bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transferring a deep learning model from healthy subjects to stroke patients in a motor imagery brain–computer interface
Authors: Nagarajan Aarthy , Robinson Neethu , Ang Kai Keng , Chua Karen Sui Geok , Chew Effie , Guan Cuntai
Published: December 2023

Objective. Motor imagery (MI) brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) based on electroencephalogram (EEG) have been developed primarily for stroke rehabilitation, however, due to limited stroke data, current deep learning methods for cross-subject classification rely on healthy data. This study aims to assess the feasibility of applying MI-BCI models pre-trained using data from healthy individuals to detect MI in stroke patients. Approach. We introduce a new transfer learning approach where features from two-class MI data of healthy individuals are used to detect MI in stroke patients. We compare the results of the proposed method with those obtained from analyses within stroke data. Experiments were conducted using Deep ConvNet and state-of-the-art subject-specific machine learning MI classifiers, evaluated on OpenBMI two-class MI-EEG data from healthy subjects and two-class MI versus rest data from stroke patients. Main results. Results of our study indicate that through domain adaptation of a model pre-trained using healthy subjects’ data, an average MI detection accuracy of 71.15% (

±
12.46
%

) can be achieved across 71 stroke patients. We demonstrate that the accuracy of the pre-trained model increased by 18.15% after transfer learning (p

<

0.001). Additionally, the proposed transfer learning method outperforms the subject-specific results achieved by Deep ConvNet and FBCSP, with significant enhancements of 7.64% (p

<

0.001) and 5.55% (p

<

0.001) in performance, respectively. Notably, the healthy-to-stroke transfer learning approach achieved similar performance to stroke-to-stroke transfer learning, with no significant difference (p

>

0.05). Explainable AI analyses using transfer models determined channel relevance patterns that indicate contributions from the bilateral motor, frontal, and parietal regions of the cortex towards MI detection in stroke patients. Significance. Transfer learning from healthy to stroke can enhance the clinical use of BCI algorithms by overcoming the challenge of insufficient clinical data for optimal training.
Total Transfer Capacity Evaluation of HVDC Tie-Lines Considering Frequency Security Constraints
Authors: Cheng Yuming , Tian Chunzheng , Wu Sijia , Shao Hongbo , Chen Shuyu , Zhang Kainan
Published: December 2023

The high proportion of renewable energy access and the construction of HVDC transmission projects have led to a continuous decrease in the penetration rate of asynchronous power sources in the power system. Maintaining frequency stability and safe operation of the power system is a key issue that needs to be urgently addressed in the power grid. This article takes into account the participation of multiple types of power resources in inertia support and frequency modulation response and it also constructs an evaluation model for the total HVDC transfer capacity of the power grid. In response to the uncertainty of wind power and load power, scenario reduction methods are adopted to enhance the HVDC total transfer capacity of the power grid under frequency safety and stability constraints by the daily output of each power source. The simulation results indicate that the scheduling scheme evaluated by the proposed model has a higher frequency security level compared to traditional models.
False Data Injection Attack Against the Optimal Energy Management of Active Distribution Networks: A Bilevel Programming Model
Authors: Tang Xu , Wang Jing , Ran Xiaohong , Liu Kaipei , Qin Liang
Published: December 2023

With the wide integration of advanced measurement equipment and communication networks into active distribution networks (ADNs), the ADN cyber-physical system (CPS) is facing the risk of false data injection attacks (FDIAs). This paper proposes a bilevel attack model to obtain optimal false data, which maximizes power losses, photovoltaic (PV) curtailment, and load shedding while ensuring the concealment of the attack. Different from the FDIA for the transmission networks, the FDIA targeting ADNs not only injects false data into load demand but also further injects false data into PV output, achieving an attack through the cooperation of the two types of false data injection. Moreover, differing from a single-level attack model, the proposed bilevel model takes the optimal energy management model executed by the ADN system operators as the lower-level model, using a master-slave game to obtain the optimal false data that considers operator responses, making it more in line with practical engineering. Using the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions, the bilevel model is transformed into a single-level model for ease of solution. Simulation results based on the IEEE 33-bus test case confirm the effectiveness of the proposed model and reveal the risk of the ADN under FDIA.
Research on power sharing optimization strategy based on hybrid multi-microgrid
Authors: Huang Leiyu , Abuduwayiti Xiwang , Chao Qin , Zheng Zijie , Guo Chengkang
Published: December 2023

To alleviate the increasing distributed energy penetration problem in the distribution network under the “double carbon”, a P2P multi-microgrid power sharing and trading method based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) are proposed in the hybrid multi-microgrid. The paper constructs the optimization model of each sub-microgrid and a multi-microgrid model for P2P power sharing transactions based on the ADMM algorithm. Finally, the proposed model is simulated and verified using a multi-microgrid composed of three microgrids. The results show that the electric energy trading tariff between microgrids obtained from the model in this paper is reasonable, which can improve the utilization rate of new energy and reduce the penetration rate of distributed energy in the distribution network.
Scenario Reduction of Power Systems with Renewable Generations Using Improved Time-GAN
Authors: Huang Wenqi , Liang Lingyu , Dai Zhen , Cao Shang , Zhang Huanming , Zhao Xiangyu , Hou Jiaxuan , Li Hanju , Ma Wenhao , Che Liang
Published: December 2023

