bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovery of Atmospheric‐Wind‐Driven Electric Currents in Saturn's Magnetosphere in the Gap Between Saturn and its Rings
Authors: Khurana K. K. , Dougherty M. K. , Provan G. , Hunt G. J. , Kivelson M. G. , Cowley S. W. H. , Southwood D. J. , Russell C. T.
Published: October 2018

Magnetic field observations obtained by the Cassini spacecraft as it traversed regions inside of Saturn's D ring packed a genuine surprise. The azimuthal component of the magnetic field recorded a consistent positive perturbation with a strength of 15–25 nT near closest approach. The closest approaches were near the equatorial plane of Saturn and were distributed narrowly around local noon and brought the spacecraft to within 2,550 km of Saturn's cloud tops. Modeling of this perturbation shows that it is not of internal origin but is produced by external currents that couple the low‐latitude northern ionosphere to the low‐latitude southern ionosphere. The azimuthal perturbations diminish at higher latitudes on field lines that connect to Saturn's icy rings. The sense of the current system suggests that the southern feet of the field lines in the ionosphere leads their northern counterparts. We show that the observed field perturbations are consistent with a field‐aligned current whose strength is ~1 MA/radian, that is, comparable in strength to the planetary‐period‐oscillation‐related current systems observed in the auroral zone. We show that the Lorentz force in the ionosphere extracts momentum from the faster moving low‐latitude zonal belt and delivers it to the northern ionosphere. We further show that the electric current is generated when the two ends of a field line are embedded in zonal flows with differing wind speeds in the low‐latitude thermosphere. The wind‐generated currents dissipate 2 × 1011W of thermal power, similar to the input from the solar extreme ultraviolet flux in this region.
BMSCs pre-treatment ameliorates inflammation-related tissue destruction in LPS-induced rat DIC model
Authors: Wang Biao , Wu Shuming , Ma Zengshan , Wang Tao , Yang Changyong
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) model rats and to further explore the underlying mechanism. A rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DIC was successfully established, as indicated by impaired plasma hemostatic parameters and damaged organ functions in rats. Importantly, pre-treatment with rat allogeneic BMSCs before LPS injection significantly alleviated systemic intravascular coagulation, reduced plasma levels of organ dysfunction indicators and pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppressed fibrin microthrombi formation, ameliorated liver, heart, and renal injuries, and increased 24-hour survival rates in LPS-induced DIC rats. The protection of BMSCs against DIC was in a moderately dose-dependent manner. Further investigation revealed that BMSCs co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) significantly inhibited the LPS-stimulated PBMCs proliferation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from PBMCs. Of note, upregulation of immunosuppressive factors including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and interleukin-10, which was induced by interferon-γ, contributed to BMSCs-mediated inhibition of LPS-stimulated PBMCs proliferation. These effects do not depend on the direct cell–cell contact. In conclusion, BMSCs pre-treatment ameliorates inflammation-related tissue destruction in LPS-induced DIC model rats. The protection of BMSCs may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which render BMSCs a promising source for stem cell-based therapeutic approaches in inflammation-related DIC.
Reduction of HIP2 expression causes motor function impairment and increased vulnerability to dopaminergic degeneration in Parkinson’s disease models
Authors: Su Jinlin , Huang Pei , Qin Meiling , Lu Qingqing , Sang Xiao , Cai Yijun , Wang Ying , Liu Fubing , Wu Rong , Wang Xiaoping , Jiang Xiaoxing , Wang Jian , Sun Qiang , Chen Shengdi , Xu Jin
Published: October 2018

Huntingtin interaction protein 2 (HIP2) is an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme associated with neurodegenerative diseases, and HIP2 mRNA has been implicated as a potential blood biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is unclear whether the alteration of HIP2 expression may contribute to the development of PD, and whether the change of HIP2 in blood could reflect its expression in the brain or motor functions in PD patients. In this study, we established a mouse line with HIP2 haploinsufficiency. The reduction of the HIP2 expression led to spontaneous motor function impairment and dopaminergic neuronal loss. Furthermore, HIP2 haploinsufficiency increased the susceptibility of mice to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and caused severe loss of dopaminergic neurons. Interestingly, in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model for PD, we observed concurrent, highly correlated decrease of HIP2 expression in the brain and in the blood. Using blood samples from more than 300 patients, we validated the decreased HIP2 mRNA in PD patients, including de novo patients. Finally, in a 1-year, 20-patient study, we observed reversed blood HIP2 mRNA levels accompanying improved motor and overall daily functions in 75% of the PD patients with instructed Tai Chi training. Therefore, our in vivo studies have indicated HIP2 insufficiency as a contributing factor for PD, and functionally validated blood HIP2 as a useful and reversible biomarker for PD.
CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β functions as a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling through activation of AXIN1 gene expression
Authors: Park Seoyoung , Lee Mi-Sun , Gwak Jungsug , Choi Tae-Ik , Lee Youngseok , Ju Bong Gun , Kim Cheol-Hee , Oh Sangtaek
Published: October 2018

