bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autopilot and guidance law design considering impact angle and time
Authors: Wang Xianghua , Tan Chee Pin , Zhou Donghua
Published: October 2017

The authors propose an autopilot based on partial integrated guidance and control for missiles to achieve interception at a pre‐specified impact angle and a close approximation of impact time. The scheme has an outer loop comprising the engagement model and slow dynamics (to generate a pitch‐rate command that causes the missile to establish a collision course with the target), and an inner loop comprising the fast dynamics (to make the pitch rate track its command signal). The authors divide the missile flight into two phases; in the first phase the controller causes the missile line‐of‐sight (LOS) angle (impact angle) to converge to the pre‐specified value at a pre‐specified time, and to remain there thereafter (and hence establishes a collision course at the desired impact angle). In the second phase, the missile will fly along the LOS until interception occurs. The authors also provide an estimated calculation of the impact time and give the factors that influence the estimate, which helps the user systematically choose the missile parameters in order to achieve a certain impact time; this result can be applied to the case of salvo attack of multiple missiles without online data links. Finally, simulations are performed to verify the scheme effectiveness.
Optimal preview stator voltage‐oriented control of DFIG WECS
Authors: Subudhi Bidyadhar , Ogeti Pedda Suresh
Published: October 2017

In this study, a new optimal preview control (OPC) is proposed for stator active and reactive power controls of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind energy conversion system (WECS). These powers are controlled by rotor currents to avoid the stator active and reactive power pulsations. This OP controller is designed based on linear quadratic regulator (LQR) approach. In view of efficient superior tracking and disturbance rejection ability, OPC is chosen to control active and reactive powers of WECS. The proposed OPC is designed in order to minimise the error due to cross‐coupling‐induced electromotive force (emf) and emf‐induced due to stator flux using feedforward compensation loops. This controller is developed for both sub‐synchronous and super‐synchronous modes of DFIG with stator voltage‐oriented control (SVOC). An augmented error system is derived for tracking the desired response (active and reactive power controls) of DFIG WECS. Then, the constraints in error state equation are minimised by selecting quadratic performance index in which weighing factors are used for achieving faster rotor current control dynamics. Finally, pulse width modulation switching scheme for voltage‐source converters has been designed with outputs of rotor current control loop dynamics. Extensive simulations are conducted using MATLAB/Simulink and then experiments are carried out using OPAL‐RT and hardware set‐up developed in the laboratory for DFIG WECS for validating the efficacy of the proposed control algorithm. The performances of the proposed LQR‐OPC are compared with that of sliding mode field‐oriented control (SM‐FOC) and direct torque control (SM‐DTC). From the comparison, it is observed that the LQR‐OPC algorithm with SVOC technique applied to DFIG WECS provides excellent steady‐state stability and zero steady‐state error in face of transient disturbances both on rotor side and grid side compared with traditional FOC and DTC methods.
Optimising the transformer substation topology in order to minimise annual energy losses
Authors: Jakus Damir , Vasilj Josip , Čađenović Rade , Sarajčev Petar
Published: October 2017

The transformer losses can usually be classified into two basic categories: losses in the transformer core (voltage‐dependent losses) and losses in the transformer winding copper (current‐dependent losses). By increasing the number of active transformers in the transformer substation the authors reduce the total losses in the transformer copper but on the other hand increase the total losses in the transformer iron core. Considering this, it can be concluded that it is possible to determine the optimum number of active transformers in the substation for each operating condition together with the way they are connected. In this study, the authors propose a novel optimisation algorithm which can be used to determine the optimal operating conditions of the transformer substation to minimise annual energy losses while avoiding frequent transformer switching and assuring provision of sufficient transformation power in order to supply distribution load. The algorithms which are outlined are applicable for substations 110/x kV and 35/10(20) kV which have more than one transformer installed with different levels of substation topology complexity (flexibility).
Research on robust adaptive cooperative stabilisation control for doubly‐fed induction generator unit
Authors: Wu Zhongqiang , Li Feng , Zhang Wei , Du Chunqi
Published: October 2017

In this study, an H∞ adaptive collaborative stabilisation problem of doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) units with both external disturbances and parameter uncertainty has been studied based on Hamilton function, and the closed‐loop global stability and output synchronisation of the multi‐machine system are realised. Firstly, the Hamilton model of DFIG is built, and expressed as dissipative Hamilton system by pre‐feedback. Then, external disturbances and parameter uncertainties are considered, and a synchronous controller, which includes output feedback and adaptive interference suppression is designed so that the wind generator units are kept running synchronously. The controller not only realises the adaptive stability control of the non‐linear wind generator units with parameter uncertainty but also has the ability to restrain the external disturbance. The effectiveness of the controller is tested by the simulation results of two wind generator units.
Two‐stage minimax stochastic unit commitment
Authors: Che Ping , Tang Lixin , Wang Jianhui
Published: October 2017

