bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separated Phase–Current Controls Using Inverter-Based DGs to Mitigate Effects of Fault Current Contribution from Synchronous DGs on Recloser–Fuse
Authors: Boonyapakdee Nattapon , Konghirun Mongkol , Sangswang Anawach
Published: October 2019

Synchronous distributed generators (SDGs) significantly affect recloser–fuse coordination due to the high fault current contribution. This paper proposes a separated phase–current control using inverter-based distributed generators (IBDGs) to remove the effects of fault current contributions from SDGs during unsymmetrical faults. The three-phase current produced by IBDGs is independently controlled. While the total fault current is reduced by adjusting the current phase angle in the faulty phase, the energy in the DC-link capacitor ( C d c ) is delivered to the grid in order to avoid the rise of DC-link voltage ( V d c ) by means of injection of the active current into the nonfaulty phase. To maintain the proper grid voltage, the voltage regulation feature is installed in the IBDGs. Moreover, current estimations programmed within the IBDGs are introduced to avoid the performance degradation of separated phase–current controls caused by phasor measurement units (PMUs). The dynamic performance of the separated phase–current controls using IBDGs was evaluated using an IEEE 34-node radial test feeder. According to the simulation results, the IBDGs could eliminate the effects of fault current contributions from the SDG without interruption since the disconnections caused by excessive V d c were prevented. They could also regulate the grid voltage in the nonfaulty phase.
Sustainable Brick Masonry Bond Design and Analysis: An Application of a Decision-Making Technique
Authors: Shah Syyed Adnan Raheel , Arshad Hunain , Farhan Muhammad , Raza Syed Safdar , Khan Mudasser Muneer , Imtiaz Sunera , Shahzadi Gullnaz , Qurashi Muhammad Ahmed , Waseem Muhammad
Published: October 2019

This research intends to explore the sustainable masonry bond formation and interface behaviour of brick masonry bonds with different cement mortar ratios. To test the sustainable behaviour of different brick bonds, different tests were applied to evaluate the performance of the developed five brick masonry structures with the help of four mortar ratios. Following that pattern, the methodologies of a prism triplet test, a bond wrench test, a shear bond test and strength tests for brick masonry were applied. The prism triplet test explained the bonding behaviour of mortar by producing a maximum strength (0.21 MPa) with a 1:3 mix ratio, and the minimum strength (0.095 MPa) with a 1:8 mix ratio. The bond wrench test showed a bond strength of maximum 0.0685 MPa with a mortar ratio of 1:3 and a minimum of 0.035 MPa with a mortar ratio of 1:8. The strength tests for masonry structures expressed that compressive strength (0.786 MPa) and flexural strength (0.352 MPa) were found to be at maximum level with a mortar ratio (1:3) with an English bond formation. For predictions of compressive and flexural strength, artificial neural networks (ANNs) were deployed, and successful predictions of these values along with the relationships between different properties of the material, mortar combinations and bond combinations are presented to complete the exploration of the relationship. This pattern can be helpful for the selection of sustainable brick masonry formations for housing development.
Experimental Study on a Prediction Model of the Shrinkage and Creep of Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Lv Zhenyuan , Liu Chao , Zhu Chao , Bai Guoliang , Qi Hao
Published: October 2019

The significant difference between recycled aggregate and natural aggregate is the content of the attached mortar layer. With the increase of the replacement rate of recycled aggregate, the shrinkage and creep of recycled aggregate concrete is significantly increased. In this paper, 180-day shrinkage and creep tests of recycled aggregate concrete with different water–cement ratios were designed in order to analyze the effect of the substitution rate and water–cement ratio on shrinkage and creep properties. The results show that the shrinkage strain of recycled aggregate concrete with a substitution rate of 50% and 100% at 180 days is 26% and 48% higher than that of ordinary concrete, respectively, and the growth of group II is 22% and 47%, respectively. When the load was 180 days old, the creep coefficient of recycled aggregate concrete with a substitution rate of 50% and 100% in group I increased by 19.6% and 39.6%, respectively compared with ordinary concrete, and group II increased by 23.6% and 44.3%, respectively. Based on the difference of adhering mortar content, the creeping increase coefficient and shrinkage increase coefficient of the attached mortar were proposed, and a shrinkage and creep model of recycled aggregate concrete was established. When compared with the experimental results, the model calculation results met the accuracy requirements.
Can the MerPAS Passive Air Sampler Discriminate Landscape, Seasonal, and Elevation Effects on Atmospheric Mercury? A Feasibility Study in Mississippi, USA
Authors: Jeon Byunggwon , Cizdziel James V.
Published: October 2019