Axin1, a concentration-limiting component of the β-catenin destruction complex, negatively regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Axin1 concentration is reported to be regulated by proteasomal degradation; however, its transcriptional regulation has not yet been reported. Here, we demonstrated that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β (C/EBP-β) activates axis inhibition protein 1 (AXIN1) gene expression, thereby attenuating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. C/EBP-β interacted with cis-regulatory element for C/EBP-β in the 5′-upstream sequences of the AXIN1 gene and increased AXIN1 promoter activity. Functional analysis using Drosophila and zebrafish models established that C/EBP-β negatively regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Small-molecule-based up-regulation of C/EBP-β induces AXIN1 gene expression and down-regulates the intracellular β-catenin level, thereby inhibiting hepatoma cell growth. Thus, our findings provide a unique mechanistic insight into the regulation of Axin homeostasis and present a novel strategy for the development of anticancer therapeutics targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Zebrafish: an emerging real-time model system to study Alzheimer’s disease and neurospecific drug discovery
Authors: Saleem Suraiya , Kannan Rajaretinam Rajesh
Published: October 2018

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is emerging as an increasingly successful model for translational research on human neurological disorders. In this review, we appraise the high degree of neurological and behavioural resemblance of zebrafish with humans. It is highly validated as a powerful vertebrate model for investigating human neurodegenerative diseases. The neuroanatomic and neurochemical pathways of zebrafish brain exhibit a profound resemblance with the human brain. Physiological, emotional and social behavioural pattern similarities between them have also been well established. Interestingly, zebrafish models have been used successfully to simulate the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as Tauopathy. Their relatively simple nervous system and the optical transparency of the embryos permit real-time neurological imaging. Here, we further elaborate on the use of recent real-time imaging techniques to obtain vital insights into the neurodegeneration that occurs in AD. Zebrafish is adeptly suitable for Ca2+ imaging, which provides a better understanding of neuronal activity and axonal dystrophy in a non-invasive manner. Three-dimensional imaging in zebrafish is a rapidly evolving technique, which allows the visualisation of the whole organism for an elaborate in vivo functional and neurophysiological analysis in disease condition. Suitability to high-throughput screening and similarity with humans makes zebrafish an excellent model for screening neurospecific compounds. Thus, the zebrafish model can be pivotal in bridging the gap from the bench to the bedside. This fish is becoming an increasingly successful model to understand AD with further scope for investigation in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, which promises exciting research opportunities in the future.
LEM4 confers tamoxifen resistance to breast cancer cells by activating cyclin D-CDK4/6-Rb and ERα pathway
Authors: Gao Ang , Sun Tonghua , Ma Gui , Cao Jiangran , Hu Qingxia , Chen Ling , Wang Yanxin , Wang Qianying , Sun Jiafu , Wu Rui , Wu Qiao , Zhou Jiaxi , Liu Lin , Hu Junjie , Dong Jin-Tang , Zhu Zhengmao
Published: October 2018

The elucidation of molecular events that confer tamoxifen resistance to estrogen receptor α (ER) positive breast cancer is of major scientific and therapeutic importance. Here, we report that LEM4 overexpression renders ER+ breast cancer cells resistant to tamoxifen by activating the cyclin D-CDK4/6 axis and the ERα signaling. We show that LEM4 overexpression accelerates tumor growth. Interaction with LEM4 stabilizes CDK4 and Rb, promotes Rb phosphorylation and the G1/S phase transition. LEM4 depletion or combined tamoxifen and PD0332991 treatment significantly reverses tamoxifen resistance. Furthermore, LEM4 interacts with and stabilizes both Aurora-A and ERα, promotes Aurora-A mediated phosphorylation of ERα-Ser167, leading to increase in ERα DNA-binding and transactivation activity. Elevated levels of LEM4 correlates with poorer relapse-free survival in patients with ER+ breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy. Thus, LEM4 represents a prognostic marker and an attractive target for breast cancer therapeutics. Functional antagonism of LEM4 could overcome tamoxifen resistance.
A genetic network mediating the control of bud break in hybrid aspen
Authors: Singh Rajesh Kumar , Maurya Jay P. , Azeez Abdul , Miskolczi Pal , Tylewicz Szymon , Stojkovič Katja , Delhomme Nicolas , Busov Victor , Bhalerao Rishikesh P.
Published: October 2018

In boreal and temperate ecosystems, temperature signal regulates the reactivation of growth (bud break) in perennials in the spring. Molecular basis of temperature-mediated control of bud break is poorly understood. Here we identify a genetic network mediating the control of bud break in hybrid aspen. The key components of this network are transcription factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE-LIKE (SVL), closely related to Arabidopsis floral repressor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE, and its downstream target TCP18, a tree homolog of a branching regulator in Arabidopsis. SVL and TCP18 are downregulated by low temperature. Genetic evidence demonstrates their role as negative regulators of bud break. SVL mediates bud break by antagonistically acting on gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways, which function as positive and negative regulators of bud break, respectively. Thus, our results reveal the mechanistic basis for temperature-cued seasonal control of a key phenological event in perennial plants.
A missense variant in SLC39A8 is associated with severe idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Haller Gabe , McCall Kevin , Jenkitkasemwong Supak , Sadler Brooke , Antunes Lilian , Nikolov Momchil , Whittle Julia , Upshaw Zachary , Shin Jimann , Baschal Erin , Cruchaga Carlos , Harms Matthew , Raggio Cathleen , Morcuende Jose A. , Giampietro Philip , Miller Nancy H. , Wise Carol , Gray Ryan S. , Solnica-Krezel Lila , Knutson Mitchell , Dobbs Matthew B. , Gurnett Christina A.
Published: October 2018