The study proposes a stochastic optimisation approach based on discrete scenarios and the minimax criterion to deal with demand uncertainty in the two‐stage unit commitment problem. To avoid making an over‐conservative decision, the approach is designed to assign a probability‐based weight to each demand scenario and provide a unit commitment schedule that minimises the maximum possible‐weighted generation cost. Unit commitment is determined in the first stage and the economic dispatch under the scenario that corresponds to the maximum possible‐weighted generation cost is determined in the second stage. The problem is formulated as a type of min–max–min mixed integer programming model. By introducing an auxiliary variable, the model is further transformed into a minimisation problem. A Benders decomposition algorithm is developed to solve the problem. The Benders master problem determines the unit commitment decision, while the Benders subproblem determines the dispatch decision. Multiple Benders feasibility cuts are constructed when the Benders subproblem is infeasible. Valid inequalities are derived to improve the lower bound provided by the Benders master problem. Numerical results show the performance of the algorithm.
Frequency control in an islanded hybrid microgrid using frequency response analysis tools
Authors: Aryan Nezhad Mohsen , Bevrani Hassan
Published: October 2017

A hybrid microgrid has numerous decentralised control loops. Therefore, coordination among hybrid microgrid subsystems with desired performance is essential. This study presents a practical control approach for efficient tuning of proportional–integral (PI) controllers and leads compensators in islanded hybrid microgrids. This method is based on the frequency response characteristic and root‐locus trajectory. It is used to minimise the frequency deviations of an AC hybrid microgrid. The presented well‐tuned controllers are tuned based on droop mechanism, and coordination among hybrid microgrid subsystems with desired damping coefficient and stability margin. Then, the system performance is analysed under several disturbances. The results are compared with PI controllers tuned by Ziegler–Nichols method. As well, the robustness of the proposed approach in a wide range of parameter changes is investigated. Eigenvalue analysis and simulation results show that the minimum frequency deviations and desired relative stability of the hybrid microgrid subsystems are achieved by the proposed controllers. To show generality and efficiency of the proposed approach, the presented method is applied to a different hybrid microgrid model used in the literature. For this purpose, in order to control the frequency deviations in the stand‐alone mode, presented well‐tuned controller is compared with intelligent fuzzy and particle swarm optimisation‐fuzzy controllers.
The MUSE Hubble Ultra Deep Field Survey
Authors: Leclercq Floriane , Bacon Roland , Wisotzki Lutz , Mitchell Peter , Garel Thibault , Verhamme Anne , Blaizot Jérémy , Hashimoto Takuya , Herenz Edmund Christian , Conseil Simon , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Inami Hanae , Contini Thierry , Richard Johan , Maseda Michael , Schaye Joop , Marino Raffaella Anna , Akhlaghi Mohammad , Brinchmann Jarle , Carollo Marcella
Published: October 2017

We report the detection of extended Lyα haloes around 145 individual star-forming galaxies at redshifts 3 ≤ z ≤ 6 in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field observed with the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at ESO-VLT. Our sample consists of continuum-faint (− 15 ≥ MUV ≥ −22) Lyα emitters (LAEs). Using a 2D, two-component (continuum-like and halo) decomposition of Lyα emission assuming circular exponential distributions, we measure scale lengths and luminosities of Lyα haloes. We find that 80% of our objects having reliable Lyα halo measurements show Lyα emission that is significantly more extended than the UV continuum detected by HST (by a factor ≈4 to >20). The median exponential scale length of the Lyα haloes in our sample is ≈4.5 kpc with a few haloes exceeding 10 kpc. By comparing the maximal detected extent of the Lyα emission with the predicted dark matter halo virial radii of simulated galaxies, we show that the detected Lyα emission of our selected sample of Lyα emitters probes a significant portion of the cold circum-galactic medium of these galaxies (>50% in average). This result therefore shows that there must be significant HI reservoirs in the circum-galactic medium and reinforces the idea that Lyα haloes are ubiquitous around high-redshift Lyα emitting galaxies. Our characterization of the Lyα haloes indicates that the majority of the Lyα flux comes from the halo (≈65%) and that their scale lengths seem to be linked to the UV properties of the galaxies (sizes and magnitudes). We do not observe a significant Lyα halo size evolution with redshift, although our sample for z> 5 is very small. We also explore the diversity of the Lyα line profiles in our sample and we find that the Lyα lines cover a large range of full width at half maximum (FWHM) from 118 to 512 km s-1. While the FWHM does not seem to be correlated to the Lyα scale length, most compact Lyα haloes and those that are not detected with high significance tend to have narrower Lyα profiles (<350 km s-1). Finally, we investigate the origin of the extended Lyα emission but we conclude that our data do not allow us to disentangle the possible processes, i.e. scattering from star-forming regions, fluorescence, cooling radiation from cold gas accretion, and emission from satellite galaxies.
Nutzen eines Medikationsplans aus Sicht der Bürger – eine qualitative Befragung
Authors: Strauß Beate , Seidling Hanna , Wehrmann Ulrich , Szecsenyi Joachim , Haefeli Walter , Wensing Michel , Mahler Cornelia
Published: October 2017

Hintergrund Seit Oktober 2016 haben in Deutschland gesetzlich versicherte Patienten, die mind. 3 Arzneimittel einnehmen, Anspruch auf die Erstellung und Aushändigung eines Medikationsplans. Es ist anzunehmen, dass die persönliche Einstellung eines Patienten zu einem Medikationsplan für dessen Nutzung und dessen Akzeptanz relevant ist.

Ziel der Studie Da bisher wenig über die Meinung der Bürger zu einem Medikationsplan bekannt ist, hat diese Studie das Ziel zu untersuchen, welchen Nutzen Bürger in einem Medikationsplan sehen und aus welchen Gründen sie keinen Medikationsplan nutzen bzw. nutzen würden.

