bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of antipolar distortions
Authors: Patel Kinnary , Prosandeev Sergey , Bellaiche Laurent
Published: August 2017

Materials possessing antipolar cation motions are currently receiving a lot of attention because they are fundamentally intriguing while being technologically promising. Most studies devoted to these complex materials have focused on their static properties or on their zone-center phonons. As a result, some important dynamics of antipolar cation distortions, such as the temperature behavior of their phonon frequencies, have been much less investigated, despite the possibility to exhibit unusual features. Here, we report the results and analysis of atomistic simulations revealing and explaining such dynamics for BiFeO3bulks being subject to hydrostatic pressure. It is first predicted that cooling such material yields the following phase transition sequence: the cubic paraelectric Pm$$\bar 3$$3̄m state at high temperature, followed by an intermediate phase possessing long-range-ordered in-phase oxygen octahedral tiltings, and then the Pnma state that is known to possess antipolar cation motions in addition to in-phase and antiphase oxygen octahedral tiltings. Antipolar cation modes are found to all have high phonon frequencies that are independent of temperature in the paraelectric phase. On the other hand and in addition to antipolar cation modes increasing in number, some phonons possessing antipolar cation character are rather soft in the intermediate and Pnma states. Analysis of our data combined with the development of a simple model reveals that such features originate from a dynamical mixing between pure antipolar cation phonons and fluctuations of oxygen octahedral tiltings, as a result of a specific trilinear energetic coupling. The developed model can also be easily applied to predict dynamics of antipolar cation motions for other possible structural paths bringing Pm$$\bar 3$$3̄m to Pnma states.
Restoration of quantum critical behavior by disorder in pressure-tuned (Mn,Fe)Si
Authors: Goko Tatsuo , Arguello Carlos J. , Hamann Andreas , Wolf Thomas , Lee Minhyea , Reznik Dmitry , Maisuradze Alexander , Khasanov Rustem , Morenzoni Elvezio , Uemura Yasutomo J.
Published: August 2017

In second-order quantum phase transitions from magnetically ordered to paramagnetic states at T = 0, tuned by pressure or chemical substitution, a quantum critical point is expected to appear with critical behavior manifesting in the slowing down of spin fluctuations in the paramagnetic state and a continuous development of the order parameter in the ordered state. Quantum criticality is discussed widely as a possible driving force for unconventional superconductivity and other exotic phenomena in correlated electron systems. In the real world, however, quantum critical points and quantum criticality are often masked by a preceding first-order transition and/or the development of competing states. Pressure tuning of the itinerant-electron helical magnet MnSi is a well-known example of the suppression of a quantum critical point due to a first-order phase transition and resulting destruction of the ordered state. Utilizing muon spin relaxation experiments, here we report that 15% Fe-substituted (Mn,Fe)Si exhibits completely different behavior with pressure tuning, including the restoration of second-order quantum critical behavior and a quantum critical point at p
QPC
 ~ 21–23 kbar, which coincides with the T = 0 crossing point of the extrapolated phase boundary line of pure MnSi. This result is quantitatively consistent with the recent theory of itinerant-electron ferromagnets by Sang, Belitz, and Kirkpatrick, who argued that disorder would restore a quantum critical point which is otherwise hidden by a first-order transition.
The Bitter Taste Receptor TAS2R16 Achieves High Specificity and Accommodates Diverse Glycoside Ligands by using a Two-faced Binding Pocket
Authors: Thomas Anu , Sulli Chidananda , Davidson Edgar , Berdougo Eli , Phillips Morganne , Puffer Bridget A. , Paes Cheryl , Doranz Benjamin J. , Rucker Joseph B.
Published: August 2017

Although bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are important for human health, little is known of the determinants of ligand specificity. TAS2Rs such as TAS2R16 help define gustatory perception and dietary preferences that ultimately influence human health and disease. Each TAS2R must accommodate a broad diversity of chemical structures while simultaneously achieving high specificity so that diverse bitter toxins can be detected without all foods tasting bitter. However, how these G protein-coupled receptors achieve this balance is poorly understood. Here we used a comprehensive mutation library of human TAS2R16 to map its interactions with existing and novel agonists. We identified 13 TAS2R16 residues that contribute to ligand specificity and 38 residues whose mutation eliminated signal transduction by all ligands, providing a comprehensive assessment of how this GPCR binds and signals. Our data suggest a model in which hydrophobic residues on TM3 and TM7 form a broad ligand-binding pocket that can accommodate the diverse structural features of β-glycoside ligands while still achieving high specificity.
Nitrogen-doped carbon paper with 3D porous structure as a flexible free-standing anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Hua , Yang Juntan , Hou Haoqing , Chen Shuiliang , Yao Haimin
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a novel nitrogen-doped carbon paper (NCP) with both highly dense three-dimensional cellular structure and excellent bending flexibility is fabricated by pyrolyzing a melamine foam under compression. When serving as a free-standing anode for lithium-ion batteries, the NCP electrode delivers a reversible capacity up to 329.8 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1 (1.34 C) and 126.5 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 8.0 A g−1 (21.5 C). Such electrochemical performance is much higher than those of the counterparts prepared by pyrolysis without compression and can be mainly attributed to (a) the 3D highly dense interconnected carbon network with numerous junctions which can facilitate the efficient electron transfer and provide short transportation paths for lithium ions; and (b) the excellent mechanical flexibility and self-standing capability which exempt the use of binder, conductive additive and current collector. The NCP electrode implies a great promise of application in the high-performance Li-ion batteries for the flexible and wearable electronics.
The hypothesis that Helicobacter pylori predisposes to Alzheimer’s disease is biologically plausible
Authors: Contaldi Felice , Capuano Federico , Fulgione Andrea , Aiese Cigliano Riccardo , Sanseverino Walter , Iannelli Domenico , Medaglia Chiara , Capparelli Rosanna
Published: August 2017

