bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinical treatment and outcome of cerebellopontine angle medulloblastoma: a retrospective study of 15 cases
Authors: Wu Tao , Qu Pei-ran , Zhang Shun , Li Shi-wei , Zhang Jing , Wang Bo , Liu Pinan , Li Chun-de , Zhao Fu
Published: June 2020

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor arising in the cerebellum or the 4th ventricle. Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) MBs are extremely rare tumors, with few cases previously described. In this study, we sought to describe the clinical characteristics, molecular features and outcomes of CPA MB. We retrospectively reviewed a total of 968 patients who had a histopathological diagnosis of MB at the Beijing Neurosurgical Institute between 2002 and 2016. The demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and radiological features were retrospectively analyzed. Molecular subgroup was evaluated by the expression profiling array or immunohistochemistry. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. In this study, 15 patients (12 adults and 3 children) with a mean age at diagnosis of 25.1 years (range 4–45 years) were included. CPA MBs represented 1.5% of the total cases of MB (15/968). Two molecular subgroups were identified in CPA MBs: 5 WNT-MBs (33%) and 10 SHH-MBs (67%). CPA WNT-MBs had the extracerebellar growth with the involvement of brainstem (P = 0.002), whereas CPA SHH-MBs predominantly located within the cerebellar hemispheres (P = 0.004). The 5-year OS and PFS rates for CPA MB were 80.0% ± 10.3% and 66.7% ± 12.2%, respectively. Pediatric patients with CPA MBs had worse outcomes than adult patients (OS: P = 0.019, PFS: P = 0.078). In conclusion, CPA MB is extremely rare and consists of two subgroups. Adult patients with CPA MB had a good prognosis. Maximum safe surgical resection combined with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be an effective treatment strategy for this rare tumor.
Successional trajectory of bacterial communities in soil are shaped by plant-driven changes during secondary succession
Authors: Krishna Mayank , Gupta Shruti , Delgado – Baquerizo Manuel , Morriën Elly , Garkoti Satish Chandra , Chaturvedi Rupesh , Ahmad Shandar
Published: June 2020

This study investigated the potential role of a nitrogen-fixing early-coloniserAlnus NepalensisD. Don (alder) in driving the changes in soil bacterial communities during secondary succession. We found that bacterial diversity was positively associated with alder growth during course of ecosystem development. Alder development elicited multiple changes in bacterial community composition and ecological networks. For example, the initial dominance of actinobacteria within bacterial community transitioned to the dominance of proteobacteria with stand development. Ecological networks approximating species associations tend to stabilize with alder growth.Janthinobacterium lividum,Candidatus XiphinematobacterandRhodoplaneswere indicator species of different growth stages of alder. While the growth stages of alder has a major independent contribution to the bacterial diversity, its influence on the community composition was explained conjointly by the changes in soil properties with alder. Alder growth increased trace mineral element concentrations in the soil and explained 63% of variance in the Shannon-diversity. We also found positive association of alder with late-successionalQuercus leucotrichophora(Oak). Together, the changes in soil bacterial community shaped by early-coloniser alder and its positive association with late-successional oak suggests a crucial role played by alder in ecosystem recovery of degraded habitats.
Feedback between high-pressure genesis of abiotic methane and strain localization in subducted carbonate rocks
Authors: Giuntoli Francesco , Vitale Brovarone Alberto , Menegon Luca
Published: June 2020

Fluid-rock interactions exert key control over rock rheology and strain localization. Redox may significantly affect the reaction pathways and, thereby, the mechanical properties of the rock. This effect may become critical in volatile-rich, redox sensitive rocks such as carbonate-rich lithologies, the breakdown of which can significantly modify the net volume change of fluid-mediated reactions. Subduction focus the largest recycling of crustal carbonates and the most intense seismic activity on Earth. Nevertheless, the feedbacks between deep carbon mobilization and deformation remain poorly investigated. We present quantitative microstructural results from natural samples and thermodynamic modeling indicating that percolation of reducing fluids exerts strong control on the mobilization of carbon and on strain localization in subducted carbonate rocks. Fluid-mediated carbonate reduction progressed from discrete domains unaffected by ductile deformation into localized shear zones deforming via diffusion creep, dissolution-precipitation creep and grain boundary sliding. Grain-size reduction and creep cavitation along localized shear zones enhanced fluid-carbonate interactions and fluid channelization. These results indicate that reduction of carbonate rocks can exert an important positive feedback on strain localization and fluid channelization, with potential implications on seismic activity and transport of deep hydrocarbon-bearing fluids.
High frequency of intermediary alleles in the HTT gene in Northern Sweden - The Swedish Huntingtin Alleles and Phenotype (SHAPE) study
Authors: Sundblom Jimmy , Niemelä Valter , Ghazarian Maria , Strand Ann-Sofi , Bergdahl Ingvar A. , Jansson Jan-Håkan , Söderberg Stefan , Stattin Eva-Lena
Published: June 2020

Trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansions longer than 39 in the huntingtin (HTT) gene cause Huntington’s disease (HD). The frequency of intermediate alleles (IA) with a length of 27–35 in the general population is not fully known, but studied in specific materials connected to the incidence of HD. The Swedish Huntingtin Alleles and Phenotype (SHAPE) study aims to assess the frequency of trinucleotide repeat expansions in the HTT gene in north Sweden. 8260 individuals unselected for HD from the counties of Norr- and Västerbotten in the north of Sweden were included. DNA samples were obtained and analysis of the HTT gene was performed, yielding data on HTT gene expansion length in 7379 individuals. A high frequency of intermediate alleles, 6.8%, was seen. Also, individuals with repeat numbers lower than ever previously reported (<5) were found. These results suggest a high frequency of HD in the norther parts of Sweden. Subsequent analyses may elucidate the influence of IA:s on traits other than HD.
Use of Surface Corrugations for Energy-Efficient Chaotic Stirring in Low Reynolds Number Flows
Authors: Gepner S. W. , Floryan J. M.
Published: June 2020

We demonstrate that an intensive stirring can be achieved in laminar channel flows in a passive manner by utilizing the recently discovered instability waves which lead to chaotic particle movements. The stirring is suitable for mixtures made of delicate constituents prone to mechanical damage, such as bacteria and DNA samples, as collisions between the stream and both the bounding walls as well as mechanical mixing devices are avoided. Debris accumulation is prevented as no stagnant fluid zones are formed. Groove symmetries can be used to limit stirring to selected parts of the flow domain. The energy cost of flows with such stirring is either smaller or marginally larger than the energy cost of flows through smooth channels.
CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells suggests a role in cellular metabolism
Authors: Carlisle Samantha M. , Trainor Patrick J. , Hong Kyung U. , Doll Mark A. , Hein David W.
Published: June 2020

Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), present in all tissues, is classically described as a phase-II xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme but can also catalyze the hydrolysis of acetyl-Coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) in the absence of an arylamine substrate using folate as a cofactor. NAT1 activity varies inter-individually and has been shown to be overexpressed in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. NAT1 has also been implicated in breast cancer progression however the exact role of NAT1 remains unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of varying levels of NAT1 N-acetylation activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells on global cellular metabolism and to probe for unknown endogenous NAT1 substrates. Global, untargeted metabolomics was conducted via ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines constructed with siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to vary only in NAT1 N-acetylation activity. Many metabolites were differentially abundant in NAT1-modified cell lines compared to the Scrambled parental cell line. N-acetylasparagine and N-acetylputrescine abundances were strongly positively correlated (r = 0.986 and r = 0.944, respectively) with NAT1 N-acetylation activity whereas saccharopine abundance was strongly inversely correlated (r = −0.876). Two of the most striking observations were a reduction in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis and defective β-oxidation of fatty acids in the absence of NAT1. We have shown that NAT1 expression differentially affects cellular metabolism dependent on the level of expression. Our results support the hypothesis that NAT1 is not just a xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme and may have a role in endogenous cellular metabolism.
Soil bacterial communities in three rice-based cropping systems differing in productivity
Authors: Huang Min , Tian Alin , Chen Jiana , Cao Fangbo , Chen Yumei , Liu Longsheng
Published: June 2020

Soil microorganisms play an important role in determining productivity of agro-ecosystems. This study was conducted to compare diversity, richness, and structure (relative abundance at the phylum level) of soil bacterial communities among three rice-based cropping systems, namely, a winter fallow-rice-rice (FRR), green manure (Chinese milk vetch)-rice-rice (MRR), and oilseed rape-rice-rice (ORR), in which MRR and ORR had significantly higher productivity than FRR. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that no significant differences were observed in diversity and richness indices (observed species, Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, abundance-based coverage estimators, and phylogeny-based metrics) of soil bacterial communities among the three cropping systems. However, relative abundances of dominant phyla in soil bacterial communities, including Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Nitrospirae, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia, were significantly different among the three cropping systems. In particular, a significant reduction in the relative abundance of Nitrospirae was observed in both MRR and ORR compared with FRR. These results indicate that bacterial community structure was affected by cropping systems in the tested paddy soils. Based on the results of our studies and existing knowledge bases, we speculate that benefits to rice yield may be obtained by reducing the relative abundance of Nitrospirae and increasing the ratio of abundances of Proteobacteria/Acidobacteria in paddy soils.
Exquisite design of porous carbon microtubule-scaffolding hierarchical In2O3-ZnIn2S4 heterostructures toward efficient photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into CO
Authors: Gao Wa , Wang Lu , Gao Chao , Liu Jinqiu , Yang Yong , Yang Liuqing , Shen Qing , Wu Congping , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang
Published: June 2020

Porous carbon microtubule-scaffolding hierarchical In2O3-ZnIn2S4 heterostructures were exquisitely designed toward efficiently photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into CO.
Fluorescent molecularly imprinted nanoparticles with boronate affinity for selective glycoprotein detection
Authors: Wang Yichen , Luo Jing , Liu Xiaoya
Published: June 2020

Specific recognition and sensing of glycoproteins are of great importance in clinical diagnostics considering their frequent utilization as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Electrochemical nucleation and growth of Pt nanoflower particles on reduced graphite oxide with electrooxidation of glucose
Authors: Saravanan Gengan , Mohan Subramanian
Published: June 2020

