bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of abdominal trunk muscles-strengthening exercise using an innovative device in treating chronic low back pain: a controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kitagawa Ryo , Kato Satoshi , Demura Satoru , Kurokawa Yuki , Shinmura Kazuya , Yokogawa Noriaki , Yonezawa Noritaka , Shimizu Takaki , Oku Norihiro , Handa Makoto , Annen Ryohei , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: December 2020

Exercise is the most common conservative intervention for chronic low back pain (CLBP). We have developed an innovative exercise device for the abdominal trunk muscles that also measures muscle strength in a sitting position. The device, which is easy for patients with CLBP to use, allows for lumbar stabilization exercise under pressure. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of abdominal trunk muscle strengthening using the device in improving CLBP. We conducted a two-group non-randomized controlled clinical trial. CLBP patients were allocated into two groups. The strengthening group underwent a 12-week exercise program that included abdominal trunk muscle strengthening using our device and stretching exercises, while the control group received a 12-week stretching exercise program. The outcome measures included the improvement of the abdominal trunk muscle strength measured by the device, pain intensity of CLBP, physical function, and quality of life (QOL). A total of 40 participants (20 in each group) were analyzed. The strengthening group showed better improvement in the abdominal trunk muscle strength, CLBP, physical function, and QOL than in the control group. In conclusion, the strengthening exercise using the device with easy stretching was effective in improving the strength of the abdominal trunk muscles, pain intensity of CLBP, physical function, and QOL.
Serum metabolites as biomarkers in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Meier C. , Freiburghaus K. , Bovet C. , Schniering J. , Allanore Y. , Distler O. , Nakas C. , Maurer B.
Published: December 2020

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe multi-organ disease with interstitial lung disease (ILD) being the major cause of death. While targeted therapies are emerging, biomarkers for sub-stratifying patients based on individual profiles are lacking. Herein, we investigated how levels of serum metabolites correlated with different stages of SSc and SSc-ILD. Serum samples of patients with SSc without ILD, stable and progressive SSc-ILD as well as of healthy controls (HC) were analysed using liquid targeted tandem mass spectrometry. The best discriminating profile consisted of 4 amino acids (AA) and 3 purine metabolites. l-tyrosine, l-tryptophan, and 1-methyl-adenosine distinguished HC from SSc patients. l-leucine, l-isoleucine, xanthosine, and adenosine monophosphate differentiated between progressing and stable SSc-ILD. In SSc-ILD, both, l-leucine and xanthosine negatively correlated with changes in FVC% predicted. Additionally, xanthosine was negatively correlated with changes in DLco% predicted and positively with the prognostic GAP index. Validation of l-leucine and l-isoleucine by an enzymatic assay confirmed both the sub-stratification of SSc-ILD patients and correlation with lung function and prognosis score. Serum metabolites may have potential as biomarkers for discriminating SSc patients based on the presence and severity of ILD. Confirmation in larger cohorts will be needed to appreciate their value for routine clinical care.
Early pregnancy maternal progesterone administration alters pituitary and testis function and steroid profile in male fetuses
Authors: Siemienowicz Katarzyna J. , Wang Yili , Marečková Magda , Nio-Kobayashi Junko , Fowler Paul A. , Rae Mick T. , Duncan W. Colin
Published: December 2020

Maternal exposure to increased steroid hormones, including estrogens, androgens or glucocorticoids during pregnancy results in chronic conditions in offspring that manifest in adulthood. Little is known about effects of progesterone administration in early pregnancy on fetal development. We hypothesised that maternal early pregnancy progesterone supplementation would increase fetal progesterone, affect progesterone target tissues in the developing fetal reproductive system and be metabolised to other bioactive steroids in the fetus. We investigated the effects of progesterone treatment during early pregnancy on maternal and fetal plasma progesterone concentrations, transcript abundance in the fetal pituitary and testes and circulating steroids, at day 75 gestation, using a clinically realistic ovine model. Endogenous progesterone concentrations were lower in male than female fetuses. Maternal progesterone administration increased male, but not female, fetal progesterone concentrations, also increasing circulating 11-dehydrocorticosterone in male fetuses. Maternal progesterone administration altered fetal pituitary and testicular function in ovine male fetuses. This suggests that there may be fetal sex specific effects of the use of progesterone in early pregnancy, and highlights that progesterone supplementation should be used only when there is clear evidence of efficacy and for as limited time as necessary.
Bioluminescent detection of isothermal DNA amplification in microfluidic generated droplets and artificial cells
Authors: Hardinge Patrick , Baxani Divesh K. , McCloy Thomas , Murray James A. H. , Castell Oliver K.
Published: December 2020