There is epidemiological evidence that H. pylori might predispose to Alzheimer’s disease. To understand the cellular processes potentially linking such unrelated events, we incubated the human gastric cells MNK-28 with the H. pylori peptide Hp(2-20). We then monitored the activated genes by global gene expression. The peptide modulated 77 genes, of which 65 are listed in the AlzBase database and include the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease: APP, APOE, PSEN1, and PSEN2. A large fraction of modulated genes (30 out of 77) belong to the inflammation pathway. Remarkably, the pathways dis-regulated in Alzheimer’s and Leasch-Nyhan diseases result dis-regulated also in this study. The unsuspected links between such different diseases – though still awaiting formal validation – suggest new directions for the study of neurological diseases.
Identification of the novel 3′ UTR sequences of human IL-21 mRNA as potential targets of miRNAs
Authors: Enomoto Yutaka , Takagi Rie , Naito Yutaka , Kiniwa Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Hamada-Tsutsumi Susumu , Kawano Masaaki , Matsushita Sho , Ochiya Takahiro , Miyajima Atsushi
Published: August 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. However, the strategy of HBV to escape from the host immune system remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from human hepatocytes infected with HBV. EVs includeing exosomes are nano-size vesicles with proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs), which can be transmitted to different cells. We found that 104 EV associated miRNAs were increased in hepatocytes more than 2-fold by HBV infection. We then selected those that were potentially implicated in immune regulation. Among them, five HBV-induced miRNAs were found to potentially target multiple sequences in the 3′UTR of IL-21, a cytokine that induces anti-viral immunity. Moreover, expression of a reporter gene with the 3′ UTR of human IL-21 mRNA was suppressed by the five miRNAs individually. Finally, IL-21 expression in cloned human T cells was down-regulated by the five miRNAs. Collectively, this study identified the novel 3′ UTR sequences of human IL-21 mRNA and potential binding sites of HBV-induced EV-miRNAs.
The laccase-like reactivity of manganese oxide nanomaterials for pollutant conversion: rate analysis and cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Wang Xinghao , Liu Jiaoqin , Qu Ruijuan , Wang Zunyao , Huang Qingguo
Published: August 2017

Nanostructured manganese oxides, e.g. MnO2, have shown laccase-like catalytic activities, and are thus promising for pollutant oxidation in wastewater treatment. We have systematically compared the laccase-like reactivity of manganese oxide nanomaterials of different crystallinity, including α-, β-, γ-, δ-, and ɛ-MnO2, and Mn3O4, with 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and 17β-estradiol (E2) as the probing substrates. The reaction rate behaviors were examined with regard to substrate oxidation and oxygen reduction to evaluate the laccase-like catalysis of the materials, among which γ-MnO2exhibits the best performance. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was employed to assess the six MnOxnanomaterials, and the results correlate well with their laccase-like catalytic activities. The findings help understand the mechanisms of and the factors controlling the laccase-like reactivity of different manganese oxides nanomaterials, and provide a basis for future design and application of MnOx-based catalysts.
Real-Time Analysis on Drug-Antibody Ratio of Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Synthesis, Process Optimization, and Quality Control
Authors: Tang Yubo , Tang Feng , Yang Yang , Zhao Lei , Zhou Hu , Dong Jinhua , Huang Wei
Published: August 2017

Drug-antibody ratio (DAR) of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is important for their therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics, therefore control on DAR in synthesis process is a key for ADC quality control. Although various analytical methods were reported, the real-time monitoring on DAR is still a challenge because time-consuming sample preparation is usually needed during the analysis. Antibody deglycosylation of ADC simplifies DAR measurement, however long-time PNGaseF digestion for deglycosylation hampers the real-time detection. Here, we report a rapid DAR analysis within 15 min by robust deglycosylation treatment and LC-MS detection that enables real-time DAR monitoring for optimization on ADC synthetic process. With this approach, we were able to screen suitable conjugation conditions efficiently and afford the ADCs with expected DARs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on real-time DAR analysis of ADCs for conjugation optimization and quality control, compatible with random lysine-linked ADCs, glycosite-specific ADCs, and the complicated dual-payload ADCs.
Assessing the effects of Cry1C rice and Cry2A rice to Pseudogonatopus flavifemur, a parasitoid of rice planthoppers
Authors: Tian Jun-Ce , Romeis Jörg , Liu Kai , Zhang Fa-Cheng , Zheng Xu-Song , Xu Hong-Xing , Chen Gui-Hua , He Xiao-Chan , Lu Zhong-Xian
Published: August 2017