Accurately measuring gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations in the atmosphere is important to understand its sources, cycling, distribution, and temporal trends. The MerPAS passive air sampler from Tekran Inc. (Toronto, ON, Canada) captures GEM on sulfur-impregnated activated carbon after it passes through a Radeillo diffusive barrier. Because they are small, relatively low in cost, and require no power, they can be deployed at multiple locations, yielding a much greater spatial resolution, albeit at coarser temporal resolution, compared to active sampling. In this study, we used the MerPAS to measure GEM concentration gradients at a mixed hardwood forest, wetland, pond, and a mowed (grass) field, all within close proximity (<500 m) to each other. Vertical profiles (0.5, 3.0, 5.5 m) were assessed during summer and winter. The sorbent was analyzed using a direct mercury analyzer. The samplers were captured between 0.90 to 2.2 ng over 2 weeks, well above the mean blank of 0.14 ng. We observed differences between the landscapes, elevation, and seasons. Nearest to the surface, GEM concentrations were lowest in the wetland (both seasons), where there was dense vegetation, and highest in the mowed field (both seasons). Generally, GEM levels increased with the elevation above the ground, except for the forest where the trend was slightly reversed. This suggests a possible net GEM deposition from the atmosphere to surfaces for three of the four landscapes. GEM concentrations were slightly higher in the winter than the summer at 5.5 m height where air masses were unimpeded by vegetation. Overall, we conclude that the MerPAS is indeed capable of measuring GEM gradients between landscapes, elevations, and seasons, if given sufficient collection time, good analytical precision, and low blank levels.
Charge Exchange Cross Sections for Noble Gas Ions and N2 between 0.2 and 5.0 keV
Authors: Bromley Steven , Ahl Corey , Sosolik Chad , Marler Joan
Published: October 2019

Charge transfer of an electron from a neutral atom to an ion is a fundamental interaction that plays a dominant role in the energy balance of atmospheric and astrophysical plasmas. The present investigation measured the charge exchange cross sections of noble gas ions (He + , Ne + , Ar + , Kr + ) with N 2 in the intermediate energy range 0.2–5.0 keV. The systems were chosen because there remains a lack of consensus amongst previous measurements and regions where there were no previous measurements. A description of the mechanical design for an electrically floated gas cell is described herein.
Interval Analysis and Calculus for Interval-Valued Functions of a Single Variable. Part I: Partial Orders, gH-Derivative, Monotonicity
Authors: Stefanini Luciano , Guerra Maria Letizia , Amicizia Benedetta
Published: October 2019

We present new results in interval analysis (IA) and in the calculus for interval-valued functions of a single real variable. Starting with a recently proposed comparison index, we develop a new general setting for partial order in the (semi linear) space of compact real intervals and we apply corresponding concepts for the analysis and calculus of interval-valued functions. We adopt extensively the midpoint-radius representation of intervals in the real half-plane and show its usefulness in calculus. Concepts related to convergence and limits, continuity, gH-differentiability and monotonicity of interval-valued functions are introduced and analyzed in detail. Graphical examples and pictures accompany the presentation. A companion Part II of the paper will present additional properties (max and min points, convexity and periodicity).
Hinge Region in DNA Packaging Terminase pUL15 of Herpes Simplex Virus: A Potential Allosteric Target for Antiviral Drugs
Authors: Thaljeh Lana F. , Rothschild J. Ainsley , Naderi Misagh , Coghill Lyndon M. , Brown Jeremy M. , Brylinski Michal
Published: October 2019

Approximately 80% of adults are infected with a member of the herpesviridae family. Herpesviruses establish life-long latent infections within neurons, which may reactivate into lytic infections due to stress or immune suppression. There are nine human herpesviruses (HHV) posing health concerns from benign conditions to life threatening encephalitis, including cancers associated with viral infections. The current treatment options for most HHV conditions mainly include several nucleoside and nucleotide analogs targeting viral DNA polymerase. Although these drugs help manage infections, their common mechanism of action may lead to the development of drug resistance, which is particularly devastating in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, new classes of drugs directed against novel targets in HHVs are necessary to alleviate this issue. We analyzed the conservation rates of all proteins in herpes simplex virus 1 (HHV-1), a representative of the HHV family and one of the most common viruses infecting the human population. Furthermore, we generated a full-length structure model of the most conserved HHV-1 protein, the DNA packaging terminase pUL15. A series of computational analyses were performed on the model to identify ATP and DNA binding sites and characterize the dynamics of the protein. Our study indicates that proteins involved in HHV-1 DNA packaging and cleavage are amongst the most conserved gene products of HHVs. Since the packaging protein pUL15 is the most conserved among all HHV-1 gene products, the virus will have a lower chance of developing resistance to small molecules targeting pUL15. A subsequent analysis of the structure of pUL15 revealed distinct ATP and DNA binding domains and the elastic network model identifies a functionally important hinge region between the two domains of pUL15. The atomic information on the active and allosteric sites in the ATP- and DNA-bound model of pUL15 presented in this study can inform the structure-based drug discovery of a new class of drugs to treat a wide range of HHVs.
The Roles of Notch Signaling in Liver Development and Disease
Authors: Adams Joshua , Jafar-Nejad Hamed
Published: October 2019

The Notch signaling pathway plays major roles in organ development across animal species. In the mammalian liver, Notch has been found critical in development, regeneration and disease. In this review, we highlight the major advances in our understanding of the role of Notch activity in proper liver development and function. Specifically, we discuss the latest discoveries on how Notch, in conjunction with other signaling pathways, aids in proper liver development, regeneration and repair. In addition, we review the latest in the role of Notch signaling in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and chronic liver disease. Finally, recent evidence has shed light on the emerging connection between Notch signaling and glucose and lipid metabolism. We hope that highlighting the major advances in the roles of Notch signaling in the liver will stimulate further research in this exciting field and generate additional ideas for therapeutic manipulation of the Notch pathway in liver diseases.
Providing Excellent Customer Service Is Therapeutic: Insights from an Implicit Association Neuromarketing Study
Authors: Calvert Gemma Anne , Pathak Abhishek , Ching Lim Elison Ai , Trufil Geraldine , Fulcher Eamon Philip
Published: October 2019