Microfluidic droplet generation affords precise, low volume, high throughput opportunities for molecular diagnostics. Isothermal DNA amplification with bioluminescent detection is a fast, low-cost, highly specific molecular diagnostic technique that is triggerable by temperature. Combining loop-mediated isothermal nucleic acid amplification (LAMP) and bioluminescent assay in real time (BART), with droplet microfluidics, should enable high-throughput, low copy, sequence-specific DNA detection by simple light emission. Stable, uniform LAMP–BART droplets are generated with low cost equipment. The composition and scale of these droplets are controllable and the bioluminescent output during DNA amplification can be imaged and quantified. Furthermore these droplets are readily incorporated into encapsulated droplet interface bilayers (eDIBs), or artificial cells, and the bioluminescence tracked in real time for accurate quantification off chip. Microfluidic LAMP–BART droplets with high stability and uniformity of scale coupled with high throughput and low cost generation are suited to digital DNA quantification at low template concentrations and volumes, where multiple measurement partitions are required. The triggerable reaction in the core of eDIBs can be used to study the interrelationship of the droplets with the environment and also used for more complex chemical processing via a self-contained network of droplets, paving the way for smart soft-matter diagnostics.
The bivariate NRIP1/ZEB2 RNA marker permits non-invasive presymptomatic screening of pre-eclampsia
Authors: Manders Vera , Visser Allerdien , Keijser Remco , Min Naomi , Poutsma Ankie , Mulders Joyce , van den Berkmortel Tarah , Hortensius Marjolein , Jongejan Aldo , Pajkrt Eva , Sistermans Erik A. , Sie Daoud , Best Myron G. , Würdinger Tom , de Boer Marjon , Afink Gijs , Oudejans Cees
Published: December 2020

Using genome-wide transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing of first trimester plasma RNA, we tested whether the identification of pregnancies at risk of developing pre-eclampsia with or without preterm birth or growth restriction is possible between weeks 9–14, prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms. We implemented a metaheuristic approach in the self-learning SVM algorithm for differential gene expression analysis of normal pregnancies (n = 108), affected pregnancies (n = 34) and non-pregnant controls (n = 19). Presymptomatic candidate markers for affected pregnancies were validated by RT-qPCR in first trimester samples (n = 34) from an independent cohort. PRKG1 was significantly downregulated in a subset of pregnancies with birth weights below the 10thpercentile as shared symptom. The NRIP1/ZEB2 ratio was found to be upregulated in pregnancies with pre-eclampsia or trisomy 21. Complementary quantitative analysis of both the linear and circular forms of NRIP1 permitted discrimination between pre-eclampsia and trisomy 21. Pre-eclamptic pregnancies showed an increase in linear NRIP1 compared to circular NRIP1, while trisomy 21 pregnancies did not.
Distinction of surgically resected gastrointestinal stromal tumor by near-infrared hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Sato Daiki , Takamatsu Toshihiro , Umezawa Masakazu , Kitagawa Yuichi , Maeda Kosuke , Hosokawa Naoki , Okubo Kyohei , Kamimura Masao , Kadota Tomohiro , Akimoto Tetsuo , Kinoshita Takahiro , Yano Tomonori , Kuwata Takeshi , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Takemura Hiroshi , Yokota Hideo , Soga Kohei
Published: December 2020

The diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) using conventional endoscopy is difficult because submucosal tumor (SMT) lesions like GIST are covered by a mucosal layer. Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) can obtain optical information from deep inside tissues. However, far less progress has been made in the development of techniques for distinguishing deep lesions like GIST. This study aimed to investigate whether NIR-HSI is suitable for distinguishing deep SMT lesions. In this study, 12 gastric GIST lesions were surgically resected and imaged with an NIR hyperspectral camera from the aspect of the mucosal surface. Thus, the images were obtained ex-vivo. The site of the GIST was defined by a pathologist using the NIR image to prepare training data for normal and GIST regions. A machine learning algorithm, support vector machine, was then used to predict normal and GIST regions. Results were displayed using color-coded regions. Although 7 specimens had a mucosal layer (thickness 0.4–2.5 mm) covering the GIST lesion, NIR-HSI analysis by machine learning showed normal and GIST regions as color-coded areas. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the results were 73.0%, 91.3%, and 86.1%, respectively. The study suggests that NIR-HSI analysis may potentially help distinguish deep lesions.
Effects of wood resource size and decomposition on hyphal outgrowth of a cord-forming basidiomycete, Phanerochaete velutina
Authors: Fukasawa Yu , Kaga Koji
Published: December 2020

To assess the relationship between resource use and hyphal growth in a cord-forming basidiomycete, Phanerochaete velutina, soil microcosm experiments were conducted using wood blocks of three different sizes in three different soil quantities, thereby simulating the different amounts of available nutrients. The highest percentage weight loss was observed in the smallest wood blocks after a 27-d incubation period in soil microcosms, although the percentage weight loss over the 2-month pure culture colonization prior to inoculation was not significantly different among various block sizes. The greatest hyphal outgrowth was also observed in the smallest wood blocks and was positively associated with wood decay. The slopes of the regression lines between hyphal coverage and percentage wood mass loss were identical among different wood sizes, but the slopes between hyphal coverage and absolute wood mass loss were steeper in the smaller wood blocks than that in largest one. These results suggest that the level of intensity of mycelial foraging for new resources in the soil depends on the percentage of the amount of wood resource utilized, and not on the absolute amount of carbon obtained from the wood.
Human extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids show region-specific differentiation potential and model cystic fibrosis-related bile duct disease
Authors: Verstegen Monique M. A. , Roos Floris J. M. , Burka Ksenia , Gehart Helmuth , Jager Myrthe , de Wolf Maaike , Bijvelds Marcel J. C. , de Jonge Hugo R. , Ardisasmita Arif I. , van Huizen Nick A. , Roest Henk P. , de Jonge Jeroen , Koch Michael , Pampaloni Francesco , Fuchs Sabine A. , Schene Imre F. , Luider Theo M. , van der Doef Hubert P. J. , Bodewes Frank A. J. A. , de Kleine Ruben H. J. , Spee Bart , Kremers Gert-Jan , Clevers Hans , IJzermans Jan N. M. , Cuppen Edwin , van der Laan Luc J. W.
Published: December 2020