Transgenic rice producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) could help protect the plants from damage by lepidopteran pests. However, one concern is the potential of Bt rice to harm non-target natural enemies, which play a vital role in pest control. In the present study, the potential effects of Cry1C rice and Cry2A rice on different life-table parameters and population dynamics of Pseudogonatopus flavifemur, a parasitoid of rice planthoppers, were evaluated under laboratory and field condition. The exposure of P. flavifemur to plant-produced Bt proteins was also analyzed. Results indicated that direct feeding on rice plants was the main exposure pathway of P. flavifemur to the Cry1C and Cry2A proteins. No significant difference on the development, survival, longevity, fecundity, and prey consumption of P. flavifemur was detected over two generations between the Bt and non-Bt rice treatments. Furthermore, the population dynamics of P. flavifemur were not affected by Cry1C rice and Cry2A rice. In conclusion, the tested Cry1C rice and Cry2A rice do not appear to harm the parasitoid P. flavifemur.
Spiro-Phenylpyrazole/Fluorene as Hole-Transporting Material for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Yang , Su Tzu-Sen , Tsai Han-Yan , Wei Tzu-Chien , Chi Yun
Published: August 2017

Spiro-OMeTAD with symmetric spiro-bifluorene unit has dominated the investigation of hole-transporting material (HTM) for efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) despite of its low intrinsic hole conductivity and instability. In this study, we designed and synthesized three asymmetric spiro-phenylpyrazole/fluorene base HTMs, namely: WY-1, WY-2 and WY-3. They exhibit excellent electrochemical properties and hole conductivities. Moreover, the PSC based on WY-1 exhibits the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.2%, which is comparable to the control device employing spiro-OMeTAD as HTM (14.8%). These results pave the way to further optimization of both molecular design and device performance of the spiro-based HTMs.
Enhanced optical absorption via cation doping hybrid lead iodine perovskites
Authors: Tang Zhen-Kun , Xu Zhi-Feng , Zhang Deng-Yu , Hu Shu-Xian , Lau Woon-Ming , Liu Li-Min
Published: August 2017

The suitable band structure is vital for perovskite solar cells, which greatly affect the high photoelectric conversion efficiency. Cation substitution is an effective approach to tune the electric structure, carrier concentration, and optical absorption of hybrid lead iodine perovskites. In this work, the electronic structures and optical properties of cation (Bi, Sn, and TI) doped tetragonal formamidinium lead iodine CH(NH2)2PbI3 (FAPbI3) are studied by first-principles calculations. For comparison, the cation-doped tetragonal methylammonium lead iodine CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) are also considered. The calculated formation energies reveal that the Sn atom is easier to dope in the tetragonal MAPbI3/FAPbI3 structure due to the small formation energy of about 0.3 eV. Besides, the band gap of Sn-doped MAPbI3/FAPbI3 is 1.30/1.40 eV, which is considerably smaller than the un-doped tetragonal MAPbI3/FAPbI3. More importantly, compare with the un-doped tetragonal MAPbI3/FAPbI3, the Sn-doped MAPbI3 and FAPbI3 have the larger optical absorption coefficient and theoretical maximum efficiency, especially for Sn-doped FAPbI3. The lower formation energy, suitable band gap and outstanding optical absorption of the Sn-doped FAPbI3 make it promising candidates for high-efficient perovskite cells.
Multi-level Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Mechanics Study of Ring Opening Process of Guanine Damage by Hydroxyl Radical in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Liu Peng , Wang Qiong , Niu Meixing , Wang Dunyou
Published: August 2017

Combining multi-level quantum mechanics theories and molecular mechanics with an explicit water model, we investigated the ring opening process of guanine damage by hydroxyl radical in aqueous solution. The detailed, atomic-level ring-opening mechanism along the reaction pathway was revealed in aqueous solution at the CCSD(T)/MM levels of theory. The potentials of mean force in aqueous solution were calculated at both the DFT/MM and CCSD(T)/MM levels of the theory. Our study found that the aqueous solution has a significant effect on this reaction in solution. In particular, by comparing the geometries of the stationary points between in gas phase and in aqueous solution, we found that the aqueous solution has a tremendous impact on the torsion angles much more than on the bond lengths and bending angles. Our calculated free-energy barrier height 31.6 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T)/MM level of theory agrees well with the one obtained based on gas-phase reaction profile and free energies of solvation. In addition, the reaction path in gas phase was also mapped using multi-level quantum mechanics theories, which shows a reaction barrier at 19.2 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T) level of theory, agreeing very well with a recent ab initio calculation result at 20.8 kcal/mol.
Performance on innate behaviour during early development as a function of stress level
Authors: Ryu Soojin , De Marco Rodrigo J.
Published: August 2017

What is the relationship between the level of acute stress and performance on innate behaviour? The diversity of innate behaviours and lack of sufficient data gathered under the same experimental conditions leave this question unresolved. While evidence points to an inverted-U shaped relationship between the level of acute stress and various measures of learning and memory function, it is unknown the extent to which such a non-linear function applies to performance on innate behaviour, which develops without example or practice under natural circumstances. The fundamental prediction of this view is that moderate stress levels will improve performance, while higher levels will not. Testing this proposition has been difficult because it entails an overall effect that must be invariant to the nature of the stressor, the behaviour under scrutiny and the stimulus that drives it. Here, we report new experimental results showing that developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) under moderate but not higher levels of stress improved their performance on instinctive activities driven by visual, hydrodynamic and thermal inputs. Our findings reveal, for the first time, the existence of an inverted-U shaped performance function according to stress level during early development in a series of innate behaviours.
Metabolic networks for nitrogen utilization in Prevotella ruminicola
23
Authors: Kim Jong Nam , Méndez–García Celia , Geier Renae R. , Iakiviak Michael , Chang Jongsoo , Cann Isaac , Mackie Roderick I.
Published: August 2017