Genetic factors predictive of severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are largely unknown. To identify genetic variation associated with severe AIS, we performed an exome-wide association study of 457 severe AIS cases and 987 controls. We find a missense SNP in SLC39A8 (p.Ala391Thr, rs13107325) associated with severe AIS (P = 1.60 × 10−7, OR = 2.01, CI = 1.54–2.62). This pleiotropic SNP was previously associated with BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood manganese level. We replicate the association in a second cohort (841 cases and 1095 controls) resulting in a combined P = 7.02 × 10−14, OR = 1.94, CI = 1.63–2.34. Clinically, the minor allele of rs13107325 is associated with greater spinal curvature, decreased height, increased BMI and lower plasma manganese in our AIS cohort. Functional studies demonstrate reduced manganese influx mediated by the SLC39A8 p.Ala391Thr variant and vertebral abnormalities, impaired growth, and decreased motor activity in slc39a8 mutant zebrafish. Our results suggest the possibility that scoliosis may be amenable to dietary intervention.
Replacing the Draize eye test: Impedance spectroscopy as a 3R method to discriminate between all GHS categories for eye irritation
Authors: Lotz C. , Kiesewetter L. , Schmid F. F. , Hansmann J. , Walles H. , Groeber-Becker F.
Published: October 2018

Highly invasive animal based test procedures for risk assessment such as the Draize eye test are under increasing criticism due to poor transferability for the human organism and animal-welfare concerns. However, besides all efforts, the Draize eye test is still not completely replaced by alternative animal-free methods. To develop an in vitro test to identify all categories of eye irritation, we combined organotypic cornea models based on primary human cells with an electrical readout system that measures the impedance of the test models. First, we showed that employing a primary human cornea epithelial cell based model is advantageous in native marker expression to the primary human epidermal keratinocytes derived models. Secondly, by employing a non-destructive measuring system based on impedance spectroscopy, we could increase the sensitivity of the test system. Thereby, all globally harmonized systems categories of eye irritation could be identified by repeated measurements over a period of 7 days. Based on a novel prediction model we achieved an accuracy of 78% with a reproducibility of 88.9% to determine all three categories of eye irritation in one single test. This could pave the way according to the 3R principle to replace the Draize eye test.
Templated replication (or lack thereof) under prebiotically pertinent conditions
Authors: Bapat Niraja V. , Rajamani Sudha
Published: October 2018

Accurate replication of encoded information would have been crucial for the formation and propagation of functional ribozymes during the early evolution of life. Studies aimed at understanding prebiotically pertinent nonenzymatic reactions have predominantly used activated nucleotides. However, the existence of concentrated pools of activated monomers on prebiotic Earth is debatable. In this study, we explored the feasibility of nonenzymatic copying reactions using the more prebiotically relevant 5′-nucleoside monophosphates (5′-NMP). These reactions, involving a 20-mer primer, were performed in the presence of amphiphiles, under volcanic geothermal conditions. Interestingly, the extended primer was not comparable to the expected full length 21-mer product. Our results suggest loss of the nitrogenous base in the extended primer. This phenomenon persisted even after lowering the temperature and when different rehydration solutions were used. We envisage that the loss of the informational moiety on the incoming 5′-NMP, might be occurring during addition of this monomer to the pre-existing oligomer. Significantly, when 5′-ribose monophosphate was used, multiple additions to the aforementioned primer were observed that resulted in hybrid polymers. Such hybrid oligomers could have been important for exploring a vast chemical space of plausible alternate nucleobases, thus having important implications for the origin of primitive informational polymers.
Losses of natural coastal wetlands by land conversion and ecological degradation in the urbanizing Chinese coast
Authors: Lin Qiaoying , Yu Shen
Published: October 2018

Coastal wetland ecosystems have experienced serious losses of area and ecological function and are currently facing worldwide challenges due to coastal development and global climate change. This study attempted to explore patterns and possible factors driving loss of natural coastal wetlands due to land conversion (permanent loss) and ecological degradation (temporal loss) in three urbanizing coastal city clusters, China in the period of 1990–2015. The natural coastal wetland area was substantially lost due to land conversion highly related to regional economic development. The ecological degradation, assessed as a function of surface water quality, resulted in much greater impairment area of natural coastal wetlands. This impairment was predominantly driven by inbound river pollutants’ discharge, rather than local discharge. This study suggests that the ecological degradation should be considered as well as the land conversion loss for conserving the remaining natural coastal wetland ecosystems. The pollutant discharges from the inbound river watersheds need to be mitigated as the local discharges for reducing the functional degradation of the natural coastal wetlands while the regional economic development plan should consider the conservation needs of the remaining natural coastal wetlands worldwide.
Viable Mice with Extensive Gene Humanization (25-kbp) Created Using Embryonic Stem Cell/Blastocyst and CRISPR/Zygote Injection Approaches
Authors: Leidy-Davis Tiffany , Cheng Kai , Goodwin Leslie O. , Morgan Judith L. , Juan Wen Chun , Roca Xavier , Ong S. Tiong , Bergstrom David E.
Published: October 2018

