cost function is employed to attain the robustness of this model. Further, a direct renewable energy source‐power calculation is opted to address model accuracy under local uncertainties. The LEMS operation is completed by compensating ep with distributed adaptive droop‐based primary controllers for multi‐DG based microgrid. To ensure the performance of the prediction model, solar irradiance, wind speed and power at different atmospheric conditions (seasonal volatility) and time span (i.e. 5, 10 and 60 min) have been implemented in MATLAB and real time.
Design of a gate driver for SiC MOSFET module for applications up to 1200 V
Authors: Batard Christophe , Ginot Nicolas , Bouguet Christophe
Published: January 2020

Nowadays new silicon carbide (SiC) metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) are available in the market and they are expected to replace, in the next few years, the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and Si‐MOSFET in power electronic converters. SiC MOSFET transistors must be controlled by a dedicated circuit called ‘gate driver’ which ensures the switching orders transmission, the users’ safety and the switching cell integrity. The design of a gate driver dedicated to a SiC MOSFET module for applications up to 1200 V is described in this study. Galvanic isolation of control signals and power supplies, the power supply structure, SiC MOSFET switching orders and protection functions are detailed. Essential functions such as the short circuit detection and the implementation of the soft shut down are expanded. The developed gate driver is tested and validated. Experimental measurements allow for the validation of the good functioning of the developed gate driver in a highly disturbed environment.
Stochastic constrained linear quadratic control in a network of smart microgrids
Authors: Bersani Chiara , Dagdougui Hanane , Ouammi Ahmed , Sacile Roberto
Published: January 2020

Challenges of microgrids (MGs) energy management have gained more relevance with the presence of uncertainties in power generation and local loads. These problems significantly increase when related to network of smart MGs (NSMG). To address these challenges, this study presents a stochastic constrained control problem for the optimal management of a cooperative NSMG with interconnections allowing power exchanges. In this model, each MG can exchange power locally among each other as well as with the main electric grid. The proposed control approach is based on a linear‐quadratic Gaussian problem definition for the optimal control of power flows under quadratic constraints limiting the variability of the power exchange as well as of the stored energy in each MG. The developed framework is applied to a cooperative network of four smart MGs to test and validate its effectiveness and performance. The network is connected to the main electric grid allowing power exchanges. The results demonstrate that the role of energy storage systems is undoubtedly becoming more and more relevant in the context of reacting to the stochastic behaviour of the balance between produced and consumed powers in MGs.
Automatic generation control of a large hydropower plant with head‐sensitive forbidden and restricted zones
Authors: Shen Jianjian , Hu Lin , Cheng Chuntian , Wang Sen
Published: January 2020

Head‐sensitive forbidden and restricted zones of large hydropower units are challenging the automatic generation control (AGC) as admissible operating zones are discontinuous and variational. This study focuses on the AGC of such a large hydropower plant to ensure the stability, security and timeliness of power grids. A methodology is developed to solve the unit commitment (UC) and load distribution in AGC. This methodology identifies in advance all feasible unit combinations under different water heads and determines admissible operating zones using combinatorial mathematics techniques. A fast strategy that includes the accurate estimation of varying water heads helps to eliminate infeasible unit combinations. Minimising the number of units working in restricted zones and times of unit output passing through forbidden zones is used to optimise the UC, where priority orders of units are introduced to evaluate UC schemes with the same objective value. Finally, a dynamic programming based model is formulated to solve an economic load distribution among operating units. The methodology is applied to the AGC of the Nuozhadu with nine 650 MW units of two different types. Three cases indicate that the number of units working in restricted zones and times of unit output passing through forbidden zones is significantly reduced.
Radar signals classification using energy‐time‐frequency distribution features
Authors: Seddighi Zahra , Ahmadzadeh Mohammad Reza , Taban Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2020