Electrochemical deposition of platinum nanoflower particles (PtNFPs) on reduced graphite oxide, rGO/GCE, using H2PtCl6 electrolyte in H2SO4 solution was investigated by chronoamperometry (CA).
Trace analysis of organophosphorus pesticide residues in fruit juices and vegetables by an electrochemically fabricated solid-phase microextraction fiber coated with a layer-by-layer graphenized graphite/graphene oxide/polyaniline nanocomposite
Authors: Manafi Khoshmanesh Sara , Hamishehkar Hamed , Razmi Habib
Published: June 2020

A solid-phase microextraction pencil lead fiber coated with a layer-by-layer graphenized graphite/graphene oxide/polyaniline nanocomposite was made by an in situ electrochemical method for the trace analysis of organophosphorus pesticide residues.
Affinity of plant viral nanoparticle potato virus X (PVX) towards malignant B cells enables cancer drug delivery
Authors: Shukla Sourabh , Roe Anne Jessica , Liu Ruifu , Veliz Frank A. , Commandeur Ulrich , Wald David N. , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: June 2020

Plant vital nanoparticle PVX shows a binding affinity towards malignant B cells and traffics to metastatic lymphoma sites in mice challenged with B cell lymphoma, thus enabling NHL-specific drug delivery.
A thermosensitive nanoplatform for photoacoustic imaging and NIR light triggered chemo-photothermal therapy
Authors: Chen Zikang , Tu Yinuo , Zhang Di , Liu Chuang , Zhou Yuping , Li Xiang , Wu Xu , Liu Ruiyuan
Published: June 2020

A thermosensitive nanoplatform CDTSL achieves NIR light controlled drug release and can be applied for photoacoustic imaging and chemo-photothermal therapy.
Controlled syntheses of monodispersed metal oxide nanocrystals from bulk metal oxide materials
Authors: Zhao Kaixuan , Yang Zhijie , Wei Huiying , Guo Jinxin , Yang Yanzhao , Wei Jingjing
Published: June 2020

High quality metal oxides nanocrystals are synthesized from bulk metal oxides in the presence of surfactants and high boiling point solvent.
Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation in mixed valence di- and tri-nuclear CoII–CoIII complexes
Authors: Paul Aparup , Viciano-Chumillas Marta , Puschmann Horst , Cano Joan , Manna Subal Chandra
Published: June 2020

Two novel mixed valence di/tri nuclear CoII–CoIII complexes were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Magnetic studies at low temperature revealed that both complexes show slow magnetic relaxation.
A new supramolecular catalytic system: the self-assembly of Rh8 cage host anthracene molecules for [4 + 4] cycloaddition induced by UV irradiation
Authors: Yu Wei-Bin , Qiu Feng-Yi , Sun Po , Shi Hua-Tian , Xin Zhi-Feng
Published: June 2020

The supramolecular assembly is significant in host–guest chemistry. In this work, a new supramolecular system assembled through a distorted cuboid was introduced. Moreover, the [4 + 4] cycloaddition reaction of the guest molecules was further studied under UV light.
Prebiotic galactooligosaccharides production from lactose and lactulose by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CRL450
Authors: Fara Agustina , Sabater Carlos , Palacios Jorge , Requena Teresa , Montilla Antonia , Zárate Gabriela
Published: June 2020

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are useful dietary ingredients recognized worldwide as prebiotics.
Correction: Bioaccessibility and biotransformation of anthocyanin monomers following in vitro simulated gastric-intestinal digestion and in vivo metabolism in rats
Authors: Chen Yao , Chen Hui , Zhang Weijie , Ding Yangyang , Zhao Ting , Zhang Min , Mao Guanghua , Feng Weiwei , Wu Xiangyang , Liuqing Yang
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Bioaccessibility and biotransformation of anthocyanin monomers following in vitro simulated gastric-intestinal digestion and in vivo metabolism in rats’ by Yao Chen et al., Food Funct., 2019, 10, 6052–6061, DOI: 10.1039/C9FO00871C.
Luminescent hybrid coatings prepared by a sol–gel process for a textile-based pH sensor
Authors: Boukhriss Aicha , El messoudi Mohamed , Roblin Jean-Philippe , Aaboub Tarik , Boyer Damien , Gmouh Said
Published: June 2020

Luminescent hybrid materials which contain fluorene and stilbene based fluorophores were coated onto cotton fabrics to design textile-based pH sensors.
Metal-free coumarate based ionic liquids and poly(ionic liquid)s as corrosion inhibitors
Authors: Udabe Esther , Forsyth Maria , Somers Anthony , Mecerreyes David
Published: June 2020

Metal-free organic inhibitors that can be incorporated into a polymer coating have great potential, since they can add their intrinsic inhibition effect to the protective layer effect of a polymer coating.
Synergistic plasmon resonance coupling and light capture in ordered nanoarrays as ultrasensitive and reproducible SERS substrates
Authors: Zhao Weidong , Zhang Yuxian , Yang Jiajia , Li Jinming , Feng Yun , Quan Maohua , Yang Zhou , Xiao Shuyuan
Published: June 2020