To investigate the uncertainties and spatiotemporal complexities of renewable energy represented by wind and photovoltaic, a scenario reduction of power systems with renewable generations uses improved time series generative adversarial networks (Time GAN). The long short-term memory neural network is used to construct the generative adversarial networks, and the time-series supervision loss function and generative adversarial loss function are introduced to jointly optimize the generator network for better generating the daily renewable energy power scenarios. Based on the results of scenario generation, the silhouette coefficient method is used to improve K-means for constructing a scenario reduction model. Finally, the case analysis shows that the proposed method can obtain typical renewable energy power scenarios with spatiotemporal correlation and provide a reference for the analysis of power system operation scenarios.
Fast Evaluation Method for Steady State Frequency of Multi-DC Interconnected Asynchronous Power Grid after DC Blocking
Authors: Wang Shenglin , Xu Sheng , He Haihuan , Chen Haiyong , Gan Qingzhong , Yang Jiahao , Zhang Junjie
Published: December 2023

For a multi-DC interconnected asynchronous power grid, to quickly evaluate the steady-state frequency after DC blocking, a fast evaluation method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the power flow model was established, including the DC transmission system, each interconnected asynchronous power grid model. The steady-state operation state before DC blocking was solved. Secondly, considering the adjustment of the model after DC blocking, the steady-state frequency analysis model considering the effects of primary frequency regulation and various stability control strategies was established. Finally, a case study was used to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. The simulation results and analysis show that the proposed method is fast and accurate.
Adaptation to the new energy side of the configuration of energy storage optimization analysis
Authors: Sun Qiao , Li Moujun , Zhang Lin , Zhao Shilin , Yang Zhuo , Li Sicheng
Published: December 2023

Energy storage technology is the key to achieving a high proportion of new energy generation, but the current optimization analysis of renewable energy side configuration of energy storage technology is not comprehensive enough and does not consider different application scenarios and operating conditions. In order to better select the appropriate energy storage technology and formulate the corresponding policy, this paper takes the western region of China as an example, and uses the particle swarm algorithm to determine the optimal energy storage configuration scheme; finally, comparing with the traditional scheme, the proposed optimization scheme takes into full consideration the stochastic nature of the wind and light power and the load in the microgrid, and reduces the cost of the energy storage configuration. Also, the grid operation loss is reduced and the economy of the grid operation is improved.
Defect detection of composite materials for cable insulation layer based on terahertz
Authors: Luo Guofang , Xu Qin , Song Ping , Chen Hongtao , Wang Dong , Chen Xi
Published: December 2023

Hidden defects can seriously affect the insulation performance of cables and pose safety hazards. In this article, a novel Non-Destructive evaluation technique for insulation materials based on terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technology is proposed. Firstly, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technology was used to perform reflective scanning on insulation materials. Various imaging algorithms were used to image terahertz defects. The results showed that the maximum imaging and peak to peak time imaging were effective. At the same time, bilateral filtering was used to process terahertz defect images. The results showed that bilateral filtering not only filtered out noise in terahertz images, but also retained edge details. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technology offers a fresh approach for detecting cable insulation material defects non-destructively, and finds application in various electrical environment inspections.
Research on Cable Insulation Layer Defect Detection Based on Terahertz Technology
Authors: Luo Guofang , Lu Qiyu , Huang Hua , Chen Hongtao , Han Jingxin , Chen Xi
Published: December 2023

The insulation layer of a cable plays a very important role in protecting the cable. If defects such as voids and detachment occur in the insulation layer of the cable, it can lead to a short circuit in the cable and cause a fire. In this article, a new insulation layer detection method is proposed, which uses terahertz equipment to detect defects in cables and obtain terahertz images with defects. However, some defect images are relatively blurry. Morphological algorithms are used to denoise and enhance the blurry images to obtain high-quality defect images to determine the location and size of defects. Terahertz technology has become a new method for detecting defects in cable insulation layers and is increasingly widely used.
Fault Location of Grid-connected Microgrid Lines Based on AVMD and Double-ended Traveling Wave Ranging
Authors: Fu Linyao , Li Chunhua , Wang Benke , Ban Yongshuang
Published: December 2023