In this research, the authors extract features from intermediate frequency band radar signals in the time–frequency domain for classification. The extracted features are classified via support vector machine and K‐nearest neighbour classifiers. They show the accuracy of classification is above 99% for different classes of radar signals except for frequency shift keying signal with accuracy 83% in negative signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). To identify the radars with the same class, the classification accuracy is 91% for SNR between 5 to 15 dB and 64% in the worst case for SNR between −1 to 10 dB. The proposed method is compared with some methods based on the empirical mode decomposition (EMD), cumulant and Zhao Atlas Mark Distribution (ZAMD). The results show that the classification error in the proposed method is less than that of EMD method 55% in the best case and 9% in the worst case. The performance of the cumulant‐based method is weaker than that of the proposed method in common designed scenarios becoming almost similar only in one scenario. The ZAMD‐based method could only distinguish the signals with different modulations in high SNR while it is unable to classify the signals with the same modulation but different parameters.
MW‐LEACH: Low energy adaptive clustering hierarchy approach for WSN
Authors: El Khediri Salim , Khan Rehan Ullah , Nasri Nejah , Kachouri Abdennaceur
Published: January 2020

The authors propose a novel multiple weight low energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (MW‐LEACH) protocol for wireless sensor networks. In MW‐LEACH, they select the cluster heads (CHs) based on the residual energy, the distances between the CHs, and an optimal number of member nodes. The nodes are selected from the initial set based on the high residual energy closer to the centre of the density, thus forming an initial set of CH candidates. The candidates then move in different directions to collect data from their members sending it to the base station. The proposed approach has lower complexity in terms of time and message. It is also fast and offers a longer lifetime for the network. It also provides a proper level of fault tolerance. In the experimental simulation evaluation, their approach outperforms state‐of‐the‐art protocols based on performance metrics of throughput, energy consumption, packet delivery, network lifetime, and latency.
Horizontal connection method for glass microfluidic devices
Authors: Yalikun Yaxiaer , Ota Nobutoshi , Ma Doudou , Tanaka Yo
Published: January 2020

In a conventional glass microfluidic system, the vertical connection is the most frequently used for connections between a microfluidic device and its peripheral equipment. However, it leads to a significant pressure drop at the inlet of a microfluidic device, decreases the flow velocity, and can introduce few samples than expected. To overcome these problems, a horizontal connection method for glass microfluidic devices, which have advantages such as keeping pressure/flow velocity, compatible with small space, reduced sample loss and convenience for modularisation is reported. These advantages are important for high‐speed analysis on precious samples such as single‐cell flow cytometry. In this work, they proposed a horizontal connection method which showed compatibility with high pressure (at least 0.6 MPa) at inlet without leakage, small loss of injected samples (<0.11%), and 22% faster flow velocity along the direction of applied pressure than that of vertical connection.
Selective reduction of CO to acetaldehyde with CuAg electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Lei , Higgins Drew C. , Ji Yongfei , Morales-Guio Carlos G. , Chan Karen , Hahn Christopher , Jaramillo Thomas F.
Published: January 2020

Electrochemical CO reduction can serve as a sequential step in the transformation of CO
2
into multicarbon fuels and chemicals. In this study, we provide insights on how to steer selectivity for CO reduction almost exclusively toward a single multicarbon oxygenate by carefully controlling the catalyst composition and its surrounding reaction conditions. Under alkaline reaction conditions, we demonstrate that planar CuAg electrodes can reduce CO to acetaldehyde with over 50% Faradaic efficiency and over 90% selectivity on a carbon basis at a modest electrode potential of −0.536 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. The Faradaic efficiency to acetaldehyde was further enhanced to 70% by increasing the roughness factor of the CuAg electrode. Density functional theory calculations indicate that Ag ad-atoms on Cu weaken the binding energy of the reduced acetaldehyde intermediate and inhibit its further reduction to ethanol, demonstrating that the improved selectivity to acetaldehyde is due to the electronic effect from Ag incorporation. These findings will aid in the design of catalysts that are able to guide complex reaction networks and achieve high selectivity for the desired product.
Selectivity filter modalities and rapid inactivation of the hERG1 channel
Authors: Miranda Williams E. , DeMarco Kevin R. , Guo Jiqing , Duff Henry J. , Vorobyov Igor , Clancy Colleen E. , Noskov Sergei Yu.
Published: January 2020

