bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving nested case-control studies to conduct a full competing-risks analysis for nosocomial infections
Authors: Hazard Derek , Schumacher Martin , Palomar-Martinez Mercedes , Alvarez-Lerma Francisco , Olaechea-Astigarraga Pedro , Wolkewitz Martin
Published: August 2018

Objective

Competing risks are a necessary consideration when analyzing risk factors for nosocomial infections (NIs). In this article, we identify additional information that a competing risks analysis provides in a hospital setting. Furthermore, we improve on established methods for nested case-control designs to acquire this information.

Methods

Using data from 2 Spanish intensive care units and model simulations, we show how controls selected by time-dynamic sampling for NI can be weighted to perform risk-factor analysis for death or discharge without infection. This extension not only enables hazard rate analysis for the competing risk, it also enables prediction analysis for NI.

Results

The estimates acquired from the extension were in good agreement with the results from the full (real and simulated) cohort dataset. The reduced dataset results averted any false interpretation common in a competing-risks setting.

Conclusions

Using additional information that is routinely collected in a hospital setting, a nested case-control design can be successfully adapted to avoid a competing risks bias. Furthermore, this adapted method can be used to reanalyze past nested case-control studies to enhance their findings.
A novel sink drain cover prevents dispersal of microorganisms from contaminated sink drains
Authors: Livingston Scott H. , Cadnum Jennifer L. , Gestrich Scott , Jencson Annette L. , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: August 2018

In hospital sinks, a novel plastic drain cover was effective in preventing dispersal of gram-negative bacilli and fluorescent gel associated with splattering of flowing water. Our findings suggest that the sink drain covers could provide a simple means to reduce dissemination of pathogens from contaminated sinks.
A SEPARATION PRINCIPLE FOR THE STABILISATION OF A CLASS OF FRACTIONAL ORDER TIME DELAY NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
Authors: ECHI NADHEM , BASDOURI IMED , BENALI HANEN
Published: August 2018

We establish a separation principle for a class of fractional order time-delay nonlinear differential systems. We show that a nonlinear time-delay observer is globally convergent and give sufficient conditions under which the observer-based controller stabilises the system.
BETTI NUMBERS FOR CERTAIN COHEN–MACAULAY TANGENT CONES
Authors: ŞAHİN MESUT , ŞAHİN NİL
Published: August 2018

We compute Betti numbers for a Cohen–Macaulay tangent cone of a monomial curve in the affine $4$-space corresponding to a pseudo-symmetric numerical semigroup. As a byproduct, we also show that for these semigroups, being of homogeneous type and homogeneous are equivalent properties.
Genetic and environmental influences on gambling disorder liability: a replication and combined analysis of two twin studies
Authors: Davis Christal N. , Slutske Wendy S. , Martin Nicholas G. , Agrawal Arpana , Lynskey Michael T.
Published: August 2018

Background

Gambling disorder (GD), recognized in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version 5 (DSM-5) as a behavioral addiction, is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. However, there has been little research on the genetic and environmental influences on the development of this disorder. This study reports results from the largest twin study of GD conducted to date.

Methods

Replication and combined analyses were based on samples of 3292 (mean age 31.8, born 1972–79) and 4764 (mean age 37.7, born 1964–71) male, female, and unlike-sex twin pairs from the Australian Twin Registry. Univariate biometric twin models estimated the proportion of variation in the latent GD liability that could be attributed to genetic, shared environmental, and unique environmental factors, and whether these differed quantitatively or qualitatively for men and women.

Results

In the replication study, when using a lower GD threshold, there was evidence for significant genetic (60%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 45–76%) and unique environmental (40%; 95% CI 24–56%), but not shared environmental contributions (0%; 95% CI 0–0%) to GD liability; this did not significantly differ from the original study. In the combined analysis, higher GD thresholds (such as one consistent with DSM-5 GD) and a multiple threshold definitions of GD yielded similar results. There was no evidence for quantitative or qualitative sex differences in the liability for GD.

Conclusions

Twin studies of GD are few in number but they tell a remarkably similar story: substantial genetic and unique environmental influences, with no evidence for shared environmental contributions or sex differences in GD liability.
Fear of economic policies may be domain-specific, and social emotions can explain why
Authors: Chowdhury Avijit , Yu Rongjun
Published: August 2018

People are social animals who value social goods uniquely. In discussions about how economic policies are evaluated by the layperson, it is essential to consider how they may evoke repulsive social emotions such as disgust and anger. We propose that fear of economic policies is not general and that it is specific to items where markets tend to assault certain social values.
Economic complexities and cognitive hurdles: Accounting for specific economic misconceptions without an ultimate cause
Authors: Leiser David , Shemesh Yhonatan
Published: August 2018

Do folk-economic beliefs have an ultimate cause? We argue that, in many cases, the answer is negative. Cognition is constrained in both scope (via long-term memory [LTM]) and depth (via working memory [WM]). Consequently, laypeople are challenged by concepts essential for understanding complex systems, economics included: aggregation, indirect causation, and equilibrium. We discuss several economic misconceptions arising from this acute mismatch.
Developmental and cultural factors in economic beliefs
Authors: Miton Helena , Sperber Dan
Published: August 2018

