bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SoxC transcription factors are essential for the development of the inner ear
Authors: Gnedeva Ksenia , Hudspeth A. J.
Published: October 2015

Significance

Hair cells, the sensory receptors of the inner ear, underlie our ability to hear and maintain balance. In mammals, these cells are formed by birth, and they cannot be restored through regeneration. Mammals therefore lack the capacity to recover hearing and balance after the loss of hair cells. By assessing gene expression during inner ear development in mice, we identified several genes that are downregulated at the cessation of hair cell production. We demonstrated that two of these genes—
Sox4
and
Sox11
—are necessary and sufficient for the production of hair cells in the sensory epithelia of the inner ear. Our data suggest that
Sox4
and
Sox11
represent targets in the development of therapies for deafness and disequilibrium.
Liver X receptor β controls thyroid hormone feedback in the brain and regulates browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue
Authors: Miao Yifei , Wu Wanfu , Dai Yubing , Maneix Laure , Huang Bo , Warner Margaret , Gustafsson Jan-Åke
Published: October 2015

Significance

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors vital in controlling lipid and glucose metabolism through direct or indirect mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that, in addition to changing the activity of classic brown adipose tissue, LXRs, especially LXRβ, are able to regulate the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), activation of mitochondria, and increased energy expenditure. Deletion of LXRs removed their suppressive effect on thyrotropin releasing hormone expression in brain, thus activating the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis and inducing the browning of WAT. Altogether, the data confirm the importance on LXRs in ameliorating obesity through a previously unidentified mechanism (i.e., increasing browning of WAT and energy dissipation).
Toroidal mode number transition of the edge localized modes in the KSTAR plasmas
Authors: Lee J.E. , Yun G.S. , Kim M. , Lee J. , Lee W. , Park H.K. , Domier C.W. , Luhmann N.C. , Ko W.H.
Published: October 2015

Rapid transitions of the toroidal mode number (

) have been often detected during the evolution of the edge localized modes (ELMs) in the inter-ELM-crash periods of the KSTAR tokamak plasmas. The mode number transitions accompany changes of the mode frequency (

) (e.g.

changed from 8 to 5 while

changed from ~32 to 9 kHz). The observed transition phenomena have been diverse including small and large increase (or decrease) in the mode number and multiple transitions during a single inter-ELM-crash period. Two classes of the mode transitions were identified: non-overlapping transition and overlapping transition. The former case is characterized by the absence of coherent filamentary structure during the transition and the latter case is characterized by co-existence of two coherent filamentary structures with different mode numbers. Each transition process typically lasts a few hundreds to thousands of μs.
MT-HESS: an efficient Bayesian approach for simultaneous association detection in OMICS datasets, with application to eQTL mapping in multiple tissues
Authors: Lewin Alex , Saadi Habib , Peters James E. , Moreno-Moral Aida , Lee James C. , Smith Kenneth G. C. , Petretto Enrico , Bottolo Leonardo , Richardson Sylvia
Published: October 2015

Motivation: Analysing the joint association between a large set of responses and predictors is a fundamental statistical task in integrative genomics, exemplified by numerous expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) studies. Of particular interest are the so-called ‘hotspots’, important genetic variants that regulate the expression of many genes. Recently, attention has focussed on whether eQTLs are common to several tissues, cell-types or, more generally, conditions or whether they are specific to a particular condition.

Results: We have implemented MT-HESS, a Bayesian hierarchical model that analyses the association between a large set of predictors, e.g. SNPs, and many responses, e.g. gene expression, in multiple tissues, cells or conditions. Our Bayesian sparse regression algorithm goes beyond ‘one-at-a-time’ association tests between SNPs and responses and uses a fully multivariate model search across all linear combinations of SNPs, coupled with a model of the correlation between condition/tissue-specific responses. In addition, we use a hierarchical structure to leverage shared information across different genes, thus improving the detection of hotspots. We show the increase of power resulting from our new approach in an extensive simulation study. Our analysis of two case studies highlights new hotspots that would remain undetected by standard approaches and shows how greater prediction power can be achieved when several tissues are jointly considered.

Availability and implementation: C++ source code and documentation including compilation instructions are available under GNU licence at http://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/software/.

Contact:  sylvia.richardson@mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk or lb664@cam.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pycellerator: an arrow-based reaction-like modelling language for biological simulations
Authors: Shapiro Bruce E. , Mjolsness Eric
Published: October 2015

Motivation: We introduce Pycellerator, a Python library for reading Cellerator arrow notation from standard text files, conversion to differential equations, generating stand-alone Python solvers, and optionally running and plotting the solutions. All of the original Cellerator arrows, which represent reactions ranging from mass action, Michales–Menten–Henri (MMH) and Gene-Regulation (GRN) to Monod–Wyman–Changeaux (MWC), user defined reactions and enzymatic expansions (KMech), were previously represented with the Mathematica extended character set. These are now typed as reaction-like commands in ASCII text files that are read by Pycellerator, which includes a Python command line interface (CLI), a Python application programming interface (API) and an iPython notebook interface.

