bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microcystis aeruginosa strengthens the advantage of Daphnia similoides in competition with Moina micrura
Authors: Tang Hengxing , Hou Xinying , Xue Xiaofeng , Chen Rui , Zhu Xuexia , Huang Yuan , Chen Yafen
Published: August 2017

Microcystis blooms are generally associated with zooplankton shifts by disturbing interspecific relationships. The influence of Microcystis on competitive dominance by different sized zooplanktons showed species-specific dependence. We evaluated the competitive responses of small Moina micrura and large Daphnia similoides to the presence of Microcystis using mixed diets comprising 0%, 20%, and 35% of toxic M. aeruginosa, and the rest of green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. No competitive exclusion occurred for the two species under the tested diet combinations. In the absence of M. aeruginosa, the biomasses of the two cladocerans were decreased by the competition between them. However, the Daphnia was less inhibited with the higher biomass, suggesting the competitive dominance of Daphnia. M. aeruginosa treatment suppressed the population growths of the two cladocerans, with the reduced carrying capacities. Nonetheless, the population inhibition of Daphnia by competition was alleviated by the increased Microcystis proportion in diet. As a result, the competitive advantage of Daphnia became more pronounced, as indicated by the higher Daphnia: Moina biomass ratio with increased Microcystis proportions. These results suggested that M. aeruginosa strengthens the advantage of D. similoides in competition with M. micrura, which contributes to the diversified zooplankton shifts observed in fields during cyanobacteria blooms.
Forming-less and Non-Volatile Resistive Switching in WOX by Oxygen Vacancy Control at Interfaces
Authors: Won Seokjae , Lee Sang Yeon , Park Jucheol , Seo Hyungtak
Published: August 2017

Resistive switching devices are recognized as candidates for next-generation memory devices in that they can replace conventional memory devices. In these devices, a WOX film deposited by RF magnetron sputtering with a significant number of oxygen vacancies exhibits a resistive switching property and does not involve the use of a forming process. The resistive switching mechanism involves the hopping of electrons through the sub-band states of the oxygen vacancies in E-field-driven electromigration. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, ultra-violet photoemission spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy-electron energy loss spectroscopy were performed to analyze local variations in the O-vacancies and in the electronic band structure of a WOX thin film. The band structure is responsible for the correlation between the motion of the electrons under the interface effect at the electrodes with the change in the resistance and the bias-polarity dependence of the I-V property of the device. The optimized metal-insulator-metal structure (Pt/WOX/Au), which has an asymmetric electrode and many oxygen vacancies, gives rise to excellent resistive-switching properties with a high on/off ratio on the order of 105 times, a low set voltage of <0.34 V, and a uniform DC cyclic performance in the order of 1500 cycles at room temperature. These specifications can be further adopted for application to non-volatile memory-device applications.
Humans with latent toxoplasmosis display altered reward modulation of cognitive control
Authors: Stock Ann-Kathrin , Dajkic Danica , Köhling Hedda Luise , von Heinegg Evelyn Heintschel , Fiedler Melanie , Beste Christian
Published: August 2017

Latent infection with Toxoplasma gondii has repeatedly been shown to be associated with behavioral changes that are commonly attributed to a presumed increase in dopaminergic signaling. Yet, virtually nothing is known about its effects on dopamine-driven reward processing. We therefore assessed behavior and event-related potentials in individuals with vs. without latent toxoplasmosis performing a rewarded control task. The data show that otherwise healthy young adults with latent toxoplasmosis show a greatly diminished response to monetary rewards as compared to their non-infected counterparts. While this selective effect eliminated a toxoplasmosis-induced speed advantage previously observed for non-rewarded behavior, Toxo-positive subjects could still be demonstrated to be superior to Toxo-negative subjects with respect to response accuracy. Event-related potential (ERP) and source localization analyses revealed that this advantage during rewarded behavior was based on increased allocation of processing resources reflected by larger visual late positive component (LPC) amplitudes and associated activity changes in the right temporo-parietal junction (BA40) and left auditory cortex (BA41). Taken together, individuals with latent toxoplasmosis show superior behavioral performance in challenging cognitive control situations but may at the same time have a reduced sensitivity towards motivational effects of rewards, which might be explained by the presumed increase in dopamine.
CXCL12 overexpression promotes the angiogenesis potential of periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhou Yong , Sun Xiaoyu , Zhou Jian , Yang Pishan
Published: August 2017

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are a major source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in adults and are effective for tissue engineering, like promoting angiogenesis and bone regeneration. CXCL12 has been reported to be involved in the recruitment and engraftment of MSCs in wound sites. However, whether CXCL12 potentiates the angiogenesis of PDLSCs is not clear. In this experiment, we transduced PDLSCs with CXCL12, and evaluated the angiogenesis potential of CXCL12-modified PDLSCs through in vitro and in vivo studies. The results showed that CXCL12 overexpression significantly stimulated the gene and protein expressions of bFGF, VEGF, SCF and PLGF in PDLSCs; CXCL12 gene modified PDLSCs formed longer capillary‐like structure; Moreover, in vivo transplanted PDLSCs transduced with CXCL12 could significantly promote bone tissue repair and angiogenesis in a rat critical-sized calvarial bone defect model. Taken together, our study confirmed that CXCL12 can enhance the angiogenesis potential of PDLSCs, which are crucial in the repair and regeneration of bone tissue.
Organic carbon budget for the eastern boundary of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre: major role of DOC in mesopelagic respiration
Authors: Santana-Falcón Yeray , Álvarez-Salgado Xosé Antón , Pérez-Hernández María Dolores , Hernández-Guerra Alonso , Mason Evan , Arístegui Javier
Published: August 2017