Boyer & Petersen (B&P) assume that the intuitive systems underlying folk-economic beliefs (FEBs), and, in particular, emporiophobia, evolved in the environment of evolutionary adaptedness (EEA), before markets. This makes the historical development of markets puzzling. We suggest that what evolved in the EEA are templates that help children develop intuitive systems partly adjusted to their cultural environment. This helps resolve the puzzle.
Use of semi-intensive shrimp farms as alternative foraging areas by migratory shorebird populations in tropical areas
Authors: NAVEDO JUAN G. , FERNÁNDEZ GUILLERMO
Published: August 2018

Evaluating the ability of anthropogenic habitats to serve as surrogates for natural habitats is an increasingly relevant issue in conservation biology. This issue is especially urgent in tropical coastal wetlands that support large concentrations of migratory shorebird populations and are under pressure from development. Here we evaluated the species composition, abundance, and habitat use of Nearctic migratory shorebirds using recently harvested aquaculture ponds during two non-breeding seasons at shrimp farms surrounding Bahía Santa María (BSM), northwestern Mexico. We also estimated shorebird densities at intertidal units in BSM during and after the harvesting season to explore the connectivity with shrimp farms. Over 25,000 individuals of 25 shorebird species used the surveyed farms (∼13% of shrimp-farm development in BSM; 2014–2015: 10 farms, 994 ha; 2015–2016: 8 farms, 924 ha) during the harvest season. The most abundant species were: Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri, Willet Tringa semipalmata, Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa, dowitchers Limnodromus spp., Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus and American Avocet Recurvirostra americana. Numbers of birds decreased as the harvest cycle progressed. Most birds (> 70%) were foraging on the ponds, regardless of tidal stage, while numbers increased during high tide for the most abundant species. At surveyed intertidal areas, shorebird densities were overall similar within and between non-breeding seasons. These results indicate that shrimp farms offer ephemeral but consistent foraging habitats used by non-breeding shorebirds, even in vast coastal wetlands offering a high availability of natural intertidal mudflats. Assuming a similar shorebird use in other shrimp ponds not surveyed within BSM, a significant proportion (> 1% of the biogeographic population) of Willet, Marbled Godwit, and Western Sandpiper, as well as imperilled Red Knot Calidris canutus, might use shrimp farms throughout the harvesting season. Before including current semi-intensive shrimp farms within management plans of BSM, further research is mandatory to assess their utility as alternative foraging habitats for shorebird conservation at tropical areas.
Food industry sponsorship of academic research: investigating commercial bias in the research agenda
Authors: Fabbri Alice , Holland Taylor J , Bero Lisa A
Published: August 2018

Objective

To identify scientific publications that result from food industry-funded projects on human health and to characterize their research topics to assess the potential for bias in the research agenda.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting/Subjects

Food industry-supported projects related to human health were identified from food company websites; publications resulting from the food industry-sponsored projects were identified through a PubMed search.

Results

Of ten companies analysed, only two (Coca-Cola and the Mars Center for Cocoa Health Science) provided a list of research projects with sufficient detail for analysis. Among the 204 publications resulting from thirty-seven disclosed research projects, the most common topic was physical activity (40·7 %), while highly processed foods were analysed in 10·8 % of the publications. Twenty-two publications (10·8 %) focused on research integrity or research methods.

Conclusions

Publications resulting from Coca-Cola- and Mars-sponsored research appear to skew the evidence towards solutions that favour industry interests by focusing on food components that can be manipulated and marketed by food companies. These food industry-funded publications can also distract from nutrition as a health issue by diverting public and policy attention to physical activity. Shaping the debate around scientific methods can be another strategy that corporations use for their benefit to raise doubts about the methods used in non-industry sponsored research.
Application Timing and Degradation Rate of Sulfosulfuron in Soil Co-affect Control Efficacy of Egyptian broomrape (Phelipanche aegyptiaca) in Tomato
Authors: Paporisch Amit , Laor Yael , Rubin Baruch , Achdari Guy , Eizenberg Hanan
Published: August 2018

Egyptian broomrape (Phelipanche aegyptiacaPers.) is a root-parasitic weed that severely damages many crops worldwide, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.). In Israel, the management protocol used forP. aegyptiacain open-field tomato includes PPI sulfosulfuron at 37.5 g ai ha−1to the top 10-cm soil layer. The objective of this study was to investigate the co-effect of sulfosulfuron application timing and variable degradation rate in soil on the control efficacy ofP. aegyptiacain tomato. Degradation of sulfosulfuron (80ng g−1soil) at a temperature of 15C, measured in soil samples from three farms using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, followed a first-order kinetics with variable degradation rate constant among sites (0.008 to 0.012 d−1). Incubation at 25 C increased sulfosulfuron degradation rate constant by a factor of 2 to 2.7 in soils from the different sites, with a similar degradation rate order among soils. A higher degradation rate in the soil resulted in a shorter period of residual activity, measured using a sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench.] bioassay.Phelipanche aegyptiacamanagement in open-field tomatoes was investigated in five independent field experiments. Sulfosulfuron soil concentration throughout the growing season (following preplant incorporation of 37.5 g ha−1) was calculated from laboratory-measured degradation rates, which were corrected to represent the effect of recorded temperatures at each field. At the end of the tomato growing season, control efficacy ofP. aegyptiacavaried among experiments (70.4% to 100%) and positively correlated with predicted sulfosulfuron concentration at the critical period for seedling control (R2=0.67). The current study confirms that sulfosulfuron is degraded in soil to nonphytotoxic metabolites and that rapid degradation rates would result in reduced injury toP. aegyptiacaseedling and, consequently, lower control efficacy.
Consumption‐Based Accounting of Global Anthropogenic CH4 Emissions
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhao Xueli , Wu Xiaofang , Han Mengyao , Guan Cheng He , Song Shaojie
Published: August 2018