This paper reports the results of a combined biometric and implicit affective priming study of the emotional consequences of being the provider or receiver of either positive or negative customer service experiences. The study was conducted in two stages. Study 1 captured the moment-by-moment implicit emotional and physiological responses associated with receiving and providing good customer service. Study 2 employed an affective priming task to evaluate the implicit associations with good and poor customer service in a large sample of 1200 respondents across three Western countries. Our results show that both giving and receiving good customer service was perceived as pleasurable (Study 1) and at the same time, was implicitly associated with positive feelings (Study 2). The authors discuss the implications of the research for service providers in terms of the impact of these interactions on employee wellbeing, staff retention rates and customer satisfaction.
High-Strength Concrete Circular Columns with TRC-TSR Dual Internal Confinement
Authors: Eid Rami , Cohen Avi , Guma Reuven , Ifrach Eliav , Levi Netanel , Zvi Avidor
Published: October 2019

The standard requirements for transverse steel reinforcement (TSR) confinement in reinforced-concrete (RC) columns are mainly to provide the following: ductile behavior, minimum axial load capacity of the column’s core, and prevention of longitudinal bars buckling. It is well-known that the passive confinement due the TSR action is less effective in high-strength concrete (HSC) compared to normal-strength concrete (NSC). Therefore, the TSR amounts required by the standards for HSC columns are high, and in some cases, especially in the lower stories columns of high-rise buildings, are impractical. This paper presents a new construction method using textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) as internal confinement together with reduced TSR amounts. Moreover, comparison of the proposed method with RC columns casted in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) stay-in-place forms as additional external confinement, is presented. Eleven large-scale column specimens were tested under axial compression. The results give an insight on the application feasibility of the proposed construction method. It is shown that the TRC-TSR dual internal confinement action can be an option to reduce the standard required TSR amounts while maintaining similar levels of ductile behavior.
Predictive Factors for Response to PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibition in the Field of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Status and Challenges
Authors: Macek Jilkova Zuzana , Aspord Caroline , Decaens Thomas
Published: October 2019

Immunotherapies targeting immune checkpoints are fast-developing therapeutic approaches adopted for several tumor types that trigger unprecedented rates of durable clinical responses. Immune checkpoint programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), expressed primarily by T cells, and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), expressed mainly by tumor cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, are molecules that impede immune function, thereby allowing tumor cells to proliferate, grow and spread. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a promising treatment strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, only a minority of HCC patients benefit from this therapy. To find a niche for immune checkpoint inhibition in HCC patients, future strategies might require predictive factor-based patient selection, to identify patients who are likely to respond to the said therapy and combination strategies in order to enhance anti-tumor efficacy and clinical success. This review provides an overview of the most recent data pertaining to predictive factors for response to PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition in the field of HCC.
The Role of Hypoxia and the Immune System in Tumor Radioresistance
Authors: Span Paul , Bussink Jan
Published: October 2019

Radiotherapy is given to a majority of patients with cancer, and remains one of the most (cost)effective treatment options available [...]
Outcomes of Patients with Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Treated in a UK Specialist Cancer Center
Authors: Georgiou Alexandros , Khakoo Shelize , Edwards Penelope , Minchom Anna , Kouvelakis Kyriakos , Kalaitzaki Eleftheria , Nobar Natalie , Calamai Vanessa , Ifijen Maria , Husson Olga , Watkins David , Rao Sheela , Chau Ian , Cunningham David , Starling Naureen
Published: October 2019

The incidence of early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is rapidly increasing, but there remains paucity of outcome data for young CRC patients. We reviewed the characteristics and outcomes of 241 adults, age <50, who were diagnosed with EOCRC between January 2009 and December 2014. Median age was 42, 56% were male, and 7% had hereditary etiology. Seventy percent had left-sided primaries. At diagnosis, 11%, 50%, and 39% had stage II, III, and IV CRC. Of the patients with stage II and III CRC who underwent curative surgery, 60% and 88% had adjuvant chemotherapy, with 5-year relapse free survival of 82% and 74% respectively. Of the 123 patients with metastatic (m) EOCRC, 93%, 63%, 33%, and 12% had 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th line systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) respectively. For first line SACT, 99% had doublet chemotherapy, with bevacizumab or an anti-EGFR antibody in 57%. Median overall survival (mOS) of mEOCRC patients was 20.1 months (95% C.I: 15.9–23.2). Younger age and signet cells were associated with shorter mOS, whereas more lines of SACT and curative metastasectomy with longer mOS. Metastatic EOCRC patients had poorer outcomes than expected, despite optimal multimodality treatment. This suggests an aggressive disease biology that warrants further research and therapy development.
Effect of a Substituent in Cyclopentadienyl Ligand on Iridium-Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Alcohols and 2-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline
Authors: Jeong Jaeyoung , Shimbayashi Takuya , Fujita Ken-ichi
Published: October 2019