A particle-in-hemispherical honeycomb nanoarray (PIHHN) SERS substrate with ultrahigh sensitivity and polydirectional signal stability was introduced by a multi-step bottom-up method.
C4–C5 fused pyrazol-3-amines: when the degree of unsaturation and electronic characteristics of the fused ring controls regioselectivity in Ullmann and acylation reactions
Authors: Bou-Petit Elisabeth , Plans Arnau , Rodríguez-Picazo Nieves , Torres-Coll Antoni , Puigjaner Cristina , Font-Bardia Mercè , Teixidó Jordi , Ramon y Cajal Santiago , Estrada-Tejedor Roger , Borrell José I.
Published: June 2020

The regioselectivity of Ullmann and acylation reactions of C4–C5 fused pyrazol-3-amines is predicted using DFT calculations of the most stable tautomer (1H- or 2H-pyrazole) and occur, mainly, at the NH and non-protonated nitrogen atom, respectively.
Photoinitiator-catalyst systems based onmeta-terphenyl derivatives as photosensitisers of iodonium and thianthrenium salts for visible photopolymerization in 3D printing processes
Authors: Tomal Wiktoria , Pilch Maciej , Chachaj-Brekiesz Anna , Galek Mariusz , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Graff Bernadette , Dietlin Céline , Lalevée Jacques , Ortyl Joanna
Published: June 2020

Application of new photoinitiator-catalyst systems based onmeta-terphenyl derivatives as photosensitisers of iodonium and thianthrenium salts for visible photopolymerization in 3D printing.
Tuning the molecular geometry and packing mode of non-fullerene acceptors by altering the bridge atoms towards efficient organic solar cells
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Zhongxun , Shan Tong , Wang Yan , Zhu Lei , Li Tao , Liu Feng , Zhong Hongliang
Published: June 2020

Altering only one atom in a fused-ring changes the molecular geometry and thus impacts the optoelectronic properties and device performance.
Green synthesis of graphene oxide (GO)-anchored Pd/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles usingOcimum sanctumas bio-reductant: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Sultana Samim , Mech Swapna Devi , Hussain Farhaz Liaquat , Pahari Pallab , Borah Geetika , Gogoi Pradip K.
Published: June 2020

Here we report the synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide anchored Pd–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles by bio reduction method and its application in Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction.
Describing the toxicity and sources and the remediation technologies for mercury-contaminated soil
Authors: Teng Dongye , Mao Kang , Ali Waqar , Xu Guomin , Huang Guopei , Niazi Nabeel Khan , Feng Xinbin , Zhang Hua
Published: June 2020

Mercury (Hg) is a natural element and its compounds are found as inorganic and organic forms in the environment.
Metal-free oxidative coupling of arylmethylamines with indoles: a simple, environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of 3,3′-bis(indolyl)methanes
Authors: Kadu Vikas D. , Chandrudu Sankala Naga , Hublikar Mahesh G. , Raut Dattatraya G. , Bhosale Raghunath B.
Published: June 2020

The efficient metal-free oxidative coupling of arylmethylamines with indoles has been developed using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant towards a novel rout of 3,3′-bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) synthesis.
An ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of leather-derived luminescent graphene quantum dots: catalytic reduction and switch on–off probe for nitro-explosives
Authors: Kanwal Shamsa , Jahan Shanaz , Mansoor Farukh
Published: June 2020

The current research effort demonstrates the ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) of ∼5 nm diameter.
Development of a flexible, sweat-based neuropeptide Y detection platform
Authors: Mintah Churcher Nathan Kodjo , Upasham Sayali , Rice Paul , Bhadsavle Serena , Prasad Shalini
Published: June 2020

Novel wearable NPY biomarker tracking system, envisioned to be a chronic anxiety and MDD management platform via self-monitoring.
A near-infrared fluorogenic dimer enables background-free imaging of endogenous GPCRs in living mice
Authors: Esteoulle Lucie , Daubeuf François , Collot Mayeul , Riché Stéphanie , Durroux Thierry , Brasse David , Marchand Patrice , Karpenko Julie , Klymchenko Andrey S. , Bonnet Dominique
Published: June 2020

A near-infrared emitting fluorogenic dimer with environment-sensitive folding and exceptional brightness enables background-free and target-specific imaging of the naturally expressed oxytocin GPCR in living mice.
Targeted classification of metal–organic frameworks in the Cambridge structural database (CSD)
Authors: Moghadam Peyman Z. , Li Aurelia , Liu Xiao-Wei , Bueno-Perez Rocio , Wang Shu-Dong , Wiggin Seth B. , Wood Peter A. , Fairen-Jimenez David
Published: June 2020

Large-scale targeted exploration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with characteristics such as specific surface chemistry or metal-cluster family has not been investigated so far.
Panchromatic light funneling through the synergy in hexabenzocoronene–(metallo)porphyrin–fullerene assemblies to realize the separation of charges
Authors: Wolf Maximilian , Lungerich Dominik , Bauroth Stefan , Popp Maximilian , Platzer Benedikt , Clark Timothy , Anderson Harry L. , Jux Norbert , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: June 2020

Here, we present a novel butadiyne-linked HBC-ethynyl-porphyrin dimer, which exhibits in the ground state strong absorption cross sections throughout the UV and visible ranges of the solar spectrum.
On the effect of particle surface chemistry in film stratification and morphology regulation
Authors: Samanta Archana , Bordes Romain
Published: June 2020