Global anthropogenic CH4 emissions have witnessed a rapid increase in the last decade. However, how this increase is connected with its socioeconomic drivers has not yet been explored. In this paper, we highlight the impacts of final demand and international trade on global anthropogenic CH4 emissions based on the consumption‐based accounting principle. We find that household consumption was the largest final demand category, followed by fixed capital formation and government consumption. The position and function of nations and major economies to act on the structure and spatial patterns of global CH4 emissions were systematically clarified. Substantial geographic shifts of CH4 emissions during 2000–2012 revealed the prominent impact of international trade. In 2012, about half of global CH4 emissions were embodied in international trade, of which 77.8% were from intermediate trade and 22.2% from final trade. Mainland China was the largest exporter of embodied CH4 emissions, while the United States was the largest importer. Developed economies such as Western Europe, the United States, and Japan were major net receivers of embodied emission transfer, mainly from developing countries. CH4 emission footprints of nations were closely related to their human development indexes and per capita gross domestic products. Our findings could help to improve current understanding of global anthropogenic CH4 emission increases and to pinpoint regional and sectoral hotspots for possible emission mitigation in the entire supply chains from production to consumption.
Vortex Structures in the Wake of an Idealized Seamount in Rotating, Stratified Flow
Authors: Perfect B. , Kumar N. , Riley J. J.
Published: August 2018

We present the results of a 3‐D computational model of an idealized seamount in rotating, stratified flow. The emergent vortex structures in the lee of the seamount indicate that the vertical coherence of vortices is strongly dependent on the Coriolis parameter and the background buoyancy frequency. A novel finding from this work is that above a critical Burger number the vortex shedding frequency varies vertically with the local seamount diameter and adjusts such that the Strouhal number based on the local seamount diameter is consistent with high Reynolds number flow past a circular cylinder. This study extends previous literature into a regime exhibiting stronger stratification and rotation, where the transition into vertically decoupled eddies occurs. Physically, this transition is associated with the loss of geostrophy in the eddies. The mechanisms governing the transition to vertically decoupled vortices may play an important role in the energetics of a seamount interacting with a barotropic flow.
A Dynamic Multidomain Green‐Ampt Infiltration Model
Authors: Stewart Ryan D.
Published: August 2018

Shrink‐swell soils possess dynamic hydraulic properties, which may limit the applicability of traditional models for simulating infiltration and overland flow. This study incorporates Green‐Ampt infiltration concepts into a multidomain porosity framework to account for variations in pore size distributions and saturated hydraulic conductivities caused by soil shrinkage and swelling. The model requires three input variables (initial water content, rainfall rate, and time) and up to 15 parameters to simulate infiltration and overland flow, though most of the parameters are universal constants or can be estimated from auxiliary measurements. In comparison, the classic Green‐Ampt model, which assumes constant hydraulic properties and a single domain, requires the same three inputs and up to seven parameters to use. Performance of the proposed multidomain model was verified with two data sets. The first came from a study in Mexico where time to ponding and soil matrix infiltration were quantified under simulated rainfall, and the second came from a study in Chile where overland flow was measured during irrigation experiments on runoff plots. By tuning two (Chile) or three (Mexico) parameters, the multidomain model provided accurate estimations of infiltration/runoff partitioning at multiple scales. Compared to the classic single‐domain model, the multidomain model had lower root‐mean‐square deviations (reducing simulated infiltration errors by 2–3 times) and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) scores (ΔAIC ~100), thus providing better simulations of infiltration, ponding, and runoff. These results demonstrate that modeling hydrological processes in shrink‐swell soils necessitates separating soil properties mediated by the matrix from those associated with interblock shrinkage cracks.
Correction: Regulation of dopaminergic function: an [18F]-DOPA PET apomorphine challenge study in humans
Authors: Jauhar S. , Veronese M. , Rogdaki M. , Bloomfield M. , Natesan S. , Turkheimer F. , Kapur S. , Howes O. D.
Published: August 2018

This Article was originally published under Nature Research’s License to Publish, but has now been made available under a CC BY 4.0 license. The PDF and HTML versions of the Article have been modified accordingly.
A fully defined static suspension culture system for large-scale human embryonic stem cell production
Authors: Li Xia , Ma Ruoyu , Gu Qi , Liang Lingmin , Wang Lei , Zhang Ying , Wang Xianning , Liu Xin , Li Zhongwen , Fang Jinhui , Wu Jun , Wang Yukai , Li Wei , Hu Baoyang , Wang Liu , Zhou Qi , Hao Jie
Published: August 2018