New iridium(III)-bipyridonate complexes having cyclopentadienyl ligands with a series of alkyl substituents were synthesized for the purpose of tuning the catalytic activity for acceptorless dehydrogenation reactions. A comparison of the catalytic activity was performed for the reaction of alcoholic substrates such as 1-phenylethanol, 2-octanol, and benzyl alcohol. The 1-t-butyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl iridium complex exhibited the best performance, which surpassed that of the 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) iridium catalyst in the dehydrogenation reaction of alcohols. The catalytic activity in the dehydrogenation of 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline was also examined. The highest efficiency was obtained in the reaction catalyzed by the same t-butyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl iridium complex.
Performance of Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis Using a γ-Al2O3 Catalyst with Compound Modification of ZrO2 and CeO2
Authors: Xue Zeyu , Zhong Zhaoping , Zhang Bo , Xu Chao
Published: October 2019

To investigate the catalytic pyrolysis performance of complex metal oxide catalysts for biomass, γ-Al2O3 was prepared through the precipitation method, and then ZrO2 and γ-Al2O3 were blended in the proportion of 2:8 using the co-precipitation method. Next, CeO2 was loaded on the surface of the catalyst for further modification. The three catalysts, A, ZA and CZA, were obtained. The specific surface and acidity of the catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption and NH3-Temperature Programmed Desorption (NH3-TPD) respectively. The catalytic pyrolysis performance of catalysts for bamboo residues was investigated by Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Chromatograms were analyzed for identification of the pyrolysis products and the relative amounts of each component were calculated. Experimental results indicated that catalyst A had a good catalytic activity for the fast pyrolysis of bamboo residues. The addition of ZrO2 and CeO2 could continuously enhance the acidity of the catalyst and further promote the pyrolysis of macromolecular compounds and deoxidation of oxygen-containing compounds. Finally, catalyst CZA, obtained by compound modification, could not only dramatically reduce the relative content of phenol, acid and aldehyde and other oxygen-containing compounds, but also achieved the maximum hydrocarbon yield of 23.38%. The catalytic performance of catalyst CZA improved significantly compared with catalyst A.
Gγ and Gα Identity Dictate a G-Protein Heterotrimer Plasma Membrane Targeting
Authors: Mystek Paweł , Rysiewicz Beata , Gregrowicz Jan , Dziedzicka-Wasylewska Marta , Polit Agnieszka
Published: October 2019

Heterotrimeric G-proteins along with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate many biochemical functions by relaying the information from the plasma membrane to the inside of the cell. The lipid modifications of Gα and Gγ subunits, together with the charged regions on the membrane interaction surface, provide a peculiar pattern for various heterotrimeric complexes. In a previous study, we found that Gαs and Gαi3 prefer different types of membrane-anchor and subclass-specific lipid domains. In the present report, we examine the role of distinct Gγ subunits in the membrane localization and spatiotemporal dynamics of Gαs and Gαi3 heterotrimers. We characterized lateral diffusion and G-protein subunit interactions in living cells using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detected by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), respectively. The interaction of Gγ subunits with specific lipids was confirmed, and thus the modulation of heterotrimeric G-protein localization. However, the Gα subunit also modulates trimer localization, and so the membrane distribution of heterotrimeric G-proteins is not dependent on Gγ only.
Clinical Theragnostic Relationship between Drug-Resistance Specific miRNA Expressions, Chemotherapeutic Resistance, and Sensitivity in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jayaraj Rama , Madhav Madurantakam Royam , Nayagam Sankaranarayanan Gomathi , Kar Ananya , Sathyakumar Shubhangi , Mohammed Hina , Smiti Maria , Sabarimurugan Shanthi , Kumarasamy Chellan , Priyadharshini T. , Gothandam K. M. , Ramesh N , Gupta Ajay , Baxi Siddhartha , Swamiappan Suja , Krishnan Sunil
Published: October 2019

Awareness of breast cancer has been increasing due to early detection, but the advanced disease has limited treatment options. There has been growing evidence on the role of miRNAs involved in regulating the resistance in several cancers. We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of miRNAs in influencing the chemoresistance and sensitivity of breast cancer. A bibliographic search was performed in PubMed and Science Direct based on the search strategy, and studies published until December 2018 were retrieved. The eligible studies were included based on the selection criteria, and a detailed systematic review and meta-analysis were performed based on PRISMA guidelines. A random-effects model was utilised to evaluate the combined effect size of the obtained hazard ratio and 95% confidence intervals from the eligible studies. Publication bias was assessed with Cochran’s Q test, I2 statistic, Orwin and Classic fail-safe N test, Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation test, Duval and Tweedie trim and fill calculation and the Egger’s bias indicator. A total of 4584 potential studies were screened. Of these, 85 articles were eligible for our systematic review and meta-analysis. In the 85 studies, 188 different miRNAs were studied, of which 96 were upregulated, 87 were downregulated and 5 were not involved in regulation. Overall, 24 drugs were used for treatment, with doxorubicin being prominently reported in 15 studies followed by Paclitaxel in 11 studies, and 5 drugs were used in combinations. We found only two significant HR values from the studies (miR-125b and miR-4443) and our meta-analysis results yielded a combined HR value of 0.748 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.508–1.100; p-value of 0.140. In conclusion, our results suggest there are different miRNAs involved in the regulation of chemoresistance through diverse drug genetic targets. These biomarkers play a crucial role in guiding the effective diagnostic and prognostic efficiency of breast cancer. The screening of miRNAs as a theragnostic biomarker must be brought into regular practice for all diseases. We anticipate that our study serves as a reference in framing future studies and clinical trials for utilising miRNAs and their respective drug targets.
Removal of Acid Dyes from Textile Wastewaters Using Fish Scales by Absorption Process
Authors: Kabir S M Fijul , Cueto Rafael , Balamurugan Sreelatha , Romeo Laurel D. , Kuttruff Jenna T. , Marx Brian D. , Negulescu Ioan I.
Published: October 2019