The surface chemistry of silica nanoparticles and the resulting gelling tendency influence the stratification in the film forming process.
Revealing the effect of the cell voltage and external conditions on the characteristics of protonic ceramic fuel cells
Authors: Putilov L. P. , Tsidilkovski V. I. , Demin A. K.
Published: June 2020

The effects of the cell voltage and external conditions on the characteristics of protonic ceramic fuel cell are theoretically elucidated.
Frequency switchable correlated transports in perovskite rare-earth nickelates
Authors: Chen Jikun , Li Haifan , Wang Jiaou , Ke Xinyou , Ge Binghui , Chen Jinhao , Dong Hongliang , Jiang Yong , Chen Nuofu
Published: June 2020

Delta-temperature thermistor functionality in correlated rare-earth nickelates sheds light on regulations for the working state of electronic devices using AC-frequency dependent impedance without altering the materials.
Charge steering in ultrathin 2D nanomaterials for photocatalysis
Authors: Xiong Jun , Di Jun , Li Huaming
Published: June 2020

Charge steering in 2D photocatalysts to pursue high photocatalytic efficiency from the aspects of increase charge generation, boost charge transport, suppress charge recombination, and accelerate reaction kinetics are reviewed.
Breaking the short-range proximity requirement in quantum dot/molecular catalyst hybrids for CO2 reduction via long-range hot electron sensitization
Authors: Parobek David , Meeder Jeremy R. , Puthenpurayil Joseph , Nippe Michael , Son Dong Hee
Published: June 2020

Long-range hot electron transfer removes the proximity requirement in quantum dot-molecular catalyst hybrid systems for CO2 reduction.
Near infrared fluorogenic probe as a prodrug model for evaluating cargo release by nanoemulsions
Authors: Bou Sophie , Wang Xinyue , Anton Nicolas , Klymchenko Andrey S. , Collot Mayeul
Published: June 2020

We developed Pro-HD, a NIR fluorogenic prodrug model. We evaluated its efficient cell delivery using biocompatible nanoemulsions and its hydrolysis into the fluorescent HD drug model once delivered in cancer cells.
Correction: Delivering siRNA to control osteogenic differentiation and real-time detection of cell differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells using multifunctional gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Qian , Wang Kaipeng , Wang Xichao , Liang Guohai , Li Jinming
Published: June 2020

Correction for ‘Delivering siRNA to control osteogenic differentiation and real-time detection of cell differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells using multifunctional gold nanoparticles’ by Qian Wu et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020, 8, 3016–3027, DOI: 10.1039/c9tb02899d.
Upgrading the chemistry of π-conjugated polymers toward more sustainable materials
Authors: Giraud Lauriane , Grelier Stéphane , Grau Etienne , Hadziioannou Georges , Brochon Cyril , Cramail Henri , Cloutet Eric
Published: June 2020

While organic electronics are ubiquitous in our daily lives, studies dealing with their environmental impact or their sustainability are scarce.
Current Approaches to the Management of Usher Syndrome for the Clinician
Authors: Koleilat Alaa , Schimmenti Lisa A. , Poling Gayla L.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

More than 460 million people suffer from disabling hearing loss worldwide, and about 50%–60% of hearing loss in infants are due to genetics. Usher syndrome is a genetic condition in which children are born deaf or hard of hearing and subsequently develop retinitis pigmentosa. It is the most common cause of deafness and blindness in pediatric populations, and pathogenic variants in 10 different genes are shown to be causative. The purpose of this review article is to advance the understanding of the clinical symptoms of an individual with Usher syndrome and highlight the latest research in the development of new treatments including gene therapy. The care and management of individuals with Usher syndrome require a team of multidisciplinary health care professionals, including an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, an ophthalmologist, and a medical geneticist. We highlight the importance of early identification for better speech and developmental outcomes, specifically in pediatric individuals.

Conclusion

This review empowers audiologists to be aware of early signs of Usher syndrome as they are typically the first point of contact and provides important information for audiologists and other health care professionals involved in the care of individuals with hearing loss and vision loss.
Non‐destructive inspection method for FRPM pipelines utilising time‐domain responses of microwave guided‐modes
Authors: Matsukawa S. , Yoshida K. , Okuda T. , Hazama M. , Kurokawa S. , Murata H.
Published: June 2020

The authors propose a new non‐destructive inspection method for underground fiberglass‐reinforced plastic mortar (FRPM) pipelines. Their method utilises time‐domain responses of microwave guided‐modes propagating along an FRPM pipe‐wall. Through the time‐domain analyses, they found that a microwave guided‐mode signal propagating along a pipe‐wall is spread out to various waves corresponding to straight and circumferential waves along the pipe‐wall and that the position of an unwanted foreign object on the wall can be detected by examining the path of the wave interrupted by the foreign object. Additionally, they also derived a propagation equation that enables them to calculate a time‐domain response of the spread microwave guided‐mode signals propagating along the pipe‐wall. This method can be applied to pipelines consisting of various types of materials.
Optimal power flow in multi‐terminal HVDC networks with embedded high‐power DC–DC converters for voltage matching and flexible DC transmission
Authors: Sayed Sawsan , Massoud Ahmed
Published: June 2020