The development, homeostasis, and repair of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts are thought to involve distinct mechanisms including proliferation and maturation of cholangiocyte and progenitor cells. This study aimed to characterize human extrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ECO) using canonical Wnt-stimulated culture medium previously developed for intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ICO). Paired ECO and ICO were derived from common bile duct and liver tissue, respectively. Characterization showed both organoid types were highly similar, though some differences in size and gene expression were observed. Both ECO and ICO have cholangiocyte fate differentiation capacity. However, unlike ICO, ECO lack the potential for differentiation towards a hepatocyte-like fate. Importantly, ECO derived from a cystic fibrosis patient showed no CFTR channel activity but normal chloride channel and MDR1 transporter activity. In conclusion, this study shows that ECO and ICO have distinct lineage fate and that ECO provide a competent model to study extrahepatic bile duct diseases like cystic fibrosis.
Self-driven WSe2 photodetectors enabled with asymmetrical van der Waals contact interfaces
Authors: Zhou Changjian , Zhang Shouyong , Lv Zhe , Ma Zichao , Yu Cui , Feng Zhihong , Chan Mansun
Published: December 2020

Self-driven photodetectors that can detect light without any external voltage bias are important for low-power applications, including future internet of things, wearable electronics, and flexible electronics. While two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit good optoelectronic properties, the extraordinary properties have not been fully exploited to realize high-performance self-driven photodetectors. In this paper, a metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) photodetector with graphene and Au as the two contacts have been proposed to realize the self-driven photodetector. Van der Waals contacts are formed by dry-transfer methods, which is important in constructing the asymmetrical MSM photodetector to avoid the Fermi-level pinning effect. By choosing graphene and Au as the two contact electrodes, a pronounced photovoltaic effect is obtained. Without any external bias, the self-driven photodetector exhibits a high responsivity of 7.55 A W−1 and an ultrahigh photocurrent-to-dark current ratio of ~108. The photodetector also shows gate-tunable characteristics due to the field-induced Fermi-level shift in the constituent 2D materials. What is more, the high linearity of the photodetector over almost 60 dB suggests the easy integration with processing circuits for practical applications.
HypoxamiR-210 accelerates wound healing in diabetic mice by improving cellular metabolism
Authors: Narayanan Sampath , Eliasson Angelstig Sofie , Xu Cheng , Grünler Jacob , Zhao Allan , Zhu Wan , Xu Landén Ning , Ståhle Mona , Zhang Jingping , Ivan Mircea , Maltesen Raluca Georgiana , Botusan Ileana Ruxandra , Rajamand Ekberg Neda , Zheng Xiaowei , Catrina Sergiu-Bogdan
Published: December 2020

Wound healing is a high energy demanding process that needs a good coordination of the mitochondria with glycolysis in the characteristic highly hypoxic environment. In diabetes, hyperglycemia impairs the adaptive responses to hypoxia with profound negative effects on different cellular compartments of wound healing. miR-210 is a hypoxia-induced microRNA that regulates cellular metabolism and processes important for wound healing. Here, we show that hyperglycemia blunted the hypoxia-dependent induction of miR-210 both in vitro and in human and mouse diabetic wounds. The impaired regulation of miR-210 in diabetic wounds is pathogenic, since local miR-210 administration accelerated wound healing specifically in diabetic but not in non-diabetic mice. miR-210 reconstitution restores the metabolic balance in diabetic wounds by reducing oxygen consumption rate and ROS production and by activating glycolysis with positive consequences on cellular migration. In conclusion, miR-210 accelerates wound healing specifically in diabetes through improvement of the cellular metabolism.
Author Correction: Current-controlled nanomagnetic writing for reconfigurable magnonic crystals
Authors: Gartside Jack C. , Jung Son G. , Yoo Seung Y. , Arroo Daan M. , Vanstone Alex , Dion Troy , Stenning Kilian D. , Branford Will R.
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-020-00507-x.
Protein–Protein Interaction Interfaces and their Functional Implications
Authors: Schreiber G.
Published: December 2020