Methodik In einer qualitativen Feldbefragung in der Rhein-Neckar-Region wurden mit 375 Bürgern teilstandardisierte Leitfadeninterviews geführt und anschließend inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Die Mehrheit der Bürger beschreibt den Medikationsplan in persönlicher als auch gesamtwirtschaftlicher Sicht, z. B. für Versorgung und Arzneimitteltherapiesicherheit, als nützlich. Häufig wird der empfundene Nutzen jedoch an persönliche Bedingungen wie Alter, Medikamentenzahl und Gesundheitszustand geknüpft. Nicht erfüllte individuelle Voraussetzungen, Überforderung und ablehnende Einstellungen der Bürger sind mögliche Gründe für die Nichtnutzung.

Schlussfolgerung Für die erfolgreiche Implementierung eines Medikationsplans sollte die persönliche Einstellung der Patienten erfragt werden, um gezielt Aufklärung leisten zu können. Die Meinungen der Bürger über einen Medikationsplan und die Ziele des E-Health-Gesetzes stimmen teilweise überein, unterscheiden sich aber vor allem hinsichtlich der genannten Bedingungen und der Schwerpunktsetzung.
Medizinischer Fortschritt und Public Health
Authors: Stang Andreas , Bärninghausen Till
Published: October 2017

Medizinische Verfahren, die für den Einzelnen nachweislich mit einem Nutzen assoziiert sind, können auf Bevölkerungsebene aufgrund einer Über- bzw. Unterversorgung mit einer negativen Nutzenbilanz einhergehen. Deshalb ist eine enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Grundlagenforschung, medizinischer Versorgung und Public Health erforderlich, um relevante gesundheitliche Fragestellungen gemeinsam anzugehen und im Kontext von Forschungsprojekten zu beantworten. Gesundheitsfolgenabschätzungen, Versorgungs- und Umsetzungsforschung müssen stärker in den Blickpunkt rücken und erfordern methodische Weiterentwicklung, etwa im Bereich der Evidenz- und Nutzenbewertung und der gesundheitsökonomischen Modellierung sowie der Qualitätssicherung von Gesundheitsinformationen für die Öffentlichkeit. In diesem Zusammenhang ist auch der weitere Ausbau von Ausbildungsprogrammen in Form von strukturierten PhD Programmen im Bereich-Public-Health erforderlich.
Intragenerationale Mobilität und subjektive Gesundheit – Ergebnisse des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) von 1992–2012
Authors: Günther Sebastian , Knöchelmann Anja , Moor Irene , Richter Matthias
Published: October 2017

Ziel der Studie Internationale Studien verweisen darauf, dass die eigene berufliche Karrieremobilität für die spätere Gesundheit eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, erstmals für Deutschland den Zusammenhang zwischen subjektiver Gesundheit und intragenerationaler beruflicher Mobilität zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten zwischen 1992–2012 abzubilden.

Daten und Methode Datenbasis bildeten drei Untersuchungsperioden (1992–1995, 2000–2003 und 2008–2012) des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP). Die Operationalisierung der intragenerationalen Mobilität erfolgte über den Vergleich der ersten mit der aktuellen beruflichen Stellung. Logistische Regressionen dienten zur Berechnung des Zusammenhangs zwischen Mobilität und Gesundheit.

Ergebnisse Jene, die in Arbeitslosigkeit abgestiegen oder in unteren Positionen verblieben, wiesen die höchsten Odds Ratios einer negativen Selbsteinschätzung der Gesundheit auf. Auf- und Absteiger ordneten sich zwischen den konstant oberen und unteren Positionen ein. Der Zusammenhang bestand unabhängig von der regionalen Herkunft (Ost-/Westdeutschland); ein sozialer Aufstieg war jedoch häufiger in den alten und Abwärtsmobilität vermehrt in den neuen Bundesländern zu beobachten. Männer und Frauen zeigten ähnliche Entwicklungen. Diese Zusammenhänge blieben über den Zeitverlauf bestehen.

Schlussfolgerung Die eigene berufliche Entwicklung steht in enger Verbindung zur subjektiven Gesundheit im mittleren Erwachsenenalter. Insbesondere der Abstieg in die Arbeitslo-sigkeit oder das Verbleiben in niedrigen Positionen wiesen große Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit auf. An dieser Stelle sollten sozialpolitische Maßnahmen ansetzen, um ein weiteres Auseinanderdriften von gesundheitlichen Chancen zu verhindern.
Das Ansehen der Ärzteschaft in Europa – Ein Ländervergleich
Authors: Heinz Andreas , Décieux Jean
Published: October 2017

Ziel der Studie Patienten stellen hohe Anforderungen an Ärzte: Sie sollen vertrauenswürdig und fachlich kompetent sein, sie sollen über Behandlungsalternativen aufklären und keine eigennützigen Interessen verfolgen und sie sollen ihre Patienten über Behandlungsfehler informieren. Der Beitrag untersucht, wie die Bevölkerung in Europa die Ärzte in dieser Hinsicht einschätzt und ob es Länder gibt, in denen sich die Einschätzungen ähneln.