Results: Cellerator reaction arrows are now input in text files. The arrows are parsed by Pycellerator and translated into differential equations in Python, and Python code is automatically generated to solve the system. Time courses are produced by executing the auto-generated Python code. Users have full freedom to modify the solver and utilize the complete set of standard Python tools. The new libraries are completely independent of the old Cellerator software and do not require Mathematica.

Availability and implementation: All software is available (GPL) from the github repository at https://github.com/biomathman/pycellerator/releases. Details, including installation instructions and a glossary of acronyms and terms, are given in the Supplementary information.

Contact:  bruce.e.shapiro@csun.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
GenoWAP: GWAS signal prioritization through integrated analysis of genomic functional annotation
Authors: Lu Qiongshi , Yao Xinwei , Hu Yiming , Zhao Hongyu
Published: October 2015

Motivation: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been a great success in the past decade. However, significant challenges still remain in both identifying new risk loci and interpreting results. Bonferroni-corrected significance level is known to be conservative, leading to insufficient statistical power when the effect size is moderate at risk locus. Complex structure of linkage disequilibrium also makes it challenging to separate causal variants from nonfunctional ones in large haplotype blocks. Under such circumstances, a computational approach that may increase signal replication rate and identify potential functional sites among correlated markers is urgently needed.

Results: We describe GenoWAP, a GWAS signal prioritization method that integrates genomic functional annotation and GWAS test statistics. The effectiveness of GenoWAP is demonstrated through its applications to Crohn’s disease and schizophrenia using the largest studies available, where highly ranked loci show substantially stronger signals in the whole dataset after prioritization based on a subset of samples. At the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) level, top ranked SNPs after prioritization have both higher replication rates and consistently stronger enrichment of eQTLs. Within each risk locus, GenoWAP may be able to distinguish functional sites from groups of correlated SNPs.

Availability and implementation: GenoWAP is freely available on the web at http://genocanyon.med.yale.edu/GenoWAP

Contact:  hongyu.zhao@yale.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
IsoMIF Finder: online detection of binding site molecular interaction field similarities
Authors: Chartier Matthieu , Adriansen Etienne , Najmanovich Rafael
Published: October 2015

Summary: IsoMIF Finder is an online server for the identification of molecular interaction field (MIF) similarities. User defined binding site MIFs can be compared to datasets of pre-calculated MIFs or against a user-defined list of PDB entries. The interface can be used for the prediction of function, identification of potential cross-reactivity or polypharmacological targets and drug repurposing. Detected similarities can be viewed in a browser or within a PyMOL session.

Availability and Implementation: IsoMIF Finder uses JSMOL (no java plugin required), is cross-browser and freely available at bcb.med.usherbrooke.ca/imfi.

Contact:  Rafael.Najmanovich@Usherbrooke.ca

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Moderate Sustained Virologic Response Rates With 6-Week Combination Directly Acting Anti–Hepatitis C Virus Therapy in Patients With Advanced Liver Disease
Authors: Kattakuzhy Sarah , Wilson Eleanor , Sidharthan Sreetha , Sims Zayani , McLaughlin Mary , Price Angie , Silk Rachel , Gross Chloe , Akoth Elizabeth , McManus Maryellen , Emmanuel Benjamin , Shrivastava Shikha , Tang Lydia , Nelson Amy , Teferi Gebeyehu , Chavez Jose , Lam Brian , Mo Hongmei , Osinusi Anuoluwapo , Polis Michael A. , Masur Henry , Kohli Anita , Kottilil Shyamasundaran
Published: October 2015

Background.  Treatment of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with combination directly acting antivirals (DAA) for 8–24 weeks is associated with high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR). We previously demonstrated that adding a third DAA to ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) can result in high SVR rates in patients without cirrhosis. In this study, we investigated whether a similar regimen would yield equivalent rates of cure in patients with advanced liver fibrosis.

Methods.  Fifty patients were enrolled at the Clinical Research Center of the National Institutes of Health and associated healthcare centers. Enrollment and follow-up data from April 2014 to June 2015 are reported here. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years, had chronic HCV genotype 1 infection (serum HCV RNA ≥2000 IU/mL), and stage 3–4 liver fibrosis. HCV RNA was measured using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results.  Of patients treated with LDV, SOF, and the NS3/4A protease inhibitor GS-9451 for 6 weeks, 76% (38 of 50; 95% confidence interval, 60%–85%) had SVR achieved 12 weeks after the end of treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in treatment efficacy between treatment-naive patients (72%, 18 of 25) and those with treatment experience (80%; 20 of 25) (P = .51). Overall, 11 patients (22%) experienced virologic relapse, and 1 (2%) was lost to follow-up at 4 weeks after treatment. No serious adverse events, discontinuations, or deaths were associated with this regimen.