High‐power DC–DC converters are integrated into multi‐terminal high‐voltage DC (MTDC) networks, typically for voltage matching or flexible DC transmission. This study addresses droop‐controlled radial and mesh MTDC networks with transmission loss minimisation considering the impact of integrating a high‐power DC–DC converter. DC voltage droop control can achieve minimum power loss in radial MTDC transmission network by controlling the power‐sharing among the receiving nodes inversely proportional to their transmission line resistances. Updating the droop characteristics by an optimisation algorithm guarantees optimal power flow (OPF) during renewable source power generation fluctuation. Meanwhile, the mesh network DC voltage references can be updated by the OPF for transmission loss minimisation. This study presents the impact of incorporating a high‐power DC–DC converter at different system access lines of a radial MTDC network while targeting efficient power transfer and DC transmission loss minimisation. The effect of introducing a high‐power DC–DC converter on the droop characteristic settings during steady‐state operation in a radial MTDC network is investigated. Moreover, the impact of a high‐power DC–DC converter in mesh MTDC network with OPF operation is explored. To validate the presented concepts, the CIGRE B4 MTDC network is used as a benchmark system with a metaheuristic optimisation technique.
Practical solutions for ground grid circulating currents caused by air‐core reactor
Authors: Davarpanah Mahdi , Abedini Moein , Mohammadi Saeed
Published: June 2020

This study describes an actual problem with circulating current at the ground grid of an actual power system that has an air‐core reactor. Such reactors generate a large amount of magnetic flux whose path can be closed through its underneath ground grid. This magnetic flux induces a voltage on the ground meshes and thus results in considerable circulating currents that pass through the ground meshes. Indeed, the main novelty of this study is investigating the effect of air‐core reactors on the other nearby equipment and considering the air‐core reactor's flux underneath ground meshes. This phenomenon occurred in a steel industrial plant and practically leads to severe damages to equipment through which the current has been flowing, including ground grid conductors, cable shields, and foundation armatures. This study addresses the origins of problems raised by the manufactured equipment in a reputable company based on both simulations and experimental studies. Based on the obtained results, several practical approaches are proposed and implemented to overcome the problems mentioned above.
Experimental prototyping of synthetic inertial system for the improvement in frequency deflection
Authors: Bhowmik Pritam , Rout Pravat Kumar
Published: June 2020

Trends of incorporating distributed renewable energy sources into the power distribution network through power electronic mediums have substantially increased. It results in a decaying inertial response and, consequently, the natural damping. Eventually, the distribution network is increasingly becoming sensitive towards the uncertainties. The increasing sensitivity issue in the power system drives the present research trends towards a solution termed virtual synchronous generator (VSG). A VSG has the potentiality to mimic the characteristics of a physical synchronous generator (SG). In this study, to expose the suppressed potentiality of a VSG, an innovative concept of virtual gyratory mass is proposed. To achieve a satisfactory performance, the model parameters of the VSG have to be well chosen. Conventionally, optimal parameters are selected by comparing it with a physical SG and thus, it remains constant in its operational period. However, the constant inertial VSG cannot suppress the system sensitivity under the random degree of uncertainty. Therefore, to ride through this issue, the concept of dynamic damping co‐efficient is introduced in this study. The damping coefficient is tuned in real‐time through the proposed fuzzy tuned dynamic synthetic inertia mechanism. The improvement in the performance is validated in the real‐time experimental prototype setup.
Self‐adaptive hybrid algorithm based bi‐level approach for virtual power plant bidding in multiple retail markets
Authors: Yi Zhongkai , Xu Yinliang , Sun Hongbin
Published: June 2020

Virtual power plant (VPP) has become a promising technique to facilitate distributed energy resources (DERs) to participate in the power markets. Considering the respective interests of the VPP agent and distribution system operator (DSO), a bi‐level optimisation model for VPP bidding in multiple retail markets (including active power, reactive power and spinning reserve market) as price‐maker is formulated. In the upper layer, taking into account various DERs, the VPP agent aims to develop hourly bidding prices and quantities of multiple market commodities to maximise its operation profits. In the lower layer, DSO conducts the retail market clearing to minimise the system operation cost considering the network constraints and bidding plans of the market participants. Moreover, the quadratic coupling constraints among different market commodities due to capacity limitation of distributed generators and branches are formulated explicitly in the proposed model. The hybrid simulated annealing‐genetic algorithm with self‐adaptive parameters is adopted to cope with the non‐linearity and compute the economic bidding plans for VPP. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified under different scenarios through case studies, which indicate its superiority and great potential for implementation.
Bridge‐type fault current limiter and hybrid breaker for HVDC grids applications
Authors: Heidary Amir , Rouzbehi Kumars , Hesami Morteza , Bigdeli Mehdi , Bordons Carlos
Published: June 2020

The fast raising nature of DC fault currents and sensitivity of high‐voltage DC (HVDC) power converters to DC faults is critical protection issues. On the other hand, DC fault current does not meet zero; which causes DC to fault current breaking process become more challenging. Specifically, to protect HVDC grids against DC fault currents, the development of very fast breakers is crucial. This study proposes a DC fault current limiter and breaker, which is able to protect the HVDC system/grid in a very fast and safe manner. The main goal of this study is to enhance the performance of already in the market hybrid DC circuit breakersincluding the magnitude of fault current and breaker operation speed. In the proposed HVDC fault current limiter and breaker, the fault current is limited in two stages by an inductive and resistive current limiter, which drastically decreases the main breaker dissipated energy. The functionality of the proposed HVDC fault current limiter and breaker is mathematically analysed, and then verified by PSCAD and Matlab/Simulink. Finally, simulation results are validated by scaled‐down laboratory examinations.
Inertia‐adaptive model predictive control‐based load frequency control for interconnected power systems with wind power
Authors: Yang Deyou , Wang Bo , Cai Guowei , Ma Jin , Tian Jie , Chen Zhe , Wang Lixin
Published: June 2020