Methodik Im „International Social Survey Programme – ISSP“ wurde die Bevölkerung in 32 Ländern dazu befragt, wie sie die Ärzteschaft im jeweiligen Land bewertet. Für diesen Beitrag wurden die Daten von 27 772 Befragten aus 18 europäischen Ländern analysiert. Die Aussagen zur Ärzteschaft wurden auf einer 5-stufigen Skala abgefragt, wobei 1 für eine positive Bewertung steht und 5 für eine negative Bewertung. Für jedes Land wurden die Mittelwerte der Aussagen berechnet und mit Hilfe einer Clusteranalyse in Gruppen zusammengefasst, in denen die Ärzteschaft ähnlich bewertet wurde.

Ergebnisse Die höchste Zustimmung erreichte länderübergreifend die Aussage „Ärzten kann man vertrauen“. Den Bestwert erreichten die Ärzte in Dänemark (2,0), den schlechtesten Wert erreichten die Ärzte in Russland (2,7). In den meisten Ländern lagen diese 3 Aussagen nahe beieinander: „Ärzte besprechen alle Behandlungsmöglichkeiten mit ihren Patienten“, „Die medizinischen Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten sind so gut wie sie sein sollten“ und „Ärzte interessieren sich nicht mehr fürs Geldverdienen als ihre Patienten“. In fast allen Ländern waren die Befragten besonders skeptisch hinsichtlich der Aussage „Ärzte würden es ihren Patienten sagen, wenn sie einen Behandlungsfehler gemacht hätten“. Es wurden 4 Cluster identifiziert, wobei kein Cluster bei allen Aussagen in der Spitzengruppe abschneidet. Hinsichtlich des Vertrauens, des Besprechens von Behandlungsalternativen und des Verfolgens eigennütziger Interessen wird die Ärzteschaft in Deutschland weder besonders gut noch besonders schlecht bewertet. In Deutschland geht die Bevölkerung häufiger als in den meisten Ländern davon aus, dass Ärzte ihre Patienten nicht über Behandlungsfehler informieren würden.

Schlussfolgerungen Das Vertrauen in Ärzte scheint weitgehend das allgemeine Vertrauensniveau in einem Land zu spiegeln. Es stellt sich die Frage, worauf sich das länderübergreifend hohe Vertrauen in die Ärzte gründet, wenn die Befragten hinsichtlich der anderen Aussagen deutlich skeptischer sind.
Neuer Ansatz für die Diabetestherapie?
Authors: Polok Adrian , Kellerer Teresa
Published: October 2017

Eine neu entdeckte Gruppe von Fettsäuren, die FAHFAs („fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids“), zeigten in bisherigen Studien in der Zellkultur und im Tiermodell ausgeprägte antidiabetische und antiinflammatorische Effekte, die sie als einen möglichen Ansatzpunkt für therapeutische Interventionen bei Insulinresistenz erscheinen lassen.
Antidiabetische Medikation in den ersten vier Therapiejahren
Authors: Lappe Veronika , Köster Ingrid , Schubert Ingrid
Published: October 2017

Die 1998 publizierte UKPDS-Studie führte dazu, dass der altbekannte Wirkstoff Metformin neu bewertet und zum First-line-Therapeutikum in der antidiabetischen Therapie wurde. Zudem eröffneten neu auf den Markt kommende Wirkstoffklassen neue Therapieoptionen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht vor dem Hintergrund deutscher Diabetes-Leitlinien die Verordnungspraxis bei Therapiebeginn und in den Folgejahren. 67,9 % der Patienten begannen 2008 mit Metformin, 17,8 % mit einem Sulfonylharnstoff und 6,7 % mit einer Insulinmonotherapie. Patienten mit einer Adipositasdiagnose starteten signifikant häufiger mit Metformin, Hochbetagte (80 Jahre und älter), schon länger diagnostizierte Diabetespatienten (> 3 Jahre) und Patienten mit Nieren- bzw. zerebrovaskulären Erkrankungen dagegen signifikant seltener. Im Therapieverlauf nahm die Kombinationstherapie von 5 auf 30 % zu (häufigste Kombinationen: Metformin/DPP-4-Inhibitor, Metformin/Sulfonylharnstoff, Metformin/Insulin). In der Verordnungspraxis werden die Leitlinienempfehlungen weitgehend umgesetzt. Das gilt sowohl für den Therapiebeginn mit Antidiabetika als auch für die weiteren Therapiestufen. Nierenerkrankungen werden als potenzielle Kontraindikationen der Metformintherapie berücksichtigt. Infolge der in 2015 erfolgten Ausweitung der Zulassung von Metformin, welche die Kreatininclearance, bis zu der die Anwendung möglich ist, herabsetzt, kann das First-line-Therapeutikum Metformin in Zukunft einem noch größeren Patientenkreis zur Verfügung stehen.
The use of hair tubes in detecting irruptive arid-zone rodents
Authors: Crisp Helen , Pedler Reece , Moseby Katherine
Published: October 2017