Proteins must work together with other proteins to carry out most of their functions in the cell. In the complex biological environment, any correct interaction competes with a huge number of non-relevant macromolecular surfaces. In this chapter, I review the current knowledge on how the binding process occurs, what distinguishes correct binding from the endless numbers of available protein-surfaces and the contributing factors towards uniqueness of the binding interface, and put these into perspective with the different types of protein–protein interactions found in nature. While the gained knowledge provides only averages, it is sufficiently good for the design of new protein–protein interactions, which has become more successful in recent years.
Computational Structural Modeling to Discover PPI Modulators
Authors: Yang Xuan , Ivanov Andrey A.
Published: December 2020

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) play a critical role in the regulation of all cellular functions. The common recognition of PPIs as vital units of signal transduction and highly attractive therapeutic targets has resulted in an urgent need for potent and selective PPI modulators, especially for proteins lacking enzymatic activity. However, despite the advances in high-throughput screening technologies and synthetic chemistry, the regulation of PPIs by low molecular weight compounds remains a challenge. The three-dimensional structures of individual proteins and protein–protein complexes provide an opportunity to guide and reinforce experimental approaches by the methods of computational molecular modeling. This chapter summarizes the cutting-edge computational tools and web resources that help to determine the PPI interface and allosteric binding sites on the protein surface and to discover new promising PPI modulators through structure-based virtual screening.
Hydrogen Bond Surrogate Stabilized Helices as Protein–Protein Interaction Inhibitors
Authors: Yoo Daniel , Arora Paramjit S.
Published: December 2020

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are often misregulated in disease and are attractive targets for drug discovery. Several strategies that rely on high throughput screening and rational design for developing inhibitors of protein complex formation have been described. We have pursued a rational design approach that captures the conformation of the critical binding epitope from one interacting protein partner. This approach builds on the hypothesis that binding epitopes are often defined by a handful of residues that dominate the binding energy landscape, and that mimicry of these residues would result in small- to medium-sized inhibitors of the chosen target. Here, we review our approach to develop helical mimics that capture the backbone conformation and interacting residues of the most frequently occurring secondary structure motif at protein interfaces. We describe a hydrogen bond surrogate (HBS) approach to constrain peptides into the α-helical geometry. HBS α-helices have been extensively characterized in vitro and in vivo and shown to successfully reproduce helical protein epitopes. The HBS approach has yielded effective inhibitors for multiple PPI complexes. We will continue to evolve to address the existing challenges of peptide-based therapeutics.
Helix-mimetics as Protein–Protein Interaction Inhibitors
Authors: Naiya Gitashri , Chakraborty Madhumita , Ghosh Piya , Roy Siddhartha
Published: December 2020

Protein–protein interactions play a crucial role in many biochemical processes. They have emerged as a new class of drug targets. Small molecule inhibitors are available, but often challenging to develop as protein–protein interaction inhibitors. Peptides have long been considered to possess undesirable properties that are unsuitable for drugs targeting intracellular drug targets. However, over the last few decades, many of these obstacles have been overcome. In this chapter, we describe recent developments in targeting protein–protein interactions using conformationally stabilized α-helical peptides. Some of these peptides have now entered clinical trials.
Hydrogen bond system generated by nitroamino rearrangement: new character for designing next generation energetic materials
Authors: Hu Lu , Staples Richard J. , Shreeve Jean’ne M.
Published: December 2020

Hydrogen bond systems stabilize molecules and shorten intermolecular distances to give higher density and lower sensitivity.
An efficient method to prepare aluminosilicate nanoscrolls under mild conditions
Authors: Zhang Shilong , Liu Qinfu , Yang Yongjie , Zhang Hao , Liu Jingjing , Zeng Songshan , LaChance Anna Marie , Barrett Allyson T. , Sun Luyi
Published: December 2020

On catalysis of AlCl3, kaolinite can be facily exfoliated into nanosheets, which subsequently curl into nanoscrolls.
Emulsions of miscible solvents: the origin of anti-solvent crystallization
Authors: Park Yohwan , Song Kwangjin , Choi Hee Cheul
Published: December 2020

Emulsions of miscible solvents: the origin of anti-solvent crystallization. We demonstrate that emulsions in a miscible solvents system could provide the opportunity to explain an accurate mechanism of anti-solvent crystallization before nucleation.
Construction of hydrogen bonding and coordination networks based on ethynylpyridine-appended nucleobases
Authors: Kahlfuss Christophe , Starck Eliot , Tufenkjian Elsa , Kyritsakas Nathalie , Jouaiti Abdelaziz , Baudron Stéphane A. , Hosseini Mir Wais , Bulach Véronique
Published: December 2020

A series of ethynylpyridine-appended nucleobases have been designed, synthesized, characterized and employed for the formation of crystalline molecular networks by hydrogen/coordination bonding.
Structural relaxation in layered, non-stoichiometric Fe7S8
Authors: Koulialias Dimitrios , Schawe Jürgen E. K. , Löffler Jörg F. , Gehring Andreas U.
Published: December 2020

The structural relaxation of an energetically excited solid modification is measured via the solid–solid transformation temperature using fast calorimetry.
A nuclear spin and spatial symmetry-adapted full quantum method for light particles inside carbon nanotubes: clusters of 3He, 4He, and para-H2
Authors: de Lara-Castells María Pilar , Mitrushchenkov Alexander O.
Published: December 2020