Here, we describe an expansion of the typical DNA size limitations associated with CRISPR knock-in technology, more specifically, the physical extent to which mouse genomic DNA can be replaced with donor (in this case, human) DNA at an orthologous locus by zygotic injection. Driving our efforts was the desire to create a whole animal model that would replace 17 kilobase pairs (kbp) of the mouse Bcl2l11 gene with the corresponding 25-kbp segment of human BCL2L11, including a conditionally removable segment (2.9-kbp) of intron 2, a cryptic human exon immediately 3′ of this, and a native human exon some 20 kbp downstream. Using two methods, we first carried out the replacement by employing a combination of bacterial artificial chromosome recombineering, classic embryonic stem cell (ESC) targeting, dual selection, and recombinase-driven cassette removal (ESC/Blastocyst Approach). Using a unique second method, we employed the same vector (devoid of its selectable marker cassettes), microinjecting it along with redundant single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) and Cas9 mRNA into mouse zygotes (CRISPR/Zygote Approach). In both instances, we were able to achieve humanization of Bcl2l11 to the extent designed, remove all selection cassettes, and demonstrate the functionality of the conditionally removable, loxP-flanked, 2.9-kbp intronic segment.
Determination of 23 organochlorine pesticides in animal feeds by GC-MS/MS after QuEChERS with EMR-lipid clean-up
Authors: Sanchez Costa Laia , Rodríguez Martínez Pilar , Medina Sala Mireia
Published: October 2018

A method has been developed to analyse 23 organochlorine pesticides in animal feed.
Coordination chemistry of lanthanides in a AOT–CMPO solvent extraction system: UV-Vis and XAFS studies
Authors: Moon Jisue , Nilsson Mikael
Published: October 2018

Synergistic extraction systems using AOT and CMPO were investigated at the molecular level for improved understanding of the lanthanide coordination environment.
Polymerization induced self-assembly: an opportunity toward the self-assembly of polysaccharide-containing copolymers into high-order morphologies
Authors: Six Jean-Luc , Ferji Khalid
Published: October 2018

Self-assembly of polysaccharide-containing amphiphilic copolymers: polymerization induced self-assemblyversustraditional techniques.
Realizing a stable high thermoelectric zT ∼ 2 over a broad temperature range in Ge1−x−yGaxSbyTe via band engineering and hybrid flash-SPS processing
Authors: Srinivasan Bhuvanesh , Gellé Alain , Gucci Francesco , Boussard-Pledel Catherine , Fontaine Bruno , Gautier Régis , Halet Jean-François , Reece Michael J. , Bureau Bruno
Published: October 2018

We report a remarkably high and stable thermoelectric zT ∼ 2 by manipulating the electronic bands in hybrid flash-SPSed Ga–Sb codoped GeTe.
A functional interplay between intein and extein sequences in protein splicing compensates for the essential block B histidine
Authors: Friedel Kristina , Popp Monika A. , Matern Julian C. J. , Gazdag Emerich M. , Thiel Ilka V. , Volkmann Gerrit , Blankenfeldt Wulf , Mootz Henning D.
Published: October 2018

Steric bulk can compensate for a catalytically critical histidine in an intein's active site and promote the N–S acyl shift.
Photoactive chlorin e6 is a multifunctional modulator of amyloid-β aggregation and toxicity via specific interactions with its histidine residues
Authors: Leshem Guy , Richman Michal , Lisniansky Elvira , Antman-Passig Merav , Habashi Maram , Gräslund Astrid , Wärmländer Sebastian K. T. S. , Rahimipour Shai
Published: October 2018

Photoactive chlorin e6 selectively damage the histidine residues of amyloid-β and reduce its aggregation and toxicity even in the presence of Cu ions.
Aromatic secondary amine-functionalized fluorescent NO probes: improved detection sensitivity for NO and potential applications in cancer immunotherapy studies
Authors: Huo Yingying , Miao Junfeng , Fang Junru , Shi Hu , Wang Juanjuan , Guo Wei
Published: October 2018

Fluorescent NO probes reported herein display high sensitivity for NO by responding to both N2O3and ONOO−and robust abilities for evaluating the repolarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).
Impulse dielectric behaviour of dry air in sphere‐plane gap
Authors: Jin Zilu , Li Feng , Lu Wu , Gao Yuan , Zhao Wenbin
Published: October 2018