The low and variable inertia due to the integration of large‐scale wind generation poses severe challenges to the frequency control of the power grid. In this study, a novel model predictive control (MPC)‐based load frequency controller (LFC), which can adapt to the changes in system inertia, is proposed to improve the frequency control effect. First, the inertia estimation scheme based on measurements is designed. Then, the state‐space model, which is the key that determines the control effect of MPC, is corrected in time based on the estimated inertia. The proposed method in this study can avoid the problem of MPC‐based LFC failure caused by inaccurate model parameters. The performance of the proposed strategy is demonstrated in two scenarios, i.e. wind power fluctuation and load multi‐step, using a two‐area interconnected power system with time‐variant inertia.
Optimised damping control of islanded DC power systems using state feedback
Authors: Fu Yuan , Li Hao , Zhang Xiangyu , Wang Yaoduo
Published: June 2020

The voltage oscillation of islanded DC‐power systems is probably caused by negative impedance, produced by the converter from conventional power control structure. In this study, the small disturbance linearised state equation of a DC‐power grid with constant power load is derived to estimate the damping characteristics of DC voltage. To enhance the transient voltage stability, a novel DC‐voltage damping control method is proposed, where both DC voltage and DC current are used as state‐feedback variables. Furthermore, two state‐feedback control loops are designed to regulate the duty cycle of buck–boost converter added to the energy‐storage device. Using the root‐locus method, the principle of system pole placement is further discussed to determine the optimal control parameters in the proposed feedback loops, so that the damping characteristics of power system can be optimised. Finally, experimental tests are conducted on a hardware‐in‐the‐loop platform of a typical islanded DC‐power system to validate the new control structure. The results demonstrate that the DC‐voltage oscillation can be reduced rapidly, which greatly improves the transient stability of DC‐power system.
Extending SFR model to incorporate the influence of thermal states on primary frequency response
Authors: Cao Yongji , Zhang Hengxu , Zhang Yi , Xie Yuzheng , Ma Changhui
Published: June 2020

Due to the increasing penetration of variable renewable energies, the primary frequency response (PFR) capability of thermal power units is becoming more and more significant for power systems to tackle abrupt active power disturbances. Moreover, the actual thermal states of boilers that are usually assumed to keep rated and constant may degrade PFR capability, and incur unexpected severer frequency deviations and even instability. This study proposes an extended system frequency response (ESFR) model incorporating the influence of thermal states on PFR. The ESFR model is developed by extending the system frequency response (SFR) model with a boiler thermodynamic sub‐model, of which a low‐order and linear time‐domain expression is derived. Then, a quantitative assessment framework is established to assess the influence of thermal states on PFR capability, in which the instantaneous and accumulative quantities are calculated via the expressions of the ESFR and SFR models. Furthermore, based on the developed ESFR model, an improved estimation approach of dynamic frequency response considering thermal states is provided for the preliminary application. Case studies are conducted to validate the proposed model and approach.
Enhanced Lagrange relaxation for the optimal unit commitment of identical generating units
Authors: Nikolaidis Pavlos , Poullikkas Andreas
Published: June 2020

Intelligent generation scheduling for seamless integration of uncertain and volatile renewable sources constitutes a crucial solution in delivering future low carbon energy. System operators need to devise effective flexibility adequacy plans for their power systems so as to guarantee power balance and ensure feasible and economical operation over different time horizons and under different generational, environmental and technical constraints. In this work, the authors propose a novel approach for addressing the unit commitment problem of identical generating units, based on Lagrange relaxation framework. The proposed method is characterised by a double decomposition formulation to determine the optimal path for the commitment of identical heat‐rate units. This approach is tested and compared to conventional Lagrange relaxation on systems with a number of generating units in the range of 20–100. The proposed approach completely outperforms the conventional alternative in terms of total fuel cost savings, as well as the number of required iterations. In addition, the required iterations are found to increase linearly with system size, which is favourable for large‐scale implementations.
Perception of autonomous vehicles by the modern society: a survey
Authors: Thomas Elena , McCrudden Connie , Wharton Zachary , Behera Ardhendu
Published: June 2020

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are undergoing rapid worldwide development. They will only become a success if they are accepted by their users. Therefore, there is a need for user acceptance for these vehicles. Previous studies on acceptance of AV have identified several predictors. Inspired by these studies, the authors’ investigation is aimed at sociodemographic characteristics, including broader individual and societal acceptance, beyond technical issues to get a clear view of user acceptance. In this study, they surveyed 229 respondents, using a 46‐item online questionnaire. Overall, the authors’ analysis revealed that the respondents are most concerned about crashing/malfunctioning, purchase price, liability for incidents, interaction with non‐AV, performance in unexpected situations, hacking and safety. The results also revealed that the AV is perceived as ‘somewhat low risk’ to drive. Gender, age, education level and employment status had varied relationships with the perceived concerns and general attitude towards the AV. For instance, respondents with a university degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD) are less concerned about the liability of accidents and AV system failure than those without it. Similarly, respondents between 36 and 65 years of age are more concerned and even refused to drive AV in comparison to the age ranges of 18–35 years and 65 +  years.
Data‐driven weather forecasting models performance comparison for improving offshore wind turbine availability and maintenance
Authors: Pandit Ravi Kumar , Kolios Athanasios , Infield David
Published: June 2020