Nitrogen metabolism in gut systems remains poorly studied in spite of its importance for microbial growth and its implications for the metabolism of the host. Prevotella spp. are the most predominant bacteria detected in the rumen, but their presence has also been related to health and disease states in the human gut and oral cavity. To explore the metabolic networks for nitrogen assimilation in this bacterium, changes in gene expression profiles in response to variations in the available nitrogen source and to different concentrations of ammonium were analyzed by microarray and reverse transcription quantitative PCR, and linked with function by further proteomic analysis. The observed patterns of transcript abundances for genes involved in ammonium assimilation differed from the classical “enteric paradigm” for nitrogen utilization. Expression of genes encoding high substrate affinity nitrogen assimilation enzymes (GS-GOGAT system) was similar in growth-limiting and non-limiting nitrogen concentrations in P. ruminicola 23, whereas E. coli and Salmonella spp. responses to excess nitrogen involve only low substrate affinity enzymes. This versatile behavior might be a key feature for ecological success in habitats such as the rumen and human colon where nitrogen is rarely limiting for growth, and might be linked to previously reported Prevotella spp. population imbalances relative to other bacterial species in gut systems.
Proximity aptasensor for protein detection based on an enzyme-free amplification strategy
Authors: Yang Dawei , Tang Yuguo , Guo Zhenzhen , Chen Xifeng , Miao Peng
Published: August 2017

An enzyme-free protein sensing strategy based on the kinetics of proximity-induced DNA strand displacement and hybridization chain reaction is developed.
Self-trapped exciton emission from carbon dots investigated by polarization anisotropy of photoluminescence and photoexcitation
Authors: Xiao Lian , Wang Yue , Huang Yi , Wong Teckneng , Sun Handong
Published: August 2017

We provide clear evidence that C-dot emission originates from radiative recombination of self-trapped excitons. We also probe the momentum evolution dynamics and evaluate the decay process of the photoexcited hot carriers.
Anion-exchange synthesis of a nanoporous crystalline CoB2O4 nanowire array for high-performance water oxidation electrocatalysis in borate solution
Authors: Zhu Guilei , Yang Lin , Zhang Rong , Qu Fengli , Liu Zhiang , Du Gu , Asiri Abdullah M. , Yao Yadong , Sun Xuping
Published: August 2017

A nanoporous crystalline CoB2O4 nanowire array (CoB2O4/TM) behaves as a superior water oxidation catalyst electrode, requiring an overpotential of 446 mV to deliver 10 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M K-Bi (pH = 9.2).
Effects of stretching on the frictional stress of rubber
Authors: Chateauminois A. , Nguyen D. T. , Frétigny C.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we show that the local friction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) rubber with smooth rigid probes is proportional to the in-plane local surface stretching.
Dynamic consensus of double‐integrator multi‐agent systems with aperiodic impulsive protocol and time‐varying delays
Authors: Jiang Fangcui , Xie Dongmei , Cao Mengtao
Published: August 2017

This study involves an examination of the dynamic consensus problem for networks of double‐integrator agents with aperiodic impulsive protocol and fixed topology. With respect to each agent, the control law is designed based on relative state measurements (i.e. position and velocity) between the agent and the neighbouring agents at a few discrete times. Additionally, these state measurements can include time‐varying measurement delays. The theory of impulsive differential equations is used to prove that the dynamic consensus can be achieved under the condition of a graph with a spanning tree and to provide the consensus state finally reached by all agents. Furthermore, the study establishes algebraic inequalities that should be satisfied by the control gains, the bounds of impulsive interval lengths, and the upper bound of delays. Two numerical examples are illustrated to validate the main results.
Robust decentralised mean field control in leader following multi‐agent systems
Authors: Tajeddini Mohammad Amin , Kebriaei Hamed , Glielmo Luigi
Published: August 2017

This study addresses a robust counterpart of the deterministic mean field control in a multi‐agent system. A decentralised mean field algorithm is proposed to solve a min–max control problem for a large population of heterogeneous agents. In the proposed leader following scheme, the leader tracks a reference signal which is unknown to the followers and each follower tracks a convex combination of the population state average and the leader's state. The leader plays a robust min–max game against disturbance and the followers play a mean field ‐Nash game against each other and at the same time, each follower plays a robust min–max game against the disturbance. For all the players, finite horizon quadratic cost is considered. In the proposed decentralised algorithm, followers do not need the knowledge about each of leader's and other followers' states and they only use an estimate of the population state average. In this way, propose a policy iteration method which guarantees the convergence to the saddle point mean field ‐Nash solution. The proposed method is applied to a large population of agents and compared with centralised algorithm to demonstrate the results.
Data‐driven sliding mode tracking control for unknown Markovian jump non‐linear systems
Authors: Niu Xiaoru , Gao Xianwen , Weng Yongpeng
Published: August 2017