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) play an important role in regenerative medicine due to their potential to differentiate into various functional cells. However, the conventional adherent culture system poses challenges to mass production of high-quality hESCs. Though scientists have made many attempts to establish a robust and economical hESC suspension culture system, there are existing limitations, including suboptimal passage methods and shear force caused by dynamic stirring. Here, we report on an efficient large-scale culture system, which enables long-term, GMP grade, single-cell inoculation, and serial expansion of hESCs with a yield of about 1.5 × 109 cells per 1.5-L culture, while maintaining good pluripotency. The suspension culture system was enlarged gradually from a 100-mm dish to a 1.8-L culture bag with methylcellulose involvement to avoid sphere fusion. Under the optimal experimental protocol, this 3D system resolves current problems that limit mass production and clinical application of hESCs, and thus can be used in commercial-level hESC production for cell therapy and pharmaceutics screening in the future.
Long non-coding RNA SNHG5 promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating miR-26a-5p/GSK3β signal pathway
Authors: Li Yarui , Guo Dan , Zhao Yan , Ren Mudan , Lu Guifang , Wang Yun , Zhang Juan , Mi Chen , He Shuixiang , Lu Xinlan
Published: August 2018

Accumulating evidence have suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) had malfunctioning roles in the development of human cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression using human tissues and cell lines. The quantitative real-time PCR results showed that SNHG5 was up-regulated in both HCC tissues and hepatoma cell lines and was closely associated with tumor size, hepatitis B virus infection, histologic grade, TNM stage, and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in HCC patients. Knockdown of SNHG5 induced apoptosis and repressed cell cycle progression, cell growth, and metastasis in hepatoma cell lines, whereas overexpression of SNHG5 had the opposite effects. In vivo functional assay, xenograft tumors grown from SNHG5-knockdown cells had smaller mean volumes than the tumors grown from negative control cells. Further investigations showed that SNHG5 may act as a competing endogenous RNA by competitively binding miR-26a-5p and thereby modulating the derepression of downstream target GSK3β, which were further confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Functionally, SNHG5 promotes tumor growth and metastasis by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway and inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, SNHG5 promotes HCC progression by competitively binding miR-26a-5p and regulating GSK3β and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.
Circulating tumor DNA in patients with colorectal adenomas: assessment of detectability and genetic heterogeneity
Authors: Myint Ni Ni Moe , Verma Ajay M. , Fernandez-Garcia Daniel , Sarmah Panchali , Tarpey Patrick S. , Al-Aqbi Saif Sattar , Cai Hong , Trigg Ricky , West Kevin , Howells Lynne M. , Thomas Anne , Brown Karen , Guttery David S. , Singh Baljit , Pringle Howard J. , McDermott Ultan , Shaw Jacqui A. , Rufini Alessandro
Published: August 2018

Improving early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a key public health priority as adenomas and stage I cancer can be treated with minimally invasive procedures. Population screening strategies based on detection of occult blood in the feces have contributed to enhance detection rates of localized disease, but new approaches based on genetic analyses able to increase specificity and sensitivity could provide additional advantages compared to current screening methodologies. Recently, circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has received much attention as a cancer biomarker for its ability to monitor the progression of advanced disease, predict tumor recurrence and reflect the complex genetic heterogeneity of cancers. Here, we tested whether analysis of cfDNA is a viable tool to enhance detection of colon adenomas. To address this, we assessed a cohort of patients with adenomas and healthy controls using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and mutation-specific assays targeted to trunk mutations. Additionally, we performed multiregional, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of adenomas and unmasked extensive heterogeneity, affecting known drivers such as APC, KRAS and mismatch repair (MMR) genes. However, tumor-related mutations were undetectable in patients’ plasma. Finally, we employed a preclinical mouse model of Apc-driven intestinal adenomas and confirmed the inability to identify tumor-related alterations via cfDNA, despite the enhanced disease burden displayed by this experimental cancer model. Therefore, we conclude that benign colon lesions display extensive genetic heterogeneity, that they are not prone to release DNA into the circulation and are unlikely to be reliably detected with liquid biopsies, at least with the current technologies.
Improvement of osteogenesis by a uniform PCL coating on a magnesium screw for biodegradable applications
Authors: Kim Yu-Kyoung , Lee Kwang-Bok , Kim Seo-Young , Jang Yong-Seok , Kim Jin Hyeok , Lee Min-Ho
Published: August 2018