Significance

The familial mutations impacting repolarization K
+
currents conducted by the hERG1 channel are significant determinants of arrhythmogenicity. Here, we show how the arrhythmogenic gain-of-function mutation (N629D) in the pore domain impairs channel selectivity and inactivation by shifting complex conformational equilibria between the conductive and nonconductive states of the selectivity filter and by impacting filter modalities. This study highlights notable differences in the permeation and inactivation dynamics in a human channel that displays a nonconventional selectivity filter.
Precision medicine integrating whole-genome sequencing, comprehensive metabolomics, and advanced imaging
Authors: Hou Ying-Chen Claire , Yu Hung-Chun , Martin Rick , Cirulli Elizabeth T. , Schenker-Ahmed Natalie M. , Hicks Michael , Cohen Isaac V. , Jönsson Thomas J. , Heister Robyn , Napier Lori , Swisher Christine Leon , Dominguez Saints , Tang Haibao , Li Weizhong , Perkins Bradley A. , Barea Jaime , Rybak Christina , Smith Emily , Duchicela Keegan , Doney Michael , Brar Pamila , Hernandez Nathaniel , Kirkness Ewen F. , Kahn Andrew M. , Venter J. Craig , Karow David S. , Caskey C. Thomas
Published: January 2020

Significance

To understand the value and clinical impact of surveying genome-wide disease-causing genes and variants, we used a prospective cohort study design that enrolled volunteers who agreed to have their whole genome sequenced and to participate in deep phenotyping using clinical laboratory tests, metabolomics technologies, and advanced noninvasive imaging. The genomic results are integrated with the phenotype results. Approximately 1 in 6 adult individuals (17.3%) had genetic findings and, when integrated with deep phenotyping data, including family/medical histories with genetic findings, 1 in 9 (11.5%) had genotype and phenotype associations. Genomics and metabolomics association analysis revealed 5.1% of heterozygotes with phenotype manifestations affecting serum metabolite levels. We report observations from our study in which health outcomes and benefits were not measured.
Reassessing enzyme kinetics: Considering protease-as-substrate interactions in proteolytic networks
Authors: Ferrall-Fairbanks Meghan C. , Kieslich Chris A. , Platt Manu O.
Published: January 2020

Enzymes are catalysts in biochemical reactions that, by definition, increase rates of reactions without being altered or destroyed. However, when that enzyme is a protease, a subclass of enzymes that hydrolyze other proteins, and that protease is in a multiprotease system, protease-as-substrate dynamics must be included, challenging assumptions of enzyme inertness, shifting kinetic predictions of that system. Protease-on-protease inactivating hydrolysis can alter predicted protease concentrations used to determine pharmaceutical dosing strategies. Cysteine cathepsins are proteases capable of cathepsin cannibalism, where one cathepsin hydrolyzes another with substrate present, and misunderstanding of these dynamics may cause miscalculations of multiple proteases working in one proteolytic network of interactions occurring in a defined compartment. Once rates for individual protease-on-protease binding and catalysis are determined, proteolytic network dynamics can be explored using computational models of cooperative/competitive degradation by multiple proteases in one system, while simultaneously incorporating substrate cleavage. During parameter optimization, it was revealed that additional distraction reactions, where inactivated proteases become competitive inhibitors to remaining, active proteases, occurred, introducing another network reaction node. Taken together, improved predictions of substrate degradation in a multiple protease network were achieved after including reaction terms of autodigestion, inactivation, cannibalism, and distraction, altering kinetic considerations from other enzymatic systems, since enzyme can be lost to proteolytic degradation. We compiled and encoded these dynamics into an online platform (https://plattlab.shinyapps.io/catKLS/) for individual users to test hypotheses of specific perturbations to multiple cathepsins, substrates, and inhibitors, and predict shifts in proteolytic network reactions and system dynamics.
Allosteric activation of MALT1 by its ubiquitin-binding Ig3 domain
Authors: Schairer Rebekka , Hall Gareth , Zhang Ming , Cowan Richard , Baravalle Roberta , Muskett Frederick W. , Coombs Peter J. , Mpamhanga Chido , Hale Lisa R. , Saxty Barbara , Iwaszkiewicz Justyna , Décaillet Chantal , Perroud Mai , Carr Mark D. , Thome Margot
Published: January 2020