This study aims to investigate the sliding mode control (SMC) problem for non‐linear Markovian jump systems (MJSs) in which the transition probability could only be partly obtained and the system models and orders are unknown. Firstly, a mode‐dependent data‐driven sliding surface is established and by using the high‐order SMC strategy, a data‐based SMC law is proposed to guarantee the reachability of the SMC system. With the linear matrix inequalities technique, the tracking error of the closed‐loop non‐linear MJS is demonstrated to be asymptotically stochastically stable. Furthermore, a simulation experiment is carried out to prove the effectiveness of this method.
Data‐driven distributionally robust reserve and energy scheduling over Wasserstein balls
Authors: Yao Li , Wang Xiuli , Duan Chao , Guo Jingli , Wu Xiong , Zhang Yue
Published: August 2017

In order to address the wind power uncertainty in the security constrained economic dispatch (SCED), this study proposes a two‐stage data‐driven distributionally robust reserve and energy scheduling (DDRRES) model that considers the loss of wind spillage and load shedding. This model aims to minimise the total cost while ensuring that the operating constraints are satisfied on the adjustable uncertainty set, of which the boundaries are decision variables. Unlike the previous approaches, which assumed that the underlying true probability distribution (PD) of uncertainty is known, the proposed model does not rely on the specified distribution but extracts the information from historical data directly. The ambiguity sets, i.e., Wasserstein balls are constructed to contain the possible PDs. Fixing the boundaries of adjustable uncertainty set, the operational risk is the expected loss under the worst‐case PDs over Wasserstein balls. Thus the operational cost and operational risk can be balanced by adjusting the adjustable uncertainty set. After the tractable formulation of DDRRES is obtained, such a model is solved with the column‐and‐constraint generation method. The performance of the proposed approach is verified on a 6‐bus test system and a 118‐bus system.
Robust hypothesis generation method using binary blob analysis for multi‐lane detection
Authors: Piao Jingchun , Shin Hyunchul
Published: August 2017

The vision‐based lane detection is an important component of advanced driver assistance systems and it is essential for lane departure warning, lane keeping, and vehicle localisation. However, it is a challenging problem to improve the robustness of multi‐lane detection due to factors, such as perspective effect, possible low visibility of lanes, and partial occlusions. To deal with these issues, the authors propose an improved lane hypothesis generation method using a reliable binary blob analysis. Most existing top‐view based methods focused on the lane model fitting, but they neglected the reliability of hypothesis generation and the effectiveness in challenging conditions. To cope with these shortcomings, the authors carried out vanishing point detection and inverse perspective mapping to remove the perspective effect from the road images. Then two‐stage binary blob filtering and blob verification techniques using classification are introduced to improve the robustness of lane hypothesis generation for lane detection. The experimental results show that the average detection accuracy on a new challenging multi‐lane dataset is 97.7%. The performance of the proposed method outperforms that of the state‐of‐the‐art method by 1.6% in detection accuracy on the Caltech lane benchmark dataset.
Study on a switching‐pattern hysteresis current control method based on zero voltage vector used in three‐phase PWM converter
Authors: Du Jifei , Zhao Hongyan , Zheng Trillion Q.
Published: August 2017

The conventional hysteresis current control (C‐HCC) method has a fast transient response and good robust performance. However, due to interphases dependency among the three‐phase currents, several shortcomings, for example, a high‐switching frequency and large cycle current oscillation will arise inevitably when C‐HCC is applied in a three‐phase pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage‐source converter (VSC). First, this study gives a review on the space vector‐based HCC (SV‐HCC) which is researched to overcome the shortcomings of C‐HCC. The SV‐HCC can avoid the most shortcomings of C‐HCC. However, SV‐HCC has more hysteresis comparator and the adjustment process of hysteresis band (HB) is fussy. In addition, the switching numbers of the three‐phase bridge‐legs are unbalanced. Then, a switching pattern (SP)‐based HCC method is presented in this study which refers to the concept of zero voltage vector in space vector PWM (SVPWM). The presented method set an HB which depends on the system parameters. In the presented method, zero‐vector SP will be selected when the three‐phase current errors are all within the given HB, and conversely, the specified switching logic will be selected when the current error exceeds the HB. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the presented method are verified by simulation and experiment tests.
Anti-HMGCR Antibody–Related Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathy Mimicking Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Tiffreau Vincent , Jaillette Emmanuelle , Jouen Fabienne , Nelson Isabelle , Bonne Gisèle , Yaou Rabah , Romero Norma , Vallée Louis , Vermersch Patrick , Nguyen Sylvie , Maurage Claude-Alain , Cuisset Jean-Marie , Tard Céline
Published: August 2017

Introduction Necrotizing autoimmune myopathies (NAMs) are acquired myopathies with myofibrillar necrosis and weak or absent inflammatory component, sometimes associated with anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) antibodies.

Observation The patient, a girl now aged 20 years, was first assessed at the age of 5 years for abnormal gait revealing frank pelvic deficit. Creatine kinase (CK) levels were as high as 7,500 IU/L. Subsequent muscle biopsy showed some necrosis, fiber regeneration, and fibrosis consistent with muscular dystrophy (MD). Protein immunohistochemistry was normal. The disease course was progressive until wheelchair use at the age of 9 years. At 12 years of age, a second muscle biopsy found an advanced MD with some perivascular inflammatory mononuclear cells. All molecular analyses done through 14 years of follow-up were negative till anti-HMGCR antibodies were detected at a significant amount when she was 19 years old.