Conclusions.  Adding a third DAA to LDV/SOF may result in a moderate SVR rate, lower than that observed in patients without cirrhosis. Significant liver fibrosis remains an impediment to achieving SVR with short-duration DAA therapy.

Chinese Clinical Trials Registration.  CT01805882.
Simultaneous Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Hepatitis B-Hepatitis C Point-of-Care Tests Improve Outcomes in Linkage-to-Care: Results of a Randomized Control Trial in Persons Without Healthcare Coverage
Authors: Bottero Julie , Boyd Anders , Gozlan Joel , Carrat Fabrice , Nau Jean , Pauti Marie-Dominique , Rougier Hayette , Girard Pierre-Marie , Lacombe Karine
Published: October 2015

Background.  In Europe and the United States, more than two thirds of individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 15%–30% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals are unaware of their infection status. Simultaneous HIV-, HBV-, and HCV-rapid tests could help improve infection awareness and linkage-to-care in particularly vulnerable populations.

Methods.  The OptiScreen III study was a single-center, randomized, control trial conducted at a free clinic (“Médecins du Monde”, Paris, France). Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive 1 of 2 interventions testing for HIV, HBV, and HCV: standard serology-based testing (S-arm) or point-of-care rapid testing (RT-arm). The main study endpoints were the proportion of participants who became aware of their HIV, HBV, and HCV status and who were linked to care when testing positive.

Results.  A total of 324 individuals, representing mainly African immigrants, were included. In the S-arm, 115 of 162 (71.0%) participants performed a blood draw and 104 of 162 (64.2%) retrieved their test result. In comparison, 159 of 162 (98.2%) of participants randomized to the RT-arm obtained their results (P < .001). Of the 38 (11.7%) participants testing positive (HIV, n = 7; HBV, n = 23; HCV, n = 8), 15 of 18 (83.3%) in the S-arm and 18 of 20 (90.0%) in the RT-arm were linked-to-care (P = .7). In post hoc analysis assuming the same disease prevalence in those without obtaining test results, difference in linkage-to-care was more pronounced (S-arm = 60.0% vs RT-arm = 90.0%; P = .04).

Conclusions.  In a highly at-risk population for chronic viral infections, the simultaneous use of HIV, HBV, and HCV point-of-care tests clearly improves the “cascade of screening” and quite possibly linkage-to-care.
Effect of Glycerol and Sorbitol on the Properties of Dough and White Bread
Authors: Zhou Chong‐Fei , Qian Ping , Meng Jun , Gao Shu‐Ming , Lu Rong‐Rong
Published: October 2015

Polyols could prolong shelf life and improve the quality of white bread. But the effect of high contents of polyols on dough properties and bread qualities is not yet clearly known. Thus, the properties of dough and white bread with different addition of polyols were evaluated by means of selected physicochemical properties. Rheology experiment results showed that both glycerol and sorbitol decreased the G′ and G″ of the dough. The results of thermogravimetric analysis revealed that polyols hindered the evaporation of water and that glycerol had a greater capacity for water retention than did sorbitol. In the bread, they caused more water to be absorbed on the surface of the gluten–starch system. They decreased the water activity and mass loss of the bread, but the specific volume of the bread also decreased. We found when glycerol and sorbitol addition was higher than 8%, it could slightly increase the viscidity of dough, enhance the moisture content of bread, and reduce the water activity of bread. But the gluten strength of dough decreased, and shaping and proofing of dough were difficult, which resulted in the deterioration the quality of white bread. We conclude that the addition of glycerol or sorbitol below 8% would be beneficial to the properties of dough and white bread and that sorbitol is a better option than glycerol.
Population Genetic Structure and the Migration of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Between the Gansu and Sichuan Basin Populations of China
Authors: Liang Junmin , Liu Xiufeng , Li Yong , Wan Qiong , Ma Zhanhong , Luo Yong
Published: October 2015

Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is the causal pathogen of interregional epidemics of wheat stripe rust in China via long-distance migration. Gansu Province serves as putative inoculum center providing oversummering inoculum, while Sichuan Basin area serves as a region providing huge amounts of overwintering inoculum. Thus, the relationship between these two regions in population exchange and migration become important in prediction of interregional epidemics. In this study, we compared the population genetic structure and race composition between Gansu and Sichuan Basin populations to infer their migration relationships. A total of 526 isolates, spanning 3 years, were genotyped using eight pairs of amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, and a subset of 98 isolates were inoculated onto 19 Chinese differentials to perform the race analysis. Twenty-three common races and 26 shared genotypes supplied molecular evidence for migration between Gansu and Sichuan Basin populations. Bayesian assignment and principal component analysis revealed that the genetic group assignment of the Sichuan Basin populations (10SB and 11SB) changed in the spring to align with the fall Gansu populations in the prior seasons (09GS and 10GS), which indicated an asymmetric migration from Gansu Province to the Sichuan Basin area. The linkage disequilibrium and the parsimony tree length permutation test revealed a strong annual recombination signal in the Gansu populations and an inconsistent signal in the Sichuan Basin populations.
Improvement of Lesion Phenotyping in Cercospora beticola–Sugar Beet Interaction by Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Leucker Marlene , Mahlein Anne-Katrin , Steiner Ulrike , Oerke Erich-Christian
Published: October 2015