A polymer coating as polycaprolactone (PCL) is applied to improve the initial corrosion resistance of biodegradable magnesium. In addition, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is performed to increase adhesion between the polymer and the metal. However, when a complex-shaped material such as a screw is implanted in a bone, the surface coatings are locally damaged, and the protective role of the coating is not sufficiently maintained. In this study, the optimal conditions for producing a polymer coating on a screw were determined by varying the concentration of the PCL and the coating cycles, and were examined in vitro and in vivo. Among various the PCL coating conditions of 2∼6 cycles with 5∼7 wt.% concentrations, the 6 wt.% + 4 cycles group was applied uniformly to the screw thread. In the case of the non-uniform PCL layers, oxides and gases were present between the Mg and the PCL layer because internal magnesium corrosion and the layer peel off. The 6 wt.% + 4 cycles group had a high corrosion resistance due to the low wear on the thread. Denser and thicker bone formed around the PCL-coated screw in rat femur. This difference was due to the high corrosion resistance, which provided sufficient time for bone healing and promoting new bone growth.
Characterization of a lung epithelium specific E-cadherin knock-out model: Implications for obstructive lung pathology
Authors: Post S. , Heijink I. H. , Hesse L. , Koo H. K. , Shaheen F. , Fouadi M. , Kuchibhotla V. N. S. , Lambrecht B. N. , Van Oosterhout A. J. M. , Hackett T. L. , Nawijn M. C.
Published: August 2018

The airway epithelium regulates responses to aeroallergens, acting as a physical and immunological barrier. In asthma, epithelial barrier function and the expression of adherens junction protein E-cadherin is compromised, but it is unknown whether this is cause or consequence of the disease. We hypothesized that airway epithelial loss of E-cadherin is a critical step in the development of manifestations of asthma. We generated a transgenic mouse model with conditional loss of E-cadherin in lung epithelial cells at birth and onwards. We observed normal lung development at the time of birth in mice lacking E-cadherin in the lung epithelium. However, E-cadherin deficiency led to progressive epithelial damage in mice growing into adulthood, as evidenced by airway epithelial denudation, decreased zonula occludens (ZO)-1 expression, loss of ciliated cells, and enlarged alveolar spaces. In addition, spontaneous goblet cell metaplasia with mucus production was observed. These epithelial changes were accompanied by elevated levels of the epithelial-derived chemokine CCL17, infiltration of eosinophils and dendritic cells, and mucus production. In conclusion, loss of E-cadherin induces features in the lung reminiscent of those observed in asthma, indicating that the disruption of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts may play a key role in the development of asthma manifestations.
Evidence for a large Paleozoic Impact Crater Strewn Field in the Rocky Mountains
Authors: Kenkmann Thomas , Sundell Kent A. , Cook Douglas
Published: August 2018

The Earth is constantly bombarded by meteoroids of various sizes. During hypervelocity collisions a large amount of energy is coupled to the Earth’s atmosphere leading to disruption of decimeter to hundred meter-sized meteoroids. Smaller meteoroids may form meteorite strewn fields while larger initial bodies and high-strength iron meteoroids may form impact crater strewn fields. Impact crater strewn fields are ephemeral and none documented to date are older than about 63,500 years. Here we report on a newly discovered impact crater strewn field, about 280 Myr old, in tilted strata of the Rocky Mountains near Douglas, Wyoming. It is the oldest and among the largest of impact crater strewn fields discovered to date, extending for a minimum of 7.5 km along a SE-NW trajectory. The apparent width of the strewn field is 1.5 km, but the full extent of the crater strewn field is not yet constrained owing to restricted exposure. We probably see only a small section of the entire crater strewn field. The cascade of impacts occurred in an environment that preserved the craters from destruction. Shock lithification aided this process.
Cxcr1 mediates recruitment of neutrophils and supports proliferation of tumor-initiating astrocytes in vivo
Authors: Powell Davalyn , Lou Meng , Barros Becker Francisco , Huttenlocher Anna
Published: August 2018

Neutrophils are first-responders to sites of infection and tissue damage including the inflamed tumor microenvironment. Increasing evidence suggests that crosstalk between tumors and neutrophils can affect the progression of established tumors. However, there is a gap in our understanding of the early events that lead to neutrophil recruitment to oncogene-transformed cells and how these pathways alter tumor progression. Here, we use optically transparent zebrafish larvae to probe the early signals that mediate neutrophil recruitment to Kras-transformed astrocytes. We show that zebrafish larvae with impaired neutrophil function exhibit reduced proliferation of transformed astrocytes supporting a critical role for tumor-associated neutrophils in the early progression of tumorigenesis. Moreover, using mutants and pharmacological inhibition, we show that the chemokine receptor Cxcr1 promotes neutrophil recruitment, proliferation of tumor-initiating cells, and neoplastic mass formation. These findings highlight the power of the larval zebrafish system to image and probe early events in the tumor-initiating microenvironment and demonstrate the potential for neutrophil recruitment signaling pathways such as Cxcl8-Cxcr1 as targets for anti-cancer therapies.
Platinum-based metallomesogens bearing a Pt(4,6-dfppy)(acac) skeleton: synthesis, photophysical properties and polarised phosphorescence application
Authors: Yang Xuefeng , Wu Xiugang , Zhou Di , Yu Junting , Xie Guohua , Bruce Duncan W. , Wang Yafei
Published: August 2018