The dielectric strength of dry air is lower than that of SF6, so it is very difficult to use dry air in extra‐high‐voltage‐class gas‐insulated equipment. However, due to its environment‐friendly property, dry air is expected to be an alternative to SF6 in low‐voltage level gas‐insulated equipment. In order to study the possibility of dry air to be applied in equipment in the power distribution system, streamer and breakdown phenomena of dry‐air need to be carefully investigated. This study carried out an experimental study of impulse breakdown phenomena of dry air under a quasi‐uniform electric field. Results showed that the impulse breakdown voltage of dry air is higher under the positive polarity. Under the gas pressure of >0.4 MPa, the impulse breakdown voltage of minus 50% (V 50%) of dry air is >150 kV, which satisfies the basic impulse insulation level of the power distribution system equipment. Further, in the quasi‐uniform electric field, once streamer discharge appears, it always triggers an electrical breakdown. The development mechanisms for the breakdown of dry air under both positive and negative polarities are well discussed in this paper.
Analysis on characteristic of DC short‐circuit fault in multi‐terminal AC/DC hybrid distribution network
Authors: Qi Xiaomin , Pei Wei , Kong Li , Li Luyang , Xiao Hao , Niu Geng
Published: October 2018

The AC/DC hybrid distribution network takes advantage of both AC and DC technologies. It is one of the most important forms of future distribution systems. However, currently few work has been done on the topology determination of this network, and its fault behaviour of DC short‐circuit fault has not been clearly investigated yet. First, the tree, radial, and ring topologies of a three‐terminal AC/DC distribution network are compared. Also the characteristics of fault currents in DC circuit breakers during a DC short‐circuit fault are analysed in detail. Then the equivalent circuit models during the fault are established and accurate mathematical expressions of transient fault currents are deduced. Based on this, the influence of network topologies on the characteristics of fault currents is investigated thoroughly. Moreover, a method to determine the peak values and peak times of fault currents is presented which can simplify the selection of circuit components. The simulation results show that the fault currents of the radial topology have the lowest peak values and longest peak times, and the proposed method meets the requirements of both simplicity and accuracy. Finally, the influence of the key parameters on the proposed method is investigated comprehensively.
Novel method for restraining 35 kV shunt reactor switching overvoltage – phase controlled breaker
Authors: Zheng Yiming , Yu Bing , Xu Hua , Yan Dong , Li Xianliang , He Wenlin
Published: October 2018

Phenomena such as current chopping, arc reignition and equivalent current chopping might appear when cutting off shunt reactor. Overvoltage caused by switching will lead to interphase fault in related equipment and inter‐turn insulation damage in the shunt reactor, which will threaten the safety of electrical equipment. In recent years, equipment breakdowns caused by 35 kV shunt reactor switching overvoltage in 220 kV substation occur frequently in China, endangering the safe and stable the power grid. In this study, the mechanism, perniciousness and suppression of shunt reactor switching overvoltage are systematically analysed. The strategy of phase controlled breaker is put forward, and the overvoltage measurement and power systems computer aided design (PSCAD)simulation analysis are carried out. The work and conclusion of this study provide the solutions and engineering experience for the switching overvoltage suppression of 35 kV shunt reactor.
Control of a synchronverter‐based soft open point in a distribution network
Authors: Wu Ruizhu , Ran Li , Weiss George , Yu James
Published: October 2018

The presence of distributed generation (DG) in a power distribution network can cause difficulties in managing the voltage, power flow and fault level as the network was designed for supplying passive loads. This study focuses on the control of a back‐to‐back (B2B) voltage source converter operated as a synchronverter and a soft open point (SOP) between adjacent feeders to mitigate the voltage fluctuation caused by DG and to increase the reliability of the supply without increasing the fault level. Better reliability is achieved as the B2B converter can continue to supply the loads when a loss of mains occurs on one side. The proposed control of the two DC–AC converters, which also needs to regulate the DC link voltage and adapts the synchronverter algorithm to the new application requirements, so that events will cause minimum disruption. Simulation shows that the B2B‐synchronverter is capable of regulating the load voltage under normal mains connected condition, and also limiting the fault current and supplying the loads within its rating during islanding, providing seamless transition to the islanded mode.
Calculation method of short‐circuit current and voltage considering the interaction of different ports in DC system
Authors: Xu Yan , Yang Hui , Liu Jingyan
Published: October 2018

The characteristics of the pole‐to‐pole fault in the tree‐structured DC system are complicated, and the transient analytic expressions of high‐order current and voltage can make the calculation difficulty increase significantly. In response to this phenomenon, on the one hand, when the parameters are the same, the impact of the changes of the number about the terminals on the waveform is considered. On the other hand, when the number of terminals is fixed, the influence of the change of the parameter on the waveform is studied. Taking the interaction between different ports into account, correct the short‐circuit current and voltage expression of single‐ended DC system and the calculation method of short‐circuit current and voltage expression for multi‐ended DC system is proposed. This method can reduce the computational complexity of transient expression for multi‐ended DC system. The calculation results are verified by MATLAB/Simulink simulation tool. The calculated transient expressions of voltage and current are in good agreement with the results of simulation, which provide the theoretical basis for the fault location and calculation of setting value.
Optimal configuration of battery energy storage systems using for rooftop residential photovoltaic to improve voltage profile of distributed network
Authors: Tang Jinrui , Cai Defu , Yuan Chengqing , Qiu Yuanchao , Deng Xiangtian , Huang Yunhui
Published: October 2018