Populations of many arid-zone rodents are known to fluctuate dramatically in response to the boom–bust cycles of the dynamic landscapes in which they occur. This constrains their study, particularly efforts to determine the location and functioning of important refuge areas. The nationally vulnerable plains mouse (Pseudomys australis) undergoes dramatic population changes in response to rainfall and associated resource abundance. At low population density during resource shortages, the species can be present yet undetectable by conventional trapping methods. We piloted the use of hair tubes as an alternative to trapping, trialling designs effective in detecting P. australis. Baited 25-mm- or 32-mm-diameter × 200-mm-long tubes with double-sided cloth tape in the entrance were effective in collecting P. australis hair. Each of the 21 detections of the species’ presence through hair tubes was confirmed using other methods. Hair tubes effectively detected the species, including during times when Elliott trapping yielded low capture rates and observational techniques failed to detect them. Hair tubes may present a time- and cost-efficient tool for determining the presence of P. australis and other cryptic small mammals in remote arid landscapes.
Temporary sharing prompts unrestrained disclosures that leave lasting negative impressions
Authors: Hofstetter Reto , Rüppell Roland , John Leslie K.
Published: October 2017

Significance

Relative to traditional, offline forms of communication, there is an enhanced permanence to digital sharing. Digital disclosures can come back to haunt, making it challenging for people to manage the impressions they make upon others. Nine studies show that, paradoxically, these challenges can be exacerbated by temporary-sharing technologies. Temporary sharing reduces privacy concerns, in turn increasing disclosure of potentially compromising information (in the form of uninhibited selfies). Recipients attribute these indiscretions to sharers’ bad judgment, failing to appreciate the situational influence—the temporariness of the sharing platform—on sharers’ disclosures. Sharers do not anticipate this consequence, mistakenly believing that recipients will attribute their disclosure decisions to the (temporary) platform on which they chose to send the photographs.
GATA2/3-TFAP2A/C transcription factor network couples human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to trophectoderm with repression of pluripotency
Authors: Krendl Christian , Shaposhnikov Dmitry , Rishko Valentyna , Ori Chaido , Ziegenhain Christoph , Sass Steffen , Simon Lukas , Müller Nikola S. , Straub Tobias , Brooks Kelsey E. , Chavez Shawn L. , Enard Wolfgang , Theis Fabian J. , Drukker Micha
Published: October 2017

Significance

This study provides a mechanistic explanation for the differentiation of trophoblasts from human pluripotent stem cells, a process relying on BMP morphogens. We found that a network of the transcription factors GATA2, GATA3, TFAP2A, and TFAP2C regulates early trophoblast progenitor specification by activating placental genes and inhibiting the pluripotency gene
OCT4
, thus acting to couple trophoblast specification with exit from pluripotency. To demonstrate the relevance of our findings in vivo, we show that down-regulating
GATA3
in primate embryos prevents trophectoderm specification. In addition, we present a genome-wide analysis of active and inactive chromatin during trophoblast progenitor specification. These results provide a basis to guide investigations of human trophectoderm development.
Taurine ameliorates particulate matter-induced emphysema by switching on mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase genes
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Yang Hongbao , Sun Hao , Lu Runze , Zhang Chengcheng , Gao Na , Meng Qingtao , Wu Shenshen , Wang Susanna , Aschner Michael , Wu Jiong , Tang Boping , Gu Aihua , Kay Steve A. , Chen Rui
Published: October 2017

Significance

Exposure to high levels of particulate matter (PM) poses a major threat to human health. Cigarette smoke is the most common irritant that causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, at least one-fourth of patients with COPD are nonsmokers, and their disease is largely attributed to air pollution. The occurrence of pollution episodes in China has raised an emergent question of how PM leads to the pathogenesis of COPD. In this paper, we show that deregulation of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase gene expression levels plays a key role in the aggravation of COPD during air pollutant exposure, which can be rescued by taurine and 3-MA treatments in both mammalian cells and animals.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and improves heart function in pressure overload-induced heart failure
Authors: Gesmundo Iacopo , Miragoli Michele , Carullo Pierluigi , Trovato Letizia , Larcher Veronica , Di Pasquale Elisa , Brancaccio Mara , Mazzola Marta , Villanova Tania , Sorge Matteo , Taliano Marina , Gallo Maria Pia , Alloatti Giuseppe , Penna Claudia , Hare Joshua M. , Ghigo Ezio , Schally Andrew V. , Condorelli Gianluigi , Granata Riccarda
Published: October 2017

Significance

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy, characterized by heart growth in response to pressure or volume overload, such as in the setting of hypertension, is the main risk factor for heart failure (HF). The identification of therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse cardiac hypertrophy is therefore a priority for curing HF. It is known that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) displays cardioprotective functions; however, its therapeutic potential in hypertrophy and HF is unknown. Here we show that GHRH reduces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro through inhibition of hypertrophic pathways. In vivo, the GHRH analog MR-409 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction and improves cardiac function. These findings suggest therapeutic use of GHRH analogs for treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and HF.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K6 of the standards for absorbed dose to water at 10 g cm−2 of the NIM, China and the BIPM in accelerator photon beams
Authors: Picard S , Kessler C , Roger P , Burns D T , Wang Kun , Wang Zhipeng , Fan Yaodong , Jin Sunjun , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2017

A comparison of the dosimetry for accelerator photon beams was carried out between the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) from 15 to 29 November 2016. The comparison was based on the determination of absorbed dose to water at 10 g cm−2 for two radiation qualities at the NIM. The results, reported as ratios of the NIM and the BIPM evaluations (and with the combined standard uncertainties given in parentheses), are 0.9917(60) at 6 MV, and 0.9941(59) at 10 MV.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Test particles dynamics in the JOREK 3D non-linear MHD code and application to electron transport in a disruption simulation
Authors: Sommariva C. , Nardon E. , Beyer P. , Hoelzl M. , Huijsmans G.T.A. , van Vugt D.
Published: October 2017