Polarized phosphorescence was achieved from platinum-based metallomesogens containing a Pt(4,6-dfppy)(acac) skeleton.
Direct immunoassays and their performance – theoretical modelling of the effects of antibody orientation and associated kinetics
Authors: Mackey Dana , Kelly Eilís , Nooney Robert , O'Kennedy Richard
Published: August 2018

Mathematical and computational modelling are used to quantify immunoassay signals for various immobilized antibody orientations, antigen sizes and kinetic parameters, in order to determine optimal surface coverage.
Correction: Feedback control of photoresponsive fluid interfaces
Authors: Grawitter Josua , Stark Holger
Published: August 2018

Correction for ‘Feedback control of photoresponsive fluid interfaces’ by Josua Grawitter et al., Soft Matter, 2018, 14, 1856–1869.
A causal link between oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiovascular and renal complications of diabetes
Authors: Jha Jay C. , Ho Florence , Dan Christopher , Jandeleit-Dahm Karin
Published: August 2018

Chronic renal and vascular oxidative stress in association with an enhanced inflammatory burden are determinant processes in the development and progression of diabetic complications including cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Persistent hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activates mediators of inflammation as well as suppresses antioxidant defence mechanisms ultimately contributing to oxidative stress which leads to vascular and renal injury in diabetes. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that ROS, inflammation and fibrosis promote each other and are part of a vicious connection leading to development and progression of CVD and kidney disease in diabetes.
Perceived Voice Quality and Voice-Related Problems Among Older Adults With Hearing Impairments
Authors: Hengen Johanna , Hammarström Inger Lundeborg , Stenfelt Stefan
Published: August 2018

The auditory system helps regulate phonation. A speaker's perception of their own voice is likely to be of both emotional and functional significance. Although many investigations have observed deviating voice qualities in individuals who are prelingually deaf or profoundly hearing impaired, less is known regarding how older adults with acquired hearing impairments perceive their own voice and potential voice problems.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate problems relating to phonation and self-perceived voice sound quality in older adults based on hearing ability and the use of hearing aids.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study, with 290 participants divided into 3 groups (matched by age and gender): (a) individuals with hearing impairments who did not use hearing aids (
n
= 110), (b) individuals with hearing impairments who did use hearing aids (
n
= 110), and (c) individuals with no hearing impairments (
n
= 70). All participants underwent a pure-tone audiometry exam; completed standardized questionnaires regarding their hearing, voice, and general health; and were recorded speaking in a soundproof room.

Results

The hearing aid users surpassed the benchmarks for having a voice disorder on the Voice Handicap Index (VHI; Jacobson et al., 1997) at almost double the rate predicted by the Swedish normative values for their age range, although there was no significant difference in acoustical measures between any of the groups. Both groups with hearing impairments scored significantly higher on the VHI than the control group, indicating more impairment. It remains inconclusive how much hearing loss versus hearing aids separately contribute to the difference in voice problems. The total scores on the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (Ventry & Weinstein, 1982), in combination with the variables gender and age, explained 21.9% of the variance on the VHI. Perceiving one's own voice as being distorted, dull, or hollow had a strong negative association with a general satisfaction about the sound quality of one's own voice. In addition, groupwise differences in own-voice descriptions suggest that a negative perception of one's voice could be influenced by alterations caused by hearing aid processing.

Conclusions

The results indicate that hearing impairments and hearing aids affect several aspects of vocal satisfaction in older adults. A greater understanding of how hearing impairments and hearing aids relate to voice problems may contribute to better voice and hearing care.
Efficient HEVC intra‐frame prediction using curved angular modes
Authors: Fernandes R. , Sanchez G. , Cataldo R. , Webber T. , Marcon C.
Published: August 2018

Blending curved and straight lines on angular modes are proposed for intra‐frame prediction in high‐efficiency video coding (HEVC). All 33 angular modes in HEVC have received an offset‐based displacement calculation to each predicted sample, so that the resulting prediction block models image regions with curved textures. The proposal includes a negligible overhead in the syntax elements of the encoded bitstream (up to 2.56%) to transmit the curvature parameter along with the angular mode of a predicted block. Results demonstrate increased prediction accuracy and consequent reduction in residuals. There is a fair trade‐off between prediction accuracy and computational complexity even considering few curvature parameters. Further evaluations show an average reduction in Bjøntegaard delta rate of 3.19% for the HEVC test sequences.
Inter‐area low‐frequency power system oscillations caused by open‐loop modal resonance
Authors: Du Wenjuan , Bi Jingtian , Wang Haifeng , Yi Jun
Published: August 2018

This study examines a modal condition to cause inter‐area, low‐frequency, electromechanical power oscillations in an interconnected power system with two subsystems. The modal condition being examined is the closeness of two electromechanical oscillation modes from each subsystem on the complex plane, which is referred to as open‐loop modal resonance. The analysis in this study indicates that under the condition of open‐loop modal resonance, the electromechanical oscillation modes of the interconnected power system are located at approximately opposite positions on the complex plane with respect to the resonant electromechanical oscillation modes of the subsystems. Hence, when open‐loop modal resonance occurs, one electromechanical oscillation mode of the interconnected power system must have reduced damping. In this study, the damping reduction in the inter‐area, low‐frequency power oscillations caused by open‐loop modal resonance is demonstrated using example power systems. An incident of inter‐area, low‐frequency electromechanical power oscillations that occurred in an actual large‐scale power system in China is examined. The examination results indicate that the poorly damped, inter‐area, low‐frequency power oscillation incident was caused by open‐loop modal resonance.
Design of robust model predictive controllers for frequency and voltage loops of interconnected power systems including wind farm and energy storage system
Authors: Othman Ahmed M. , El‐Fergany Attia A.
Published: August 2018