Transports of suspended particulate (POCsusp) and dissolved (DOC) organic carbon are inferred from a box-model covering the eastern boundary of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. Corresponding net respiration rates (R) are obtained from a net organic carbon budget that is based on the transport estimates, and includes both vertical and lateral fluxes. The overall R in the mesopelagic layer (100–1500 m) is 1.6 ± 0.4 mmol C m−2 d−1. DOC accounts for up to 53% of R as a result of drawdown of organic carbon within Eastern North Atlantic Central Water (ENACW) that is entrained into sinking Mediterranean Overflow Water (MOW) that leads to formation of Mediterranean water (MW) at intermediate depths (~900 m). DOC represents 90% of the respired non-sinking organic carbon. When converted into oxygen units, the computed net respiration rate represents less than half the oxygen utilization rates (OUR) reported for the mesopelagic waters of the subtropical North Atlantic. Mesoscale processes in the area, not quantified with our approach, could account in part for the OUR differences observed between our carbon budget and other published studies from the North Atlantic, although seasonal or interannual variability could also be responsible for the difference in the estimates.
Delay discounting is associated with the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and resting-state functional connectivity in late adolescence
Authors: Wang Song , Zhou Ming , Chen Taolin , Yang Xun , Chen Guangxiang , Gong Qiyong
Published: August 2017

As a component of self-regulation, delay discounting (DD) refers to an individual’s tendency to prefer smaller-but-sooner rewards over larger-but-later rewards and plays an essential role in many aspects of human behavior. Although numerous studies have examined the neural underpinnings of DD in adults, there are far fewer studies focusing on the neurobiological correlates underlying DD in adolescents. Here, we investigated the associations between individual differences in DD and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in 228 high school students using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI). At the regional level, we found an association between higher DD and greater fALFF in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), which is involved in conflict monitoring and strategy adaptation. At the connectivity level, DD was positively correlated with the RSFC between the dACC and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a critical functional circuit in the cognitive control network. Furthermore, these effects persisted even after adjusting for the influences of general intelligence and trait impulsivity. Overall, this study reveals the fALFF and RSFC as the functional brain basis of DD in late adolescents, aiding to strengthen and corroborate our understanding of the neural underpinnings of DD.
Prognostic Significance of Elevated Cholestatic Enzymes for Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hospital Discharged Chronic Viral Hepatitis Patients
Authors: Xie Wen , Cao Yang , Xu Min , Wang Jiangbin , Zhou Changyu , Yang Xingxiang , Geng Xiaoxia , Zhang Wenhong , Li Ning , Cheng Jun
Published: August 2017

Chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) is the root cause of liver fibrosis and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study based on medical records and primary data collection from patients with CVH who were admitted in five hospitals across China between February and September 2013 to determine the prevalence of elevated cholestatic enzymes (ALP and/or GGT above ULN) in discharged Chinese patients with CVH as a primary outcome and secondarily evaluated the relationship of these enzymes with fibrosis and disease severity. Majority of the patients (56%) had cholestatic enzyme elevation at discharge, with high prevalence of liver fibrosis (37.6% vs. 20.1%, p < 0.001) and cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B: 56.9% vs. 48.7%; Child-Pugh C: 17.4% vs. 12.5%; p < 0.001) in addition to significantly higher odds of liver fibrosis (OR 1.54; p = 0.024) and a trend towards higher odds of moderate-to-severe cirrhosis (OR 1.24; p = 0.317) compared to those who had normal enzyme levels. Elevated cholestatic enzyme levels serve as important prognosticators of liver fibrosis in CVH patients. Therefore, pre-discharge testing of cholestatic enzymes is recommended to identify CVH patients and provide prophylactic care.
Nanoindentation Induced Deformation and Pop-in Events in a Silicon Crystal: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experiment
Authors: Jiapeng Sun , Cheng Li , Han Jing , Ma Aibin , Fang Liang
Published: August 2017

Silicon has such versatile characteristics that the mechanical behavior and deformation mechanism under contact load are still unclear and hence are interesting and challenging issues. Based on combined study using molecular dynamics simulations and experiments of nanoindentation on Si(100), the versatile deformation modes, including high pressure phase transformation (HPPT), dislocation, median crack and surface crack, were found, and occurrence of multiple pop-in events in the load-indentation strain curves was reported. HPPTs are regard as the dominant deformation mode and even becomes the single deformation mode at a small indentation strain (0.107 in simulations), suggesting the presence of a defect-free region. Moreover, the one-to-one relationship between the pop-in events and the deformation modes is established. Three distinct mechanisms are identified to be responsible for the occurrence of multiple pop-in events in sequence. In the first mechanism, HPPTs from Si-I to Si-II and Si-I to bct5 induce the first pop-in event. The formation and extrusion of α-Si outside the indentation cavity are responsible for the subsequent pop-in event. And the major cracks on the surface induces the pop-in event at extreme high load. The observed dislocation burst and median crack beneath the transformation region produce no detectable pop-in events.
Tuning the metal–support interaction in supported K-promoted NiMo catalysts for enhanced selectivity and productivity towards higher alcohols in CO hydrogenation
Authors: Yong Jiaxi , Luan Xuebin , Dai Xiaoping , Zhang Xin , Qiao Hongyan , Yang Yang , Huang Xingliang
Published: August 2017