Fish scales (FS), a byproduct of the fish processing industry, are often discarded carelessly. In this present study, FS were used as a promising bio-sorbent for the removal of anionic acid dyes (acid red 1 (AR1), acid blue 45 (AB45) and acid yellow 127 (AY127)) from the wastewaters of textile coloration. Here, physiochemical characterizations of the FS were investigated by SEM-EDS, TGA and FI-IR analyses, and dye absorption and removal efficiency were evaluated and optimized considering different process parameters such as concentration of initial dye solution, amount of FS used, contact time, FS size, process temperature, additives, stirring and vacuum. SEM images and EDS elemental analyses showed architectural variation and heterogeneous composition of FS at different places. TGA identified the 50% minerals, 33% organic matters and 17% moisture and volatile components. FI-IR evidenced considerable absorption of acid dyes. Process optimization revealed that additives and fine pulverized FS had significant positive and negative impact on the dye removal efficacy, respectively. Temperature and stirring improved dye removal efficiency, and dye absorption by FS was very fast at the beginning and became almost constant after an hour indicating saturation of absorption. The maximum dye absorptions in scales for AR1, AB45, and AY127 were noted as 1.8, 2.7 and 3.4 mg/g, respectively, and removal percentages were 63.5%, 89.3% and 93%. The effects of the process parameters were consistent across all three acid dyes used in this study. Two-way ANOVA model showed that dye type, process parameters and ‘dye type X process parameters’ interactions had significant effect on the dye removal efficiency.
Simple and Rapid High-Yield Synthesis of Sub-100 nm Nano-SiO2·0.5H2O Particles Based on Wollastonite
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Zheng Yutong , Jiang Yuzhi , Ji Yaxiong , Wang Shifeng , Yu Fujia
Published: October 2019

Amorphous nano-SiO2·nH2O particles has drawn much attention in industrial applications because of the features of high purification, low density, large specific surface area, fine decentralization, good optical, and mechanical performances. However, the applications have been hindered by the exorbitant price and the serious agglomeration. In this work, using wollastonite as reactant, H2SO4 as solvent, and adding sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as surfactant, sub-100 nm amorphous nano-SiO2·0.5H2O particles with good dispersibility, controllable agglomeration, narrow size distribution, and high yield were prepared by a low-cost and simple chemical method. The prepared sphere-like amorphous nano-SiO2·0.5H2O particles with average diameter of 70 nm were absorbed by the SDBS on the surface. The reaction conditions were systematically studied and the optimal technologic condition of the preparation was also confirmed. The achievement had a great perspective for the industrialization of high-quality nano-SiO2·nH2O particles, which hold great promise for various applications, such as plasmonic and catalytic nanoparticles supporting, polymeric matrices strengthening, drug delivery, and adsorption processes.
Reduced Graphene Oxide–Epoxy Grafted Poly(Styrene-Co-Acrylate) Composites for Corrosion Protection of Mild Steel
Authors: Fan Xinchuan , Hu Yue , Zhang Yijun , Lu Jiachen , Chen Xiaofeng , Niu Jun , Li Ningyan , Chen Dianyu
Published: October 2019

Reduced graphene oxide–epoxy grafted poly(styrene-co-acrylate) composites (GESA) were prepared by anchoring different amount of epoxy modified poly(styrene-co-acrylate) (EPSA) onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets through π–π electrostatic attraction. The GESA composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The anti-corrosion properties of rGO/EPSA composites were evaluated by electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in hydroxyl-polyacrylate coating, and the results revealed that the corrosion rate was decreased from 3.509 × 10−1 to 1.394 × 10−6 mm/a.
Electrochemical Studies on CaP Electrodeposition on Three Dimensional Surfaces of Selective Laser Melted Titanium Scaffold
Authors: Sun Xuetong , Lin Huaishu , Zhang Chunyu , Jin Jian , Di Si
Published: October 2019

