bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses to depressive symptom items exhibit a common mathematical pattern across the European populations
Authors: Tomitaka Shinichiro , Kawasaki Yohei , Ide Kazuki , Akutagawa Maiko , Ono Yutaka , Furukawa Toshi A.
Published: October 2019

The theoretical distribution of responses to depressive symptom items in a general population remains unknown. Recent studies have shown that responses to depressive symptom items follow the same pattern in the US and Japanese populations, but the degree to which these findings can be generalized to other countries is unknown. The purpose of this study was to conduct a pattern analysis on the EU population’s responses to depressive symptom items using data from the Eurobarometer. The Eurobarometer questionnaires include six depressive symptom items from the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The pattern analysis revealed that, across the entire EU population, the ratios between “score = 2” and “score = 1” and between “score = 3” to “score = 2” were similar among the six items and resulted in a common pattern. This common pattern was characterized by an intersection at a single point between “score = 0” and “score = 1” and a parallel pattern between “score = 1” and “score = 3” on a logarithmic scale. Country-by-country analyses revealed that the item responses followed a common characteristic pattern across all 15 countries. Our results suggest that responses to depressive symptom items in a general population follow the same characteristic pattern regardless of the specific country.
Reducing the ionizing radiation background does not significantly affect the evolution of Escherichia coli populations over 500 generations
Authors: Lampe Nathanael , Marin Pierre , Coulon Marianne , Micheau Pierre , Maigne Lydia , Sarramia David , Piquemal Fabrice , Incerti Sébastien , Biron David G. , Ghio Camille , Sime-Ngando Télesphore , Hindre Thomas , Breton Vincent
Published: October 2019

Over millennia, life has been exposed to ionizing radiation from cosmic rays and natural radioisotopes. Biological experiments in underground laboratories have recently demonstrated that the contemporary terrestrial radiation background impacts the physiology of living organisms, yet the evolutionary consequences of this biological stress have not been investigated. Explaining the mechanisms that give rise to the results of underground biological experiments remains difficult, and it has been speculated that hereditary mechanisms may be involved. Here, we have used evolution experiments in standard and very low-radiation backgrounds to demonstrate that environmental ionizing radiation does not significantly impact the evolutionary trajectories of E. coli bacterial populations in a 500 generations evolution experiment.
Hsa-miR-210-3p expression in breast cancer and its putative association with worse outcome in patients treated with Docetaxel
Authors: Pasculli Barbara , Barbano Raffaela , Rendina Michelina , Fontana Andrea , Copetti Massimiliano , Mazza Tommaso , Valori Vanna Maria , Morritti Maria , Maiello Evaristo , Graziano Paolo , Murgo Roberto , Fazio Vito Michele , Esteller Manel , Parrella Paola
Published: October 2019

MicroRNA-210-3p is the most prominent hypoxia regulated microRNA, and it has been found significantly overexpressed in different human cancers. We performed the expression analysis of miR-210-3p in a retrospective cohort of breast cancer patients with a median follow-up of 76 months (n = 283). An association between higher levels of miR-210-3p and risk of disease progression (HR: 2.13, 95%CI: 1.33-3.39, P = 0.002) was found in the subgroup of patients treated with Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide followed by Docetaxel. Moreover, a cut off value of 20.966 established by ROC curve analyses allowed to discriminate patients who developed distant metastases with an accuracy of 85% at 3- (AUC: 0.870, 95%CI: 0.690-1.000) and 83% at 5-years follow up (AUC: 0.832, 95%CI: 0.656–1.000). Whereas the accuracy in discriminating patients who died for the disease was of 79.6% at both 5- (AUC: 0.804, 95%CI: 0.517–1.000) and 10-years (AUC: 0.804. 95%CI: 0.517–1.000) follow-up. In silico analysis of miR-210-3p and Docetaxel targets provided evidence for a putative molecular cross-talk involving microtubule regulation, drug efflux metabolism and oxidative stress response. Overall, our data point to the miR-210-3p involvement in the response to therapeutic regimens including Docetaxel in sequential therapy with anthracyclines, suggesting it may represent a predictive biomarker in breast cancer patients.
Loss of spatacsin impairs cholesterol trafficking and calcium homeostasis
Authors: Boutry Maxime , Pierga Alexandre , Matusiak Raphaël , Branchu Julien , Houllegatte Marc , Ibrahim Yoan , Balse Elise , El Hachimi Khalid-Hamid , Brice Alexis , Stevanin Giovanni , Darios Frédéric
Published: October 2019

Mutations in SPG11, leading to loss of spatacsin function, impair the formation of membrane tubules in lysosomes and cause lysosomal lipid accumulation. However, the full nature of lipids accumulating in lysosomes and the physiological consequences of such accumulation are unknown. Here we show that loss of spatacsin inhibits the formation of tubules on lysosomes and prevents the clearance of cholesterol from this subcellular compartment. Accumulation of cholesterol in lysosomes decreases cholesterol levels in the plasma membrane, enhancing the entry of extracellular calcium by store-operated calcium entry and increasing resting cytosolic calcium levels. Higher cytosolic calcium levels promote the nuclear translocation of the master regulator of lysosomes TFEB, preventing the formation of tubules and the clearance of cholesterol from lysosomes. Our work reveals a homeostatic balance between cholesterol trafficking and cytosolic calcium levels and shows that loss of spatacsin impairs this homeostatic equilibrium.
Unified and practical access to ɤ-alkynylated carbonyl derivatives via streamlined assembly at room temperature
Authors: Lv Xu-Lu , Shu Wei
Published: October 2019