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora beticola is the most destructive leaf disease of sugar beet and may cause high losses in yield and quality. Breeding and cultivation of disease-resistant varieties is an important strategy to control this economically relevant plant disease. Reliable and robust resistance parameters are required to promote breeding progress. CLS lesions on five different sugar beet genotypes incubated under controlled conditions were analyzed for phenotypic differences related to field resistance to C. beticola. Lesions of CLS were rated by classical quantitative and qualitative methods in combination with noninvasive hyperspectral imaging. Calculating the ratio of lesion center to lesion margin, four CLS phenotypes were identified that vary in size and spatial composition. Lesions could be differentiated into subareas based on their spectral characteristics in the range of 400 to 900 nm. Sugar beet genotypes with lower disease severity typically had lesions with smaller centers compared with highly susceptible genotypes. Accordingly, the number of conidia per diseased leaf area on resistant plants was lower. The assessment of lesion phenotypes by hyperspectral imaging with regard to sporulation may be an appropriate method to identify subtle differences in disease resistance. The spectral and spatial analysis of the lesions has the potential to improve the screening process in breeding for CLS resistance.
Upper Eyelid Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing With Incisional Blepharoplasty
Authors: Kotlus Brett S. , Schwarcz Robert M. , Nakra Tanuj
Published: October 2015

Purpose:

Laser resurfacing, performed at the same time as blepharoplasty, has most commonly been applied to the lower eyelid skin but can effectively be used on the upper eyelid to reduce rhytidosis and improve skin quality. The authors evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure.

Methods:

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing was performed in conjunction with incisional upper blepharoplasty. The ultrapulsed laser energy was applied to the sub-brow skin, the upper medial canthal skin, and the pretarsal skin in 30 patients. Photos were obtained preoperatively and at 3 months.

Results:

All patients demonstrated reduction in upper eyelid rhytidosis without any serious complications. Independent rhytidosis grading (0–4) showed a mean improvement of 42%. One patient experienced wound dehiscence that satisfactorily resolved without intervention.

Conclusions:

Upper eyelid laser resurfacing is effective and can be safely performed at the same time as upper blepharoplasty. This approach reduces or eliminates the need for medial incisions to address medial canthal skin redundancy and rhytidosis and it directly treats upper eyelid wrinkles on residual eyelid and infra-brow skin during blepharoplasty.
Primary Extradural Ectopic Orbital Meningioma
Authors: Tendler Irwin , Belinsky Irina , Abramson David H. , Marr Brian P.
Published: October 2015

The authors describe a rare case of a primary extradural ectopic meningioma occurring in a 9-year-old female. A review of the literature with respect to clinical presentation, radiographic findings, management, and outcome among similar cases is discussed. Common features that may assist with diagnosing this unusual tumor include absence of bone or optic nerve sheath involvement, presentation at a young age, occurrence in the medial orbit, and sinus asymmetry on radiographic imaging. Preferred method of treatment is complete surgical excision.
Invasive Aspergillosis Manifested as Lumbar Vertebral Osteomyelitis in an Immunocompetent Man
Authors: Soule Daniel , Bearman Gonzalo
Published: October 2015

Aspergillus, a saprophytic fungus ubiquitously present in the environment, is rarely pathogenic in immunocompetent hosts, as such invasive Aspergillus osteomyelitis in immunocompetent hosts is uncommonly reported. A 50-year-old immunocompetent man, intravenous drug user with hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, presented with lumbago and was diagnosed with L5-S1 discitis/osteomyelitis with associated phlegmon, s1 nerve root impingement, and no epidural abscess in August 2014. Needle biopsy cultures were negative. The patient was readmitted in October 2014 with worsening lumbago after completion of antibiotics. Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated (erythrocyte sedimentation rate = 97 mm in 1 hour; C-Reactive Protein = 13.5 mg/dL) and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated ongoing acute L5-S1 discitis/osteomyelitis with involvement of vertebral bodies and endplate erosion, progressive impingement of the s1 nerve root, and no epidural abscess. Intraoperative cultures and histopathology were consistent with invasive aspergillosis and was treated successfully with voriconazole. Lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis in immunocompetent patients is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis often made late in the presentation because of nonspecific serologic test options and difficulty culturing fungal organisms. Open biopsy should be obtained when suspicion for a nonbacterial pathogen is high, especially after failure of antibacterial therapy. Aspergillosis should be considered in patients with a history of intravenous drug use, because drugs can be contaminated with Aspergillus. Voriconazole is the antifungal of choice for invasive aspergillosis osteomyelitis with excellent oral bioavailability, bone penetrance, and superior adverse effect profile compared with amphotericin B. Treatment for invasive aspergillosis osteomyelitis should involve both surgical and medical interventions.
Visual features as stepping stones toward semantics: Explaining object similarity in IT and perception with non-negative least squares
Authors: Jozwik Kamila M. , Kriegeskorte Nikolaus , Mur Marieke
Published: October 2015