In order to contribute to the understanding of runaway electron generation mechanisms during tokamak disruptions, a test particle tracker is introduced in the JOREK 3D non-linear MHD code, able to compute both full and guiding center relativistic orbits. Tests of the module show good conservation of the invariants of motion and consistency between full orbit and guiding center solutions. A first application is presented where test electron confinement properties are investigated in a massive gas injection-triggered disruption simulation in JET-like geometry. It is found that electron populations initialised before the thermal quench (TQ) are typically not fully deconfined in spite of the global stochasticity of the magnetic field during the TQ. The fraction of ‘survivors’ decreases from a few tens down to a few tenths of percent as the electron energy varies from 1 keV to 10 MeV. The underlying mechanism for electron ‘survival’ is the prompt reformation of closed magnetic surfaces at the plasma core and, to a smaller extent, the subsequent reappearance of a magnetic surface at the edge. It is also found that electrons are less deconfined at 10 MeV than at 1 MeV, which appears consistent with a phase averaging effect due to orbit shifts at high energy.
Small quantum groups associated to Belavin-Drinfeld triples
Authors: Negron Cris
Published: October 2017

For a simple Lie algebra

g

\mathsf {g}

of type

A
A

,

D
D

,

E
E

we show that any Belavin-Drinfeld triple on the Dynkin diagram of

g

\mathsf {g}

produces a collection of Drinfeld twists for Lusztig’s small quantum group

u
q

(

g

)

u_q(\mathsf {g})

. These twists give rise to new finite-dimensional factorizable Hopf algebras, i.e., new small quantum groups. For any Hopf algebra constructed in this manner, we identify the group of grouplike elements, identify the Drinfeld element, and describe the irreducible representations of the dual in terms of the representation theory of the parabolic subalgebra(s) in

g

\mathsf {g}

associated to the given Belavin-Drinfeld triple. We also produce Drinfeld twists of

u
q

(

g

)

u_q(\mathsf {g})

which express a known algebraic group action on its category of representations and pose a subsequent question regarding the classification of all twists.
A trichotomy for the autoequivalence groups on smooth projective surfaces
Authors: Uehara Hokuto
Published: October 2017

We study autoequivalence groups of the derived categories on smooth projective surfaces. We show a trichotomy of types according to the maximal dimension of Fourier–Mukai kernels for autoequivalences. This number is

2
2

,

3
3

, or

4
4

, and we also pose a conjecture on the description of autoequivalence groups if it is

2
2

, and prove it in some special cases.
Filling reference gaps via assembling DNA barcodes using high-throughput sequencing—moving toward barcoding the world
Authors: Liu Shanlin , Yang Chentao , Zhou Chengran , Zhou Xin
Published: October 2017

Over the past decade, biodiversity researchers have dedicated tremendous efforts to constructing DNA reference barcodes for rapid species registration and identification. Although analytical cost for standard DNA barcoding has been significantly reduced since early 2000, further dramatic reduction in barcoding costs is unlikely because Sanger sequencing is approaching its limits in throughput and chemistry cost. Constraints in barcoding cost not only led to unbalanced barcoding efforts around the globe, but also prevented high-throughput sequencing (HTS)–based taxonomic identification from applying binomial species names, which provide crucial linkages to biological knowledge. We developed an Illumina-based pipeline, HIFI-Barcode, to produce full-length Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcodes from pooled polymerase chain reaction amplicons generated by individual specimens. The new pipeline generated accurate barcode sequences that were comparable to Sanger standards, even for different haplotypes of the same species that were only a few nucleotides different from each other. Additionally, the new pipeline was much more sensitive in recovering amplicons at low quantity. The HIFI-Barcode pipeline successfully recovered barcodes from more than 78% of the polymerase chain reactions that didn't show clear bands on the electrophoresis gel. Moreover, sequencing results based on the single molecular sequencing platform Pacbio confirmed the accuracy of the HIFI-Barcode results. Altogether, the new pipeline can provide an improved solution to produce full-length reference barcodes at about one-tenth of the current cost, enabling construction of comprehensive barcode libraries for local fauna, leading to a feasible direction for DNA barcoding global biomes.
On the Second Boundary Value Problem for a Class of Fully Nonlinear Flows I
Authors: Huang Rongli , Ye Yunhua
Published: October 2017

In this article, a class of fully nonlinear flows with nonlinear Neumann type boundary condition is considered. This problem was solved partly by the first author under the assumption that the flow is the parabolic type special Lagrangian equation in $\mathbb{R}^{2n}$. We show that the convexity is preserved for solutions of the fully nonlinear parabolic equations and prove the long time existence and convergence of the flow. In particular, we can prescribe the second boundary value problems for a family of special Lagrangian graphs in Euclidean and pseudo-Euclidean space.
Correlation between the variation of the ionizing continuum and broad absorption lines
Authors: Lu Wei-Jian , Lin Ying-Ru , Qin Yi-Ping
Published: October 2017