The development of a unified and straightforward method for the synthesis of ɤ-alkynylated ketones, esters, and amides is an unmet challenge. Here we report a general and practical protocol to access ɤ-alkynylated esters, ketones, and amides with diverse substitution patterns enabled by dual-catalyzed spontaneous formation of Csp3–sp3 and Csp3–sp bond from alkenes at room temperature. This directing-group-free strategy is operationally simple, and allows for the straightforward introduction of an alkynyl group onto ɤ-position of carbonyl group along with the streamlined skeleton assembly, providing a unified protocol to synthesize various ɤ-alkynylated esters, acids, amides, ketones, and aldehydes, from readily available starting materials with excellent functional group compatibility.
The Role of Bubbles in the Development of Food Structure
Authors: Mondal Arpita , Niranjan Keshavan
Published: October 2019

Creating aerated food structure is a challenge in culinary art, but creating such structures consistently at an industrial scale is an engineering challenge. Bubbles add novelty and versatility to the visual appearance and mouthfeel of foods. The foaminess of cappuccino, the sponginess of bread, and the brittleness or creaminess of aerated chocolates may be attributed to the formation of foam/bubble microstructures. This chapter addresses the development of bubble-containing structures in three specific food systems covering a wide spectrum of rheological behaviors exhibited: milk, chocolate, and bread. The characteristics of bubble-containing structures in milk (foamability, foam stability, overrun), aerated chocolates (density, gas holdup, bubble sizes), and dough and bread (gas-free density, specific volume, void fraction, bubble size and number distribution) are discussed and related to the process parameters, which led to the formation of the structure.
Developing Food Structure for Mechanical Performance
Authors: Mohammed I. K. , Skamniotis C. G. , Charalambides M. N.
Published: October 2019

Food materials are complex biopolymers with heterogeneous microstructures and nonlinear large strain rheological behavior. There is a need to determine how these materials behave during both industrial processing such as extrusion, sheeting, cutting, as well as during the oral and gastric processes. Specifically, design tools are needed that can be used to optimize the mechanical performance of food products by considering the structure of the food at the various length scales and the mechanical responses of the constituent phases at the appropriate time scales. This chapter summarizes literature findings that focus on determining the link between the structure and bulk behavior of soft solid foods. It specifically studies foods that can be classed as particulate composites and gels, cellular solid foams, and short fiber-reinforced foods. It is evident that this topic is still a very active research field. Results so far look promising, enabled through recent advances in both experimental equipment and computational power. However, challenges still remain, such as the development and calibration of multiscale models of complex composite food structures that take into account the dynamic changes in the food's structure and its response to simultaneous mechanical, physical, and chemical stimuli encountered during processing.
Design Structures for Optimal Sensory Performance
Authors: de Lavergne Marine Devezeaux , le Révérend Benjamin
Published: October 2019

In this chapter, we review how modern food scientists and engineers can design formulations and processes to achieve a specific function: sensory performance. We detail what sensory performance is, how to measure it, and how humans code food structural properties at different lengths and timescales into a sensory property. In addition, humans constantly modulate these sensory inputs upon oral processing of foods in the oral cavity; mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses are profoundly changing food structures over the few seconds of oral residence time. Understanding (1) how sensory stimuli evolve over time in the mouth and (2) how sensory perception is coded is key to reverse engineer structures (and therefore formulations and processes) that will influence sensory properties in a favourable way. As a result, the engineered structures will have a sensory profile that appeals to consumers, whilst also considering other factors that are important for consumer acceptability such as nutritional performance.
Modelling and Computer Simulation Approaches to Understand and Predict Food Structure Development: Structuring by Gelation and Self-association of Biomolecules
Authors: Dalkas Georgios , Euston Stephen R.
Published: October 2019

The structure of foods is a complex amalgam of different biomolecules that are structurally diverse and that exhibit heterogeneity within their own biomolecule type. The interactions among these components control the structure and texture of foods, in addition to indirectly influencing other properties such as colour, flavour, and aroma. Molecular modelling has been used increasingly over the past few decades to help understand the interactions that control food structure and, as modelling techniques and hardware improve, will become an ever more important tool for food scientists. In this chapter, we will review aspects of food structure formation that are highly amenable to the modelling approach. The review will concentrate on the modelling of biomolecule self-association and gel formation and how this contributes to food structure and texture. Modelling the development of gelling agents into 3D fibrillar structures is a very important and challenging task and can provide significant insights to food chemists and biologists. This chapter gives an overview of recent studies focusing on how modelling and computer simulations can be used to investigate the relationship between the microscopic and macroscopic properties of different building blocks, such as oleogelators, polysaccharides, or proteins, that are commonly used for formulating food products.
Sustained delivery of growth factors with high loading efficiency in a layer by layer assembly
Authors: Damanik Febriyani F. R. , Brunelli Marzia , Pastorino Laura , Ruggiero Carmelina , van Blitterswijk Clemens , Rotmans Joris , Moroni Lorenzo
Published: October 2019