In this work, calcium phosphate (CaP) coating was electrodeposited on the three dimensional surface of SLM-Ti scaffolds. The in situ measurement showed that the potential variation within 5 mm thickness porous selective laser melting (SLM)-Ti samples was about 80 mV as a result of the low conductivity of CaP coatings. SEM observation results revealed that the coating morphology depended on the distance between the surface position of porous SLM-Ti electrode and the auxiliary electrode. Based on the compared electrochemical experiments, it was found that the top and the bottom surfaces of SLM-Ti scaffolds exhibited continuous nucleation and instantaneous nucleation behavior respectively. The Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results also revealed that the electrodeposition processes at different depth of SLM-Ti scaffolds were not synchronized. These differences were ultimately caused by the non-uniform distribution of the potential and the current inside porous SLM-Ti electrodes. The present work provides a basic research method for studying the mechanism of the electrochemical process on three dimensional surfaces of SLM-Ti scaffolds.
Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Coupling in 3d Insulators
Authors: Moskvin Alexander
Published: October 2019

We present an overview of the microscopic theory of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) coupling in strongly correlated 3d compounds. Most attention in the paper centers around the derivation of the Dzyaloshinskii vector, its value, orientation, and sense (sign) under different types of the (super)exchange interaction and crystal field. We consider both the Moriya mechanism of the antisymmetric interaction and novel contributions, in particular, that of spin–orbital coupling on the intermediate ligand ions. We have predicted a novel magnetic phenomenon, weak ferrimagnetism in mixed weak ferromagnets with competing signs of Dzyaloshinskii vectors. We revisit a problem of the DM coupling for a single bond in cuprates specifying the local spin–orbital contributions to the Dzyaloshinskii vector focusing on the oxygen term. We predict a novel puzzling effect of the on-site staggered spin polarization to be a result of the on-site spin–orbital coupling and the cation-ligand spin density transfer. The intermediate ligand nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements are shown to be an effective tool to inspect the effects of the DM coupling in an external magnetic field. We predict the effect of a strong oxygen-weak antiferromagnetism in edge-shared CuO 2 chains due to uncompensated oxygen Dzyaloshinskii vectors. We revisit the effects of symmetric spin anisotropy directly induced by the DM coupling. A critical analysis will be given of different approaches to exchange-relativistic coupling based on the cluster and the DFT (density functional theory) based calculations. Theoretical results are applied to different classes of 3d compounds from conventional weak ferromagnets ( α -Fe 2 O 3 , FeBO 3 , FeF 3 , RFeO 3 , RCrO 3 , …) to unconventional systems such as weak ferrimagnets (e.g., RFe 1 − x Cr x O 3 ), helimagnets (e.g., CsCuCl 3 ), and parent cuprates (La 2 CuO 4 , …).
First Report on the Occurence of Dermatophytes of Microsporum Cookei Clade and Close Affinities to Paraphyton Cookei in the Harmanecká Cave (Veľká Fatra Mts., Slovakia)
Authors: Ogórek Rafał , Piecuch Agata , Višňovská Zuzana , Cal Magdalena , Niedźwiecka Katarzyna
Published: October 2019

Keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi, such as dermatophytes, are frequently a cause of infections in humans and animals. Underground ecosystems are inhabited by various animals and are of interest for tourists. Therefore, the main goal of our research was the first evaluation of sediment and soil samples taken inside and outside the Harmanecká Cave in Slovakia for the occurrence of keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi. Tests with Vanbreuseghema bait, as well as phenotyping and molecular methods, showed that all of the sampling sites contained ten isolates, all of the same species of keratinophilic fungi, belonging to the Microsporum cookei clade and with close affinities to Paraphyton cookei (Ajello) Y. Gräser, Dukik & de Hoog. Our research showed that, dependent on the medium, its mycelium varied in color and showed different growth rates. It also produced metabolites alkalizing DTM (dermatophyte test medium) medium. It dissolved keratin in in vitro hair perforation tests and was able to utilize most substrates in the API® 20C AUX, except for MDG (α-methyl-D-glucoside). In addition, the vegetative structures of mycelium were viable after storage at temperatures from −72 to −5 °C for 56 days, and actively grew after 28 days at a temperature range from 15 to 37 °C, with 25 °C being optimal. It showed weak, but active, growth at 5 and 10 °C after 56 days. We can assume that due to the low temperature in the caves, this fungus will not be able to actively grow rapidly on keratin substrates, but the contact with mammals, along with other favorable factors, might lead to an infection.
Graminoid Invasion in an Insular Endemism Hotspot and Its Protected Areas
Authors: Walentowitz Anna J. , Irl Severin D. H. , Acevedo Rodríguez Aurelio Jesús , Palomares-Martínez Ángel , Vetter Vanessa , Zennaro Barbara , Medina Félix M. , Beierkuhnlein Carl
Published: October 2019