Discussion NAMs begin at a pediatric age and may have a chronic course mimicking MDs. Muscular biopsy can be misleading with a predominantly dystrophic pattern without inflammation.

Conclusion This observation should prompt the assessment of NAMs in all MDs, even pediatric, without molecular solutions.
Neonatal Hypopituitarism: Unusual Presentation
Authors: Abu-Libdeh Abdulsalam , Abu-Libdeh Bassam , Abdulhag Ulla
Published: August 2017

Objective We report an infant with panhypopituitarism presenting with cholestatic jaundice, hypoglycemia, and high ferritin level.

Methods We conducted clinical and laboratory investigations, including metabolic, infectious, and hormonal evaluation.

Results Hormonal evaluation revealed panhypopituitarism (cortisol deficiency, growth hormone deficiency, and central hypothyroidism). Other causes of cholestasis were ruled out. Surprisingly, serum ferritin level was very high suggesting neonatal hemochromatosis, which was ruled out by the absence of hemosiderin deposition in buccal mucosal biopsy. Replacement therapy with glucocorticoids and L-thyroxin showed improvement of liver function tests, resolved cholestatic jaundice, and significantly decreased serum ferritin level. These findings support the assumption that thyroid hormone and cortisol affect the bile acid-independent bile flow.

Conclusion This is the first description of an infant with congenital panhypopituitarism, presenting with cholestasis, hypoglycemia, and high serum ferritin level. Panhypopituitarism should be considered in any infant who presents with cholestasis, hypoglycemia, and other manifestations of pituitary malfunction. High serum ferritin level probably reflects acute phase reaction.
Acute and Chronic Therapies in Pediatric Inflammatory Central Nervous System Diseases
Authors: Wilbur Colin , Yeh E.
Published: August 2017

Recognition of pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders has increased in recent years, together with an increased knowledge of the immune mechanisms underlying these disorders. These insights have led to paying greater attention to the classification of these disorders, and importantly, increasing information on therapeutic interventions that may improve outcomes. Furthermore, this has occurred in the wake of the development of multiple targeted immune therapies, thus creating a complex treatment landscape. This review aims to summarize the available literature regarding acute and chronic therapies for pediatric inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorders. A standardized approach to the initial management of these diseases is presented.
Aktuelle Aspekte zur Prämenstruellen Dysphorischen Störung – Ein Überblick
Authors: Beddig Theresa , Kühner Christine
Published: August 2017

Im vorliegenden narrativen Review werden aktuelle Aspekte zu Diagnostik, Häufigkeit, Ätiologie und Behandlungsstrategien der Prämenstruellen Dysphorischen Störung (PMDS) vorgestellt. Die Störung ist gekennzeichnet durch emotionale, körperliche und verhaltensmäßige Veränderungen während der prämenstruellen Phase des Monatszyklus, die mit klinisch relevantem Leiden und deutlicher Beeinträchtigung der Funktionsfähigkeit einhergehen. Aufgrund der spezifischen Leitsymptome (v. a. Affektlabilität und Gereiztheit), dem spezifischen Beschwerdeverlauf sowie der relativ hohen symptomspezifischen Stabilität wurde sie in der fünften Auflage des „Diagnostischen und Statistischen Manuals Psychischer Störungen“ (DSM-5) als eigenständige Störungsdiagnose in das Kapitel Depressive Störungen aufgenommen. Die 12-Monatsprävalenz liegt zwischen 3 und 8% bei Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter. Im deutschen Sprachraum ist das Störungsbild bislang noch unzureichend bekannt, in der Internationalen statistischen Klassifikation der Krankheiten und verwandter Gesundheitsprobleme (ICD-10) fehlt die PMDS als eigenständige Störungskategorie. Die zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen sind noch nicht zufriedenstellend geklärt, eine multifaktorielle Genese wird angenommen. Derzeit liegen noch zu wenig randomisiert-kontrollierte Studien zur PMDS vor, um eindeutige evidenzbasierte Handlungsempfehlungen geben zu können.
Rib waveguide in Ga-Sb-S chalcogenide glass for on-chip mid-IR supercontinuum sources: Design and analysis
Authors: Saini Than Singh , Tiwari Umesh Kumar , Sinha Ravindra Kumar
Published: August 2017

Recently, highly nonlinear Ga-Sb-S chalcogenide glasses have been reported for promising mid-infrared applications such as thermal imaging, nonlinear optics, and infrared lasers. However, the nonlinear optical fiber and waveguide geometries in Ga-Sb-S chalcogenide glasses have not been reported to date. In this paper, we numerically investigate the design of the dual zero dispersion engineered rib waveguide in Ga8Sb32S60 chalcogenide glass by employing MgF2 glass as a lower and upper cladding material. The waveguide structure possesses nonlinearity as high as 24 100 W−1 Km−1 and 14 000 W−1 Km−1 at 2050 and 2800 nm, respectively. The reported waveguide is able to generate a mid-infrared supercontinuum spectrum spanning from 1000 to 7800 nm when it pumped with 97 femtosecond laser pulses of a peak power of 1 kW at 2050 nm. We have also showed that the supercontinuum spectrum can be extended to the spectral range of 1000–9700 nm using pumping with 497 fs pulses of a peak power of 6.4 kW at 2800 nm. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed rib waveguide structure in Ga8Sb32S60 chalcogenide glass has been reported first time for nonlinear applications. Such a dispersion engineered rib waveguide structure has potential applications for the low-cost, power efficient, and compact on-chip mid-infrared supercontinuum sources and other nonlinear photonic devices.
Effect of individual Ayurveda plants and mixtures thereof on in vitro ruminal fermentation, methane production and nutrient degradability
Authors: Wang S. , Müller A. , Hilfiker D. , Marquardt S. , Kreuzer M. , Braun U. , Schwarm A.
Published: August 2017