The controllers are used to reduce fluctuations in frequency deviations and tie‐line power flow exchange of an interconnected power system due to load and voltage disturbances. This study proposes a control strategy based on model predictive control (MPC) procedures with various design schemes for an unequal two‐area interconnected power system. The study model comprises voltage excitation and frequency loops with necessary interactions between them. Flywheel as an energy storage system along with wind energy are engaged in the model under study. The tuning parameters of MPC‐based controllers are obtained by quadratic problem solver. The validity of the proposed MPC‐based controllers is extensively confirmed using the simulation results under different disturbance conditions such as different loadings and voltage changes. The effectiveness of the MPC based on controllers is compared to classical controllers and recent controllers based on optimisation techniques such as genetic algorithm. In addition, the quality specifications of the dynamic responses of the anticipated MPC‐based controllers are reported to signify their values. The quality indices along with comparative performance point out the good performance of the demonstrated MPC‐based controllers for various estimated novel scenarios.
Practical short‐term voltage stability index based on voltage curves: definition, verification and case studies
Authors: Zhao Wenlu , Guo Qinglai , Sun Hongbin , Ge Huaichang , Li Haifeng
Published: August 2018

Short‐term voltage stability (SVS) is a serious issue in modern power systems. In China, the East China Power Network is especially vulnerable to short‐term voltage instability due to its increasing dependence on electrical power from external through high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines. To study the SVS, a criterion/index is first required to evaluate the SVS of power systems. However, the currently used practical criteria cannot effectively evaluate the influence of controlling strategies (such as regulating dynamic VAR reservation) of power systems. Therefore, a practical and continuous SVS index (SVSI) based on voltage curves is proposed in this study. The proposed SVSI can quantify the extent of SVS in power systems, thus can be used in the optimisation target of preventive control for improving the SVS of power systems. Moreover, the SVSI consists of three components, and each component reflects a feature of the voltage curve in terms of SVS. The SVSI is essentially a model‐free method for assessing the SVS of power systems, so it is robust. Three verifying cases and one application case are presented to show the validity of the SVSI and the feasibility of the SVSI in practical applications.
Efficient coarser‐to‐fine holistic traffic sign detection for occlusion handling
Authors: Rehman Yawar , Ahmed Khan Jameel , Shin Hyunchul
Published: August 2018

In this study, the authors present a new efficient method based on discriminative patches (d‐patches) for holistic traffic sign detection with occlusion handling. Traffic sign detection is an important part in autonomous driving, but usually hampered by the occlusions encountered on roads. They propose a method which basically upgrades d‐patches by integrating vocabulary learning features. Consequently, d‐patches are more discriminatively trained for robust occlusion handling. In addition, a holistic classifier is trained on d‐patches, which identify those regions where occlusion exists. This results in higher confidence‐score for the regions which contain traffic signs and lower confidence‐score for the regions containing occlusions. Furthermore, they also propose a new coarser‐to‐fine (CTF) approach to speed up the traffic sign detection process. CTF minimises the use of traditional sliding window for object detection. It relies on colour variance to search the regions with high probability of traffic sign presence. Sliding window is used only on the selected high probability regions. The proposed method achieves 100% detection results on German Traffic Sign Detection Benchmark and performs 2.2% better than the previous state‐of‐the‐art methods on Korean Traffic Sign Detection dataset, under partially occluded settings. By using CTF approach, five times speedup with a marginal loss in accuracy can be achieved.
Video denoising algorithm based on improved dual‐domain filtering and 3D block matching
Authors: Xiao Jinsheng , Zou Wentao , Zhang Shangyue , Lei Junfeng , Wang Wen , Wang Yuan‐Fang
Published: August 2018

This study introduces an algorithm for video denoising based on improved dual‐domain filtering and 3D block matching. The wavelet thresholding based on 3D block matching is introduced to make full use of the correlation of video sequence in order to apply dual‐domain filtering to the video. A layered approach is used that attempts denoising in both a base layer and a detail layer. The result of wavelet thresholding based on 3D block matching is used as a guide image to make the base layer smoother. Shrinkage of short‐time Fourier transform coefficients further decreases the noise in the detail layer. Experimental results show that the authors’ algorithm generates a better base layer and detail layer than the traditional dual‐domain filtering algorithms. The subjective and objective comparisons of different algorithms also prove that the proposed algorithm performs better for video denoising.
Multi‐pulse AC–DC converter fed SVM controlled NPC inverter based VCIMD
Authors: Kant Piyush , Singh Bhim
Published: August 2018