Layer by layer (LBL) assembly garnered considerable interest due to its ability to generate multifunctional films with high tunability and versatility in terms of substrates and polyelectrolytes, allowing the option to use complex devices and drugs.
Synthesis of ZSM-23 (MTT) zeolites with different crystal morphology and intergrowths: effects on the catalytic performance in the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons
Authors: Molino A. , Holzinger J. , Łukaszuk K. A. , Rojo-Gama D. , Gunnæs A. E. , Skibsted J. , Lundegaard L. F. , Svelle S. , Beato P. , Bordiga S. , Lillerud K. P.
Published: October 2019

A series of zeolite ZSM-23 samples prepared with different organic structure-directing agents, gave rise to crystalline phases, which show a large variety of particle dimensions.
Copper on the inner surface of mesoporous TiO2 hollow spheres: a highly selective photocatalyst for partial oxidation of methanol to methyl formate
Authors: Li Changfu , Yang Xuzhuang , Gao Guanjun , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Weida , Chen Xuetao , Su Haiquan , Wang Sijia , Wang Zhen
Published: October 2019

To raise the methyl formate (MF) selectivity at high methanol conversion is one of the most challenging topics for photocatalytic partial oxidation of methanol to MF.
Hydrosilylation of carbonyl and carboxyl groups catalysed by Mn(i) complexes bearing triazole ligands
Authors: Martínez-Ferraté Oriol , Chatterjee Basujit , Werlé Christophe , Leitner Walter
Published: October 2019

Manganese(i) complexes bearing readily accessible triazole ligands are effective catalysts for the hydrosilylation of carbonyl and carboxyl compounds.
Whole barley prevents obesity and dyslipidemia without the involvement of the gut microbiota in germ free C57BL/6J obese mice
Authors: Gong Lingxiao , Wang Tianxi , Sun Cong , Wang Jing , Sun Baoguo
Published: October 2019

Whole barley (WB) consumption is the subject of renewed interest because of its health benefits.
Methyl sulfonamide substituents improve the pharmacokinetic properties of bicyclic 2-pyridone basedChlamydia trachomatisinhibitors
Authors: Kulén Martina , Núñez-Otero Carlos , Cairns Andrew G. , Silver Jim , Lindgren Anders E. G. , Wede Emma , Singh Pardeep , Vielfort Katarina , Bahnan Wael , Good James A. D. , Svensson Richard , Bergström Sven , Gylfe Åsa , Almqvist Fredrik
Published: October 2019

Methyl sulfonamide substituents effectively improve the pharmacokinetic properties of bicyclic 2-pyridones, a new class ofChlamydia trachomatisinfectivity inhibitors.
Bioinspired carbon dots (biodots): emerging fluorophores with tailored multiple functionalities for biomedical, agricultural and environmental applications
Authors: Choi Yoonah , Zheng Xin Ting , Tan Yen Nee
Published: October 2019

This review highlights the recent advances in bioinspired engineering of multifunctional carbon nanodots from natural precursors and their technological applications.
Conjugated electrochromic polymers with amide-containing side chains enabling aqueous electrolyte compatibility
Authors: Perera Kuluni , Yi Zhengran , You Liyan , Ke Zhifan , Mei Jianguo
Published: October 2019

This work illustrates an effective side-chain modification approach using amide functional groups to induce aqueous electroactivity to ProDOT-based electrochromic polymers.
Highly efficient oxidation of various thioethers catalyzed by organic ligand-modified polyoxomolybdates
Authors: An Haiyan , Hou Yujiao , Chang Shenzhen , Zhang Jie , Zhu Qingshan
Published: October 2019

Herein, four hybrid dimers based on the carboxylic acid ligand-modified polyoxomolybdates were prepared, which could rapidly and selectively oxidize various phenyl sulfides and the sulfur mustard simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES).
Organocatalyzed asymmetric formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of isocyanoacetates withN-itaconimides: facile access to optically active spiropyrroline succinimide derivatives
Authors: Zhao Mei-Xin , Liu Qiang , Yu Kun-Ming , Zhao Xiao-Li , Shi Min
Published: October 2019

This reaction provides facile access to a variety of optically active spiropyrroline succinimide derivatives in moderate to good yields and good to excellent stereoselectivities.
Dual-mode US/MRI nanoparticles delivering siRNA and Pt(iv) for ovarian cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Yanhua , Huang Hui , Fu Hao , Zhao Meng , Wu Zhihua , Dong Yang , Li He , Duan Yourong , Sun Ying
Published: October 2019

Phase-shifted dual-mode US/MRI nanoparticles (PFH/siRNA/Fe3O4@Pt(iv) NPs-cRGD) delivering si-survivin and Pt(iv) prodrug for enhancing ovarian cancer treatment and realizing real-time monitoring.
Effects of dietary intake of potatoes on body weight gain, satiety-related hormones, and gut microbiota in healthy rats
Authors: Wu Yu , Hu Honghai , Dai Xiaofeng , Che Huilian , Zhang Hong
Published: October 2019

Supplementation of potato powders with 54.88 g kg−1 would significantly reduce the body weight gain by enriching Bifidobacterium and Parasutterella.
Atomic layer deposition with rotary reactor for uniform hetero-junction photocatalyst, g-C3N4@TiO2 core–shell structures
Authors: Jang Eunyong , Kim Won Jun , Kim Dae Woong , Hong Seong Hwan , Ali Ijaz , Park Young Min , Park Tae Joo
Published: October 2019