To enhance the accuracy of fault location in microgrid lines, a fault location method based on adaptive variational mode decomposition (AVMD) and double-ended traveling wave ranging is proposed. Firstly, a microgrid radial structure model, incorporating wind, light, and water systems, is established. The parameters of variational mode decomposition are optimized by using the Aquila optimizer (AO) algorithm, allowing the original fault signal to be decomposed into multiple modal components using AVMD. Only a limited number of modal components retain the fault signal information. The effective weighted peak relevance index (EWPR) is employed to select the sensitive modal components, identified as the four modes that best preserve the fault information, for signal reconstruction. Finally, the reconstructed signal is applied for fault localization. Simulation results indicate that the proposed method is scarcely influenced by the fault type, exhibiting superior accuracy compared to the single-ended traveling wave method.
Inter-pole Cooperative Control Strategy for True Bipolar MMC-HVDC System with Offshore Wind Power
Authors: Chen Yijing , Zhong Shuwei , Zhang Yu , Li Chunhua , Zhou Fengfeng , Che Yanbo
Published: December 2023

For offshore wind power via a true bipolar MMC-HVDC delivery system, when both poles of the offshore converter stations adopt fixed AC voltage and fixed frequency control (referred to as fixed V/f control), the converter stations are connected to the same bus and control the same target, resulting in unstable operation of the system. Therefore, this paper proposes an inter-pole cooperative control strategy for a true bipolar MMC-HVDC system with offshore wind power. One pole of the offshore converter station adopts fixed V/f control to supply stable AC voltage to the offshore AC system, and the other pole adopts inter-pole cooperative control to achieve balanced power distribution between the two poles, thus improving the system power transmission margin and reducing power losses. Finally, a simulation project is established on the PSCAD/EMTDC to confirm the usefulness of the inter-pole cooperative control strategy.
Limit cycle of Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation
Authors: Ding Xiang
Published: December 2023

In the 1950s Hodgkin and Huxley created a model to describe the electrochemical transmission of neuronal signals along the cell membrane, it’s a very important model. However, in view of its complexity, this paper takes the next step to study its simplified model -- Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation. In these equations x is similar to the voltage and represents the excitability of the system, the variable y represents a combination of other forces that tend to return the system to rest. The parameter I is a stimulus parameter that leads to excitation of the system, I is like an applied current. Many studies have been made on the traveling wave solutions and solitary wave solutions of Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation under different parameters, and many people have also studied its numerical solutions. In this paper, the existence and uniqueness of periodic solutions of Fitzhugh-Nagumo equation with different parameters are studied by using geometric analysis and the results of Van der Pol equation.
A review of UWB indoor positioning
Authors: Qu Junwei
Published: December 2023

With the development of science and technology, more accurate and stable location information can better serve people’s lives. As people spend more time indoors, traditional positioning technologies such as Wi-Fi can no longer meet their needs due to a lack of positioning accuracy and interference resistance. UWB is an emerging positioning technology with high accuracy, robustness, and stability. This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of UWB technology with those of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Common UWB geometric positioning methods such as TOA, TDOA, etc. are introduced. By introducing the latest research progress in UWB indoor positioning, an outlook on the future development of UWB indoor positioning is made. Compared with Bluetooth and other indoor positioning technologies, UWB positioning technology has the advantages of high positioning accuracy and good anti-interference. The UWB positioning system usually uses TOA, TDOA, AOA, and other positioning algorithms. In the future, UWB positioning technology will serve more and more complex positioning environments.
Research and mechanism of iron-based superconductors
Authors: Bi Cheng
Published: December 2023

The discovery of new iron-based superconductor LaFeAsO1-xFx with Tc of 26 K in 2008 had quickly revived interest in the exploration of iron-based superconductors. After several years of research on this superconducting material, iron-based superconductors have become another family of high-temperature superconductors after copper-based superconductors. The crystal structure of LaOFeAs is P4/nmm family, and by doping with fluorine, LaO1-xFxFeAs exhibits superconductivity because both structural distortion and magnetic order are suppressed. In this review, the development and experimental results of such iron-based high Tc materials will be presented. We describe the synthetic method of this class of superconductors, the physical properties of the precursors, the doping methods that can produce superconductivity, the pressure effect, and the prospects of this new iron-based high Tc family.
Overview of gravitational waves: Formation, polarization and detection
Authors: Zhou Jing
Published: December 2023

Gravitational waves (GWs) are reliable for proving general relativities. Also, they can be used in detecting physics phenomena in the universe. Motions of bodies make spacetime curved, and then gravitational waves are formed. Additionally, GWs can be produced in the early universe. A mathematical description of gravitational waves derived using linearized theory and transverse-traceless gauge shows GWs polarizations and the relationship between perturbation and strain. GW signal was first detected in the binary system PSR1913+16. Data presented an orbital decay, which followed general relativity’s prediction. Direct detections today, designed according to GWs properties, are carried out by resonant detectors, interferometers, and pulsar timing arrays. Noise reduction is a key to accurate detection. Furthermore, analyzing the B-mode cosmic microwave background can be used in detecting primordial gravitational waves.
Rainbow link beamforming technology and relevant analysis
Authors: Ding Yuheng , Zhang Xueqing
Published: December 2023