Object similarity, in brain representations and conscious perception, must reflect a combination of the visual appearance of the objects on the one hand and the categories the objects belong to on the other. Indeed, visual object features and category membership have each been shown to contribute to the object representation in human inferior temporal (IT) cortex, as well as to object-similarity judgments. However, the explanatory power of features and categories has not been directly compared. Here, we investigate whether the IT object representation and similarity judgments are best explained by a categorical or a feature-based model. We use rich models (> 100 dimensions) generated by human observers for a set of 96 real-world object images. The categorical model consists of a hierarchically nested set of category labels (such as “human”, “mammal”, “animal”). The feature model includes both object parts (such as “eye”, “tail”, “handle”) and other descriptive features (such as “circular”, “green”, “stubbly”). We used nonnegative least squares to fit the models to the brain representations (estimated from functional magnetic resonance imaging data) and to similarity judgments. Model performance was estimated on held-out images not used in fitting. Both models explained significant variance in IT and the amounts explained were not significantly different. The combined model did not explain significant additional IT variance, suggesting that it is the shared model variance (features correlated with categories, categories correlated with features) that best explains IT. The similarity judgments were almost fully explained by the categorical model, which explained significantly more variance than the feature-based model. The combined model did not explain significant additional variance in the similarity judgments. Our findings suggest that IT uses features that help to distinguish categories as stepping stones toward a semantic representation. Similarity judgments contain additional categorical variance that is not explained by visual features, reflecting a higher-level more purely semantic representation.
Mash: fast genome and metagenome distance estimation using MinHash
Authors: Ondov Brian D. , Treangen Todd J. , Melsted Páll , Mallonee Adam B. , Bergman Nicholas H. , Koren Sergey , Phillippy Adam M.
Published: October 2015

Mash extends the MinHash dimensionality-reduction technique to include a pairwise mutation distance andP-value significance test, enabling the efficient clustering and search of massive sequence collections. Mash reduces large sequences and sequence sets to small, representative sketches, from which global mutation distances can be rapidly estimated. We demonstrate several use cases, including the clustering of all 54,118 NCBI RefSeq genomes in 33 CPU hours; real-time database search using assembled or unassembled Illumina, Pacific Biosciences, and Oxford Nanopore data; and the scalable clustering of hundreds of metagenomic samples by composition. Mash is freely released under a BSD license (https://github.com/marbl/mash).
Functional analysis of the archaea, bacteria, and viruses from a halite endolithic microbial community
Authors: Crits-Christoph Alexander , Gelsinger Diego R , Ma Bing , Wierzchos Jacek , Ravel Jacques , Davila Alfonso , Casero M. Cristina , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: October 2015

Halite endoliths in the Atacama Desert represent one of the most extreme microbial ecosystems on Earth. Here we sequenced and characterized a shotgun metagenome from halite nodules collected in Salar Grande, Chile. The community is dominated by archaea and functional analysis attributed most of the autotrophic CO2 fixation to a unique cyanobacterium. The assembled 1.1 Mbp genome of a novel nanohaloarchaeon, Candidatus Nanopetramus SG9, revealed a photoheterotrophic life style and a low median isoelectric point (pI) for all predicted proteins, suggesting a "salt-in" strategy for osmotic balance. Predicted proteins of the algae identified in the community also had pI distributions similar to "salt-in" strategists. The Nanopetramus genome contained a unique CRISPR/Cas system with a spacer that matched a partial viral genome from the metagenome. A combination of reference-independent methods identified over 30 complete or near complete viral or proviral genomes with diverse genome structure, genome size, gene content, and hosts. Putative hosts included Halobacteriaceae, Nanohaloarchaea, and Cyanobacteria. Despite the dependence of the halite community on deliquescence for liquid water availability, this study exposed an ecosystem spanning three phylogenetic domains, containing a large diversity of viruses, and a predominant salt-in strategy to balance the high osmotic pressure of the environment.
Crystal structures of 4-methoxy-N-(4-methylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide andN-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide
Authors: Rodrigues Vinola Z. , Preema C. P. , Naveen S. , Lokanath N. K. , Suchetan P. A.
Published: October 2015