A heterojunction of TiO2 grown on g-C3N4 particles is demonstrated using atomic layer deposition (ALD), equipped with a specifically designed rotary reactor for maintaining stable mechanical dispersion of g-C3N4 particles during ALD.
Gel actuators based on polymeric radicals
Authors: Wickramasinhage Ravindra N. , Goswami Shailesh K. , McAdam C. John , Malik Sharali , Hanton Lyall R. , Moratti Stephen C.
Published: October 2019

Reversible actuation of a radical-gel over many cycles with large strain.
Antibacterial effect of boron nitride flakes with controlled orientation in polymer composites
Authors: Pandit Santosh , Gaska Karolina , Mokkapati V. R. S. S. , Forsberg Sven , Svensson Magnus , Kádár Roland , Mijakovic Ivan
Published: October 2019

Vertically oriented boron nitride flakes on a polymer surface exhibit bactericidal activity.
Facile thermal exfoliation of Cu sheets towards the CuO/Cu2O heterojunction: a cost-effective photocatalyst with visible-light response for promising sustainable applications
Authors: Li Yixuan , Chen Xi , Li Li
Published: October 2019

A CuO/Cu2O heterojunction with broad visible light response and enhanced photogenerated carriers properties was synthesized via a facile one-step thermal exfoliation process from a commercial copper sheet.
Enhanced removal of fluoride by zirconium modified tea waste with extrusion treatment: kinetics and mechanism
Authors: Mei Liping , Peng Chuanyi , Qiao Huanhuan , Ke Fei , Liang Jin , Hou Ruyan , Wan Xiaochun , Cai Huimei
Published: October 2019

Extruded tea waste (EXT) increased the pore size by extrusion technology. Extruded tea waste (EXT-Zr) modified by Zr performed well.
Cr2O3nanosheet/carbon cloth anode with strong interaction and fast charge transfer for pseudocapacitive energy storage in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Guo Donglei , Yang Mengke , Zhang Lilei , Li Yicong , Wang Jinxiang , Liu Guilong , Wu Naiteng , Kim Jang-Kyo , Liu Xianming
Published: October 2019

2D Cr2O3nanosheets are grown on CC with strong interaction and fast charge transfer, and exhibit excellent cyclic performance for LIBs.
Stacking among the clips of the poly-aromatic rings of phenazine with hydroxy-aromatics and photophysical properties
Authors: Brahma Rinki , Singh Munendra Pal , Baruah Jubaraj B.
Published: October 2019

π-Stackings control the photoluminescence efficiencies in solids, whereas in solutions, the ON or OFF processes are dependent on the hydroxyaromatics.
Laser cleavable probes for in situ multiplexed glycan detection by single cell mass spectrometry
Authors: Han Jing , Huang Xi , Liu Huihui , Wang Jiyun , Xiong Caiqiao , Nie Zongxiu
Published: October 2019

A single-cell MS approach for multiplexed glycan detection to investigate the relationship between drug resistance and glycans at a single-cell level and quantify multiple glycans, overcoming the limit of low ionization efficiency of glycans.
Catalytic conversion of ferrous carbonate to higher hydrocarbons under mild conditions and its application in transformation of CO2to liquid fuels
Authors: Yu Yulv , Huang Jin , Wang Yuan
Published: October 2019

Coupling conversion of CO32−to hydrocarbons with carbonation of ferrous species by CO2leads to the generation of long-chain hydrocarbons.
Thermo-osmotic energy conversion and storage by nanochannels
Authors: Chen Kexin , Yao Lina , Yan Fei , Liu Shanshan , Yang Rongjie , Su Bin
Published: October 2019

This work reports the conversion and storage of thermo-osmotic energy from combined salinity and temperature gradients by using highly permselective nanochannels.
Emerging two-dimensional noncarbon nanomaterials for flexible lithium-ion batteries: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Renheng , Guo Zhinan , Xiao Zhe , Wang Huide , Luo Xiaoling , Zhang Han
Published: October 2019

Emerging 2D noncarbon nanomaterials with excellent lithium storage properties and superior flexibility show great application potential for flexible LIBs.
A redox-responsive hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel for chronic wound management
Authors: Gao Ziyu , Golland Ben , Tronci Giuseppe , Thornton Paul D.
Published: October 2019

A low-cost hyaluronic acid hydrogel that is sensitive to the presence of glutathione, non-cytotoxic, and consequently highly-promising for chronic wound diagnosis and repair.
Robust organic nanoparticles for noninvasive long-term fluorescence imaging
Authors: Guan Yuyao , Sun Tingting , Ding Jun , Xie Zhigang
Published: October 2019

Organic nanoparticles obtained from fluorophores with aggregation-caused quenching and aggregation-induced emission features for noninvasive long-term bioimaging are summarized and highlighted.
Interfacial interaction of anesthetic lidocaine and mesoporous silica nanoparticles in aqueous solutions and its release properties
Authors: Sato Yu , Ikoma Toshiyuki , Wakita Ryo , Fukayama Haruhisa
Published: October 2019