Significance

The protease MALT1 has been shown to play an essential role in the adaptive immune response and the development of lymphoma. The catalytic activity of MALT1 is tightly regulated by monoubiquitination, however, how ubiquitin is conjugated to MALT1 and the manner by which this modification regulates MALT1 activity remains poorly understood. Our data suggest that the Ig3 domain of MALT1 physically recruits ubiquitin to enable monoubiquitination and that ubiquitin conjugation to MALT1 activates the protease by inducing conformational changes in the Ig3 domain that are communicated to the active site. These findings identify the Ig3 domain of MALT1 as a novel ubiquitin-binding domain and provide insight into the molecular requirements for MALT1 activation that could be of therapeutic interest.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa lasR
mutant fitness in microoxia is supported by an Anr-regulated oxygen-binding hemerythrin
Authors: Clay Michelle E. , Hammond John H. , Zhong Fangfang , Chen Xiaolei , Kowalski Caitlin H. , Lee Alexandra J. , Porter Monique S. , Hampton Thomas H. , Greene Casey S. , Pletneva Ekaterina V. , Hogan Deborah A.
Published: January 2020

Significance

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, a versatile bacterium that lives in environmental habitats and causes life-threatening opportunistic infections, uses quorum sensing to coordinate gene expression. The
lasR
gene, which encodes a quorum-sensing regulator, is often found to have loss-of-function mutations in clinical isolates. Interestingly, LasR− strains have high activity of the oxygen-sensitive transcription factor Anr in microoxic conditions. This report identifies and characterizes an Anr-regulated microoxic hemerythrin that binds oxygen. We show that both
anr
and
mhr
are critical to fitness in microoxia and that these genes uniquely benefit LasR− strains in biofilms grown in normoxia. Our data suggest that the success of
P. aeruginosa
in chronic infections is in part through its propensity to lose LasR functionality resulting in increased microoxic fitness.
Actigraphy-Based Assessment of Sleep Parameters
Authors: Fekedulegn Desta , Andrew Michael E , Shi Mingming , Violanti John M , Knox Sarah , Innes Kim E
Published: January 2020

Actigraphy, a method for inferring sleep/wake patterns based on movement data gathered using actigraphs, is increasingly used in population-based epidemiologic studies because of its ability to monitor activity in natural settings. Using special software, actigraphic data are analyzed to estimate a range of sleep parameters. To date, despite extensive application of actigraphs in sleep research, published literature specifically detailing the methodology for derivation of sleep parameters is lacking; such information is critical for the appropriate analysis and interpretation of actigraphy data. Reporting of sleep parameters has also been inconsistent across studies, likely reflecting the lack of consensus regarding the definition of sleep onset and offset. In addition, actigraphy data are generally underutilized, with only a fraction of the sleep parameters generated through actigraphy routinely used in current sleep research. The objectives of this paper are to review existing algorithms used to estimate sleep/wake cycles from movement data, demonstrate the rules/methods used for estimating sleep parameters, provide clear technical definitions of the parameters, and suggest potential new measures that reflect intraindividual variability. Utilizing original data collected using Motionlogger Sleep Watch (Ambulatory Monitoring Inc., Ardsley, NY), we detail the methodology and derivation of 29 nocturnal sleep parameters, including those both widely and rarely utilized in research. By improving understanding of the actigraphy process, the information provided in this paper may help: ensure appropriate use and interpretation of sleep parameters in future studies; enable the recalibration of sleep parameters to address specific goals; inform the development of new measures; and increase the breadth of sleep parameters used.
decorate: differential epigenetic correlation test
Authors: Hoffman Gabriel E , Bendl Jaroslav , Girdhar Kiran , Roussos Panos
Published: January 2020

Motivation

Identifying correlated epigenetic features and finding differences in correlation between individuals with disease compared to controls can give novel insight into disease biology. This framework has been successful in analysis of gene expression data, but application to epigenetic data has been limited by the computational cost, lack of scalable software and lack of robust statistical tests.

Results

Decorate, differential epigenetic correlation test, identifies correlated epigenetic features and finds clusters of features that are differentially correlated between two or more subsets of the data. The software scales to genome-wide datasets of epigenetic assays on hundreds of individuals. We apply decorate to four large-scale datasets of DNA methylation, ATAC-seq and histone modification ChIP-seq.