In the 5G era, millimeter wave has been mentioned as an important position. Millimeter wave has some problems that cannot be ignored: the free space path loss and atmospheric attenuation. To overcome these problems, millimeter wave systems rely on beamforming to overcome losses. Traditional techniques utilize phase antenna arrays for beamforming, which can cause delays in the time consumption and beam scheduling, and due to limited beams, this technology can only be connected to a limited number of devices, and each transmission occupies the entire bandwidth. This paper introduces a new technology called rainbow link, which is implemented by a new true time delay (TTD) array structure. This technology can achieve the allocation of different subcarriers to a large number of users in the corresponding beamforming direction. Users only need to select appropriate frequency resources. In this work, we calculate the performance of rainbow link with different parameters, and our results show that given 1 GHz bandwidth using 64 element antenna arrays, a rainbow-link cell achieves 1ms latency and 0.6M symbols per second with 0.03 active user rate.
Effect of Mo on microstructure and sliding wear performance of CoCrFeNiMox high entropy alloy coatings by laser cladding
Authors: Chang Qingcheng , Liu Ying , Xia Yilong , Liu Xueyou , Xie Yongxin , Hu Jinkang , Li Wei
Published: December 2023

The CoCrFeNiMox (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 in molar ratio) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) coating were prepared on AISI1045 steel by laser cladding. The microstructure, hardness and tribological properties were investigated through x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness tester and reciprocating tribometer. The result shows that the coating is metallurgically bonded to the substrate and exhibits columnar and equiaxed grains microstructure consisted of main face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution and few body-centered cubic (BCC) struture when x≤ 1.0. The (Fe, Cr, Mo)-riched σ phase shows up in the CoCrFeNiMo1.5 FCC matrix due to excess Mo addition. CoCrFeNiMox HEA coatings shows an obvious increase of surface hardness from 261 HV0.2 to 793 HV0.2 by increasing the Mo content to 1.5 in the molar ratio, and exhibited the most excellent wear resistance among all the compositions designed in this work. The wear resistance of the CoCrFeNiMo1.5 alloy coating is about 2.2 times higher than that of the coating without Mo. The wear mechanism changes with increasing Mo content, though abrasive wear is a common mechanism, more adhesive wear occurred at low Mo content but few oxidation and fatigue wear occured at high Mo content.
New insight into the relationship between the C-Cr ratio and carbides, mechanical property of cold working die steel
Authors: Hongxiao Chi , Yingnan Di , Nan Zhang , Jinbo Gu , Jian Zhou , Dangshen Ma
Published: December 2023

An new insight into the relationship between the C-Cr Ratio and carbides, mechanical property Cr Alloyed of cold working die Steel were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), rockwell hardness and impact toughness tests. The ‘C-Cr ratio’ and ‘Cr equivalent E
Cr ‘ parameters were introduced to characterize the carbide characteristics and mechanical properties. The results show that the precipitation temperature of M7C3 eutectic carbides grows linearly with E
Cr when the E
Cr value is less than about 22, and the precipitation temperature increases significantly when the E
Cr value exceeds 22, and the growth curve takes a plateau turn. The precipitation temperature of MC carbides decreases approximately linearly with E
Cr value, and the precipitation of MC eutectic carbides will be completely suppressed when the E
Cr value exceeds 19. The content of eutectic carbides in the as-cast organization is more, the shape is more complex and the size is larger. The ratio of Cr and Fe content in the composition of M7C3 eutectic carbides is linearly related to the Cr-C ratio; the content of carbides in the steel after forging and the E
Cr value are basically linear. The average particle size and the average length of longitudinal carbides after forging are basically proportional to the E
Cr value. The average particle size of longitudinal carbides after forging is greater than 4 μm and the E
Cr value are basically linear; when the Cr content is greater than 4%, the quenching peak hardness of steel and the C/Cr have a good linear relationship; as the E
Cr value gradually increases, the impact toughness of steel gradually decreases. These results are important not only for understanding the strengthening mechanisms of die steel, but also for the composition design and carbide control of cold working die steel.
Preliminary study of the electrospray DPE peculiarities from the liquid surface in the presence of the CSWs
Authors: HE 贺 Weiguo 伟国 , HUO 霍 Weijie 卫杰 , HAN 韩 Luofeng 罗峰 , ZHU 朱 Kangwu 康武 , WANG 王 Feng 锋 , WANG 王 Zekun 泽坤
Published: December 2023

The Ultrasonic Electric Propulsion (UEP) system is a cutting-edge propulsion technology that is mostly used on platforms for small satellites (less than 10 kg). The characteristics of droplet partial emissions (DPEs) in the UEP system are investigated using a high-speed imaging technique (an ultra-high speed camera (NAC HX-6) and a long-distance microscope) in this work. The experiments demonstrate that there are a few partial emission modes, including left-side emission, double-side emission, and right-side emission, that are present in the droplet emission process of the UEP system. These modes are primarily caused by the partial formation of capillary standing waves (CSWs) on the emission surface of the ultrasonic nozzle. The emission rate for single- and double-sided emissions varies at different times, indicating that there are different CSWs engaged in droplet emission due to variations in the liquid film thickness and charge state of the liquid cones. Additionally, as the droplets emit continuously, a raised area on the emission surface appears, with several droplets emitting there as a result of charge accumulation. Additionally, photos of the CSWs with emitting droplets are obtained, which highlights the CSWs’ distinctive wave morphology.
The amoeba dimension of a linear space
Authors: Draisma Jan , Eggleston Sarah , Pendavingh Rudi , Rau Johannes , Yuen Chi Ho
Published: December 2023