Ni–KMoS/MMO catalysts were obtained using encapsulated Mo-based precursors to tune metal–support interaction, and enhanced selectivity and productivity towards higher alcohols.
Do alkyl groups on aromatic or aliphatic structure directing agents affect water stabilities and properties of hybrid iodoargentates?
Authors: Liu Guang-Ning , Zhang Xu , Wang Hong-Mei , Xu Hong , Wang Zi-Han , Meng Xiang-Long , Dong Ya-Nan , Zhao Ruo-Yu , Li Cuncheng
Published: August 2017

Do alkyl groups on aromatic triphenylphosphine or aliphatic piperazine cations have a similar effect on the stabilities and properties of hybrid iodoargentates?
A 4-dimethylaminobenzoate-functionalized Ti6-oxo cluster with a narrow band gap and enhanced photoelectrochemical activity: a combined experimental and computational study
Authors: Lv Hai-Ting , Cui Ying , Zhang Yu-Min , Li Hua-Min , Zou Guo-Dong , Duan Rui-Huan , Cao Jun-Tao , Jing Qiang-Shan , Fan Yang
Published: August 2017

The D–π-A structured dye 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (DMABA) functionalized Ti6-oxo cluster exhibits a remarkably reduced band gap of ∼2.5 eV.
One-pot synthesis of imidazolinium salts via the ring opening of tetrahydrofuran
Authors: Huang Yong-Qing , Zhao Yue , Wang Peng , Okamura Taka-aki , Laforteza Brian N. , Lu Yi , Sun Wei-Yin , Yu Jin-Quan
Published: August 2017

One-pot synthesis of C2-hydroxypropyl-substituted imidazolinium salts, active catalysts for the aza-Diels–Alder reaction, via the ring opening of THF is reported.
Formation of antireflection Zn/ZnO core–shell nano-pyramidal arrays by O2+ ion bombardment of Zn surfaces
Authors: Benito Noelia , Recio-Sánchez Gonzalo , Escobar-Galindo Ramón , Palacio Carlos
Published: August 2017

O2+ ion bombardment of Zn surfaces leads to the formation of antireflection Zn/ZnO core–shell nano-pyramidal arrays.
Incident-angle-controlled semitransparent colored perovskite solar cells with improved efficiency exploiting a multilayer dielectric mirror
Authors: Lee Kyu-Tae , Jang Ji-Yun , Park Sang Jin , Ok Song Ah , Park Hui Joon
Published: August 2017

See-through colored perovskite solar cells that exploit a dielectric mirror are demonstrated. The dielectric mirror strongly reflects a wide range of visible light back to a photoactive layer for efficient light-harvesting, yielding 10.12% power conversion efficiency, with iridescent semitransparent colors.
Gold-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization/condensation sequence: synthesis of 1,2-dihydro[c][2,7]naphthyridines
Authors: Goutham Kommuru , Kadiyala Veerabhushanam , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Karunakar Galla V.
Published: August 2017

An efficient gold-catalyzed protocol for the construction of 1,2-dihydro[c][2,7]naphthyridines from 2-aminophenyl prop-2-yn-1-yl enaminones has been developed. In this organic transformation new C–C and C–N bonds were formedvia6-endo-dig cyclization and good to excellent yields were obtained in one-pot synthesis.
Correction: Metal-free oxidative ring contraction of benzodiazepinones: an entry to quinoxalinones
Authors: Mtiraoui Hasan , Renault Kevin , Sanselme Morgane , Msaddek Moncef , Renard Pierre-Yves , Sabot Cyrille
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Metal-free oxidative ring contraction of benzodiazepinones: an entry to quinoxalinones’ by Hasan Mtiraoui, et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 15, 3060–3068.
New alkaloids with unusual spermidine moieties from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus and their cytoprotective properties
Authors: Zhu Nailiang , Wu Haifeng , Xu Ziqian , Liu Chenqi , Tian Yu , Hu Meigeng , Sun Zhong Hao , Li Pengfei , Ma Guoxu , Xu Xudong
Published: August 2017

The seeds of the plant Orychophragmus violaceus yielded eight new spermidine alkaloids, termed orychophragmuspine A–H (1–8).
Magnetic nanoparticle modified chitosan for surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of surfactants
Authors: Abdelhamid Hani Nasser , Lin Yu Chih , Wu Hui-Fen
Published: August 2017

Chitosan (CTS) modified magnetic nanoparticles (CTS@Fe3O4MNPs) offer dual functions for the detection of surfactants using surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS).
Effects of cationic surfactant on the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rice and the soil microbial community structure
Authors: Ni Ni , Wang Fang , Song Yang , Shi Renyong , Jia Mingyun , Bian Yongrong , Jiang Xin
Published: August 2017