Availability and implementation

decorate R package is available from https://github.com/GabrielHoffman/decorate.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Wild bootstrap for fuzzy regression discontinuity designs: obtaining robust bias-corrected confidence intervals
Authors: He Yang , Bartalotti Otávio
Published: January 2020

This paper develops a novel wild bootstrap procedure to construct robust bias-corrected valid confidence intervals for fuzzy regression discontinuity designs, providing an intuitive complement to existing robust bias-corrected methods. The confidence intervals generated by this procedure are valid under conditions similar to the procedures proposed by Calonico et al. (2014) and related literature. Simulations provide evidence that this new method is at least as accurate as the plug-in analytical corrections when applied to a variety of data-generating processes featuring endogeneity and clustering. Finally, we demonstrate its empirical relevance by revisiting Angrist and Lavy (1999) analysis of class size on student outcomes.
Daily Dynamics of an Ant Community in a Mountaintop Ecosystem
Authors: Calazans Eloá Gonçalves , Costa Fernanda Vieira da , Cristiano Maykon Passos , Cardoso Danon Clemes
Published: January 2020

Abiotic conditions have a great influence on the structure of biological communities, especially considering ectothermic organisms, such as ants. In this study, we tested whether the daily temporal dynamics of an ant community in a tropical mountainous ecosystem is driven by daily fluctuations of abiotic factors, such as temperature and humidity. We also investigated whether the strong oscillation in daily temperature leads to high heterogeneity in ant species thermal responses. We have found that air and soil temperatures positively influenced the richness and frequency of foraging ants, while air humidity caused the opposite effect. Ant activity followed daily temperature fluctuations, which resulted in subtle differences in foraging patterns featured by heat-tolerant and heat-intolerant species. Moreover, the studied ant community exhibited broad and highly overlapped thermal responses, suggesting a likely resilience under temperature oscillations. Lastly, identifying how species traits are linked to oscillations in abiotic conditions is a necessary step to predict the effects of future climatic changes on biological community dynamics and ecosystem functioning.
Cardiovascular mortality following liver transplantation: predictors and temporal trends over 30 years
Authors: Koshy Anoop N , Gow Paul J , Han Hui-Chen , Teh Andrew W , Jones Robert , Testro Adam , Lim Han S , McCaughan Geoffrey , Jeffrey Gary P , Crawford Michael , Macdonald Graeme , Fawcett Jonathan , Wigg Alan , Chen John W C , Gane Edward J , Munn Stephen R , Clark David J , Yudi Matias B , Farouque Omar
Published: January 2020

Aims

There has been significant evolution in operative and post-transplant therapies following liver transplantation (LT). We sought to study their impact on cardiovascular (CV) mortality, particularly in the longer term.

Methods and results

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all adult LTs in Australia and New Zealand across three 11-year eras from 1985 to assess prevalence, modes, and predictors of early (≤30 days) and late (>30 days) CV mortality. A total of 4265 patients were followed-up for 37 409 person-years. Overall, 1328 patients died, and CV mortality accounted for 228 (17.2%) deaths. Both early and late CV mortality fell significantly across the eras (P < 0.001). However, CV aetiologies were consistently the leading cause of early mortality and accounted for ∼40% of early deaths in the contemporary era. Cardiovascular deaths occurred significantly later than non-cardiac aetiologies (8.8 vs. 5.2 years, P < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression, coronary artery disease [hazard ratio (HR) 4.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–21.6; P = 0.04] and era of transplantation (HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.28–0.70; P = 0.01) were predictors of early CV mortality, while advancing age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.10; P = 0.005) was an independent predictors of late CV mortality. Most common modes of CV death were cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular events, and myocardial infarction.

Conclusion

Despite reductions in CV mortality post-LT over 30 years, they still account for a substantial proportion of early and late deaths. The late occurrence of CV deaths highlights the importance of longitudinal follow-up to study the efficacy of targeted risk-reduction strategies in this unique patient population.
Long-term outcome and prognostic factors of combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma after curative resection
Authors: Jiang Xing-Xing , Huang Xi-Tai , Huang Chen-Song , Chen Liu-Hua , Liang Li-Jian , Yin Xiao-Yu
Published: January 2020

Background

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare subtype of primary liver cancers. Its prognostic factors remain unclear. The study aimed to evaluate its long-term outcome and prognostic factors by retrospectively reviewing the series of cHCC-CC after curative resection from our institute.