Crystal structures of twoN-(aryl)arylsulfonamides, namely, 4-methoxy-N-(4-methylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide, C14H15NO3S, (I), andN-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide, C13H12FNO3S, (II), were determined and analyzed. In (I), the benzenesulfonamide ring is disordered over two orientations, in a 0.516 (7):0.484 (7) ratio, which are inclined to each other at 28.0 (1)°. In (I), the major component of the sulfonyl benzene ring and the aniline ring form a dihedral angle of 63.36 (19)°, while in (II), the planes of the two benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 44.26 (13)°. In the crystal structure of (I), N—H...O hydrogen bonds form infiniteC(4) chains extended in [010], and intermolecular C—H...πarylinteractions link these chains into layers parallel to theabplane. The crystal structure of (II) features N—H...O hydrogen bonds forming infinite one dimensionalC(4) chains along [001]. Further, a pair of C—H...O intermolecular interactions consolidate the crystal packing of (II) into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
Crystal structures and hydrogen bonding in the morpholinium salts of four phenoxyacetic acid analogues
Authors: Smith Graham , Lynch Daniel E.
Published: October 2015

The anhydrous salts morpholinium (tetrahydro-2-H-1,4-oxazin-4-ium) phenoxyacetate, C4H10NO+·C8H7O3−, (I), morpholinium (4-fluorophenoxy)acetate, C4H10NO+·C8H6 FO3−, (II), and isomeric morpholinium (3,5-dichlorophenoxy)acetate (3,5-D), (III), and morpholinium (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D), C4H10NO+·C8H5Cl2O3−, (IV), have been determined and their hydrogen-bonded structures are described. In the crystals of (I), (III) and (IV), one of the the aminium H atoms is involved in a three-centre asymmetric cation–anion N—H...O,O′R12(4) hydrogen-bonding interaction with the two carboxyl O-atom acceptors of the anion. With the structure of (II), the primary N—H...O interaction is linear. In the structures of (I), (II) and (III), the second N—H...Ocarboxylhydrogen bond generates one-dimensional chain structures extending in all cases along [100]. With (IV), the ion pairs are linked though inversion-related N—H...O hydrogen bonds [graph setR42(8)], giving a cyclic heterotetrameric structure.
Crystal structure of 2-{(R)-[1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl]iminomethyl}-4-(phenyldiazenyl)phenol, a chiral photochromic Schiff base
Authors: Moriwaki Ryoji , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: October 2015

The title chiral photochromic Schiff base compound, C21H18BrN3O, was synthesized from (R)-(+)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamine and the salicylaldehyde of an azobenzene derivative. The molecule corresponds to the phenol–imine tautomer, the C=N and N—C bond distances being 1.285 (3) and 1.470 (3) Å, respectively. The diazenyl group adopts atransform, with an N=N distance of 1.256 (3) Å. The hydroxy group is involved in intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonding. In the crystal, C—H...π interactions consolidate the crystal packing of one-dimensional chains, which exhibits short intermolecular Br...C contacts of 3.400 (3) Å.
Crystal structure of the new hybrid material bis(1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) di-μ-chlorido-bis[tetrachloridobismuthate(III)] dihydrate
Authors: Chouri Marwen , Boughzala Habib
Published: October 2015

The title compound bis(1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) di-μ-chlorido-bis[tetrachloridobismuthate(III)] dihydrate, (C6H14N2)2[Bi2Cl10]·2H2O, was obtained by slow evaporation at room temperature of a hydrochloric aqueous solution (pH = 1) containing bismuth(III) nitrate and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in a 1:2 molar ratio. The structure displays a two-dimensional arrangement parallel to (100) of isolated [Bi2Cl10]4−bioctahedra (site symmetry -1) separated by layers of organic 1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dications [(DABCOH2)2+] and water molecules. O—H...Cl, N—H...O and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds lead to additional cohesion of the structure.
Control strategies for variable-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator systems
Authors: Shen Jian-Xin , Miao Dong-Min , Jin Mengjia
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on various control strategies for permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) systems, in order to stabilize the dc link output voltage over a wide operation speed range.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two control methods, namely, the flux regulation control (FRC) which adjusts the stator flux linkage and then indirectly stabilize the dc link voltage, and the direct voltage control (DVC) which directly stabilize the dc link voltage by regulating the power angle, are proposed in this paper. Both methods can be realized by either approach of the conventional space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) or the proposed single voltage vector modulation (SVVM).

Findings

– The FRC can optimize the field in the PMSG, however, the realization is complicated. The DVC need not estimate and regulate the stator flux linkage, hence is easy to implement. On the other hand, the SVPWM can provide smooth armature current and dc link voltage, while the SVVM applies only one voltage vector during each control cycle, hence, is simple to realize and requires the minimum switching on the PWM rectifier. All cross-combinations between the two control methods and the two realization approaches work well.