Given a complex vector subspace

V
V

of

C

n

\mathbb {C}^n

, the dimension of the amoeba of

V
∩
(

C

∗

)
n

V \cap (\mathbb {C}^*)^n

depends only on the matroid that

V
V

defines on the ground set

{
1
,
…
,
n
}

\{1,\ldots ,n\}

. Here we prove that this dimension is given by the minimum of a certain function over all partitions of the ground set, as previously conjectured by Rau. We also prove that this formula can be evaluated in polynomial time.
Morphological evaluation of the feline placenta correlates with gene expression of vascular growth factors and receptors
Authors: Gudenschwager-Basso Erwin K , Frydman Galit , Weerakoon Shaneke , Andargachew Hariyat , Piltaver Cassandra M , Huckle William R
Published: December 2023

Placental angiogenesis is critical for normal development. Angiogenic factors and their receptors are key regulators of this process. Dysregulated placental vascular development is associated with pregnancy complications. Despite their importance, vascular growth factor expression has not been thoroughly correlated with placental morphologic development across gestation in cats. We postulate that changes in placental vessel morphology can be appreciated as consequences of dynamic expression of angiogenic signaling agents. Here, we characterized changes in placental morphology alongside expression analysis of angiogenic factor splice variants and receptors throughout pregnancy in domestic shorthair cats. We observed increased vascular and lamellar density in the lamellar zone during mid-pregnancy. Immunohistochemical analysis localized the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) receptor KDR to endothelial cells of the maternal and fetal microvasculatures. PlGF and its principal receptor Flt-1 were localized to the trophoblasts and fetal vasculature. VEGF-A was found in trophoblast cells and associated with endothelial cells. We detected expression of two Plgf splice variants and four Vegf-a variants. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed upregulation of mRNAs encoding pan Vegf-a and all Vegf-a splice forms at gestational days 30–35. Vegf-A showed a marked relative increase in expression during mid-pregnancy, consistent with the pro-angiogenic changes seen in the lamellar zone at days 30–35. Flt-1 was upregulated during late pregnancy. Plgf variants showed stable expression during the first two-thirds of pregnancy, followed by a marked increase toward term. These findings revealed specific spatiotemporal expression patterns of VEGF-A family members consistent with pivotal roles during normal placental development.
An inflammation resolution–promoting intervention prevents atrial fibrillation caused by left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Hiram Roddy , Xiong Feng , Naud Patrice , Xiao Jiening , Sosnowski Deanna K , Le Quilliec Ewen , Saljic Arnela , Abu-Taha Issam H , Kamler Markus , LeBlanc Charles-Alexandre , Al-U’Datt Doa’a G F , Sirois Martin G , Hebert Terence E , Tanguay Jean-François , Tardif Jean-Claude , Dobrev Dobromir , Nattel Stanley
Published: December 2023

Aims

Recent studies suggest that bioactive mediators called resolvins promote an active resolution of inflammation. Inflammatory signalling is involved in the development of the substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of resolvin-D1 on atrial arrhythmogenic remodelling resulting from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction induced by myocardial infarction (MI) in rats.

Methods and results

MI was produced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Intervention groups received daily intraperitoneal resolvin-D1, beginning before MI surgery (early-RvD1) or Day 7 post-MI (late-RvD1) and continued until Day 21 post-MI. AF vulnerability was evaluated by performing an electrophysiological study. Atrial conduction was analysed by using optical mapping. Fibrosis was quantified by Masson’s trichrome staining and gene expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and RNA sequencing. Investigators were blinded to group identity. Early-RvD1 significantly reduced MI size (17 ± 6%, vs. 39 ± 6% in vehicle-MI) and preserved LV ejection fraction; these were unaffected by late-RvD1. Transoesophageal pacing induced atrial tachyarrhythmia in 2/18 (11%) sham-operated rats, vs. 18/18 (100%) MI-only rats, in 5/18 (28%, P < 0.001 vs. MI) early-RvD1 MI rats, and in 7/12 (58%, P < 0.01) late-RvD1 MI rats. Atrial conduction velocity significantly decreased post-MI, an effect suppressed by RvD1 treatment. Both early-RvD1 and late-RvD1 limited MI-induced atrial fibrosis and prevented MI-induced increases in the atrial expression of inflammation-related and fibrosis-related biomarkers and pathways.