Invasive plant species are increasingly altering species composition and the functioning of ecosystems from a local to a global scale. The grass species Pennisetum setaceum has recently raised concerns as an invader on different archipelagos worldwide. Among these affected archipelagos are the Canary Islands, which are a hotspot of endemism. Consequently, conservation managers and stakeholders are interested in the potential spreading of this species in the archipelago. We identify the current extent of the suitable habitat for P. setaceum on the island of La Palma to assess how it affects island ecosystems, protected areas (PAs), and endemic plant species richness. We recorded in situ occurrences of P. setaceum from 2010 to 2018 and compiled additional ones from databases at a 500 m × 500 m resolution. To assess the current suitable habitat and possible distribution patterns of P. setaceum on the island, we built an ensemble model. We projected habitat suitability for island ecosystems and PAs and identified risks for total as well as endemic plant species richness. The suitable habitat for P. setaceum is calculated to cover 34.7% of the surface of La Palma. In open ecosystems at low to mid elevations, where native ecosystems are already under pressure by land use and human activities, the spread of the invader will likely lead to additional threats to endemic plant species. Forest ecosystems (e.g., broadleaved evergreen and coniferous forests) are not likely to be affected by the spread of P. setaceum because of its heliophilous nature. Our projection of suitable habitat of P. setaceum within ecosystems and PAs on La Palma supports conservationists and policymakers in prioritizing management and control measures and acts as an example for the potential threat of this graminoid invader on other islands.
Effect of Hydrographic Variability on the Distribution of Microbial Communities in Taiwan Strait in Winter
Authors: Gong Gwo-Ching , Yeh Hsin-Ming , Chen Yu-Kai , Hsieh Chih-hao , Ho Pei-Chi , Tsai An-Yi
Published: October 2019

This study investigated the spatial variation in the components of a microbial food web (viruses, picoplankton, nanoflagellates, and ciliates) in different hydrographic environments in the Taiwan Strait during winter. Water temperature and salinity varied spatially, with lower temperatures (15.3–22.8 °C) and salinities (32.2–33.4 psu) in the northern part of the Taiwan Strait, largely affected by runoff from the coast of China. Concentrations of nutrients and Chl a were significantly higher in the northern part than that in the southern part of the study area. Synechococcus spp., nanoflagellate, and ciliate abundance also varied significantly, with the northern strait having higher abundances of these communities. In contrast, a higher abundance of bacteria was found in the southern part of the Taiwan Strait. The results of this study, which describes two different ecosystems in the Taiwan Strait, suggest that during winter, a “viral loop” might play an important role in controlling bacterial production in the southern part of the Taiwan Strait, while nanofalgellate grazing of picophytoplankton may contribute mainly to the flux of energy in the northern part.
Relationships among Height, Weight, Body Mass Index, and Age in Taiwanese Children with Different Types of Mucopolysaccharidoses
Authors: Lin Hsiang-Yu , Lee Chung-Lin , Chiu Pao Chin , Niu Dau-Ming , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Hwu Wuh-Liang , Lin Shio Jean , Lin Ju-Li , Chang Tung-Ming , Chuang Chih-Kuang , Lin Shuan-Pei
Published: October 2019

Background: Children with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) generally appear unaffected at birth but may develop multiple clinical manifestations including profound growth impairment as they grow older. Each type of MPS has a variable age at onset and variable rate of progression, however, information regarding growth in Asian children is limited. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 129 Taiwanese patients with MPS (age range, 0.7 to 19.5 years, median age, 7.9 years) from eight medical centers in Taiwan from January 1996 through December 2018. Results: The mean z scores for the first recorded values of height, weight, and body mass index in the patients’ medical records were −4.25, −1.04, and 0.41 for MPS I (n = 9), −2.31, 0.19, and 0.84 for MPS II (n = 49), −0.42, 0.08, and −0.12 for MPS III (n = 27), −6.02, −2.04, and 0.12 for MPS IVA (n = 30), and −4.46, −1.52, and 0.19 for MPS VI (n = 14), respectively. MPS IVA had the lowest mean z scores for both height and weight among all types of MPS, followed by MPS VI, MPS I, MPS II, and MPS III, which showed the mildest growth retardation. Both z scores for height and weight were negatively correlated with increasing age for all types of MPS (p < 0.01). Of 32 patients younger than 5 years of age, 16 (50%), and 23 (72%) had positive z scores of height and weight, respectively. A substantial number of younger patients with MPS I, II, III, and IVA had a positive height z score. The median age at diagnosis was 3.9 years (n = 115). Conclusions: The patients with MPS IVA had the most significant growth retardation among all types of MPS, followed by MPS VI, MPS I, MPS II, and MPS III. The height and weight of the MPS patients younger than 2–5 years of age were higher than those of healthy individuals, however, their growth significantly decelerated in subsequent years. Understanding the growth curve and potential involved in each type of MPS may allow for early diagnosis and timely management of the disease, which may improve the quality of life.
The Criterion for the Crystallization Ability Assessment as Applied to Borate Glass Powders and Monoliths
Authors: Polyakova Irina G.
Published: October 2019

The glasses of three borate systems, Na2O-B2O3, K2O-B2O3 and BaO-B2O3, were studied over a wide range of the compositions by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD). The thermal parameters obtained by DTA method (the glass transition temperature, Tg, the crystallization onset temperature, Tx, and the melting temperature, Tm) were used to calculate the criteria (coefficients) characterizing glass stability against crystallization. The Lu–Liu, Weinberg and Hrubý coefficients were tested for verification of their consistency with several simple requirements. Since each of the criteria has its drawbacks, the coefficient of glass crystallization ability, Kcr, which meets all of the requirements, was also used. The advantage of this coefficient is demonstrated on the example of the glass powders and the monolithic glasses of the mentioned above borate systems.
A Study of Brain Neuronal and Functional Complexities Estimated Using Multiscale Entropy in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Menon Sreevalsan S. , Krishnamurthy K.
Published: October 2019