Due to the power mismatches between residential load and rooftop residential photovoltaic (PV) generation, voltage profile of low‐voltage distribution system (LVDN) may exceed the allowable limit during the daytime and is well below the lower limit at night. To solve this problem, an optimal configuration of battery energy storage (BES) systems is used for rooftop residential PV to improve the voltage profile of LVDN. Firstly, typical curves of residential electric load and PV generation are analysed to demonstrate the principle of integrated voltage regulation method. Secondly, two‐stage voltage regulation strategy is proposed to minimise the installed capacity of BES. More specifically, to limit the voltage with reasonable level, the reactive power capability of PV inverter can be utilised in inner stage, and BES is used in outer stage in term of storage charging at off‐peak time and discharging at the peak time. Finally, optimal configuration model is achieved by combining the two‐stage voltage control method and the constraint condition of total reduced PV generation. Simulation results indicate that the voltage level in LVDN could be controlled in a proper range by the proposed optimal configuration scheme and the total installed capacity of BES is the minimum.
Dynamical masses of M-dwarf binaries in young moving groups
Authors: Janson Markus , Durkan Stephen , Bonnefoy Mickaël , Rodet Laetitia , Köhler Rainer , Lacour Sylvestre , Brandner Wolfgang , Henning Thomas , Girard Julien
Published: October 2018

Low-mass stars exhibit substantial pre-main sequence evolution during the first ∼100 Myr of their lives. Thus, young M-type stars are prime targets for isochronal dating, especially in young moving groups (YMGs), which contain large amounts of stars in this mass and age range. If the mass and luminosity of a star can both be directly determined, this allows for a particularly robust isochronal analysis. This motivates in-depth studies of low-mass binaries with spatially resolvable orbits, where dynamical masses can be derived. Here we present the results of an observing campaign dedicated to orbital monitoring of AB Dor Ba/Bb, which is a close M-dwarf pair within the quadruple AB Dor system. We have acquired eight astrometric epochs with the SPHERE/ZIMPOL and NACO instruments, which we combine with literature data to improve the robustness and precision for the orbital characterization of the pair. We find a system mass 0.66−0.12+0.12 M⊙ and bolometric luminosities in logL/L⊙ of −2.02 ± 0.02 and −2.11 ± 0.02 for AB Dor Ba and Bb, respectively. These measurements are combined with other YMG pairs in the literature to start building a framework of empirical isochrones in mass–luminosity space. This can be used to calibrate theoretical isochrones and to provide a model-free basis for assessing relative stellar ages. We note a tentative emerging trend where the youngest moving group members are largely consistent with theoretical expectations, while stars in older associations such as the AB Dor moving group appear to be systematically underluminous relative to isochronal expectations.
Facet-inducing inequalities with acyclic supports for the caterpillar-packing polytope
Authors: Marenco Javier
Published: October 2018

A caterpillar is a connected graph such that the removal of all its vertices with degree 1 results in a path. Given a graph G, a caterpillar-packing of G is a set of vertex-disjoint (not necessarily induced) subgraphs of G such that each subgraph is a caterpillar. In this work we consider the set of caterpillar-packings of a graph, which corresponds to feasible solutions of the 2-schemes strip cutting problem with a sequencing constraint (2-SSCPsc) presented by Rinaldi and Franz (Eur. J. Oper. Res. 183 (2007) 1371–1384). Facet-preserving procedures have been shown to be quite effective at explaining the facet-inducing inequalities of the associated polytope, so in this work we continue this issue by exploring such procedures for valid inequalities with acyclic supports. In particular, the obtained results are applicable when the underlying graph is a tree.
Efficient algorithms under dynamic graphs to solve the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem with feasible sparse graph
Authors: Tfaili Sara , Dkhil Hamdi , Sbihi Abdelkader , Yassine Adnan
Published: October 2018

In this paper we develop several approaches to approximately solve the capacitated arc routing problem (CARP) on sparse graphs namely sparse CARP. First, we give a mathematical model for the sparse CARP and we present a brief survey about a transformation technique to transform the sparse CARP into a sparse capacitated vehicle routing problem namely sparse CVRP. Later, we propose several approaches to solve the sparse CARP by solving its equivalent obtained sparse CVRP. The first approach is a constructive heuristic (CH) used to construct an initial feasible solution. The second approach is an improving randomized procedure (IRP) used to improve the quality of the initial solution. Finally, we introduce the main adapted tabu search approach (TS) under a sparse dynamic graph. The algorithm starts by applying the first two procedures CH and IRP and attempts to compute a better solution for the sparse CARP. Extensive computational tests on randomly generated problem instances show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The TS algorithm yields satisfactory results within reasonable computational time. The approach outperformed also the commercial solver Cplex v12.71 which was able to solve only small instances with relatively a big CPU time for medium size instances.
Impact of an educative program on dialysis patients’ knowledge and mental health: controlled before and after program
Authors: Idier Laetitia , Untas Aurélie , Rascle Nicole , Koleck Michèle , Aguirrezabal Maider , Combe Christian , Chauveau Philippe
Published: October 2018