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide reduced the PAH bioaccumulation in rice from paddy soils and benefit the soil ecology in the short term.
Lead–germanate glasses: an easy growth process for silver nanoparticles and their promising applications in photonics and catalysis
Authors: Schneider Ricardo , Schneider Rodrigo , de Campos Elvio A. , Santos Mendes Joaquim Bonfim , Felix Jorlandio Francisco , Santa-Cruz Petrus A.
Published: August 2017

We report non-conventional silver nanoparticle growth on the surface of lead–germanate oxide glasses by thermal annealing under a N2 atmosphere.
Physical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of modified peanut protein isolate based films incorporating thymol
Authors: Zhong Tianchen , Liang Yue , Jiang Shan , Yang Lulu , Shi Yimo , Guo Siwen , Zhang Chunhong
Published: August 2017

An active film made from modified peanut protein isolate (PPI) and incorporating thymol (TML) was developed.
Dehydration of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 5-ethoxymethylfurfural by combining Lewis and Brønsted acid
Authors: Xin Haosheng , Zhang Tingwei , Li Wenzhi , Su Mingxue , Li Song , Shao Qun , Ma Longlong
Published: August 2017

In this work, glucose was transformed into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) in the presence of AlCl3·6H2O and a Brønsted solid acid catalyst (PTSA–POM).
Diversity and controllability of particle distribution under coupling vibration and airflow
Authors: Li Li , Wu Ping , Zhang Shiping , Wang Li
Published: August 2017

Various patterns of vertical, horizontal, and 3D distributions of binary particles are studied under coupling vertical vibration and airflow.
Surfactant effects on droplet dynamics and deposition patterns: a lattice gas model
Authors: Jung Narina , Seo Hae Won , Leo Perry H. , Kim Jaeup , Kim Pilwon , Yoo Chun Sang
Published: August 2017

A parametric study clearly shows different deposition patterns depending on surfactant-induced Marangoni flows.
In situ investigation on ultrafast oxygen evolution reactions of water splitting in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells
Authors: Mo Jingke , Kang Zhenye , Yang Gaoqiang , Li Yifan , Retterer Scott T. , Cullen David A. , Toops Todd J. , Bender Guido , Pivovar Bryan S. , Green Jr Johney B. , Zhang Feng-Yuan
Published: August 2017

Visualization investigation the oxygen bubble evolution and dynamics reveals the real phenomena inside an operating proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cell.
Monolithic tandem solar cells comprising electrodeposited CuInSe2 and perovskite solar cells with a nanoparticulate ZnO buffer layer
Authors: Jang Yoon Hee , Lee Jang Mi , Seo Jung Woo , Kim Inho , Lee Doh-Kwon
Published: August 2017

Monolithically integrated, 2-terminal CuInSe2–perovskite tandem solar cells are successfully fabricated using low-cost solution processes, demonstrating higher efficiency than the constituent single-junction devices.
Efficient sky-blue emitting Pt(ii) complexes based on imidazo[1,2-f]phenanthridine-containing tetradentate ligands
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Ma Jie , Liu Guo-Jun , Liu Xiang-Yang , Fan Jian , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: August 2017

Three blue-emitting platinum(ii) complexes based on imidazo[1,2-f]phenanthridine-containing tetradentate ligands have been prepared as efficient dopants for phosphorescent OLEDs.
In situ fabrication of halide perovskite nanocrystals embedded in polymer composites via microfluidic spinning microreactors
Authors: Ma Kangzhe , Du Xiang-Yun , Zhang Ya-Wen , Chen Su
Published: August 2017

We demonstrated a green avenue to continuous mass production of stably fluorescent perovskite nanocrystal composite materials via a microfluidic spinning technique, potentially useful for application in WLEDs and displays.
Distance multi‐labelling of graphs with weighted vertices
Authors: Kim Byeong Moon , Rho Yoomi , Song Byung Chul
Published: August 2017

The channel assignment problem (CAP) which finds an efficient assignment of channels to the transmitters of a wireless network is applicable to cellular mobile system (CMS). There are lots of results on CAP for CMS where the channel separation constraint is represented by a symmetric matrix or a graph. In particular, the Philadelphia instances and the 49‐cell system are benchmark CAP for CMS and are treated in many papers. The distance multi‐labelling (DM) problem on a graph with weighted vertices is an effective mathematical model of CAP for CMS in which a CMS is represented by a graph with weighted vertices, where a vertex corresponds to a cell with the number of calls on it as its weight. A DM on a graph with weighted vertices is an assignment of a set of non‐negative numbers to each vertex. These numbers, which are called labels, represent the channels assigned to the demand calls in each cell. DM is a generalisation of both distance labelling and graph multi‐colouring. In this study, the author introduce a new method called the layering method to find a DM on a graph with weighted vertices. Using this method, we obtain optimal DM for two Philadelphia instances. For each of them, the authors obtain a DM according to the range of separation conditions, and it includes known optimal results which are individually obtained under one separation condition.
Cross‐layer source‐channel control for future wireless multimedia services: energy, latency, and quality investigation
Authors: Wang Qin , Wang Wei , Jin Shi , Zhu Hongbo
Published: August 2017