A new nuclear spin and spatial symmetry-adapted full quantum method for light fermionic and bosonic particles under cylindrical carbon nanotube confinement.
Quality of force fields and sampling methods in simulating pepX peptides: a case study for intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Wang Anhui , Peng Xiangda , Li Yan , Zhang Dinglin , Zhang Zhichao , Li Guohui
Published: December 2020

The conformations of five intrinsically disordered proteins were simulated with different force fields and enhanced sampling algorithms and were compared with experimental NMR observables.
Salting-in and salting-out effects of short amphiphilic molecules: a balance between specific ion effects and hydrophobicity
Authors: Mehringer Johannes , Hofmann Evamaria , Touraud Didier , Koltzenburg Sebastian , Kellermeier Matthias , Kunz Werner
Published: December 2020

Salting-in or salting-out tendencies depend on a balance between headgroup-specific ion effects and the hydrophobicity of the tail.
A peanut shell-derived economical and eco-friendly biochar catalyst for electrochemical ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions: combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Liu Anmin , Yang Yanan , Ren Xuefeng , Gao Mengfan , Liang Xingyou , Ma Tingli
Published: December 2020

The electrochemical conversion of N2 to NH3 under ambient conditions is a highly promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber–Bosch process. As a catalyst for electrocatalytic N2 synthesis of NH3, biochar is a sustainable green material.
Porphyrin and phthalocyanine-based metal organic frameworks beyond metal-carboxylates
Authors: De Siddhartha , Devic Thomas , Fateeva Alexandra
Published: December 2020

The recently emerging class of MOFs based on porphyrins and phthalocyanines bearing alternative coordinating groups offers opportunities for functional materials.
Extruded coffee parchment shows enhanced antioxidant, hypoglycaemic, and hypolipidemic properties by releasing phenolic compounds from the fibre matrix
Authors: Benítez Vanesa , Rebollo-Hernanz Miguel , Aguilera Yolanda , Bejerano Sheila , Cañas Silvia , Martín-Cabrejas María A.
Published: December 2020

Extrusion lead to and increase in the release of phenolic compounds from the fibre matrix which was associated with enhanced antioxidant capacity and hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic properties.
HMF–glycerol acetals as additives for the debonding of polyurethane adhesives
Authors: Kirchhecker Sarah , Dell'Acqua Andrea , Angenvoort Astrid , Spannenberg Anke , Ito Kenji , Tin Sergey , Taden Andreas , de Vries Johannes G.
Published: December 2020

Diols prepared via acetalisation of HMF with glycerol were incorporated into polyurethanes. This additive enables the selective debonding by acid-catalysed hydrolysis of PU-based adhesives to facilitate the recycling of components at the end of life of the product.
Encapsulation of glycosylated porphyrins in silica nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of cancer photodynamic therapy
Authors: Borzęcka Wioleta , Pereira Patrícia M. R. , Fernandes Rosa , Trindade Tito , Torres Tomás , Tomé João P. C.
Published: December 2020

Encapsulation of glycosylated porphyrins in silica nanoparticles enhanced the efficacy of cancer photodynamic therapy compared with the free porphyrins.
M13 bacteriophage-templated gold nanowires as stretchable electrodes in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Han Jiye , Nam Jeong-Seok , Kim Kyusun , Choi Eun Jung , Lee Jong-Min , Maruyama Shigeo , Jeon Il , Oh Jin-Woo
Published: December 2020

This work reports stretchable gold nanowires grown on M13 bacteriophage in perovskite solar cells, which is the first demonstration of the M13 virus as a stretchable transparent electrode.
Boron fluoride regulated “naked eye” and ratiometric fluorescent detection of CN− as a test strip and its bioimaging
Authors: Li Sha , Huo Fangjun , Ma Kaiqing , Zhang Yongbin , Yin Caixia
Published: December 2020

Cyanide ions (CN−) are widely used in chemical and industrial processes, but not only can they cause environmental pollution, what is worse is that when a small amount of cyanide enters the human body, in the less severe cases, they pose health risks, and in the more severe cases, they can lead to death.
Zirconium oxide nanoarrays via the self-organized anodizing of Al/Zr bilayers on substrates
Authors: Mozalev Alexander , Pytlicek Zdenek , Kamnev Kirill , Prasek Jan , Gispert-Guirado Francesc , Llobet Eduard
Published: December 2020

A combination of frontier formation conditions, paradoxical oxide growth, unique ionic transport, a mixed-oxide composition, and phase transition effects resulted in arrays of novel self-assembled zirconium-oxide nanostructures.
Spectral engineering of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles and their biosensing applications
Authors: Wang Jing , Sheng Ting , Zhu Xiaohui , Li Qin , Wu Yihan , Zhang Jing , Liu Jinliang , Zhang Yong
Published: December 2020

In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the spectral engineering of UCNPs and highlight the biosensing application of UCNPs in intracellular ions, biomolecules and physiological environment.
Interpretation of SARS-CoV-2 behaviour on different substrates and denaturation of virions using ethanol: an atomic force microscopy study
Authors: Celik Umit , Celik Kubra , Celik Suleyman , Abayli Hasan , Sahna Kezban Can , Tonbak Şükrü , Toraman Zulal Asci , Oral Ahmet
Published: December 2020