In this Letter, we present an analysis of the relation between the variability of broad absorption lines (BALs) and that of the continuum. Our sample is multi-epoch observations of 483 quasars by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-I/II/III (SDSS-I/II/III). We derive the fractional flux variations of the continuum and fractional equivalent width (EW) variations for C iv and Si iv BALs, and explore the correlations between the three. Our results reveal moderate anticorrelations with high significance level between the fractional flux variations of the continuum and fractional EW variations for both C iv and Si iv BALs. We also prove a significant positive correlation between the fractional EW variations for C iv and Si iv BALs, which is in agreement with several previous studies. Our discoveries can serve as evidence for the idea: Change of an ionizing continuum is the primary driver of BAL variability.
The international nucleotide sequence database collaboration
Authors: Karsch-Mizrachi Ilene , Takagi Toshihisa , Cochrane Guy ,   on behalf of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration
Published: October 2017

For more than 30 years, the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC; http://www.insdc.org/) has been committed to capturing, preserving and providing access to comprehensive public domain nucleotide sequence and associated metadata which enables discovery in biomedicine, biodiversity and biological sciences. Since 1987, the DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) at the National Institute for Genetics in Mishima, Japan; the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in Hinxton, UK; and GenBank at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, USA have worked collaboratively to enable access to nucleotide sequence data in standardized formats for the worldwide scientific community. In this article, we reiterate the principles of the INSDC collaboration and briefly summarize the trends of the archival content.
Readmission Policies in Europe
Authors: Cassarino Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2017

According to EU law, readmission pertains to the removal of persons who do not or no longer fulfill the conditions of entry to, presence in, or residence in a destination country. Today, readmission has become a major crossover issue, weaving its way through various bilateral talks, ranging from the fight against terrorism to energy security, visa facilitation, development aid, social protection, and other diplomatic and strategic matters. To understand the reasons readmission has become so pervasive, it is important to analyze the drivers that have been conducive to its unprecedented importance in migration and asylum talks between the EU and its member states, on the one hand, and non-EU countries, on the other. The analysis of such drivers lies at the intersection of various disciplines, including political science, international relations, law, anthropology, sociology, and history, to name but a few. Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999, which empowered the European Commission to negotiate and conclude EU readmission agreements (EURAs) with non-EU (third) countries, the academic literature on this highly politicized and sensitive issue has grown substantially. Predictably, given the normative approach that initially shaped academic debates about whether or not the reacceptance of irregular nationals constitutes an obligation under customary international law, (European) lawyers became the most prominent commentators on readmission matters. The prominence of their discipline coincided with the desire of the European Union to design normatively established rules and administrative procedures aimed at removing irregular migrants and rejected asylum-seekers, in line with internationally recognized standards. Incidentally, in 1994 the Council of the European Union recommended a specimen bilateral readmission agreement, including various provisions and reciprocal commitments among the contracting parties, to be used as a basis for negotiations between a member state and a third country. Concomitantly, as the cobweb of bilateral agreements was expanding across continents, while involving highly heterogeneous countries having contrasting vested interests, political scientists and international relations scholars started to address state actors’ motivations to cooperate on readmission, as well as their respective contingencies and manifold practices. The gap between reciprocal commitments and practice was bridged with the introduction of various heuristic devices. More recently, anthropologists and sociologists have analyzed the consequences of readmission policies on migrants’ safety and psychosocial conditions, in the broadest sense, once they are removed to a third country. Manifestly, the field of investigation on readmission is huge, and interdisciplinary research is much needed. Hence, going beyond disciplinary dogmatism is a necessity.
Eleonora di Toledo
Authors: Tomas Natalie
Published: October 2017

Eleonora Álvarez di (of) Toledo (b. 1522–d. 1562) was the second duchess of Florence and married Cosimo I de’ Medici (b. 1519–d. 1574) in 1539. She was born in Léon, Spain, and then moved to Naples in 1534, when her father, Don Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba and Marquis of Villafranca, became Viceroy of Naples. Her mother, Maria Osorio Pimentel, was connected to the Spanish ruling household, and so Eleonora received a traditional Spanish upbringing. Eleonora had eleven children, including five sons, and contemporaries celebrated her fertility. The marriage between the ducal couple appeared to be a very happy one. Eleonora traveled with her husband frequently to their various palaces and villas across Tuscany, enjoying hunting, fishing, riding horses, and gambling. Apart from the production of children, Eleonora was a wealthy landowner who traded in commodities such as grain. The duchess acted as regent at least four times during her marriage, because of Cosimo I’s absence during war (1541, 1543) or illness (1544–1545). The longest period of Eleonora’s regency was between 1551 and 1554, while Cosimo I was away fighting the War of Siena. Eleonora was duchess of Siena from 1559 and together with her husband made a triumphal entry into Siena in 1560. Eleonora was a great patron of art, employing Agnolo Bronzino to decorate her private chapel and paint a series of portraits of her. She also employed other artists, including the sculptors Baccio Bandinelli and Benvenuto Cellini, the miniaturist Giulio Clovio, and the painter and architect Giorgio Vasari. Eleonora acquired the Palazzo Pitti and began renovations, including the development of the Boboli Gardens. However, she did not live to see the completion of the project. Her court included both Italian and Spanish speakers, and she supported the Jesuits in Florence. Her religious patronage reflected her support for Spanish religious practice. She favored female lyric poets at her court, as well as Spanish poets. Eleonora was often ill with tuberculosis from the 1550s, and she died on 17 December 1562 after contracting a malarial fever along with two of her sons, Giovanni and Garzia, who both had died shortly before her. Eleonora di Toledo is best remembered because of the iconic 1545 state portrait of her with her son Giovanni, painted by Bronzino, which is now in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Recognizing primary effort thrombosis in primary care
Authors: Archambault Mark E. , Chila Allison , Lundin Lauren , Walker Rachel
Published: October 2017