Efficient use of available energy resources for real‐time multimedia communication with a quality guarantee is one of the main challenges for future mobile computing systems. To meet the high quality‐of‐experience (QoE) demand of multimedia services, we propose a novel quality‐driven joint source‐channel coding (JSCC) scheme with an unequal error protection (UEP) technique that allocates bits by optimising source intra refreshing rates and channel correction coding rates. The key contribution of this work is that the frame importance diversity at the application layer is jointly considered with the error correction techniques and resource constraints at lower layers. For any given bit budget, the JSCC model is capable of allocating adaptive bits between source coding and channel coding among media streams. The source‐aware UEP scheme is capable of dynamically allocating the error correction bits among frames, achieving the maximum overall QoE. Simulation results demonstrated that significant improvement in multimedia quality and remarkable energy/time conservation can be achieved by deploying the proposed group‐based JSCC strategy, although the complexity is limited.
control for networked stochastic non‐linear systems with randomly occurring sensor saturations, multiple delays and packet dropouts
Authors: Li Xiuying , Sun Shuli
Published: August 2017

This study investigates an control problem for a class of stochastic non‐linear systems where the measurement outputs subject to randomly occurring sensor saturations are transmitted through the network link and will inevitably encounter the random delays and multiple packet dropouts. The network‐induced phenomena have the random nature which is governed by Bernoulli distributed stochastic variables. The existence of transmission delays will lead to the packets arriving at the receiver side with one or multiple or none at each sampling instants, which are stored in a finite buffer and are all used to update the observer. By employing stochastic analysis and Lyapunov functional approaches, an observer‐based non‐linear controller is designed via linear matrix inequality technique. The asymptotic stability with a given disturbance attenuation level is guaranteed by solving the feasibility of certain LMI. A simulation example is exploited to illustrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Active target defence differential game: fast defender case
Authors: Garcia Eloy , Casbeer David W. , Pachter Meir
Published: August 2017

A particular problem in aerospace control and applications is the active target defence differential game (ATDDG), where an attacker missile tries to capture a target aircraft which is significantly slower than the attacker. A third agent is a defender missile which is fired by the Target's wingman. The defender's mission is to intercept the attacker in time to enable a successful target evasion and its survival. The problem is naturally posed as a zero‐sum DG. The target and the defender form a team; their objective is to determine a cooperative strategy to maximise the terminal separation between the target aircraft and the point where the Attacker missile is intercepted by the Defender missile. The Attacker is the opposition and its task is to devise its own strategy to minimise the same terminal distance. The solution of the ATDDG provides the instantaneous optimal heading angles for each agent playing the game in order to achieve their objectives. Most importantly, the agents' strategies are state feedback laws. The assumption of simple motion dynamics of the agents yields their optimal headings which is adequate in a beyond visual range engagement, as it is currently envisioned to be the pertinent operational scenario.
Influence of direct air‐cooled units on primary frequency regulation in power systems
Authors: Guo Yufeng , Zhang Dongrui , Wan Jie , Yu Daren
Published: August 2017

The performance of air‐cooled units is significantly affected by meteorological conditions because they use the ambient air directly as the cooling medium. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of air‐cooled units on grid stability under extreme meteorological conditions. Based on the characteristics of air‐cooled units, cooling air face velocity and temperature are two main meteorological factors taken into consideration. A dynamic model of the air‐cooled units is developed. Since grid frequency is a representation of grid stability, the above model is then applied to a mathematical model to analyse the primary frequency regulation process of a grid. A coefficient to measure the primary frequency regulation ability (PFRA) is defined and the calculation of PFRA is put forward. To increase the reliability of the study, the performance of the grid under different meteorological conditions is also studied in frequency domain. Case studies under generator tripping and steep load rising conditions are studied. The corresponding PFRA and the maximum capacity proportion of air‐cooled units are calculated. This study provides a constructive guide for the operation of air‐cooled units under different meteorological conditions.
Adaptive non‐linear neural control of wide‐area power systems
Authors: Meng Wenchao , Wang Xiaoyu , Fan Bo , Yang Qinmin , Kamwa Innocent
Published: August 2017

In this study, the authors propose an adaptive neural network (NN) excitation control for wide‐area power systems. Compared with most existing approaches, the system dynamics is assumed to be totally unknown, which is approximated by a two‐layer NN in an online manner, i.e. no offline training is required. With the help of NN approximation, it is not necessary to pay much attention to system modelling since this modelling is of great difficulty and inaccurate. In addition, the tuning of controller parameters in most existing control designs is avoided as well, which simplifies the controller design. It is proved that all the signals in the closed loop are bound using Lyapunov analysis. Finally, numerical analysis has been conducted on an IEEE 39 Bus power system to verify the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive controller.
Determination of mode shapes in PMU signals using two‐stage mode decomposition and spectral analysis
Authors: Kumar Lalit , Kishor Nand
Published: August 2017

This study presents a dynamic approach for determining mode shape using time‐domain signal. Signal processing techniques, mode decomposition, and spectral analysis are used here. The quality of signal affects the performance of spectral analysis, especially for estimation of low‐frequency modes. Therefore, before applying spectral analysis, low‐frequency modes are extracted using mode decomposition technique, so that the decomposed modes (DMs) may indicate centre frequency in its spectrum. In the study, two‐stage mode decomposition approach is proposed for accurate and effective mode decomposition. The power spectral density (PSD) and cross‐PSD tools are used to process DMs for estimation of mode frequency and determination of mode shape, respectively. The proposed dynamic approach is tested on simulated signals of IEEE 16‐machine 68‐bus test system and real‐time phasor measurement units (PMUs) signal. The results obtained using proposed dynamic approach on simulated signals are compared with those obtained by steady‐state approach, i.e. eigenvalue analysis.
Waveguide multiplexer: miniaturised contiguous‐band six‐channel multiplexer structure
Authors: Sevinç Yusuf , Demir Şimşek
Published: August 2017