Originality/value

– The proposed FRC and DVC methods are simpler than the conventional field oriented control, while the proposed SVVM is a novel and efficient approach to generate the PWM status. Optimal cross-combination, either of SVPWM-FRC, SVVM-FRC, SVPWM-DVC and SVVM-DVC, can be chosen to satisfy the system characters and requirements.
MEC-based prediction to the loss of claw pole alternators
Authors: Ibala Amina , Masmoudi Ahmed
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to deal with the modeling of a claw pole alternator (CPA) by a 3D magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) taking into account the saturation and magnetic armature reaction effects then its utilization for the prediction of the machine losses.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following the derivation of the proposed model, it is validated experimentally at no-load and load operations. Proposed MEC is applied to the investigation of a conventional CPA losses.

Findings

– The CPA efficiency is affected by different loss mechanisms. Indeed, the copper losses are dominant at lower speeds, while the iron and ventilation ones are more significant at high speeds.

Research limitations/implications

– An experimental validation of the losses computed by the MEC shall be treated in the future.

Practical implications

– The CPA is equipping most if not all embedded generating systems of road vehicles. The improvement of its efficiency is of great importance.

Originality/value

– The MEC-based prediction of the CPA losses represents the major contribution of the present work.
The combination of adaptive database SDM and multi-output SVM for eddy current testing
Authors: Chelabi M. , Hacib T. , Belli Z. , Mekideche M. R. , Le Bihan Y.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Eddy current testing (ECT) is a nondestructive testing method for the detection of flaws that uses electromagnetic induction to find defects in conductive materials. In this method, eddy currents are generated in a conductive material by a changing magnetic field. A defect is detected when there is a disruption in the flow of the eddy current. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new noniterative inversion methodology for detecting degradation (defect characterization) such as cracking, corrosion and erosion from the measurement of the impedance variations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is based on multi-output support vector machines (SVM) combined with the adaptive database schema design method (SDM). The forward problem was solved numerically using finite element method (FEM), with its accuracy experimentally verified. The multi-output SVM is a statistical learning method that has good generalization capability and learning performance. FEM is used to create the adaptive database required to train the multi-output SVM and the genetic algorithm is used to tune the parameters of multi-output SVM model.

Findings

– The results show the applicability of multi-output SVM to solve eddy current inverse problems instead of using traditional iterative inversion methods which can be very time-consuming. With the experimental results the authors demonstrate the accuracy which can be provided by the multi-output SVM technique.

Practical implications

– The work allows extending the capability of the experimentation ECT defect characterization system developed at LGEP.

Originality/value

– A new inversion method is developed and applied to ECT defect characterization. This new concept introduces multi-output SVM in the context of ECT. The real data together with estimated one obtained by multi-output SVM model are compared in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed technique.
The analysis of successors’ competencies in family enterprises with the use of grey system theory
Authors: Mierzwiak Rafal , Więcek-Janka Ewa
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to analyse the relationships between the competency structure of the successors of family enterprises in Poland and dimensions like gender, self-awareness of development, taking their ideas into consideration in shaping the strategy of the firm and the size of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

– Grey relational analysis was employed to analyse the empirical material in the paper. The results of the analysis served a more thorough qualitative analysis of the subject of the family enterprise successors’ competencies by comparing them to theoretical assumptions and other research within this scope.

Findings

– In the paper, the relation was shown between the structure of family firm successors’ competencies and the variables such as gender, development self-awareness, taking their ideas into consideration in shaping the strategy of the firm and the size of the firm.

Research limitations/implications

– The research was conducted in Poland and therefore its generalisation has limited scope resulting from the cultural and historical conditioning.

Practical implications

– The results of the research may serve the creation of tools and methods of succession process management in a family enterprise.

Originality/value

– The paper presents the possibilities of employing grey system theory in the research remaining within the scope of the subject of succession in family enterprises, as a tool complementing qualitative analysis.
The exponential grey forecasting model for CO2 emissions in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Chen-Fang , Lu Shin-Li
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to improve the forecasting efficiency of a grey model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) algorithm is proposed to modify background values for a new grey model optimization.

Findings

– The experimental results reveal that the proposed models (EGM, REGM) outperform traditional grey models.

Originality/value

– A genetic algorithm (GA) optimizer is used to select the optimal weights for the background values of the EGM(1,1) and REGM(1,1) forecast models. The results of the current study are very encouraging, as the empirical results show that the REGM(1,1) and EGM(1,1) models reduce the MAPE rates over the traditional GM(1,1) and RGM(1,1) models.
Extension of TODIM combined with grey numbers: an integrated decision making module
Authors: Sen Dilip Kumar , Datta Saurav , Mahapatra Siba Sankar
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Decision making is the task of selecting the most appropriate alternative among a finite set of possible alternatives with respect to some attributes. The attributes may be subjective or objective (or combination of both), depending upon the situation; requirements may also be conflicting. In practice, most of the real-world decision-making problems are based on subjective evaluation criteria which are basically ill-defined and vague. Since subjective human judgment bears ambiguity and vagueness in the decision making; application of grey numbers set theory may be proved fruitful in this context. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Owing to the advantages of grey numbers set theory in tackling subjectivity in decision making; the crisp-TODIM needs to be extended by integrating with grey numbers set theory in order to facilitate decision making consisting of subjective data. Hence, the unified objective of this paper is to propose a grey-based TODIM approach in the context of decision making.