We studied the density and aggregation behavior of virions on TCPS and glass substrates, surface functionality, coffee ring effect on both surfaces and the effect of ethanol-based disinfectant on the virion structure using atomic force microscopy.
Environmentally sustainable color-switchable alignment layer formed by nanoscale interfacial self-assembly of chlorophyll biomolecules
Authors: Moon Gitae , Lee Jun Hyup
Published: December 2020

A completely eco-friendly biomolecular alignment layer for liquid crystals was proposed using the nanoscale interfacial self-assembly of chlorophyll molecules.
Approaches to treating tuberculosis by encapsulating metal ions and anti-mycobacterial drugs utilizing nano- and microparticle technologies
Authors: Alzahabi Khaled H. , Usmani Omar , Georgiou Theoni K. , Ryan Mary P. , Robertson Brian D. , Tetley Teresa D. , Porter Alexandra E.
Published: December 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterial infection that affects a number of human organs, primarily the lungs, but also the liver, spleen, and spine, causing key symptoms of fever, fatigue, and persistent cough, and if not treated properly, can be fatal. Every year, 10 million individuals become ill with active TB resulting with a mortality approximating 1.5 million. Current treatment guidelines recommend oral administration of a combination of first-line anti-TB drugs for at least 6 months. While efficacious under optimum conditions, ‘Directly Observed Therapy Short-course’ (DOTS) is not without problems. The long treatment time and poor pharmacokinetics, alongside drug side effects lead to poor patient compliance and has accelerated the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms. All this, combined with the limited number of newly discovered TB drugs to treat MDR-TB and shorten standard therapy time, has highlighted the need for new targeted drug delivery systems. In this respect, there has been recent focus on micro- and nano-particle technologies to prepare organic or/and metal particles loaded with TB drugs to enhance their efficacy by targeted delivery via the inhaled route. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the current epidemiology of TB, and risk factors for progression of latent stage tuberculosis (LTBI) to the active TB. We identify current TB treatment regimens, newly discovered TB drugs, and identify studies that have used micro- or nano-particles technologies to design a reliable inhalation drug delivery system to treat TB more effectively.
Biosecurity: tools, behaviours and concepts
Authors: MacLeod Alan , Spence Nicola
Published: December 2020

COVID 19 has raised the profile of biosecurity. However, biosecurity is not only about protecting human life. This issue brings together mini-reviews examining recent developments and thinking around some of the tools, behaviours and concepts around biosecurity. They illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, demonstrating the interface between research and policy. Biosecurity practices aim to prevent the spread of harmful organisms; recognising that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health, several focus on plant biosecurity although invasive species and animal health concerns are also captured. The reviews show progress in developing early warning systems and that plant protection organisations are increasingly using tools that compare multiple pest threats to prioritise responses. The bespoke modelling of threats can inform risk management responses and synergies between meteorology and biosecurity provide opportunities for increased collaboration. There is scope to develop more generic models, increasing their accessibility to policy makers. Recent research can improve pest surveillance programs accounting for real-world constraints. Social science examining individual farmer behaviours has informed biosecurity policy; taking a broader socio-cultural approach to better understand farming networks has the potential to change behaviours in a new way. When encouraging public recreationists to adopt positive biosecurity behaviours communications must align with their values. Bringing together the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors to address biosecurity risks in a common and systematic manner within the One Biosecurity concept can be achieved through multi-disciplinary working involving the life, physical and social sciences with the support of legislative bodies and the public.
Talk Like Me: Supporting Students Who Are African American Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Authors: Mindel Mollie G.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

With the changing demographics, speech-language pathologists are increasingly supporting diverse caseloads. Research and discussion within the profession often look at culturally and linguistically diverse populations as a monolith and may provide heightened focus on the complexity of bi/multilingual communicators who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); however, an exclusive focus on African Americans who use AAC is limited within the published body of research. This article aims to open discussion around the unique and specific supports needed to provide ethical services for African Americans who require AAC systems.

Method

A review of published literature across disciplines, including communication disorders, health and medicine, education, and social sciences across the last two decades was synergized with analysis of government and professional organization data sets, and professional reflection based upon clinical experience.

Results

Speech-language pathologists developing a practice embedded with cultural competence and client advocacy will support not only just the AAC user but also their family as primary communication partners. Analysis of the institutional barriers, and how to mitigate the impact, will lead the clinician to culturally responsive intervention strategies.