Wind power is highly dependent on wind speed and operations offshore are affected by wave height; these together called turbine weather datasets that are variable and intermittent over various time‐scales and signify offshore weather conditions. In contrast to onshore wind, offshore wind requires improved forecasting since unfavorable weather prevents repair and maintenance activities. This study proposes two data‐driven models for long‐term weather conditions forecasting to support operation and maintenance (O&M) decision‐making process. These two data‐driven approaches are long short‐term memory network, abbreviated as LSTM, and Markov chain. An LSTM is an artificial recurrent neural network, capable of learning long‐term dependencies within a sequence of data and is typically used to avoid the long‐term dependency problem. While, Markov is another data‐driven stochastic model, which assumes that, the future states depend only on the current states, not on the events that occurred before. The readily available weather FINO3 datasets are used to train and validate the performance of these models. A performance comparison between these weather forecasted models would be carried out to determine which approach is most accurate and suitable for improving offshore wind turbine availability and support maintenance activities. The entire study outlines the weakness and strength associated with proposed models in relations to offshore wind farms operational activities.
APEX CO observations towards the photodissociation region of RCW 120
Authors: Figueira M. , Zavagno A. , Bronfman L. , Russeil D. , Finger R. , Schuller F.
Published: June 2020

Context. The edges of ionized (H II) regions are important sites for the formation of (high-mass) stars. Indeed, at least 30% of the Galactic high-mass-star formation is observed there. The radiative and compressive impact of the H II region could induce star formation at the border following different mechanisms such as the collect and collapse or the radiation-driven implosion (RDI) models and change their properties.

Aims. We aim to study the properties of two zones located in the photo dissociation region (PDR) of the Galactic H II region RCW 120 and discuss them as a function of the physical conditions and young star contents found in both clumps.

Methods. Using the APEX telescope, we mapped two regions of size 1.5′ × 1.5′ toward the most massive clump of RCW 120 hosting young massive sources and toward a clump showing a protrusion inside the H II region and hosting more evolved low-mass sources. The 12CO (J = 3−2), 13CO (J = 3−2) and C18O (J = 3−2) lines observed, together with Herschel data, are used to derive the properties and dynamics of these clumps. We discuss their relation with the hosted star formation.

Results. Assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, the increase of velocity dispersion and Tex are found toward the center of the maps, where star-formation is observed with Herschel. Furthermore, both regions show supersonic Mach numbers (7 and 17 in average). No substantial information has been gathered about the impact of far ultraviolet radiation on C18O photodissociation at the edges of RCW 120. The fragmentation time needed for CC to be at work is equivalent to the dynamical age of RCW 120 and the properties of region B are in agreement with bright-rimmed clouds.

Conclusions. Although conclusions from this fragmentation model should be taken with caution, it strengthens the fact that, together with evidence of compression, CC might be at work at the edges of RCW 120. Additionally, the clump located at the eastern part of the PDR is a good candidate pre-existing clump where star-formation may be induced by the RDI mechanism.
Hot gas heating via magnetic arms in spiral galaxies
Authors: Weżgowiec M. , Ehle M. , Soida M. , Dettmar R.-J. , Beck R. , Urbanik M.
Published: June 2020

Context. Reconnection heating has been considered as a potential source of the heating of the interstellar medium. In some galaxies, significant polarised radio emission has been found between the spiral arms. This emission has a form of “magnetic arms” that resembles the spiral structure of the galaxy. Reconnection effects could convert some of the energy of the turbulent magnetic field into the thermal energy of the surrounding medium, leaving more ordered magnetic fields, as is observed in the magnetic arms.

Aims. Sensitive radio and X-ray data for the grand-design spiral galaxy M 83 are used for a detailed analysis of the possible interactions of magnetic fields with hot gas, including a search for signatures of gas heating by magnetic reconnection effects.

Methods. Magnetic field strengths and energies derived from the radio emission are compared with the parameters of the hot gas calculated from the model fits to sensitive X-ray spectra of the hot gas emission.

Results. The available X-ray data allowed us to distinguish two thermal components in the halo of M 83. We found slightly higher average temperatures of the hot gas in the interarm regions, which results in higher energies per particle and is accompanied by a decrease in the energy density of the magnetic fields.

Conclusions. The observed differences in the energy budget between the spiral arms and the interarm regions suggest that, similar to the case of another spiral galaxy NGC 6946, we may be observing hints for gas heating by magnetic reconnection effects in the interarm regions. These effects, which act more efficiently on the turbulent component of the magnetic field, are expected to be stronger in the spiral arms. However, with the present data it is only possible to trace them in the interarm regions, where the star formation and the resulting turbulence is low.