Introduction:Psychological impact of Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) for dialysis patients is rarely evaluated since the focus of many studies is on medical variables (i.e., adherence).Objectives:The aims of this study were: 1) to estimate the impact of a TPE program on knowledge, depression and anxiety, 2) to examine change in knowledge as a mediator of the effects of a TPE program on mental health.Method:This study was conducted in three hemodialysis units and comprised two groups: an experimental group with education and a control group with routine care. The program was based of 5 educative sessions. Knowledge, depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed with self-reported outcomes measured before and 3 months after the program.Results:The sample comprised 125 patients. Knowledge about vascular access and nutrition (p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms increased in the experimental group (p < 0.01). Analysis of mediation showed that changes in knowledge about vascular access were a significant mediator of the effects of the program on depressive symptoms (F = 4.90;p = 0.01).Discussion:Knowledge acquired during an educational program could lead to an emotional change. Improving knowledge often leads to an awareness of the risks that can modify the psychological state of patients by reminding them of their vulnerability. This study shows that it is required to be attentive to the way of transmitting knowledge. It’s necessary adapting this transmission to the needs of patients and promoting the acquisition of psychosocial competence too.Conclusion:This study shows that knowledge acquired during an educational program can lead to an emotional change in the short term. A long-term follow-up of the population should be interesting to observe these emotional effects.
The Use of Health Information Exchange to Augment Patient Handoff in Long-Term Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kruse Clemens , Marquez Gabriella , Nelson Daniel , Palomares Olivia
Published: October 2018

Background Legislation aimed at increasing the use of a health information exchange (HIE) in healthcare has excluded long-term care facilities, resulting in a vulnerable patient population that can benefit from the improvement of communication and reduction of waste.

Objective The purpose of this review is to provide a framework for future research by identifying themes in the long-term care information technology sector that could function to enable the adoption and use of HIE mechanisms for patient handoff between long-term care facilities and other levels of care to increase communication between providers, shorten length of stay, reduce 60-day readmissions, and increase patient safety.

Methods The authors conducted a systematic search of literature through CINAHL, PubMed, and Discovery Services for Texas A&M University Libraries. Search terms used were (“health information exchange” OR “healthcare information exchange” OR “HIE”) AND (“long term care” OR “long-term care” OR “nursing home” OR “nursing facility” OR “skilled nursing facility” OR “SNF” OR “residential care” OR “assisted living”). Articles were eligible for selection if they were published between 2010 and 2017, published in English, and published in academic journals. All articles were reviewed by all reviewers and literature not relevant to the research objective was excluded.

Results Researchers selected and reviewed 22 articles for common themes. Results concluded that the largest facilitator and barrier to the adoption of HIE mechanisms is workflow integration/augmentation and the organizational structure/culture, respectively. Other identified facilitator themes were enhanced communication, increased effectiveness of care, and patient safety. The additional barriers were missing/incomplete data, inefficiency, and market conditions.

Conclusion The long-term care industry has been left out of incentives from which the industry could have benefited tremendously. Organizations that are not utilizing health information technology mechanisms, such as electronic health records and HIEs, are at a disadvantage as insurers switch to capitated forms of payment that rely on reduced waste to generate a profit.
Time to Delivery after Scheduled Shirodkar Cerclage Removal in Singleton Gestations based on the Original Indication for Cerclage Placement
Authors: Fox Nathan , Lam-Rachlin Jennifer , Gupta Simi , Naqvi Mariam , Romero Julie , Rebarber Andrei , Bigelow Catherine
Published: October 2018

Objective To estimate the time to delivery after elective cerclage removal and evaluate whether there is a difference based on the indication for cerclage placement.

Study Design This was a retrospective cohort of singleton pregnancies that underwent Shirodkar cerclage placement at a single maternal–fetal medicine practice between June 2005 and June 2017. We included all scheduled elective cerclage removals >36 weeks. The primary outcome was latency to delivery. We further compared time to delivery based on the original indication for cerclage. Data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and chi-square test.

Results A total of 143 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 40.6% were history indicated, 51.0% ultrasound indicated, and 8.4% exam indicated. The mean time from removal to delivery was 13.3 ± 8.4 days; 12.6% (18/136) of patients delivered within 24 hours of removal. When stratified by indication for cerclage, there were no significant differences for all delivery outcomes. Delaying cerclage removal to >37 weeks resulted in a statistically significantly later gestational age at delivery compared with removal between 36 and 366/7 weeks (39.0 vs. 38.3 weeks, p = 0.001).