Conclusions

It is imperative to use culturally responsive techniques from the stage of referral through the assessment and into intervention. Clinicians engaging in a culturally responsive practice will help reduce institutional barriers for African Americans using AAC, while also increasing the participation and engagement of both the person who uses AAC and their family communication partners. Evidence-based practices already being implemented for supporting African Americans with communication disorders can be extrapolated to support the specific subgroup who require AAC for functional communication.
Distributed economic dispatch for power generation with time‐varying loads and external disturbances
Authors: Huang Bomin , Cui Qingfu , Meng Ziyang , Chen Fei
Published: December 2020

The distributed economic dispatch problem for power generation in electricity grids is studies. A simple centralised algorithm is designed to obtain the solution of the dispatch problem without the external disturbances. Inspired by the centralised algorithm, a distributed algorithm is presented using the distributed average tracking algorithm. As far as we know, the proposed algorithm is the first one that is capable of time‐varying loads and external disturbances while the tracking errors are asymptotic convergent. Simulations on the IEEE 14‐BUS system are provided to validate the theoretical results.
Efficiency analysis of polynomial filtering algorithms in navigation data processing for a class of nonlinear discrete dynamical systems
Authors: Stepanov O. A. , Vasiliev V. A. , Basin M. V. , Tupysev V. A. , Litvinenko Y. A.
Published: December 2020

A polynomial filtering algorithm is designed for estimating a Markov sequence based on linear measurements. The feature of the estimation problem is that the Markov sequence is described by a nonlinear shaping filter, which is a second‐order polynomial with respect to the state vector components. The algorithm efficiency is illustrated by three examples of navigation data processing. It is shown that the polynomial filter provides accuracy close to the best potential one calculated using the particle filter. At the same time, the amount of computation required to implement this algorithm is much smaller than that for the particle filter. In addition, the polynomial filter provides a consistent calculated accuracy characteristic.
Linearized Bregman iteration based model‐free adaptive sliding mode control for a class of non‐linear systems
Authors: Gao Shouli , Zhao Dongya , Yan Xinggang , Spurgeon Sarah K.
Published: December 2020

There is a growing demand for robust data‐driven control methods particularly for industrial process control. This paper presents a new model‐free adaptive sliding mode control approach for a class of discrete‐time, multiple input and multiple output non‐linear systems. The proposed methodology seeks to address issues with the computation of inverse matrices and problems with singularity in existing methods while at the same time seeking to enhance robustness. A Majorization–Minimization technique and the L1 norm are used within the proposed optimization and an online iterative approach is described for update of the control law. The closed‐loop system response is proved to be stable. The effectiveness of the proposed control is validated by extensive simulation and also experimental results, with the performance obtained by the proposed approach being compared throughout with a well‐known approach from the established literature.
An online method for MILP co‐planning model of large‐scale transmission expansion planning and energy storage systems considering N‐1 criterion
Authors: Mazaheri Hesam , Abbaspour Ali , Fotuhi‐Firuzabad Mahmud , Moeini‐Aghtaie Moein , Farzin Hossein , Wang Fei , Dehghanian Payman
Published: December 2020

In recent years, increased integration of renewable energy sources (RES) calls for extensive and costly investments in transmission networks. In response, power system decision‐makers try to apply alternative solutions aimed to decrease the imposed investment costs. In this context, the presence of large‐scale energy storage systems (ESSs) in transmission network can be a practical option for deferring investment in expansion plans of transmission lines, alleviating system congestions, and attaining higher flexibility. In this paper, an efficient model is proposed for co‐planning expansion studies of compressed air energy storage (CAES) units and transmission networks. The associated optimisation formulation of co‐planning problem is expressed as a MILP model, which can be efficiently solved. The proposed model is applied on the Garver as well as RTS test systems and N‐1 criterion is considered to address the system reliability performance in expansion studies. The results demonstrate that the proposed co‐planning framework has a superior performance in expansion plans of transmission systems.
Islanding detection for reconfigurable microgrid with RES
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Kumar Vishal , Tyagi Barjeev
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes a new islanding detection technique based on the superimposed angle of negative sequence impedance. The proposed technique is designed with the presence of different types of RES (renewable energy sources) in the system. The proposed technique discriminates the islanding events from non‐islanding events even at 0% power mismatch. It detects the islanding events within a half‐cycle even at the zero power mismatch and also restricts the undesirable tripping due to the several kinds of non‐islanding events. The technique is also able to detect islanding under network reconfiguration. For the range of power mismatches, extensive cases of islanding and non‐islanding events have been simulated. The technique has been illustrated on a 7‐bus reconfigurable microgrid test system with different types of RES in the (RTDS/RSCAD) environment. In this work, islanding has been determined considering each type of RES as targeted DG. The technique has also been demonstrated on a modified IEEE‐34 bus system. A comparison of the obtained results has also been performed.
Contamination degree prediction of insulator surface based on exploratory factor analysis‐least square support vector machine combined model
Authors: Sun Jiaxiang , Zhang Hongru , Li Qingquan , Liu Hongshun , Lu Xinbo , Hou Kaining
Published: December 2020