Efficient design procedure is introduced for the design of miniaturised contiguous band manifold‐coupled multiplexer using the combination of the circuit‐full‐wave‐based optimisation in this study. Systematic methodology is based on the design of miniaturised channel filters using circuit model extraction and H ‐plane manifold network with hybrid optimisation. The multiplexer is firstly analysed in circuit level, and relevant lengths between channel filters and the lengths between each channel filters to manifold junction are determined meticulously to compensate for the channel interaction and mismatching effects of individual channels. Then, full‐wave model is constructed and simulated by using corresponding length values. This method has been applied for the design of six‐channel contiguous band waveguide multiplexer as an illustration. The obtained results show the efficiency and validity of the proposed method.
Comparison of Outcomes of Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Patients with Reduced and Normal Right Ventricular Function
Authors: Girdauskas Evaldas , Bernhardt Alexander , Sinning Christoph , Reichenspurner Hermann , Sill Bjoern , Subbotina Irina
Published: August 2017

Background To study the effect of tricuspid valve repair/replacement on outcomes of patients with reduced systolic right ventricular function.

Methods Between January 2012 and July 2016, 191 patients with isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation and/or in combination with other valve diseases were enrolled into this retrospective study. We compared early postoperative outcomes (i.e., 30 days after surgery) between patients' cohort with a preoperative reduced (i.e., at least moderately) versus normal (or mildly reduced) right ventricular function as defined by means of preoperative echocardiography.

Results A total of 82 (43%) patients had preoperatively reduced right ventricle function with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) of 13.3 ± 3.3 versus 20.2 ± 4.9 mm (p < 0.001). Ring annuloplasty was the most common surgical technique (i.e., 91% in both groups). Time of procedure (317 ± 123 vs. 262 ± 88 minutes, p < 0.01) and time on cardiopulmonary bypass (163 ± 77 vs. 143 ± 57 minutes, p = 0.036) were significantly longer in patients with impaired right ventricular function. Postoperative lactate (3.5 ± 3 vs. 2 ± 1 mmol/L, p = 0.001) and dose of catecholamines (epinephrine, 0.07 ± 0.15 vs. 0.013 ± 0.02 µg/kg/min, p = 0.001; norepinephrine, 0.18 ± 0.23 vs. 0.07 ± 0.09 µg/kg/min, p = 0.007) were also higher in this group. Postoperative rate of low cardiac output syndrome (10 vs. 27%, p = 0.005) and early mortality (n = 2 vs. n = 9, p = 0.018) were significantly increased in patients with reduced right ventricular function. Previous cardiac operation (p = 0.045), preoperative higher number of acute decompensations of heart failure (p < 0.001), reduced right ventricular function (p = 0.018), postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p < 0.001), and renal replacement therapy (p < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for early mortality. Echocardiography at discharge revealed tricuspid valve regurgitation grade of 0.9 ± 0.7 versus 0.7 ± 0.6 (p = 0.052) and TAPSE of 12 ± 3 versus 15 ± 5 mm (p = 0.026) in patients with reduced right ventricular function. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improved to 1.7 ± 0.7 versus 1.3 ± 1 (p < 0.001) in this group of patients.

Conclusion Tricuspid valve repair/replacement effectively eliminated severe tricuspid regurgitation and improved clinical signs of heart failure. Although mortality and morbidity were increased in the group with reduced right ventricular function, even these patients benefitted from improved functional status and right ventricular systolic function early postoperatively.
Incidence and Characterization of Hypoesthesia in the Distribution of the Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Study of Patient-Reported Numbness
Authors: Cohen Steven , Flato Russell , Wascher Jocelyn , Watson Ryan , Salminen Matthew , O'Brien Daniel , Tjoumakaris Fotios , Ciccotti Michael
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of patient-reported numbness following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), if postoperative numbness dissipates with time, and how the graft type affects numbness severity. A total of 218 patients undergoing ACLR were prospectively enrolled. At 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively, patients completed a questionnaire assessing numbness severity and location. Each time, patients rated their sensory deficit from 0 to 10 (0 = no deficit; 10 = complete lack of sensation) and indicated the location of their sensory deficit by marking a picture of a knee divided into nine rectangular segments. A mixed effect linear regression model was used to identify predictors for the patient-reported numbness severity. Overall, 69.8% (150/218) of patients reported numbness at 6 weeks, 50.0% (97/194) at 6 months, and 42.2% (78/185) at 1 year. Allograft patients reported a mean numbness severity of 2.9 ± 0.3 (mean ± standard error), 1.7 ± 0.2, and 1.4 ± 0.3 at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. The 6-week, 6-month, and 1-year averages were 4.7 ± 0.4, 2.7 ± 0.4, and 1.7 ± 0.4 for bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft patients and 4.3 ± 0.4, 2.9 ± 0.4, and 2.5 ± 0.4 for hamstring autograft patients. The model indicated that the use of hamstring autografts increased patient-reported numbness by an average of 1.4 ± 0.5 across all time points, and the use of a BTB autograft increased patient-reported numbness by 1.2 ± 0.4 across all time points. Time from surgery decreased the severity of patient-reported numbness for all graft types (−1.3 ± 0.2 at 6 months and −1.7 ± 0.2 at 1 year). Hypoesthesia in the distribution of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve is common after ACLR but is likely to dissipate with time. Patients undergoing ACLR with allograft may be less likely to develop sensory deficits, and these deficits may be less severe.
Corrective Osteotomies for Complex Intra-Articular Tibial Plateau Malunions using Three-Dimensional Virtual Planning and Novel Patient-Specific Guides
Authors: Wang Huixiang , Newman Simon , Wang Jiandong , Wang Qian , Wang Qiugen
Published: August 2017