In order to identify new ways to mitigate methane emissions from ruminants, six medicinal plants, Achyranthes aspera, Azadirachta indica, Andrographis paniculata, Helicteres isora, Tinospora cordifolia and Piper longum, were evaluated in vitro with respect to ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis. A three-stage approach with n = 6 per treatment was applied. Two 24-h Hohenheim gas test experiments were performed by incubating the plants first as sole substrate and then added to a basal diet (10 g/kg diet DM). Finally, in a 10-day Rusitec experiment, A. paniculata, P. longum and T. cordifolia were supplemented individually and in all binary combinations to a basal diet (25 g/kg DM). Provided as sole substrate, all plants, except P. longum, decreased methane and carbon dioxide production (P < 0.05), and reduced the methane : short-chain fatty acid ratio (P < 0.05) in the Hohenheim gas test. In Rusitec, none of the individual supplements decreased methane production. The combination of A. paniculata with P. longum as a supplement was effective in mitigating the methane : carbon dioxide ratio and simultaneously maintaining feeding value. In conclusion, all medicinal plants incubated as sole substrate, except P. longum, possess anti-methanogenic properties, especially T. cordifolia, A. indica and H. isora. When supplemented at the levels investigated, they were mostly neutral with respect to rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion. Combining A. paniculata with P. longum mitigated methane without side effects on general ruminal fermentation. Further investigations, carried out in vivo, will demonstrate how useful this plant combination is in ruminant nutrition.
Internal-scope taking arguments in the information structure of deverbal nominals in Hungarian
Authors: Alberti Gábor , Farkas Judit , Szabó Veronika
Published: August 2017

The paper claims that the syntax of Hungarian is so extremely transparent from a pragmasemantic point of view that certain (complex-event-related) deverbal nominal constructions can have an internal information structure consisting of internal-scope taking dependents. The scope-semantic source of such an internal scope is an embedded verbal construction complemented by the nominalizer. What makes it possible for an internal information structure to be hosted is (the independent factor) that the Hungarian noun-phrase structure is (even) more flexible than was hypothesized earlier: so flexible that it can host as complex pragmasemantic hierarchies as verbal structures can. In this way, Hungarian makes it possible to express explicitly, by word order, all potential scope orders not only in verbal constructions, but even within noun phrases. We thus argue for the integration of the carthographic Split-DP (or Clausal-DP) Hypothesis into the Hungarian traditions via inserting operator layers in the Hungarian noun-phrase structure both above and below the DP-layer.
Hungarian classifier constructions, plurality and the mass–count distinction
Authors: Schvarcz Brigitta R. , Rothstein Susan
Published: August 2017

We argue that Hungarian has both mass and count nouns, and a plural marker which is sensitive to the distinction, as well as a system of sortal classifiers. In English, most nouns are either mass (e.g mud) or count (e.g. book), and there are only a limited number of fully flexible nouns with both mass and count forms (e.g. stone/stones). In Hungarian, however, most count nouns are flexible, and a noun like rózsa ‘rose’ is ambiguous between a mass and a count item. This results in two ways of counting: rózsa as a count noun can be directly modified by a numeral as in két rózsa ‘two roses’, but if it is a mass noun counting uses a classifier construction as in két szál rózsa.
French additive particle aussi
Authors: Benazzo Sandra , Patin Cédric
Published: August 2017

The goal of this study is to determine whether prosody contributes to the discrimination of meaning in sentences with the French additive particle aussi (‘also’). Previous research has highlighted the frequent use of this particle in structurally ambiguous positions, especially in spoken data, while authors diverge on their views as to the possible contribution of prosody to their disambiguation. In order to verify the role of prosody, we have run an experimental study based on a reading task: 20 native speakers were recorded while reading a set of contextualized sentences with aussi placed in both structurally ambiguous and non-ambiguous positions. The results show the presence of different types of prosodic correlates associated with aussi, but also that they are not exploited in a systematic way.
Mapping additivity through translation
Authors: Andorno Cecilia , De Cesare Anna-Maria
Published: August 2017