Conclusions

RvD1 suppressed MI-related atrial arrhythmogenic remodelling. Early-RvD1 had MI sparing and atrial remodelling suppressant effects, whereas late-RvD1 attenuated atrial remodelling and AF promotion without ventricular protection, revealing atrial-protective actions unrelated to ventricular function changes. These results point to inflammation resolution–promoting compounds as novel cardio-protective interventions with a particular interest in attenuating AF substrate development.
From escalation to weaning strategies: how to integrate the ECMELLA concept
Authors: Schrage Benedikt , Bernhardt Alexander , Potapov Evgenij , Bertoldi Letizia F , Mangner Norman
Published: December 2023

The additional implantation of a micro-axial flow pump (mAFP) in patients receiving extracorporeal life support by a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) for cardiogenic shock (CS) has gained interest in recent years. Thus far, retrospective propensity score-matched studies, case series, and meta-analyses have consistently shown an improved survival in patients treated with the so-called ECMELLA concept. The pathophysiological context is based on the modification of V-A ECMO-related side effects and the additive benefit of myocardial unloading. From this point of view, knowledge and detection of these pathophysiological mechanisms are of utmost importance to successfully manage mechanical circulatory support in CS. In this article, we describe best practices for the indication of the two devices as well as escalation and de-escalation approaches including implantation and explantation strategies that are key for success.
Examining the transferability of height–diameter model calibration strategies across studies
Authors: Ciceu Albert , Chakraborty Debojyoti , Ledermann Thomas
Published: December 2023

Height–diameter (H–D) models are fundamental tools for predicting the relationship between tree H–D at breast height, for numerous applications in forestry. Increasingly, studies develop H–D models that can be calibrated to achieve a high level of precision with only a few observations. Different calibration methods and strategies are employed and compared in these studies, often disregarding the data used to develop the models and the H–D function used. In this study, we examined the transferability of optimal calibration strategies across studies, conducting a literature review and an empirical study. We compared the performance of six H–D functions and different calibration methods when using the same calibration strategies and dataset. Based on our literature review, we found that the most commonly employed calibration strategy is random-effects calibration and that the most common variable used to develop generalized H–D models is dominant height. We observed that different calibration methods can lead to varying results due to their different emphases on various aspects of the data and their individual limitations. Moreover, when the same dataset is used for calibration, different H–D functions may exhibit various performances. However, we found high percentages of agreement for the Curtis, Schumacher, and Wykoff H–D functions across all three calibration methods and low agreement between all functions and the Power H–D function. These observations underscore the need to consider all relevant factors, including the H–D function used, when selecting an H–D function and calibration strategy to ensure optimal transferability of the model. Our study provides insights that can improve the accuracy of H–D models, which are essential for predicting forest growth and structure in the context of changing environmental conditions.
AlcoR: alignment-free simulation, mapping, and visualization of low-complexity regions in biological data
Authors: Silva Jorge M , Qi Weihong , Pinho Armando J , Pratas Diogo
Published: December 2023

Background

Low-complexity data analysis is the area that addresses the search and quantification of regions in sequences of elements that contain low-complexity or repetitive elements. For example, these can be tandem repeats, inverted repeats, homopolymer tails, GC-biased regions, similar genes, and hairpins, among many others. Identifying these regions is crucial because of their association with regulatory and structural characteristics. Moreover, their identification provides positional and quantity information where standard assembly methodologies face significant difficulties because of substantial higher depth coverage (mountains), ambiguous read mapping, or where sequencing or reconstruction defects may occur. However, the capability to distinguish low-complexity regions (LCRs) in genomic and proteomic sequences is a challenge that depends on the model’s ability to find them automatically. Low-complexity patterns can be implicit through specific or combined sources, such as algorithmic or probabilistic, and recurring to different spatial distances—namely, local, medium, or distant associations.

Findings

This article addresses the challenge of automatically modeling and distinguishing LCRs, providing a new method and tool (AlcoR) for efficient and accurate segmentation and visualization of these regions in genomic and proteomic sequences. The method enables the use of models with different memories, providing the ability to distinguish local from distant low-complexity patterns. The method is reference and alignment free, providing additional methodologies for testing, including a highly flexible simulation method for generating biological sequences (DNA or protein) with different complexity levels, sequence masking, and a visualization tool for automatic computation of the LCR maps into an ideogram style. We provide illustrative demonstrations using synthetic, nearly synthetic, and natural sequences showing the high efficiency and accuracy of AlcoR. As large-scale results, we use AlcoR to unprecedentedly provide a whole-chromosome low-complexity map of a recent complete human genome and the haplotype-resolved chromosome pairs of a heterozygous diploid African cassava cultivar.