Corrective osteotomy of intra-articular tibial plateau malunions is technically demanding for orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of the combination of three-dimensional (3D) virtual planning and novel patient-specific guides for assisting correction of complex intra-articular tibial plateau malunions. Six patients with posttraumatic intra-articular tibial plateau malunions were included. Preoperatively 3D models of the tibias were reconstructed using the computed tomography scan data. Virtual surgical planning was performed, and patient-specific guides for osteotomy and reduction were designed, which were then 3D printed. Intraoperatively they were applied to guide the osteotomy and reduction. After surgery, radiographs were taken to evaluate the knee joint surface. The operating surgeons were asked to complete the Likert scale questionnaire to assess their attitude to the novel technology. The guides were successfully used for guiding osteotomy correction of malunion in all patients. Postoperative radiographs showed the articular step-off was considerably reduced and the articular congruency was satisfactory in all patients. The results of the questionnaire demonstrated a high level of surgeon satisfaction and acceptance to the technology. For selective patients with complex intra-articular tibial plateau malunions, the novel technique could serve as a valuable option for guiding precise malunion correction.
Morgagni-Hernie als Ursache einer restriktiven Ventilationsstörung
Authors: Gillissen A. , Paparoupa M. , Zimmermann T.
Published: August 2017

Die Morgagni-Hernie ist eine seltene, kongenitale Zwerchfell-Hernienform (2 % – 3 % aller Hernien). Die Symptome sind abhängig vom Ausprägungsgrad. Sie sind in leichten Bruchformen unspezifisch oder auch gar nicht vorhanden. Patienten mit großen Hernien beklagen Dyspnoe und in der Lungenfunktion imponiert eine restriktive Einschränkung. Es wird der seltene Fall einer ausgeprägten, rechtsseitigen Morgagni-Hernie vorgestellt, die über viele Jahre unentdeckt blieb. Im Rahmen einer dazu ergänzenden Literaturübersicht wird eine Empfehlung zum diagnostischen und therapeutischen Vorgehen gegeben. Die Standardtherapie besteht aus dem chirurgischen Verschluss der Bruchlücke nach Reposition des Bruchsacks und seinem Inhalt, der in unserem Fall in minimal-invasiver Technik erfolgte. Bei unserem Patienten dehnte sich danach die Lunge allmählich wieder aus und es besserten sich die Lungenfunktion und die initiale Hypoxie.
Wachsende Gesundheitsgefahr: Elektroschrott in Ghana
Authors: Feldt Torsten
Published: August 2017

Die Entsorgung von Elektroschrott in Entwicklungs- und Schwellenländern ist ein zunehmendes Gesundheitsproblem. Die Elektroschrotthalde in Agbogbloshie, einem Stadtteil von Ghanas Hauptstadt Accra, ist eine der größten in Afrika und weltweit. Dort werden die Geräte unter einfachsten Bedingungen ausgeschlachtet und die Reste offen verbrannt, um Metalle von unbrauchbaren Plastikmaterialien zu trennen. Dabei wird ein gefährlicher Giftcocktail freigesetzt, der zahlreiche Schwermetalle, zum Beispiel Blei, Quecksilber und Kadmium sowie organische Toxine, zum Beispiel Dioxine und Furane, enthält. Viele dieser Toxine konnten in Proben der Arbeiter in zum Teil bedrohlich hohen Konzentrationen nachgewiesen werden. Vor allem für Kinder sind bei einer solchen Exposition erhebliche Gesundheits- und Entwicklungsstörungen zu erwarten. Stärkere Kontrollen der Transportwege zur Verhinderung von illegalen Elektroschrottexporten und die Einführung von umweltfreundlicheren und zugleich wirtschaftlicheren Recyclingmethoden sind erforderlich, um die Lebensbedingungen in Agbogbloshie und anderen Elektroschrotthalden zu verbessern.
3D highly heterogeneous thermal model of pineal gland in-vitro study for electromagnetic exposure using finite volume method
Authors: Cen Wei , Hoppe Ralph , Lu Rongbo , Cai Zhaoquan , Gu Ning
Published: August 2017

In this paper, the relationship between electromagnetic power absorption and temperature distributions inside highly heterogeneous biological samples was accurately determinated using finite volume method. An in-vitro study on pineal gland that is responsible for physiological activities was for the first time simulated to illustrate effectiveness of the proposed method.
Note: Modification of an FTIR spectrometer for optoelectronic characterizations
Authors: Puspitosari N. , Longeaud C.
Published: August 2017