Many languages have an overabundant set of additive focus adverbs (AFAs), whose differences are mostly investigated in semantic (e.g. scalarity) or syntactic (scope phenomena and restrictions for specific domains of association) terms. The present study adopts a discourse perspective on the issue, comparing two cross-linguistic, near-equivalent AFAs (Italian anche and French aussi) in original texts and their translations in the Europarl corpus. Specifically, this study describes the relation established between the constituent in the scope of the AFA and its alternatives, which can be either co-textually available or contextually inferable. Comparing the frequencies of anche and aussi in original texts and taking into account their translation equivalents confirms important differences between these adverbs. While aussi is more restricted to the syntagmatic function of linking co-textually available alternatives in adjacent sentences, anche appears in a wider array of uses, including cases in which the identification of alternatives requires more complex inferential steps, as they are distant or even implicit to the domain of association.
Requests for here-and-now actions in Russian conversation
Authors: Bolden Galina
Published: August 2017

This chapter examines interactional dimensions of requests for material objects and other immediate practical actions in Russian conversation, focusing on the most common form these requests take – imperative verb constructions. Even though the Russian language has a rich variety of constructions for performing requests, imperative requests are ubiquitous across situations and settings. This predominance of imperative requests in Russian appears to be quite unique cross-linguistically, as the majority of studied languages use imperative requests less frequently and only under limited pragmatic conditions. Using video recordings of interactions between family and friends, this chapter shows that “plain” – i.e., unadorned or unelaborated – imperatives are a default or unmarked request form for here-and-now actions. This argument is supported, on the one hand, by a numerical prevalence of imperative requests across various interactional configurations, and, on the other hand, by how agreeing responses to different request constructions are produced. The analysis shows that imperative requests convey a presumption of the addressee’s compliance and availability, and request responses are designed to corroborate or reassert this presumption, enacting and renewing an expectation of willing and unquestionable assistance. Overall, the study advances our understanding of language‑ and culture-specific variations in the organization of collaboration and assistance in social interaction.
Rain-induced cracking of sweet cherries.
Authors: Knoche M. , Winkler A.
Published: August 2017

This chapter focuses on the mechanistic processes potentially associated with rain-induced cracking of sweet cherry fruits, such as fruit-water relationships, fruit and tissue water potentials and their components and the development of the fruit skin.
A broken promise: microbiome differential abundance methods do not control the false discovery rate
Authors: Hawinkel Stijn , Mattiello Federico , Bijnens Luc , Thas Olivier
Published: August 2017

High-throughput sequencing technologies allow easy characterization of the human microbiome, but the statistical methods to analyze microbiome data are still in their infancy. Differential abundance methods aim at detecting associations between the abundances of bacterial species and subject grouping factors. The results of such methods are important to identify the microbiome as a prognostic or diagnostic biomarker or to demonstrate efficacy of prodrug or antibiotic drugs. Because of a lack of benchmarking studies in the microbiome field, no consensus exists on the performance of the statistical methods. We have compared a large number of popular methods through extensive parametric and nonparametric simulation as well as real data shuffling algorithms. The results are consistent over the different approaches and all point to an alarming excess of false discoveries. This raises great doubts about the reliability of discoveries in past studies and imperils reproducibility of microbiome experiments. To further improve method benchmarking, we introduce a new simulation tool that allows to generate correlated count data following any univariate count distribution; the correlation structure may be inferred from real data. Most simulation studies discard the correlation between species, but our results indicate that this correlation can negatively affect the performance of statistical methods.
Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Leaf Rust Resistance in the Wheat Population Ning7840 × Clark
Authors: Li Chunlian , Wang Zhonghua , Li Chunxin , Bowden Robert , Bai Guihua , Li Chunlian , Li Chunxin , Su Zhenqi , Carver Brett F.
Published: August 2017

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and causes significant yield losses worldwide. To determine quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for leaf rust resistance, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross of Ning7840 × Clark was evaluated for leaf rust severity, and was genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using 9K Illumina chips, and with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Two major QTLs on chromosome arms 7DS and 3BS, and two minor QTLs on chromosomes 5AS and 6AS showed a significant effect on leaf rust severity. The 7DS QTL from Ning7840 and the 3BS QTL from Clark explained, respectively, about 35% and 18% of the phenotypic variation for leaf rust resistance. The QTL on 7DS was confirmed to be Lr34. The QTL on 3BS, QLr.hwwg-3B.1, was associated with adult plant resistance and was provisionally identified as Lr74. QLr.hwwg-5AS and QLr.hwwg-6AS from Ning7840 and Clark, respectively, may correspond to previously described QTLs. Lr34, QLr.hwwg-3BS.1, and QLr.hwwg-6AS had an additive effect on leaf rust severity. RILs with all three favorable alleles showed the highest resistance to leaf rust and the RILs with none of them showed the lowest resistance.
Evolution of Tendon Transfer to Allograft Reconstruction in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Aiyer Amiethab , Smyth Niall , Avila Adriana , Kaplan Jonathan , Myerson Mark
Published: August 2017

Over the past several years, tendon transfers have been used to help correct deformity in a variety of clinical situations. Commonly, transfers are often used for addressing diseased tendons, including the anterior tibialis tendon, the Achilles tendon, the peroneals or the posterior tibialis tendon. Although good clinical/functional outcomes have demonstrated after tendon transfers, there has been, increasing interest in using bulk allograft tendon tissue for reconstructing deficient soft tissues. Allograft tendons provide a more comparable size to the once healthy, native tendon and may potentially improve functional outcomes. In this over view, we will review the pathoanatomy of tendon transfers, common clinical applications of tendon transfers, perioperative considerations with regard to use of tendon allografts and tendon allograft techniques in foot and ankle surgery.