Findings

– Application potential of grey-TODIM has been demonstrated through a case empirical robot selection problem. Result obtained thereof, has also been compared to that of existing grey-based decision support systems available in literature.

Originality/value

– Application potential of grey-based decision support systems (grey-TOPSIS, grey analysis, grey-MOORA) have been highlighted in available literature resource. However, the shortcoming of these approaches is that they do not consider decision-makers’ risk attitude while decision making. TODIM method is derived from the philosophy of Cumulative Prospect Theory (CPT) which considers risk averting attitude of the decision maker in case of gain and risk seeking attitude in case of loss, while comparing dominance between two alternatives with respect to a particular criterion. Hence, this paper contributes a mathematical foundation of TODIM coupled with grey numbers set theory for logical decision making.
Public policy and electrical-grid sector innovation
Authors: Rehme Jakob , Nordigården Daniel , Chicksand Daniel
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the manner in which technological innovation in the European electrical-grid sector has developed by focusing, in particular, on the effect of public policy on innovation. To achieve this aim, this paper highlights how technological innovation and development progressed from the 1960s to the 1980s, and contrasts this period with the deregulated/privatization environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a series of in-depth multiple company case studies of grid companies, some of their suppliers and other actors in their broader business network. Empirical data were collected through 55 interviews.

Findings

– The authors find that a phase of mutual collaboration was encouraged in the first period, which led to strong technological innovation with a focus on product quality and the development of functionality. Buyers played a pivotal role in the development of products and posed technical requirements. In contrast, the current role of the buyer has transformed principally into one of evaluating competing bids for specific projects. Today, buyers face increasing pressure to substantially lower CO2emissions and transform the energy grid system. These goals are difficult to achieve without a new way of thinking about innovation.

Research limitations/implications

– Models to achieve innovation must not only focus on individual research projects; instead, the innovation should be factored into normal business dealings in the supply chain.

Practical implications

– We propose that policymakers and regulators need to: accommodate for innovation and address the collaborative elements of innovation when developing policies and regulations. Furthermore, regulators have the option of either developing a strategic vision for the electrical-grid network or incorporating sustainability into the evaluation of electrical grids and, thus, consumers’ willingness to pay.

Originality/value

– This paper makes a distinctive contribution in the area of innovation for electrical grids. Our paper shows how innovation and the development of new technology for electrical grids changed over time. Furthermore, this paper describes the energy sector in terms of a business network comprising the different actors involved in innovation and development and, thus, their role in the energy supply chain.
Factory eco-efficiency modelling
Authors: Davé Aanand , Oates Michael , Turner Christopher , Ball Peter
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper reports on the experimentation of an integrated manufacturing and building model to improve energy efficiency. Traditionally, manufacturing and building-facilities engineers work independently, with their own performance objectives, methods and software support. However, with progresses in resource reduction, advances have become more challenging. Further opportunities for energy efficiency require an expansion of scope across the functional boundaries of facility, utility and manufacturing assets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The design of methods that provide guidance on factory modelling is inductive. The literature review outlines techniques for the simulation of energy efficiency in manufacturing, utility and facility assets. It demonstrates that detailed guidance for modelling across these domains is sparse. Therefore, five experiments are undertaken in an integrated manufacturing, utility and facility simulation software IES < VE > . These evaluate the impact of time-step granularity on the modelling of a paint shop process.

Findings

– Experimentation demonstrates that time-step granularity can have a significant impact on simulation model results quality. Linear deterioration in results can be assumed from time intervals of 10 minutes and beyond. Therefore, an appropriate logging interval, and time-step granularity should be chosen during the data composition process. Time-step granularity is vital factor in the modelling process, impacting the quality of simulation results produced.

Practical implications

– This work supports progress towards sustainable factories by understanding the impact of time-step granularity on data composition, modelling, and on the quality of simulation results. Better understanding of this granularity factor will guide engineers to use an appropriate level of data and understand the impact of the choices they are making.

Originality/value

– This paper reports on the use of simulation modelling tool that links manufacturing, utilities and facilities domains, enabling their joint analysis to reduce factory resource consumption. Currently, there are few available tools to link these areas together; hence, there is little or no understanding of how such combined factory analysis should be conducted to assess and reduce factory resource consumption.