We propose a very simple system to be adapted to a Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometer with which three different types of characterizations can be done: the Fourier transform photocurrent spectroscopy, the recording of reflection-transmission spectra of thin film semiconductors, and the acquisition of spectral responses of solar cells. In addition to gather three techniques into a single apparatus, this FTIR-based system also significantly reduces the recording time and largely improves the resolution of the measured spectra compared to standard equipments.
Using the Cohen-Procaccia function to extract entropy origin in photonic random number generators
Authors: Hendricks-Sturrup Rachele
Published: August 2017

Researchers use cutting-edge algorithm to uncover the physical origin of entropy and its effect for photonic random number generators.
Procedures for determining digestibility of amino acids, lipids, starch, fibre, phosphorus, and calcium in feed ingredients fed to pigs
Authors: Stein H. H.
Published: August 2017

The proportion of nutrients that is absorbed from the intestinal tract of the pig differs among dietary ingredients; therefore, it would be desirable to determine the proportion of nutrients that is absorbed for each ingredient, but, for practical reasons, values for the digestibility of nutrients in each ingredient are used as predictors of absorption. For amino acids, starch and lipids, ileal digestibility must be determined because nutrients not absorbed in the small intestine will be fermented or changed in the large intestine, which invalidates data for total tract digestibility of these nutrients. For starch, apparent ileal digestibility is a reasonable predictor of its disappearance from the small intestine, but because of endogenous secretions of amino acids and lipids into the small intestine, standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids and true ileal digestibility of fat must be determined. For fibre, total tract digestibility is used to estimate fermentation and subsequent absorption of short-chain fatty acids, but it must be corrected for endogenous secretions. Likewise, for phosphorus and calcium, values for apparent total tract digestibility must be corrected for basal endogenous losses; consequently, standardised total tract digestibility of phosphorus and calcium is calculated and used in diet formulation. These procedures for determining the digestibility of nutrients in feed ingredients make it possible to formulate diets in which concentrations of digestible nutrients can be predicted from values for individual feed ingredients.
The Time of Origin and Genetic Diversity of Three Isolated Kokanee Populations in Southwest Alaska
Authors: Olsen Jeffrey B. , Wenburg John K. , Pavey Scott A. , Miller Joe L. , Hamon Troy R.
Published: August 2017

We examined the time of origin and genetic diversity of native kokanee, the nonanadromous ecotype of Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka, from three isolated lakes in the Katmai National Park and Preserve in southwest Alaska. These kokanee evolved independently from Sockeye Salmon when migration barriers arose, blocking ocean access. We used information about the relative age of each barrier to hypothesize the relative time of origin for kokanee in each lake. In addition, we used data from 13 microsatellite loci to test our time of origin hypotheses and assess genetic diversity of kokanee from these three lakes and proximate Sockeye Salmon populations. Coalescent‐based estimates of the time of origin for kokanee in Jo‐Jo Lake (170 years before present [ybp]) and Devil's Cove Lake (6,583 ybp) were consistent with the relative age of barriers isolating each lake. However, data from Dakavak Lake (1,379 ybp) suggested that the barrier was older than hypothesized. Indices of intrapopulation diversity were lower for kokanee than for Sockeye Salmon. Estimates for kokanee population divergence (RST; the FST analog for microsatellites) among the three lakes were consistent with time of origin estimates. Furthermore, the most recently isolated kokanee (Jo‐Jo Lake population) were most closely related to neighboring Sockeye Salmon. Only the kokanee from Jo‐Jo Lake exhibited a relatively low historical effective population size (Ne ≈ 107) and evidence of a genetic bottleneck. Taken together, the results of this study show that although rare, kokanee in Alaska are not ephemeral and can persist in isolation for hundreds of generations despite the colder temperatures and shorter growing season, that are thought to limit their sustainability in Alaska.
Efficient inference for sparse latent variable models of transcriptional regulation
Authors: Dai Zhenwen , Iqbal Mudassar , Lawrence Neil D , Rattray Magnus
Published: August 2017

Motivation

Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes involves complex co-regulatory mechanisms involving large numbers of transcriptional regulatory proteins and their target genes. Uncovering these genome-scale interactions constitutes a major bottleneck in systems biology. Sparse latent factor models, assuming activity of transcription factors (TFs) as unobserved, provide a biologically interpretable modelling framework, integrating gene expression and genome-wide binding data, but at the same time pose a hard computational inference problem. Existing probabilistic inference methods for such models rely on subjective filtering and suffer from scalability issues, thus are not well-suited for realistic genome-scale applications.

Results

We present a fast Bayesian sparse factor model, which takes input gene expression and binding sites data, either from ChIP-seq experiments or motif predictions, and outputs active TF-gene links as well as latent TF activities. Our method employs an efficient variational Bayes scheme for model inference enabling its application to large datasets which was not feasible with existing MCMC-based inference methods for such models. We validate our method on synthetic data against a similar model in the literature, employing MCMC for inference, and obtain comparable results with a small fraction of the computational time. We also apply our method to large-scale data from Mycobacterium tuberculosis involving ChIP-seq data on 113 TFs and matched gene expression data for 3863 putative target genes. We evaluate our predictions using an independent transcriptomics experiment involving over-expression of TFs.

Availability and implementation

An easy-to-use Jupyter notebook demo of our method with data is available at https://github.com/zhenwendai/SITAR.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.