Methods

A total of 55 pathologically confirmed cHCC-CC patients undergoing curative resections between January 2003 and January 2018 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) were included. The clinicopathological and follow-up data were retrieved. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survivals (RFS) were analysed by Kaplan–Meier curve. The independent prognostic factors were determined by using univariate and multivariate Cox analyses.

Results

There were 41 males and 14 females, with a median age of 51.0 (interquartile range, 44.0–60.0) years. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and RFS rates in cHCC-CC were 80.0%, 25.5%, and 16.4%, respectively, and 52.7%, 21.8%, and 10.9%, respectively. The median OS and RFS were 24.9 and 14.5 months, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that elevated alpha-fetal protein (AFP) and/or CA19-9, vascular invasion, local extra-hepatic invasion, and lymph-node metastasis (LNM) were independent unfavorable prognostic factors for OS and RFS (all P < 0.005). Furthermore, elevated AFP and/or CA19-9 were independent unfavorable prognostic factors in various subgroups of cHCC-CC, including patients aged <60 years, positive hepatitis B surface antigen, cirrhosis, single tumor, tumor size ≥5 cm, no vascular invasion, no LNM, and no local extra-hepatic invasion (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Elevated AFP and/or CA19-9, vascular invasion, local extra-hepatic invasion, and LNM were independent unfavorable prognostic factors for long-term survival of cHCC-CC undergoing curative resections. Patients with normal levels of AFP and CA19-9 had better prognosis.
Trade Marks with a Reputation in Polish Law – an Opinion on the Polish Supreme Court Case OMEGA
Authors: Buchalska Joanna
Published: January 2020

Wider protection of reputable trade marks is the result of many efforts undertaken by their owners, including those related to large financial outlays. In Poland, trade marks with a reputation are those which are for the most part associated with the positive reception of such a sign. This aspect is due to the meaning of the Polish word ‘renoma’ (reputation), which means a very good opinion about someone or something. The protection of such signs also extends to the protection guaranteed by the Act on Combating Unfair Competition1 (hereinafter ACUC). This paper discusses the ruling of the Polish Supreme Court regarding the protection of the OMEGA trade mark.2 In this ruling the Supreme Court annulled the judgement of Court of Appeal in the OMEGA case. These considerations should be divided into two parts. The first will include a discussion on the scope of a way to compare trade marks and internet domains proposed by the Court of Appeal and confirmed in most doctrines. In the second part, it will be necessary to refer to the guidelines which the Supreme Court pointed out in its justification of the judgment, covering the comparison of trade marks under the ACUC. In this respect, views of doctrine and jurisprudence will be presented. This paper also proposes a possible position which might be taken by the Court of Appeal when re-examining the OMEGA case after the annulment.
Schmitt Fever: The use and abuse of Carl Schmitt in contemporary China
Authors: Libin Xie , Patapan Haig
Published: January 2020

This article examines “Schmitt Fever,” the reception and influence in contemporary China of the thought of Carl Schmitt, the German legal, constitutional, and political theorist notorious for his endorsement of National Socialism. It argues that an understanding of Schmitt Fever provides new insights into contested terrain and fracture lines of contemporary Chinese law and politics. It also shows how Western concepts are taken up in China, both philosophically and politically, and how their reception reveals valuable insights into the character of the major political contests in contemporary China. By examining the way Schmittian concepts such as “friend-enemy,” “sovereignty,” and “decisionism” are deployed by three contending groups of scholars—the “China Path,” “New Left,” and “Liberal” schools of thought—it shows the limitations of socialist and Marxist thought in contemporary debates, and a crisis in legitimacy regarding the foundational ideas that sustain and inform contemporary debates regarding the future direction of China.
The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018: India’s regulatory journey towards a comprehensive data protection law
Authors: Prasad M Deva , Menon C Suchithra
Published: January 2020

This article analyses the relevance of Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 for developing a data protection legal framework in India. In this regard, the article attempts to analyse the evolution process of comprehensive personal data protection law in the Indian context. The manner in which the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 will revamp and strengthen the existing data protection regulatory framework forms the major edifice of this article. The article also dwells on the significant role played by the fundamental right to privacy judgment (Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v Union of India) of Supreme Court of India, thus preparing the regulatory ground for the evolution of the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018. The influence of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation in shaping the Indian legal framework is highlighted. The article also discusses pertinent legal concerns that could question the effectiveness of the proposed data protection legal framework in the Indian context.