The adsorption of lidocaine by electrostatic interaction and the release with or without ions.
A blended binary composite of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(methyl methacrylate) exhibiting excellent energy storage performances
Authors: Chi Qingguo , Zhou Yinhua , Yin Chao , Zhang Yue , Zhang Changhai , Zhang Tiandong , Feng Yu , Zhang Yongquan , Chen Qingguo
Published: October 2019

A 50 vol% PMMA/PVDF dielectric composite annealed at 150 °C possesses great breakdown strength and excellent energy storage performance.
Fine-tuning the photophysical properties of thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters using torsion angles: high performance sky-blue OLEDs
Authors: Zhan Lisi , Xiang Yepeng , Chen Zhanxiang , Wu Kailong , Gong Shaolong , Xie Guohua , Yang Chuluo
Published: October 2019

Three compounds were developed through isomer engineering and their photophysical properties were fine-tuned. All emitters possess distinct AIE and TADF properties, and 3,4 ACSO2 achieves the best EL performance with an EQEmax of 20.5%.
Peroxidase-AgAu hybrid nanocages as signal transducers for sensitive plasmonic colorimetric sensing
Authors: Wang Yang , Gao Zhuangqiang , Liu Bo , Xia Xiaohu
Published: October 2019

Peroxidase functionalized silver–gold nanocages were developed as a type of highly sensitive signal transducer for plasmonic colorimetric sensing.
Conformational and aggregation properties of PffBT4T polymers: atomistic insight into the impact of alkyl-chain branching positions
Authors: Ning Lu , Han Guangchao , Yi Yuanping
Published: October 2019

The impact of the branching positions of alkyl chains on temperature dependent aggregation is rationalized by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.
Correction: Interface-engineered reliable HfO2-based RRAM for synaptic simulation
Authors: Wang Qiang , Niu Gang , Roy Sourav , Wang Yankun , Zhang Yijun , Wu Heping , Zhai Shijie , Bai Wei , Shi Peng , Song Sannian , Song Zhitang , Xie Ya-Hong , Ye Zuo-Guang , Wenger Christian , Meng Xiangjian , Ren Wei
Published: October 2019

Correction for ‘Interface-engineered reliable HfO2-based RRAM for synaptic simulation’ by Qiang Wang et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9tc04880d.
The Contribution of Individual Differences in Memory Span and Language Ability to Spatial Release From Masking in Young Children
Authors: MacCutcheon Douglas , Pausch Florian , Füllgrabe Christian , Eccles Renata , van der Linde Jeannie , Panebianco Clorinda , Fels Janina , Ljung Robert
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Working memory capacity and language ability modulate speech reception; however, the respective roles of peripheral and cognitive processing are unclear. The contribution of individual differences in these abilities to utilization of spatial cues when separating speech from informational and energetic masking backgrounds in children has not yet been determined. Therefore, this study explored whether speech reception in children is modulated by environmental factors, such as the type of background noise and spatial configuration of target and noise sources, and individual differences in the cognitive and linguistic abilities of listeners.

Method

Speech reception thresholds were assessed in 39 children aged 5–7 years in simulated school listening environments. Speech reception thresholds of target sentences spoken by an adult male consisting of number and color combinations were measured using an adaptive procedure, with speech-shaped white noise and single-talker backgrounds that were either collocated (target and back-ground at 0°) or spatially separated (target at 0°, background noise at 90° to the right). Spatial release from masking was assessed alongside memory span and expressive language.

Results and Conclusion

Significant main effect results showed that speech reception thresholds were highest for informational maskers and collocated conditions. Significant interactions indicated that individual differences in memory span and language ability were related to spatial release from masking advantages. Specifically, individual differences in memory span and language were related to the utilization of spatial cues in separated conditions. Language differences were related to auditory stream segregation abilities in collocated conditions that lack helpful spatial cues, pointing to the utilization of language processes to make up for losses in spatial information.
Influence of mental stress on the pulse wave features of photoplethysmograms
Authors: Celka Patrick , Charlton Peter H. , Farukh Bushra , Chowienczyk Philip , Alastruey Jordi
Published: October 2019

Mental stress is a major burden for our society. Invasive and non‐invasive methods have been proposed to monitor and quantify it using various sensors on and off body. In this Letter, the authors investigated the use of the arm photoplethysmogram (PPG) to assess mental stress in laboratory conditions. Results were in correspondence with their previous in‐silico study which guided the present study. Three wave shape parameters were identified for stress assessment from the PPG signal: (i) the time from dicrotic notch to end diastole; (ii) the time from pulse onset to systolic peak; and (iii) the ratio of diastolic to systolic area. The proposed in‐vivo results showed that the two first parameters responded significantly to increased mental stress and to a breathing relaxation procedure, complementing heart rate, heart rate variability, and pulse transit time as indices of stress.
Distributed charging management of multi‐class electric vehicles with different charging priorities
Authors: Alsabbagh Amro , Yin He , Ma Chengbin
Published: October 2019