Conclusions

The AlcoR method provides the ability of fast sequence characterization through data complexity analysis, ideally for scenarios entangling the presence of new or unknown sequences. AlcoR is implemented in C language using multithreading to increase the computational speed, is flexible for multiple applications, and does not contain external dependencies. The tool accepts any sequence in FASTA format. The source code is freely provided at https://github.com/cobilab/alcor.
Telomere-to-telomere and gap-free genome assembly of a susceptible grapevine species (Thompson Seedless) to facilitate grape functional genomics
Authors: Wang Xianhang , Tu Mingxing , Wang Ya , Zhang Yali , Yin Wuchen , Fang Jinghao , Gao Min , Li Zhi , Zhan Wei , Fang Yulin , Song Junyang , Xi Zhumei , Wang Xiping
Published: December 2023

Grapes are globally recognized as economically significant fruit trees. Among grape varieties, Thompson Seedless holds paramount influence for fresh consumption and for extensive applications in winemaking, drying, and juicing. This variety is one of the most efficient genotypes for grape genetic modification. However, the lack of a high-quality genome has impeded effective breeding efforts. Here, we present the high-quality reference genome of Thompson Seedless with all 19 chromosomes represented as 19 contiguous sequences (N50 = 27.1 Mb) with zero gaps and prediction of all telomeres and centromeres. Compared with the previous assembly (TSv1 version), the new assembly incorporates an additional 31.5 Mb of high-quality sequenced data with annotation of a total of 30 397 protein-coding genes. We also performed a meticulous analysis to identify nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat genes (NLRs) in Thompson Seedless and two wild grape varieties renowned for their disease resistance. Our analysis revealed a significant reduction in the number of two types of NLRs, TIR-NB-LRR (TNL) and CC-NB-LRR (CNL), in Thompson Seedless, which may have led to its sensitivity to many fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, and an increase in the number of a third type, RPW8 (resistance to powdery mildew 8)-NB-LRR (RNL). Subsequently, transcriptome analysis showed significant enrichment of NLRs during powdery mildew infection, emphasizing the pivotal role of these elements in grapevine’s defense against powdery mildew. The successful assembly of a high-quality Thompson Seedless reference genome significantly contributes to grape genomics research, providing insight into the importance of seedlessness, disease resistance, and color traits, and these data can be used to facilitate grape molecular breeding efforts.
An evaluation of the cetacean bycatch monitoring programme on board the Spanish set gillnet and bottom pair trawl fleets in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Castro Jose , Cañás Lucia , Rodríguez Jose , Pierce Graham John , Saavedra Camilo
Published: December 2023

Bycatch of cetaceans by European Union (EU) fleets is mostly monitored by onboard observers under the EU Data Collection Framework (DCF) programme. There is concern that the resulting estimates of cetacean bycatch mortality are biased and imprecise, because bycatch events are rare, sampling coverage is limited, and DCF observers prioritize the sampling of the discard of commercial species. Here, we explore the utility of the recently established Spanish cetacean bycatch monitoring programme to estimate cetacean bycatch mortality and compare it to the EU DCF programme. Data from October 2020 to September 2021 from this new Spanish programme were analysed to explore the following issues: (i) representativeness of the sampling frame; (ii) estimation of bycatch per unit of effort (BPUE); and (iii) sampling coverage. The probabilistic sampling design of the programme, with a record of refusals, has allowed identification and correction of biases in BPUE estimation. BPUE estimates for the bottom pair trawl fleet were recalculated to account for the fact that although boats work in pairs, each pair is monitored by a single observer located in a single boat. In relation to the sampling coverage, our results point to a need for levels up to 31% to achieve statistically robust bycatch rates. The current Spanish EU DCF at-sea sampling programme (which includes the sampling of bycatch of non-target protected species) and the Spanish (dedicated) cetacean bycatch monitoring programme provided similar results on cetacean bycatch for some of the ICES Divisions and Metiers monitored but sampling coverage of both is insufficient to obtain robust estimates.
From guano to green hydrogen: food security and fertilizer disputes in international energy law
Authors: Hailes Oliver
Published: December 2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered energy and food crises, driven by demand for natural gas as fuel and fertilizer feedstock. By adopting a recent framework for analysing the diverse ways in which international law regulates energy transactions, I extend the category of end-use energy products to include food for human consumption, given the economic importance of dietary energy and the entangled agendas of energy and food security. To highlight the intermediate roles played by international law in securing resources for conversion into dietary energy, I show how rules allocating entitlements over fossil fuels were inherited from an earlier generation of international disputes over fertilizer resources, including the taxation of nitrate exports, alien entitlements to guano discoveries, and the well-known confiscation of a factory at Chorzów. Many of these disputes between States and commercial actors prefigured the reliance of the modern energy industry on investment arbitration and retain currency in case law. Yet, the fertilizer trade also informed the development of offshore resource entitlements, the local regulation of global externalities, and the belated recognition of the rights of peoples over natural resources. Despite this normative evolution, dispute settlement in the energy sector is still driven by States and commercial actors, although the underlying transactions may have profound implications for food security. By reframing food as energy and integrating fertilizer disputes into a long history of international energy law, the anticipated transition from fossil fuels towards green hydrogen as a dual-use fuel and fertilizer feedstock may generate familiar sites of distributive conflict over resources for the production of dietary energy, calling for closer attention to whether food security may be enhanced by the entitlements of collective subjects (food sovereignty), individuals (right to food), corporations (investment protection), and States (economic regulation).
Pro-Claimant bias in arbitrator selection
Authors: Traxler Tobias
Published: December 2023