Brain complexity estimated using sample entropy and multiscale entropy (MSE) has recently gained much attention to compare brain function between diseased or neurologically impaired groups and healthy control groups. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rfMRI) blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signals in a large cohort (n = 967) of healthy young adults, the present study maps neuronal and functional complexities estimated by using MSE of BOLD signals and BOLD phase coherence connectivity, respectively, at various levels of the brain’s organization. The functional complexity explores patterns in a higher dimension than neuronal complexity and may better discern changes in brain functioning. The leave-one-subject-out cross-validation method is used to predict fluid intelligence using neuronal and functional complexity MSE values as features. While a wide range of scales was selected with neuronal complexity, only the first three scales were selected with functional complexity. Fewer scales are advantageous as they preclude the need for long BOLD signals to calculate good estimates of MSE. The presented results corroborate with previous findings and provide a baseline for other studies exploring the use of MSE to examine changes in brain function related to aging, diseases, and clinical disorders.
Recognition of Voltage Sag Sources Based on Phase Space Reconstruction and Improved VGG Transfer Learning
Authors: Pu Yuting , Yang Honggeng , Ma Xiaoyang , Sun Xiangxun
Published: October 2019

The recognition of the voltage sag sources is the basis for formulating a voltage sag governance plan and clarifying the responsibility for the accident. Aiming at the recognition problem of voltage sag sources, a recognition method of voltage sag sources based on phase space reconstruction and improved Visual Geometry Group (VGG) transfer learning is proposed from the perspective of image classification. Firstly, phase space reconstruction technology is used to transform voltage sag signals, generate reconstruction images of voltage sag, and analyze the intuitive characteristics of different sag sources from reconstruction images. Secondly, combined with the attention mechanism, the standard VGG 16 model is improved to extract the features completely and prevent over-fitting. Finally, VGG transfer learning model uses the idea of transfer learning for training, which improves the efficiency of model training and the recognition accuracy of sag sources. The purpose of the training model is to minimize the cross entropy loss function. The simulation analysis verifies the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Phylogenetic Weighting Does Little to Improve the Accuracy of Evolutionary Coupling Analyses
Authors: Hockenberry Adam J. , Wilke Claus O.
Published: October 2019

Homologous sequence alignments contain important information about the constraints that shape protein family evolution. Correlated changes between different residues, for instance, can be highly predictive of physical contacts within three-dimensional structures. Detecting such co-evolutionary signals via direct coupling analysis is particularly challenging given the shared phylogenetic history and uneven sampling of different lineages from which protein sequences are derived. Current best practices for mitigating such effects include sequence-identity-based weighting of input sequences and post-hoc re-scaling of evolutionary coupling scores. However, numerous weighting schemes have been previously developed for other applications, and it is unknown whether any of these schemes may better account for phylogenetic artifacts in evolutionary coupling analyses. Here, we show across a dataset of 150 diverse protein families that the current best practices out-perform several alternative sequence- and tree-based weighting methods. Nevertheless, we find that sequence weighting in general provides only a minor benefit relative to post-hoc transformations that re-scale the derived evolutionary couplings. While our findings do not rule out the possibility that an as-yet-untested weighting method may show improved results, the similar predictive accuracies that we observe across conceptually distinct weighting methods suggests that there may be little room for further improvement on top of existing strategies.
High-CMRR Low-Noise Fully Integrated Front-End for EEG Acquisition Systems
Authors: Chebli Robert , Ali Mohamed , Sawan Mohamad
Published: October 2019

We present in this paper a fully integrated low-noise high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) logarithmic programmable gain amplifier (LPGA) and chopped LPGA circuits for EEG acquisition systems. The proposed LPGA is based on a rail-to-rail true logarithmic amplifier (TLA) stage. The high CMRR achieved in this work is a result of cascading three amplification stages to construct the LPGA in addition to the lower common-mode gain of the proposed logarithmic amplification topology. In addition, the 1 / f noise and the inherent DC offset voltage of the input transistors are reduced using a chopper stabilization technique. The CMOS 180 nm standard technology is used to implement the circuits. Experimental results for the integrated LPGA show a CMRR of 140 dB, a differential gain of 37 dB, an input-referred noise of 0.754 μ Vrms, a 189 μ W power consumption from 1.8 V power supply and occupies an active area of 0.4 mm 2 .
A Subthreshold Bootstrapped SAPTL-Based Adder Design
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wu Yuping , Chen Lan
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a 16 bit subthreshold adder design using bootstrapped sense amplifier-based pass transistor logic (bootstrapped SAPTL) to overcome serious performance degradation and enhance the immunity to process variations in the subthreshold region. Through employing a bootstrapped sense amplifier including a voltage boosting part and adopting an adder architecture based on bootstrapped SAPTL, significant improvements in performance and energy efficiency can be achieved. A case study of 16 bit adders in SMIC 130 nm technology demonstrated that the proposed adder outperformed other works in terms of performance, energy consumption, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the statistical results of the Monte Carlo analysis proved the proposed adder’s significant enhancement of robustness against process and temperature variations. At 0.3 V (TT corner, 25 °C), the proposed 16 bit adder achieved improvements of 72% in performance and 8% in energy savings, as well as a 74% reduction in energy-delay production as compared with the current design.