This study proposes distributed energy management approach for charging multi‐class electric vehicles (EVs) in community microgrids. The energy management problem is implemented in real‐time and represented by a non‐cooperative Stackelberg game for the power distribution inside the microgrid. In this game, a battery energy storage system is chosen as a leader and the EVs are designated as followers. The charging power distribution among EVs is tackled in the two cases of ‘plenty of power’ and ‘lack of power’. The challenging case of ‘lack of power’ occurs when the total charging power is insufficient to meet the need of each EV, such as when weather conditions are unfavourable. A priority factor is included in the EV utility functions to address charging priorities of different classes of EVs in practical scenarios. A consensus‐based distributed algorithm is developed later to iteratively reach the Nash equilibrium, i.e. final charging power distribution, among EVs with different charging priorities. Both simulation and experimental results show that the charging power is properly distributed when the predefined charging priorities are followed, particularly in the case of a ‘lack of power’.
Miniaturised and radiation efficient implantable antenna using reactive impedance surface for biotelemetry
Authors: Samanta Gopinath , Mitra Debasis
Published: October 2019

This study presents the realisation of reactive impedance surface (RIS) in an implantable environment to design a compact wideband antenna for biotelemetry communication. The antenna is designed to operate at 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band using a one‐layer skin model. The proposed mushroom‐based circular RIS successively improves the impedance matching, gain, and bandwidth of the antenna. The improvement in −10 dB impedance bandwidth and gain is observed by 270 MHz and 7 dB, respectively. The overall volume of the antenna is compact and measured only 99.69 mm3. The peak specific absorption rate value of the loaded antenna is noted at 595 W/kg for input power of 1 W, while the radiation efficiency of the antenna is noted by 7.5% at the resonance. The fabricated prototype is inserted into the minced pork and dipped into a skin mimicking gel for the measurement purpose. Furthermore, the link margin has been analysed, which predicts a possible transmission range up to 40 m for a signal bit rate ≤5 Mbps. The impact of associated circuit components on the antenna performance has also been investigated.
Hybrid FDTD–PE method for Loran‐C ASF prediction with near‐source complex topography
Authors: Wang Dan‐Dan , Pu Yu‐Rong , Xi Xiao‐Li , Zhou Li‐Li
Published: October 2019

The parabolic equation (PE) method and finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method are combined to predict long‐range Loran‐C additional secondary factors (ASFs) in situations with near‐source complex topography. The non‐uniform FDTD method is employed in the complex source region, while the PE method is used for propagation over smooth terrain to a long distance. By using the advantages of each algorithm, the hybrid FDTD–PE approach is capable of modelling the near‐source topographic details, while saving much computational resources as compared to a full FDTD solution. Numerical results along several paths are used to validate the hybrid algorithm. Furthermore, the hybrid method is applied to analyse the effect of near‐source topographic complexities, including non‐flat land, land–sea transition, and island (cliff)–sea transition, on the navigational coverage for the planning of the Loran‐C systems.
Computationally‐efficient design optimisation of antennas by accelerated gradient search with sensitivity and design change monitoring
Authors: Pietrenko‐Dabrowska Anna , Koziel Slawomir
Published: October 2019

Electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools are of primary importance in the design of contemporary antennas. The necessity of accurate performance evaluation of complex structures is a reason why the final tuning of antenna dimensions, aimed at improvement of electrical and field characteristics, needs to be based on EM analysis. Design automation is highly desirable and can be achieved by coupling EM solvers with numerical optimisation routines. Unfortunately, its computational overhead may be impractically high for conventional algorithms. This study proposes an efficient gradient search algorithm with numerical derivatives. The acceleration of the optimisation process is obtained by means of the two mechanisms developed to suppress some of finite‐differentiation‐based updates of the antenna response sensitivities that involve monitoring and quantifying the gradient changes as well as design relocation between the consecutive algorithm iterations. Both methods considerably reduce the need for finite differentiation, leading to significant computational savings. At the same time, excellent reliability and repeatability is maintained, which is demonstrated through statistics over multiple algorithm runs with random initial designs. The proposed approach is validated using a benchmark set of wideband antennas. The proposed algorithm is competitive to both the reference trust‐region algorithm as well as its recently reported accelerated versions.
Online fractional open‐circuit voltage maximum output power algorithm for photovoltaic modules
Authors: Nadeem Ahsan , Sher Hadeed Ahmed , Murtaza Ali Faisal
Published: October 2019

An efficient maximum power point tracking technique is developed, which realises the fractional open‐circuit voltage (FOCV) algorithm through a unique on‐line procedure. The proposed method continuously estimates the open‐circuit voltage by measuring instantaneous voltage, current, and temperature of the photovoltaic module without disconnecting the power flow to the load. Simultaneously, the open‐circuit voltage () value can be measured at any operating point of the I–V curve and does not require any perturbation to the specific point. Three methods i.e. proposed algorithm, analytical FOCV, and conventional offline FOCV are modelled in Matlab/Simulink environment and also the numerical computations are carried out. Finally, the proposed FOCV and the conventional offline FOCV are tested through the experimental setup. The comparative analysis indicates the following advantages: (i) interruption‐free output power; (ii) accurate measurement of under any weather condition, especially variable temperature condition; and (iii) continuous measurement and tracking of maximum power point (MPP). Owing to the aforementioned advantages, the proposed method exhibits better MPP tracking and superior dynamic plus steady‐state efficiencies as compared to the analytical FOCV and conventional offline FOCV methods.
Simulation of vertical power flow at MV/HV transformers for quantification of curtailed renewable power
Authors: Memmel Elena , Peters Dorothee , Völker Rasmus , Schuldt Frank , von Maydell Karsten , Agert Carsten
Published: October 2019