This study presents a combined model based on the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the least square support vector machine (LSSVM) to predict the contamination degree of insulator surface. Firstly, EFA method is utilised to reduce numerous influence factor variables of the insulator contamination into a few factor variables, which could decrease the complexity of the model. Then, regarding the above factor variables as new input variables, LSSVM model is established to predict the insulator contamination degree. In order to obtain the optimal predictive value, the non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm II is applied on the optimization of LSSVM model parameters. The proposed EFA‐LSSVM combined model is compared with the models of LSSVM, back propagation neural network, and multiple linear regression on the model performance. Results indicate that the EFA‐LSSVM combined model in this study effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the other three models mentioned above in computational time, prediction accuracy and generalization ability. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed model in predicting contamination degree of insulator surface is verified by adopting the radar map of the evaluation indexes of model performance.
An array virtual extension method for power equipment acoustic emission direction of arrival estimation based on high‐order cumulants
Authors: Zhou Nan , Luo Lingen , Song Hui , Sheng Gehao , Jiang Xiuchen
Published: December 2020

The performance of array‐based power equipment acoustic emission (AE) source directional of arrival (DOA) estimation methods is decided by not only algorithm performance, but also the array hardware parameters, that is, array aperture, sensor number, and so forth. Improving the estimation performance by hardware approaches always leads to the increase in cost. In this study, an array virtual extension method based on high‐order cumulants is proposed which can improve the sensor array performance without the need for hardware change or extra investment. Compared to low‐order cumulants, the high‐order cumulants established from Taylor expansion contain higher order terms which are omitted in low order cumulants. Therefore, they have more detailed directional information about the signal source to improve the DOA estimation performance. Moreover, because high‐order cumulants contain information only for the non‐Gaussian components, the array after extension shows better anti‐Gaussian noise performance. Depending on the establishment method of the high‐order cumulant, two types of extension including aperture extension and sensor number extension are proposed for different application scenarios. Simulation and field tests results show that the array directional resolution is improved around 40% by aperture extension and the spectrum sidelobe level is reduced about 14 dB by sensor extension.
Space charge behaviors in cable insulation under a direct current‐superimposed pulsed electric field
Authors: He Dongxin , Zhang Tao , Meng Fansong , Li Qingquan , Wang Wei , Liu Hongshun , Teyssedre Gilbert
Published: December 2020

When high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) cables are subjected to a direct current(DC)‐superimposed pulsed electric stress, the pulsed voltage applied facilitates electrical tree generation and breakdown; however, the mechanism involved remains unclear. To study the deterioration mechanism of cable insulation under a pulsed electric field, an experiment on the dynamic characteristics of space charge under a DC‐superimposed pulsed electric field was conducted. For this experiment, a pulsed time trigger control circuit was developed to accurately measure the change law of the space charge in cross‐linked polyethylene samples at the rising and falling edges of the pulsed electric field. The experimental results showed an unusual change law: the space charge density increases with falling voltage amplitude and decreases with rising voltage amplitude. The sudden change in the electric field breaks the balance of the forces acting on the space charge, leading to injection, extraction and migration. The energy released during these dynamic processes may destroy the microstructure of the insulation material and contributes to the growth of the electrical tree. This study provides an insight on the initiation mechanism of electrical tree in HVDC cables and proposes a strategy to suppress electrical tree initiation.
Insulation condition forewarning of form‐wound winding for electric aircraft propulsion based on partial discharge and deep learning neural network
Authors: Wang Yalin , Wu Jiandong , Han Tao , Haran Kiruba , Yin Yi
Published: December 2020

Form‐wound windings in electric machines designed for electric aircraft propulsion face reliability challenges due to the severe operating environment, such as high temperature and low pressure. This study proposes a forewarning method for insulation condition monitoring of form‐wound windings based on partial discharge (PD) and deep learning neural network. Three PD features are extracted from the PD profile, which provides information about physics‐of‐failure and reflects the degree of insulation degradation. An algorithm fusion extracted from auto‐encoder and long short‐term recurrent neural network is proposed to synthesize one failure precursor from these three features and make multi‐time‐step prediction through historical data to provide forewarning. An electrical and thermal accelerated ageing test is performed on the form‐wound windings at 0.2 atm to simulate working environment of electric aircraft. The proposed method is validated on the accelerated ageing dataset and shows better prediction accuracy than some existing time‐series prediction methods, indicating the advantages of the proposed method. Moreover, an on‐line hardware setup using a deep learning processor is recommended to implement the forewarning method. The proposed approach has the potential to be widely applied to other insulation systems and contribute to work on condition monitoring.
Deep learning for occluded and multi‐scale pedestrian detection: A review
Authors: Xiao Yanqiu , Zhou Kun , Cui Guangzhen , Jia Lianhui , Fang Zhanpeng , Yang Xianchao , Xia Qiongpei
Published: December 2020

Pedestrian detection, as a research hotspot in the field of computer vision, is widely used in many fields, such as automatic driving, video surveillance, robots and so on. In recent years, with the rapid development of deep learning, pedestrian detection technology has made unprecedented breakthroughs. However, it fails to saturate pedestrian detection research, and there are still many problems to be solved. This study reviews the current research status of pedestrian detection methods based on deep learning. In the first place, we summarised the research results of two stage and one stage pedestrian detection based on deep learning, also summarised and analysed the improvement methods. Meanwhile, we focused on the occlusion and multi‐scale problems of pedestrian detection and discussed the corresponding solutions. At last, we induced the pedestrian detection datasets and evaluation methods and prospected the development trend of deep learning in pedestrian detection.