Conclusion The mean time from elective Shirodkar cerclage removal to delivery is 13 days with only 12.6% of patients delivering within 24 hours of removal.
Design of the collection optics for the Core Plasma Thomson Scattering (CPTS) in ITER
Authors: Bassan M. , Huxford R. , Crowther B. , Scannell R. , Vayakis G. , Walsh M.
Published: October 2018

In the ITER Core Plasma Thomson Scattering, the scattered light collection optics system is installed both inside and outside the diagnostic port under vacuum. The length of the optical path (∼6 m) and the need to shield the neutron and γ radiation increased the complexity of the system with the inclusion of multiple dog-legs, forcing the use of many elements with optical power. Multiple rounds of design have been required in order to satisfy iteratively the system requirements in terms of resolution, aberration, and shielding. The adoption of quasi-free-form reflective surfaces for several mirrors eventually allowed the correct compromise between all conflicting requirements.
An instrumented glove for monitoring hand function
Authors: Mohan A. , Tharion G. , Kumar R. K. , Devasahayam S. R.
Published: October 2018

The measurement of hand kinematics is important for the assessment and rehabilitation of the paralysed hand. The traditional method of hand function assessment uses a mechanical or electronic goniometer placed across the joint of interest to measure the range of joint movement. Mechanical goniometers are imprecise and lack the ability to provide a dynamic measurement; electronic goniometers are expensive and cumbersome to use during therapy. An alternative to the goniometric based assessment is to use inertial motion sensors to monitor the hand movement—these can be incorporated in a glove. In this paper, we present the design of an instrumented glove equipped with Magnetic, Angular Rate and Gravity (MARG) sensors for the objective evaluation of hand function. The instrumented glove presented in this paper is designed to assess the range of movement of the hand and also monitor the hand function during the course of hand rehabilitation. Static and dynamic calibrations were performed for the Euler angles calculated from the MARG sensors. The results are also presented for physiological flexion/extension of the wrist (relative roll), flexion/extension of elbow (relative pitch), and internal rotation/external rotation (relative yaw). The static calibration results gave mean absolute errors of 4.1° for roll, 4.0° for pitch, and 4.6° for yaw. From the dynamic calibration, the speed of response to a step change gave a convergence time of 0.4 s; sinusoidally oscillating movement gave good tracking at 0.2 Hz but exhibits overshoot errors at higher frequencies which were tested to be 1 Hz. We present the results of the calibration of the instrumented glove (one sensor pair measuring one joint angle) measuring anatomical joint angles—mean absolute errors during static calibration: 6.3° for a relative roll (wrist flexion/extension), 5.0° for relative pitch (elbow flexion/extension), and 4.5° for relative yaw (shoulder internal rotation/external rotation). The experimental results from the instrumented glove are promising, and it can be used as an alternative to the traditional goniometer based hand function assessments.
Wide-angle flat metasurface corner reflector
Authors: Feng Maochang , Li Yongfeng , Zhang Jieqiu , Han Yajuan , Wang Jiafu , Ma Hua , Qu Shaobo
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a wide-angle flat corner reflector based on the multiple phase gradient modulated metasurface is proposed and demonstrated. Through designing the related gradient phase, the propagation direction of the reflected electromagnetic wave is just opposite to the propagation of the incidence wave based on the generalized version of the reflection law. This guaranteed a radar cross section (RCS) enhancement in the vicinity of this incidence direction. To derive a uniform mono-static RCS in a wide incidence angle domain, the flat metasurface corner reflector is decomposed into several regions with different areas, which are designed for RCS enhancing under wave incidence in different incidence directions. As an example, the metasurface corner reflector consisted of two different phase gradients operating over the X-band is designed to realize wide-angle RCS enhancement. The simulated results indicate that in the designed incidence directions, the reflected waves are all opposite to the incidence wave for both TE and TM polarized waves. To validate the RCS enhancement performances, the mono-static RCS of the designed metasurface corner reflector is measured. The measured results reveal good accordance with the simulations, and both demonstrated that the designed metasurface corner reflector obtains tremendous RCS enhancement performances in a wide-angle domain (−50°–50°) for both TM and TE polarized waves.
A new generation of effective core potentials from correlated calculations: 3d transition metal series
Authors: Annaberdiyev Abdulgani , Wang Guangming , Melton Cody A. , Bennett M. Chandler , Shulenburger Luke , Mitas Lubos
Published: October 2018

Recently, we have introduced a new generation of effective core potentials (ECPs) designed for accurate correlated calculations but equally useful for a broad variety of approaches. The guiding principle has been the isospectrality of all-electron and ECP Hamiltonians for a subset of valence many-body states using correlated, nearly-exact calculations. Here we present such ECPs for the 3d transition series Sc to Zn with Ne-core, i.e., with semi-core 3s and 3p electrons in the valence space. Besides genuine many-body accuracy, the operators are simple, being represented by a few gaussians per symmetry channel with resulting potentials that are bounded everywhere. The transferability is checked on selected molecular systems over a range of geometries. The ECPs show a high overall accuracy with valence spectral discrepancies typically ≈0.01-0.02 eV or better. They also reproduce binding curves of hydride and oxide molecules typically within 0.02-0.03 eV deviations over the full non-dissociation range of interatomic distances.