The progressing integration of renewables (RE) into distribution grids leads to bidirectional power flows. Due to the fact that the power infeed by RE exceeds the grid capacities, bottlenecks occur increasingly and thereby renewable power generation has to be curtailed. For the decision if countermeasures like flexibility options could be applied, the knowledge of the amount of curtailed power as well as its local and temporal availability is crucial. This study proposes an approach to determine the curtailed power characteristics, which creates time series simulating the potential vertical power flow at medium voltage/ high voltage (MV/HV) transformers without curtailment. The approach is thereby modular and adjustable to the investigated (or any other) grid, so it achieves a high precision. The power flow at these transformers is modelled by load profiles and power curves of connected RE, which are adjusted individually for each transformer on the basis of the corresponding historical power flow. For validation, the transformers are clustered corresponding to their power flow characteristics and the uncertainty is determined for each cluster. Modelled wind power shows a mean deviation below 2% of total installed wind power. Thereby, the presented modelling approach is able to determine the curtailed power in regions with wind power‐related curtailments.
VSG scheme under unbalanced conditions controlled by SMC
Authors: Rosales Antonio , Yu Ziwei , Ponce Pedro , Molina Arturo , Ayyanar Raja
Published: October 2019

The presence of distributed generators (DGs) based on renewable energy is a fact in the electrical grid. However, DGs based on renewable resources such as photovoltaic panels and storage systems lack inertia, which is used by synchronous generators to compensate oscillations in the electrical grid. Thus, virtual inertia is introduced via a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) scheme. Although VSG is widely used, its robustness cannot be ensured since it employs proportional–integral–derivative‐type (PID‐type) controllers, which are sensitive to parameters variations. Furthermore, PID‐type controllers are designed assuming balance conditions and the negative sequence components produced during unbalanced conditions are not considered. This paper proposes a robust VSG topology working under unbalanced conditions. A sliding mode control (SMC) algorithm named super‐twisting (ST) is integrated into the control loop of VSG providing insensitivity to matched disturbances/uncertainties and finite‐time convergence. Since the design of the ST algorithm considers the presence of negative‐sequence components, it is not necessary a modification of the control loop before, during, or after the fault. The method to compute the ST control gains and the stability test using Lyapunov are provided. The VSG scheme is tested via simulations, where voltage sags are applied to generate the unbalanced conditions.
Analysis and treatment of power oscillations in hydropower plant Dubrava
Authors: Brezovec Miljenko , Kuzle Igor , Krpan Matej , Holjevac Ninoslav
Published: October 2019

The paper introduces, describes and analyses the specific power oscillations in hydroelectric power plant Dubrava that can appear in large bulb turbines operating with low tailwater levels. The procedure for the identification of the cause of oscillations is described and it is experimentally shown that the cause of power oscillations is a disturbance on a specific runner blade. The physical background of the cavitation‐related phenomena that causes these oscillations is presented. Furthermore, it is shown that neither the automatic voltage regulator nor the transmission network disturbance is the source of oscillations, while the power system stabiliser can only partially damp them. Power oscillations reduce the average power output due to the operation in the unsteady output zone. These oscillations can cause damage to the equipment and reduce its lifespan. The effectiveness of various measures for treatment of these oscillations is discussed. A simple model for simulation of these oscillations is shown and verified against measurements.
Estimating the economic potential of PV rooftop systems in South Africa's residential sector: a tale of eight metropolitan cities
Authors: Senatla Mamahloko , Bansal Ramesh C. , Naidoo Raj , Chiloane Lehlogonolo , Mudau Unarine
Published: October 2019

The cost of producing electricity with solar photovoltaic (PV) has decreased drastically in the past 10 years, so much that the installed PV capacity has increased exponentially between 2010 and 2018. South Africa is endowed with a technical potential of 72 GW for PV rooftop systems, but the economic potential is largely unknown. As a result, the integrated resource plan assumes that an annual installation of 200 MW of distributed generation will be made between 2018 and 2030. This study evaluates the economic potential of rooftop PV systems in the residential sector within metropolitan cities in South Africa using financial metrics. The important financial metrics used to qualify an investment are net present value, internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period. An investment is expected to pay itself back in less than 10 years with a high rate of return (IRR). Households are classified into living standards measure so that it is easier to map customers to related tariffs. Using this method, the eight metropolitan municipalities will have PV economic potential of 11 GW in 2019 and 22.7 GW by 2030 if the current tariff grows at 5% and the tariff structure does not change.
Radio afterglows of binary neutron star mergers: a population study for current and future gravitational wave observing runs
Authors: Duque R. , Daigne F. , Mochkovitch R.
Published: October 2019