A multi‐pulse AC–DC converter fed space vector modulation (SVM) controlled neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter based vector control induction motor drive (VCIMD) is proposed here for medium power rating applications. To improve the power quality at supply side, a 12‐pulse AC–DC converter is used and to meet the IEEE‐519 standard, a high‐pass filter is also used along with it. A three‐level NPC inverter is utilised on the motor side to enhance the required performances of an induction motor drive (IMD). A modified SVM strategy is proposed to balance the capacitor voltages of the NPC inverter and to switch this inverter at very low switching frequency. The neutral point voltage balancing is achieved by the time adjustment between positive and negative small vectors. The model of proposed IMD is developed using the Simulink/MATLAB platform, and simulated response is validated with test results on a developed prototype in the laboratory to demonstrate its usefulness for medium power applications.
Multi‐objective optimisation for composite generation and transmission expansion planning considering offshore wind power and feed‐in tariffs
Authors: Gbadamosi Saheed Lekan , Nwulu Nnamdi I. , Sun Yanxia
Published: August 2018

This study proposes a multi‐objective mathematical optimisation model which includes minimisation of the investment costs of new offshore wind farm units, investment costs of new transmission lines, fuel costs, emissions of the fossil fuel generators as well as the maximisation of incentives for new generating units. The mathematical model can be used to determine the optimal expansion planning for generation and transmission facilities with consideration of the impact of location and feed‐in tariffs for offshore wind power on the overall system capacity and efficiency. The proposed model is solved using CPLEX 12.6.3 solver in advanced interactive multidimensional modelling system and tested on the modified Garver 6‐bus test system and the IEEE 24‐bus reliability test system. Simulation results indicate that improving the incentive support scheme and minimisation of the total cost will improve the effective utilisation of offshore power.
Forward error correction in real‐time Internet of things CoAP‐based wireless sensor networks
Authors: Herrero Rolando , Hernandez Daniel
Published: August 2018

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has developed and promoted several standards intended to facilitate Internet of things communication among constrained devices in low‐power low‐rate networks (LLNs). Specifically, IETF introduces a series of protocols that deal with different layers of the stack ranging from IPv6 adaptation to routing in LLN. Among them, the constrained application protocol (CoAP) is a session protocol that is used to carry sensor and actuator traffic. Since CoAP transport relies on the user datagram protocol, and in order to provide reliability, it introduces a mode operation known as confirmable where messages are considered delivered once they have been acknowledged. One drawback of this approach, however, is the latency that results from the retransmission of packets in lossy networks. In this study, the authors present, model, compare and evaluate a forward error correction mechanism that enables CoAP to improve its reliability while reducing latency.
Maximising energy efficiency for direct communication links in wireless body area networks
Authors: Ramgoolam Kheesheshta , Bassoo Vandana
Published: August 2018

Energy efficiency is a fundamental aspect for wireless body area networks (WBANs) due to the limited battery capacity and miniaturisation of sensor nodes. Prolonging the lifespan of a WBAN depends mostly on maximising the energy efficiency. WBAN systems operate under conflicting requirements of energy and spectrum efficiency. In this study, the two metrics of energy and spectrum efficiency for direct communication links for in‐body and on‐body sensor nodes are analysed. A general device‐to‐device communication model was adapted to WBAN. Optimal transmission power values to achieve maximum energy efficiency for in‐body and on‐body communication links are found. With reference to a maximum power level of 1.5 W compliant with the Federal Communications Commission for WBAN, it is also deduced that for on‐body communication, decreasing maximum possible spectrum efficiency by 33% for medical devices operating in 400–450 and 950–956 MHz would improve energy efficiency by 75 times. Moreover, by decreasing spectrum efficiency by 38.3 and 48% leads to an increase in energy efficiency by 45.3 and 39.3 times in 2.4–2.5 and 3.1–10.6 GHz frequency bands, respectively. This trade‐off is significant for medical applications having strict energy requirements.
Application of human motion energy harvesters on industrial linear technology
Authors: Lamprecht Lukas , Ehrenpfordt Ricardo , Zoller Tobias , Zimmermann André
Published: August 2018

Energy autonomous sensors for I4.0 applications powered by kinetic energy harvesters (KEHs) are widely discussed – especially in terms of vibration harvesting. Typically, industrial linear stages offer weak vibrations, so other inertia‐based harvesting methods are investigated. This study investigates the usability of human motion energy harvesters in industrial linear motion technology for the first time. Two KEHs – harvesting swing or shocks, respectively – are tested while controlling the parameters velocity, acceleration, and jerk‐limitation according to the real applications’ parameter ranges. The swing‐KEH and the shock‐KEH harvested up to 106 and 124 mW, respectively. Furthermore, a parameter study is performed assuming constant driving lengths with optimised stroke rates to obtain a generalised power and energy profile for each harvester. The analytically obtained overall average power is 22 mW for the swing‐KEH and 14 mW for the shock‐KEH. The analytical investigation revealed that a reciprocal dependency of performance and velocity exists for both KEHs, respectively. Both experimental and analytical parts show that the wireless sensor node for I4.0 on industrial linear stages can be powered by harvesters made for human motions.