Primary effort thrombosis is a noniatrogenic deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremity. The incidence of this condition is 1 to 2 in 100,000 per year. The risk factors and typical patient population differ from other thrombotic events. Patients with primary effort thrombosis are typically young, athletic, and lack comorbidities. Due to its low incidence and unique risk factors, primary effort thrombosis often is misdiagnosed as a musculoskeletal injury. However, early recognition, initial testing with Doppler ultrasound, and immediate referral to a vascular center is essential to achieve optimal outcomes. This article reviews risk factors, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and acute management of primary effort thrombosis for primary care providers.
Efficiently finding and using evidence to guide clinical practice and improve care
Authors: Akbashev Mikhail Y. , Pittman J. Richard , Dressler Daniel D.
Published: October 2017

Using evidence to guide patient care improves patient outcomes. However, the volume of clinical and scientific literature and demands on provider time make staying current challenging. Primary literature searching or using public search engines to answer clinical questions often results in low-quality or incorrect answers, potentially yielding suboptimal clinical care. This article describes systematic strategies for primary literature searching that can yield higher-quality results than an unstructured approach.
Medical Education to Enhance Critical Consciousness: Facilitators’ Experiences
Authors: Zaidi Zareen , Vyas Rashmi , Verstegen Danielle , Morahan Page , Dornan Tim
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To analyze educators’ experiences of facilitating cultural discussions in two global health professions education programs and what these experiences had taught them about critical consciousness.

Method

A multicultural research team conducted in-depth interviews with 16 faculty who had extensive experience facilitating cultural discussions. They analyzed transcripts of the interviews thematically, drawing sensitizing insights from Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony. Collaboration and conversation helped the team self-consciously examine their positions toward the data set and be critically reflexive.

Results

Participant faculty used their prior experience facilitating cultural discussions to create a “safe space” in which learners could develop critical consciousness. During multicultural interactions they recognized and explicitly addressed issues related to power differentials, racism, implicit bias, and gender bias. They noted the need to be “facile in attending to pain” as learners brought up traumatic experiences and other sensitive issues including racism and the impact of power dynamics. They built relationships with learners by juxtaposing and exploring the sometimes-conflicting norms of different cultures. Participants were reflective about their own understanding and tendency to be biased. They aimed to break free of such biases while role modeling how to have the courage to speak up.

Conclusions

Experience had given facilitators in multicultural programs an understanding of their responsibility to promote critical consciousness and social justice. How faculty without prior experience or expertise could develop those values and skills is a topic for future research.
Clinical Updates in Women’s Health Care Summary: Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Fuller Brittany S. , Carlyle Lynn , Voeltz Michele D.
Published: October 2017

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Obstetrician–gynecologists often are the sole health care providers for otherwise healthy women. Therefore, they must be aware of risk factors, signs, and symptoms of cardiovascular disease and be prepared to recognize and treat this condition in patients as well as provide referrals when specialized care is indicated. Women with cardiac problems typically present with chest discomfort; however, they also are more likely than healthy women to present with other common symptoms, such as shortness of breath, back pain, jaw pain, or nausea and vomiting. This monograph, with a primary focus on ischemic heart disease (IHD), discusses the basic anatomy of the heart and coronary arteries; vascular biology; pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; and the screening, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of IHD as well as the multiple risk factors associated with the development of IHD that contribute to both increased morbidity and mortality.
Prediction Model of In-Hospital Mortality After Hip Fracture Surgery
Authors: Endo Atsushi , Baer Heather J. , Nagao Masashi , Weaver Michael J.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

Mortality in elderly patients after the surgical treatment of hip fractures remains high. Although individual clinical risk factors have been widely studied, there has been limited research on prediction models in this population. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model for in-hospital mortality after hip fracture surgery and to evaluate the performance of this model.

Methods:

Using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2012 to 2013, we collected data on 535,475 patients older than 50 years who had hip fracture surgery. Patient characteristics, surgery-specific factors, and Elixhauser comorbidities were used as candidate variables. The patients were randomly divided into training and testing cohorts. The Lasso (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) method was used to select predictor variables, and points were assigned to each variable based on its coefficient.

Results:

We identified 8 essential predictors (age, timing of surgery, male sex, congestive heart failure, pulmonary circulation disease, renal failure, weight loss, and fluid and electrolyte disorders) for mortality, with a maximum prediction score of 20. The model's area under the curve was 0.74, and the Hosmer–Lemeshow testPvalue was 0.59 on the testing set. With the application of cutoff values (scores 0–5, 6–9, and 10–20), the observed in-hospital postoperative mortality was 0.6%, 2.5%, and 7.5%, respectively.

Conclusions:

We built a simple prediction model with 8 essential clinical factors that predict in-hospital mortality after hip fracture surgery. This model may assist in counseling patients and families and measuring hospital quality of care.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.