Following the historical observations of GW170817 and its multi-wavelength afterglow, more radio afterglows from neutron star mergers are expected in the future as counterparts to gravitational wave inspiral signals. Our aim is to describe these events using our current knowledge of the population of neutron star mergers based on gamma-ray burst science, and taking into account the sensitivities of current and future gravitational wave and radio detectors. We combined analytical models for the merger gravitational wave and radio afterglow signals to a population model prescribing the energetics, circum-merger density and other relevant parameters of the mergers. We reported the expected distributions of observables (distance, orientation, afterglow peak time and flux, etc.) for future events and studied how these can be used to further probe the population of binary neutron stars, their mergers and related outflows during future observing campaigns. In the case of the O3 run of the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration, the radio afterglow of one third of gravitational-wave-detected mergers should be detectable (and detected if the source is localized thanks to the kilonova counterpart) by the Very Large Array. Furthermore, these events should have viewing angles similar to that of GW170817. These findings confirm the radio afterglow as a powerful insight into these events, although some key afterglow-related techniques, such as very long baseline interferometry imaging of the merger remnant, may no longer be feasible as the gravitational wave horizon increases.
Peripheral Vascular Anomalies – Essentials in Periinterventional Imaging
Authors: Sadick Maliha , Overhoff Daniel , Baessler Bettina , von Spangenberg Naema , Krebs Lena , Wohlgemuth Walter A.
Published: October 2019

Background Peripheral vascular anomalies represent a rare disease with an underlying congenital mesenchymal and angiogenetic disorder. Vascular anomalies are subdivided into vascular tumors and vascular malformations. Both entities include characteristic features and flow dynamics. Symptoms can occur in infancy and adulthood. Vascular anomalies may be accompanied by characteristic clinical findings which facilitate disease classification. The role of periinterventional imaging is to confirm the clinically suspected diagnosis, taking into account the extent and location of the vascular anomaly for the purpose of treatment planning.

Method In accordance with the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA), vascular anomalies are mainly categorized as slow-flow and fast-flow lesions. Based on the diagnosis and flow dynamics of the vascular anomaly, the recommended periinterventional imaging is described, ranging from ultrasonography and plain radiography to dedicated ultrafast CT and MRI protocols, percutaneous phlebography and transcatheter angiography. Each vascular anomaly requires dedicated imaging. Differentiation between slow-flow and fast-flow vascular anomalies facilitates selection of the appropriate imaging modality or a combination of diagnostic tools.

Results Slow-flow congenital vascular anomalies mainly include venous and lymphatic or combined malformations. Ultrasound and MRI and especially MR-venography are essential for periinterventional imaging. Arteriovenous malformations are fast-flow vascular anomalies. They should be imaged with dedicated MR protocols, especially when extensive. CT with 4D perfusion imaging as well as time-resolved 3D MR-A allow multiplanar perfusion-based assessment of the multiple arterial inflow and venous drainage vessels of arterio-venous malformations. These imaging tools should be subject to intervention planning, as they can reduce procedure time significantly. Fast-flow vascular tumors like hemangiomas should be worked up with ultrasound, including color-coded duplex sonography, MRI and transcatheter angiography in case of a therapeutic approach. In combined malformation syndromes, radiological imaging has to be adapted according to the dominant underlying vessels and their flow dynamics.

Conclusion Guide to evaluation of flow dynamics in peripheral vascular anomalies, involving vascular malformations and vascular tumors with the intention to facilitate selection of periinterventional imaging modalities and diagnostic and therapeutic approach to vascular anomalies.

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Arrhythmien bei Lungenerkrankungen
Authors: Butz Steffi , Busch Sonia , Brachmann Johannes , Vevecka Aneida
Published: October 2019

Patienten mit Lungenerkrankungen haben häufig atriale und ventrikuläre Arrhythmien. Die Pathogenese dieser Arrhythmien ist komplex und kann viele Faktoren betreffen. Unter allen Lungenerkrankungen wird besonderes Augenmerk auf den Zusammenhang zwischen Arrhythmien bei Patienten mit COPD und obstruktivem Schlafapnoe-Syndrom gelegt. Dies sind die häufigsten Lungenerkrankungen, von denen angenommen wird, dass sie in Zukunft zunehmen.
Breast Implants and Radiation
Authors: Mericli Alexander F. , Sharabi Safa E.
Published: October 2019

One of the most influential factors in the success of breast reconstruction is whether or not radiation therapy has or will be performed. While traditional teaching is that all breasts treated with radiation therapy must be reconstructed with an autologous component, many reconstructive surgeons perform implant-based breast reconstruction without an autologous component and have success doing so. The purpose of this article is to explore the risks, benefits, and nuances of performing implant-based breast reconstruction in the setting of radiation therapy. The authors performed a review of the literature of all topics relevant to performing implant-based reconstruction with radiation therapy.
Coordinated operation of multi-energy microgrid with flexible load
Authors: Dou Chunxia , Mi Xue , Ma Kai , Xu Shiyun
Published: October 2019

Aiming at the economy of microgrid operation and the uncertainty of renewable energy, a coordinated operation schedule of a multienergy microgrid based on a flexible load is proposed in this paper. Considering the difference in price and demand characteristics of multienergy, a multienergy interaction model based on a demand side response is established in day-ahead scheduling. In the intraday rolling optimization phase, according to the state of charge of battery and the demand of load, different battery function models are established at different time intervals, cooperating with the flexible load to obtain the optimal value of each unit's output. The main purpose of day-ahead scheduling and intraday scheduling is to achieve economic optimal scheduling and real-time scheduling is to guarantee the stability of the system. Finally, the simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. The proposed coordinated operation schedule of the multienergy microgrid achieves an integrated optimization for multienergy-type supply.