Recent empirical studies have confirmed that arbitrator selection affects outcomes in investor–state arbitrations. This article builds on the existing literature, relying on 48 semistructured interviews with investor-state arbitration practitioners. It makes three novel claims: (A) sophisticated counsel nowadays will take factors beyond a candidate’s appointment record into account when selecting an arbitrator. In this, a candidate’s likely ability to influence their peers’ thinking is particularly important. (B) States struggle to keep up with investors in the sophisticated process of arbitrator selection. They are frequently unable to engage counsel and select suitable arbitrators within the mandated timelines for arbitrator selection, and (C), as a consequence of the former two insights, states frequently fall into four different traps when selecting arbitrators. They appoint as their arbitrators famous jurists without significant investor-state arbitration experience, famous proinvestor arbitrators, and famous arbitrators that have publicly assumed entrenched positions and defer appointments to appointing authorities. This hinders states’ ability to effectively further their case during arbitrator selection, thus disadvantaging them in investor–state arbitrations.
Energy disciplines in PTAs between security and sustainability concerns: a comparative perspective
Authors: Espa Ilaria
Published: December 2023

This article aims at exploring the universe of energy disciplines included in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and their evolution through the prisms of energy security and energy sustainability. It offers a comparative perspective by classifying relevant provisions according to their scope and coverage, their level of normativity and enforceability, and their innovative potential for driving a structural reorientation of PTAs from a security-driven approach (ie focused on the use of trade rules to promote energy trade in order to foster availability) to a sustainability-driven approach (ie focused on the use of trade rules to promote environmentally sustainable energy trade in order to facilitate the energy transition). It identifies the main tenets underpinning this ongoing shift and offers some reflections on how and to which extent environmental sustainability can be advanced through PTA disciplines on energy.
A randomized, double-blinded Phase 3 study to demonstrate lot-to-lot consistency and to confirm immunogenicity and safety of the live-attenuated chikungunya virus vaccine candidate VLA1553 in healthy adults
Authors: McMahon Robert , Fuchs Ulrike , Schneider Martina , Hadl Sandra , Hochreiter Romana , Bitzer Annegret , Kosulin Karin , Koren Michael , Mader Robert , Zoihsl Oliver , Wressnigg Nina , Dubischar Katrin , Buerger Vera , Eder-Lingelbach Susanne , Jaramillo Juan Carlos
Published: December 2023

Background

The global spread of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) increases the exposure risk for individuals travelling to or living in endemic areas. This Phase 3 study was designed to demonstrate manufacturing consistency between three lots of the single shot live-attenuated CHIKV vaccine VLA1553, and to confirm the promising immunogenicity and safety data obtained in previous trials.

Methods

This randomized, double-blinded, lot-to-lot consistency, Phase 3 study, assessed immunogenicity and safety of VLA1553 in 408 healthy adults (18–45 years) in 12 sites across the USA. The primary endpoint was a comparison of the geometric mean titre (GMT) ratios of CHIKV-specific neutralizing antibodies between three VLA1553 lots at 28 days post-vaccination. Secondary endpoints included immunogenicity and safety over 6 months post-vaccination.

Results

GMTs were comparable between the lots meeting the acceptance criteria for equivalence. The average GMT (measured by 50% CHIKV micro plaque neutralization test; μPRNT50) peaked with 2643 at 28 days post-vaccination and decreased to 709 at 6 months post-vaccination. An excellent seroresponse rate (defined as μPRNT50 titre ≥ 150 considered protective) was achieved in 97.8% of participants at 28 days post-vaccination and still persisted in 96% at 6 months after vaccination. Upon VLA1553 immunization, 72.5% of participants experienced adverse events (AEs), without significant differences between lots (related solicited systemic AE: 53.9% of participants; related solicited local AE: 19.4%). Overall, AEs were mostly mild or moderate and resolved without sequela, usually within 3 days. With 3.9% of participants experiencing severe AEs, 2.7% were classified as related, whereas none of the six reported serious adverse events was related to the administration of VLA1553.

Conclusions

All three lots of VLA1553 recapitulated the safety and immunogenicity profiles of a preceding Phase 3 study, fulfilling pre-defined consistency requirements. These results highlight the manufacturability of VLA1553, a promising vaccine for the prevention of CHIKV disease for those living in or travelling to endemic areas.
Constraining broad photon spectrum injections from exotic and astrophysical sources
Authors: Acharya Sandeep Kumar , Cyr Bryce , Chluba Jens
Published: December 2023

We study the evolution of photon injections with a power-law type spectrum inserted at various epochs of the universe, and obtain constraints on their parameter space from multiple different cosmological probes. Our work is motivated by the realistic possibility of having extended photon spectra from astrophysical and exotic sources. Going beyond a δ-function like approximation, the physics becomes richer and the constraining power of cosmological probes starts to depend on the photon injection history in a complex way. As a toy model, we first consider a decaying particle scenario, and then generalize to a more model independent power law type injection in redshift. Different combinations of our parameters can be mapped to a wide variety of realistic astrophysical and exotic sources, providing useful benchmarks for study in future work.